Patents by Inventor Brent Keeth

Brent Keeth 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: 20220188253
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for a translation device that is configured to enable communication between a host device and a memory technology using different communication protocols (e.g., a communication protocol that is not preconfigured in the host device) is described herein. The translation device may be configured to receive signals from the host device using a first communication protocol and transmit signals to the memory device using a second communication protocol, or vice-versa. When converting signals between different communication protocols, the translation device may be configured to convert commands, map memory addresses to new addresses, map between channels having different characteristics, encode data using different modulation schemes, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Richard C. Murphy, Elliott C. Cooper-Balis
  • Publication number: 20220179463
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to a memory expansion card suitable for, relative to other memory solutions, a high-speed interface and low power consumption. The memory expansion card can have on-die error correction code (ECC) circuitry and, in some examples, additional on-board circuitry, components, or capability to manage, relative to other memory solutions, a large number of volatile or non-volatile memory devices. A memory expansion card may have a controller with a host interface capable of using or defined according to a quantity of bits (i.e., a bit width), which may be eight bits. The controller may coupled to memory devices via several channels, and each channel may have the bit width of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20220139426
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory with fine grain architectures are described. An apparatus may include a memory device, a first organic substrate, and a second organic substrate. The first organic substrate may include a plurality of first conductive lines arranged with a first pitch that may power one or more components of the memory device. The second organic substrate may be coupled with the memory device and the first organic substrate. The second organic substrate may include a plurality of second conductive lines arranged with a second pitch smaller than the first pitch and may be configured to route signals between the memory device with a host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20220121609
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for a training procedure that identifies a frame boundary and generates a frame clock to identify the beginning and the end of a frame. After the frame training procedure is complete, a memory device may be configured to execute a frame synchronization procedure to identify the beginning of a frame based on the frame clock without the use of headers or other information within the frame during an active session of the memory device. During an activation time period after a power-up event, the memory device may initiate the frame training procedure. Once the frames are synchronized, the memory device may be configured to use that frame clock during an entire active session (e.g., until a power-down event) to identify the beginning of a frame as part of a frame synchronization procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: James Brian Johnson, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20220121393
    Abstract: Techniques for refreshing memory cells of a stack of random-access memory are provided. In an example, a method can include exchanging data between a host processor and a buffer die at a first data speed, exchanging data between the buffer die and one or more DRAM dies at a second speed, slower than the first speed, and controlling refresh of the one or more DRAM dies via a controller of the buffer die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 11281608
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for a translation device that is configured to enable communication between a host device and a memory technology using different communication protocols (e.g., a communication protocol that is not preconfigured in the host device) is described herein. The translation device may be configured to receive signals from the host device using a first communication protocol and transmit signals to the memory device using a second communication protocol, or vice-versa. When converting signals between different communication protocols, the translation device may be configured to convert commands, map memory addresses to new addresses, map between channels having different characteristics, encode data using different modulation schemes, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Richard C. Murphy, Elliott C. Cooper-Balis
  • Patent number: 11264360
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having a base, a first die, a second arranged in a stacked with the first die and the base, and a structure located in the stack and outside at least one of the first and second dice and configured to transfer signals between the base and at least one of the first and second dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Mark Hiatt, Terry R. Lee, Mark Tuttle, Rahul Advani, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20220057943
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to tracking unauthorized access commands for memory. Identifying unauthorized memory access can include verifying whether an access command is authorized to access a protected region of a memory array. The authorization can be verified utilizing a key and a memory address corresponding to the access command. If an access command is authorized to access a protected region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command can be activated. If an access command is not authorized to access the protected region, then an access count can be incremented to signify the unauthorized access command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Naveh Malihi
  • Patent number: 11233034
    Abstract: Techniques for signal routing between a host and dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) are provided. In an example, a routing layer for a dynamic random-access memory die (DRAM can include multiple through silicon via (TSV) terminations configured to electrically couple with TSVs of the DRAM, an intermediate interface area, and multiple routing traces. the multiple TSV terminations can be arranged in multiple TSV areas. The multiple TSV areas can be arranged in two columns. The intermediate interface area can include multiple micro-pillar bump terminations configured to couple, via a micro-pillar bump, with corresponding micro-pillar bump terminations of a semiconductor interposer. The multiple routing traces can couple control TSV terminations of the multiple TSV areas with a corresponding micro-pillar bump termination of the intermediate interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 11226920
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for a training procedure that identifies a frame boundary and generates a frame clock to identify the beginning and the end of a frame. After the frame training procedure is complete, a memory device may be configured to execute a frame synchronization procedure to identify the beginning of a frame based on the frame clock without the use of headers or other information within the frame during an active session of the memory device. During an activation time period after a power-up event, the memory device may initiate the frame training procedure. Once the frames are synchronized, the memory device may be configured to use that frame clock during an entire active session (e.g., until a power-down event) to identify the beginning of a frame as part of a frame synchronization procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Brian Johnson, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20220004421
