Patents by Inventor Donald Charles Stark

Donald Charles Stark 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: 9270282
    Abstract: A clock signal for use by a circuit can be switched between clocks glitchlessly. A series of delay devices are connected in series based on an integral timing ratio. The integral timing ratio can be based on a ratio of the one of the clock's frequency or period to the other's frequency or period. When a clock select signal is received, the select signal is qualified and then delayed an amount of time based on the integral timing ratio, using the delay devices. The number of delay devices in each series can be the next largest integer to the integral timing ratio, plus one. The clock signal can then be glitchlessly switched from one clock to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Clemenz Portmann, Donald Charles Stark
  • Publication number: 20150180484
    Abstract: A clock signal for use by a circuit can be switched between clocks glitchlessly. A series of delay devices are connected in series based on an integral timing ratio. The integral timing ratio can be based on a ratio of the one of the clock's frequency or period to the other's frequency or period. When a clock select signal is received, the select signal is qualified and then delayed an amount of time based on the integral timing ratio, using the delay devices. The number of delay devices in each series can be the next largest integer to the integral timing ratio, plus one. The clock signal can then be glitchlessly switched from one clock to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Clemenz Portmann, Donald Charles Stark
  • Patent number: 8930594
    Abstract: Described is an integrated circuit (IC) that allows for communication between any input/output (I/O) pin and onboard peripherals. Accordingly, the resultant IC can be easily documented and connections between I/O pins and peripherals can be managed for each peripheral independently. The IC may include one or more sets of hardwired connections that provide a connection between of any I/O pin and any onboard peripheral. The hardwired connections may include the use of one or more crossbars. This increases the overall functionality and potential applications for an IC as the only limitation on peripheral connectivity is the number of I/O pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Kingsley Rodman, Donald Charles Stark
  • Patent number: 8779953
    Abstract: A method and device for testing a digital-to-analog converter is provided. The method may include configuring a decoder to address an individual unit cell of a plurality of unit cells of a digital-to-analog converter. The configured decoder may select a particular unit cell of the plurality of unit cells for testing. The selected unit cell may have digital and analog circuitry. A bias current of the selected unit cell may be increased. The increased bias current of the selected unit cell may be greater during the testing than during normal operation. A test logic signal may be applied to the selected unit cell. In response to the test logic signal, an output signal may be output from the selected unit cell logic circuitry of the digital-to-analog converter. A device may include logic circuitry configured to select an individual unit cell for testing and a current generating circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Clemenz Portmann, Shahriar Rabii, Donald Charles Stark
  • Publication number: 20120201089
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device comprises an interface to transmit a first code, a strobe signal after a delay and data to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The first code indicates that data is to be written to the DRAM. The first code is registered by the DRAM on one or more edges of an external clock signal received by the DRAM. The strobe signal specifies one or more discrete points in time synchronous with the external clock signal at which the data is registered by the DRAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbott Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 7287109
    Abstract: Method embodiments including providing control information to a memory device is provided. The control information includes a first code which specifies that a write operation be initiated in the memory device. A signal is provided that indicates when the memory device is to begin sampling write data that is stored in the memory core during the write operation. A first bit of the write data is provided to the memory device during an even phase of a clock signal. A second bit of the write data is provided to the memory device during an odd phase of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6931467
    Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided. The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6912620
    Abstract: A method is described for providing a memory with a serial sequence of write enable signals that are offset in time with respect to respective data received by a plurality of data inputs of the memory. A memory is also described with an array for data storage, a plurality of data input pins, and a separate pin for receiving either additional data or a serial sequence of write enable signals applicable to data received by the plurality of data input pins. The additional data that the separate pin can receive includes, for example, error detection and correction (EDC) information. A method is also described for multiplexing write enable information and error detection and correction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6810449
    Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Rambus, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20040080975
    Abstract: A method is described for providing a memory with a serial sequence of write enable signals that are offset in time with respect to respective data received by a plurality of data inputs of the memory. A memory is also described with an array for data storage, a plurality of data input pins, and a separate pin for receiving either additional data or a serial sequence of write enable signals applicable to data received by the plurality of data input pins. The additional data that the separate pin can receive includes, for example, error detection and correction (EDC) information. A method is also described for multiplexing write enable information and error detection and correction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Frederick Abboll Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6681288
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device that includes an array of memory cells, the memory device operating synchronously with respect to an external clock signal. The memory device includes a set of interface terminals to receive a plurality of control signals which specify that the memory device receive a first set of data bits and a second set of data bits. The first set of data bits are received during a first half of a first clock cycle of the external clock signal. The second set of data bits are received during a second half of the first clock cycle of the external clock signal. In addition, the memory device includes a mask terminal to receive first and second mask bits during a second clock cycle of the external clock signal. The first clock cycle is temporally offset from the second clock cycle. The first mask bit is received during a first half of the second clock cycle, the first mask bit to indicate whether to write the first set of data bits to the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6591353
    Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided. The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6496897
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a method of operation in the semiconductor memory device. The memory device receives an external clock signal and includes an array of memory cells. The method of operation of the memory device includes receiving, during a first half of a clock cycle of the external clock signal, a first data value and a first mask bit. The first mask bit indicates whether to write the first data value to the array. The method further includes receiving, during a second half of the clock cycle of the external clock signal, a second data value and a second mask bit. The second mask bit indicates whether to write the second data value to the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6493789
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device which includes a set of interface terminals to receive a plurality of control signals which specify that the memory device receive a first set of data bits and a second set of data bits. The plurality of control signals further specify that the memory device precharge sense amplifiers used in writing the first set of data bits to an array of memory cells, and precharge sense amplifiers used in writing the second set of data bits to the array of memory cells. The memory device further includes a mask terminal to receive a first mask bit during a first half of a clock cycle of an external clock signal, the first mask bit to indicate whether to write the first set of data bits to the array. The mask terminal further receives a second mask bit during a second half of the clock cycle of the external clock signal, the second mask bit to indicate whether to write the second set of data bits to the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Patent number: 6470405
    Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided. The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20020138689
    Abstract: A method is described for providing a memory with a serial sequence of write enable signals that are offset in time with respect to respective data received by a plurality of data inputs of the memory. A memory is also described with an array for data storage, a plurality of data input pins, and a separate pin for receiving either additional data or a serial sequence of write enable signals applicable to data received by the plurality of data input pins. The additional data that the separate pin can receive includes, for example, error detection and correction (EDC) information. A method is also described for multiplexing write enable information and error detection and correction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20020087790
    Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided. The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20020010832
    Abstract: A method is described for providing a memory with a serial sequence of write enable signals that are offset in time with respect to respective data received by a plurality of data inputs of the memory. A memory is also described with an array for data storage, a plurality of data input pins, and a separate pin for receiving either additional data or a serial sequence of write enable signals applicable to data received by the plurality of data input pins. The additional data that the separate pin can receive includes, for example, error detection and correction (EDC) information. A method is also described for multiplexing write enable information and error detection and correction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20020004865
    Abstract: A system and method for performing data transfers within a computer system is provided. The system includes a controller configured to dynamically adjust the interleave of the communications required to perform a series of data transfer operations to maximize utilization of the channel over which the communications are to be performed. The controller is able to vary the time interval between the transmission of control information that requests a data transfer and the performance of the data transfer by signaling the beginning of the data transfer with a strobe signal sent separate from the control information. The controller is able to defer the determination of how much data will be transferred in the operation by initiating the termination of a data transfer with a termination signal. The method provides a technique for distinguishing between identical control signals that are carried on the same line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Richard Maurice Barth, Frederick Abbot Ware, John Bradly Dillon, Donald Charles Stark, Craig Edward Hampel, Matthew Murdy Griffin
  • Publication number: 20010034810
    Abstract: A method is described for providing a memory with a serial sequence of write enable signals that are offset in time with respect to respective data received by a plurality of data inputs of the memory. A memory is also described with an array for data storage, a plurality of data input pins, and a separate pin for receiving either additional data or a serial sequence of write enable signals applicable to data received by the plurality of data input pins. The additional data that the separate pin can receive includes, for example, error detection and correction (EDC) information. A method is also described for multiplexing write enable information and error detection and correction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Frederick Abbott Ware, Craig Edward Hampel, Donald Charles Stark, Matthew Murdy Griffin