US3764906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stored charge detection by charge transfer
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1971-10-01
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1991-10-01
Abstract
Abstract The amount of charge stored in a charge storage system can be transferred with negligible loss from the storage system to a charge detector without regard to the size of any distributed capacitance present on the line transferring the charge. This is achieved by charging a detector capacitor and the capacitance of the transfer line, to a reference voltage, allowing the stored charge system and the transfer line capacitance to equalize at a voltage level below the reference voltage, and transferring charge from the detector capacitor to the line capacitance and the charge storage system to return the line and the charge storage system to the reference voltage of charge. The voltage remaining on the detector capacitor is then equal to the original state of charge in the storage system. A particular circuit for performing this method in conjunction with semiconductor memory arrays is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 L Heller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:02
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C19/00; G11C19/28; G11C19/282; G11C19/285; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C11/403; G11C11/404; G11C11/4063; G11C11/407; G11C11/409; G11C11/4094; G11C11/4099
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A circuit for the measurement of charge comprising, a first capacitor for storing a Charge, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor, said second capacitor being larger than said first capacitor and said third capacitor, means for applying a reference voltage to said second capacitor and said third capacitor for providing charge thereon, first switch means for selectively connecting said charged second capacitor to said first capacitor, second switch means for selectively connecting said third charged capacitor to said second capacitor for re-charging said second capacitor to its reference voltage, and means coupled to said third capacitor for determining any change in voltage across said third capacitor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A circuit for the measurement of charge comprising, a first capacitor for storing a Charge, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor, said second capacitor being larger than said first capacitor and said third capacitor, means for applying a reference voltage to said second capacitor and said third capacitor for providing charge thereon, first switch means for selectively connecting said charged second capacitor to said first capacitor, second switch means for selectively connecting said third charged capacitor to said second capacitor for re-charging said second capacitor to its reference voltage, and means coupled to said third capacitor for determining any change in voltage across said third capacitor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein said first and said third capacitors are equal in value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit for effectively transferring a stored charge from a storage capacitor to a measurement capacitor via a transfer line having parasitic capacitances associated therewith comprising, reference voltage setting means coupled between the measurement capacitor and the line, biasing means coupled to the reference voltage setting means for setting a reference voltage on the transfer line to pre-load the parasitic capacitances associated with the line to prevent the line from affecting the effective transfer of the stored charge via the line to the measurement capacitor, means for setting the reference voltage on the measurement capacitor, means for coupling the storage capacitor to the line to permit equalization of voltage between the line and the storage capacitor, means for resetting through the reference voltage setting means the reference voltage on the transfer line from the measurement capacitor, and means coupled to the measurement capacitor for measuring the charge on said measurement capacitor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
A circuit for effectively transferring a stored charge from a storage capacitor to a measurement capacitor via a transfer line having parasitic capacitances associated therewith comprising, reference voltage setting means coupled between the measurement capacitor and the line, biasing means coupled to the reference voltage setting means for setting a reference voltage on the transfer line to pre-load the parasitic capacitances associated with the line to prevent the line from affecting the effective transfer of the stored charge via the line to the measurement capacitor, means for setting the reference voltage on the measurement capacitor, means for coupling the storage capacitor to the line to permit equalization of voltage between the line and the storage capacitor, means for resetting through the reference voltage setting means the reference voltage on the transfer line from the measurement capacitor, and means coupled to the measurement capacitor for measuring the charge on said measurement capacitor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
A circuit for transferring, with negligible loss, a quantity of charge stored in a charge storage system to a charge detector system through a transfer line having parasitic capacitance, coupling the storage system and the detector system, comprising means coupled to the detector system for charging the detector system and the capacitance of the transfer line to a reference voltage, means for selectively coupling the charge storage system to the transfer line to raise the voltage level of the storage system towards the reference voltage by transferring charge from the capacitance of the line to the storage system, and means coupling the detector system to the transfer line for transferring charge from the detector system to the line capacitance to return the line capacitance to the reference voltage so that the voltage remaining on the detector system is indicative of said quantity of charge stored in the storage system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
149 words
A circuit for transferring, with negligible loss, a quantity of charge stored in a charge storage system to a charge detector system through a transfer line having parasitic capacitance, coupling the storage system and the detector system, comprising means coupled to the detector system for charging the detector system and the capacitance of the transfer line to a reference voltage, means for selectively coupling the charge storage system to the transfer line to raise the voltage level of the storage system towards the reference voltage by transferring charge from the capacitance of the line to the storage system, and means coupling the detector system to the transfer line for transferring charge from the detector system to the line capacitance to return the line capacitance to the reference voltage so that the voltage remaining on the detector system is indicative of said quantity of charge stored in the storage system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit of claim 4 wherein said charge storage system is the source to ground capacitance of an FET.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The circuit of claim 5 wherein said coupling means is an FET.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit of claim 6 wherein the means for transferring charge from the detector capacitor to the line capacitance is an FET.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of measuring with negligible loss, an amount of charge stored in a charge storage system comprising, the steps of coupling a charge storage system through a capacitive transfer line to a charge detection system, having a detector capacitor, charging any stray capacitances in the transfer line to a known reference voltage, charging the detector system to a known reference voltage, connecting the charge storage system to the transfer line to permit voltage equalization between the storage system and the line, decoupling the charge storage system from the line, coupling the detector capacitor to the line to return the line to its known reference voltage, and measuring the charge remaining on the detector capacitor, said remaining charge being substantially equal to the original charge in the storage system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of measuring with negligible loss, an amount of charge stored in a charge storage system comprising, the steps of coupling a charge storage system through a capacitive transfer line to a charge detection system, having a detector capacitor, charging any stray capacitances in the transfer line to a known reference voltage, charging the detector system to a known reference voltage, connecting the charge storage system to the transfer line to permit voltage equalization between the storage system and the line, decoupling the charge storage system from the line, coupling the detector capacitor to the line to return the line to its known reference voltage, and measuring the charge remaining on the detector capacitor, said remaining charge being substantially equal to the original charge in the storage system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
A circuit comprising a charge storage medium, first and second capacitors, means for selectively storing a charge in said charge storage medium, means for charging said first and second capacitors to reference voltages, means coupling said charged first capacitor to said storage medium for discharging a portion of said charge in said first capacitor into said storage medium, means coupling said charged second capacitor to said partially discharged first capacitor for discharging said second capacitor into said first capacitor to re-establish said first capacitor to approximately its reference voltage, and means for determining the amount of charge remaining in said discharged second capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A circuit comprising a charge storage medium, first and second capacitors, means for selectively storing a charge in said charge storage medium, means for charging said first and second capacitors to reference voltages, means coupling said charged first capacitor to said storage medium for discharging a portion of said charge in said first capacitor into said storage medium, means coupling said charged second capacitor to said partially discharged first capacitor for discharging said second capacitor into said first capacitor to re-establish said first capacitor to approximately its reference voltage, and means for determining the amount of charge remaining in said discharged second capacitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein said charge storage medium is a third capacitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first capacitor is substantially larger than said second capacitor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A circuit as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second and third capacitors are substantially of the same value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
119 words
A circuit comprising a charge storage medium, first and second capacitors, means for selectively storing a charge in said charge storage medium, means for charging said first and second capacitors to reference voltages, means interconnecting said charged first capacitor and said storage medium for altering said charge in said first capacitor, means interconnecting said charged second capacitor and said charge altered first capacitor for altering charge on said second capacitor to re-establish said first capacitor to approximately its reference voltage, and means for determining the amount of charge in said charge altered second capacitor, whereby the amount of charge in said charge altered second capacitor is indicative of the amount of charge selectively stored in said charge storage medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
119 words
A circuit comprising a charge storage medium, first and second capacitors, means for selectively storing a charge in said charge storage medium, means for charging said first and second capacitors to reference voltages, means interconnecting said charged first capacitor and said storage medium for altering said charge in said first capacitor, means interconnecting said charged second capacitor and said charge altered first capacitor for altering charge on said second capacitor to re-establish said first capacitor to approximately its reference voltage, and means for determining the amount of charge in said charge altered second capacitor, whereby the amount of charge in said charge altered second capacitor is indicative of the amount of charge selectively stored in said charge storage medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3414807A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |