Patents by Inventor Steve Casper

Steve Casper 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: 8054109
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20110182130
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 7924067
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20100149897
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 7696790
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20090085613
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 7459944
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 7327620
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of an improved differential input buffer for receiving low power signals and associated methods. The disclosed buffer circuit comprises at least one differential amplifier for receiving as inputs an enable signal (e.g., a clock enable signal) and a reference signal, and provides a differential amplifier output representative of a comparison of the magnitude of the input signals. As improved, input buffer circuitry comprises a pull up stage to pull up the voltage of the differential amplifier output slightly higher during an output low condition. The pull up stage is preferably, but not necessarily, activated only during a problematic condition, such as when both input signals to the differential amplifier are low. By pulling up the output, the input buffer circuit enjoys improved margin, and is able to reliably signal a low power condition even when both inputs are low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Mircon Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Casper, Scott Van De Graaff
  • Patent number: 7236019
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20050099842
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20050099843
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 6864725
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 6731528
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for writing a programmable conductor random access memory (PCRAM) element. After a read operation of the memory element a complement logical state from that read is written back to the memory element. In one embodiment the memory element is then again written back to its original state. In another embodiment logic circuitry keeps track of whether the original logic state or its complement are stored in the memory element so that during the next read the stored logic will be correctly read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen Hush, Kevin G. Duesman, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20030227302
    Abstract: A low-current input buffer is disclosed. The buffer uses self-biased N and P channel differential pairs with their outputs tied together. The self-biasing assists in reducing current consumption. The combination of N and P-channel differential pairs results in symmetry across a wide range of reference and supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steve Casper
  • Publication number: 20030206433
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for writing a programmable conductor random access memory (PCRAM) element. After a read operation of the memory element a complement logical state from that read is written back to the memory element. In one embodiment the memory element is then again written back to its original state. In another embodiment logic circuitry keeps track of whether the original logic state or its complement are stored in the memory element so that during the next read the stored logic will be correctly read.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Glen Hush, Kevin G. Duesman, Steve Casper
  • Patent number: 5150186
    Abstract: A CMOS integrated circuit output terminal driver subcircuit (60) provides quick response at an output terminal (56) of an integrated circuit (50) while preventing reverse current leakage when an external high voltage, which exceeds the positive internal circuit source voltage of the integrated circuit, is imposed on the output terminal (56). The output driver subcircuit (60) additionally provides an output voltage at the output terminal that is only nominally below the internal circuit source voltage. A p-channel MOS pull-up transistor (62) is operably connected to the output terminal (56) to selectively drive it substantially to the internal circuit source voltage. A leakage prevention device (66), comprising a native n-channel transistor (68) with a low turn-on threshold voltage, is connected in series with the pull-up transistor (62) to prevent output terminal reverse current leakage back through the pull-up transistor (62) when the external high voltage is imposed upon the output terminal (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Pinney, Gary Johnson, Greg Roberts, Steve Casper