Patents by Inventor Karl L. Major

Karl L. Major 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: 11990195
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory device are configured to add variable delays to a command. The variable delays may be provided by a host device (e.g., a test equipment) using a test mode of the memory devices. Alternatively, the variable delays may be stored in nonvolatile memory (NVM) components of the memory devices. Further, mode registers of the memory devices may be set to indicate that the command is associated with the variable delays stored in the NVM components. Further, the memory devices may include delay components configured to add the variable delays to the command. Such variable delays facilitate staggered execution of the command across multiple memory devices so as to avoid (or mitigate) issues related to an instantaneous, large amount of current drawn from a power supply connected to the memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Shawn M. Hilde, Karl L. Major, Garrett Harwell
  • Publication number: 20230014661
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory device are configured to add variable delays to a command. The variable delays may be provided by a host device (e.g., a test equipment) using a test mode of the memory devices. Alternatively, the variable delays may be stored in nonvolatile memory (NVM) components of the memory devices. Further, mode registers of the memory devices may be set to indicate that the command is associated with the variable delays stored in the NVM components. Further, the memory devices may include delay components configured to add the variable delays to the command. Such variable delays facilitate staggered execution of the command across multiple memory devices so as to avoid (or mitigate) issues related to an instantaneous, large amount of current drawn from a power supply connected to the memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Shawn M. Hilde, Karl L. Major, Garrett Harwell
  • Publication number: 20220382628
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which a host device may disable ECC functions of the memory devices. When the ECC function is disabled by the host device, the memory device may deactivate various ECC periphery components coupled with an ECC circuit of the memory device to reduce power consumption of the memory device. In some cases, the memory device may disconnect an electrical power supply to the ECC periphery components. In other cases, the memory device may selectively disable the ECC periphery components or block an access command from reaching the ECC periphery components during an access operation. Further, the ECC array may be configured to replace faulty portions of a main array of the memory device when the ECC function is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Loon Ming Ho, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Patent number: 11468960
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory device are configured to add variable delays to a command. The variable delays may be provided by a host device (e.g., a test equipment) using a test mode of the memory devices. Alternatively, the variable delays may be stored in nonvolatile memory (NVM) components of the memory devices. Further, mode registers of the memory devices may be set to indicate that the command is associated with the variable delays stored in the NVM components. Further, the memory devices may include delay components configured to add the variable delays to the command. Such variable delays facilitate staggered execution of the command across multiple memory devices so as to avoid (or mitigate) issues related to an instantaneous, large amount of current drawn from a power supply connected to the memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Shawn M. Hilde, Karl L. Major, Garrett Harwell
  • Publication number: 20220270654
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for temperature-compensated operation of electronic devices are described. For example, an apparatus for performing voltage compensation on a sense amplifier based on temperature may include a sense amplifier control circuit coupled to the sense amplifier to provide a compensation pulse to the sense amplifier, wherein the sense amplifier operates in a voltage compensation phase during the compensation pulse. The apparatus may determine the compensation pulse responsive to a voltage compensation duration signal that is based on the operating temperature of the apparatus. The voltage compensation occurs when there is no activate command immediately before or immediately after so that compensation duration change do not happen during an activate command from the command decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Jonathan Hawkins, Galaly Ahmad
  • Patent number: 11416333
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which a host device may disable ECC functions of the memory devices. When the ECC function is disabled by the host device, the memory device may deactivate various ECC periphery components coupled with an ECC circuit of the memory device to reduce power consumption of the memory device. In some cases, the memory device may disconnect an electrical power supply to the ECC periphery components. In other cases, the memory device may selectively disable the ECC periphery components or block an access command from reaching the ECC periphery components during an access operation. Further, the ECC array may be configured to replace faulty portions of a main array of the memory device when the ECC function is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Loon Ming Ho, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Patent number: 11335385
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for temperature-compensated operation of electronic devices are described. For example, an apparatus for performing voltage compensation on a sense amplifier based on temperature may include a sense amplifier control circuit coupled to the sense amplifier to provide a compensation pulse to the sense amplifier, wherein the sense amplifier operates in a voltage compensation phase during the compensation pulse. The apparatus may determine the compensation pulse responsive to a voltage compensation duration signal that is based on the operating temperature of the apparatus. The voltage compensation occurs when there is no activate command immediately before or immediately after so that compensation duration change do not happen during an activate command from the command decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Jonathan Hawkins, Galaly Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20210202023
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory device are configured to add variable delays to a command. The variable delays may be provided by a host device (e.g., a test equipment) using a test mode of the memory devices. Alternatively, the variable delays may be stored in nonvolatile memory (NVM) components of the memory devices. Further, mode registers of the memory devices may be set to indicate that the command is associated with the variable delays stored in the NVM components. Further, the memory devices may include delay components configured to add the variable delays to the command. Such variable delays facilitate staggered execution of the command across multiple memory devices so as to avoid (or mitigate) issues related to an instantaneous, large amount of current drawn from a power supply connected to the memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Shawn M. Hilde, Karl L. Major, Garrett Harwell
  • Patent number: 10998022
    Abstract: In some examples, an inactive word line voltage control (IWVC) circuit may be configured to provide a respective subword driver associated with a memory bank of a plurality of memory banks a non-active potential from a default off-state word line voltage (VNWL) to a reduced voltage VNWL lower than the default VNWL following a time duration after activating the memory bank. The IWVC circuit may also be configured to provide the respective subword driver with the default VNWL responsive to precharging the memory bank. The IWVC circuit may include a multiplexer coupled to the subword driver and configured to provide the default VNWL or the reduced voltage VNWL to the respective subword driver responsive to a VNWL control signal. The IWVC circuit may also include a time control circuit configured to provide the VNWL control signal responsive to a clock signal and a time control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Shawn M. Hilde, Karl L. Major, Travis Marley
  • Publication number: 20210055986
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which a host device may disable ECC functions of the memory devices. When the ECC function is disabled by the host device, the memory device may deactivate various ECC periphery components coupled with an ECC circuit of the memory device to reduce power consumption of the memory device. In some cases, the memory device may disconnect an electrical power supply to the ECC periphery components. In other cases, the memory device may selectively disable the ECC periphery components or block an access command from reaching the ECC periphery components during an access operation. Further, the ECC array may be configured to replace faulty portions of a main array of the memory device when the ECC function is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Loon Ming Ho, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Publication number: 20210050042
    Abstract: In some examples, an inactive word line voltage control (IWVC) circuit may be configured to provide a respective subword driver associated with a memory bank of a plurality of memory banks a non-active potential from a default off-state word line voltage (VNWL) to a reduced voltage VNWL lower than the default VNWL following a time duration after activating the memory bank. The IWVC circuit may also be configured to provide the respective subword driver with the default VNWL responsive to precharging the memory bank. The IWVC circuit may include a multiplexer coupled to die subword driver and configured to provide the default VNWL or the reduced voltage VNWL. to the respective subword driver responsive to a VNWL control signal. The IWVC circuit may also include a time control circuit configured to provide the VNWL control signal responsive to a clock signal and a time control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Shawn M. Hilde, Karl L. Major, Travis Marley
  • Publication number: 20210012818
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for temperature-compensated operation of electronic devices are described. For example, an apparatus for performing voltage compensation on a sense amplifier based on temperature may include a sense amplifier control circuit coupled to the sense amplifier to provide a compensation pulse to the sense amplifier, wherein the sense amplifier operates in a voltage compensation phase during the compensation pulse. The apparatus may determine the compensation pulse responsive to a voltage compensation duration signal that is based on the operating temperature of the apparatus. The voltage compensation occurs when there is no activate command immediately before or immediately after so that compensation duration change do not happen during an activate command from the command decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Jonathan Hawkins, Galaly Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10796734
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for temperature-compensated operation of electronic devices are described. For example, an apparatus for performing voltage compensation on a sense amplifier based on temperature may include a sense amplifier control circuit coupled to the sense amplifier to provide a compensation pulse to the sense amplifier, wherein the sense amplifier operates in a voltage compensation phase during the compensation pulse. The apparatus may determine the compensation pulse responsive to a voltage compensation duration signal that is based on the operating temperature of the apparatus. The voltage compensation occurs when there is no activate command immediately before or immediately after so that compensation duration change do not happen during an activate command from the command decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Boon Hor Lam, Karl L. Major, Jonathan Hawkins, Galaly Ahmad
  • Patent number: 7319935
    Abstract: A system and method to perform analysis on test results of multiple integrated circuits. Based on the analysis, the system and method display a wafer map having map indicators representing statistical values of the test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xueqing Sun, Mark Eyolfson, Chris Langworthy, Karl L. Major
  • Publication number: 20040158783
    Abstract: A system and method to perform analysis on test results of multiple integrated circuits. Based on the analysis, the system and method display a wafer map having map indicators representing statistical values of the test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xueqing Sun, Mark Eyolfson, Chris Langworthy, Karl L. Major
  • Patent number: 6590819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for equilibrating paired digit lines and sense amplifier input of a memory device, particularly useful where one side of a memory array contains a defect. A pair of isolation circuits is arranged on either side of a sense amplifier between the sense amplifier and respective digit lines pairs from two memory arrays. By selectively enabling one and then the other of the isolation circuits in a multiplexed fashion, the single equilibrate circuit located between one of the isolation circuits of the sense amplifier can separately and sequentially equilibrate both pairs of digit lines. In addition, both isolation circuits can be disabled isolating the sense amplifier from all digit lines allowing the sense amplifier to be separately equilibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Baum, Karl L. Major