Patents by Inventor Chi-Ling Chu

Chi-Ling Chu 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).

  • Patent number: 7869282
    Abstract: A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit. The process includes a first step of selecting a voltage to be applied. Then, the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously is determined, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit. The array is divided into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number. Finally, the voltage is applied to the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Chueh Lo, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chi-Ling Chu
  • Patent number: 7773401
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided to have two groups of nonvolatile memory cells, two groups of data registers and a compare circuit. Each of the two groups of the nonvolatile memory cells stores a set of predetermined data and a set of complementary data respectively. The two groups of data registers are respectively connected to the two groups of the nonvolatile memory cells. The compare circuit is connected to the two groups of the data registers, for performing a comparison to generate a compare result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 7710784
    Abstract: A nitride trapping memory device includes a comparator, a bias unit, a memory cell, a cycling cell, a compensation cell and a control unit. The comparator has a reference voltage. The bias unit is for outputting a bias voltage to the comparator, and the comparator outputs a bit value according to comparison of the bias voltage and the reference voltage. The memory cell is connected to the bias unit via a first switch. The cycling cell is connected to the bias unit via a second switch. The compensation cell is connected to the bias unit via a third switch. The control unit is for controlling the cycling cell and the compensation cell according to the bit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Hsien-Wen Hsu, Jian-Yuan Shen
  • Patent number: 7652905
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a memory array of memory cells for storing data and an information array of information cells for storing operating information. The information array is coupled to the memory array so that the information array and the memory array share the same data path circuitry for reading, erase or programming operations. A power-on control circuit controls the operation of the information array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Publication number: 20090310423
    Abstract: A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit. The process includes a first step of selecting a voltage to be applied. Then, the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously is determined, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit. The array is divided into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number. Finally, the voltage is applied to the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: SU-CHUEH LO, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chi-Ling Chu
  • Patent number: 7599225
    Abstract: A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit. The process includes a first step of selecting a voltage to be applied. Then, the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously is determined, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit. The array is divided into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number. Finally, the voltage is applied to the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Chueh Loh, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chi-Ling Chu
  • Publication number: 20090016116
    Abstract: A method of processing an array of non-volatile memory cells to program or erase the same, by applying a voltage to the same through a program and verify pulse application circuit. The process includes a first step of selecting a voltage to be applied. Then, the maximum number of memory cells that can be processed simultaneously is determined, based on the selected voltage and characteristics of the memory cells and the circuit. The array is divided into processing groups, each group having a number of cells less than or equal to the maximum determined number. Finally, the voltage is applied to the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Su-Chueh Lo, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chi-Ling Chu
  • Publication number: 20080291733
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided to have two groups of nonvolatile memory cells, two groups of data registers and a compare circuit. Each of the two groups of the nonvolatile memory cells stores a set of predetermined data and a set of complementary data respectively. The two groups of data registers are respectively connected to the two groups of the nonvolatile memory cells. The compare circuit is connected to the two groups of the data registers, for performing a comparison to generate a compare result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Publication number: 20080205135
    Abstract: A nitride trapping memory device includes a comparator, a bias unit, a memory cell, a cycling cell, a compensation cell and a control unit. The comparator has a reference voltage. The bias unit is for outputting a bias voltage to the comparator, and the comparator outputs a bit value according to comparison of the bias voltage and the reference voltage. The memory cell is connected to the bias unit via a first switch. The cycling cell is connected to the bias unit via a second switch. The compensation cell is connected to the bias unit via a third switch. The control unit is for controlling the cycling cell and the compensation cell according to the bit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Hsien-Wen Hsu, Jian-Yuan Shen
  • Patent number: 7411833
    Abstract: A nitride trapping memory device includes a comparator, a bias unit, a memory cell, a cycling cell, a compensation cell and a control unit. The comparator has a reference voltage. The bias unit is for outputting a bias voltage to the comparator, and the comparator outputs a bit value according to comparison of the bias voltage and the reference voltage. The memory cell is connected to the bias unit via a first switch. The cycling cell is connected to the bias unit via a second switch. The compensation cell is connected to the bias unit via a third switch. The control unit is for controlling the cycling cell and the compensation cell according to the bit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Hsien-Wen Hsu, Jian-Yuan Shen
  • Publication number: 20080165584
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a memory array of memory cells for storing data and an information array of information cells for storing operating information. The information array is coupled to the memory array so that the information array and the memory array share the same data path circuitry for reading, erase or programming operations. A power-on control circuit controls the operation of the information array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd. (A Taiwanese Corporation
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Publication number: 20080158982
    Abstract: A read reference determining the logical value for results read from memory is adjusted during unstable power conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Jian-Yuan Shen, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 7394698
    Abstract: A read reference determining the logical value for results read from memory is adjusted during unstable power conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Jian-Yuan Shen, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 7379341
    Abstract: A method of performing a power on sequence for a flash memory includes applying device voltage to the flash memory and loading nonvolatile memory data and nonvolatile memory complementary data to a read data register and a read complementary data register, respectively. The nonvolatile memory data and the nonvolatile memory complementary data are compared with the read data register and the read complementary data register during the power on sequence, e.g., after initial power up or power on reset (POR). When the comparison determines a mismatch, the loading of the nonvolatile memory data and the nonvolatile memory complementary data to the read data register and the read complementary data register, respectively, is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Publication number: 20080084759
    Abstract: A nitride trapping memory device includes a comparator, a bias unit, a memory cell, a cycling cell, a compensation cell and a control unit. The comparator has a reference voltage. The bias unit is for outputting a bias voltage to the comparator, and the comparator outputs a bit value according to comparison of the bias voltage and the reference voltage. The memory cell is connected to the bias unit via a first switch. The cycling cell is connected to the bias unit via a second switch. The compensation cell is connected to the bias unit via a third switch. The control unit is for controlling the cycling cell and the compensation cell according to the bit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Hsien-Wen Hsu, Jian-Yuan Shen
  • Publication number: 20080084756
    Abstract: A method of performing a power on sequence for a flash memory includes applying device voltage to the flash memory and loading nonvolatile memory data and nonvolatile memory complementary data to a read data register and a read complementary data register, respectively. The nonvolatile memory data and the nonvolatile memory complementary data are compared with the read data register and the read complementary data register during the power on sequence, e.g., after initial power up or power on reset (POR). When the comparison determines a mismatch, the loading of the nonvolatile memory data and the nonvolatile memory complementary data to the read data register and the read complementary data register, respectively, is repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 7342844
    Abstract: A method of performing a power on sequence for a flash memory includes applying device voltage to the flash memory and performing an error bit check on at least one memory cell in the flash memory during initial power up. The at least one memory cell in the flash memory is read only after the error bit check determines that the device voltage is stable. The data read from the at least one memory cell is loaded to an information register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Publication number: 20080031070
    Abstract: A method of performing a power on sequence for a flash memory includes applying device voltage to the flash memory and performing an error bit check on at least one memory cell in the flash memory during initial power up. The at least one memory cell in the flash memory is read only after the error bit check determines that the device voltage is stable. The data read from the at least one memory cell is loaded to an information register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Chi-Ling Chu, Chou-Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 7310261
    Abstract: A nitride read-only memory (NROM) device includes a comparator, a bias unit, a memory cell, a cycling cell, a compensation cell and a control unit. The comparator has a reference voltage. The bias unit is for outputting a bias voltage to the comparator, and the comparator outputs a bit value according to comparison of the bias voltage and the reference voltage. The memory cell is connected to the bias unit via a first switch. The cycling cell is connected to the bias unit via a second switch. The compensation cell is connected to the bias unit via a third switch. The control unit is for controlling the cycling cell and the compensation cell according to the bit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ling Chu, Hsien-Wen Hsu, Jian-Yuan Shen
  • Patent number: 7262999
    Abstract: An ultra cycling nitride read only memory (NROM) device is coupled to a NROM array such that both bits of the ultra cycling NROM device will be erased when all NROM devices of the NROM array are erased. The ultra cycling NROM device is then programmed at its right bit. A threshold voltage difference will be obtained for the ultra cycling NROM device for the un-programmed left bit. Next, a cycling number is obtained based on the threshold voltage difference for the ultra cycling NROM device. A threshold voltage shift can be found based on the cycling number for the NROM array. Finally, an erase voltage will be calculated according to the threshold voltage shift for the NROM array. If the NROM array is programmed again, the erase voltage will be applied to un-programmed NROM devices of the NROM array to further reduce the threshold voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Yuan Shen, Hsien-Wen Hsu, Chi-Ling Chu