Patents Examined by Mohammed A Bashar
  • Patent number: 11880607
    Abstract: A self-repair memory circuit includes a cell array, a controller, a row repair decoder, and a column repair decoder. The cell array includes rows and columns of memory cells. The controller receives an input indicating row repair or column repair, and a repair address shared by the row repair and the column repair of the cell array. The row repair decoder maps the repair address of a defective row to a redundant row of the cell array when the input indicates the row repair. The column repair decoder maps the repair address of a defective column to another column of the cell array when the input indicates the column repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Kim Soon Jway, Shu-Lin Lai, Yi-Ping Kuo
  • Patent number: 11875866
    Abstract: Memory programming methods and memory systems are described. One example memory programming method includes programming a plurality of main cells of a main memory and erasing a plurality of second main cells of the main memory. The memory programming method further includes first re-writing one-time programmed data within a plurality of first one-time programmed cells of a one-time programmed memory during the programming and second re-writing one-time programmed data within a plurality of second one-time programmed cells of a one-time programmed memory during the erasing. Additional method and apparatus are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 11869617
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system comprises a static random access memory (SRAM) device and a controller. The SRAM device comprises a bit cell array comprising a plurality of bit cells arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each column operatively coupled to a pair of bit lines, wherein the plurality of columns is arranged as a plurality of column groups each comprising a plurality of local columns. The SRAM device further comprises a plurality of column decoders, each associated with a column group of the plurality of column groups. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to read the local columns included in the column group by, for a given local column, sensing a voltage difference on a corresponding pair of bit lines, in a rearranged sequential order that is different from a physical sequential order of the plurality of local columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Huichu Liu, Edith Dallard, Daniel Henry Morris
  • Patent number: 11862272
    Abstract: A local region to be repaired including the fail bit is determined. A preliminary repair LR circuit for repairing the local region to be repaired is determined (S210). A region level of the local region to be repaired is determined (S230) according to the number of available GR circuits other than any replacement GR circuit configured for replacing the preliminary repair LR circuit and the number of available LR circuits. It is controlled, according to the region level of the local region to be repaired, to repair the fail bit by the GR circuit or the LR circuit (S240).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yui-Lang Chen
  • Patent number: 11862277
    Abstract: A deterioration detection device includes a storage including a first current path and a second current path and configured such that a current is applied to the first current path and the second current path, a storage input control unit configured to compare an internal operating condition of a memory device with a target condition in a first operating mode and to select one of the first current path and the second current path of the storage based on a result of the comparison, and an output unit configured to output an output signal indicated deterioration, accumulated in one of the first current path and the second current path, in a second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youngduk Lee, Hyunsung Lim
  • Patent number: 11862276
    Abstract: The present application relates to the technical field of integrated circuits, and in particular, to a memory test method and a memory test apparatus. The memory test method includes: providing a to-be-tested memory, where the to-be-tested memory includes a plurality of memory cells; alternately writing a first write value and a second write value into a memory cell of the memory cells at a preset frequency; writing a test write value into the memory cell; judging whether a data read from the memory cell is the test write value, and determining that a capacitance-frequency characteristic of the memory cell is abnormal if the data is not the test write value. According to the present application, the capacitance-frequency characteristic of the to-be-tested memory is accurately tested, to improve the field of memory products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Huang, Chi-Shian Wu
  • Patent number: 11862270
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells, an input/output (I/O) circuit, and control logic coupled to the I/O circuit. The array of memory cells includes a plurality of banks including a plurality of main banks and a redundant bank. The I/O circuit is coupled to each pair of adjacent banks of the plurality of banks and configured to direct a piece of data to or from either bank of each pair of adjacent banks. The control circuit is configured to select one bank of each pair of adjacent banks based on bank fail information indicative of a failed main bank of the plurality of main banks. The control circuit is further configured to control the I/O circuit to direct the piece of data to or from the selected bank of each pair of adjacent banks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sangoh Lim
  • Patent number: 11854638
    Abstract: A memory stores dummy data including a first data area having more “0” than “1” of a binary logic and a second data area having more “1” than “0” of the binary logic. An ECC processor detects a first error bit number related to the first data area and a second error bit number related to the second data area. A calculator calculates a relative difference of the first error bit number from the second error bit number. A comparator compares the relative difference with a predetermined value. A corrector corrects a read voltage on the basis of a result of comparison by the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Nakai, Atsufumi Kawamura, Yasuhisa Marumo, Handa Chen
  • Patent number: 11854639
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods including a test circuit in a scribe region between chips are described. An example apparatus includes: a first semiconductor chip and a second semiconductor chip, adjacent to one another; a scribe region between the first and second semiconductor chips; test address pads in the scribe region; and an address decoder circuit in the scribe region. The test address pads receive address signals. The address decoder provides first signals responsive to the address signals from the test address pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuko Otsuka, Takeshi Kaku, Soeparto Tandjoeng
  • Patent number: 11842788
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a repair location for a redundancy circuit, and a method for repairing an integrated circuit are provided. At least one fail bit of a chip to be repaired is determined. At least one initial repair location for the redundancy circuit is initially assigned according to the at least one fail bit. At least one potential fail line is determined according to the at least one initial repair location. At least one predicted repair location is determined according to the at least one potential fail line. Each of the at least one predicted repair location is a location with a higher probability that a new fail bit appears. At least one final repair location for the redundancy circuit is determined according to the at least one fail bit and the at least one predicted repair location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Lei Yang, Yui-Lang Chen
  • Patent number: 11837303
    Abstract: A predefined data pattern is written using a plurality of values of a memory access parameter. A corresponding value of a data state metric associated with each value of a plurality of values of the memory access operation parameter is measured. An optimal value of the memory access operation parameter is selected from the plurality of values of the memory access operation parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seungjune Jeon, Tingjun Xie
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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