Patents by Inventor Debra M. Bell

Debra M. Bell 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: 11664084
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems related to memory device on-die ECC data are described. In an example, a scrub operation can be performed on data in order to determine which rows of memory cells in an array include a particular number of errors. The particular number of errors can be a number of errors that exceed a threshold number of errors. An address of the determined rows with the particular number of errors can be stored in memory cells of the array for later access. The address of the determined rows can be accessed to perform a user-initiated repair operation, a self-repair operation, a refresh operation, and/or to alter timing of access of the cells or alter voltage of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Randall J. Rooney, Debra M. Bell
  • Publication number: 20230122571
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensors are described. Some memory system or device types include sensors embedded in their circuitry. For instance, another device can be coupled to a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device can transmit a signal representing sensor data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor output coupled to the other device. A controller coupled to a memory device may determine one or more threshold values of a sensor or sensors embedded in a memory device. The memory device may transmit an indication responsive to one or more sensors detecting a value greater or less than a threshold and may transmit the indication to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Cheryl M. O'Donnell, Erica M. Gove, Zahra Hosseinimakarem, Debra M. Bell, Roya Baghi
  • Patent number: 11586958
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses, systems, methods for performing operations associated with machine learning. Machine learning operations may include processing a data set, training a machine learning algorithm, and applying a trained algorithm to a data set. Some of the machine learning operations, such as pattern matching operations, may be performed within a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Di Wu, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer, Debra M. Bell, Libo Wang
  • Patent number: 11581031
    Abstract: Memory with partial bank refresh is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory system includes a memory controller and a memory device operably connected to the memory controller. The memory device includes (i) a memory array having a memory bank with a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of memory rows and (ii) circuitry. In some embodiments, the circuitry is configured to disable at least one memory row of the memory bank from receiving refresh commands such that memory cells of the at least one memory row are not refreshed during refresh operations of the memory device. In some embodiments, the memory controller is configured to track memory rows that include utilized memory cells and/or to write data to the memory rows in accordance with a programming sequence of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale H. Hiscock, Debra M. Bell, Michael Kaminski, Joshua E. Alzheimer, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20230031842
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems related to memory device on-die ECC data are described. In an example, a scrub operation can be performed on data in order to determine which rows of memory cells in an array include a particular number of errors. The particular number of errors can be a number of errors that exceed a threshold number of errors. An address of the determined rows with the particular number of errors can be stored in memory cells of the array for later access. The address of the determined rows can be accessed to perform a user-initiated repair operation, a self-repair operation, a refresh operation, and/or to alter timing of access of the cells or alter voltage of the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Randall J. Rooney, Debra M. Bell
  • Publication number: 20230028176
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for persistent health monitoring for volatile memory devices are described. A memory device may determine that an operating condition associated with an array of memory cells on the device, such as a temperature, current, voltage, or other metric of health status is outside of a range associated with a risk of device degradation. The memory device may monitor a duration over which the operating condition is outside of the range, and may determine whether the duration satisfies a threshold. In some cases, the memory device may store an indication of when (e.g., each time) the duration satisfied the threshold. The memory device may store the one or more indications in one or more non-volatile storage elements, such as fuses, which may enable the memory device to maintain a persistent indication of a cumulative duration over which the memory device is operated with operating conditions outside of the range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Debra M Bell, Kristen M. Hopper, Erika Prosser, Aaron P. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20230029003
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with programmable refresh order and stagger times are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a first memory bank group and a second memory bank group. The memory device is configured, in response to a refresh command, to perform a first refresh operation on the first memory bank group at a first time and a second refresh operation on the second memory bank group at a second time after the first time. The memory device is further configured to perform, in response to a read or write command, a read or write operation on the first memory bank group, the second memory bank group, or both the first and second memory bank groups after beginning the first refresh operation and before completing the second refresh operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Vaughn N. Johnson, Debra M. Bell, Miles S. Wiscombe, Brian T. Pecha, Kyle Alexander
  • Patent number: 11550687
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensors are described. Some memory system or device types include sensors embedded in their circuitry. For instance, another device can be coupled to a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device can transmit a signal representing sensor data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor output coupled to the other device. A controller coupled to a memory device may determine one or more threshold values of a sensor or sensors embedded in a memory device. The memory device may transmit an indication responsive to one or more sensors detecting a value greater or less than a threshold and may transmit the indication to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl M. O'Donnell, Erica M. Gove, Zahra Hosseinimakarem, Debra M. Bell, Roya Baghi
  • Publication number: 20220404892
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensors are described. Some memory system or device types include sensors embedded in their circuitry. For instance, a device can be coupled to a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device can transmit the data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor output coupled to the device. The memory device may generate, based at least in part on a characteristic of a memory device, a signal from a sensor embedded in the memory device and transmit the signal generated by the sensor from the memory device to another device coupled to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Roya Baghi, Erica M. Gove, Zahra Hosseinimakarem, Cheryl M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11532358
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with automatic background precondition upon powerup, and associated methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells and a fuse array configured to store precondition data. The precondition data can identify a portion of the memory array, specify a predetermined precondition state, or a combination thereof. When the memory device powers on, the memory device can be configured to automatically retrieve the precondition data from the fuse array and/or to write memory cells in the portion of the memory array to the predetermined precondition state before executing an access command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Debra M. Bell, James S. Rehmeyer, Robert Bunnell, Nathaniel J. Meier
