Patents by Inventor Bruce W Schober
Bruce W Schober 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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Patent number: 11088895Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20200287778Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 10700918Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 10348537Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adding offset delays to signal lines of multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example method may include comparing a current channel state of a channel of a multi-level communication bus with a next channel state of the channel. The example method may further include, based on the comparison, applying an offset delay to a control signal configured to control transition of a signal line of the channel from a value associated with the current channel state to a value associated with the next channel state. The example method may further include after application of the offset delay, driving the signal line to the value associated with the next channel state responsive to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20190109755Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 10164817Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20180278461Abstract: According to one embodiment, A data buffer is described. The data buffer comprises a first input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a first signal encoded according to a first communications protocol, a second input/output circuit configured to receive and provide a second signal encoded according to a second communications protocol, and a conversion circuit coupled to the first and second input/output circuits and configured to convert the first signal to the second signal and to convert the second signal to the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: TIMOTHY M. HOLLIS, Dean Gans, Randon Richards, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20180278447Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adding offset delays to signal lines of multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example method may include comparing a current channel state of a channel of a multi-level communication bus with a next channel state of the channel. The example method may further include, based on the comparison, applying an offset delay to a control signal configured to control transition of a signal line of the channel from a value associated with the current channel state to a value associated with the next channel state. The example method may further include after application of the offset delay, driving the signal line to the value associated with the next channel state responsive to the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 10015027Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adding offset delays to signal lines of multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example method may include comparing a current channel state of a channel of a multi-level communication bus with a next channel state of the channel. The example method may further include, based on the comparison, applying an offset delay to a control signal configured to control transition of a signal line of the channel from a value associated with the current channel state to a value associated with the next channel state. The example method may further include after application of the offset delay, driving the signal line to the value associated with the next channel state responsive to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20160119169Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adding offset delays to signal lines of multi-level communication architectures are disclosed herein. An example method may include comparing a current channel state of a channel of a multi-level communication bus with a next channel state of the channel. The example method may further include, based on the comparison, applying an offset delay to a control signal configured to control transition of a signal line of the channel from a value associated with the current channel state to a value associated with the next channel state. The example method may further include after application of the offset delay, driving the signal line to the value associated with the next channel state responsive to the control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventor: Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 9065442Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for driving input data signals onto signal lines as output data signals are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a detection circuit, a driver adjust circuit, and a data driver. The detection circuit is configured to detect a characteristic(s) of a group of input data signals to be driven onto adjacent signal lines. A characteristic could be, for example, a particular combination of logic levels and/or transitions for the group of input data signals. The driver adjust circuit is configured to provide a driver adjustment signal based at least in part on a detection signal, that is provided by the detection circuit. A data driver is configured to drive a respective one of the group of input data signals as a respective one of the output data signals, wherein the data driver is adjusted based at least in part on the driver adjustment signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20130307583Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for driving input data signals onto signal lines as output data signals are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a detection circuit, a driver adjust circuit, and a data driver. The detection circuit is configured to detect a characteristic(s) of a group of input data signals to be driven onto adjacent signal lines. A characteristic could be, for example, a particular combination of logic levels and/or transitions for the group of input data signals. The driver adjust circuit is configured to provide a driver adjustment signal based at least in part on a detection signal, that is provided by the detection circuit. A data driver is configured to drive a respective one of the group of input data signals as a respective one of the output data signals, wherein the data driver is adjusted based at least in part on the driver adjustment signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 8497706Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for driving input data signals onto signal lines as output data signals are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a detection circuit, a driver adjust circuit, and a data driver. The detection circuit is configured to detect a characteristic(s) of a group of input data signals to be driven onto adjacent signal lines. A characteristic could be, for example, a particular combination of logic levels and/or transitions for, the group of input data signals. The driver adjust circuit is configured to provide a driver adjustment signal based at least in part on a detection signal, that is provided by the detection circuit. A data driver is configured to drive a respective one of the group of input data signals as a respective one of the output data signals, wherein the data driver is adjusted based at least in part on the driver adjustment signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20130043900Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for driving input data signals onto signal lines as output data signals are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a detection circuit, a driver adjust circuit, and a data driver. The detection circuit is configured to detect a characteristic(s) of a group of input data signals to be driven onto adjacent signal lines. A characteristic could be, for example, a particular combination of logic levels and/or transitions for, the group of input data signals. The driver adjust circuit is configured to provide a driver adjustment signal based at least in part on a detection signal, that is provided by the detection circuit. A data driver is configured to drive a respective one of the group of input data signals as a respective one of the output data signals, wherein the data driver is adjusted based at least in part on the driver adjustment signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: TIMOTHY M. HOLLIS, BRUCE W. SCHOBER
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Patent number: 8358151Abstract: A receiver for receiving a reduced swing signal from a transmission channel is disclosed, in which the swing of the reduced swing signal is less than the power supply of the receiver and possibly is less than the power supply of the transmitter. The receiver comprises a level shifter for offsetting the reduced swing signal, and an amplifier which receives both the reduced swing signal and its offset to produce a full swing signal output referenced to the power supply of the receiver. The full swing signal can thereafter be buffered, and eventually can be captured by a clock. Optionally, the disclosed reduced swing receiver also contains calibration circuitry for improving the integrity of the full swing signal output, and in particular for countering the effects of process, and in some embodiments temperature, variations, which alter the characteristics of the transistors which make up the receiver circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20100231260Abstract: A receiver for receiving a reduced swing signal from a transmission channel is disclosed, in which the swing of the reduced swing signal is less than the power supply of the receiver and possibly is less than the power supply of the transmitter. The receiver comprises a level shifter for offsetting the reduced swing signal, and an amplifier which receives both the reduced swing signal and its offset to produce a full swing signal output referenced to the power supply of the receiver. The full swing signal can thereafter be buffered, and eventually can be captured by a clock. Optionally, the disclosed reduced swing receiver also contains calibration circuitry for improving the integrity of the full swing signal output, and in particular for countering the effects of process, and in some embodiments temperature, variations, which alter the characteristics of the transistors which make up the receiver circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Bruce W. Schober
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Patent number: 7741873Abstract: A receiver for receiving a reduced swing signal from a transmission channel is disclosed, in which the swing of the reduced swing signal is less than the power supply of the receiver and possibly is less than the power supply of the transmitter. The receiver comprises a level shifter for offsetting the reduced swing signal, and an amplifier which receives both the reduced swing signal and its offset to produce a full swing signal output referenced to the power supply of the receiver. The full swing signal can thereafter be buffered, and eventually can be captured by a clock. Optionally, the disclosed reduced swing receiver also contains calibration circuitry for improving the integrity of the full swing signal output, and in particular for countering the effects of process, and in some embodiments temperature, variations, which alter the characteristics of the transistors which make up the receiver circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Hollis, Bruce W. Schober
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Publication number: 20090261859Abstract: A receiver for receiving a reduced swing signal from a transmission channel is disclosed, in which the swing of the reduced swing signal is less than the power supply of the receiver and possibly is less than the power supply of the transmitter. The receiver comprises a level shifter for offsetting the reduced swing signal, and an amplifier which receives both the reduced swing signal and its offset to produce a full swing signal output referenced to the power supply of the receiver. The full swing signal can thereafter be buffered, and eventually can be captured by a clock. Optionally, the disclosed reduced swing receiver also contains calibration circuitry for improving the integrity of the full swing signal output, and in particular for countering the effects of process, and in some embodiments temperature, variations, which alter the characteristics of the transistors which make up the receiver circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: TIMOTHY M. HOLLIS, BRUCE W. SCHOBER
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Patent number: 6457083Abstract: A communication channel that is accessible when the product is entirely assembled, but appears to be, and functions like, configuration jumpers to the end user. The communication channel utilizes the terminals of a configuration jumper block as communication paths to an interface device. The terminals of the configuration jumper block may be wired differently depending on the desired function (i.e. send data, receive data, etc.) of the terminals. The configuration information needed by the device is read from the terminals of the configuration block when the communication channel is not active. Switches on the interface device are used to set the configuration information. Configuration jumpers that can be used are the Master, Slave, and Cable Select signals for an ATAPI interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1999Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Bruce W Schober, Steven L Brittenham, Mark A Rau, William P Proctor