Patents by Inventor Alan J. Wilson
Alan J. Wilson 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).
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Publication number: 20230125544Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for repair operation techniques are described. A memory device may detect a failure of a read operation associated with a physical row address of a memory die. The memory device may store information associated with the physical row address before performing a media management operation and after detecting the failure. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may initiate a counter based on detecting the failure and may increment a value of the counter for each media management operation performed after detecting the failure. The memory device may send a command or other information to perform a repair operation for the physical row address. The memory device may determine the physical row address for the repair operation (e.g., despite media management operations) based on the stored information or the value of the counter, and may perform the repair operation on the physical row address.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Alan J. Wilson, Donald M. Morgan
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Publication number: 20230116534Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for automatic soft post-package repair (ASPPR). A memory may receive a row address along with a signal indicating an ASPPR operation, such as a bad page flag being set. A word line engine generates a physical address based on the row address, and ASPPR registers stores the physical address. The time it takes from receiving the row address to storing the physical address may be within the timing of an access operation on the memory such as tRAS. The row address may specify a single page of information. If the bad page flag is set, then a subsequent PPR operation may blow fuses to encode the physical address stored in the ASPPR registers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Donald M. Morgan, Alan J. Wilson, Bryan D. Kerstetter, John D. Porter
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Patent number: 11579990Abstract: Techniques are provided for storing a row address of a defective row of memory cells to a bank of non-volatile storage elements (e.g., fuses or anti-fuses). After a memory device has been packaged, one or more rows of memory cells may become defective. In order to repair (e.g., replace) the rows, a post-package repair (PPR) operation may occur to replace the defective row with a redundant row of the memory array. To replace the defective row with a redundant row, an address of the defective row may be stored (e.g., mapped) to an available bank of non-volatile storage elements that is associated with a redundant row. Based on the bank of non-volatile storage elements the address of the defective row, subsequent access operations may utilize the redundant row and not the defective row.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11579772Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for retiring pages of a memory device are described. An ordered set of device information pages may be used to store device information. The device information pages may be in non-volatile memory. Each page may include a counter value of the number of accesses to indicate if the page includes valid data. A flag associated with the page may be set when the counter value reaches a threshold, to retire the page. Upon power-up, the device may determine which page to use, based on the flags. The flag may be stored in the page, or may be separate (e.g., fuse elements). If fuse elements are used, the page may store a programming-in-process flag to indicate when programming of the fuse element may not have been completed before power loss, in which case the programming may be restarted after power is restored.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Donald Martin Morgan, Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11557367Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifying memory bank operating parameters are described. Operating parameter(s) may be individually adjusted for memory banks or memory bank groups within a memory system based on trimming information. The local trimming information for a memory bank or memory bank group may be stored in a fuse set that also stores repair information for the particular memory bank or in a fuse set that also stores repair information for a memory bank in the particular memory bank group. The local trimming information may be applied to operating parameters for particular memory banks or memory bank groups relative to or instead of global adjustments applied to operating parameters of multiple or all of the memory banks in the memory system.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11507296Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for repair operation techniques are described. A memory device may detect a failure of a read operation associated with a physical row address of a memory die. The memory device may store information associated with the physical row address before performing a media management operation and after detecting the failure. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may initiate a counter based on detecting the failure and may increment a value of the counter for each media management operation performed after detecting the failure. The memory device may send a command or other information to perform a repair operation for the physical row address. The memory device may determine the physical row address for the repair operation (e.g., despite media management operations) based on the stored information or the value of the counter, and may perform the repair operation on the physical row address.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alan J. Wilson, Donald M. Morgan
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Publication number: 20220328125Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for soft post-package repair (SPPR). After packaging, it may be necessary to perform post-package repair operations on rows of the memory. During a scan mode of an SPPR operation, addresses provided by a fuse bank may be examined to determine if they are open addresses or if the bad row of memory is a redundant row of memory. The open addresses and the bad redundant addresses may be stored in volatile storage elements, such as in latch circuits. During a soft send mode of a SPPR operation, the address previously associated with the bad row of memory may be associated with the open address instead, and the address of the bad redundant row may be disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: ALAN J. WILSON
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Publication number: 20220291854Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for repair operation techniques are described. A memory device may detect a failure of a read operation associated with a physical row address of a memory die. The memory device may store information associated with the physical row address before performing a media management operation and after detecting the failure. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may initiate a counter based on detecting the failure and may increment a value of the counter for each media management operation performed after detecting the failure. The memory device may send a command or other information to perform a repair operation for the physical row address. The memory device may determine the physical row address for the repair operation (e.g., despite media management operations) based on the stored information or the value of the counter, and may perform the repair operation on the physical row address.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Alan J. Wilson, Donald M. Morgan
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Publication number: 20220164108Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for retiring pages of a memory device are described. An ordered set of device information pages may be used to store device information. The device information pages may be in non-volatile memory. Each page may include a counter value of the number of accesses to indicate if the page includes valid data. A flag associated with the page may be set when the counter value reaches a threshold, to retire the page. Upon power-up, the device may determine which page to use, based on the flags. The flag may be stored in the page, or may be separate (e.g., fuse elements). If fuse elements are used, the page may store a programming-in-process flag to indicate when programming of the fuse element may not have been completed before power loss, in which case the programming may be restarted after power is restored.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Donald Martin Morgan, Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11334458Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for completing memory repair operations interrupted by power loss are described. A command to perform a memory repair of a memory device may be received. A memory repair process of the memory device may be initiated, based on the command. The memory repair process may include programming fuse elements of the memory device. Information associated with the initiated memory repair process may be stored in a non-volatile memory. The memory repair process may be interrupted by a power interruption. During powerup of the memory device, it may be determined that the memory repair process was initiated and not completed before the powerup, based on the stored information. The memory repair process of the memory device may be continued, based on the determination. Upon completion of the memory repair process, the stored information may be cleared.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Alan J. Wilson, Donald Martin Morgan
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Publication number: 20220091978Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifying subsets of memory bank operating parameters are described. First global trimming information may be configured to adjust a first subset of operating parameters for a set of memory banks within a memory system. Second global trimming information may be configured to adjust a second subset of operating parameters for the set of memory banks. Local trimming information may be used to adjust one of the subsets of the operating parameters for a subset of the memory banks. To adjust one of the subsets of the operating parameters, the local trimming information may be combined with one of the first or second global trimming information to yield additional local trimming information that is used to adjust a corresponding subset of the operating parameters at the subset of the memory banks.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Christopher D. Wieduwilt, Alan J. Wilson
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Publication number: 20220066893Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for completing memory repair operations interrupted by power loss are described. A command to perform a memory repair of a memory device may be received. A memory repair process of the memory device may be initiated, based on the command. The memory repair process may include programming fuse elements of the memory device. Information associated with the initiated memory repair process may be stored in a non-volatile memory. The memory repair process may be interrupted by a power interruption. During powerup of the memory device, it may be determined that the memory repair process was initiated and not completed before the powerup, based on the stored information. The memory repair process of the memory device may be continued, based on the determination. Upon completion of the memory repair process, the stored information may be cleared.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Alan J. Wilson, Donald Martin Morgan
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Publication number: 20210335443Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifying memory bank operating parameters are described. Operating parameter(s) may be individually adjusted for memory banks or memory bank groups within a memory system based on trimming information. The local trimming information for a memory bank or memory bank group may be stored in a fuse set that also stores repair information for the particular memory bank or in a fuse set that also stores repair information for a memory bank in the particular memory bank group. The local trimming information may be applied to operating parameters for particular memory banks or memory bank groups relative to or instead of global adjustments applied to operating parameters of multiple or all of the memory banks in the memory system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11145387Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for soft post-package repair (SPPR). After packaging, it may be necessary to perform post-package repair operations on rows of the memory. During a scan mode of an SPPR operation, addresses provided by a fuse bank may be examined to determine if they are open addresses or if the bad row of memory is a redundant row of memory. The open addresses and the bad redundant addresses may be stored in volatile storage elements, such as in latch circuits. During a soft send mode of a SPPR operation, the address previously associated with the bad row of memory may be associated with the open address instead, and the address of the bad redundant row may be disabled.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11138107Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifying subsets of memory bank operating parameters are described. First global trimming information may be configured to adjust a first subset of operating parameters for a set of memory banks within a memory system. Second global trimming information may be configured to adjust a second subset of operating parameters for the set of memory banks. Local trimming information may be used to adjust one of the subsets of the operating parameters for a subset of the memory banks. To adjust one of the subsets of the operating parameters, the local trimming information may be combined with one of the first or second global trimming information to yield additional local trimming information that is used to adjust a corresponding subset of the operating parameters at the subset of the memory banks.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Alan J. Wilson
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Publication number: 20210263848Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifying subsets of memory bank operating parameters are described. First global trimming information may be configured to adjust a first subset of operating parameters for a set of memory banks within a memory system. Second global trimming information may be configured to adjust a second subset of operating parameters for the set of memory banks. Local trimming information may be used to adjust one of the subsets of the operating parameters for a subset of the memory banks. To adjust one of the subsets of the operating parameters, the local trimming information may be combined with one of the first or second global trimming information to yield additional local trimming information that is used to adjust a corresponding subset of the operating parameters at the subset of the memory banks.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 11011250Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifying memory bank operating parameters are described. Operating parameter(s) may be individually adjusted for memory banks or memory bank groups within a memory system based on trimming information. The local trimming information for a memory bank or memory bank group may be stored in a fuse set that also stores repair information for the particular memory bank or in a fuse set that also stores repair information for a memory bank in the particular memory bank group. The local trimming information may be applied to operating parameters for particular memory banks or memory bank groups relative to or instead of global adjustments applied to operating parameters of multiple or all of the memory banks in the memory system.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Alan J. Wilson
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Publication number: 20210124660Abstract: Techniques are provided for storing a row address of a defective row of memory cells to a bank of non-volatile storage elements (e.g., fuses or anti-fuses). After a memory device has been packaged, one or more rows of memory cells may become defective. In order to repair (e.g., replace) the rows, a post-package repair (PPR) operation may occur to replace the defective row with a redundant row of the memory array. To replace the defective row with a redundant row, an address of the defective row may be stored (e.g., mapped) to an available bank of non-volatile storage elements that is associated with a redundant row. Based on the bank of non-volatile storage elements the address of the defective row, subsequent access operations may utilize the redundant row and not the defective row.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2021Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventor: Alan J. Wilson
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Patent number: 10909011Abstract: Techniques are provided for storing a row address of a defective row of memory cells to a bank of non-volatile storage elements (e.g., fuses or anti-fuses). After a memory device has been packaged, one or more rows of memory cells may become defective. In order to repair (e.g., replace) the rows, a post-package repair (PPR) operation may occur to replace the defective row with a redundant row of the memory array. To replace the defective row with a redundant row, an address of the defective row may be stored (e.g., mapped) to an available bank of non-volatile storage elements that is associated with a redundant row. Based on the bank of non-volatile storage elements the address of the defective row, subsequent access operations may utilize the redundant row and not the defective row.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Alan J. Wilson
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Publication number: 20210020261Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for soft post-package repair (SPPR). After packaging, it may be necessary to perform post-package repair operations on rows of the memory. During a scan mode of an SPPR operation, addresses provided by a fuse bank may be examined to determine if they are open addresses or if the bad row of memory is a redundant row of memory. The open addresses and the bad redundant addresses may be stored in volatile storage elements, such as in latch circuits. During a soft send mode of a SPPR operation, the address previously associated with the bad row of memory may be associated with the open address instead, and the address of the bad redundant row may be disabled.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Alan J. Wilson