Patents by Inventor Richard E. Fackenthal

Richard E. Fackenthal 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: 11950426
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a first transistor including a first channel region, and a charge storage structure separated from the first channel region; a second transistor including a second channel region formed over the charge storage structure; and a data line formed over and contacting the first channel region and the second channel region, the data line including a portion adjacent the first channel region and separated from the first channel region by a dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Eric S. Carman, Karthik Sarpatwari, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Richard E Fackenthal, Haitao Liu
  • Publication number: 20240081036
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for thin film transistor random access memory are described. A memory device may include memory cells each having one or more transistors formed above a substrate. For example, a memory cell may include a transistor having a channel portion formed by one or more pillars or other structures formed above a substrate, and a gate portion including a conductor formed above the substrate and configured to activate the channel portion based at least in part on a voltage of the gate portion. A memory cell may include a set of two or more such transistors to support latching circuitry of the memory cell, or other circuitry configured to store a logic state, which may or may not be used in combination with one or more transistors formed at least in part from one or more portions of a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Publication number: 20240071465
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for structures for word line multiplexing in three-dimensional memory arrays are described. A memory die may include circuitry for access line multiplexing in regions adjacent to or between staircase regions. For example, a multiplexing region may include, for each word line of a stack of word lines, a respective first portion of a semiconductor material and a respective second portion of the semiconductor material, and may also include a gate material operable to modulate a conductivity between the first portions and the second portions. Each word line may be coupled with the respective first portion of the semiconductor material, such that biasing of the gate material may couple the word lines with the respective second portion of the semiconductor material. Such features may support various techniques for multiplexing associated with the stack of word lines, or among multiple stacks of word lines, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Mingdong Cui, Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Patent number: 11868220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for efficient power scheme for redundancy are described. A memory device may include circuitry that stores memory address information related to one or more defective or unreliable memory components and that compares memory address information to memory addresses targeted for memory access operations. The memory device may selectively distribute a targeted memory address to one or more circuits within the circuitry based on whether those circuits store memory address information. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may selectively power one or more circuits within the circuitry based on whether those circuits store memory address information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Fackenthal, Duane R. Mills
  • Publication number: 20230422471
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of operating such apparatuses. One of such apparatuses includes a data line, a conductive region, and a memory cell including a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first channel region coupled to the data line and the conductive region, a charge storage structure, and a first gate. The second transistor includes a second channel region coupled to the data line and the charge storage structure, and a second gate. The first gate is electrically separated from the second gate and opposite from the second gate in a direction from the first channel region to the second channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Eric S. Carman, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Richard E Fackenthal, Kamal M. Karda, Karthik Sarpatwari, Haitao Liu, Duane R. Mills, Christian Caillat
  • Publication number: 20230397398
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises vertical stacks of memory cells, each vertical stack of memory cells comprising a vertical stack of access devices, a vertical stack of capacitors horizontally neighboring the vertical stack of access devices, and a conductive pillar structure vertically extending through the vertical stack of access devices. The microelectronic device further comprises multiplexers and additional transistors vertically overlying the vertical stacks of memory cells, and global digit lines vertically overlying the multiplexer and the additional transistor. Related electronic systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Publication number: 20230389275
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a vertical stack of memory cells. The vertical stack of memory cells comprises a vertical stack of access devices, a vertical stack of capacitors horizontally neighboring the vertical stack of access devices, a conductive pillar structure in electrical communication with the vertical stack of access devices, and an isolated conductive structure in electrical communication with a multiplexer comprising a vertically uppermost access device of the vertical stack of access devices. The microelectronic device further comprises a stack structure comprising conductive structures interleaved with insulative structures, at least some of the conductive structures individually in electrical communication with a memory cell of the vertical stack of memory cells and comprising a gate of an access device of the vertical stack of access devices. Related electronic systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Patent number: 11800696
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for thin film transistor random access memory are described. A memory device may include memory cells each having one or more transistors formed above a substrate. For example, a memory cell may include a transistor having a channel portion formed by one or more pillars or other structures formed above a substrate, and a gate portion including a conductor formed above the substrate and configured to activate the channel portion based at least in part on a voltage of the gate portion. A memory cell may include a set of two or more such transistors to support latching circuitry of the memory cell, or other circuitry configured to store a logic state, which may or may not be used in combination with one or more transistors formed at least in part from one or more portions of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Patent number: 11791391
    Abstract: An inverter includes a transistor, an additional transistor overlying the transistor, and a hybrid gate electrode interposed between and shared by the transistor and the additional transistor. The hybrid gate electrode includes a region overlying a channel structure of the transistor, an additional region overlying the region and underlying an additional channel structure of the additional transistor, and further region interposed between the region and the additional region. The region has a first material composition. The additional region has a second material composition different than the first material composition of the region. Memory devices and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Karthik Sarpatwari, Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Patent number: 11785756
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for thin film transistor random access memory are described. A memory device may include memory cells each having one or more transistors formed above a substrate. For example, a memory cell may include a transistor having a channel portion formed by one or more pillars or other structures formed above a substrate, and a gate portion including a conductor formed above the substrate and configured to activate the channel portion based at least in part on a voltage of the gate portion. A memory cell may include a set of two or more such transistors to support latching circuitry of the memory cell, or other circuitry configured to store a logic state, which may or may not be used in combination with one or more transistors formed at least in part from one or more portions of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Patent number: 11778806
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of operating such apparatuses. One of such apparatuses includes a data line, a conductive region, and a memory cell including a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first channel region coupled to the data line and the conductive region, a charge storage structure, and a first gate. The second transistor includes a second channel region coupled to the data line and the charge storage structure, and a second gate. The first gate is electrically separated from the second gate and opposite from the second gate in a direction from the first channel region to the second channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Carman, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Richard E Fackenthal, Kamal M. Karda, Karthik Sarpatwari, Haitao Liu, Duane R. Mills, Christian Caillat
  • Patent number: 11775383
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) using an enhanced bit flipping scheme are described. An enhanced bit flipping scheme may include methods, systems, and devices for performing error correction of data bits in a codeword concurrently with the generation of a flip bit that indicates whether data bits in a corresponding codeword are to be flipped; for refraining from performing error correction of inversion bit(s) in the codeword; and for generating a high-reliability flip bit using multiple inversion bits. For instance, a flip bit that is even more reliable may be generated by determining whether a number of, a majority of, or all of the inversion bits indicate that the data bits are in an inverted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Patent number: 11770923
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for thin film transistor random access memory are described. A memory device may include memory cells each having one or more transistors formed above a substrate. For example, a memory cell may include a transistor having a channel portion formed by one or more pillars or other structures formed above a substrate, and a gate portion including a conductor formed above the substrate and configured to activate the channel portion based at least in part on a voltage of the gate portion. A memory cell may include a set of two or more such transistors to support latching circuitry of the memory cell, or other circuitry configured to store a logic state, which may or may not be used in combination with one or more transistors formed at least in part from one or more portions of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Publication number: 20230299163
    Abstract: An inverter includes a transistor, an additional transistor overlying the transistor, and a hybrid gate electrode interposed between and shared by the transistor and the additional transistor. The hybrid gate electrode includes a region overlying a channel structure of the transistor, an additional region overlying the region and underlying an additional channel structure of the additional transistor, and further region interposed between the region and the additional region. The region has a first material composition. The additional region has a second material composition different than the first material composition of the region. Memory devices and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Karthik Sarpatwari, Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Publication number: 20230298652
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses in which one of such apparatus includes a first memory cell including a first transistor having a first channel region coupled between a data line and a conductive region, and a first charge storage structure located between the first data line and the conductive region, and a second transistor having a second channel region coupled to and located between the first data line and the first charge storage structure; a second memory cell including a third transistor having a third channel region coupled between a second data line and the conductive region, and a second charge storage structure located between the second data line and the conductive region, and a fourth transistor having a fourth channel region coupled to and located between the second data line and the second charge storage structure; a conductive line forming a gate of each of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors; and a conductive structure located between the first and second charge storage stru
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Karthik Sarpatwari, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Alessandro Calderoni, Richard E. Fackenthal, Duane R. Mills
  • Patent number: 11747982
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to on demand memory page size are described. A memory system may employ a protocol that supports on demand variable memory page sizes. A memory system may include one or more non-volatile memory devices that may each include a local memory controller configured to support variable memory page size operation. The memory system may include a system memory controller that interfaces between the non-volatile memory devices and a processor. The system memory controller may, for instance, use a protocol that facilitates on demand memory page size where a determination of a particular page size to use in an operation may be based on characteristics of memory commands and data involved in the memory command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane R. Mills, Richard E. Fackenthal
  • Publication number: 20230240077
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a first transistor including a first channel region, and a charge storage structure separated from the first channel region; a second transistor including a second channel region formed over the charge storage structure; and a data line formed over and contacting the first channel region and the second channel region, the data line including a portion adjacent the first channel region and separated from the first channel region by a dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Eric S. Carman, Karthik Sarpatwari, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Richard E. Fackenthal, Haitao Liu
  • Patent number: 11693735
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for erasure decoding for a memory device are described. In accordance with the described techniques, a memory device may be configured to identify conditions associated with an erasure, a possible erasure, or an otherwise indeterminate logic state (e.g., of a memory cell, of an information position of a codeword). Such an identification may be used to enhance aspects of error handling operations, including those that may be performed at the memory device or a host device (e.g., error handling operations performed at a memory controller external to the memory device). For example, error handling operations may be performed using speculative codewords, where information positions associated with an indeterminate or unassigned logic state are assigned with a respective assumed logic state, which may extend a capability of error detection or error correction compared to handling errors with unknown positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Fackenthal, Angelo Visconti
  • Patent number: 11688450
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses in which one of such apparatus includes a first memory cell including a first transistor having a first channel region coupled between a data line and a conductive region, and a first charge storage structure located between the first data line and the conductive region, and a second transistor having a second channel region coupled to and located between the first data line and the first charge storage structure; a second memory cell including a third transistor having a third channel region coupled between a second data line and the conductive region, and a second charge storage structure located between the second data line and the conductive region, and a fourth transistor having a fourth channel region coupled to and located between the second data line and the second charge storage structure; a conductive line forming a gate of each of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors; and a conductive structure located between the first and second charge storage stru
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Karthik Sarpatwari, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Alessandro Calderoni, Richard E Fackenthal, Duane R. Mills
  • Publication number: 20230138322
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a first memory cell including a first transistor including a first channel region and a first charge storage structure, and a second transistor including a second channel region formed over the charge storage structure; a second memory cell adjacent the first memory cell, the second memory cell including a third transistor including a third channel region and a second charge storage structure, and a fourth transistor including a fourth channel region formed over the second charge storage structure; a first access line adjacent a side of the first memory cell; a second access line adjacent a side of the second memory cell; a first dielectric material adjacent the first channel region; a second dielectric material adjacent the third channel region; and a conductive structure between the first and second dielectric materials and adjacent the first and second dielectric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Richard E. Fackenthal, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy