Patents by Inventor Philip Raymond Germann

Philip Raymond Germann 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: 20080178136
    Abstract: Balanced wiring delay within an electronic package is implemented. A plurality of nets in a net group is identified in the electronic package. A predefined structure is added to each net within the group. A balanced wiring delay customizing program systematically processes and reduces length of the nets until a set length balance is obtained for the net group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Patent number: 7402912
    Abstract: A power control method and power control structures are provided for managing a plurality of voltage islands of a functional chip. The power control structure includes a supply control and partition chip positioned between a substrate carrier and a functional chip including a plurality of voltage islands. The supply control and partition chip includes a plurality of first electrical connections to the functional chip including the plurality of voltage islands. The supply control and partition chip includes a plurality of second electrical connections to the substrate carrier. Power applied to predefined ones of the first electrical connections to the functional chip are selectively switched on and off by the supply control and partition chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Patent number: 7345900
    Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is coupled to a processor and to the memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. A daisy chain of memory chips can include memory chips on multiple carriers, or the daisy chain of memory chips can all be attached to a single carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Patent number: 7345901
    Abstract: A computer system having a memory system, the memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of self timed memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. Access timing on each memory chip is determined by a self time block on each memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Patent number: 7342816
    Abstract: A memory chip suitable for use in a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory chip receives an address/command word on a first input, determines if the address command word is directed to the memory chip; if so, the memory chip accesses an array on the memory chip respondent to the address/command word. If not, the memory chip re-drives the address/command word on a first output. Write data is received as part of the address/command word or from a first data bus port. Read data is read from the array or is received from a second data bus port for subsequent re-driving on the first data bus port. A bus clock is received and is used to receive and transmit information on the first input, the first output, the first data bus port and the second data bus port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080054453
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for implementing component placement suspended within electrical pin grid array packages for enhanced electrical performance. A solder column grid array is coupled between a printed circuit board and a first level package. A component is connected between a predefined pair of adjacent columns in the solder column grid array suspended between the printed circuit board and the first level package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080040529
    Abstract: A memory chip having a data bus having a plurality of bits. The number of bits is apportioned between a read portion and a write portion. The write portion is dedicated to receiving data that is to be written into an array on the memory chip; the read portion is dedicated to driving data that has been read from the array on the memory chip. The apportionment is programmable. Apportionment can be specified by programming signal pins on the memory chip, connecting the signal pins to appropriate logical values. The apportionment can alternatively be specified by scanning apportionment information into the memory chip at bring up time. The apportionment and also alternatively be specified by receiving apportionment information in an address/command word.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, John Michael Borkenhagen, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080031077
    Abstract: A memory chip suitable for use in a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory chip receives an address/command word on a first input, determines if the address command word is directed to the memory chip; if so, the memory chip accesses an array on the memory chip respondent to the address/command word. If not, the memory chip re-drives the address/command word on a first output. Write data is received as part of the address/command word or from a first data bus port. Read data is read from the array or is received from a second data bus port for subsequent re-driving on the first data bus port. A bus clock is received and is used to receive and transmit information on the first input, the first output, the first data bus port and the second data bus port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Patent number: 7326857
    Abstract: A method and structure are provided for creating printed circuit boards with stepped thickness. A non-laminating breakaway material layer is selectively placed between layers of the printed circuit board. A perimeter portion of the printed circuit board near the breakaway material layer is scored. Then the breakaway material layer and adjacent layers between the perimeter of the printed circuit board are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Raymond Germann, Mark James Jeanson
  • Publication number: 20080028161
    Abstract: A memory chip suitable for use in a daisy chain of memory chips. Timing of an array on the memory chip is dynamically determined by circuitry on the memory chip that tracks an access timing of the array. The memory chip is configured to receive an address/command word, determine if the address/command word is directed to the memory chip. If so, the array on the memory chip is accessed according to the address command word. If the address/command word is not directed to the memory chip, the memory chip re-drives the address/command word from an output of the memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080025129
    Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is coupled to a processor and to the memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. A daisy chain of memory chips can include memory chips on multiple carriers, or the daisy chain of memory chips can all be attached to a single carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028126
    Abstract: A memory system having a memory controller and a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory controller is coupled to memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips by an address/command bus chain. The memory controller is coupled to memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips by a data bus chain having a number of data bus bits. The data bus chain has a first portion of data bus bits dedicated to transmitting write data from the memory controller to a memory chip. The data bus chain has a second portion of data bus bits dedicated to transmitting read data from a memory chip to the memory controller. Apportionment of data bus bits between the first portion and the second portion is programmable. Programming is done by pin connection, scanning of a value, or by request from a processor coupled to the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, John Michael Borkenhagen, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080025130
    Abstract: A computer system having a memory system, the memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of self timed memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. Access timing on each memory chip is determined by a self time block on each memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028160
    Abstract: A carrier having at least one self timed memory chip in a daisy chain of memory chips. A first carrier has at least a portion of a daisy chain of memory chips attached to the first carrier. An address/command bus input on the first carrier carries an address/command word to a first memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips. If the first memory chip determines that the address/command word is not directed to the first memory chip, the first memory chip re-drives the address/command word to a second memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips using a point to point address/command bus link. If there are no more memory chips on the first carrier, the address/command word is re-driven to an address/command bus off-carrier connector. An array on a memory chip has an access time dynamically determined by how fast the array can be accessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028125
    Abstract: A memory system having a data bus coupling a memory controller and a memory. The data bus has a number of data bus bits. The data bus is programmably apportioned to a first portion dedicated to transmitting data from the memory controller to the memory and a second portion dedicated to transmitting data from the memory to the memory controller. The apportionment can be assigned by suitable connection of pins on a memory chip in the memory and the memory controller to logical values. Alternatively, the apportionment can be scanned into the memory controller and the memory at bring up time. In another alternative, the apportionment can be changed by suspending data transfer and dynamically changing the sizes of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, John Michael Borkenhagen, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028123
    Abstract: A computer system having a memory system having a memory controller and a memory. The memory controller is coupled to a processor and to the memory. The memory comprises one or more daisy chains of memory chips. An address/command word is chained through a daisy chain of memory chips and is handled by one of the memory chips in the daisy chain of memory chips. Data to be written to a memory chip is sent as part of the address/command word, or is transferred on an outgoing data bus chain. Data read from a memory chip is transferred on an incoming data bus chain. A daisy chain of memory chips can include memory chips on multiple carriers, or the daisy chain of memory chips can all be attached to a single carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028177
    Abstract: A memory controller for controlling a daisy chain of self timed memory chips. The memory controller has information as to how long each self timed memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips takes to make a read access and a write access to an array on the self timed memory chip. The memory controller determines current access time information on a memory chip by sending a command to the memory chip. The memory chip returns a data word containing the current access time information. Alternatively, the memory controller transmits an address/command word to the memory chip and, after completing an access, transmits a responsive data word to the memory controller. The memory controller determines the access time information using the interval from transmission of the address/command word to reception of the responsive data word.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028175
    Abstract: A self timed memory chip having an apportionable data bus. Access timing to an array on the memory chip is dynamically determined by circuitry on the memory chip. A ring oscillator on the memory chip has a frequency that is indicative of how fast an array on the memory chip can be accessed. The ring oscillator includes a bit line that is periodically charged and a memory element that subsequently discharges the bit line. The memory chip has a data bus interface having a number of bits. The data bus interface has a first number of bits apportioned to write data and a second number of bits apportioned to read data. The first number of bits and the second number of bits is programmable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, John Michael Borkenhagen, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028159
    Abstract: A carrier having at least one memory chip in a daisy chain of memory chips. A first carrier has at least a portion of an entire daisy chain of memory chips attached to the first carrier. An address/command bus input on the first carrier carries an address/command word to a first memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips. If the first memory chip determines that the address/command word is not directed to the first memory chip, the first memory chip re-drives the address/command word to a second memory chip in the daisy chain of memory chips using a point to point address/command bus link. If there are no more memory chips on the first carrier, the address/command word is re-driven to a memory chip on a second carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson
  • Publication number: 20080028158
    Abstract: A memory controller configured to control a daisy chain of memory chips. The memory controller receives read and write requests from a processor, determines a daisy chain of memory chips that the request is directed to, determines which memory chip in the chain of memory chips the request is directed to, and transmits an address/command word recognizable by the correct memory chip. The memory controller sends write data words to the daisy chain of memory chips that can be associated by the correct memory chip for writing into the correct memory chip. The memory controller receives read data words from the daisy chain of memory chips and returns the read data to the processor. The memory controller transmits a bus clock to the daisy chain of memory chips for controlling transmission of address/command words and data words.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald Keith Bartley, Darryl John Becker, Paul Eric Dahlen, Philip Raymond Germann, Andrew Benson Maki, Mark Owen Maxson