Patents by Inventor John F. Schreck

John F. Schreck 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: 9224436
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for memory arrays with separate global read and write lines and/or sense amplifier region column select lines are disclosed. An example apparatus includes first and second memory sections, and further includes a sense amplifier region. A memory section includes a word line extending in a first direction and a digit line extending in a second direction, and the sense amplifier region is disposed between the first and second memory sections. The sense amplifier region includes a sense amplifier coupled to the digit line, a local input/output (LIO) line, a column select circuit coupled to the sense amplifier, and a column select line. The column select line extends in the first direction and is configured to provide a column select signal to the column select circuit. Capacitance of a LIO line may be reduced by coupling fewer sense amplifiers of a group to the LIO line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish N. Venkata, John F. Schreck, Mansour Fardad
  • Patent number: 9183952
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for compressing data responsive to a plurality of memory accesses is described. An example compression circuit includes a comparator configured to compare data provided by a group of memory cells associated with a repair address. Each subset of one or more bits of the data is sequentially provided by the group of memory cells responsive to a respective memory access of a plurality of memory accesses. The example compression circuit further including an error bit latch coupled to the comparison circuit. The error bit latch configured to, responsive to an output received from the comparison circuit indicating an error, compress the data to an error bit by setting the error bit to an error detected state and latching the error bit having the error detected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, John F. Schreck, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 8963604
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booth, Tyler J. Gomm, Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20150042398
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having an input node to receive a first voltage, an output node to provide an output voltage, and a charge pump to generate the output voltage based on the first voltage. The charge pump can include a control node to receive a control signal for controlling at least one switch of the charge pump, such that the output voltage includes a value greater than a value of the first voltage. The control signal can include a level corresponding to a second voltage having a value greater than the value of the output voltage. Additional apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Pan, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20140347945
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to memory arrays with separate global read and write lines and/or sense amplifier region column select lines are disclosed. An example apparatus includes first and second memory sections, and further includes a sense amplifier region. A memory section includes a word line extending in a first direction and a digit line extending in a second direction, and the sense amplifier region is disposed between the first and second memory sections. The sense amplifier region includes a sense amplifier coupled to the digit line, a local input/output (LIO) line, a column select circuit coupled to the sense amplifier, and a column select line. The column select line extends in the first direction and is configured to provide a column select signal to the column select circuit. Capacitance of a LIO line may be reduced by coupling fewer sense amplifiers of a group to the LIO line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harish N. Venkata, John F. Schreck, Mansour Fardad
  • Patent number: 8880974
    Abstract: A DRAM device includes an ECC generator/checker that generates ECC syndromes corresponding to items of data stored in the DRAM device. The DRAM device also includes an ECC controller that causes the ECC syndromes to be stored in the DRAM device. The ECC controller also causes a flag bit having a first value to be stored in the DRAM device when a corresponding ECC syndrome is stored. The ECC controller changes the flag bit to a second value whenever the corresponding data bits are modified, this indicating that the stored syndrome no longer corresponds to the stored data. In such case, the ECC controller causes a new ECC syndrome to be generated and stored, and the corresponding flag bit is reset to the first value. The flag bits may be checked in this manner during a reduced power refresh to ensure that the stored syndromes correspond to the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Pawlowski, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20140237305
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for compressing data responsive to a plurality of memory accesses is described. An example compression circuit includes a comparator configured to compare data provided by a group of memory cells associated with a repair address. Each subset of one or more bits of the data is sequentially provided by the group of memory cells responsive to a respective memory access of a plurality of memory accesses. The example compression circuit further including an error bit latch coupled to the comparison circuit. The error bit latch configured to, responsive to an output received from the comparison circuit indicating an error, compress the data to an error bit by setting the error bit to an error detected state and latching the error bit having the error detected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, John F. Schreck, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20140218077
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booth, Tyler J. Gomm, Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 8692603
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booth, Tyler J. Gomm, Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20140047305
    Abstract: A DRAM device includes an ECC generator/checker that generates ECC syndromes corresponding to items of data stored in the DRAM device. The DRAM device also includes an ECC controller that causes the ECC syndromes to be stored in the DRAM device. The ECC controller also causes a flag bit having a first value to be stored in the DRAM device when a corresponding ECC syndrome is stored. The ECC controller changes the flag bit to a second value whenever the corresponding data bits are modified, this indicating that the stored syndrome no longer corresponds to the stored data. In such case, the ECC controller causes a new ECC syndrome to be generated and stored, and the corresponding flag bit is reset to the first value. The flag bits may be checked in this manner during a reduced power refresh to ensure that the stored syndromes correspond to the stored data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Pawlowski, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20140002148
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booth, Tyler J. Gomm, Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 8601341
    Abstract: A DRAM device includes an ECC generator/checker that generates ECC syndromes corresponding to items of data stored in the DRAM device. The DRAM device also includes an ECC controller that causes the ECC syndromes to be stored in the DRAM device. The ECC controller also causes a flag bit having a first value to be stored in the DRAM device when a corresponding ECC syndrome is stored. The ECC controller changes the flag bit to a second value whenever the corresponding data bits are modified, this indicating that the stored syndrome no longer corresponds to the stored data. In such case, the ECC controller causes a new ECC syndrome to be generated and stored, and the corresponding flag bit is reset to the first value. The flag bits may be checked in this manner during a reduced power refresh to ensure that the stored syndromes correspond to the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Thomas Pawlowski, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20130254626
    Abstract: A DRAM device includes an ECC generator/checker that generates ECC syndromes corresponding to items of data stored in the DRAM device, The DRAM device also includes an ECC controller that causes the ECC syndromes to be stored in the DRAM device. The ECC controller also causes a flag bit having a first value to be stored in the DRAM device when a corresponding ECC syndrome is stored. The ECC controller changes the flag bit to a second value whenever the corresponding data bits are modified, this indicating that the stored syndrome no longer corresponds to the stored data. In such case, the ECC controller causes a new ECC syndrome to be generated and stored, and the corresponding flag bit is reset to the first value. The flag bits may be checked in this manner during a reduced power refresh to ensure that the stored syndromes correspond to the stored data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventors: J. Thomas Pawlowski, John F. SCHRECK
  • Patent number: 8519767
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booth, Tyler Gomm, Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20130163713
    Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, and methods are disclosed for bimodal disable circuits. In one such example method, a counter is maintained, with the counter indicating a logic level at which an output signal will be disabled during at least a portion of one of a plurality of disable cycles. The logic level indicated by the counter is transitioned. An input signal is provided as the output signal responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be enabled, and the output signal is disabled at the logic level indicated by the counter responsive to the enable signal indicating that the output signal is to be disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Booth, Tyler Gomm, Kallol Mazumder, Scott E. Smith, John F. Schreck
  • Patent number: 8397129
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, methods, and systems that operate to extend the processes of reading, modifying, and writing data stored in or being provided to a memory array without interrupting a continual stream of data to be written into the memory array. Embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a memory array, and an error code module coupled to the memory array with a data buffer having a plurality of data burst registers operable to receive a plurality of data bursts to be written to the memory array on a corresponding plurality of consecutive clock cycles. The error code module is operable to perform a read/modify/write process on each of the plurality of data bursts within a time period no longer than a period of two consecutive cycles of the plurality of consecutive clock cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, Todd A. Dauenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20130036606
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having a base, a first die, a second arranged in a stacked with the first die and the base, and a structure located in the stack and outside at least one of the first and second dice and configured to transfer signals between the base and at least one of the first and second dice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Mark Hiatt, Terry R. Lee, Mark Tuttle, Rahul Advani, John F. Schreck
  • Publication number: 20120221916
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, methods, and systems that operate to extend the processes of reading, modifying, and writing data stored in or being provided to a memory array without interrupting a continual stream of data to be written into the memory array. Embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a memory array, and an error code module coupled to the memory array with a data buffer having a plurality of data burst registers operable to receive a plurality of data bursts to be written to the memory array on a corresponding plurality of consecutive clock cycles. The error code module is operable to perform a read/modify/write process on each of the plurality of data bursts within a time period no longer than a period of two consecutive cycles of the plurality of consecutive clock cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, Todd A. Dauenbaugh
  • Patent number: 8181086
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, methods, and systems that operate to extend the processes of reading, modifying, and writing data stored in or being provided to a memory array without interrupting a continual stream of data to be written into the memory array. Embodiments may include an apparatus comprising a memory array, and an error code module coupled to the memory array with a data buffer having a plurality of data burst registers operable to receive a plurality of data bursts to be written to the memory array on a corresponding plurality of consecutive clock cycles. The error code module is operable to perform a read/modify/write process on each of the plurality of data bursts within a time period no longer than a period of two consecutive cycles of the plurality of consecutive clock cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Schreck, Todd A. Dauenbaugh
  • Patent number: 8106520
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having a base, a first die, a second arranged in a stacked with the first die and the base, and a structure located in the stack and outside at least one of the first and second dice and configured to transfer signals between the base and at least one of the first and second dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Mark Hiatt, Terry R. Lee, Mark Tuttle, Rahul Advani, John F. Schreck