Patents by Inventor Detlev Richter

Detlev Richter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090244973
    Abstract: A memory system having a plurality of memory cells for storing payload data and redundancy data. The memory system having a read-out circuit configured to read-out a status of the plurality of memory cells, the read-out status having payload data, redundancy data and associated reliability information. Moreover, the memory system has a data processor configured to derive the payload data from the read-out status using the reliability information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Scheppler, Helmut Schwalm, Doris Keitel-Schulz, Xavier Veredas-Ramirez, Detlev Richter
  • Publication number: 20090244949
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for transferring data in a memory device is provided. The method may include transferring data from a first memory cell arrangement including a plurality of memory cells to a second memory cell arrangement including a plurality of memory cells via a connecting circuit arrangement coupled to the plurality of memory cell arrangements and providing a plurality of controllable connections via a plurality of connecting circuit terminals, the memory cell arrangements being connected with at least one connecting circuit terminal of the plurality of connecting circuit terminals, wherein the connecting circuit is configured to provide arbitrarily controllable signal flow connections between the plurality of connecting circuit terminals. The data are transferred via a logic connection using the controllable connections. Simultaneously, a further logic connection may be provided to a memory cell arrangement of the memory cell arrangements using the controllable connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Roberto Ravasio, Andreas Kux, Detlev Richter, Girolamo Gallo, Josef Willer, Ramirez Xavier Veredas
  • Publication number: 20090185441
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to integrated circuits, a method to operate an integrated circuit, and a method to determine an electrical erase sequence. More particularly, the application relates to devices having at least two memory cells and methods relating to its operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Kux, Detlev Richter
  • Publication number: 20090185425
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to an integrated circuit having a memory cell arrangement and a method for reading a memory cell state using a plurality of partial readings. In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit having a memory cell arrangement is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Roberto Ravasio, Detlev Richter, Gert Koebernik, Girolamo Gallo, Mirko Reissmann, Ramirez Xavier Veredas
  • Publication number: 20090154264
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there are provided integrated circuits, memory controller, a method for determining a level for programming or erasing a memory segment, and a method for determining a wear level score for a memory segment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for determining a level for programming or erasing a memory segment is provided, wherein a first level for programming or erasing a memory segment is determined as a function of an initial program/erase level. Furthermore, a first updated level is determined for a subsequent program/erase operation of the memory segment and a second level for programming or erasing the memory segment subsequent to programming or erasing the memory segment is determined using the first level, wherein the second level is determined as a function of the first updated level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Kux, Detlev Richter, Gert Koebernick, Juergen Engelhardt, Sudhindra Prasad
  • Publication number: 20090097317
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to integrated circuits and methods for manufacturing an integrated circuit. In an embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit having a memory cell is provided. The memory cell may include a trench in a carrier, a charge trapping layer structure in the trench, the charge trapping layer structure comprising at least two separate charge trapping regions, electrically conductive material at least partially filled in the trench, and source/drain regions next to the trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Josef Willer, Franz Hofmann, Detlev Richter, Nicolas Nagel
  • Publication number: 20090059673
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method of operating an integrated circuit for reading the logical state of a selected one of a plurality of memory cells included within a memory cell string in the integrated circuit is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Josef Willer, Detlev Richter
  • Publication number: 20090040841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a method for writing at least one memory cell of an integrated circuit; a method for writing at least two memory cells of an integrated circuit; and to integrated circuits. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for writing at least one memory cell of an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes determining a writing state of at least one reference memory cell, depending on the writing state of the at least one reference memory cell, writing the at least one memory cell, and writing the at least one reference memory cell to a given writing state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Detlev Richter, Andreas Kux
  • Patent number: 7489563
    Abstract: A memory device is provided including memory cells that are capable of switching between at least two states, where the threshold of a sense signal for detecting the current state depends on a data content of the memory cell. Parallel to a user data block, a primary control word including a predetermined number of bits of a first state is stored in a check section of the cell array. The check section is read by applying sense signals of different amplitudes, where in each case a secondary control word is obtained. By checking in each secondary control word the number of bits of the first state, the margins of the current sense signal amplitude towards the sense window limits may be checked and the sense signal amplitude may be adapted permanently to a sense window drift, so as to enhance the reliability of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Qimonda Flash GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Richter, Mirko Reissmann, Volker Zipprich-Rasch, Gert Köbernik, Uwe Augustin, Konrad Seidel, Andreas Kux, Hans Heitzer, Daniel-André Löhr, Sören Irmer
  • Patent number: 7457144
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a plurality of first and second non-volatile memory cells arranged as an array. Each memory cell stores information. The memory device further comprises an access unit coupled to the array. The access unit stores information in the plurality of first and second non-volatile memory cells. The memory device further comprises a verifying unit coupled to the array. The verifying unit verifies the information stored in a group of the first and second memory cells by verifying only a subset of the group. The subset comprises at least one of the second memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Qimonda Flash GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Kux, Detlev Richter
  • Publication number: 20080285344
