Patents by Inventor Jeffery W. Janzen

Jeffery W. Janzen 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: 10002659
    Abstract: A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Brent Keeth, Jeffrey P. Wright, James S. Cullum
  • Patent number: 9607930
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Publication number: 20170004872
    Abstract: A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: JEFFERY W. JANZEN, Brent Keeth, Jeffrey P. Wright, James S. Cullum
  • Patent number: 9466344
    Abstract: A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Brent Keeth, Jeffrey P. Wright, James S. Cullum
  • Publication number: 20160247747
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 9343368
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Publication number: 20140319697
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8772086
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8438329
    Abstract: An apparatus and method couples memory devices in a memory module to a memory hub on the module such that signals traveling from the hub to the devices have approximately the same propagation time regardless of which device is involved. Specifically, the devices are arranged around the hub in pairs, with each pair of devices being oriented such that a functional group of signals for each device in the pair, such as the data bus signals, are positioned adjacent each other on a circuit board of the module. This allows for a data and control-address busses having approximately the same electrical characteristics to be routed between the hub and each of the devices. This physical arrangement of devices allows high speed operation of the module. In one example, the hub is located in the center of the module and eight devices, four pairs, are positioned around the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery W. Janzen
  • Publication number: 20120309128
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Russell D. Slifer, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8253230
    Abstract: Pass-through 3D interconnects and microelectronic dies and systems of stacked dies that include such interconnects to disable electrical connections are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system of stacked dies includes a first microelectronic die having a backside, an interconnect extending through the first die to the backside, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device electrically isolated from the interconnect. A second microelectronic die has a front side coupled to the backside of the first die, a metal contact at the front side electrically coupled to the interconnect, and a second ESD device electrically coupled to the metal contact. In another embodiment, the first die further includes a substrate carrying the integrated circuit and the first ESD device, and the interconnect is positioned in the substrate to disable an electrical connection between the first ESD device and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Russell D. Slifer, legal representative, Michael Chaine, Kyle K. Kirby, William M. Hiatt
  • Patent number: 8205055
    Abstract: A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Brent Keeth, Jeffrey P. Wright, James S. Cullum
  • Publication number: 20120113705
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to configurable inputs and/or outputs for memory and memory stacking applications in processor-based systems. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention include processor-based systems with volatile-memory having memory devices that include a die having a circuit configured for enablement by a particular signal, an input pin configured to receive the particular signal, and a path selector configured to selectively designate a signal path to the circuit from the input pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery W. Janzen
  • Patent number: 8174858
    Abstract: Systems, memory modules and methods of configuring systems including memory modules are provided. The memory modules include device parameters specifically corresponding to memory devices of the memory module. The device parameters may be retrieved from a database, and the system may be configured in accordance with the device parameters retrieved from the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Scott Schaefer, Todd D. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20120036314
    Abstract: A system with a memory device having programmable elements used to configure a memory system. More specifically, programmable elements, such as antifuses, located on a memory device are programmed during fabrication with measured operating parameters corresponding to the memory device. Operating parameters may include, for example, operating current values, operating voltages, or timing parameters. The memory device is incorporated into a system. Once the memory device is incorporated into a system, the programmable elements may be accessed by a processor such that the memory system can be configured to optimally operate in accordance with the operating parameters measured for the memory device in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Scott Schaefer, Todd D. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8098508
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to configurable inputs and/or outputs for memory and memory stacking applications. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention include memory devices that include a die having a circuit configured for enablement by a particular signal, an input pin configured to receive the particular signal, and a path selector configured to selectively designate a signal path to the circuit from the input pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery W Janzen
  • Patent number: 8045415
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reading operating parameters from programmable elements on memory devices to configure a memory system. More specifically, programmable elements, such as antifuses, located on a memory device are programmed during fabrication with measured operating parameters corresponding to the memory device. Operating parameters may include, for example, operating current values, operating voltages, or timing parameters. The memory device may be incorporated into a memory module that is incorporated into a system. Once the memory module is incorporated into a system, the programmable elements may be accessed such that the memory system can be configured to optimally operate in accordance with the operating parameters measured for each memory device in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Scott Schaefer, Todd D. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20110103122
    Abstract: An apparatus and method couples memory devices in a memory module to a memory hub on the module such that signals traveling from the hub to the devices have approximately the same propagation time regardless of which device is involved. Specifically, the devices are arranged around the hub in pairs, with each pair of devices being oriented such that a functional group of signals for each device in the pair, such as the data bus signals, are positioned adjacent each other on a circuit board of the module. This allows for a data and control-address busses having approximately the same electrical characteristics to be routed between the hub and each of the devices. This physical arrangement of devices allows high speed operation of the module. In one example, the hub is located in the center of the module and eight devices, four pairs, are positioned around the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Jeffery W. Janzen
  • Patent number: 7870329
    Abstract: An apparatus and method couples memory devices in a memory module to a memory hub on the module such that signals traveling from the hub to the devices have approximately the same propagation time regardless of which device is involved. Specifically, the devices are arranged around the hub in pairs, with each pair of devices being oriented such that a functional group of signals for each device in the pair, such as the data bus signals, are positioned adjacent each other on a circuit board of the module. This allows for a data and control-address busses having approximately the same electrical characteristics to be routed between the hub and each of the devices. This physical arrangement of devices allows high speed operation of the module. In one example, the hub is located in the center of the module and eight devices, four pairs, are positioned around the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery W. Janzen
  • Publication number: 20100257332
    Abstract: A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Brent Keeth, Jeffrey P. Wright, James S. Cullum