Patents by Inventor Hui Zhong

Hui Zhong 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: 11550986
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first active region, a second active region, a first insulating region, a first contact and a second contact. The first and second active region extend in a first direction, are in a substrate, and are located on a first level. The second active region is separated from the first active region in a second direction. The first insulating region is over the first active region. The first contact extends in the second direction, overlaps the second active region, and is located on a second level different from the first level. The second contact extends in the first direction and the second direction, overlaps the first insulating region and the first contact. The second contact is electrically insulated from the first active region, and is located on a third level different from the first level and the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Pochun Wang, Yu-Jung Chang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Ting-Wei Chiang
  • Patent number: 11552069
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first, second and third power rail, and a header circuit coupled to a gated circuit. The gated circuit is configured to operate on a first or second voltage. The first and second power rail are on a back-side of a wafer, and extend in a first direction. The header circuit is configured to supply the first voltage to the gated circuit by the first power rail. The second power rail is separated from the first power rail in a second direction. The second power rail is configured to supply the second voltage to the gated circuit. The third power rail is on a front-side of the wafer and includes a first set of conductors extending in the second direction, and separated in the first direction. Each of the first set of conductors is configured to supply a third voltage to the header circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuang-Ching Chang, Jung-Chan Yang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Kuo-Nan Yang
  • Patent number: 11544437
    Abstract: An integrated circuit designing system includes a non-transitory storage medium, the non-transitory storage medium being encoded with a layout of a standard cell corresponding to a predetermined manufacturing process, the predetermined manufacturing process having a nominal minimum pitch of metal lines along a predetermined direction, the layout of the standard cell having a cell height along the predetermined direction, and the cell height is a non-integral multiple of the nominal minimum pitch. The integrated circuit designing system further includes a hardware processor communicatively coupled with the non-transitory storage medium and configured to execute a set of instructions for generating an integrated circuit layout based on the layout of the standard cell and the nominal minimum pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shang-Chih Hsieh, Chun-Fu Chen, Ting-Wei Chiang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Hsiang-Jen Tseng
  • Patent number: 11545965
    Abstract: A clock gating circuit includes a NOR logic gate, a transmission gate, a cross-coupled pair of transistors, and a first transistor. The NOR logic gate is coupled to a first node, and receives a first and a second enable signal, and outputs a first control signal. The transmission gate is coupled between the first and a second node, and receives the first control signal, an inverted clock input signal and a clock output signal. The cross-coupled pair of transistors is coupled between the second node and an output node, and receives at least a second control signal. The first transistor includes a first gate terminal configured to receive the inverted clock input signal, a first drain terminal coupled to the output node, and a first source terminal coupled to a reference voltage supply. The first transistor adjusts the clock output signal responsive to the inverted clock input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Seid Hadi Rasouli, Jerry Chang Jui Kao, Xiangdong Chen, Tzu-Ying Lin, Yung-Chen Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chi-Lin Liu
  • Publication number: 20220416026
    Abstract: A cell region of a semiconductor device includes a first and second isolation dummy gates extending along a first direction. The semiconductor device further includes a first gate extending along the first direction and between the first isolation dummy gate and the second isolation dummy gate. The semiconductor device includes a second gate extending along the first direction, the second gate being between the first isolation dummy gate and the second isolation dummy gate relative to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The semiconductor device also includes a first active region and a second active region. The first active region extending in the second direction between the first isolation dummy gate and the second isolation dummy gate. The first active region has a first length in the second direction, and the second active region has a second length in the second direction different from the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Cheng-Yu LIN, Yi-Lin FAN, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Sheng-Hsiung CHEN, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Xiangdong CHEN
  • Patent number: 11526647
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first type-one transistor, a second type-one transistor, a first type-two transistor, a second type-two transistor, a third type-one transistor, a fourth type-one transistor, and a fifth type-one transistor. The first type-one transistor has a gate configured to have a first supply voltage of a first power supply. The first type-two transistor has a gate configured to have a second supply voltage of the first power supply. The first active-region of the third type-one transistor is connected with an active-region of the first type-one transistor. The second active-region and the gate of the third type-one transistor are connected together. The first active-region of the fifth type-one transistor is connected with the gate of the third type-one transistor. The second active-region of the fifth type-one transistor is configured to have a first supply voltage of a second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Yu Lu, Ting-Wei Chiang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Jerry Chang Jui Kao, Pin-Dai Sue, Jiun-Jia Huang, Yu-Ti Su, Wei-Hsiang Ma
  • Patent number: 11526649
    Abstract: A method of making an integrated circuit includes operations to identify reverse signal nets of the circuit layout, determine the parasitic capacitance in conductive lines, and determine how to adjust an integrated circuit layout to reduce the parasitic capacitance of the conductive lines to the reverse signal net. The method further includes an operation to determine whether to move one of the conductive lines in the integrated circuit layout, an operation to determine whether to insert an isolation structure between the conductive lines of the reverse signal net having parasitic capacitance, and operations to adjust the layout by moving a conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Cheok-Kei Lei, Jerry Chang Jui Kao, Chi-Lin Liu, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Zhe-Wei Jiang, Chien-Hsing Li
  • Publication number: 20220382948
    Abstract: A layout method includes disposing a first conductive path and a second conductive path across a boundary between a first layout device and a second layout device abutting the first layout device. The layout method also includes disposing a first cut layer on the first conductive path nearby the boundary, and disposing a second cut layer on the second conductive path nearby the boundary. The layout method also includes moving the first cut layer to align with the second cut layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: CHEOK-KEI LEI, YU-CHI LI, CHIA-WEI TSENG, ZHE-WEI JIANG, CHI-LIN LIU, JERRY CHANG-JUI KAO, JUNG-CHAN YANG, CHI-YU LU, HUI-ZHONG ZHUANG
  • Publication number: 20220382957
    Abstract: A system for generating a layout diagram of a wire routing arrangement in a multi-patterning context having multiple masks (the layout diagram being stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium), at least one processor, at least one memory and computer program code (for one or more programs) of the system being configured to cause the system to execute generating the layout diagram including: placing, relative to a given one of the masks, a given cut pattern at a first candidate location over a corresponding portion of a given conductive pattern in a metallization layer; determining whether the first candidate location results in at least one of a non-circular group or a cyclic group which violates a design rule; and temporarily preventing placement of the given cut pattern in the metallization layer at the first candidate location until a correction is made which avoids violating the design rule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Fong-Yuan CHANG, Chin-Chou LIU, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Meng-Kai HSU, Pin-Dai SUE, Po-Hsiang HUANG, Yi-Kan CHENG, Chi-Yu LU, Jung-Chou TSAI
  • Publication number: 20220384417
    Abstract: A method includes disposing a first power rail, a second power rail and a third power rail arranged in order; disposing a first cell row having a first row height between the first power rail and the second power rail; and disposing a second cell row having the first row height between the third power rail and the second power rail. Each of the first power rail and the third power rail has a first width, and the second power rail has a second width larger than the first width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Xiang-Dong CHEN, Lee-Chung LU, Tzu-Ying LIN, Yung-Chin HOU
  • Publication number: 20220382951
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes placing a first set of conductive feature patterns on a first level, placing a second set of conductive feature patterns on a second level, placing a first set of via patterns between the second set of conductive feature patterns and the first set of conductive feature patterns, placing a third set of conductive feature patterns on a third level different from the first level and the second level, placing a second set of via patterns between the third set of conductive feature patterns and the second set of conductive feature patterns, and manufacturing the integrated circuit based on at least one of the above patterns of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Jung-Chan YANG, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Jerry Chang-Jui KAO, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Lee-Chung LU, Li-Chun TIEN, Meng-Hung SHEN, Shang-Chih HSIEH, Chi-Yu LU
  • Patent number: 11508661
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a set of active regions in a substrate, a first set of conductive structures, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region, a set of gates and a first set of vias. The set of active regions extend in a first direction and is located on a first level. The first set of conductive structures and the STI region extend in at least the first direction or a second direction, is located on the first level, and is between the set of active regions. The STI region is between the set of active regions and the first set of conductive structures. The set of gates extend in the second direction and overlap the first set of conductive structures. The first set of vias couple the first set of conductive structures to the set of gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Pochun Wang, Ting-Wei Chiang, Chih-Ming Lai, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Jung-Chan Yang, Ru-Gun Liu, Ya-Chi Chou, Yi-Hsiung Lin, Yu-Xuan Huang, Yu-Jung Chang, Guo-Huei Wu, Shih-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 11509293
    Abstract: An integrated circuit disclosed here includes a first plurality of cell rows, a second plurality of cell rows, first and second clock inverters, and a plurality of flip-flops. The second plurality of cell rows are arranged abutting the first plurality of cell rows. A first number of fins in the first plurality of cell rows is different from a second number of fins in the second plurality of cell rows. The first and second clock inverters are arranged in the second plurality of cell rows. The plurality of flip-flops are arranged in the first plurality of cell rows and the second plurality of cell rows. The plurality of flip-flops include a first plurality of flip-flops configured to operate in response to the first clock and second clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Chun Wang, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Jerry Chang-Jui Kao, Tzu-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 11508659
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate electrode extending in a first direction in a first layer over an active region, a first conductive line extending in the first layer adjacent to the gate electrode, a first power rail extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a second layer over the first layer, a second conductive line arranged in a third layer over the second layer, and a conductive via extending through the first power rail and electrically connecting the second conductive line to one of the gate electrode and the first conductive line. The conductive via is electrically insulated from the first power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Guo-Huei Wu, Shun-Li Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chih-Liang Chen, Li-Chun Tien
  • Publication number: 20220367440
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided and includes a multi-bit cell having multiple bit cells disposed in multiple cell rows. The bit cells include M bit cells, M being positive integers. A first bit cell of the bit cells and a M-th bit cell of the bit cells are arranged diagonally in different cell rows in the multi-bit cell. The multi-bit cell includes first to fourth cell boundaries. The first and second boundaries extend in a first direction and the third and fourth boundaries extend in a second direction different from the first direction. The first bit cell and a second bit cell of the bit cells abut the third cell boundary, and the first bit cell and a (M/2+1)-th bit cell of the bit cells abut the first cell boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shao-Lun CHIEN, Po-Chun WANG, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Chih-Liang CHEN, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20220367629
    Abstract: A method (of generating a layout diagram, the layout diagram being stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium) includes: selecting first and second standard cells from a standard-cell-library; the first and second standard cells having corresponding first and second heights that are different from each other; stacking the first standard cell on the second standard cell to form a third cell; and including the third cell in a layout diagram. At least one aspect of the method is executed by a processor of a computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jung-Chan YANG, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Lee-Chung LU, Ting-Wei CHIANG, Li-Chun TIEN
  • Publication number: 20220367637
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes structure with a substrate, a first well region, a second well region, and a third well region. The first well region is in the substrate. The second well region is in the first well region and includes a first source/drain (S/D) region. The third well region is in the substrate and adjacent to the first well region. The third well region includes a second S/D region, where a spacing between the first and second S/D regions is less than about 3 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chung Chen, Tsung-Hsin Yu, Chung-Hui Chen, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Ya Yun Liu
  • Publication number: 20220358275
    Abstract: One aspect of this description relates to a method for operating an integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing system. The method includes placing a first nano-sheet structure within a IC layout diagram. The first nano-sheet structure has a first width. The method includes abutting a second nano-sheet structure with the first nano-sheet structure. The second nano-sheet structure has a second width. The second width is less than the first width. The method includes generating and storing the IC layout diagram in a storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Wei-An Lai, Wei-Cheng Lin, Yan-Hao Chen, Jiann-Tyng Tzeng, Lipen Yuan, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Yu-Xuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20220359491
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device includes a substrate, and a cell over the substrate. The cell includes at least one active region and at least one gate region extending across the at least one active region. The cell further includes at least one input/output (IO) pattern configured to electrically couple one or more of the at least one active region and the at least one gate region to external circuitry outside the cell. The at least one IO pattern extends obliquely to both the at least one active region and the at least one gate region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Wei-Ren CHEN, Cheng-Yu LIN, Hui-Zhong ZHUANG, Yung-Chen CHIEN, Jerry Chang Jui KAO, Huang-Yu CHEN, Chung-Hsing WANG
  • Patent number: RE49331
    Abstract: A set of masks corresponds to an integrated circuit layout. The integrated circuit layout includes a first cell having a first transistor region and a second transistor region, and a second cell having a third transistor region and a fourth transistor region. The first cell and the second cell adjoin each other at side cell boundaries thereof, the first transistor region and the third transistor region are formed in a first continuous active region, and the second transistor region and the fourth transistor region are formed in a second continuous active region. The set of masks is formed based on the integrated circuit layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Lee-Chung Lu, Li-Chun Tien, Hui-Zhong Zhuang, Chang-Yu Wu