Patents by Inventor Matthew A. Prather

Matthew A. Prather 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: 20240152297
    Abstract: Apparatuses, hybrid memory modules, memories, and methods for configuring I/Os of a memory for a hybrid memory module are described. An example apparatus includes a non-volatile memory, a control circuit coupled to the non-volatile memory, and a volatile memory coupled to the control circuit. The volatile memory is configured to enable a first subset of I/Os for communication with a bus and enable a second subset of I/O for communication with the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to transfer information between the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11977444
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a memory array including a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows is provided. The apparatus further comprises circuitry configured to perform an error detection operation on the memory array to determine a raw count of detected errors, to compare the raw count of detected errors to a threshold value to determine an over-threshold amount, to scale the over-threshold amount according to a scaling algorithm to determine a scaled error count, and to store the scaled error count in a user-accessible storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20240134646
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to commands to transfer data and/or perform logic operations are described. For example, a command that identifies a location of data and a target for transferring the data may be issued to a memory device. Or a command that identifies a location of data and one or more logic operations to be performed on that data may be issued to a memory device. A memory module may include different memory arrays (e.g., different technology types), and a command may identify data to be transferred between arrays or between controllers for the arrays. Commands may include targets for data expressed in or indicative of channels associated with the arrays, and data may be transferred between channels or between memory devices that share a channel, or both. Some commands may identify data, a target for the data, and a logic operation for the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20240126707
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory systems, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are disclosed in which a single command can trigger a memory device to perform multiple operations, such as a single refresh command that triggers the memory device to both perform a refresh command and to perform a mode register read. One such memory device comprises a memory, a mode register, and circuitry configured, in response to receiving a command to perform a refresh operation at the memory, to perform the refresh operation at the memory, and to perform a read of the mode register. The memory can be a first memory portion, the memory device can comprise a second memory portion, and the circuitry can be further configured, in response to the command, to provide on-die termination at the second memory portion of the memory system during at least a portion of the read of the mode register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Frank F. Ross, Randall J. Rooney
  • Patent number: 11960717
    Abstract: Techniques and devices for managing power consumption of a memory system using loopback are described. When a memory system is in a first state (e.g., a deactivated state), a host device may send a signal to change one or more components of the memory system to a second state (e.g., an activated state). The signal may be received by one or more memory devices, which may activate one or more components based on the signal. The one or more memory devices may send a second signal to a power management component, such as a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), using one or more techniques. The second signal may be received by the PMIC using a conductive path running between the memory devices and the PMIC. Based on receiving the second signal or some third signal that is based on the second signal, the PMIC may enter an activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11948655
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for indicating a blocked repair operation are described. A first indication of whether an address of a memory device is valid may be stored. After the first indication is stored, a command for accessing the address may be processed. Based on processing the command, a second indication of whether the address is valid may be obtained, and a determination of whether to perform or prevent a repair operation for repairing the address may be made based on the first indication and the second indication. A third indication of whether the repair operation was performed or prevented may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth A. Eichmeyer, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Matthew D. Jenkinson, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11942404
    Abstract: Apparatuses, such as semiconductor device packages, may include, for example, a device substrate including a semiconductor material and bond pads coupled with an active surface of the device substrate. A package substrate may be secured to the device substrate, the package substrate configured to route signals to and from the bond pads. A ball grid array may be supported on, and electrically connected to, the package substrate. Each ball of the ball grid array positioned and configured to carry a clock signal or a strobe signal may be located in a central column of the ball grid array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Scott R. Cyr, Stephen F. Moxham, Matthew A. Prather, Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 11922990
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems in which a memory device can include a voltage regulator for adjusting a supply voltage to an output voltage and providing the output voltage to other devices external to the memory device (e.g., other memory devices in the same memory system, processors, graphics chipsets, other logic circuits, expansion cards, etc.). A memory device may comprise one or more external inputs configured to receive a supply voltage having a first voltage level; a voltage regulator configured to receive the supply voltage from the one or more external inputs and to output an output voltage having a second voltage level different from the first voltage level; one or more memories configured to receive the output voltage from the voltage regulator; and one or more external outputs configured to supply the output voltage to one or more connected devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20240069762
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a plurality of memories and a single integrated circuit (IC) that is configured to be coupled to a host device by a host bus and that is coupled to the plurality of memories by a memory bus, wherein the IC comprises a logic buffer module that is configured to buffer data signals, command signals, address signals, and clock signals between the host device and the plurality of memories, and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) module that is configured to regulate voltage and monitor current provided to the plurality of memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11886754
    Abstract: Apparatuses, hybrid memory modules, memories, and methods for configuring I/Os of a memory for a hybrid memory module are described. An example apparatus includes a non-volatile memory, a control circuit coupled to the non-volatile memory, and a volatile memory coupled to the control circuit. The volatile memory is configured to enable a first subset of I/Os for communication with a bus and enable a second subset of I/O for communication with the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to transfer information between the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11867726
