Patents by Inventor Michael A. Smith

Michael A. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20240072057
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including an adjusted bottom/deep well embedded in a semiconductor substrate. The adjusted bottom/deep well having one or more characteristics resulting from being formed using or through a temporary masked layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11901448
    Abstract: High voltage isolation devices for semiconductor devices and associated systems, are disclosed herein. The isolation device may support operations of a 3-dimensional NAND memory array of the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, during high voltage operations (e.g., erase operations), the isolation device may provide a high voltage to the memory array while isolating other circuitry supporting low voltage operations of the memory array from the high voltage. The isolation device may include a set of narrow active areas separating the low voltage circuitry from the high voltage and a gate over the narrow active areas. In a further embodiment, the isolation device includes interdigitated narrow active areas and a common gate over the interdigitated narrow active areas to reduce an area occupied by the isolation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240038904
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor structure comprising an active region comprising opposing field edges parallel to a first horizontal direction and a gate region comprising opposing gate edges parallel to a second horizontal direction transverse to the first horizontal direction. The semiconductor structure also comprises a first dielectric material adjacent at least one of the opposing field edges or the opposing gate edges and a second dielectric material adjacent the active area and abutting portions of the first dielectric material. A height of the second dielectric material in a vertical direction may be less than the height of the first dielectric material. Semiconductor devices and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11889687
    Abstract: Integrated circuit structures might include a semiconductor material, a first active area in the semiconductor material, a second active area in the semiconductor material, and an isolation structure comprising a dielectric material deposited in a trench formed in the semiconductor material between the first active area and the second active area. The isolation structure might further include a first edge portion extending below a surface of the semiconductor material to a first depth, a second edge portion extending below the surface of the semiconductor material to the first depth, and an interior portion between the first edge portion and the second edge portion, and extending below the surface of the semiconductor material to a second depth, less than the first depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11881528
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and a transistor disposed on the substrate. The transistor includes a source and a source contact disposed on the source. The transistor also includes a drain and a drain contact disposed on the drain. A gate is disposed between the source contact and the drain contact, and a screened region is disposed adjacent the source contact or the drain contact. The screened region corresponds to a lightly doped region. The screened region includes an implant screen configured to reduce an effective dose in the screened region so as to shift an acceptable dose range of the screened region to a higher dose range. The acceptable dose range corresponds to acceptable breakdown voltage values for the screened region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230414941
    Abstract: Described here are methods and apparatuses, including templates and template systems, for accurately positioning electrode applicator tips in order to treat larger predefined patterns of tissue. Also described here are methods and apparatuses for positioning, e.g., orienting and/or spacing, applicator tip(s) against the tissue while applying energy through some or all of the electrodes in the applicator tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. SMITH, Sukumar HIRANI, David J. DANITZ, Kevin L. MOSS, Anita L. CROMPTON
  • Publication number: 20230414102
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for configuring and using displays, speakers, or other output devices positioned by an article of clothing or other such structure wearable by a healthcare recipient, for example, in a clinic or residential care facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Paul G. Allen, Edward S. Boyden, Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Eric C. Leuthardt, Dennis J. Rivet, Michael A. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20230395151
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first string driver circuit and a second string driver circuit that are disposed laterally adjacent to each other in a length direction of a memory subsystem. The first and the second string driver circuits are disposed in an interleaved layout configuration such that the first connections of the first string driver are offset from the second connections of the second string driver in a width direction. For a same effective distance between the corresponding opposing first and second connections, a first pitch length corresponding to the interleaved layout configuration of the first and second string drivers is less by a predetermined reduction amount than a second pitch length between the first and second string drivers when disposed in a non-interleaved layout configuration in which each of the first connections is in-line with the corresponding second connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Martin W. Popp
  • Publication number: 20230395159
    Abstract: Interfaces between higher voltage and lower voltage wafers and related apparatuses and methods are disclosed. An apparatus includes a memory wafer and a logic wafer. Data storage elements of an array are configured to perform an operation responsive to an operational voltage potential. The memory wafer also includes bitlines electrically connected to the data storage elements and isolation devices electrically connected to the bitlines. The logic wafer is bonded to the memory wafer. The logic wafer includes logic circuitry electrically connected to the bitlines through the isolation devices. A maximum voltage potential difference tolerance of the logic circuitry is less than an operational voltage potential difference between the operational voltage potential and a reference voltage potential of the logic circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Kunal R. Parekh, Hernan A. Castro
  • Publication number: 20230387258
