Patents by Inventor Ki Seog Kim

Ki Seog Kim 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: 8976598
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory block comprising cell strings each of which includes a plurality of memory cells, a current measurement circuit measure a current flowing through a selected bit line coupled to a selected cell string when a data read operation or a program verification operation is performed, and a logic group configured to change a read voltage, a program verification voltage, or a pass voltage in response to the measured current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 8767469
    Abstract: A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a LSB program operation on memory cells coupled to a selected word line and a word line adjacent to the selected word line; performing a first MSB program operation so that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the selected word line reach temporary voltages lower than first target voltages; performing a second MSB program operation so that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the word line adjacent to the selected word line are higher than second target voltages; and performing a third MSB program operation so that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the selected word line are higher than the first target voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 8338878
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes trenches that are formed at regions on a semiconductor substrate spaced apart from one another at predetermined distances, buried floating gates buried into the trenches, a plurality of isolation structures formed between the buried floating gates, and a dielectric film and a control gate formed on the buried floating gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20120127801
    Abstract: A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a LSB program operation on memory cells coupled to a selected word line and a word line adjacent to the selected word line; performing a first MSB program operation so that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the selected word line reach temporary voltages lower than first target voltages; performing a second MSB program operation so that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the word line adjacent to the selected word line are higher than second target voltages; and performing a third MSB program operation so that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the selected word line are higher than the first target voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Ki Seog KIM
  • Patent number: 8174882
    Abstract: A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes applying a first pass voltage to word lines in a direction of a source select line based on a first word line selected for a program operation, wherein the word lines do not include a second word line adjacent to the first word line in a direction of the source select line; and applying a first voltage, a program voltage and a second pass voltage when the first pass voltage reaches a given level. The first voltage is applied to the second word line, the program voltage is provided to the first word line, and the second pass voltage is applied to word lines in a direction of a drain select line on the basis of the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 8130568
    Abstract: A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a first LSB program operation on memory cells coupled to a selected word line in order to store least significant bit (LSB) data in the memory cells, performing a first most significant bit (MSB) program operation on the memory cells coupled to the selected word line, such that threshold voltages of the memory cells rise up to a temporary target voltage less than a target voltage, performing a second most significant bit (MSB) program operation on memory cells coupled to a neighboring word line neighboring the selected word line in order to store most significant bit (MSB) data in the corresponding memory cells, and performing a third most significant bit (MSB) program operation, after performing the second most significant bit (MSB) program operation, on the memory cells on which the first most significant bit (MSB) program operation has been performed, such that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the selected word lin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20120002481
    Abstract: A method of programming a non-volatile memory device includes applying a first pass voltage to word lines in a direction of a source select line based on a first word line selected for a program operation, wherein the word lines do not include a second word line adjacent to the first word line in a direction of the source select line; and applying a first voltage, a program voltage and a second pass voltage when the first pass voltage reaches a given level. The first voltage is applied to the second word line, the program voltage is provided to the first word line, and the second pass voltage is applied to word lines in a direction of a drain select line on the basis of the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Ki Seog KIM
  • Publication number: 20110261626
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory block comprising cell strings each of which includes a plurality of memory cells, a current measurement circuit measure a current flowing through a selected bit line coupled to a selected cell string when a data read operation or a program verification operation is performed, and a logic group configured to change a read voltage, a program verification voltage, or a pass voltage in response to the measured current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Ki Seog KIM
  • Patent number: 8036028
    Abstract: A method of programming a non-volatile memory device with timely-adjusted voltages applied to word lines to prevent program disturb includes applying a first pass voltage to word lines in a direction of a source select line based on a first word line selected for a program operation, wherein the word lines do not include a second word line adjacent to the first word line in a direction of the source select line; and applying a first voltage, a program voltage and a second pass voltage when the first pass voltage reaches a given level. The first voltage is applied to the second word line, the program voltage is provided to the first word line, and the second pass voltage is applied to word lines in a direction of a drain select line on the basis of the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7990770
