Patents by Inventor Frankie F. Roohpavar

Frankie F. Roohpavar 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).

  • Patent number: 8243513
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for non-volatile multilevel memory cell data retrieval with data read of reference cells. One method includes programming at least one data cell of a number of data cells coupled to a selected word line to a target data threshold voltage (Vt) level corresponding to a target state; programming at least one reference cell of a number of reference cells coupled to the selected word line to a target reference Vt level, the number of reference cells interleaved with the number of data cells; determining a reference state based on a data read of the at least one reference cell; and changing a state read from the at least one data cell based on a change of the at least one reference cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Patent number: 7948802
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating memory cells. One method embodiment includes applying a ramping voltage to a control gate of a memory cell and to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The aforementioned embodiment of a method also includes detecting an output of the ADC at least partially in response to when the ramping voltage causes the memory cell to trip sense circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar, Giulio-Giuseppe Marotta
  • Publication number: 20110110152
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for non-volatile multilevel memory cell data retrieval with data read of reference cells. One method includes programming at least one data cell of a number of data cells coupled to a selected word line to a target data threshold voltage (Vt) level corresponding to a target state; programming at least one reference cell of a number of reference cells coupled to the selected word line to a target reference Vt level, the number of reference cells interleaved with the number of data cells; determining a reference state based on a data read of the at least one reference cell; and changing a state read from the at least one data cell based on a change of the at least one reference cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Publication number: 20110090735
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for utilizing an expanded programming window for non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes associating a different logical state with each of a number of different threshold voltage (Vt) distributions. In various embodiments, at least two Vt distributions include negative Vt levels. The method includes applying a read voltage to a word line of a selected cell while applying a pass voltage to word lines of unselected cells, applying a boost voltage to a source line coupled to the selected cell, applying a voltage greater than the boost voltage to a bit line of the selected cell, and sensing a current variation of the bit line in response to the selected cell changing from a non-conducting state to a conducting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Patent number: 7864584
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for utilizing an expanded programming window for non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes associating a different logical state with each of a number of different threshold voltage (Vt) distributions. In various embodiments, at least two Vt distributions include negative Vt levels. The method includes applying a read voltage to a word line of a selected cell while applying a pass voltage to word lines of unselected cells, applying a boost voltage to a source line coupled to the selected cell, applying a voltage greater than the boost voltage to a bit line of the selected cell, and sensing a current variation of the bit line in response to the selected cell changing from a non-conducting state to a conducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Publication number: 20090273975
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for non-volatile multilevel memory cell data retrieval with data read of reference cells. One method includes programming at least one data cell of a number of data cells coupled to a selected word line to a target data threshold voltage (Vt) level corresponding to a target state; programming at least one reference cell of a number of reference cells coupled to the selected word line to a target reference Vt level, the number of reference cells interleaved with the number of data cells; determining a reference state based on a data read of the at least one reference cell; and changing a state read from the at least one data cell based on a change of the at least one reference cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Patent number: 7577036
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for non-volatile multilevel memory cell data retrieval with data read of reference cells. One method includes programming at least one data cell of a number of data cells coupled to a selected word line to a target data threshold voltage (Vt) level corresponding to a target state; programming at least one reference cell of a number of reference cells coupled to the selected word line to a target reference Vt level, the number of reference cells interleaved with the number of data cells; determining a reference state based on a data read of the at least one reference cell; and changing a state read from the at least one data cell based on a change of the at least one reference cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Publication number: 20080273395
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for utilizing an expanded programming window for non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes associating a different logical state with each of a number of different threshold voltage (Vt) distributions. In various embodiments, at least two Vt distributions include negative Vt levels. The method includes applying a read voltage to a word line of a selected cell while applying a pass voltage to word lines of unselected cells, applying a boost voltage to a source line coupled to the selected cell, applying a voltage greater than the boost voltage to a bit line of the selected cell, and sensing a current variation of the bit line in response to the selected cell changing from a non-conducting state to a conducting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar
  • Publication number: 20080273384
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for non-volatile multilevel memory cell data retrieval with data read of reference cells. One method includes programming at least one data cell of a number of data cells coupled to a selected word line to a target data threshold voltage (Vt) level corresponding to a target state; programming at least one reference cell of a number of reference cells coupled to the selected word line to a target reference Vt level, the number of reference cells interleaved with the number of data cells; determining a reference state based on a data read of the at least one reference cell; and changing a state read from the at least one data cell based on a change of the at least one reference cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Jung Sheng Hoei, Frankie F. Roohpavar