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: 20210350842
    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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210334159
    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: July 10, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Patent number: 11126251
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210286670
    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: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210263685
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication. The device may transmit, from the first portion, a signal instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The signal may be provided at an ODT I/O terminal of the first portion coupled to an ODT I/O terminal of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210255779
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to dual speed memory. A memory module can include a number of memory devices that coupled to a host via a number of first ports and coupled to a controller via a number of second ports. The memory module can be configured to transfer data on the first number of ports at a first clock speed and transfer data on the second number of ports at a second clock speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11074126
    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: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney
  • Patent number: 11069394
    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: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210209039
    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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Scott E. Schaefer, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210201970
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during multiple communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication and instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The device may receive a second command instructing the first portion to perform a second communication, and the device may perform, with the first portion, the second communication while the second portion remains in the ODT mode. The second portion may persist in the ODT mode for an indicated number of communications, or until instructed to exit the ODT mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Gary Howe, Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210201966
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for using a multiple-port buffer to improve a transaction rate of a memory module. In an example, a memory module can include a circuit board having an external interface, first memory devices mounted to the circuit board, and a first multiple-port buffer circuit mounted to the circuit board. The first multiple-port buffer circuit can include a first port coupled to data lines of the external interface, the first port configured to operate at a first transaction rate, a second port coupled to data lines of a first plurality of the first memory devices, and a third port coupled to data lines of a second plurality of the first memory devices. The second and third ports can be configured to operate at a second transaction rate, wherein the second transaction rate is slower than the first transaction rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jasper S. Gibbons, Matthew A. Prather, Brent Keeth, Frank F. Ross, Daniel Benjamin Stewart, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20210165655
    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: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11003386
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication. The device may transmit, from the first portion, a signal instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The signal may be provided at an ODT I/O terminal of the first portion coupled to an ODT I/O terminal of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 11003396
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to dual speed memory. A memory module can include a number of memory devices that coupled to a host via a number of first ports and coupled to a controller via a number of second ports. The memory module can be configured to transfer data on the first number of ports at a first clock speed and transfer data on the second number of ports at a second clock speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank F. Ross, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 10983934
    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: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Schaefer, Matthew A. Prather
  • Patent number: 10976960
    Abstract: A memory system is provided. The memory system includes a first memory device having a first latency corresponding to a first command and a second memory device having a second latency corresponding to a second command. The second latency differs from the first latency by a latency difference. The memory system further includes a host operably coupled to the first and second memory devices. The host is configured to send the first command to the first memory device at a first time, and to send the second command to the second memory device at a second time. The first time and the second time are separated by a delay corresponding to the latency difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Frank F. Ross
  • Patent number: 10950282
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to memory operation with on-die termination (ODT) are provided. A memory device may be configured to provide ODT at a first portion (e.g., rank) during multiple communications at a second portion (e.g., rank). For example, a memory device may receive a first command instructing a first portion to perform a first communication and instructing a second portion to enter an ODT mode. The device may perform, with the first portion, the first communication with a host while the second portion is in the ODT mode. The device may receive a second command instructing the first portion to perform a second communication, and the device may perform, with the first portion, the second communication while the second portion remains in the ODT mode. The second portion may persist in the ODT mode for an indicated number of communications, or until instructed to exit the ODT mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Howe, Eric J. Stave, Thomas H. Kinsley, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210074348
    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: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Thomas H. Kinsley
  • Publication number: 20210072287
    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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel B. Stewart, Eric J. Stave, Matthew A. Prather
  • Publication number: 20210057003
    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: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew A. Prather, Randall J. Rooney