Patents by Inventor Jae-woo Im

Jae-woo Im 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: 7925820
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a program method are provided in an embodiment. Data is scanned to search data bits to be selectively programmed. The searched data bits are simultaneously programmed according to a predetermined number. Since data scanning and programming are conducted using a pipeline processing, an average time required for programming data is effectively shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20110019472
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a programming method thereof are provided. The programming method includes first programming a cell among a plurality of adjacent memory cells to the highest threshold voltage distribution corresponding to a data state, and subsequently programming the other adjacent cells to the lower threshold voltage distributions corresponding to second and third data states. The second data state and the third data state may have the second highest threshold voltage distribution and the third highest threshold voltage distribution, respectively, or the third highest threshold voltage distribution and the second highest threshold voltage distribution, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Patent number: 7843722
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a programming method thereof are provided. The programming method includes first programming a cell among a plurality of adjacent memory cells to the highest threshold voltage distribution corresponding to a data state, and subsequently programming the other adjacent cells to the lower threshold voltage distributions corresponding to second and third data states. The second data state and the third data state may have the second highest threshold voltage distribution and the third highest threshold voltage distribution, respectively, or the third highest threshold voltage distribution and the second highest threshold voltage distribution, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Patent number: 7742341
    Abstract: A NOR flash memory device and related programming method are disclosed. The programming method includes programming data in a memory cell and, during a program verification operation, controlling the supply of current from a sense amplifier to the memory cell in relation to the value of the programmed data. Wherein a program verification operation is indicated, current is provided from the sense amplifier to the memory cell. Where a program verification operation is not indicated, current is cut off from the sense amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Geun Kim, Heung-Soo Lim, Jae-Woo Im
  • Patent number: 7580322
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device is programmed by selectively scanning input data bits to detect data bits to be programmed, and programming the detected data bits. The detected data bits may be programmed in predetermined units. The input data bits may be selectively scanned by combining input data bits in groups, thereby generating combinational information, and generating address information in response to the combinational information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20090185418
    Abstract: Provided is a flash memory device including a wordline voltage generating unit, a switch unit, a row decoder and a control circuit. The wordline voltage generating unit generates at least one wordline voltage for read operations of a multi-level cell in the flash memory device. The switch unit receives the at least one wordline voltage and an initialization voltage, and selectively outputs the at least one wordline voltage and the initialization voltage through a switching operation. The row decoder operates the wordline of the multi-level cell based on an output of the switch unit. The control circuit provides at least one control signal to the switch unit, which outputs the initialization voltage in at least one section of the read operation in response to the at least one control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae-woo IM
  • Publication number: 20090052253
    Abstract: Provided is a device and method for reducing a fluctuation of a read voltage generated during a read while write (RWW) operation. A semiconductor memory device may include a write voltage generator configured to generate a write voltage to perform the write operation to at least one of a plurality of banks where the write voltage generator generates the write voltage to have a voltage level of a read voltage before the write operation changes to a read operation. The semiconductor device may also include a read voltage generator configured to generate a read voltage to perform the read operation to at least one of the other plurality of banks and/or a plurality of switches configured to switch a voltage applied to at least one of the banks to one of the write voltage and the read voltage in response to a plurality of control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Jae-woo Im
  • Publication number: 20080310227
    Abstract: A NOR flash memory device and related programming method are disclosed. The programming method includes programming data in a memory cell and, during a program verification operation, controlling the supply of current from a sense amplifier to the memory cell in relation to the value of the programmed data. Wherein a program verification operation is indicated, current is provided from the sense amplifier to the memory cell. Where a program verification operation is not indicated, current is cut off from the sense amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Geun KIM, Heung-Soo LIM, Jae-Woo IM
  • Patent number: 7426143
    Abstract: A NOR flash memory device and related programming method are disclosed. The programming method includes programming data in a memory cell and, during a program verification operation, controlling the supply of current from a sense amplifier to the memory cell in relation to the value of the programmed data. Wherein a program verification operation is indicated, current is provided from the sense amplifier to the memory cell. Where a program verification operation is not indicated, current is cut off from the sense amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Geun Kim, Heung-Soo Lim, Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20080175047
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a programming method thereof are provided. The programming method includes first programming a cell among a plurality of adjacent memory cells to the highest threshold voltage distribution corresponding to a data state, and subsequently programming the other adjacent cells to the lower threshold voltage distributions corresponding to second and third data states. The second data state and the third data state may have the second highest threshold voltage distribution and the third highest threshold voltage distribution, respectively, or the third highest threshold voltage distribution and the second highest threshold voltage distribution, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Patent number: 7286399
    Abstract: A flash memory device can include a bank including normal memory cells and redundant memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. A read redundancy circuit is configured to generate read repair information in response to read address information during a read operation. A write redundancy circuit is configured to generate write repair information in response to write address information during a write operation. A write driver circuit is configured to drive normal and/or redundant memory cells with data bits to be written in response to the write repair information. A sense amplifier circuit is configured to sense and amplify data bits from normal memory cells and a data bit from a redundant memory cell in the bank and to replace one of the sensed data bits from the normal memory cells with the sensed data bit read from the redundant memory cell in response to the read repair information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-woo Im, Young-ho Lim
  • Publication number: 20070147133
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a program method are provided in an embodiment. Data is scanned to search data bits to be selectively programmed. The searched data bits are simultaneously programmed according to a predetermined number. Since data scanning and programming are conducted using a pipeline processing, an average time required for programming data is effectively shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae-Woo IM
  • Patent number: 7190619
    Abstract: A circuit for indicating termination of scan of bits to be programmed in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a counting unit, a set bit number provision unit and a comparison unit. The counting unit counts the predetermined number of bits to be programmed, and provides a group of counting bit signals indicating the number of bits to be programmed. The set bit number provision unit provides a group of set bit signals indicating the number of set bits. The number of set bits can be externally controlled. The comparison unit compares the group of counting bit signals with the group of set bit signals and ultimately provides a scan termination signal used to control programming for the memory array. The logic level of the scan termination signal is changed when the number of bits to be programmed attains the number of set bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20070025158
    Abstract: A NOR flash memory device and related programming method are disclosed. The programming method includes programming data in a memory cell and, during a program verification operation, controlling the supply of current from a sense amplifier to the memory cell in relation to the value of the programmed data. Wherein a program verification operation is indicated, current is provided from the sense amplifier to the memory cell. Where a program verification operation is not indicated, current is cut off from the sense amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Bo-Geun Kim, Heung-Soo Lim, Jae-Woo Im
  • Patent number: 7161839
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a program method thereof are provided. Data is scanned to search data bits to be practically programmed. The searched data bits are simultaneously programmed as many times as a predetermined number. Since data scanning and programming are conducted using a pipeline processing, an average time required for programming data is effectively shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20060109714
    Abstract: A circuit for indicating termination of scan of bits to be programmed in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a counting unit, a set bit number provision unit and a comparison unit. The counting unit counts the predetermined number of bits to be programmed, and provides a group of counting bit signals indicating the number of bits to be programmed. The set bit number provision unit provides a group of set bit signals indicating the number of set bits. The number of set bits can be externally controlled. The comparison unit compares the group of counting bit signals with the group of set bit signals and ultimately provides a scan termination signal used to control programming for the memory array. The logic level of the scan termination signal is changed when the number of bits to be programmed attains the number of set bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20060077720
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device is programmed by selectively scanning input data bits to detect data bits to be programmed, and programming the detected data bits. The detected data bits may be programmed in predetermined units. The input data bits may be selectively scanned by combining input data bits in groups, thereby generating combinational information, and generating address information in response to the combinational information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20060067131
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a program method thereof are provided. Data is scanned to search data bits to be practically programmed. The searched data bits are simultaneously programmed as many times as a predetermined number. Since data scanning and programming are conducted using a pipeline processing, an average time required for programming data is effectively shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventor: Jae-Woo Im
  • Publication number: 20050219898
    Abstract: A flash memory device can include a bank including normal memory cells and redundant memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns. A read redundancy circuit is configured to generate read repair information in response to read address information during a read operation. A write redundancy circuit is configured to generate write repair information in response to write address information during a write operation. A write driver circuit is configured to drive normal and/or redundant memory cells with data bits to be written in response to the write repair information. A sense amplifier circuit is configured to sense and amplify data bits from normal memory cells and a data bit from a redundant memory cell in the bank and to replace one of the sensed data bits from the normal memory cells with the sensed data bit read from the redundant memory cell in response to the read repair information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Jae-woo Im, Young-bo Lim
  • Patent number: 6914814
    Abstract: A flash memory device can include a first redundancy circuit configured to provide read repair information for read operations to the flash memory. The flash memory device can also include a second redundancy circuit, separate from the first redundancy circuit, configured to provide write repair information for write operations to the flash memory. The flash memory device can include a dedicated-read operation redundancy circuit configured to provide read repair information and a dedicated-write operation redundancy circuit configured to provide write repair information. The flash memory device can include also include a first redundancy circuit configured to store an address of a defective memory cell in the flash memory and a second redundancy circuit, separate from the first redundancy circuit, configured to store the address of the defective memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-woo Im, Young-ho Lim