Patents by Inventor George B. Raad

George B. Raad 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: 11900997
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for storing and reading data at a memory device are described. A memory device may utilize one or more storage states to store data within a data word. The memory device may exhibit higher data leakage or more power consumption when storing or reading a first storage state compared to storing or reading one or more other storage states. In some cases, the memory device may generate a second data word corresponding to a first data word by modifying each symbol type of the first data word to generate a different symbol type for the second data word. A memory device may reduce the occurrence of a storage state associated with large data leakage, or high-power consumption, or both. Further, the memory device may generate and store an indicator indicating the transformation of a corresponding data word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, George B. Raad
  • Patent number: 11900983
    Abstract: Provided herein are memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices in which multiple counters are provided to permit memory refresh commands greater freedom in targeting subsets of the memory device for data refresh operations. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a plurality of memory banks, and circuitry configured to (i) store a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values corresponding to one of the plurality of memory banks; (ii) refresh first data stored in a first one of the plurality of memory banks; and (iii) update a first one of the plurality of values corresponding to the first one of the plurality of memory banks based at least in part on refreshing the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Jonathan S. Parry, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 11790980
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for driver sharing between banks or portions of banks of memory devices are described. An apparatus may include a first bank and a second bank of memory cells and a word line driver configured to activate word lines. The word line driver may include a master word line driver and an address driver. In some examples, the master word line driver may be configured to generate a first signal to a first portion of the first bank or a second portion of the first bank as part of performing an access operation. In some examples, the master word line driver may be configured to generate a first signal for the first bank or the second bank as part of performing an access operation. The address driver configured to generate a second signal to a portion of the first bank or the second bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan He, George B. Raad
  • Patent number: 11769561
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are provided, in which at least a subset of a non-volatile memory array is configured to behave as read-only memory by not implementing erase or write commands. In one embodiment of the present technology, a memory device is provided, comprising a non-volatile memory array, and circuitry configured to store one or more addresses of the non-volatile memory array, to compare an address of a received command to the one or more addresses, and at least in part based on the comparison, determine not to implement the received command. The circuitry can be further configured to return an error message after determining not to implement the received command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Jonathan S. Parry
  • Patent number: 11742028
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are provided, in which at least a subset of a non-volatile memory array is configured to behave as a volatile memory by erasing or degrading data in the event of a changed power condition such as a power-loss event, a power-off event, or a power-on event. In one embodiment of the present technology, a memory device is provided, comprising a non-volatile memory array, and circuitry configured to store one or more addresses of the non-volatile memory array, to detect a changed power condition of the memory device, and to erase or degrade data at the one or more addresses in response to detecting the changed power condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Jonathan S. Parry
  • Publication number: 20230087329
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are provided, in which at least a subset of a non-volatile memory array is configured to behave as a volatile memory by erasing or degrading data in the event of a changed power condition such as a power-loss event, a power-off event, or a power-on event. In one embodiment of the present technology, a memory device is provided, comprising a non-volatile memory array, and circuitry configured to store one or more addresses of the non-volatile memory array, to detect a changed power condition of the memory device, and to erase or degrade data at the one or more addresses in response to detecting the changed power condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Jonathan S. Parry
  • Publication number: 20230059803
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for driver sharing between banks or portions of banks of memory devices are described. An apparatus may include a first bank and a second bank of memory cells and a word line driver configured to activate word lines. The word line driver may include a master word line driver and an address driver. In some examples, the master word line driver may be configured to generate a first signal to a first portion of the first bank or a second portion of the first bank as part of performing an access operation. In some examples, the master word line driver may be configured to generate a first signal for the first bank or the second bank as part of performing an access operation. The address driver configured to generate a second signal to a portion of the first bank or the second bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Yuan He, George B. Raad
  • Publication number: 20230005531
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for storing and reading data at a memory device are described. A memory device may utilize one or more storage states to store data within a data word. The memory device may exhibit higher data leakage or more power consumption when storing or reading a first storage state compared to storing or reading one or more other storage states. In some cases, the memory device may generate a second data word corresponding to a first data word by modifying each symbol type of the first data word to generate a different symbol type for the second data word. A memory device may reduce the occurrence of a storage state associated with large data leakage, or high-power consumption, or both. Further, the memory device may generate and store an indicator indicating the transformation of a corresponding data word.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, George B. Raad
  • Patent number: 11495299
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are provided, in which at least a subset of a non-volatile memory array is configured to behave as a volatile memory by erasing or degrading data in the event of a changed power condition such as a power-loss event, a power-off event, or a power-on event. In one embodiment of the present technology, a memory device is provided, comprising a non-volatile memory array, and circuitry configured to store one or more addresses of the non-volatile memory array, to detect a changed power condition of the memory device, and to erase or degrade data at the one or more addresses in response to detecting the changed power condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Jonathan S. Parry
  • 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: 11488656
