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: 7751246
    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: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Danilo Orlandi
  • Patent number: 7742338
    Abstract: A NAND architecture non-volatile memory device and programming process is described that reduces the effects of word line to word line voltage coupling by utilizing sets of two or more adjacent word lines and applying the same voltage to each in array access operations. This allows each word line of the set or pair to shield the other from word line to word line capacitive voltage coupling. In NAND memory string embodiments the various cells of strings of non-volatile memory cells are programmed utilizing modified or unmodified drain-side self boost, source-side self boost, local self boost, and virtual ground programming processes that utilize two or more “blocking” memory cells on either the source line side and drain line side of a selected memory cell. The paired blocking cells shield each other during programming to reduce coupled noise, to prevent charge leakage from the boosted channel of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20100135075
    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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20100097856
    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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Daniel Elmhurst, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano, Ercole Diiorio
  • Publication number: 20100091582
    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: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano
  • Publication number: 20100085807
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7684237
    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 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20100054068
    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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 7639534
    Abstract: Device, system, and method of bit line selection of a flash memory. In some demonstrative embodiments, the method may include connecting to ground at least one location along at least one bit line of a flash memory when the bit line is at an unselected state, wherein the bit line is connected to a multiplexer, and wherein at least one memory sector is coupled to the bit line between the multiplexer and the location; and connecting the location to a precharge path when the bit line is at a selected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali
  • Patent number: 7630241
    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: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7630266
    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: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20090219761
    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: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin, Danilo Orlandi
  • Publication number: 20090080253
    Abstract: Device, system, and method of bit line selection of a flash memory. In some demonstrative embodiments, the method may include connecting to ground at least one location along at least one bit line of a flash memory when the bit line is at an unselected state, wherein the bit line is connected to a multiplexer, and wherein at least one memory sector is coupled to the bit line between the multiplexer and the location; and connecting the location to a precharge path when the bit line is at a selected state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: MICHELE INCARNATI, Giovanni Santin, Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali
  • Publication number: 20090016143
    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: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Michele Incarnati, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 7466602
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filtering spurious output transitions with an adaptive filtering circuit which tracks the memory architecture and form factors with a reduced speed penalty. The filtering is selectable by a fuse option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080285341
    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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080266953
    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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Publication number: 20080205147
    Abstract: A NAND architecture non-volatile memory device and programming process is described that reduces the effects of word line to word line voltage coupling by utilizing sets of two or more adjacent word lines and applying the same voltage to each in array access operations. This allows each word line of the set or pair to shield the other from word line to word line capacitive voltage coupling. In NAND memory string embodiments the various cells of strings of non-volatile memory cells are programmed utilizing modified or unmodified drain-side self boost, source-side self boost, local self boost, and virtual ground programming processes that utilize two or more “blocking” memory cells on either the source line side and drain line side of a selected memory cell. The paired blocking cells shield each other during programming to reduce coupled noise, to prevent charge leakage from the boosted channel of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7417894
    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: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 7408814
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filtering spurious output transitions with an adaptive filtering circuit which tracks the memory architecture and form factors with a reduced speed penalty. The filtering is selectable by a fuse option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati