US5767735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable stage charge pump
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1996-10-03
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Granted: 1998-06-16
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Expires: 2016-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A variable stage charge pump for a flash memory device is described. The variable stage charge pump includes a first charge pump and a second charge pump. A first switch couples an output of the first charge pump to an input of the second charge pump. A second switch couples an input of the first charge pump to the input of the second charge pump. The first and second charge pumps are series-coupled to a common output node when the first switch is in a first position and the second switch is in a second position, wherein the first and second charge pumps are parallel-coupled to the common output node when the first switch is in the second position and the second switch is in the first position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jahanshir J. Javanifard
- 👤 Kerry D. Tedrow
- 👤 Jin-lien Lin
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Evertt
- 👤 Gregory E. Atwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:14
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/06; G11C16/30; G11C7/00; G11C5/00; G11C5/14; G11C5/145; H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/06; H02M3/07; H02M1/00; H02M1/0067; H02M1/007; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A variable stage charge pump comprising: n charge pumps including a first charge pump and m other charge pumps; m first switches, wherein each first switch couples an input of an associated one of the m charge pumps with an output of a preceding charge pump, wherein the first charge pump is the preceding charge pump for the first one of the m charge pumps; m second switches, each second switch coupling the input of an associated one of the m charge pumps and an input of the first charge pump; wherein the n charge pumps are series-coupled if all the first switches are in a first position and all the second switches are in a second position, wherein the n charge pumps are parallel-coupled if all the first switches are in a second position and all the second switches are in a first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A variable stage charge pump comprising: n charge pumps including a first charge pump and m other charge pumps; m first switches, wherein each first switch couples an input of an associated one of the m charge pumps with an output of a preceding charge pump, wherein the first charge pump is the preceding charge pump for the first one of the m charge pumps; m second switches, each second switch coupling the input of an associated one of the m charge pumps and an input of the first charge pump; wherein the n charge pumps are series-coupled if all the first switches are in a first position and all the second switches are in a second position, wherein the n charge pumps are parallel-coupled if all the first switches are in a second position and all the second switches are in a first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The variable stage charge pump of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of diode-connected metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors, each coupled between an output of one of the n charge pumps and the common output node.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The variable stage charge pump of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of first and second switches further comprises a low threshold voltage metal-oxide semiconductor transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The variable stage charge pump of claim 1 wherein at least one of the charge pumps includes a plurality of series-coupled stages.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-15 | 2001-12-15 | 2002-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-15 | 2005-12-15 | 2006-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-15 | 2009-12-15 | 2010-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |