Patents by Inventor Scott J. Derner

Scott J. Derner 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).

  • Publication number: 20210074357
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory including ferroelectric memory cells and dielectric memory cells are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first memory cell including first and second ferroelectric capacitors configured to store charges representing complementary logical values, a second memory cell including first and second dielectric capacitors configured to store charges representing complementary logical values, a first bit line selectably coupled to the first ferroelectric capacitor of the first memory cell and to the first dielectric capacitor of the second memory cell, a second bit line selectably coupled to the second ferroelectric capacitor of the first memory cell and to the second dielectric capacitor of the second memory cell, and a sense amplifier coupled to the first and second bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Michael A. Shore
  • Publication number: 20210074714
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly. The integrated assembly has a first transistor with a horizontally-extending channel region between a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region; has a second transistor with a vertically-extending channel region between a third source/drain region and a fourth source/drain region; and has a capacitor between the first and second transistors. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulative material between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is electrically connected with the first source/drain region, and the second electrode is electrically connected with the third source/drain region. A digit line is electrically connected with the second source/drain region. A conductive structure is electrically connected with the fourth source/drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20210074345
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for operating ferroelectric memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and a first selection component configured to couple the first plate to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and a second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT J. DERNER, CHRISTOPHER J. KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 10943642
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated memory assembly having a first memory array deck over a second memory array deck. A first series of conductive lines extends across the first memory array deck, and a second series of conductive lines extends across the second memory array deck. A first conductive line of the first series and a first conductive line of the second series are coupled with a first component through a first conductive path. A second conductive line of the first series and a second conductive line of the second series are coupled with a second component through a second conductive path. The first and second conductive lines of the first series extend through first isolation circuitry to the first and second conductive paths, respectively; and the first and second conductive lines of the second series extend through second isolation circuitry to the first and second conductive paths, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10943624
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods can be related to countering noise at a memory array. Countering noise can include enable switches to connect third digit lines of the first array adjacent to the respective first digit lines to fourth digit lines of the second array adjacent to the reference digit lines such that the reference digit lines experience a same amount of digit line coupling noise as the first digit lines experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott J. Derner
  • Publication number: 20210066272
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a base comprising sense-amplifier-circuitry, a first deck over the base, and a second deck over the first deck. The first deck includes a first portion of a first array of first memory cells, and includes a first portion of a second array of second memory cells. The second deck includes a second portion of the first array of the first memory cells, and includes a second portion of the second array of the second memory cells. A first digit line is associated with the first array, and a second digit line is associated with the second array. The first and second digit lines are comparatively coupled with one another through the sense-amplifier-circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujisawa, Charles L. Ingalls, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10930653
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus having memory cells which include capacitors. Bitline pairs couple with each of the memory cells. One of the bitlines within each bitline pair corresponds to a first comparative bitline and the other of the bitlines within each bitline pair corresponds to a second comparative bitline. The bitline pairs extend to sense amplifiers which compare electrical properties of the first and second comparative bitlines to one another. The memory cells are subdivided amongst a first memory cell set using a first set of bitline pairs and a first set of sense amplifiers, and a second memory cell set using a second set of bitline pairs and a second set of sense amplifiers. The second set of bitline pairs has the same bitlines as the first set of bitline pairs, but in a different pairing arrangement as compared to the first set of bitline pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Michael Amiel Shore, Charles L. Ingalls, Steve V. Cole
  • Publication number: 20210050038
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods can be related to countering noise at a memory array. Countering noise can include enable switches to connect third digit lines of the first array adjacent to the respective first digit lines to fourth digit lines of the second array adjacent to the reference digit lines such that the reference digit lines experience a same amount of digit line coupling noise as the first digit lines experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10916295
    Abstract: In the examples disclosed herein, a memory array can have a first group of memory cells coupled to a first digit line at a first level and a second group of memory cells coupled to a second digit line at the first level. A third digit line can be at a second level and can be coupled to a main sense amplifier. A first vertical thin film transistor (TFT) can be at a third level between the first and second levels can be coupled between the first digit line and the third digit line. A second vertical TFT can be at the third level and can be coupled between the second digit line and the third digit line. A local sense amplifier can be coupled to the first and second digit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10916548
    Abstract: An apparatus can have first and second memory cells. The first memory cell can have a first storage device selectively coupled to a first digit line at a first level by a first vertical transistor at a second level. The second memory cell can have a second storage device selectively coupled to a second digit line at the first level by a second vertical transistor at the second level. A third digit line can be at a third level and can be coupled to a main sense amplifier. A local sense amplifier can be coupled to the first digit line, the second digit line, and the third digit line. The second level can be between the first and third levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20210028308
