Patents by Inventor Michele Incarnati

Michele Incarnati 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: 8879329
    Abstract: Methods for program verifying, program verify circuits, and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for program verifying includes generating a ramped voltage for a plurality of count values. The ramped voltage is applied to a control gate of a memory cell being program verified. At least a portion of each count value is compared to an indication of a target threshold voltage for the memory cell. When the at least a portion of the count value is equal to the indication of the target threshold voltage indication, sense circuitry is used to check if the memory cell has been activated by the voltage generated by the count. If the memory cell has been activated, an inhibit latch is set to inhibit further programming of the memory cell. If the memory cell has not been activated by the voltage, the memory cell is biased with another programming pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20140133224
    Abstract: Methods of programming a memory, memory devices, and systems are disclosed, for example. In one such method, each data line of a memory to be programmed is biased differently depending upon whether one or more of the data lines adjacent the data line are inhibited. In one such system, a connection circuit provides data corresponding to the inhibit status of a target data line to page buffers associated with data lines adjacent to the target data line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano
  • Patent number: 8638624
    Abstract: Methods of programming a memory, memory devices, and systems are disclosed, for example. In one such method, each data line of a memory to be programmed is biased differently depending upon whether one or more of the data lines adjacent the data line are inhibited. In one such system, a connection circuit provides data corresponding to the inhibit status of a target data line to page buffers associated with data lines adjacent to the target data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano
  • Patent number: 8467252
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods, such as those facilitating flexibility in applying differing biasing schemes to word lines. For example, one such memory device can include an architecture capable of partitioning word lines into one of a plurality of address spaces. Each address space has a corresponding configuration control bus. By identifying the address space to which a word line belongs, its appropriate configuration control bus may be selected and the control signals from the selected bus used to select the appropriate potentials for driving the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Micro Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 8391061
    Abstract: In a method of operation, a flash memory cell coupled to a bit-line is programmed, a word-line voltage is coupled to the flash memory cell, a first voltage pulse is coupled to a bias transistor coupled between the bit-line and a sense capacitance at a first time to couple the bit-line to the sense capacitance to generate data to indicate the state of the flash memory cell, a second voltage pulse is coupled to the bias transistor at a second time having a second magnitude that is different from a first magnitude of the first voltage pulse, and a third voltage pulse is coupled to the bias transistor at a third time having a third magnitude that is different from the second magnitude of the second voltage pulse. In a method of operation, the second voltage pulse occurs a first delay period after the first voltage pulse and the third voltage pulse occurs a second delay period after the second voltage pulse, the second delay period being different from the first delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Elmhurst, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano, Ercole Diiorio
  • Publication number: 20130039129
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of operating memory devices are disclosed. In one such method, different blocks of memory cells have different configurations of user data space and overhead data space. In at least one method, overhead data is distributed within more than one block of memory cells. In another method, blocks are reconfigurable responsive to particular operating modes and/or desired levels of reliability of user data stored in a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: William H. RADKE, Tommaso Vali, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20120287726
    Abstract: Methods of programming a memory, memory devices, and systems are disclosed, for example. In one such method, each data line of a memory to be programmed is biased differently depending upon whether one or more of the data lines adjacent the data line are inhibited. In one such system, a connection circuit provides data corresponding to the inhibit status of a target data line to page buffers associated with data lines adjacent to the target data line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano
  • Publication number: 20120243318
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device and a method of programming memory cells of the memory device. One such method can include applying a signal to a line associated with a memory cell, the signal being generated based on digital information. The method can also include, while the signal is applied to the line, determining whether a state of the memory cell is near a target state when the digital information has a first value, and determining whether the state of the memory cell has reached the target state when the digital information has a second value. Other embodiments including additional memory devices and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 8233329
    Abstract: Methods of programming a memory, memory devices, and systems are disclosed, for example. In one such method, each data line of a memory to be programmed is biased differently depending upon whether one or more of the data lines adjacent the data line are inhibited. In one such system, a connection circuit provides data corresponding to the inhibit status of a target data line to page buffers associated with data lines adjacent to the target data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano
  • Patent number: 8194460
    Abstract: A selected memory cell on a selected word line is programmed through a plurality of programming pulses that are incremented by a step voltage. After a successful program verify operation, programming of the selected memory cell is inhibited while other memory cells of the selected word line are being programmed. Another program verify operation is performed on the selected memory cell. If the program verify operation fails, a bit line coupled to the selected cell is biased at the step voltage and a final programming pulse is issued to the selected word line. The selected memory cell is then locked from further programming without evaluating the final program verify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Danilo Orlandi
  • Publication number: 20120127794
