Patents Examined by Osman Alshack
  • Patent number: 8745475
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a delay circuit to apply delay to an input signal, a phase detector to detect a phase of an output signal which is outputted from the delay circuit, a filter to set a range of the phase of the output signal for stable operation based on phase information outputted from the phase detector, a counter to count a number of detections of the output signal when the phase deviates from the range for stable operation, a discount controller to generate a discount signal indicating a discount number for the number counted by the counter, in accordance with an operating condition or an external factor outside the delay circuit and an error detector to determine whether or not an error of the phase of the output signal has occurred based on the number counted by the counter and a discount number indicated by the discount signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Koji Migita, Kazumasa Kubotera
  • Patent number: 8738976
    Abstract: A memory error detecting apparatus for detecting an error of a subject memory, the memory error detecting apparatus includes a memory bus connected to the subject memory, a mirror memory connected to the memory bus so as to receive the same data as data to be written into and read from the subject memory, the received data being written into the mirror memory, an address acquiring portion configured to acquire an address related to the data written into the subject memory, a mirror memory controller configured to control data writing or reading to or from the mirror memory on the basis of the acquired address, a comparator configured to compare data read from the subject memory and data read from the mirror memory, and an error detector configured to detect a data error on the basis of a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Rikizo Nakano, Osamu Ishibashi, Sadao Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8719660
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and techniques for indicating health of a memory system having a controller and nonvolatile memory array. In one embodiment, the invention pertains to a method for indicating health of a removable memory system that is removably coupled with a host device. After the memory system is coupled with a host device, a first health status is output via an external electrical or mechanical interface of the memory system. One or more health metrics of the memory system are monitored. After a first predefined limit is reached with respect to the one or more health metrics, a second health status is output via the external electrical or mechanical interface of the memory system. The first health status differs from the second health status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Peng, Ka Ian Yung, Xiangyang Miao, Arjun Hary
  • Patent number: 8713398
    Abstract: Disclosed are an encoding apparatus for a quasi-cyclic low-density parity check code for calculating r×m-bit redundant data for information data of length k×m bits (k, m and r are positive integers), and a cyclic addition apparatus including a k×m-bit shift register and exclusive OR. With information data of a length of k×m×L bits (L?k), a length of (r×m×(L+1)+k×m) bits is calculated as redundant data by adding redundant data of a length of r×m×L bits calculated using the encoding apparatus L times, k×m-bit data calculated by inputting the information data of a length of k×m×L bits to the cyclic addition apparatus, and r×m-bit redundant data calculated by inputting the k×m-bit data to the encoding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Norifumi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8700974
    Abstract: In a memory system, a memory controller includes a randomizer and a seed controller. The seed controller provides a seed to the randomizer and includes; a first register block performing a first cyclic shift operation using a first parameter related to the nonvolatile memory device, a second register block performing a second cyclic shift operation using a second parameter related to the nonvolatile memory device, and a seed generating block generating the seed from the first and second cyclic shift results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungsoo Chung, Hong Rak Son, Junjin Kong
  • Patent number: 8694855
    Abstract: A data storage device reads a data unit from a memory page, detects a number of data bit errors in the data unit, and generates a bit error indicator identifying bit indexes of the data bit errors in the data unit. The data storage device reads the data unit from the memory page once again and generates a corrected data unit by correcting data bit errors in the data unit based on the error correction code if the number of data bit errors in the data unit does not exceed an error correction capacity of the error correction code. Otherwise, the data storage device generates a modified data unit based on the data unit by negating at least one erroneous data bit the data unit based on the bit error indicator and corrects any remaining data bit errors in the modified data unit based on the error correction code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra US, Inc.
