Patents by Inventor Peter W. Lee

Peter W. Lee 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: 8996785
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes multiple independent nonvolatile memory arrays that concurrently for parallel reading and writing the nonvolatile memory arrays. A serial interface communicates commands, address, device status, and data between a master device and nonvolatile memory arrays for concurrently reading and writing of the nonvolatile memory arrays and sub-arrays. Data is transferred on the serial interface at the rising edge and the falling edge of the synchronizing clock. The serial interface transmits a command code and an address code from a master device and transfers a data code between the master device and the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the data code has a length that is determined by the command code and a location determined by the address code. Reading one nonvolatile memory array may be interrupted for reading another. One reading operation has two sub-addresses with one transferred prior to a command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Kesheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8775719
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes multiple independent nonvolatile memory arrays that concurrently for parallel reading and writing the nonvolatile memory arrays. A parallel interface communicates commands, address, device status, and data between a master device and nonvolatile memory arrays for concurrently reading and writing of the nonvolatile memory arrays and sub-arrays. Data is transferred on the parallel interface at the rising edge and the falling edge of the synchronizing clock. The parallel interface transmits a command code and an address code from a master device and transfers a data code between the master device and the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the data code has a length that is determined by the command code and a location determined by the address code. Reading one nonvolatile memory array may be interrupted for reading another. One reading operation has two sub-addresses with one transferred prior to a command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Kesheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8355287
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operation for the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells begins by erasing, verifying over-erasing the threshold voltage level of the erased charge retaining transistors to an erased threshold voltage level. Then method progresses by programming one of two charge retaining transistors of the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells to a first programmed threshold voltage level, and programming the other of the two charge retaining transistors of the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells to the first programmed threshold voltage level or to a second programmed threshold voltage level. Combinations of the erased threshold voltage level and the first and second programmed threshold voltage levels determine an internal data state of the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells which are then decoded to ascertain the external data logical state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Chang Hsu, Peter W. Lee
  • Patent number: 8237212
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Abedneja Assetts AG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20110170357
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: ABEDNEJA ASSETS AG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7915092
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Abedneja Assets AG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20110072200
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes multiple independent nonvolatile memory arrays that concurrently for parallel reading and writing the nonvolatile memory arrays. A parallel interface communicates commands, address, device status, and data between a master device and nonvolatile memory arrays for concurrently reading and writing of the nonvolatile memory arrays and sub-arrays. Data is transferred on the parallel interface at the rising edge and the falling edge of the synchronizing clock. The parallel interface transmits a command code and an address code from a master device and transfers a data code between the master device and the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the data code has a length that is determined by the command code and a location determined by the address code. Reading one nonvolatile memory array may be interrupted for reading another. One reading operation has two sub-addresses with one transferred prior to a command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Kesheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20110072201
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes multiple independent nonvolatile memory arrays that concurrently for parallel reading and writing the nonvolatile memory arrays. A serial interface communicates commands, address, device status, and data between a master device and nonvolatile memory arrays for concurrently reading and writing of the nonvolatile memory arrays and sub-arrays. Data is transferred on the serial interface at the rising edge and the falling edge of the synchronizing clock. The serial interface transmits a command code and an address code from a master device and transfers a data code between the master device and the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the data code has a length that is determined by the command code and a location determined by the address code. Reading one nonvolatile memory array may be interrupted for reading another. One reading operation has two sub-addresses with one transferred prior to a command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Kesheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20110051524
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operation for the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells begins by erasing, verifying over-erasing the threshold voltage level of the erased charge retaining transistors to an erased threshold voltage level. Then method progresses by programming one of two charge retaining transistors of the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells to a first programmed threshold voltage level, and programming the other of the two charge retaining transistors of the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells to the first programmed threshold voltage level or to a second programmed threshold voltage level. Combinations of the erased threshold voltage level and the first and second programmed threshold voltage levels determine an internal data state of the NAND-like dual charge retaining transistor NOR flash memory cells which are then decoded to ascertain the external data logical state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Fu-Chang Hsu, Peter W. Lee
  • Publication number: 20110051519
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes multiple independent nonvolatile memory arrays that concurrently for parallel reading and writing the nonvolatile memory arrays. A serial interface communicates commands, address, device status, and data between a master device and nonvolatile memory arrays for concurrently reading and writing of the nonvolatile memory arrays and sub-arrays. Data is transferred on the serial interface at the rising edge and the falling edge of the synchronizing clock. The serial interface transmits a command code and an address code from a master device and transfers a data code between the master device and the nonvolatile memory device, wherein the data code has a length that is determined by the command code and a location determined by the address code. An enable signal defines a beginning and termination of a reading or writing operation. Reading one nonvolatile memory array may be interrupted for another operation and then resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Kesheng Wang, Fu-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 7636252
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Publication number: 20080247230
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7372736
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array has a single transistor flash memory cell and a two transistor EEPROM memory cell which maybe integrated on the same substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gate with a low coupling coefficient to permit a smaller memory cell. The floating gate placed over a tunneling insulation layer, the floating gate is aligned with edges of the source region and the drain region and having a width defined by a width of the edges of the source the drain. The floating gate and control gate have a relatively small coupling ratio of less than 50% to allow scaling of the nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells are programmed with channel hot electron programming and erased with Fowler Nordheim tunneling at relatively high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7369438
    Abstract: A combination volatile and nonvolatile memory integrated circuit has at least one volatile memory array placed on the substrate and multiple nonvolatile memory arrays. The volatile and nonvolatile memory arrays have address space associated with each other such that each array may be addressed with common addressing signals. The combination volatile and nonvolatile memory integrated circuit further has a memory control circuit in communication with external circuitry to receive address, command, and data signals. The memory control circuit interprets the address, command, and data signals, and for transfer to the volatile memory array and the nonvolatile memory arrays for reading, writing, programming, and erasing the volatile and nonvolatile memory arrays. The volatile memory array is may be a SRAM, a pseudo SRAM, or a DRAM. Any of the nonvolatile memory arrays maybe masked programmed ROM arrays, NAND configured flash memory NAND configured EEPROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Lee
  • Patent number: 7349257
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7339824
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM and Flash memory is described containing cells in which the stacked gate transistor of the Flash cell is used in conjunction with a select transistor to form an EEPROM cell. The select transistor is made sufficiently small so as to allow the EEPROM cells to accommodate the bit line pitch of the Flash cell, which facilitates combining the two memories into memory banks containing both cells. The EEPROM cells are erased by byte while the Flash cells erased by block. The small select transistor has a small channel length and width, which is compensated by increasing gate voltages on the select transistor and pre-charge bitline during CHE program operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7324384
    Abstract: A novel FLASH-based EEPROM cell, decoder, and layout scheme are disclosed to eliminate the area-consuming divided triple-well in cell array and allows byte-erase and byte-program for high P/E cycles. Furthermore, the process-compatible FLASH cell for EEPROM part can be integrated with FLASH and ROM parts so that a superior combo, monolithic, nonvolatile memory is achieved. Unlike all previous arts, the novel combo nonvolatile memory of the present invention of ROM, EEPROM and FLASH or combination of any two is made of one unified, fully compatible, highly-scalable BN+ cell and unified process. In addition, its cell operation schemes have zero array overhead and zero disturbance during P/E operations. The novel combo nonvolatile memory is designed to meet the need in those markets requiring flexible write size in units of bytes, pages and blocks at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma, Koucheng Wu
  • Patent number: 7289366
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array has a single transistor flash memory cell and a two transistor EEPROM memory cell which maybe integrated on the same substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gate with a low coupling coefficient to permit a smaller memory cell. The floating gate placed over a tunneling insulation layer, the floating gate is aligned with edges of the source region and the drain region and having a width defined by a width of the edges of the source the drain. The floating gate and control gate have a relatively small coupling ratio of less than 50% to allow scaling of the nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells are programmed with channel hot electron programming and erased with Fowler Nordheim tunneling at relatively high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7283401
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory array has a single transistor flash memory cell and a two transistor EEPROM memory cell which maybe integrated on the same substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell has a floating gate with a low coupling coefficient to permit a smaller memory cell. The floating gate placed over a tunneling insulation layer, the floating gate is aligned with edges of the source region and the drain region and having a width defined by a width of the edges of the source the drain. The floating gate and control gate have a relatively small coupling ratio of less than 50% to allow scaling of the nonvolatile memory cells. The nonvolatile memory cells are programmed with channel hot electron programming and erased with Fowler Nordheim tunneling at relatively high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Lee, Fu-Chang Hsu, Hsing-Ya Tsao, Han-Rei Ma
  • Patent number: 7177190
    Abstract: A combination EEPROM, NOR-type Flash and NAND-type Flash nonvolatile memory contains memory cells in which a floating gate transistor forms a NAND-type Flash nonvolatile memory cell, forms a NOR-type Flash nonvolatile memory cells and with one or two select transistors forms a two and three transistor EEPROM cell. The nonvolatile memory cells use a large positive programming voltage (+18V) applied to the word lines or select gating lines for programming the memory cells and a large negative erasing voltage (?18V) applied to the word lines or select gating lines for erasing the memory cells. The NOR-type Flash nonvolatile memory array is used to store code of embedded processor programs or application programs for smart cards. The EEPROM array is preferably used to store byte alterable data and NAND-type Flash nonvolatile memory array is used to store personalized biometric data such as Iris, DNA, facial picture and finger prints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aplus Flash Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Lee