Patents by Inventor Dean A. Klein

Dean A. Klein 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).

  • Patent number: 7491243
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying the lower esophagus by injecting biocompatible particles in a biocompatible carrier into a submucosal tissue site of the lower esophagus of a patient. The method may be used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease by optimizing the closing function of the lower esophageal sphincter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Carbon Medical Technologies
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7490210
    Abstract: A system and method are described for a memory management processor which, using a table of reference addresses embedded in the object code, can open the appropriate memory pages to expedite the retrieval of information from memory referenced by instructions in the execution pipeline. A suitable compiler parses the source code and collects references to branch addresses, calls to other routines, or data references, and creates reference tables listing the addresses for these references at the beginning of each routine. These tables are received by the memory management processor as the instructions of the routine are beginning to be loaded into the execution pipeline, so that the memory management processor can begin opening memory pages where the referenced information is stored. Opening the memory pages where the referenced information is located before the instructions reach the instruction processor helps lessen memory latency delays which can greatly impede processing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20090024884
    Abstract: A computer system includes a memory controller coupled to a memory module containing several DRAMs. The memory module also includes a non-volatile memory storing row addresses identifying rows containing DRAM memory cells that are likely to lose data during normal refresh of the memory cells. Upon power-up, the data from the non-volatile memory are transferred to a comparator in the memory controller. The comparator compares the row addresses to row addresses from a refresh shadow counter that identify the rows in the DRAMs being refreshed. When a row of memory cells is being refreshed that is located one-half of the rows away from a row that is likely to loose data, the memory controller causes the row that is likely to loose data to be refreshed. The memory controller also includes error checking circuitry for identifying the rows of memory cells that are likely to lose data during refresh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7461320
    Abstract: A computer system includes a processor coupled to a DRAM through a memory controller. The processor switches the DRAM to a low power refresh mode in which DRAM cells are refreshed at a sufficiently low rate that data retention errors may occur. Prior to switching the DRAM to the low power refresh mode, the processor identifies a region of an array of DRAM cells that contains essential data that needs to be protected from such data retention errors. The processor then reads data from the identified region, and either the DRAM or the memory controller generates error checking and correcting syndromes from the read data. The syndromes are stored in the DRAM, and the low power refresh mode is then entered. Upon exiting the low power refresh mode, the processor again reads the data from the identified region, and the read data is checked and corrected using the syndromes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7457205
    Abstract: An optical disk changer that is capable of automatically playing both sides of a dual-sided optical disk. By coordinated rotation and delivery of disks taken from a linear disk storage bin, both sides of a dual-sided optical disk can be automatically accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7450410
    Abstract: The invention comprises data processing systems and components thereof. Such systems may include a memory controller, a plurality of memory devices, a data bus coupling the memory controller with the plurality of memory devices, and at least one bus switch located in the data bus between the memory controller and one of the plurality of memory devices. Memory integrated circuits and memory modules including at least one switch in the data bus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7447973
    Abstract: A computer system includes a memory controller coupled to a memory module containing several DRAMs. The memory module also includes a non-volatile memory storing row addresses identifying rows containing DRAM memory cells that are likely to lose data during normal refresh of the memory cells. Upon power-up, the data from the non-volatile memory are transferred to a comparator in the memory controller. The comparator compares the row addresses to row addresses from a refresh shadow counter that identify the rows in the DRAMs being refreshed. When a row of memory cells is being refreshed that is located one-half of the rows away from a row that is likely to loose data, the memory controller causes the row that is likely to loose data to be refreshed. The memory controller also includes error checking circuitry for identifying the rows of memory cells that are likely to lose data during refresh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7446385
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical packages, and intermediate structures resulting from the same are disclosed, which provide an optical element over a device. The optical element is formed by applying a force to lateral portions of a liquid material layer formed below an elastomeric material layer such that the liquid material layer has a radius of curvature sufficient to direct light to a light sensitive portion of the device, after which the liquid material layer is exposed to conditions which maintain the radius of curvature after the lateral force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Klein, Ian Blasch
  • Patent number: 7447974
    Abstract: A computer system includes a memory controller coupled to a memory module containing several DRAMs. The memory module also includes a non-volatile memory storing row addresses identifying rows containing DRAM memory cells that are likely to lose data during normal refresh of the memory cells. Upon power-up, the data from the non-volatile memory are transferred to a comparator in the memory controller. The comparator compares the row addresses to row addresses from a refresh shadow counter that identify the rows in the DRAMs being refreshed. When a row of memory cells is being refreshed that is located one-half of the rows away from a row that is likely to loose data, the memory controller causes the row that is likely to loose data to be refreshed. The memory controller also includes error checking circuitry for identifying the rows of memory cells that are likely to lose data during refresh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7432600
    Abstract: A system includes a semiconductor component having a base die and a secondary die flip chip mounted to the base die. The base die includes a set of stacking contacts for flip chip mounting the secondary die to the base die, and a set of interconnect contacts configured as an internal signal transmission system, and a physical structure for supporting a terminal contact system of the package component. The component also includes an encapsulant on the base die encapsulating the interconnect contacts, an underfill layer between the dice, and terminal contacts configured for flip chip mounting the package component to a supporting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Klein, Alan G. Wood, Trung Tri Doan
