Patents by Inventor Makoto Kitagawa

Makoto Kitagawa 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: 20190080759
    Abstract: Memory devices and memory operational methods are described. One example memory system includes a common conductor and a plurality of memory cells coupled with the common conductor. The memory system additionally includes access circuitry configured to provide different ones of the memory cells into one of a plurality of different memory states at a plurality of different moments in time between first and second moments in time. The access circuitry is further configured to maintain the common conductor at a voltage potential, which corresponds to the one memory state, between the first and second moments in time to provide the memory cells into the one memory state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino
  • Publication number: 20190066784
    Abstract: Memory systems and memory programming methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory system includes program circuitry configured to provide a program signal to a memory cell to program the memory cell from a first memory state to a second memory state, detection circuitry configured to detect the memory cell changing from the first memory state to the second memory state during the provision of the program signal to the memory cell to program the memory cell, and wherein the program circuitry is configured to alter the program signal as a result of the detection and to provide the altered program signal to the memory cell to continue to program the memory cell from the first memory state to the second memory state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Yogesh Luthra
  • Publication number: 20190066783
    Abstract: Memory sense amplifiers and memory verification methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory sense amplifier includes a first input coupled with a memory element of a memory cell, wherein the memory element has different memory states at different moments in time, a second input configured to receive a reference signal, modification circuitry configured to provide a data signal at the first input from the memory element having a plurality of different voltages corresponding to respective ones of different memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time, and comparison circuitry coupled with the modification circuitry and configured to compare the data signal and the reference signal at the different moments in time and to provide an output signal indicative of the memory state of the memory cell at the different moments in time as a result of the comparison to implement a plurality of verify operations of the memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Kerry Tedrow
  • Patent number: 10176868
    Abstract: Memory systems and memory programming methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Adam Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180366188
    Abstract: An integrated circuit system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: an integrated circuit die; a non-volatile memory cell in the integrated circuit die and having a bit line for reading a data condition state of the non-volatile memory cell; and a voltage clamp in the integrated circuit die, the voltage clamp having a semiconductor switch connected to the bit line for reducing voltage excursions on the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 10147487
    Abstract: Memory sense amplifiers and memory verification methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory sense amplifier includes a first input coupled with a memory element of a memory cell, wherein the memory element has different memory states at different moments in time, a second input configured to receive a reference signal, modification circuitry configured to provide a data signal at the first input from the memory element having a plurality of different voltages corresponding to respective ones of different memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time, and comparison circuitry coupled with the modification circuitry and configured to compare the data signal and the reference signal at the different moments in time and to provide an output signal indicative of the memory state of the memory cell at the different moments in time as a result of the comparison to implement a plurality of verify operations of the memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Kerry Tedrow
  • Patent number: 10121539
    Abstract: Memory systems and memory programming methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory system includes program circuitry configured to provide a program signal to a memory cell to program the memory cell from a first memory state to a second memory state, detection circuitry configured to detect the memory cell changing from the first memory state to the second memory state during the provision of the program signal to the memory cell to program the memory cell, and wherein the program circuitry is configured to alter the program signal as a result of the detection and to provide the altered program signal to the memory cell to continue to program the memory cell from the first memory state to the second memory state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 10115669
    Abstract: In a memory cell unit array, memory cell units each constituted of first wires, second wires, and a nonvolatile memory cell are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form in a first direction and a second direction. Each of the memory cell units includes a control circuit below it. The control circuit is constituted of a first control circuit and a second control circuit. The second wires are connected to the second control circuit. Some of the first wires that constitute the memory cell unit are connected to the first control circuit that constitutes this memory cell unit. Others of the first wires are connected to the first control circuit that constitutes an adjacent memory cell unit adjacent thereto in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Terada, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10074425
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed towards a memory device comprising a plurality of wordlines each coupled to a row of memory cells in a subtile of the memory device, a plurality of level one column select circuits coupled to each cell in a plurality of groups of cells in a subtile, a plurality of level two column select circuits coupled to each of the plurality of groups of cells in the subtile, a common bit line coupled to the plurality of level one column select circuits and the plurality of level two column select circuits, the common bit line also coupled to a sense and program circuit, wherein the sense and program circuit addresses each first cell in each of the groups of cells to form a single page of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sumino, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20180144797
    Abstract: An integrated circuit system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: an integrated circuit die; a non-volatile memory cell in the integrated circuit die and having a bit line for reading a data condition state of the non-volatile memory cell; and a voltage clamp in the integrated circuit die, the voltage clamp having a semiconductor switch connected to the bit line for reducing voltage excursions on the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Publication number: 20180144792
    Abstract: Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20180122466
    Abstract: A memory device of one embodiment of the technology includes: a plurality of memory cells in a matrix arrangement; a plurality of row wirings each coupled to one end of each memory cell; a plurality of column wirings each coupled to another end of each memory cell, a first decoder circuit coupled to each of the row wirings of even-numbered rows; a second decoder circuit coupled to each of the row wirings of odd-numbered rows; a third decoder circuit coupled to each of the column wirings of even-numbered columns; and a fourth decoder circuit coupled to each of the column wirings of odd-numbered columns. The first decoder circuit, the second decoder circuit, the third decoder circuit, and the fourth decoder circuit are constituted by independent circuits from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Haruhiko TERADA, Yotaro MORI, Makoto KITAGAWA
  • Patent number: 9911489
    Abstract: Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 9905300
    Abstract: A memory device comprising a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells, two or more fuses coupled to the memory array, wherein each of the two or more fuses contains trim data for the memory array and a mode register for selecting one of the two or more fuses to be enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro, Wataru Otsuka, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Publication number: 20180047446
    Abstract: Memory sense amplifiers and memory verification methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory sense amplifier includes a first input coupled with a memory element of a memory cell, wherein the memory element has different memory states at different moments in time, a second input configured to receive a reference signal, modification circuitry configured to provide a data signal at the first input from the memory element having a plurality of different voltages corresponding to respective ones of different memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time, and comparison circuitry coupled with the modification circuitry and configured to compare the data signal and the reference signal at the different moments in time and to provide an output signal indicative of the memory state of the memory cell at the different moments in time as a result of the comparison to implement a plurality of verify operations of the memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Kerry Tedrow
  • Publication number: 20180025778
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of bit lines; a plurality of word lines; a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells each including a non-volatile storage element and being disposed at crossing sections of the bit lines and the word lines; a reference voltage generator circuit that generates a readout reference voltage serving as a reference for discrimination of data values stored on the memory cells; a readout circuit that reads the data values stored on the memory cells by detecting values of readout voltages from the memory cells relative to the readout reference voltage in a state where a predetermined current-limited readout current is applied to the bit lines; and an address compensation circuit that changes the readout reference voltage in accordance with a placement position of a memory cell to be read of the memory cells in the readout circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Yotaro Mori, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20170309335
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device of the disclosure includes a memory cell, a writing circuit, and a current controller. The memory cell is disposed at an intersection of a first wiring and a second wiring, and includes a variable resistance element having a resistance state that is variable between a first resistance state and a second resistance state. The writing circuit varies the variable resistance element from the first resistance state to the second resistance state, and thereby performs writing of data on the memory cell. The current controller controls a current and thereby limits the current to a predetermined limit current value. The current is caused to flow through the first wiring or the second wiring by the writing circuit upon performing of the writing of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Yotaro Mori, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9799412
    Abstract: A memory includes a plurality of replacement word lines interspersed among the plurality of word lines. The memory also includes a word line control circuit configured to apply different voltages to different word lines of the plurality of word lines based on positions of the word lines, and to replace a defective word line of the plurality of word lines with a replacement word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 9799398
    Abstract: Memory sense amplifiers and memory verification methods are described. According to one aspect, a memory sense amplifier includes a first input coupled with a memory element of a memory cell, wherein the memory element has different memory states at different moments in time, a second input configured to receive a reference signal, modification circuitry configured to provide a data signal at the first input from the memory element having a plurality of different voltages corresponding to respective ones of different memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time, and comparison circuitry coupled with the modification circuitry and configured to compare the data signal and the reference signal at the different moments in time and to provide an output signal indicative of the memory state of the memory cell at the different moments in time as a result of the comparison to implement a plurality of verify operations of the memory states of the memory cell at the different moments in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Kerry Tedrow
  • Publication number: 20170294229
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed towards a memory device comprising a plurality of wordlines each coupled to a row of memory cells in a subtile of the memory device, a plurality of level one column select circuits coupled to each cell in a plurality of groups of cells in a subtile, a plurality of level two column select circuits coupled to each of the plurality of groups of cells in the subtile, a common bit line coupled to the plurality of level one column select circuits and the plurality of level two column select circuits, the common bit line also coupled to a sense and program circuit, wherein the sense and program circuit addresses each first cell in each of the groups of cells to form a single page of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Jun Sumino, Makoto Kitagawa