Patents by Inventor Michael Dieter Richter
Michael Dieter Richter 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).
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Patent number: 12099406Abstract: 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 generate one or more bits of CRC output per symbol of an associated signal and the output is 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 is 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 is 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2023Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
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Patent number: 12081331Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) using adapting the current on a channel are described. A current on a channel may be adapted during a transition period between signaling a first logic value over the channel and signaling a second (e.g. subsequent) logic value over the channel. Adapting the current may include increasing or decreasing the current on the channel during the transition period. The degree of adaptation may be based on a difference between the first logic value and the subsequent logic value. In some cases, a logic circuit may be configured to determine a difference between the first and subsequent logic value. The logic circuit may be further configured to communicate the difference to an adaptive driver. And the adaptive driver may adapt a current of the channel based on the communicated difference.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
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Patent number: 12027231Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2022Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
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Patent number: 12019900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 17, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter
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Patent number: 12015476Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: June 18, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Thomas Hein, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox
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Publication number: 20240176695Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error detection, error correction, and error management by memory devices are described. Programmable thresholds may be 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 may configure a threshold quantity of errors for data at a memory device. When retrieving the data, the memory device may track or count errors in the data and determine whether the threshold has been satisfied. The memory device may transmit (e.g., to the host device) an indication whether the threshold has been satisfied, and the system may perform functions to correct the errors and/or prevent further errors. The memory device may also identify errors in received commands or may identify errors introduced in data after the data was received (e.g., using an error detecting code associated with a command or bus).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2024Publication date: May 30, 2024Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
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Patent number: 11989140Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal path biasing in an electronic system (e.g., a memory system) are described. In one example, a memory device, a host device, or both may be configured to bias a signal path, between an idle state and an information transfer or between an information transfer and an idle state, to an intermediate or mid-bias voltage level, which may reduce signal interference associated with such transitions. In various examples, the described biasing to a voltage, such as a mid-bias voltage, may be associated with an access command or other command for information to be communicated between devices of the electronic system, such as a command for information to be communicated between a memory device and a host device.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter
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Publication number: 20240126644Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy Greeff
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Publication number: 20240095119Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
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Patent number: 11914467Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error detection, error correction, and error management by memory devices are described. Programmable thresholds may be 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 may configure a threshold quantity of errors for data at a memory device. When retrieving the data, the memory device may track or count errors in the data and determine whether the threshold has been satisfied. The memory device may transmit (e.g., to the host device) an indication whether the threshold has been satisfied, and the system may perform functions to correct the errors and/or prevent further errors. The memory device may also identify errors in received commands or may identify errors introduced in data after the data was received (e.g., using an error detecting code associated with a command or bus).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
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Publication number: 20240028450Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
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Patent number: 11870616Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for postamble for multi-level signal modulation are described. One or more channels of a bus may be driven with a multi-level signal having at least two (2) distinct signal levels. After driving the bus with the multi-level signal, at least one (1) of the channels may be terminated. In some examples, the channel may be terminated to a relatively high signal level. Before termination, the channel may be driven with a postamble having an intermediate signal level. Driving the channel to an intermediate signal level before terminating the channel (e.g., to a high signal level) may avoid maximum transitions of the signal. For example, transitions between a lowest potential signal level and the high signal level (e.g., the termination level) may be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter
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Patent number: 11860731Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
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Patent number: 11848044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
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Publication number: 20230386527Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
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Patent number: 11782608Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for error information signaling for memory are described. A memory device may perform an error detection procedure while in a power-saving mode. Upon detecting an error, the memory device may indicate the error to a host device. In response to indicating the error, the memory device may receive a command to exit the power-saving mode. The memory device may comply with the command and exit the power-saving mode by enabling one or more interfaces of the memory device. The memory device may receive a request for error information over the one or more interfaces and, in response to the request, may transmit the error information to the host device.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Casto Salobrena Garcia
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Patent number: 11762592Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for receive-side crosstalk cancelation are described. A device that receives multiple signals over different transmission lines may include a circuit for canceling crosstalk. The circuit may include one or more capacitors or inductors that are coupled with the inputs of multiple receive circuits. The circuit may also include a set of resistors that are coupled with the receive circuits. In some cases, the device may dynamically configure the cancelation circuit to provide a particular bandwidth or strength of cancelation. In such cases, the device may configure the circuit autonomously or based on control information from another device.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein
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Patent number: 11726865Abstract: 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 generate one or more bits of CRC output per symbol of an associated signal and the output are 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 is 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 is 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
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Patent number: 11721405Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for testing of multi-level signaling associated with a memory device are described. A tester may be used to test one or more operations of a memory device. The memory device may be configured to communicate data using a modulation scheme that includes three or more symbols. The tester may be configured to communicate data using a modulation scheme that includes three or fewer symbols. Techniques for testing the memory device using such a tester are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox
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Patent number: 11709730Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter