Patents by Inventor William A. Melton

William A. Melton 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: 20200279590
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Patent number: 10692547
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Publication number: 20200152243
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Patent number: 10573355
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Publication number: 20200013437
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Patent number: 10395697
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Publication number: 20190244641
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-referencing sensing schemes with coupling capacitance are described. A sense component of a memory device may include a capacitive coupling between two nodes of the sense component. The capacitive coupling may, in some examples, be provided by a capacitive element of the sense component or an intrinsic capacitance between features of the sense component. An example of a method employing such a sense component for detecting a logic state stored by a memory cell may include generating a first sense signal at one of the nodes while the node is coupled with the memory cell, and generating a second sense signal at the other of the nodes while the other node is coupled with the memory cell. The sense signals may be based at least in part on the capacitive coupling between the two nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Mahdi Jamali, William A. Melton, Daniele Vimercati, Xinwei Guo, Yasuko Hattori
  • Patent number: 9454427
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Angelo Visconti, Mauro Bonanomi, Richard E. Fackenthal, William Melton
  • Publication number: 20160004595
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Angelo Visconti, Mauro Bonanomi, Richard E. Fackenthal, William Melton
  • Patent number: 9176831
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Angelo Visconti, Mauro Bonanomi, Richard E. Fackenthal, William Melton
  • Patent number: 9082477
    Abstract: A memory device and method for programming the memory device, including a method for a melting phase change memory cell by applying an electronic signal at a first value and subsequently decreasing the signal value. The phase change memory cell can be substantially crystallized after the decrease in signal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, William Melton, Rich Fackenthal, Andrew Oen
  • Publication number: 20150149838
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Angelo Visconti, Mauro Bonanomi, Richard E. Fackenthal, William Melton
  • Patent number: 8977929
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Angelo Visconti, Mauro Bonanomi, Richard E. Fackenthal, William Melton
  • Publication number: 20140245107
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to avoiding a hard error in memory during write time by shifting data to be programmed to memory to mask the hard error. In one implementation, a method of programming data to a memory array includes obtaining error data corresponding to a selected memory cell, shifting a data pattern such that a value to be stored by the selected memory cell matches a value associated with a hard error, and programming the shifted data pattern to memory array such that the value programmed to the selected memory cell matches the value associated with the hard error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, Angelo Visconti, Mauro Bonanomi, Richard E. Fackenthal, William Melton
  • Publication number: 20130242650
    Abstract: A memory device and method for programming the memory device, including a method for a melting phase change memory cell by applying an electronic signal at a first value and subsequently decreasing the signal value. The phase change memory cell can be substantially crystallized after the decrease in signal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, William Melton, Rich Fackenthal, Andrew Oen
  • Patent number: 8441848
    Abstract: A memory device and method for programming the memory device, more particularly a single pulse algorithm for programming a phase change memory cell or array. The single pulse can heat the memory cell to above its melting point and reduce in signal level so that the memory cell is crystallized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, William Melton, Rich Fackenthal, Andrew Oen
  • Publication number: 20120314491
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a single pulse algorithm for programming a phase change memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aswin Thiruvengadam, William Melton, Rich Fackenthal, Andrew Oen
  • Publication number: 20050250538
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, a method and a computer program product for provisioning Virtual PIN pads on mobile devices, and for enabling customers to make payments using the provisioned Virtual PIN pads for the purchased goods and services. The system comprises a Virtual PIN pad and a transaction backend module. The Virtual PIN pad is a software emulation of a PIN Entry Device (PED) and is provisioned on the mobile device securely with all requisite keys and certificates, while conforming to all security standards of the payment domain. The transaction backend connects the Virtual PIN pad to a payment institution. The customer can make a payment by entering an account identifier card's PIN into the Virtual PIN pad. The Virtual PIN pad encrypts the entered PIN using certified security mechanisms, and transmits it over a secure channel to the payment institution for verification and payment authorization, via the transaction backend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: JULY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Ashok Narasimhan, Rajesh Reddy, Jyothirmoy Chakravorty, William Melton, Dax Abraham
  • Publication number: 20030167481
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of making a transgenic non-human animal cell which is totipotent or totipotent for nuclear transfer and which cell comprises amplified copies of a nucleic acid sequence of interest. The method comprising subjecting a cell from a host cell population to a gene amplification protocol to produce a cell which retains its totipotency or totipotency for nuclear transfer and which comprises amplified copies of the nucleic acid sequence of interest. Because the resulting cells retain totipotency, or totipotency for nuclear transfer, they may be used to generate a transgenic non-human animal which expresses amplified copies of a gene of interest. Consequently, high levels of a product of interest may be obtained from the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventor: David William Melton
  • Patent number: 5175682
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for processing checks in an extremely timely and cost-effective manner. A check recipient, such as a merchant, utility billing department, and the like, utilize hardware and software for quickly gathering data from checks received in order to allow prompt processing of those checks. Such hardware preferably includes a reader for reading the MICR account information printed on the check, and means for associating that data with information pertaining to the transaction at hand, including for example, the dollar amount of the transaction. This information is combined in a data record which is stored for future batch data transmission to a clearing house or the issuing bank itself. In an alternative embodiment, this data is communicated in real time to the clearing house or issuing bank. In another embodiment, one or more selection criteria are used to determine which checks will be processed in real time, with the remaining checks being processed in the batch mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Verifone, Inc.
    Inventors: Connie Higashiyama, William Melton, Ashok Narasimhan