Patents by Inventor Jin-Man Han

Jin-Man Han 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: 7656740
    Abstract: The apparatus and systems comprise a plurality of memory cells coupled to a local wordline, and a wordline drive circuit that includes a regulator coupled to a plurality of pass transistors and a string driver. The regulator may comprise a regulator transistor having a threshold voltage that is substantially the same as the threshold voltage of the string driver during memory cell program operations. The regulator may comprise a cascode-connected pair of transistors. Methods of manufacturing and operating the apparatus and systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Yu, Jin-man Han
  • Publication number: 20100020609
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving a flash memory device. One such apparatus includes a memory block including a plurality of columns. Each of the columns includes a bit line and a plurality of memory cells on the bit line. The plurality of columns include a plurality of groups of regular columns and a plurality of groups of redundant columns. The apparatus also includes a plurality of data latches. Each of the data latches is configured to store data read from a respective one group of regular columns. The apparatus further includes a plurality of redundant data latches. Each of the redundant data latches is configured to store data read from a respective one group of redundant columns. The apparatus also includes a multiplexer configured to selectively output data from the plurality of data latches and the plurality of redundant data latches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Man Han, Aaron Yip
  • Patent number: 7649783
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an external read command at a control circuit coupled to a memory array. Individual wordline activation may be delayed according to a delay period determined by a read level voltage magnitude associated with a plurality of memory cells included in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Yu, Jin-man Han
  • Publication number: 20090316489
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, modules, and systems for operating memory cells. One method embodiment includes applying sensing voltages to selected access lines for sensing selected memory cells. The method also includes applying a dynamic pass voltage to unselected access lines while the sensing voltages are applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Publication number: 20090313419
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed, such as those involving a flash memory device. One such method includes storing data on memory cells on a memory block including a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells on the word lines. The word lines comprising one or more bottom edge word lines, one or more top edge word lines, and intermediate word lines between the bottom and top edge word lines. The data is stored first on memory cells on the intermediate word lines. Then, a remaining portion, if any, of the data is stored on memory cells on the bottom edge word lines and/or the top edge word lines. This method enhances the life of the flash memory by preventing a premature failure of memory cells on the bottom or top edge word lines, which can be more prone to failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7630236
    Abstract: The method for reducing program disturb in a flash memory array biases a selected wordline at a programming voltage. One of the unselected wordlines, closer to array ground than the selected wordline, is biased at a voltage that is less than Vpass. The memory cells on this unselected wordline that are biased at this voltage block the gate induced drain leakage from the cells further up in the array. The remaining unselected wordlines are biased at Vpass. In another embodiment, a second source select gate line is added to the array. The source select gate line that is closest to the wordlines is biased at the voltage that is less than Vpass in order to block the gate induced drain leakage from the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Man Han, Benjamin Louie
  • Publication number: 20090262591
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus. A NAND flash memory device receives command and address signals at a first frequency and a data signal at a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Publication number: 20090244982
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device has the pages of a certain memory block reallocated to other blocks in order to increase decrease disturb and increase reliability. Each of the reallocation blocks that contain the reallocated pages from the desired memory block are coupled to a wordline driver. These wordline drivers have a subset of the global wordlines as inputs. The desired wordline driver is selected by an appropriate select signal from a block decoder and an indication on an appropriate global wordline. This causes the wordline driver to generate a local wordline to the desired block with the reallocated page to be accessed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Jin-Man Han, Aaron Yip
  • Publication number: 20090225598
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system are described which provide a memory device having an array of cells which may be selectively designated for either error correction code use or redundancy cell use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Publication number: 20090190400
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory array with both single level cells and multilevel cells. The single level and multilevel cells, in one embodiment, are alternated either along each bit line. An alternate embodiment alternates the single and multilevel cells along both the bit lines and the word lines so that no single level cell is adjacent to another single level cell in either the word line or the bit line directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7558131
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus. A NAND flash memory device receives command and address signals at a first frequency and a data signal at a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7551510
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device has the pages of a certain memory block reallocated to other blocks in order to increase decrease disturb and increase reliability. Each of the reallocation blocks that contain the reallocated pages from the desired memory block are coupled to a wordline driver. These wordline drivers have a subset of the global wordlines as inputs. The desired wordline driver is selected by an appropriate select signal from a block decoder and an indication on an appropriate global wordline. This causes the wordline driver to generate a local wordline to the desired block with the reallocated page to be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Man Han, Aaron Yip
  • Publication number: 20090154247
    Abstract: A target memory cell of a memory device is programmed by applying a programming voltage to a word line that includes the target memory cell, determining whether the target memory cell is programmed, and increasing the programming voltage by a step voltage if it is determined that the target memory cell is not programmed. An initial programming voltage and the step voltage are each selectable after fabrication of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Dzung H. Nguyen, Benjamin Louie, Hagop A. Nazarian, Aaron Yip, Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7548459
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system providing a memory device having an array of cells which may be selectively designated for either error correction code use or redundancy cell use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7542336
    Abstract: A NAND memory architecture arranges all even bitlines of a page together, and arranges all odd bitlines of a page together, so that programming operations are carried out on adjacent bitlines on the same word line to reduce floating gate coupling. Non-connected bitlines can be used at boundaries between even and odd sections of the array to further reduce floating gate coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7518914
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory array with both single level cells and multilevel cells. The single level and multilevel cells, in one embodiment, are alternated either along each bit line. An alternate embodiment alternates the single and multilevel cells along both the bit lines and the word lines so that no single level cell is adjacent to another single level cell in either the word line or the bit line directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7505323
    Abstract: A target memory cell of a memory device is programmed by applying a programming voltage to a word line that includes the target memory cell, determining whether the target memory cell is programmed, and increasing the programming voltage by a step voltage if it is determined that the target memory cell is not programmed. An initial programming voltage and the step voltage are each selectable after fabrication of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dzung H. Nguyen, Benjamin Louie, Hagop A. Nazarian, Aaron Yip, Jin-Man Han
  • Publication number: 20090043975
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. A memory device has a memory array, base trim circuitry adapted to store base control parameter values common to the memory array, and a reference trim circuit corresponding to a portion of the memory array. The reference trim circuit is adapted to store one or more reference control parameter values for respectively correcting one or more of the base control parameter values of the base trim circuitry for application to the portion of the memory array. The memory device may include an index circuit corresponding to the reference trim circuit. The index circuit is adapted to store one or more index parameter values for respectively selecting the one or more base control parameter values of the base trim circuitry for correction by the one or more reference control parameter values of the reference trim circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Benjamin Louie, Aaron Yip, Jin-Man Han
  • Patent number: 7447847
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. A memory device has a memory array, base trim circuitry adapted to store base control parameter values common to the memory array, and a reference trim circuit corresponding to a portion of the memory array. The reference trim circuit is adapted to store one or more reference control parameter values for respectively correcting one or more of the base control parameter values of the base trim circuitry for application to the portion of the memory array. The memory device may include an index circuit corresponding to the reference trim circuit. The index circuit is adapted to store one or more index parameter values for respectively selecting the one or more base control parameter values of the base trim circuitry for correction by the one or more reference control parameter values of the reference trim circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Louie, Aaron Yip, Jin-Man Han
  • Publication number: 20080192538
    Abstract: A NAND memory architecture arranges all even bitlines of a page together, and arranges all odd bitlines of a page together, so that programming operations are carried out on adjacent bitlines on the same word line to reduce floating gate coupling. Non-connected bitlines can be used at boundaries between even and odd sections of the array to further reduce floating gate coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Jin-Man Han