Patents by Inventor William C. Waldrop

William C. Waldrop 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: 10269441
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array of a set of memory cells. Each memory cell of the set of memory cells includes at least one transistor and at least one capacitor. The memory array includes at least one programmed memory cell. The programmed memory cell is selectively programmed by applying hot-carrier injection (HCI) to a transistor of the programmed memory cell. The programmed memory cell may provide an indication of pattern data that may be used to facilitate functionality such as data encryption, data decryption, implementation of a particular memory device operation mode, and/or machine-implemented instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 10127994
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array of a set of memory cells. Each memory cell of the set of memory cells includes at least one transistor and at least one capacitor. The memory array includes at least one programmed memory cell. The programmed memory cell is selectively programmed by applying hot-carrier injection (HCI) to a transistor of the programmed memory cell. The programmed memory cell may provide an indication of pattern data that may be used to facilitate functionality such as data encryption, data decryption, implementation of a particular memory device operation mode, and/or machine-implemented instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 9479361
    Abstract: A system and method to operate an electronic device, such as a memory chip, with an output driver circuit that is configured to include an ODT (On-Die Termination) mode detector detects whether there is sufficient internal clocking available to operate the ODT portion in the output driver in the synchronous mode of operation or to switch the operation to the asynchronous mode. The clock-sufficiency based determination of internal ODT mode of operation (synchronous vs. asynchronous) avoids utilization of complex and inflexible clock processing logic in an ODT control unit in the output driver. This enables the actual clocking to the ODT circuitry to be changed during various device operational modes (e.g., active, power down, etc.) without re-designing the ODT control logic for each of those modes. The simplicity and flexibility of the ODT mode detector design allows for efficient use of chip real estate without affecting the signal transfer speed of the output driver in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20110169529
    Abstract: A system and method to operate an electronic device, such as a memory chip, with an output driver circuit that is configured to include an ODT (On-Die Termination) mode detector detects whether there is sufficient internal clocking available to operate the ODT portion in the output driver in the synchronous mode of operation or to switch the operation to the asynchronous mode. The clock-sufficiency based determination of internal ODT mode of operation (synchronous vs. asynchronous) avoids utilization of complex and inflexible clock processing logic in an ODT control unit in the output driver. This enables the actual clocking to the ODT circuitry to be changed during various device operational modes (e.g., active, power down, etc.) without re-designing the ODT control logic for each of those modes. The simplicity and flexibility of the ODT mode detector design allows for efficient use of chip real estate without affecting the signal transfer speed of the output driver in the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 7915924
    Abstract: A system and method to operate an electronic device, such as a memory chip, with an output driver circuit that is configured to include an ODT (On-Die Termination) mode detector detects whether there is sufficient internal clocking available to operate the ODT portion in the output driver in the synchronous mode of operation or to switch the operation to the asynchronous mode. The clock-sufficiency based determination of internal ODT mode of operation (synchronous vs. asynchronous) avoids utilization of complex and inflexible clock processing logic in an ODT control unit in the output driver. This enables the actual clocking to the ODT circuitry to be changed during various device operational modes (e.g., active, power down, etc.) without re-designing the ODT control logic for each of those modes. The simplicity and flexibility of the ODT mode detector design allows for efficient use of chip real estate without affecting the signal transfer speed of the output driver in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20090302892
    Abstract: A system and method to operate an electronic device, such as a memory chip, with an output driver circuit that is configured to include an ODT (On-Die Termination) mode detector detects whether there is sufficient internal clocking available to operate the ODT portion in the output driver in the synchronous mode of operation or to switch the operation to the asynchronous mode. The clock-sufficiency based determination of internal ODT mode of operation (synchronous vs. asynchronous) avoids utilization of complex and inflexible clock processing logic in an ODT control unit in the output driver. This enables the actual clocking to the ODT circuitry to be changed during various device operational modes (e.g., active, power down, etc.) without re-designing the ODT control logic for each of those modes. The simplicity and flexibility of the ODT mode detector design allows for efficient use of chip real estate without affecting the signal transfer speed of the output driver in the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 7560956
    Abstract: A system and method to operate an electronic device, such as a memory chip, with an output driver circuit that is configured to include an ODT (On-Die Termination) mode detector detects whether there is sufficient internal clocking available to operate the ODT portion in the output driver in the synchronous mode of operation or to switch the operation to the asynchronous mode. The clock-sufficiency based determination of internal ODT mode of operation (synchronous vs. asynchronous) avoids utilization of complex and inflexible clock processing logic in an ODT control unit in the output driver. This enables the actual clocking to the ODT circuitry to be changed during various device operational modes (e.g., active, power down, etc.) without re-designing the ODT control logic for each of those modes. The simplicity and flexibility of the ODT mode detector design allows for efficient use of chip real estate without affecting the signal transfer speed of the output driver in the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 7230457
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is discussed that includes a data output driver having two modes of operation for driving a data bus. The output driver includes a circuit to produce a full drive output high signal, a partial drive output high signal, a full drive output low signal and a partial drive output low signal. The output driver is protected against negative voltages on the data bus. The output driver is selectable and adaptable to drive terminated loads and unterminated loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6975149
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6885226
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is discussed that includes a data output driver having two modes of operation for driving a data bus. The output driver includes a circuit to produce a full drive output high signal, a partial drive output high signal, a full drive output low signal and a partial drive output low signal. The output driver is protected against negative voltages on the data bus. The output driver is selectable and adaptable to drive terminated loads and unterminated loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6819151
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20040036515
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6693472
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20030201804
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is discussed that includes an data output driver having two modes of operation for driving a data bus. The output driver includes a circuits to produce a full drive output high signal, a partial drive output high signal, a full drive output low signal and a partial drive output low signal. The output driver is protected against negative voltages on the data bus. The output driver is selectable and adaptable to drive terminated loads and unterminated loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6605969
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6559690
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is discussed that includes an data output driver having two modes of operation for driving a data bus. The output driver includes a circuits to produce a full drive output high signal, a partial drive output high signal, a full drive output low signal and a partial drive output low signal. The output driver is protected against negative voltages on the data bus. The output driver is selectable and adaptable to drive terminated loads and unterminated loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Patent number: 6549041
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a delay locked loop during a reset. The systems and methods provide for activating a reset mode signal to prevent a phase lock signal from forcing the DLL out of a reset, and deactivating the reset mode signal only after at least one shifting operation is performed to allow the phase lock signal to correctly allow the DLL to be out of the reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20030067332
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20030067330
    Abstract: A delay-locked loop adjusts a delay of a clock signal that is generated in response to an external clock signal. The clock signal is applied to an output buffer to clock the buffer so that data or clock signals from the buffer are synchronized with the external clock signal. The output buffer operates in a full-drive and reduced-drive mode in response to an output drive strength bit having first and second logic states, respectively. The delay-locked loop adjusts the delay of the clock signal in response to the state of the output drive strength bit to keep the data or clock signals from the buffer synchronized during both modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Mikhalev, Aaron M. Schoenfeld, Daniel B. Penney, William C. Waldrop
  • Publication number: 20020190766
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a delay locked loop during a reset. The systems and methods provide for activating a reset mode signal to prevent a phase lock signal from forcing the DLL out of a reset, and deactivating the reset mode signal only after at least one shifting operation is performed to allow the phase lock signal to correctly allow the DLL to be out of the reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Waldrop