Patents by Inventor Naohisa Nishioka

Naohisa Nishioka 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: 8981808
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory chips arranged in a layered manner, each including a substrate and a memory cell array, and a plurality of current paths provided while penetrating through the memory chips. Each of the memory chips includes a test circuit that reads test data from a corresponding one of the memory cell array and outputs a layer test result signal responding to the test data to a different current path for each of the memory chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20140369145
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of terminals including a plurality of test terminals to output a result of a specific test, and a circuit that outputs the result to a selected one of the plurality of test terminals based on a chip identification data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8904071
    Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Chikara Kondo, Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8848473
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of terminals including a plurality of test terminals to output a result of a specific test, and a circuit that outputs the result to a selected one of the plurality of test terminals based on a chip identification data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20140165018
    Abstract: A method includes resetting an output timing adjustment circuit in each of a plurality of DRAM devices to a default output timing data value, measuring a default delay from read command to read data for each of the plurality of DRAM devices, identifying a slowest DRAM device having a maximum default delay from read command to read data among the plurality of DRAM devices, writing an output timing data value to the output timing adjustment circuit in each of the plurality of DRAM devices to set the delay from read command to read data for each respective DRAM device to an amount substantially equal to the maximum default delay, and reading data from any one of the plurality of DRAM devices with a delay from read command to read data substantially equal to the maximum default delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Naohisa NISHIOKA, Chikara KONDO
  • Publication number: 20140140160
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has an antifuse element and a measurement unit. The antifuse element stores information according to whether the antifuse element is in the broken or unbroken state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20140089723
    Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Chikara KONDO, Naohisa NISHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20140078843
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a memory array including a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of terminals including a plurality of test terminals to output a result of a specific test, and a circuit that outputs the result to a selected one of the plurality of test terminals based on a chip identification data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8677294
    Abstract: A system includes a first device, a second device, and a bus interconnecting the first and second devices to each other, wherein the first device includes a first semiconductor chip that includes a first memory cell array including a plurality of first memory cells, a first control logic circuit accessing the first memory cell array and producing a first data signal in response to data stored in a selected one of the first memory cells, the first control logic circuit being configured to store first timing adjustment information and to produce a first output timing signal that is adjustable in timing of change from an inactive level to an active level by the first timing adjustment information, a first data electrode, and a first data control circuit coupled to the first control logic circuit and the first data electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Naohisa Nishioka, Chikara Kondo
  • Publication number: 20140056086
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an interface chip including: an internal data terminal, and a timing data storage circuit configured to output a plurality of timing set signals, and a plurality of core chips stacked with one another, each of the core chips including a plurality of memory cells, an output control circuit coupled to the timing data storage circuit of the interface chip, the output control circuit being configured to receive a corresponding one of the timing set signals and to output an output timing signal in response to the corresponding one of the timing set signals, and a data output circuit coupled to the internal data terminal of the interface chip, the data output circuit being configured to output data in response to the output timing signal, the data being derived from a corresponding one of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yoko, Naohisa Nishioka, Chikara Kondo, Ryuji Takishita
  • Patent number: 8638631
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has an antifuse element and a measurement unit. The antifuse element stores information according to whether the antifuse element is in the broken or unbroken state. The measurement unit determines a resistance value related to the resistance value of the broken antifuse element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20140016388
    Abstract: A system includes a first device, a second device, and a bus interconnecting the first and second devices to each other, wherein the first device includes a first semiconductor chip that includes a first memory cell array including a plurality of first memory cells, a first control logic circuit accessing the first memory cell array and producing a first data signal in response to data stored in a selected one of the first memory cells, the first control logic circuit being configured to store first timing adjustment information and to produce a first output timing signal that is adjustable in timing of change from an inactive level to an active level by the first timing adjustment information, a first data electrode, and a first data control circuit coupled to the first control logic circuit and the first data electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventors: Naohisa NISHIOKA, Chikara Kondo
  • Patent number: 8601188
    Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Chikara Kondo, Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8599641
    Abstract: Each of the core chips includes a data output circuit that outputs read data to the interface chip in response to a read command, and an output timing adjustment circuit that equalizes the periods of time required between the reception of the read command and the outputting of the read data from the data output circuit among the core chips. With this arrangement, a sufficient latch margin for read data to be input can be secured on the interface chip side. Furthermore, as the output timing is adjusted on each core chip side, there is no need to prepare the same number of latch timing control circuits as the number of core chips on the interface chip side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Yoko, Naohisa Nishioka, Chikara Kondo, Ryuji Takishita
  • Patent number: 8593891
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of core chips to which chip identification information different from each other is allocated and an interface chip are layered, the plurality of core chips are commonly connected to the interface chip through a first current path including at least a through silicon via, the interface chip serially supplies an enable signal to the plurality of core chips through the first current path, and the plurality of core chips are activated based on a logic level of a bit corresponding to the chip identification information among a plurality of bits configuring the enable signal. The present invention can reduce the number of through silicon vias required to supply an enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Naohisa Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20130275798
    Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Chikara KONDO, Naohisa NISHIOKA
  • Patent number: 8539410
    Abstract: A method includes preparing a chip-stack structure in which a first memory chip is stacked over a first main surface of a second memory chip, data electrodes of the first and second memory chips being electrically connected and a data signal outputted from the data electrode of the first memory chip being conveyed on a side of the second main surface of the second memory chip, accessing the first memory chip so that the data signal is outputted from the first memory chip and appears on the side of the second main surface of the second memory chip in first access time, accessing the second memory chip so that a data signal is outputted and appears on the side of the second main surface of the second memory chip in second access time, and setting output timing adjustment information into at least one of the first and second memory chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Naohisa Nishioka, Chikara Kondo
  • Patent number: 8473653
    Abstract: The core chips each include a timing control circuit that outputs a timing signal synchronized with the outputting of parallel data to the interface chip. The interface chip includes a data input circuit that captures parallel data in synchronization with the timing signal. With this arrangement, the timing to output the parallel data and the timing to capture the parallel data are both synchronized with the timing signal generated in the core chips. Therefore, even if there is a difference in operation speed between each core chip and the interface chip, the parallel data can be accurately captured on the interface chip side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Chikara Kondo, Naohisa Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8381157
    Abstract: A device includes a first semiconductor chip that includes a first memory cell array including a plurality of first memory cells, a first control logic circuit accessing the first memory cell array and producing a plurality of first data signals in response to data stored in selected ones of the first memory cells, a plurality of first data electrodes, and a first data control circuit coupled to the first control logic circuit and the first data electrodes. A second semiconductor chip includes a second memory cell array including a plurality of second memory cells, a second control logic circuit accessing the second memory cell array and producing a plurality of second data signals in response to data stored in selected ones of the second memory cells. The second control logic circuit is configured to store second timing adjustment information and to produce a second output timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Naohisa Nishioka, Chikara Kondo
  • Publication number: 20130010515
    Abstract: A method includes preparing a chip-stack structure in which a first memory chip is stacked over a first main surface of a second memory chip, data electrodes of the first and second memory chips being electrically connected and a data signal outputted from the data electrode of the first memory chip being conveyed on a side of the second main surface of the second memory chip, accessing the first memory chip so that the data signal is outputted from the first memory chip and appears on the side of the second main surface of the second memory chip in first access time, accessing the second memory chip so that a data signal is outputted and appears on the side of the second main surface of the second memory chip in second access time, and setting output timing adjustment information into at least one of the first and second memory chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Naohisa NISHIOKA, Chikara KONDO