    Abstract: A method of operating an oscilloscope is disclosed. The method comprises providing a bit stream comprising pseudo-random data to an oscilloscope across a data path characterized by sufficient signal degradation to prevent the oscilloscope from reliably triggering a sweep of an eye pattern based on receiving the pseudo-random data; inserting a predetermined sequence of bits into the bit stream at predetermined periodic intervals to open the eye pattern sufficiently during each of the periodic intervals to permit the oscilloscope to trigger the sweep of the eye pattern; and generating the eye pattern based at least in part on the pseudo-random data and excluding the predetermined sequence of bits from the sweep of the eye pattern. Oscilloscopes configured to trigger according to a predetermined system of bits at predetermined intervals are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Stewart, Eric J. Stave, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20240004755
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for a memory device (e.g., DRAM) including an error check and scrub (ECS) procedure in conjunction with refresh operations are described. The ECS procedure may include read/modify-write cycles when errors are detected in code words. In some embodiments, the memory device may complete the ECS procedure over multiple refresh commands, namely by performing a read (or read/modify) portion of the ECS procedure while a first refresh command is executed, and by performing a write portion of the ECS procedure while a second refresh command is executed. The ECS procedure described herein may facilitate avoiding signaling conflicts or interferences that may occur between the ECS procedure and other memory operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11854655
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory systems, and methods of operating the same are disclosed in which a memory device, in response to receiving a mode register read (MRR) command directed to one or more write-only bits of a mode register, reads data indicative of a status of the memory device about the memory device from one or more cells of a memory array of the memory device that are different from the write-only mode register. The data can include device settings, environmental conditions, usage statistics, metadata, feature support, feature implementation, device status, temperature, etc. The status information mode can be optionally enabled or disabled. The memory devices can include DDR5 DRAM memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20230367709
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for write command timing enhancement are described. A host device may transmit (e.g., issue), to a memory device, an activation command and an associated write command according to a delay that is different (e.g., shorter) than a row access to column access delay associated with read commands. In some examples, the delay between the activation command and the associated write command may be a function of the row access to column access delay associated with read commands and one or more additional parameters, such as a timing constraint or a speed parameter of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Sujeet V. Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith, Matthew A. Prather, Erik V. Pohlmann
  • Publication number: 20230342058
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to a command bus in memory. A memory module may be equipped with multiple memory media types that are responsive to perform various operations in response to a common command. The operations may be carried out during the same clock cycle in response to the command. An example apparatus can include a first number of memory devices coupled to a host via a first number of ports and a second number of memory devices each coupled to the first number of memory devices via a second number of ports, wherein the second number of memory devices each include a controller, and wherein the first number of memory devices and the second number of memory devices can receive a command from the host to perform the various (e.g., the same or different) operations, sometime concurrently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20230343409
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for indicating a blocked repair operation are described. A first indication of whether an address of a memory device is valid may be stored. After the first indication is stored, a command for accessing the address may be processed. Based on processing the command, a second indication of whether the address is valid may be obtained, and a determination of whether to perform or prevent a repair operation for repairing the address may be made based on the first indication and the second indication. A third indication of whether the repair operation was performed or prevented may be stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Seth A. Eichmeyer, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Matthew D. Jenkinson, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11783882
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for staggering refresh operations to memory arrays in different dies of a three-dimensional stacked (3DS) memory device are described. A 3DS memory device may include one die or layer of that controls or regulates commands, including refresh commands, to other dies or layers of the memory device. For example, one die of the 3DS memory may delay a refresh command when issuing the multiple concurrent memory refreshes would cause some problematic performance condition, such as high peak current, within the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 11775459
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory systems, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are disclosed in which a single command can trigger a memory device to perform multiple operations, such as a single refresh command that triggers the memory device to both perform a refresh command and to perform a mode register read. One such memory device comprises a memory, a mode register, and circuitry configured, in response to receiving a command to perform a refresh operation at the memory, to perform the refresh operation at the memory, and to perform a read of the mode register. The memory can be a first memory portion, the memory device can comprise a second memory portion, and the circuitry can be further configured, in response to the command, to provide on-die termination at the second memory portion of the memory system during at least a portion of the read of the mode register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Frank F. Ross, Randall J. Rooney
  • Patent number: 11775300
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to commands to transfer data and/or perform logic operations are described. For example, a command that identifies a location of data and a target for transferring the data may be issued to a memory device. Or a command that identifies a location of data and one or more logic operations to be performed on that data may be issued to a memory device. A memory module may include different memory arrays (e.g., different technology types), and a command may identify data to be transferred between arrays or between controllers for the arrays. Commands may include targets for data expressed in or indicative of channels associated with the arrays, and data may be transferred between channels or between memory devices that share a channel, or both. Some commands may identify data, a target for the data, and a logic operation for the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20230297472
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a memory array including a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows is provided. The apparatus further comprises circuitry configured to perform an error detection operation on the memory array to determine a raw count of detected errors, to compare the raw count of detected errors to a threshold value to determine an over-threshold amount, to scale the over-threshold amount according to a scaling algorithm to determine a scaled error count, and to store the scaled error count in a user-accessible storage location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney