Patents by Inventor Masanobu Shirakawa

Masanobu Shirakawa 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: 11513735
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller configured to execute a patrol process, in response to a first command set from a host device. In the patrol process, the memory controller is configured to read first data from the nonvolatile memory, and not to output the first data to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kurosawa, Naomi Takeda, Masanobu Shirakawa, Yasuyuki Ushijima, Shinichi Kanno
  • Patent number: 11514986
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory device and a controller. The semiconductor memory device includes a first memory cell configured to store data. The controller is configured to output a first parameter and a first command. The first parameter relates to an erase voltage for a first erase operation with respect to the first memory cell. The first command instructs the first erase operation. The controller outputs the first command after outputting the first parameter to the semiconductor memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Kengo Kurose, Masanobu Shirakawa, Hideki Yamada, Marie Takada
  • Publication number: 20220375516
    Abstract: A memory system is provided, including a semiconductor storage device including memory cells that can store data of n bits, and a word line connected to the cells; and a memory controller to control the device and being configured to send a first read request, in response to which the device can perform a first read operation of reading first data out of the cells with a first voltage applied to the word line, to send a second read request, in response to which the device can perform a second read operation of reading second data out of the cells with a second voltage within a first voltage range and a third voltage within a second voltage range applied to the word line, perform a first logical operation of logically processing the first and the second data, and send third data generated by the first logical operation to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa TOKUTOMI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Marie TAKADA
  • Patent number: 11501839
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor storage device including a memory cell array including a plurality of groups of memory cells, and a control circuit configured to perform, upon receipt of a write command, a write operation on one of the groups of memory cells, and a memory controller is configured to, when transmitting the write command to perform the write operation on the one of the groups of memory cells, determine a first write voltage value for the write operation based on a total number of write operations or erase operations that have been performed on the one of the groups of memory cells, and transmit the write command to the semiconductor storage device together with the determined first write voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Yamada, Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Publication number: 20220351780
    Abstract: In connection with a write operation, a memory controller transmits a first command sequence to a memory chip, thereby causing the memory chip to execute a first-stage program operation that includes a first operation and a first part of a second operation after the first operation, and a second command sequence to the memory chip after the first-stage program operation is executed, thereby causing the memory chip to execute a second-stage program operation that includes a second part of the second operation and no part of the first operation. During the first operation, a program voltage is applied a plurality of times while increasing the program voltage each of the times by a first step size. During the second operation, the program voltage is applied a plurality of times while increasing the program voltage each of the times by a second step size smaller than the first step size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Hideki YAMADA, Marie TAKADA, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20220328102
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes a memory cell, and a write circuit configured to write data to the memory cell by applying a program voltage to the memory cell and comparing a threshold voltage of the memory cell with a first reference voltage corresponding to the write data. The write circuit is configured to execute a first programming operation to obtain a value of a write parameter by comparing the threshold voltage with a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Riki SUZUKI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Toshikatsu HIDA
  • Publication number: 20220328103
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory device having memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and a controller configured to issue a write command with or without a partial page program command to the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device, in response to the write command issued without the partial page command, executes a first program operation on a page of memory cells and then a first verify operation on the memory cells of the page using a first verify voltage for all of the memory cells of the page, and in response to the write command issued with the partial page command, executes a second program operation on a subset of the memory cells of the page and then a second verify operation on the memory cells of the subset using one of several different second verify voltages corresponding to the subset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Kenta YASUFUKU, Akira YAMAGA
  • Publication number: 20220301653
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes: a controller configured to execute an error correction process on first data read from a first area at a first address of a memory device and determine a read level used for reading data at the first address according to a result of the correction process. The controller executes the correction process on first frame data of the first data. When the correction process on the first frame data has failed, the controller executes the correction process on second frame data of the first data. When the correction process on the second frame data has succeeded, the controller determines the read level based on a result of comparison between the second frame data and a result of the correction process on the second frame data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Marie TAKADA, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20220293204
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-volatile memory includes a plurality of groups and a memory controller configured to execute a first operation. Each of the plurality of groups includes a plurality of cell units. Each of the plurality of cell units includes a plurality of memory cells. The first operation includes: based on a first correction amount associated with a target group, reading data from the target group; and updating the first correction amount to a second correction amount based on the data. The memory controller is configured to: select a first group as the target group; and when a condition is satisfied, select a second group as the target group after performing the first operation related to the first group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Naomi TAKEDA, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA
  • Patent number: 11437096
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a control circuitry performing: a first operation of reading data out of a memory cell with a first voltage applied to a word line while changing the first voltage by a first shift amount within a first range, and a second operation of reading data out of the memory cell with a second voltage applied to the word line while changing the second voltage by a second shift amount within a second range, wherein the second shift amount is smaller than the first shift amount, and wherein the control circuitry performs the second operation to apply the second voltage to the word line subsequently to application of the first voltage to the word line in the first operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Tokutomi, Masanobu Shirakawa, Marie Takada
  • Patent number: 11430520
    Abstract: In connection with a write operation, a memory controller transmits a first command sequence to a memory chip, thereby causing the memory chip to execute a first-stage program operation that includes a first operation and a first part of a second operation after the first operation, and a second command sequence to the memory chip after the first-stage program operation is executed, thereby causing the memory chip to execute a second-stage program operation that includes a second part of the second operation and no part of the first operation. During the first operation, a program voltage is applied a plurality of times while increasing the program voltage each of the times by a first step size. During the second operation, the program voltage is applied a plurality of times while increasing the program voltage each of the times by a second step size smaller than the first step size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Yamada, Marie Takada, Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Publication number: 20220270678
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell configured to hold 5-bit data; a word line coupled to the memory cell; and a row decoder configured to apply first to 31st voltages to the word line. A first bit of the 5-bit data is established by reading operations using first to sixth voltages. A second bit of the 5-bit data is established by reading operations using seventh to twelfth voltages. A third bit of the 5-bit data is established by reading operations using thirteenth to eighteenth voltages. A fourth bit of the 5-bit data is established by reading operations using nineteenth to 25th voltages. A fifth bit of the 5-bit data is established by reading operations using 26th to 31st voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonori TAKAHASHI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Osamu TORII, Marie TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20220270687
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory, on receiving a first command, applies a voltage within a first range and a voltage within a second range to a word line and reads a first bit from a memory cell, and, on receiving a second command, applies a voltage within a third range to the word line and reads a second bit from the memory cell. The controller issues the first command a plurality of times and changes the voltages to be applied to the word line within the first range and the second range in accordance with the plurality of first commands, specifies a first and second voltage within the first and the second range, respectively, and estimates a third voltage within the third range. The voltage applied to read the second bit is the estimated third voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa TOKUTOMI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Marie TAKADA
  • Patent number: 11424002
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of cell units, each of the plurality of cell units including a plurality of memory cells, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to: read first data from a first cell unit, using a first correction amount of a read voltage; identify an address of an error bit in the first data; update the first correction amount to a second correction amount, based on the first data and the address of the error bit of the first data; and read second data from a second cell unit different from the first cell unit, using a third correction amount based on the second correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Naomi Takeda, Ryo Yamaki, Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 11410732
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory device having memory cells arranged in rows and columns, and a controller configured to issue a write command with or without a partial page program command to the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device, in response to the write command issued without the partial page command, executes a first program operation on a page of memory cells and then a first verify operation on the memory cells of the page using a first verify voltage for all of the memory cells of the page, and in response to the write command issued with the partial page command, executes a second program operation on a subset of the memory cells of the page and then a second verify operation on the memory cells of the subset using one of several different second verify voltages corresponding to the subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Shirakawa, Kenta Yasufuku, Akira Yamaga
  • Patent number: 11410729
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes a memory cell, and a write circuit configured to write data to the memory cell by applying a program voltage to the memory cell and comparing a threshold voltage of the memory cell with a first reference voltage corresponding to the write data. The write circuit is configured to execute a first programming operation to obtain a value of a write parameter by comparing the threshold voltage with a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Riki Suzuki, Masanobu Shirakawa, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Patent number: 11410725
    Abstract: A memory system includes: a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller. The nonvolatile memory includes: a first memory cell and a second memory cell each configured to store data and coupled in parallel to a bit line, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a second word line coupled to the second memory cell and differing from the first word line. The first and second memory cell face each other between the first word line and the second word line. The memory controller is configured to read first data from the first memory cell, read second data from the second memory cell, and decode data stored in the first memory cell based on the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Shirakawa, Naomi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20220245030
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a memory controller obtains first data in a first page using a first voltage, obtains a first shift amount based on a first and second number. The first and second numbers represent numbers of bits each of which has different values in a first and second manner between the first data and first expected data. The controller obtains second data in the second page using a second voltage and a second shift amount, and obtains a third shift amount based on a third and fourth number, the third and fourth numbers respectively represent numbers of bits each of which has different values in the first and second manner between the second data and second expected data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kengo KUROSE, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Marie TAKADA
  • Publication number: 20220215751
    Abstract: A driving support system includes a first monitoring device on a first object, the first monitoring device having a first controller, a first camera, and a first display, a second monitoring device on a second object, the second monitoring device having a second controller and a second camera, and a server in communication with the first and second monitoring devices. The first and second controllers are each detect a target in images acquired from the respective first or second camera, calculate target information for the target, and transmit the target information to the server. The server generates list information including the target information from the first and second monitoring devices, and transmits the list information to the first and second monitoring devices. The first controller further generates a map according to the list information received from the server, and displays the map on the first display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Marie TAKADA, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20220208282
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller is configured to write four-bit data in each of memory cells, and read first data item from the memory cells through application of a first voltage to a word line. The controller is configured to read second data items by repeating a first operation of reading data including data of respective first bits of the memory cells through application of two voltages to the word line at different timings while changing the two voltages in each first operation from the two voltages in another first operation. The controller is configured to mask part of each of the second data items using the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa TOKUTOMI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA