Patents by Inventor John E. Riley

John E. Riley 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).

  • Publication number: 20260162755
    Abstract: A memory device may have multiple storage modes. The memory array may be arranged differently for the storage modes. For the storage modes, the memory device may store information to correctly map logical addresses to physical memory locations that have been repaired. In some examples, additional fuses storing addresses for the storage modes are included. In some examples, additional fuses encoding address shift information are included. In some examples, a mode register write may initiate a broadcast operation to provide mapping information for the different storage modes. In some examples, the memory device may include additional logic circuits for shifting the addresses for the different storage modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2024
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Gary Howe, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20260147482
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure are drawn to apparatuses and methods for initializing an activation count during a soft post-package repair (sPPR). After packaging, it may be necessary to perform post-package repair operations on rows of the memory. During an sPPR operation, an address of an original row of memory may be associated with an open repair address instead, such as when the original row is determined to be damaged or defective. When the repair row is associated with the original row, it may be necessary to initialize an activation count associated with the repair row to prevent unnecessary refresh operations occurring on the repair row and adjacent rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2025
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, John E. Riley, Randall J. Rooney
  • Publication number: 20250372193
    Abstract: A memory device may sometimes undergo post package repair. Systems and methods described herein may help preserve data of the memory device as part of the post package repair operations. Systems and methods described herein may enable receiving a post package repair command and an indication of a target memory address, performing an on-chip data preservation on a target portion of memory based on the target memory address, and performing post package repair on the target portion of memory based on the target memory address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Scott E. Smith, Gary L. Howe, David R. Brown, Christian N. Mohr, Parthasarathy Gajapathy
  • Patent number: 12362032
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatus, methods, and systems for error detection for a semiconductor device. An apparatus includes a memory array, a detector array, and a detector coupled to the detector array. The detector is configured to detect an error in a portion of the detector array and output an output signal to memory components coupled to the detector array in response to detecting the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Young, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20250069638
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adjusting a refresh rate during a self-refresh state are described. A memory system may enter a self-refresh state and execute a first set of refresh operations on a set of rows of memory cells at the memory system according to a first rate. The memory system may determine, based on executing the first set of refresh operations, that a counter associated with the set of refresh operations satisfies a threshold for a second time while the memory system is in the self-refresh state. In response to the counter satisfying the threshold for the second time, a flip-flop circuit at the memory system may modify an output of the flip-flop circuit and the memory system may decrease the rate for executing the refresh operations to a second rate based on the modified output of the flip-flop circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Joo-Sang Lee, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 12165690
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adjusting a refresh rate during a self-refresh state are described. A memory system may enter a self-refresh state and execute a first set of refresh operations on a set of rows of memory cells at the memory system according to a first rate. The memory system may determine, based on executing the first set of refresh operations, that a counter associated with the set of refresh operations satisfies a threshold for a second time while the memory system is in the self-refresh state. In response to the counter satisfying the threshold for the second time, a flip-flop circuit at the memory system may modify an output of the flip-flop circuit and the memory system may decrease the rate for executing the refresh operations to a second rate based on the modified output of the flip-flop circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Joo-Sang Lee, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 12142313
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory bank comprising a set of redundant word lines, a set of normal word lines, and row hammer refresh logic. The RHR logic comprises a first input to receive a first signal indicative of whether a match was generated at a fuse of the memory device, a second input to receive a redundant row address corresponding to a first location of a memory array of the memory device, a third input to receive a word line address corresponding to a second location of the memory array of the memory device. The RHR logic also comprises an output to transmit at least one first memory address adjacent to the first location or at least one second memory address adjacent to the second location based on a value of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Inventors: Joo-Sang Lee, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 11984189
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 11908509
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to operations for managing the quality of an input signal received by a device and for providing feedback in real-time. A controller can provide a reference signal to the device for the input quality check. The memory can implement the input quality check by counting the number of transitions of the reference signal for a set time period and store the resulting count value(s). The memory can use the count value(s) to determine a condition or a quality for the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Scott E. Smith, Jennifer E. Taylor, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20230420024
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adjusting a refresh rate during a self-refresh state are described. A memory system may enter a self-refresh state and execute a first set of refresh operations on a set of rows of memory cells at the memory system according to a first rate. The memory system may determine, based on executing the first set of refresh operations, that a counter associated with the set of refresh operations satisfies a threshold for a second time while the memory system is in the self-refresh state. In response to the counter satisfying the threshold for the second time, a flip-flop circuit at the memory system may modify an output of the flip-flop circuit and the memory system may decrease the rate for executing the refresh operations to a second rate based on the modified output of the flip-flop circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Joo-Sang Lee, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230395183
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatus, methods, and systems for error detection for a semiconductor device. An apparatus includes a memory array, a detector array, and a detector coupled to the detector array. The detector is configured to detect an error in a portion of the detector array and output an output signal to memory components coupled to the detector array in response to detecting the error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Young, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20230307033
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to operations for managing the quality of an input signal received by a device and for providing feedback in real-time. A controller can provide a reference signal to the device for the input quality check. The memory can implement the input quality check by counting the number of transitions of the reference signal for a set time period and store the resulting count value(s). The memory can use the count value(s) to determine a condition or a quality for the reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Scott E. Smith, Jennifer E. Taylor, Gary L. Howe
  • Patent number: 11646095
    Abstract: Systems and methods to perform multiple row repair mode for soft post-packaging repair of previously repaired data groups are disclosed. The devices may have activation circuitry that includes a mode register bit or a control antifuse that sends an input signal upon activation. The devices may also include a logic element that receives the input signal and sends, upon receiving the input signal, a configuration signal that enables a multiple row repair mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Howe, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20220157366
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory bank comprising a set of redundant word lines, a set of normal word lines, and row hammer refresh logic. The RHR logic comprises a first input to receive a first signal indicative of whether a match was generated at a fuse of the memory device, a second input to receive a redundant row address corresponding to a first location of a memory array of the memory device, a third input to receive a word line address corresponding to a second location of the memory array of the memory device. The RHR logic also comprises an output to transmit at least one first memory address adjacent to the first location or at least one second memory address adjacent to the second location based on a value of the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Joo-Sang Lee, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 11276456
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory bank comprising a set of redundant word lines, a set of normal word lines, and row hammer refresh logic. The RHR logic comprises a first input to receive a first signal indicative of whether a match was generated at a fuse of the memory device, a second input to receive a redundant row address corresponding to a first location of a memory array of the memory device, a third input to receive a word line address corresponding to a second location of the memory array of the memory device. The RHR logic also comprises an output to transmit at least one first memory address adjacent to the first location or at least one second memory address adjacent to the second location based on a value of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joo-Sang Lee, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20210375348
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory bank comprising a set of redundant word lines, a set of normal word lines, and row hammer refresh logic. The RHR logic comprises a first input to receive a first signal indicative of whether a match was generated at a fuse of the memory device, a second input to receive a redundant row address corresponding to a first location of a memory array of the memory device, a third input to receive a word line address corresponding to a second location of the memory array of the memory device. The RHR logic also comprises an output to transmit at least one first memory address adjacent to the first location or at least one second memory address adjacent to the second location based on a value of the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Joo-Sang Lee, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20210280267
    Abstract: Systems and methods to perform multiple row repair mode for soft post-packaging repair of previously repaired data groups are disclosed. The devices may have activation circuitry that includes a mode register bit or a control antifuse that sends an input signal upon activation. The devices may also include a logic element that receives the input signal and sends, upon receiving the input signal, a configuration signal that enables a multiple row repair mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Gary Howe, John E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20210210122
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 10957364
    Abstract: Memory devices may have internal circuitry that employs voltages higher and/or lower than voltages provided by an external power source. Charge pumps are DC/DC converters that may be used to generate the higher voltages internally. The number of available charge pumps in a memory device may be conservatively dimensioned to be high, in some systems to protect yields. Some of the available charge pumps may be disabled during manufacturing or testing to reduce the number of active charge pumps. The testing process may employ dedicated logic in the memory device and the disabling may employ fuse circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, John E. Riley
  • Patent number: 10706896
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells and first circuitry coupled the plurality of memory cells, wherein the first circuitry is configured to perform a memory operation on at least one memory cell of the plurality of memory cells. The memory device also includes a charge pump coupled to the first circuitry, wherein the charge pump comprises a pump oscillator configured to generate an oscillator signal having only pulses with a width above a predetermined threshold pulse width and a pump core configured to receive the oscillator signal and a first electrical power signal at a first voltage, generate a second electrical power signal at a second voltage based upon the oscillator signal and the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Riley