Patents by Inventor Gary L. Howe

Gary L. Howe 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).

  • Publication number: 20210019075
    Abstract: A memory device may include a first wordline and a second wordline, each having multiple memory cells. The memory device may also include control circuitry to facilitate writing a data pattern to the memory cells of the first wordline and facilitate copying the data pattern from the first wordline to the second wordline. Copying the first wordline to the second wordline may include activating the second wordline such that the first wordline and the second wordline are simultaneously active. A memory cell of the first wordline may be written a data value of the data pattern, and the memory cell may drive, at least partially, a corresponding memory cell of the second wordline with the data value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Byung S. Moon, Harish N. Venkata, Gary L. Howe, Myung Ho Bae
  • Publication number: 20210011803
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a memory bank and a plurality of mode registers that communicatively couple to each of the plurality of memory banks. The plurality of mode registers may include a pattern of data stored therein. The semiconductor device may also include a bank control that receives a write pattern command that causes the bank control to write the pattern of data into the memory bank, send a signal to a multiplexer to couple the plurality of mode registers to the memory bank, and write the pattern of data to the memory bank via the plurality of mode registers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventor: Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 10892006
    Abstract: A memory device include write leveling circuitry that is configured to receive a write command from the command interface. The write leveling circuitry also receives a data strobe (DQS) signal from a host device (e.g., processor) and receives a clock signal from the host device. The write leveling circuitry also compares phases of the DQS signal and the clock signal using a phase detector. The write leveling circuitry also generates an internal write signal (IWS) based upon the write command, and outputs a captured result of a write leveling operation based at least in part on the compared phases and the IWS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20200364138
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for write address tracking. An example apparatus can include an array of memory cells and a cache coupled to the array. The example apparatus can include tracking circuitry coupled to the cache. The tracking circuitry can be configured to track write addresses of data written to the cache.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Gary L. Howe, Timothy P. Finkbeiner
  • Patent number: 10832760
    Abstract: A memory device includes a data write circuitry. The data write circuitry is configured to capture a first write command received via an external input/output (I/O) interface. The data write circuitry is further configured to generate a first internal write start (InternalWrStart) in a data strobe (DQS) domain after capture of the first write command. The data write circuitry is additionally configured to write a first one or more data bits into at least one memory bank based on the first InternalWrStart, wherein the first InternalWrStart is generated internally in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, P.C.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, David R. Brown, Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 10824503
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a memory bank and a plurality of mode registers that communicatively couple to each of the plurality of memory banks. The plurality of mode registers may include a pattern of data stored therein. The semiconductor device may also include a bank control that receives a write pattern command that causes the bank control to write the pattern of data into the memory bank, send a signal to a multiplexer to couple the plurality of mode registers to the memory bank, and write the pattern of data to the memory bank via the plurality of mode registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 10825491
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array, which may also include, multiple memory cells. The memory device may also include one or more counters designed to generate internal memory addresses to sequentially access the memory cells and facilitate writing logical zeros to all of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung S. Moon, Gary L. Howe, Harish N. Venkata, David R. Brown
  • Patent number: 10795603
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array that includes multiple memory cells. The memory device may also include multiple sense amplifiers that, in operation, may each be connected to one or more memory cells. The sense amplifiers may be designed to assist in writing logical zeros to the multiple memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung S. Moon, Harish N. Venkata, Gary L. Howe, Myung Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10783968
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a plurality of memory banks, a plurality of mode registers that may control an operational mode associated with each of the plurality of memory banks, and a set of global wiring lines coupled to each of the plurality of mode registers. The set of global wiring lines may include a first global wiring line to transmit data to each of the plurality of mode registers, a second global wiring line to transmit an address signal to each of the plurality of mode registers, a third global wiring line to transmit a read command signal to each of the plurality of mode registers, and a fourth global wiring line to transmit a write command signal to each of the plurality of mode registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thanh K. Mai, Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 10733089
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for write address tracking. An example apparatus can include an array of memory cells and a cache coupled to the array. The example apparatus can include tracking circuitry coupled to the cache. The tracking circuitry can be configured to track write addresses of data written to the cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Howe, Timothy P. Finkbeiner
  • Publication number: 20200227118
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for decoding addresses for memory are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a memory cell array and a row decoder. The memory cell array includes a bank of memory including a plurality of groups of memory. Each of the groups of memory includes sections of memory, and each of the sections of memory including memory cells arranged in rows and columns of memory. The row decoder decodes addresses to access a first group of memory to include rows of prime memory from a first block of memory and to include rows of prime memory from a second block of memory. The row decoder decodes the addresses to access a second group of memory to include rows of prime memory from the second block of memory and to include rows of redundant memory. The rows of redundant memory are shared with the first and second blocks of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Howe, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 10608621
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to improved systems and methods for control of one or more timing signals in a memory device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to configurable duty cycle correction at one or more DQ pins (e.g., data input/output (I/O) pins) of the memory device. For example, the memory device may include a configurable phase splitter and/or selective capacitive loading circuitry implemented to adjust the duty cycle of a timing signal at one or more DQ pins during and/or after manufacture of the memory device. Accordingly, the memory device may include increased flexibility and granularity of control over the one or more timing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Howe, Jeffrey E. Koelling
  • Publication number: 20200090732
    Abstract: A memory device includes a data write circuitry. The data write circuitry is configured to capture a first write command received via an external input/output (I/O) interface. The data write circuitry is further configured to generate a first internal write start (InternalWrStart) in a data strobe (DQS) domain after capture of the first write command. The data write circuitry is additionally configured to write a first one or more data bits into at least one memory bank based on the first InternalWrStart, wherein the first InternalWrStart is generated internally in the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, David R. Brown, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20200044640
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to improved systems and methods for control of one or more timing signals in a memory device. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to configurable duty cycle correction at one or more DQ pins (e.g., data input/output (I/O) pins) of the memory device. For example, the memory device may include a configurable phase splitter and/or selective capacitive loading circuitry implemented to adjust the duty cycle of a timing signal at one or more DQ pins during and/or after manufacture of the memory device. Accordingly, the memory device may include increased flexibility and granularity of control over the one or more timing signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Gary L. Howe, Jeffrey E. Koelling
  • Patent number: 10534553
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory array accessibility can include an apparatus with an array of memory cells. The array can include a first portion accessible by a controller of the array and inaccessible to devices external to the apparatus. The array can include a second portion accessible to the devices external to the apparatus. The array can include a number of registers that store row address that indicate which portion of the array is the first portion. The apparatus can include the controller configured to access the number of registers to allow access to the second portion by the devices external to the apparatus based on the stored row addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20190384526
    Abstract: A memory device may include a memory array that includes multiple memory cells. The memory device may also include multiple sense amplifiers that, in operation, may each be connected to one or more memory cells. The sense amplifiers may be designed to assist in writing logical zeros to the multiple memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Byung S. Moon, Harish N. Venkata, Gary L. Howe, Myung Ho Bae
  • Publication number: 20190384512
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory array accessibility can include an apparatus with an array of memory cells. The array can include a first portion accessible by a controller of the array and inaccessible to devices external to the apparatus. The array can include a second portion accessible to the devices external to the apparatus. The array can include a number of registers that store row address that indicate which portion of the array is the first portion. The apparatus can include the controller configured to access the number of registers to allow access to the second portion by the devices external to the apparatus based on the stored row addresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 10510398
    Abstract: A memory device includes a data write circuitry. The data write circuitry is configured to capture a first write command received via an external input/output (I/O) interface. The data write circuitry is further configured to generate a first internal write start (InternalWrStart) in a data strobe (DQS) domain after capture of the first write command. The data write circuitry is additionally configured to write a first one or more data bits into at least one memory bank based on the first InternalWrStart, wherein the first InternalWrStart is generated internally in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, David R. Brown, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20190370165
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to shifting data. An example apparatus comprises a cache coupled to an array of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to perform a first operation beginning at a first address to transfer data from the array of memory cells to the cache, and perform a second operation concurrently with the first operation, the second operation beginning at a second address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel B. Penney, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20190369872
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods to transfer data between banks of memory cells. An example includes a plurality of banks of memory cells and a controller coupled to the plurality of subarrays configured to cause transfer of data between the plurality of banks of memory cells via internal data path operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Thanh K. Mai, Gary L. Howe, Daniel B. Penney