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).

  • 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
  • Publication number: 20240095119
    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: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 11914467
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20240028247
    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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Steffen Buch, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20240028450
    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: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 11870616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 11860731
    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: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff
  • Patent number: 11848044
    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: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20230386527
    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: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20230341915
    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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Andrea Sorrentino, Peter Mayer
  • Patent number: 11792944
    Abstract: The valve for pressure compensation and/or for emergency venting of a container, preferably of a housing of a vehicle battery, has a housing (6) with an inlet (6a) that is closable by at least one valve element (23) subjected to a closing force in a first position. The housing (6) is at least partially gas-permeable and preferably water-tight, and has at least one outlet (26) which is located behind the valve element (23) when the valve element (23) assumes its first position. So that in case of a malfunction even larger quantities of gas can be guided to the exterior through the valve, is the valve element for an increased pressure surpassing the closing force at the inlet (6a) is adjustable in the direction toward a second position against the closing force, in which the valve element (23) at least partially opens the outlet (26) such that the outlet (26) is directly connected in flow communication with the inlet (6a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: KACO GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Schulz, Christian Voll, Thomas Hein, Andreas Genesius
  • Patent number: 11782608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Casto Salobrena Garcia
  • Patent number: 11775378
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory health status reporting are described. A memory device may output to a host device a parameter value, which may be indicative of metric or condition related to the performance or reliability (e.g., a health status) of the memory device of the memory device. The host device may thereby determine that the memory device is degraded, possibly prior to device or system failure. Based on the parameter value, the host device may take preventative action, such as quarantining the memory device, deactivating the memory device, or swapping the memory device for another memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Balb, Thomas Hein, Heinz Hoenigschmid
  • Patent number: 11762592
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20230275016
    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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: David K. Ovard, Thomas Hein, Timothy M. Hollis, Walter L. Moden
  • Patent number: 11726865
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 11721405
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox
  • Patent number: 11709730
    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: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter