Abstract: A random number processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a random number processing device generating random number data by using data read from memory cells, the memory cells having a property such that, in a variable state, in response to application of different electrical signals, a resistance value of each of the memory cells reversibly transitions between resistance value ranges and, when the resistance value falls within at least one resistance value range among the resistance value ranges, the resistance value changes as time passes, the random number processing device including a random number processing circuit that, in operation, generates first random number data from a combination of first resistance value information and second resistance value information about the resistance values of first and second memory cells among the memory cells which fall within the at least one resistance value range.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, each having a resistance value reversibly transitioning among resistance value ranges, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells, an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information, and a write circuit. In operation, the read circuit selectively assigns, based on the binary reference value, one of two values to each of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the write circuit performs a first write operation on a memory cell corresponding to one of the two values among the memory cells.

Abstract: A data generating device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells; a read circuit operative to obtain a plurality of resistance value information pieces from the plurality of memory cells; and a data generator circuit operative to set a condition on the basis of the plurality of resistance value information pieces, and generating data by allocating, on the basis of the condition, the plurality of resistance value information pieces into a plurality of sets which respectively correspond to a plurality of values constituting the data. Each of the plurality of memory cells has a characteristic where, when in a variable state, a resistance value thereof reversibly changes between a plurality of variable resistance value ranges in accordance with an electric stress applied.

Abstract: A random number processing apparatus includes a memory cell and a control circuitry. The memory cell has a characteristic in which a resistance value reversibly shifts between a plurality of resistance value ranges in accordance with an electric signal applied. The control circuitry generates random number data on the basis of a plurality of items of resistance value information obtained, at a plurality of different times, from the memory cell whose resistance value is in a certain resistance value range of the plurality of resistance value ranges. The resistance value of the memory cell randomly changes over time while the resistance value is within the certain resistance value range.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells, an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information, and a data adjustment circuit. In operation, the read circuit assigns, based on the binary reference value, 0 or 1 to each of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the data adjustment circuit determines whether to adjust the binary reference value, in accordance with a difference between the numbers of pieces of digital data “0” and digital data “1” in the pieces of digital data.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell; circuitry that generates a reference voltage; and a sense amplifier including a first input terminal electrically connected to the memory cell, and a second input terminal electrically connected to the circuitry. The sense amplifier obtains a value in correlation with a resistance value of the memory cell based on a comparison between a sense voltage applied to the first input terminal and the reference voltage applied to the second input terminal. The sense voltage changes at a speed in correlation with the resistance value of the memory cell. In at least part of a period during which the sense voltage changes, the circuitry causes the reference voltage to change in a direction opposite to a direction in which the sense voltage changes.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, each having a resistance value reversibly transitioning among resistance value ranges in a variable state in accordance with application of different electrical signals, a control circuit that, in operation, receives a control signal, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells in accordance with the control signal, and an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the read circuit selectively assigns, based on the binary reference value, one of two values to each of the pieces of resistance value information.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a memory array that includes non-volatile memory cells; a read circuit that, in operation, selects, from the memory array, non-volatile memory cells corresponding to one of resistance value ranges, and obtains pieces of resistance value information about resistance values of the selected non-volatile memory cells; a computation circuit that, in operation, calculates a binarization reference value by using the pieces of resistance value information; and an identification information generation circuit that, in operation, generates individual identification information. The read circuit, in operation, obtains first digital data in accordance with relationships between each of the pieces of resistance value information and the binarization reference value.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell; circuitry that generates a reference voltage; and a sense amplifier including a first input terminal electrically connected to the memory cell, and a second input terminal electrically connected to the circuitry. The sense amplifier obtains a value in correlation with a resistance value of the memory cell based on a comparison between a sense voltage applied to the first input terminal and the reference voltage applied to the second input terminal. The sense voltage changes at a speed in correlation with the resistance value of the memory cell. In at least part of a period during which the sense voltage changes, the circuitry causes the reference voltage to change in a direction opposite to a direction in which the sense voltage changes.

Abstract: A data recording method includes recording data in memory cells on the basis of whether each memory cell is in an initial state or a variable state. The recording step includes (A) applying a forming stress to a selected memory cell in the initial state, and (B) setting a resistance value of the selected memory cell to within a first resistance range by (b1) applying a first correction signal to the selected memory cell if the resistance value of the selected memory cell is greater than a first reference value, and (b2) applying a second correction signal to the selected memory cell if the resistance value of the selected memory cell is smaller than a second reference value.

Abstract: A variable resistance nonvolatile memory element writing method of, by applying a voltage pulse to a memory cell including a variable resistance element, reversibly changing the variable resistance element between a first resistance state and a second resistance state according to a polarity of the applied voltage pulse is provided. The variable resistance nonvolatile memory element writing method includes applying a first preliminary voltage pulse and subsequently applying the first voltage pulse to the variable resistance element to change the variable resistance element from the second resistance state to the first resistance state, the first preliminary voltage pulse being smaller in voltage absolute value than the second threshold voltage and different in polarity from the first voltage pulse.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells, an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information, and a data adjustment circuit. In operation, the read circuit assigns, based on the binary reference value, 0 or 1 to each of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the data adjustment circuit determines whether to adjust the binary reference value, in accordance with a difference between the numbers of pieces of digital data “0” and digital data “1” in the pieces of digital data.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, each having a resistance value reversibly transitioning among resistance value ranges in a variable state in accordance with application of different electrical signals, a control circuit that, in operation, receives a control signal, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells in accordance with the control signal, and an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the read circuit selectively assigns, based on the binary reference value, one of two values to each of the pieces of resistance value information.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including memory cells, each having a resistance value reversibly transitioning among resistance value ranges, a read circuit that, in operation, obtains pieces of resistance value information each relating to the resistance value of one of the memory cells, an arithmetic circuit that, in operation, calculates a binary reference value based on at least a part of the pieces of resistance value information, and a write circuit. In operation, the read circuit selectively assigns, based on the binary reference value, one of two values to each of the pieces of resistance value information. In operation, the write circuit performs a first write operation on a memory cell corresponding to one of the two values among the memory cells.

Abstract: In a method for writing into a variable resistance nonvolatile memory device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a verify write operation of newly applying a voltage pulse for changing a resistance state is performed on a variable resistance element which does not satisfy a determination condition for verifying that the resistance state has been changed despite application of a voltage pulse for changing the resistance state, and the determination condition in the verify write operation is relaxed when an average number of times of verify write operation, having already been performed on all or part of a plurality of variable resistance elements that are targets for write operation, exceeds a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: An encryption and recording apparatus storing data, the apparatus including: a first nonvolatile memory; a second nonvolatile memory; and an encryption and decryption control unit, wherein the encryption and decryption control unit: manages an area included in the second nonvolatile memory on a per-block basis, and manages association between a block and a block-unique key using key management information stored in the first nonvolatile memory; receives the data and corresponding information associated with the data; encrypts the data, using one or more block-unique keys associated with one or more blocks included in the second nonvolatile memory and writes the data to the one or more blocks; and stores the corresponding information into the key management information, associating the corresponding information and the one or more block-unique keys.

Abstract: A data recording method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes recording data in memory cells on the basis of whether each memory cell is in an initial state or a variable state. The recording step includes (A) applying a forming stress to a selected memory cell in the initial state, and (B) setting a resistance value of the selected memory cell to within a first resistance range by (b1) applying a first correction signal to the selected memory cell if the resistance value of the selected memory cell is greater than a first reference value, and (b2) applying a second correction signal to the selected memory cell if the resistance value of the selected memory cell is smaller than a second reference value.

Abstract: A write method for writing to a variable resistance nonvolatile memory element, comprising applying a set of strong recovery-voltage pulses at least once to the variable resistance nonvolatile memory element when it is determined that the resistance state of the variable resistance nonvolatile memory element fails to change to a second resistance state, remaining in a first resistance state, the set of strong recovery-voltage pulses including pulses: (1) a first strong recovery-voltage pulse which has a greater amplitude than a normal second voltage for changing the resistance state to the first resistance state, and has the same polarity as the second voltage; and (2) a second strong recovery-voltage pulse which follows the first strong recovery-voltage pulse and has a longer pulse width than the pulse width of the normal first voltage for changing the resistance state to the second resistance state, and has the same polarity as the first voltage.

Abstract: A data generating device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells; a read circuit operative to obtain a plurality of resistance value information pieces from the plurality of memory cells; and a data generator circuit operative to set a condition on the basis of the plurality of resistance value information pieces, and generating data by allocating, on the basis of the condition, the plurality of resistance value information pieces into a plurality of sets which respectively correspond to a plurality of values constituting the data. Each of the plurality of memory cells has a characteristic where, when in a variable state, a resistance value thereof reversibly changes between a plurality of variable resistance value ranges in accordance with an electric stress applied.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device including a control unit configured to read resistance value information for each of memory cells as initial resistance value information and store it temporarily before a voltage pulse for forming is applied, to set resistance value information as a threshold value serving as a target for completion of the forming, the resistance value information being obtained by multiplying the initial resistance value information by a predetermined coefficient, and to repeat application of the voltage pulse for forming and reading of the resistance value information until a resistance value indicated by the resistance value information on the memory cell becomes lower than a resistance value indicated by the threshold value.