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for writing a high-level state to a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. After a sense operation performed by a first sense component and a second sense component, a digit line may be isolated from the first sense component and the second sense component. The high-level state may be stored in the memory cell, then a second state may be stored in the memory cell, in which the second state may be a mid-level state or a low-level state. The second state may be stored based on a write-back component identifying that the second state was stored in the memory cell before the write back procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, George B. Raad
  • Patent number: 11404111
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for sensing a signal associated with a memory cell capable of storing three or more logic states. To sense the memory cell (e.g., a signal associated with the memory cell), a charge may be transferred between a digit line and a node coupled with a plurality of sense components using a charge transfer device. Once the charge is transferred, at least some if not each of the plurality of sense components may sense the charge using one of a variety of sensing schemes. For example, the charge may be sensed by each sense component at a same time using a single fixed reference value, or at different times using different fixed reference values. Based on the charge being transferred or transferred with the node (e.g., using the charge transfer device) and each sense component sensing the charge, a logic state associated with the memory cell may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 11404116
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for storing and reading data at a memory device are described. A memory device may utilize one or more storage states to store data within a data word. The memory device may exhibit higher data leakage or more power consumption when storing or reading a first storage state compared to storing or reading one or more other storage states. In some cases, the memory device may generate a second data word corresponding to a first data word by modifying each symbol type of the first data word to generate a different symbol type for the second data word. A memory device may reduce the occurrence of a storage state associated with large data leakage, or high-power consumption, or both. Further, the memory device may generate and store an indicator indicating the transformation of a corresponding data word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, George B. Raad
  • Patent number: 11393543
    Abstract: Memory devices, system, and methods for operating the same are provided. The memory device can comprise a non-volatile memory array and control circuitry. The control circuitry can be configured to store a value corresponding to a number of activate commands received at the memory device, update the value in response to receiving an activate command received from a host device, and trigger, in response to the value exceeding a predetermined threshold, a remedial action performed by the memory device. The control circuitry can be further configured to store a second value corresponding to a number of refresh operations performed by the memory device, update the second value in response to performing a refresh operation, and trigger, in response to the value exceeding a second predetermined threshold, a second remedial action performed by the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20210335394
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device comprises a memory array and circuitry configured to determine one or more settings for the memory array corresponding to a powered-on state of the memory device, to store the one or more settings in a non-volatile memory location, and in response to returning to the powered-on state from a reduced-power state, to read the one or more settings from the non-volatile memory location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20210295880
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are provided, in which at least a subset of a non-volatile memory array is configured to behave as a volatile memory by erasing or degrading data in the event of a changed power condition such as a power-loss event, a power-off event, or a power-on event. In one embodiment of the present technology, a memory device is provided, comprising a non-volatile memory array, and circuitry configured to store one or more addresses of the non-volatile memory array, to detect a changed power condition of the memory device, and to erase or degrade data at the one or more addresses in response to detecting the changed power condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Jonathan S. Parry
  • Publication number: 20210264971
    Abstract: Provided herein are memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices in which multiple counters are provided to permit memory refresh commands greater freedom in targeting subsets of the memory device for data refresh operations. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a plurality of memory banks, and circuitry configured to (i) store a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values corresponding to one of the plurality of memory banks; (ii) refresh first data stored in a first one of the plurality of memory banks; and (iii) update a first one of the plurality of values corresponding to the first one of the plurality of memory banks based at least in part on refreshing the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Jonathan S. Parry, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 11087829
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for phase charge sharing are described. In some memory systems or memory devices, one or more decoders may be used to bias access lines of a memory die. The decoders may transfer voltage or current between a first conductive line of the decoder and a second conductive line of the decoder via a shorting device. Transferring the voltage or current may be performed as part of or in association with an operation (e.g., an activate or pre-charge operation) to access one or more memory cells of the memory die. In some examples, the decoders may transfer voltage or current between a first conductive line of a decoder associated with a first refresh activity and a second conductive line of the decoder associated with a second refresh activity via a shorting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, George B. Raad, Debra M. Bell, Markus H. Geiger, Anthony D. Veches
  • Patent number: 11062740
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device comprises a memory array and circuitry configured to determine one or more settings for the memory array corresponding to a powered-on state of the memory device, to store the one or more settings in a non-volatile memory location, and in response to returning to the powered-on state from a reduced-power state, to read the one or more settings from the non-volatile memory location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Parry, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 11049565
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices and systems are provided, in which at least a subset of a non-volatile memory array is configured to behave as a volatile memory by erasing or degrading data in the event of a changed power condition such as a power-loss event, a power-off event, or a power-on event. In one embodiment of the present technology, a memory device is provided, comprising a non-volatile memory array, and circuitry configured to store one or more addresses of the non-volatile memory array, to detect a changed power condition of the memory device, and to erase or degrade data at the one or more addresses in response to detecting the changed power condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, George B. Raad, James S. Rehmeyer, Jonathan S. Parry