Patents by Inventor Dzung H. Nguyen

Dzung H. Nguyen 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: 9423969
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20150355849
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9165681
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a defective memory block is replaced with a non-defective memory block, and a voltage-delay correction is applied to the non-defective memory block that replaces the defective memory block based on the actual location of the non-defective memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 9123423
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140204693
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a defective memory block is replaced with a non-defective memory block, and a voltage-delay correction is applied to the non-defective memory block that replaces the defective memory block based on the actual location of the non-defective memory block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 8730734
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for access line biasing. One embodiment includes selecting, using a controller external to the memory device, a particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions for use in performing an access operation on an array of memory cells of the memory device, and performing the access operation using the selected particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions. In one or more embodiments, the selected particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions is selected by the controller external to the memory device based, at least partially, on a target access line of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8705299
    Abstract: An apparatus has a controller. The controller is configured to address a non-defective memory block of a sequence of memory blocks in place of a defective memory block of the sequence of memory blocks such that the non-defective memory block replaces the defective memory block. The non-defective memory block is a proximate non-defective memory block following the defective memory block in the sequence of memory blocks that is available to replace the defective memory block. The controller is configured to apply a voltage-delay correction to the non-defective memory block that replaces the defective memory block based on the actual location of the non-defective memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen, William H. Radke
  • Publication number: 20140104956
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8611156
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8593870
    Abstract: A method of reading sequential pages of flash memory from alternating memory blocks comprises loading data from a first page into a first primary data cache and a second page into a second primary data cache simultaneously, the first and second pages loaded from different blocks of flash memory. Data from the first primary data cache is stored in a first secondary data cache, and data from the second primary data cache is stored in a second secondary data cache. Data is sequentially provided from the first and second secondary data caches by a multiplexer coupled to the first and second data caches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Dzung H. Nguyen, Frankie F. Roohparvar
  • Publication number: 20130250707
    Abstract: An apparatus has a controller. The controller is configured to address a non-defective memory block of a sequence of memory blocks in place of a defective memory block of the sequence of memory blocks such that the non-defective memory block replaces the defective memory block. The non-defective memory block is a proximate non-defective memory block following the defective memory block in the sequence of memory blocks that is available to replace the defective memory block. The controller is configured to apply a voltage-delay correction to the non-defective memory block that replaces the defective memory block based on the actual location of the non-defective memory block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarin Vishal, Dzung H. Nguyen, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 8520436
    Abstract: A target memory cell of a memory device is programmed by applying a programming voltage to a word line that includes the target memory cell, determining whether the target memory cell is programmed, and increasing the programming voltage by a step voltage if it is determined that the target memory cell is not programmed. An initial programming voltage and the step voltage are each selectable after fabrication of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Dzung H. Nguyen, Benjamin Louie, Hagop A. Nazarian, Aaron Yip, Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 8446787
    Abstract: Electronic systems and methods of operating memory devices are provided. In one such embodiment, a memory device receives an external address that addresses a non-defective memory block of a sequence of memory blocks of the memory device in place of a defective memory block of the sequence of memory blocks such that the non-defective memory block replaces the defective memory block. The non-defective memory block is proximate non-defective memory block following the defective memory block in the sequence of memory blocks that is available to replace the defective memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen, William H. Radke
  • Patent number: 8391080
    Abstract: In erasing a memory block of memory cells, a semiconductor tub that contains a memory block to be erased can be biased with a high, positive voltage. The control gates of the memory cells that make up the memory block can be biased with a negative voltage. An erase verification can then be performed to determine if the memory block has been successfully erased. If the memory block has not been erased, the erase operation of biasing the tub with the positive voltage and the control gates with the negative voltage can be repeated until the erase verification is successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8358540
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for access line biasing. One embodiment includes selecting, using a controller external to the memory device, a particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions for use in performing an access operation on an array of memory cells of the memory device, and performing the access operation using the selected particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions. In one or more embodiments, the selected particular access line dependent biasing scheme and corresponding bias conditions is selected by the controller external to the memory device based, at least partially, on a target access line of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120281480
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8295109
    Abstract: Controllers and memory devices are provided. In an embodiment, a controller is configured to address a non-defective column of memory cells of a memory device in place of a defective column of memory cells of the memory device in response to receiving an address of the defective column of memory cells from the memory device. In another embodiment, a memory device has columns of memory cells and is configured to receive an external address that addresses a non-defective column of memory cells of a sequence of columns of memory cells of the memory device in place of a defective column of memory cells of the sequence of columns of memory cells such that the non-defective column replaces the defective column. The non-defective column is a proximate non-defective column following the defective column in the sequence of columns that is available to replace the defective column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishal Sarin, William H. Radke, Dzung H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120221779
    Abstract: A target memory cell of a memory device is programmed by applying a programming voltage to a word line that includes the target memory cell, determining whether the target memory cell is programmed, and increasing the programming voltage by a step voltage if it is determined that the target memory cell is not programmed. An initial programming voltage and the step voltage are each selectable after fabrication of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Dzung H. Nguyen, Benjamin Louie, Hagop A. Nazarian, Aaron Yip, Jin-Man Han
  • Publication number: 20120221780
    Abstract: A method of reading sequential pages of flash memory from alternating memory blocks comprises loading data from a first page into a first primary data cache and a second page into a second primary data cache simultaneously, the first and second pages loaded from different blocks of flash memory. Data from the first primary data cache is stored in a first secondary data cache, and data from the second primary data cache is stored in a second secondary data cache. Data is sequentially provided from the first and second secondary data caches by a multiplexer coupled to the first and second data caches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventors: Dzung H. Nguyen, Frankie F. Roohparvar
  • Patent number: 8243523
    Abstract: Methods for sensing, method for programming, memory devices, and memory systems are disclosed. In one such method for sensing, a counting circuit generates a count output and a translated count output. The count output is converted into a time varying voltage that biases a word line coupled to memory cells being sensed. Target data for each memory cell is stored in a data cache associated with that particular memory cell. When it is detected that a memory cell has turned on, the translated count output associated with the count output that is indicative of the voltage level that turned on the memory cell is compared to the target data. The comparison determines the state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Pabustan, Vishal Sarin, Dzung H. Nguyen