Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Widmer

Kevin C. Widmer 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: 7409493
    Abstract: A synchronous flash memory includes an array of non-volatile memory cells. The memory device has a package configuration that is compatible with an SDRAM. The memory device can comprise an array of memory cells having N addressable sectors, and control circuitry to control erase or write operations on the array of memory cells. Protection circuitry can be coupled to the control circuitry to selectively prevent erase or write operations from being performed on both first and last sectors of the N addressable sectors. The protection circuitry can comprise a multi-bit register having a first bit corresponding to the first sector and a second bit corresponding to the last sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 7177976
    Abstract: A synchronous flash memory includes an array of non-volatile memory cells. The memory device has a package configuration that is compatible with an SDRAM. The memory device can comprise an array of memory cells having N addressable sectors, and control circuitry to control erase or write operations on the array of memory cells. Protection circuitry can be coupled to the control circuitry to selectively prevent erase or write operations from being performed on both first and last sectors of the N addressable sectors. The protection circuitry can comprise a multi-bit register having a first bit corresponding to the first sector and a second bit corresponding to the last sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 7042768
    Abstract: A flash memory device having a pipelined RAS/CAS architecture is logically organized as an array of rows and columns of multi-bit flash memory cells each capable of being selectively programmed to have a threshold voltage corresponding to one of a plurality of multi-bit bit-sets. In one embodiment, the memory device is adapted to perform a burst read operation in which a row of flash memory cells is sensed and latched and subsequently outputted from the device on consecutive clock cycles following a sense latency period. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the pipelined architecture allows for a second burst read operation to be initiated prior to completion of the first, such that the sense latency periods for all but the first of a series of successive burst read operations are hidden, enabling the memory device to perform comparably to a memory device having conventional flash memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 7016254
    Abstract: An improved memory device and architecture has been detailed that enhances a Flash memory device that has an SDRAM compatible interface. The memory device employs a virtual paging scheme that allows the memory to have an efficient Flash internal structure, while logically re-mapping this architecture externally to a compatible virtual SDRAM architecture. This allows for access and operation of the improved memory device with a compatible SDRAM controller device, while Flash specific functions can be performed with an SDRAM command sequence. Internal to the memory, memory array banks are divided into four equal segments by row range and logically re-mapped by placing the segments virtually beside each other. This forms a virtual memory bank structure of equivalent rows and columns as a comparable SDRAM device. Additionally, the improved memory device may also have an extended interface that allows for direct access to the internal Flash memory architecture without logical abstraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6980453
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6906955
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6901008
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6870774
    Abstract: A flash memory device having a pipelined RAS/CAS architecture is logically organized as an array of rows and columns of multi-bit flash memory cells each capable of being selectively programmed to have a threshold voltage corresponding to one of a plurality of multi-bit bit-sets. In one embodiment, the memory device is adapted to perform a burst read operation in which a row of flash memory cells is sensed and latched and subsequently outputted from the device on consecutive clock cycles following a sense latency period. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the pipelined architecture allows for a second burst read operation to be initiated prior to completion of the first, such that the sense latency periods for all but the first of a series of successive burst read operations are hidden, enabling the memory device to perform comparably to a memory device having conventional flash memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Micron, Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 6845057
    Abstract: An improved memory device and architecture has been detailed that enhances a Flash memory device that has an SDRAM compatible interface. The memory device employs a virtual paging scheme that allows for the architecture of the memory to implement an efficient Flash memory structure internally. Externally, the memory logically maps the internal Flash architecture to an SDRAM compatible interface and virtual architecture, allowing for memory access and operation with a compatible SDRAM controller device. A double data rate interface is provided to allow data to be input and output from the memory in synchronization with both rising and falling edges of a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw, Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar
  • Patent number: 6798710
    Abstract: An improved memory device and architecture has been detailed that enhances a Flash memory device that has an SDRAM compatible interface. The memory device employs a virtual paging scheme that allows the memory to have an efficient Flash internal structure, while logically re-mapping this architecture externally to a compatible virtual SDRAM architecture. This allows for access and operation of the improved memory device with a compatible SDRAM controller device, while Flash specific functions can be performed with an SDRAM command sequence. Internal to the memory, memory array banks are divided into four equal segments by row range and logically re-mapped by placing the segments virtually beside each other. This forms a virtual memory bank structure of equivalent rows and columns as a comparable SDRAM device. Additionally, the improved memory device may also have an extended interface that allows for direct access to the internal Flash memory architecture without logical abstraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Publication number: 20040165433
