Patents by Inventor Nan-Chun Lien

Nan-Chun Lien 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: 11935581
    Abstract: A circuit module with reliable margin configuration, may include a main circuit, a first auxiliary circuit and a second auxiliary circuit. When the first auxiliary circuit is on, the second auxiliary circuit may be on or off according to whether a control signal is of a first level or a second level. When the first auxiliary circuit and the second auxiliary circuit are both on, the first auxiliary circuit and the second auxiliary circuit may jointly cause an operation parameter of the main circuit to be a first value. When the first auxiliary circuit is on and the second auxiliary circuit is off, the first auxiliary circuit may cause the operation parameter to be a second value. An operation margin of the main circuit may cover a range between the first value and the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: M31 TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Li-Wei Chu, Nan-Chun Lien
  • Publication number: 20230352060
    Abstract: A circuit module with improved line load, may comprise a first line, a first switch, a second line, a second switch and a second driver. The first switch may be on and off to conduct and stop conducting between the first line and a first node. The second switch may be on and off to conduct and stop conducting between the second line and the first node. The second driver, coupled to the second line, may be enabled to drive the second line according to a voltage of a second node, and may be disabled to stop driving the second line. The voltage of the second node may be controlled by a voltage of the first node. When the first switch is on, the second switch may be off. When the second switch is off, the second driver may be enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Nan-Chun LIEN, Li-Wei CHU, Ting-Wei CHANG
  • Publication number: 20230335188
    Abstract: A memory module with improved timing adaptivity of sensing amplification, comprises at least one sensing amplifier, a tracking word line, a tracking bit line and a pulse-width controller. The tracking word line comprises a front node and an end node. Each said sensing amplifier is enabled/disabled when an enabling signal is activated/deactivated. The pulse-width controller is coupled to the tracking bit line, the front node and the end node. When a voltage of the tracking bit line changes to a predetermined voltage, the pulse-width controller activates the enabling signal, and causes a voltage of the front node to change. When the voltage of the front node changes, the tracking word line causes a voltage of the end node to change after a first delay time. When the voltage of the end node changes, the pulse-width controller deactivates the enabling signal after a second delay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Po-Yu WU, Hao-I YANG, Nan-Chun LIEN
  • Patent number: 11742000
    Abstract: A circuit module with improved line load, may comprise a first line, a first switch, a second line, a second switch and a second driver. The first switch may be on and off to conduct and stop conducting between the first line and a first node. The second switch may be on and off to conduct and stop conducting between the second line and the first node. The second driver, coupled to the second line, may be enabled to drive the second line according to a voltage of a second node, and may be disabled to stop driving the second line. The voltage of the second node may be controlled by a voltage of the first node. When the first switch is on, the second switch may be off. When the second switch is off, the second driver may be enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: M31 TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nan-Chun Lien, Li-Wei Chu, Ting-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20230040348
    Abstract: A circuit module with improved line load, may comprise a first line, a first switch, a second line, a second switch and a second driver. The first switch may be on and off to conduct and stop conducting between the first line and a first node. The second switch may be on and off to conduct and stop conducting between the second line and the first node. The second driver, coupled to the second line, may be enabled to drive the second line according to a voltage of a second node, and may be disabled to stop driving the second line. The voltage of the second node may be controlled by a voltage of the first node. When the first switch is on, the second switch may be off. When the second switch is off, the second driver may be enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Nan-Chun LIEN, Li-Wei CHU, Ting-Wei CHANG
  • Publication number: 20220399052
    Abstract: A circuit module with reliable margin configuration, may include a main circuit, a first auxiliary circuit and a second auxiliary circuit. When the first auxiliary circuit is on, the second auxiliary circuit may be on or off according to whether a control signal is of a first level or a second level. When the first auxiliary circuit and the second auxiliary circuit are both on, the first auxiliary circuit and the second auxiliary circuit may jointly cause an operation parameter of the main circuit to be a first value. When the first auxiliary circuit is on and the second auxiliary circuit is off, the first auxiliary circuit may cause the operation parameter to be a second value. An operation margin of the main circuit may cover a range between the first value and the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Li-Wei CHU, Nan-Chun LIEN
  • Patent number: 10074418
