Patents Examined by J. H. Hur
  • Patent number: 11636895
    Abstract: A writing method for a non-volatile memory device includes; performing a sensing operation, comparing write data with read data retrieved by the sensing operation, determining whether the write data is set state when the write data and the read data are the same, performing a set operation when the write data is set state, and not performing a write operation when the write data is not set data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheaouk Lim, Jung Sunwoo, Kwangjin Lee
  • Patent number: 11636909
    Abstract: A memory device includes a data storage circuit configured to store, when a write operation is performed, a first internal write data and a second internal write data in a memory cell array which is accessed by an internal address, and output, when a read operation is performed, data stored in a memory cell array which is accessed by the internal address, as internal read data; and a flag generation circuit configured to generate a flag for controlling generation of a data strobe signal, based on the internal read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Seung Kim, Hyeong Soo Jeong
  • Patent number: 11621032
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a clock terminal configured to receive an external clock signal, a clock generator configured to generate an internal clock signal in response to the external clock signal, first and second output circuits each coupled to the clock generator, a first clock line coupled between the clock generator and the first output circuit, and the second clock line coupled between the clock generator and the second output circuit. The first clock line represents a first capacitance and a first resistance while the second clock line represents a second capacitance and a second resistance. A first value defined as the product of the first capacitance and the first resistance is substantially equal to a second value defined as the product of the second capacitance and the second resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Shingo Tajima
  • Patent number: 11621045
    Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a non volatile memory chip. The non volatile memory chip includes an interface to receive access commands, a three dimensional array of non volatile storage cells, and, a controller to orchestrate removal of charge in a column of stacked ones of the non volatile storage cells after a verification process that determined whether or not a particular cell along the column was programmed with a correct charge amount. The removal of the charge pushes the charge out of the column by changing respective word line potentials along a particular direction along the column. Cells that are coupled to the column are programmed in the particular direction. Disturbance of neighboring cells during programming is less along the particular direction than a direction opposite that of the particular direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 11610623
    Abstract: A refresh tracking circuit and associated methods are disclosed herein. The tracking circuit may be configured to track a primary count value and a secondary count value based on addresses associated with received commands. The primary and secondary count values may be configured to control corresponding refresh operations respectively associated with a primary address and a secondary address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sadayuki Okuma
  • Patent number: 11610616
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, a plurality of word lines with each connected to a respective row of the memory cells along a row direction, a plurality of bit lines with each connected to a respective column of the memory cells along a column direction; a column decoder connected to the bit lines; a plurality of sense amplifiers connected to the column decoder; and a plurality of sense amplifier control circuits. Each of the sense amplifiers is connected to a unique one of the sense amplifier control circuits. Each of the sense amplifier control circuits includes a current detector circuit for detecting a sensing current, a current booster circuit for boosting the sensing current, and a timer circuit for providing a delayed trigger for a respective one of the sense amplifiers connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Avalanche Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean K. Nobunaga
  • Patent number: 11600313
    Abstract: A memory circuit device includes multiple memory cells that are each constituted of a resistive memory element, a write circuit unit that is configured to write data to any one of the memory cells which is designated by cell designating information, and a read circuit unit that is configured to read out, from the memory cell designated by the cell designating information, data written in the memory cell. The memory circuit device has a configuration including a selection circuit unit that is shared by both of the write circuit unit and the read circuit unit and configured to select a memory cell to be activated from the multiple memory cells based on the cell designating information, and a control circuit unit that is configured to selectively enable any one of writing of data by the write circuit unit and reading of data by the read circuit unit with respect to the memory cell selected by the selection circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Takahiro Hanyu, Daisuke Suzuki, Hideo Ohno, Tetsuo Endoh
  • Patent number: 11600344
    Abstract: Provided herein may be a memory device and a method of operating the memory device. The memory device includes an operation code generator configured to generate a program code and a verify code in response to a program control code and to output an operation code using the program code and the verify code, a verify counter configured to store a count value acquired by counting the number of verify operations that are performed depending on the verify code, a verify determiner configured to compare the count value with a reference value depending on the result of the verify operation and to generate the program control code to change a step voltage for raising a program voltage depending on the comparison result, and a voltage generator configured to generate the program voltage and a verify voltage depending on the operation code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Byoung In Joo
  • Patent number: 11600335
    Abstract: A memory device includes bit lines coupled to a memory block, a page buffer group selecting the bit lines in response to page buffer signals, applying a precharge voltage to selected bit lines from among the bit lines, and applying a ground voltage to unselected bit lines during a program verify operation, and a page buffer controller outputting the page buffer signals to selectively apply the precharge voltage to the bit lines according to an order of read operations on a logical page during the program verify operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Chi Wook An
  • Patent number: 11587612
    Abstract: In an example, an apparatus can include an array of variable resistance memory cells and a neural memory controller coupled to the array of variable resistance memory cells and configured to apply a sub-threshold voltage pulse to a variable resistance memory cell of the array to change a threshold voltage of the variable resistance memory cell in an analog fashion from a voltage associated with a reset state to effectuate a first synaptic weight change; and apply additional sub-threshold voltage pulses to the variable resistance memory cell to effectuate each subsequent synaptic weight change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Innocenzo Tortorelli
  • Patent number: 11568908
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory array arranged in a matrix, a plurality of word lines provided corresponding to memory cell rows, a word driver for driving one of the plurality of word lines, a plurality of row select lines connected to the word driver, and a row decoder for outputting a row select signal to the plurality of row select lines based on input row address information. According to the embodiment, the semiconductor device can detect a failure of the address decoder in a simple method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunya Nagata, Yoshikazu Saito, Takeshi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 11557356
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory block with string units including a plurality of memory strings of memory cell transistors connected in series. Word lines are connected memory cell transistors in a same row and bit lines are respectively connected to one of the memory strings in each string unit. The bit lines are divided into different groups. A control circuit performs erasing on of the memory cell transistors in the memory block. The control circuit executes the erase verification on only a subset of memory strings in each string unit of the memory block rather than all memory strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shiino, Masahiko Iga
  • Patent number: 11556771
    Abstract: Novel connection between neurons of a neural network is provided. A perceptron included in the neural network includes a plurality of neurons; the neuron includes a synapse circuit and an activation function circuit; and the synapse circuit includes a plurality of memory cells. A bit line selected by address information for selecting a memory cell is shared by a plurality of perceptrons. The memory cell is supplied with a weight coefficient of an analog signal, and the synapse circuit is supplied with an input signal. The memory cell multiplies the input signal by the weight coefficient and converts the multiplied result into a first current. The synapse circuit generates a second current by adding a plurality of first currents and converts the second current into a first potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro Harada, Hiroki Inoue, Takeshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 11556616
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the impact of defects within a crossbar memory array when performing multiplication operations in which multiple control lines are concurrently selected are described. A group of memory cells within the crossbar memory array may be controlled by a local word line that is controlled by a local word line gating unit that may be configured to prevent the local word line from being biased to a selected word line voltage during an operation; the local word line may instead be set to a disabling voltage during the operation such that the memory cell currents through the group of memory cells are eliminated. If a defect has caused a short within one of the memory cells of the group of memory cells, then the local word line gating unit may be programmed to hold the local word line at the disabling voltage during multiplication operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Minghai Qin, Pi-Feng Chiu, Wen Ma, Won Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 11538529
    Abstract: Methods of operating a memory, and memories having a controller configured to cause the memory to perform such methods, include applying a plurality of first voltage levels to an access line, applying a plurality of second voltage levels to a control gate of a string driver connected to the access line for a first portion of the plurality of first voltage levels with each second voltage level of the plurality of second voltage levels being greater than a respective first voltage level by a first voltage differential, and applying a plurality of third voltage levels to the control gate of the string driver for a second portion of the plurality of first voltage levels with each third voltage level of the plurality of third voltage levels being greater than a respective first voltage level by a second voltage differential less than the first voltage differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojiang Guo, Guanglei An, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 11538512
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a device includes a sense amplifier sensing a first signal based on first data in a cell and a second signal based on second data in the cell. The sense amplifier includes a current mirror causing a first current to flow in a first node connected to the cell and a second current in a second node based on a potential of the first node, a first switch connected to the second node and a third node, a transistor including a terminal connected to the second node and a gate connected to the third node, a second switch connected to the second node and a fourth node, and a circuit connected to the second and third node and causing a third current to flow in the second node based on a potential of the third node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Katayama
  • Patent number: 11532341
    Abstract: A method to control a memory cell in a memory device, where the memory cell includes a switch, a memory element, and a negative resistance device coupled in series, the method includes: determine whether the memory cell is in a read operation or not; during the read operation in the memory cell, apply a read voltage greater than a predetermined threshold voltage of the negative resistance device for making the negative resistance device entering into a negative resistance state. A memory device that includes a memory cell array is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Lin, Hung-Chang Yu
  • Patent number: 11521692
    Abstract: A memory includes a plurality of one-time programmable (OTP) memory cells, wherein each OTP memory cell includes a corresponding storage element capable of being in a permanently blown state or non-blown state. In the non-blown state, the corresponding storage element is capable of being in a low conductive state (LCS) or high conductive state (HCS). Control circuitry is configured to, in response to a received read request having a corresponding access address which selects a set of OTP memory cells, direct write circuitry to apply a voltage differential across the corresponding storage element of each selected OTP memory cell sufficient to set the corresponding storage element to a predetermined one of the LCS or HCS, and, after the write circuitry applies the voltage differential across the corresponding storage element, direct read circuitry to read the selected OTP memory cells to output read data stored in the selected OTP memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Scott Choy, Jacob T. Williams, Karthik Ramanan, Padmaraj Sanjeevarao, Maurits Mario Nicolaas Storms
  • Patent number: 11521700
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for tracking read reference voltages used for reading data in a non-volatile storage device. A method may comprise collecting pre-decoding state information for a read reference voltage by reading data stored in a non-volatile storage device using the read reference voltage, collecting post-decoding state information for the read reference voltage after decoding the data, generating a comparison of probability of state errors for the read reference voltage based on the pre-decoding state information and post-decoding state information, obtaining an adjustment amount to the read reference voltage based on the comparison of probability of state errors; and adjusting the read reference voltage by applying the adjustment amount to the read reference voltage to obtain an adjusted read reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: INNOGRIT TECHNOLOGIES co., LTD.
    Inventors: Chenrong Xiong, Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 11514964
    Abstract: A storage circuit (11) includes memory cells (MCij), each of which includes an MTJ element, and reference cells (RCi), each of which includes a series circuit of an MTJ element set to a low-resistance state and a linear resistor (FR). A RW circuit (23j) that includes a sense amplifier is provided in each column of a memory cell array (21), and compares a data voltage on a corresponding bit line (BLj) with a reference voltage. The sense amplifier includes a pair of PMOS transistors to which the data voltage and the reference voltage are applied, a CMOS sense latch that is connected to a current path of the PMOS transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroki Koike, Tetsuo Endoh