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and a transistor disposed on the substrate. The transistor can include a gate disposed between a source area and a drain area of the transistor. The transistor can also include a plurality of routing lanes above the gate for use by automated routing programs that layout metal connections for the apparatus. A first field plate can be disposed above a LDD region of the source area with the first field plate being on a same level as the plurality of routing lanes. A second field plate can be disposed above a LDD region of the drain area with the second field plate being on the same level as the plurality of routing lanes. The first and second field plates can be electrically connected to the gate using respective first and second path that bypass the plurality of routing lanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11799038
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a capacitor structure comprising an active region comprising opposing field edges parallel to a first horizontal direction and a gate region comprising opposing gate edges parallel to a second horizontal direction transverse to the first horizontal direction. The semiconductor structure also comprises a first dielectric material adjacent at least one of the opposing field edges or the opposing gate edges and a second dielectric material adjacent the active area and abutting portions of the first dielectric material. A height of the second dielectric material in a vertical direction may be less than the height of the first dielectric material. Semiconductor devices and related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Lodestar Licensing Group LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11790995
    Abstract: Memory systems and devices with source plate discharge circuits (and associated methods) are described herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes (a) a plurality of memory cells, (b) a source plate electrically coupled to the plurality of memory cells, and (c) a discharge circuit. The discharge circuit can include a bipolar junction transistor device electrically coupled to the source plate and configured to drop a voltage at the source plate by, for example, discharging current through the bipolar junction transistor device. In some embodiments, the bipolar junction transistor device can be activated using a low-voltage switch or a high-voltage switch electrically coupled to the bipolar junction transistor. In these and other embodiments, the bipolar junction transistor device can operate in an avalanche mode while discharging current to drop the voltage at the source plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Vladimir Mikhalev
  • Patent number: 11783896
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first string driver circuit and a second string driver circuit that are disposed laterally adjacent to each other in a length direction of a memory subsystem. The first and the second string driver circuits are disposed in an interleaved layout configuration such that the first connections of the first string driver are offset from the second connections of the second string driver in a width direction. For a same effective distance between the corresponding opposing first and second connections, a first pitch length corresponding to the interleaved layout configuration of the first and second string drivers is less by a predetermined reduction amount than a second pitch length between the first and second string drivers when disposed in a non-interleaved layout configuration in which each of the first connections is in-line with the corresponding second connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Martin W. Popp
  • 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: 11703428
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated laser microdissection are disclosed including automatic slide detection, position detection of cutting and capture lasers, focus optimization for cutting and capture lasers, energy and duration optimization for cutting and capture lasers, inspection and second phase capture and/or ablation in a quality control station and tracking information for linking substrate carrier or output microdissected regions with input sample or slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Baer, Michael G. Youngquist, Brian W. Donovan, Alan E. Wessel, Norbert H. Leclerc, Michael A. Smith, Craig S. Barker, George M. Dawson
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11654747
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid temperature in a thermal system includes a heat source, a heat sink coupled to the heat source, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, a first expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the first heat exchanger, a second expansion valve configured to regulate the flow of coolant between the heat source and the second heat exchanger, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an operating condition of the thermal system and generate a first control signal to control the first and second expansion valves to direct the flow of coolant to the first and second heat exchangers. The first and second expansion valves are arranged in parallel to recover heat rejected from the coolant and distribute the recovered heat to the first and second heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Eugene V. Gonze, Richard J. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20230123487
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells and a plurality of bit-lines with each bit-line connected to a respective set of memory cells of the array of memory cells. The memory device includes a memory subsystem having first and second memory circuits. Each first memory circuit can be disposed laterally adjacent to a second memory circuit. Each first memory circuit includes a first bit-line connection and each second memory circuit including a second bit-line connection, the first and second bit-line connections can connect to respective bit-lines. Each first bit-line connection is disposed on a first bit-line connection line of the memory subsystem and each second bit-line connection is disposed on a second bit-line connection line of the memory subsystem, and the second bit-line connection line can be offset from the first bit-line connection line by a predetermined distance that is greater than zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Haitao Liu, Vladimir Mikhalev
  • Patent number: 11627923
    Abstract: A cannula and method include a shaft portion having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the oppositely disposed distal end along the longitudinal axis. A hub is attached to the proximal end of the shaft portion and includes a transverse portion, which extends transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft portion. An opaque marker is disposed on the transverse portion at a position corresponding to an expanded size of an expandable element such that the opaque marker indicates the expanded size in an imaging system image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC HOLDING COMPANY SARL
    Inventors: Michael A. Smith, Samuel Lee, Emily Benson