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: 11024367
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with on-die data transfer capability, and associated methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes an array of memory cells and a plurality of input/output lines operably connecting the array to data pads of the device. In some embodiments, the memory device can further include a global cache and/or a local cache. The memory device can be configured to internally transfer data stored at a first location in the array to a second location in the array without outputting the data from the memory device. To transfer the data, the memory device can copy data on one row of memory cells to another row of memory cells, directly write data to the second location from the first location using data read/write lines of the input/output lines, and/or read the data into and out of the global cache and/or the local cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale H. Hiscock, Debra M. Bell, Michael Kaminski, Joshua E. Alzheimer, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20210158863
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with partial array refresh control over memory regions in a memory array, and associated methods, are 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 row 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 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: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Dale H. Hiscock, Debra M. Bell, Michael Kaminski, Joshua E. Alzheimer, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20210149569
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory error indicator related to high-reliability applications are described. A memory device may perform error detection procedures to monitor trends in the quantity of bit errors as an indication of the health of the memory device. A memory device may perform error detection procedures concurrently with refresh procedures to detect a quantity of errors (e.g., in a memory array) without degrading the performance of the device or the memory array. The memory device may compare a quantity of errors detected (e.g., in the memory array) with one or more previously detected quantities of errors to determine one or more differences in the quantities of errors. The memory device may generate an error metric based on the differences, and may determine whether the error metric satisfies a threshold. The memory device may output a status indicator (e.g., to a host device) based on whether the error metric satisfies the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Erika Prosser, Aaron P. Boehm, Debra M. Bell
  • Patent number: 10990317
    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 at intersections of memory rows and memory columns. The memory device further includes sense amplifiers corresponding to the memory rows. When the memory device powers on, the memory device writes one or more memory cells of the plurality of memory cells to a random data state before executing an access command received from a user, a memory controller, or a host device of the memory device. In some embodiments, to write the one or more memory cells, the memory device fires multiple memory rows at the same time without powering corresponding sense amplifiers such that data stored on memory cells of the multiple memory rows is overwritten and corrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Debra M. Bell, James S. Rehmeyer, Robert Bunnell, Nathaniel J. Meier
  • Publication number: 20210118490
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, Debra M. Bell, George B. Raad, Brian P. Callaway, Joshua E. Alzheimer
  • Publication number: 20210097180
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to detecting synchronization between multiple devices. The security of a device may be compromised if the device receives commands from unauthorized sources. A state of a device can be affected by the commands the device receives. A different device can determine whether there is synchronicity between device and the different device to determine whether the security of the device may have been compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Aparna U. Limaye, Diana C. Majerus, Rachael R. Carlson, Shea M. Morrison, Debra M. Bell
  • Publication number: 20210098046
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a current monitor for a memory device are described. A memory device may monitor potential degradation of memory cells on the device by monitoring the amount of current drawn by one or more memory cells. As the memory cells degrade, the current supplied to the memory cells may change (e.g., increase due to additional leakage current. The memory device may indirectly monitor changes in the current supplied to the memory cells by monitoring a voltage of a node of a transistor that controls the amount of current supplied to the array of memory cells. The voltage at the control node may be compared to a reference voltage to determine whether the two voltages differ by a threshold amount, indicating that the memory cells are drawing more current. The memory device may output a status indicator when the voltages differ, for example, by the threshold amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Kristen M. Hopper, Debra M. Bell, Aaron P. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20210064271
    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 at intersections of memory rows and memory columns. The memory device further includes sense amplifiers corresponding to the memory rows. When the memory device powers on, the memory device writes one or more memory cells of the plurality of memory cells to a random data state before executing an access command received from a user, a memory controller, or a host device of the memory device. In some embodiments, to write the one or more memory cells, the memory device fires multiple memory rows at the same time without powering corresponding sense amplifiers such that data stored on memory cells of the multiple memory rows is overwritten and corrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Debra M. Bell, James S. Rehmeyer, Robert Bunnell, Nathaniel J. Meier
  • Publication number: 20210064460
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which a host device may access a group of memory cells (e.g., portion of an array configurable to store ECC parity bits) otherwise reserved for ECC functionality of a memory device. The memory device may include a register to indicate whether its ECC functionality is enabled or disabled. When the register indicates the ECC functionality is disabled, the memory device may increase a storage capacity available to the host device by making the group of memory cells available for user-accessible data. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may store metadata associated with various operational aspects of the memory device in the group of memory cells. Moreover, the memory device may modify a burst length to accommodate additional information to be stored in or read from the group of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron Jannusch, Brett K. Dodds, Debra M. Bell, Joshua M. Alzheimer, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210064467
