Patents by Inventor Stefano Surico

Stefano Surico 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: 9349480
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that comprises applying a first voltage to a memory cell, applying again the first voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not been shifted to an erased condition, and applying a second voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not still been shifted to an erased condition, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Ferragina, Stefano Surico, Giuseppe Moioli, Simone Bartoli
  • Publication number: 20140372666
    Abstract: A device includes a NAND flash memory, and a generic command interface configured to interpret both an Open NAND Flash Interface specification and a first NAND flash specification to perform an associated one of command operations on the NAND flash memory, the Open NAND Flash Interface specification and the first NAND flash specification being different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Giuseppe MOIOLI, Luca BATTU, Stefano SURICO
  • Patent number: 8884666
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device comprising a first terminal for a first clock signal, a second terminal for a second clock signal substantially complementary to the first clock signal, a third terminal for a third clock signal, a fourth terminal for a fourth clock signal substantially complementary to the third clock signal, a first logic gate to produce a first intermediate signal, a second logic gate to produce a second intermediate signal, a first delay circuit to produce a third intermediate signal, and a second delay circuit to produce a fourth intermediate signal, and a first output circuit coupled to the first and second delay circuits to produce the third and fourth clock signals respectively at the third and fourth terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Surico
  • Publication number: 20140293707
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that comprises applying a first voltage to a memory cell, applying again the first voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not been shifted to an erased condition, and applying a second voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not still been shifted to an erased condition, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Vincenzo Ferragina, Stefano Surico, Giuseppe Moioli, Simone Bartoli
  • Patent number: 8779811
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device comprising a first terminal for a first clock signal, a second terminal for a second clock signal substantially complementary to the first clock signal, a third terminal for a third clock signal, a fourth terminal for a fourth clock signal substantially complementary to the third clock signal, a first logic gate to produce a first intermediate signal, a second logic gate to produce a second intermediate signal, a first delay circuit to produce a third intermediate signal, and a second delay circuit to produce a fourth intermediate signal, and a first output circuit coupled to the first and second delay circuits to produce the third and fourth clock signals respectively at the third and fourth terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Surico
  • Publication number: 20140173173
    Abstract: A method includes providing a partition command to a device that includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells. In response to the providing of the partition command, the memory cells of the memory array are partitioned to select a portion of the memory array. In response to the providing of the partition command, one of bit numbers that are to be stored in one memory cell is selected, so that each of the memory cells included in the selected portion stores data with the selected one of the bit numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Battu, Antonino Geraci, Mauro Pagliato, Stefano Surico
  • Patent number: 8705283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that comprises applying a first voltage to a memory cell, applying again the first voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not been shifted to an erased condition, and applying a second voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not still been shifted to an erased condition, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Vincenzo Ferragina, Stefano Surico, Giuseppe Moioli, Simone Bartoli
  • Patent number: 8553460
    Abstract: Aspects for program pulse generation during programming of nonvolatile electronic devices include providing a configurable voltage sequence generator to manage verify-pulse and pulse-verify switching as needed during modification operations of a programming algorithm for nonvolatile electronic devices, wherein more efficient modification operations result. In this manner, highly flexible bit sequence generation that can be easily managed by a microcontroller occurs, resulting in a shorter code length, a faster execution time, and ease of reuse in different devices. More particularly, fully compatible voltage sequence generation is introduced that can be applied on the terminals of the flash cells being modified and permits an efficient and time saving management of pulse-verify and verify-pulse switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Mirella Marsella, Monica Marziani, Mauro Chinosi
  • Patent number: 8456917
    Abstract: A logic circuit for a semiconductor memory device, includes a first logic portion which stores data from a first data signal, and generates a second data signal based on the first data signal, a second logic portion which generates a first address signal and stores an address from the first address signal where data from the second data signal is to be written, and a third logic portion which generates a flag signal which indicates whether the data stored in the first logic portion is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Giuseppe Moioli
  • Publication number: 20130135007
    Abstract: A logic circuit for a semiconductor memory device, includes a first logic portion which stores data from a first data signal, and generates a second data signal based on the first data signal, a second logic portion which generates a first address signal and stores an address from the first address signal where data from the second data signal is to be written, and a third logic portion which generates a flag signal which indicates whether the data stored in the first logic portion is valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Giuseppe Moioli
  • Publication number: 20130033947
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a clock generator that comprises a master or first oscillator having an output terminal which provides a master clock signal and at least one slave or second oscillator having an output terminal which provides a slave clock signal, the master and slave oscillators comprising respective time delay stages and latches, the slave oscillator also comprising logic gates connected to the outputs of the latches and configured to logically combine said outputs to generate a slave clock signal having a different phase with respect to a master clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Passerini, Stefano Surico
