Patents by Inventor Ian P. Shaeffer

Ian P. Shaeffer 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: 9007862
    Abstract: Components of a memory system, such as a memory controller and a memory device, that reduce delay in exiting self-refresh mode by controlling the refresh timing of the memory device. The memory device includes a memory core. An interface circuit of the memory device receives an external refresh signal indicating an intermittent refresh event. A refresh circuit of the memory device generates an internal refresh signal indicating an internal refresh event of the memory device. A refresh control circuit of the memory device performs a refresh operation on a portion of the memory core responsive to the internal refresh event, at a time relative to the intermittent refresh event indicated by the external refresh signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Brent Haukness, Ian P. Shaeffer, James E. Harris
  • Publication number: 20150084672
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device transmits to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) one or more commands that specify programming of a digital control value within the DRAM, the digital control value indicating a termination impedance that the DRAM is to couple to a data interface of the DRAM in response to receiving a write command and during reception of write data corresponding to the write command, and that the DRAM is to decouple from the data interface after reception of the write data corresponding to the write command. Thereafter, the integrated circuit device transmits to the DRAM a write command indicating that write data is to be sampled by a data interface of the DRAM during a first time interval and that cause the DRAM to couple the termination impedance to the data interface during the first time interval and decouple the termination impedance from the data interface after the first time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 8981811
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device stores a plurality of digital values that specify respective termination impedances. The memory device switchably couples respective sets of load elements to a data input/output (I/O) to apply the termination impedances specified by the digital values, including, applying a first termination impedance to the data I/O during an idle state of the memory device, applying a first one of two non-equal termination impedances to the data I/O while the memory device receives write data in a memory write operation and applying a second one of the two non-equal termination impedances to the data I/O while another memory device receives write data in a memory write operation. When outputting read data via the data I/O in a memory read operation, the memory device switchably couples to the data I/O at least a portion of the load elements included in the sets of load elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20150042378
    Abstract: In a memory module having an integrated-circuit buffer device coupled to one or more integrated-circuit memory devices, the buffer device receives write data signals from an external control component via a set of data inputs, the write data signals indicating write data to be stored within one or more of the memory devices. Logic within the buffer device sequentially applies controllable termination impedance configurations at the data inputs based on an indication received from the control component and an internal state of the buffer device, applying a first controllable termination impedance configuration at each of the data inputs during a first internal state of the buffer device corresponding to the reception of the write data signals on the data inputs, and applying a second controllable termination impedance configuration at each of the data inputs during a second internal state of the buffer device that succeeds the first internal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20150016046
    Abstract: According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include an expansion memory device, a connection printed circuit board, and a connection cable. The expansion memory device may include a plurality of memory chips. The connection printed circuit board may be configured to be physically coupled with a memory socket. The connection cable may be configured to electrically couple the connection printed circuit board with the expansion memory device and transmit electrical signals therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian P. SHAEFFER
  • Publication number: 20140329359
    Abstract: Multiple devices, including a first device and a second device, have operational circuitry and opposing first and second surfaces. First and second electrical contacts are formed at the first surface, while a third electrical contact is formed at the second surface opposite the first electrical contact. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to the operational circuitry, and the second electrical contact is electrically connected to the third electrical contact. The first device and the second device are subsequently stacked such that the first surface of the second device is located adjacent the second surface of the first device such that the first electrical contact of the second device is aligned with the third electrical contact of the first device. The first electrical contact of the second device is electrically connected to the third electrical contact of the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20140281205
    Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, the memory circuit includes first and second data paths on which data is transferred for read and write memory operations and first and second mixer circuits for adjusting the phase of clock signals applied to their inputs. The mixer circuits are cross-coupled so that the outputs of the first and second mixers are both available to both the first and second data paths. One mixer is used to provide a first phase adjusted clock signal for use by the operating circuit and the other mixer is used to provide a second phase adjusted clock signal for use by a following operation whatever that may be.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Lei Luo
  • Publication number: 20140173240
    Abstract: A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Bret Stott, Benedict C. Lau
  • Publication number: 20140164823
    Abstract: Components of a memory system, such as a memory controller and memory device, which detect accumulated memory read disturbances and correct such disturbances before they reach a level that causes errors. The memory device includes a memory array and a disturbance control circuit. The memory array includes a plurality of memory rows. Each memory row is associated with a disturbance warning circuit having a state that corresponds to an accumulated disturbance in the memory row. The disturbance control circuit determines, responsive to an activation of a memory row of the plurality of memory rows specified by a row access command, whether the disturbance condition is present in the memory row based on the state of the disturbance warning circuit associated with the memory row. If a disturbance condition is present, the disturbance control circuit causes a recovery operation to be performed on the memory row to reduce the accumulated disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Hongzhong Zheng, Brent Haukness, Mehmet Günhan Ertosun, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 8749042
    Abstract: Multiple devices, including a first device and a second device, have operational circuitry and opposing first and second surfaces. First and second electrical contacts are formed at the first surface, while a third electrical contact is formed at the second surface opposite the first electrical contact. The first electrical contact is electrically connected to the operational circuitry, and the second electrical contact is electrically connected to the third electrical contact. The first device and the second device are subsequently stacked such that the first surface of the second device is located adjacent the second surface of the first device such that the first electrical contact of the second device is aligned with the third electrical contact of the first device. The first electrical contact of the second device is electrically connected to the third electrical contact of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely K. Tsern, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20140140149
    Abstract: A memory controller includes an interface to receive a data strobe signal and corresponding read data. The data strobe signal and the read data correspond to a read command issued by the memory controller, and the read data is received in accordance with the data strobe signal and an enable signal. A circuit in the memory controller is to dynamically adjust a timing offset between the enable signal and the data strobe signal, and control logic is to issue a supplemental read command in accordance with a determination that a time interval since a last read command issued by the memory controller exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Bret Stott, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer, Yuanlong Wang
  • Publication number: 20140108889
    Abstract: A memory system supporting error detection and correction (EDC) coverage. The system includes a memory controller and a memory buffer. The memory buffer includes an interface to a first group of memory devices and an interface to a second group of memory devices. The memory buffer accesses data from the first group of memory devices and accesses first error information corresponding to the data from the second group of devices. The memory buffer also accesses additional data from the second group of memory devices and accesses second error information corresponding to the additional data from a device in the first group of memory devices. EDC coverage may also be configured by the memory controller so that some data accesses have EDC coverage and other data accesses do not have EDC coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventor: Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 8638637
    Abstract: A memory controller having a time-staggered request signal output. A first timing signal is generated while a second timing signal is generated having a first phase difference relative to the first timing signal. An address value is transmitted in response to the first timing signal and a control value is transmitted in response to the second timing signal, the address value and control value constituting portions of a first memory access request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Bret Stott, Benedict C. Lau
  • Publication number: 20140016423
    Abstract: Components of a memory system, such as a memory controller and a memory device, that reduce delay in exiting self-refresh mode by controlling the refresh timing of the memory device. The memory device includes a memory core. An interface circuit of the memory device receives an external refresh signal indicating an intermittent refresh event. A refresh circuit of the memory device generates an internal refresh signal indicating an internal refresh event of the memory device. A refresh control circuit of the memory device performs a refresh operation on a portion of the memory core responsive to the internal refresh event, at a time relative to the intermittent refresh event indicated by the external refresh signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Brent Haukness, Ian P. Shaeffer, James E. Harris
  • Patent number: 8610455
    Abstract: In an integrated circuit device having dynamically selected on-die termination, a set of data inputs are coupled respectively to a set of termination circuits, each termination circuit having multiple controllable termination impedance configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 8610459
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device transmits, to a dynamic random access memory device (DRAM), a write command indicating that write data is to be sampled by a data interface of the DRAM, and a plurality of commands that specify programming a plurality of control values into a plurality of corresponding registers in the DRAM. The plurality of control values include first and second control values that indicate respective first and second terminations that the DRAM is to apply to the data interface during a time interval that begins a predetermined amount of time after the DRAM receives the write command, the first termination to be applied during a first portion of the time interval while the data interface is sampling the write data and the second termination to be applied during a second portion of the time interval after the write data is sampled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 8599631
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of memory devices arranged in a fly-by topology, each of the memory devices having on-die termination (ODT) circuitry for connection to an address and control (RQ) bus. The ODT circuitry has at least one input for controlling termination of one or more signal lines of the RQ bus. Application of a first logic level to the at least one input enables termination of the one or more signal lines. Application of a second logic level to the at least one input disables termination of the one or more signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Shaeffer, Kyung S. Oh
  • Publication number: 20130307584
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device stores a plurality of digital values that specify respective termination impedances. The memory device switchably couples respective sets of load elements to a data input/output (I/O) to apply the termination impedances specified by the digital values, including, applying a first termination impedance to the data I/O during an idle state of the memory device, applying a first one of two non-equal termination impedances to the data I/O while the memory device receives write data in a memory write operation and applying a second one of the two non-equal termination impedances to the data I/O while another memory device receives write data in a memory write operation. When outputting read data via the data I/O in a memory read operation, the memory device switchably couples to the data I/O at least a portion of the load elements included in the sets of load elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Publication number: 20130254585
    Abstract: A memory controller includes a clock generator to generate a first clock signal and a timing circuit to generate a second clock signal from the first clock signal. The second clock signal times communications with any of a plurality of memory devices in respective ranks, including a first memory device in a first rank and a second memory device in a second rank. The timing circuit is configured to adjust a phase of the first clock signal, when the memory controller is communicating with the second memory device, based on calibration data associated with the second memory device and timing adjustment data associated with feedback from at least the first memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Jared L. Zerbe, Ian P. Shaeffer, John Eble
  • Publication number: 20130201770
    Abstract: Row activation operations within a memory component are carried out with respect to subrows instead of complete storage rows to reduce power consumption. Further, instead of activating subrows in response to row commands, subrow activation operations are deferred until receipt of column commands that specify the column operation to be performed and the subrow to be activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: James Edward Harris, Thomas Vogelsang, Frederick A. Ware, Ian P. Shaeffer