Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Kilzer

Kevin L. Kilzer 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: 8566505
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including receiving data from a host, writing the data to a flash memory device in the order it was received from the host, and providing at least one data structure configured to locate the data written to the flash memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 8271722
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 8185778
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including storing metadata and/or error correcting information separately from payload data. In various embodiments, metadata and/or error correcting information are stored in a random access memory within a solid state drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Kilzer, Robert W Ellis, Rudolph J Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 8180954
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including tracking payload data via one or more data structures configured to define the size of logical pages in a flash memory. In various embodiments, the logical page size may be larger than, equal to, or smaller than a physical page size of a flash memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Kilzer, Robert W Ellis, Rudolph J Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20110296094
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (AZ), INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 8028123
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: SMART Modular Technologies (AZ) , Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259806
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including utilizing defect information corresponding to a granularity smaller than a physical erase block size of a flash memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259801
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Alan A. Fitzgerald, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259919
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including storing metadata and/or error correcting information separately from payload data. In various embodiments, metadata and/or error correcting information are stored in a random access memory within a solid state drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259805
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including tracking payload data via one or more data structures configured to define the size of logical pages in a flash memory. In various embodiments, the logical page size may be larger than, equal to, or smaller than a physical page size of a flash memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259800
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including receiving data from a host, writing the data to a flash memory device in the order it was received from the host, and providing at least one data structure configured to locate the data written to the flash memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Alan A. Fitzgerald, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 7512751
    Abstract: A storage system controller (302) includes a plurality of media controllers (301), a local microprocessor (306), and a host interface logic (310), operably coupled by a multi-drop parallel bus. The multi-drop parallel bus includes a control bus (324), a payload data bus (320), a real-time ready-status (data ready) signaling bus (322) and a general microprocessor bus (330). Each media controller has a storage media (311) operably coupled thereto. Each media controller includes a parameter storage (404), a media interface circuit (406), a control data state machine (408), a command sequencer state machine (410), a media-side multi-mode transfer state machine (412), a dual-port memory (402), a memory controller (420), and a host-side transfer state machine (430). The host interface logic and the media controllers are implemented in one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Alan A. Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20080270645
    Abstract: A storage system controller (302) includes a plurality of media controllers (301), a local microprocessor (306), and a host interface logic (310), operably coupled by a multi-drop bus. The multi-drop bus includes a control bus (324), a payload data bus (320), a real-time ready-status (data ready) signaling bus (322) and a general microprocessor bus (330). Each media controller has a storage media (311) operably coupled thereto. Each media controller includes a parameter storage (404), a media interface circuit (406), a control data state machine (408), a command sequencer state machine (410), a media-side multi-mode transfer state machine (412), a dual-port memory (402), a memory controller (420), and a host-side transfer state machine (430). The host interface logic and the media controllers are implemented in one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: ADTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Alan A. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6918177
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Patent number: 6831832
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Publication number: 20040092151
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Publication number: 20040089469
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Patent number: 6716035
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Publication number: 20030228773
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Publication number: 20030212859
    Abstract: A storage system controller (302) includes a plurality of media controllers (301), a local microprocessor (306), and a host interface logic (310), operably coupled by a multi-drop parallel bus. The multi-drop parallel bus includes a control bus (324), a payload data bus (320), a real-time ready-status (data ready) signaling bus (322) and a general microprocessor bus (330). Each media controller has a storage media (311) operably coupled thereto. Each media controller includes a parameter storage (404), a media interface circuit (406), a control data state machine (408), a command sequencer state machine (410), a media-side multi-mode transfer state machine (412), a dual-port memory (402), a memory controller (420), and a host-side transfer state machine (430). The host interface logic and the media controllers are implemented in one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Alan A. Fitzgerald