Patents Examined by Hoai V. Ho
  • Patent number: 11763859
    Abstract: A data sorting control circuit includes a phase detector suitable for detecting a phase of each of a first clock signal, a second clock signal, a third clock signal, and a fourth clock signal in response to a read command, an order determiner suitable for determining a data order as a first order or a second order based on a seed address and the detected phase of each of the clock signals, and an sorting control signal generator suitable for shifting the read command based on the first clock signal to the fourth clock signal to generate a first sorting control signal, a second sorting control signal, a third sorting control signal, and a fourth sorting control signal, and outputting the first sorting control signal to the fourth sorting control signal according to the first order or the second order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: In Sung Koh
  • Patent number: 11763863
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a wake-up operation of a memory circuit. The memory circuit may include a memory array with a plurality of memory cells, first logic circuitry, first switching circuitry, first latch circuitry, and second switching circuitry. The first logic circuitry may be configured to generate a first bit line pre-charge signal for a first memory cell of the plurality of memory cells, where the first bit line pre-charge signal is generated in response to a sleep signal. The first switching circuitry may be configured to provide power to one or more bit line of the first memory cell in response to the first bit line pre-charge signal. The first latch circuit may receive the sleep signal and the first bit line pre-charge signal and generate a delayed sleep signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sanjeev Kumar Jain, Sahil Preet Singh, Atul Katoch
  • Patent number: 11756640
    Abstract: A memory device is disclosed. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells including an access transistor and a resistor coupled to each other in series. The resistors of the memory cells are each formed as one of a plurality of interconnect structures disposed over a substrate. The access transistors of the memory cells are disposed opposite a first metallization layer containing the plurality of interconnect structures from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Yih Wang
  • Patent number: 11756620
    Abstract: A memory cell for an analog content-addressable memory is provided. The memory cell includes an N-type transistor, a P-type transistor, and a current control circuit. The gate of the N-type transistor is configured to receive a first input signal. The gate of the P-type transistor is configured to receive a second input signal. The current control circuit is coupled to at least one of the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor. The current control circuit is configured to generate at least one passing current. When the input voltages of the first input signal and the second input signal are within a matching range, the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor are turned on, and the passing current is substantially a fixed current value. The matching range is related to the threshold voltages of the N-type transistor and the P-type transistor, and the fixed current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Hao Tseng, Feng-Min Lee, Ming-Hsiu Lee
  • Patent number: 11756594
    Abstract: Memory devices might include an array of memory cells, a plurality of access lines, and control logic. The array of memory cells includes a plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells. Each access line of the plurality of access lines is connected to a control gate of a respective memory cell of each string of series-connected memory cells of the plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells. The control logic is configured to: open the array of memory cells for multiple read operations; read first page data from respective memory cells coupled to a selected access line of the plurality of access lines; read second page data from the respective memory cells coupled to the selected access line; and close the array of memory cells subsequent to reading the first page data and the second page data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Lee, Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Jeffrey S. McNeil, Jung-Sheng Hoei
  • Patent number: 11749316
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for providing power availability information to memory. A number of embodiments include a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to provide power and power availability information to the memory, and the memory is configured to determine whether to adjust its operation based, at least in part, on the power availability information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Corrado Villa
  • Patent number: 11751376
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a first etch stop layer; a source layer on the first etch stop layer; a second etch stop layer on the source layer; a stack structure on the second etch stop layer; and a channel structure penetrating the first and second etch stop layers, the source layer, and the stack structure, the channel structure being electrically connected to the source layer. A material of each of the first and second etch stop layers has an etch selectivity with respect to a material of the source layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 11749353
    Abstract: A processing device in a memory system receives an erase request to erase data stored at a data block of a memory device, the erase request identifying a selected sub-block of a plurality of sub-blocks of the data block for erase, each of the plurality of sub-blocks comprising select gate devices (SGDs) and data storage devices. For each sub-block of the plurality of sub-blocks not selected for erase, the processing device applies an input voltage at a bitline of the respective sub-block and applies a plurality of gate voltages to a plurality of wordlines of the respective sub-block, the plurality of wordlines are coupled to the SGDs and to the data storage devices, each voltage of the plurality of voltages applied to a successive wordline of the plurality of wordlines is less than a previous voltage applied to a previous wordline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kalyan Chakravarthy Kavalipurapu, Tomoko Ogura Iwasaki, Erwin E. Yu, Hong-Yan Chen, Yunfei Xu
  • Patent number: 11742051
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein refer to an integrated circuit having a first memory structure and a second memory structure. The first memory structure is disposed in a first area of the integrated circuit, and the first memory structure has first memory cells with first transistors. The second memory structure is disposed in a second area of the integrated circuit that is different than the first area, and the second memory structure has second memory cells with second transistors that are separate from the first transistors. The second transistors of the second memory cells are arranged to provide an output oscillating frequency for detecting variation of performance of the first transistors of the first memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventors: Amit Chhabra, Rainer Herberholz
  • Patent number: 11742031
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes first blocks including a memory cell capable of storing data of one bit, a second block including a memory cell capable of storing data of two or more bits. The semiconductor memory stores first data in a first latch circuit, and second data in a second latch circuit, and writes the first data into one of the first blocks in page units, and the second data into one of the first blocks in page units. The semiconductor memory writes data of at least two pages into the second block, using the first data stored in the first latch circuit and the second data stored in the second latch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 11735242
