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: 20130107637
    Abstract: A memory integrated circuit has an array of nonvolatile memory cells, bit lines accessing the array of nonvolatile memory cells, and bit line discharge circuitry. The bit lines have multiple discharge paths for a bit line at a same time, during a program operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Publication number: 20130100758
    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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 8429335
    Abstract: Provided is a MLC (Multi-level cell) memory device, comprising: a memory array, including a plurality of groups each storing a plurality of bits; and an inverse bit storage section, storing a first inverse bit data including a plurality of inverse bits, the plurality of bits in the same group in the memory array being related to a respective inverse bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Publication number: 20130058181
    Abstract: A memory element in which the temperature coefficient of a memory cell substantially matches the temperature coefficient of a reference cell and tuning either the temperature coefficient of a memory cell to substantially match the temperature coefficient of the reference cell provides for improved precision of sensing or reading memory element states, particularly so as to minimize the affect of temperature variations on reading and sensing states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 8358550
    Abstract: A memory integrated circuit has an array of nonvolatile memory cells, bit lines accessing the array of nonvolatile memory cells, and bit line discharge circuitry. The bit lines have multiple discharge paths for a bit line at a same time, during a program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Publication number: 20120319756
    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: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 8325536
    Abstract: Source-side sensing techniques described herein determine the data value stored in a memory cell based on the difference in current between the read current from the source terminal of the memory cell and a sink current drawn from the read current. The sink current is drawn in response to the magnitude of a reference current provided by a reference current source such as a reference cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 8295086
    Abstract: A memory array is shown, including memory cells with source and drain doped regions, and global bit lines coupled to the doped regions via select transistors. The connections of the select transistors are configured such that the respective loading capacitances of two global bit lines respectively coupled to the source and the drain of a memory cell to be read do not vary with the memory cell to be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-He Chiang, Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen
  • Publication number: 20120265923
    Abstract: A program method for a multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory is provided. The memory array includes a plurality of pages and a plurality of paired pages, which correspond to the respective pages. The program method includes the following steps. Firstly, a program address command is obtained. Next, whether the program address command corresponding to any one of the paired pages is determined. When the program address command corresponds to a first paired page, which corresponds to a first page among the pages, among the paired pages, data stored in the first page to a non-volatile memory are copied. After that, the first paired page is programmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lung-Yi Kuo, Hsin-Yi Ho, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shuo-Nan Hung, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 8275929
    Abstract: A method of programming data stored in a memory, which comprises a number of user-defined blocks, a number of manufacture-defined blocks, and an information block, includes the following steps. A programming address pointing to a user-defined block in the memory and programming data is obtained. After that, it is determined whether there is an empty manufacture-defined block among a number of user-defined blocks in the memory. If so, an information block in the memory is programmed to store the programming address and a replacing address pointing to the empty manufacture-defined block. The empty manufacture-defined block is programmed to store the programming data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Publication number: 20120224443
    Abstract: A sense amplifier includes a first transistor, a second transistor, an output circuit, and a shielding circuit. The first transistor has a gate bias established by a cell current, and the second transistor has a gate bias established by a reference current. The output circuit is coupled to the first and the second transistor. The shielding circuit is located between the second transistor and the output circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 8261120
    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 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 8245074
    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 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 8217698
    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: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen
  • Patent number: 8213234
    Abstract: Source-side sensing techniques described herein determine the data value stored in a memory cell based on the difference in current between the read current from the source terminal of the memory cell and a sink current drawn from the read current. The sink current is drawn in response to the magnitude of a reference current provided by a reference current source such as a reference cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 8208330
    Abstract: A sense amplifier comprises a sense node, a reference node, a memory input stage circuit, a reference input stage circuit, an output stage circuit, and a shielding circuit. The memory input stage circuit comprises first input node for maintaining a first sense voltage established by a cell current and establishes a second sense voltage on the sense node in response to the first sense voltage. The reference input stage circuit comprises an output node and a second input node, which is for maintaining a first reference voltage established by the reference current and establishes a second reference voltage on the reference node in response to the first reference voltage. The output stage circuit obtains a sense result in response to the second reference voltage and the second sense voltage. The first shielding circuit shields the output node from being interfered with the second reference voltage on the reference node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 8164953
    Abstract: A memory and an operating method thereof are provided therein. When searching a boundary of a threshold voltage distribution of the memory, data errors resulted from tail bits of the memory would be corrected. Therefore, a sensing window could be broader, and the boundary of the threshold voltage distribution could be determined precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Chen, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 8149627
    Abstract: Source-side sensing techniques described herein determine the data value stored in a memory cell based on the difference in current between the read current from the source terminal of the memory cell and a sink current drawn from the read current. The sink current is drawn in response to a magnitude of an operating voltage between first and second nodes. During a first time interval, the operating voltage is set in response to a magnitude of the reference current using a feedback path. During a second time interval following the first time interval, the operating voltage is held independent of the feedback path. The data value stored in the memory cell is determined based on a difference in current between the read current and the sink current during the second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Yu Liao, Han-Sung Chen, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 8139425
    Abstract: A voltage regulating method applied to a memory to regulate a word line voltage corresponding to a set of memory cells of the memory includes the following steps. Firstly, a first value, which is for indicating an amount of data having a specific data value in a set of written data, is counted, wherein the set of written data is written into the set of memory cells. Next, a second value, which is for indicating an amount of data having the specific data value in a set of read data, is counted, wherein the set of read data is obtained by reading the set of written data. Then, a regulating voltage is determined according to a difference between the first and second values. After that, the word line voltage is regulated to be a sum of the word line voltage and the regulating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Tseng-Yi Liu
  • Publication number: 20120033518
    Abstract: Source-side sensing techniques described herein determine the data value stored in a memory cell based on the difference in current between the read current from the source terminal of the memory cell and a sink current drawn from the read current. The sink current is drawn in response to the magnitude of a reference current provided by a reference current source such as a reference cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen, Chung-Kuang Chen