Patents by Inventor Hsin-Pang Lu

Hsin-Pang Lu 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: 11294577
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory includes a plurality of data storage units arranged in an array, a plurality of redundant data storage units arranged in at least one row and a plurality of redundant address storage units arranged in at least one row. A storage size of each of the data storage units is word. Each of the data storage units is addressable by a row address and a column address. One of the redundant data storage units in a first column is configured to substitute for one of the data storage units in a second column. One of the redundant address storage units in a third column is configured to record the row address representative of the substituted one of the data storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Hua Lu, Hsin-Pang Lu
  • Publication number: 20210263656
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory includes a plurality of data storage units arranged in an array, a plurality of redundant data storage units arranged in at least one row and a plurality of redundant address storage units arranged in at least one row. A storage size of each of the data storage units is word. Each of the data storage units is addressable by a row address and a column address. One of the redundant data storage units in a first column is configured to substitute for one of the data storage units in a second column. One of the redundant address storage units in a third column is configured to record the row address representative of the substituted one of the data storage units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Hsiao-Hua Lu, Hsin-Pang Lu
  • Patent number: 10580499
    Abstract: A read only memory (ROM) is provided in the present invention, which includes a plurality of bit lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of source lines extending in parallel to the plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of word lines extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each two ROM cells share an active area and are electrically coupled to one of the plurality of source lines by a common source line contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pang Lu, Chi-Hsiu Hsu, Chung-Hao Chen, Ya-Nan Mou, Chung-Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 10352986
    Abstract: A method for controlling voltage of a doped well in a substrate is provided. The substrate and the doped well are in different conductive type. The method includes applying a substrate voltage to the substrate while a well power for applying a well voltage to the doped well is turned off. The method also includes detecting a voltage level of one of the doped well and the substrate to judge whether or not a voltage target is reached. The well power is turned on to apply the well voltage to the doped well when the voltage level as detected reaches to the voltage target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pang Lu, Hsin-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20190043587
    Abstract: A read only memory (ROM) is provided in the present invention, which includes a plurality of bit lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of source lines extending in parallel to the plurality of bit lines, and a plurality of word lines extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each two ROM cells share an active area and are electrically coupled to one of the plurality of source lines by a common source line contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Hsin-Pang Lu, Chi-Hsiu Hsu, Chung-Hao Chen, Ya-Nan Mou, Chung-Cheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20170345720
    Abstract: A method for controlling voltage of a doped well in a substrate is provided. The substrate and the doped well are in different conductive type. The method includes applying a substrate voltage to the substrate while a well power for applying a well voltage to the doped well is turned off. The method also includes detecting a voltage level of one of the doped well and the substrate to judge whether or not a voltage target is reached. The well power is turned on to apply the well voltage to the doped well when the voltage level as detected reaches to the voltage target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hsin-Pang Lu, Hsin-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9263134
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of bit lines coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells for accessing data to the plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of word lines each coupled to a corresponding row of memory cells, and a decoder coupled to the plurality of word lines for enabling at least one row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ya-Nan Mou, Hsin-Pang Lu, Hsi-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20150262621
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of bit lines coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells for accessing data to the plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of word lines each coupled to a corresponding row of memory cells, and a decoder coupled to the plurality of word lines for enabling at least one row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ya-Nan Mou, Hsin-Pang Lu, Hsi-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9093131
    Abstract: A sense amplifier circuit may be used for read operation of a non-volatile memory. The sense amplifier circuit includes of a first pre-charge circuit, a second pre-charge circuit, a bias circuit, an enable circuit, a current mirror, a first comparator, a second comparator, a buffer and a counter. The current mirror is able to amplify a cell current of a memory cell to prevent error and shorten or maintain access time as erase count of the memory cell increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Chen, Hsin-Pang Lu
  • Publication number: 20150170718
    Abstract: A sense amplifier circuit may be used for read operation of a non-volatile memory. The sense amplifier circuit includes of a first pre-charge circuit, a second pre-charge circuit, a bias circuit, an enable circuit, a current mirror, a first comparator, a second comparator, a buffer and a counter. The current mirror is able to amplify a cell current of a memory cell to prevent error and shorten or maintain access time as erase count of the memory cell increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsi-Wen Chen, Hsin-Pang Lu
  • Publication number: 20150095728
    Abstract: A testing method for non-volatile memory includes writing a first set of data to a set of addresses in a non-volatile memory, reading a second set of data from the set of addresses, and writing the first set of data to the set of addresses again if the first set of data and the second set of data are not identical and number of times for writing the first set of data to the set of addresses is smaller than a predetermined number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pang Lu, Hsi-Wen Chen, Ya-Nan Mou, Chung-Cheng Tsai, Hsiao-Chieh Sung, Yin-Ju Hsiao
  • Publication number: 20140376316
    Abstract: A programmable memory cell includes a non-volatile memory unit, a reference current generator and a readout unit. The non-volatile memory unit is configured to be performed by a program operation, a read operation or an erase operation. The reference current generator is configured to generate a reference current; wherein a value of the reference current is dynamically modulated according to a count number of the program and erase operations performed on the non-volatile memory unit. The readout unit, electrically coupled to the non-volatile memory unit and the reference current generator, is configured to read a data stored in the non-volatile memory cell according to the reference current. A data read method applied to the aforementioned programmable memory cell is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shi-Wen CHEN, Hsin-Pang Lu
  • Patent number: 8804440
    Abstract: A supply voltage generation circuit includes a comparison unit, a voltage level control unit and a voltage regulator circuit. Comparison unit is configured to compare input data and output data of a memory array to each other and thereby generating a comparison result, wherein output data are storage data stored in a plurality of memory units of the memory array processed by a program operation according to the input data, and comparison result indicates the number of different bits existing between the output data and the input data. Voltage level control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the comparison result. Voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage for the memory array and adjust value of the supply voltage according to the control signal. A memory and an operation method of a supply generation circuit used for a memory array are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shi-Wen Chen, Hsin-Pang Lu, Chung-Cheng Tsai, Ya-Nan Mou
  • Publication number: 20140211573
    Abstract: A supply voltage generation circuit includes a comparison unit, a voltage level control unit and a voltage regulator circuit. Comparison unit is configured to compare input data and output data of a memory array to each other and thereby generating a comparison result, wherein output data are storage data stored in a plurality of memory units of the memory array processed by a program operation according to the input data, and comparison result indicates the number of different bits existing between the output data and the input data. Voltage level control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the comparison result. Voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage for the memory array and adjust value of the supply voltage according to the control signal. A memory and an operation method of a supply generation circuit used for a memory array are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shi-Wen CHEN, Hsin-Pang LU, Chung-Cheng TSAI, Ya-Nan MOU
  • Publication number: 20140204686
    Abstract: A supply voltage generation circuit includes a comparison unit, a voltage level control unit and a voltage regulator circuit. Comparison unit is configured to compare input data and output data of a memory array to each other and thereby generating a comparison result, wherein output data are storage data stored in a plurality of memory units of memory array processed by a program operation according to input data, and the comparison result indicates the number of different bits existing between the output data and the input data. Voltage level control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the comparison result. Voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage for the memory array and adjust the value of the supply voltage according to the control signal. A memory and an operation method of a supply generation circuit used for a memory array are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shi-Wen CHEN, Hsin-Pang Lu, Chung-Cheng Tsai, Ya-Nan Mou
  • Patent number: 8767485
    Abstract: A supply voltage generation circuit includes a comparison unit, a voltage level control unit and a voltage regulator circuit. Comparison unit is configured to compare input data and output data of a memory array to each other and thereby generating a comparison result, wherein output data are storage data stored in a plurality of memory units of memory array processed by a program operation according to input data, and the comparison result indicates the number of different bits existing between the output data and the input data. Voltage level control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the comparison result. Voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage for the memory array and adjust the value of the supply voltage according to the control signal. A memory and an operation method of a supply generation circuit used for a memory array are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shi-Wen Chen, Hsin-Pang Lu, Chung-Cheng Tsai, Ya-Nan Mou
  • Patent number: 8724404
    Abstract: A supply voltage generation circuit includes a comparison unit, a voltage level control unit and a voltage regulator circuit. The comparison unit is configured to compare input data and output data of a memory array to each other and thereby generating a comparison result, wherein the output data are storage data stored in a plurality of memory units of the memory array processed by a program operation according to the input data, and the comparison result indicates the number of different bits existing between the output data and the input data. The voltage level control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the comparison result. The voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage for the memory array and adjust the value of the supply voltage according to the control signal. A memory and an operation method of a supply generation circuit used for a memory array are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shi-Wen Chen, Hsin-Pang Lu, Chung-Cheng Tsai, Ya-Nan Mou
  • Publication number: 20140104962
    Abstract: A supply voltage generation circuit includes a comparison unit, a voltage level control unit and a voltage regulator circuit. The comparison unit is configured to compare input data and output data of a memory array to each other and thereby generating a comparison result, wherein the output data are storage data stored in a plurality of memory units of the memory array processed by a program operation according to the input data, and the comparison result indicates the number of different bits existing between the output data and the input data. The voltage level control unit is configured to generate a control signal according to the comparison result. The voltage regulator circuit is configured to provide a supply voltage for the memory array and adjust the value of the supply voltage according to the control signal. A memory and an operation method of a supply generation circuit used for a memory array are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shi-Wen CHEN, Hsin-Pang LU, Chung-Cheng TSAI, Ya-Nan MOU
  • Publication number: 20100026380
    Abstract: A reference generating apparatus and a sampling apparatus thereof are provided. The coding module is configured to code and decode a first reference signal to retrieve a second reference signal with less power than generating the first reference signal. The second reference signal is identical to the first reference signal in amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: MEMOCOM CORP.
    Inventors: Isaac Y. Chen, Jin-Lung Kuo, Hsin Pang Lu
  • Patent number: 6967875
    Abstract: The memory system includes a plurality of memory cells that are arranged for forming a column, and the plurality of memory cells are coupled with a first bitline and a second bitline individually. Additionally, the memory system further includes a bitline conditioning circuit to perform the pre-charge procedure thereof; and that includes a plurality of wordlines. Furthermore, the memory system further includes a compensating-circuit to keep the voltage that is requirement for the access procedure, wherein the bitline conditioning circuit and the compensating-circuit couple to receive a pair of complemental signals so as to control the interaction between the pre-charge procedure and the compensation procedure from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Hao Chen, Hsin-Pang Lu