Patents by Inventor Charles Main
Charles Main 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: 20210015056Abstract: Air dispersing member adapted for use buried in soil and comprising annular portions defining a hollow annular member comprising an air flow conduit, there being a plurality of holes communicating between the air flow conduit to a location exterior of the hollow annular member for aerating soil, the air dispensing member preferably being combined with an irrigation system for providing an optimal amount of water to a plant or seed, comprising an inner pot having a porous bottom portion and adapted for containing soil for hosting the plant or seed, an outer pot adapted for containing a certain water level, the inner pot and the outer pot together defining a partially enclosed space, an inlet water pipe, an outlet water pipe, and a wicking pad adapted to be in fluid communication between water in the bottom portion of the outer pot and the porous bottom portion of the inner pot.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventor: Jeffery Charles Main
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Patent number: 10481809Abstract: A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to reduce a read disturb effect of at least a portion of the solid-state non-volatile memory at least in part by receiving or accessing data to be written to the solid-state non-volatile memory, encoding the data using a programming pattern that favors a first programming state over a second programming state, the first programming state being associated with a higher voltage level than the second programming state, and writing the encoded data to the solid-state non-volatile memory.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Abhilash Ravi Kashyap, Dale Charles Main
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Patent number: 10095652Abstract: A dynamically configurable device including a connector configured to detect a first status of an interface selection mechanism, and a first Serializer De-serializer (SerDes) configured to drive a first selected interface from among a plurality of interfaces based on the first status. In response to the first status having a first state, the first selected interface is a first interface that causes the dynamically configurable device to present as a first type of device, and in response to the first status having a second state, the first selected interface is a second interface that causes the dynamically configurable device to present as a second type of device.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dean M. Jenkins, Dale Charles Main
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Publication number: 20180225252Abstract: A dynamically configurable device including a connector configured to detect a first status of an interface selection mechanism, and a first Serializer De-serializer (SerDes) configured to drive a first selected interface from among a plurality of interfaces based on the first status. In response to the first status having a first state, the first selected interface is a first interface that causes the dynamically configurable device to present as a first type of device, and in response to the first status having a second state, the first selected interface is a second interface that causes the dynamically configurable device to present as a second type of device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Dean M. Jenkins, Dale Charles Main
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Patent number: 10021777Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing temperature in a data storage device. A data storage device includes non-volatile solid-state memory, a temperature sensor, a heating device, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor indicating a temperature of at least a portion of the data storage device, determine that the temperature is below a first predetermined threshold, activate the heating device to increase the temperature of the at least a portion of the data storage device, and write data associated with a write command to the non-volatile solid-state memory.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kroum S. Stoev, Dean Mitcham Jenkins, Dale Charles Main
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Patent number: 9946681Abstract: A dynamically configurable device including a connector configured to detect a first status of an interface selection mechanism, and a first Serializer De-serializer (SerDes) configured to drive a first selected interface from among a plurality of interfaces based on the first status. In response to the first status having a first state, the first selected interface is a first interface that causes the dynamically configurable device to present as a first type of device, and in response to the first status having a second state, the first selected interface is a second interface that causes the dynamically configurable device to present as a second type of device.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dean M. Jenkins, Dale Charles Main
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Patent number: 9928203Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring object storage in a data storage system. A storage device tray assembly includes a plurality of data storage bays configured to receive data storage devices, a plurality of data storage devices mounted in the plurality of data storage bays, and an interface expander device communicatively coupled to each of the data storage devices over a first communication interface. The interface expander device may include non-volatile memory storing object storage monitor code and operating system code, and one or more processors configured to perform port or switch initialization for communications to the plurality of data storage devices and execute the operating system code and the object storage monitor code to provide object storage monitor functionality for the plurality of data storage devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Western DigitalInventors: Dean Mitcham Jenkins, Dale Charles Main
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Patent number: 9922727Abstract: A data storage device includes a solid-state memory including memory cells and a controller configured to implement a data protection programming scheme by programming a first subset of the cells to a first voltage state using a first target voltage, programs a second subset to a second voltage state using a second target voltage higher than the first target voltage, programs a third subset to a third voltage state using a third target voltage higher than the second target voltage, and programs a fourth subset to a fourth voltage state using a fourth target voltage higher than the third target voltage. A difference in voltage between the fourth target voltage and the third target voltage may be greater or less than a difference in voltage between the third target voltage and the second target voltage and/or a difference in voltage between the second target voltage and the first target voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale Charles Main, Abhilash Ravi Kashyap
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Patent number: 9857999Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating charge loss in solid-state memory devices using electrical sensors. A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of memory cells, a sensor configured to hold an electric charge, and a controller. The controller is configured to charge the sensor to a first charge level at a first point in time, determine a second charge level of the sensor at a second point in time, after a time period from the first point in time, and refresh data stored in the memory cells based at least in part on the determined second charge level.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale Charles Main, Dean Mitcham Jenkins
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Publication number: 20170300256Abstract: A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to reduce a read disturb effect of at least a portion of the solid-state non-volatile memory at least in part by receiving or accessing data to be written to the solid-state non-volatile memory, encoding the data using a programming pattern that favors a first programming state over a second programming state, the first programming state being associated with a higher voltage level than the second programming state, and writing the encoded data to the solid-state non-volatile memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: ABHILASH RAVI KASHYAP, DALE CHARLES MAIN
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Publication number: 20170257940Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing temperature in a data storage device. A data storage device includes non-volatile solid-state memory, a temperature sensor, a heating device, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor indicating a temperature of at least a portion of the data storage device, determine that the temperature is below a first predetermined threshold, activate the heating device to increase the temperature of the at least a portion of the data storage device, and write data associated with a write command to the non-volatile solid-state memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Kroum S. STOEV, Dean Mitcham JENKINS, Dale Charles MAIN
