Patents by Inventor Dong Ku Kang

Dong Ku Kang 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).

  • Publication number: 20160267965
    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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: DONG-KU KANG
  • Patent number: 9418747
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising multiple memory cells disposed at intersections of corresponding word lines and bitlines, and multiple page buffers connected to the bitlines, respectively, and performing consecutive verify read operations on selected memory cells programmed in first to N-th logic states (N>2), wherein, in the consecutive verify read operations, the bitlines are placed in a precharged state by precharging them to a first level during a verification period of memory cells programmed in the first logic state, are maintained in the precharged state during verification periods of memory cells programmed in the second to (N?1)-th logic states, and are discharged after a verification period of memory cells programmed in the N-th logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Ku Kang, Seung-Bum Kim
  • Publication number: 20160231324
    Abstract: In alternative embodiments, the invention provides high throughput, multiplexed systems or methods for detecting a biological, a physiological or a pathological maker, or a single molecule or a single cell using a droplet microfluidics system integrated with use of a sensor or a sensing system, an aptamer, or a DNAzyme. In alternative embodiments, the sensor or sensing system comprises a nucleic acid based, an antibody based, an enzyme based or a chemical based sensor or sensing system. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides methods for detecting a biological, a physiological or a pathological marker, or a single molecule or a single cell using a droplet system integrated with rapid and sensitive fluorescence detection systems including, for example, a 3D Particle Detector. In alternative embodiments, the invention provides systems comprising Integrated Comprehensive Droplet Digitial Detection (IC 3D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Weian ZHAO, Dong-ku KANG, Kaixiang ZHANG, Md Monsur ALI, Mark A. ECKERT, Feng LI, Enrico GRATTON, MIchelle A. DIGMAN, Louai LABANIEH, Mengrou LU
  • Patent number: 9373005
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the data storage apparatus includes a control unit configured to decode at least one input command and configured to generate at least one of a read signal and a start signal in response to the input command. The start signal indicates to start an internal mode determination process. The data storage apparatus also includes a memory unit configured to output data in response to the read signal, and a coding unit configured to start and perform the internal mode determination process in response to the start signal. The internal mode determination process includes autonomously determining a coding mode, and the coding unit is configured to code the output data based on the determined coding mode to produce coded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong-Ku Kang
  • Publication number: 20160019975
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is configured to perform a first verification operation by setting an initial voltage level of a verification voltage to a first voltage level and boosting the verification voltage during a first period. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array that stores program data, a sensor generating sensing data, and a condition determination unit comparing the program data and the sensing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: JAE-DUK YU, DONG-KU KANG, DAE-YEAL LEE
  • Patent number: 9214206
    Abstract: A method of testing a non-volatile memory device and a method of managing the non-volatile memory device are provided. The method of testing the non-volatile memory device includes calculating first and second values based on program loop frequencies corresponding to word lines of a memory area. A characteristic value of the memory area may be calculated based on the first and second values, and may be compared to a reference value to determine whether the memory area is defective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-In Park, Boh-Chang Kim, Bu-il Nam, Dong-Ku Kang
  • Patent number: 9058890
    Abstract: A flash memory device and a reading method are provided where memory cells are divided into at least two groups. Memory cells are selected according to a threshold voltage distribution. Data stored in the selected memory cells are detected and the data is latched corresponding to one of the at least two groups according to a first read operation. A second read operation detects and latches data of the memory cells corresponding to another one of the at least two groups. The data is processed through a soft decision algorithm during the second read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Ku Kang
  • Publication number: 20150063030
    Abstract: A method of testing a non-volatile memory device and a method of managing the non-volatile memory device are provided. The method of testing the non-volatile memory device includes calculating first and second values based on program loop frequencies corresponding to word lines of a memory area. A characteristic value of the memory area may be calculated based on the first and second values, and may be compared to a reference value to determine whether the memory area is defective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Sang-In PARK, Boh-Chang KIM, Bu-il NAM, Dong-Ku KANG
  • Patent number: 8947928
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a memory cell array, a temperature sensing unit, and a control unit. The memory cell array is configured to store a plurality of pieces of configuration data corresponding to respective temperature levels of the flash memory device, the pieces of configuration data indicative of respective operation parameter values of the flash memory device. The temperature sensing unit is configured to measure an ambient temperature of the flash memory device and to generate temperature level data. The a control unit is configured to receive the temperature level data from the temperature sensing unit, to read a piece of configuration data corresponding to the temperature level data from among the plurality of pieces of configuration data stored in the memory cell array, and to set operation parameters of the flash memory device according to an operation parameter value indicated by the read piece of configuration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-bum Kim, Dong-ku Kang
  • Publication number: 20150023108
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising multiple memory cells disposed at intersections of corresponding word lines and bitlines, and multiple page buffers connected to the bitlines, respectively, and performing consecutive verify read operations on selected memory cells programmed in first to N-th logic states (N>2), wherein, in the consecutive verify read operations, the bitlines are placed in a precharged state by precharging them to a first level during a verification period of memory cells programmed in the first logic state, are maintained in the precharged state during verification periods of memory cells programmed in the second to (N?1)-th logic states, and are discharged after a verification period of memory cells programmed in the N-th logic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: DONG-KU KANG, SEUNG-BUM KIM
  • Patent number: 8848450
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device is programmed by decoding a received address, determining whether the received address is a first type of page address or a second type of page address, adjusting a maximum verify time of a program loop used to verify a program state of page data according to the determined type of page address, and performing a verify operation during the adjusted maximum verify time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Ku Kang, Seung-Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 8654580
    Abstract: A method is for programming a memory block of a non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device is operatively connected to a memory controller, and the memory block defined by a plurality of word lines located between a string select line and a common source line corresponding to the string select line. The method includes programming a first sub-block of the memory block, determining in the non-volatile memory device when a reference word line is programmed during programming of the first sub-block, and partial erasing a second sub-block of the memory block upon determining that the reference word line is programmed during programming of the first sub-block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Ku Kang, Seung-Bum Kim, Tae-Young Kim, Sun-Jun Park
  • Publication number: 20130294158
    Abstract: A multi-level cell (MLC) memory device may include ‘a’ number of m-bit MLC memory cells; an encoder that encodes ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream; and a signal mapping module that applies pulses to the MLC memory cells in order to write the encoded bit stream in the MLC memory cells. In the device, ‘a’ and ‘m’ may be integers greater than or equal to 2, ‘k’ and ‘n’ may be integers greater than or equal to 1, and ‘n’ may be greater than ‘k’. A method of storing data in the device may include encoding ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream. A method of reading data from the device may include decoding ‘n’ bits of data at a code rate of n/k to generate a decoded bit stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Jun Jin KONG, Sung Chung PARK, Dong-Ku KANG, Young Hwan LEE, Si Hoon HONG, Jae Woong HYUN
  • Publication number: 20130286741
    Abstract: A flash memory device and a reading method are provided where memory cells are divided into at least two groups. Memory cells are selected according to a threshold voltage distribution. Data stored in the selected memory cells are detected and the data is latched corresponding to one of the at least two groups according to a first read operation. A second read operation detects and latches data of the memory cells corresponding to another one of the at least two groups. The data is processed through a soft decision algorithm during the second read operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Dong-Ku KANG
  • Patent number: 8499215
    Abstract: A multi-level cell (MLC) memory device may include ‘a’ number of m-bit MLC memory cells; an encoder that encodes ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream; and a signal mapping module that applies pulses to the MLC memory cells in order to write the encoded bit stream in the MLC memory cells. In the device, ‘a’ and ‘m’ may be integers greater than or equal to 2, ‘k’ and ‘n’ may be integers greater than or equal to 1, and ‘n’ may be greater than ‘k’. A method of storing data in the device may include encoding ‘k’ bits of data at a code rate of k/n to generate an encoded bit stream. A method of reading data from the device may include decoding ‘n’ bits of data at a code rate of n/k to generate a decoded bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Jin Kong, Sung Chung Park, Dong Ku Kang, Young Hwan Lee, Si Hoon Hong, Jae Woong Hyun
  • Patent number: 8477533
    Abstract: A flash memory device and a reading method are provided where memory cells are divided into at least two groups. Memory cells are selected according to a threshold voltage distribution. Data stored in the selected memory cells are detected and the data is latched corresponding to one of the at least two groups according to a first read operation. A second read operation detects and latches data of the memory cells corresponding to another one of the at least two groups. The data is processed through a soft decision algorithm during the second read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong-Ku Kang
  • Patent number: 8345484
    Abstract: A method of programming a non-volatile memory including N-bit multi-level cell (MLC) memory includes executing an incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) operation on the MLC memory cells, where the ISPP operation includes a programming sequence of first through Nth page programming operations, where N is an integer of 2 or more. The programming sequence further includes an erase programming that is executed after the (N?1)th page programming operation and before the Nth page programming operation, where the erase page programming increases a threshold voltage distribution of erase cells among the MLC memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Ku Kang, Hyeong-Jun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120297150
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the data storage apparatus includes a control unit configured to decode at least one input command and configured to generate at least one of a read signal and a start signal in response to the input command. The start signal indicates to start an internal mode determination process. The data storage apparatus also includes a memory unit configured to output data in response to the read signal, and a coding unit configured to start and perform the internal mode determination process in response to the start signal. The internal mode determination process includes autonomously determining a coding mode, and the coding unit is configured to code the output data based on the determined coding mode to produce coded data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Dong-Ku Kang
  • Publication number: 20120287711
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a memory cell array, a temperature sensing unit, and a control unit. The memory cell array is configured to store a plurality of pieces of configuration data corresponding to respective temperature levels of the flash memory device, the pieces of configuration data indicative of respective operation parameter values of the flash memory device. The temperature sensing unit is configured to measure an ambient temperature of the flash memory device and to generate temperature level data. The a control unit is configured to receive the temperature level data from the temperature sensing unit, to read a piece of configuration data corresponding to the temperature level data from among the plurality of pieces of configuration data stored in the memory cell array, and to set operation parameters of the flash memory device according to an operation parameter value indicated by the read piece of configuration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-bum Kim, Dong-ku Kang
  • Patent number: 8255770
    Abstract: A Multi-Level Cell (MLC) memory device and method thereof are provided. The example MLC memory device may be configured to perform data operations, and may include an MLC memory cell, a first coding device performing a first coding function, the first coding function being one of an encoding function and a decoding function, a second coding device performing a second coding function, the second coding function being one of an encoding function and a decoding function and a signal module configured to perform at least one of instructing the MLC memory cell to store data output by the second coding device if the first and second coding functions are encoding functions, and generating a demapped bit stream based on data retrieved from the MLC memory cell if the first and second coding functions are decoding functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Chung Park, Jun Jin Kong, Young Hwan Lee, Dong Ku Kang