Patents by Inventor Luiz M. Franca-Neto

Luiz M. Franca-Neto 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: 9153290
    Abstract: A head-assisted magnetic recording-shingled magnetic recording (HAMR-SMR) type storage device is described that includes a control module and one or more magnetic recording layers partitioned into zones. The control module is configured to write initial data beginning at an initial logical address of a zone. The initial logical address of the zone corresponds to an initial physical address of the zone. Responsive to receiving a command from a host associated with the HAMR-SMR type storage device to reset the zone and write subsequent data, the control module is further configured to reset the initial logical address of the zone to a subsequent physical address of the zone, and after resetting the initial logical address, write the subsequent data beginning at the initial logical address of the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Zvonimir Z. Bandic, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Adam C. Manzanares, Bruno Marchon, Erhard Schreck
  • Publication number: 20150194468
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells and methods of addressing those cells. The memory cells can be arranged in a 3D orientation such that macro cells that are in the middle of the 3D arrangement can be addressed without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. An individual macro cell within a memory cell can be addressed by applying three separate currents to the macro cell. A first current is applied to the memory cell directly. A second current is applied to the source electrode of the MESFET, and a third current is applied to the gate electrode of the MESFET to permit the current to travel through the channel of the MESFET to the drain electrode which is coupled to the memory element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventor: Luiz M. FRANCA-NETO
  • Patent number: 8988918
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells and methods of addressing those cells. The memory cells can be arranged in a 3D orientation such that macro cells that are in the middle of the 3D arrangement can be addressed without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. An individual macro cell within a memory cell can be addressed by applying three separate currents to the macro cell. A first current is applied to the memory cell directly. A second current is applied to the source electrode of the MESFET, and a third current is applied to the gate electrode of the MESFET to permit the current to travel through the channel of the MESFET to the drain electrode which is coupled to the memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Luiz M. Franca-Neto
  • Publication number: 20150026042
    Abstract: An electronic money system where ownership of each cent of properly created and labeled electronic money is manifested and confirmed by the ability of a client to change specific secret content in pre-determined field assigned to said cent of electronic money. Said ability is granted upon demonstration of knowledge of the current content of said pre-determined field. An electronic money system capable of purchases, transfers, deposits and remittances with anonymity and convenience similar to ordinary cash. An electronic system whose enabling client computational resources can be downloaded as a software application and can be operated under yearly subscription fee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Luiz M Franca-Neto
  • Publication number: 20140373114
    Abstract: An authorization and validation system and method for mobile financial transactions uses (1) historic Global Positioning System (GPS) and time at specific locations and (2) both visible and invisible prompts to allow access to assets and performance of financial transactions. Said system and method also determines when the mobile device, tablet or smart phone, is lost or is operated by an impersonator. Special attention is devoted when said system is engaged in determining whether the user is under threat or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Marta A G da Franca
  • Patent number: 8792272
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced data partial erase for multi-level cell (MLC) memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A data partial erase for data written to the MLC memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding is performed, and a data re-write after the partial erase to the MLC memory is performed using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A data partial erase cycle includes a duration and voltage level based upon a degradation of the MLC memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Zvonimir Z. Bandic, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Robert Eugeniu Mateescu
  • Publication number: 20140204646
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells and methods of addressing those cells. The memory cells can be arranged in a 3D orientation such that macro cells that are in the middle of the 3D arrangement can be addressed without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. An individual macro cell within a memory cell can be addressed by applying three separate currents to the macro cell. A first current is applied to the memory cell directly. A second current is applied to the source electrode of the MESFET, and a third current is applied to the gate electrode of the MESFET to permit the current to travel through the channel of the MESFET to the drain electrode which is coupled to the memory element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Luiz M. FRANCA-NETO
  • Patent number: 8767431
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells and methods of addressing those cells. The memory cells can be arranged in a 3D orientation such that macro cells that are in the middle of the 3D arrangement can be addressed without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. An individual macro cell within a memory cell can be addressed by applying three separate currents to the macro cell. A first current is applied to the memory cell directly. A second current is applied to the source electrode of the MESFET, and a third current is applied to the gate electrode of the MESFET to permit the current to travel through the channel of the MESFET to the drain electrode which is coupled to the memory element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Luiz M. Franca-Neto
  • Patent number: 8711597
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells. This 3D arrangement and orientation is made with macro cells that enable the programming, reading and/or querying of any memory cell in the 3D array without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. The individual macro cells are electrically coupled together such that a single transistor on the substrate can be utilized to address multiple macro cells. In such an arrangement, all the auxiliary circuits for addressing memory elements are simplified thereby diminishing their integrated circuit area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Luiz M. Franca-Neto
  • Patent number: 8699266
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced performance for multi-level cell (MLC) memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A voltage baseline of a prior write is identified, and a data write uses the threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding for data being written to the MLC memory responsive to the identified voltage baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Zvonimir Z. Bandic, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Robert Eugeniu Mateescu
  • Publication number: 20140101370
