Patents by Inventor Jeffrey P. Wright

Jeffrey P. Wright 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: 20160133310
    Abstract: Memory die can be stacked to form a three-dimensional integrated circuit. For example, through-silicon vias (TSVs) can permit signals to pass vertically through the three-dimensional integrated circuit. Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods to perform post package trimming of memory die, which advantageously permits the memory die to be trimmed after the memory die is stacked, such that test and trimming characteristics are relatively close to that which will be actually be encountered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Alan J. Wilson, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Patent number: 9324398
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for targeted row refreshes are disclosed herein. In an example apparatus, a predecoder receives a target row address and determines whether a target row of memory associated with the target row address is a primary or a redundant row of memory. The predecoder is further configured to cause one or more rows of memory physically adjacent the primary row of memory to be refreshed if the primary row is the target row or one or more rows of memory physically adjacent the redundant row of memory to be refreshed if the redundant row of memory is the target row of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Jones, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20160027531
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for targeted row refreshes are disclosed herein. In an example apparatus, a predecoder receives a target row address and determines whether a target row of memory associated with the target row address is a primary or a redundant row of memory. The predecoder is further configured to cause one or more rows of memory physically adjacent the primary row of memory to be refreshed if the primary row is the target row or one or more rows of memory physically adjacent the redundant row of memory to be refreshed if the redundant row of memory is the target row of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: WILLIAM F. JONES, JEFFREY P. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20150318032
    Abstract: Apparatuses, sense circuits, and methods for controlling a clock signal to a clock tree is described. An example apparatus includes a consecutive write command detection circuit configured to detect whether a next write command is received within a consecutive write command period of a current write command responsive to the current write command provided at an output of the write command register. The example apparatus further includes a clock signal control circuit coupled to the consecutive write command detection circuit and configured to control a clock signal to an input/output (I/O) latch based on whether the consecutive write command detection circuit detects that the next write command is within the consecutive write command period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Donald M. Morgan, Jongtae Kwak, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150302907
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for implementing masked write commands are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a memory bank, a local buffer circuit, and an address control circuit. The local buffer circuit may be associated with the memory bank. The address control circuit may be coupled to the memory bank and configured to receive a command and an address associated with the command. The address control circuit may include a global buffer circuit configured to store the address. The address control circuit may further be configured to delay the command using one of a plurality of command paths based, at least in part, on a write latency and to provide the address stored in the global buffer circuit to the local buffer circuit to be stored therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark K. Hadrick, Jeffrey P. Wright, Victor Wong, Simon J. Lovett, Donald M. Morgan, William F. Jones, Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Dean D. Gans, Jongtae Kwak
  • Patent number: 9159397
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory refreshing memory cells is described. An example method includes receiving a self refresh command at a memory. The method further includes refreshing the memory at a first refresh rate after receiving the self refresh command. The method further includes refreshing the memory at a second refresh rate in response to a determination that each memory cell of the memory has been refreshed at the first refresh rate. The first refresh rate is greater than a second refresh rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Boehm, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Patent number: 9122570
    Abstract: A memory structure that can perform characterization of output data paths without accessing the main memory array includes: a plurality of output data paths; a plurality of registers coupled to the output data paths. The registers include: at least a first pattern register and a second pattern register, for respectively storing a first data pattern and a second data pattern; and at least a first mapping register, for storing a plurality of binary values, wherein each binary value indicates whether the first data pattern or the second data pattern should be mapped to a corresponding output data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Jeffrey P Wright, Kang-Yong Kim, Eric J. Stave
  • Patent number: 9087570
    Abstract: Apparatuses, sense circuits, and methods for controlling a clock signal to a clock tree is described. An example apparatus includes a consecutive write command detection circuit configured to detect whether a next write command is received within a consecutive write command period of a current write command responsive to the current write command provided at an output of the write command register. The example apparatus further includes a clock signal control circuit coupled to the consecutive write command detection circuit and configured to control a clock signal to an input/output (I/O) latch based on whether the consecutive write command detection circuit detects that the next write command is within the consecutive write command period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Morgan, Jongtae Kwak, Jeffrey P Wright
  • Publication number: 20150067197
    Abstract: A memory structure that can perform characterization of output data paths without accessing the main memory array includes: a plurality of output data paths; a plurality of registers coupled to the output data paths. The registers include: at least a first pattern register and a second pattern register, for respectively storing a first data pattern and a second data pattern; and at least a first mapping register, for storing a plurality of binary values, wherein each binary value indicates whether the first data pattern or the second data pattern should be mapped to a corresponding output data path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Jeffrey P. Wright, Kang-Yong Kim, Eric J. Stave
  • Patent number: 8924803
    Abstract: The invention provides a boundary scan test interface circuit. The boundary scan test interface circuit includes N test input pads, a test interfacing module and M test output pads, wherein N and M are positive integers, and M is smaller than N. The test interfacing module is coupled to the test input pads. The test interfacing module having a plurality of logical gates, and each of input pins of each of the logical gates coupled to each of the test input pads. The test output pads are coupled to output pins of the logical gates in the test interfacing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Glen Earl Hush, Jeffrey P Wright
  • Patent number: 8897052
    Abstract: A DDR SDRAM where unidirectional row logic is associated with and connected to a single memory array instead of being associated with and connected to multiple memory arrays. The unidirectional row logic is located in the outward periphery of its associated array, but is not within a throat region between two arrays. The location of the row logic allows the throat region to include more bidirectional IO circuitry and signal lines servicing two arrays, which increases the performance of the SDRAM. In addition, separate power bussing is employed for the memory arrays and IO circuitry. This prevents noise from the arrays from affecting the IO circuitry and signal lines of the throat region and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: J. Wayne Thompson, Jeffrey P. Wright, Victor Wong, Jim Cullum
  • Patent number: 8816738
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided including one directed to an output driver system, having an adjustable pre-driver configured to maintain a generally constant slew rate of an output driver across a plurality of output driver impedances. Other embodiments provide a method of operating a memory device, including determining an output driver strength of an output driver and configuring the pre-driver based on the determined output driver strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Suryanarayana B. Tatapudi, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140219043
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for targeted row refreshes are disclosed herein. In an example apparatus, a predecoder receives a target row address and determines whether a target row of memory associated with the target row address is a primary or a redundant row of memory. The predecoder is further configured to cause one or more rows of memory physically adjacent the primary row of memory to be refreshed if the primary row is the target row or one or more rows of memory physically adjacent the redundant row of memory to be refreshed if the redundant row of memory is the target row of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: William F. Jones, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140198591
    Abstract: Apparatuses, sense circuits, and methods for controlling a clock signal to a clock tree is described. An example apparatus includes a consecutive write command detection circuit configured to detect whether a next write command is received within a consecutive write command period of a current write command responsive to the current write command provided at an output of the write command register. The example apparatus further includes a clock signal control circuit coupled to the consecutive write command detection circuit and configured to control a clock signal to an input/output (I/O) latch based on whether the consecutive write command detection circuit detects that the next write command is within the consecutive write command period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Morgan, Jongtae Kwak, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140153350
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory refreshing memory cells is described. An example method includes receiving a self refresh command at a memory. The method further includes refreshing the memory at a first refresh rate after receiving the self refresh command. The method further includes refreshing the memory at a second refresh rate in response to a determination that each memory cell of the memory has been refreshed at the first refresh rate. The first refresh rate is greater than a second refresh rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron P. Boehm, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20140108877
    Abstract: The invention provides a boundary scan test interface circuit. The boundary scan test interface circuit includes N test input pads, a test interfacing module and M test output pads, wherein N and M are positive integers, and M is smaller than N. The test interfacing module is coupled to the test input pads. The test interfacing module having a plurality of logical gates, and each of input pins of each of the logical gates coupled to each of the test input pads. The test output pads are coupled to output pins of the logical gates in the test interfacing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Glen Earl Hush, Jeffrey P. Wright
  • Publication number: 20120324179
    Abstract: Memories, buffered write command circuits, and methods for executing memory commands in a memory. In some embodiments, read commands that are received after write commands are executed internally prior to executing the earlier received write commands. Write commands are buffered so that the commands can be executed upon completion of the later received read command. One example of a buffered write command circuit includes a write command buffer to buffer write commands and propagate buffered write commands therethrough in response to a clock signal and further includes write command buffer logic. The write command buffer logic generates an active clock signal to propagate the buffered write commands through the write command buffer for execution, suspends the active clock signal in response to receiving a read command after the write command is received, and restarts the active clock upon completion of the later received read command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Todd D. Farrell, Jeffrey P. Wright, Victor Wong, Alan J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120246434
    Abstract: A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Janzen, Brent Keeth, Jeffrey P. Wright, James S. Cullum
  • Publication number: 20120232716
    Abstract: A circuit and method for providing temperature data indicative of a temperature measured by a temperature sensor. The circuit is coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to identify for a coarse temperature range one of a plurality of fine temperature ranges corresponding to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor and generate temperature data that is provided on an asynchronous output data path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff W. Janzen, Jeffrey P. Wright, Todd D. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8250328
    Abstract: Memories, buffered write command circuits, and methods for executing memory commands in a memory. In some embodiments, read commands that are received after write commands are executed internally prior to executing the earlier received write commands. Write commands are buffered so that the commands can be executed upon completion of the later received read command. One example of a buffered write command circuit includes a write command buffer to buffer write commands and propagate buffered write commands therethrough in response to a clock signal and further includes write command buffer logic. The write command buffer logic generates an active clock signal to propagate the buffered write commands through the write command buffer for execution, suspends the active clock signal in response to receiving a read command after the write command is received, and restarts the active clock upon completion of the later received read command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd D. Farrell, Jeffrey P. Wright, Victor Wong, Alan J. Wilson