Patents by Inventor Kirk Prall

Kirk Prall 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: 11501817
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20210280231
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 10978128
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20200090728
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 10475500
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20180366176
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 10083732
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Publication number: 20170365323
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 9721639
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A cell may be written with a value that is intended to convey a different logic state than may typically be associated with the value. For example, a cell that has stored a charge associated with one logic state for a time period may be re-written to store a different charge, and the re-written cell may still be read to have the originally stored logic state. An indicator may be stored in a latch to indicate whether the logic state currently stored by the cell is the intended logic state of the cell. A cell may, for example, be re-written with an opposite value periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, or based on a determination that the cell has stored one value (or charge) for a certain time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kirk Prall, Ferdinando Bedeschi
  • Patent number: 8647949
    Abstract: An integrated circuit transistor is fabricated with a trench gate having nonconductive sidewalls. The transistor is surrounded by an isolation trench filled with a nonconductive material. The sidewalls of the gate trench are formed of the nonconductive material and are substantially free of unetched substrate material. As a result, the sidewalls of the gate trench do not form an undesired conductive path between the source and the drain of the transistor, thereby advantageously reducing the amount of parasitic current that flows between the source and drain during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Mark Helm, Kirk Prall
  • Publication number: 20120132979
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming memory devices employing halogen ion implantation and diffusion processes. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a plurality of word line structures above a semiconducting substrate, each of the word line structures comprising a gate insulation layer, performing an LDD ion implantation process to form LDD doped regions in the substrate between the word line structures, performing a halogen ion implantation process to implant atoms of halogen into the semiconducting substrate between the word line structures, and performing at least one anneal process to cause at least some of the atoms of halogen to diffuse into the gate insulation layers on adjacent word line structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Behnam Moradi, Seiichi Aritome, Di Li, Chris Larsen
  • Publication number: 20110124178
    Abstract: An integrated circuit transistor is fabricated with a trench gate having nonconductive sidewalls. The transistor is surrounded by an isolation trench filled with a nonconductive material. The sidewalls of the gate trench are formed of the nonconductive material and are substantially free of unetched substrate material. As a result, the sidewalls of the gate trench do not form an undesired conductive path between the source and the drain of the transistor, thereby advantageously reducing the amount of parasitic current that flows between the source and drain during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Mark Helm, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 7911837
    Abstract: A multi-state NAND memory cell is comprised of two drain/source areas in a substrate. An oxide-nitride-oxide structure is formed above the substrate between the drain/source areas. The nitride layer acting as an asymmetric charge trapping layer. A control gate is located above the oxide-nitride-oxide structure. An asymmetrical bias on the drain/source areas causes the drain/source area with the higher voltage to inject an asymmetric distribution hole by gate induced drain leakage injection into the trapping layer substantially adjacent that drain/source area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 7879665
    Abstract: An integrated circuit transistor is fabricated with a trench gate having nonconductive sidewalls. The transistor is surrounded by an isolation trench filled with a nonconductive material. The sidewalls of the gate trench are formed of the nonconductive material and are substantially free of unetched substrate material. As a result, the sidewalls of the gate trench do not form an undesired conductive path between the source and the drain of the transistor, thereby advantageously reducing the amount of parasitic current that flows between the source and drain during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Mark Helm, Kirk Prall
  • Publication number: 20110013463
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming memory devices employing halogen ion implantation and diffusion processes. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a plurality of word line structures above a semiconducting substrate, each of the word line structures comprising a gate insulation layer, performing an LDD ion implantation process to form LDD doped regions in the substrate between the word line structures, performing a halogen ion implantation process to implant atoms of halogen into the semiconducting substrate between the word line structures, and performing at least one anneal process to cause at least some of the atoms of halogen to diffuse into the gate insulation layers on adjacent word line structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Behnam Moradi, Seiichi Aritome, Di Li, Chris Larsen
  • Patent number: 7824994
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming memory devices employing halogen ion implantation and diffusion processes. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a plurality of word line structures above a semiconducting substrate, each of the word line structures comprising a gate insulation layer, performing an LDD ion implantation process to form LDD doped regions in the substrate between the word line structures, performing a halogen ion implantation process to implant atoms of halogen into the semiconducting substrate between the word line structures, and performing at least one anneal process to cause at least some of the atoms of halogen to diffuse into the gate insulation layers on adjacent word line structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Behnam Moradi, Seiichi Aritome, Di Li, Chris Larsen
  • Patent number: 7696557
    Abstract: Floating-gate field-effect transistors or memory cells formed in isolated wells are useful in the fabrication of non-volatile memory arrays and devices. A column of such floating-gate memory cells are associated with a well containing the source/drain regions for each memory cell in the column. These wells are isolated from source/drain regions of other columns of the array. Fowler-Nordheim tunneling can be used to program and erase such floating-gate memory cells either on an individual basis or on a bulk or block basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Chen, Andrei Mihnea, Kirk Prall
  • Publication number: 20100039869
    Abstract: A multi-state NAND memory cell is comprised of two drain/source areas in a substrate. An oxide-nitride-oxide structure is formed above the substrate between the drain/source areas. The nitride layer acting as an asymmetric charge trapping layer. A control gate is located above the oxide-nitride-oxide structure. An asymmetrical bias on the drain/source areas causes the drain/source area with the higher voltage to inject an asymmetric distribution hole by gate induced drain leakage injection into the trapping layer substantially adjacent that drain/source area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 7616482
    Abstract: A multi-state NAND memory cell includes two drain/source areas in a substrate. An oxide-nitride-oxide structure is formed above the substrate between the drain/source areas. The nitride layer acting as an asymmetric charge trapping layer. A control gate is located above the oxide-nitride-oxide structure. An asymmetrical bias on the drain/source areas causes the drain/source area with the higher voltage to inject an asymmetric distribution hole by gate induced drain leakage injection into the trapping layer substantially adjacent that drain/source area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 7577027
    Abstract: A multi-state NAND memory cell is comprised of two drain/source areas in a substrate. An oxide-nitride-oxide structure is formed above the substrate between the drain/source areas. The nitride layer acting as an asymmetric charge trapping layer. A control gate is located above the oxide-nitride-oxide structure. An asymmetrical bias on the drain/source areas causes the drain/source area with the higher voltage to inject an asymmetric distribution hole by gate induced drain leakage injection into the trapping layer substantially adjacent that drain/source area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Prall