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a memory array, can have a memory cell coupled to a first digit line (e.g., a local digit line) at a first level. A second digit line (e.g., hierarchical digit line) at a second level can be coupled to a main sense amplifier. A charge sharing device at a third level between the first and second levels can be coupled to the first digit line and to a connector. A vertical transistor at the third level can be coupled between the first digit line and the connector. A contact can be coupled between the connector and the second digit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Steve V. Cole, Scott J. Derner, Toby D. Robbs
  • Publication number: 20210028176
    Abstract: An apparatus can have first and second memory cells. The first memory cell can have a first storage device selectively coupled to a first digit line at a first level by a first vertical transistor at a second level. The second memory cell can have a second storage device selectively coupled to a second digit line at the first level by a second vertical transistor at the second level. A third digit line can be at a third level and can be coupled to a main sense amplifier. A local sense amplifier can be coupled to the first digit line, the second digit line, and the third digit line. The second level can be between the first and third levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10896717
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes an array of memory cells coupled to an array power supply and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause a data value to be stored in at least one memory cell of the array of memory cells while the array of memory cells is operating in a first power state and a determination to be made that a change in a power status to a computing system coupled to the array of memory cells has occurred, wherein the change in the power status of the computing system is characterized by the computing device operating in a reduced power state. Responsive to the determination, the controller may be configured to cause the array power supply to be disabled to operate the array of memory cells in a second power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10885964
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for operating ferroelectric memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and a first selection component configured to couple the first plate to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and a second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10872650
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory cells. An example ferroelectric memory cell includes two transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes three transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes four transistors and two capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10867675
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory including ferroelectric memory cells and dielectric memory cells are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first memory cell including first and second ferroelectric capacitors configured to store charges representing complementary logical values, a second memory cell including first and second dielectric capacitors configured to store charges representing complementary logical values, a first bit line selectably coupled to the first ferroelectric capacitor of the first memory cell and to the first dielectric capacitor of the second memory cell, a second bit line selectably coupled to the second ferroelectric capacitor of the first memory cell and to the second dielectric capacitor of the second memory cell, and a sense amplifier coupled to the first and second bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Michael A. Shore
  • Publication number: 20200388316
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for memory array bit inversion are described. A memory cell (e.g., a ferroelectric memory cell) may be written with a charge associated with a logic state that may be the inverse of the intended logic state of the cell. That is, the actual logic state of one or more memory cells may be inverted, but the intended logic state of the memory cells may remain unchanged. Different sets of transistors may be configured around a sense component of a cell to enable reading and writing of intended and inverted logic states from or to the cell. For instance, a first set of transistors may be used to read the logic state currently stored at a memory cell, while a second set of transistors may be used to read a logic state inverted from the currently stored logic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Charles L. Ingalls, Scott J. Derner
  • Publication number: 20200388317
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating a ferroelectric memory cell or cells are described. A memory array may be operated in a half density mode, in which a subset of the memory cells is designated as reference memory cells. Each reference memory cell may be paired to an active memory cell and may act as a reference signal when sensing the active memory cell. Each pair of active and reference memory cells may be connected to a single access line. Sense components (e.g., sense amplifiers) associated with reference memory cells may be deactivated in half density mode. The entire memory array may be operated in half density mode, or a portion of the array may operate in half density mode and the remainder of the array may operate in full density mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10854617
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly. The integrated assembly has a first transistor with a horizontally-extending channel region between a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region; has a second transistor with a vertically-extending channel region between a third source/drain region and a fourth source/drain region; and has a capacitor between the first and second transistors. The capacitor has a first electrode, a second electrode, and an insulative material between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is electrically connected with the first source/drain region, and the second electrode is electrically connected with the third source/drain region. A digit line is electrically connected with the second source/drain region. A conductive structure is electrically connected with the fourth source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10854276
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include two transistor-one capacitor memory and for accessing such memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor coupled to first and second selection components. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and the first selection component configured to couple a first plate of the capacitor to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and the second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line. A sense amplifier is coupled to the second digit line and is configured to amplify a voltage difference between a voltage coupled to the second digit line and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner