Patents by Inventor Brady L. Keays

Brady L. Keays 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: 20220066945
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for managed NAND translation with embedded memory systems are described. A host system may generate a first command to access a logical memory address associated with a memory system. The host system may identify a physical memory address of the memory system based on generating the first command. The host system may output to the memory system a second command and the physical memory address, where the second command may be communicated to the memory device using a protocol associated with a controller of the memory system. The memory system may then access memory cells in a memory device associated with the physical memory address based on receiving the second command and the physical memory address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Wanmo Wong, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 9229802
    Abstract: Methods are described that facilitate the detection and correction of data in memory systems or devices by encoding the data bits of a memory row or block in a non-systematic ECC code. This allows memory embodiments of the present invention to utilize reduced complexity error detection and correction hardware and/or routines to efficiently detect and correct corrupted user data in a segment of memory, such as a sector, word line row, or erase block. User data is not stored in a plaintext format in the memory array, allowing for an increased level of data security. The ECC code is distributed throughout the stored data in the memory segment, increasing the robustness of the ECC code and its resistance to damage or data corruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8954818
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of operating a memory device includes reading data from a memory array into a data buffer, checking the data using a first checker, checking the data using a second checker, and when an error is detected by the first checker and the error is not detected by the second checker returning the data to the memory array from the data buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8792277
    Abstract: Split data error correction code (ECC) circuits including a control circuit coupled to an error correction code (ECC) circuit. The ECC circuit is adapted to generate at least one ECC code from user data of a first physical sector during a data access. The split data ECC circuit is adapted to write the at least one ECC code to a second physical sector if the data access is a write access and to compare the at least one generated ECC code with at least one ECC code stored in a second physical sector if the data access is a read access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eggleston, Anthony Moschopoulos, Michael Murray, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8782493
    Abstract: Methods of correcting data in a memory, and memories adapted to correct data, include prioritizing error correction of the read data in response to locations and likely states of known bad or questionable data positions of a segment of a memory array selected for reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Shuba Swaminathan, William H. Radke
  • Publication number: 20140189475
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of operating a memory device includes reading data from a memory array into a data buffer, checking the data using a first checker, checking the data using a second checker, and when an error is detected by the first checker and the error is not detected by the second checker returning the data to the memory array from the data buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Publication number: 20140136926
    Abstract: Methods are described that facilitate the detection and correction of data in memory systems or devices by encoding the data bits of a memory row or block in a non-systematic ECC code. This allows memory embodiments of the present invention to utilize reduced complexity error detection and correction hardware and/or routines to efficiently detect and correct corrupted user data in a segment of memory, such as a sector, word line row, or erase block. User data is not stored in a plaintext format in the memory array, allowing for an increased level of data security. The ECC code is distributed throughout the stored data in the memory segment, increasing the robustness of the ECC code and its resistance to damage or data corruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8661312
    Abstract: Data is read from a memory array. Before being stored in a data buffer, a Hamming code detection operation and a Reed-Solomon code detection operation are operated in parallel to determine if the data word has any errors. The results of the parallel detection operations are communicated to a controller circuit. If an error is present that can be corrected by the Hamming code correction operation, this is performed and the Reed-Solomon code detection operation is performed on the corrected word. If the error is uncorrectable by the Hamming code, the Reed-Solomon code correction operation is performed on the word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8635510
    Abstract: Methods are described that facilitate the detection and correction of data in memory systems or devices by encoding the data bits of a memory row or block in a non-systematic ECC code. Reduced complexity error detection and correction hardware and/or routines detect and correct corrupted user data in a segment of memory, such as a sector, word line row, or erase block. User data is not stored in a plaintext format in the memory array. The ECC code is distributed throughout the stored data in the memory segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Publication number: 20130332798
    Abstract: Methods of correcting data in a memory, and memories adapted to correct data, include prioritizing error correction of the read data in response to locations and likely states of known bad or questionable data positions of a segment of a memory array selected for reading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Shuba Swaminathan, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 8510634
    Abstract: Methods include receiving data and an ECC code read from a memory array, generating an ECC code from the received data, and determining whether the received data is corrupted by evaluating the generated ECC code against the ECC code read from the memory array. If the received data is determined to be corrupted, a correction algorithm and a recorded likely state of a known bad/questionable bit of the received data may be used to correct error in the received data. Alternatively, if the received data is determined to be corrupted, the correction algorithm and a recorded location of a known bad/questionable bit of the received data may be used to correct error in the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Shuba Swaminathan, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 8433846
    Abstract: Methods of operating memory devices, and memory devices configured to perform such methods, including reading Erase Block Management (EBM) data from an erase block of an array of memory cells. The EBM data, corresponding to a state of the particular erase block, is stored in control data spaces of a subset of sectors of the particular erase block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brady L. Keays
  • Publication number: 20120144263
    Abstract: Methods include receiving data and an ECC code read from a memory array, generating an ECC code from the received data, and determining whether the received data is corrupted by evaluating the generated ECC code against the ECC code read from the memory array. If the received data is determined to be corrupted, a correction algorithm and a recorded likely state of a known bad/questionable bit of the received data may be used to correct error in the received data. Alternatively, if the received data is determined to be corrupted, the correction algorithm and a recorded location of a known bad/questionable bit of the received data may be used to correct error in the received data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Shuba Swaminathan, William H. Radke
  • Publication number: 20120137056
    Abstract: Methods of operating memory devices, and memory devices configured to perform such methods, including reading Erase Block Management (EBM) data from an erase block of an array of memory cells. The EBM data, corresponding to a state of the particular erase block, is stored in control data spaces of a subset of sectors of the particular erase block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8122321
    Abstract: Methods of data handling include receiving data having a previously-generated error correction code and generating one or more error correction codes for the data, with each error correction code corresponding to the data having one or more particular bits of the data in differing data states. Such methods further include comparing the generated one or more error correction codes to the previously-generated error correction code, and if a particular one of the generated one or more error correction codes matches the previously-generated error correction code, transmitting the data having its one or more particular bits in the data states corresponding to that particular one of the generated one or more error correction codes. Methods of data handling may further include prioritizing the error correction in response to at least locations of known bad or questionable bits of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Shuba Swaminathan, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 8112573
    Abstract: An improved Flash memory device with a distributed erase block management (EBM) scheme is detailed that enhances operation and helps minimize write fatigue of the floating gate memory cells of the Flash memory device. The Flash memory device of the invention combines the EBM data in a user data erase block by placing it in an EBM data field of the control data section of the erase block sectors. Therefore distributing the EBM data within the Flash memory erase block structure. This allows the Flash memory to update and/or erase the user data and the EBM data in a single operation, to reduce overhead and speed operation. The Flash memory also reduces the process of EBM data structure write fatigue by allowing the EBM data fields to be load leveled by rotating them with the erase blocks they describe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brady L. Keays
  • Publication number: 20110185254
    Abstract: Data is read from a memory array. Before being stored in a data buffer, a Hamming code detection operation and a Reed-Solomon code detection operation are operated in parallel to determine if the data word has any errors. The results of the parallel detection operations are communicated to a controller circuit. If an error is present that can be corrected by the Hamming code correction operation, this is performed and the Reed-Solomon code detection operation is performed on the corrected word. If the error is uncorrectable by the Hamming code, the Reed-Solomon code correction operation is performed on the word.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 7930612
    Abstract: Data is read from a memory array. Before being stored in a data buffer, a Hamming code detection operation and a Reed-Solomon code detection operation are operated in parallel to determine if the data word has any errors. The results of the parallel detection operations are communicated to a controller circuit. If an error is present that can be corrected by the Hamming code correction operation, this is performed and the Reed-Solomon code detection operation is performed on the corrected word. If the error is uncorrectable by the Hamming code, the Reed-Solomon code correction operation is performed on the word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Publication number: 20100318719
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, memory controllers and devices for wear leveling a memory. One method embodiment includes selecting, in at least a substantially random manner, a number of memory locations as at least a portion of a sample subset, the sample subset including fewer than all memory locations of the memory. A memory location having a particular wear level characteristic is identified from among the sample subset of memory locations, and data is written to the memory location identified from among the sample subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Wanmo Wong
  • Publication number: 20100306626
    Abstract: Methods of data handling include receiving data having a previously-generated error correction code and generating one or more error correction codes for the data, with each error correction code corresponding to the data having one or more particular bits of the data in differing data states. Such methods further include comparing the generated one or more error correction codes to the previously-generated error correction code, and if a particular one of the generated one or more error correction codes matches the previously-generated error correction code, transmitting the data having its one or more particular bits in the data states corresponding to that particular one of the generated one or more error correction codes. Methods of data handling may further include prioritizing the error correction in response to at least locations of known bad or questionable bits of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Brady L. Keays, Shuba Swaminathan, William H. Radke