Patents by Inventor Toru Tanzawa
Toru Tanzawa 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).
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Patent number: 11978529Abstract: A memory circuit includes: a memory array unit including a plurality of memory cells-MG and a word line for connecting the plurality of memory cells-MG to each other and applying a drive voltage for driving the memory cells; a drive voltage control unit that generates a drive voltage in which a pre-pulse is set at a timing corresponding to the rising or falling of a voltage signal that changes by a predetermined voltage value in a stepwise manner, applies the drive voltage to a terminal of the word line, and performs control to variably set the time width or the peak value of the pre-pulse in the drive voltage based on address information designating the memory cell at an access destination received from the outside; and a sense amplifier unit that accesses the memory cell-MG designated by the address information.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: National University Corporation Shizuoka UniversityInventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20240113549Abstract: A power supply device includes a power generation element that converts external energy into electrical energy and outputs the electrical energy as a voltage (VEH), a secondary battery that is connected in series with the power generation element and outputs a voltage (VBAT), and a power conversion unit that receives the voltage (VEH) and the voltage (VBAT) and outputs power (POUT) to a load circuit. The power conversion unit includes a voltage conversion unit connected in series with the power generation element and the secondary battery, a power storage unit connected to the voltage conversion unit, an output terminal for connecting the power storage unit to the load circuit, and an output terminal for connecting the power storage unit to the secondary battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2020Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Toru TANZAWA, Hideki UCHIDA
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Patent number: 11887675Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a memory device having a memory array including a plurality of access lines and data lines. The memory device further includes a circuit coupled to the plurality of access lines and configured to provide consecutive pulses to a selected one of the plurality of access lines. Each pulse of the consecutive pulses includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is greater in magnitude than the second voltage, and the first voltage is applied for a shorter duration than the second voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Patent number: 11735264Abstract: A NAND flash memory according to an embodiment includes a memory array, a detection circuit, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is a circuit for driving a plurality of linearly arranged memory cells through a linear word line connected to the plurality of memory cells. The drive circuit has a function of generating a drive voltage in which a pre-pulse having a predetermined amplitude value is set at a timing corresponding to rising of a voltage signal, which rises stepwise by a voltage value, and applying the drive voltage to the word line and a function of detecting a voltage value at a predetermined position of the word line and setting a time width of the pre-pulse according to the detected voltage value.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Kazuki Matsuyama
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Patent number: 11710525Abstract: Apparatus might include an array of memory cells and a controller to perform access operations on the array of memory cells. The controller might be configured to establish a negative potential in a body of a memory cell of the array of memory cells, and initiate a sensing operation on the memory cell while the body of the memory cell has the negative potential. Apparatus might further include an array of memory cells, a timer, and a controller to perform access operations on the array of memory cells. The controller might be configured to advance the timer, and establish a negative potential in a body of a memory cell of the array of memory cells in response to a value of the timer having a desired value.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Koji Sakui, Mark Hawes, Toru Tanzawa, Jeremy Binfet
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Patent number: 11698725Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing concurrent memory access operations for multiple memory planes are disclosed herein. An example method may include receiving first and second command and address pairs associated with first and second plane, respectively, of a memory. The method may further include, responsive to receiving the first and second command and address pairs, providing a first and second read voltages based on first and second page type determined from the first and second command and address pair. The method may further include configuring a first GAL decoder circuit to provide one of the first read voltage or a pass voltage on each GAL of a first GAL bus. The method may further include configuring a second GAL decoder circuit to provide one of the second read level voltage signal or the pass voltage signal on each GAL of a second GAL bus coupled to the second memory plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Shantanu R. Rajwade, Pranav Kalavade, Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20230170005Abstract: A memory circuit includes: a memory array unit including a plurality of memory cells and a word line for connecting the plurality of memory cells to each other and applying a drive voltage for driving the memory cells; a drive voltage control unit that generates a drive voltage in which a pre-pulse is set at a timing corresponding to the rising or falling of a voltage signal that changes by a predetermined voltage value in a stepwise manner, applies the drive voltage to a terminal of the word line, and performs control to variably set the time width or the peak value of the pre-pulse in the drive voltage based on address information designating the memory cell at an access destination received from the outside; and a sense amplifier unit that accesses the memory cell designated by the address information.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventor: Toru TANZAWA
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Patent number: 11658633Abstract: An adjustment circuit is connected between a power generation circuit that converts environmental energy into electric power and a power conversion circuit that converts the electric power generated by the power generation circuit into a desired form. The adjustment circuit includes a first circuit unit and a second circuit unit. The first circuit unit is configured to have an input connected to the power generation circuit and an output connected to the power conversion circuit. The second circuit unit is configured to have a connection point connected to the first circuit unit, a grounding point connected to a grounding electric potential, and a capacitor connected between the connection point and the grounding point. A magnitude of output resistance included in the second circuit unit is smaller than a magnitude of output resistance included in the power generation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Patent number: 11653497Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including an apparatus that includes a number of tiers of a first semiconductor material, each tier including at least one access line of at least one memory cell and at least one source, channel and/or drain of at least one peripheral transistor, such as one used in an access line decoder circuit or a data line multiplexing circuit. The apparatus can also include a number of pillars of a second semiconductor material extending through the tiers of the first semiconductor material, each pillar including either a source, channel and/or drain of at least one of the memory cells, or a gate of at least one of the peripheral transistors. Methods of forming such apparatus are also described, along with other embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Patent number: 11600631Abstract: A semiconductor device structure comprises stacked tiers each comprising a conductive structure and an insulating structure longitudinally adjacent the at least one conductive structure, at least one staircase structure having steps comprising lateral ends of the stacked tiers, and an opening laterally adjacent a first side of the at least one staircase structure and extending through the stacked tiers and continuously across an entire length of the at least one staircase structure. Conductive structures of the stacked tiers laterally extend from the steps of the at least one staircase structure completely across a second side of the at least one staircase structure opposing the first side to form continuous conductive paths laterally extending completely across the stacked tiers. Additional semiconductor device structures, methods of forming semiconductor device structures, and electronic systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20230015491Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a memory device having a memory array including a plurality of access lines and data lines. The memory device further includes a circuit coupled to the plurality of access lines and configured to provide consecutive pulses to a selected one of the plurality of access lines. Each pulse of the consecutive pulses includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is greater in magnitude than the second voltage, and the first voltage is applied for a shorter duration than the second voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20230015591Abstract: Methods of forming a transistor might include removing portions of a semiconductor to define a semiconductor fin having an upper portion having an uppermost surface at a first level and extending from the first level to a second level, and a lower portion, wider than the upper portion, having an uppermost surface at the second level and extending from the second level to a third level; forming first and second isolation regions at the third level and adjacent the lower portion of the semiconductor fin; forming a first dielectric overlying portions of the semiconductor that are lower than a level between the first level and the second level; forming a second dielectric overlying an exposed portion of the upper portion of the semiconductor fin; forming a conductor overlying the second dielectric; and forming first and second source/drains in the lower portion of the semiconductor fin at the second level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20220359554Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a substrate, a memory cell string including a body, a select gate located in a level of the apparatus and along a portion of the body, and control gates located in other levels of the apparatus and along other respective portions of the body. At least one of such apparatuses includes a conductive connection coupling the select gate or one of the control gates to a component (e.g., transistor) in the substrate. The connection can include a portion going through a portion of at least one of the control gates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Tamotsu Murakoshi, Deepak Thimmegowda
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Patent number: 11462629Abstract: Transistors might include first and second semiconductor fins, a first source/drain region in the first semiconductor fin and extending downward from an uppermost surface of the first semiconductor fin, a second source/drain region in the second semiconductor fin and extending downward from an uppermost surface of the second semiconductor fin, a dielectric between the first and second semiconductor fins and adjacent to sidewalls of the first and second semiconductor fins, and a control gate over the dielectric and between the first and second semiconductor fins and extending to a level below upper surfaces of the first and second source/drain regions.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Patent number: 11462277Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include a memory device having a memory array including a plurality of access lines and data lines. The memory device further includes a circuit coupled to the plurality of access lines and configured to provide consecutive pulses to a selected one of the plurality of access lines. Each pulse of the consecutive pulses includes a first voltage and a second voltage. The first voltage is greater in magnitude than the second voltage, and the first voltage is applied for a shorter duration than the second voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20220277777Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for interconnections for 3D memory are provided. One example apparatus can include a stack of materials including a plurality of pairs of materials, each pair of materials including a conductive line formed over an insulation material. The stack of materials has a stair step structure formed at one edge extending in a first direction. Each stair step includes one of the pairs of materials. A first interconnection is coupled to the conductive line of a stair step, the first interconnection extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to a first surface of the stair step.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Patent number: 11417671Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of using such apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a semiconductor material, a pillar extending through the semiconductor material, a select gate located along a first portion of the pillar, memory cells located along a second portion of the pillar, and transistors coupled to the select gate through a portion of the semiconductor material. The transistors include sources and drains formed from portions of the semiconductor material. The transistors include gates that are electrically uncoupled to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Patent number: 11398489Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a substrate, a memory cell string including a body, a select gate located in a level of the apparatus and along a portion of the body, and control gates located in other levels of the apparatus and along other respective portions of the body. At least one of such apparatuses includes a conductive connection coupling the select gate or one of the control gates to a component (e.g., transistor) in the substrate. The connection can include a portion going through a portion of at least one of the control gates.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Tamotsu Murakoshi, Deepak Thimmegowda
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Patent number: 11347401Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses, and methods of forming and operating the apparatuses. Some of the apparatuses include a conductive line, non-volatile memory cells of a first memory cell type, the non-volatile memory cells coupled in series among each other, and an additional non-volatile memory cell of a second memory cell type coupled to the conductive line and coupled in series with the non-volatile memory cells of the first memory cell type. The second memory cell type is different from the first memory cell type.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
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Publication number: 20220155958Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing concurrent memory access operations for multiple memory planes are disclosed herein. An example method may include receiving first and second command and address pairs associated with first and second plane, respectively, of a memory. The method may further include, responsive to receiving the first and second command and address pairs, providing a first and second read voltages based on first and second page type determined from the first and second command and address pair. The method may further include configuring a first GAL decoder circuit to provide one of the first read voltage or a pass voltage on each GAL of a first GAL bus. The method may further include configuring a second GAL decoder circuit to provide one of the second read level voltage signal or the pass voltage signal on each GAL of a second GAL bus coupled to the second memory plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Shantanu R. Rajwade, Pranav Kalavade, Toru Tanzawa