Patents Examined by Gene Auduong
  • Patent number: 9659660
    Abstract: A driving method of a nonvolatile memory device includes receiving a program command and an address. The method includes changing a number of adjacent zones of a plurality of zones formed of unselected word lines according to a location of a selected word line corresponding to the received address. The method further includes applying different zone voltages to the number of adjacent zones and remaining zones. The nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of strings formed to penetrate word lines stacked on a substrate in a plate shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Wan Nam, Kuihan Ko, Yang-Lo Ahn, Kitae Park
  • Patent number: 9659605
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods related to performing corner turn operations using sensing circuitry. An example apparatus comprises a first group of memory cells coupled to an access line and a plurality of sense lines and a second group of memory cells coupled to a plurality of access lines and a sense line. The example apparatus comprises a controller configured to cause a corner turn operation using sensing circuitry on an element stored in the first group of memory cells resulting in the element being stored in the second group of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason T. Zawodny, Sanjay Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9659636
    Abstract: A YUKAI NAND array comprising multiple strings associated with hierarchical global/local bit lines (GBL/LBL) and each string being associated with one LBL and having adjacent LBL as a dedicated local source line (LSL) without a common source line to connect all strings. Each of the LBLs is interleavingly associated with either an Odd or Even string selected via one pair of dummy cells inserted in each string and is used as one on-chip PCACHE register with full BL-shielding without wasting extra silicon area to allow batch-based multiple concurrent MLC All-BL, All-Vtn-Program and Alternative-WL program, Odd/Even read and verify operations with options of providing individual and common VSL-based Vt-compensation and VLBL compensations to mitigate high WL-WL and BL-BL coupling effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Peter Wung Lee
  • Patent number: 9653125
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a memory device including a memory cell configured to hold data, an output buffer configured to output the data, and a circuit configured to generate a reference voltage; and a controller device including an input buffer. The data from the output buffer is input into one input terminal of the input buffer and the reference voltage from the circuit is input into the other input terminal of the input buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shouichi Ozaki, Kosuke Yanagidaira
  • Patent number: 9646682
    Abstract: One embodiment describes a reciprocal quantum logic (RQL) sense amplifier system. The system includes an input stage configured to amplify a sense current received at an input. The system also includes a detection stage configured to trigger at least one detection Josephson junction (JJ) in response to the amplified sense current and based on a clock signal to generate a single flux quantum (SFQ) pulse. The system further includes a Josephson transmission line (JTL) stage configured to propagate the SFQ pulse to an output of the RQL sense amplifier system based on at least one output JJ and to generate a negative SFQ pulse to reset the at least one detection JJ and the at least one output JJ based on the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Donald L. Miller, Quentin P. Herr, Anna Y. Herr
  • Patent number: 9646671
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for managing voltages applied to memory cells in a cross-point array during a write operation (e.g., to transition from a resistive state into a conductive state). The techniques apply to thyristor memory cells and non-thyristor memory cells. Bitlines, connected by a wordline, are preconditioned to a voltage level, by a precondition device, to write data to one or more memory cells at intersections of the bitlines and the wordline. Each bitline is coupled to a high impedance device, a detect device, a precondition device and a clamp device. When a memory cell on a first bitline transitions from a resistive state into a conductive state, it pulls a voltage level of the first-bit line level low. A first clamp device maintains the voltage level at a level to de-bias the first bitline from the wordline, while other memory cells to be written along the wordline remain biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Kilopass Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Guo, Jim Reaves
  • Patent number: 9640233
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory banks in a first region, a data terminal to which an input data signal is input, the data terminal being in a second region, and an inverting circuit that inverts or non-inverts the input data signal in response to an inversion control signal indicating whether the input data signal has been inverted, wherein at least one inverting circuit is disposed for each of the plurality of memory banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyo-min Sohn
  • Patent number: 9627035
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an input/output (IO) circuit powered by an input/output (IO) supply voltage. The IO circuit includes a cutoff circuit that receives a first invert signal, the IO supply voltage, a bias voltage and a pad voltage. An output stage is coupled to the cutoff circuit. The output stage receives a first signal, a second signal and the bias voltage. A pad is coupled to the output stage, and a voltage generated at the pad is the pad voltage. The cutoff circuit and the output stage maintain the pad voltage at logic high when the IO supply voltage transition below a defined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Prajkta Vyavahare, Rajat Chauhan, Siva Srinivas Kothamasu
  • Patent number: 9627031
    Abstract: A control method for a memory system is provided. A memory controller of the memory system is configured to control the memory device. After a condition is met, the memory controller performs a retry operation to compensate for shifting of a data strobe signal sent from the memory device until the memory system enters a normal operation mode. When the shifting of the data strobe signal is compensated for, the number of pulses of the data strobe signal in the gating window is equal to the first predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Kai-Hsin Chen, Shih-Hsiu Lin
  • Patent number: 9627066
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell for storing a single bit is disclosed. The non-volatile memory cell includes an access transistor including a gate, a first body, a first source/drain node, and a second source/drain node. The non-volatile memory cell also includes a first floating gate storage transistor that has a third source/drain node, a second body, a fourth source/drain node, and a first floating gate including a first storage node. The third source/drain node is coupled to the second source/drain node. The non-volatile memory cell further includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a second floating gate storage transistor. The first capacitor has a first plate coupled to the first storage node and an opposite second plate. The second floating gate storage transistor includes a fifth source/drain node, a third body, a sixth source/drain node, a second floating gate including a second storage node. The fifth source/drain node is coupled to the fourth source/drain node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Pasotti, Fabio de Santis, Roberto Bregoli, Dario Livornesi
  • Patent number: 9627034
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic device including a circuit for reading data from a memory cell that can store multilevel data. The electronic device includes a memory cell array region, N sense amplifier regions, and switching elements. The memory cell array region includes memory cells that store, when (N+1)-level data is stored, the (N+1)-level data as different potentials. Each of the N sense amplifier regions compares a read potential, which depends on a charge released to a bit line and a wiring or the like connected thereto, with a reference potential and performs amplification. Each of the switching elements electrically isolates a sense amplifier region from the other sense amplifier regions after all of the N sense amplifier regions are electrically connected to the bit line. Each of the sense amplifier regions can output a write potential to the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanori Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 9620185
    Abstract: A voltage supply device includes a bias generator, a control signal generator and a cell switching circuit. The bias generator divides a first supply voltage to output a plurality of divided supply voltages. The control signal generator receives the plurality of divided supply voltages to generate a plurality of control signals. The cell switching circuit receives the plurality of control signals to provide nonvolatile memory cells with one or more of a ground voltage, the first supply voltage, or a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage. Each of the bias generator, the control signal generator and the cell switching circuit is implemented with medium voltage MOS transistors having a breakdown voltage of from approximately 7 volts to approximately 15 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hoe Sam Jeong
  • Patent number: 9613714
    Abstract: A one time programming memory cell includes a selecting circuit, a first antifuse storing circuit and a second antifuse storing circuit. The selecting circuit is connected with a bit line and a word line. The first antifuse storing circuit is connected between a first antifuse control line and the selecting circuit. The second antifuse storing circuit is connected between a second antifuse control line and the selecting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: EMEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Zhe Wong, Hsin-Ming Chen, Meng-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 9613674
    Abstract: A technique for sensing a data state of a data cell. A comparator has a first input at a node A and a second input at a node B. A first n-channel transistor is connected to a first p-channel transistor at the node A. A second n-channel transistor is connected to a second p-channel transistor at the node B. A multiplexer is configured to selectively connect a first reference cell or the data cell to the first n-channel transistor and configured to selectively connect the data cell or a second reference cell to the second n-channel transistor. The comparator outputs the data state of the data cell based on input of a node A voltage at the node A and a node B voltage at the node B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John K. DeBrosse
  • Patent number: 9613672
    Abstract: A circuit includes first and second reference cells and a current sense amplifier. The first and second reference cells are configured to store opposite logic values, respectively. The current sense amplifier is configured with a first node and a second node for currents therethrough to be compared with each other. The current sense amplifier includes a multiplexer configured to couple the first reference cell or the second reference cell to the first node of the current sense amplifier, and couple the second reference cell or the first reference cell to the second node of the current sense amplifier for reading bits stored in the first reference cell and the second reference cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Sergiy Romanovskyy
  • Patent number: 9595341
    Abstract: Provided are a memory system and an operating method thereof. The operating method reads an observation memory cell at least one time with different read voltages to configure a first read data symbol, reads a plurality of interference memory cells adjacent to the observation memory cell at least one time with different read voltages to configure second read data symbols, and determines a logical value of the observation memory cell based on the first read data symbol and the second read data symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaehong Kim, Kijun Lee, Yong June Kim, Heeseok Eun
  • Patent number: 9589655
    Abstract: Systems and methods for low latency acquisition of soft data from a memory cell based on a sensing time and/or a leakage current are described. In one embodiment, the systems and methods may include applying a first read voltage to a word line of a page of memory cells selected by a processor of a flash memory device for a read operation, applying a pass voltage to word lines associated with one or more different pages of memory cells of the memory block, upon applying the first read voltage sensing whether a bit line of a memory cell in the selected page conducts, measuring a side effect associated with sensing whether the bit line of the memory cell in the selected page conducts, and assigning a LLR value to the memory cell as a soft LDPC input based at least in part on the measured side effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Young Pil Kim, Antoine Khoueir, Namoh Hwang
  • Patent number: 9583200
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array and a control circuit. A control circuit performs an erase operation providing a memory cell with a first threshold voltage level for erasing data of a memory cell, and then perform a plurality of first write operations providing a memory cell with a second threshold voltage level, the second threshold voltage level being higher than the first threshold voltage level and being positive level. When the control circuit receives a first execution instruction from outside during the first write operations, the first execution instruction being for performing first function operation except for the erase operation and the first write operations, the circuit performs the first function operation during the first write operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Yasushi Nagadomi
  • Patent number: 9575880
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a memory system are disclosed. The semiconductor memory device includes: a memory bank configured to include a first section and a second section, each of which is comprised of a plurality of memory cells; an LIO line switching circuit configured to generate first and second selection signals on the basis of page-size information; and an input/output (I/O) circuit configured to access the first section, the second section, or the first and second sections on the basis of the first and second selection signals, wherein the page-size information includes first and second information. If the page-size information is the first information, the LIO line switching circuit generates the first and second selection signals using a row address, and if the page-size information is the second information, the LIO line switching circuit generates the first and second selection signals using a column address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Deok Cho
  • Patent number: 9576636
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive memory device that stores data in the reference portion of spin-torque memory cells provides for more robust data storage. In normal operation, the memory cells use the free portion of the memory cell for data storage. Techniques for storing data in the reference portions of memory cells are presented, along with techniques for recovering data stored in the reference portions of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Slaughter