Patents by Inventor Chung-Cheng Chou

Chung-Cheng Chou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11948635
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. A closed loop bias generator is configured to output a column select signal to the memory array. A current limiter receives an output of the closed loop bias generator. The current limiter is coupled to a plurality of the columns of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Tien-Yen Wang
  • Patent number: 11942150
    Abstract: A resistive random-access memory (RRAM) circuit includes an RRAM device configured to output a cell current responsive to a bit line voltage, and a current limiter including an input terminal coupled to the RRAM device, first and second parallel current paths configured to conduct the cell current between the input terminal and a reference voltage node, and an amplifier configured to generate a first signal responsive to a voltage level at the input terminal and a reference voltage level. Each of the first and second current paths includes a switching device configured to selectively conduct a portion of the cell current responsive to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Zheng-Jun Lin, Pei-Ling Tseng
  • Patent number: 11929281
    Abstract: A structure includes a first conductive feature, a first etch stop layer over the first conductive feature, a dielectric layer over the first etch stop layer, and a second conductive feature in the dielectric layer and the first etch stop layer. The second conductive feature is over and contacting the first conductive feature. An air spacer encircles the second conductive feature, and sidewalls of the second conductive feature are exposed to the air spacer. A protection ring further encircles the second conductive feature, and the protection ring fully separates the second conductive feature from the air spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia Cheng Chou, Chung-Chi Ko, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 11929329
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a low-k dielectric layer, a cap layer, and a conductive layer is provided. The low-k dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The cap layer is disposed on the low-k dielectric layer, wherein a carbon atom content of the cap layer is greater than a carbon atom content of the low-k dielectric layer. The conductive layer is disposed in the cap layer and the low-k dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Cheng Chou, Chung-Chi Ko, Tze-Liang Lee, Ming-Tsung Lee
  • Patent number: 11923294
    Abstract: An interconnect structure includes an etching stop layer, a dielectric layer and an insert layer and a conductive line. The insert layer is located between the etching stop layer and the dielectric layer. The conductive line extends through the dielectric layer, the insert layer, and the etching stop layer. A material of the insert layer is different from the dielectric layer and the etching stop layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Cheng Chou, Chung-Chi Ko, Tze-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 11915752
    Abstract: A memory device includes a main array comprising main memory cells; a redundancy array comprising redundancy memory cells; and write circuitry configured to perform a first programming operation on a main memory cell, to detect whether a current of the main memory cell exceeds a predefined current threshold during the first programming operation, and to disable a second programming operation for a redundancy memory cell if the current of the main memory cell exceeds the predefined current threshold during the first programming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chung-Cheng Chou, Chun-Yun Wu, Chen-Ming Hung
  • Patent number: 11915754
    Abstract: A memory architecture includes: a plurality of cell arrays each of which comprises a plurality of bit cells, wherein each of bit cells of the plurality of cell arrays uses a respective variable resistance dielectric layer to transition between first and second logic states; and a control logic circuit, coupled to the plurality of cell arrays, and configured to cause a first information bit to be written into respective bit cells of a pair of cell arrays as an original logic state of the first information bit and a logically complementary logic state of the first information bit, wherein the respective variable resistance dielectric layers are formed by using a same recipe of deposition equipment and have different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chung-Cheng Chou, Wen-Ting Chu
  • Publication number: 20240062815
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier has a reference circuit configured to output a reference voltage and a sensing circuit connected to the memory cell. A comparator includes a first input and a second input, with the first input connected to the reference circuit to receive the reference voltage, and the second input connected to the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun LIN, Chung-Cheng CHOU, Pei-Ling TSENG
  • Publication number: 20240036597
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit is provided. The voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator configured to provide an output voltage at an output terminal. A plurality of macros are connectable at a plurality of connection nodes of a connector connected to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. A feedback circuit having a plurality of feedback loops is connectable to the plurality of connection nodes. The feedback loop of the plurality of feedback loops, when connected to a connection node of the plurality of connection nodes, is configured to provide an instantaneous voltage of the connection node as a feedback to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is configured, in response to the instantaneous voltage, regulate the output voltage to maintain the instantaneous voltage of the connection node approximately equal to a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Chin-I Su
  • Publication number: 20240023807
    Abstract: An optical biometer including a light source, a first-stage coupler, a first and a second second-stage coupler, a first and a second optical path difference generator, a first and a second optical component set, a first and a second detection device is disclosed. The first-stage coupler receives an incident light from the light source and emits first and second first-stage lights. The first second-stage coupler receives the first first-stage light and emits first and second second-stage lights. The second second-stage coupler receives the second first-stage light and emits third and fourth second-stage lights. The first/second optical path difference generator generates the first/fourth second-stage light with the first/second optical path difference. The first/second optical component set emits the second/third second-stage light to a first/second position of an eye and receives a first/second reflected light. The first/second detector receives a first/second detection light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Che-Liang TSAI, William WANG, Chung-Ping CHUANG, Sung-Yang WEI, Hsuan-Hao CHAO, Chung-Cheng CHOU
  • Publication number: 20230402075
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, the memory device includes multiple cells arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and multiple columns. The memory device further includes multiple bit lines each of which is connected to first cells of the multiple cells arranged in a row of the multiple rows. A voltage control circuit is connectable to a selected bit line of the multiple bit lines and includes a voltage detection circuit that detects an instantaneous supply voltage and a voltage source selection circuit connected to the voltage detection circuit. The voltage source selection circuit selects a voltage source from multiple voltage sources based on the detected instantaneous supply voltage. The voltage source selection circuit includes a switch that connects the selected voltage source to the selected bit line to provide a write voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: CHIEN-AN LAI, CHUNG-CHENG CHOU, YU-DER CHIH
  • Publication number: 20230396161
    Abstract: A system includes a charge pump system having a plurality of enable signal input terminals and an output terminal, the charge pump system configured to provide an output voltage at the output terminal; and a detection circuit connected to the enable terminals and the output terminal of the charge pump system, the detection circuit configured to compare the charge pump system output voltage to a plurality of predefined input detection voltage levels, and to selectively output a plurality of enable signals to the charge pump system enable signal input terminals in response to the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Tien-Yen Wang
  • Patent number: 11837287
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier has a reference circuit configured to output a reference voltage and a sensing circuit connected to the memory cell. A comparator includes a first input and a second input, with the first input connected to the reference circuit to receive the reference voltage, and the second input connected to the memory cell. A precharger is configured to selectively precharge the sensing circuit to a predetermined precharge voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chung-Cheng Chou, Pei-Ling Tseng
  • Publication number: 20230377648
    Abstract: A method of operating a memory circuit includes generating a first current in response to a first voltage. The first current includes a first set of leakage currents and a first write current. The method further includes generating, by a tracking circuit, a second set of leakage currents configured to track the first set of leakage currents of the first column of memory cells, and mirroring the first current in a first path with a second current in a second path by a first current mirror. The second current includes the second set of leakage currents and a second write current. The first write current corresponds to the second write current. The first set of leakage currents corresponds to the second set of leakage currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Chin-I SU, Chung-Cheng CHOU, Yu-Der CHIH, Zheng-Jun LIN
  • Publication number: 20230335189
    Abstract: In some aspects of the present disclosure, a memory device is disclosed. In some aspects, the memory device includes a first voltage regulator to receive a word line voltage provided to a memory array; a resistor network coupled to the first voltage regulator to provide an inhibit voltage to the memory array, wherein the resistor network comprises a plurality of resistors and wherein each of the resistors are coupled in series to an adjacent one of the plurality of resistors; and a switch network comprising a plurality of switches, wherein each of the switches are coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of resistors and to the memory array via a second voltage regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zheng-Jun Lin, Chin-I Su, Pei-Ling Tseng, Chung-Cheng Chou
  • Publication number: 20230317159
    Abstract: A memory device includes a main array comprising main memory cells; a redundancy array comprising redundancy memory cells; and write circuitry configured to perform a first programming operation on a main memory cell, to detect whether a current of the main memory cell exceeds a predefined current threshold during the first programming operation, and to disable a second programming operation for a redundancy memory cell if the current of the main memory cell exceeds the predefined current threshold during the first programming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chung-Cheng Chou, Chun-Yun Wu, Chen-Ming Hung
  • Publication number: 20230301509
    Abstract: An optical detection device and an operation method thereof is disclosed. The optical detection device includes a light source, an optical coupling element, a reference optical path modulation element and a data processing element. The light source provides an incident light. The optical coupling element divides the incident light into a reference light and a detection light and emits them to the reference optical path modulation element and the sample to be tested respectively. The reference optical path modulation element reflects the reference light and rapidly changes the light path of reference light. The optical coupling element interferes the reference light reflected by the reference optical path modulation element and the detection light reflected by the sample to be tested to generate an optical interference signal. The data processing element receives and analyzes the optical interference signal to obtain an optical detection result about the sample to be tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Hsuan-Hao CHAO, Sung-Yang WEI, William WANG, Chung-Cheng CHOU
  • Patent number: 11757356
    Abstract: A system includes a charge pump system having a plurality of enable signal input terminals and an output terminal, the charge pump system configured to provide an output voltage at the output terminal; and a detection circuit connected to the enable terminals and the output terminal of the charge pump system, the detection circuit configured to compare the charge pump system output voltage to a plurality of predefined input detection voltage levels, and to selectively output a plurality of enable signals to the charge pump system enable signal input terminals in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Tien-Yen Wang
  • Patent number: 11735238
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, the memory device includes multiple cells arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and multiple columns. The memory device further includes multiple bit lines each of which is connected to first cells of the multiple cells arranged in a row of the multiple rows. A voltage control circuit is connectable to a selected bit line of the multiple bit lines and includes a voltage detection circuit that detects an instantaneous supply voltage and a voltage source selection circuit connected to the voltage detection circuit. The voltage source selection circuit selects a voltage source from multiple voltage sources based on the detected instantaneous supply voltage. The voltage source selection circuit includes a switch that connects the selected voltage source to the selected bit line to provide a write voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-An Lai, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 11735263
    Abstract: A method of operating a memory circuit includes generating a first voltage by a first amplifier circuit of a first driver circuit coupled to a first column of memory cells, and generating a first current in response to the first voltage. The first current includes a first set of leakage currents and a first write current. The method further includes generating, by a tracking circuit, a second set of leakage currents configured to track the first set of leakage currents of the first column of memory cells, and mirroring the first current in a first path with a second current in a second path by a first current mirror. The second current includes the second set of leakage currents and a second write current. The first write current corresponds to the second write current. The first set of leakage currents corresponds to the second set of leakage currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chin-I Su, Chung-Cheng Chou, Yu-Der Chih, Zheng-Jun Lin