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).

  • Patent number: 11436169
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods for operating the same are provided. A memory device can include at least one command contact and at least one data contact. The memory device can be configured to detect a condition in which the at least one command contact is connected to a controller and the at least one data contact is disconnected from the controller, and to enter, based at least in part on detecting the condition, a first operating mode with a lower nominal power rating than a second operating mode. Memory modules including one or more such memory devices can be provided, and memory systems including controllers and such memory modules can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Schaefer, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20220229791
    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: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Frank F. Ross, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20220214600
    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: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11379158
    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: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20220197740
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for memory (e.g., DRAM) having an error check and scrub (ECS) procedure in conjunction with refresh operations are described. While a refresh operation reads the code words of a memory row, ECS procedures may be performed on some of the sensed code words. When the write portion of the refresh begins, a code word discovered to have errors may be corrected before it is written back to the memory row. The ECS procedure can be incremental across refresh operations, beginning, for example, each ECS at the code word where the pervious ECS for that row left off. The ECS procedure can include an out-of-order (OOO) procedure where ECS is performed more often for certain identified code words.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20220171534
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11342039
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory devices are configured to monitor word line characteristics. In one embodiment, the memory device includes a memory array including a word line (e.g., a local word line) and a word line driver coupled thereto. When the memory device activates the word line driver, the memory device may generate a diagnostic signal in response to the word line voltage reaching a threshold. Further, the memory device may generate a reference signal to compare the diagnostic signal with the reference signal. In some cases, the memory device may generate an alert signal based on comparing the diagnostic signal with the reference signal if the diagnostic signal indicates a symptom of degradation in the word line characteristics. The memory device may implement certain preventive and/or precautionary measures upon detecting the symptom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20220147267
    Abstract: Methods for operating a memory system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving first data to be written at a logical address of a memory array, storing the first data at a first physical address corresponding to the logical address, and remapping the logical address to a second physical address, for example, using a soft post package repair operation. The method can further include receiving second data different from the first data to be written at the logical address, storing the second data at the second physical address, and remapping the logical address to the first physical address. In some embodiments, the method can comprise storing first and second ECC data corresponding to the first and second data, respectively. The method can further comprise outputting the first data and/or the second ECC data in response to a read request corresponding to the logical address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather, Neal J. Koyle
  • Publication number: 20220130484
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory devices are configured to monitor word line characteristics. In one embodiment, the memory device includes a memory array including a word line (e.g., a local word line) and a word line driver coupled thereto. When the memory device activates the word line driver, the memory device may generate a diagnostic signal in response to the word line voltage reaching a threshold. Further, the memory device may generate a reference signal to compare the diagnostic signal with the reference signal. In some cases, the memory device may generate an alert signal based on comparing the diagnostic signal with the reference signal if the diagnostic signal indicates a symptom of degradation in the word line characteristics. The memory device may implement certain preventive and/or precautionary measures upon detecting the symptom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20220129348
    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: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11301403
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11294762
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for memory (e.g., DRAM) having an error check and scrub (ECS) procedure in conjunction with refresh operations are described. While a refresh operation reads the code words of a memory row, ECS procedures may be performed on some of the sensed code words. When the write portion of the refresh begins, a code word discovered to have errors may be corrected before it is written back to the memory row. The ECS procedure can be incremental across refresh operations, beginning, for example, each ECS at the code word where the pervious ECS for that row left off. The ECS procedure can include an out-of-order (OOO) procedure where ECS is performed more often for certain identified code words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11294836
    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: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Frank F. Ross, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20220084565
    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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20220068778
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew B. Leslie, Timothy M. Hollis, Scott R. Cyr, Stephen F. Moxham, Matthew A. Prather, Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 11221913
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20220004245
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to power management in memory. Memory devices with multiple input/output ports may have the ports separately managed to transfer data from the various to a host or other components of the module based on certain power management signaling or constraints. For example, a memory device with multiple ports may be managed to transfer data to a host from one set of ports in response to power management (or other) signaling, and the device may be managed to transfer other data to another memory device in response to different power management (or other signaling). Power management may be done onboard a memory module with or without direction from a host. Power management may be performed by a dedicated integrated circuit. Data may be transferred from or between different classes of memory devices, using different ports, based on power management, e.g., criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11199967
    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: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11195569
    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: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Patent number: 11189327
    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: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney