Patents by Inventor Thomas Hein

Thomas Hein 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: 12099746
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for interrupt signaling for a memory device are described. A memory device may transmit an interrupt signal to a host device to alter a sequence of operations that would otherwise be executed by the host device. The memory device may transmit the interrupt signal in response to detecting an error condition at the memory device, a performance degradation at the memory device, or another trigger event. In some examples, the memory device may include a dedicated interrupt pin for transmitting interrupt signals. Alternatively, the memory device may transmit interrupt signals via a pin also sued to transmit error detection codes. For example, the memory device may transmit an interrupt signal before or after an error detection code or may invert the error detection code to indicate the interrupt, in which case the inverted error detection code may act as an interrupt signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Balb, Thomas Hein, Heinz Hoenigschmid
  • Patent number: 12099406
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 12086005
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for tracking a reference voltage (also referred to as VREFD) after boot-up are described. For example, a host device or a memory device may determine a temperature value associated with the memory device. The host device or the memory device may select a reference voltage offset value for the memory device based on mapping the temperature value associated with the memory device to a relationship between reference voltage offset values and temperature differential values associated with the memory device. The host device or the memory device may adjust a reference voltage value associated with the memory device based on the reference voltage offset value. The host device, or the memory device, may operate the memory device in accordance with the reference voltage value based on adjusting the reference voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Andrea Sorrentino, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 12079508
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for efficient error signaling by memory are described. When executing a read operation, a memory device may perform an error control operation to detect errors in data associated with the read operation and transmit signaling indicating the data. The memory device may transmit signaling indicating a first or second value of an indicator of a combination error: the first value indicating that an error was detected in the data during the error control operation or a non-driven condition for transmitting the signaling indicating the data, and the second value indicating that no errors were detected in the data during the error control operation and that the read operation has been executed. The memory device may additionally store a value in a register indicating whether an indicated combination error corresponds to errors being detected in the data, a non-driven condition, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steffen Buch, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 12081331
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
  • Publication number: 20240289220
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory operations are described. A first code for detecting one or more errors in a first set of bits of data and a second code for detecting one or more errors in a second set of bits of data may be generated. The first set of bits and the second set of bits may be transmitted over a channel between a memory device and a host device in an interleaved pattern. The first code and the second code may also be transmitted over the channel. The first set of bits and the second set of bits may be deinterleaved by the receiving device. The first set of bits and the second set of bits may also be processed by the receiving device using the first code and the second code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Steffen Buch, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20240282691
    Abstract: Systems may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. At least one memory device may be connected to the CPU, the GPU, or the FPGA. The memory device(s) may include a device substrate including a microelectronic device and bond pads coupled with an active surface of the device substrate. A package substrate may be secured to the device substrate, the package substrate configured to route signals to and from the bond pads. A ball grid array may be supported on the package substrate. Each ball of the ball grid array positioned and configured to carry one of a high-bandwidth data signal or a high-frequency clock signal may be located only diagonally adjacent to any other balls of the ball grid array configured to carry another of a high-bandwidth data signal or a high-frequency clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: David K. Ovard, Thomas Hein, Timothy M. Hollis, Walter L. Moden
  • Patent number: 12045936
    Abstract: A system automatically identifies objects in an environment based on a walkthrough video and an annotated floorplan of the environment. The annotated floorplan indicates locations and types of objects that are expected to be in the environment. The system receives the walkthrough video and generates a 3D model of the environment. The system applies a machine learning model to the walkthrough video to identify regions within frames where objects are captured. After identifying the regions within frames of the walkthrough video that include objects, the system modifies corresponding regions of the 3D model to include the identified objects. For each of the identified objects, the system determines a likelihood of the identified object being present at a location in the environment based on a comparison of the modified 3D model and the annotated floorplan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: OPEN SPACE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Ben Fleischman, Gabriel Hein, Thomas Friel Allen, Abraham Botros
  • Patent number: 12027231
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 12019900
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 12015476
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Thomas Hein, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox
  • Patent number: 12007839
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory operations are described. A first code for detecting one or more errors in a first set of bits of data and a second code for detecting one or more errors in a second set of bits of data may be generated. The first set of bits and the second set of bits may be transmitted over a channel between a memory device and a host device in an interleaved pattern. The first code and the second code may also be transmitted over the channel. The first set of bits and the second set of bits may be deinterleaved by the receiving device. The first set of bits and the second set of bits may also be processed by the receiving device using the first code and the second code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Steffen Buch, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20240185909
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for command clock structure are described. A memory device may receive a command to determine a relationship (e.g., a phase relationship) between an external clock and an internally generated clock. In some examples, the memory device may execute the command and may report (e.g., to a host device) whether the command is successfully or unsuccessfully executed. The memory device may report the successful or unsuccessful execution of the command by driving one or more pins to a first value or a second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Filippo Vitale
  • Publication number: 20240176695
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2024
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 11996359
    Abstract: Apparatuses may include a device substrate including a microelectronic device and bond pads proximate to an active surface of the device substrate. A package substrate may be secured to the device substrate, the package substrate configured to route signals to and from the bond pads. A ball grid array may be supported on, and electrically connected to, the package substrate. Each ball positioned and configured to carry a high-bandwidth data signal or a high-frequency clock signal may be located laterally or longitudinally adjacent to no more than one other ball of the ball grid array configured to carry a high-bandwidth data signal or a high-frequency clock signal. Each ball positioned and configured to carry a high-bandwidth data signal may be located only diagonally adjacent to any other balls configured to carry a high-bandwidth data signal or a high-frequency clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Ovard, Thomas Hein, Timothy M. Hollis, Walter L. Moden
  • Patent number: 11989140
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20240153542
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for voltage overshoot mitigation at a device are described. The device may include a first driver circuit configured to generate data symbols on a transmission line and may include a second driver circuit configured to pre-emphasize the data symbols on the transmission line. The device may include a first inductor and a second inductor in series with the transmission line. A conductive line may couple the second driver circuit with a node, of the transmission line, that is between the first inductor and the second inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Martin Bach, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20240126644
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy Greeff
  • Patent number: 11954342
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for masked training and analysis with a memory array are described. A memory device may operate in a first mode in which a maximum transition avoidance (MTA) decoder for a memory array of the memory device is disabled. During the first mode, the memory device may couple an input node of the MTA decoder with a first output node of a first decoder, such as a first pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) decoder. The memory device may operate in a second mode in which the MTA decoder for the memory array is enabled. During the second mode, the memory device may couple the input node of the MTA decoder with a second output node of a second decoder, such as a second PAM decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Phillip A. Rasmussen, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20240092328
    Abstract: The present relates to a method for operating a vehicle brake system which comprises a vehicle brake having a brake piston, an electrohydraulic service brake device, and an electromotive parking brake device having a spindle drive driven by an electric motor, wherein the electrohydraulic service brake device and/or the electromotive parking brake device act on the brake piston. The method determines an additional brake fluid volume to be delivered by the electrohydraulic service brake device in order to ensure a target clamping force (Fz-Soll) for a brake pad of the parking brake on application of the parking brake device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Benedikt Ohlig, Thomas Hein