Patents by Inventor Ming-Chao Lin
Ming-Chao Lin 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).
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Patent number: 10650887Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20180240518Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
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Patent number: 9972383Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20170263310Abstract: A first read operation is performed using a first voltage level to read data from a memory array. An instant bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data read from the memory array is determined. A recorded bit count corresponding to a number of bits in the data that was written at a time of writing the data to the memory array is accessed. A difference between the instant bit count and the recorded bit count is obtained. Conditioned on determining that the difference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, the data read from the memory array is output using the first read operation. Conditioned on determining that the difference is greater than the first threshold value, a second read operation is performed using a second voltage level that is distinct from the first voltage level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
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Patent number: 9679653Abstract: A method for programming a memory including a plurality of memory cells is provided. The method comprises selecting a cell and executing a program and program verify operation for the cell, including applying a sequence of program pulses and performing program verify steps. The sequence includes a starting pulse having a starting magnitude. The program verify steps use a program verify level. The method also comprises determining the starting magnitude for a next cell as a function of a magnitude of the program pulse in an instance of the program verify step in which the current cell passes verify at the program verify level.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Chao Lin, Han-Sung Chen
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Patent number: 9437264Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory can operate with reduced latency between consecutive operations such as read operations. At a first time, a first operation command is finished on a memory array on an integrated circuit. At a second time, a second operation command is begun on the memory array. A regulated output voltage from the charge pump is coupled to word lines in the memory array. From the first time to the second time, a regulated output voltage is maintained at about a word line operation voltage such as a read voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han-Sung Chen, Ming-Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20160180903Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory can operate with reduced latency between consecutive operations such as read operations. At a first time, a first operation command is finished on a memory array on an integrated circuit. At a second time, a second operation command is begun on the memory array. A regulated output voltage from the charge pump is coupled to word lines in the memory array. From the first time to the second time, a regulated output voltage is maintained at about a word line operation voltage such as a read voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2016Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: CHUN-HSIUNG HUNG, HAN-SUNG CHEN, MING-CHAO LIN
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Patent number: 9281021Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory can operate with reduced latency between consecutive operations such as read operations. At a first time, a first operation command is finished on a memory array on an integrated circuit. At a second time, a second operation command is begun on the memory array. A regulated output voltage from the charge pump is coupled to word lines in the memory array. From the first time to the second time, a regulated output voltage is maintained at about a word line operation voltage such as a read voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
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Patent number: 9280412Abstract: A non-volatile memory array storing data and ECCs includes error correcting logic. A data set can be read by performing iterations including sensing data using a read bias, and producing an indication of errors in the sensed data. A first iteration uses a first read bias. In each iteration, if the indication in a current iteration is less than a threshold, then the data is output from the selected cells sensed in the present iteration. If the indication in the current iteration exceeds the threshold, then another iteration is performed using a moved read bias, unless the indication in the current iteration shows an increase in errors relative to a previous iteration, in which case then sensed data from the previous iteration is output. Double buffering logic can be used to store sensed data during a current and a previous iteration.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Feng Hsueh, Ming-Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20160012899Abstract: A method for programming a memory including a plurality of memory cells is provided. The method comprises selecting a cell and executing a program and program verify operation for the cell, including applying a sequence of program pulses and performing program verify steps. The sequence includes a starting pulse having a starting magnitude. The program verify steps use a program verify level. The method also comprises determining the starting magnitude for a next cell as a function of a magnitude of the program pulse in an instance of the program verify step in which the current cell passes verify at the program verify level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Chao LIN, HAN-SUNG CHEN
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Patent number: 9171628Abstract: A method for programming a memory including a plurality of memory cells is provided. The method comprises selecting a current cell and executing a pre-program verify operation at a first program verify level. The method comprises executing a program and program verify operation for the current cell, including applying a sequence of program pulses and performing program verify steps. The sequence includes a starting pulse having a starting magnitude. The program verify steps use a second program verify level. The method also comprises determining the starting magnitude for a next cell as a function of a magnitude of the program pulse in an instance of the program verify step in which the current cell passes verify at the second program verify level.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Chao Lin, Han-Sung Chen
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Publication number: 20150262675Abstract: A method for programming a memory including a plurality of memory cells is provided. The method comprises selecting a current cell and executing a pre-program verify operation at a first program verify level. The method comprises executing a program and program verify operation for the current cell, including applying a sequence of program pulses and performing program verify steps. The sequence includes a starting pulse having a starting magnitude. The program verify steps use a second program verify level. The method also comprises determining the starting magnitude for a next cell as a function of a magnitude of the program pulse in an instance of the program verify step in which the current cell passes verify at the second program verify level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Ming-Chao LIN, Han-Sung CHEN
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Publication number: 20140269127Abstract: An integrated circuit with memory can operate with reduced latency between consecutive operations such as read operations. At a first time, a first operation command is finished on a memory array on an integrated circuit. At a second time, a second operation command is begun on the memory array. A regulated output voltage from the charge pump is coupled to word lines in the memory array. From the first time to the second time, a regulated output voltage is maintained at about a word line operation voltage such as a read voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Han Sung Chen, Ming Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20140281803Abstract: A non-volatile memory array storing data and ECCs includes error correcting logic. A data set can be read by performing iterations including sensing data using a read bias, and producing an indication of errors in the sensed data. A first iteration uses a first read bias. In each iteration, if the indication in a current iteration is less than a threshold, then the data is output from the selected cells sensed in the present iteration. If the indication in the current iteration exceeds the threshold, then another iteration is performed using a moved read bias, unless the indication in the current iteration shows an increase in errors relative to a previous iteration, in which case then sensed data from the previous iteration is output. Double buffering logic can be used to store sensed data during a current and a previous iteration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: WEN-FENG HSUEH, MING-CHAO LIN
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Patent number: 8593878Abstract: A program method, applied in a flash memory, includes the following steps. Firstly, a first memory sector and a second memory sector are selected, wherein the first and the second memory sectors respectively correspond to a first word line and a second word line. Next, a first operation phase and a second operation phase are determined. Then, the first word line is biased with a first setup voltage, and the second word line is driven in one of a program operation and a program-verification operation, in the first operation phase. After that, the second word line is biased with a second setup voltage, and the first word line is driven in the other one of the program operation and the program-verification operation in the second operation phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Ming-Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20130128672Abstract: A program method, applied in a flash memory, includes the following steps. Firstly, a first memory sector and a second memory sector are selected, wherein the first and the second memory sectors respectively correspond to a first word line and a second word line. Next, a first operation phase and a second operation phase are determined. Then, the first word line is biased with a first setup voltage, and the second word line is driven in one of a program operation and a program-verification operation, in the first operation phase. After that, the second word line is biased with a second setup voltage, and the first word line is driven in the other one of the program operation and the program-verification operation in the second operation phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Han-Sung Chen, Ming-Chao Lin
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Patent number: 8076531Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic animal, which comprises in its genome a recombinant polynucleotide encoding one or more reporter proteins and a monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) promoter, wherein the one or more reporter proteins are expressed under the control of the MCP-1 promoter. A method for monitoring endogenous expression of MCP-1 in vivo is also provided, which is useful for identifying a regulator of the expression of MCP-1 or an anti-inflammatory agent.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: National Health Research InstitutesInventor: Kurt Ming-Chao Lin
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Publication number: 20110126297Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic animal, which comprises in its genome a recombinant polynucleotide encoding one or more reporter proteins and a monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) promoter, wherein the one or more reporter proteins are expressed under the control of the MCP-1 promoter. A method for monitoring endogenous expression of MCP-1 in vivo is also provided, which is useful for identifying a regulator of the expression of MCP-1 or an anti-inflammatory agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTESInventor: KURT MING-CHAO LIN
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Patent number: 6060842Abstract: An electronic ballast lighting power control device including: a power switch controlled to provide a lighting power dim control signal to order the ballast providing an interrupted electric wave power output to the lighting fixture, and at least one electronic ballast respectively connected to the power switch and simultaneously controlled by the lighting power control signal of the power switch to provide an interrupted electric wave power output from the ballast to the lighting fixture, each of the at least one electronic ballast consisting of a filter, a rectifier, a power factor controller, a logic controller, an oscillator, and a protection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1996Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Inventors: Ming-Chao Lin, Liu Chih Wang