Patents by Inventor Timothy B. Cowles

Timothy B. Cowles 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: 20120146718
    Abstract: An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to provide “buffered” output signals having symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two differential amplifier pair stages (i.e., 4 total differential amplifiers). The first stage of differential amplifiers convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is converted back to a single-ended output signal by the second stage of differential amplifiers. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross coupled” structure. Various current saving and biasing methods may also be employed to keep operating current the same or lower than previous designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Pan, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 8125268
    Abstract: An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive and process reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to obtain “buffered” output signals therefrom with symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two stages of differential amplifier pairs (i.e., a total of 4 separated differential amplifiers). The differential amplifiers in the first stage convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is then converted back to a single-ended output signal by the differential amplifier pair in the second stage. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross” coupled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Pan, Timothy B. Cowles
  • 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: 20110209011
    Abstract: In a memory device, an on-die register is provided that is configured to store a row address as well as a column address of a memory cell that fails a test. Storing the row address frees testing from being limited to activating at one time only rows related to a common redundant segment. Storing the row address also guides repair using segmented redundancy. As an addition or alternative, information may be stored in an anti-fuse bank that is designed to provide access to a redundant cell but has not yet enabled access to that cell. If the information stored in the anti-fuse bank relates to the failure of the redundant cell, such information may be used to avoid repairing with that redundant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Timothy B. Cowles
  • 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: 7982509
    Abstract: There is provided a reduced current input buffer circuit. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided an input buffer circuit comprising an input buffer that is adapted to draw an operating current, means for providing a first portion of the operating current to the input buffer, and means for providing a second portion of the operating current to the input buffer if the input buffer is expecting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 7952169
    Abstract: An isolation circuit, comprising a first transistor having a gate, a first source/drain terminal, and a second source/drain terminal, a first pad coupled to the gate of the first transistor, the first pad operable to receive an enable signal, a second pad coupled to the first source/drain of the first transistor, the second pad operable to receive a ground potential, a first fuse device coupling the second source/drain terminal to a node, a second fuse device coupling the node to the first pad, a third pad operable to receive a signal to be applied to at least one die, and a second transistor operable to selectively transfer the signal received at the third pad to the at least one die in response to a control signal provided by the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Aron T. Lunde
  • Patent number: 7941712
    Abstract: In a memory device, an on-die register is provided that is configured to store a row address as well as a column address of a memory cell that fails a test. Storing the row address frees testing from being limited to activating at one time only rows related to a common redundant segment. Storing the row address also guides repair using segmented redundancy. As an addition or alternative, information may be stored in an anti-fuse bank that is designed to provide access to a redundant cell but has not yet enabled access to that cell. If the information stored in the anti-fuse bank relates to the failure of the redundant cell, such information may be used to avoid repairing with that redundant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Timothy B. Cowles
  • 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: 20110060888
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Patent number: 7869301
    Abstract: In a multi-bank memory system such as a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a method of writing data to the banks is provided. This method allows for writing to any number of banks. More particularly, this method allows for writing to a selected number of banks between one and all banks. In addition, the method retains the discrete nature of the selected banks by allowing any row in each bank to be accessed regardless of the rows activated in other banks. As a result, rows of different memory banks that are intended to store similar data may be accessed simultaneously for purposes of writing the data in test and non-test modes. This allows for quicker writing to the SDRAM without the errors that may be created by other fast writing modes, such as data compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Patent number: 7835207
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Publication number: 20100156464
    Abstract: There is provided a reduced current input buffer circuit. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided an input buffer circuit comprising an input buffer that is adapted to draw an operating current, means for providing a first portion of the operating current to the input buffer, and means for providing a second portion of the operating current to the input buffer if the input buffer is expecting data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Cowles
  • 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: 20100085825
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Patent number: 7688118
    Abstract: There is provided a reduced current input buffer circuit. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided an input buffer circuit comprising an input buffer that is adapted to draw an operating current, means for providing a first portion of the operating current to the input buffer, and means for providing a second portion of the operating current to the input buffer if the input buffer is expecting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20100052777
    Abstract: An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive and process reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to obtain “buffered” output signals therefrom with symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two stages of differential amplifier pairs (i.e., a total of 4 separated differential amplifiers). The differential amplifiers in the first stage convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is then converted back to a single-ended output signal by the differential amplifier pair in the second stage. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross” coupled structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Dong Pan, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20090296512
    Abstract: In a multi-bank memory system such as a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a method of writing data to the banks is provided. This method allows for writing to any number of banks. More particularly, this method allows for writing to a selected number of banks between one and all banks. In addition, the method retains the discrete nature of the selected banks by allowing any row in each bank to be accessed regardless of the rows activated in other banks. As a result, rows of different memory banks that are intended to store similar data may be accessed simultaneously for purposes of writing the data in test and non-test modes. This allows for quicker writing to the SDRAM without the errors that may be created by other fast writing modes, such as data compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Patent number: 7622986
    Abstract: An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive and process reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to obtain “buffered” output signals therefrom with symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two stages of differential amplifier pairs (i.e., a total of 4 separated differential amplifiers). The differential amplifiers in the first stage convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is then converted back to a single-ended output signal by the differential amplifier pair in the second stage. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross” coupled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Pan, Timothy B. Cowles