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:
Jun. 06, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2004
Giulio-giuseppe Marotta, Contigliano, IT;
Elio D'ambrosio, Avezzano, IT;
Giulio-Giuseppe Marotta, Contigliano, IT;
Elio D'Ambrosio, Avezzano, IT;
Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);
Abstract
An input buffer is discussed that inhibits semiconductor breakdown of thin gate-oxide transistors in low-voltage integrated circuits. One aspect of the input buffer includes an input stage having a gate, a drain, and a source. The gate of the input stage is receptive to an inhibiting signal, and the drain is receptive to an input signal. The input stage inhibits the input signal from being presented at the source of the input stage when the inhibiting signal is at a predetermined level. The input buffer further includes an output stage having an inverter that includes a first connection and a second connection. The first connection couples to the source of the input stage, and the second connection presents the input signal to a low-voltage flash memory device.