Patents by Inventor John D. Porter

John D. Porter 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: 7961538
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the resistance of multiple memory elements are disclosed. The memory elements may be multi-bit memory and through precise measurement of resistance of the multi-bit memory elements, determination of how many and which memory elements fall into specific memory ranges can be accomplished. Furthermore, storage and/or display of this information may allow for the creation of resistance distribution histograms for modeling of one or more memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Taylor, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20110085375
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the resistance of multiple memory elements are disclosed. The memory elements may be multi-bit memory and through precise measurement of resistance of the multi-bit memory elements, determination of how many and which memory elements fall into specific memory ranges can be accomplished. Furthermore, storage and/or display of this information may allow for the creation of resistance distribution histograms for modeling of one or more memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Taylor, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20110026304
    Abstract: Methods, and circuits, are disclosed for operating a programmable memory device. One method embodiment includes storing a value as a state in a first memory cell and as a complementary state in a second memory cell. Such a method further includes determining the state of the first memory cell using a first self-biased sensing circuit and the complementary state of the second memory cell using a second self-biased sensing circuit, and comparing in a differential manner an indication of the state of the first memory cell to a reference indication of the complementary state of the second memory cell to determine the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: John D. Porter
  • Patent number: 7864609
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the resistance of multiple memory elements are disclosed. The memory elements may be multi-bit memory and through precise measurement of resistance of the multi-bit memory elements, determination of how many and which memory elements fall into specific memory ranges can be accomplished. Furthermore, storage and/or display of this information may allow for the creation of resistance distribution histograms for modeling of one or more memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Porter, Jennifer Taylor
  • Publication number: 20100296331
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for operating resistance variable memory. One device embodiment includes an array of memory cells wherein a number of the cells are commonly coupled to a select line, the number cells including a number of data cells programmable within a number of target threshold resistance (Rt) ranges which correspond to a number of data states, and a number of reference cells interleaved with the data cells and programmable within the number of target Rt ranges. The aforementioned device embodiment also includes control circuitry coupled to the array and configured to sense a level associated with at least one data cell and at least one reference cell, and compare the sensed level associated with the at least one data cell with the sensed level associated with the at least one reference cell to determine a data state of the at least one data cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Pradeep Ramani, John D. Porter
  • Patent number: 7813167
    Abstract: Methods, and circuits, are disclosed for operating a programmable memory device. One method embodiment includes storing a value as a state in a first memory cell and as a complementary state in a second memory cell. Such a method further includes determining the state of the first memory cell using a first self-biased sensing circuit and the complementary state of the second memory cell using a second self-biased sensing circuit, and comparing in a differential manner an indication of the state of the first memory cell to a reference indication of the complementary state of the second memory cell to determine the value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Porter
  • Patent number: 7787282
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for operating resistance variable memory. One device embodiment includes an array of memory cells wherein a number of the cells are commonly coupled to a select line, the number cells including a number of data cells programmable within a number of target threshold resistance (Rt) ranges which correspond to a number of data states, and a number of reference cells interleaved with the data cells and programmable within the number of target Rt ranges. The aforementioned device embodiment also includes control circuitry coupled to the array and configured to sense a level associated with at least one data cell and at least one reference cell, and compare the sensed level associated with the at least one data cell with the sensed level associated with the at least one reference cell to determine a data state of the at least one data cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pradeep Ramani, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20100214821
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for sensing resistance variable memory cells. One device embodiment includes at least one resistance variable memory cell, and a capacitive divider configured to generate multiple reference levels in association with the at least one resistance variable memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Taylor, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20100202195
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for operating resistance variable memory cells. One or more embodiments include applying a programming signal to a resistance variable material of a memory cell, and decreasing a magnitude of a trailing portion of the applied programming signal successively according to a number of particular decrements. The magnitude and the duration of the number of particular decrements correspond to particular programmed values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Pradeep Ramani, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20100177574
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for programming memory, such as resistance variable memory. One embodiment can include an array of resistance variable memory cells, wherein the resistance variable memory cells are coupled to one or more data lines, a row decoder connected to a first side of the array, a column decoder connected to a second side of the array, wherein the second side is adjacent to the first side, a gap located adjacent to the row decoder and the column decoder, and clamp circuitry configured to control a reverse bias voltage associated with one or more unselected memory cells during a programming operation, wherein the clamp circuitry is located in the gap and is selectively coupled to the one or more data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20100067287
