Patents by Inventor Wen-Tan Fan

Wen-Tan Fan 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: 6381670
    Abstract: A flash memory having over-erased cells eliminated and comprising adjustable erase and program conditions. The maximum and minimum threshold voltages of the cells are measured during the whole erase and program operations. The over-erased cells are shut down by applying a word line voltage lower than the minimum threshold voltage measured previously. Pre-program and repair operations for the over-erased cell are eliminated. Low read voltage is achieved. The erase and program conditions for the gate, source, drain voltage, width of a pulse, and number of pulses are adjustable in accordance with the threshold voltage to optimize the performance. A lookup table stores the relevant gate, source, drain voltage, width of a pulse, and number of pulses with respect to the threshold voltage for the adjustable conditions. The benefits achieved by the operation of the flash memory include high efficiency, long endurance, narrow threshold voltage distribution, low power consumption, and low process-sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wung Lee, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Fu-Chang Hsu, Wen-Tan Fan