Patents by Inventor Han Sung Chen

Han Sung Chen 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: 20240071523
    Abstract: A memory device and a programming method thereof are provided. The programming method includes the following steps. According to a step value, based on an incremental step pulse programming scheme, multiple programming operations are performed for a selected memory page. In a setting mode, multiple program verify operations are respectively performed corresponding to the programming operations to respectively generate multiple pass bit numbers. In the setting mode, a pass bit number difference value of two pass bit numbers corresponding to two programming operations is calculated. In the setting mode, an amount of the step value is adjusted according to the pass bit number difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Tse Lee, Han-Sung Chen, Shih-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 11488657
    Abstract: A memory having a plurality of blocks is coupled with control circuits having logic to execute a no-current read setup operation, the read setup operation comprising simultaneously applying a read setup bias to a plurality of memory cells of a selected block of the plurality of blocks while disabling current flow. Logic to traverse the blocks in the plurality of blocks can apply the read setup operation to the plurality of blocks. The blocks in the plurality of blocks can include, respectively, a plurality of sub-blocks. The read setup operation can traverse sub-blocks in a block to simultaneously apply the read setup bias to more than one individual sub-block of the selected block. A block status table can be used to identify stale blocks for the read setup operation. Also, the blocks can be traversed as a background operation independent of read commands addressing the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Hung Huang, Han-Sung Chen
  • Publication number: 20220336006
    Abstract: A memory having a plurality of blocks is coupled with control circuits having logic to execute a no-current read setup operation, the read setup operation comprising simultaneously applying a read setup bias to a plurality of memory cells of a selected block of the plurality of blocks while disabling current flow. Logic to traverse the blocks in the plurality of blocks can apply the read setup operation to the plurality of blocks. The blocks in the plurality of blocks can include, respectively, a plurality of sub-blocks. The read setup operation can traverse sub-blocks in a block to simultaneously apply the read setup bias to more than one individual sub-block of the selected block. A block status table can be used to identify stale blocks for the read setup operation. Also, the blocks can be traversed as a background operation independent of read commands addressing the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Hung HUANG, Han-Sung CHEN
  • Patent number: 11475954
    Abstract: A memory having a plurality of blocks is coupled with control circuits having logic to execute a read setup operation, the read setup operation comprising simultaneously applying a read setup bias to a plurality of memory cells of a selected block of the plurality of blocks. Logic to traverse the blocks in the plurality of blocks can apply the read setup operation to the plurality of blocks. The blocks in the plurality of blocks can include respectively a plurality of sub-blocks, The read setup operation can traverse sub-blocks in a block to simultaneously apply the read setup bias to more than one individual sub-block of the selected block. A block status table can be used to identify stale blocks for the read setup operation. Also, the blocks can be traversed as a background operation independent of read commands addressing the blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Publication number: 20220157379
    Abstract: A memory having a plurality of blocks is coupled with control circuits having logic to execute a read setup operation, the read setup operation comprising simultaneously applying a read setup bias to a plurality of memory cells of a selected block of the plurality of blocks. Logic to traverse the blocks in the plurality of blocks can apply the read setup operation to the plurality of blocks. The blocks in the plurality of blocks can include respectively a plurality of sub-blocks, The read setup operation can traverse sub-blocks in a block to simultaneously apply the read setup bias to more than one individual sub-block of the selected block. A block status table can be used to identify stale blocks for the read setup operation. Also, the blocks can be traversed as a background operation independent of read commands addressing the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Sung CHEN, Chung-Kuang CHEN
  • Patent number: 11282581
    Abstract: A memory device has a plurality of blocks of memory cells and a plurality of bit lines, each block including a group of word lines, and a set of NAND strings. Each block in the plurality of blocks of memory cells has a plurality of sub-blocks, each sub-block including a distinct subset of the set of NAND strings of the block selected, and a respective sub-block string select line. Control circuits are configured to execute a program operation including applying word line voltages and string select line voltages at a precharge level to precharge the set of NAND strings in the selected block, then lowering the gate voltages on all the sub-block string select lines of the block, and then lowering the word line voltages on the group of word lines. Thereafter, the program of cells in a selected sub-block is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Chien-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 10790009
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a memory cell array, a plurality of sense amplifiers and a memory controller for controlling the plurality of sense amplifiers. The memory cell array includes a plurality of bit lines, where a bit line is coupled to a plurality of memory cells. A sense amplifier is coupled to a bit line and provides a sensing current to access data from one or more memory cells of the plurality of memory cells corresponding to the bit line. The memory controller performs operations comprising: during a pre-charging stage of a memory access cycle, providing, to a particular sense amplifier, a first voltage; and during a sensing stage of the memory access cycle, providing, to the particular sense amplifier, a second voltage, where the second voltage is a non-zero voltage that is lower than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 10650887
    Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 10637476
    Abstract: The clock circuit of an integrated circuit operates with variations such as temperature, ground noise, and power noise. Various aspects of an improved clock integrated circuit address one or more of the variations in temperature, ground noise, and power noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen
  • Publication number: 20180240518
    Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 9977627
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory unit including a plurality of memory cells, and a controller including a storage unit that stores a plurality of operation selections each corresponding to a property of at least one selected memory cell among the plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 9972383
    Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
  • Publication number: 20180123592
    Abstract: The clock circuit of an integrated circuit operates with variations such as temperature, ground noise, and power noise. Various aspects of an improved clock integrated circuit address one or more of the variations in temperature, ground noise, and power noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHUNG-KUANG CHEN, CHUN-HSIUNG HUNG, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 9933977
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory unit including a plurality of memory cells, and a controller including a storage unit that stores a plurality of operation selections each corresponding to a property of at least one selected memory cell among the plurality of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 9887009
    Abstract: One aspect of the technology is a memory device, which comprises a plurality of page buffers and control circuitry. Different page buffer circuits in the plurality of page buffer circuits are coupled to different bit lines in a plurality of bit lines in a memory array. The control circuitry is responsive to a program command to program multiple cells in the memory array, by setting, via the plurality of page buffer circuits, different target voltages at a same time for the different bit lines coupled to the multiple cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chung-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 9876502
    Abstract: The clock circuit of an integrated circuit operates with variations such as temperature, ground noise, and power noise. Various aspects of an improved clock integrated circuit address one or more of the variations in temperature, ground noise, and power noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen
  • Publication number: 20170263310
    Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
  • Patent number: 9679653
    Abstract: A method for programming a memory including a plurality of memory cells is provided. The method comprises selecting a cell and executing a program and program verify operation for the cell, including applying a sequence of program pulses and performing program verify steps. The sequence includes a starting pulse having a starting magnitude. The program verify steps use a program verify level. The method also comprises determining the starting magnitude for a next cell as a function of a magnitude of the program pulse in an instance of the program verify step in which the current cell passes verify at the program verify level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chao Lin, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 9589646
    Abstract: A page buffer circuit includes a plurality of page buffers including a first page buffer. The first page buffer is configured to load input data of the first page buffer, and input data of at least one neighboring page buffer. The first page buffer is also configured to apply a bias corresponding to the input data of the first page buffer, and the input data of the at least one neighboring page buffer to a bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 9570133
    Abstract: A memory circuit with a word line driver and control circuitry is disclosed. The word line driver receives a first voltage reference signal, a second voltage reference signal, and an input signal. The word line driver has an output coupled to a word line. The control circuitry is configured to deselect the word line by applying the input signal to the input of the word line driver. For example, in a program operation the word line is deselected to indicate that the word line is not programmed, and another word line is selected to be programmed. During an operation in which the word line is deselected and another word line is selected, the word line discharges through both of a first p-type transistor and a first n-type transistor of the word line driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chung-Kuang Chen