Patents by Inventor Scott E. Smith

Scott E. Smith 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: 20260133877
    Abstract: A bank of a memory device is divided into column planes. Each column plane is associated with column selects. A portion of a column plane associated with one column select used to store metadata associated with data of the remaining column selects. Both the metadata and the data are provided to an error correction code circuit as a combined code word that provides error correction for both the data and the metadata.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2026
    Publication date: May 14, 2026
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20260127112
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for write command timing enhancement are described. A host device may transmit (e.g., issue), to a memory device, an activation command and an associated write command according to a delay that is different (e.g., shorter) than a row access to column access delay associated with read commands. In some examples, the delay between the activation command and the associated write command may be a function of the row access to column access delay associated with read commands and one or more additional parameters, such as a timing constraint or a speed parameter of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2025
    Publication date: May 7, 2026
    Inventors: Sujeet V. Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith, Matthew A. Prather, Erik V. Pohlmann
  • Patent number: 12613774
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for shared codeword in two-pass access operations. The memory may use a read read modify write write (RRMWW) cycle to write data and metadata to the array. Metadata and a data codeword are read out as part of two read access passes and combined into a shared codeword. Error correction is performed on the shared codeword, and then the corrected shared codeword is modified with write data and metadata. Updated parity is generated based on the modified shared codeword and the modified data and updated parity and the metadata are written as two write access passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 12614574
    Abstract: A memory device includes a command interface configured to receive write commands from a host device. Additionally, the memory device includes an input buffer configured to buffer a strobe signal from the host device. Furthermore, the memory device includes a first ripple counter and a second ripple counter. The memory device includes command handling circuitry configured to alternatingly start the first ripple counter and the second ripple counter in response to consecutive write commands. The command handling circuitry and/or the first and second ripple counters are configured to suppress a reset of the input buffer if either the first ripple counter or the second ripple counter has not reached a threshold and is still counting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Huber, Scott E. Smith, Gary L. Howe
  • Publication number: 20260057955
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for single-pass access of ECC information, metadata information, or combinations thereof. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device may be set in an x4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store data in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2025
    Publication date: February 26, 2026
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Smith, Sujeet Ayyapureddi
  • Publication number: 20260051358
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for an enhanced ECC mode. The memory array includes a number of data column planes and an extra column plane. When the memory device is set in an Enhanced ECC mode, data is stored in a subset of the data column planes, and an error correction code circuit (ECC) stores corresponding parity data in one of a column plane other than one of the subset of data column planes or the extra column plane. In this manner, memory may be capable of performing single error correction or single error correction with double error detection (SECDED) depending on the mode selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Smith, Sujeet Ayyapureddi
  • Publication number: 20260044413
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for enhanced metadata information. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device is set in an x4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store a data codeword in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in a non-selected ones of the column planes and in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in the non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2025
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 12541425
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for single-pass access of ECC information, metadata information, or combinations thereof. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device may be set in an ×4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store data in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20260031133
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory devices are configured to provide row clear features. In some embodiments, the memory device may receive a command from a host device directed to a row of a memory array included in the memory device. The memory device may determine that the command is directed to two or more columns associated with the row, where each column is coupled with a group of memory cells. The memory device may activate the row to write the two or more columns using a set of predetermined data stored in a register of the memory device. Subsequently, the memory device may deactivate the word line based on writing the set of predetermined data to the two or more columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Miles S. Wiscombe, Scott E. Smith, Gary L. Howe, Brian W. Huber, Tony M. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20260024603
    Abstract: Memory with DQ mappings based on fault boundary requirements are described herein. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of column planes, bank control circuitry including a plurality of sub-wordline drivers, and data path circuitry including a plurality of data busses (DQs) and data routing circuitry. Each sub-wordline driver can be associated with at least one column plane of the plurality of column planes. Furthermore, the data routing circuitry can be configured to couple each DQ of the plurality of DQs to a respective one of the plurality of column planes in accordance with a DQ map such that (i) each column plane of the plurality of column planes is coupled to a only one DQ at a time and (ii) bit errors resulting from a failure of one of the plurality of sub-wordline drivers occur on two DQs of a same nibble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2025
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Scott E. Smith, Wesley W. Borie, Garth N. Grubb
  • Patent number: 12530261
    Abstract: A bank of a memory device is divided into column planes. Each column plane is associated with column selects. A portion of a column plane associated with one column select used to store metadata associated with data of the remaining column selects. Both the metadata and the data are provided to an error correction code circuit as a combined code word that provides error correction for both the data and the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 12517825
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for write command timing enhancement are described. A host device may transmit (e.g., issue), to a memory device, an activation command and an associated write command according to a delay that is different (e.g., shorter) than a row access to column access delay associated with read commands. In some examples, the delay between the activation command and the associated write command may be a function of the row access to column access delay associated with read commands and one or more additional parameters, such as a timing constraint or a speed parameter of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet V. Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith, Matthew A. Prather, Erik V. Pohlmann
  • Patent number: 12511191
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for enhanced metadata information. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device is set in an x4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store a data codeword in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in a non-selected ones of the column planes and in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in the non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujeet Ayyapureddi, Scott E. Smith
  • Patent number: 12512176
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for enhanced metadata information. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device is set in an x4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store a data codeword in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in a non-selected ones of the column planes and in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in the non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Smith, Sujeet Ayyapureddi
  • Publication number: 20250372193
    Abstract: A memory device may sometimes undergo post package repair. Systems and methods described herein may help preserve data of the memory device as part of the post package repair operations. Systems and methods described herein may enable receiving a post package repair command and an indication of a target memory address, performing an on-chip data preservation on a target portion of memory based on the target memory address, and performing post package repair on the target portion of memory based on the target memory address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventors: John E. Riley, Scott E. Smith, Gary L. Howe, David R. Brown, Christian N. Mohr, Parthasarathy Gajapathy
  • Patent number: 12488853
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for single-pass access of ECC information, metadata information, or combinations thereof. The memory array includes a number of column planes and an extra column plane. A memory device may be set in an ×4 single-pass operational mode. In this mode, the memory may store data in a selected ones of the column planes, and metadata may be stored in the extra column plane. An error correction code circuit (ECC) may store parity bits associated with the data and metadata in non-selected ones of the column planes. In this manner, the data, metadata, and parity may be accessed as part of a single access of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Smith, Sujeet Ayyapureddi
  • Patent number: 12475965
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for an enhanced ECC mode. The memory array includes a number of data column planes and an extra column plane. When the memory device is set in an Enhanced ECC mode, data is stored in a subset of the data column planes, and an error correction code circuit (ECC) stores corresponding parity data in one of a column plane other than one of the subset of data column planes or the extra column plane. In this manner, memory may be capable of performing single error correction or single error correction with double error detection (SECDED) depending on the mode selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Smith, Sujeet Ayyapureddi
  • Patent number: 12437800
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which memory devices are configured to provide row clear features. In some embodiments, the memory device may receive a command from a host device directed to a row of a memory array included in the memory device. The memory device may determine that the command is directed to two or more columns associated with the row, where each column is coupled with a group of memory cells. The memory device may activate the row to write the two or more columns using a set of predetermined data stored in a register of the memory device. Subsequently, the memory device may deactivate the word line based on writing the set of predetermined data to the two or more columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Inventors: Miles S. Wiscombe, Scott E. Smith, Gary L. Howe, Brian W. Huber, Tony M. Brewer
  • Patent number: 12424259
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for flexible self-refresh of memory arrays are described. A memory system may set a respective refresh region for each respective memory bank of the memory system by tracking access to memory row addresses in respective memory banks used in the respective memory banks. For example, the memory system may monitor respective access commands issued to each respective memory bank and store information in a register of each respective memory bank. The memory system may determine whether a respective memory row address associated with a respective access command is within the respective refresh region and process the respective memory bank. The memory system may update a value stored in a register of the respective memory bank (e.g., a memory row address value) to adjust the refresh region of the respective memory bank without updating refresh regions for other memory banks in the memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Scott E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20250272190
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices are described, in which a host device may access a group of memory cells (e.g., portion of an array configurable to store ECC parity bits) otherwise reserved for ECC functionality of a memory device. The memory device may include a register to indicate whether its ECC functionality is enabled or disabled. When the register indicates the ECC functionality is disabled, the memory device may increase a storage capacity available to the host device by making the group of memory cells available for user-accessible data. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may store metadata associated with various operational aspects of the memory device in the group of memory cells. Moreover, the memory device may modify a burst length to accommodate additional information to be stored in or read from the group of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: Aaron Jannusch, Brett K. Dodds, Debra M. Bell, Joshua E. Alzheimer, Scott E. Smith