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: 20200210077
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to implementing a non-persistent unlock state for secure memory. Implementing the non-persistent unlock state 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 following the placement of the protected region in a non-persistent unlocked mode. If the row of the memory array corresponding to the access command is activated, then the protected region can be placed on a locked mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Naveh Malihi
  • Patent number: 10699784
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for sensing a resistive memory cell. A number of embodiments include performing a sensing operation on a memory cell to determine a current value associated with the memory cell, applying a programming signal to the memory cell, and determining a data state of the memory cell based on the current value associated with the memory cell before applying the programming signal and a current value associated with the memory cell after applying the programming signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Lei Bi, Adam D. Johnson, Brent Keeth, Alessandro Calderoni, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20200159687
    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: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: James Brian Johnson, Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 10628354
    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: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Richard C. Murphy, Elliott C. Cooper-Balis
  • Publication number: 20200098730
    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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 10579578
    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: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Brian Johnson, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20200058621
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Mark Hiatt, Terry R. Lee, Mark Tuttle, Rahul Advani, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20190385646
    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: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Joe M. Jeddeloh, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20190341370
    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: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventor: Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 10468382
    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: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Mark Hiatt, Terry R. Lee, Mark Tuttle, Rahul Advani, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20190179785
    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: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Richard C. Murphy, Elliott C. Cooper-Balis
  • Publication number: 20190179769
    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: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Richard C. Murphy, Elliott C. Cooper-Balis
  • Patent number: 10283172
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe M. Jeddeloh, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20190121775
    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: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: James Brian Johnson, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20190121560
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for a reconfigurable memory device that is configurable based on the type of interposer used to couple the memory device with a host device. The reconfigurable memory device may include a plurality components for a plurality of configurations. Various components of the reconfigurable memory die may be activated/deactivated based on what type of interposer is used in the memory device. For example, if a first type of interposer is used (e.g., a high-density interposer), the data channel may be eight data pins wide. In contrast, if second type of interposer is used (e.g., an organic-based interposer), the data channel may be four data pins wide. As such, a reconfigurable memory device may include data pins and related drivers that are inactive in some configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, James Brian Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190122950
    Abstract: Stacked semiconductor die assemblies with multiple thermal paths and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die assembly can include a plurality of first semiconductor dies arranged in a stack and a second semiconductor die carrying the first semiconductor dies. The second semiconductor die can include a peripheral portion that extends laterally outward beyond at least one side of the first semiconductor dies. The semiconductor die assembly can further include a thermal transfer feature at the peripheral portion of the second semiconductor die. The first semiconductor dies can define a first thermal path, and the thermal transfer feature can define a second thermal path separate from the first semiconductor dies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Steven K. Groothuis, Jian Li, Haojun Zhang, Paul A. Silvestri, Xiao Li, Shijian Luo, Luke G. England, Brent Keeth, Jaspreet S. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 10242718
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe M. Jeddeloh, Brent Keeth
  • Publication number: 20190088652
    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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: 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: 20190081024
    Abstract: Apparatuses for supplying power supply voltage in a plurality of dies are described. An example apparatus includes: a circuit board; a regulator on the circuit board that regulates a first voltage; a semiconductor device on the circuit board that receives the first voltage through a power line in the circuit board. The semiconductor device includes: a substrate on the circuit board, stacked via conductive balls, that receives the first voltage from the power line via the conductive balls; a plurality of dies on the semiconductor device, stacked via bumps, each die including, a first conductive via that receives the first voltage via the bumps; a plurality of pillars between adjacent dies and couple the first conductive vias of the adjacent dies; and a sense node switch circuit that selectively couples one first conductive via of one die among the plurality of dies to the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Adam S. El-Mansouri, Fuad Badrieh, Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 10170389
    Abstract: Stacked semiconductor die assemblies with multiple thermal paths and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die assembly can include a plurality of first semiconductor dies arranged in a stack and a second semiconductor die carrying the first semiconductor dies. The second semiconductor die can include a peripheral portion that extends laterally outward beyond at least one side of the first semiconductor dies. The semiconductor die assembly can further include a thermal transfer feature at the peripheral portion of the second semiconductor die. The first semiconductor dies can define a first thermal path, and the thermal transfer feature can define a second thermal path separate from the first semiconductor dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Groothuis, Jian Li, Haojun Zhang, Paul A. Silvestri, Xiao Li, Shijian Luo, Luke G. England, Brent Keeth, Jaspreet S. Gandhi