Patents by Inventor Jun Etoh

Jun Etoh 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: 20030189845
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory is provided with a defect recovery scheme featuring a redundancy circuit. The memory array in the memory has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a spare bit line, and a plurality of memory cells. The redundancy circuit includes one or more comparing circuits having programmable elements which function as a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array. The programmable elements of the redundancy circuit can be programmed in accordance with any of a number of different types of defect modes. Each comparing circuit of the redundancy circuit compares information (data) inputted therein, for example, the column and row addresses which may be under the control of an address multiplex system, with that programmed in the programmable elements of the comparing circuit. On the basis of this comparison, an appropriate defect recovery is effected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 6577544
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory is provided with a defect recovery scheme featuring a redundancy circuit. The memory array in the memory has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a spare bit line, and a plurality of memory cells. The redundancy circuit includes one or more comparing circuits having programmable elements which function as a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array. The programmable elements of the redundancy circuit can be programmed in accordance with any of a number of different types of defect modes. Each comparing circuit of the redundancy circuit compares information (data) inputted therein, for example, the column and row addresses which may be under the control of an address multiplex system, with that programmed in the programmable elements of the comparing circuit. On the basis of this comparison, an appropriate defect recovery is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Publication number: 20030031058
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: 6515913
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Publication number: 20020054514
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Publication number: 20020031024
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory featuring a defect recovery scheme through employing a redundancy circuit. The memory array in the memory has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a spare bit line, and a plurality of memory cells. The redundancy circuit includes a comparing circuit having programmable elements which function as a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array. The programmable elements of the redundancy circuit can be programmed in accordance with any of a number of different types of defect modes. In accordance with this, each comparing circuit of the redundancy circuit compares information (data) inputted therein, for example, the column and row addresses which may be under the control of an address multiplex system, with that programmed in the programmable elements of the comparing circuit. On the basis of this comparison, an appropriate defect recovery is effected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 6337817
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), having a memory array which is divided into memory mats and a storage capacity of 16 M bits or more, features a defect recovery scheme through employing a redundancy circuit. The memory array in the memory has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines, a spare bit line, and a plurality of memory cells. The redundancy circuit includes a comparing circuit having programmable elements which function as a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array. The programmable elements of the redundancy circuit can be programmed in accordance with any of a number of different types of defect modes. In accordance with this, each comparing circuit of the redundancy circuit compares information (data) inputted therein, for example, the column and row addresses which may be under the control of an address multiplex system, with that programmed in the programmable elements of the comparing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 6335884
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: 6212089
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: 6160744
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi VSLI Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: 6104647
    Abstract: A redundancy technique is introduced for a semiconductor memory and, more particularly, a redundancy technique for a memory, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having a memory array which is divided into memory mats and a storage capacity of 16 mega bits or more. According to the present redundancy technique, for a semiconductor memory including a memory array which has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines arranged so that two-level crossings are formed between the word lines and the bit lines, memory cells disposed at desired ones of the two-level crossings, and spare bit lines, there is provided a redundancy circuit having a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array and comparing an address to be accessed with the stored defective address. Each of the address comparing circuits as stored therein the column address of a defective bit line and a part of the row address indicating the memory mat corresponding to the defective bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 6049500
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: 5966336
    Abstract: A redundancy technique is introduced for a semiconductor memory and, more particularly, a redundancy technique for a memory, for example, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having a memory array which is divided into memory mats and a storage capacity of 16 mega bits or more. According to the present redundancy technique, for a semiconductor memory including a memory array which has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines arranged so that two-level crossings are formed between the word lines and the bit lines, memory cells disposed at desired ones of the two-level crossings, and spare bit lines, there is provided a redundancy circuit having a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array and comparing an address to be accessed with the stored defective address. Each of the address comparing circuits has stored therein the column address of a defective bit line and a part of the row address indicating the memory mat corresponding to the defective bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5955896
    Abstract: In an input circuit for semiconductor devices, such as an address buffer, an arrangement is provided which obviates the timing margin from capture of an input signal to its latching and outputting, thereby increasing the operation speed of the input circuit. The address buffer includes a differential amplifier Ai which receives an input signal Ai and outputs a pair of differential signals A-come-first-served latch circuit detects, latches and outputs one of the paired differential signals that has changed first. Activation/inactivation of the differential amplifier is done by turning on and off an N-channel MOS transistor through a Set signal. When activated, the differential amplifier generates a potential difference between the paired differential signals and, when inactivated, has its paired differential signals go low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Takeshi Sakata, Kan Takeuchi, Katsumi Matsuno, Masakazu Aoki
  • Patent number: 5854508
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi VLSI Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: 5815448
    Abstract: A redundancy technique is introduced for a semiconductor memory and, more particularly, a redundancy technique for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having a storage capacity of 16 mega bits or more. In such a DRAM, the memory array is divided into memory mats. According to the present redundancy technique, for a semiconductor memory including a memory array which has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines arranged so that two-level crossings are formed between the word lines and the bit lines, memory cells disposed at desired ones of the two-level crossings, and spare bit lines, there is provided a redundancy circuit having a memory for storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array and comparing an address to be accessed with the stored defective address, and selection circuitry including logical OR gates for replacing a defective bit line by a spare bit line in accordance with the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5677880
    Abstract: In a semiconductor memory, switch circuits are provided so as to inhibit voltage and signal supplies to each of the normal memory blocks when so required. On the other hand, a ROM is provided on the chip so as to store the address of a defective memory block which consumes an excessively large stand-by current when the semiconductor memory is in the stand-by mode. The switch circuits are controlled by the output of the ROM so as to inhibit the voltage and signal supply to the defective memory block. Then, a spare memory block which is substituted for the defective normal memory block receives the voltage and signal supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi VLSI Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Yoshinobu Nakagome, Hitoshi Tanaka, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5617365
    Abstract: A redundancy technique is introduced for a semiconductor memory and, more particularly, a redundancy technique for a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) having a storage capacity of 16 mega bits or more. In such a DRAM, the memory array is divided into memory mats. According to the present redundancy technique, for a semiconductor memory including a memory array which has a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines arranged so that two-level crossings are formed between the word lines and the bit lines, memory cells disposed at desired ones of the two-level crossings, and spare bit lines, there are provided, address comparing circuits each of which storing therein a defective address existing in the memory array and comparing an address to be accessed with the stored defective address, and selection circuitry including logical OR gates for replacing a defective bit line by a spare bit line in accordance with the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Horiguchi, Jun Etoh, Masakazu Aoki, Kiyoo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5602771
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a semiconductor memory device, in which peripheral circuits are arranged in a cross area of a semiconductor chip composed of the longitudinal center portions and the transverse center portions, and in which memory arrays are arranged in the four regions which are divided by the cross area. Thanks to this structure in which the peripheral circuits are arranged at the center portion of the chip, the longest signal transmission paths can be shortened to about one half of the chip size to speed up the DRAM which is intended to have a large storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi VLSI Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kajigaya, Kazuyuki Miyazawa, Manabu Tsunozaki, Kazuyoshi Oshima, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Sakai, Jiro Sawada, Yasunori Yamaguchi, Tetsurou Matsumoto, Shinji Udo, Hiroshi Yoshioka, Hirokazu Saito, Mitsuhiro Takano, Makoto Morino, Sinichi Miyatake, Eiji Miyamoto, Yasuhiro Kasama, Akira Endo, Ryoichi Hori, Jun Etoh, Masashi Horiguchi, Shinichi Ikenaga, Atsushi Kumata
  • Patent number: RE37593
    Abstract: Disclosed is a one-chip ULSI which can carry out the fixed operation in a wide range of power supply voltage (1 V to 5.5 V). This one-chip ULSI is composed of a voltage converter circuit(s) which serves to a fixed internal voltage for a wide range of power supply voltage, an input/output buffer which can be adapted to several input/output levels, a dynamid RAM(s) which can operate at a power supply voltage of 2 V or less, etc. This one-chip ULSI can be applied to compact and portable electronic devices such as a lap-top type personal computer, an electronic pocket note book, a solid-state camera, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi ULSI Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Etoh, Kiyoo Itoh, Yoshiki Kawajiri, Yoshinobu Nakagome, Eiji Kume, Hitoshi Tanaka