Patent ID: 7461320
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of reducing the power consumed by a memory device, comprising: refreshing memory cells in the memory device at a first rate when the memory device is active; refreshing at least some of the memory cells in the memory device at a second rate when the memory device is inactive, the second rate being substantially slower than the first rate; prior to transitioning from the first rate to the second rate, transitioning to an ECC protection mode by: transitioning from the second rate to the first rate and thereafter continuing to refresh the memory cells that are storing data that should be protected at the second rate without using the ECC syndromes to determine if any of the data stored in the memory cells are in error until a request is received to read data from the memory cells that are storing data that should be protected; when a request is received to read data from at least some of the memory cells that are storing data that should be protected: