Patents by Inventor Michael A. VanBuskirk

Michael A. VanBuskirk 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: 9343666
    Abstract: A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer, providing an opening in the dielectric layer, providing a first conductive body in the opening, providing a switching body in the opening, the first conductive body and switching body filling the opening, and providing a second conductive body over the switching body. In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer, and the switching body is provided in an opening in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suzette K. Pangrle, Steven Avanzino, Sameer Haddad, Michael Vanbuskirk, Manuj Rathor, James Xie, Kevin Song, Christie Marrian, Bryan Choo, Fei Wang, Jeffery A. Shields
  • Patent number: 9318373
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (400) for improved charge dissipation protection includes a substrate (426), a layer of semiconductive or conductive material (406), one or more thin film devices (408) and a charge passage device (414). The thin film devices (408) are connected to the semiconductive or conductive layer (406) and the charge passage device (414) is coupled to the thin film devices (408) and to the substrate (426) and provides a connection from the thin film devices (408) to the substrate (426) to dissipate charge from the semiconductive/conductive layer (406) to the substrate (426).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: David M Rogers, Mimi X Qian, Kwadwo A Appiah, Mark Randolph, Michael A VanBuskirk, Tazrien Kamal, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Yi He, Wei Zheng
  • Publication number: 20130237022
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (400) for improved charge dissipation protection includes a substrate (426), a layer of semiconductive or conductive material (406), one or more thin film devices (408) and a charge passage device (414). The thin film devices (408) are connected to the semiconductive or conductive layer (406) and the charge passage device (414) is coupled to the thin film devices (408) and to the substrate (426) and provides a connection from the thin film devices (408) to the substrate (426) to dissipate charge from the semiconductive/conductive layer (406) to the substrate (426).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: David M Rogers, Mimi X Qian, Kwadwo A Appiah, Mark Randolph, Michael A VanBuskirk, Tazrien Kamal, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Yi HE, Wei Zheng
  • Patent number: 8514631
    Abstract: Determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 8445966
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (400) for improved charge dissipation protection includes a substrate (426), a layer of semiconductive or conductive material (406), one or more thin film devices (408) and a charge passage device (414). The thin film devices (408) are connected to the semiconductive or conductive layer (406) and the charge passage device (414) is coupled to the thin film devices (408) and to the substrate (426) and provides a connection from the thin film devices (408) to the substrate (426) to dissipate charge from the semiconductive/conductive layer (406) to the substrate (426).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: David M. Rogers, Mimi X. Qian, Kwadwo A. Appiah, Mark Randolph, Michael A. VanBuskirk, Tazrien Kamal, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Yi He, Wei Zheng
  • Publication number: 20120276706
    Abstract: A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer;, providing an opening in the dielectric layer, providing a first conductive body in the opening, providing a switching body in the opening, the first conductive body and switching body Filling the opening, and providing a second conductive body over the switching body. In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer, and the switching body is provided in an opening in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Suzette K. PANGRLE, Steven AVANZINO, Sameer HADDAD, Michael VANBUSKIRK, Manuj RATHOR, James XIE, Kevin SONG, Christie MARRIAN, Bryan CHOO, Fei WANG, Jeffery A. SHIELDS
  • Patent number: 8232175
    Abstract: A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer, providing an opening in the dielectric layer, providing a first conductive body in the opening, providing a switching body in the opening, the first conductive body and switching body filling the opening, and providing a second conductive body over the switching body. In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer, and the switching body is provided in an opening in the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Suzette K. Pangrle, Steven Avanzino, Sameer Haddad, Michael VanBuskirk, Manuj Rathor, James Xie, Kevin Song, Christie Marrian, Bryan Choo, Fei Wang, Jeffrey A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20120092924
    Abstract: A write-once read-many times memory device is made up of first and second electrodes, a passive layer between the first and second electrodes, and an active layer between the first and second electrode. The memory device is programmed by providing a charged species from the passive layer into the active layer. The memory device may be programmed to have for the programmed memory device a first erase activation energy. The present method provides for the programmed memory device a second erase activation energy greater than the first erase activation energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Michael A. VanBuskirk, Colin S. Bill, Zhida Lan, Tzu-Ning Fang
  • Patent number: 8098521
    Abstract: A write-once read-many times memory device is made up of first and second electrodes, a passive layer between the first and second electrodes, and an active layer between the first and second electrode. The memory device is programmed by providing a charged species from the passive layer into the active layer. The memory device may be programmed to have for the programmed memory device a first erase activation energy. The present method provides for the programmed memory device a second erase activation energy greater than the first erase activation energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. VanBuskirk, Colin S. Bill, Zhida Lan, Tzu-Ning Fang
  • Patent number: 8089113
    Abstract: The present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer, providing an opening in the dielectric layer, providing a first conductive body in the opening in the dielectric layer, providing a switching body in the opening, and providing a second conductive body in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Suzette K. Pangrle, Steven Avanzino, Sameer Haddad, Michael VanBuskirk, Manuj Rathor, James Xie, Kevin Song, Christie Marrian, Bryan Choo, Fei Wang, Jeffrey A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20110235430
    Abstract: During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 8003436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layer organic memory device that can operate as a non-volatile memory device having a plurality of stacked and/or parallel memory structures constructed therein. A multi-cell and multi-layer organic memory component can be formed with two or more electrodes having a selectively conductive media between the electrodes forming individual cells, while utilizing a partitioning component to enable stacking of additional memory cells on top of or in association with previously formed cells. Memory stacks can be formed by adding additional layers—respective layers separated by additional partitioning components, wherein multiple stacks can be formed in parallel to provide a high-density memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas H. Tripsas, Uzodinma Okoroanyanwu, Suzette K. Pangrle, Michael A. VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 7983089
    Abstract: During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 7894243
    Abstract: In a first method of writing data to a resistive memory device (i.e. programming or erasing), successive electrical potentials are applied across the resistive memory device, wherein the successive electrical potentials are of increasing duration. In another method of writing data to a resistive memory device (i.e. programming or erasing), an electrical potential is applied across the resistive memory device, and the level of current through the memory device is sensed as the electrical potential is applied. The application of the electrical potential is ended based on a selected level of current through the resistive memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Michael VanBuskirk, Wei Daisy Cai, Colin S. Bill, Yi-Ching Jean Wu
  • Patent number: 7838342
    Abstract: During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 7830716
    Abstract: During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Patent number: 7791947
    Abstract: The present disclosure adjusts the voltage threshold values of select gates of NAND strings. The select gates of the NAND string can be read, erased, and programmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. VanBuskirk, Colin S. Bill, Takao Akaogi
  • Patent number: 7781806
    Abstract: A method for providing an optical erase memory structure including: forming a metal-insulator-metal memory cell; positioning a light emitting diode adjacent to the metal-insulator-metal memory cell; and emitting a light emission from the light emitting diode for erasing the metal-insulator-metal memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Michael VanBuskirk, Mark McClain
  • Publication number: 20090303793
    Abstract: During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk
  • Publication number: 20090303795
    Abstract: During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michael VanBuskirk