    Abstract: Methods for program verifying, program verify circuits, and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for program verifying includes generating a ramped voltage for a plurality of count values. The ramped voltage is applied to a control gate of a memory cell being program verified. At least a portion of each count value is compared to an indication of a target threshold voltage for the memory cell. When the at least a portion of the count value is equal to the indication of the target threshold voltage indication, sense circuitry is used to check if the memory cell has been activated by the voltage generated by the count. If the memory cell has been activated, an inhibit latch is set to inhibit further programming of the memory cell. If the memory cell has not been activated by the voltage, the memory cell is biased with another programming pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 8130542
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for reading non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes receiving a request to read data stored in a first cell of a first word line, performing a read operation on an adjacent cell of a second word line in response to the request, determining whether the first cell is in a disturbed condition based on the read operation. The method includes reading data stored in the first cell in response to the read request by applying a read reference voltage to the first word line and adjusting a sensing parameter if the first cell is in the disturbed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20120044765
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are disclosed, such as those facilitating flexibility in applying differing biasing schemes to word lines. For example, one such memory device can include an architecture capable of partitioning word lines into one of a plurality of address spaces. Each address space has a corresponding configuration control bus. By identifying the address space to which a word line belongs, its appropriate configuration control bus may be selected and the control signals from the selected bus used to select the appropriate potentials for driving the word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 8050102
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods facilitate flexibility in applying differing biasing schemes to word lines. For example, one such memory device can include an architecture capable of partitioning word lines into one of a plurality of address spaces. Each address space has a corresponding configuration control bus. By identifying the address space to which a word line belongs, its appropriate configuration control bus may be selected and the control signals from the selected bus used to select the appropriate potentials for driving the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 8045386
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for programming a memory cell using one or more blocking memory cells facilitate mitigation of capacitive voltage coupling. The methods include applying a program voltage to a selected memory cell of a string of memory cells, and applying a cutoff voltage to a set of one or more memory cells of the string between the selected memory cell and a select gate. The methods further include applying a pass voltage to one or more other memory cells of the string between the selected memory cell and the select gate. Other methods further include applying other pass voltages, other cutoff voltages and/or intermediate voltages to still other memory cells of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20110255344
    Abstract: A selected memory cell on a selected word line is programmed through a plurality of programming pulses that are incremented by a step voltage. After a successful program verify operation, programming of the selected memory cell is inhibited while other memory cells of the selected word line are being programmed. Another program verify operation is performed on the selected memory cell. If the program verify operation fails, a bit line coupled to the selected cell is biased at the step voltage and a final programming pulse is issued to the selected word line. The selected memory cell is then locked from further programming without evaluating the final program verify operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Danilo Orlandi
  • Patent number: 8004892
    Abstract: A single latch circuit is coupled to each bit line in a multiple level cell memory device to handle reading multiple data bits. The circuit is comprised of a latch having an inverted node and a non-inverted node. A first control transistor selectively couples the non-inverted node to a latch output. A second control transistor selectively couples the inverted node to the latch output. A reset transistor is coupled between the inverted node and circuit ground to selectively ground the circuit when the transistor is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7995395
    Abstract: A selected memory cell on a selected word line is programmed through a plurality of programming pulses that are incremented by a step voltage. After a successful program verify operation, programming of the selected memory cell is inhibited while other memory cells of the selected word line are being programmed. Another program verify operation is performed on the selected memory cell. If the program verify operation fails, a bit line coupled to the selected cell is biased at the step voltage and a final programming pulse is issued to the selected word line. The selected memory cell is then locked from further programming without evaluating the final program verify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Danilo Orlandi
  • Patent number: 7911865
    Abstract: A temperature sensor generates a digital representation of the temperature of the integrated circuit. A logic circuit reads the digital temperature and generates a multiple bit digital representation of an operational voltage and a multiple bit digital representation of a timing signal, both being functions of the integrated circuit temperature. A voltage generator converts the digital representation of the operational voltage to an analog voltage that biases portions of the integrated circuit requiring temperature compensated voltages. In one embodiment, the temperature compensated voltages bias memory cells. A timing generator converts the multiple bit digital representation of the timing signal to a logic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: RE43665
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for reading non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes receiving a request to read data stored in a first cell of a first word line, performing a read operation on an adjacent cell of a second word line in response to the request, determining whether the first cell is in a disturbed condition based on the read operation. The method includes reading data stored in the first cell in response to the read request by applying a read reference voltage to the first word line and adjusting a sensing parameter if the first cell is in the disturbed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati