Patents by Inventor Min-Chung Chou

Min-Chung Chou 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: 8169851
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory device with pseudo double clock signals comprises the steps of: generating an even clock signal and an odd clock signal, wherein the clock rates of both the even clock signal and the odd clock signal are half that of the input clock signal, and the even clock signal is the inverse signal of the odd clock signal; if the logic level of the even clock signal is 1 when receiving a trigger of a control signal, applying the even clock signal to a memory device; and if the logic level of the odd clock signal is 1 when receiving another trigger of the control signal, applying the odd clock signal to the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology
    Inventor: Min Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 8149907
    Abstract: An adaptive equalization apparatus is provided. The adaptive equalization apparatus includes an equalizer, a monitor circuit, and a control circuit. The equalizer receives a first signal, and equalizes the first signal according to an equalization parameter setting to thereby generate a second signal. The monitor circuit is electrically connected to the equalizer, and monitors edges of the second signal in a real-time manner to thereby generate a detection result. The control logic is electrically connected to the equalizer, and adaptively adjusts the equalization parameter setting according to the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 8107307
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of memory array banks, a bus, a data buffer, and four data paths. The data buffer provides data from the memory array banks to an external node. The first data path includes a first compression module for compressing the data from the memory array banks to the bus. The second data path transmits the data from the memory array banks to the bus. The third data path includes a second compression module for compressing data from the bus to the data buffer. The fourth data path transmits the data from the bus to the data buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 8081530
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells, a bit line sense amplifier, a local sense amplifier, and a sense amplifier. The memory cells are connected between a word line and a bit line pair, and the bit line sense amplifier is configured to amplify voltages of data from the bit line pair and then transmits the data to a local data line pair. The local sense amplifier is configured to amplify voltages of the data from the local data line pair and transmit the data to a global data line pair in response to first and second control signals, and the sense amplifier is configured to amplify the voltages of the data from the global data line pair and transmit the data to an input/output line pair during a read operation. The local sense amplifier comprises a first read circuit, a second read circuit, and a write circuit, and when the memory device performs the read operation, the data is transmitted from the first read circuit to the write circuit via the second read circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Min Chung Chou
  • Publication number: 20110235451
    Abstract: A dynamic RAM which includes a first inverter, a second inverter, a sense amplifier, a first pair of switches, a pair of bit lines, and a dynamic RAM cell. The first inverter receives a first driving signal. A power end of the first inverter is coupled to a first voltage source. The second inverter receives a second driving signal output from the first inverter. A power end of the second inverter is coupled to a second voltage source. The sense amplifier senses and amplifies a voltage difference between a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal. A power end of the sense amplifier is coupled to a third voltage source, wherein a voltage value of the second voltage source is between a voltage value of the first voltage source and a voltage value of the third voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Publication number: 20110239046
    Abstract: The invention provides a test circuit for n input/output arrays. Each of the n input/output arrays has M pairs of input/output. The test circuit includes M write drivers and M comparing circuits. The ith write driver provides an ith test signal to the ith inputs of all of the n input/output arrays, and 1?i?M. The jth comparing circuit determines if jth output signals of all of the n input/output arrays are the same, and outputs a jth comparing result correspondingly, and 1?j?M. The invention also provides a method of testing n input/output arrays. The invention also provides a storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Publication number: 20110227624
    Abstract: A duty cycle correction circuit comprises first and second pulse generators, a clock dividing unit, a detecting unit, and a pulse width control unit. The first pulse generator is configured to generate a first edge of a first pulse signal in synchronization with a first edge of a first clock signal, and the second pulse generator is configured to generate a first edge of a second pulse signal in synchronization with a second edge of the first pulse signal. The clock dividing unit is configured to generate a second clock signal by dividing the frequency of the first clock signal. The detecting unit is configured to generate a detecting signal according to the second clock signal and a time interval between the first edge of the first pulse signal and a second edge of the second pulse signal. In particular, pulse widths of the first and second pulse signals are the same and are adjustable according to a control signal from the pulse width control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: MIN CHUNG CHOU
  • Publication number: 20110228620
    Abstract: A method comprises simultaneously writing a test bit to a plurality of memory cells in the selected sections of a memory array corresponding to column address signals; individually and successively reading output bits from the memory cells in one of the selected sections of a designated row of the memory array corresponding to column address signals and row address signals; and error-checking the output bits with the test bit, wherein the memory array comprises the plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns and the memory cells of each row are divided into a plurality of sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: MIN CHUNG CHOU
  • Patent number: 8018262
    Abstract: A duty cycle correction circuit comprises first and second pulse generators, a clock dividing unit, a detecting unit, and a pulse width control unit. The first pulse generator is configured to generate a first edge of a first pulse signal in synchronization with a first edge of a first clock signal, and the second pulse generator is configured to generate a first edge of a second pulse signal in synchronization with a second edge of the first pulse signal. The clock dividing unit is configured to generate a second clock signal by dividing the frequency of the first clock signal. The detecting unit is configured to generate a detecting signal according to the second clock signal and a time interval between the first edge of the first pulse signal and a second edge of the second pulse signal. In particular, pulse widths of the first and second pulse signals are the same and are adjustable according to a control signal from the pulse width control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Min Chung Chou
  • Publication number: 20110211407
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells, a bit line sense amplifier, a local sense amplifier, and a sense amplifier. The memory cells are connected between a word line and a bit line pair, and the bit line sense amplifier is configured to amplify voltages of data from the bit line pair and then transmits the data to a local data line pair. The local sense amplifier is configured to amplify voltages of the data from the local data line pair and transmit the data to a global data line pair in response to first and second control signals, and the sense amplifier is configured to amplify the voltages of the data from the global data line pair and transmit the data to an input/output line pair during a read operation. The local sense amplifier comprises a first read circuit, a second read circuit, and a write circuit, and when the memory device performs the read operation, the data is transmitted from the first read circuit to the write circuit via the second read circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: MIN CHUNG CHOU
  • Publication number: 20110211398
    Abstract: A main word line driving circuit for driving word lines in a memory device comprises first and second level shifting units and an inverting unit. The first level shifting unit is configured to convert a decode signal into a first operative signal, and the second level shifting unit is configured to convert the decode signal into a second operative signal. The inverting unit is configured to receive the first and second operative signals. A supply voltage of the first level shifting unit is selectively switched to a first bias voltage when the plurality of word lines are selected or partially selected and switched the output voltage to a second bias voltage when the plurality of word lines are deselected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: MIN CHUNG CHOU
  • Publication number: 20110211417
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory device with pseudo double clock signals comprises the steps of: generating an even clock signal and an odd clock signal, wherein the clock rates of both the even clock signal and the odd clock signal are half that of the input clock signal, and the even clock signal is the inverse signal of the odd clock signal; if the logic level of the even clock signal is 1 when receiving a trigger of a control signal, applying the even clock signal to a memory device; and if the logic level of the odd clock signal is 1 when receiving another trigger of the control signal, applying the odd clock signal to the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: MIN CHUNG CHOU
  • Publication number: 20110188322
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a plurality of memory array banks, a bus, a data buffer, and four data paths. The data buffer provides data from the memory array banks to an external node. The first data path includes a first compression module for compressing the data from the memory array banks to the bus. The second data path transmits the data from the memory array banks to the bus. The third data path includes a second compression module for compressing data from the bus to the data buffer. The fourth data path transmits the data from the bus to the data buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 7965121
    Abstract: A multifunctional output driver capable of transmitting signals of different interfaces in different modes is provided, in which first and second current sources are provided, and first to fourth switching devices are coupled between the first and second current sources, and the first and second current source and the first to the fourth switching devices act as a current steering circuit. In a first transmission mode, the first and second switching devices are turned off, and the third and fourth switching devices and the first current source act as a current mode logic circuit to provide an output signal compatible with a first transmission interface according to an input signal from a pre-driver. In a second transmission mode, the current steering circuit outputs an output signal compatible with a second transmission interface according to the input signal from the pre-driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Yan-Bin Luo, Tun-Shih Chen, Min-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 7932764
    Abstract: A delay circuit has: an inverting receiver with a resistive element, the inverting receiver having an input node for receiving an input signal and an output node coupled to the resistive element; a capacitive element, coupled to the output node of the inverting receiver and the resistive element; a first transistor, having lower turned ON voltage at higher temperature; a second transistor, used for generating a rail to rail signals on a terminal of the first transistor; and an output inverter, having an input node coupled to the first transistor and an output node for outputting an output signal of the delay circuit. Further, a third transistor is used for enhancing pulling low of the output signal of the delay circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Publication number: 20110043259
    Abstract: A multifunctional output driver capable of transmitting signals of different interfaces in different modes is provided, in which first and second current sources are provided, and first to fourth switching devices are coupled between the first and second current sources, and the first and second current source and the first to the fourth switching devices act as a current steering circuit. In a first transmission mode, the first and second switching devices are turned off, and the third and fourth switching devices and the first current source act as a current mode logic circuit to provide an output signal compatible with a first transmission interface according to an input signal from a pre-driver. In a second transmission mode, the current steering circuit outputs an output signal compatible with a second transmission interface according to the input signal from the pre-driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Yan-Bin Luo, Tun-Shih Chen, Min-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 7840194
    Abstract: A transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit and an interface switching module for SATA or SAS interface are provided. The invention uses transistors as elements with different impedance and also provides impedance modulating method in coordination with the exterior circuit and the layout design so as to develop an auto-switching mechanism between SATA and SAS interfaces, thereby integrating two transmission interfaces in a single system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsin Wu, Min-Chung Chou, Hung-Chih Lin
  • Patent number: 7787536
    Abstract: An adaptive equalizer apparatus with digital eye-opening monitor unit and the method thereof are provided. The apparatus comprises an equalizer unit, a sampling unit, and an eye-opening monitor unit. The equalizer unit equalizes a first signal to a second signal. The sampling unit over-samples the second signal and determines the logic status of the second signal according to the sampling data. The eye-opening monitor unit processes the sampling data and outputs a detecting signal according to the processing result. The detecting signal represents the adequacy of the parameters of the equalizer unit, and the equalizer unit determines whether to change its parameters according to the detecting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Publication number: 20100172400
    Abstract: An adaptive equalization apparatus is provided. The adaptive equalization apparatus includes an equalizer, a monitor circuit, and a control circuit. The equalizer receives a first signal, and equalizes the first signal according to an equalization parameter setting to thereby generate a second signal. The monitor circuit is electrically connected to the equalizer, and monitors edges of the second signal in a real-time manner to thereby generate a detection result. The control logic is electrically connected to the equalizer, and adaptively adjusts the equalization parameter setting according to the detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou
  • Patent number: 7741889
    Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) with phase rotation spreading includes a phase detector, a charge pump, a filter, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and a selector. The phase detector receives a reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal to thereby produce an error signal. The charge pump converts the error signal into a current signal. The filter converts the current signal into a voltage signal. The VCO produces N clock signals with a same frequency in accordance with the voltage signal, where the N clock signals have phases ?0 to ?N-1 respectively, and ?j indicates a lead of 2?/N over ?j+1, for j=0, 1, . . . , N?2. The selector selects one from the N clock signals in accordance with a predetermined sequence to thereby produce a target clock signal, and finely adjusts a frequency of the target clock signal for a spreading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Min-Chung Chou