Patents by Inventor Joseph Harold Steinmetz

Joseph Harold Steinmetz 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: 11977742
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to farm proof of space plots stored outside of the SSD. The SSD has a communication interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD to receive and store configuration data specified via a user interface to indicate a location, outside of the SSD, storing a proof of space plot that can be used by the SSD to participate in proof of space activities in a cryptocurrency network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Patent number: 11960756
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to manage spare storage resources for proof of space activities. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD to allocate storage resources not used or allocated by the host system to support proof of space activities and dynamically return the allocated storage resources when execution of a command from the host system needs additional storage resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 11941254
    Abstract: A memory sub-system, such as a solid state drive (SSD), having host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. During an autonomous self-test operation of the memory sub-system, the memory sub-system is configured to generate random challenges of proof of space, generate using a proof of space plot, stored in the memory cells, responses to the random challenges respectively, and determine validity of the responses to evaluate health of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Publication number: 20240012713
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include detecting a failure of a first memory subsystem of a plurality of memory subsystems. A first recovery instruction is sent to a second memory subsystem of the plurality of memory subsystems. The first recovery instruction directs the second memory subsystem to recover a first subset of data stored by the first memory subsystem. A second recovery instruction is sent to a third memory subsystem of the plurality of memory subsystems. The second recovery instruction directs the third memory subsystem to rebuild a second subset of data stored by the first memory subsystem. The first and second subsets of data differ from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, William Richard Akin
  • Patent number: 11856058
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to perform peer to peer transfer of proof of space plots. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD according to configuration data to: identify an opportunity for a transfer of a proof of space plot; establish a peer to peer connection to a device that is separate from the solid state drive; and transfer, over the peer to peer connection, the proof of space plot between the solid state drive and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 11803444
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems include detecting a failure of a first memory subsystem of a plurality of memory subsystems. A first recovery instruction is sent to a second memory subsystem of the plurality of memory subsystems. The first recovery instruction directs the second memory subsystem to recover a first subset of data stored by the first memory subsystem. A second recovery instruction is sent to a third memory subsystem of the plurality of memory subsystems. The second recovery instruction directs the third memory subsystem to rebuild a second subset of data stored by the first memory subsystem. The first and second subsets of data differ from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, William Richard Akin
  • Patent number: 11775188
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) configured to manage storage resources for proof of space activities. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands and the write commands. In response to an indication of a storage space request for the host system, the apparatus identifies an application using a proof of space plot stored in a portion of the solid state drive, requests the application to separate from the proof of space plot, and then delete a namespace in which the proof of space plot is stored to release storage resources occupied by the proof of space plot to meet the storage space request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230244393
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) configured to manage storage resources for proof of space activities. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands and the write commands. In response to an indication of a storage space request for the host system, the apparatus identifies an application using a proof of space plot stored in a portion of the solid state drive, requests the application to separate from the proof of space plot, and then delete a namespace in which the proof of space plot is stored to release storage resources occupied by the proof of space plot to meet the storage space request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230244386
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to farm proof of space plots stored outside of the SSD. The SSD has a communication interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD to receive and store configuration data specified via a user interface to indicate a location, outside of the SSD, storing a proof of space plot that can be used by the SSD to participate in proof of space activities in a cryptocurrency network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Publication number: 20230244394
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) configured to manage storage resources for proof of space activities. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands and the write commands. In response to an indication of a storage space request for the host system, the apparatus identifies a portion of storage resources used to store the data of the proof of space plot, and reallocates the portion to service the host system. Subsequently, the SSD can continue proof of space activities based on the proof of space plot using the data stored in a remaining portion of the storage resources initially allocated to the proof of space plot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230185482
    Abstract: A memory sub-system, such as a solid state drive (SSD), having host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. During a burn-in operation of the memory sub-system in a manufacturing facility, the memory sub-system is configured to perform read/write operations for the generation of a proof of space plot. After the burn-in operation, the memory sub-system is provided as a product of the manufacturing facility; and the proof of space plot stored in the memory sub-system is provided as a by-product of the burn-in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Publication number: 20230188366
    Abstract: A memory sub-system to show proof of space and identity. The memory sub-system can have a processing device, a storage medium operable to store a proof of space plot, and an integrated circuit having a unique device secret. In response to a proof of space challenge, the processing device can generate a response to the challenge using data in the proof of space plot. The integrated circuit is configured to compute, based on the unique device secret and for a communication associated with the proof of space challenge, identity data representative of an identity of the proof of space plot stored in the memory sub-system. The memory sub-system can provide the identity data in the communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Publication number: 20230186289
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having an internal host to control proof of space activities. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The internal host operable is to generate, independent of the external host system, commands related to proof of space, such as plot generation, and plot farming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230185459
    Abstract: A memory sub-system, such as a solid state drive (SSD), having host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. During an autonomous self-test operation of the memory sub-system, the memory sub-system is configured to generate random challenges of proof of space, generate using a proof of space plot, stored in the memory cells, responses to the random challenges respectively, and determine validity of the responses to evaluate health of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Publication number: 20230188337
    Abstract: A security server storing a plurality of cryptographic keys to support device authentication, access control and proof of space plot farming. The cryptographic keys can include a first cryptographic key representative of an identity of a memory device, a second cryptographic key representative of a privilege to access a memory region in the memory device, and a third cryptographic key representative of a pool of proof of space plots. The security server can sign blocks in a blockchain created via plots in the pool, sign commands to access the memory region, and secure transfer of the second and/or third cryptographic key to the computer operated by an owner of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230185738
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to farm proof of space plots. The SSD has a communication interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD to establish a network connection to a cryptocurrency network, receive a proof of space challenge, and generate a response to the challenge using a plot stored in the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Publication number: 20230185476
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to manage spare storage resources for proof of space activities. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD to allocate storage resources not used or allocated by the host system to support proof of space activities and dynamically return the allocated storage resources when execution of a command from the host system needs additional storage resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230188599
    Abstract: An apparatus with a solid state drive (SSD) having firmware to perform peer to peer transfer of proof of space plots. The SSD has a host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The firmware is executable in the SSD according to configuration data to: identify an opportunity for a transfer of a proof of space plot; establish a peer to peer connection to a device that is separate from the solid state drive; and transfer, over the peer to peer connection, the proof of space plot between the solid state drive and the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Luca Bert, Joseph Harold Steinmetz
  • Publication number: 20230185483
    Abstract: A memory sub-system, such as a solid state drive (SSD), having host interface configured to receive at least read commands and write commands from an external host system. The SSD has memory cells formed on at least one integrated circuit die, and a processing device configured to control executions of the read commands to retrieve data from the memory cells and executions the write commands to store data into the memory cells. The SSD has a computation accelerator adapted to accelerate computations involved in generation of proof of space plots, such as computations of Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS), multiplication and accumulation operations, and cryptographic operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Harold Steinmetz, Luca Bert
  • Patent number: 10860511
    Abstract: The current document is directed to a family of integrated hardware controllers that provides for cost-effective, high-bandwidth, and scalable incorporation of SSDs into large, distributed-computer systems. Certain implementations of the integrated hardware controller include dual media-access controllers for connection to one or more local area networks, remote-direct-memory-access (“RDMA”) controllers for supporting RDMA protocols over the local area network, an NVMe controller that provides access to an SSD. In certain integrated-hardware-controller implementations, the RDMA and NVMe controllers are implemented in one of a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) and application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ivan Thompson, Murthy Kompella, Joseph Harold Steinmetz