Patents Examined by Thong Q. Le
  • Patent number: 12087373
    Abstract: An erase process for a group of non-volatile memory cells comprises applying doses of erasing to the group and performing erase verify between pairs of successive doses of erasing. The time needed to complete the erase process can be reduced by optimizing the order of performing erase verify. For example, erase verify can be performed by separately performing erase verify for multiple portions of the group in order from previously determined slowest erasing portion of the group to previously determined fastest erasing portion of the group, and aborting the performing of erase verify prior to completion of erase verify for all of the portions of the group in response to a number erase errors exceeding a limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yi Song, Lito De La Rama, Xiaochen Zhu
  • Patent number: 12073880
    Abstract: In a method for accessing memory cells, a first read operation is performed on a first memory cell to read a first data value from the first memory cell. During the first read operation, a first variable current source provides a first assessment current having a first current level to a first bitline coupled to the first memory cell. A second read operation is performed on the first memory cell to read a second data value from the first memory cell. During the second read operation, the first variable current source manipulates the first current level to provide a second current level to the first bitline. A difference between the first current level and the second current level is based on whether the first data value that was read during the first read operation was a first data state or a second data state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Kern, Sebastian Kiesel
  • Patent number: 12068050
    Abstract: A method can include detecting, by a glitch detector coupled via a connection matrix to a first processing unit, an indication of a glitch on a memory system. The method can include notifying, via the connection matrix, at least a second processing unit of the detected indication of the glitch. The method can include subsequent to notifying at least the second processing unit, transmitting via the at least the second processing unit a glitch confirmation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Alberto Rovelli, Craig A. Jones
  • Patent number: 12068025
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a device having memory with banks of bitcells with each bank having a bitcell array. The device may have header circuitry that powers-up a selected bank and powers-down unselected banks during a wake-up mode of operation. In some instances, only the selected bank of the memory is powered-up with the header circuitry during the wake-up mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventors: Rahul Mathur, Edward Martin McCombs, Jr., Hsin-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 12068048
    Abstract: A processing system includes an error detection circuit configured to receive data bits and ECC bits, calculate further ECC bits as a function of the data bits, and generate a syndrome by comparing the calculated ECC bits with the received ECC bits. When the syndrome corresponds to one of N+K single bit-flip reference syndromes, the error detection circuit asserts a first error signal, and asserts one bit of a bit-flip signature corresponding to a single bit-flip error indicated by the respective single bit-flip reference syndrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignees: TMicroelectronics Application GMBH, STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Vivek Mohan Sharma, Roberto Colombo
  • Patent number: 12057180
    Abstract: In an embodiment a non-volatile memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells, a control unit operatively coupled to the memory array, a biasing stage controllable by the control unit and configured to apply a biasing configuration to the memory cells to perform a memory operation and a reading stage coupled to the memory array and controllable by the control unit, the reading stage configured to verify whether the memory operation has been successful based on a verify level, wherein the control unit is configured to adaptively modify a value of the verify level based on an ageing of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Francesco La Rosa, Antonino Conte, Francois Maugain
  • Patent number: 12057163
    Abstract: A read reference current generator includes a temperature coefficient (TC) controller configured to adjust a temperature coefficient in response to a first control signal and generate a read reference current having an adjusted temperature coefficient, a plurality of replica circuits configured to receive the read reference current and adjust an absolute value of the read reference current with different scale factors to generate a plurality of branch currents, and a plurality of switches configured to control connection of the TC controller and the plurality of replica circuits in response to a second control signal, wherein an equivalent resistance value of each of the plurality of replica circuits corresponds to a multiple of an equivalent resistance value of a data read path, and the data read path includes a selected memory cell and a clamping circuit clamping a voltage level of a selected bit line to a determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Antonyan Artur, Jieun Kim
  • Patent number: 12057185
    Abstract: A method includes initiating a voltage calibration scan with respect to a block of a memory device, wherein the block is assigned to a first bin associated with a first set of read voltage offsets, and wherein the first bin is designated as a current bin, measuring a value of a data state metric for the block based on a second set of read voltage offsets associated with a second bin having an index value higher than the first bin, determining whether the value is less than a current value of the data state metric measured based on the first set of read voltage offsets, and in response to determining that the value is less than the current value, designating the second bin as the current bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Kumar Muchherla, Mustafa N. Kaynak, Sivagnanam Parthasarathy, Xiangang Luo, Peter Feeley, Devin M. Batutis, Jiangang Wu, Sampath K. Ratnam, Shane Nowell, Karl D. Schuh
  • Patent number: 12056599
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for in-or near-memory processing are described. Bits of a first number may be stored on a number of memory elements, wherein each memory element of the number of memory elements intersects a bit line and a word line of a number of word lines. A number of signals corresponding to bits of a second number may be driven on the number of word lines to generate a number of output signals. A value equal to a product of the first number and the second number may be generated based on the number of output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitri Yudanov, Sean S. Eilert, Hernan A. Castro, William A. Melton
  • Patent number: 12057169
    Abstract: The memory device that includes a memory block memory cells arranged in word lines. A controller is in electrical communication with the memory cells and is configured to program the memory cells to a first set of data states in a first programming pass and then to a greater second set of data states in a second programming pass. During programming of a first set of memory cells in at least one of the first and second programming passes, the controller is further configured to determine programming statuses of a second set of memory cells that is adjacent the first set of memory cells. The controller is further configured to read the first set of memory cells using a read voltage that is adjusted from a base read voltage based on the determined programming statuses of the second set of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Inventors: Huiwen Xu, Nidhi Agrawal, Zhenni Wan, Bo Lei, Jun Wan
  • Patent number: 12046281
    Abstract: Provided is a storage apparatus that reduces the power needed to write corrected data back to a memory. The storage apparatus includes a memory and a write control section. The memory stores data in units of multiple cells each representing a predetermined value. The write control section receives write-back data having a specific value in a position corresponding to at least one of the multiple cells, as well as a write-back command regarding the specific value. The write control section performs control to write the specific value only to the cell corresponding to the position indicative of the specific value in the write-back data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Kuroda
  • Patent number: 12048134
    Abstract: Nanosheets 21 to 23 are formed in line in this order in the X direction, and nanosheets 24 to 26 are formed in line in this order in the X direction. In a buried interconnect layer, a power line 11 is formed between the nanosheets 22 and 25 as viewed in plan. A face of the nanosheet 22 on a first side as one of the sides in the X direction is exposed from a gate interconnect 32. A face of the nanosheet 25 on a second side as the other side in the X direction is exposed from a gate interconnect 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventors: Masanobu Hirose, Yasunori Murase
  • Patent number: 12046278
    Abstract: New CMOS harvesting circuits are proposed that improve 2-port/multiport Register File Array circuit speed and substantially lower the energy cost of moving data along local and global bitpaths when engaging harvested data to self-limit energy dissipation. The uncertainty in BL signal development due to statistical variations in cell read current is eliminated by self-disabling action in the selected cell when the electric potential of harvested data matches the BL voltage from signal development while demanding fewer peripheral circuit transistors per column than conventional sensing schemes. Proposed bit path circuits engage harvested charge to provide immunity to disturb current noise during concurrent Read and Write access along a WL-eliminating the performance, area and energy overheads of BL keeper circuits typically required in conventional Register File arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Metis Microsystems, LLC
    Inventor: Azeez Bhavnagarwala
  • Patent number: 12033698
    Abstract: A method for resetting an array of Resistive Memory cells by applying a sequence of N reset operations, each reset operation including the application of a reset technique, the method including, at the first reset operation, performing the first reset operation by applying the reset technique having the highest relative correction yield; at the j-th reset operation of the N?1 subsequent reset operations, j being an integer number between 2 and N, defining a reset technique to be used at the j-th reset operation and performing the j-th reset operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, WEEBIT NANO LTD
    Inventors: Gabriel Molas, Alessandro Bricalli, Guiseppe Piccolboni, Amir Regev
  • Patent number: 12014775
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus related to memory devices. In one approach, a memory device includes a sense amplifier, a counter, and memory having memory cells. Access lines are used to select the memory cells for performing write operations. The memory device includes a controller to control the applying of a voltage to the memory cell. The voltage is applied during a write operation using the access lines. The sense amplifier is used to determine whether the memory cell reaches a threshold state or snaps. In response to determining that the memory cell does not snap, a write error count is incremented using the counter. The controller reads the counter to determine the write error count, and based on the write error count, the controller performs one or more media management or memory device control actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Christopher M. Sancon
  • Patent number: 12009050
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for selective access for grouped memory dies are described. A memory device may be configured with a select die access protocol for a group of memory dies that share a same channel. The protocol may be enabled by one or more commands from the host device, which may be communicated to each of the memory dies of the group via the channel. The command(s) may indicate a first set of one or more memory dies of the group for which a set of commands may be enabled and may also indicate a second set of one or more memory dies of the group for which at least a subset of the set of commands is disabled. When the select die access mode is enabled, the disabled memory dies may be restricted from performing the subset of commands received via the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 12002510
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus related to memory devices. In one approach, a vertical three-dimensional cross-point memory device uses digit line decoders that include, on the digit line side of memory cells, a current limiter and sensing circuit configured to control program current in either of positive or negative program polarities, as selected by a controller. Two current limiters are each used on the digit line side of each memory cell. A negative polarity current limiter is used for pull-up, and a positive polarity current limiter is used for pull-down. A negative polarity sensing circuit is used between the respective digit line decoder and a positive supply voltage. A positive polarity sensing circuit is used between the respective digit line decoder and a negative supply voltage. The current limiter and sensing circuit pair of the same polarity is coupled to each digit line decoder based on the selected program polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrea Ghetti, Andrea Martinelli, Efrem Bolandrina, Ferdinando Bedeschi, Paolo Fantini
  • Patent number: 12002506
    Abstract: A DRAM device may be configured to retransmit or not retransmit zero or more of command/address signals, write data signals, read data signals, and/or data strobe signals. The DRAM device may have separate, unidirectional read data signal and write data signal interfaces. Combined activate and read or write commands may be implemented. The configuration of the DRAM to retransmit or not retransmit signals may be determined by the DRAM device's physical location on a module via hardwired configuration pins. The various configurations allows a DRAM device to be used on both a long and narrow form factor module and a DIMM module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Torsten Partsch
  • Patent number: 12002525
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for memory operations disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is provided for programming multiple-level cells in a memory array. The memory array includes a plurality of planes and each plane includes a plurality of bit lines. The method includes storing multiple data bits in a first group of planes, one data bit per plane. The multiple data bits are stored in bit line capacitances of the first group of planes. The method also includes programming a selected multiple-level cell in a selected plane according to the multiple data bits that are stored in the bit line capacitances of the first group of planes. The selected plane is not one of the first group of planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: NEO Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Fu-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 12004436
    Abstract: Embodiments of present invention provide a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell. The RRAM cell includes a bottom electrode; a metal oxide layer, the metal oxide layer having a central portion that is in direct contact with the bottom electrode, a peripheral portion that is nonplanar with the central portion, and a vertical portion between the central portion and the peripheral portion; and a top electrode directly above the metal oxide layer. A method of manufacturing the RRAM cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Soon-Cheon Seo, Min Gyu Sung, Takashi Ando, Chanro Park, Mary Claire Micaller Silvestre, Xuefeng Liu