Patents by Inventor Nancy Leong

Nancy Leong 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: 8559255
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Publication number: 20120294103
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 8264898
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Publication number: 20110235412
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7986562
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Publication number: 20100103732
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7679967
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Publication number: 20090161462
    Abstract: A system and methodology that can minimize disturbance during an AC operation associated with a memory, such as, program, read and/or erase, is provided. The system pre-charges all or a desired subset of the bit lines in a memory array to a specified voltage, during an AC operation to facilitate reducing AC disturbances between neighboring cells. A pre-charge voltage can be applied to all bit lines in a block in the memory array, or to bit lines associated with a selected memory cell and neighbor memory cells adjacent to the selected memory cell in the block. The system ensures that source and drain voltage levels can be set to desired levels at the same or substantially the same time, while selecting a memory cell. This can facilitate minimizing AC disturbances in the selected memory cell during the AC operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: SPANSION LLC
    Inventors: Sung-Yong Chung, Zhizheng Liu, Yugi Mizuguchi, Xuguang Alan Wang, Yi He, Ming Kwan, Darlene Hamilton, Sung-Chul Lee, Guowei Wang, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 7453724
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory device including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window that identifies a plurality of memory cells in the array. A first group of memory cells to be programmed is identified from the plurality of memory cells in the programming window. The first group of memory cells is programmed and a programming state of the first group of memory cells is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Lee, Hounien Chen, Sachit Chandra, Nancy Leong, Guowei Wang
  • Patent number: 7443732
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the array and determining which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the memory array. The predetermined number of bits are simultaneously programmed to corresponding memory cells in the array. A programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the array is simultaneously verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Nancy Leong, Nian Yang, Guowei Wang, Aaron Lee, Sachit Chandra, Michael A. VanBuskirk, Johnny Chen, Darlene Hamilton, Binh Quang Le
  • Patent number: 7433228
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element having at least two charge storage areas for storing at least two independent charges, a source region and a drain region. The method includes designating at least one memory cell as a high-speed memory cell and pre-conditioning the high-speed memory cells by placing a first of the at least two charge storage areas into a programmed state, and subsequently enabling the programming on the second area with much higher rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Nancy Leong, Hounien Chen, Sachit Chandra, Nian Yang
  • Patent number: 7423915
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory, such as a Flash memory, is configured to perform a random multi-page read operation. The memory may include a core array of non-volatile memory cells and input lines for receiving an indication of the random multi-page read operation. Further, the memory may include a multi-level volatile memory coupled to the core array that is configured to simultaneously process multiple pages of data from the core array in a pipelined manner. Output lines are coupled to the multi-level volatile memory and output the pages of data from the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Nancy Leong, Sachit Chandra, Hounien Chen
  • Publication number: 20080049516
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory device including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window that identifies a plurality of memory cells in the array. A first group of memory cells to be programmed is identified from the plurality of memory cells in the programming window. The first group of memory cells is programmed and a programming state of the first group of memory cells is verified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: SPANSION L.L.C.
    Inventors: Aaron LEE, Hounien CHEN, Sachit CHANDRA, Nancy LEONG, Guowei WANG
  • Patent number: 7307878
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory device including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window that identifies a plurality of memory cells in the array. A first group of memory cells to be programmed is identified from the plurality of memory cells in the programming window. The first group of memory cells is programmed and a programming state of the first group of memory cells is verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Lee, Hounien Chen, Sachit Chandra, Nancy Leong, Guowei Wang
  • Publication number: 20070165458
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory, such as a Flash memory, is configured to perform a random multi-page read operation. The memory may include a core array of non-volatile memory cells and input lines for receiving an indication of the random multi-page read operation. Further, the memory may include a multi-level volatile memory coupled to the core array that is configured to simultaneously process multiple pages of data from the core array in a pipelined manner. Output lines are coupled to the multi-level volatile memory and output the pages of data from the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Nancy Leong, Sachit Chandra, Hounien Chen
  • Publication number: 20070064464
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region. The method includes receiving a programming window containing a predetermined number of bits that are to be programmed in the array and determining which of the predetermined number of bits are to be programmed in the memory array. The predetermined number of bits are simultaneously programmed to corresponding memory cells in the array. A programming state of the predetermined number of bits in the array is simultaneously verified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Nancy Leong, Nian Yang, Guowei Wang, Aaron Lee, Sachit Chandra, Michael VanBuskirk, Johnny Chen, Darlene Hamilton, Binh Le
  • Publication number: 20070064480
    Abstract: A method is provided for programming a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, where each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element having at least two charge storage areas for storing at least two independent charges, a source region and a drain region. The method includes designating at least one memory cell as a high-speed memory cell and pre-conditioning the high-speed memory cells by placing a first of the at least two charge storage areas into a programmed state, and subsequently enabling the programming on the second area with much higher rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Nancy Leong, Hounien Chen, Sachit Chandra, Nian Yang
  • Publication number: 20070035991
    Abstract: A method for reading a nonvolatile memory array including an array of memory cells, each memory cell including a substrate, a control gate, a charge storage element, a source region and a drain region, includes receiving, at an address register, a read command including an address for a memory cell in the array of memory cells and an indication regarding whether the read command is a full page read command or a partial page read command. A starting address for a page including the received address is identified, wherein the page includes multiple rows of memory cells in the array of memory cells. The address register is reset to the starting address for the page. It is determined whether all memory cells in the page are non-programmed. Data indicative of a non-programmed state of the page is output if it is determined that all memory cells in the page are non-programmed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Hounien Chen, Nancy Leong
  • Patent number: 6633949
    Abstract: A bank selector encoder comprises a partition indicator circuit having a plurality of partition boundary indicator terminals, a plurality of inverters arranged in a plurality of columns, with each column of the inverters coupled to a respective one of a plurality of columns of ROM cells in a ROM array and a plurality of bank selector code outputs coupled to respective columns of the inverters. The partition boundary indicator terminals are capable of designating a memory partition boundary to identify an upper memory bank and a lower memory bank. The bank selector encoder is capable of generating an identifying bank selector code for each of a plurality of the predetermined memory partition boundaries. The bank selector encoder outputs code bits of a bank selector code based upon the partition boundary indicator terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignees: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Yasushi Kasa, Nancy Leong, Johnny Chen, Michael Van Buskirk
  • Patent number: 6470414
    Abstract: A bank selector circuit for a simultaneous operation flash memory device with a flexible bank partition architecture comprises a memory boundary option, a bank selector encoder coupled to receive a memory partition indicator signal from the memory boundary option, and a bank selector decoder coupled to receive a bank selector code from the bank selector encoder. The decoder, upon receiving a memory address, outputs a bank selector output signal to point the memory address to either a lower memory bank or an upper memory bank in the simultaneous operation flash memory device, in dependence upon the selected memory partition boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignees: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tiao-Hua Kuo, Yasushi Kasa, Nancy Leong, Johnny Chen, Michael Van Buskirk