    Abstract: A magnetic device includes a layer stack comprising a first ferromagnetic layer; a spacer layer on the first ferromagnetic layer; a second ferromagnetic layer on the spacer layer; a dielectric barrier layer on the second ferromagnetic layer; an insertion layer positioned between the second ferromagnetic layer and the dielectric barrier layer; and a fixed layer or an electrode on the dielectric barrier layer. In some examples, a magnetic orientation of the second ferromagnetic layer is switched by a bias voltage across the layer stack without application of an external magnetic field; an antiferromagnetic coupling of the first and second ferromagnetic layers is increased by the bias voltage applying a negative charge to the fixed layer or the electrode, and the antiferromagnetic coupling of the first and second ferromagnetic layers is decreased by the bias voltage applying a positive charge to the fixed layer or the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Delin Zhang, Protyush Sahu
  • Patent number: 11733921
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a memory device. A memory device according to the present technology may include a plurality of planes, individual operation controllers configured to respectively control read operations on the plurality of planes, a common operation controller configured to control a program operation or an erase operation on any one of the plurality of planes, a command decoder configured to provide a read command among the plurality of commands to an individual operation controller that controls a plane that is indicated by an address that corresponds to the read command among the individual operation controllers, and configured to provide a program command or an erase command among the plurality of commands to the common operation controller, and a peripheral circuit configured to generate operation voltages that are used for the read operations, the program operation, and the erase operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Won Jae Choi, Jea Won Choi
  • Patent number: 11735246
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a plurality of memory banks and a refresh controller configured to perform a refresh operation on one or more of the plurality of memory banks having a first state without performing the refresh operation on one or more of the plurality of memory banks having a second state responsive to a first refresh command, and perform the refresh operation on a selected one of the plurality of memory banks responsive to a second refresh command. The refresh controller is configured to bring the selected one of the plurality of memory banks into the second state when the refresh operation is performed responsive to the second refresh command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hatakeyama, Hyun Yoo Lee, Kang-Yong Kim, Akiyoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11721386
    Abstract: Techniques, apparatus, and devices for managing power in a memory die are described. A memory die may include an array of memory cells and one or more voltage sensors. Each voltage sensor may be on the same substrate as the array of memory cells and may sense a voltage at a location associated with the array. The voltage sensors may generate one or more analog voltage signals that may be converted to one or more digital signals on the memory die. In some cases, the analog voltage signals may be converted to digital signals using an oscillator and a counter on the memory die. The digital signal may be provided to a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), which may adjust a voltage supplied to the array based on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuad Badrieh, Thomas H. Kinsley, Baekkyu Choi
  • Patent number: 11721380
    Abstract: Word-line drivers, memories, and methods of operating word-line drivers are provided. A word-line driver coupled to an array of memory cells includes a decoder powered by a first power supply. The decoder is configured to decode an address to provide a plurality of word-line signals. The word-line driver also includes a plurality of output stages powered by a second power supply that is different than the first power supply. Each of the output stages includes a first transistor having a gate controlled by a first control signal and an inverter. The inverter is coupled between the first transistor and a ground and has an input coupled to the decoder to receive one of the word-line signals. The word-line driver also includes pull-down circuitry coupled between the gates of the first transistors and the ground and activated by a second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Ali Taghvaei, Atul Katoch
  • Patent number: 11705189
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a source layer; a channel structure extending in a first direction from within the source layer; a source-channel contact layer surrounding the channel structure on the source layer; a first select gate layer overlapping with the source-channel contact layer and surrounding the channel structure; a stack including interlayer insulating layers and conductive patterns that are alternately stacked in the first direction and surrounding the channel structure, the stack overlapping with the first select gate layer; and a first insulating pattern that is formed thicker between the first select gate layer and the channel structure than between the stack and the channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 11699467
    Abstract: A data output buffer includes a first driver configured to drive a data input/output (I/O) pad according to an input signal and allow data drivability to be controlled according to an impedance calibration code and a second driver configured to perform a de-emphasis operation on the data I/O pad and allow de-emphasis drivability to be controlled according to the impedance calibration code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Dong Hwang, Bo Ram Kim, Dae Han Kwon
  • Patent number: 11699469
    Abstract: Provided are an operating method of a host device, an operating method of a memory device, and a memory system. The operating method of a host device includes transmitting a request command for performing an eye-opening monitor (EOM) operation to a memory device, transmitting a parameter for performing the EOM operation to the memory device, transmitting pattern data for performing the EOM operation to the memory device, and receiving a first response signal including a result of the EOM operation performed based on the parameter and the pattern data from the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young San Kang, Jeong Hur, Walter Jun, Kwang Won Park, Kyoung Back Lee
  • Patent number: 11694733
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an in-memory compute circuit that includes a memory circuit configured to generate a set of products by combining received input values with respective weight values stored in rows of the memory circuit, and to combine the set of products to generate an accumulated output value. The in-memory compute circuit may further include a control circuit and a plurality of routing circuits, including a first routing circuit coupled to a first set of rows of the memory circuit. The control circuit may be configured to cause the first routing circuit to route groups of input values to different ones of the first set of rows over a plurality of clock cycles, and the memory circuit to generate, on a clock cycle following the plurality of clock cycles, a particular accumulated output value that is computed based on the routed groups of input values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Di Febbo, Mohamed H. Abu-Rahma, Jelam K. Parekh, Yildiz Sinangil, Mohammad Ghasemzadeh, Anthony Ghannoum, Chaminda N. Vidanagamachchi
  • Patent number: 11694762
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems related to managing repair assets are described. An apparatus stores a repair segment locator and a repair address for each defect repair. The apparatus may be configured to selectively apply a repair asset to one of multiple sections according to the repair segment locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, James S. Rehmeyer, Seth A. Eichmeyer