Patents by Inventor Dean K. Nobunaga

Dean K. Nobunaga 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: 9190133
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing capacitance on a data bus are disclosed herein. In accordance with one or more described embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a plurality of memories coupled to an internal data bus and a command and address bus, each of the memories configured to receive a command on the command and address bus. One of the plurality of memories may be coupled to an external data bus. The one of the plurality of memories may be configured to provide program data to the internal data bus when the command comprises a program command and another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the program command and may be configured to provide read data to the external data bus when the command comprises a read command and the another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the read command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, Ali Feiz Zarrin Ghalam, Xiaojiang Guo, Eric N. Lee
  • Patent number: 9159373
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for an enhanced block copy. One embodiment is reading data from a source block located in a first portion of the memory device, and programming the data to a target block located in a second portion of the memory device. The first and second portions are communicatively coupled by data lines extending across the portions. The data lines are communicatively uncoupled between the first and second portions for at least one of the reading and programming acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
  • Publication number: 20140258619
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing capacitance on a data bus are disclosed herein. In accordance with one or more described embodiments, an apparatus may comprise a plurality of memories coupled to an internal data bus and a command and address bus, each of the memories configured to receive a command on the command and address bus. One of the plurality of memories may be coupled to an external data bus. The one of the plurality of memories may be configured to provide program data to the internal data bus when the command comprises a program command and another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the program command and may be configured to provide read data to the external data bus when the command comprises a read command and the another of the plurality of memories is a target memory of the read command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, Ali Feiz Zarrin Ghalam, Xiaojiang Guo, Eric N. Lee
  • Publication number: 20140153335
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 8593889
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20130304984
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatus for an enhanced block copy. One embodiment includes reading data from a source block located in a first portion of the memory device, and programming the data to a target block located in a second portion of the memory device. The first and second portions are communicatively coupled by data lines extending across the portions. The data lines are communicatively uncoupled between the first and second portions for at least one of the reading and programming acts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
  • Patent number: 8484428
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatus for an enhanced block copy. One embodiment includes reading data from a source block located in a first portion of the memory device, and programming the data to a target block located in a second portion of the memory device. The first and second portions are communicatively coupled by data lines extending across the portions. The data lines are communicatively uncoupled between the first and second portions for at least one of the reading and programming acts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
  • Publication number: 20120314517
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 8248868
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20110182128
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7920431
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20110029751
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods and apparatus for an enhanced block copy. One embodiment includes reading data from a source block located in a first portion of the memory device, and programming the data to a target block located in a second portion of the memory device. The first and second portions are communicatively coupled by data lines extending across the portions. The data lines are communicatively uncoupled between the first and second portions for at least one of the reading and programming acts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
  • Publication number: 20090300237
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean K. Nobunaga, June Lee, Chih Liang Chen