Patents by Inventor Hsiang-Pang Li

Hsiang-Pang Li 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: 9564216
    Abstract: A memory circuit is described that includes an array of memory cells including a plurality of blocks. The circuit includes a controller including logic to execute program sequences for selected blocks in the plurality of blocks. The program sequences include patterns of program/verify cycles. The circuit includes logic to assign different patterns of program/verify cycles to different blocks in the plurality of blocks. The circuit includes logic to change a particular pattern assigned to a particular block in the plurality of blocks. The circuit includes logic to maintain statistics for blocks in the plurality of blocks, about performance of cells in the blocks in response to the patterns of program/verify cycles assigned to the blocks. The controller includes logic to apply a stress sequence to one of the selected blocks, the stress sequence including stress pulses applied to memory cells in the one of the selected blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Win-San Khwa, Tzu-Hsiang Su, Chao-I Wu, Hsiang-Pang Li
  • Publication number: 20170032826
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, and an encoder operatively coupled to the memory array, for encoding an original data element to be programmed into the memory cells into a uniform data element in which the number of “0”s approximately equals the number of “1”s.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hsiang-Pang LI, Kin-Chu HO
  • Patent number: 9558108
    Abstract: A method for managing block erase operations is provided for an array of memory cells including erasable blocks of memory cells in the array. The method comprises maintaining status data for a plurality of sub-blocks of the erasable blocks of the array. The status data indicate whether the sub-blocks are currently accessible and whether the sub-blocks are invalid. The method comprises, in response to a request to erase a selected sub-block of a particular erasable block, issuing an erase command to erase the particular block if the other sub-blocks of the particular erasable block are invalid, else updating the status data to indicate that the selected sub-block is invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Ming Chang, Yung-Chun Li, Hsing-Chen Lu, Hsiang-Pang Li, Cheng-Yuan Wang, Yuan-Hao Chang, Tei-Wei Kuo
  • Patent number: 9547586
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing a file system including data objects. The data objects, indirect pointers and source pointers are stored in containers that have addresses and include addressable units of a memory. The objects are mapped to addresses for corresponding containers. The indirect pointer in a particular container points to the address of a container in which the corresponding object is stored. The source pointer in the particular container points to the address of the container to which the object in the particular container is mapped. An object in a first container is moved to a second container. The source pointer in the first container is used to find a third container to which the object is mapped. The indirect pointer in the third container is updated to point to the second container. The source pointer in the second container is updated to point to the third container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Sheng Chang, Cheng-Yuan Wang, Hsiang-Pang Li, Yuan-Hao Chang, Pi-Cheng Hsiu, Tei-Wei Kuo
  • Patent number: 9513815
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing a memory device including a plurality of physical memory segments. A logical memory space is classified into a plurality of classifications based on usage specifications. The plurality of physical memory segments is allocated to corresponding logical addresses based on the plurality of classifications, and on usage statistics of the physical memory segments. A data structure is maintained recording translation between logical addresses in the logical memory space and physical addresses of the physical memory segments. The plurality of classifications includes a first classification and a second classification having different usage statistic requirements than the first classification. Logical addresses having the second classification can be redirected to physical segments allocated to logical addresses having the first classification, and the data structure can be updated to record redirected logical addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Chun Chang, Yuan-Hao Chang, Hung-Sheng Chang, Tei-Wei Kuo, Hsiang-Pang Li
  • Patent number: 9501396
    Abstract: A method for managing utilization of a memory including a physical address space comprises mapping logical addresses of data objects to locations within the physical address space, and defining a plurality of address segments in the space as an active window. The method comprises allowing writes of data objects having logical addresses mapped to locations within the plurality of address segments in the active window. The method comprises, upon detection of a request to write a data object having a logical address mapped to a location outside the active window, updating the mapping so that the logical address maps to a selected location within the active window, and then allowing the write to the selected location. The method comprises maintaining access data indicating utilization of the plurality of address segments in the active window, and adding and removing address segments from the active window in response to the access data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung-Sheng Chang, Cheng-Yuan Wang, Hsiang-Pang Li, Yuan-Hao Chang, Pi-Cheng Hsiu, Tei-Wei Kuo
  • Publication number: 20160328161
    Abstract: A method for writing data into a persistent storage device includes grouping a plurality of data entries stored in a temporary storage device to form a data unit, such that the data unit has a size equal to an integer multiple of a size of an access unit of the persistent storage device. The method further includes writing the data unit into the persistent storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Wei-Chieh HUANG, Li-Chun HUANG, Yu-Ming CHANG, Hung-Sheng CHANG, Hsiang-Pang LI, Ting-Yu LIU, Chien-Hsin LIU, Nai-Ping KUO
  • Patent number: 9478288
    Abstract: A method for programming a memory device comprises the following steps: performing an interleaving programming, including: programming a first memory cell during a first time interval and correspondingly verifying the first memory cell during a second time interval; programming a second memory cell during a third time interval and correspondingly verifying the second memory cell during a fourth time interval between the first and second time intervals; and inserting at least one dummy cycle between the first and second time intervals to ensure that a resistance change per unit of time of the first memory cell is less than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Win-San Khwa, Tzu-Hsiang Su, Chao-I Wu, Hsiang-Pang Li, Yu-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20160307627
    Abstract: A method for programming a memory device comprises the following steps: performing an interleaving programming, including: programming a first memory cell during a first time interval and correspondingly verifying the first memory cell during a second time interval; programming a second memory cell during a third time interval and correspondingly verifying the second memory cell during a fourth time interval between the first and second time intervals; and inserting at least one dummy cycle between the first and second time intervals to ensure that a resistance change per unit of time of the first memory cell is less than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Win-San Khwa, Tzu-Hsiang Su, Chao-I Wu, Hsiang-Pang Li, Yu-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20160300617
    Abstract: A memory device and an erase method for the memory device are provided. The memory device includes plural blocks and a controller. The plural blocks include at least one first block and at least one second block. The erase method is controlled by the controller and includes the following steps. A first stage erase operation and a second stage erase operation are sequentially performed on the at least one first block in a first time interval and a second time interval. The first stage erase operation and the second stage erase operation are sequentially performed on the at least one second block in the second time interval and a third time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Yu-Ming Chang, Hsiang-Pang Li, Hung-Sheng Chang, Chih-Chang Hsieh, Kuo-Pin Chang
  • Publication number: 20160299710
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory controller and a non-volatile memory communicatively coupled to the memory controller and storing a mapping table and a journal table. The memory controller is configured to write data and a logical address of the data into the non-volatile memory, load mapping information related to the logical address of the data from the mapping table of the non-volatile memory into a mapping cache of the memory controller, update the mapping cache with an updated mapping relationship between the logical address of the data and a physical address of the data, and perform a journaling operation to write the updated mapping relationship into the journal table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Yu-Ming CHANG, Wei-Chieh HUANG, Li-Chun HUANG, Hung-Sheng CHANG, Hsiang-Pang LI, Ting-Yu LIU, Chien-Hsin LIU, Nai-Ping KUO
  • Patent number: 9466384
    Abstract: A memory device and an erase method for the memory device are provided. The memory device includes plural blocks and a controller. The plural blocks include at least one first block and at least one second block. The erase method is controlled by the controller and includes the following steps. A first stage erase operation and a second stage erase operation are sequentially performed on the at least one first block in a first time interval and a second time interval. The first stage erase operation and the second stage erase operation are sequentially performed on the at least one second block in the second time interval and a third time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Ming Chang, Hsiang-Pang Li, Hung-Sheng Chang, Chih-Chang Hsieh, Kuo-Pin Chang
  • Publication number: 20160294418
    Abstract: A method for increasing coding reliability includes generating a generator matrix for an extended polar code including a standard polar code part and an additional frozen part. The standard polar code part has N bit-channels, including K information bit-channels and N?K frozen bit-channels. The additional frozen part has q additional frozen bit-channels. Among the K information bit-channels, q information bit-channels are re-polarized using the q additional frozen bit-channels. The method further includes receiving an input vector including K information bits and N+q?K frozen bits, and transforming, using the generator matrix, the input vector to an output vector including N+q encoded bits. The K information bits are allocated to the K information bit-channels, and the N+q?K frozen bits are allocated to the N?K frozen bit-channels and the q additional frozen bit-channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Yu-Ming HUANG, Hsiang-Pang LI, Hsie-Chia CHANG
  • Patent number: 9460779
    Abstract: A memory sensing method is provided. The memory sensing method comprises the following steps: sensing a first memory unit to obtain a first sensing result; sensing a second memory unit to obtain a second sensing result; and looking up a one-time sensing table according to the first and second sensing results to obtain an output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kin-Chu Ho, Hsiang-Pang Li
  • Publication number: 20160225446
    Abstract: A memory circuit is described that includes an array of memory cells including a plurality of blocks. The circuit includes a controller including logic to execute program sequences for selected blocks in the plurality of blocks. The program sequences include patterns of program/verify cycles. The circuit includes logic to assign different patterns of program/verify cycles to different blocks in the plurality of blocks. The circuit includes logic to change a particular pattern assigned to a particular block in the plurality of blocks. The circuit includes logic to maintain statistics for blocks in the plurality of blocks, about performance of cells in the blocks in response to the patterns of program/verify cycles assigned to the blocks. The controller includes logic to apply a stress sequence to one of the selected blocks, the stress sequence including stress pulses applied to memory cells in the one of the selected blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: WIN-SAN KHWA, Tzu-Hsiang SU, CHAO-I WU, HSIANG-PANG LI
  • Publication number: 20160225448
    Abstract: A first memory cell including a phase change material. The first memory cell is programmable to store one data value of a plurality of data values. The plurality of data values are represented by a plurality of non-overlapping ranges of resistance of the first memory cell. At least one testing pulse is applied to the first memory cell to establish a cell resistance of the first memory cell in an intermediate range of resistance, the intermediate range of resistance in between first and second adjacent ranges in the plurality of non-overlapping ranges of resistance representing the plurality of data values. After applying the at least one testing pulse to the first memory cell, it is determined whether to apply at least one healing pulse to repair the first memory cell, depending on relative values of (i) the cell resistance in the intermediate range of resistance and (ii) a reference resistance in the intermediate range of resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: WIN-SAN KHWA, CHAO-I WU, TZU-HSIANG SU, HSIANG-PANG LI
  • Patent number: 9396063
    Abstract: An operating method of a storage device is provided. The operating method comprises the following steps. First, a first data is read from a target address of a first storage unit. Then, an assisting unit checks whether the target address is corresponding to a second data stored in a second storage unit. If the target address is corresponding to the second data, the assisting unit updates the first data according to the second data to generate an updated data. Next, an Error Correction Code (ECC) performs a decoding process on the updated data to generate a decoded data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ren-Shuo Liu, Meng-Yen Chuang, Chia-Lin Yang, Cheng-Hsuan Li, Kin-Chu Ho, Hsiang-Pang Li
  • Publication number: 20160154736
    Abstract: A cache system is provided. The cache system includes a first cache and a second cache. The first cache is configured for storing a first status of a plurality of data. The second cache is configured for storing a table. The table includes the plurality of data arranged from a highest level to a lowest level. The cache system is configured to update the first status of the plurality of data in the first cache. The cache system is further configured to update the table in the second cache according to the first status of the plurality of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Hung-Sheng Chang, Hsiang-Pang Li, Yuan-Hao Chang, Tei-Wei Kuo
  • Publication number: 20160154674
    Abstract: A data processing system comprises a storage device, an interface module and a scheduler. The interface module is configured to dispatch a non-prioritized request via a first data path, and to transfer application-level information of an application via a second data path. The scheduler, coupled to the first and second data path, is configured to enable an access to the storage device according to the non-prioritized request and the application-level information respectively received from the first and second data paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Ye-Jyun Lin, Hsiang-Pang Li, Shang-Xuan Zou, Chia-Lin Yang
  • Publication number: 20160154593
    Abstract: A memory system is provided. The memory system includes a memory controller and a first memory block. The first memory block is configured to store a first data from a top of the first memory block in a top-down fashion. The first memory block is configured to store a first metadata corresponding to the first data from a bottom of the first memory block in a bottom-up fashion. The first data forms a first data area. The first metadata forms a first metadata area. And a first continuous space is formed between a bottom of the first data area and a top of the first metadata area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Hung-Sheng Chang, Hsiang-Pang Li, Chun-Ta Lin, Yuan-Hao Chang, Tei-Wei Kuo