Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Hale

Christopher S. Hale 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: 20240126690
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: designate a storage mode for a target set of memory cells based on valid data in a source block, wherein the target set of memory cells are configured with a capacity to store up to a maximum number of bits per cell, and the storage mode is for dynamically configuring the target set of memory cells in as cache memory that stores a number of bits less per cell than the corresponding maximum capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam, Yun Li, Marc S. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11853205
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: designate a storage mode for a target set of memory cells based on valid data in a source block, wherein the target set of memory cells are configured with a capacity to store up to a maximum number of bits per cell, and the storage mode is for dynamically configuring the target set of memory cells in as cache memory that stores a number of bits less per cell than the corresponding maximum capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam, Yun Li, Marc S. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11755472
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a first block of a plurality of blocks stored at a first memory based on an amount of valid data of the first block, and writing the valid data of the first block from the first memory to a second memory. The first memory has a first memory type and the second memory has a second memory type different from the first memory type. The method further includes identifying a second block of the plurality of blocks stored at the first memory based on an age of valid data of the second block, determining that the age of the valid data of the second block satisfies a threshold condition, and in response to determining that the age of the valid data of the second block satisfies the threshold condition, writing the valid data of the second block from the first memory to the second memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Sean Feeley, Sampath K. Ratnam, Ashutosh Malshe, Christopher S. Hale
  • Patent number: 11720493
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed include a memory device and a processing device coupled to the memory device. The processing device can determine an amount of valid management units in a memory device of a memory sub-system. The processing device can then determine a surplus amount of valid management units on the memory device based on the amount of valid management units. The processing device can then configure a size of a cache of the memory device based on the surplus amount of valid management units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Brandt, Peter Feeley, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Yun Li, Sampath K. Ratnam, Ashutosh Malshe, Christopher S. Hale, Daniel J. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11688483
    Abstract: A processing device in a memory system detects a data loss occurrence in a block of a memory component. The processing device further designates the block as a quarantined block, performs a stress test on the block, and depending on whether the stress test on the block satisfies a testing criterion, either designates the block as usable by the memory component or retires the block of the memory component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Sampath K. Ratnam, Scott A. Stoller, Preston A. Thomson, Kevin R. Brandt, Marc S. Hamilton, Christopher S. Hale
  • Publication number: 20230195615
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: designate a storage mode for a target set of memory cells based on valid data in a source block, wherein the target set of memory cells are configured with a capacity to store up to a maximum number of bits per cell, and the storage mode is for dynamically configuring the target set of memory cells in as cache memory that stores a number of bits less per cell than the corresponding maximum capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam, Yun Li, Marc S. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11593261
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: designate a storage mode for a target set of memory cells based on valid data in a source block, wherein the target set of memory cells are configured with a capacity to store up to a maximum number of bits per cell, and the storage mode is for dynamically configuring the target set of memory cells in as cache memory that stores a number of bits less per cell than the corresponding maximum capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam, Yun Li, Marc S. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11544188
    Abstract: Memory circuits including dynamically configurable cache cells are disclosed herein. The cache cells may be selectively and dynamically configured to select one or more bits per cell according to a real-time determination or characterization of a workload type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yun Li, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam
  • Publication number: 20220156187
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed include a memory device and a processing device coupled to the memory device. The processing device can determine an amount of valid management units in a memory device of a memory sub-system. The processing device can then determine a surplus amount of valid management units on the memory device based on the amount of valid management units. The processing device can then configure a size of a cache of the memory device based on the surplus amount of valid management units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin R. Brandt, Peter Feeley, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Yun Li, Sampath K. Ratnam, Ashutosh Malshe, Christopher S. Hale, Daniel J. Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20220091740
    Abstract: Memory devices are disclosed. A memory device may include dynamic cache, static cache, and a memory controller. The memory controller may be configured to disable the static cache responsive to a number of program/erase (PE) cycles consumed by the static cache being greater than an endurance of the static cache. The memory controller may also be configured to disable the dynamic cache responsive to a number of PE cycles consumed by the dynamic cache being greater than an endurance of the dynamic cache. Associated methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Kishore K. Muchherla, Ashutosh Malshe, Sampath k. Ratnam, Peter Feeley, Michael G. Miller, Christopher S. Hale, Renato C. Padilla
  • Publication number: 20220068422
    Abstract: A processing device in a memory system detects a data loss occurrence in a block of a memory component. The processing device further designates the block as a quarantined block, performs a stress test on the block, and depending on whether the stress test on the block satisfies a testing criterion, either designates the block as usable by the memory component or retires the block of the memory component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Sampath K. Ratnam, Scott A. Stoller, Preston A. Thomson, Kevin R. Brandt, Marc S. Hamilton, Christopher S. Hale
  • Patent number: 11256620
    Abstract: System and methods are disclosed include a memory device and a processing device coupled to the memory device. The processing device can determine an amount of valid blocks in a memory device of a memory sub-system. The processing device can then determine a surplus amount of valid blocks on the memory device based on the amount of valid blocks. The processing device can then configure a size of a cache of the memory device based on the surplus amount of valid blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Brandt, Peter Feeley, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Yun Li, Sampath K. Ratnam, Ashutosh Malshe, Christopher S. Hale, Daniel J. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11204696
    Abstract: Memory devices including a hybrid cache, methods of operating a memory device, and associated electronic systems including a memory device having a hybrid cache, are disclosed. The hybrid cache includes a dynamic cache that may include x-level cell (XLC) blocks of non-volatile memory cells, which may include multi-level cells (MLC), triple-level cells (TLC), quad-level cells (QLC), etc., shared between the dynamic cache and a main memory. The hybrid cache includes a static cache including single-level cell (SLC) blocks of non-volatile memory cells. The memory device further includes a memory controller configured to disable at least one of the static cache and the dynamic cache based on a workload of the hybrid cache relative to a Total Bytes Written (TBW) Spec for the memory device. The cache may be disabled based on, for example, program/erase (PE) cycles of one or more portions of the memory device or the workload exceeding a threshold, which may define one or more switch points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore K. Muchherla, Ashutosh Malshe, Sampath K. Ratnam, Peter Feeley, Michael G. Miller, Christopher S. Hale, Renato C. Padilla
  • Patent number: 11170866
    Abstract: A processing device in a memory system detects a data loss occurrence in a block of a memory component. The processing device identifies a behavioral criterion associated with the data loss occurrence in the block of the memory component. The processing device further increments a counter associated with the block in response to an occurrence of the behavioral criterion, wherein a value of the counter corresponds to a number of occurrences of a plurality of behavioral criteria associated with data loss occurrences in the block. Responsive to determining that the value of the counter satisfies a first threshold criterion, the processing device designates the block as a quarantined block, performs a stress test of a plurality of stress tests of the block, and responsive to the block failing a first stress test, the processing device retires the block of the memory component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Sampath K. Ratnam, Scott A. Stoller, Preston A. Thomson, Kevin R. Brandt, Marc S. Hamilton, Christopher S. Hale
  • Publication number: 20210342261
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: designate a storage mode for a target set of memory cells based on valid data in a source block, wherein the target set of memory cells are configured with a capacity to store up to a maximum number of bits per cell, and the storage mode is for dynamically configuring the target set of memory cells in as cache memory that stores a number of bits less per cell than the corresponding maximum capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam, Yun Li, Marc S. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20210342262
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a first block of a plurality of blocks stored at a first memory based on an amount of valid data of the first block, and writing the valid data of the first block from the first memory to a second memory. The first memory has a first memory type and the second memory has a second memory type different from the first memory type. The method further includes identifying a second block of the plurality of blocks stored at the first memory based on an age of valid data of the second block, determining that the age of the valid data of the second block satisfies a threshold condition, and in response to determining that the age of the valid data of the second block satisfies the threshold condition, writing the valid data of the second block from the first memory to the second memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Sean Feeley, Sampath K. Ratnam, Ashutosh Malshe, Christopher S. Hale
  • Patent number: 11157417
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes memory having a static cache and a dynamic cache. A number of embodiments include a memory, wherein the memory includes a first portion configured to operate as a static single level cell (SLC) cache and a second portion configured to operate as a dynamic SLC cache when the entire first portion of the memory has data stored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Hale, Sampath K. Ratnam, Kishore K. Muchherla
  • Patent number: 11106577
    Abstract: An amount of valid data for each data block of multiple data blocks stored at a first memory is determined. An operation to write valid data of a particular data block from the first memory to a second memory is performed based on the amount of valid data for each data block. A determination is made that a threshold condition associated with when valid data of the data blocks was written to the first memory has been satisfied. In response to determining that the threshold condition has been satisfied, the operation to write valid data of the data blocks from the first memory to the second memory is performed based on when the valid data was written to the first memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Sean Feeley, Sampath K. Ratnam, Ashutosh Malshe, Christopher S. Hale
  • Patent number: 11093385
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells; and a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller configured to: select a garbage collection (GC) source block storing valid data, and designate a storage mode for an available memory block based on the valid data, wherein the storage mode is for configuring memory cells in the available memory block as cache memory that stores a number of bits less than maximum storage capacities thereof for subsequent or upcoming data writes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam, Yun Li, Marc S. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20210191858
    Abstract: Memory circuits including dynamically configurable cache cells are disclosed herein. The cache cells may be selectively and dynamically configured to select one or more bits per cell according to a real-time determination or characterization of a workload type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Yun Li, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Peter Feeley, Ashutosh Malshe, Daniel J. Hubbard, Christopher S. Hale, Kevin R. Brandt, Sampath K. Ratnam