The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 2004
Filed:
May. 15, 2002
Kenneth K. Smith, Boise, ID (US);
Andrew VanBrocklin, Corvallis, OR (US);
Peter J. Fricke, Corvallis, OR (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for storing data are provided. A representative system for storing data includes a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device having a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction and a non-magnetic tunnel junction that are connected in series. The magnetic tunnel junction stores a bit value corresponding to a logic high (1) or a logic low (0). The non-magnetic tunnel junction provides little resistance when the memory cell is being read, and a substantially high resistance when the memory cell is not being read. As a result, a negligible level of parasitic current leaks through memory cells that are not being read.