Patents by Inventor Clifford Alan Zitlaw

Clifford Alan Zitlaw has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11010062
    Abstract: A peripheral device includes a function block to provide data in response to a request from a host device, a data channel coupled with the function block to transmit the data from the function block to a host device as one or more packets, and output logic coupled with the data channel and configured to indicate validity of the data transmitted via the data channel by causing a signal to transition for each of the one or more packets of the data transmitted to the host device via the data channel, and transmit the signal to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alan McClain, Qamrul Hasan, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Publication number: 20190212920
    Abstract: A peripheral device includes a function block to provide data in response to a request from a host device, a data channel coupled with the function block to transmit the data from the function block to a host device as one or more packets, and output logic coupled with the data channel and configured to indicate validity of the data transmitted via the data channel by causing a signal to transition for each of the one or more packets of the data transmitted to the host device via the data channel, and transmit the signal to the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alan McClain, Qamrul Hasan, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 10303625
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods are provided that facilitate employing a variable read latency on a serial memory bus. In an aspect, a memory can utilize an undefined amount of time to obtain data from a memory array and prepare the data for transfer on the serial memory bus. The serial memory bus can be driven to a defined state. When data is ready for transfer, the memory can assert a start bit on the serial memory bus to notify a host prior to initiating the data transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 10120590
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, methods and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a read data strobe signal received at a host device from a peripheral device to convey variable latency (flow) control or report an error in the data content read from the peripheral device. Reception of the read data strobe signal before a predetermined maximum latency time, provides variable latency control back to the host by indicating when valid data is available for capture. If the read data strobe signal is not received before expiration of a predetermined maximum latency time, the peripheral controller is indicating a read data error back to the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alan McClain, Qamrul Hasan, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 9632867
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reading from a non-volatile memory (NVM) device including: retrieving a set of data from an NVM array according to a read sequence for a requested set of logical memory locations received from a host device, detecting errors in the set of data, preparing an error indicator to be output to a host device substantially upon detection of the errors and outputting the error indication in response to a command being received from the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kfir Mizrachi, Ifat Nitzan Kalderon, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Publication number: 20170090781
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, methods and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a read data strobe signal received at a host device from a peripheral device to convey variable latency (flow) control or report an error in the data content read from the peripheral device. Reception of the read data strobe signal before a predetermined maximum latency time, provides variable latency control back to the host by indicating when valid data is available for capture. If the read data strobe signal is not received before expiration of a predetermined maximum latency time, the peripheral controller is indicating a read data error back to the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Alan McClain, Qamrul Hasan, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 9477619
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method and/or computer program product embodiments for increasing memory bandwidth when accessing a plurality of memory devices. An embodiment operates by executing, by at least one processor, a first read operation to read data from a first memory device following an access time for the first memory device. The embodiment further includes executing, by the at least one processor, a second read operation to read data from a second memory device following an access time for the second memory device. The access time for the second memory device is substantially the same or longer than the access time for the first memory device plus a time it takes to read data from the first memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Inventors: Qamrul Hasan, Dawn M. Hopper, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 9454421
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, methods and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a read data strobe signal received at a host device from a peripheral device to convey variable latency (flow) control or report an error in the data content read from the peripheral device. Reception of the read data strobe signal before a predetermined maximum latency time, provides variable latency control back to the host by indicating when valid data is available for capture. If the read data strobe signal is not received before expiration of a predetermined maximum latency time, the peripheral controller is indicating a read data error back to the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Alan McClain, Qamrul Hasan, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Publication number: 20160162355
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reading from a non-volatile memory (NVM) device including: retrieving a set of data from an NVM array according to a read sequence for a requested set of logical memory locations received from a host device, detecting errors in the set of data, preparing an error indicator to be output to a host device substantially upon detection of the errors and outputting the error indication in response to a command being received from the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Kfir Mizrachi, Ifat Nitzan Kalderon, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 9355051
    Abstract: A memory controller is provided. In response to a burst read command that includes a target address, the memory controller provides, to one or more busses, data stored in memory at the target address after dummy clock cycles have occurred. The memory controller also provides a preamble on the bus(ses) during some of the dummy clock cycles. The preamble includes a data training pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 9223726
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a preamble memory and a memory controller. The preamble memory is arranged to store a read preamble such that the read preamble includes a training pattern that is suitable for aligning a capture point for read data. Further, the training pattern is programmable such that the training pattern can be altered at least once subsequent to manufacture of the preamble memory. In response to a read command, the memory controller provides the read preamble stored in the preamble memory, as well as the read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford Alan Zitlaw, Anthony Le
  • Publication number: 20150106664
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, methods and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for using a read data strobe signal received at a host device from a peripheral device to convey variable latency (flow) control or report an error in the data content read from the peripheral device. Reception of the read data strobe signal before a predetermined maximum latency time, provides variable latency control back to the host by indicating when valid data is available for capture. If the read data strobe signal is not received before expiration of a predetermined maximum latency time, the peripheral controller is indicating a read data error back to the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan McCLAIN, Qamrul Hasan, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 8990605
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a preamble disable memory and a memory controller. The preamble disable memory is arranged to store preamble disable data. The preamble disable data includes an indication as to whether a read preamble should be enabled or disabled. In response to a read command, if the preamble disable data includes an indication that the read preamble should be enabled, the memory controller provides the read preamble. Alternatively, in response to the read command, if the preamble disable data includes an indication that the read preamble should be disabled, the memory controller disables the read preamble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Alan Zitlaw, Wendy P. Lee-Kadlec, Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8966151
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a memory bus interface including a read data strobe. The interface includes a chip select for delivering a chip select signal that indicates when a peripheral device is activated, wherein said bus interface provides communication between a host device and said peripheral device. The interface also includes a differential clock pair for delivering a differential clock signal. A read data strobe is included in the interface for delivering a read data strobe signal from the peripheral device. The interface includes a data bus for delivering command, address, and data information. The read data strobe indicates when valid data is present on the data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Publication number: 20140365744
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method and/or computer program product embodiments for increasing memory bandwidth when accessing a plurality of memory devices. An embodiment operates by executing, by at least one processor, a first read operation to read data from a first memory device following an access time for the first memory device. The embodiment further includes executing, by the at least one processor, a second read operation to read data from a second memory device following an access time for the second memory device. The access time for the second memory device is substantially the same or longer than the access time for the first memory device plus a time it takes to read data from the first memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Qamrul HASAN, Dawn Hopper, Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 8806071
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array, an output buffer, an initial latency register, and an output signal. Often times a host device that interfaces with the memory device is clocked at high rate such that data extraction rates of the memory device are not adequate to support a gapless data transfer. The output signal is operable to stall a transmission between the memory device and the host device when data extraction rates from the memory array are not adequate to support output rates of the output buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Publication number: 20140215111
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods are provided that facilitate employing a variable read latency on a serial memory bus. In an aspect, a memory can utilize an undefined amount of time to obtain data from a memory array and prepare the data for transfer on the serial memory bus. The serial memory bus can be driven to a defined state. When data is ready for transfer, the memory can assert a start bit on the serial memory bus to notify a host prior to initiating the data transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Patent number: 8725920
    Abstract: Systems and/or methods are provided that facilitate employing a variable read latency on a serial memory bus. In an aspect, a memory can utilize an undefined amount of time to obtain data from a memory array and prepare the data for transfer on the serial memory bus. The serial memory bus can be driven to a defined state. When data is ready for transfer, the memory can assert a start bit on the serial memory bus to notify a host prior to initiating the data transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw
  • Publication number: 20130262907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a memory bus interface including a read data strobe. The interface includes a chip select for delivering a chip select signal that indicates when a peripheral device is activated, wherein said bus interface provides communication between a host device and said peripheral device. The interface also includes a differential clock pair for delivering a differential clock signal. A read data strobe is included in the interface for delivering a read data strobe signal from the peripheral device. The interface includes a data bus for delivering command, address, and data information. The read data strobe indicates when valid data is present on the data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Clifford Alan ZITLAW
  • Publication number: 20130191558
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array, an output buffer, an initial latency register, and an output signal. Often times a host device that interfaces with the memory device is clocked at high rate such that data extraction rates of the memory device are not adequate to support a gapless data transfer. The output signal is operable to stall a transmission between the memory device and the host device when data extraction rates from the memory array are not adequate to support output rates of the output buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Clifford Alan Zitlaw