Patents by Inventor Kuan Fu Chen

Kuan Fu Chen 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: 20160307636
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are contemplated herein for enhancing the read performance and data retention of nonvolatile memory devices. In an example embodiment, a method is provided for controlling a nonvolatile memory device that includes a matrix of memory cells, wherein each memory cell in the matrix includes a programmable floating gate. The method includes programming a floating gate of a first memory cell of the nonvolatile memory device, and shifting a voltage of the floating gate of the first memory cell of the nonvolatile memory device by creating a coupling effect that impacts the floating gate of the first memory cell. In this regard, the method may include programming one or more nearby memory cells, in which case the coupling effect may comprise a floating gate coupling effect between the first memory cell and the one or more nearby memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Ya Jui Lee, Kuan Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 9437319
    Abstract: Provided are methods, devices, and/or the like for reducing the bit line interference when programming non-volatile memory. One method comprises providing a non-volatile memory device comprising a set of cells, each cell associated with a bit line; shooting a programming voltage across each cell; detecting a threshold voltage for each cell; identifying a fast subset of the set of cells and a slow subset of the set of cells based at least in part on the detected threshold voltage for each cell; and shooting the programming voltage until the threshold voltage for each cell is greater than a verify voltage. For each shot a fast bit line bias is applied to the bit line associated each cell of the fast subset and a slow bit line bias is applied to the bit line associated with each cell of the slow subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Suzuki, Ya Jui Lee, Kuan Fu Chen, Chih-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 9424926
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor device is provided that includes a substrate and a plurality of blocks forming a string. Each block is positioned on the substrate and includes a plurality of word lines disposed on the substrate. The string includes a single ground select line disposed at one side of the plurality of blocks, and a single string select line is disposed at another side of the plurality of blocks. In some embodiments, the word lines of the plurality of blocks define gaps separating each block of the string from neighboring blocks of the string. One or more dummy word lines may be disposed in each gap between blocks of the string. Corresponding methods of manufacturing the nonvolatile semiconductor device and manipulating the nonvolatile semiconductor device are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ya Jui Lee, Kuan Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20160155508
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor device is provided that includes a substrate and a plurality of blocks forming a string. Each block is positioned on the substrate and includes a plurality of word lines disposed on the substrate. The string includes a single ground select line disposed at one side of the plurality of blocks, and a single string select line is disposed at another side of the plurality of blocks. In some embodiments, the word lines of the plurality of blocks define gaps separating each block of the string from neighboring blocks of the string. One or more dummy word lines may be disposed in each gap between blocks of the string. Corresponding methods of manufacturing the nonvolatile semiconductor device and manipulating the nonvolatile semiconductor device are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Ya Jui Lee, Kuan Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 9286984
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor device is provided that includes a substrate and a plurality of blocks forming a string. Each block is positioned on the substrate and includes a plurality of word lines disposed on the substrate. The string includes a single ground select line disposed at one side of the plurality of blocks, and a single string select line is disposed at another side of the plurality of blocks. In some embodiments, the word lines of the plurality of blocks define gaps separating each block of the string from neighboring blocks of the string. One or more dummy word lines may be disposed in each gap between blocks of the string. Corresponding methods of manufacturing the nonvolatile semiconductor device and manipulating the nonvolatile semiconductor device are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya Jui Lee, Kuan Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 9036393
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Fu Chen, Yin-Jen Chen, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming-Shang Chen
  • Patent number: 8836004
    Abstract: A memory device including a substrate, a conductive layer, a charge storage layer, first and second dopant regions and first and second cell dopant regions is provided. A plurality of trenches is deployed in the substrate. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and fills the trenches. The charge storage layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive layer. The first and second dopant regions having a first conductive type are configured in the substrate under bottoms of the trenches and in an upper portion of the substrate between two adjacent trenches, respectively. The first and second cell dopant regions having a second conductive type are configured in the substrate between lower portions of side surfaces of the trenches and in the substrate adjacent to the bottoms of the second dopant regions, respectively. The first and the second conductive types are different dopant types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Fong Huang, I-Shen Tsai, Shang-Wei Lin, Miao-Chih Hsu, Kuan-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 8779500
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including a substrate, a conductive layer, a charge storage layer, a plurality of isolation structures, a plurality of first doped regions, and a plurality of second doped regions. The substrate has a plurality of trenches. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and fills the trenches. The charge storage layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive layer. The isolation structures are disposed in the substrate between two adjacent trenches, respectively. The first doped regions are disposed in an upper portion of the substrate between each isolation structure and each trench, respectively. The second doped regions are disposed in the substrate under a bottom portion of the trenches, in which each isolation structure is disposed between two adjacent second doped regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Fong Huang, Miao-Chih Hsu, Kuan-Fu Chen, Tzung-Ting Han
  • Publication number: 20140050006
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Fu Chen, Yin-Jen Chen, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming-Shang Chen
  • Patent number: 8593850
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Fu Chen, Yin-Jen Chen, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming-Shang Chen
  • Patent number: 8552528
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Fu Chen, Yin-Jen Chen, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming Shang Chen
  • Patent number: 8183106
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a floating gate memory device comprises using self-aligned process for formation of a fourth poly layer over a partial gate structure that does not require an additional photolithographic step. Accordingly, enhanced device reliability can be achieved because a higher GCR can be maintained with lower gate bias levels. In addition, process complexity can be reduced, which can increase throughput and reduce device failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan Fu Chen, Yin Jen Chen, Meng Hsuan Weng, Tzung Ting Han, Ming Shang Chen, Chun Pei Wu
  • Publication number: 20120008363
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Fu Chen, Yin-Jen Chen, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming Shang Chen
  • Publication number: 20110220986
    Abstract: A memory device including a substrate, a conductive layer, a charge storage layer, first and second dopant regions and first and second cell dopant regions is provided. A plurality of trenches is deployed in the substrate. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and fills the trenches. The charge storage layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive layer. The first and second dopant regions having a first conductive type are configured in the substrate under bottoms of the trenches and in an upper portion of the substrate between two adjacent trenches, respectively. The first and second cell dopant regions having a second conductive type are configured in the substrate between lower portions of side surfaces of the trenches and in the substrate adjacent to the bottoms of the second dopant regions, respectively. The first and the second conductive types are different dopant types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Fong Huang, I-Shen Tsai, Shang-Wei Lin, Miao-Chih Hsu, Kuan-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20110180864
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including a substrate, a conductive layer, a charge storage layer, a plurality of isolation structures, a plurality of first doped regions, and a plurality of second doped regions. The substrate has a plurality of trenches. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and fills the trenches. The charge storage layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive layer. The isolation structures are disposed in the substrate between two adjacent trenches, respectively. The first doped regions are disposed in an upper portion of the substrate between each isolation structure and each trench, respectively. The second doped regions are disposed in the substrate under a bottom portion of the trenches, in which each isolation structure is disposed between two adjacent second doped regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: YU-FONG HUANG, Miao-Chih Hsu, Kuan-Fu Chen, Tzung-Ting Han
  • Patent number: 7888272
    Abstract: A semiconductor fabrication process allows the fabrication of both logic and memory devices using a conventional CMOS process with a few additional steps. The additional steps, however, do not require additional masks. Accordingly, the process can be reduce the complexity, time, and cost for fabricating logic and memory devices on the same substrate, especially for embedded applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Macronix International Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan Fu Chen, Yin Jen Chen, Tzung Ting Han, Ming-Shang Chen, Shih Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 7671278
    Abstract: Provided herewith a cable (1, 2) with EMI suppressing arrangement which comprises a conductive wire (10) and an insulative layer (20) enveloping over the wire. A braided metal layer (30) envelops over the insulative layer, and a magnetic layer (40, 501) is arranged thereover. And an insulative jacket (50, 502) envelops over the magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jen-Guo Fong, Hsi-Fu Lee, Kuan-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20090116274
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Fu Chen, Yin-Jen Chen, Tzung-Ting Han, Ming-Shang Chen
  • Patent number: 7515158
    Abstract: A configurable memory system provides a high bandwidth, low latency, no wait state data path to a memory system functioning as a frame buffer for a digital video processing system. The configurable memory system has configurable channels that are programmable to control the access pattern of the memory controller. Once the configurable channels are programmed, the memory controller can generate the necessary address, timing, and control signals for selectively writing the data to and reading the data from the selected blocks of the array of memory devices continuously access the memory and move the data to the channel buffers. The channel buffer receives, retains, and transfers a defined segment of the data as defined by the segment pattern between the processing system and the array of memory devices, such that the processing system is able to transfer and receive the data continuously according to data requirements of the processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Etron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Chang, Kuan Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 7486534
    Abstract: A one-time programmable memory array includes a first row conductor extending in a first row direction and disposed at a first elevation, a second row conductor extending in a second row direction and disposed at a second elevation and a column conductor extending in a column direction and disposed adjacent to the first row conductor and adjacent to the second row conductor. The array also includes a dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the column conductor, a fuse link coupled between the dielectric layer on the column conductor and the second row conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan Fu Chen, Yin Jen Chen, Tzung Ting Han, Ming Shang Chen