Patents by Inventor Violante Moschiano

Violante Moschiano 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: 8472256
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device and a method of programming memory cells of the memory device. One such method includes applying voltages to data lines associated with different groups of memory cells during a programming operation. Such a method applies the voltages to the data lines associated with a last group of memory cells being programmed in a different fashion from the other groups of memory cells after the other groups of memory cells have been programmed. Other embodiments including additional memory devices and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ruby, Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 8400827
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device and a method of programming memory cells of the memory device. One such method includes applying different voltages to data lines associated with different memory cells based on threshold voltages of the memory cells in an erased state. Other embodiments including additional memory devices and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin
  • Patent number: 8395939
    Abstract: In one or more of the disclosed embodiments, a read operation is compensated for back pattern effect. A bit line current is generated by a read operation that biases the word lines. As part of a back pattern effect measurement phase, at predetermined time intervals an indication of the discharge status of the bit line is stored in a latch of a set of N latches coupled to each bit line. At the end of the measurement phase, the set of latches contains a multiple bit word that is an indication of the back pattern effect experienced by that particular series string of memory cells. This back pattern effect indication is used in subsequent read operations to adjust the timing of the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20130058164
    Abstract: Threshold voltages in a charge storage memory are controlled by threshold voltage placement, such as to provide more reliable operation and to reduce the influence of factors such as neighboring charge storage elements and parasitic coupling. Pre-compensation or post-compensation of threshold voltage for neighboring programmed aggressor memory cells reduces the threshold voltage uncertainty in a flash memory system. Using a buffer having a data structure such as a lookup table provides for programmable threshold voltage distributions that enables the distribution of data states in a multi-level cell flash memory to be tailored, such as to provide more reliable operation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Naso, Vishal Sarin, William Henry Radke, Theodore T. Pekny
  • Patent number: 8391061
    Abstract: In a method of operation, a flash memory cell coupled to a bit-line is programmed, a word-line voltage is coupled to the flash memory cell, a first voltage pulse is coupled to a bias transistor coupled between the bit-line and a sense capacitance at a first time to couple the bit-line to the sense capacitance to generate data to indicate the state of the flash memory cell, a second voltage pulse is coupled to the bias transistor at a second time having a second magnitude that is different from a first magnitude of the first voltage pulse, and a third voltage pulse is coupled to the bias transistor at a third time having a third magnitude that is different from the second magnitude of the second voltage pulse. In a method of operation, the second voltage pulse occurs a first delay period after the first voltage pulse and the third voltage pulse occurs a second delay period after the second voltage pulse, the second delay period being different from the first delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Elmhurst, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano, Ercole Diiorio
  • Publication number: 20130051141
    Abstract: Threshold voltages in a charge storage memory are controlled by threshold voltage placement, such as to provide more reliable operation and to reduce the influence of factors such as neighboring charge storage elements and parasitic coupling. Pre-compensation or post-compensation of threshold voltage for neighboring programmed “aggressor” memory cells reduces the threshold voltage uncertainty in a flash memory system. Using a buffer having a data structure such as a lookup table provides for programmable threshold voltage distributions that enables the distribution of data states in a multi-level cell flash memory to be tailored, such as to provide more reliable operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Naso, Vishal Sarin, William Henry Radke, Theodore T. Pekny
  • Publication number: 20130039138
    Abstract: Methods for providing redundancy and apparatuses are disclosed. One such method for providing redundancy performs a mapping of data between an address of a memory determined to indicate a defective memory cell and an address of a redundant area of the memory, only after the data has been loaded into a buffer. The direction of the mapping is determined by the operation (e.g., programming or reading).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Maria L. Gallese, Luigi Pilolli
  • Patent number: 8369157
    Abstract: Methods for programming memory cells and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for programming includes performing a program verify operation of a group of memory cells. A number of potential CS2 situations are detected. If the number of detected potential CS2 situations is greater than a threshold, programming compensation for a CS2 situation is used in a subsequent programming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20130028022
    Abstract: Methods for determining a program window and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for determining the program window measures an amount of program disturb experienced by a particular state and determines the program window responsive to the amount of program disturb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Tommaso VALI, Giovanni Santin, Massimo Rossini, William H. Radke, Violante Moschiano
  • Patent number: 8358538
    Abstract: Memory devices to facilitate adjustment of program voltages applied during a program operation based upon erase operation cycle counter values stored in the memory device. In one such embodiment, an erase cycle counter is maintained for each block of a memory device and is stored in the associated block of memory. Programming voltage levels utilized during program operations of memory cells are determined, at least in part, based upon the value of the erase cycle counter stored in a memory block undergoing a programming operation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Luca De Santis
  • Publication number: 20120307566
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices, methods, and systems including memory cell sensing using a boost voltage. One or more embodiments include pre-charging and/or floating a data line associated with a selected memory cell, boosting the pre-charged and/or floating data line, and determining a state of the selected memory cell based on a sensed discharge of the data line after boosting the data line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Domenico Di Cicco, Andrea D'Alessandro
  • Publication number: 20120307564
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns memory kink compensation. One method embodiment includes applying a number of sequentially incrementing programming pulses to a memory cell, with the sequential programming pulses incrementing by a first programming pulse step voltage magnitude. A seeding voltage is applied after applying the number of sequentially incrementing programming pulses. A next programming pulse is applied after applying the seeding voltage, with the next programming pulse being adjusted relative to a preceding one of the sequentially incrementing programming pulses by a second programming pulse step voltage magnitude. The second programming pulse step voltage magnitude can be less than the first programming pulse step voltage magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Frankie F. Roohparvar, Giovanni Santin, Vishal Sarin, Allahyar Vahidimowlavi, Tommaso Vali
  • Publication number: 20120300549
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are described that include communication circuitry between page buffers in a memory array. Examples include communication circuitry that provide status information of page buffers that are directly adjacent to a given page buffer. The exchanged information can be used to adjust a given page buffer to compensate for effects in directly adjacent data lines that are being operated at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Paul D. Ruby, Violante Moschiano
  • Publication number: 20120287726
    Abstract: Methods of programming a memory, memory devices, and systems are disclosed, for example. In one such method, each data line of a memory to be programmed is biased differently depending upon whether one or more of the data lines adjacent the data line are inhibited. In one such system, a connection circuit provides data corresponding to the inhibit status of a target data line to page buffers associated with data lines adjacent to the target data line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Tommaso Vali, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati, Violante Moschiano
  • Publication number: 20120262993
    Abstract: Methods of operating memory devices, generating reference currents in memory devices, and sensing data states of memory cells in a memory device are disclosed. One such method includes generating reference currents utilized in sense amplifier circuitry to manage leakage currents while performing a sense operation within a memory device. Another such method activates one of two serially coupled transistors along with activating and deactivating the second transistor serially coupled with the first transistor thereby regulating a current through both serially coupled transistors and establishing a particular reference current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Tommaso Vali
  • Publication number: 20120243318
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device and a method of programming memory cells of the memory device. One such method can include applying a signal to a line associated with a memory cell, the signal being generated based on digital information. The method can also include, while the signal is applied to the line, determining whether a state of the memory cell is near a target state when the digital information has a first value, and determining whether the state of the memory cell has reached the target state when the digital information has a second value. Other embodiments including additional memory devices and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati
  • Patent number: 8264882
    Abstract: In programming a selected word line of memory cells, a first program verify or read operation is performed, after one page of a selected word line is programmed, in order to determine a first quantity of memory cells that have been programmed to a predetermined reference point in the programmed first page distribution. Prior to programming the second page of the selected word line, a second program verify or read operation is performed to determine a second quantity of cells that are still at the reference point. The difference between the first and second quantities is an indication of the quantity of cells that experienced quick charge loss. The difference is used to determine an adjustment voltage for the second page verification operation after programming of the second page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Daniel Elmhurst, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20120224429
    Abstract: Methods for programming memory cells and memory devices are disclosed. One such method for programming includes performing a program verify operation of a group of memory cells. A number of potential CS2 situations are detected. If the number of detected potential CS2 situations is greater than a threshold, programming compensation for a CS2 situation is used in a subsequent programming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin
  • Publication number: 20120206974
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. One such method for sensing includes charging bit lines of an all bit line architecture to a precharge voltage, selecting a word line, and performing a sense operation on the bit lines. After the sense operation on the memory cells of the first selected word line is complete, the precharge voltage is maintained on the bit lines while a second word line is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Violante MOSCHIANO, Giovanni Santin, Tommaso Vali
  • Patent number: RE43665
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, devices, modules, and systems for reading non-volatile multilevel memory cells. One method includes receiving a request to read data stored in a first cell of a first word line, performing a read operation on an adjacent cell of a second word line in response to the request, determining whether the first cell is in a disturbed condition based on the read operation. The method includes reading data stored in the first cell in response to the read request by applying a read reference voltage to the first word line and adjusting a sensing parameter if the first cell is in the disturbed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Violante Moschiano, Giovanni Santin, Michele Incarnati