Patents by Inventor GREGG D. WOLFF

GREGG D. WOLFF 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: 11437116
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Patent number: 11315619
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for distributing row hammer refresh events across a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus that includes a first memory configured to receive a sequential series of refresh commands and to replace a first of the sequential refresh commands with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, a second memory configured to receive the sequential series of refresh commands at to replace a second of the sequential refresh command with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, wherein the first of the sequential refresh commands and the second of the sequential refresh commands are different commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg D. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20220100597
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to detecting and reporting failures for a memory device are described. When a count of bit-flip errors is above a fail threshold, a memory device can report a failure. Failure reports can indicate a rate at which the memory device is accumulating errors. An offset fail threshold may be applied instead of a default fail threshold, such as a standardized or specified threshold. The offset fail threshold can be a summation of the default fail threshold and an offset determined from an initial error count determined before the memory device has accumulated errors from use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Gregg D. Wolff
  • Patent number: 11200105
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to detecting and reporting failures for a memory device are described. When a count of bit-flip errors is above a fail threshold, a memory device can report a failure. Failure reports can indicate a rate at which the memory device is accumulating errors. An offset fail threshold may be applied instead of a default fail threshold, such as a standardized or specified threshold. The offset fail threshold can be a summation of the default fail threshold and an offset determined from an initial error count determined before the memory device has accumulated errors from use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Gregg D. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20200243155
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Publication number: 20200210267
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to detecting and reporting failures for a memory device are described. When a count of bit-flip errors is above a fail threshold, a memory device can report a failure. Failure reports can indicate a rate at which the memory device is accumulating errors. An offset fail threshold may be applied instead of a default fail threshold, such as a standardized or specified threshold. The offset fail threshold can be a summation of the default fail threshold and an offset determined from an initial error count determined before the memory device has accumulated errors from use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Randall J. Rooney, Gregg D. Wolff
  • Patent number: 10643734
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Publication number: 20200082873
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for distributing row hammer refresh events across a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus that includes a first memory configured to receive a sequential series of refresh commands and to replace a first of the sequential refresh commands with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, a second memory configured to receive the sequential series of refresh commands at to replace a second of the sequential refresh command with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, wherein the first of the sequential refresh commands and the second of the sequential refresh commands are different commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Gregg D. Wolff
  • Patent number: 10586574
    Abstract: Cache mode for word lines where the cache mode utilizes an internal timer for a memory cell to disable connection of a voltage to a transistor of a word line driver of the memory cell before an end of a specified end of period. By early disconnection, the local controls of the memory cell may provide additional time to settle after disconnection of the voltage without interfering with operations (e.g., read, write, activate) of the memory cell, since the internal timer may be programmed to be greater than or equal to a worst case scenario for the operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg D. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20200005885
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory array, a test circuit coupled to the memory array, a counter circuit coupled to the test circuit and an input/output (I/O) circuit coupled to the counter circuit. During a test operation, the test circuit may receive blocks of data from the memory array and compare the data to detect errors in the blocks of data. The counter circuit may increment a count value in response to detection of an error by the test circuit, and the I/O circuit may provide the count value to an output. The test circuit may also provide test comparison data based on the received blocks of data, and the I/O circuit may provide one of the count value and the test comparison data to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Gregg D. Wolff, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, C. Omar Benitez, Dennis G. Montierth
  • Patent number: 10490251
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for distributing row hammer refresh events across a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus that includes a first memory configured to receive a sequential series of refresh commands and to replace a first of the sequential refresh commands with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, a second memory configured to receive the sequential series of refresh commands at to replace a second of the sequential refresh command with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, wherein the first of the sequential refresh commands and the second of the sequential refresh commands are different commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg D. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20190287586
    Abstract: Cache mode for word lines where the cache mode utilizes an internal timer for a memory cell to disable connection of a voltage to a transistor of a word line driver of the memory cell before an end of a specified end of period. By early disconnection, the local controls of the memory cell may provide additional time to settle after disconnection of the voltage without interfering with operations (e.g., read, write, activate) of the memory cell, since the internal timer may be programmed to be greater than or equal to a worst case scenario for the operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: Gregg D. Wolff
  • Patent number: 10366733
    Abstract: Cache mode for word lines where the cache mode utilizes an internal timer for a memory cell to disable connection of a voltage to a transistor of a word line driver of the memory cell before an end of a specified end of period. By early disconnection, the local controls of the memory cell may provide additional time to settle after disconnection of the voltage without interfering with operations (e.g., read, write, activate) of the memory cell, since the internal timer may be programmed to be greater than or equal to a worst case scenario for the operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg D. Wolff
  • Publication number: 20180218767
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for distributing row hammer refresh events across a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus that includes a first memory configured to receive a sequential series of refresh commands and to replace a first of the sequential refresh commands with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, a second memory configured to receive the sequential series of refresh commands at to replace a second of the sequential refresh command with a row hammer refresh operation once during a refresh steal cycle, wherein the first of the sequential refresh commands and the second of the sequential refresh commands are different commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: GREGG D. WOLFF