Patents by Inventor Michael Dieter

Michael Dieter 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: 12333165
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory operations that support configuring a channel, such as a command/address (C/A) channel, are described. A configuration of a C/A channel may be dynamically adapted based on power saving considerations, control information execution latency, or both. Configuring a C/A channel may include determining a quantity of pins, or a quantity of cycles, both for communicating control information over the C/A channel. The quantity of pins may be determined based on previous control information transmissions, characteristics of a memory device, or predicted control information transmissions, or any combination thereof in some cases. The determined quantity of pins, quantity of cycles, or both may be explicitly or implicitly indicated to other devices (e.g., that use the C/A channel).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox
  • Publication number: 20250181537
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reconfigurable channel interfaces for memory devices are described. A memory device may be split into multiple logical channels, where each logical channel is associated with a memory array and a command/address (CA) interface. In some cases, the memory device may configure a first CA interface associated with a first channel to forward commands to a first memory array associated with the first channel and a second memory array associated with a second channel. The configuring may include isolating a second CA interface associated with the second channel from the second array and coupling the first CA interface with the second memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventor: Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 12314128
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for channel modulation for a memory device are described. A system may include a memory device and a host device coupled with the memory device. The system may be configured to communicate a first signal modulated using a first modulation scheme and communicate a second signal that is based on the first signal and that is modulated using a second modulation scheme. The first modulation scheme may include a first quantity of voltage levels that span a first range of voltages, and the second modulation scheme may include a second quantity of voltage levels that span a second range of voltages different than (e.g., smaller than) the first range of voltages. The first signal may include write data carried over a data channel, and the second signal may include error detection information based on the write data that is carried over an error detection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy Greeff
  • Patent number: 12298849
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error detection, error correction, and error management by memory devices are described. Programmable thresholds are configured for a memory device based on a type of data or a location of stored data, among other aspects. For example, a host device configures a threshold quantity of errors for data at a memory device. When retrieving the data, the memory device tracks or counts errors in the data and determine whether the threshold has been satisfied. The memory device transmits (e.g., to the host device) an indication whether the threshold has been satisfied, and the system performs functions to correct the errors and/or prevent further errors. The memory device also identifies errors in received commands or identifies errors introduced in data after the data was received (e.g., using an error detecting code associated with a command or bus).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20250117273
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for indicating data corruption are described. A memory system may be configured to identify and store corrupted data received from a host system without storing metadata. As part of transmitting a bulk transmission, the host system may transmit first data to be stored at an address of the memory system, and a first indication identifying that the first data is corrupted. The memory system may generate second data with a pattern of bits indicating that data stored at the address of the memory system is corrupted. The memory system may store the second data to the address, and later retrieve the second data in response to receiving a read command from the host system. Then, the memory system may generate a second indication identifying that the second data is corrupted, and transmit the second data and the second indication to the host system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Casto Salobrena Garcia, Marcos Alvarez Gonzalez, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider
  • Patent number: 12242408
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reconfigurable channel interfaces for memory devices are described. A memory device may be split into multiple logical channels, where each logical channel is associated with a memory array and a command/address (CA) interface. In some cases, the memory device may configure a first CA interface associated with a first channel to forward commands to a first memory array associated with the first channel and a second memory array associated with a second channel. The configuring may include isolating a second CA interface associated with the second channel from the second array and coupling the first CA interface with the second memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Inventor: Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20250046347
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for drive strength calibration for multi-level signaling are described. A driver may be configured to have an initial drive strength and to drive an output pin of a transmitting device toward an intermediate voltage level of a multi-level modulation scheme, where the output pin is coupled with a receiving device via a channel. The receiving device may generate, and the transmitting device may receive, a feedback signal indicating a relationship between the resulting voltage of the channel and an value for the intermediate voltage level. The transmitting device may determine and configure the driver to use an adjusted drive strength for the intermediate voltage level based on the feedback signal. The driver may be calibrated (e.g., independently) for each intermediate voltage level of the multi-level modulation scheme. Further, the driver may be calibrated for the associated channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 12210774
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlled and mode-dependent heating of a memory device are described. In various examples, a memory device or an apparatus that includes a memory device may have circuitry configured to heat the memory device. The circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be activated, deactivated, or otherwise operated based on an indication of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device). In some examples, activating or otherwise operating the circuitry configured to heat the memory device may be based on an operating mode (e.g., of the memory device), which may be associated with certain access operations or operational states (e.g., of the memory device). Various operations or operating modes (e.g., of the memory device) may also be based on indications of a temperature (e.g., of the memory device).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20250029673
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for bit inversion techniques for memory system repair indications are described. A memory system may store an address of a failed access line or an inversion of the address based on a quantity of bits having a first bit value. For example, if an address has a quantity of ‘1’s that is greater than a threshold, the memory system may store an inversion of the address by inverting the address and setting one-time programmable (OTP) elements to indicate the inverted ‘1’s. The memory system may also store an additional inversion bit to indicate the inversion of the address. For reading the OTP elements, the memory system may interpret an address as inverted or non-inverted based on the inversion bit. The memory system may also indicate one or more steps of a repair process to a host system to facilitate communication during repair procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Ronny Schneider, Marcos Alvarez Gonzalez, Casto Salobrena Garcia, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Mohammad Aasim Ekhtiyar
  • Publication number: 20250028598
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for maintaining integrity of configuration data for memory devices are described. A memory system may implement an error control component configured to detect errors in configuration data stored to one or more mode registers. The error control component may be configured to generate error control information, including one or more parity bits or a checksum, associated with the configuration data. The memory system or a host system coupled with the memory system may be configured to detect errors in the configuration data based on the error control information. Based on detecting the errors, the memory system may enter a safe mode, in which the memory system refrains from performing access operations until the configuration data is rewritten to the one or more mode registers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Casto Salobrena Garcia
  • Publication number: 20250021430
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for metadata transfer using unassigned codes of an encoder are described. The method may include inputting data and metadata associated with the data into an encoder. The data may include a first set of codewords modulated using a first modulation scheme including symbols that each represent one bit of digital information. Further, the method may include generating, using the encoder, a first subset of a second set of codewords representative of the data and a second subset of the second set of codewords representative of the metadata. The second set of codewords may be modulated using a second modulation scheme including symbols that each represent more than one bit of digital information. Further, the method may include transmitting the data and the metadata using the second set of codewords.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Casto Salobrena Garcia, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20250013525
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for coupled host and memory dies are described. A first set of parameters associated with operating an interface between a host system and a memory system may be determined based on a first training operation, where an indication of the first set of parameters and a first temperature associated with the first training operation may be stored. A second set of parameters associated with operating the interface may be determined based on a second training operation, where an indication of the second set of parameters and a second temperature associated with the second training operation may be stored. At a third temperature, a third set of parameters may be configured for operation of the interface based on the stored sets of parameters, and communications over the interface may be performed in accordance with the third set of parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Casto Salobrena Garcia, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20250013527
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for bit and signal level mapping are described to enable a memory device to transmit or receive a multi-symbol signal that includes more than two (2) physical levels. Some cyclic redundancy check (CRC) calculations may generate one or more bits of CRC output per symbol of an associated signal and the output may be transmitted via a multi-symbol signal by converting one or more CRC output bit to a physical level of the signal. The conversion, or mapping, process may be performed such that the physical levels of the signal avoid a transition between a highest physical level and lowest physical level. For example, a modulation scheme or mapping process may be configured to map different values of CRC output bits to different physical levels, where the different physical levels are separated by one other physical level associated with the signal or the modulation scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
  • Publication number: 20250013530
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmission failure feedback associated with a memory device are described. A memory device may detect errors in received data and transmit an indication of the error when detected. The memory device may receive data and checksum information for the data from a controller. The memory device may generate a checksum for the received data and may detect transmission errors. The memory device may transmit an indication of detected errors to the controller, and the indication may be transmitted using a line that is different than an error detection code (EDC) line. A low-speed tracking clock signal may also be transmitted by the memory device over a line different than the EDC line. The memory device may transmit a generated checksum to the controller with a time offset applied to the checksum signaled over the EDC line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20250013534
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for data path address protection are described. As part of a write operation, the memory system may receive data associated with the write operation and an address for the data from a host system. The memory system may generate a first codeword using the address and may store both the first codeword and the data at the address. In some examples, the memory system may generate a second codeword using the data and the first codeword and store the second codeword along with the data and the first codeword. As part of a subsequent read operation for the data, the memory system may receive the address from the host system and retrieve the stored data and first codeword. The memory system may generate a third codeword using the address associated with the read operation and may compare the third codeword with the first codeword.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Casto Salobrena Garcia, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20240402935
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for temperature-based memory management are described. A system may include a memory device and a host device. The host device may identify a temperature (e.g., of the memory device). The host device may determine a value for a parameter for operating the memory device—such as a timing, voltage, or frequency parameter—based on the temperature of the memory device. The host device may transmit signaling to the memory device or another component of the system based on the value of the parameter. In some cases, the host device may determine the temperature of the memory device based on an indication (e.g., provided by the memory device). In some cases, the host device may determine the temperature of the memory device based on a temperature of the host device or a temperature of another component of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20240395299
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for offset cancellation are described. A memory device may determine that a channel is in a state that interrupts an active termination of the channel and enable the calibration of a reference voltage (e.g., by the memory device). For example, a channel used for data communications with a second device (e.g., a controller) may initially be in a state of active termination. The memory device may determine that the channel has transitioned to another state that interrupts the active termination. While the channel is in the other state, the memory device may calibrate a reference voltage of a receiver by transmitting calibration signals on the channel and detecting an offset associated with a reference voltage. The memory device may use the detected offset and the reference voltage to identify signals transmitted to the memory device over the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 12148502
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for drive strength calibration for multi-level signaling are described. A driver may be configured to have an initial drive strength and to drive an output pin of a transmitting device toward an intermediate voltage level of a multi-level modulation scheme, where the output pin is coupled with a receiving device via a channel. The receiving device may generate, and the transmitting device may receive, a feedback signal indicating a relationship between the resulting voltage of the channel and an value for the intermediate voltage level. The transmitting device may determine and configure the driver to use an adjusted drive strength for the intermediate voltage level based on the feedback signal. The driver may be calibrated (e.g., independently) for each intermediate voltage level of the multi-level modulation scheme. Further, the driver may be calibrated for the associated channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20240372644
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for data inversion techniques are described to enable a memory device to transmit or receive a multi-symbol signal that includes more than two (2) physical levels. Some portions of some multi-symbol signals may be inverted. A transmitting device may determine to invert one or more data symbols based on one or more parameters. A receiving device may determine that one or more data symbols are inverted and may re-invert the one or more data symbols (e.g., to an original value). When receiving or transmitting a multi-symbol signal, a device may invert or re-invert a data symbol by changing a value of one bit of the data symbol. Additionally or alternatively, a device may invert or re-invert a data symbol of a multi-symbol signal by inverting a physical level of the signal across an axis located between or associated with one or more physical levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Thomas Hein, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox
  • Patent number: 12124329
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for transmission failure feedback associated with a memory device are described. A memory device may detect errors in received data and transmit an indication of the error when detected. The memory device may receive data and checksum information for the data from a controller. The memory device may generate a checksum for the received data and may detect transmission errors. The memory device may transmit an indication of detected errors to the controller, and the indication may be transmitted using a line that is different than an error detection code (EDC) line. A low-speed tracking clock signal may also be transmitted by the memory device over a line different than the EDC line. The memory device may transmit a generated checksum to the controller with a time offset applied to the checksum signaled over the EDC line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter