Patents Examined by Jason Lappas
  • Patent number: 12046301
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a buffer which outputs a memory control signal to a terminal coupled to a memory device, a power supply control circuit which controls a supply of a power supply voltage from a power supply line to the buffer based on a power control signal, a pull-up control circuit configured to control a pull-up of the terminal based on a pull-up control signal, and a control signal generating circuit. The control signal generating circuit generates, during an output period, the power control signal to supply the power supply voltage to the buffer, and the pull-up control signal to stop the pull-up of the terminal, and generates, during an idle period, the power control signal to stop the supply of the power supply voltage to the buffer, and the pull-up control signal to perform the pull-up of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Socionext Inc.
    Inventors: Masanori Okinoi, Sachio Ogawa, Ryo Azumai, Kiichi Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 12046300
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller configured to cause the nonvolatile memory to execute a first process of reading data based on a first request from a host device. The memory controller is configured to, when the first request is received from the host device while causing the nonvolatile memory to execute a second process, hold interruption of the second process until a first number becomes a first threshold value or more. The first number is a number of the first requests to be performed in the memory controller. The first threshold value is an integer of 2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoya Kamata, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 12046303
    Abstract: For a nonvolatile (NV) storage media such as NAND (not AND) media that is written by a program and program verify operation, the system can apply a smart prologue operation. A smart prologue operation can selectively apply a standard program prologue, to compute program parameters for a target subblock. The smart prologue operation can selectively apply an accelerated program prologue, applying a previously-computed program parameter for a subsequent subblock of a same block of the NV storage media. Application of a prior program parameter can reduce the need to compute program parameters for the other subblocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Intel NDTM US LLC
    Inventors: Pranav Chava, Aliasgar S. Madraswala, Sagar Upadhyay, Bhaskar Venkataramaiah
  • Patent number: 12040020
    Abstract: Disclosed is a memory device which includes a history table and communicates with a storage controller. A method of operating the memory device includes receiving a first request indicating a first core operation of a first memory block from the storage controller, determining whether history data of the first memory block have a first value or a second value, with reference to the history table, in response to the first request, when it is determined that the history data of the first memory block have the first value, performing the first core operation corresponding to a first type on the first memory block, and after performing the first core operation corresponding to the first type on the first memory block, updating the history data of the first memory block in the history table from the first value to the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwangho Choi, Minseok Kim, Il Han Park, Jun-Yong Park, Joonsuc Jang
  • Patent number: 12033693
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes n memory cells, each capable of storing j bits of data; and a controller. The controller is configured to write a first portion of each of first data to n-th data from among n×j data with consecutive logical addresses to the n memory cells one by one. The first data has a lowest logical address among the n×j pieces of data. The first data to the n-th data have ascending consecutive logical addresses. The controller is configured to write the first portion of one of the first to n-th data as a first bit of the j bits, and write the first portion of another one of the first to n-th data except said one of the first to n-th data as a second bit of the j bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naomi Takeda, Masanobu Shirakawa, Akio Sugahara
  • Patent number: 12033705
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory configured to execute one of a plurality of read operations, including a first read operation and a second read operation, and a memory controller configured to issue a read command to the nonvolatile memory to cause the nonvolatile memory to execute one of the plurality of read operations. The memory controller is configured to receive a read request, estimate a reliability level of a result of a read operation to be executed by the nonvolatile memory to read data from a physical address specified in the read request, select one of the first and second read operations to be executed first in a read sequence corresponding to the read request by the nonvolatile memory based on the estimated reliability level, and instruct the nonvolatile memory to execute the selected read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 12020752
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for discharging a memory device after an erase operation. The method comprises grounding a source line of the memory device; and switching on a discharge transistor to connect a bit line of the memory device to the source line by maintaining a constant voltage difference between a gate terminal of the discharge transistor and the source line. The method also includes comparing an electrical potential of the source line with a first predetermined value; and floating the gate terminal of the discharge transistor when the electrical potential of the source line is lower than the first predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weiwei He, Liang Qiao, Mingxian Lei
  • Patent number: 12020753
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory block, a plurality of bit lines, a plurality of select gate lines, a plurality of word lines, and a controller. The memory block includes a plurality of memory strings, each memory string including a selection transistor and a plurality of memory cells. The plurality of bit lines are arranged in the first direction and connected to the respective memory strings. The plurality of select gate lines are arranged in the second direction and connected to gates of the respective selection transistors of the memory strings. The plurality of word lines are arranged in the third direction and connected to gates of the respective memory cells of the memory strings. The controller is configured to perform an erase operation in a unit of the memory block, and perform a sequence of erase verify operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Naoya Tokiwa
  • Patent number: 12014793
    Abstract: A method for screening memory cells includes erasing the memory cells, weakly programming the memory cells to a modified erased state, performing a first read operation on the memory cells after the erasing and the weakly programming, screening any of the memory cells that exhibit a read current during the first read operation below a margin read current threshold M1, baking the memory cells after the first read operation, performing a second read operation on the memory cells after the baking, and screening any of the memory cells that exhibit a read current during the second read operation below the margin read current threshold M1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Viktor Markov, Alexander Kotov
  • Patent number: 12014779
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for programming techniques for polarity-based memory cells are described. A memory device may use a first type of write operation to program one or more memory cells to a first state and a second type of write operation to program one or more memory cells to a second state. Additionally or alternatively, a memory device may first attempt to use the first type of write operation to program one or more memory cells, and then may use the second type of write operation if the first attempt is unsuccessful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Innocenzo Tortorelli, Mattia Boniardi, Mattia Robustelli
  • Patent number: 12009033
    Abstract: A memory device and method of making the same are disclosed. The memory device includes transistor devices located in both a memory region and a logic region of the device. Transistor devices in the memory region include sidewall spacers having a first oxide layer over a side surface of a gate structure, a first nitride layer over the first oxide layer, a second oxide layer over the first nitride layer, and a second nitride layer over the second oxide layer. Transistor devices in the logic region include sidewall spacers having a first oxide layer over a side surface of a gate structure, a first nitride layer over the first oxide layer, and a second nitride layer over the first nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chen-Ming Huang, Wen-Tuo Huang, Yu-Hsiang Yang, Yu-Ling Hsu, Wei-Lin Chang, Chia-Sheng Lin, ShihKuang Yang, Yu-Chun Chang, Hung-Ling Shih, Po-Wei Liu, Shih-Hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 12009028
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to auto-referenced memory cell read techniques are described. The auto-referenced read may encode user data to include a predetermined number of bits having a first logic state prior to storing the user data in memory cells. The auto-referenced read may store a total number of bits of the user data having a first logic state in a separate set of memory cells. Subsequently, reading the user data may be carried out by applying a read voltage to the memory cells storing the user data while monitoring a series of switching events by activating a subset of the memory cells having the first logic state. During the read operation, the auto-referenced read may compare the number of activated memory cells to either the predetermined number or the total number to determine whether all the bits having the first logic state has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Graziano Mirichigni, Paolo Amato, Federico Pio, Alessandro Orlando, Marco Sforzin
  • Patent number: 12002540
    Abstract: A memory device includes a set of inputs, and a first register that includes a first register field to store a value for enabling application of one of a plurality of command/address (CA) on-die termination (ODT) impedance values to first inputs that receive the CA signals; and a second register field to store a value for enabling application of one of a plurality of chip select (CS) ODT impedance values to a second input that receives the CS signal. A third register field may store a value for enabling application of a clock (CK) ODT impedance value to third inputs that receive the CK signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventors: Ian Shaeffer, Kyung Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 12002514
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory may include; a first memory cell array including a first selection transistor connected to a first string selection line, a second memory cell array including a second selection transistor connected to a second string selection line and spaced apart from the first string selection line by a first cutting line, and a peripheral circuit. The peripheral circuit may provide a first program voltage to the first selection transistor, provide a second program voltage to the second selection transistor different from the first program voltage, program the first selection transistor with a first threshold voltage in response to the first program voltage, and program the second selection transistor with a second threshold voltage level greater than the first threshold voltage in response to the second program voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Won Park, Won-Taeck Jung, Han-Jun Lee, Su Chang Jeon
  • Patent number: 12002503
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory circuit and a memory. The memory circuit at least includes a plurality of memory blocks. Each of the memory blocks includes a first memory sub-block, a second memory sub-block, and a third memory sub-block arranged in sequence; the second memory sub-block includes a first memory unit and a second memory unit; the first memory sub-block and the first memory unit are configured to store high-order bytes; the second memory unit and the third memory sub-block are configured to store low-order bytes; and in an arrangement direction of memory sub-blocks, different memory units that are arranged side by side have different block selection addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Changxin Memory Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sungsoo Chi
  • Patent number: 11996147
    Abstract: A memory includes a memory device, a reading device and a feedback device. The memory device stores a plurality of bits. The reading device includes first and second reading circuits coupled to the memory device. The second reading circuit is coupled to the first reading circuit at a first node. The first and second reading circuits cooperates with each other to generate a first voltage signal at the first node based on at least one first bit of the plurality of bits. The feedback device adjusts at least one of the first reading circuit or the second reading circuit based on the first voltage signal. The first and second reading circuits generate a second voltage signal, different from the first voltage signal, corresponding to the bits, after the at least one of the first reading circuit or the second reading circuit is adjusted by the feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD., NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Meng-Fan Chang, Yen-Cheng Chiu
  • Patent number: 11996164
    Abstract: Within a memory control component, command/address circuitry transmits a first command/address value to a memory component during a first interval and a second command/address value to the memory component during a second interval, and timing circuitry transmits a data strobe to the memory component during the first interval and a data clock to the memory component during the second interval. The timing circuitry transitions the data strobe from a parked state to a toggling state during the first interval at a predetermined time relative to transmission of the first command/address value and toggles the data clock throughout the second interval regardless of time of transmission of the second command/address value. Data signaling circuitry transmits first write data to the memory component during the first interval synchronously with the write-data strobe signal and transmits second write data to the memory component during the second interval synchronously with the write-data clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Torsten Partsch
  • Patent number: 11990190
    Abstract: A memory device includes first and second memory strings, first and second word lines and a controller. The first memory string includes first and second memory cells, a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and a third select transistor between the first and second memory cells. The second memory string includes third and fourth memory cells, a fourth select transistor above the third memory cell, a fifth select transistor below the fourth memory cell, and a sixth select transistor between the third and fourth memory cells. The first word line is electrically connected to gates of the first and third memory cells. The second word line is electrically connected to gates of the second and fourth memory cells. The controller is configured to execute a read operation on one of the memory cells, the read operation including a first phase and a second phase after the first phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Maejima
  • Patent number: 11980029
    Abstract: An erasable programmable single-poly non-volatile memory cell and an associated array structure are provided. The memory cell comprises a select transistor and a floating gate transistor. The floating gate of the floating gate transistor and an assist gate region are collaboratively formed as a capacitor. The floating gate of the floating gate transistor and an erase gate region are collaboratively formed as another capacitor. Moreover, the select transistor, the floating gate transistor and the two capacitors are collaboratively formed as a four-terminal memory cell. Consequently, the size of the memory cell is small, and the memory cell is operated more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: EMEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Hsueh-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11978515
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device capable of reducing failure caused by a source side effect after a large number of W/E cycles is provided. A reading method of a NAND flash memory includes: dividing multiple word lines connected to each memory cell of a NAND string into a group 1 of word lines WL0 to WLi?1, a group 2 of word lines WLi to WLj, . . . , a group y of word lines WLj+1 to WLk?1, and a group x of word lines WLk to WLn, presetting a relationship that each readout voltage (Vread1, Vread2, . . . , Vready, and Vreadx) corresponding to each group increases toward a bit line side, and applying a readout voltage to a selected word line according to the relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Riichiro Shirota, Masaru Yano