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to managing regions of memory are described. Managing regions can include verifying whether an access command is authorized to access a particular region of a memory array, which may have some regions that have rules or restrictions governing access (e.g., so-called “protected regions”). The authorization can be verified utilizing a key and a memory address corresponding to the access command. If an access command is authorized to access a region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command can be activated. If an access command is not authorized to access the region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command may not be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Naveh Malihi
  • Patent number: 11169717
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to tracking unauthorized access commands for memory. Identifying unauthorized memory access can include verifying whether an access command is authorized to access a protected region of a memory array. The authorization can be verified utilizing a key and a memory address corresponding to the access command. If an access command is authorized to access a protected region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command can be activated. If an access command is not authorized to access the protected region, then an access count can be incremented to signify the unauthorized access command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Naveh Malihi
  • Publication number: 20210318956
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a buffer interface to translate high speed data interactions on a host interface side into slower, wider data interactions on a DRAM interface side. The slower, and wider DRAM interface may be configured to substantially match the capacity of the narrower, higher speed host interface. In some examples, the buffer interface may be configured to provide multiple sub-channel interfaces each coupled to one or more regions within the memory structure and configured to facilitate data recovery in the event of a failure of some portion of the memory structure. Selected example memory devices, systems and methods include an individual DRAM die, or one or more stacks of DRAM dies coupled to a buffer die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Owen Fay, Chan H. Yoo, Roy E. Greeff, Matthew B. Leslie
  • Publication number: 20210295879
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for providing a flexible memory system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a substrate is provided, wherein a stack of memory is coupled to the substrate. The stack of memory includes a number of vaults. A controller is also coupled to the substrate and includes a number of vault interface blocks coupled to the number of vaults of the stack of memory, wherein the number of vault interface blocks is less than the number of vaults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Joe M Jeddeloh, Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 11126453
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to managing regions of memory are described. Managing regions can include verifying whether an access command is authorized to access a particular region of a memory array, which may have some regions that have rules or restrictions governing access (e.g., so-called “protected regions”). The authorization can be verified utilizing a key and a memory address corresponding to the access command. If an access command is authorized to access a region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command can be activated. If an access command is not authorized to access the region, then a row of the memory array corresponding to the access command may not be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Naveh Malihi
  • Publication number: 20210257338
    Abstract: Systems and devices for routing signals between a memory device and an interface of a host device are described. Some memory technologies may have a defined, preconfigured interface (e.g., bumpout), where each interface terminal may have a specific location and a specific function. Using preconfigured interfaces may allow device maker and memory makers to make parts that are able to connect with one another without special designs. In some cases, a memory device may include a redistribution layer that includes a plurality of interconnects that may be configured couple channel terminals of the memory device with an interface associated with the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 11094697
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory cell having first and second transistors, and a capacitor vertically displaced relative to the first and second transistors. The capacitor has a first node electrically coupled with a source/drain region of the first transistor, a second node electrically coupled with a source/drain region of the second transistor, and capacitor dielectric material between the first and second nodes. Some embodiments include a memory cell having first and second transistors vertically displaced relative to one another, and a capacitor between the first and second transistors. The capacitor has a first node electrically coupled with a source/drain region of the first transistor, a second node electrically coupled with a source/drain region of the second transistor, and capacitor dielectric material between the first and second nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gloria Yang, Suraj J. Mathew, Raghunath Singanamalla, Vinay Nair, Scott J. Derner, Michael Amiel Shore, Brent Keeth, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Diem Thy N. Tran
  • Publication number: 20210240344
    Abstract: Techniques for wafer-scale memory device and systems are provided. In an example, a wafer-scale memory device can include a large single substrate, multiple memory circuit areas including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), the multiple memory circuit areas integrated with the substrate and configured to form an array on the substrate, and multiple streets separating the memory circuit areas. The streets can accommodate attaching the substrate to a wafer-scale processor. In certain examples, the large, single substrate can have a major surface area of more than 20,000 square millimeters (mm2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Bambi L. DeLaRosa, Eiichi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20210200464
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. In an example, a memory module can include a first stack of at least eight memory die including four pairs of memory die, each pair of the four pairs of memory die associated with an individual memory rank of four memory ranks of the memory module, a memory controller configured to receive memory access commands and to access memory locations of the first stack, and a substrate configured to route connections between external terminations of the memory module and the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20210200699
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including memory devices and systems. Example memory devices, systems and methods include a stack of memory dies, a controller die, and a buffer. Example memory devices, systems and methods include one or more neuromorphic layers logically coupled between one or more dies in the stack of memory dies and a host interface of the controller die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Frank F Ross, Richard C Murphy