Patents by Inventor Hillery C. Hunter

Hillery C. Hunter 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: 11435902
    Abstract: A flash translation layer method, system, and computer program product, include performing a virtualization of a meta-flash translation layer by: instantiating a range in a NAND chip comprising the number of free blocks using a meta-FTL to create a compatible range of blocks for a type of a feature and a flash characteristic of a translation table if a number of free blocks are available in the NAND chip and instantiating a second range in the NAND chip comprising a second number of free blocks using the meta-FTL to create a second compatible range of blocks for a second type of feature and a second flash characteristic of the translation table, and dynamically programming data on the fly based on an input requirement of a request into the range and the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaoutar El Maghraoui, Hubertus Franke, Hillery C. Hunter, Gokul Bhargava Kandiraju, Hartmut Erhard Penner
  • Patent number: 10748877
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for an integrated wafer-level processing system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, an integrated wafer-level processing system includes a memory wafer and a processing element connected to the memory wafer via a data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip G. Emma, Hillery C. Hunter, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Publication number: 20200167075
    Abstract: A flash translation layer method, system, and computer program product, include performing a virtualization of a meta-flash translation layer by: instantiating a range in a NAND chip comprising the number of free blocks using a meta-FTL to create a compatible range of blocks for a type of a feature and a flash characteristic of a translation table if a number of free blocks are available in the NAND chip and instantiating a second range in the NAND chip comprising a second number of free blocks using the meta-FTL to create a second compatible range of blocks for a second type of feature and a second flash characteristic of the translation table, and dynamically programming data on the fly based on an input requirement of a request into the range and the second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Kaoutar El Maghraoui, Hubertus Franke, Hillery C. Hunter, Gokul Bhargava Kandiraju, Hartmut Erhard Penner
  • Patent number: 10642497
    Abstract: A flash translation layer method, system, and computer program product, include sending a request with a type of feature and a flash characteristic of a translation table for a Solid-State disk, receiving, via a meta-flash translation layer (meta-FTL), the request and checking for a number of free blocks in a NAND chip, and instantiating a range in the NAND chip including the number of free blocks using the meta-FTL to create a compatible range of blocks for the type of feature and the flash characteristic of the translation table if the checking returns a confirmation that the number of free blocks is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaoutar El Maghraoui, Hubertus Franke, Hillery C. Hunter, Gokul Bhargava Kandiraju, Hartmut Erhard Penner
  • Publication number: 20190229095
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for an integrated wafer-level processing system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, an integrated wafer-level processing system includes a memory wafer and a processing element connected to the memory wafer via a data connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Philip G. Emma, Hillery C. Hunter, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 10304802
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for an integrated wafer-level processing system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, an integrated wafer-level processing system includes a memory wafer and a processing element connected to the memory wafer via a data connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip G. Emma, Hillery C. Hunter, John U. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 10283212
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for a built-in self-test (BIST) for embedded spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: initiating, by a processor, a BIST for the STT-MRAM; performing, by the processor, an error-correcting code (ECC) test for a portion of the STT-MRAM; responsive to the ECC test not being passed, determining whether a maximum signal is reached; responsive to the maximum signal not being reached, increasing the signal and performing the ECC test again; and responsive to the maximum signal being reached, determining that the portion of the STT-MRAM is bad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Janani Mukundan, Karthick Rajamani, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 10170178
    Abstract: Techniques for improving the security of nonvolatile memory such as magnetic random access memory (MRAM) are provided. In one aspect, a method of operating a nonvolatile memory chip is provided. The method includes: overwriting data stored on the nonvolatile memory chip automatically upon the nonvolatile memory chip being powered on. For example, all bits in the nonvolatile memory chip can be written to either i) a predetermined data state (e.g., a logic 1 or a logic 0) or ii) a random data state. A system is also provided that includes: a nonvolatile memory chip; and a writing circuit configured to overwrite data stored on the nonvolatile memory chip automatically upon the nonvolatile memory chip being powered on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. DeBrosse, William E. Hall, Hillery C. Hunter, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Publication number: 20180330779
    Abstract: Techniques for improving the security of nonvolatile memory such as magnetic random access memory (MRAM) are provided. In one aspect, a method of operating a nonvolatile memory chip is provided. The method includes: overwriting data stored on the nonvolatile memory chip automatically upon the nonvolatile memory chip being powered on. For example, all bits in the nonvolatile memory chip can be written to either i) a predetermined data state (e.g., a logic 1 or a logic 0) or ii) a random data state. A system is also provided that includes: a nonvolatile memory chip; and a writing circuit configured to overwrite data stored on the nonvolatile memory chip automatically upon the nonvolatile memory chip being powered on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: John K. DeBrosse, William E. Hall, Hillery C. Hunter, Jeffrey A. Stuecheli, Daniel C. Worledge
  • Patent number: 10120810
    Abstract: A method, system and memory controller for implementing memory hierarchy placement decisions in a memory system including direct routing of arriving data into a main memory system and selective injection of the data or computed results into a processor cache in a computer system. A memory controller, or a processing element in a memory system, selectively drives placement of data into other levels of the memory hierarchy. The decision to inject into the hierarchy can be triggered by the arrival of data from an input output (IO) device, from computation, or from a directive of an in-memory processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Heidelberger, Hillery C. Hunter, James A. Kahle, Ravi Nair
  • Patent number: 10067702
    Abstract: An aspect includes determining a configuration change to at least one memory device of a memory system. A band switch enable command is sent from a memory controller to the at least one memory device indicating the configuration change. One or more internal circuits of the at least one memory device are set into a quiescent mode based on receiving the band enable command. One or more of a voltage and a frequency of the at least one memory device are adjusted to implement the configuration change. A band switch disable command is sent from the memory controller to the at least one memory device based on completing the adjusting. The one or more internal circuits are enabled to operate using the adjustment based on receiving the band switch disable command from the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Kyu-hyoun Kim
  • Patent number: 10063263
    Abstract: A memory management system and a method of managing a memory device are described. The system includes a memory device with a memory array to store data and associated error correction coding (ECC) bits and an extended correction table. The extended correction table stores error information additional to the ECC bits for one or more of the data in the memory array. The system also includes a controller to control the memory device to write and read the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Warren E. Maule, Adam J. McPadden
  • Patent number: 10027349
    Abstract: A memory management system and a method of managing a memory device are described. The system includes a memory device with a memory array to store data and associated error correction coding (ECC) bits and an extended correction table. The extended correction table stores error information additional to the ECC bits for one or more of the data in the memory array. The system also includes a controller to control the memory device to write and read the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Warren E. Maule, Adam J. McPadden
  • Patent number: 10019312
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an approach for monitoring the health and predicting the failure of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) devices with embedded error-correcting code (ECC). Additional registers are embedded on the DRAM device to store information about the DRAM, such as the number and location of soft errors detected by the device. When the DRAM device detects a soft error, it will update the information stored in the additional registers. A controller compares the information stored in the additional registers to associated thresholds. In some embodiments, after comparing the information to the associated thresholds, the controller may determine whether to schedule a repair action. In other embodiments, the controller may determine whether to alert the memory controller that the DRAM may be failing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20180151246
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for a built-in self-test (BIST) for embedded spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: initiating, by a processor, a BIST for the STT-MRAM; performing, by the processor, an error-correcting code (ECC) test for a portion of the STT-MRAM; responsive to the ECC test not being passed, determining whether a maximum signal is reached; responsive to the maximum signal not being reached, increasing the signal and performing the ECC test again; and responsive to the maximum signal being reached, determining that the portion of the STT-MRAM is bad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Janani Mukundan, Karthick Rajamani, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9940457
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, computer program product, and system for monitoring a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) device to detect and respond to a cryogenic attack. A processor receives a set of memory information about a DRAM device. The processor then determines a set of error indicators by processing the memory information using a set of decision parameters. The error indicators are then compared to an attack syndrome to determine if the DRAM is experiencing a cryogenic attack. If the DRAM is experiencing a cryogenic attack, access to the DRAM device is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20180089093
    Abstract: A method, system and memory controller for implementing memory hierarchy placement decisions in a memory system including direct routing of arriving data into a main memory system and selective injection of the data or computed results into a processor cache in a computer system. A memory controller, or a processing element in a memory system, selectively drives placement of data into other levels of the memory hierarchy. The decision to inject into the hierarchy can be triggered by the arrival of data from an input output (IO) device, from computation, or from a directive of an in-memory processing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Philip Heidelberger, Hillery C. Hunter, James A. Kahle, Ravi Nair
  • Publication number: 20180074739
    Abstract: An aspect includes determining a configuration change to at least one memory device of a memory system. A band switch enable command is sent from a memory controller to the at least one memory device indicating the configuration change. One or more internal circuits of the at least one memory device are set into a quiescent mode based on receiving the band enable command. One or more of a voltage and a frequency of the at least one memory device are adjusted to implement the configuration change. A band switch disable command is sent from the memory controller to the at least one memory device based on completing the adjusting. The one or more internal circuits are enabled to operate using the adjustment based on receiving the band switch disable command from the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Kyu-hyoun Kim
  • Patent number: 9917601
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a method for adaptive error correction in a memory system includes reading data from a memory array of a non-volatile memory device in the memory system. Error correcting logic checks the data for at least one error condition stored in the memory array. Based on determining that the at least one error condition exists, a write-back indicator is asserted by the error correcting logic to request correction of the at least one error condition, where the write-back indicator is a discrete signal sent to a memory controller, and the at least one non-volatile memory device asserting the write-back indicator extends cycle timing monitored by the memory controller while the write-back indicator is asserted. Based on determining that the at least one error condition does not exist, accesses of the memory array continue without asserting the write-back indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John K. DeBrosse, Hillery C. Hunter, Charles A. Kilmer, Kyu-hyoun Kim, Warren E. Maule, Rona Yaari
  • Patent number: 9910783
    Abstract: A method, system and memory controller for implementing memory hierarchy placement decisions in a memory system including direct routing of arriving data into a main memory system and selective injection of the data or computed results into a processor cache in a computer system. A memory controller, or a processing element in a memory system, selectively drives placement of data into other levels of the memory hierarchy. The decision to inject into the hierarchy can be triggered by the arrival of data from an input output (IO) device, from computation, or from a directive of an in-memory processing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Heidelberger, Hillery C. Hunter, James A. Kahle, Ravi Nair