Patents Assigned to Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7349257
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7339824
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7324384
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7289366
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array has a single transistor flash memory cell and a two transistor EEPROM memory cell which maybe integrated on the same substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gate with a low coupling coefficient to permit a smaller memory cell. The floating gate placed over a tunneling insulation layer, the floating gate is aligned with edges of the source region and the drain region and having a width defined by a width of the edges of the source the drain. The floating gate and control gate have a relatively small coupling ratio of less than 50% to allow scaling of the nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells are programmed with channel hot electron programming and erased with Fowler Nordheim tunneling at relatively high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7283401
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array has a single transistor flash memory cell and a two transistor EEPROM memory cell which maybe integrated on the same substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gate with a low coupling coefficient to permit a smaller memory cell. The floating gate placed over a tunneling insulation layer, the floating gate is aligned with edges of the source region and the drain region and having a width defined by a width of the edges of the source the drain. The floating gate and control gate have a relatively small coupling ratio of less than 50% to allow scaling of the nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells are programmed with channel hot electron programming and erased with Fowler Nordheim tunneling at relatively high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7177190
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM, NOR-type Flash and NAND-type Flash nonvolatile memory contains memory cells in which a floating gate transistor forms a NAND-type Flash nonvolatile memory cell, forms a NOR-type Flash nonvolatile memory cells and with one or two select transistors forms a two and three transistor EEPROM cell. The nonvolatile memory cells use a large positive programming voltage (+18V) applied to the word lines or select gating lines for programming the memory cells and a large negative erasing voltage (?18V) applied to the word lines or select gating lines for erasing the memory cells. The NOR-type Flash nonvolatile memory array is used to store code of embedded processor programs or application programs for smart cards. The EEPROM array is preferably used to store byte alterable data and NAND-type Flash nonvolatile memory array is used to store personalized biometric data such as Iris, DNA, facial picture and finger prints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Lee
  • Patent number: 7164608
    Abstract: A nonvolatile SRAM array has an array of integrated nonvolatile SRAM circuits arranged in rows and columns on a substrate. Each of the integrated nonvolatile SRAM circuits includes an SRAM cell, a first and second nonvolatile memory element. The SRAM cell has a latched memory element in communication first and second nonvolatile memory elements to receive and permanently retain the digital signal from the latched memory element. A power detection circuit detects a power interruption and a power initiation and communicates the detection of the power interruption and power initiation to the plurality of integrated nonvolatile SRAM circuits. The SRAM cell, upon detection of the power interruption, transmits the digital signal to the first and second nonvolatile memory elements. The SRAM cell of each of the nonvolatile static random access memories upon detection of the power initiation, receives the digital signal from the first and second nonvolatile memory elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Lee
  • Patent number: 7154783
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: APlus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7149120
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7120064
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7110302
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7102929
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7087953
    Abstract: A method for making a unified non-volatile memory (NVM) comprised of a NOR-type flash memory, a NAND-type flash memory, and a 3-transistor EEPROM integrated on the same chip is achieved. This unified NVM can be used in advanced smart card applications. The unification is achieved by forming the array of NVM cells and their peripheral high-voltage NMOS-FETs in a deep triple-P well or P-substrate while making high-voltage PMOS-FETs in a deep N well with breakdown voltages greater than +18 V and greater than ?18 V, respectively. This novel NVM structure allows one to have compatible breakdown voltages for programming/erasing (charging and discharging) the floating-gate transistors in the NOR flash, the NAND flash, and 3-transistor EEPROM memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Lee
  • Patent number: 7075826
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7064978
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array has a single transistor flash memory cell and a two transistor EEPROM memory cell which maybe integrated on the same substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gate with a low coupling coefficient to permit a smaller memory cell. The floating gate placed over a tunneling insulation layer, the floating gate is aligned with edges of the source region and the drain region and having a width defined by a width of the edges of the source the drain. The floating gate and control gate have a relatively small coupling ratio of less than 50% to allow scaling of the nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells are programmed with channel hot electron programming and erased with Fowler Nordheim tunneling at relatively high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 6891221
    Abstract: In this invention a process for a flash memory cell and an architecture for using the flash memory cell is disclosed to provide a nonvolatile memory having a high storage density. Adjacent columns of cells share the same source and the source line connecting these sources runs vertically in the memory layout, connecting to the sources of adjacent columns memory cells. Bit lines connect to drains of cells in adjacent columns and are laid out vertically, alternating with source lines in an every other column scheme. Wordlines made of a second layer of polysilicon form control gates of the flash memory cells and are continuous over the full width of a memory partition. Programming is done in a vertical page using hot electrons to inject charge onto the floating gates. the cells are erased using Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of electrons from the floating gate to the control gate by way of inter polysilicon oxide formed on the walls of the floating gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Hung-Sheng Chen, Vei-Han Chan
  • Patent number: 6862223
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 6850438
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 6839278
    Abstract: A memory device is achieved. The memory device comprises an array of Flash cells and mask ROM cells in a common substrate. Each Flash cell comprises a floating gate, a control gate, a source, a drain, and a channel. Each mask ROM cell comprises a gate, a source, a drain, and a channel. Each source of the mask ROM cells is shared with one Flash cell source. Each electrode of each mask ROM cell gate is coupled to at least one Flash cell control gate. The mask ROM cell gate electrodes comprise a common layer with electrodes of the Flash cell control gates. The mask ROM cells lie in spaces between the Flash cells in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 6788612
    Abstract: In the present invention is disclosed a flash memory for simultaneous read and write operations. The memory is partitioned into a plurality of sectors each of which have a sector decoder. The sector decoder connects a plurality of main bit lines to a plurality of sub bit lines contained within each memory sector A 21 decoder is used to demonstrate the invention although other decoders including a 2M decoder and a hierarchical type decoder can be used. The memory array can be configured from a variety of architectures, including NOR, OR, NAND, AND, Dual-String and DINOR. The memory cells can be formed from a variety of array structures including ETOX, FLOTOX, EPROM, EEPROM, Split-Gate, and PMOS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Chang Hsu, Peter W. Lee, Hsing-Ya Tsao