Patents by Inventor Ke Liang

Ke Liang 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: 11715523
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a memory cell array having rows of memory cells, word lines respectively coupled to the rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the memory cell array through the word lines. The peripheral circuit is configured to program a row of memory cells using a first program voltage and verify the programmed row of memory cells using a verify voltage and a sample voltage smaller than the verify voltage. The peripheral circuit is also configured to obtain a first number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells based on the sample voltage. The peripheral circuit is further configured to predict, based on the first number of memory cells and the sample voltage, a second number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells that fail to pass the verification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Yueping Li, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11527292
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells including a plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of word lines respectively coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the plurality of word lines and configured to perform an erase operation on a selected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells. The selected row of memory cells is coupled to a selected word line. To perform the erase operation, the peripheral circuit is configured to discharge an unselected word line coupled to an unselected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells from an initial voltage to a discharge voltage in a first time period, and float the unselected word line in a second time period after the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11468954
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a plurality of word lines coupled to the array of memory cells, a controller configured to control a read operation on the array of memory cells, and a row decoder coupled to the word lines and the controller and configured to, in the read operation, induce a coupling effect between a select word line and an adjacent unselect word line of the plurality of word lines, and discharge the select word line to a start read level due to at least the coupling effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Li Xiang
  • Publication number: 20220310169
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells including a plurality of rows of memory cells, a plurality of word lines respectively coupled to the plurality of rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the plurality of word lines and configured to perform an erase operation on a selected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells. The selected row of memory cells is coupled to a selected word line. To perform the erase operation, the peripheral circuit is configured to discharge an unselected word line coupled to an unselected row of memory cells of the plurality of rows of memory cells from an initial voltage to a discharge voltage in a first time period, and float the unselected word line in a second time period after the first time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20220301626
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a memory cell array having rows of memory cells, word lines respectively coupled to the rows of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit coupled to the memory cell array through the word lines. The peripheral circuit is configured to program a row of memory cells using a first program voltage and verify the programmed row of memory cells using a verify voltage and a sample voltage smaller than the verify voltage. The peripheral circuit is also configured to obtain a first number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells based on the sample voltage. The peripheral circuit is further configured to predict, based on the first number of memory cells and the sample voltage, a second number of memory cells of the programmed row of memory cells that fail to pass the verification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Yueping Li, Chunyuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11424237
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first plurality of program lines of a first group, a second plurality of program lines of a second group, and a plurality of address lines. The second plurality of program lines are disposed next to and are parallel to the first plurality of program lines. The plurality of address lines are coupled to the first plurality of program lines and the second plurality of program lines respectively. The plurality of address lines are twisted and are intersected with the first plurality of program lines and the second plurality of program lines in a layout view. At least two adjacent program lines of the first plurality of program lines or the second plurality of program lines have lengths different from each other. A method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignees: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuan Ma, Ke-Liang Shang, Xin-Yong Wang
  • Patent number: 11328782
    Abstract: Memory might have a controller configured to program a first portion of memory cells of a string of series-connected memory cells closer to a particular end of the string than a second portion of memory cells of the string in an order from a different end of the string to the particular end, and program the second portion of memory cells in an order from the particular end to the different end. Memory might further have a controller configured to increment first and second read counts in response to performing a read operation on a memory cell of a block of memory cells, reset the first read count in response to performing an erase operation on a first portion of the block of memory cells, and reset the second read count in response to performing an erase operation on the second portion of the block of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Jun Xu
  • Publication number: 20210375852
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first plurality of program lines of a first group, a second plurality of program lines of a second group, and a plurality of address lines. The second plurality of program lines are disposed next to and are parallel to the first plurality of program lines. The plurality of address lines are coupled to the first plurality of program lines and the second plurality of program lines respectively. The plurality of address lines are twisted and are intersected with the first plurality of program lines and the second plurality of program lines in a layout view. At least two adjacent program lines of the first plurality of program lines or the second plurality of program lines have lengths different from each other. A method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicants: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TSMC NANJING COMPANY LIMITED, TSMC CHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuan MA, Ke-Liang SHANG, Xin-Yong WANG
  • Patent number: 11145362
    Abstract: A method for programming a memory system including a plurality of memory cells includes performing a first program operation on the plurality of the memory cells. The method also includes identifying a first memory cell and a second set of memory cell from the plurality of memory cells based on threshold voltages of the plurality of memory cells after performing the first program operations. The method further includes performing a second operation on the plurality of the memory cells by applying a first cross voltage to the first memory cell and a second cross voltage to the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chun Yuan Hou, Qiang Tang
  • Publication number: 20210280258
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells, a plurality of word lines coupled to the array of memory cells, a controller configured to control a read operation on the array of memory cells, and a row decoder coupled to the word lines and the controller and configured to, in the read operation, induce a coupling effect between a select word line and an adjacent unselect word line of the plurality of word lines, and discharge the select word line to a start read level due to at least the coupling effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Li Xiang
  • Patent number: 11114168
    Abstract: A sense circuit of a memory cell includes a first switch, a sense node, a third switch, a connection node, a fourth switch, and a memory cell coupled in series. A boost driver is coupled to the sense node. A second switch and the connection node are coupled in series. The boost driver outputs a first voltage when the first, second, third, fourth switches are turned on. The third switch is then turned off and the boost driver outputs a second voltage higher than the first voltage such that the voltage level at the sense node is not higher than a system voltage. The third switch is turned on, then turned off and the boost driver outputs an intermediate voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage. A state of the memory cell is determined during output of the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Liang Qiao, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20210272638
    Abstract: A storage array includes multiple wordlines of storage cells that can be selectively charged to an erase voltage or an inhibit voltage. Control logic associated with the storage array can perform erase verify in stages. On a first erase verify pass, the control logic can set wordlines of an erase block or subblock to a first erase voltage. On a second erase verify pass, the control logic can trigger a second erase verify pulse and set passing wordlines to an inhibit voltage, and failing wordlines to a second erase voltage higher than the first voltage. Inhibiting the already passing wordlines can reduce threshold voltage differences among the wordlines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Chunyuan HOU, Ke LIANG, Jun XU, Si LI
  • Patent number: 11056196
    Abstract: A memory device includes N rows of memory cells and N word lines coupled thereto, respectively. A method of reading data from the memory device includes: applying a first pre-pulse voltage to an nth word line while applying a second pre-pulse voltage to an adjacent word line adjacent to the nth word line, the second pre-pulse voltage exceeding the first pre-pulse voltage, and n being an integer ranging from 1 to N; grounding the nth word line while maintaining the second pre-pulse voltage on the adjacent word line; pulling a voltage on the nth word line towards a start read level; and prior to the voltage on the nth word line reaching the start read level, driving a voltage on the adjacent word line to the first pre-pulse voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Li Xiang
  • Publication number: 20210174880
    Abstract: A sense circuit of a memory cell includes a first switch, a sense node, a third switch, a connection node, a fourth switch, and a memory cell coupled in series. A boost driver is coupled to the sense node. A second switch and the connection node are coupled in series. The boost driver outputs a first voltage when the first, second, third, fourth switches are turned on. The third switch is then turned off and the boost driver outputs a second voltage higher than the first voltage such that the voltage level at the sense node is not higher than a system voltage. The third switch is turned on, then turned off and the boost driver outputs an intermediate voltage between the first voltage and the second voltage. A state of the memory cell is determined during output of the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Liang Qiao, Chunyuan Hou
  • Publication number: 20210166769
    Abstract: A memory device includes N rows of memory cells and N word lines coupled thereto, respectively. A method of reading data from the memory device includes: applying a first pre-pulse voltage to an nth word line while applying a second pre-pulse voltage to an adjacent word line adjacent to the nth word line, the second pre-pulse voltage exceeding the first pre-pulse voltage, and n being an integer ranging from 1 to N; grounding the nth word line while maintaining the second pre-pulse voltage on the adjacent word line; pulling a voltage on the nth word line towards a start read level; and prior to the voltage on the nth word line reaching the start read level, driving a voltage on the adjacent word line to the first pre-pulse voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Li Xiang
  • Publication number: 20210151100
    Abstract: A method for programming a memory system including a plurality of memory cells includes performing a first program operation on the plurality of the memory cells. The method also includes identifying a first memory cell and a second set of memory cell from the plurality of memory cells based on threshold voltages of the plurality of memory cells after performing the first program operations. The method further includes performing a second operation on the plurality of the memory cells by applying a first cross voltage to the first memory cell and a second cross voltage to the second memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chun Yuan Hou, Qiang Tang
  • Publication number: 20210090670
    Abstract: Memory might have a controller configured to program a first portion of memory cells of a string of series-connected memory cells closer to a particular end of the string than a second portion of memory cells of the string in an order from a different end of the string to the particular end, and program the second portion of memory cells in an order from the particular end to the different end. Memory might further have a controller configured to increment first and second read counts in response to performing a read operation on a memory cell of a block of memory cells, reset the first read count in response to performing an erase operation on a first portion of the block of memory cells, and reset the second read count in response to performing an erase operation on the second portion of the block of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 10943650
    Abstract: A memory system comprising a plurality of memory cells each including a storage element having a first terminal and a control terminal. The method for operating the memory system includes applying a first program voltage to control terminals of storage elements and applying a basic reference voltage to first terminals of the storage elements during a first program operation, performing a group verification by comparing threshold voltages of the storage elements with a middle voltage, performing a first program test to check if the threshold voltages of the storage elements are greater than a first programming threshold voltage, and performing a second program operation according to a result of the group verification and a result of the first program test. The middle voltage is smaller than the first programming threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Chun Yuan Hou, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 10872676
    Abstract: Methods include incrementing a first read count in response to performing a read operation on a memory cell of a block of memory cells, the first read count corresponding to a first portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells; incrementing a second read count in response to performing the read operation on the memory cell of the block of memory cells, the second read count corresponding to a second portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells; resetting the first read count in response to performing an erase operation on the first portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells; and resetting the second read count in response to performing an erase operation on the second portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 10861555
    Abstract: Methods include programming a first portion of memory cells of a string of series-connected memory cells closer to a particular end of the string than a second portion of memory cells of the string in an order from a different end of the string to the particular end, and programming the second portion of memory cells in an order from the particular end to the different end. Methods further include incrementing a first read count and a second read count in response to performing a read operation on a memory cell of a block of memory cells, resetting the first read count in response to performing an erase operation on a first portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells, and resetting the second read count in response to performing an erase operation on the second portion of memory cells of the block of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ke Liang, Jun Xu