Patents Examined by Jay W. Radke
  • Patent number: 12046322
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to configurable data protection circuitry. A memory includes a plurality of memory devices and a memory controller that can be coupled to the memory via a plurality of channels. The channels comprise respective subsets of the plurality of memory devices. The memory controller comprises data protection circuitry to accommodate a first codeword configuration of a number of codewords responsive to the plurality of memory devices having a first operating mode corresponding to a first input/output (I/O) width and accommodate a second codeword configuration of the number of codewords responsive to the plurality of memory devices having a second operating mode corresponding to a second I/O width, as well as switch between the first operating mode of the plurality of memory devices and the second operating mode of the plurality of memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco Sforzin, Paolo Amato
  • Patent number: 12040044
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a drift detection circuit that retrieves a previously-determined first delay amount of a reference signal passing through a circuit element at a first timing, determines a second delay amount of the reference signal passing through the circuit element at a second timing, and outputs a drift amount that is a difference between the first and second delay amounts; and a delay amount adjustment circuit that retrieves a previously-determined third delay amount of a first signal transmitted to an external device at the first timing, determines a fourth delay amount based on the third delay amount and the drift amount as a delay amount to be applied to the first signal in a period after the second timing, and transmits the first signal to which the fourth delay amount has been applied, to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Yohei Yasuda
  • Patent number: 12027227
    Abstract: A determination is made that a memory device of a memory sub-system is to be transitioned to a sleep mode. A command is initiated to cause a standby circuit associated with the memory device to enter into a low power mode while a power supply of the memory sub-system is maintained in a powered state. In the low power mode, a reference voltage is supplied to a voltage regulator of the standby circuit to supply a standby current level to the memory device during the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Shuai Xu, Michele Piccardi, Arvind Muralidharan, June Lee, Qisong Lin, Scott A. Stoller, Jun Shen
  • Patent number: 12019540
    Abstract: A method for managing a memory apparatus including a plurality of physical blocks, and a volatile memory includes: obtaining a first host address and first data, and obtaining a second host address and second data; linking the first host address and second host address to a first page and second page of the physical block, and storing the first data and second data into the physical block; building a valid/invalid page count table according to a valid/invalid page count of the physical block; building a valid page position table according to the valid/invalid page count table, and storing the valid/invalid page count table in the volatile memory; and when a valid/invalid page count of the physical block indicates the physical block should be erased, using the valid page position table to move valid pages of the physical block to another physical block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsai-Cheng Lin, Chun-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 12020754
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a set of memory cells, a cycle transistor, a reference transistor and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the set of memory cells, the cycle transistor and the reference transistor. A method of controlling the non-volatile memory device includes in a program operation or an erase operation of the set of memory cells, the control circuit determining a state of the cycle transistor, and upon determining the cycle transistor being in an erased state (or a programmed state), the control circuit setting the reference transistor from a reference state to the erased state (or the programmed state), and then restoring the reference transistor from the erased state (or the programmed state) to the reference state. The reference state is set between the erased state and a programmed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Po-Yuan Tang
  • Patent number: 12002539
    Abstract: A memory unit includes at least one memory cell and a computational cell. The at least one memory cell stores a weight. The at least one memory cell is controlled by a first word line and includes a local bit line transmitting the weight. The computational cell is connected to the at least one memory cell and receiving the weight via the local bit line. Each of an input bit line and an input bit line bar transmits a multi-bit input value. The computational cell is controlled by a second word line and an enable signal to generate a multi-bit output value on each of an output bit line and an output bit line bar according to the multi-bit input value multiplied by the weight. The computational cell is controlled by a first switching signal and a second switching signal for charge sharing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Meng-Fan Chang, Yen-Chi Chou, Jian-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 11990187
