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: 11086803
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dynamically configuring transmission lines of a bus between two electronic devices (e.g., a controller and memory device) are described. A first device may determine a quantity of bits (e.g., data bits, control bits) to be communicated with a second device over a data bus. The first device may partition the data bus into a first set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of data bits) and a second set of transmission lines (e.g., based on the quantity of control bits). The first device may communicate the quantity of data bits over the first set of transmission lines and communicate the quantity of control bits over the second set of transmission lines. In some cases, the first device may repartition the data bus based on different quantities of data bits and control bits to be communicated with the second device at a different time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl
  • Patent number: 11086733
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reporting control information errors are described. A state of a memory array may be monitored during operation. After detecting an error (e.g., in received control information), the memory device may enter a first state (e.g., a locked state) and may indicate to a host device that an error was detected, the state of the memory array before the error was detected , and/or at least a portion of a control signal carrying the received control information. The host device may diagnose a cause of the error based on receiving the indication of the error and/or the copy of the control signal. After identifying and/or resolving the cause of the error, the host device may transmit one or more commands (e.g., unlocking the memory device and returning the memory array to the original state) based on receiving the original state from the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer
  • Publication number: 20210234732
    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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20210226722
    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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Thomas Hein, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox
  • Publication number: 20210224149
    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: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein, Ronny Schneider, Natalija Jovanovic
  • Publication number: 20210217458
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques for low power operation are described. A device may be configurable to operate in a first mode and a second mode, where the first mode may include transmitting using a first modulation scheme having two logic levels and the second mode may include transmitting using a second modulation scheme having three or more (e.g., four) logic levels. The device may identify a data symbol for transmission and select, from the first mode and the second mode, the first modulation scheme for the transmission. In some example, the device may determine which of the two modes to select based on a value stored at a mode register. Here, the value stored by the mode register may indicate to utilize the first modulation scheme associated with the first mode. Thus, the device may transmit the data symbol by a signal modulated by the first modulation scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Thomas Hein, Stefan Dietrich, Natalija Jovanovic, Ronny Schneider, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20210193252
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for link evaluation for a memory device are described. A memory device may receive signaling over a channel and may identify logic values encoded into the signaling based on sampling the signaling against a reference voltage. The sampling may occur at a reference time within a sampling period. To evaluate a quality (e.g., margin of error) of the channel, the memory device may adjust the reference voltage, the reference time, or both, and either the memory device or the host device may determine whether the memory device is still able to correctly identify logic values encoded into signaling over the channel. In some cases, the channel quality may be evaluated during a refresh cycle or at another opportunistic time for the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Balb, Thomas Hein, Heinz Hoenigschmid
  • Publication number: 20210181990
    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: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Balb, Thomas Hein, Heinz Hoenigschmid
  • Publication number: 20210182141
    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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Balb, Thomas Hein, Heinz Hoenigschmid
  • Patent number: 10997095
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for training procedures on reference voltages and sampling times associated with symbols communicated with a memory device are described. The training procedures may be configured to compensate for variations that may occur in different symbols of a signal. For example, an individual training operation may be performed for each reference voltage within a first unit interval. These individual training operations may allow a reference voltage of the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other reference voltages in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals. In another example, an individual training operation may be performed for the sampling time associated with a reference voltage. These individual training operations may allow a sampling time associated with a reference voltage in the first unit interval to be positionable independent of other sampling times in the same unit interval or in different unit intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Patent number: 10998011
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20210127511
    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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd Schulz, Christian Voll, Thomas Hein, Andreas Genesius
  • Publication number: 20210089230
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20210083720
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for pre-distortion of multi-level signaling are described. A device may identify two multi-level signals that are to be transmitted over two transmission lines at the same time. The device may estimate the crosstalk expected to be caused by one of the multi-level signals on the other during propagation. Based on the expected crosstalk, the device may generate a signal that compensates for the expected crosstalk. In some examples, the signal may be a combination of the first signal and a cancelation signal. In some examples, once the compensated signal has been generated, it is transmitted over its respective transmission line at the same time that the other multi-level is transmitted over its respective transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein
  • Patent number: 10860417
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for multiple memory die techniques are described. A memory device may include multiple memory dies and may be configured to communicate with a host device. For example, each memory die may be coupled with a set of data pins that includes respective subsets of data pins (e.g., a set of eight data pins having two subsets of four data pins). Further, each memory die may have one or more auxiliary pins used for channel coding information for data communicated over one or more of the subsets of data pins. In some cases, each memory die may include one or more additional auxiliary pins, which may be used for channel coding information for a respective subset of data pins or multiple subsets of data pins. The channel coding information associated with the auxiliary pin(s) may include error detection code information, data coding information, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox
  • Patent number: 10840971
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for pre-distortion of multi-level signaling are described. A device may identify two multi-level signals that are to be transmitted over two transmission lines at the same time. The device may estimate the crosstalk expected to be caused by one of the multi-level signals on the other during propagation. Based on the expected crosstalk, the device may generate a signal that compensates for the expected crosstalk. In some examples, the signal may be a combination of the first signal and a cancelation signal. In some examples, once the compensated signal has been generated, it is transmitted over its respective transmission line at the same time that the other multi-level is transmitted over its respective transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Michael Dieter Richter, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200334172
    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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Thomas Hein, Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Michael Dieter Richter
  • Publication number: 20200333871
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for multi-voltage operation for driving a multi-mode channel are described. A transmitting device and a receiving device may be coupled via a channel, and the channel may support multiple modes such as a terminated mode and an unterminated mode. A driver may be coupled with the channel, and a voltage supply for the driver may be adjusted based on the mode of the channel, such as based on whether the channel is terminated or unterminated. Adjusting the voltage supply may result in similar or otherwise desirable voltage levels on the channel for each mode of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200293230
    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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Anton Spirkl, Peter Mayer, Martin Brox, Michael Dieter Richter, Thomas Hein
  • Publication number: 20200233741
    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: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Martin Brox, Peter Mayer, Wolfgang Anton Spirki, Thomas Hein, Michael Dieter Richter, Timothy M. Hollis, Roy E. Greeff