Patents by Inventor Toby D. Robbs

Toby D. Robbs 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: 11715513
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sense line architectures for semiconductor memories are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first array region including first portions of a plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the first portions of the plurality of sense lines and further includes a second array region including second portions of the plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the second portions of the plurality of sense lines. An array gap is disposed between the first and second array regions and includes third portions of the plurality of sense lines and does not include any memory cells. Each third portion of the plurality of sense lines includes conductive structures having vertical components configured to couple the first portions and second portions of the plurality of sense lines to provide an electrically continuous sense lines through the first and second array regions and the array gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby D. Robbs, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 11581035
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array having a plurality of memory cells and a first column plane having multiple column select lines. The first column select lines of the first column plane may access a first set of the memory cells associated with the first column plane. Additionally, the memory device may include a second column plane having a multiple column select lines to access a second set of the memory cells associated with the second column plane. The memory device may also include a column select line shared between the first column plane and the second column plane. The column select line may access a third set of the memory cells associated with the first column plane and a fourth set of the memory cells associated with the second column plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiyun Li, Toby D. Robbs
  • Publication number: 20220270668
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array having a plurality of memory cells and a first column plane having multiple column select lines. The first column select lines of the first column plane may access a first set of the memory cells associated with the first column plane. Additionally, the memory device may include a second column plane having a multiple column select lines to access a second set of the memory cells associated with the second column plane. The memory device may also include a column select line shared between the first column plane and the second column plane. The column select line may access a third set of the memory cells associated with the first column plane and a fourth set of the memory cells associated with the second column plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Jiyun Li, Toby D. Robbs
  • Publication number: 20220131003
    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: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Steve V. Cole, Scott J. Derner, Toby D. Robbs
  • Publication number: 20220130449
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sense line architectures for semiconductor memories are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first array region including first portions of a plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the first portions of the plurality of sense lines and further includes a second array region including second portions of the plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the second portions of the plurality of sense lines. An array gap is disposed between the first and second array regions and includes third portions of the plurality of sense lines and does not include any memory cells. Each third portion of the plurality of sense lines includes conductive structures having vertical components configured to couple the first portions and second portions of the plurality of sense lines to provide an electrically continuous sense lines through the first and second array regions and the array gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Toby D. Robbs, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 11232829
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sense line architectures for semiconductor memories are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first array region including first portions of a plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the first portions of the plurality of sense lines and further includes a second array region including second portions of the plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the second portions of the plurality of sense lines. An array gap is disposed between the first and second array regions and includes third portions of the plurality of sense lines and does not include any memory cells. Each third portion of the plurality of sense lines includes conductive structures having vertical components configured to couple the first portions and second portions of the plurality of sense lines to provide an electrically continuous sense lines through the first and second array regions and the array gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby D. Robbs, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 11222975
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Steve V. Cole, Scott J. Derner, Toby D. Robbs
  • 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: 20200211625
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sense line architectures for semiconductor memories are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first array region including first portions of a plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the first portions of the plurality of sense lines and further includes a second array region including second portions of the plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the second portions of the plurality of sense lines. An array gap is disposed between the first and second array regions and includes third portions of the plurality of sense lines and does not include any memory cells. Each third portion of the plurality of sense lines includes conductive structures having vertical components configured to couple the first portions and second portions of the plurality of sense lines to provide an electrically continuous sense lines through the first and second array regions and the array gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Toby D. Robbs, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10607687
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sense line architectures for semiconductor memories are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first array region including first portions of a plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the first portions of the plurality of sense lines and further includes a second array region including second portions of the plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the second portions of the plurality of sense lines. An array gap is disposed between the first and second array regions and includes third portions of the plurality of sense lines and does not include any memory cells. Each third portion of the plurality of sense lines includes conductive structures having vertical components configured to couple the first portions and second portions of the plurality of sense lines to provide an electrically continuous sense lines through the first and second array regions and the array gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby D. Robbs, Charles L. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 10607690
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array with multiple memory cells and one or more sense amplifiers connected to the memory array. Each sense amplifier may include a matched pair of transistors. An active matching fill feature may also be included proximate to at least one transistor of the matched pair of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve V. Cole, Benjamin A. Millemon, Toby D. Robbs, J. W. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20200075083
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array with multiple memory cells and one or more sense amplifiers connected to the memory array. Each sense amplifier may include a matched pair of transistors. An active matching fill feature may also be included proximate to at least one transistor of the matched pair of transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Steve V. Cole, Benjamin A. Millemon, Toby D. Robbs, J. W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10418093
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array with multiple memory cells and one or more sense amplifiers connected to the memory array. Each sense amplifier may include a matched pair of transistors. An active matching fill feature may also be included proximate to at least one transistor of the matched pair of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve V. Cole, Benjamin A. Millemon, Toby D. Robbs, J. W. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20190206480
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for sense line architectures for semiconductor memories are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first array region including first portions of a plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the first portions of the plurality of sense lines and further includes a second array region including second portions of the plurality of sense lines and memory cells coupled to the second portions of the plurality of sense lines. An array gap is disposed between the first and second array regions and includes third portions of the plurality of sense lines and does not include any memory cells. Each third portion of the plurality of sense lines includes conductive structures having vertical components configured to couple the first portions and second portions of the plurality of sense lines to provide an electrically continuous sense lines through the first and second array regions and the array gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toby D. Robbs, Charles L. Ingalls