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for temperature compensation in memory devices, such as resistance variable memory, among other types of memory. One or more embodiments can include a memory device including a table with an output that is used to create a multiplication factor for a current to compensate for temperature changes in the memory device, where the output depends on an operating temperature of the memory device and a difference in the current between a highest specified operating temperature and a lowest specified operating temperature of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John D. Porter, Jennifer E. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20100067286
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for sensing memory, such as resistance variable memory, among other types of memory. One or more embodiments can include a method for generating currents to be used in sensing a memory cell, the method including providing a number of initial currents, and generating a number of reference currents by summing particular combinations of the initial currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Taylor, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20090323408
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the resistance of multiple memory elements are disclosed. The memory elements may be multi-bit memory and through precise measurement of resistance of the multi-bit memory elements, determination of how many and which memory elements fall into specific memory ranges can be accomplished. Furthermore, storage and/or display of this information may allow for the creation of resistance distribution histograms for modeling of one or more memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer Taylor, JOHN D. PORTER
  • Publication number: 20090279374
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems for programming memory, such as resistance variable memory. One embodiment can include an array of resistance variable memory cells, wherein the resistance variable memory cells are coupled to one or more data lines, a row decoder connected to a first side of the array, a column decoder connected to a second side of the array, wherein the second side is adjacent to the first side, a gap located adjacent to the row decoder and the column decoder, and clamp circuitry configured to control a reverse bias voltage associated with one or more unselected memory cells during a programming operation, wherein the clamp circuitry is located in the gap and is selectively coupled to the one or more data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20090273969
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for sensing resistance variable memory cells. One device embodiment includes at least one resistance variable memory cell, and a capacitive divider configured to generate multiple reference levels in association with the at least one resistance variable memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer E. Taylor, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20090244961
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for operating phase change memory cells. One or more embodiments include applying a programming signal to a phase change material of a memory cell, and decreasing a magnitude of a trailing portion of the applied programming signal successively according to a number of particular decrements. The magnitude and the duration of the number of particular decrements correspond to particular programmed values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Incorporated
    Inventors: Pradeep Ramani, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20090237977
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and methods for operating resistance variable memory. One device embodiment includes an array of memory cells wherein a number of the cells are commonly coupled to a select line, the number cells including a number of data cells programmable within a number of target threshold resistance (Rt) ranges which correspond to a number of data states, and a number of reference cells interleaved with the data cells and programmable within the number of target Rt ranges. The aforementioned device embodiment also includes control circuitry coupled to the array and configured to sense a level associated with at least one data cell and at least one reference cell, and compare the sensed level associated with the at least one data cell with the sensed level associated with the at least one reference cell to determine a data state of the at least one data cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Pradeep Ramani, John D. Porter
  • Publication number: 20090237984
    Abstract: Methods, and circuits, are disclosed for operating a programmable memory device. One method embodiment includes storing a value as a state in a first memory cell and as a complementary state in a second memory cell. Such a method further includes determining the state of the first memory cell using a first self-biased sensing circuit and the complementary state of the second memory cell using a second self-biased sensing circuit, and comparing in a differential manner an indication of the state of the first memory cell to a reference indication of the complementary state of the second memory cell to determine the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: John D. Porter
  • Patent number: 7490407
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a support structure. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of forming a layer of material into the support structure. The layer of material is adapted to be attached onto a substrate surface. The method further comprises treating the layer of material. The present method is further comprised of etching said layer of material. The fabricated support structure is then implementable during assembly of a display device. In one embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface prior to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material. In another embodiment, the support structure is attached to the substrate surface subsequent to the forming, treating, and etching of the layer of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George B. Hopple, Roger W. Barton, John D. Porter, Theodore S. Fahlen, Bob L. Mackey
  • Patent number: 7405463
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, circuits have elements to protect a high-voltage transistor in a gate dielectric antifuse circuit. An antifuse has a layer of gate dielectric between a first terminal coupled to receive an elevated voltage and a second terminal, and a high-voltage transistor is coupled to the antifuse and has a gate terminal. An intermediate voltage between the supply voltage and the elevated voltage is coupled to the gate terminal of the high-voltage transistor to protect the high-voltage transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Marr, John D. Porter