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: 20170294375
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Haruhiko TERADA, Makoto KITAGAWA
  • Publication number: 20170229175
    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: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 9715928
    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: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sumino, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20170140827
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro, Wataru Otsuka, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Patent number: 9646690
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a resistive storage element having a high resistance state and a low resistance state; coupling an analog multiplexer to the resistive storage element for applying a bias voltage; and switching between a verification bias and a read bias through the analog multiplexer for increasing a read margin between the high resistance state and the low resistance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Jun Sumino, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 9633728
    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: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 9594516
    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: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro, Wataru Otsuka, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Patent number: 9576618
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory device operational methods, and memory device implementation methods are described. According to one arrangement, a memory device includes memory circuitry configured to store data in a plurality of different data states, temperature sensor circuitry configured to sense a temperature of the memory device and to generate an initial temperature output which is indicative of the temperature of the memory device, and conversion circuitry coupled with the temperature sensor circuitry and configured to convert the initial temperature output into a converted temperature output which is indicative of the temperature of the memory device at a selected one of a plurality of possible different temperature resolutions, and wherein the converted temperature output is utilized by the memory circuitry to implement at least one operation with respect to storage of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogesh Luthra, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9530469
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 9496034
    Abstract: A memory device comprising a plurality of memory tiles, each tile comprising a local common source line (CSL) plate, a plurality of bitlines and a plurality of wordlines, each coupled to a plurality of memory cells and a masking circuit, coupled to each of the memory tiles, for controlling whether to raise the local CSL plate and the plurality of bitlines based on the a global common source line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Jahanshir Javanifard
  • Publication number: 20160267977
    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: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Sumino, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20160267978
    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: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino
  • Publication number: 20160225444
    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: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Kerry Tedrow
  • Patent number: 9373397
    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: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Sumino, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20160163384
    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: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Jun Sumino, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9349450
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino
  • Publication number: 20160118087
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory device operational methods, and memory device implementation methods are described. According to one arrangement, a memory device includes memory circuitry configured to store data in a plurality of different data states, temperature sensor circuitry configured to sense a temperature of the memory device and to generate an initial temperature output which is indicative of the temperature of the memory device, and conversion circuitry coupled with the temperature sensor circuitry and configured to convert the initial temperature output into a converted temperature output which is indicative of the temperature of the memory device at a selected one of a plurality of possible different temperature resolutions, and wherein the converted temperature output is utilized by the memory circuitry to implement at least one operation with respect to storage of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogesh Luthra, Makoto Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9311999
    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: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Kerry Tedrow
  • Publication number: 20160093402
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Yogesh Luthra
  • Patent number: 9230616
    Abstract: Memory devices, memory device operational methods, and memory device implementation methods are described. According to one arrangement, a memory device includes memory circuitry configured to store data in a plurality of different data states, temperature sensor circuitry configured to sense a temperature of the memory device and to generate an initial temperature output which is indicative of the temperature of the memory device, and conversion circuitry coupled with the temperature sensor circuitry and configured to convert the initial temperature output into a converted temperature output which is indicative of the temperature of the memory device at a selected one of a plurality of possible different temperature resolutions, and wherein the converted temperature output is utilized by the memory circuitry to implement at least one operation with respect to storage of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yogesh Luthra, Makoto Kitagawa