Patents by Inventor Timothy B. Cowles

Timothy B. Cowles 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: 10297307
    Abstract: Memory devices, systems including memory devices, and methods of operating memory devices in which multiple counters are provided to permit memory refresh commands greater freedom in targeting subsets of the memory device for data refresh operations. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided, comprising a plurality of memory banks, and circuitry configured to (i) store a plurality of values, each of the plurality of values corresponding to one of the plurality of memory banks; (ii) refresh first data stored in a first one of the plurality of memory banks; and (iii) update a first one of the plurality of values corresponding to the first one of the plurality of memory banks based at least in part on refreshing the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Raad, Jonathan S. Parry, James S. Rehmeyer, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 10043556
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Publication number: 20180082719
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Patent number: 9830955
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Publication number: 20160372165
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Patent number: 9437256
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Patent number: 9183952
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for compressing data responsive to a plurality of memory accesses is described. An example compression circuit includes a comparator configured to compare data provided by a group of memory cells associated with a repair address. Each subset of one or more bits of the data is sequentially provided by the group of memory cells responsive to a respective memory access of a plurality of memory accesses. The example compression circuit further including an error bit latch coupled to the comparison circuit. The error bit latch configured to, responsive to an output received from the comparison circuit indicating an error, compress the data to an error bit by setting the error bit to an error detected state and latching the error bit having the error detected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, John F. Schreck, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20150187395
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Patent number: 9019785
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Publication number: 20150078108
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to data shifting. An example apparatus comprises a first memory cell coupled to a first sense line of an array, a first isolation device located between the first memory cell and first sensing circuitry corresponding thereto, and a second isolation device located between the first memory cell and second sensing circuitry corresponding to a second sense line. The first and the second isolation devices are operated to shift data in the array without transferring the data via an input/output line of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. Cowles, Steven M. Bodily
  • Patent number: 8884690
    Abstract: An input buffer receiver circuit for electronic devices (e.g., memory chips) to receive reduced-swing and high bandwidth inputs to provide “buffered” output signals having symmetrical rising and falling delays, and without additional current dissipation over previous receiver circuits, is disclosed. The receiver circuit may include two differential amplifier pair stages (i.e., 4 total differential amplifiers). The first stage of differential amplifiers convert the single-ended input signal to a full-differential signal, which is converted back to a single-ended output signal by the second stage of differential amplifiers. The output of a P-diff first stage may be connected to the input of an N-diff second stage and the output of an N-diff first stage may be connected to the input of a P-diff second stage thereby creating a “cross coupled” structure. Various current saving and biasing methods may also be employed to keep operating current the same or lower than previous designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Pan, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20140237305
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for compressing data responsive to a plurality of memory accesses is described. An example compression circuit includes a comparator configured to compare data provided by a group of memory cells associated with a repair address. Each subset of one or more bits of the data is sequentially provided by the group of memory cells responsive to a respective memory access of a plurality of memory accesses. The example compression circuit further including an error bit latch coupled to the comparison circuit. The error bit latch configured to, responsive to an output received from the comparison circuit indicating an error, compress the data to an error bit by setting the error bit to an error detected state and latching the error bit having the error detected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, John F. Schreck, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 8787101
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Publication number: 20130329510
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Patent number: 8503258
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Patent number: 8499207
    Abstract: In a memory device, an on-die register is provided that is configured to store a row address as well as a column address of a memory cell that fails a test. Storing the row address frees testing from being limited to activating at one time only rows related to a common redundant segment. Storing the row address also guides repair using segmented redundancy. As an addition or alternative, information may be stored in an anti-fuse bank that is designed to provide access to a redundant cell but has not yet enabled access to that cell. If the information stored in the anti-fuse bank relates to the failure of the redundant cell, such information may be used to avoid repairing with that redundant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Publication number: 20130003473
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Patent number: 8320206
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus, systems, and methods having multiple dice arranged in a stack in which a defective cell may be replaced by a spare cell on the same die or a different die. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Keeth, Chris G. Martin, Troy A. Manning, Joe M. Jeddeloh, Timothy B. Cowles, Jim Rehmeyer, Paul A. LaBerge
  • Publication number: 20120297257
    Abstract: In a memory device, an on-die register is provided that is configured to store a row address as well as a column address of a memory cell that fails a test. Storing the row address frees testing from being limited to activating at one time only rows related to a common redundant segment. Storing the row address also guides repair using segmented redundancy. As an addition or alternative, information may be stored in an anti-fuse bank that is designed to provide access to a redundant cell but has not yet enabled access to that cell. If the information stored in the anti-fuse bank relates to the failure of the redundant cell, such information may be used to avoid repairing with that redundant cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 8234527
    Abstract: In a memory device, an on-die register is provided that is configured to store a row address as well as a column address of a memory cell that fails a test. Storing the row address frees testing from being limited to activating at one time only rows related to a common redundant segment. Storing the row address also guides repair using segmented redundancy. As an addition or alternative, information may be stored in an anti-fuse bank that is designed to provide access to a redundant cell but has not yet enabled access to that cell. If the information stored in the anti-fuse bank relates to the failure of the redundant cell, such information may be used to avoid repairing with that redundant cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian N. Mohr, Timothy B. Cowles