    Inventors: Rino Micheloni, Luca Crippa, Alessia Marelli
  • Patent number: 8694866
    Abstract: MDS (maximum distance separable) array codes are widely used in storage systems to protect data against erasures. The rebuilding ratio problem is addressed and efficient parity codes are proposed. A controller as disclosed is configured for receiving configuration data at the controller that indicates operating features of the array and determining a parity code for operation of the array according to a permutation, wherein the configuration data specifies the array as comprising nodes defined by A=(ai,j) with size rm×k for some integers k,m, and wherein for T={v0 , . . . , Vk-1} ?Zrm a subset of vectors of size k, where for each v=(v1, . . . , vm)?T, gcd (v1, . . . , vm, r), where gcd is the greatest common divisor, such that for any l, 0?l?r?1, and v ?T, the code values are determined by the permutation fvl:[0,rm?1]?[0,rm?1]by fvl(x)=x+lv.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Itzhak Tamo, Zhiying Wang, Jehoshua Bruck
  • Patent number: 8694849
    Abstract: A data storage device stores a data unit in a memory page of a storage block along with an error correction code unit for the data unit. Additionally, the data storage device stores an error correction code unit for the data unit in a memory page of another storage block. In various embodiments, one or both of the error correction code units form an error correction code for correcting data bit errors in the data unit. Because the memory page containing the data unit does not have a storage capacity for simultaneously storing the error correction code and the data unit, the data storage device is capable of correcting a greater number of data bit errors in the data unit by using the error correction code in comparison to using an error correction code that would fit in the memory page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra US, Inc.
    Inventors: Rino Micheloni, Alessia Marelli, Peter Z. Onufryk
  • Patent number: 8683286
    Abstract: A method begins for a first group of data segments by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module selecting a first vault parameter set from a plurality of vault parameter sets and generating a first plurality of sets of slice names for a first plurality of sets of encoded slices in accordance with the first vault parameter set. The method continues for a second group of data segments with the DS processing module selecting a second vault parameter set from the plurality of vault parameter sets and generating a second plurality of sets of slice names for a second plurality of sets of encoded slices in accordance with the second vault parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Gladwin, Wesley Leggette, Andrew Baptist, Jason K. Resch
  • Patent number: 8677196
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, devices, and/or machine readable storage medium for memory built-in self testing (memory BIST) that may not require JTAG. Embodiments may provide less chip overhead through the use of one or more direct access pins. Embodiments may provide simple checks to determine if the memories on a chip are good or bad with minimal cost, for example. In some cases, the memory BIST may determine whether or not memories are good when the chip powers on. Some embodiments may also perform stress testing on the memories to force early life failures of the memories. Embodiments do not necessarily have to diagnose failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Lee Gregor, Norman Robert Card, Hanumantha Raya, Puneet Arora
  • Patent number: 8677214
    Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module encoding data using a dispersed storage error coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module encoding a first encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices using a zero information gain (ZIG) function based on a second encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices to produce a ZIG encoded data slice. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the ZIG encoded data slice and a subset of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices, wherein the subset of encoded data slices includes less than a decode threshold number of encoded data slices and does not include the first or the second encoded data slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Grube, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 8671328
    Abstract: A decoding system includes a decoder, a first module and a second module. The decoder is configured to receive data read from an optical storage medium and perform a first decoding iteration and a second decoding iteration to decode the data. The first decoding iteration includes generating a resultant matrix. The first module is configured to, based on first decoding statuses of multiple bytes in the resultant matrix, determine second decoding statuses of bytes proximate to failed bytes of a feedback matrix. The feedback matrix is generated based on the resultant matrix. The first module is configured to mark selected ones of the failed bytes as erasures based on the second decoding statuses. The second module is configured to correct one or more of the bytes marked as erasures during the second decoding iteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Mats Oberg, Jin Xie
  • Patent number: 8671320
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises scan test circuitry and additional circuitry subject to testing utilizing the scan test circuitry. The scan test circuitry comprises a plurality of scan chains coupled to the additional circuitry, a scan capture clock generator configured to generate a scan capture clock signal having a controllable number of capture pulses, and a clock selection circuit configured to select between at least the scan capture clock signal and a scan shift clock signal for application to clock signal inputs of the scan chains. In one embodiment, the scan capture clock generator comprises a finite state machine, a plurality of capture clock pulse circuits each generating a capture clock pulse signal comprising a different number of capture clock pulses, and logic circuitry coupled to the finite state machine and having inputs adapted to receive the outputs of the capture clock pulse circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Ramesh C. Tekumalla
