Patents by Inventor Tom Kinsley

Tom Kinsley 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: 9255964
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20140210498
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 8692568
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20140047563
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device may initiate a security measure upon occurrence of one or more triggering events. The one or more triggering events may include receipt of a command signal. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 8565035
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device may initiate a security measure upon occurrence of one or more triggering events. The one or more triggering events may include receipt of a command signal. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20120019274
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20120008440
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device may initiate a security measure upon occurrence of one or more triggering events. The one or more triggering events may include receipt of a command signal. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 8030952
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 8023344
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device may initiate a security measure upon occurrence of one or more triggering events. The one or more triggering events may include receipt of a command signal. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20100265781
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided. The memory device may initiate a security measure upon occurrence of one or more triggering events. The one or more triggering events may include receipt of a command signal. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 7751263
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes manufacturing a memory component of an electronic system. Manufacturing the memory component may include disposing a memory array on a substrate and coupling a control circuit to the memory array. The control circuit may be configured to selectively prevent access to data stored within the memory array upon removal of the memory component from the electronic system. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20090153181
    Abstract: Various data protection techniques are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes manufacturing a memory component of an electronic system. Manufacturing the memory component may include disposing a memory array on a substrate and coupling a control circuit to the memory array. The control circuit may be configured to selectively prevent access to data stored within the memory array upon removal of the memory component from the electronic system. Various additional methods, devices, and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 7477554
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving authorized operating parameters of the memory device and comparing sensed operational parameters to the authorized operating parameters. Access to data stored within the memory device may be prevented if the operational parameters are outside the authorized operating parameters. A memory device and method of manufacturing such a device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20070030020
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20070030019
    Abstract: The use of a power sink function in IC testing results in a simple and rapid method for testing ICs, and assembled modules, at elevated temperature profiles without the use of environmental ovens. Testing IC devices at elevated temperatures may be useful for ‘burn-in’, for ‘hot sort’ performance testing that may be used in electronic devices such as DRAM memory, logic, communication devices, and microprocessors. The power sink function may be implemented as an additional isolated area of active devices, or as a section of the circuit that is not involved in the testing procedure. Alternately, the power dissipation circuit may consist of a resistive path between two external pins that are not used for IC operation, where the resistor may be on the IC or on the package. This allows for control of the temperature level and profile by simple adjustment of the voltage between the two external pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Patent number: 7164611
    Abstract: A secure memory device that is configured to prevent unauthorized access of data is disclosed. More specifically, a kill function logic device is capable of initiating security measures upon the occurrence of some event. The security measures may include disabling read access to the memory device, accelerated erasing of the memory device, or disabling of the memory device itself. Alternatively, a circuit may be configured to purge data stored in the memory device in an accelerated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20060294291
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving authorized operating parameters of the memory device and comparing sensed operational parameters to the authorized operating parameters. Access to data stored within the memory device may be prevented if the operational parameters are outside the authorized operating parameters. A memory device and method of manufacturing such a device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20060087882
    Abstract: A secure memory device that is configured to prevent unauthorized access of data is disclosed. More specifically, a kill function logic device is capable of initiating security measures upon the occurrence of some event. The security measures may include disabling read access to the memory device, accelerated erasing of the memory device, or disabling of the memory device itself. Alternatively, a circuit may be configured to purge data stored in the memory device in an accelerated fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventor: Tom Kinsley