Patents by Inventor Norbert Wirth

Norbert Wirth 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: 7260671
    Abstract: A memory module includes at least one memory chip arranged on the memory module. Information about the memory module and/or the at least one memory chip arranged on the memory module can be stored directly on the memory chip, making use of a suited element, fuses or flip-flops, for example. A memory chip contains such an element for containing information relating to the memory chip and/or a memory module with which the memory chip is compatible, wherein the information containing element can be read out by means of an external processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Eric Cordes, Christian Stocken, Nazif Taskin, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 7116737
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for signaling that a predetermined time value has elapsed, having a device for acquiring and storing the amplitude value of a clock signal at an acquisition instant in the temporal profile of the clock signal. A device is provided for continuously comparing the acquired and stored amplitude value of the clock signal with an instantaneous amplitude value of the clock signal and for outputting a comparison signal which has a first logic state if the instantaneous amplitude value of the clock signal is less than the stored amplitude value and has a second logic state if the instantaneous amplitude value of the clock signal is greater than the stored amplitude value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Georg Erhard Eggers, Jorg Kliewer, Ralf Schneider, Norbert Wirth
  • Publication number: 20050133785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (1, 11, 21) for detecting the overheating of a semiconductor device, comprising a temperature measuring means (3, 13, 23) that changes its electrical conductivity when the temperature of the semiconductor device changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Georg Eggers, Norbert Wirth, Herbert Benzinger, Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 6826111
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor memory device having at least one memory cell array. The memory cell array has a multiplicity of memory cells arranged in a matrix-like manner. Each of the memory cells is assigned a physical address and an electrical address. The method also includes inputting a physical address of a memory cell that is to be addressed into an address input device of the semiconductor memory device, decoding the input physical address into the assigned electrical address of the memory cell to be addressed by an address decoder device of the semiconductor memory device, and outputting the electrical address to the memory cell array in order to address the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Evangelos Stavrou, Tobias Hartner, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 6693447
    Abstract: A configuration for identifying contact faults during the testing of integrated circuits with a multiplicity of pins which protrude from a housing and are connected to respective pads on a semiconductor body of the integrated circuit. Pull-up or pull-down devices are connected between respective pads and input buffers and in each case hold the pads at a high or low potential by impressing a holding current, if contact has not been made with a pin associated with the pad during testing, the result being that activation of the circuit section connected to the pin is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dominique Savignac, Frank Weber, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 6618303
    Abstract: An electronic circuit in an integrated circuit having memory cells is described. The circuit permits information to be written to particular memory cells only once, so that subsequent writing to the particular memory cells is blocked. The circuit is used in a test structure for integrated circuits on a wafer. A method for testing integrated circuits on a wafer that are connected to a test apparatus is also described. Once the supply voltage to a first circuit to be tested has been turned on, a preliminary test is carried out to ascertain parameters that need to be set. The supply voltage is then applied to a next circuit to be tested, a preliminary test is carried out, and memory cells have information written to them, until the parameters have been set for all the connected circuits to be tested. The test apparatus then carries out the actual operational test in parallel for all the connected circuits to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Arndt Gruber, Ralf Schneider, Bernhard Ruf, Norbert Wirth
  • Publication number: 20030156446
    Abstract: An integrated memory circuit has first and second storage capacitors, addressed via first and second word lines and first and second bit lines, respectively. The first and second word lines are connected to an address decoder circuit, and the first and second bit lines are connected to a read/write amplifier. The address decoder circuit activates the first and second word lines during a write operation, so that, during the writing of a datum, the read/write amplifier writes the datum to the first memory cell and a complementary datum to the second memory cell. The address decoder circuit activates the first and second word lines during a read operation, so that the charge of the first memory cell flows onto the first bit line and the charge of the second memory cell flows onto the second bit line, the datum to be read out corresponding to the sign of the charge difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Stephan Schroder, Norbert Wirth
  • Publication number: 20030081444
    Abstract: A memory module includes at least one memory chip arranged on the memory module. Information about the memory module and/or the at least one memory chip arranged on the memory module can be stored directly on the memory chip, making use of a suited element, fuses or flip-flops, for example. A memory chip contains such an element for containing information relating to the memory chip and/or a memory module with which the memory chip is compatible, wherein the information containing element can be read out by means of an external processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Cordes, Christian Stocken, Nazif Taskin, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 6556486
    Abstract: A circuit configuration and a method for the synchronization of signals include transmitting signals in parallel through data lines and buffer-storing the signals in a synchronizing unit. A clock signal is determined from the signals of a data line and is used for synchronizing the outputting of the signals. The signals are output in the order in which the signals were read. The signals are likewise output through a plurality of data lines, the signals being output temporally synchronously. Propagation time differences are compensated due to the buffer-storage. Moreover, the clock signal is determined from the signals themselves. Consequently, the use of an additional clock signal is not necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Norbert Wirth, Ralf Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030072399