    Abstract: In a method of programming a nonvolatile memory device, when a program is performed, a program voltage is applied to a first word line selected for the program. A first pass voltage is applied to three second word lines neighboring the first word line toward a source select line. First and second voltages are applied to third and fourth word lines neighboring the first word line toward the source select line. A second pass voltage is applied to the remaining word lines other than the first to fourth word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Youl Lee, Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7972925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash memory device and a fabrication method thereof. A trench may be formed within a junction region between word lines by etching a semiconductor substrate between not only a word line and a select line, but also between adjacent word lines. Accordingly, the occurrence of a program disturbance phenomenon can be prevented as the injection of hot carriers into a program-inhibited cell is minimized in a program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Yoo Nam Jeon, Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7848150
    Abstract: A flash memory device and a method of operating the same is disclosed, in which the conditions of voltage (or current) applied during the reading operation are differently adjusted according to an accumulated number of times of a programming operation, an erasing operation or a reading operation (an accumulated number of operation cycle). Even if a level of the threshold voltage is changed to a level which differs from that of the target voltage by an increase of the accumulated number of operation cycle regardless of the programming operation (or the erasing operation) being normally performed, the reliability of the reading operation can be enhanced to prevent a malfunction of the memory cell from being generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Keun Woo Lee, Ki Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20100246268
    Abstract: In a method of programming a nonvolatile memory device, when a program is performed, a program voltage is applied to a first word line selected for the program. A first pass voltage is applied to three second word lines neighboring the first word line toward a source select line. First and second voltages are applied to third and fourth word lines neighboring the first word line toward the source select line. A second pass voltage is applied to the remaining word lines other than the first to fourth word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Hee Youl LEE, Ki Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20100191931
    Abstract: A method of programming a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a first LSB program operation on memory cells coupled to a selected word line in order to store least significant bit (LSB) data in the memory cells, performing a first most significant bit (MSB) program operation on the memory cells coupled to the selected word line, such that threshold voltages of the memory cells rise up to a temporary target voltage less than a target voltage, performing a second most significant bit (MSB) program operation on memory cells coupled to a neighboring word line neighboring the selected word line in order to store most significant bit (MSB) data in the corresponding memory cells, and performing a third most significant bit (MSB) program operation, after performing the second most significant bit (MSB) program operation, on the memory cells on which the first most significant bit (MSB) program operation has been performed, such that the threshold voltages of the memory cells coupled to the selected word lin
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Ki Seog KIM
  • Publication number: 20100178745
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash memory device and a fabrication method thereof. A trench may be formed within a junction region between word lines by etching a semiconductor substrate between not only a word line and a select line, but also between adjacent word lines. Accordingly, the occurrence of a program disturbance phenomenon can be prevented as the injection of hot carriers into a program-inhibited cell is minimized in a program operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Yoo Nam Jeon, Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7719049
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash memory device and a fabrication method thereof. A trench may be formed within a junction region between word lines by etching a semiconductor substrate between not only a word line and a select line, but also between adjacent word lines. Accordingly, the occurrence of a program disturbance phenomenon can be prevented as the injection of hot carriers into a program-inhibited cell is minimized in a program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Yoo Nam Jeon, Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7696560
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes control gates that are formed to completely surround the top and sides of floating gates. The control gates are located between the floating gates that are adjacent in the word line direction as well as the floating gates that are adjacent in the bit line direction. The present flash memory device reduces a shift in a threshold voltage resulting from interference among floating gates and increases an overlapping area of the floating gate and the control gates. Thus, there is an effect in that the coupling ratio can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7684256
    Abstract: A method for programming a flash memory device includes selecting bit lines connected to a plurality of memory strings and selecting a word line. A lower bit is programmed into the memory cells connected to the selected word line and programming a upper bit into the memory cells. The step of selecting the word line and the step of programming the upper bit are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20090173988
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes control gates that are formed to completely surround the top and sides of floating gates. The control gates are located between the floating gates that are adjacent in the word line direction as well as the floating gates that are adjacent in the bit line direction. The present flash memory device reduces a shift in a threshold voltage resulting from interference among floating gates and increases an overlapping area of the floating gate and the control gates. Thus, there is an effect in that the coupling ratio can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog Kim
  • Publication number: 20090173987
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes trenches that are formed at regions on a semiconductor substrate spaced apart from one another at predetermined distances, buried floating gates buried into the trenches, a plurality of isolation structures formed between the buried floating gates, and a dielectric film and a control gate formed on the buried floating gates
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Ki Seog KIM