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which a host device may directly access a portion of memory array that is otherwise reserved for ECC functionality of a memory device. The memory array may correspond to a set of memory addresses, where each memory address of the set corresponds to a first portion of the memory array (e.g., user data plane) and to a second portion of the memory array (e.g., ECC plane). The second portion may be configured to store ECC data or second user data or metadata based on whether the ECC functionality is enabled or disabled. The memory device may determine a command directed to the memory address of the set is configured to access the first portion or the second portion based on a status of a pin associated with the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Todd M. Buerkle, Debra M. Bell, Joshua E. Alzheimer
  • Publication number: 20210065796
    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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Debra M. Bell, James S. Rehmeyer, Robert Bunnell, Nathaniel J. Meier
  • Patent number: 10936209
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory error indicator related to high-reliability applications are described. A memory device may perform error detection procedures to monitor trends in the quantity of bit errors as an indication of the health of the memory device. A memory device may perform error detection procedures concurrently with refresh procedures to detect a quantity of errors (e.g., in a memory array) without degrading the performance of the device or the memory array. The memory device may compare a quantity of errors detected (e.g., in the memory array) with one or more previously detected quantities of errors to determine one or more differences in the quantities of errors. The memory device may generate an error metric based on the differences, and may determine whether the error metric satisfies a threshold. The memory device may output a status indicator (e.g., to a host device) based on whether the error metric satisfies the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Erika Prosser, Aaron P. Boehm, Debra M. Bell
  • Patent number: 10930335
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for selective row refreshes are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a refresh control circuit. The refresh control circuit may be configured to receive a target address associated with a target plurality of memory cells from an address bus. The refresh control circuit may further be configured to provide a proximate address to the address bus responsive, at least in part, to determining that a number of refresh operations have occurred. In some examples, a plurality of memory cells associated with the proximate address may be a plurality of memory cells adjacent the target plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Jeff A. McClain, Brian P. Callaway
  • Patent number: 10921996
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra M. Bell, Naveh Malihi
  • Patent number: 10910033
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for refresh-related activation in memory are described. A memory device may conduct a refresh operation to preserve the integrity of data. A refresh operation may be associated with a refresh time where the memory device is unable to execute or issue any commands (e.g., access commands). By posting (e.g., saving) one or more commands and/or row addresses during the refresh time, the memory device may be configured to execute the saved commands and/or re-open one or more rows associated with the saved row addresses at a later time (e.g., upon completion of the refresh operation). Accordingly, fewer commands may be issued to activate the memory cells after the refresh time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Kaminski, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer, Debra M. Bell, Dale Herber Hiscock, Joshua E. Alzheimer
  • Publication number: 20210026542
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to memory authentication. Memory devices can be authenticated utilizing authentication codes. An authentication code can be generated based on information stored in a fuse array of the memory device. The authentication code can be stored in the memory device. The stored authentication code can be compared to a captured authentication code based on fuse array information broadcast to memory components of the memory device. The authenticity of the memory device can be determined based on the comparison and can result in placing the memory device in an unlocked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Rachael R. Carlson, Aparna U. Limaye, Diana C. Majerus, Debra M. Bell, Shea M. Morrison
  • Patent number: 10885967
    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: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, Debra M. Bell, George B. Raad, Brian P. Callaway, Joshua E. Alzheimer
  • Publication number: 20200411081
    Abstract: Memory devices and systems with on-die data transfer capability, and associated methods, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes an array of memory cells and a plurality of input/output lines operably connecting the array to data pads of the device. In some embodiments, the memory device can further include a global cache and/or a local cache. The memory device can be configured to internally transfer data stored at a first location in the array to a second location in the array without outputting the data from the memory device. To transfer the data, the memory device can copy data on one row of memory cells to another row of memory cells, directly write data to the second location from the first location using data read/write lines of the input/output lines, and/or read the data into and out of the global cache and/or the local cache.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Dale H. Hiscock, Debra M. Bell, Michael Kaminski, Joshua E. Alzheimer, Anthony D. Veches, James S. Rehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20200387314
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory error indicator related to high-reliability applications are described. A memory device may perform error detection procedures to monitor trends in the quantity of bit errors as an indication of the health of the memory device. A memory device may perform error detection procedures concurrently with refresh procedures to detect a quantity of errors (e.g., in a memory array) without degrading the performance of the device or the memory array. The memory device may compare a quantity of errors detected (e.g., in the memory array) with one or more previously detected quantities of errors to determine one or more differences in the quantities of errors. The memory device may generate an error metric based on the differences, and may determine whether the error metric satisfies a threshold. The memory device may output a status indicator (e.g., to a host device) based on whether the error metric satisfies the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Erika Prosser, Aaron P. Boehm, Debra M. Bell
  • Publication number: 20200387323
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for scrub rate control for a memory device are described. For example, during a scrub operation, a memory device may perform an error correction operation on data read from a memory array of the memory device. The memory device may determine a quantity of errors detected or corrected during the scrub operation and determine a condition of the memory array based on the quantity of errors. The memory device may indicate the determined condition of the memory array to a host device. In some cases, the memory device may perform scrub operations based on one or more condition of the memory array. For example, as a condition of the memory array deteriorates, the memory device may perform scrub operations at an increased rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron P. Boehm, Debra M. Bell