  • Patent number: 7428687
    Abstract: A computer system includes a memory controller coupled to a memory module containing several DRAMs. The memory module also includes a non-volatile memory storing row addresses identifying rows containing DRAM memory cells that are likely to lose data during normal refresh of the memory cells. Upon power-up, the data from the non-volatile memory are transferred to a comparator in the memory controller. The comparator compares the row addresses to row addresses from a refresh shadow counter that identify the rows in the DRAMs being refreshed. When a row of memory cells is being refreshed that is located one-half of the rows away from a row that is likely to loose data, the memory controller causes the row that is likely to loose data to be refreshed. The memory controller also includes error checking circuitry for identifying the rows of memory cells that are likely to lose data during refresh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20080220342
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming optical packages, and intermediate structures resulting from the same are disclosed, which provide an optical element over a device. The optical element is formed by applying a force to lateral portions of a liquid material layer formed below an elastomeric material layer such that the liquid material layer has a radius of curvature sufficient to direct light to a light sensitive portion of the device, after which the liquid material layer is exposed to conditions which maintain the radius of curvature after the lateral force is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Dean A. Klein, Ian Blasch
  • Publication number: 20080177923
    Abstract: A processor-based system includes a processor coupled to core logic through a processor bus. This includes a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) memory buffer controller. The DRAM memory buffer controller is coupled through a memory bus to a plurality of a dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) modules and a flash memory module, which are at the same hierarchical level from the processor. Each of the DRAM modules includes a memory buffer to the memory bus and to a plurality of dynamic random access memory devices. The flash memory module includes a flash memory buffer coupled to the memory bus and to at least one flash memory device. The flash memory buffer includes a DRAM-to-flash memory converter operable to convert the DRAM memory requests to flash memory requests, which are then applied to the flash memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20080151671
    Abstract: A DRAM includes a register storing subsets of row addresses corresponding to rows containing at least one memory cell that is unable to store a data bit during a normal refresh cycle. Each subset includes all but the most significant bit of a corresponding row address. A refresh counter in the DRAM generates refresh row addresses that are used to refresh rows of memory cells. The refresh row addresses are compared to the subsets of row addresses that are stored in the register. In the event of a match, the row of memory cells corresponding to the matching subset of bits is refreshed. The number of refreshes occurring each refresh cycle will depend upon the number of bits in the subset that are omitted from the row address. The memory cells that are unable to retain data bits are identified by a modified sense amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7388294
    Abstract: A semiconductor package component includes a base die and a secondary die flip chip mounted to the base die. The base die includes a set of stacking contacts for flip chip mounting the secondary die to the base die, and a set of interconnect contacts configured as an internal signal transmission system, and a physical structure for supporting a terminal contact system of the package component. The package component also includes an encapsulant on the base die encapsulating the interconnect contacts, an underfill layer between the dice, and terminal contacts configured for flip chip mounting the package component to a supporting substrate. A method for fabricating the package component includes the steps of providing a base wafer containing a plurality of base dice, and flip chip mounting the secondary dice to the base dice on the base wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean A. Klein, Alan G. Wood, Trung Tri Doan
  • Patent number: 7382227
    Abstract: A portable computer is described that contains a circuit for receiving pages and performing security functions based on the received page. Once a page has been received by the portable computer, the computer's hard drive can be automatically reformatted, or the portable computer can be prevented from booting. In addition, the portable computer can be programmed to use a modem to automatically dial a security center and transmit security information such as the Caller ID Tag of the current telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Barrus, Dean A. Klein, Shane Thomas
  • Patent number: 7376669
    Abstract: A system for automatically switching a computer to a password protected screen saver mode when a computer user leaves the proximity of the computer. The system includes a proximity sensor that determines whether or not an individual is located proximate the computer. The proximity sensor interfaces with either the computer a bus bridge, a keyboard controller, a keyboard, or some another component of the computer to cause the computer to start executing a screen saver program responsive to an output signal from the proximity sensor. A variety of proximity sensors may be used, including ultrasound, infrared, or electromagnetic proximity sensors. A proximity sensor may also detect the presence of the computer user by detecting the weight of the user at a location proximate the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Patent number: 7372358
    Abstract: A portable computer is described that contains a circuit for receiving pages and performing security functions based on the received page. Once a page has been received by the portable computer, the computer's hard drive can be automatically reformatted, or the portable computer can be prevented from booting. In addition, the portable computer can be programmed to use a modem to automatically dial a security center and transmit security information such as the Caller ID Tag of the current telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Barrus, Dean A. Klein, Shane Thomas
  • Patent number: 7370150
    Abstract: A processing system optimized for data string manipulations includes data string execution circuitry associated with a bus interface unit or memory controller. Cache coherency is maintained, and data move and compare operations may be performed efficiently on cached data. A barrel shifter for realignment of cached data during move operations and comparators for comparing a test data string to cached data a cache line at a time may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein
  • Publication number: 20080054155
    Abstract: A lens assembly and method of adjusting a lens assembly using an electrically active polymer element. The assembly comprises a lens; a pixel array for receiving an image through said lens via an optical path; a moveable element for changing the optical properties of said optical path; and at least one electrically active polymer for changing volume in response to an applied voltage, said polymer being coupled to said moveable element such that changes in volume of said polymer causes movement of said moveable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Dean A. Klein