Smart Memory Solutions vs. MICRON、Winbond

Smart Memory Solutions LLC 於2011.9.14.在德拉威爾地方法院提起關於 EPROM 技術之專利訴訟，控告Winbond、 MICRON侵害栽利，並要求支付損害賠償。
本案系爭專利為US5,416,738，系爭產品包括：
Micron：Numonyx PF38F3050M0Y3DEA 128 Mbit StrataFlash memory device
Winbond：Winbond ElectronicsW25X40BVSNIG Serial Flash memory device

US5,416,738
Title : Single transistor flash EPROM cell and method of operation
Filing Date : 1994.5.27.
Issue Date : 1995.5.16.
Abstract :
A flash EPROM memory cell array includes a plurality of flash cells arranged as a matrix of rows in columns of said cells. Each cell includes a single transistor. For each row of flash cells in the matrix, a corresponding bit line is connected to the drain region of each memory cell transistor in that row. For each column of flash cells, a corresponding wordline is connected to the control gate of each memory cell transistor in that column. Bias circuitry is provided for applying read bias voltages to the array for reading data from a selected cell in the matrix. The read bias circuitry includes means for applying a first control gate voltage to the wordline connected to the control gate of the selected cell and the second control gate voltage to the deselected wordlines. The first control gate voltage is positive and higher than the highest erased threshold voltage from the erased cell threshold voltage distribution and less than the lowest programmed threshold voltage from the programmed cell threshold distribution such that programmed cells in the selected row are shut off with insignificant drain current conduction. The second control gate voltage is less than the lowest erased threshold voltage such that erased cells connected to deselected wordlines are shut off with insignificant drain current conduction when the second control gate voltage is applied to the gates of the erased cells, even if the erased cells are overerased to negative threshold voltages.

專利權轉移過程
系爭專利發明人為 Ritu Shrivastava ，原專利權人為加州半導體公司 Alliance Semiconductor Corporation 。2007.5.3.轉讓給專利授權公司Acacia Patent Acquisition Corporation，2011.2.14.Acacia Patent Acquisition Corporation又將此專利權轉移給 Smart Memory Solutions LLC，Smart Memory Solutions LLC 是一家專利控股公司，隸屬於專利授權公司 Acacia Research Group 旗下。