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).

  • Publication number: 20210020204
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20210005624
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Tamotsu Murakoshi, Deepak Thimmegowda
  • Patent number: 10879255
    Abstract: Various apparatuses, including three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and systems including the same, are described herein. In one embodiment, a 3D memory device can include at least two sources; at least two memory arrays respectively formed over and coupled to the at least two sources; and a source conductor electrically respectively coupled to the at least two sources using source contacts adjacent one or more edges of the source. Each of the at least two memory arrays can include memory cells, control gates, and data lines. There is no data line between an edge of a source and the source contacts adjacent the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10854293
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory include activating a respective memory cell of each string of series-connected memory cells of a plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells, selectively activating a target memory cell of a selected string of series-connected memory cells of the plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells depending upon its data state, and deactivating a respective memory cell of each string of series-connected memory cells of a first subset of the plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Han Zhao
  • Publication number: 20200357813
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10824336
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory include performing a memory access operation, obtaining an address corresponding to a subsequent memory access operation prior to stopping the memory access operation, stopping the memory access operation, sharing charge between access lines used for the memory access operation and access lines to be used for the subsequent memory access operation, and performing the subsequent memory access operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20200335170
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including a method that raises an electrical potential of a plurality of access lines to a raised electrical potential, where each access line is associated with a respective charge storage device of a string of charge storage devices. The electrical potential of a selected one of the access lines is lowered, and a data state of the charge storage device associated with the selected access line is sensed while the electrical potential of the selected access line is being lowered. Additional apparatus and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10796778
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell string including memory cells located in different levels of the apparatus and a data line coupled to the memory cell string. The memory cell string includes a pillar body associated with the memory cells. At least one of such apparatus can include a module configured to store information in a memory cell among memory cells and/or to determine a value of information stored in a memory cell among memory cells. The module can also be configured to apply a voltage having a positive value to the data line and/or a source to control a potential of the body. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Han Zhao, Akira Goda, Krishna K. Parat, Aurelio Giancarlo Mauri, Haitao Liu, Toru Tanzawa, Shigekazu Yamada, Koji Sakui
  • Publication number: 20200303379
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods including a memory array having alternating levels of semiconductor materials and dielectric material with strings of memory cells formed on the alternating levels. One such apparatus includes a memory array formed substantially within a cavity of a substrate. Peripheral circuitry can be formed adjacent to a surface of the substrate and adjacent to the memory array. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10784269
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10770470
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Tamotsu Murakoshi, Deepak Thimmegowda
  • Publication number: 20200265895
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory include activating a respective memory cell of each string of series-connected memory cells of a plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells, selectively activating a target memory cell of a selected string of series-connected memory cells of the plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells depending upon its data state, and deactivating a respective memory cell of each string of series-connected memory cells of a first subset of the plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Han Zhao
  • Patent number: 10748918
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20200259080
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory array region including a plurality of word lines formed linearly along a plane having a height (h1), a plurality of linear bit lines formed linearly along a plane having a height (h2) in a direction intersecting the plurality of word lines, and a plurality of memory cells provided between an intersection portion of each of the plurality of word lines with the plurality of bit lines and each of the plurality of bit lines, and a peripheral circuit region including a plurality of linear electrodes formed linearly along a plane having a height (h1), a plurality of linear electrodes formed linearly along a plane having the height (h2) in a direction intersecting the plurality of linear electrodes, and an insulators provided at least between the plurality of linear electrodes and the plurality of linear electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventor: Toru TANZAWA
  • Patent number: 10741259
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reducing capacitive loading are described. One apparatus includes a first memory string including first and second dummy memory cells, a second memory string including third and fourth dummy memory cells, and a control unit configured to provide first and second control signals to activate the first and second dummy memory cells of the first memory string and to further deactivate at least one of the third and fourth dummy memory cell of the second memory string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Aaron Yip
  • Patent number: 10734049
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods involving accessing distributed sub-blocks of memory cells are described. In one such method, distributed sub-blocks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed at the same time. Additional embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20200234781
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell string including memory cells located in different levels of the apparatus and a data line coupled to the memory cell string. The memory cell string includes a pillar body associated with the memory cells. At least one of such apparatus can include a module configured to store information in a memory cell among memory cells and/or to determine a value of information stored in a memory cell among memory cells. The module can also be configured to apply a voltage having a positive value to the data line and/or a source to control a potential of the body. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Han Zhao, Akira Goda, Krishna K. Parat, Aurelio Giancarlo Mauri, Haitao Liu, Toru Tanzawa, Shigekazu Yamada, Koji Sakui
  • Patent number: 10706895
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Publication number: 20200203377
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 10692870
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods including a memory array having alternating levels of semiconductor materials and dielectric material with strings of memory cells formed on the alternating levels. One such apparatus includes a memory array formed substantially within a cavity of a substrate. Peripheral circuitry can be formed adjacent to a surface of the substrate and adjacent to the memory array. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa