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).

  • Publication number: 20120008436
    Abstract: A memory apparatus includes multiple memory circuits an interface circuit having one or more first components of a first type and one or more second components of a second type different from the first type, each of the one or more first components and second components being electrically couplable to a host system. The interface circuit is operable to present to the host system a simulated memory circuit where there is a difference in at least one aspect between the simulated memory circuit and at least one memory circuit of the plurality of memory circuits. The at least one aspect includes a timing that relates to a refresh operation latency, in which each memory circuit of the plurality of memory circuits is electrically coupled to at least one first component and to at least one second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120011386
    Abstract: A memory apparatus includes multiple memory circuits and an interface circuit to present to a host system emulated memory circuits. The interface circuit includes a first component of a first type and a second component of a second type, the first component and the second component being operable to present a host-system interface to the host system and to present a memory-circuit interface to the plurality of memory circuits, in which there is a difference in at least one aspect between the host-system interface and the memory circuit interface. At least one of the first and second components is operable to identify one or more memory circuits that is not being accessed and to perform a power-saving operation on the one or more memory circuits identified as not being accessed, where the power-saving operation includes placing the memory circuits identified as not being accessed in a precharge power down mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20120011310
    Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple first memory circuits, each first memory circuit being associated with a first memory standard, where the first memory standard defines a first set of control signals that each first memory circuit circuits is operable to accept and defines a first version of a protocol. The apparatus also includes an interface circuit coupled to the first memory circuits, in which the interface circuit is operable to emulate at least one second memory circuit, each second memory circuit being associated with a second different memory standard. The second different memory standard defines a second set of control signals that the emulated second memory circuit is operable to accept and defines a second different version of a protocol. Both the first version of the protocol and the second different version of the protocol are associated either with DDR2 dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or with DDR3 DRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8090897
    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: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8081474
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a heat spreader module for dissipating thermal heat generated by electronic components. The assembly comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), electronic components disposed on the PCB, a thermal interface material (TIM) thermally coupled to the electronic components, and a heat spreader plate thermally coupled to the TIM. The heat spreader plate includes an embossed pattern. Consequently, surface area available for heat conduction between the heat spreader plate and surrounding medium may be increased relative to the prior art designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Wael O. Zohni, William L. Schmidt, Michael John Sebastian Smith, Jeremy Matthew Plunkett
  • Patent number: 8080874
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are included for providing additional space between an integrated circuit package and a circuit board. An integrated circuit package is provided including a plurality of integrated circuit package contacts. Also provided is a circuit board in electrical communication with the integrated circuit package. Further, the integrated circuit package, the integrated circuit contacts, and/or the circuit board is configured for providing additional space between the integrated circuit package and the circuit board to position at least a portion of at least one component between the integrated circuit package and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Werner, Daniel L. Rosenband, Jeremy Matthew Plunkett, William L. Schmidt, David T. Wang, Wael O. Zohni, Philip Arnold Ferolito, Michael John Sebastian Smith, Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Joseph C. Fjelstad
  • Patent number: 8077535
    Abstract: A system and method are provided. The system and method simulate a DRAM memory circuit using an interface circuit connected to a plurality of other DRAM memory circuits. In response to the receipt of a refresh control signal, a first refresh control signal is sent to a first subset of the plurality of other DRAM memory circuits and a second refresh control signal is sent to a second subset of the plurality of other DRAM memory circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Schakel, Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8060774
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Sebastian Smith, Suresh Natarajan Rajan
  • Patent number: 8041881
    Abstract: A memory subsystem is provided including an interface circuit adapted for communication with a system and a majority of address or control signals of a first number of memory circuits. The interface circuit includes emulation logic for emulating at least one memory circuit of a second number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 8019589
    Abstract: A memory subsystem is provided including an interface circuit adapted for communication with a system and a majority of address or control signals of a first number of memory circuits. The interface circuit includes emulation logic for emulating at least one memory circuit of a second number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20110095783
    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: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Philip Arnold Ferolito, Daniel L. Rosenband, David T. Wang, Michael John Sebastian Smith
  • Patent number: 7925931
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for handling errors in data servers. Generally, embodiments of the invention enable a data packet that is marked as erroneous to be handled so that it is not committed to permanent storage. One or more components are configured to recognize a poisoned data indicator, and to respond to the indicator by taking programmed actions to delete the data, to stop the data from being transmitted, to notify upstream components, and to purge related data from downstream components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Michael John Sebastian Smith, Mark A. Overby, Andrew Currid
  • Publication number: 20100281280
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20100271888
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20100257304
    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: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang
  • Patent number: 7761724
    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: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 7730338
    Abstract: A memory circuit power management system and method are provided. In use, an interface circuit is 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 autonomously performing a power management operation in association with at least a portion of the memory circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 7724589
    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: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Publication number: 20090285031
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for simulating an aspect of a memory circuit. Included is an interface circuit that is in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. Such interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for simulating 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. In accordance with various embodiments, such aspect may include a signal, a capacity, a timing, and/or a logical interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber
  • Patent number: 7609567
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for simulating an aspect of a memory circuit. Included is an interface circuit that is in communication with a plurality of memory circuits and a system. Such interface circuit is operable to interface the memory circuits and the system for simulating 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. In accordance with various embodiments, such aspect may include a signal, a capacity, a timing, and/or a logical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: MetaRAM, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Natarajan Rajan, Keith R. Schakel, Michael John Sebastian Smith, David T. Wang, Frederick Daniel Weber