  • Patent number: 8656259
    Abstract: If the number of bits at which 64-bit width data has changed at the same time has exceeded a threshold, the data is outputted, with the polarity of each bit inverted. Otherwise, the data is outputted. A 7-bit width error correcting code is given to the outputted data and the inversion instruction signal indicating whether the number of the changed bits has exceeded the threshold. Error code correction is performed for the data and the inversion instruction signal with the use of the transmitted error correcting code. If the inversion instruction signal for which the error code correction has been performed indicates that the number of the changed bits has exceeded the threshold, the data for which the error code correction has been performed is outputted, with the polarity of each bit inverted. Otherwise, the data for which the error code correction has been performed is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsugio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8650467
    Abstract: A method for decoding an ECC, in a decoder that includes at least first and second root search units, includes accepting at least first and second Error Locator Polynomials (ELPs) that have been computed over respective first and second code words of the ECC. A criterion depending on the ELPs is evaluated. One of first and second modes is selected based on the criterion. One or more first roots of the first ELP and one or more second roots of the second ELP are found using the selected mode, and the first and second code words are decoded using the first and second roots. In the first mode, the first and second root search units are combined and simultaneously find the first roots. In the second mode, the first and second root search units operate separately, and simultaneously identify the first roots and the second roots, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Micha Anholt
  • Patent number: 8645784
    Abstract: Through the identification of different packet-types, packets can be handled based on an assigned packet handling identifier. This identifier can, for example, enable forwarding of latency-sensitive packets without delay and allow error-sensitive packets to be stored for possible retransmission. In another embodiment, and optionally in conjunction with retransmission protocols including a packet handling identifier, a memory used for retransmission of packets can be shared with other transceiver functionality such as, coding, decoding, interleaving, deinterleaving, error correction, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: TQ Delta, LLC
    Inventor: Marcos C. Tzannes
  • Patent number: 8640000
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for skewed orthogonal coding techniques. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a block of data comprising a plurality of data chunks. One or more rows of word code chunks are generated using a first linear error-correcting code in systematic form and the data chunks. For each of m rows of the data chunks, one or more split row code chunks are generated using the data chunks of the row, wherein the split row code chunks are generated so that a linear combination of m split row code chunks from different rows forms a first word code chunk of a first codeword including the data chunks and the word code chunks. The rows of data chunks and the split row code chunks and the word code chunks are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Cypher
  • Patent number: 8607122
    Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module generating a data object identifier for data to be stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) and partitioning the data into a plurality of data partitions based on a set of retrieval preferences and data boundary information. For a data partition, the method continues with the DS processing module dispersed storage error encoding the data partition to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices and generating a plurality of sets of DSN addresses for the plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein a DSN address of the plurality of sets of DSN addresses includes a representation of the data object identifier, a representation of one or more retrieval preferences of the set of retrieval preferences, a representation of a corresponding portion of the data boundary information, and dispersed storage addressing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason K. Resch, Wesley Leggette
  • Patent number: 8601339
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for skewed orthogonal coding techniques. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a block of data comprising a plurality of data chunks. One or more rows of word code chunks are generated using a first error-correcting code in systematic form and the plurality of data chunks. For each row of a plurality of rows of the data chunks, one or more row code chunks for the row are generated using a second error-correcting code in systematic form and the data chunks of the row. The rows of data chunks and the row code chunks and the rows of word code chunks are stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Cypher
  • Patent number: 8583993
    Abstract: An iterative PCCC encoder includes a first delay line operative to receive at least one input data sample and to generate a plurality of delayed samples as a function of the input data sample. The encoder further includes a second delay line including a plurality of delay elements connected in a series configuration. An input of a first one of the delay elements is adapted to receive a sum of first and second signals, the first signal generated as a sum of the input data sample and at least one of the delayed samples, and the second signal generated as an output of a single one of the delay elements. A third delay line in the encoder is operative to generate an output data sample as a function of the sum of the first and second signals and a delayed version of the sum of the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Shai Kalfon, Alexander Rabinovitch