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to integrated circuits, methods for manufacturing an integrated circuit, memory modules, and computing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Eike Ruttkowski, Detlev Richter, Michael Specht, Joseph Willer, Dirk Manger, Kenny Oisin, Steffen Meyer, Klaus Knobloch, Holger Moeller, Doris Keitel Schulz, Jan Gutsche, Gert Koebernik, Christoph Friederich
  • Publication number: 20080253217
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for accessing a memory cell in an integrated circuit, a method of determining a set of word line voltage identifiers in an integrated circuit, a method for classifying memory cells in an integrated circuit, a method for determining a word line voltage for accessing a memory cell in an integrated circuit and integrated circuits. In an embodiment, a method of accessing a memory cell in an integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit has a memory cell field including a plurality of memory cells. The method includes selecting a word line voltage identifier from a pre-stored set of word line voltage identifiers, each one of the pre-stored set of word line voltage identifiers being assigned to at least one of the memory cells in the memory cell field and accessing the memory cell using a word line voltage being dependent on the selected word line voltage identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Taeuber, Detlev Richter, Luca De Ambroggi, Konrad Seidel, Robert Petter, Marco Ziegelmayer
  • Patent number: 7437629
    Abstract: A method for checking the refresh function of a memory having a refresh device includes the steps of, first, ascertaining whether or not refresh request pulses are being produced on the information memory and, if so, at what intervals of time from one another these refresh request pulses are produced. Next, a control unit for the information memory is supplied with refresh test pulses produced outside of the information memory instead of being supplied with the refresh request pulses. Then, the refresh test pulses are used to check a refresh device situated on the information memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Spirkl, Detlev Richter
  • Publication number: 20080181012
    Abstract: A memory device is provided including memory cells that are capable of switching between at least two states, where the threshold of a sense signal for detecting the current state depends on a data content of the memory cell. Parallel to a user data block, a primary control word including a predetermined number of bits of a first state is stored in a check section of the cell array. The check section is read by applying sense signals of different amplitudes, where in each case a secondary control word is obtained. By checking in each secondary control word the number of bits of the first state, the margins of the current sense signal amplitude towards the sense window limits may be checked and the sense signal amplitude may be adapted permanently to a sense window drift, so as to enhance the reliability of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: QIMONDA FLASH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Detlev Richter, Mirko Reissmann, Volker Zipprich-Rasch, Gert Kobernik, Uwe Augustin, Konrad Seidel, Andreas Kux, Hans Heitzer, Daniel-Andre Lohr, Soren Irmer
  • Publication number: 20080082776
    Abstract: A method of storing data in a memory is provided, including testing a plurality of memory cells of a plurality of memory cell sectors. Each memory cell sector includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell sector is classified into at least one quality class of a plurality of quality classes depending on the results of the testing of the memory cells of the respective memory cell sector. Data is stored in the memory cells of the classified memory cell sectors depending on the quality class of the respective memory cell sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Rainer Spielberg, Detlev Richter, Andreas Taeuber, Luca de Ambroggi
  • Publication number: 20080080252
    Abstract: A method of programming a memory cell is provided that includes determining whether the memory cell has been neutralized in accordance with a predefined program neutralizing criterion. If the memory cell has not been neutralized in accordance with the predefined program neutralizing criterion, the memory cell is neutralized in accordance with a selected program neutralizing process. Furthermore, the method includes programming the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Rainer Spielberg, Detlev Richter
  • Publication number: 20080082762
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a memory system is provided, including concurrently reading data from a plurality of memories of the memory system and outputting the data from the memory system at an output channel capacity of an I/O port of the memory system by converting a data bus width of data read from at least some of the plurality of memories to a data bus width of the I/O port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Taeuber, Detlev Richter, Luca de Ambroggi, Rainer Spielberg
  • Publication number: 20080080226
    Abstract: A memory system includes a plurality of resistive memory cell fields including at least a first resistive memory cell field and a second resistive memory cell field, the first resistive memory cell field formed with a plurality of resistive memory cells storing data at a first data storage speed, the second resistive memory cell field formed with a plurality of resistive memory cells storing data at a second data storage speed lower than the first data storage speed, and a controller controlling data transfer between the plurality of resistive memory cell fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Mikolajick, Rainer Spielberg, Nicolas Nagel, Michael Specht, Josef Willer, Detlev Richter, Luca de Ambroggi, Andreas Taeuber
  • Publication number: 20080019187
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a plurality of first and second non-volatile memory cells arranged as an array. Each memory cell stores information. The memory device further comprises an access unit coupled to the array. The access unit stores information in the plurality of first and second non-volatile memory cells. The memory device further comprises a verifying unit coupled to the array. The verifying unit verifies the information stored in a group of the first and second memory cells by verifying only a subset of the group. The subset comprises at least one of the second memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Kux, Detlev Richter
  • Patent number: 7296202
    Abstract: A semiconductor module with a plurality of interface circuits has a configuration for the self-test of interface circuits, with two equally sized groups of interface circuits such that each interface circuit of the first group is assigned exactly one interface circuit of the second group. A circuit interacts with the first group and serves for generating test signals which can be output via the interface circuits of the first group. Another circuit interacts with the second group and serves for receiving and processing test signals received via the interface circuits of the second group, so that a connection of the assigned interface circuits of the first and second groups enables a self-test, the first and second groups of interface circuits having a separate voltage supply. This enables good test coverage by separate variation of the voltage of transmitting and receiving group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Detlev Richter