Patents by Inventor Scott Schaefer

Scott Schaefer 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: 6625049
    Abstract: A memory module for an electronic device is disclosed which provides means for reducing the amount of power necessary to access a desired number of data bits. This provides a design of memory modules which requires fewer DRAMs to be turned on during a read or write cycle than present module designs, thereby using much less power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20030043684
    Abstract: The present invention provides a memory device having a mode register with a selectable bit which sets the memory device to operate with a selected one of a plurality of possible clock input signals, for example, a single clock input or differential clock input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher S. Johnson, Scott Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20020181299
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a memory integrated circuit during a period of power down mode operation by interrupting the clocking transitions of a delay line. A memory integrated circuit may include a delay lock loop including a plurality of delay elements connected to one another in series and adapted to delay propagation of the signal of a free running clock. When the delayed signal is not required, as during a period of power down mode operation, the free running clock signal is prevented from reaching the delay lock loop. Consequently the delay elements do not toggle, and power associated with delay element toggling is saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Wen Li, Mark R. Thomann, Daniel R. Loughmiller, Scott Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20020145900
    Abstract: A memory module for an electronic device is disclosed which provides means for reducing the amount of power necessary to access a desired number of data bits. This provides a design of memory modules which requires fewer DRAMs to be turned on during a read or write cycle than present module designs, thereby using much less power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6438060
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a memory integrated circuit during a period of power down mode operation by interrupting the clocking transitions of a delay line. A memory integrated circuit may include a delay lock loop including a plurality of delay elements connected to one another in series and adapted to delay propagation of the signal of a free running clock. When the delayed signal is not required, as during a period of power down mode operation, the free running clock signal is prevented from reaching the delay lock loop. Consequently the delay elements do not toggle, and power associated with delay element toggling is saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Li, Mark R. Thomann, Daniel R. Loughmiller, Scott Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20020110035
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the power consumption of a memory integrated circuit during a period of power down mode operation by interrupting the clocking transitions of a delay line. A memory integrated circuit may include a delay lock loop including a plurality of delay elements connected to one another in series and adapted to delay propagation of the signal of a free running clock. When the delayed signal is not required, as during a period of power down mode operation, the free running clock signal is prevented from reaching the delay lock loop. Consequently the delay elements do not toggle, and power associated with delay element toggling is saved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Wen Li, Mark R. Thomann, Daniel R. Loughmiller, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6359801
    Abstract: A method for accessing a memory array for an electronic device comprises a design which requires fewer memory devices to be activated to access a plurality of data bits, thereby reducing the amount of power required to access the data bits. The design comprises the use of a plurality of memory devices, each of which has a plurality of arrays and data out lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6327209
    Abstract: A memory device is disclosed which includes a refresh control circuit which responds to a refresh request command and performs at least two refresh operations. In the first refresh operation, a first word line is selected and memory cells associated with the first word line are refreshed and thereafter a second word line is selected and memory cells associated with the second word line are refreshed, wherein the first and second refresh requests are separated by a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6175901
    Abstract: A method for programming a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device including a memory array is disclosed. In the method, the SDRAM device is initially programmed to have a first control operating option in response to a first command. Reprogramming of the SDRAM device includes a second control operating option in response to a second command. The array remains simultaneously active in response to an active internal row address signal while the control operation feature is programmed to have the second control operating option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6111814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronous DRAM memory module with control circuitry that allows the memory module to operate partially asynchronously. Specifically, a circuit is disclosed which utilizes address transition detection to begin decoding the column-address immediately after a new column-address is present on the address bus lines and without waiting for the column-address strobe signal to synchronize with the rising or falling edge of the synchronizing clock signal. Also disclosed is a manner of controlling the latching circuitry whereby each new column-address may be decoded and held within a buffer until the column-address strobe signal notifies the circuitry that the column-address is correct and is to be input into the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6111775
    Abstract: A method for accessing a memory array for an electronic device comprises a design which requires fewer memory devices to be activated to access a plurality of data bits, thereby reducing the amount of power required to access the data bits. The design comprises the use of a plurality of memory devices, each of which has a plurality of arrays and data out lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5982697
    Abstract: A method for initially programming a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device to have a first control operating option in response to a first command and for reprogramming the SDRAM device to have a second control operating option in response to a second command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5912860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronous DRAM memory module with control circuitry that allows the memory module to operate partially asynchronously. Specifically, a circuit is disclosed which utilizes address transition detection to begin decoding the column-address immediately after a new column-address is present on the address bus lines and without waiting for the column-address strobe signal to synchronize with the rising or falling edge of the synchronizing clock signal. Also disclosed is a manner of controlling the latching circuitry whereby each new column-address may be decoded and held within a buffer until the column-address strobe signal notifies the circuitry that the column-address is correct and is to be input into the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5905909
    Abstract: A synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device having a master control circuit for accepting a first command and a second command and having an initialization and reprogramming circuit. The master control circuit generates and initialization signal in response to the first command and generates a reprogramming signal in response to the second command. The initialization and reprogramming circuit responds to the initialization signal to control initial programming of a control operation feature and responds to the reprogramming signal to control a reprogramming of the control operation feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5896551
    Abstract: A synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device having a master control circuit for accepting a first command and a second command and having an initialization and reprogramming circuit. The master control circuit generates and initialization signal in response to the first command and generates a reprogramming signal in response to the second command. The initialization and reprogramming circuit responds to the initialization signal to control initial programming of a burst control operation feature and responds to the reprogramming signal to control a reprogramming of the burst control operation feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5887162
    Abstract: A synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device having a master control circuit for accepting a first command and a second command and having an initialization and reprogramming circuit. The master control circuit generates an initialization signal in response to the first command and generates a reprogramming signal in response to the second command. The initialization and reprogramming circuit responds to the initialization signal to control initial programming of a control operation feature and responds to the reprogramming signal to control a reprogramming of the control operation feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5841726
    Abstract: A method for initially programming a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device to have a first control operating option in response to a first command and for reprogramming the SDRAM device to have a second control operating option in response to a second command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5812842
    Abstract: A method for initially programming a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device to have a first control operating option in response to a first command and for reprogramming the SDRAM device to have a second control operating option in response to a second command without interrupting the active state of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5757715
    Abstract: A method for initially programming a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) device to have a first control operating option in response to a first command and for reprogramming the SDRAM device to have a second control operating option in response to a second command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Williams, Scott Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5751656
    Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronous DRAM memory module with control circuitry that allows the memory module to operate partially asynchronously. Specifically, a circuit is disclosed which utilizes address transition detection to begin decoding the column-address immediately after a new column-address is present on the address bus lines and without waiting for the column-address strobe signal to synchronize with the rising or falling edge of the synchronizing clock signal. Also disclosed is a manner of controlling the latching circuitry whereby each new column-address may be decoded and held within a buffer until the column-address strobe signal notifies the circuitry that the column-address is correct and is to be input into the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Schaefer