Patents Examined by Huan Hoang
  • Patent number: 11972794
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate and a layer of superconducting material disposed over the substrate. The layer of superconducting material includes a first wire and a loop that is (1) distinct and separate from the first wire and (ii) capacitively coupled to the first wire while the loop and the first wire are in a superconducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: PSIQUANTUM CORP.
    Inventor: Faraz Najafi
  • Patent number: 11972817
    Abstract: A memory apparatus and method of operation are provided. The apparatus includes memory cells connected to word lines. The memory cells are disposed in strings and are configured to retain a threshold voltage corresponding to data states. A control means is configured to apply verification pulses of program verify voltages each associated with one of the data states to selected ones of the word lines to determine whether the memory cells connected thereto have the threshold voltage above each of the program verify voltages associated with the data states targeted for each of the memory cells being programmed during verify loops of a program-verify operation. The control means slows the memory cells targeted for a selected one of the data states identified as being faster to program than other ones of the memory cells during one of verify loops associated with an earlier one of data states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ke Zhang, Ming Wang, Liang Li
  • Patent number: 11972806
    Abstract: The memory device includes a memory block with a plurality of memory cells, which are programmed to multiple bits per memory cell, arranged in a plurality of word lines. Control circuitry is provided and is configured to read the memory cells of a selected word line. The control circuitry separates the memory cells of the selected word line into a first group of memory cells, which are located on a side of the word line are near a voltage driver, and a second group of memory cells, which are located on an opposite side of the word line from the voltage driver. The control circuitry reads the memory cells of the first group using a first read mode and reads the memory cells of the second group using a second read mode that is different than the first read mode to reduce a fail bit count during read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jiacen Guo, Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 11967381
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a row decoder, a plurality of page buffers, and a voltage switching circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. The row decoder is connected to the memory cell array through word lines. The plurality of page buffers are connected to the memory cell array through bit lines. The voltage switching circuit decodes an operation voltage and transmits the decoded operation voltage to the row decoder. The plurality of page buffers are formed in a first under cell region among first and second under cell regions, the first and second under cell regions being adjacent to each other in a first direction under the memory cell array. At least a portion of the voltage switching circuit is formed in an under slim region that is adjacent to the first under cell region and the second under cell region in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Wan Chae, Young Ki Kim, Jong Il Lee, Eun Woo Jo
  • Patent number: 11967373
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses, methods, and systems for pre-decoder circuitry. An embodiment includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, decoder circuitry coupled to the memory array, wherein the decoder circuitry comprises a p-type transistor having a first gate, a first n-type transistor having a second gate, and a second n-type transistor having a third gate, and pre-decoder circuitry configured to provide a bias condition for the first gate, the second gate, and the third gate to provide a selection signal to one of the plurality of memory cells, wherein the bias condition comprises zero volts for the first gate, the second gate, and the third gate for a positive configuration for the memory cells and a negative voltage for the third gate and zero volts for the first gate and the second gate for a negative configuration for the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijayakrishna J. Vankayala, Hari Giduturi, Jeffrey E. Koelling, Mingdong Cui, Ramachandra Rao Jogu
  • Patent number: 11961587
    Abstract: A clock driver comprises: an input multiplexer for receiving a plurality pairs of input clock signals and an input selection signal, and for selectively outputting one pair of the plurality pairs of input clock signals according to the input selection signal; a phase locking loop (PLL) coupled to the input multiplexer to receive one pair of the plurality pairs of input clock signals, and for generating a PLL clock signal according to the received pair of input clock signals; at least two sets of output multiplexers coupled to the PLL to receive the PLL clock signal and an output selection signal, wherein each set of output multiplexers are configured to selectively output the PLL clock signal as a set of output clock signals according to the output selection signal to drive at least one group of memory chips; and a control module configured to detect toggling of the plurality pairs of input clock signals and generate the input selection signal and the output selection signal based on a detection result of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: MONTAGE TECHNOLOGY (KUNSHAN) CO.
    Inventor: Yibo Jiang
  • Patent number: 11948657
    Abstract: Sense amplifier layout designs and related apparatuses and methods. An apparatus includes a cross-coupled pair of pull-up transistors of a sense amplifier, a cross-coupled pair of pull-down transistors of the sense amplifier, and a pair of conductive lines electrically connecting the cross-coupled pair of pull-up transistors to the cross-coupled pair of pull-down transistors. The apparatus also includes a sense amplifier control transistors sharing a continuous active material with one of the cross-coupled pair of pull-up transistors or the cross-coupled pair of pull-down transistors. A method includes asserting a shared control gate terminal of sense amplifier control transistors sharing a continuous active material with the cross-coupled pair of pull-down transistors, applying a pre-charge voltage potential to the pair of conductive lines, electrically connecting memory cells to the pre-charged pair of bit lines, and amplifying electrical charges delivered to the pair of bit lines by the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, Eric J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 11942128
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic memory device including a pinned magnetic pattern and a free magnetic pattern that are sequentially stacked on a substrate, a tunnel barrier pattern between the pinned magnetic pattern and the free magnetic pattern, a top electrode on the free magnetic pattern, and a capping pattern between the free magnetic pattern and the top electrode. The capping pattern includes a lower capping pattern, an upper capping pattern between the lower capping pattern and the top electrode, a first non-magnetic pattern between the lower capping pattern and the upper capping pattern, and a second non-magnetic pattern between the first non-magnetic pattern and the upper capping pattern. Each of the lower capping pattern and the upper capping pattern includes a non-magnetic metal. The first non-magnetic pattern and the second non-magnetic pattern include different metals from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Whankyun Kim, Jeong-Heon Park, Heeju Shin, Youngjun Cho, Joonmyoung Lee, Junho Jeong
  • Patent number: 11942177
    Abstract: One aspect of this description relates to a memory array. In some embodiments, the memory array includes a first memory cell coupled between a first local select line and a first local bit line, a second memory cell coupled between a second local select line and a second local bit line, a first switch coupled to a global bit line, a second switch coupled between the first local bit line and the first switch, and a third switch coupled between the second local select line and the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Ta Yu, Chia-En Huang, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Yih Wang, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Patent number: 11942157
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a word line coupled to a word line driver circuit, bit lines, a plurality of non-volatile memory cells each coupled to the word line and a corresponding one of the bit lines, and a control circuit coupled to the word line and the bit lines. The control circuit is configured to program the memory cells by causing the word line driver to apply a program pulse to the word line, and biasing each bit line to a corresponding bit line voltage that has a value that varies based on a distance between the word line driver and the corresponding bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jiacen Guo, Xiang Yang, Xiaochen Zhu
  • Patent number: 11944015
    Abstract: Spin-orbit-torque (SOT) segments are provided along the sides of free layers in magnetoresistive devices that include magnetic tunnel junctions. Current flowing through such SOT segments injects spin current into the free layers such that spin torque is applied to the free layers. The spin torque can be used as an assist to spin-transfer torque generated by current flowing vertically through the magnetic tunnel junction in order to improve the efficiency of the switching current applied to the magnetoresistive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Han-Jong Chia
  • Patent number: 11934271
    Abstract: There are provided a memory system and an operating method thereof. A memory system includes: a plurality of storage regions, each including a plurality of memory cells; and a controller configured to provide a plurality of read retry sets, determine an applying order of the plurality of read retry sets based on characteristics of a read error occurred in a first storage region among the plurality of storage regions, and apply at least one of the read retry sets, based on the applying order, for a read retry operation performed on the first storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Oh Hwang, Yong-Tae Kim, Soong-Sun Shin, Duck-Hoi Koo
  • Patent number: 11929112
    Abstract: The sense amplifier includes: an amplification module configured to amplify a voltage transmitted by a bit line or a reference bit line, when the sense amplifier is at an amplification stage; a first switch module configured to control the amplification module to be disconnected from the reference bit line, when the sense amplifier performs a read operation for the bit line and is at the amplification stage. In the disclosure, the power consumption of the sense amplifier may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: ANHUI UNIVERSITY, CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Chunyu Peng, Zijian Wang, Wenjuan Lu, Xiulong Wu, Jun He, Xin Li, Zhan Ying, Kanyu Cao, Zhiting Lin, Junning Chen
  • Patent number: 11929140
    Abstract: A memory controller comprising a DMA master device configured to provide a first data group to a non-volatile memory (NVM) device, a program buffer memory configured to temporarily store the first data group before the DMA master device provides the first data group to the NVM device, an exclusive OR computing circuit configured to perform an exclusive OR computation and an accumulation on a plurality of data included in the first data group provided from the program buffer memory to generate a first recovery data, after the DMA master device provides the first data group to the NVM device, and a buffer slave device including a first program recovery buffer memory configured to store the first recovery data and provide the first recovery data from the first program recovery buffer memory to the program buffer memory, in response to a program failure signal, may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Min Lee, Hyung Jin Kim, Seong Wan Hong
  • Patent number: 11930719
    Abstract: Magnetic memory devices are provided. The devices comprise a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and a tunnel barrier layer composed of a doped semiconductor (instead of an insulator or a dielectric) between the first and second ferromagnetic layers and forming at least one ferromagnetic-doped semiconductor interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Pedram Khalili Amiri, Manijeh Razeghi
  • Patent number: 11929106
    Abstract: A first memory cell includes a first variable resistance element and a first switching element. A control circuit is configured to execute first detection of detecting a first value of a first physical quantity related to the first memory cell, execute first write for storing first data in the first memory cell, execute second detection of detecting a second value of the first physical quantity related to the first memory cell following the first write, and read second data related to the first memory cell based on the first value and the second value. At least one of the first value and the second value is a value during a change in the first physical quantity related to the first memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiyoshi Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 11925014
    Abstract: A method of forming an apparatus comprises forming pillar structures extending from a base material. Upper portions of the pillar structures may exhibit a lateral width that is relatively greater than a lateral width of lower portions of the pillar structures. The method also comprises forming access lines laterally adjacent to the lower portions of the pillar structures and forming digit lines above upper surfaces of the pillar structures. Memory devices and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Song Guo, Sanh D. Tang, Shen Hu, Yan Li, Nicholas R. Tapias
  • Patent number: 11923037
    Abstract: A memory control circuit is configured to access a memory including a plurality of banks. The memory control circuit comprises: a holding unit configured to hold an access request from an external circuit; a management unit configured to manage states of the plurality of banks; a determination unit configured to determine, based on an access type of an access request held in the holding unit and the states of the plurality of banks, which access type of command issuance that is read or write is to be prioritized; and an issuance unit configured to issue a command of an access request corresponding to the access type determined to be prioritized by the determination unit, among the access requests held in the holding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Wataru Ochiai
  • Patent number: 11923017
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage device includes a memory that stores data in a non-volatile manner, a power supply that generates an internal voltage to feed it to the memory, a controller that controls the memory and the power supply, an A/D converter that performs A/D conversion on the internal voltage, and a fault detector that detects a fault related to data written in the memory based on the output of the A/D converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Ukai, Koji Nigoriike
  • Patent number: 11921578
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an error correction circuit configured to detect an error included in internal data, to generate a failure detection signal during a read operation, and to correct the error included in the internal data during a refresh operation, and a core circuit configured to store an address signal for activating a word line in which the internal data including the error is stored through as a failure address signal when the failure detection signal is input to the core circuit, and store the error-corrected internal data in the core circuit through a word line activated by the failure address signal during the refresh operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Choung Ki Song