Patents by Inventor Michel Bron

Michel Bron 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: 8395937
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is selectively and responsively coupled to or decoupled from its associated bit line via an associated isolation circuit. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fisch, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20110249499
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is selectively and responsively coupled to or decoupled from its associated bit line via an associated isolation circuit. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fisch, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7969779
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is selectively and responsively coupled to or decoupled from its associated bit line via an associated isolation circuit. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Fisch, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7733693
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Innovative Silicon ISi SA
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20090231898
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is selectively and responsively coupled to or decoupled from its associated bit line via an associated isolation circuit. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: David Fisch, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7542340
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is coupled to an associated bit line. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment. A plurality of isolation circuits, disposed between each bit line segment and its associated bit line, responsively connect the associated bit line segment to or disconnect the associated bit line segment from the associated bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Silicon ISi SA
    Inventors: David Fisch, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20080205114
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7359229
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Silicon S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20080013359
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having a memory cell array including a plurality of bit lines (e.g., first and second bit lines) and a plurality of bit line segments (e.g., first and second bit line segments) wherein each bit line segment is coupled to an associated bit line. The memory cell array further includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a transistor having a first region, a second region, a body region, and a gate coupled to an associated word line via an associated word line segment. A first group of memory cells is coupled to the first bit line via the first bit line segment and a second group of memory cells is coupled to the second bit line via the second bit line segment. A plurality of isolation circuits, disposed between each bit line segment and its associated bit line, responsively connect the associated bit line segment to or disconnect the associated bit line segment from the associated bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: David Fisch, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20070159911
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7187581
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Innovative Silicon S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7085156
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Silicon S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 7085153
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory cell and technique of reading data from and writing data into that memory cell. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory cell includes two transistors which store complementary data states. That is, the two-transistor memory cell includes a first transistor that maintains a complementary state relative to the second transistor. As such, when programmed, one of the transistors of the memory cell stores a logic low (a binary “0”) and the other transistor of the memory cell stores a logic high (a binary “1”). The data state of the two-transistor complementary memory cell may be read and/or determined by sampling, sensing measuring and/or detecting the polarity of the logic states stored in each transistor of complementary memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Silicon S.A.
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20050174873
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20050157580
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20050013163
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory cell and technique of reading data from and writing data into that memory cell. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory cell includes two transistors which store complementary data states. That is, the two-transistor memory cell includes a first transistor that maintains a complementary state relative to the second transistor. As such, when programmed, one of the transistors of the memory cell stores a logic low (a binary “0”) and the other transistor of the memory cell stores a logic high (a binary “1”). The data state of the two-transistor complementary memory cell may be read and/or determined by sampling, sensing measuring and/or detecting the polarity of the logic states stored in each transistor of complementary memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Publication number: 20040228168
    Abstract: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a memory device and technique of reading data from and writing data into memory cells of the memory device. In this regard, in one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the memory device and technique for operating that device that minimizes, reduces and/or eliminates the debilitating affects of the charge pumping phenomenon. This embodiment of the present invention employs control signals that minimize, reduce and/or eliminate transitions of the amplitudes and/or polarities. In another embodiment, the present invention is a semiconductor memory device including a memory array comprising a plurality of semiconductor dynamic random access memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Ferrant, Serguei Okhonin, Eric Carman, Michel Bron
  • Patent number: 6128224
    Abstract: A method for writing data to non-volatile memory (50) involves alternately applying programming and erase voltages to a control gate wordline of a memory cell. A write includes programming and erasing bits (30, 31, . . . , 32, 33) in the memory array (56). After writing, a verify erase (VE) operation and a verify program (VP) operation are performed to determine if multiple cycles are necessary. The method also permits refreshing data in the array without transferring the data onto a data bus for improved security. In one embodiment, a three transistor EEPROM is written by providing a high voltage to the drain select of the selected wordline, while providing a low voltage to the drain select of other wordlines. Programming and erase voltages are applied to the control gate wordline of the selected wordline in cycles until the write is complete. The memory cell structure allows isolation of each bit in the array to avoid adverse effects on neighbor bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michel Bron, Alexis Marquot, Graham Stout, Eric Boulian
  • Patent number: 6075727
    Abstract: A method for writing to a bit of a non-volatile memory (50) by alternately applying programming and erase voltages to a control gate wordline of a memory cell. A write includes programming and erasing bits (30, 31, . . . , 32, 33) in the memory array (56). Upon completion of the write operation a verify erase (VE) indication and a verify program (VP) indication are provided to a memory controller (58), which then determines if multiple cycles are necessary. The configuration of the memory cell allows isolation of each bit in the memory array to avoid effects of writes to neighbor bits. According to one embodiment, a three transistor EEPROM is written by providing a high voltage to the drain select of the selected wordline, while providing a low voltage to the drain select of other wordlines. Programming and erase voltages are applied to the control gate wordline of the selected wordline in cycles until the write is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc
    Inventors: Bruce Lee Morton, Michel Bron, Alexis Marquot, Graham Stout
  • Patent number: 5557743
    Abstract: Electronic devices using microprocessors requiring additional external memory can have security protection for the microprocessors while in an expanded mode of operation. A microprocessor having a security access circuit allows executable code to be stored in a peripheral storage device, such as external EPROM, while maintaining protection to the microprocessor EEPROM by monitoring if an instruction code is generated from an internal memory source or an external memory source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul Pombo, Jaime Borras, Michel Bron