    Abstract: A method and a storage system are provided for implementing enhanced solid-state storage class memory (eSCM) including a direct attached dual in line memory (DIMM) card containing dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and at least one non-volatile memory, for example, Phase Change memory (PCM), Resistive RAM (ReRAM), Spin-Transfer-Torque RAM (STT-RAM), and NAND flash chips. An eSCM processor controls selectively allocating data among the DRAM, and the at least one non-volatile memory primarily based upon a data set size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Frank R. Chu, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Timothy K. Tsai, Qingbo Wang
  • Patent number: 8649215
    Abstract: A Flash memory system and a method for data management using the system's sensitivity to charge-disturbing operations and the history of charge-disturbing operations executed by the system are described. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensitivity to charge-disturbing operations is embodied in a disturb-strength matrix in which selected operations have an associated numerical value that is an estimate of the relative strength of that operation to cause disturbances in charge that result in data errors. The disturb-strength matrix can also include the direction of the error which indicates either a gain or loss of charge. The disturb-strength matrix can be determined by the device conducting a self-test in which charge-disturb errors are provoked by executing a selected operation until a detectable error occurs. In alternative embodiments the disturb-strength matrix is determined by testing selected units from a homogeneous population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Richard Leo Galbraith, Travis Roger Oenning
  • Patent number: 8638527
    Abstract: A signaling method and apparatus for providing two write assist components for perpendicular thin film heads writing to high coercivity media is disclosed. The two components provided by the present invention include a media writing assist component and a head switching assist component. Circuit wiring configurations and waveforms for driving an auxiliary half coil are disclosed. These include configurations for connecting the auxiliary half coil in parallel with the main data coil, or connecting the auxiliary half coil to the thermal flight control system. Provision for both common mode signals as well as differential mode signals are disclosed. RF sinusoidal waveforms between 1 and 5 GHz have been found suitable for head switching assist functions for either symmetric current feed and common mode current configuration, or asymmetric current feed and differential mode current configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Bernhard E. Knigge, Petrus Antonius Van Der Heijden
  • Patent number: 8599609
    Abstract: A Flash memory system and a method for data management using the system's sensitivity to charge-disturbing operations and the history of charge-disturbing operations executed by the system are described. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensitivity to charge-disturbing operations is embodied in a disturb-strength matrix in which selected operations have an associated numerical value that is an estimate of the relative strength of that operation to cause disturbances in charge that result in data errors. The disturb-strength matrix should also include the direction of the error which indicates either a gain or loss of charge. The disturb-strength matrix can be determined by the device conducting a self-test in which changes in the measured dispersion value are provoked by executing a selected operation until a detectable change occurs. In alternative embodiments the disturb-strength matrix is determined by testing selected units from a homogeneous population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Richard Leo Galbraith, Travis Roger Oenning
  • Patent number: 8587900
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a nanowire in a wire assisted magnetic recording head using a radiator in close proximity to a shield of the write pole. The radiator may further contain current restraints (e.g., slits, cuts, or resistive materials) that maximize current density in the nanowire at a location that corresponds to the current restraints. These current restraints may be further arranged to align with a write pole such that the current is forced to flow primarily through the nanowire when the nanowire is closest to the write pole. The nanowire may then be used either as main or auxiliary writing element for recording signals to a high coercivity media. Moreover, the nanowire and radiator may be combined into a single nanofoil which has a least two portions that perform a similar function as both the nanowire and radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Bruce A. Gurney, Lidu Huang, Vijay P. S. Rawat, Petrus A. Van Der Heijden
  • Publication number: 20130194865
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced data read for multi-level cell (MLC) memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A data read back for data written to the MLC memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding is performed, higher voltage and lower voltage levels are compared, and respective data values are identified responsive to the compared higher voltage and lower voltage levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Zvonimir Z. Bandic, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Robert Eugeniu Mateescu
  • Publication number: 20130193399
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells. This 3D arrangement and orientation is made with macro cells that enable the programming, reading and/or querying of any memory cell in the 3D array without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. The individual macro cells are electrically coupled together such that a single transistor on the substrate can be utilized to address multiple macro cells. In such an arrangement, all the auxiliary circuits for addressing memory elements are simplified thereby diminishing their integrated circuit area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: LUIZ M. FRANCA-NETO
  • Publication number: 20130194864
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced performance for multi-level cell (MLC) memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A voltage baseline of a prior write is identified, and a data write uses the threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding for data being written to the MLC memory responsive to the identified voltage baseline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Zvonimir Z. Bandic, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Robert Eugeniu Mateescu
  • Publication number: 20130198436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced data partial erase for multi-level cell (MLC) memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A data partial erase for data written to the MLC memory using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding is performed, and a data re-write after the partial erase to the MLC memory is performed using threshold-voltage-drift or resistance-drift tolerant moving baseline memory data encoding. A data partial erase cycle includes a duration and voltage level based upon a degradation of the MLC memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Zvonimir Z. Bandic, Luiz M. Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Robert Eugeniu Mateescu
  • Publication number: 20130194855
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to three-dimensional arrangement of memory cells and methods of addressing those cells. The memory cells can be arranged in a 3D orientation such that macro cells that are in the middle of the 3D arrangement can be addressed without the need for overhead wiring or by utilizing a minimal amount of overhead wiring. An individual macro cell within a memory cell can be addressed by applying three separate currents to the macro cell. A first current is applied to the memory cell directly. A second current is applied to the source electrode of the MESFET, and a third current is applied to the gate electrode of the MESFET to permit the current to travel through the channel of the MESFET to the drain electrode which is coupled to the memory element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Luiz M. Franca-Neto