Patents by Inventor Girolamo Gallo

Girolamo Gallo 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: 7940575
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: QIMONDA AG
    Inventors: Roberto Ravasio, Andreas Kux, Detlev Richter, Girolamo Gallo, Josef Willer, Ramirez Xavier Veredas
  • Patent number: 7800943
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Roberto Ravasio, Detlev Richter, Gert Koebernik, Girolamo Gallo, Mirko Reissmann, Ramirez Xavier Veredas
  • Patent number: 7701776
    Abstract: A sense amplifier for multiple level flash memory cells is comprised of a voltage ramp generator that generates a ramp voltage signal. Reference sense amplifiers compare an input reference current to a ramp current generated from the ramp voltage signal. When the ramp voltage signal is greater than the reference current, an output latch signal is toggled. A sense amplifier compares an input bit line current to a threshold and outputs a logical low when the bit line current goes over the threshold. The sense amplifier output is latched into one of three digital latches at a time determined by the latch signals. An encoder encodes the data from the three digital latches into two bits of output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio G. Marotta
  • Patent number: 7635991
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting the buffer strength of an output buffer to match its capacitive load use selectively enabled stages of a multiple stage output buffer. A user can opt for a default capacitive load, or adjust the strength by enabling one or more stages of the multiple stage output buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta, Giovanni Naso
  • 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: 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: 20090040821
    Abstract: A sense amplifier for multiple level flash memory cells is comprised of a voltage ramp generator that generates a ramp voltage signal. Reference sense amplifiers compare an input reference current to a ramp current generated from the ramp voltage signal. When the ramp voltage signal is greater than the reference current, an output latch signal is toggled. A sense amplifier compares an input bit line current to a threshold and outputs a logical low when the bit line current goes over the threshold. The sense amplifier output is latched into one of three digital latches at a time determined by the latch signals. An encoder encodes the data from the three digital latches into two bits of output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio G. Marotta
  • Patent number: 7440332
    Abstract: A sense amplifier for multiple level flash memory cells is comprised of a voltage ramp generator that generates a ramp voltage signal. Reference sense amplifiers compare an input reference current to a ramp current generated from the ramp voltage signal. When the ramp voltage signal is greater than the reference current, an output latch signal is toggled. A sense amplifier compares an input bit line current to a threshold and outputs a logical low when the bit line current goes over the threshold. The sense amplifier output is latched into one of three digital latches at a time determined by the latch signals. An encoder encodes the data from the three digital latches into two bits of output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio G. Marotta
  • Publication number: 20080094909
    Abstract: A sense amplifier for multiple level flash memory cells is comprised of a voltage ramp generator that generates a ramp voltage signal. Reference sense amplifiers compare an input reference current to a ramp current generated from the ramp voltage signal. When the ramp voltage signal is greater than the reference current, an output latch signal is toggled. A sense amplifier compares an input bit line current to a threshold and outputs a logical low when the bit line current goes over the threshold. The sense amplifier output is latched into one of three digital latches at a time determined by the latch signals. An encoder encodes the data from the three digital latches into two bits of output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta
  • Patent number: 7324381
    Abstract: A sense amplifier for multiple level flash memory cells is comprised of a voltage ramp generator that generates a ramp voltage signal. Reference sense amplifiers compare an input reference current to a ramp current generated from the ramp voltage signal. When the ramp voltage signal is greater than the reference current, an output latch signal is toggled. A sense amplifier compares an input bit line current to a threshold and outputs a logical low when the bit line current goes over the threshold. The sense amplifier output is latched into one of three digital latches at a time determined by the latch signals. An encoder encodes the data from the three digital latches into two bits of output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio G. Marotta
  • Publication number: 20070253255
    Abstract: A memory device, a method for sensing a current output and a sensing circuit are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first voltage is supplied at least to a drain and a source terminal of a neighboring memory cell before sensing, and the first voltage is applied to a source terminal of a selected memory cell, while sensing the current though the selected memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giorgio Oddone, Alberto Taddeo, Carmelo Giunta, Marco Carminati
  • Patent number: 7271620
    Abstract: An output buffer for a semiconductor memory device and other semiconductor devices includes a feedback circuit to dynamically control the output impedance of the output buffer in response to a variety of load conditions, thus reducing output ringing. The output buffer may also include circuitry to support selectively converting the device for operation at a variety of supply voltage ranges without the need for additional mask or process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta
  • Patent number: 7206240
    Abstract: Sensing circuits are adapted for faster sensing of a programmed state of a floating-gate memory cell. The sensing circuits include a first precharging path for applying a first precharge potential to the input node of a sensing device for precharging bit lines prior to sensing the programmed state of the floating-gate memory cell. The sensing circuits further include a second precharging path for applying a second precharge potential to a target global bit line for precharging bit lines prior to sensing the programmed state of the floating-gate memory cell. The second precharging path is activated during only a portion of the precharging phase of a sensing operation to bring the bit lines rapidly up toward an asymptotic potential level. The second precharging path is thus deactivated prior to deactivating the first precharging path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Tommaso Vali, Giulio Giuseppe Marotta
  • Publication number: 20070063730
    Abstract: An output buffer for a semiconductor memory device and other semiconductor devices includes a feedback circuit to dynamically control the output impedance of the output buffer in response to a variety of load conditions, thus reducing output ringing. The output buffer may also include circuitry to support selectively converting the device for operation at a variety of supply voltage ranges without the need for additional mask or process steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta
  • Patent number: 7164607
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a memory device including a burst architecture employ a double bus architecture that is multiplexed onto an output bus. The resulting architecture effectively facilitates doubling throughput without increasing memory device latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giuliano Gennaro Imondi, Giovanni Naso, Tommaso Vali
  • Patent number: 7161376
    Abstract: An output buffer for a semiconductor memory device and other semiconductor devices includes a feedback circuit to dynamically control the output impedance of the output buffer in response to a variety of load conditions, thus reducing output ringing. The output buffer may also include circuitry to support selectively converting the device for operation at a variety of supply voltage ranges without the need for additional mask or process steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta
  • Publication number: 20070002630
    Abstract: A sense amplifier for multiple level flash memory cells is comprised of a voltage ramp generator that generates a ramp voltage signal. Reference sense amplifiers compare an input reference current to a ramp current generated from the ramp voltage signal. When the ramp voltage signal is greater than the reference current, an output latch signal is toggled. A sense amplifier compares an input bit line current to a threshold and outputs a logical low when the bit line current goes over the threshold. The sense amplifier output is latched into one of three digital latches at a time determined by the latch signals. An encoder encodes the data from the three digital latches into two bits of output data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta
  • Publication number: 20060261853
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting the buffer strength of an output buffer to match its capacitive load use selectively enabled stages of a multiple stage output buffer. A user can opt for a default capacitive load, or adjust the strength by enabling one or more stages of the multiple stage output buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta, Giovanni Naso
  • Publication number: 20060139051
    Abstract: An output buffer for a semiconductor memory device and other semiconductor devices includes a feedback circuit to dynamically control the output impedance of the output buffer in response to a variety of load conditions, thus reducing output ringing. The output buffer may also include circuitry to support selectively converting the device for operation at a variety of supply voltage ranges without the need for additional mask or process steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta
  • Patent number: 7064582
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting the buffer strength of an output buffer to match its capacitive load use selectively enabled stages of a multiple stage output buffer. A user can opt for a default capacitive load, or adjust the strength by enabling one or more stages of the multiple stage output buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Girolamo Gallo, Giulio Marotta, Giovanni Naso