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).
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Patent number: 7409493Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 7177976Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 7042768Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw
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Patent number: 7016254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6980453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6906955Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6901008Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6870774Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Micron, Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw
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Patent number: 6845057Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw, Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar
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Patent number: 6798710Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Publication number: 20040165433Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Publication number: 20040165432Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Friborz Roohparar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Publication number: 20040168015Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2004Publication date: August 26, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Publication number: 20040109358Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: June 10, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw
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Patent number: 6741497Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6724663Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Publication number: 20040057284Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw, Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar
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Publication number: 20040057320Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6667932Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar, Kevin C. Widmer
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Patent number: 6654307Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Kevin C. Widmer, Cliff Zitlaw, Frankie Fariborz Roohparvar