Patents by Inventor J. Kawamura

J. Kawamura 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: 20210074345
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for operating ferroelectric memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and a first selection component configured to couple the first plate to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and a second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT J. DERNER, CHRISTOPHER J. KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 10910038
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of main word line circuits. Each main word line circuit drives a respective global word line to one of an active state value, an intermediate voltage state, or a pre-charge state. The intermediate voltage state voltage is below the active state voltage and above the pre-charge state voltage. The memory device also includes a plurality of sub-word line drivers. Each sub-word line driver is connected to a corresponding global word line and configured to drive a respective local word line between the corresponding global word line voltage and a low voltage value. The apparatus further includes a plurality of phase drivers. Each phase driver is connected to a predetermined number of sub-word line drivers, where each of the predetermined number of sub-word line drivers connects to a different global word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim
  • Patent number: 10910379
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a buried wordline, a shield plate, and an access device. The access device includes first and second diffusion regions and a channel region. The diffusion regions and the channel region are arranged vertically so that the channel region is between the first and second diffusion regions. The wordline is adjacent to a first side surface of the channel region, and the shield plate is adjacent to a second side surface of the channel region; with the first and second side surfaces being in opposing relation to one another. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Mitsunari Sukekawa, Yusuke Yamamoto, Christopher J. Kawamura, Hiroaki Taketani
  • Patent number: 10896717
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes an array of memory cells coupled to an array power supply and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause a data value to be stored in at least one memory cell of the array of memory cells while the array of memory cells is operating in a first power state and a determination to be made that a change in a power status to a computing system coupled to the array of memory cells has occurred, wherein the change in the power status of the computing system is characterized by the computing device operating in a reduced power state. Responsive to the determination, the controller may be configured to cause the array power supply to be disabled to operate the array of memory cells in a second power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10885964
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for operating ferroelectric memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and a first selection component configured to couple the first plate to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and a second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20200411076
    Abstract: A main word line circuit provides a first and second row factor signals. The main word line circuit includes a pull-up circuit to drive a global word line to follow a first decoded address signal when the first row factor signal is at a first value. The main word line circuit includes an intermediate voltage circuit to drive the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal. A processing device drives the global word line to an active state by setting the first row factor signal to the first value when the first decoded address signal is at a high state, and drives the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal by setting the first row factor signal to the second value while the first decoded address signal is at the high state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10872650
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory cells. An example ferroelectric memory cell includes two transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes three transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes four transistors and two capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10867661
    Abstract: A main word line circuit provides a first and second row factor signals. The main word line circuit includes a pull-up circuit to drive a global word line to follow a first decoded address signal when the first row factor signal is at a first value. The main word line circuit includes an intermediate voltage circuit to drive the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal. A processing device drives the global word line to an active state by setting the first row factor signal to the first value when the first decoded address signal is at a high state, and drives the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal by setting the first row factor signal to the second value while the first decoded address signal is at the high state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10861787
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated memory having a first bitline coupled with a first set of memory cells, and having a second bitline coupled with a second set of memory cells. The first and second bitlines are comparatively coupled through a sense amplifier. A first noise suppression line is adjacent to a region of the first bitline and extends parallel to the region of the first bitline. The first noise suppression line is electrically connected with one of the first and second bitlines and not with the other of the first and second bitlines. A second noise suppression line is adjacent to a region of the second bitline and extends parallel to the region of the second bitline. The second noise suppression line is electrically connected with the other of the first and second bitlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsunari Sukekawa, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10854276
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include two transistor-one capacitor memory and for accessing such memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor coupled to first and second selection components. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and the first selection component configured to couple a first plate of the capacitor to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and the second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line. A sense amplifier is coupled to the second digit line and is configured to amplify a voltage difference between a voltage coupled to the second digit line and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Publication number: 20200357454
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory cells. An example ferroelectric memory cell includes two transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes three transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes four transistors and two capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT J. DERNER, CHRISTOPHER J. KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20200349998
    Abstract: A main word line circuit provides a first and second row factor signals. The main word line circuit includes a pull-up circuit to drive a global word line to follow a first decoded address signal when the first row factor signal is at a first value. The main word line circuit includes an intermediate voltage circuit to drive the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal. A processing device drives the global word line to an active state by setting the first row factor signal to the first value when the first decoded address signal is at a high state, and drives the global word line to follow a value of the second row factor signal by setting the first row factor signal to the second value while the first decoded address signal is at the high state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Tae H. Kim, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20200349999
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of main word line circuits. Each main word line circuit drives a respective global word line to one of an active state value, an intermediate voltage state, or a pre-charge state. The intermediate voltage state voltage is below the active state voltage and above the pre-charge state voltage. The memory device also includes a plurality of sub-word line drivers. Each sub-word line driver is connected to a corresponding global word line and configured to drive a respective local word line between the corresponding global word line voltage and a low voltage value. The apparatus further includes a plurality of phase drivers. Each phase driver is connected to a predetermined number of sub-word line drivers, where each of the predetermined number of sub-word line drivers connects to a different global word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls, Tae H. Kim
  • Patent number: 10818342
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include two transistor-one capacitor memory and for accessing such memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor coupled to first and second selection components. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and the first selection component configured to couple a first plate of the capacitor to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and the second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line. A sense amplifier is coupled to the second digit line and is configured to amplify a voltage difference between a voltage coupled to the second digit line and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10783951
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include two transistor-one capacitor memory and for accessing such memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor coupled to first and second selection components. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and the first selection component configured to couple a first plate of the capacitor to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and the second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line. A sense amplifier is coupled to the second digit line and is configured to amplify a voltage difference between a voltage coupled to the second digit line and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10783948
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory cells. An example ferroelectric memory cell includes two transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes three transistors and two capacitors. Another example ferroelectric memory cell includes four transistors and two capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Derner, Christopher J. Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20200295008
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a buried wordline, a shield plate, and an access device. The access device includes first and second diffusion regions and a channel region. The diffusion regions and the channel region are arranged vertically so that the channel region is between the first and second diffusion regions. The wordline is adjacent to a first side surface of the channel region, and the shield plate is adjacent to a second side surface of the channel region; with the first and second side surfaces being in opposing relation to one another. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Mitsunari Sukekawa, Yusuke Yamamoto, Christopher J. Kawamura, Hiroaki Taketani
  • Patent number: 10622057
    Abstract: A sensing system can read from a memory cell configured to store a data bit and to produce a differential signal indicating a data state of the memory cell. The data state can be selected from three data states. An example of the system can include a pair of bit lines, a pair of sense amplifiers (SAs), and a data output circuit. The bit lines are coupled to the memory cell to receive the differential signal. The SAs are each independently coupled to the bit lines through an isolation circuit. The data output circuit can receive outputs from the SAs and indicate the data state of the memory cell based on the outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Charles L. Ingalls, Scott J. Derner
  • Patent number: 10535399
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a series of bitlines. Each of the bitlines has a first comparative bitline component and a second comparative bitline component. The bitlines define columns of the memory array. Memory cells are along the columns of the memory array. Capacitive units are along the columns of the memory array and are interspersed amongst the memory cells. The capacitive units are not utilized for data storage during operation of the memory array, but rather are utilized for reducing parasitic capacitance between adjacent bitlines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kawamura, Scott J. Derner
  • Publication number: 20200005850
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that include ferroelectric memory and for operating ferroelectric memory. An example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first plate, a second plate, and a ferroelectric dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a first digit line and a first selection component configured to couple the first plate to the first digit line, and also includes a second digit line and a second selection component configured to couple the second plate to the second digit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SCOTT J. DERNER, CHRISTOPHER J. KAWAMURA