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).

  • Publication number: 20190027210
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Publication number: 20180226120
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Publication number: 20180174667
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Patent number: 9886993
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Patent number: 9859021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Publication number: 20170103802
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Patent number: 9575835
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Suresh N. Rajan, Ian P. Shaeffer, Frederick A. Ware, Wayne F. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9502096
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Patent number: 9431131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Patent number: 9401225
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Patent number: 9362006
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Publication number: 20160035437
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Publication number: 20150234707
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Suresh N. Rajan, Ian P. Shaeffer, Frederick A. Ware, Wayne F. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9037949
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Vogelsang, Suresh N. Rajan, Ian P. Shaeffer, Frederick A. Ware, Wayne F. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20150131398
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Publication number: 20150103610
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Publication number: 20150098297
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal
  • Patent number: 8942056
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne F. Ellis, Wayne S. Richardson, Akash Bansal, Frederick A. Ware, Lawrence Lai, Kishore Ven Kasamsetty
  • Publication number: 20140351673
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Suresh Rajan, Brent Haukness, Scott C. Best, Wayne F. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20130336080
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Yohan U. Frans, Wayne F. Ellis, Akash Bansal