Patents Assigned to ZENO Semiconductor, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9960166
    Abstract: Methods of operating semiconductor memory devices with floating body transistors, using a silicon controlled rectifier principle are provided, as are semiconductor memory devices for performing such operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9947387
    Abstract: Methods, devices, arrays and systems for reducing standby power for a floating body memory array. One method includes counting bits of data before data enters the array, wherein the counting includes counting at least one of: a total number of bits at state 1 and a total number of all bits; a total number of bits at state 0 and the total number of all bits; or the total number of bits at state 1 and the total number of bits at state 0. This method further includes detecting whether the total number of bits at state 1 is greater than the total number of bits at state 0; setting an inversion bit when the total number of bits at state 1 is greater than the total number of bits at state 0; and inverting contents of all the bits of data before writing the bits of data to the memory array when the inversion bit has been set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Louie, Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Publication number: 20180096721
    Abstract: A floating body SRAM cell that is readily scalable for selection by a memory compiler for making memory arrays is provided. A method of selecting a floating body SRAM cell by a memory compiler for use in array design is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Louie, Yuniarto Widjaja, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 9928910
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another; and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9922711
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell including a capacitorless transistor having a floating body configured to store data as charge therein when power is applied to the cell, and a non-volatile memory comprising a bipolar resistive change element, and methods of operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9922981
    Abstract: An integrated circuit including a link or string of semiconductor memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a floating body region for storing data. The link or string includes at least one contact configured to electrically connect the memory cells to at least one control line, and the number of contacts in the string or link is the same as or less than the number of memory cells in the string or link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9905564
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductors, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuniarto Widjaja, Jin-Woo Han, Benjamin S. Louie
  • Patent number: 9893067
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuniarto Widjaja, Jin-Woo Han, Benjamin S. Louie
  • Patent number: 9881667
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, an electrically floating body transistor fabricated on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, and a charge injector region. The floating body transistor is configured to have more than one stable state through an application of a bias on the charge injector region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Han, Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9865332
    Abstract: A floating body SRAM cell that is readily scalable for selection by a memory compiler for making memory arrays is provided. A method of selecting a floating body SRAM cell by a memory compiler for use in array design is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Louie, Yuniarto Widjaja, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 9847131
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell and arrays of memory cells are provided In at least one embodiment, a memory cell includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate having a first conductivity type selected from a p-type conductivity type and an n-type conductivity type; a first region having a second conductivity type selected from the p-type and n-type conductivity types, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type, the first region being formed in the substrate and exposed at the top surface; a second region having the second conductivity type, the second region being formed in the substrate, spaced apart from the first region and exposed at the top surface; a buried layer in the substrate below the first and second regions, spaced apart from the first and second regions and having the second conductivity type; a body region formed between the first and second regions and the buried layer, the body region having the first conductivity type; a gate positioned between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9831247
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell comprising an electrically floating body. A method of operating the memory cell is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Han, Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9812203
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory is provided wherein a memory cell includes a capacitorless transistor having a floating body configured to store data as charge therein when power is applied to the cell. The cell further includes a nonvolatile memory comprising a resistance change element configured to store data stored in the floating body under any one of a plurality of predetermined conditions. A method of operating semiconductor memory to function as volatile memory, while having the ability to retain stored data when power is discontinued to the semiconductor memory is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9812456
    Abstract: Multi-port semiconductor memory cells including a common floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a memory state of the memory cell. The multi-port semiconductor memory cells include a plurality of gates and conductive regions interfacing with said floating body region. Arrays of memory cells and method of operating said memory arrays are disclosed for making a memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9799392
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory instance is provided that includes an array of memory cells. The array includes a plurality of semiconductor memory cells arranged in at least one column and at least one row. Each of the semiconductor memory cells includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell. Further includes are a plurality of buried well regions, wherein each of the buried well regions can be individually selected, and a decoder circuit to select at least one of the buried well regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Han, Neal Berger, Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9793277
    Abstract: Methods of maintaining a state of a memory cell without interrupting access to the memory cell are provided, including applying a back bias to the cell to offset charge leakage out of a floating body of the cell, wherein a charge level of the floating body indicates a state of the memory cell; and accessing the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuniarto Widjaja, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 9761589
    Abstract: Methods of operating semiconductor memory devices with floating body transistors, using a silicon controlled rectifier principle are provided, as are semiconductor memory devices for performing such operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9761311
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation. A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of memory cells each having a floating body for storing, reading and writing data as volatile memory. The device includes a floating gate or trapping layer for storing data as non-volatile memory, the device operating as volatile memory when power is applied to the device, and the device storing data from the volatile memory as non-volatile memory when power to the device is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9747983
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell; a first region in electrical contact with said floating body region; a second region in electrical contact with said floating body region and spaced apart from said first region; and a gate positioned between said first and second regions. The cell may be a multi-level cell. Arrays of memory cells are disclosed for making a memory device. Methods of operating memory cells are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 9715932
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell and arrays of memory cells are provided In at least one embodiment, a memory cell includes a substrate having a top surface, the substrate having a first conductivity type selected from a p-type conductivity type and an n-type conductivity type; a first region having a second conductivity type selected from the p-type and n-type conductivity types, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type, the first region being formed in the substrate and exposed at the top surface; a second region having the second conductivity type, the second region being formed in the substrate, spaced apart from the first region and exposed at the top surface; a buried layer in the substrate below the first and second regions, spaced apart from the first and second regions and having the second conductivity type; a body region formed between the first and second regions and the buried layer, the body region having the first conductivity type; a gate positioned between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Zeno Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja