Patents by Inventor Marco Sforzin

Marco Sforzin 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: 20200211641
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to auto-referenced memory cell read techniques are described. The auto-referenced read may encode user data to include a certain number bits having a first logic state prior to storing the user data in memory cells. Subsequently, reading the encoded user data may be carried out by applying a read voltage to the memory cells while monitoring a series of switching events by activating a subset of the memory cells having the first logic state. The auto-referenced read may identify a particular switching event that correlates to a median threshold voltage value of the subset of the memory cells. Then, the auto-referenced read may determine a reference voltage that takes into account a statistical property of threshold voltage distribution of the subset of the memory cells. The auto-referenced read may identify a time duration to maintain the read voltage based on determining the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Marco Sforzin, Alessandro Orlando
  • Publication number: 20200210103
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for buffer reset commands for write buffers. An example apparatus includes a memory and a controller coupled to the memory. The memory can include an array of resistance variable memory cells configured to store data corresponding to a managed unit across multiple partitions each having a respective write buffer corresponding thereto. The controller can be configured to update the managed unit by providing, to the memory, a write buffer reset command followed by a write command. The memory can be configured to execute the write buffer reset command to place the write buffers in a reset state. The memory can be further configured to execute the write command to modify the content of the write buffers based on data corresponding to the write command and write the modified content of the write buffers to an updated location in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Paolo Amato
  • Patent number: 10658034
    Abstract: In an example, a first data structure can be read with a first read voltage dedicated to the first data structure. A second data structure that stores a larger quantity of data than the first data structure can be with a second read voltage that is dedicated to the second data structure. The first data structure can be with a third read voltage in response to a quantity of errors in reading the first data structure being greater than or equal to a first threshold quantity. The second data structure can be read with the third read voltage in response to a quantity of errors in reading the second data structure being greater than or equal to a second threshold quantity. The read voltages can be based on a temperature of an apparatus that includes the first and second data structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mario Allegra, Paolo Amato
  • Publication number: 20200143880
    Abstract: In an example, a first data structure can be read with a first read voltage dedicated to the first data structure. A second data structure that stores a larger quantity of data than the first data structure can be with a second read voltage that is dedicated to the second data structure. The first data structure can be with a third read voltage in response to a quantity of errors in reading the first data structure being greater than or equal to a first threshold quantity. The second data structure can be read with the third read voltage in response to a quantity of errors in reading the second data structure being greater than or equal to a second threshold quantity. The read voltages can be based on a temperature of an apparatus that includes the first and second data structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mario Allegra, Paolo Amato
  • Publication number: 20200135276
    Abstract: A counter can have a number of sensing components. Each respective sensing component can be configured to sense a respective event and can include a respective first capacitor configured to be selectively coupled to a second capacitor in response to the respective sensing component sensing the respective event. The second capacitor can be configured to be charged to a voltage by each respective first capacitor that is selectively coupled to the second capacitor. The counter can have a comparator with a first input coupled to the second capacitor and a second input coupled to a reference voltage corresponding to a threshold quantity of events. The comparator can be configured to output a signal indicative of the threshold quantity of events being sensed in response to the voltage of the second capacitor being greater than or equal to the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 10622065
    Abstract: An apparatus can have a memory comprising an array of resistance variable memory cells and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive to a dedicated command to write all cells in a number of groups of the resistance variable memory cells to a first state without transferring any host data corresponding to the first state to the number of groups. The controller can be configured to, in response to the dedicated command, perform a read operation on each respective group to determine states of the cells in each respective group, determine from the read operation any cells in each respective group programmed to a second state, and write only the cells determined to be in the second state to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele Balluchi, Paolo Amato, Graziano Mirichigni, Danilo Caraccio, Marco Sforzin, Marco Dallabora
  • Patent number: 10607664
    Abstract: An apparatus has an array of memory cells and a controller coupled to the array. The controller is configured to track a sub-threshold leakage current through a number of memory cells of the array and determine a threshold voltage based on the sub-threshold leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Fantini, Paolo Amato, Marco Sforzin
  • Patent number: 10606694
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to correcting errors can include using fast decoding (FD) decoders and accurate decoding (AD) decoders. Correcting errors can include receiving input data from the memory array, performing a plurality of operations associated with an error detection on the input data, and providing, based on processing the input data, output data, a validation flag, and a plurality of parity bits to a second decoder hosted by a controller coupled to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Amato, Marco Sforzin
  • Patent number: 10600456
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to program operations in memory. An example apparatus can perform a program operation on an array of memory cells by applying a first program signal to a first portion of the array of memory cells that are to remain in a first state in response to the program operation, wherein the first program signal programs memory cells to a second state and then to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Paolo Amato, Innocenzo Tortorelli, Marco Dallabora
  • Patent number: 10600480
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to auto-referenced memory cell read techniques are described. The auto-referenced read may encode user data to include a predetermined number of bits having a first logic state prior to storing the user data in memory cells. The auto-referenced read may store a total number of bits of the user data having a first logic state in a separate set of memory cells. Subsequently, reading the user data may be carried out by applying a read voltage to the memory cells storing the user data while monitoring a series of switching events by activating a subset of the memory cells having the first logic state. During the read operation, the auto-referenced read may compare the number of activated memory cells to either the predetermined number or the total number to determine whether all the bits having the first logic state has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Paolo Amato, Federico Pio, Alessandro Orlando, Marco Sforzin
  • Publication number: 20200082883
    Abstract: An apparatus can have a memory comprising an array of resistance variable memory cells and a controller. The controller can be configured to receive to a dedicated command to write all cells in a number of groups of the resistance variable memory cells to a first state without transferring any host data corresponding to the first state to the number of groups. The controller can be configured to, in response to the dedicated command, perform a read operation on each respective group to determine states of the cells in each respective group, determine from the read operation any cells in each respective group programmed to a second state, and write only the cells determined to be in the second state to the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Daniele Balluchi, Paolo Amato, Graziano Mirichigni, Danilo Caraccio, Marco Sforzin, Marco Dallabora
  • Patent number: 10566052
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to auto-referenced memory cell read techniques are described. The auto-referenced read may encode user data to include a certain number bits having a first logic state prior to storing the user data in memory cells. Subsequently, reading the encoded user data may be carried out by applying a read voltage to the memory cells while monitoring a series of switching events by activating a subset of the memory cells having the first logic state. The auto-referenced read may identify a particular switching event that correlates to a median threshold voltage value of the subset of the memory cells. Then, the auto-referenced read may determine a reference voltage that takes into account a statistical property of threshold voltage distribution of the subset of the memory cells. The auto-referenced read may identify a time duration to maintain the read voltage based on determining the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Marco Sforzin, Alessandro Orlando
  • Publication number: 20200035297
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to auto-referenced memory cell read techniques are described. The auto-referenced read may encode user data to include a predetermined number of bits having a first logic state prior to storing the user data in memory cells. The auto-referenced read may store a total number of bits of the user data having a first logic state in a separate set of memory cells. Subsequently, reading the user data may be carried out by applying a read voltage to the memory cells storing the user data while monitoring a series of switching events by activating a subset of the memory cells having the first logic state. During the read operation, the auto-referenced read may compare the number of activated memory cells to either the predetermined number or the total number to determine whether all the bits having the first logic state has been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Paolo Amato, Federico Pio, Alessandro Orlando, Marco Sforzin
  • Publication number: 20190355413
    Abstract: Permutation coding for improved memory cell operations are described. An example apparatus can include an array of memory cells each programmable to a plurality of states. A controller coupled to the array is configured to determine an encoded data pattern stored by a number of groups of memory cells. Each of the number of groups comprises a set of memory cells programmed to one of a plurality of different collective state permutations each corresponding to a permutation in which the cells of the set are each programmed to a different one of the plurality of states to which they are programmable. The controller is configured to determine the encoded data pattern by, for each of the number of groups, determining the one of the plurality of different collective state permutations to which the respective set is programmed by direct comparison of threshold voltages of the cells of the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Amato, Marco Sforzin
  • Publication number: 20190333578
    Abstract: Sensing memory cells can include: applying a voltage ramp to a group of memory cells to sense their respective states; sensing when a first switching event occurs to one of the memory cells responsive to the applied voltage ramp; stopping application of the voltage ramp after a particular amount of time subsequent to when the first switching event occurs; and determining which additional memory cells of the group experience the switching event during the particular amount of time. Those cells determined to have experienced the switching event responsive to the applied voltage ramp are sensed as storing a first data value and those cells determined to not have experienced the switching event responsive to the applied voltage ramp are sensed as storing a second data value. The group stores data according to an encoding function constrained such that each code pattern includes at least one data unit having the first data value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Paolo Amato
  • Publication number: 20190324843
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to providing transaction metadata. Providing transaction metadata includes providing an address of data stored in the memory device using an address bus coupled to the memory device and the controller. Providing transaction metadata also includes transferring the data, associated with the address, from the memory device using a data bus coupled to the memory device and the controller. Providing transaction metadata further includes transferring a sideband signal synchronously with the data bus and in conjunction with the address bus using a transaction metadata bus coupled to the memory device and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Marco Sforzin, Paolo Amato, Danilo Caraccio
  • Publication number: 20190324848
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods related to correcting errors can include using FD decoders and AD decoders. Correcting errors can include receiving input data from the memory array, performing a plurality of operations associated with an error detection on the input data, and providing, based on processing the input data, output data, a validation flag, and a plurality of parity bits to a second decoder hosted by a controller coupled to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Amato, Marco Sforzin
  • Publication number: 20190325953
    Abstract: Permutation coding for improved memory cell operations are described. An example apparatus can include an array of memory cells each programmable to a plurality of states. A controller coupled to the array is configured to determine an encoded data pattern stored by a number of groups of memory cells. Each of the number of groups comprises a set of memory cells programmed to one of a plurality of different collective state permutations each corresponding to a permutation in which the cells of the set are each programmed to a different one of the plurality of states to which they are programmable. The controller is configured to determine the encoded data pattern by, for each of the number of groups, determining the one of the plurality of different collective state permutations to which the respective set is programmed by direct comparison of threshold voltages of the cells of the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Amato, Marco Sforzin
  • Patent number: 10431301
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to auto-referenced memory cell read techniques are described. The auto-referenced read may encode user data to include a predetermined number of bits having a first logic state prior to storing the user data in memory cells. The auto-referenced read may store a total number of bits of the user data having a first logic state in a separate set of memory cells. Subsequently, reading the user data may be carried out by applying a read voltage to the memory cells storing the user data while monitoring a series of switching events by activating a subset of the memory cells having the first logic state. During the read operation, the auto-referenced read may compare the number of activated memory cells to either the predetermined number or the total number to determine whether all the bits having the first logic state has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Paolo Amato, Federico Pio, Alessandro Orlando, Marco Sforzin
  • Publication number: 20190295610
    Abstract: An apparatus has an array of memory cells and a controller coupled to the array. The controller is configured to track a sub-threshold leakage current through a number of memory cells of the array and determine a threshold voltage based on the sub-threshold leakage current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Paolo Fantini, Paolo Amato, Marco Sforzin