Patents by Inventor Kuen-Long Chang

Kuen-Long Chang 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: 9679656
    Abstract: A method, an electronic device and a controller for recovering an array of memory cells are provided. The method comprises the following steps. Whether a recovery control signal is received or not is determined. A retention checking procedure is executed for identifying whether a threshold voltage distribution of at least one bit of the memory cells in high threshold state is shifted or not, if the recovery control signal is received. A retention writing procedure is executed on the memory cells, if the memory cells in high threshold state do not pass the retention checking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuen-Long Chang, Nai-Ping Kuo, Ken-Hui Chen, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 9672881
    Abstract: A memory device includes a variable strobe interface configured to select one of a data queue strobe signal or a system clock signal to signal initiation of data receipt at the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Hui Chen, Kuen Long Chang, Chin-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 9658787
    Abstract: Methods for protecting data on an integrated circuit including a memory are described. One method includes storing protection codes on the integrated circuit. Each protection code has a first value indicating a protected state and a second value indicating an unprotected state for a corresponding sector in a plurality of sectors of the memory. The method includes storing protection mask codes on the integrated circuit. Each mask code has a first value indicating a masked state or a second value indicating an unmasked state for a corresponding sector in the plurality of sectors. The method includes blocking modification in a particular sector of the memory using circuitry on the integrated circuit when the protection code for the particular sector has the first value and the mask code for the particular sector has the second value, else allowing modification in the particular sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Su-Chueh Lo
  • Patent number: 9652228
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a memory core storing data to be output from the memory core according to an external clock signal, an input buffer receiving the external clock signal and providing an input clock signal, and a synchronization circuit including a delay circuit and configured to receive the input clock signal, provide an output clock signal, and synchronize the output clock signal to the external clock signal. The device further includes a data strobe output buffer receiving the output clock signal and providing a data strobe signal having a signal delay configurable relative to the external clock signal, a clocked circuit element receiving the data and the output clock signal and outputting the data in synchronism with the output clock signal, and a delay control circuit providing a delay control signal to the delay circuit to modify the signal delay of the data strobe signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Chang-Ting Chen
  • Publication number: 20170109297
    Abstract: A memory system has a plurality of memory devices coupled with a hub in discrete and shared port arrangements. A plurality of bus lines connect the plurality of memory devices to the hub, including a first subset of bus lines connected in a point-to-point configuration between the hub and a particular memory device, and a second subset of bus lines connected to all the memory devices in the plurality of memory devices including the particular memory device. Bus operation logic is configured to use the first subset of bus lines in a first operation accessing the particular memory device while simultaneously using the second subset of bus lines in a second operation accessing a different selected memory device of the plurality of memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Chin-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 9628061
    Abstract: A power drop detector circuit includes a detect element, for coupling to a first source voltage, for detecting a voltage level of the first source voltage, and a memory element coupled to the detect element and switchable between a first memory state and a second memory state based on the voltage level of the first source voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Ming Lu, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chun-Yi Lee, Ken-Hui Chen, Kuen-Long Chang
  • Publication number: 20170083439
    Abstract: A memory device includes an input/output interface configured to receive and output signals. The input/output interface is configured to receive a memory address to be accessed and data sequence information within a clock cycle or at a rising or falling edge of a clock cycle. The data sequence information specifies an input or output data sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Kuen-Long CHANG, Su-Chuch LO, Chao Hsin LIN, Ken-Hui CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170060785
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a processor coupled to a memory device, through a data bus to receive and transmit bits on the data bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kuen Long CHANG, Yu Chen WANG, Ken Hui CHEN
  • Patent number: 9536575
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises a power supply input pin for receiving an off-chip supply voltage which can have a variable current, an on-chip power source to be powered by the off-chip supply voltage and which can provide a regulated current, a set of one or more circuits to be powered by at least one of the off-chip supply voltage and the on-chip power source, a configuration memory storing a set of one or more memory settings that indicate whether a circuit of said set of one or more circuits is powered by the on-chip power source, and control circuitry responsive to the at least one memory setting to control whether said circuit of said set of one or more circuits is powered by the on-chip power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wu-Chin Peng, Chun-Yi Lee, Ken-Hui Chen, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 9535785
    Abstract: A method of operating a memory storing data sets, and ECCs for the data sets is provided. The method includes when writing new data in a data set, computing and storing an ECC, if a number of addressable segments storing the new data and data previously programmed in the data set includes at least a predetermined number of addressable segments. The method includes storing indications for whether to enable or disable use of the ECCs, using the ECC and a first additional ECC bit derived from the ECC. The method includes reading from a data set an extended ECC including an ECC and a first additional ECC bit derived from the ECC, and enabling or disabling use of the ECC according to the indications stored for the data set. The method includes enabling use of ECCs for blank data sets, using the indications and a second additional ECC bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nai-Ping Kuo, Shih-Chang Huang, Chin-Hung Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 9519539
    Abstract: A method for outputting data error status of a memory device includes generating data status indication codes indicating error status of data chunks transmitted by a memory controller, and combining the data status indication codes with corresponding data chunks to generate an output signal, and outputting the output signal to a data bus pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuen Long Chang, Ken Hui Chen, Su Chueh Lo, Chia-Feng Cheng
  • Patent number: 9514088
    Abstract: A method for command processing in a memory controller includes receiving a serial input signal including a series of binary digits, capturing the binary digits at ones of odd locations or even locations of the serial input signal to form a first sub-series, capturing the binary digits at other ones of the odd locations or the even locations of the serial input signal to form a second sub-series, comparing the first and second sub-series, and performing a command represented by the first sub-series, if the first and second sub-series are complementary to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Hui Chen, Kuen Long Chang, Yu Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 9514834
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device includes an array of non-volatile, charge trapping memory cells, configured to store data values in memory cells in the array using threshold states, including a higher threshold state. Retention check logic executes to identify memory cells in the higher threshold state which fail a threshold retention check. Also, logic is provided to reprogram the identified memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Nai-Ping Kuo, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Yu-Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 9502121
    Abstract: Memory cells of a nonvolatile memory array are characterized by one of multiple threshold voltage ranges including at least an erased threshold voltage range and a programmed threshold voltage range. Responsive to an erase command to erase a group of memory cells of the nonvolatile memory array, a plurality of phases are performed, including at least a pre-program phase and an erase phase. The pre-program phase programs a first set of memory cells in the group having threshold voltages within the erased threshold voltage range, and does not program a second set of memory cells in the group having threshold voltages within the erased threshold voltage range in the group. By not programming the second set of memory cells, the pre-program phase is performed more quickly than if the second set of memory cells were programmed along with the first set of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yi Lee, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
  • Patent number: 9489007
    Abstract: A configurable clock circuit on an integrated circuit, such as an integrated circuit memory, can be configured to utilize external multiple phase clocks and external single phase clocks to produce an internal clock signal in a form compatible with the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Chang-Ting Chen
  • Patent number: 9490624
    Abstract: A circuit for voltage detection and protection comprises a first block, a first voltage detector, a second block and a second voltage detector. The first block receives a first voltage supply. The first voltage detector detects the first voltage supply and generates a first detecting signal when detecting the first voltage supply level is out of the first operating voltage range. The second block receives a second voltage supply. The second voltage detector detects the second voltage supply and generates a second detecting signal when detecting the second voltage supply level is out of the second operating voltage range. The first block performs a protection operation on the circuit when monitoring at least one of the first and second detecting signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Meng Chaung, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen
  • Publication number: 20160300616
    Abstract: A method, an electronic device and a controller for recovering an array of memory cells are provided. The method comprises the following steps. Whether a recovery control signal is received or not is determined. A retention checking procedure is executed for identifying whether a threshold voltage distribution of at least one bit of the memory cells in high threshold state is shifted or not, if the recovery control signal is received. A retention writing procedure is executed on the memory cells, if the memory cells in high threshold state do not pass the retention checking procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Kuen-Long Chang, Nai-Ping Kuo, Ken-Hui Chen, Chao-Hsin Lin
  • Publication number: 20160292031
    Abstract: An erasing method of a memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory controller and a memory array having a first memory region and a second memory region. The first memory region and the second memory region share the same well. The erasing method comprising steps of: erasing the first memory region; and selectively programming the second memory region according to an error correction code algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Chin-Hung Chang, Chia-Feng Cheng, Yu-Chen Wang, Ken-Hui Chen, Kuen-Long Chang
  • Patent number: 9450577
    Abstract: An output circuit includes: an output switch including a gate terminal, a drain terminal coupled to an external I/O bus, and a well terminal; a well control circuit, having a well terminal coupled to the well terminal of the output switch, to maintain a well voltage of the output switch at a level not less than a greater of a first voltage and a second voltage; and a gate control circuit coupled to the gate terminal and a the drain terminal of the output switch and to the external I/O bus, and operable to turn off the output switch, to prevent current flow through the output switch from the external I/O bus when an operating voltage of the output circuit is not applied to the output switch, and a bus voltage from an external device is present on the external I/O bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen, Su-Chueh Lo, Tzu-Ting Chiu
  • Patent number: 9444462
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an output buffer and a control circuit. The output buffer has a signal input, a signal output, and a set of control inputs. The output buffer has an output buffer delay, and a driving strength adjustable in response to control signals applied to the set of control inputs. Alternatively, the output buffer delay is variable. The control circuit is connected to the set of control inputs of the output buffer. The control circuit uses first and second timing signals to generate the control signals, and can include a first delay circuit that generates the first timing signal with a first delay, and a second delay circuit that generates the second timing signal with a second delay that correlates with the output buffer delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Meng Chaung, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen