Patents by Inventor Nathan Franklin
Nathan Franklin 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).
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Publication number: 20230005530Abstract: Concurrent access of multiple memory cells in a cross-point memory array is disclosed. In one aspect, a forced current approach is used in which, while a select voltage is applied to a selected bit line, an access current is driven separately through each selected word line to concurrently drive the access current separately through each selected memory cell. Hence, multiple memory cells are concurrently accessed. In some aspects, the memory cells are accessed using a self-referenced read (SRR), which improves read margin. Concurrently accessing more than one memory cell in a cross-point memory array improves bandwidth. Moreover, such concurrent accessing allows the memory system to be constructed with fewer, but larger cross-point arrays, which increases array efficiency. Moreover, concurrent access as disclosed herein is compatible with memory cells such as MRAM which require bipolar operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nathan Franklin, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, James O'Toole
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Publication number: 20220415387Abstract: Concurrent access of multiple memory cells in a cross-point memory array is disclosed. In one aspect, a forced current approach is used in which, while a select voltage is applied to a selected bit line, an access current is driven separately through each selected word line to concurrently drive the access current separately through each selected memory cell. Hence, multiple memory cells are concurrently accessed. In some aspects, the memory cells are accessed using a self-referenced read (SRR), which improves read margin. Concurrently accessing more than one memory cell in a cross-point memory array improves bandwidth. Moreover, such concurrent accessing allows the memory system to be constructed with fewer, but larger cross-point arrays, which increases array efficiency. Moreover, concurrent access as disclosed herein is compatible with memory cells such as MRAM which require bipolar operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nathan Franklin, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, James O'Toole
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Patent number: 11490810Abstract: A reflectometry instrument includes a light source for emitting an illumination beam that illuminates the macula. A portion of the illumination beam is reflected from the macula and forms a detection beam. The detection beam is indicative of macular pigment in the macula. The instrument also includes a first mirror for reflecting the illumination beam toward the macula and for reflecting the detection beam from the macula. The instrument is configured so that the illumination beam and the detection beam remain separated between the macula and the first mirror.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ZEAVISION, LLCInventors: Scott J. Huter, Kevin Martin Magrini, Edward Allen DeHoog, Jeff Alan Burke, Nathan Franklin Engel
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Patent number: 11488662Abstract: Concurrent access of multiple memory cells in a cross-point memory array is disclosed. In one aspect, a forced current approach is used in which, while a select voltage is applied to a selected bit line, an access current is driven separately through each selected word line to concurrently drive the access current separately through each selected memory cell. Hence, multiple memory cells are concurrently accessed. In some aspects, the memory cells are accessed using a self-referenced read (SRR), which improves read margin. Concurrently accessing more than one memory cell in a cross-point memory array improves bandwidth. Moreover, such concurrent accessing allows the memory system to be constructed with fewer, but larger cross-point arrays, which increases array efficiency. Moreover, concurrent access as disclosed herein is compatible with memory cells such as MRAM which require bipolar operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nathan Franklin, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, James O'Toole
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Publication number: 20220335998Abstract: Technology for limiting a voltage difference between two selected conductive lines in a cross-point array when using a forced current approach is disclosed. In one aspect, the selected word line voltage is clamped to a voltage limit while driving an access current through a region of the selected word line and through a region of the selected bit line. The access current flows through the memory cell to allow a sufficient voltage to successfully read or write the memory cell, while not placing undue stress on the memory cell. In some aspects, the maximum voltage that is permitted on the selected word line depends on the location of the selected memory cell in the cross-point memory array. This allows memory cells for which there is a larger IR drop to receive an adequate voltage, while not over-stressing memory cells for which there is a smaller IR drop.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Nicolas Albert Tran, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, Nathan Franklin
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Publication number: 20220335999Abstract: Technology for limiting a voltage difference between two selected conductive lines in a cross-point array when using a forced current approach is disclosed. In one aspect, the selected word line voltage is clamped to a voltage limit while driving an access current through a region of the selected word line and through a region of the selected bit line. The access current flows through the memory cell to allow a sufficient voltage to successfully read or write the memory cell, while not placing undue stress on the memory cell. In some aspects, the maximum voltage that is permitted on the selected word line depends on the location of the selected memory cell in the cross-point memory array. This allows memory cells for which there is a larger IR drop to receive an adequate voltage, while not over-stressing memory cells for which there is a smaller IR drop.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Nicolas Albert Tran, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, Nathan Franklin
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Publication number: 20220293156Abstract: A control circuit is configured to connect to a cross-point memory array in which each conductive line, such as a bit line or word line, is connected to a transistor pair comprising a pMOSFET in parallel with an nMOSFET. When selecting a memory cell to be read, a voltage of a first conductive line may be pulled up using the pMOSFET in a conductive state while the nMOSFET is in a non-conductive state. Further, when reading the selected memory cell, the parallel nMOSFET of the first conductive line may be in a conductive state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, James O'Toole, Nathan Franklin, Thomas Trent
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Patent number: 11398262Abstract: Technology for limiting a voltage difference between two selected conductive lines in a cross-point array when using a forced current approach is disclosed. In one aspect, the selected word line voltage is clamped to a voltage limit while driving an access current through a region of the selected word line and through a region of the selected bit line. The access current flows through the memory cell to allow a sufficient voltage to successfully read or write the memory cell, while not placing undue stress on the memory cell. In some aspects, the maximum voltage that is permitted on the selected word line depends on the location of the selected memory cell in the cross-point memory array. This allows memory cells for which there is a larger IR drop to receive an adequate voltage, while not over-stressing memory cells for which there is a smaller IR drop.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Nicolas Albert Tran, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, Nathan Franklin
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Patent number: 11386945Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are described for reading MRAM memory cells. In a cross-point memory array, each conductive line, such as a bit line or word line, is connected to a transistor pair comprising a pMOSFET in parallel with an nMOSFET. When selecting a memory cell to be read, a voltage of a first conductive line may be pulled up using the pMOSFET while a voltage of a second conductive line is pulled down, e.g., to 0 V, using the nMOSFET. This minimizes a capacitance while the selector is turned on. Further, when reading the selected memory cell, the parallel nMOSFET of the first conductive line may turned on while the pMOSFET is turned off. The nMOSFET provides a higher resistance in place of the decreased resistance of the pMOSFET to amplify a signal at a sense circuit to allow accurate sensing of the voltage across the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, James O'Toole, Nathan Franklin, Thomas Trent
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Publication number: 20220157376Abstract: Concurrent access of multiple memory cells in a cross-point memory array is disclosed. In one aspect, a forced current approach is used in which, while a select voltage is applied to a selected bit line, an access current is driven separately through each selected word line to concurrently drive the access current separately through each selected memory cell. Hence, multiple memory cells are concurrently accessed. In some aspects, the memory cells are accessed using a self-referenced read (SRR), which improves read margin. Concurrently accessing more than one memory cell in a cross-point memory array improves bandwidth. Moreover, such concurrent accessing allows the memory system to be constructed with fewer, but larger cross-point arrays, which increases array efficiency. Moreover, concurrent access as disclosed herein is compatible with memory cells such as MRAM which require bipolar operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nathan Franklin, Ward Parkinson, Michael Grobis, James O'Toole
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Patent number: 11328759Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are described for reading MRAM memory cells. In a cross-point memory array, each conductive line, such as a bit line or word line, is connected to a transistor pair comprising a pMOSFET in parallel with an nMOSFET. When selecting a memory cell to be read, a voltage of a first conductive line may be pulled up using the pMOSFET while a voltage of a second conductive line is pulled down, e.g., to 0 V, using the nMOSFET. This minimizes a capacitance while the selector is turned on. Further, when reading the selected memory cell, the parallel nMOSFET of the first conductive line may be turned on while the pMOSFET remains on. The nMOSFET adds a resistance which offsets a decreased resistance of the pMOSFET to allow accurate sensing of the voltage across the memory cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, James O'Toole, Nathan Franklin, Thomas Trent
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Publication number: 20220108739Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are described for reading MRAM memory cells. In a cross-point memory array, each conductive line, such as a bit line or word line, is connected to a transistor pair comprising a pMOSFET in parallel with an nMOSFET. When selecting a memory cell to be read, a voltage of a first conductive line may be pulled up using the pMOSFET while a voltage of a second conductive line is pulled down, e.g., to 0 V, using the nMOSFET. This minimizes a capacitance while the selector is turned on. Further, when reading the selected memory cell, the parallel nMOSFET of the first conductive line may be turned on while the pMOSFET remains on. The nMOSFET adds a resistance which offsets a decreased resistance of the pMOSFET to allow accurate sensing of the voltage across the memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, James O'Toole, Nathan Franklin, Thomas Trent
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Publication number: 20220108740Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are described for reading MRAM memory cells. In a cross-point memory array, each conductive line, such as a bit line or word line, is connected to a transistor pair comprising a pMOSFET in parallel with an nMOSFET. When selecting a memory cell to be read, a voltage of a first conductive line may be pulled up using the pMOSFET while a voltage of a second conductive line is pulled down, e.g., to 0 V, using the nMOSFET. This minimizes a capacitance while the selector is turned on. Further, when reading the selected memory cell, the parallel nMOSFET of the first conductive line may turned on while the pMOSFET is turned off. The nMOSFET provides a higher resistance in place of the decreased resistance of the pMOSFET to amplify a signal at a sense circuit to allow accurate sensing of the voltage across the memory cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, James O'Toole, Nathan Franklin, Thomas Trent
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Patent number: 11222678Abstract: In a memory array with a cross-point structure, at each cross-point junction a programmable resistive memory element, such as an MRAM device, is connected in series with a threshold switching selector, such as an ovonic threshold switch. In a two-layer cross-point structure with such memory cells, the MRAM devices in one layer are inverted relative to the MRAM devices in the other layer. This can allow for the transient voltage spike placed across the MRAM device when the threshold switching selector first turns on in a sensing operation to dissipate more rapidly, reducing the risk of changing a stored data state before it can be sensed.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, James O'Toole, Nathan Franklin, Thomas Trent
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Patent number: 10885991Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for data rewrite operations. A non-volatile memory device comprises a non-volatile memory medium. A non-volatile memory device is configured to determine an error metric for a non-volatile memory medium in response to a read request for the non-volatile memory medium. A non-volatile memory device is configured to receive a refresh command from a controller over a bus. A non-volatile memory device is configured to rewrite data from a non-volatile memory medium during a predefined time period after receiving a refresh command in response to an error metric satisfying an error threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Ward Parkinson, Martin Hassner, Nathan Franklin, Christopher Petti
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Patent number: 10830522Abstract: A condenser assembly for a refrigerating appliance is provided herein. The condenser assembly includes an anchor coupled with a first panel of a housing. A bracket is coupled to the anchor and extends from the first panel of the housing. The bracket includes a body having first and second ends. A flange extends from the body and is coupled to the anchor. A condenser has first and second ends. One of the first and second ends is operably coupled to the bracket such that the condenser is positioned at an obtuse angle relative to the flange of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Fernando Garcia, Rishikesh Vinayak Kulkarni, Antonio Sanchez, Nathan Franklin Wolf
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Publication number: 20200284494Abstract: A condenser assembly for a refrigerating appliance is provided herein. The condenser assembly includes an anchor coupled with a first panel of a housing. A bracket is coupled to the anchor and extends from the first panel of the housing. The bracket includes a body having first and second ends. A flange extends from the body and is coupled to the anchor. A condenser has first and second ends. One of the first and second ends is operably coupled to the bracket such that the condenser is positioned at an obtuse angle relative to the flange of the bracket.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Fernando Garcia, Rishikesh Vinayak Kulkarni, Antonio Sanchez, Nathan Franklin Wolf
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Publication number: 20200107723Abstract: A reflectometry instrument includes a light source for emitting an illumination beam that illuminates the macula. A portion of the illumination beam is reflected from the macula and forms a detection beam. The detection beam is indicative of macular pigment in the macula. The instrument also includes a first mirror for reflecting the illumination beam toward the macula and for reflecting the detection beam from the macula. The instrument is configured so that the illumination beam and the detection beam remain separated between the macula and the first mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Scott J. Huter, Kevin Martin Magrini, Edward Allen DeHoog, Jeff Alan Burke, Nathan Franklin Engel
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Patent number: 10545692Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for memory maintenance operations. A non-volatile memory device comprises a non-volatile memory medium. A non-volatile memory device is configured to receive a refresh command from a controller over a bus. A non-volatile memory device is configured to perform one or more maintenance operations on a non-volatile memory medium during a predefined period of time after receiving a refresh command.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Nathan Franklin, Ward Parkinson
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Patent number: 10506925Abstract: A reflectometry instrument includes a light source for emitting an illumination beam that illuminates the macula. A portion of the illumination beam is reflected from the macula and forms a detection beam. The detection beam is indicative of macular pigment in the macula. The instrument also includes a first mirror for reflecting the illumination beam toward the macula and for reflecting the detection beam from the macula. The instrument is configured so that the illumination beam and the detection beam remain separated between the macula and the first mirror.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: ZeaVision, LLCInventors: Scott J. Huter, Kevin Martin Magrini, Edward Allen DeHoog, Jeff Alan Burke, Nathan Franklin Engel