    Abstract: Provided is method and apparatus with memory array programming. A memory apparatus may include a memory array including memory cells, and a memory controller, where the memory controller is configured to configured to repeat, for a plurality of times, a generation of a first present time current error between a first present time current and a first target current, both of a first memory cell, a generation of a second present time current error between a second present time current and a second target current, both of a second memory cell, where a greatest among the first present time current error and the second present time current error is a greatest present time current error, and a programming of a select one of the first and second memory cells that has the greatest present time current error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok Ju Yun, Daekun Yoon, Sang Joon Kim, Seungchul Jung
  • Patent number: 11990191
    Abstract: A memory device includes a cell group and a control circuit. The cell group includes plural non-volatile memory cells, each capable of storing multi-bit data corresponding to plural program states and an erased state. The control circuit performs at least two partial program operations for programming the multi-bit data in at least two non-volatile memory cells. The at least two partial program operations include an ISPP operation to increase a threshold voltage of the at least two non-volatile memory cells from the erased state to a first program state among the plural program states and a single pulse program operation to increase a threshold voltage of at least one non-volatile memory cell among the at least two non-volatile memory cells from the first program state to another program state which is higher than the first program state among the plural program states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyung Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 11984168
    Abstract: An interface circuit that can operate in toggle mode at data high transfer rates while reducing the self-induced noise is presented. The high speed toggle mode interface supplies a data signal to a data line or other transfer line by a driver circuit. The driver circuit includes a pair of series connected transistors connected between a high supply level and a low supply level, where the data line is supplied from a node between the two transistors. A resistor is connected between one or both of the transistors and one of the supply levels, with a capacitor connected between the low supply level and a node between the resistor and the transistor. The resistor helps to isolate the transistor from the supply level while the capacitor can act as current reservoir to boost the current to the transistor during data transition, reducing the noise seen by the voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nitin Gupta, Shiv Harit Mathur, Ramakrishnan Subramanian, Dmitry Vaysman
  • Patent number: 11984170
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a first memory chip and a second memory chip connected to a controller through the same channel. The first memory chip generates a first signal from a first internal clock signal based on a clock signal received from the controller. The second memory chip generates a second signal from a second internal clock signal based on the clock signal, and performs a phase calibration operation on the second signal on the basis of a phase of the first signal by delaying the second internal clock signal based on a phase difference between the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tongsung Kim, Youngmin Jo, Chiweon Yoon
  • Patent number: 11978511
    Abstract: A phase-change memory (PCM) cell is provided to include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a phase-change feature disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The phase-change feature is configured to change its data state based on a write operation performed on the PCM cell. The write operation includes a reset stage and a set stage. In the reset stage, a plurality of reset current pulses are applied to the PCM cell, and the reset current pulses have increasing current amplitudes. In the set stage, a plurality of set current pulses are applied to the PCM cell, and the set current pulses exhibit an increasing trend in current amplitude. The current amplitudes of the set current pulses are smaller than those of the reset current pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Huei Lee, Chun-Wei Chang, Jian-Hong Lin, Wen-Hsien Kuo, Pei-Chun Liao, Chih-Hung Nien
  • Patent number: 11980023
    Abstract: A capacitor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode provided on the first electrode, a ferroelectric film provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a dielectric film provided between the ferroelectric film and the second electrode, impedance of the ferroelectric film and impedance of the dielectric film are determined such that a control voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode is equal to a capacitance boosting operating voltage, and the capacitance boosting operating voltage is determined by the following equation: V MAX = ( 1 + ? "\[LeftBracketingBar]" Z 2 ? "\[RightBracketingBar]" ? "\[LeftBracketingBar]" Z 1 ? "\[RightBracketingBar]" ) ? t F ? E FM where VMAX is a capacitance boosting operating voltage, Z1 is impedance of the ferroelectric film, Z2 is impedance of the dielectric film, tF is a thickness of the ferroelectric film, and EFM is an electric field applied to the ferroelectric film having a maximum
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaeho Lee, Boeun Park, Yongsung Kim, Jooho Lee
  • Patent number: 11978495
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an information update control circuit configured to generate a self-read pulse for a self-read operation, a self-write pulse for a self-write operation, and an information update section signal that is activated during an information update section when an active operation is performed, and a column control circuit configured to receive the self-read pulse and the self-write pulse, to generate a read column strobe pulse for outputting data or selection information data stored in a core circuit when the self-read operation is performed based on the self-read pulse or the read operation is performed according to the read pulse, and to generate a write column strobe pulse for storing the data or the selection information data in the core circuit when the self-write operation is performed based on the self-write pulse or the write operation is performed according to the write pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Choung Ki Song
  • Patent number: 11972826
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a system and a method of extending a lifetime of a memory cell. In one aspect, a memory controller applies a first pulse having a first amplitude to the memory cell to write input data to the memory cell. In one aspect, the memory controller applies a second pulse having a second amplitude larger than the first amplitude to the memory cell to extend a lifetime of the memory cell. The memory cell may include a resistive memory device or a phase change random access memory device. In one aspect, the memory controller applies the second pulse to the memory cell to repair the memory cell in response to determining that the memory cell has failed. In one aspect, the memory controller periodically applies the second pulse to the memory cell to extend the lifetime of the memory cell before the memory cell fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Huei Lee, Pei-Chun Liao, Jian-Hong Lin, Dawei Heh, WenHsien Kuo
  • Patent number: 11972792
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first bank group and a second bank group sharing one set of data read and write drive circuits, and the set of data read and write drive circuits includes: a read control module that is connected to a read data bus, a first read and write data bus, and a second read and write data bus, and is configured to read data of the first bank group onto the read data bus, and to read data of the second bank group onto the read data bus; and a write control module that is connected to a write data bus, the first read and write data bus, and the second read and write data bus, and is configured to write data of the write data bus into the first bank group, and to write data of the write data bus into the second bank group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Changxin Memory Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lingling Cao
  • Patent number: 11961586
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes: a logic control circuit to which a signal is input; a timing information storage circuit configured to store timing information related to a start timing of correction processing that corrects a duty cycle of the signal; and a sequencer configured to start execution of the correction processing based on the timing information when a command related to the execution of the correction processing is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Kensuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11961567
    Abstract: A key storage device comprising a first key unit and a second key unit is disclosed. The first key unit is configured to output a first logic value through, comprising: a first setting circuit configured to output a first setting voltage; and a first inverter comprising a first output transistor having a first threshold voltage, configured to receive the first setting voltage and generate the first logic value. The second key unit is configured to output a second logic value through a second node, comprising: a second setting circuit configured to output a second setting voltage; and a second inverter comprising a second output transistor having a second threshold voltage, configured to receive the second setting voltage and generate the second logic value. The absolute value of first threshold voltage is lower than which of the second threshold voltage. The first setting voltage is higher than the second setting voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: PUFsecurity Corporation
    Inventors: Kai-Hsin Chuang, Chi-Yi Shao, Chun-Heng You
  • Patent number: 11955185
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor; a first resistor; a second resistor; a first circuit configured to apply a first voltage to the first transistor. The first voltage is based on a difference between a reference voltage and an output voltage divided by the first and second resistors. A first current through the first circuit in a first mode is less than a second current through the first circuit in a second mode. The semiconductor device includes a capacitor connected to the output terminal; and a second circuit connected to the capacitor that: (a) disconnects the first circuit from the capacitor and apply a second voltage to the capacitor in a first mode, and (b) electrically connects the first circuit to the capacitor in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11942161
    Abstract: A memory device includes a main memory, a first sub-memory and a controller. When the first sub-memory is erased, the first sub-memory generates a first erase completion signal. The controller receives an erase signal to erase the main memory. The controller performs an erase operation on the main memory according to the erase signal and the first erase completion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tse-Yen Liu
  • Patent number: 11942160
    Abstract: A request to perform a secure erase operation for a memory component can be received. A voltage level of a pass voltage that is applied to unselected wordlines of the memory component during a read operation can be determined. A voltage pulse can be applied during a program operation to at least one wordline of the memory component to perform the secure erase operation. The voltage pulse can exceed the pass voltage applied to the unselected wordlines of the memory component during the read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Harish R. Singidi, Vamsi Pavan Rayaprolu, Ashutosh Malshe, Sampath K. Ratnam