Patents by Inventor Mike Violette

Mike Violette 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: 9548335
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory. A number of embodiments include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Mike Violette
  • Publication number: 20160276409
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory. A number of embodiments include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 9378818
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory. A number of embodiments include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8976562
    Abstract: A resistive memory structure, for example, phase change memory structure, includes one access device and two or more resistive memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a rectifying device to prevent parallel leak current from flowing through non-selected memory cells. In an array of resistive memory bit structures, resistive memory cells from different memory bit structures are stacked and share rectifying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8835893
    Abstract: A phase change memory cell and methods of fabricating the same are presented. The memory cell includes a variable resistance region and a top and bottom electrode. The shapes of the variable resistance region and the top electrode are configured to evenly distribute a current with a generally hemispherical current density distribution around the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Publication number: 20140233300
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory. A number of embodiments include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8681529
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory can include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8659002
    Abstract: A phase change memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a phase change material layer electrically coupled to first and second conductive material layers. A energy conversion layer is formed in association with the phase change material layer, and electrically coupled to a third conductive material layer. An electrically isolating material layer is formed between the phase change material layer and the energy conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette, Jon Daley
  • Publication number: 20130248810
    Abstract: A memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a substrate supporting a first electrode, a dielectric layer over the first electrode having a via exposing a portion of the first electrode, a phase change material layer formed over sidewalls of the via and contacting the exposed portion of the first electrode, insulating material formed over the phase change material layer and a second electrode formed over the insulating material and contacting the phase change material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette, Jon Daley
  • Publication number: 20130121056
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatuses that include resistive memory. A number of embodiments include a first memory cell coupled to a data line and including a first resistive storage element and a first access device, a second memory cell coupled to the data line and including a second resistive storage element and a second access device, an isolation device formed between the first access device and the second access device, a first select line coupled to the first resistive storage element, and a second select line coupled to the second resistive storage element, wherein the second select line is separate from the first select line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Mike Violette
  • Publication number: 20120281466
    Abstract: A phase change memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a phase change material layer electrically coupled to first and second conductive material layers. A energy conversion layer is formed in association with the phase change material layer, and electrically coupled to a third conductive material layer. An electrically isolating material layer is formed between the phase change material layer and the energy conversion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette, Jon Daley
  • Publication number: 20120223285
    Abstract: A phase change memory cell and methods of fabricating the same are presented. The memory cell includes a variable resistance region and a top and bottom electrode. The shapes of the variable resistance region and the top electrode are configured to evenly distribute a current with a generally hemispherical current density distribution around the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8241947
    Abstract: A phase change memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a phase change material layer electrically coupled to first and second conductive material layers. A energy conversion layer is formed in association with the phase change material layer, and electrically coupled to a third conductive material layer. An electrically isolating material layer is formed between the phase change material layer and the energy conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette, Jon Daley
  • Patent number: 8193521
    Abstract: A phase change memory cell and methods of fabricating the same are presented. The memory cell includes a variable resistance region and a top and bottom electrode. The shapes of the variable resistance region and the top electrode are configured to evenly distribute a current with a generally hemispherical current density distribution around the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8189450
    Abstract: A data storage device and methods for storing and reading data are provided. The data storage device includes a data storage medium and second device. The data storage medium has an insulating layer, a first electrode layer over the insulating layer and at least one layer of resistance variable material over the first electrode layer. The second device includes a substrate and at least one conductive point configured to electrically contact the data storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20120056146
    Abstract: A resistive memory structure, for example, phase change memory structure, includes one access device and two or more resistive memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a rectifying device to prevent parallel leak current from flowing through non-selected memory cells. In an array of resistive memory bit structures, resistive memory cells from different memory bit structures are stacked and share rectifying devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Patent number: 8076195
    Abstract: A resistive memory structure, for example, phase change memory structure, includes one access device and two or more resistive memory cells. Each memory cell is coupled to a rectifying device to prevent parallel leak current from flowing through non-selected memory cells. In an array of resistive memory bit structures, resistive memory cells from different memory bit structures are stacked and share rectifying devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Publication number: 20110149637
    Abstract: A data storage device and methods for storing and reading data are provided. The data storage device includes a data storage medium and second device. The data storage medium has an insulating layer, a first electrode layer over the insulating layer and at least one layer of resistance variable material over the first electrode layer. The second device includes a substrate and at least one conductive point configured to electrically contact the data storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7952919
    Abstract: A phase change memory structure with multiple resistance states and methods of forming, programming, and sensing the same. The memory structure includes two or more phrase change elements provided between electrodes. Each phase change element has a respective resistance curve as a function of programming voltage which is shifted relative to the resistance curves of other phase change elements. In one example structure using two phase change elements, the memory structure is capable of switching among four resistance states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette
  • Publication number: 20110062409
    Abstract: A phase change memory structure with multiple resistance states and methods of forming, programming, and sensing the same. The memory structure includes two or more phrase change elements provided between electrodes. Each phase change element has a respective resistance curve as a function of programming voltage which is shifted relative to the resistance curves of other phase change elements. In one example structure using two phase change elements, the memory structure is capable of switching among four resistance states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Mike Violette