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: 20200051614
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a base with sense-amplifier-circuitry. A first deck is over the base, and includes a first array of first memory cells. A second deck over the first deck, and includes a second array of 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: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20200051982
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a primary access transistor. The primary access transistor has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The first and second source/drain regions are coupled to one another when the primary access transistor is in an ON mode, and are not coupled to one another when the primary access transistor is in an OFF mode. A charge-storage device is coupled with the first source/drain region. A digit line is coupled with the second source/drain region through a secondary access device. The secondary access device has an ON mode and an OFF mode. The digit line is coupled with the charge-storage device only when both the primary access transistor and the secondary access device are in their respective ON modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20200051613
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first memory array which includes a first column of first memory cells. A first digit line extends along the first column and is utilized to address the first memory cells of the first column. A second memory array is proximate to the first memory array and includes a second column of second memory cells. A second digit line extends along the second column and is utilized to address the second memory cells of the second column. A primary-sense-amplifier comparatively couples the first digit line with the second digit line. A first secondary-sense-amplifier is along the first digit line, and a second secondary-sense-amplifier is along the second digit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20200051608
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array having at least one memory cell. The memory device further includes a sense amplifier circuit configured to read data from the at least one memory cell, write data to the at least one memory cell, or a combination thereof. The memory device additionally includes a first bus configured to provide a first electric power to the sense amplifier circuit, and a second bus configured to provide a second electric power to a second circuit, wherein the first bus and the second bus are configured to be electrically coupled to each other to provide for the first electric power and the second electric power to the at least one memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Tae H. Kim, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20200043541
    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: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Charles L. Ingalls, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10535399
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a series of bitlines. Each of the bitlines has a first comparative bitline component and a second comparative bitline component. The bitlines define columns of the memory array. Memory cells are along the columns of the memory array. Capacitive units are along the columns of the memory array and are interspersed amongst the memory cells. The capacitive units are not utilized for data storage during operation of the memory array, but rather are utilized for reducing parasitic capacitance between adjacent bitlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Publication number: 20200005850
    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: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT J. DERNER, CHRISTOPHER J. KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20200005853
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for accessing ferroelectric memory. An example method includes increasing a voltage of a first cell plate of a capacitor to change the voltage of a second cell plate of the capacitor, a second digit line, and a second sense node. The voltage of the second cell plate and the second digit line is decreased to change the voltage of the first cell plate, a first digit line, and a first sense node. The first node is driven to a first voltage and the second node is driven to a second voltage responsive to the voltage of the first node being greater than the second node. The first node is driven to the second voltage and the second node is driven to the first voltage responsive to the voltage of the first node being less than the second node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10468421
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having four transistors supported by a base, and vertically offset from the base. The four transistors are incorporated into first and second inverters having first and second inverter outputs, respectively. A first access transistor gatedly couples the first inverter output to a first comparative bitline, and second access transistor gatedly couples the second inverter output to a second comparative bitline. The first and second access transistors have first and second gates coupled to one another through a wordline. The four transistors are along a first side of the wordline, and are vertically displaced from the wordline. The first and second comparative bitlines are laterally adjacent to one another along a second side of the wordline, and are vertically displaced from the wordline. Some embodiments include memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Scott J. Derner
  • Publication number: 20190333564
    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: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20190325940
    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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10431282
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Ingalls, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10431283
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for accessing ferroelectric memory. An example method includes increasing a voltage of a first cell plate of a capacitor to change the voltage of a second cell plate of the capacitor, a second digit line, and a second sense node. The voltage of the second cell plate and the second digit line is decreased to change the voltage of the first cell plate, a first digit line, and a first sense node. The first node is driven to a first voltage and the second node is driven to a second voltage responsive to the voltage of the first node being greater than the second node. The first node is driven to the second voltage and the second node is driven to the first voltage responsive to the voltage of the first node being less than the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10431291
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory array having at least one memory cell. The memory device further includes a sense amplifier circuit configured to read data from the at least one memory cell, write data to the at least one memory cell, or a combination thereof. The memory device additionally includes a first bus configured to provide a first electric power to the sense amplifier circuit, and a second bus configured to provide a second electric power to a second circuit, wherein the first bus and the second bus are configured to be electrically coupled to each other to provide for the first electric power and the second electric power to the at least one memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Tae H. Kim, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Publication number: 20190295623
    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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT J. DERNER, CHRISTOPHER J. KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20190287579
    Abstract: A sense amplifier construction comprises a first n-type transistor and a second n-type transistor above the first n-type transistor. A third p-type transistor is included and a fourth p-type transistor is above the third p-type transistor. A lower voltage activation line is electrically coupled to n-type source/drain regions that are elevationally between respective gates of the first and second n-type transistors. A higher voltage activation line is electrically coupled to p-type source/drain regions that are elevationally between respective gates of the third and fourth p-type transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Ingalls, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10418083
    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: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20190279704
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20190279984
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Michael Amiel Shore, Charles L. Ingalls, Steve V. Cole
  • Patent number: 10366738
    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: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Charles L. Ingalls