Patents by Inventor John B. Halbert

John B. Halbert 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: 9558066
    Abstract: Providing access to an external memory controller to internal error correction bits from a memory device for use as metadata bits by the memory controller. In a first mode the memory device applies internal error correction bits for internal error correction at the memory device. In a second mode the memory device provides access to the internal error correction bits to the memory controller to allow the memory controller to use the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nadav Bonen, Kuljit S Bains, John B Halbert
  • Patent number: 9536588
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods include an active mode to accommodate read/write operations of a memory device and a self-refresh mode to accommodate recharging of voltage levels representing stored data when read/write operations are idle. At least one register source provides a first voltage level and a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level. With such a configuration, during the active mode, the memory device operates at the first voltage level as provided by the at least one register source, and during the self-refresh mode, the memory device operates at the second voltage level as provided by the at least one register source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cox, Kuljit Singh Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Patent number: 9536863
    Abstract: Apparatuses for interconnecting integrated circuit dies. A first set of single-ended transmitter circuits are included on a first die. The transmitter circuits are impedance matched and have no equalization. A first set of single-ended receiver circuits are included on a second die. The receiver circuits have no termination and no equalization. Conductive lines are coupled between the first set of transmitter circuits and the first set of receiver circuits. The lengths of the conductive lines are matched. The first die, the first set of single-ended transmitter circuits, the second die, the first set of single ended receiver circuits and the conductive lines are disposed within a first package. A second set of single-ended transmitter circuits are included on the first die. The transmitter circuits are impedance matched and have no equalization. Data transmitted from the second set of transmitter circuits is transmitted according to a data bus inversion (DBI) scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Hinck, Zuoguo Wu, Aaron Martin, Andrew W. Martwick, John B. Halbert
  • Patent number: 9530468
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging information between a memory controller and a memory device. In an embodiment, a memory controller receives information indicating for a memory device a threshold number of pending consolidated activation commands to access that memory device. The threshold number indicated by the information is less than a theoretical maximum number of pending consolidated activation commands, the theoretical maximum number defined based on timing parameters of the memory device. In another embodiment, the memory controller limits communication of consolidated activation commands to the memory device based on the information indicating the threshold number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Halbert, Bruce A. Christenson, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Publication number: 20160350180
    Abstract: A memory subsystem enables managing error correction information. A memory device internally performs error detection for a range of memory locations, and increments an internal count for each error detected. The memory device includes ECC logic to generate an error result indicating a difference between the internal count and a baseline number of errors preset for the memory device. The memory device can provide the error result to an associated host of the system to expose only a number of errors accumulated without exposing internal errors from prior to incorporation into a system. The memory device can be made capable to generate internal addresses to execute commands received from the memory controller. The memory device can be made capable to reset the counter after a first pass through the memory area in which errors are counted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: John B. Halbert, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Publication number: 20160300606
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods include an active mode to accommodate read/write operations of a memory device and a self-refresh mode to accommodate recharging of voltage levels representing stored data when read/write operations are idle. At least one register source provides a first voltage level and a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level. With such a configuration, during the active mode, the memory device operates at the first voltage level as provided by the at least one register source, and during the self-refresh mode, the memory device operates at the second voltage level as provided by the at least one register source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher E. COX, Kuljit Singh BAINS, John B. HALBERT
  • Publication number: 20160283318
    Abstract: Error correction in a memory subsystem includes a memory device generating internal check bits after performing internal error detection and correction, and providing the internal check bits to the memory controller. The memory device performs internal error detection to detect errors in read data in response to a read request from the memory controller. The memory device selectively performs internal error correction if an error is detected in the read data. The memory device generates check bits indicating an error vector for the read data after performing internal error detection and correction, and provides the check bits with the read data to the memory controller in response to the read request. The memory controller can apply the check bits for error correction external to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Debaleena Das, Bill Nale, Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Publication number: 20160276015
    Abstract: Detection logic of a memory subsystem obtains a threshold for a memory device that indicates a number of accesses within a time window that causes risk of data corruption on a physically adjacent row. The detection logic obtains the threshold from a register that stores configuration information for the memory device, and can be a register on the memory device itself and/or can be an entry of a configuration storage device of a memory module to which the memory device belongs. The detection logic determines whether a number of accesses to a row of the memory device exceeds the threshold. In response to detecting the number of accesses exceeds the threshold, the detection logic can generate a trigger to cause the memory device to perform a refresh targeted to a physically adjacent victim row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Publication number: 20160254044
    Abstract: Memory subsystem refresh management enables commands to access one or more identified banks across different bank groups with a single command. Instead of sending commands identifying a bank or banks in separate bank groups by each bank group individually, the command can cause the memory device to access banks in different bank groups. The command can be a refresh command. The command can be a precharge command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert, Nadav Bonen, Tomer Levy
  • Publication number: 20160254036
    Abstract: Flexible command addressing for memory. An embodiment of a memory device includes a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM); and a system element coupled with the DRAM, the system element including a memory controller for control of the DRAM. The DRAM includes a memory bank, a bus, the bus including a plurality of pins for the receipt of commands, and a logic, wherein the logic provides for shared operation of the bus for a first type of command and a second type of command received on a first set of pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Publication number: 20160225433
    Abstract: A memory controller issues a targeted refresh command. A specific row of a memory device can be the target of repeated accesses. When the row is accessed repeatedly within a time threshold (also referred to as “hammered” or a “row hammer event”), physically adjacent row (a “victim” row) may experience data corruption. The memory controller receives an indication of a row hammer event, identifies the row associated with the row hammer event, and sends one or more commands to the memory device to cause the memory device to perform a targeted refresh that will refresh the victim row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Kuljit S Bains, John B Halbert, Christopher P Mozak, Theodore Z Schoenborn, Zvika Greenfield
  • Publication number: 20160225434
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to facilitate an operational mode of a memory device to prepare for a targeted refresh of a row in memory. In an embodiment, the memory device performs one or more operations while in the mode to prepare for a future command from a memory controller, the command to implement, at least in part, a targeted refresh of a row in a first bank of the memory device. Prior to such a command, the memory device services another command from the memory controller. In another embodiment, servicing the other command includes the memory device accessing a second bank of the memory device while the memory device operates in the mode, and before completion of an expected future targeted row refresh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: John B. Halbert, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Patent number: 9396784
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods include an active mode to accommodate read/write operations of a memory device and a self-refresh mode to accommodate recharging of voltage levels representing stored data when read/write operations are idle. At least one register source provides a first voltage level and a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level. With such a configuration, during the active mode, the memory device operates at the first voltage level as provided by the at least one register source, and during the self-refresh mode, the memory device operates at the second voltage level as provided by the at least one register source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cox, Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Patent number: 9390785
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for determining a write recovery time of a memory device. In an embodiment, thermal detection logic detects a signal from a thermal sensor indicating a temperature state of a resource of the memory device. A value of a write recovery parameter is set based on the signal from the thermal sensor. In another embodiment, command logic generates a signal to precharge one or more cells of the memory device. The write recovery parameter is used by timer logic to control a timing of the signal to precharge the one or more cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Halbert, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Patent number: 9384821
    Abstract: Detection logic of a memory subsystem obtains a threshold for a memory device that indicates a number of accesses within a time window that causes risk of data corruption on a physically adjacent row. The detection logic obtains the threshold from a register that stores configuration information for the memory device, and can be a register on the memory device itself and/or can be an entry of a configuration storage device of a memory module to which the memory device belongs. The detection logic determines whether a number of accesses to it row of the memory device exceeds the threshold. In response to detecting the number of accesses exceeds the threshold, the detection logic can generate a trigger to cause the memory device to perform a refresh targeted to a physically adjacent victim row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuljit S Bains, John B Halbert
  • Publication number: 20160163376
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to provide write access to a memory device. In an embodiment, a memory controller sends commands to a memory device which comprises multiple memory banks. The memory controller further sends a signal specifying that the commands include back-to-back write commands each to access the same memory bank. In response to the signal, the memory device buffers first data of a first write command, wherein the first data is buffered at least until the memory device receives second data of a second write command. Error correction information is calculated for a combination of the first data and second data, and the combination is written to the memory bank. In another embodiment, buffering of the first data and combining of the first data with the second data is performed, based on the signal from the memory controller, in lieu of read-modify-write processing of the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert
  • Patent number: 9361970
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may include an apparatus having a segment wordline enable coupled to logic to selectively disable ones of a number of segment wordline drivers. The logic may partition a page of the apparatus to reduce power consumed through activation of the disabled ones of the number of segment wordlines. Other embodiments may be disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Andre Schaefer, John B. Halbert
  • Publication number: 20160117219
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to provide selective access to data error information by a memory controller. In an embodiment, a memory device stores a first value representing a baseline number of data errors determined prior to operation of the memory device with the memory controller. Error detection logic of the memory device determines a current count of data errors, and calculates a second value representing a difference between the count of data errors and the baseline number of data errors. The memory device provides the second value to the memory controller, which is unable to identify that the second value is a relative error count. In another embodiment, the memory controller is restricted from retrieving the baseline number of data errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: John B. Halbert, Kuljit S. Bains, Debaleena Das, Bill Nale
  • Publication number: 20160093344
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for exchanging information between a memory controller and a memory device. In an embodiment, a memory controller receives information indicating for a memory device a threshold number of pending consolidated activation commands to access that memory device. The threshold number indicated by the information is less than a theoretical maximum number of pending consolidated activation commands, the theoretical maximum number defined based on timing parameters of the memory device. In another embodiment, the memory controller limits communication of consolidated activation commands to the memory device based on the information indicating the threshold number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: John B. Halbert, Bruce A. Christenson, Kuljit S. Bains
  • Publication number: 20160092307
    Abstract: Exposing internal error correction bits from a memory device for use as metadata bits by an external memory controller. In a first mode the memory device applies internal error correction bits for internal error correction at the memory device. In a second mode the memory device exposes the internal error correction bits to the memory controller to allow the memory controller to use the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Nadav Bonen, Kuljit S. Bains, John B. Halbert