Patents by Inventor Mario Sako

Mario Sako 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: 20240420765
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2024
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Inventors: Mai SHIMIZU, Koji KATO, Yoshihiko KAMATA, Mario SAKO
  • Patent number: 12106808
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11948646
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cells, a word line and bit lines of the memory cells, sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines, respectively, and a controller. Each sense amplifier includes first, second, and third transistors. The third transistor has one end connected to each of the first and second transistors, and the other end connected to a corresponding bit line. During a read operation, at a first time of a first period during which the controller applies a first read voltage to the word line, the controller applies a first voltage higher than ground voltage to the first transistor, and a second voltage to the second transistor. Also, at the first time, a first sense amplifier applies a voltage to a first bit line through its first and third transistors, and a second sense amplifier applies a voltage to a second bit line through tis second and third transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Kosuke Yanagidaira, Mario Sako
  • Publication number: 20240087656
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first memory cell transistor, a first bit line electrically coupled to the first memory cell transistor, a first sense amplifier, and a first latch circuit. The first sense amplifier includes a first node coupled to the first bit line, a first transistor including one end electrically coupled to the first latch circuit, a second node coupled to a gate of the first transistor, and a second transistor coupled between the first and second nodes. The second transistor is in an ON state during an operation of transferring a charge from the first bit line to the first and second nodes in accordance with data of the first memory cell transistor. The second transistor is in an OFF state during an operation of transferring data of the second node to the first latch circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuaki ISOBE, Takeshi HIOKA, Mario SAKO
  • Publication number: 20240038305
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Mai SHIMIZU, Koji KATO, Yoshihiko KAMATA, Mario SAKO
  • Patent number: 11862248
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Publication number: 20230260579
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cells, a word line and bit lines of the memory cells, sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines, respectively, and a controller. Each sense amplifier includes first, second, and third transistors. The third transistor has one end connected to each of the first and second transistors, and the other end connected to a corresponding bit line. During a read operation, at a first time of a first period during which the controller applies a first read voltage to the word line, the controller applies a first voltage higher than ground voltage to the first transistor, and a second voltage to the second transistor. Also, at the first time, a first sense amplifier applies a voltage to a first bit line through its first and third transistors, and a second sense amplifier applies a voltage to a second bit line through tis second and third transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Kosuke YANAGIDAIRA, Mario SAKO
  • Publication number: 20230178152
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Mai SHIMIZU, Koji KATO, Yoshihiko KAMATA, Mario SAKO
  • Patent number: 11670383
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cells, a word line and bit lines of the memory cells, sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines, respectively, and a controller. Each sense amplifier includes first, second, and third transistors. The third transistor has one end connected to each of the first and second transistors, and the other end connected to a corresponding bit line. During a read operation, at a first time of a first period during which the controller applies a first read voltage to the word line, the controller applies a first voltage higher than ground voltage to the first transistor, and a second voltage to the second transistor. Also, at the first time, a first sense amplifier applies a voltage to a first bit line through its first and third transistors, and a second sense amplifier applies a voltage to a second bit line through the second and third transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Yanagidaira, Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11600328
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11568939
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a bit line, a memory cell transistor electrically connected to the bit line, and a sense amplifier that reads data from the memory cell transistor via the bit line. During an operation of determining first data and second data, while continuously applying a first voltage to a gate of the memory cell transistor, the sense amplifier first determines the first data based upon a second voltage, and then determines the second data based upon a third voltage lower than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11501825
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell, a bit line, and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier includes: a first node configured to be electrically coupled to the bit line; a first transistor in which a gate is coupled to the first node, and which is configured to be coupled to a second node; a second transistor configured to couple the second node and a third node; and a third transistor in which a gate is coupled to the third node, and which is configured to be coupled to the first node. The sense amplifier applies a second voltage obtained by amplifying a first voltage of the first node to the third node, and applies a third voltage obtained by amplifying the second voltage to the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11417401
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a bit line, a first memory cell electrically connected to the bit line, and a sense amplifier connected to the bit lin. The sense amplifier includes a first capacitor element having an electrode that is connected to a first node electrically connectable to the bit line, a first transistor having a gate connected to the first node and a first end connectable to a second node, a second transistor having a first end connected to the second node and a second end connected to a third node, a second capacitor element having an electrode connected to the third node, and a latch circuit connected to the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mario Sako, Hiromitsu Komai, Masahiro Yoshihara
  • Publication number: 20220246197
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell, a bit line, and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier includes: a first node configured to be electrically coupled to the bit line; a first transistor in which a gate is coupled to the first node, and which is configured to be coupled to a second node; a second transistor configured to couple the second node and a third node; and a third transistor in which a gate is coupled to the third node, and which is configured to be coupled to the first node. The sense amplifier applies a second voltage obtained by amplifying a first voltage of the first node to the third node, and applies a third voltage obtained by amplifying the second voltage to the first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Mario SAKO
  • Publication number: 20220157380
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Publication number: 20220139467
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cells, a word line and bit lines of the memory cells, sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines, respectively, and a controller. Each sense amplifier includes first, second, and third transistors. The third transistor has one end connected to each of the first and second transistors, and the other end connected to a corresponding bit line. During a read operation, at a first time of a first period during which the controller applies a first read voltage to the word line, the controller applies a first voltage higher than ground voltage to the first transistor, and a second voltage to the second transistor. Also, at the first time, a first sense amplifier applies a voltage to a first bit line through its first and third transistors, and a second sense amplifier applies a voltage to a second bit line through the second and third transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Kosuke YANAGIDAIRA, Mario SAKO
  • Patent number: 11276466
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11227662
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cells, a word line and bit lines of the memory cells, sense amplifiers connected to the bit lines, respectively, and a controller. Each sense amplifier includes first, second, and third transistors. The third transistor has one end connected to each of the first and second transistors, and the other end connected to a corresponding bit line. During a read operation, at a first time of a first period during which the controller applies a first read voltage to the word line, the controller applies a first voltage higher than ground voltage to the first transistor, and a second voltage to the second transistor. Also, at the first time, a first sense amplifier applies a voltage to a first bit line through its first and third transistors, and a second sense amplifier applies a voltage to a second bit line through its second and third transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kosuke Yanagidaira, Mario Sako
  • Publication number: 20210312992
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a bit line, a memory cell transistor electrically connected to the bit line, and a sense amplifier that reads data from the memory cell transistor via the bit line. During an operation of determining first data and second data, while continuously applying a first voltage to a gate of the memory cell transistor, the sense amplifier first determines the first data based upon a second voltage, and then determines the second data based upon a third voltage lower than the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: Mario SAKO
  • Patent number: 11127470
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes: a first bit line; a first memory cell electrically coupled to the first bit line; and a first sense amplifier configured to sense and store data read out to the first bit line. The first sense amplifier includes a first latch circuit and a second latch circuit. In a program operation, each of the first and second latch circuits stores any one bit of program data. In a first verify operation, data is exchanged between the first latch circuit and the second latch circuit when performing the first verify operation for a first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mario Sako