Patents by Inventor Todd Merritt

Todd Merritt 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: 11914530
    Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 11763906
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for degradation signaling for a memory device are described. In one example, a method in accordance with the described techniques may include monitoring, at a memory device, an operational characteristic of the memory device. For example, the threshold voltage of one or more transistors within the memory device may be monitored. The memory device may identify a degradation of the memory device based at least in part on the monitored operational characteristic. Based on identifying the degradation, the memory device may signal, to a host device, an indication of the degradation of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd A. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20220350760
    Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 11403240
    Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Publication number: 20200202965
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for degradation signaling for a memory device are described. In one example, a method in accordance with the described techniques may include monitoring, at a memory device, an operational characteristic of the memory device. For example, the threshold voltage of one or more transistors within the memory device may be monitored. The memory device may identify a degradation of the memory device based at least in part on the monitored operational characteristic. Based on identifying the degradation, the memory device may signal, to a host device, an indication of the degradation of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventor: Todd A. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20170024337
    Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 9477636
    Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 9082466
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting deactivation voltages are described herein. An example apparatus may include a voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit may be configured to receive an address and to adjust a deactivation voltage of an access line associated with a target group of memory cells from a first voltage to a second voltage based, at least in part, on the address. In some examples, the first voltage may be lower than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong-Yi Xia, Vikram K. Bollu, Jonathan L. Gossi, Howard C. Kirsch, Todd A. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20150029804
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting deactivation voltages are described herein. An example apparatus may include a voltage control circuit. The voltage control circuit may be configured to receive an address and to adjust a deactivation voltage of an access line associated with a target group of memory cells from a first voltage to a second voltage based, at least in part, on the address. In some examples, the first voltage may be lower than the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong-Yi Xia, Vikram K. Bollu, Jonathan L. Gossi, Howard C. Kirsch, Todd A. Merritt
  • Patent number: 8743628
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed to line drivers, such as those for providing reduced gate induced drain leakage in a memory array. Corresponding methods of operation of line drivers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Howard C. Kirsch, Yu-Wen Huang, Mingshiang Wang, Todd A. Merritt
  • Patent number: 8644103
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are provided for reducing simultaneous switching output noise and power supply noise during burst data write and refresh operations. An embodiment of a memory device according to the present invention includes a first power domain coupled to some of the components of the memory device and a second power domain coupled to different components of the memory device. One or more distributed power domain coupling circuits may be coupled to the first and second power domains. The power domain coupling circuit includes a controller configured to generate an enable signal responsive to control signals, data signals, or any combination thereof. The power domain coupling circuit also includes coupling circuitry coupled to the first and second power domains and coupled to the controller. The coupling circuitry is configured to couple the first and second power domains together responsive to the enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Todd Merritt
  • Publication number: 20130039132
    Abstract: Described embodiments are directed to line drivers, such as those for providing reduced gate induced drain leakage in a memory array. Corresponding methods of operation of line drivers are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Howard C. Kirsch, Yu-Wen Huang, Mingshiang Wang, Todd A. Merritt
  • Patent number: 8213244
    Abstract: An address strobe latches a first address. A burst cycle increments the address internally with additional address strobes. A new memory address is only required at the beginning of each burst access. Read commands are issued once per burst access eliminating toggling Read control line at cycle frequency. Control line transition terminates access and initializes another burst access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Todd A. Merritt, Troy A. Manning
  • Patent number: 8143966
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed, such as those involving an interconnection layout for an integrated circuit (IC). One such layout includes a plurality of differential pairs of lines. Each differential pair has two lines including one or more parallel portions extending substantially parallel to each other. Each pair also includes a shield line. Each of the shield lines includes one or more parallel portions interposed between the parallel portions of one of the pairs of differential lines. One or more of the shield lines are electrically connected to a voltage reference, such as ground. This layout is believed to reduce or eliminate intra-pair coupling as well as inter-pair coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Merritt
  • Publication number: 20120033513
    Abstract: An address strobe latches a first address. A burst cycle increments the address internally with additional address strobes. A new memory address is only required at the beginning of each burst access. Read commands are issued once per burst access eliminating toggling Read control line at cycle frequency. Control line transition terminates access and initializes another burst access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Todd A. Merritt, Troy A. Manning
  • Patent number: 8107304
    Abstract: An address strobe latches a first address. A burst cycle increments the address internally with additional address strobes. A new memory address is only required at the beginning of each burst access. Read/Write commands are issued once per burst access eliminating toggling Read/Write control line at cycle frequency. Control line transition terminates access and initializes another burst access. Write cycle times are maximized thereby allowing increases in burst mode operating frequencies. Logic near sense amplifiers control write-data drivers thereby providing maximum write times without crossing current during I/O line equilibration. By gating global write-enable signals with global equilibrate signals locally at sense amps, local write-cycle control signals are provided and valid for essentially the entire cycle time minus an I/O line equilibration period in burst access memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Todd A. Merritt, Troy A. Manning
  • Publication number: 20110122720
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are provided for reducing simultaneous switching output noise and power supply noise during burst data write and refresh operations. An embodiment of a memory device according to the present invention includes a first power domain coupled to some of the components of the memory device and a second power domain coupled to different components of the memory device. One or more distributed power domain coupling circuits may be coupled to the first and second power domains. The power domain coupling circuit includes a controller configured to generate an enable signal responsive to control signals, data signals, or any combination thereof. The power domain coupling circuit also includes coupling circuitry coupled to the first and second power domains and coupled to the controller. The coupling circuitry is configured to couple the first and second power domains together responsive to the enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Todd Merritt
  • Publication number: 20110093662
    Abstract: Memory having internal processors, and methods of data communication within such a memory are provided. In one embodiment, an internal processor may concurrently access one or more banks on a memory array on a memory device via one or more buffers. The internal processor may be coupled to a buffer capable of accessing more than one bank, or coupled to more than one buffer that may each access a bank, such that data may be retrieved from and stored in different banks concurrently. Further, the memory device may be configured for communication between one or more internal processors through couplings between memory components, such as buffers coupled to each of the internal processors. Therefore, a multi-operation instruction may be performed by different internal processors, and data (such as intermediate results) from one internal processor may be transferred to another internal processor of the memory, enabling parallel execution of an instruction(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Robert M. Walker, Dan Skinner, Todd A. Merritt, J. Thomas Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 7894285
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are provided for reducing simultaneous switching output noise and power supply noise during burst data write and refresh operations. An embodiment of a memory device according to the present invention includes a first power domain coupled to some of the components of the memory device and a second power domain coupled to different components of the memory device. One or more distributed power domain coupling circuits may be coupled to the first and second power domains. The power domain coupling circuit includes a controller configured to generate an enable signal responsive to control signals, data signals, or any combination thereof. The power domain coupling circuit also includes coupling circuitry coupled to the first and second power domains and coupled to the controller. The coupling circuitry is configured to couple the first and second power domains together responsive to the enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Todd Merritt
  • Publication number: 20110025428
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed, such as those involving an interconnection layout for an integrated circuit (IC). One such layout includes a plurality of differential pairs of lines. Each differential pair has two lines including one or more parallel portions extending substantially parallel to each other. Each pair also includes a shield line. Each of the shield lines includes one or more parallel portions interposed between the parallel portions of one of the pairs of differential lines. One or more of the shield lines are electrically connected to a voltage reference, such as ground. This layout is believed to reduce or eliminate intra-pair coupling as well as inter-pair coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Merritt