Patents by Inventor James Fitzpatrick

James Fitzpatrick 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).

  • Publication number: 20230393938
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including a memory device and a processing device operatively coupled to the memory device. The processing device can perform operations comprising selecting a source set of memory cells of the memory device, wherein the source set of memory cells are configured to store a first number of bits per memory cell; performing a data integrity check on the source set of memory cells to obtain a data integrity metric value; determining whether the data integrity metric value satisfies a threshold criterion; and responsive to determining that the data integrity metric value fails to satisfy the threshold criterion, causing the memory device to copy data from the source set of memory cells to a destination set of memory cells of the memory device, wherein the destination set of memory cells are configured to store a second number of bits per memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu, Mustafa N. Kaynak, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, Patrick Khayat, Sampath Ratnam, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Jiangang Wu, James Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11829245
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus related to a multi-level error correction architecture used for copying data in memory devices. In one approach, user data is stored in the first partition of a non-volatile memory. First error correction code data is generated for the user data and stored with the user data in the first partition. Second error correction code data is generated for the user data and stored outside the first partition. The second error correction code data provides an increased error correcting capability that is compatible with the error correction algorithm used with the first error correction code data. A copyback operation is used to copy the user data and the first error correction code, but not the second error correction code, to a second partition of the non-volatile memory. The second error correction code can be selectively used if there is a need to recover portions of the user data stored in the first partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mustafa N. Kaynak, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, James Fitzpatrick, Mark A. Helm
  • Patent number: 11830545
    Abstract: A memory system to generate data with a relation among data groups for reliably storing a predetermined number of bits per memory cell in memory cells. For example, from first groups of date bits, a second group of data bits is generated. Data groups of the predetermined number is formed to have the first groups and the second group and a predetermined relation (e.g., XOR or XNOR) among the data groups. Threshold levels of memory cells in a memory cell group are determined based on a predetermined mapping, where a threshold level of each memory cell is determined to represent one bit from each of the data groups. In the predetermined mapping, bit values represented by any two successive threshold levels differ by one bit. Threshold voltages in the memory cell group are programmed according to the threshold levels to store the data groups with improved reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Phong Sy Nguyen, James Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20230360705
    Abstract: A method includes causing a first set of memory cells, associated with a first wordline of a memory array, to be programmed with a first set of threshold voltage distributions; causing a second set of memory cells, associated with a second wordline adjacent to the first wordline, to be programmed with a second set of threshold voltage distributions; after programming the second set of cells, causing the first set of memory cells to be coarse programmed with an intermediate third set of threshold voltage distributions that is at least twice in number compared to the first set; and causing the first set of memory cells to be fine programmed with a final third set of threshold voltage distributions. At least some threshold voltage distributions of the final third set of threshold voltage distributions have wider read window margins than those of the intermediate third set of threshold voltage distributions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Huai-Yuan Tseng, Giovanni Maria Paolucci, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, James Fitzpatrick, Akira Goda
  • Publication number: 20230359388
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for memory read calibration based on memory device-originated metadata characterizing voltage distributions. An example memory device comprises: a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells electrically coupled to a plurality of wordlines; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller to perform operations comprising: receiving one or more metadata values characterizing threshold voltage distributions of a subset of the plurality of memory cells connected to one or more bitlines, wherein the one or more metadata values reflect a conductive state of the one or more bitlines; determining a read voltage adjustment value based on the one or more metadata values; and applying the read voltage adjustment value for reading the subset of the plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Dung Viet Nguyen, Patrick R. Khayat, Zhengang Chen, James Fitzpatrick, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, Eric N. Lee
  • Patent number: 11798627
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing multi-phased programming with balanced Gray coding. A method includes programming, in a first phase, a first portion of data into memory cells of a flash memory in a first-level cell mode. The method also includes retaining, in a cache, at least a subset of the data. The method also includes regenerating the data from at least the cache, wherein the regenerated data includes a second portion of the data. The method also includes programming, in a second phase, the regenerated data in a second-level cell mode based on a mapping from the first-level cell mode to the second-level cell mode. The mapping maps each state distribution in the first-level cell mode to at least two non-adjacent state distributions in the second-level cell mode, and a width of each state distribution in the first-level cell mode may be narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Sergey Anatolievich Gorobets, Xinmiao Zhang, James Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20230333770
    Abstract: A set of host data items is received for programming to the memory subsystem. The set of host data items is programmed to a first region of the memory subsystem that includes one or more memory devices. A determination is made that a sequence at which the set of host data items are programmed across memory devices of the first region does not correspond to a target sequence associated with accessing the set of host data items via the first region. The target sequence corresponds to a sequence that enables a host data items programmed to the memory sub-system to be accessed in parallel. The set of host data items is copied from the first region to a second region of the memory subsystem. A sequence at which the set of host data items is copied to memory devices of the second region corresponds to the target sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Karl David Schuh, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Daniel Jerre Hubbard, James Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20230335201
    Abstract: A method includes causing a read operation to be initiated with respect to a set of target cells. For each target cell, a respective group of adjacent cells is adjacent to the target cell. The method further includes obtaining, for each group of adjacent cells, respective cell state information, assigning, based on the cell state information, each target cell of the set of target cells to a respective state information bin, and determining a set of calibrated read level offsets. Each state information bin is associated with a respective group of target cells of the set of target cells, and each calibrated read level offset of the set of calibrated read level offsets is associated with a respective state information bin of the set of state information bins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, James Fitzpatrick, Huai-Yuan Tseng, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Eric N. Lee, David Scott Ebsen, Dung Viet Nguyen, Akira Goda
  • Patent number: 11782841
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to manage programming mode transitions to accommodate a constant size of data transfer between a host system and a memory sub-system. The memory sub-system counts single-page transitions of atomic programming modes performed within a memory sub-system and determines whether or not to allow any two-page transition of atomic programming modes based on whether an odd or even number of the single-page transitions have been counted. When an odd number of the transitions have been counted, no two-page transition is allowed; otherwise, one or more two-page transitions are allowable. A next transition of atomic programming modes is selected based on the determining of whether or not to allow any two-page transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Subbarao, James Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11775217
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to adaptively and/or iteratively determine sub-operations of executing a read command to retrieve data from memory cells. For example, after receiving the read command from a processing device of a memory sub-system, a memory device starts an atomic operation of executing the read command in the memory device. The memory device can have one or more groups of memory cells formed on an integrated circuit die and a calibration circuit configured to measure signal and noise characteristics of memory cells in the memory device. During the atomic operation, the calibration circuit generates outputs, based on which a read manager of the memory sub-system identifies sub-operations to be performed in the atomic operation and/or decides to end the atomic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fitzpatrick, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, Patrick Robert Khayat, AbdelHakim S. Alhussien
  • Publication number: 20230297470
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus related to a multi-level error correction architecture used for copying data in memory devices. In one approach, user data is stored in the first partition of a non-volatile memory. First error correction code data is generated for the user data and stored with the user data in the first partition. Second error correction code data is generated for the user data and stored outside the first partition. The second error correction code data provides an increased error correcting capability that is compatible with the error correction algorithm used with the first error correction code data. A copyback operation is used to copy the user data and the first error correction code, but not the second error correction code, to a second partition of the non-volatile memory. The second error correction code can be selectively used if there is a need to recover portions of the user data stored in the first partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Mustafa N. Kaynak, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, James Fitzpatrick, Mark A. Helm
  • Patent number: 11762599
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to iterative calibrate read voltages, where higher read voltages are calibrated based on the calibration results of lower read voltages. For example, a memory device initially determines first read voltages of a group of memory cells. The memory device calculates a second read voltage optimized to read the group of memory cells according to first signal and noise characteristics measured based on at least one of the first read voltages. A third read voltage is estimated based on an offset of the second read voltage from a corresponding voltage among the first read voltages. Second signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells are measured based on the third read voltage. The memory device then calculates a fourth read voltage optimized to read the group of memory cells according to the second signal and noise characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdelhakim S. Alhussien, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, James Fitzpatrick, Patrick Robert Khayat
  • Patent number: 11762767
    Abstract: A highly read data manager of a memory device receives a request to perform receives a request to perform a data relocation operation on a first wordline of a plurality of wordlines for a memory device, the memory device comprising a plurality of multi-level memory cells, wherein each multi-level memory cell comprises a plurality of pages; determines at the first wordline comprises data stored at one or more high read disturb pages of the plurality of pages; determines whether the data comprises a characteristic that satisfies a threshold criterion in relation to additional data stored on additional wordlines of the plurality of wordlines; responsive to determining that the data comprises the characteristic that satisfies the threshold criterion, identifies one or more low read disturb pages of the plurality of pages of a target wordline for relocating the data; and responsive to identifying the one or more low read disturb pages of the target wordline, stores at least a portion of the data at the one or more
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Giuseppina Puzzilli, Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu, Ashutosh Malshe, James Fitzpatrick, Shyam Sunder Raghunathan, Violante Moschiano, Tecla Ghilardi
  • Patent number: 11740970
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to dynamically select an option to process encoded data retrieved from memory cells of a memory component, based on a prediction generated using signal and noise characteristics of memory cells storing the encoded data. For example, the memory component is enclosed in an integrated circuit and has a calibration circuit. The signal and noise characteristics are measured by the calibration circuit as a byproduct of executing a read command in the memory component to retrieve the encoded data. A data integrity classifier configured in the memory sub-system generates a prediction based on the signal and noise characteristics. Based on the prediction, the memory sub-system selects an option from a plurality of options configured in the memory sub-system to process the encoded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Robert Khayat, James Fitzpatrick, AbdelHakim S. Alhussien, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 11735252
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for providing programming of multi-level memory cells using an optimized multiphase mapping with a balanced Gray code. A method includes programming, in a first phase, a first portion of data into memory cells in a first-level cell mode. The method may also include reading, from the memory cells, the programmed first portion of the data. The method may also include programming, in a second phase, a second portion of the data into the memory cells in a second-level cell mode, wherein programming the second phase is based on applying, to the read first portion of the data, a mapping from the first-level cell mode to the second-level cell mode. The mapping may be selected based on minimizing an average voltage change of the memory cells from the first to second phase while maintaining a balanced Gray code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mostafa El Gamal, Niranjay Ravindran, James Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11726719
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to: measure a plurality of sets of signal and noise characteristics of a group of memory cells in a memory device; determine a plurality of optimized read voltages of the group of memory cells from the plurality of sets of signal and noise characteristics respectively; generate features from the plurality of sets of signal and noise characteristics, including at least one compound feature generated from the plurality of sets of signal and noise characteristics; generate, using the features, a classification of a bit error rate of data retrievable from the group of memory cells; and control an operation to read the group of memory cells based on the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, James Fitzpatrick, Patrick Robert Khayat, AbdelHakim S. Alhussien
  • Patent number: 11699491
    Abstract: Control logic in a memory device identifies a first plurality of groups of programming distributions, wherein each group comprises a subset of programming distributions associated with a portion of a memory array of the memory device configured as quad-level (QLC) memory. During a first pass of a multi-pass programming operation, the control logic coarsely programs memory cells in the portion configured as QLC memory to initial values representing a second plurality of pages of host data and stores, in a portion of the memory array of the memory device configured as single-level cell (SLC) memory, an indicator of the first plurality of groups of programming distributions with which each of the coarsely programmed memory cells is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Phong Sy Nguyen, James Fitzpatrick, Kishore Kumar Muchherla
  • Patent number: 11676679
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to encode data using an error correcting code and an erasure code for storing data into memory cells and to decode data retrieved from the memory cells. For example, the data units of a predetermined size are separately encoded using the error correcting code (e.g., a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code) to generate parity data of a first layer. Symbols within the data units are cross encoded using the erasure code. Parity symbols of a second layer are calculated according to the erasure code. A collection of parity symbols having a total size equal to the predetermined size can be further encoded using the error correcting code to generate parity data for the parity symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Subbarao, James Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11670396
    Abstract: A memory device to estimate a bit error count of data retrievable from a group of memory cells. For example, the memory device has a group of memory cells programmed to store a predetermined number of bits per memory cells to be read at a plurality of first voltages. The memory device determines a plurality of calibrated read voltages corresponding to the plurality of first voltages respectively, based on first signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells. The first signal and noise characteristics are used to compute second signal and noise characteristics of the group of memory cells for the calibrated read voltages. The second signal and noise characteristics are used in an empirical formula to compute an estimate of the bit error count of data retrievable from the group of memory cells using the calibrated read voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Robert Khayat, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, James Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11662905
    Abstract: A memory sub-system configured to improve performance using signal and noise characteristics of memory cells measured during the execution of a command in a memory component. For example, the memory component is enclosed in an integrated circuit and has a calibration circuit. The signal and noise characteristics are measured by the calibration circuit as a byproduct of executing the command in the memory component. A processing device separate from the memory component transmits the command to the memory component, and receives and processes the signal and noise characteristics to identify an attribute about the memory component. Subsequently, an operation related to data stored in the memory component can be performed based on the attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fitzpatrick, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, Patrick Robert Khayat, AbdelHakim S. Alhussien, Violante Moschiano