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Patent number: 9727261Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for programming data in non-volatile memory arrays. A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory cells and a controller configured to improve data retention or reduce read disturb of at least a portion of the solid-state non-volatile memory at least in part by receiving data to be written to the solid-state non-volatile memory. The controller is further configured to, when a data retention programming mode is set, encode the data using a programming pattern that favors a first programming state over a second programming state, the first programming state being associated with a lower voltage level than the second programming state, and write the encoded data to the solid-state non-volatile memory. When a read disturb programming mode is set, the first programming state is associated with a higher voltage level than the second programming state.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Abhilash Ravi Kashyap, Dale Charles Main
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Publication number: 20170194062Abstract: A data storage device includes a solid-state memory including memory cells and a controller configured to implement a data protection programming scheme by programming a first subset of the cells to a first voltage state using a first target voltage, programs a second subset to a second voltage state using a second target voltage higher than the first target voltage, programs a third subset to a third voltage state using a third target voltage higher than the second target voltage, and programs a fourth subset to a fourth voltage state using a fourth target voltage higher than the third target voltage. A difference in voltage between the fourth target voltage and the third target voltage may be greater or less than a difference in voltage between the third target voltage and the second target voltage and/or a difference in voltage between the second target voltage and the first target voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2017Publication date: July 6, 2017Inventors: DALE CHARLES MAIN, ABHILASH RAVI KASHYAP
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Patent number: 9668337Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing temperature in a data storage device. A data storage device includes non-volatile solid-state memory, a temperature sensor, a heating device, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor indicating a temperature of at least a portion of the data storage device, determine that the temperature is below a first predetermined threshold, activate the heating device to increase the temperature of the at least a portion of the data storage device, and write data associated with a write command to the non-volatile solid-state memory.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kroum S. Stoev, Dean Mitcham Jenkins, Dale Charles Main
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Publication number: 20170131924Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for estimating charge loss in solid-state memory devices using electrical sensors. A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of memory cells, a sensor configured to hold an electric charge, and a controller. The controller is configured to charge the sensor to a first charge level at a first point in time, determine a second charge level of the sensor at a second point in time, after a time period from the first point in time, and refresh data stored in the memory cells based at least in part on the determined second charge level.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: DALE CHARLES MAIN, DEAN MITCHAM JENKINS
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Publication number: 20170125105Abstract: A data storage device includes a solid-state memory including memory cells and a controller configured to perform a first programming scheme that programs a first subset of the cells to a first voltage state using a first target voltage, programs a second subset to a second voltage state using a second target voltage higher than the first target voltage, programs a third subset to a third voltage state using a third target voltage higher than the second target voltage, and programs a fourth subset to a fourth voltage state using a fourth target voltage higher than the third target voltage. A difference in voltage between the fourth target voltage and the third target voltage may be greater or less than a difference in voltage between the third target voltage and the second target voltage and/or a difference in voltage between the second target voltage and the first target voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: DALE CHARLES MAIN, ABHILASH RAVI KASHYAP
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Patent number: 9620226Abstract: A data storage device includes a solid-state memory including memory cells and a controller configured to perform a first programming scheme that programs a first subset of the cells to a first voltage state using a first target voltage, programs a second subset to a second voltage state using a second target voltage higher than the first target voltage, programs a third subset to a third voltage state using a third target voltage higher than the second target voltage, and programs a fourth subset to a fourth voltage state using a fourth target voltage higher than the third target voltage. A difference in voltage between the fourth target voltage and the third target voltage may be greater or less than a difference in voltage between the third target voltage and the second target voltage and/or a difference in voltage between the second target voltage and the first target voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dale Charles Main, Abhilash Ravi Kashyap
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Publication number: 20170090785Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for programming data in non-volatile memory arrays. A data storage device includes a solid-state non-volatile memory including a plurality of memory cells and a controller configured to improve data retention or reduce read disturb of at least a portion of the solid-state non-volatile memory at least in part by receiving data to be written to the solid-state non-volatile memory. The controller is further configured to, when a data retention programming mode is set, encode the data using a programming pattern that favors a first programming state over a second programming state, the first programming state being associated with a lower voltage level than the second programming state, and write the encoded data to the solid-state non-volatile memory. When a read disturb programming mode is set, the first programming state is associated with a higher voltage level than the second programming state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: ABHILASH RAVI KASHYAP, DALE CHARLES MAIN
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Publication number: 20170071056Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing temperature in a data storage device. A data storage device includes non-volatile solid-state memory, a temperature sensor, a heating device, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor indicating a temperature of at least a portion of the data storage device, determine that the temperature is below a first predetermined threshold, activate the heating device to increase the temperature of the at least a portion of the data storage device, and write data associated with a write command to the non-volatile solid-state memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: KROUM S. STOEV, DEAN MITCHAM JENKINS, DALE CHARLES MAIN
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Publication number: 20050033767Abstract: An adaptive resource caching and/or execution system includes a system processor in communication with a data store. The system processor receives an application program requiring one or more resources. The system processor identifies the required resources and one or more versions of each such resource that would be compatible with the received application program. The system processor locates a compatible version of each required resource on the data store. If a compatible version is not initially located, the system processor retrieves a compatible version from a suitable source such as a removable media or remote resource server. The system processor executes the application program in conjunction with the compatible versions of the required resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2003Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: Joel Kamentz, James Adams, Charles Main