Patents by Inventor Emanuele Confalonieri

Emanuele Confalonieri 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: 20120137093
    Abstract: Example embodiments described herein may relate to performing reliable right commands for non-volatile memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Ferrario, Emanuele Confalonieri, Danilo Caraccio
  • Publication number: 20120124313
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a multi-channel memory device and methods of selecting one or more channels of same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giulio Albini, Emanuele Confalonieri, Francesco Mastroianni
  • Patent number: 8130550
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory comprising a NOR block with a first sub-block independently addressable from a second sub-block, the two sub-blocks sharing a physical substrate of the NOR block, and a first memory to store execution status information to reflect an erase status of the first sub-block. A method to selectively erase the first sub-block while inhibiting the second sub-block from erasing, comprising updating execution status information associated with the first sub-block and resuming erasing upon an occurrence of an interruption event depending on the indication of the execution status information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Emanuele Confalonieri
  • Publication number: 20120033519
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for measuring a temperature within a non-volatile memory, storing, in a register within the non-volatile memory, a temperature alert comprising one or more bits indicating the non-volatile memory has exceeded a threshold temperature for a period of time, determining, by a host, that the temperature alert is active, and in response to the determination that the temperature alert is active, refreshing at least a portion of the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Daniele Balluchi
  • Publication number: 20120026802
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a managed hybrid memory that includes a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Emanuele Confalonieri
  • Publication number: 20110302353
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for measuring a temperature within a non-volatile memory and refreshing at least a portion of the non-volatile memory when the temperature exceeds a threshold temperature for an amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 7916575
    Abstract: A memory, such as a flash memory, may receive a configuration bit from a memory controller to set the memory in one of two selectable modes. Thus, based on the way the memory controller operates, it can adapt the operation of the memory to suit the memory controller's techniques for entering synchronous burst read mode. In some embodiments, the bit may selectively enable the memory to assume one of two synchronous burst read modes which are based on different arrangements of CLK and ADV# signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Daniele Balluchi, Chris Bueb, Graziano Mirichigni
  • Patent number: 7903478
    Abstract: A sense amplifier may be used to measure voltages and/or currents that represent logic levels stored in memory cells of memory devices. Accuracy and stability of such measurements may be improved by selective switching to isolate sense amplifiers from other portions of a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Emanuele Confalonieri
  • Publication number: 20100293317
    Abstract: A memory controller for a phase change memory (PCM) that can be used on a storage bus interface is described. In one example, the memory controller includes an external bus interface coupled to an external bus to communicate read and write instructions with an external device, a memory array interface coupled to a memory array to perform reads and writes on a memory array, and an overwrite module to write a desired value to a desired address of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: EMANUELE CONFALONIERI, Manuela Scognamiglio, Pederico Tiziani
  • Patent number: 7782665
    Abstract: A method of managing a multi-level memory device having singularly addressable three-level cells includes storing strings of three bits by coding them in corresponding ternary strings according to a coding scheme and writing each of the ternary strings in a respective pair of three-level cells. Strings of three bits are read by reading respective ternary strings written in respective pairs of three-level cells and decoding each read ternary string in a corresponding string of three bits according to the coding scheme. A pair of adjacent bits, belonging to at least one of a same initial string and two initial adjacent strings, are programmed by identifying pairs of three-level cells to be programmed that encode the strings of three bits and programming each pair of three-level cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Paolo Turbanti, Carla Giuseppina Poidomani, Emanuele Confalonieri, Luigi Bettini
  • Publication number: 20100202194
    Abstract: An embodiment of a non-volatile memory device is proposed. Said memory device comprises a matrix of memory cells; each memory cell is individually programmable to at least a first logic level and individually erasable to a second logic level. The memory device further comprises partition means for logically subdividing the matrix into a plurality of subspaces; each subspace comprises at least one respective memory cell. The memory device further comprises selection means for selecting a subspace, operative means for performing an operation on all the memory cells of the selected subspace, and means for dynamically modifying the number of subspaces and/or the number of memory cells included in each subspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Giuseppe Russo, Luca Porzio
  • Publication number: 20100157718
    Abstract: A memory, such as a flash memory, may receive a configuration bit from a memory controller to set the memory in one of two selectable modes. Thus, based on the way the memory controller operates, it can adapt the operation of the memory to suit the memory controller's techniques for entering synchronous burst read mode. In some embodiments, the bit may selectively enable the memory to assume one of two synchronous burst read modes which are based on different arrangements of CLK and ADV# signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Daniele Balluchi, Chris Bueb, Graziano Mirichigini
  • Publication number: 20100153820
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to calculating an error correction code for a program page dependent on guard values that correspond to words of the program page. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Emanuele Confalonieri, Sara Villa
  • Patent number: 7706193
    Abstract: A voltage regulator connected to a memory cell is configured by identifying at least a first and a second operation regions of the cell and associating the first and second operation regions with respective first and second operation conditions of the memory cell. An operative condition of the memory cell involved in a programming operation is detected, and at least a configuration signal of the regulator according to said detected operative condition is generated, this configuration signal taking a first and a second value associated with the first and second operation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Davide Cascone, Nicola Del Gatto, Emanuele Confalonieri, Massimiliano Mollichelli
  • Patent number: 7567475
    Abstract: A memory architecture includes a matrix of memory cells structured into rows and columns and associated with a row decoder, an array of reference cells associated with the matrix, a first detector block including plural sense amplifiers associated with the matrix in correspondence with its columns, and a plurality of latch registers connected to the output of the sense amplifiers and interconnected to each other by a references bus which further connects them to a second detector block that includes at least one sense amplifier of the reference cells. The array of reference cells is placed upstream of the wordlines of the matrix taking, as reference, a propagation direction of a voltage signal applied to the memory cells. Moreover, the second detector block includes a stabilized buffer suitable to supply the references bus with an output signal having rise transient stable with respect to working conditions of the architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Emanuele Confalonieri
  • Publication number: 20080212369
    Abstract: A method of managing a multi-level memory device having singularly addressable three-level cells includes storing strings of three bits by coding them in corresponding ternary strings according to a coding scheme and writing each of the ternary strings in a respective pair of three-level cells. Strings of three bits are read by reading respective ternary strings written in respective pairs of three-level cells and decoding each read ternary string in a corresponding string of three bits according to the coding scheme. A pair of adjacent bits, belonging to at least one of a same initial string and two initial adjacent strings, are programmed by identifying pairs of three-level cells to be programmed that encode the strings of three bits and programming each pair of three-level cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Paolo Turbanti, Carla Giuseppina Poidomani, Emanuele Confalonieri, Luigi Bettini
  • Patent number: 7400281
    Abstract: A regulator for a digital-to-analog converter having in input a digital signal and suitable for providing an analog signal in output, the regulator including at least one pair of buffers having in input the digital signal and the outputs connected to a pair of circuit branches connected to the output of the regulator; each of the at least two circuit branches having at least one resistance. To at least one of the at least one pair of buffers a variable resistance is associated, and the regulator includes a circuit having in input the analog signal and adapted for measuring its waveform and acting on the variable resistance in response to its possible anomalous waveform compared to a desired waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, s.r.l
    Inventors: Roberto Versari, Massimiliano Mollichelli, Nicola Del Gatto, Nicola Rosito, Emanuele Confalonieri
  • Patent number: 7388793
    Abstract: A voltage regulator connected to a memory cell is configured by identifying at least a first and a second operation regions of the cell and associating the first and second operation regions with respective first and second operation conditions of the memory cell. An operative condition of the memory cell involved in a programming operation is detected, and at least a configuration signal of the regulator according to said detected operative condition is generated, this configuration signal taking a first and a second value associated with the first and second operation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Davide Cascone, Nicola Del Gatto, Emanuele Confalonieri, Massimiliano Mollichelli
  • Publication number: 20080094906
    Abstract: A voltage regulator connected to a memory cell is configured by identifying at least a first and a second operation regions of the cell and associating the first and second operation regions with respective first and second operation conditions of the memory cell. An operative condition of the memory cell involved in a programming operation is detected, and at least a configuration signal of the regulator according to said detected operative condition is generated, this configuration signal taking a first and a second value associated with the first and second operation conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventors: Davide Cascone, Nicola Del Gatto, Emanuele Confalonieri, Massimiliano Mollichelli
  • Patent number: 7359246
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells each one for storing a value, at least one reference cell, biasing means for biasing a set of selected memory cells and the at least one reference cell with a biasing voltage having a substantially monotone time pattern, means for detecting the reaching of a threshold value by a current of each selected memory cell and of each reference cell, and means for determining the value stored in each selected memory cell according to a temporal relation of the reaching of the threshold value by the currents of the selected memory cell and of the at least one reference cell. The biasing means includes means for applying a controlled biasing current to the selected memory cells and to the at least one reference cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Nicola Del Gatto, Marco Ferrario, Emanuele Confalonieri