Fliesler, Dubb, Meyer & Lovejoy
Non-volatile storage device refresh time detector
 A timing apparatus for monitoring when a memory array in a non-volatile storage device needs to be refreshed includes a programmable semiconductor device and detecting means for detecting when the amount of charge on the programmable semiconductor device has diminished to at most a threshold amount. In one embodiment, the programmable semiconductor device is a floating gate transistor programmed by adding charge to the floating gate. The detecting means monitors the I.sub.DS current of the transistor and determines an array refresh time when more than a negligible amount of I.sub.DS current is detected. 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
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Jonathan Chi Yuan Chung K. Lee E.
Su Chang Tang Chang Cleveland