    Abstract: Apparatus for signaling that a predetermined time value has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: George Erhard Eggers, Jorg Kliewer, Ralf Schneider, Norbert Wirth
  • Publication number: 20030048672
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor memory device having
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Ralf Schneider, Evangelos Stavrou, Tobias Hartner, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 6426640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor module for a burn-in test configuration. The semiconductor module has a regulator which, when it is turned on, always supplies a constant low voltage to an internal circuit of the semiconductor module. The semiconductor module also contains a component which, when the burn-in voltage has been applied for a defined time period, supplies a different characteristic than when the internal voltage is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Norbert Wirth, Eric Cordes, Zoltan Manyoki, Dominique Savignac
  • Publication number: 20020075748
    Abstract: An input circuit for an integrated memory is described. The input circuit for the integrated memory has a signal input line, a memory element, and a clock recovery unit with which a clock signal is generated from the input signal on the signal input line so that the input signal can be read into the memory element using the clock signal which is generated. A further input circuit is described which contains an oscillator. The oscillator generates a clock signal that can be synchronized with the input signal, it being possible to read the input signal into the memory element using the clock signal which is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Ralf Schneider, Norbert Wirth
  • Publication number: 20020071335
    Abstract: A circuit configuration and a method for the synchronization of signals include transmitting signals in parallel through data lines and buffer-storing the signals in a synchronizing unit. A clock signal is determined from the signals of a data line and is used for synchronizing the outputting of the signals. The signals are output in the order in which the signals were read. The signals are likewise output through a plurality of data lines, the signals being output temporally synchronously. Propagation time differences are compensated due to the buffer-storage. Moreover, the clock signal is determined from the signals themselves. Consequently, the use of an additional clock signal is not necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Herbert Benzinger, Norbert Wirth, Ralf Schneider
  • Publication number: 20020020854
    Abstract: An electronic circuit in an integrated circuit having memory cells is described. The circuit permits information to be written to particular memory cells only once, so that subsequent writing to the particular memory cells is blocked. The circuit is used in a test structure for integrated circuits on a wafer. A method for testing integrated circuits on a wafer that are connected to a test apparatus is also described. Once the supply voltage to a first circuit to be tested has been turned on, a preliminary test is carried out to ascertain parameters that need to be set. The supply voltage is then applied to a next circuit to be tested, a preliminary test is carried out, and memory cells have information written to them, until the parameters have been set for all the connected circuits to be tested. The test apparatus then carries out the actual operational test in parallel for all the connected circuits to be tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Arndt Gruber, Ralf Schneider, Bernhard Ruf, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 6064228
    Abstract: The device for generating digital signal levels can be used for signals of various logic standards. A voltage terminal for feeding an external reference voltage is provided as well as an internal voltage generator. An internal reference voltage of the voltage generator can be selectively connected to the device via a switch. The switch is actuated by a level converter. Coupling elements prevent faults caused by the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Sichert, Robert Kaiser, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 5905687
    Abstract: The fuse refresh circuit for semiconductor memories has a set circuit for setting a fuse latch circuit. The fuse latch circuit is set by the set circuit in at least one refresh cycle after a voltage supply has been switched on. During the refresh cycle of the fuse latch circuit, the latter is driven with pulses in such a way that the state of the fuse latch circuit is evaluated and only an incorrectly set fuse latch circuit is set to be correct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudiger Brede, Dominique Savignac, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 5537352
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory configuration includes a memory region having a plurality of segments. Each of the memory region segments have a plurality of read amplifiers and bit lines. Each two of the bit lines are connected to a respective one of the read amplifiers. A plurality of parallel data lines lead to the memory region. Each of the data lines have an end oriented toward and another end oriented away from a respective one of the memory region segments. Each of a plurality of read/write amplifier switches is disposed at one of the ends of the respective data lines. Each of a plurality of selector switches connects the read/write amplifier switch disposed on the end of a respective one of the data lines oriented toward the memory region segment to a respective one of the read amplifiers of the memory region segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Willibald Meyer, Norbert Wirth
  • Patent number: 5329493
    Abstract: An integrated semiconductor memory array includes a memory region, a writing buffer memory associated with the memory region, a writing pointer and an input buffer associated with the writing buffer memory, a reading buffer memory associated with the memory region, a reading pointer and an output buffer associated with the reading buffer memory, and a control device being formed of a memory control circuit and a data flow control circuit. A reading column address decoder controlling the reading pointer is associated with the reading buffer memory. A reading address control unit is connected to the reading column address decoder, and a reading address register is connected to the reading address control unit. A writing column address decoder controlling the writing pointer is associated with the writing buffer memory. A writing address control unit is connected to the writing column address decoder, and a writing address register is connected to the writing address control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Willibald Meyer, Norbert Wirth