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Publication number: 20040165432
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Friborz Roohparar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Publication number: 20040168015
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Publication number: 20040109358
    Abstract: A flash memory device having a pipelined RAS/CAS architecture is logically organized as an array of rows and columns of multi-bit flash memory cells each capable of being selectively programmed to have a threshold voltage corresponding to one of a plurality of multi-bit bit-sets. In one embodiment, the memory device is adapted to perform a burst read operation in which a row of flash memory cells is sensed and latched and subsequently outputted from the device on consecutive clock cycles following a sense latency period. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the pipelined architecture allows for a second burst read operation to be initiated prior to completion of the first, such that the sense latency periods for all but the first of a series of successive burst read operations are hidden, enabling the memory device to perform comparably to a memory device having conventional flash memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 6741497
    Abstract: A flash memory has been described that has an interface corresponding to a rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM). The memory samples commands and addresses on a rising edge of a clock signal. The read and write data are provided on both the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6724663
    Abstract: A flash memory has erase blocks aligned primarily with array rows and secondarily with array rows. This architecture allows data to be stored across numerous pages without risking accidental erasure caused by crossing multiple erase blocks. As a result, non-volatile memory devices to be more easily substituted for volatile memory devices. In one embodiment, a flash memory includes an array of memory cells that have a plurality of adjacent pages. Addresses of the memory cells are scrambled within the pages to define erase blocks that cross the page boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Publication number: 20040057284
    Abstract: An improved memory device and architecture has been detailed that enhances a Flash memory device that has an SCRAM compatible interface. The memory device employs a virtual paging scheme that allows for the architecture of the memory to implement an efficient Flash memory structure internally. Externally, the memory logically maps the internal Flash architecture to an SCRAM compatible interface and virtual architecture, allowing for memory access and operation with a compatible SCRAM controller device. A double data rate interface is provided to allow data to be input and output from the memory in synchronization with both rising and falling edges of a clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw, Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar
  • Publication number: 20040057320
    Abstract: A synchronous flash memory includes an array of non-volatile memory cells. The memory device has a package configuration that is compatible with an SDRAM. The memory device can comprise an array of memory cells having N addressable sectors, and control circuitry to control erase or write operations on the array of memory cells. Protection circuitry can be coupled to the control circuitry to selectively prevent erase or write operations from being performed on both first and last sectors of the N addressable sectors. The protection circuitry can comprise a multi-bit register having a first bit corresponding to the first sector and a second bit corresponding to the last sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6667932
    Abstract: An improved memory device and architecture has been detailed that enhances a Flash memory device that has an SDRAM compatible interface. The memory device employs a virtual paging scheme that allows the memory to have an efficient Flash internal structure, while logically re-mapping this architecture externally to a compatible virtual SDRAM architecture. This allows for access and operation of the improved memory device with a compatible SDRAM controller device, while Flash specific functions can be performed with an SDRAM command sequence. Internal to the memory, memory array banks are divided into four equal segments by row range and logically re-mapped by placing the segments virtually beside each other. This forms a virtual memory bank structure of equivalent rows and columns as a comparable SDRAM device. Additionally, the improved memory device may also have an extended interface that allows for direct access to the internal Flash memory architecture without logical abstraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
  • Patent number: 6654307
    Abstract: An improved memory device and architecture has been detailed that enhances a Flash memory device that has an SDRAM compatible interface. The memory device employs a virtual paging scheme that allows for the architecture of the memory to implement an efficient Flash memory structure internally. Externally, the memory logically maps the internal Flash architecture to an SDRAM compatible interface and virtual architecture, allowing for memory access and operation with a compatible SDRAM controller device. A double data rate interface is provided to allow data to be input and output from the memory in synchronization with both rising and falling edges of a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw, Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar