Patents Examined by Douglas King
  • Patent number: 12380930
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thin film transistors and related fabrication techniques are described. The thin film transistors may access two or more decks of memory cells disposed in a cross-point architecture. The fabrication techniques may use one or more patterns of vias formed at a top layer of a composite stack, which may facilitate building the thin film transistors within the composite stack while using a reduced number of processing steps. Different configurations of the thin film transistors may be built using the fabrication techniques by utilizing different groups of the vias. Further, circuits and components of a memory device (e.g., decoder circuitry, interconnects between aspects of one or more memory arrays) may be constructed using the thin film transistors as described herein along with related via-based fabrication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hernan A. Castro, Stephen W. Russell, Stephen H. Tang
  • Patent number: 12374400
    Abstract: A memory device includes: a memory cell array including a cell string including a plurality of memory cells respectively connected between a common source line and a plurality of bit lines; a peripheral circuit for performing an internal operation on the memory cells; and control logic for controlling the peripheral circuit to apply a voltage necessary for the internal operation to word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells. The peripheral circuit includes a pass voltage information generator for generating pass voltage information including a number of clocks input from a time at which a pass voltage is applied to the word lines to a time at which a voltage level of the common source line reaches a predetermined reference level. The control logic includes a pass voltage determiner for determining a pass voltage to be applied to the word lines, based on the pass voltage information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yeong Jo Mun
  • Patent number: 12376313
    Abstract: A method includes: providing a modulation circuit and a driving circuit, the modulation circuit configured to generate a temperature-dependent voltage and provide the same to the driving circuit; determined an operation mode of a memory array; providing a first current corresponding to a positive temperature coefficient by the driving circuit in response to the operation mode being a read operation on the memory array; and providing a second current corresponding to a negative temperature coefficient by the driving circuit in response to the operation mode being a write operation on the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Hung-Chang Yu
  • Patent number: 12362007
    Abstract: Technology is disclosed for controlling reads in a memory device supporting different types of reads having different performance times (e.g., a relatively fast read such as a globally-referenced read and a slower read such as a self-referenced read). The data out latencies of the different read types may be different to accommodate the different performance times. The memory controller may mix the different types of reads. The memory controller tracks expected usage of the data bus and schedules read commands accordingly to avoid data collisions. A countdown timer may be used to track the earliest clock cycle at which the memory device may return data for a new read command to be issued. The memory controller may record what clock cycles the data bus is projected to be occupied with data and schedule read commands based on the projected data bus occupancy to avoid data collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rasmus Madsen, Lunkai Zhang, Martin Lueker-Boden
  • Patent number: 12362000
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including at least one bit cell, a pair of transistors, and a voltage generation circuit. The voltage generation circuit is coupled to the negative voltage line and is configured to pull down a voltage of at least one of the pair of data lines to a negative voltage level through the negative voltage line. The voltage generation circuit includes a first capacitive unit, a second capacitive unit, and a switch circuit. The first capacitive unit includes a first capacitor. The second capacitive unit includes a second capacitor. The switch circuit is configured to connect the first capacitor, the second capacitor, or the combination thereof to the negative voltage line in response to a first kick signal and a second kick signal that are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignees: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., TSMC Nanjing Company Limited
    Inventors: Jun-Cheng Liu, Zhi-Min Zhu, Chien-Yu Huang, Ching-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 12354682
    Abstract: The memory device includes a memory block with memory cells arranged in word lines and control circuitry that is configured to program the memory cells in a selected word line to respective programmed data states in program loops, which each include verify operations. The control circuitry is further configured to lock out any of the memory cells in the selected word line memory cell from subsequent program pulses and verify operations in response to that memory cell passing verify for its respective programmed data state. For a selected programmed data state, the control circuitry is further configured to re-verify all of the memory cells in the selected word line that are being programmed to the selected programmed data state and release all memory cells that were locked out but fail re-verify in order to allow any memory cells that mistakenly passed verify to be programmed further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijith Prakash, Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 12347475
    Abstract: A method of operating a voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device is disclosed. The MTJ device is switchable between a first resistance state and a second resistance state. A first threshold voltage for switching the MTJ device from the second resistance state to the first resistance state is lower than a second threshold voltage for switching the MTJ device from the first resistance state to the second resistance state. The method includes applying a first voltage pulse across the MTJ device with an amplitude having an absolute value equal to or greater than the first threshold voltage and lower than the second threshold voltage, thereby setting the MTJ device to the first resistance state regardless of whether the MTJ device initially is in the first or second resistance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignees: IMEC vzw, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Woojin Kim, Yueh Chang Wu, Stefan Cosemans, Gouri Sankar Kar
  • Patent number: 12347516
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a random access memory and a sense-amplifying (SA) compensation circuit thereof. The SA compensation circuit includes: a SA module, connected between a target bit line and a complementary bit line, and connected to SA voltage lines; an offset cancellation module, connected between the target bit line and the SA module and connected between the complementary bit line and the SA module; and a drive module, configured to be connected to the SA voltage line and configured to drive the SA voltage line in the offset cancellation stage and a sensing stage; wherein, the drive module is adjustable and is configured to drive the SA voltage line in an adjustable manner during the offset cancellation stage, to adjust driving capabilities of the SA voltage line to perform the offset cancellation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Miao Xie, Shaoxu Jia
  • Patent number: 12340837
    Abstract: A static random-access memory (SRAM) cell includes a first inverter and a second inverter being cross-coupled; a first access transistor that accesses an output of the first inverter under control of a word line; a second access transistor that accesses an output of the second inverter under control of the word line; a first passage transistor that passes a common-mode voltage, controlled by the output of the first inverter; a second passage transistor that passes an input signal, controlled by the output of the second inverter; and a capacitor switchably coupled to receive the common-mode voltage and the input signal through the first passage transistor and the second passage transistor respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignees: NCKU Research and Development Foundation, Himax Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Wei-Li He, Soon-Jyh Chang
  • Patent number: 12333153
    Abstract: There are provided a memory device and an operating method of the memory device. The memory device includes: a memory block including first select transistors, memory cells, and second select transistors, which are connected between bit lines and a source line; a precharge controller for monitoring a program operation of the memory cells, and changing a precharge mode of unselected strings among strings included in the memory block according to a monitoring result; and a select line voltage generator for generating a positive voltage or a negative voltage, which is applied to a second select line connected to the second select transistors, according to the precharge mode selected in the precharge controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Yong Lim
  • Patent number: 12334144
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a memory device. In one aspect, the memory device includes a set of memory cells coupled to a word line, and a tracking cell coupled to a tracking word line and a tracking bit line. In one aspect, the memory device includes a tracking booster circuit coupled to the tracking word line. In one aspect, the tracking booster circuit is configured to boost a first edge of a first pulse applied to the tracking word line. In one aspect, the tracking cell is configured to generate a second pulse at the tracking bit line, in response to the first pulse having the boosted first edge. In one aspect, the memory device includes a word line controller configured to apply a third pulse to the word line, based on the second pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hyunsung Hong
  • Patent number: 12327585
    Abstract: Provided is a technology capable of initializing data in memory cells at a relatively high speed while suppressing an area increase. Based on a fact that the reset signal is turned to a high level, a control circuit of a semiconductor device turns a first transistor to an OFF state, a plurality of word lines to a selection state, a precharge circuit to the OFF state, column switches for writing to an ON state, and column switches for reading to the OFF state, causes write circuits to turn first bit lines and second bit lines to a low level and a high level, respectively, and initializes a plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunya Nagata, Kouji Satou
  • Patent number: 12283329
    Abstract: A power circuit is adapted for providing a programming voltage to an electronic fuse circuit, and includes a pass transistor of a P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a buffer circuit, and a bulk voltage control circuit. The pass transistor includes a bulk electrode, a gate electrode, a first source/drain electrode receiving a system high voltage, and a second source/drain electrode connected to a bit line. The buffer circuit provides a control voltage to the gate electrode of the pass transistor. The pass transistor is turned on during a programming operation and turned off during a reading operation. The bulk voltage control circuit independently provides a bulk voltage to the bulk electrode. A last-stage buffer of the buffer circuit is also activated by the bulk voltage to control the pass transistor during the reading operation of the electronic fuse circuit. A method for providing power to an electronic fuse circuit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chia Wei Ho, Min Chia Wang, Chung Ming Lin, Jin Pang Chi
  • Patent number: 12283320
    Abstract: A data processing method based on a memristor array and an electronic apparatus are disclosed. The data processing method based on a memristor array includes: acquiring a plurality of first analog signals; setting the memristor array, and writing data corresponding to a convolution parameter matrix of a convolution processing into the memristor array; inputting the plurality of first analog signals respectively into a plurality of column signal input terminals of the memristor array that has been set, controlling operation of the memristor array to perform the convolution processing on the plurality of first analog signals, and obtaining a plurality of second analog signals after performing the convolution processing at a plurality of row signal output terminals of the memristor array, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Huaqiang Wu, Zhengwu Liu, Jianshi Tang, Bin Gao, He Qian
  • Patent number: 12277996
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for hardware metering using a memory-type camouflaged cell. The apparatus includes memory including at least one camouflaged memory cell in which a key is hidden by a designer in advance and a controller for controlling whether to block the supply of power to the memory. The controller may perform reading a key from a corresponding key location in the multiple memory cells of the memory based on key location information stored in the controller when a key is input from the outside, determining whether the key input from the outside is the same as the key read from the memory, setting an authentic flag based on the determination result, and performing control based on the set authentic flag such that the memory operates normally or the supply of power is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Jae-Mun Oh
  • Patent number: 12254931
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of memory cells, logic circuits coupled to the memory cells and configured to store 4-bit data in each of the memory cells, and a control circuit coupled to the memory cells and the logic circuits. The control circuit configured to cause the logic circuits to store 3-bit data in each of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang Yang, Deepanshu Dutta, Jiacen Guo, Takayuki Inoue, Hua-Ling Hsu
  • Patent number: 12254924
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system, method, or computer readable medium for providing a differentiable content addressable memory (aCAM) that implements an analog input analog storage and analog output learning memory. The analog output of the differentiable CAM can provide input to a learning algorithm, which may compute the gradients in comparison to historic values and reduce data inaccuracies and power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Giacomo Pedretti, Catherine Graves, Sergey Serebryakov, John Paul Strachan
  • Patent number: 12248870
    Abstract: In one example, a neural network device comprises a first plurality of synapses configured to receive a first plurality of inputs and to generate therefrom a first plurality of outputs, wherein the first plurality of synapses comprises a plurality of memory cells, each of the plurality of memory cells configured to store a weight value corresponding to a number of electrons on its floating gate and the plurality of memory cells are configured to generate the first plurality of outputs based upon the first plurality of inputs and the stored weight values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hieu Van Tran, Stanley Hong, Anh Ly, Thuan Vu, Hien Pham, Kha Nguyen, Han Tran
  • Patent number: 12248019
    Abstract: A diode test module and method applicable to the diode test module are provided. A substrate having first conductivity type and an epitaxial layer having second conductivity type on the substrate are formed. A well region having first conductivity type is formed in the epitaxial layer. A first and second heavily doped region having second conductivity type are theoretically formed in the well and connected to a first and second I/O terminal, respectively. Isolation trench is formed there in between for electrical isolation. A monitor cell comprising a third and fourth heavily doped region is provided in a current conduction path between the first and second I/O terminal when inputting an operation voltage. By employing the monitor cell, the invention achieves to determine if the well region is missing by measuring whether a leakage current is generated without additional testing equipment and time for conventional capacitance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: AMAZING MICROELECTRONIC CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Ting Yeh, Sung Chih Huang, Kun-Hsien Lin, Che-Hao Chuang
  • Patent number: 12249389
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells each configured to store data in a non-volatile manner according to a threshold voltage thereof and connected to a word line, and a controller configured to perform an error correction based on hard bit data and soft bit data read from the plurality of memory cells, generate a first table based on corrected data, determine a voltage difference between a first voltage and a second voltage, the first voltage being a voltage applied to the word line when the data being corrected is read, and correct the first table based on the voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Motoki Shimizu, Kenji Sakurada, Naoto Kumano