    Abstract: A SRAM module and a writing control method of the SRAM module are disclosed. The writing control method of the SRAM module is applied to a SRAM module that includes a plurality of memory cells and a bit line. The method includes: providing a first voltage as a supply voltage of the plurality of memory cells during a data retention time; decreasing a first voltage level corresponding to the data retention time of the memory cells to a second voltage level by discharging the memory cells; and performing a write process to the memory cells through the bit line. The discharge time from the first voltage level to the second voltage level is related to the number of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: M31 Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nan-Chun Lien, David C. Yu
  • Patent number: 10014035
    Abstract: A control device includes: a dummy memory cell group; a transistor having a first terminal, a grounded second terminal and a control terminal; an adjustor providing a resistance between the dummy memory cell group and the first terminal of the transistor; an inverter generating, based on a voltage at the first terminal of the transistor, a sense start signal that is associated with switching of a sense amplifier circuit of a semiconductor memory device from a disabled state to an enabled state; and a controller generating, based on the sense start signal, a control signal for controlling the transistor such that switching of the transistor from conduction into non-conduction is associated with the sense start signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: M31 TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu-Fen Lin, Nan-Chun Lien
  • Publication number: 20180102165
    Abstract: A SRAM module and a writing control method of the SRAM module are disclosed. The writing control method of the SRAM module is applied to a SRAM module that includes a plurality of memory cells and a bit line. The method includes: providing a first voltage as a supply voltage of the plurality of memory cells during a data retention time; decreasing a first voltage level corresponding to the data retention time of the memory cells to a second voltage level by discharging the memory cells; and performing a write process to the memory cells through the bit line. The discharge time from the first voltage level to the second voltage level is related to the number of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: NAN-CHUN LIEN, DAVID C. YU
  • Publication number: 20180047431
    Abstract: A control device includes: a dummy memory cell group; a transistor having a first terminal, a grounded second terminal and a control terminal; an adjustor providing a resistance between the dummy memory cell group and the first terminal of the transistor; an inverter generating, based on a voltage at the first terminal of the transistor, a sense start signal that is associated with switching of a sense amplifier circuit of a semiconductor memory device from a disabled state to an enabled state; and a controller generating, based on the sense start signal, a control signal for controlling the transistor such that switching of the transistor from conduction into non-conduction is associated with the sense start signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Yu-Fen LIN, Nan-Chun LIEN
  • Patent number: 9870817
    Abstract: A SRAM module and a writing control method of the SRAM module are disclosed. The writing control method of the SRAM module is applied to a SRAM module that includes a plurality of memory cells and a bit line. The method includes: providing a first voltage as a supply voltage of the plurality of memory cells during a data retention time; decreasing a first voltage level corresponding to the data retention time of the memory cells to a second voltage level by discharging the memory cells; and performing a write process to the memory cells through the bit line. The discharge time from the first voltage level to the second voltage level is related to the number of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: M31 Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nan-Chun Lien, David C. Yu
  • Patent number: 9728250
    Abstract: A memory write tracking device is applied to a data write operation to at least a memory cell row. The memory write tracking device includes a dummy cell row, a variation sensor, a judging device and a word-line pulse generator. The dummy cell row includes a plurality of dummy memory cells for simulating the data write operation to the memory cell row. The variation sensor senses a set of circuit parameters for write ability of the memory cell row. The judging device determines a threshold number according to a change of the set of circuit parameters and sends an enabling signal when a threshold number of the dummy memory cells have been successfully written with the data. The word-line pulse generator determines a write cycle of the data write operation in response to the enabling signal. An associated memory write tracking method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: M31 Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Kuei Chung, Nan-Chun Lien
  • Publication number: 20170110183
    Abstract: A memory write tracking device is applied to a data write operation to at least a memory cell row. The memory write tracking device includes a dummy cell row, a variation sensor, a judging device and a word-line pulse generator. The dummy cell row includes a plurality of dummy memory cells for simulating the data write operation to the memory cell row. The variation sensor senses a set of circuit parameters for write ability of the memory cell row. The judging device determines a threshold number according to a change of the set of circuit parameters and sends an enabling signal when a threshold number of the dummy memory cells have been successfully written with the data. The word-line pulse generator determines a write cycle of the data write operation in response to the enabling signal. An associated memory write tracking method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Chao-Kuei CHUNG, Nan-Chun LIEN
  • Patent number: 9496014
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a random access memory and the memory access method thereof capable of avoiding read disturbance and increasing reading speed. An embodiment of the said random access memory comprises: a word line; a word line driving unit, coupled to the word line, operable to receive an access control signal to generate a word line enablement voltage; a voltage adjusting unit including a switch and a capacitor in which the switch is coupled to the word line and operable to receive a control signal to determine a conduction state of the switch itself and the capacitor is coupled to the switch and operable to adjust a voltage level of the word line enablement voltage according to the conduction state; and a memory unit, coupled to the word line, operable to be enabled according to the word line enablement voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: M31 Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Yu, Nan-Chun Lien
  • Publication number: 20160232955
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a random access memory and the memory access method thereof capable of avoiding read disturbance and increasing reading speed. An embodiment of the said random access memory comprises: a word line; a word line driving unit, coupled to the word line, operable to receive an access control signal to generate a word line enablement voltage; a voltage adjusting unit including a switch and a capacitor in which the switch is coupled to the word line and operable to receive a control signal to determine a conduction state of the switch itself and the capacitor is coupled to the switch and operable to adjust a voltage level of the word line enablement voltage according to the conduction state; and a memory unit, coupled to the word line, operable to be enabled according to the word line enablement voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID C. YU, NAN-CHUN LIEN
  • Publication number: 20160232965
    Abstract: A SRAM module and a writing control method of the SRAM module are disclosed. The writing control method of the SRAM module is applied to a SRAM module that includes a plurality of memory cells and a bit line. The method includes: providing a first voltage as a supply voltage of the plurality of memory cells during a data retention time; decreasing a first voltage level corresponding to the data retention time of the memory cells to a second voltage level by discharging the memory cells; and performing a write process to the memory cells through the bit line. The discharge time from the first voltage level to the second voltage level is related to the number of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: NAN-CHUN LIEN, DAVID C. YU
  • Patent number: 9378808
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation device for use in an N-ports random access memory having a plurality of word line sets, wherein a specified word line set comprises N port word lines. The pulse width modulation device comprises a status detecting device and a clock signal generator. The status detecting device is coupled to the N port word lines having a first and a second port word line, and outputs a first control signal when both the voltage values of the first and second port word lines are within a first level range. The clock signal generator is coupled to the status detecting device and the specified word line set, and generates and outputs a first clock signal to the specified word line set, wherein a duration of the first clock signal kept within the first level range is variable in response to the first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: M31 Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nan-Chun Lien, Chen-Wei Lin, Chao-Kuei Chung, Li-Wei Chu, Yuh-Jiun Lin, Yu-Wei Yeh, Wei-Chiang Shih
  • Patent number: 9336865
    Abstract: A multi-port SRAM module includes a cell array comprising a plurality of cells, each having a first port and a second port; a first word line which is coupled to a plurality of cells of a target row to open and close the first port; a second word line which is coupled to the cells of the target row to open and close the second port; and a switch, which is coupled to the first word line and the second word line and couples the second word line to a reference voltage level according to a voltage level of the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: M31 TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Li-Wei Chu, Nan-Chun Lien
  • Publication number: 20160111144
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation device for use in an N-ports random access memory having a plurality of word line sets, wherein a specified word line set comprises N port word lines. The pulse width modulation device comprises a status detecting device and a clock signal generator. The status detecting device is coupled to the N port word lines having a first and a second port word line, and outputs a first control signal when both the voltage values of the first and second port word lines are within a first level range. The clock signal generator is coupled to the status detecting device and the specified word line set, and generates and outputs a first clock signal to the specified word line set, wherein a duration of the first clock signal kept within the first level range is variable in response to the first control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Nan-Chun LIEN, Chen-Wei Lin, Chao-Kuei CHUNG, Li-Wei CHU, Yuh-Jiun LIN, Yu-Wei YEH, Wei-Chiang SHIH
  • Publication number: 20160104523
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) includes a voltage generator coupled to receive a positive power supply voltage, and to controllably generate a first power supply voltage, which is with a reduced level and is higher than a retention voltage during a specific period. A first inverter and a second inverter each is connected between the first power supply voltage and a second power supply voltage. The first inverter and the second inverter are cross-coupled, and the output nodes of the first inverter and the second inverter act as a bit node pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventor: Nan-Chun Lien