Patents Examined by Uyen B Tran
  • Patent number: 9858981
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a repair control circuit and a refresh control circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of redundancy memory cells. The repair control circuit receives a repair command and performs a repair operation on a first defective memory cell among the plurality of memory cells during a repair mode. The semiconductor memory device may operate in a repair mode in response to the repair command. The refresh control circuit performs a refresh operation on non-defective ones of the plurality of memory cells during the repair mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Young Lee, Kyo-Min Sohn, Sang-Joon Hwang, Sung-Min Seo, Sang-Bo Lee, Nak-Won Heo
  • Patent number: 9858993
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method of programming a non-volatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells that are stacked in a vertical direction over a substrate and connected to n word lines, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The method includes programming memory cells of second to n?1-th word lines, from among first to n-th word lines that are sequentially disposed in the vertical direction over the substrate, to a multi-level state, wherein a multi-level program operation is sequentially performed from the second to n?1-th word lines in an order in which the word lines are disposed; and programming memory cells of the first word line to a single level state after the programming memory cells of the second to n?1-th word lines to a multi-level state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Ku Kang
  • Patent number: 9859024
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory circuit may include: a cell array including a first region comprising a plurality of first cell groups and a second region comprising a plurality of second cell groups, each of the first and second cell groups having one or more nonvolatile memory cells; and a control unit suitable for controlling the cell array to sequentially output repair addresses of the plurality of cells groups included in a region which is not over used among the first and second regions when one of the first and second regions is over used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jong-Sam Kim, Jae-Il Kim
  • Patent number: 9859015
    Abstract: A memory device has a memory cell array with memory cells. A page buffer group generates page buffer signals according to a verify read result of the memory cells. A page buffer decoding unit generates a decoder output signal corresponding to the number of fail bits from the page buffer signals based on a first reference current. A slow bit counter outputs a count result corresponding to the number of fail bits from the decoder output signal based on a second reference current corresponding to M times the first reference current, where M is a positive integer. A pass/fail checking unit determines a program outcome with respect to the memory cells based on the count result and outputs a pass signal or a fail signal based on the determined program outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Hyun Kim, Bong-Soon Lim, Yoon-Hee Choi, Sang-Won Shim
  • Patent number: 9851744
    Abstract: In one form, an apparatus comprises a delay circuit and a controller. The delay circuit delays a plurality of command and address signals according to a first delay signal and provides a delayed command and address signal to memory interface. The controller performs command and address training in which the controller provides an activation signal and a predetermined address signal with first timing according to the first delay signal, and the plurality of command and address signals besides the predetermined address signal with second timing according to the first delay signal, wherein the second timing is relaxed with respect to the first timing. The controller determines an eye of timing for the predetermined address signal by repetitively providing a predetermined command on the command and address signals, varying the first delay signal, and measuring a data signal received from the memory interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Dearth, Anwar Kashem, Sean Cummins
  • Patent number: 9825042
    Abstract: In a conventional DRAM, when the capacitance of a capacitor is reduced, an error of reading data easily occurs. A plurality of cells are connected to one bit line MBL_. Each cell includes a sub bit line SBL_n_m and 4 to 64 memory cells (a memory cell CL_n_m_1 or the like). Further, each cell includes selection transistors STr1_n_m and STr2_n_m and an amplifier circuit AMP_n_m that is a complementary inverter or the like is connected to the selection transistor STr2_n_m. Since parasitic capacitance of the sub bit line SBL_n_m is sufficiently small, potential change due to electric charge in a capacitor of each memory cell can be amplified by the amplifier circuit AMP_n_m without an error, and can be output to the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Takemura
  • Patent number: 9824767
    Abstract: A disclosed example to reduce a threshold voltage drift of a selector device of a memory cell includes providing an applied voltage to the selector device of the memory cell, the applied voltage being less than a threshold voltage of the selector device, and reducing the threshold voltage drift of the memory cell by maintaining the applied voltage at the selector device for a thresholding duration to activate the selector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Feng Pan, Prashant S. Damle, Hanmant Pramod Belgal, Kiran Pangal
  • Patent number: 9799395
    Abstract: A static random access memory (SRAM) includes an array of storage cells and a first sense amplifier. The array of storage cells is arranged as rows and columns. The rows correspond to word lines and the columns correspond to bit lines. The first sense amplifier includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first sense amplifier is configured to provide a first read of a first storage cell of the array of storage cells. Based on the first read of the first storage cell failing to correctly read data stored in the first storage cell, the first sense amplifier is configured to increment a body bias of the first transistor a first time. In response to the body bias of the first transistor being incremented, the first sense amplifier is configured to provide a second read of the first storage cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Vinod Menezes
  • Patent number: 9799381
    Abstract: Circuits, systems, and methods for double-polarity reading of double-polarity stored data information are described. In one embodiment, a method involves applying a first voltage with a first polarity to a plurality of the memory cells. The method involves applying a second voltage with a second polarity to one or more of the plurality of memory cells. The method involves detecting electrical responses of the one or more memory cells to the first voltage and the second voltage. The method also involves determining a logic state of the one or more memory cells based on the electrical responses of the one or more memory cells to the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Innocenzo Tortorelli, Federico Pio
  • Patent number: 9792986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to phase change memory current. An apparatus includes a memory controller including a word line (WL) control module and a bit line (BL) control module, the memory controller is to initiate selection of a memory cell. The apparatus further includes a mitigation module to configure a first line selection logic to reduce a transient energy dissipation of the memory cell, the transient energy related to selecting the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mase J. Taub, Sandeep K. Guliani, Kiran Pangal, Raymond W. Zeng
  • Patent number: 9786670
    Abstract: To increase a storage capacity of a memory module per unit area, and to provide a memory module with low power consumption, a transistor formed using an oxide semiconductor film, a silicon carbide film, a gallium nitride film, or the like, which is highly purified and has a wide band gap of 2.5 eV or higher is used for a DRAM, so that a retention period of potentials in a capacitor can be extended. Further, a memory cell has n capacitors with different capacitances and the n capacitors are each connected to a corresponding one of n data lines, so that a variety of the storage capacitances can be obtained and multilevel data can be stored. The capacitors may be stacked for reducing the area of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Saito
  • Patent number: 9780099
    Abstract: A layout pattern of a static random access memory includes a pull-up device, a first pull-down device, a second pull-up device, a second pull-down device, a first pass gate device, a second pass gate device, a third pass gate device and a fourth pass gate device disposed on a substrate. A plurality of fin structures is disposed on the substrate, the fin structures including at least one first fin structure and at least one second fin structure. A step-shaped structure is disposed on the substrate, including a first part, a second part and a bridge part. A first extending contact feature crosses over the at least one first fin structure and the at least one second fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Shu-Wei Yeh, Tsung-Hsun Wu, Chih-Ming Su, Zhi-Xian Chou
  • Patent number: 9761291
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device may include a plurality of cell strings including a plurality of memory cells serially coupled to one another; a plurality of bit lines coupled to a corresponding cell string of the plurality of cell strings; a plurality of page buffers each including a plurality of latches and coupled to a corresponding bit line of the plurality of bit lines; a first control circuit suitable for controlling the plurality of latches to perform an operation corresponding to an activated command signal of a plurality of command signals in an access operation; and a second control circuit suitable for activating one or more of the plurality of command signals, while controlling operations of the plurality of cell strings and the plurality of bit lines in the access operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Byoung-In Joo
  • Patent number: 9754639
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that includes memory cells, a reference circuit, and a sensing unit. Each of the memory cells is configured to store bit data. The reference circuit includes reference switches and reference storage units. The reference switches are disposed. A first reference storage unit of the reference storage units is configured to generate a first signal having a first logic state when a first reference switch the reference switches is turned on. A second reference storage unit of the reference storage units is configured to generate a second signal having a second logic state when a second reference switch of the reference switches is turned on. The sensing unit is configured to determine a logic state of the bit data of one of the memory cells according to the first signal and the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Fu Lee, Yu-Der Chih, Hon-Jarn Lin, Yi-Chun Shih
  • Patent number: 9747974
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory apparatus includes a non-volatile storage circuit and a controller. The non-volatile storage circuit reads a corresponding data voltage set, and converts the corresponding data voltage set to the corresponding data in accordance with the read-voltage parameter of the controller. The controller decides whether to perform the on-the-fly self-adaptive read-voltage adjustment in accordance with the number of error bits of the corresponding data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying Yu Tai, Jiangli Zhu
  • Patent number: 9734885
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory system includes receiving thermal data indicating a temperature at addresses in a memory array, and a write request associate with data. An address of the write request is decoded. It is determined whether a temperature at the address of the write request is above a threshold temperature. The data is sent to a short latency write queue responsive to determining that the temperature is not above the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael B. Healy, Hillery C. Hunter, Saravanan Sethuraman
  • Patent number: 9734910
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory (NVM) cell includes a selection transistor configured to have a selection gate terminal coupled to a word line and a source terminal coupled to a source line, a cell transistor configured to have a floating gate electrically isolated, a drain terminal coupled to a bit line and sharing a junction terminal with the selection transistor, a first coupling capacitor disposed in a first connection line coupled between the word line and the floating gate, and a P-N diode and a second coupling capacitor disposed in series in a second connection line coupled between the word line and the floating gate. An anode and a cathode of the P-N diode are coupled to the second coupling capacitor and the word line, respectively. The first and second connection lines are coupled in parallel between the word line and the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Kun Park
  • Patent number: 9728244
    Abstract: A memory device may be provided. The memory device may include an active control section configured to output a row active signal in response to a refresh signal when an active signal is activated. The memory device may include a refresh management section configured to control the refresh signal to skip a refresh operation for an unused row address in response to a refresh command signal and a refresh skip signal, and output an active row address for controlling the refresh operation. The memory device may include a memory section configured to perform a refresh operation for only an area of a cell array corresponding to a used row address in response to the row active signal and the active row address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9720611
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to semiconductors and memory technology, and more particularly, to systems, integrated circuits, and methods to preserve states of memory elements in association with data operations using variable access signal magnitudes for other memory elements, such as implemented in third dimensional memory technology. In some embodiments, a memory device can include a cross-point array with resistive memory elements. An access signal generator can modify a magnitude of a signal to generate a modified magnitude for the signal to access a resistive memory element associated with a word line and a subset of bit lines. A tracking signal generator is configured to track the modified magnitude of the signal and to apply a tracking signal to other resistive memory elements associated with other subsets of bit lines, the tracking signal having a magnitude at a differential amount from the modified magnitude of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Unity Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Chang Hua Siau
  • Patent number: 9711219
    Abstract: A storage device according to an embodiment includes: first and second magnetic elements each including: a reference layer connected to a third terminal; a first magnetic layer including first through third magnetic regions; a nonmagnetic layer; a second magnetic layer connected to a first terminal and the first magnetic region; and a third magnetic layer connected to a second terminal and the third magnetic region; a first inverter including a p-channel first transistor, an n-channel second transistor, a first input terminal connected to the second terminal of the second magnetic element, and a first output terminal connected to the first terminal of the first magnetic element; and a second inverter including a p-channel third transistor, an n-channel fourth transistor, a second input terminal connected to the second terminal of the first magnetic element, and a second output terminal connected to the first terminal of the second magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Keiko Abe, Shinobu Fujita