Patents by Inventor Wayne F. Ellis
Wayne F. Ellis 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).
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Publication number: 20190027210Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory core and input receivers to receive commands and data. The memory device also includes a register to store a value that indicates whether a subset of the input receivers are powered down in response to a control signal. A memory controller transmits commands and data to the memory device. The memory controller also transmits the value to indicate whether a subset of the input receivers of the memory device are powered down in response to the control signal. In addition, in response to a self-fresh command, the memory device defers entry into a self-refresh operation until receipt of the control signal that is received after receiving the self-refresh command.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Publication number: 20180226120Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a clock receiver to receive a clock signal and a plurality of mode registers to store parameter information associated with a plurality of operating clock frequencies of the clock signal. The plurality of clock frequencies include a first clock frequency and a second clock frequency. The memory device also includes a command interface to receive commands synchronously with respect to the clock signal. The command interface receives a command that instructs the DRAM device to change operation from the first clock frequency to the second clock frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Publication number: 20180174667Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2017Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Patent number: 9886993Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory core and input receivers to receive commands and data. The memory device also includes a register to store a value that indicates whether a subset of the input receivers are powered down in response to a control signal. A memory controller transmits commands and data to the memory device. The memory controller also transmits the value to indicate whether a subset of the input receivers of the memory device are powered down in response to the control signal. In addition, in response to a self-fresh command, the memory device defers entry into a self-refresh operation until receipt of the control signal that is received after receiving the self-refresh command.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Patent number: 9859021Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Publication number: 20170103802Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory core and input receivers to receive commands and data. The memory device also includes a register to store a value that indicates whether a subset of the input receivers are powered down in response to a control signal. A memory controller transmits commands and data to the memory device. The memory controller also transmits the value to indicate whether a subset of the input receivers of the memory device are powered down in response to the control signal. In addition, in response to a self-fresh command, the memory device defers entry into a self-refresh operation until receipt of the control signal that is received after receiving the self-refresh command.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Patent number: 9575835Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array is configured for selective repair and error correction of a subset of the array. Error-correcting code (ECC) is provided to a selected subset of the array to protect a row or partial row of memory cells where one or more weak memory cells are detected. By adding a sense amplifier stripe to the edge of the memory array, the adjacent edge segment of the array is employed to store ECC information associated with the protected subsets of the array. Bit replacement is also applied to defective memory cells. By implementing ECC selectively rather than to the entire array, integrity of the memory array is maintained at minimal cost to the array in terms of area and energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Suresh N. Rajan, Ian P. Shaeffer, Frederick A. Ware, Wayne F. Ellis
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Patent number: 9502096Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory core and input receivers to receive commands and data. The memory device also includes a register to store a value that indicates whether a subset of the input receivers are powered down in response to a control signal. A memory controller transmits commands and data to the memory device. The memory controller also transmits the value to indicate whether a subset of the input receivers of the memory device are powered down in response to the control signal. In addition, in response to a self-fresh command, the memory device defers entry into a self-refresh operation until receipt of the control signal that is received after receiving the self-refresh command.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Patent number: 9431131Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. Additionally, the memory system contains a memory controller which can transmit a request to the memory device to trigger the memory device to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The memory controller is also configured to receive the measured frequency from the memory device and uses the measured frequency to determine the timing drift in the memory device.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Patent number: 9401225Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. Additionally, the memory system contains a memory controller which can transmit a request to the memory device to trigger the memory device to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The memory controller is also configured to receive the measured frequency from the memory device and uses the measured frequency to determine the timing drift in the memory device.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Patent number: 9362006Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. Additionally, the memory system contains a memory controller which can transmit a request to the memory device to trigger the memory device to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The memory controller is also configured to receive the measured frequency from the memory device and uses the measured frequency to determine the timing drift in the memory device.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Publication number: 20160035437Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Publication number: 20150234707Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array is configured for selective repair and error correction of a subset of the array. Error-correcting code (ECC) is provided to a selected subset of the array to protect a row or partial row of memory cells where one or more weak memory cells are detected. By adding a sense amplifier stripe to the edge of the memory array, the adjacent edge segment of the array is employed to store ECC information associated with the protected subsets of the array. Bit replacement is also applied to defective memory cells. By implementing ECC selectively rather than to the entire array, integrity of the memory array is maintained at minimal cost to the array in terms of area and energy consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Suresh N. Rajan, Ian P. Shaeffer, Frederick A. Ware, Wayne F. Ellis
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Patent number: 9037949Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) array is configured for selective repair and error correction of a subset of the array. Error-correcting code (ECC) is provided to a selected subset of the array to protect a row or partial row of memory cells where one or more weak memory cells are detected. By adding a sense amplifier stripe to the edge of the memory array, the adjacent edge segment of the array is employed to store ECC information associated with the protected subsets of the array. Bit replacement is also applied to defective memory cells. By implementing ECC selectively rather than to the entire array, integrity of the memory array is maintained at minimal cost to the array in terms of area and energy consumption.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Suresh N. Rajan, Ian P. Shaeffer, Frederick A. Ware, Wayne F. Ellis
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Publication number: 20150131398Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. Additionally, the memory system contains a memory controller which can transmit a request to the memory device to trigger the memory device to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The memory controller is also configured to receive the measured frequency from the memory device and uses the measured frequency to determine the timing drift in the memory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Publication number: 20150103610Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory core and input receivers to receive commands and data. The memory device also includes a register to store a value that indicates whether a subset of the input receivers are powered down in response to a control signal. A memory controller transmits commands and data to the memory device. The memory controller also transmits the value to indicate whether a subset of the input receivers of the memory device are powered down in response to the control signal. In addition, in response to a self-fresh command, the memory device defers entry into a self-refresh operation until receipt of the control signal that is received after receiving the self-refresh command.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Publication number: 20150098297Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. Additionally, the memory system contains a memory controller which can transmit a request to the memory device to trigger the memory device to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The memory controller is also configured to receive the measured frequency from the memory device and uses the measured frequency to determine the timing drift in the memory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
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Patent number: 8942056Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a memory core and input receivers to receive commands and data. The memory device also includes a register to store a value that indicates whether a subset of the input receivers are powered down in response to a control signal. A memory controller transmits commands and data to the memory device. The memory controller also transmits the value to indicate whether a subset of the input receivers of the memory device are powered down in response to the control signal. In addition, in response to a self-fresh command, the memory device defers entry into a self-refresh operation until receipt of the control signal that is received after receiving the self-refresh command.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
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Publication number: 20140351673Abstract: A memory device is disclosed that includes a row of storage locations to store a data word, and a spare row element. The data word is encoded via an error code for generating error information for correcting X bit errors or detecting Y bit errors, where Y is greater than X. The spare row element has substitute storage locations. The logic is responsive to detected errors to (1) enable correction of a data word based on the error information where there are no more than X bit errors, and (2) substitute the spare row element for a portion of the row where there are at least Y bit errors in the data word.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Rambus Inc.Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Suresh Rajan, Brent Haukness, Scott C. Best, Wayne F. Ellis
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Publication number: 20130336080Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to components of a memory system that support timing-drift calibration. In specific embodiments, this memory system contains a memory device (or multiple devices) which includes a clock distribution circuit and an oscillator circuit which can generate a frequency, wherein a change in the frequency is indicative of a timing drift of the clock distribution circuit. The memory device also includes a measurement circuit which is configured to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. Additionally, the memory system contains a memory controller which can transmit a request to the memory device to trigger the memory device to measure the frequency of the oscillator circuit. The memory controller is also configured to receive the measured frequency from the memory device and uses the measured frequency to determine the timing drift in the memory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2011Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: RAMBUS INC.Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal