Patents by Inventor Po-Shen Lai

Po-Shen Lai 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: 11087803
    Abstract: An apparatus including a memory structure comprising non-volatile memory cells and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to output Core-Timing-Control (CTC) signals. The CTC signals are used to control voltages that are applied in the memory structure. For example, CTC signals may be used to control the timing of voltages applied to word lines, bit lines, select lines, and other elements or control lines in the memory core. The microcontroller is configured to output CTC signals having many different variations under various modes/parameter conditions. The apparatus may include storage containing reaction data according to dynamic conditions. The microcontroller may be configured to lookup or compute the CTC signals based on the dynamic conditions and the reaction data. Various data storage formats are disclosed, which can be used to efficiently store many varieties of data with minimum usage of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yuheng Zhang, Po-Shen Lai, Hao Su
  • Publication number: 20200321037
    Abstract: An apparatus including a memory structure comprising non-volatile memory cells and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to output Core-Timing-Control (CTC) signals. The CTC signals are used to control voltages that are applied in the memory structure. For example, CTC signals may be used to control the timing of voltages applied to word lines, bit lines, select lines, and other elements or control lines in the memory core. The microcontroller is configured to output CTC signals having many different variations under various modes/parameter conditions. The apparatus may include storage containing reaction data according to dynamic conditions. The microcontroller may be configured to lookup or compute the CTC signals based on the dynamic conditions and the reaction data. Various data storage formats are disclosed, which can be used to efficiently store many varieties of data with minimum usage of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yuheng Zhang, Po-Shen Lai, Hao Su
  • Patent number: 10777240
    Abstract: An apparatus including a memory structure comprising non-volatile memory cells and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to output Core-Timing-Control (CTC) signals. The CTC signals are used to control voltages that are applied in the memory structure. For example, CTC signals may be used to control the timing of voltages applied to word lines, bit lines, select lines, and other elements or control lines in the memory core. The microcontroller is configured to output CTC signals having many different variations under various modes/parameter conditions. The apparatus may include storage containing reaction data according to dynamic conditions. The microcontroller may be configured to lookup or compute the CTC signals based on the dynamic conditions and the reaction data. Various data storage formats are disclosed, which can be used to efficiently store many varieties of data with minimum usage of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yuheng Zhang, Po-Shen Lai, Hao Su
  • Publication number: 20200286533
    Abstract: An apparatus including a memory structure comprising non-volatile memory cells and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to output Core-Timing-Control (CTC) signals. The CTC signals are used to control voltages that are applied in the memory structure. For example, CTC signals may be used to control the timing of voltages applied to word lines, bit lines, select lines, and other elements or control lines in the memory core. The microcontroller is configured to output CTC signals having many different variations under various modes/parameter conditions. The apparatus may include storage containing reaction data according to dynamic conditions. The microcontroller may be configured to lookup or compute the CTC signals based on the dynamic conditions and the reaction data. Various data storage formats are disclosed, which can be used to efficiently store many varieties of data with minimum usage of memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yuheng Zhang, Po-Shen Lai, Hao Su
  • Patent number: 10635526
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for a multicore on-die memory controller. An integrated circuit device includes an array of non-volatile memory cells and a microcontroller unit. A microcontroller unit includes a plurality of processing units. Different processing units perform different categories of tasks in parallel for an array of non-volatile memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yibo Yin, Henry Zhang, Po-Shen Lai, Vijay Chinchole, Spyridon Georgakis, Yan Li, Hiroyuki Mizukoshi, Toru Miwa, Jayesh Pakhale, Tz-Yi Liu
  • Publication number: 20180357123
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for a multicore on-die memory controller. An integrated circuit device includes an array of non-volatile memory cells and a microcontroller unit. A microcontroller unit includes a plurality of processing units. Different processing units perform different categories of tasks in parallel for an array of non-volatile memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yibo Yin, Henry Zhang, Po-Shen Lai, Vijay Chinchole, Spyridon Georgakis, Yan Li, Hiroyuki Mizukoshi, Toru Miwa, Jayesh Pakhale, Tz-Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 8558566
    Abstract: A multi-interface integrated circuit in which, during the chip's lifetime in use, only one interface is active at a time. However, special test logic powers up all of the on-chip interface modules at once, so that a complete test cycle can be performed. All of the interfaces are exercised in one test program. Since some pads are inactive in some interface modes, mask bits are used to select which pads are monitored during which test cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Po-Shen Lai, Paul A. Lassa, Paul C. Paternoster
  • Patent number: 8347251
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) having a selectively-designated electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance characteristic. The IC includes an IC die having an input or output (I/O) node. A first I/O cell of a first type associated with the I/O node provides a first EMC performance characteristic, and a second I/O cell of a second type associated with the I/O node provides a second EMC performance characteristic different from the first EMC performance characteristic. A first bonding pad is electrically coupled with the first I/O cell, and a second bonding pad is electrically coupled with the second I/O cell. The IC die can be packaged into a packaged IC having an I/O pin corresponding to the I/O node. The I/O pin is wired to one of either the first bonding pad or the second bonding pad, but not to the other, such that a pinout for the I/O node is preferentially provided having one of either the first EMC performance characteristic or the second EMC performance characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Paternoster, Vaibhavi Sabharanjak, Po-Shen Lai
  • Patent number: 8135944
    Abstract: A plurality of separately powered data interface circuits, a controller circuit, and power switch circuits that collectively enable a supply of power to only one of the data interface circuits and disable the supply of power to the other data interface circuits. Alternatively, the separately powered circuits need not be data interface circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Lassa, Paul Paternoster, Po-Shen Lai, Yongliang Wang
  • Patent number: 8102062
    Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a variety of integrated circuits, having quite different interfaces and packages, from a single manufactured die. Preferably the die has bond pads for at least a first mode of operation positioned along only two of its four sides, and these bond pads are sufficient to construct a multi-chip module in which the die is functional in the first mode of operation. Many of the pads on these two sides are duplicated on third and/or fourth sides, except that power management circuitry prevents wasteful capacitive current onto whichever of the duplicated pads is not connected out. Optionally the third and/or fourth sides can be used for connections needed for a mode which is not available with two sides only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Lassa, Paul C. Paternoster, Po-Shen Lai
  • Publication number: 20110283055
    Abstract: A multi-interface integrated circuit in which, during the chip's lifetime in use, only one interface is active at a time. However, special test logic powers up all of the on-chip interface modules at once, so that a complete test cycle can be performed. All of the interfaces are exercised in one test program. Since some pads are inactive in some interface modes, mask bits are used to select which pads are monitored during which test cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Po-Shen Lai, Paul A. Lassa, Paul C. Paternoster
  • Patent number: 7928746
    Abstract: A multi-interface integrated circuit in which, during the chip's lifetime in use, only one interface is active at a time. However, special test logic powers up all of the on-chip interface modules at once, so that a complete test cycle can be performed. All of the interfaces are exercised in one test program. Since some pads are inactive in some interface modes, mask bits are used to select which pads are monitored during which test cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Po-Shen Lai, Paul A. Lassa, Paul C. Paternoster
  • Patent number: 7875996
    Abstract: An electronic product includes an application specific semiconductor chip (ASIC) device which includes in its circuitry both a linear regulator module configured to be coupled to an optional external capacitance and a capless regulator module configured to be coupled to internal capacitance of the electronic product. Control logic of the ASIC device is responsive to a regulator selection signal for selecting one of the linear regulator module and the capless regulator module for use in powering the ASIC device. The control logic may select the linear regulator module for certain times of operation and the capless regulator module for other times of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Nguyen, Steve X. Chi, Po-Shen Lai
  • Patent number: 7859134
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic product having an application specific semiconductor circuit (ASIC) including in its circuitry both a linear regulator module for use with an optional external capacitance and a capless regulator module coupled to internal capacitance of the product selects a low-power sub-module or high-power sub-module of the capless regulator module for use in a power-up phase of the ASIC. Control logic of the ASIC determines if an external capacitance is present. If so, then the high-power capless sub-module is used during a power-up phase of the ASIC; if not only the low-power capless sub-module is used during the power-up phase of the ASIC. After power-up of the ASIC, the control logic may select the linear regulator module for certain times of operation and the capless regulator module for other times of operation or it may select one or the other for all times of post-power-up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Steve X. Chi, Yongliang Wang, Ekram Hossain Bhuiyan, Daniel P. Nguyen, Vincent Anthony Condito, Po-Shen Lai
  • Patent number: 7812639
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes an output driver circuit portion that is electrically configurable, via a configuration input, to operate in either a first mode or a second mode corresponding to an indication of a condition of the IC, such as a supply voltage indication, the first mode and the second mode having different drive characteristics. A configuration interface circuit portion as part of the improved IC is adapted to selectively override the configuration input to configure operation of the output driver circuit portion in either the first mode or the second mode based on a drive strength control input, regardless of the condition of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Po-Shen Lai, Vaibhavi Sabharanjak, Ralph Heron, Lakhdar Iguelmamene
  • Publication number: 20090166679
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) having a selectively-designated electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance characteristic. The IC includes an IC die having an input or output (I/O) node. A first I/O cell of a first type associated with the I/O node provides a first EMC performance characteristic, and a second I/O cell of a second type associated with the I/O node provides a second EMC performance characteristic different from the first EMC performance characteristic. A first bonding pad is electrically coupled with the first I/O cell, and a second bonding pad is electrically coupled with the second I/O cell. The IC die can be packaged into a packaged IC having an I/O pin corresponding to the I/O node. The I/O pin is wired to one of either the first bonding pad or the second bonding pad, but not to the other, such that a pinout for the I/O node is preferentially provided having one of either the first EMC performance characteristic or the second EMC performance characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Paternoster, Vaibhavi Sabharanjak, Po-Shen Lai
  • Publication number: 20090167357
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes an output driver circuit portion that is electrically configurable, via a configuration input, to operate in either a first mode or a second mode corresponding to an indication of a condition of the IC, such as a supply voltage indication, the first mode and the second mode having different drive characteristics. A configuration interface circuit portion as part of the improved IC is adapted to selectively override the configuration input to configure operation of the output driver circuit portion in either the first mode or the second mode based on a drive strength control input, regardless of the condition of the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Po-Shen Lai, Vaibhavi Sabharanjak, Ralph Heron, Lakhdar Iguelmamene
  • Publication number: 20090160423
    Abstract: An electronic product includes an application specific semiconductor circuit (ASIC) including in its circuitry both a linear regulator module for use with an optional external capacitance and a capless regulator module coupled to internal capacitance of the product. The capless regulator module includes both a low-power sub-module and a high-power sub-module. Control logic of the ASIC is configured to determine if an external capacitance is present. If so, the control logic causes the high-power capless regulator sub-module to be used during a power-up phase of the ASIC; if not, only the low-power capless regulator sub-module is used during the power-up phase of the ASIC. After power-up of the ASIC, the control logic may select the linear regulator module for certain times of operation and the capless regulator module for other times of operation or it may select one or the other for all times of post-power-up operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Steve X. Chi, Yongliang Wang, Ekram Hossain Bhuiyan, Daniel P. Nguyen, Vincent Anthony Condito, Po-Shen Lai
  • Publication number: 20090164807
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic product having an application specific semiconductor circuit (ASIC) including in its circuitry both a linear regulator module for use with an optional external capacitance and a capless regulator module coupled to internal capacitance of the product selects a low-power sub-module or high-power sub-module of the capless regulator module for use in a power-up phase of the ASIC. Control logic of the ASIC determines if an external capacitance is present. If so, then the high-power capless sub-module is used during a power-up phase of the ASIC; if not only the low-power capless sub-module is used during the power-up phase of the ASIC. After power-up of the ASIC, the control logic may select the linear regulator module for certain times of operation and the capless regulator module for other times of operation or it may select one or the other for all times of post-power-up operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Steve X. Chi, Yongliang Wang, Ekram Hossain Bhuiyan, Daniel P. Nguyen, Vincent Anthony Condito, Po-Shen Lai
  • Publication number: 20090160256
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic product having an application specific semiconductor chip (ASIC) device which includes in its circuitry both a linear regulator module configured to be coupled to an optional external capacitance and a capless regulator module configured to be coupled to internal capacitance of the electronic product utilizes control logic of the ASIC device responsive to a regulator selection signal for selecting one of the linear regulator module and the capless regulator module for use in powering the ASIC device. The control logic may select the linear regulator module for certain times of operation and the capless regulator module for other times of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel P. Nguyen, Steve X. Chi, Po-Shen Lai