Patents by Inventor Michael John Sebastian Smith

Michael John Sebastian Smith 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: 8327104
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for adjusting the timing of signals associated with a memory system. A memory controller is provided. Additionally, at least one memory module is provided. Further, at least one interface circuit is provided, the interface circuit capable of adjusting timing of signals associated with one or more of the memory controller and the at least one memory module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Sebastian Smith, Daniel L. Rosenband, David T. Wang, Suresh Natarajan Rajan
  • Patent number: 8280714
    Abstract: A system and method are provided including an interface circuit in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the plurality of memory circuits and the system for simulating at leas one memory circuit with at least one aspect that is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of memory circuits. The interface circuit is further operable to control refreshing of the plurality of memory circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8279690
    Abstract: A system is provided for high-speed communication between a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. A memory controller, and a plurality of memory devices are provided. Additionally, at least one channel is included for providing electrical communication between the memory controller and the plurality of memory devices, an impedance of the channel being at least partially controlled using High Density Interconnect (HDI) technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Min Wang, Philip Arnold Ferolito, Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Publication number: 20120226924
    Abstract: A memory circuit power management system and method are provided. An interface circuit is in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. In use, the interface circuit is operable to perform a power management operation in association with only a portion of the memory circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120206165
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing termination resistance in a memory module are provided. An apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of memory circuits; an interface circuit operable to communicate with the plurality of memory circuits and to communicate with a memory controller; and a transmission line electrically coupling the interface circuit to a memory controller, wherein the interface circuit is operable to terminate the transmission line with a single termination resistance that is selected based on a plurality of resistance-setting commands received from the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Philip Arnold Ferolito, Daniel L. Rosenband, David T. Wang, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Patent number: 8244971
    Abstract: A memory circuit system and method are provided in the context of various embodiments. In one embodiment, an interface circuit remains in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for performing various functionality (e.g. power management, simulation/emulation, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120201088
    Abstract: A memory circuit system and method are provided in the context of various embodiments. In one embodiment, an interface circuit remains in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for performing various functionality (e.g. power management, simulation/emulation, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8209479
    Abstract: A memory circuit system and method are provided in the context of various embodiments. In one embodiment, an interface circuit remains in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for performing various functionality (e.g. power management, simulation/emulation, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120147684
    Abstract: A memory refresh apparatus and method are operable such that in response to the receipt of a refresh control signal, a plurality of refresh control signals is sent to the memory circuits at different times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Schakel, Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120124281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for communicating with a plurality of physical memory circuits. In use, at least one virtual memory circuit is simulated where at least one aspect (e.g. power-related aspect, etc.) of such virtual memory circuit(s) is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the physical memory circuits. Further, in various embodiments, such simulation may be carried out by a system (or component thereof), an interface circuit, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang
  • Patent number: 8181048
    Abstract: A memory circuit power management system and method are provided. An interface circuit is in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. In use, the interface circuit is operable to perform a power management operation in association with only a portion of the memory circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120109621
    Abstract: A memory subsystem is provided including an interface circuit adapted for coupling with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for emulating at least one memory circuit with at least one aspect that is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of memory circuits. Such aspect includes a signal, a capacity, a timing, and/or a logical interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8169233
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing termination resistance in a memory module are provided. An apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of memory circuits; an interface circuit operable to communicate with the plurality of memory circuits and to communicate with a memory controller; and a transmission line electrically coupling the interface circuit to a memory controller, wherein the interface circuit is operable to terminate the transmission line with a single termination resistance that is selected based on a plurality of resistance-setting commands received from the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Arnold Ferolito, Daniel L. Rosenband, David T. Wang, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Patent number: 8154935
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for delaying a signal communicated from a system to a plurality of memory circuits. Included is a component in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. Such component is operable to receive a signal from the system and communicate the signal to at least one of the memory circuits after a delay. In other embodiments, the component is operable to receive a signal from at least one of the memory circuits and communicate the signal to the system after a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120059978
    Abstract: The invention is an improved storage array controller that adds a level of indirection between host system and storage array. The storage array controller controls a storage array comprising at least one solid-state storage device. The storage array controller improvements include: garbage collection, sequentialization of writes, combining of writes, aggregation of writes, increased reliability, improved performance, and addition of resources and functions to a computer system with a storage subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rosenband, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Publication number: 20120059976
    Abstract: A storage array controller provides a method and system for autonomously issuing trim commands to one or more solid-state storage devices in a storage array. The storage array controller is separate from any operating system running on a host system and separate from any controller in the solid-state storage device(s). The trim commands allow the solid-state storage device to operate more efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel L. Rosenband, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Patent number: 8130560
    Abstract: A system is provided for multi-rank, partial-width memory modules. A memory controller is provided. Additionally, a memory bus is provided. Further, a memory module with a plurality of ranks of memory circuits is provided, the memory module including a first number of data pins that is less than a second number of data pins of the memory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Publication number: 20120042204
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a memory module that includes at least one memory chip, and an intelligent chip coupled to the at least one memory chip and a memory controller, where the intelligent chip is configured to implement at least a part of a RAS feature. The disclosed architecture allows one or more RAS features to be implemented locally to the memory module using one or more intelligent register chips, one or more intelligent buffer chips, or some combination thereof. Such an approach not only increases the effectiveness of certain RAS features that were available in prior art systems, but also enables the implementation of certain RAS features that were not available in prior art systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Google, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Sebastian Smith, Suresh Natarajan Rajan
  • Patent number: 8112266
    Abstract: A memory subsystem is provided including an interface circuit adapted for coupling with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. The interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for emulating at least one memory circuit with at least one aspect that is different from at least one aspect of at least one of the plurality of memory circuits. Such aspect includes a signal, a capacity, a timing, and/or a logical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8111566
    Abstract: A system is provided for high-speed communication between a memory controller and a plurality of memory devices. A memory controller, and a plurality of memory devices are provided. Additionally, at least one channel is included for providing electrical communication between the memory controller and the plurality of memory devices, an impedance of the channel being at least partially controlled using High Density Interconnect (HDI) technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Google, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Wang, Philip Arnold Ferolito, Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith