Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Marr

Kenneth W. Marr 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: 11966303
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems including memory self-recovery management to correct failures due to soft-error rate events. The self-recovery manager detects a failure of a memory device. The self-recovery manager retrieves a set of register values from the memory device. The self-recovery manager stores the set of register values from the memory device. The self-recovery manager issues a reset command to the memory device, the reset command including generating a re-initialized set of register values. The self-recovery manager compares the set of register values with the re-initialized set of register values. The self-recovery manager triggering a self-recovery attempt using the comparison of the set of register values with the re-initialized set of register values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Mason, Scott A. Stoller, Pitamber Shukla, Kenneth W. Marr, Chi Ming Chu, Hossein Afkhami
  • Publication number: 20240071516
    Abstract: A discharge circuit includes a transistor and a metal resistor connected to the transistor. The transistor includes a plurality of unit cells. The metal resistor includes a plurality of resistor portions corresponding to the plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell of the plurality of unit cells has a footprint and a corresponding resistor portion of the plurality of resistor portions is arranged within the footprint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Marr, James E. Davis, Chiara Cerafogli
  • Publication number: 20230393955
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems including memory self-recovery management to correct failures due to soft-error rate events. The self-recovery manager detects a failure of a memory device. The self-recovery manager retrieves a set of register values from the memory device. The self-recovery manager stores the set of register values from the memory device. The self-recovery manager issues a reset command to the memory device, the reset command including generating a re-initialized set of register values. The self-recovery manager compares the set of register values with the re-initialized set of register values. The self-recovery manager triggering a self-recovery attempt using the comparison of the set of register values with the re-initialized set of register values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Mason, Scott A. Stoller, Pitamber Shukla, Kenneth W. Marr, Chi Ming Chu, Hossein Afkhami
  • Patent number: 11823731
    Abstract: Devices are disclosed. A device may include a source configured to couple to a number of memory cells. The device may also include at least one transistor coupled between the source and a ground voltage. Further, the device may include an antifuse coupled between the at least one transistor and the ground voltage. Methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Marr, Michael A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230275042
    Abstract: Active protection circuits for semiconductor devices, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The active protection circuits may protect various components of the semiconductor devices from process induced damage—e.g., stemming from process charging effects. In some embodiments, the active protection circuit includes an FET and a resistor coupled to certain nodes (e.g., source plates for 3D NAND memory arrays) of the semiconductor devices, which may be prone to accumulate the process charging effects. The active protection circuits prevent the nodes from reaching a predetermined voltage during process steps utilizing charged particles. Subsequently, metal jumpers may be added to the active protection circuits to deactivate the FETs for normal operations of the semiconductor devices. Further, the FET and the resistor of the active protection circuit may be integrated with an existing component of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Patent number: 11676917
    Abstract: Active protection circuits for semiconductor devices, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The active protection circuits may protect various components of the semiconductor devices from process induced damage—e.g., stemming from process charging effects. In some embodiments, the active protection circuit includes an FET and a resistor coupled to certain nodes (e.g., source plates for 3D NAND memory arrays) of the semiconductor devices, which may be prone to accumulate the process charging effects. The active protection circuits prevent the nodes from reaching a predetermined voltage during process steps utilizing charged particles. Subsequently, metal jumpers may be added to the active protection circuits to deactivate the FETs for normal operations of the semiconductor devices. Further, the FET and the resistor of the active protection circuit may be integrated with an existing component of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Publication number: 20220165688
    Abstract: Active protection circuits for semiconductor devices, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. The active protection circuits may protect various components of the semiconductor devices from process induced damage—e.g., stemming from process charging effects. In some embodiments, the active protection circuit includes an FET and a resistor coupled to certain nodes (e.g., source plates for 3D NAND memory arrays) of the semiconductor devices, which may be prone to accumulate the process charging effects. The active protection circuits prevent the nodes from reaching a predetermined voltage during process steps utilizing charged particles. Subsequently, metal jumpers may be added to the active protection circuits to deactivate the FETs for normal operations of the semiconductor devices. Further, the FET and the resistor of the active protection circuit may be integrated with an existing component of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Publication number: 20220013160
    Abstract: Devices are disclosed. A device may include a source configured to couple to a number of memory cells. The device may also include at least one transistor coupled between the source and a ground voltage. Further, the device may include an antifuse coupled between the at least one transistor and the ground voltage. Methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Marr, Michael A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210407989
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Patent number: 11158367
    Abstract: Memory devices are disclosed. A memory device may include a source (SRC) plate configured to couple to a number of memory cells. The memory device may also include a resistor coupled between the source plate and a node. Further, the memory device may include at least one transistor coupled between the source plate and the ground voltage, wherein a gate of the at least one transistor is coupled to the node. The transistor may be configured to couple the SRC plate to the ground voltage during a processing stage. The transistor may further be configured to isolate the SRC plate from the ground voltage during an operation stage. Methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Marr, Michael A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210319827
    Abstract: Memory devices are disclosed. A memory device may include a source (SRC) plate configured to couple to a number of memory cells. The memory device may also include a resistor coupled between the source plate and a node. Further, the memory device may include at least one transistor coupled between the source plate and the ground voltage, wherein a gate of the at least one transistor is coupled to the node. The transistor may be configured to couple the SRC plate to the ground voltage during a processing stage. The transistor may further be configured to isolate the SRC plate from the ground voltage during an operation stage. Methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Marr, Michael A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11139289
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device, as well as apparatus having such circuit-protection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Patent number: 10665307
    Abstract: Memory devices include an array of memory cells and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of memory cells, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a method including applying a first voltage to the access line following a verify of the program operation then electrically floating the access line, connecting the access line to the first input of the operational amplifier, applying a second voltage to a second access line adjacent the access line, applying a reference current to the access line while applying the second voltage to the second access line, applying the reference voltage to the second input of the operational amplifier while applying the second voltage to the second access line, and indicating a fail status of the program operation if current flow to or from the access line exceeds the reference current sinking current from, or sourcing current to, respectively, the first access line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kessenich, Joemar Sinipete, Chiming Chu, Jason L. Nevill, Kenneth W. Marr, Renato C. Padilla
  • Patent number: 10580766
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Publication number: 20190371790
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device, as well as apparatus having such circuit-protection devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Publication number: 20190371789
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Patent number: 10431577
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr
  • Publication number: 20190287634
    Abstract: Memory devices include an array of memory cells and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of memory cells, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a method including applying a first voltage to the access line following a verify of the program operation then electrically floating the access line, connecting the access line to the first input of the operational amplifier, applying a second voltage to a second access line adjacent the access line, applying a reference current to the access line while applying the second voltage to the second access line, applying the reference voltage to the second input of the operational amplifier while applying the second voltage to the second access line, and indicating a fail status of the program operation if current flow to or from the access line exceeds the reference current sinking current from, or sourcing current to, respectively, the first access line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kessenich, Joemar Sinipete, Chiming Chu, Jason L. Nevill, Kenneth W. Marr, Renato C. Padilla
  • Patent number: 10366767
    Abstract: Memory devices include an array of memory cells and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of memory cells, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform a method including applying a particular voltage to an unselected access line of a program operation, sensing a current of a selected access line of the program operation while applying the particular voltage to the unselected access line, indicating a fail status of the program operation if an absolute value of the sensed current of the selected access line is greater than a particular current, and proceeding with the program operation if the absolute value of the sensed current of the selected access line is less than a particular current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kessenich, Joemar Sinipete, Chiming Chu, Jason L. Nevill, Kenneth W. Marr, Renato C. Padilla
  • Publication number: 20190206856
    Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kenneth W. Marr