  • Publication number: 20130016564
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that comprises applying a first voltage to a memory cell, applying again the first voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not been shifted to an erased condition, and applying a second voltage to the memory cell when the memory cell have not still been shifted to an erased condition, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Ferragina, Stefano Surico, Giuseppe Moioli, Simone Bartoli
  • Publication number: 20120106250
    Abstract: Aspects for program pulse generation during programming of nonvolatile electronic devices include providing a configurable voltage sequence generator to manage verify-pulse and pulse-verify switching as needed during modification operations of a programming algorithm for nonvolatile electronic devices, wherein more efficient modification operations result. In this manner, highly flexible bit sequence generation that can be easily managed by a microcontroller occurs, resulting in a shorter code length, a faster execution time, and ease of reuse in different devices. More particularly, fully compatible voltage sequence generation is introduced that can be applied on the terminals of the flash cells being modified and permits an efficient and time saving management of pulse-verify and verify-pulse switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ATMEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Mirella Marsella, Monica Marziani, Mauro Chinosi
  • Patent number: 8120963
    Abstract: Aspects for program pulse generation during programming of nonvolatile electronic devices include providing a configurable voltage sequence generator to manage verify-pulse and pulse-verify switching as needed during modification operations of a programming algorithm for nonvolatile electronic devices, wherein more efficient modification operations result. In this manner, highly flexible bit sequence generation that can be easily managed by a microcontroller occurs, resulting in a shorter code length, a faster execution time, and ease of reuse in different devices. More particularly, fully compatible voltage sequence generation is introduced that can be applied on the terminals of the flash cells being modified and permits an efficient and time saving management of pulse-verify and verify-pulse switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Mirella Marsella, Monica Marziani, Mauro Chinosi
  • Patent number: 7864583
    Abstract: Various embodiments include memory devices and methods having first memory cells and second memory cells coupled to the first memory cells in a string arrangement, first word lines configured to apply a first voltage to gates of the first memory cells during a verify operation of the first memory cells, and second word lines configured to apply a second voltage to gates of the second memory cells during the verify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Marco Passerini, Fablo Tassan Caser, Simone Bartoll
  • Patent number: 7769943
    Abstract: A flash memory includes input/output buffers, a memory array having memory cells coupled to the input/output buffers, and row and column decoders, and a voltage-generator circuit coupled to the row and column decoders. A microcontroller is coupled to the command user interface. Switch-instruction circuitry selectively provides instructions to the microcontroller from the read-only memory and from off chip through on-board t-latches coupled to the input/output buffers under control of a command user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Stefano Sivero, Simone Bartoli, Marco Passerini
  • Publication number: 20090290424
    Abstract: Aspects for program pulse generation during programming of nonvolatile electronic devices include providing a configurable voltage sequence generator to manage verify-pulse and pulse-verify switching as needed during modification operations of a programming algorithm for nonvolatile electronic devices, wherein more efficient modification operations result. In this manner, highly flexible bit sequence generation that can be easily managed by a microcontroller occurs, resulting in a shorter code length, a faster execution time, and ease of reuse in different devices. More particularly, fully compatible voltage sequence generation is introduced that can be applied on the terminals of the flash cells being modified and permits an efficient and time saving management of pulse-verify and verify-pulse switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Mirella Marsella, Monica Marziani, Mauro Chinosi
  • Patent number: 7589572
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed that operate to trigger a reference voltage generator from a supply voltage detector, compare an output voltage level from the reference voltage generator with a supply voltage, and to generate an enable signal when the supply voltage is greater than the output voltage level. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Massimiliano Frulio, Stefano Surico, Andrea Bettini, Monica Marziani
  • Patent number: 7570519
    Abstract: Aspects for program pulse generation during programming of nonvolatile electronic devices include providing a configurable voltage sequence generator to manage verify-pulse and pulse-verify switching as needed during modification operations of a programming algorithm for nonvolatile electronic devices, wherein more efficient modification operations result. In this manner, highly flexible bit sequence generation that can be easily managed by a microcontroller occurs, resulting in a shorter code length, a faster execution time, and ease of reuse in different devices. More particularly, fully compatible voltage sequence generation is introduced that can be applied on the terminals of the flash cells being modified and permits an efficient and time saving management of pulse-verify and verify-pulse switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Surico, Mirella Marsella, Monica Marziani, Mauro Chinosi
  • Patent number: 7551498
    Abstract: A redundant memory array has r columns of redundant memory cells, r redundant senses, and a redundant column decoder. Redundant address registers store addresses of defective regular memory cells. Redundant latches are provided in n groups of r latches. Redundancy comparison logic compares addresses of defective regular memory cells with an external input address. If the comparison is true, what is provided is: a DISABLE_LOAD signal to disable the regular senses for one of the n groups of m columns, an ENABLE_LATCH signal to one of the n groups of m columns to disables corresponding regular senses, and one or r REDO signals to a respective one of the r redundant latches in one of the n groups that is disabled. The selected one of the redundant latches activates one of the r redundant senses to access a redundant column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Simone Bartoli, Stefano Surico, Andrea Sacco, Maria Mostola