  • Publication number: 20220391396
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses, systems, methods, and memories that are capable of performing pattern matching operations within a memory device. The pattern matching operations may be performed on data stored within the memory based on a pattern stored in a register. The result of the pattern matching operation may be provided by the memory. The data on which the pattern matching operation is performed may not be output from the memory during the pattern matching operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: DEBRA M. BELL, LIBO WANG, DI WU, JAMES S. REHMEYER, ANTHONY D. VECHES
  • Publication number: 20220391334
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with improved command/address bus utilization are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory device comprises a plurality of external command/address terminals and a command decoder. The plurality of external command/address terminals are configured to receive a command as a corresponding plurality of command/address bits. A first set of the command/address bits indicate a read or write operation. A second set of the command/address bits indicate whether to execute a refresh operation. The memory device is configured to, in response to the first set of command/address bits, execute the read or write operation on a portion of a memory array. The memory device is further configured to, in response to the second set of command/address bits, execute the refresh operation to refresh at least one memory bank of the memory array when the second set of command/address bits indicate that the refresh operation should be executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Vaughn N. Johnson, Kyle Alexander, Gary L. Howe, Brian T. Pecha, Miles S. Wiscombe
  • Patent number: 11488651
    Abstract: A memory device may include a phase driver circuit that may output a first voltage for refreshing a plurality of memory cells. The memory device may also include a plurality of word line driver circuits that may receive the first voltage via the phase driver circuit, such that each word line driver circuit of the plurality of word line driver circuits may provide the first voltage to a respective word line associated with a respective portion of the plurality of memory cells. In addition, each word line driver circuit may refresh the respective portion of the plurality of memory cells based on a respective word line enable signal provided to a first switch of the respective word line driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, Debra M. Bell, George B. Raad, Brian P. Callaway, Joshua E. Alzheimer
  • Patent number: 11481265
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for persistent health monitoring for volatile memory devices are described. A memory device may determine that an operating condition associated with an array of memory cells on the device, such as a temperature, current, voltage, or other metric of health status is outside of a range associated with a risk of device degradation. The memory device may monitor a duration over which the operating condition is outside of the range, and may determine whether the duration satisfies a threshold. In some cases, the memory device may store an indication of when (e.g., each time) the duration satisfied the threshold. The memory device may store the one or more indications in one or more non-volatile storage elements, such as fuses, which may enable the memory device to maintain a persistent indication of a cumulative duration over which the memory device is operated with operating conditions outside of the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Kristen M. Hopper, Erika Prosser, Aaron P. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20220335993
    Abstract: Tracking circuitry may be used to determine if commands and/or command sequences include illegal commands and/or illegal command sequences. If the commands and/or command sequences include illegal commands and/or illegal command sequences, the tracking circuitry may activate signals that prevent execution of the commands and/or notice of the detected illegal commands and/or command sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Di Wu, Debra M. Bell, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer, Libo Wang
  • Publication number: 20220334735
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to updating data lines for data generation in, for example, a memory device or a computing system that includes a memory device. Updating data lines can include updating a plurality of data lines. The plurality of data lines can provide data form the memory array responsive to a receipt of the access command. The plurality of data lines can also be updated responsive to a determination that an access command received at a memory device is unauthorized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Naveh Malihi
  • Patent number: 11468939
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory devices are configured to conditionally activate certain rows during refresh operations such that the memory devices can execute operations directed to the activated rows concurrently with the refresh operations. In some embodiments, the memory device receives an activate (ACT) command directed to a section of a memory bank while performing refresh operations for the memory bank. The memory device may carry out the ACT command if certain conditions are satisfied not to corrupt the data being refreshed. Subsequently, the memory device generates a signal to indicate the ACT command has been accepted to activate a row identified by the ACT command. Further, the memory device can perform subsequent access commands directed to the row, in parallel with the refresh operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Miles S. Wiscombe, Debra M. Bell, Brian T. Pecha, Vaughn N. Johnson, Kyle Alexander
  • Patent number: 11468938
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with programmable refresh order and stagger times are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a first memory bank group and a second memory bank group. The memory device is configured, in response to a refresh command, to perform a first refresh operation on the first memory bank group at a first time and a second refresh operation on the second memory bank group at a second time after the first time. The memory device is further configured to perform, in response to a read or write command, a read or write operation on the first memory bank group, the second memory bank group, or both the first and second memory bank groups after beginning the first refresh operation and before completing the second refresh operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vaughn N. Johnson, Debra M. Bell, Miles S. Wiscombe, Brian T. Pecha, Kyle Alexander
  • Patent number: 11442940
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses, systems, methods, and memories that are capable of performing pattern matching operations within a memory device. The pattern matching operations may be performed on data stored within the memory based on a pattern stored in a register. The result of the pattern matching operation may be provided by the memory. The data on which the pattern matching operation is performed may not be output from the memory during the pattern matching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Libo Wang, Di Wu, James S. Rehmeyer, Anthony D. Veches
  • Patent number: 11435811
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensors are described. Some memory system or device types include sensors embedded in their circuitry. For instance, a device can be coupled to a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device can transmit the data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor output coupled to the device. The memory device may generate, based at least in part on a characteristic of a memory device, a signal from a sensor embedded in the memory device and transmit the signal generated by the sensor from the memory device to another device coupled to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Roya Baghi, Erica M. Gove, Zahra Hosseinimakarem, Cheryl M. O'Donnell