Patents Examined by Mohammed A Bashar
  • Patent number: 11830561
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide for a storage device that includes a storage controller including a plurality of analog circuits and at least one nonvolatile memory device including a first region and a second region. The at least one nonvolatile memory device stores user data in the second region and stores trimming control codes in the first region as a compensation data set. The trimming control codes are configured to compensate for offsets of the plurality of analog circuits and are obtained through a wafer-level test on the storage controller. The storage controller, during a power-up sequence, reads the compensation data set from the first region of the at least one nonvolatile memory device, stores the read compensation data set therein, and adjusts the offsets of the plurality of analog circuits based on the stored compensation data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngmin Lee, Soongmann Shin
  • Patent number: 11823761
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to evaluate read margin when reading memory cells in a memory device. In one approach, a controller of a memory device applies an initial read voltage of an initial polarity to memory cells. Errors from the read are used to determine whether read retry is needed. If so, a pre-read voltage of an opposite polarity is applied, and errors determined. Based on the errors from applying the pre-read voltage, a polarity is selected for the read retry voltage. The read retry voltage of the selected polarity is then applied to the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyuan Lu, Robert John Gleixner
  • Patent number: 11809982
    Abstract: A synapse memory system includes a plurality of synapse memory cells, a write portion, and read drivers. Each synapse memory cells is disposed at cross points of axon lines and dendrite lines and includes a plurality of analog memory devices and each synapse memory cell is configured to store a weight value according to an output level of a write signal. The plurality of analog memory devices is combined to constitute each synapse memory cell. The write portion is configured to write the weight value to each synapse memory cell and includes a write driver and an output controller. The write driver is configured to output the write signal to each synapse memory cell and the output controller is configured to control the output level of the write signal of the write driver. The read drivers are configured to read the weight value stored in the synapse memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeo Yasuda, Kohji Hosokawa, Junka Okazawa, Akiyo Iwashina
  • Patent number: 11791007
    Abstract: A leakage detection circuit may include: a comparison circuit configured to compare an input voltage, which changes based on the level of an operation voltage node, to a reference voltage and configured to output a detection signal; and a state decision circuit configured to determine a count value that corresponds to a determination period based on the detection signal and configured to output leakage state information based on the count value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Byoung Sung You
  • Patent number: 11790976
    Abstract: A memory device is described. The memory device includes logic circuitry to perform calibrations of resistive network terminations and data drivers of the memory device while the memory device is within a self refresh mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cox, Bill Nale
  • Patent number: 11776647
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided, which contains a memory bank including M primary word lines and R replacement word lines, a row/column decoder, and an array of redundancy fuse elements. A sorted primary failed bit count list is generated in a descending order for the bit fail counts per word line. A sorted replacement failed bit count list is generated in an ascending order of the M primary word lines in an ascending order. The primary word lines are replaced with the replacement word lines from top to bottom on the lists until a primary failed bit count equals a replacement failed bit count or until all of the replacement word lines are used up. Optionally, the sorted primary failed bit count list may be re-sorted in an ascending or descending order of the word line address prior to the replacement process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chien-Hao Huang, Cheng-Yi Wu, Katherine H. Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 11776649
    Abstract: A method for generating a memory built-in self-test circuit includes steps of providing an editable file, wherein the editable file configured to be edited by a user to customize a memory test algorithm; performing a syntax parsing on the editable file to obtain the memory test data, wherein the memory test data being corresponding to the memory test algorithm; and generating the memory built-in self-test circuit based on the memory test data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ISTART-TEK INC.
    Inventor: Chia Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 11776646
    Abstract: A TPM with programmable fuses in an SOC includes an on-die RAM storing a blown-fuse count and a TPM state read from off-die NV memory. During initialization, if the blown-fuse count is greater than a TPM state fuse count, a TPM state PIN-attempt-failure count is incremented, thereby thwarting a replay attack. If a PIN satisfies a PIN failure policy, and if a TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to true, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented depending on the PIN being incorrect, but if the TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to false, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented independent of whether the PIN is correct or incorrect. The TPM state fuse count is set equal to the blown-fuse count. If a counter cleared before processing the PIN remains cleared during the next initialization, a fuse voltage cut is detected and a penalty imposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ling Tony Chen, Felix Domke, Ankur Choudhary, Bradley Joseph Litterell
  • Patent number: 11776655
    Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, devices, memory devices, and machine-readable mediums for using a non-defective portion of a block of memory on which there is a defect on a different portion. Rather than disable the entire block, the system may disable only a portion of the block (e.g., a first deck of the block) and salvage a different portion of the block (e.g., a second deck of the block).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sri Rama Namala, Jung Sheng Hoei, Jianmin Huang, Ashutosh Malshe, Xiangang Luo
  • Patent number: 11776656
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller adapted to be coupled to memory components in parallel and configured to provide memory address signals and a controller clock signal to the memory components, a memory enable logic circuit coupled to the controller and adapted to be coupled to the memory components in parallel and configured to provide test-enable signals to the memory components. The test-enable signals enable, with the controller clock signal, the memory components to read locally stored memory values. The apparatus includes a multiplexer adapted to be coupled to the memory components in parallel and configured to receive from the memory components memory signals that include the memory values in respective sequences of the memory clock signals, and a pipeline coupled to the multiplexer and the controller and configured to receive the memory values from the multiplexer and send the memory values to a multiple input signature register of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Nitesh Mishra, Nikita Naresh
  • Patent number: 11776650
    Abstract: A memory calibration system includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells, a sensing circuit coupled to the memory array, and calibration circuitry. A pattern of test data is applied to the memory array in order to generate calibration information based on output provided by the first sensing circuit in response to the application of the pattern of test data to the memory array. The generated calibration information is stored in a distributed manner within memory cells of the memory array. Some of the generated calibration information may be combined with data values stored in the plurality of memory cells as part of one or more operations on the stored data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Tanmoy Roy, Anuj Grover
  • Patent number: 11769534
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for providing a flexible memory system are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a substrate is provided, wherein a stack of memory is coupled to the substrate. The stack of memory includes a number of vaults. A controller is also coupled to the substrate and includes a number of vault interface blocks coupled to the number of vaults of the stack of memory, wherein the number of vault interface blocks is less than the number of vaults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe M. Jeddeloh, Brent Keeth
  • Patent number: 11769565
    Abstract: A memory device which can perform various memory tests without increasing a size of the memory device. The memory device includes: a first pad for receiving external ROM data from a memory controller; a second pad for receiving an external clock signal corresponding to the external ROM data from the memory controller; and a control logic connected to the first pad and the second pad and configured to perform an operation corresponding to the external ROM data in response to the external clock signal in a test mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Hyun Chung
  • Patent number: 11763894
    Abstract: A method of operating a non-volatile memory device includes performing a first sensing operation on the non-volatile memory device during a first sensing time including a first section, a second section, and a third section. The performing of the first sensing operation includes applying a first voltage level, which is variable according to a first target voltage level, to a selected word line in the first section, applying a second voltage level, which is different from the first voltage level, to the selected word line in the second section, and applying the first target voltage level, which is different from the second voltage level, to the selected word line in the third section. The first voltage level becomes greater as the first target voltage level becomes greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Hun Kwak
  • Patent number: 11749366
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a fuse array circuit including a plurality of fuse sets each assigned to a corresponding one of a plurality of fuse addresses and configured to operatively store a fuse data, and a first circuit configured to generate and sequentially update a fuse address to sequentially read the fuse data from the plurality of fuse sets. The first circuit is configured to change a frequency of updating the fuse address based on a first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Matsubara, Alan Wilson, Minoru Someya
  • Patent number: 11749374
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array, a data accessing circuit, a data bus inversion calculator, a multiplexer, and an output result judging circuit. The data accessing circuit performs a data write-in operation or a data read-out operation on the memory cell array. The data accessing circuit reads read-out data from the memory cell array. The data bus inversion calculator generates inversion indication data according to the read-out data. The multiplexer outputs the inversion indication data or test data according to a mode signal. The output result judging circuit compares the read-out data with the inversion indication data or the test data to generate output information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Tzu-Yin Wei
  • Patent number: 11748608
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a neural network system comprising: a data input configured to receive an input data signal and analog neural network circuitry having an input coupled with the data input. The analog neural network circuitry is operative to apply a weight to a signal received at its input to generate a weighted output signal. The neural network system further comprises compensation circuitry configured to apply a compensating term to the input data signal to compensate for error in the analog neural network circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: John Paul Lesso
  • Patent number: 11742041
    Abstract: A TPM with programmable fuses in an SOC includes an on-die RAM storing a blown-fuse count and a TPM state read from off-die NV memory. During initialization, if the blown-fuse count is greater than a TPM state fuse count, a TPM state PIN-attempt-failure count is incremented, thereby thwarting a replay attack. If a PIN satisfies a PIN failure policy, and if a TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to true, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented depending on the PIN being incorrect, but if the TPM state previously-passed-PIN indicator is set to false, a fuse is blown and the blown-fuse count incremented independent of whether the PIN is correct or incorrect. The TPM state fuse count is set equal to the blown-fuse count. If a counter cleared before processing the PIN remains cleared during the next initialization, a fuse voltage cut is detected and a penalty imposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ling Tony Chen, Felix Domke, Ankur Choudhary, Bradley Joseph Litterell
  • Patent number: 11735288
    Abstract: Technology is disclosed herein for loading redundancy information during a memory system power on read (POR). A memory structure has primary regions (e.g., primary columns) and a number of redundant regions (e.g., redundant columns). The status of the regions is stored in isolation latches during the POR. Initially, simultaneously all latches for primary regions are reset to used and all latches for redundant regions are reset to unused. Then, isolation latches for defective primary regions are set to unused while isolation latches for corresponding redundant regions are set to used. There is no need to individually set isolation latches for redundant regions to unused, which saves time during POR. Moreover, whenever the isolation latch for a defective primary region is set from used to unused, in parallel the isolation latch for the replacement redundant column may be set from unused to used, thereby not incurring a time penalty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Hua-Ling Cynthia Hsu, YenLung Li
  • Patent number: 11728002
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, and a method for memory management and more a memory device structured with internal analogic measurement mode features. The memory device includes memory component having a memory array, a memory controller coupled to the memory component, a JTAG interface in the memory controller, voltage and current reference generators, and an analogic measurement block driven by the JTAG interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Troia, Antonino Mondello