Patents by Inventor Sang-Won Hwang

Sang-Won Hwang 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: 9928902
    Abstract: In a method of operating a storage device including at least one nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller configured to control the at least one nonvolatile memory device, a boundary page of a first memory block among a plurality of memory blocks included in the at least one nonvolatile memory device is searched for, at least one clean page, in which data is not written, of the first memory block is searched for, a dummy program operation is performed on a portion of the boundary page and the at least one clean page, and an erase operation is performed on the first memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joon-Soo Kwon, Seung-Cheol Han, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Publication number: 20170169883
    Abstract: In a method of operating a storage device including at least one nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller configured to control the at least one nonvolatile memory device, a boundary page of a first memory block among a plurality of memory blocks included in the at least one nonvolatile memory device is searched for, at least one clean page, in which data is not written, of the first memory block is searched for, a dummy program operation is performed on a portion of the boundary page and the at least one clean page, and an erase operation is performed on the first memory block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: JOON-SOO KWON, Seung-Cheol Han, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 9343158
    Abstract: To program in a nonvolatile memory device include a plurality of memory cells that are programmed into multiple states through at least two program steps, a primary program is performed from an erase level to a first target level with respect to the memory cells coupled to a selected word line A preprogram is performed from the erase level to a preprogram level in association with the primary program with respect to the memory cells coupled to the selected word line, where the preprogram level is larger than the erase level and smaller than the first target level A secondary program is performed from the preprogram level to a second target level with respect to the preprogrammed memory cells coupled to the selected word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Ho Song, Su-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Publication number: 20140211565
    Abstract: To program in a nonvolatile memory device include a plurality of memory cells that are programmed into multiple states through at least two program steps, a primary program is performed from an erase level to a first target level with respect to the memory cells coupled to a selected word line A preprogram is performed from the erase level to a preprogram level in association with the primary program with respect to the memory cells coupled to the selected word line, where the preprogram level is larger than the erase level and smaller than the first target level A secondary program is performed from the preprogram level to a second target level with respect to the preprogrammed memory cells coupled to the selected word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Jung-Ho Song, Su-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 8446776
    Abstract: A method of programming memory cells for a non-volatile memory device is provided. The method includes performing an incremental step pulse program (ISPP) operation based on a program voltage, a first verification voltage, and a second verification voltage, and changing an increment value of the program voltage based on a first pass-fail result of the memory cells, the first pass-fail result being generated based on the first verification voltage. The ISPP operation is finished based on a second pass-fail result of the memory cells, the second pass-fail result being generated based on the second verification voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Won Hwang, Chan-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8339851
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory device includes a well of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate, and a first plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series to a bit line formed in the well. A buffer is formed in the substrate outside the well and is connected to the bit line. At least one de-coupling transistor is configured to de-couple the buffer from the bit line, and the de-coupling transistor is formed in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang, Jun-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 8321765
    Abstract: In a method of reading data from a non-volatile memory device, read data is generated based on a word line voltage. The read data includes data read from a plurality of sectors included in the non-volatile memory device. Bad sector data is transferred data based on read data and bad sector information. The bad sector data corresponds to data read from at least one bad sector included in the plurality of sectors. The bad sector information is updated by checking error bits of the bad sector data. The word line voltage is generated based on the updated bad sector information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Wook Lee, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 8295092
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of memory cells connected to a wordline and arranged in a row direction, bitlines connected to the plurality of memory cells, respectively, and a bitline bias circuit configured to separately control bias voltages provided to the bitlines according to positions of the memory cells along the row direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-ho Kim, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120014187
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory device includes a well of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate, and a first plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series to a bit line formed in the well. A buffer is formed in the substrate outside the well and is connected to the bit line. At least one de-coupling transistor is configured to de-couple the buffer from the bit line, and the de-coupling transistor is formed in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Dae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang, Jun-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 8081509
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory device includes a well of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate, and a first plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series to a bit line formed in the well. A buffer is formed in the substrate outside the well and is connected to the bit line. At least one de-coupling transistor is configured to de-couple the buffer from the bit line; and the de-coupling transistor is formed in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang, Jun-Yong Park
  • Publication number: 20110194353
    Abstract: A method of programming memory cells for a non-volatile memory device is provided. The method includes performing an incremental step pulse program (ISPP) operation based on a program voltage, a first verification voltage, and a second verification voltage, and changing an increment value of the program voltage based on a first pass-fail result of the memory cells, the first pass-fail result being generated based on the first verification voltage. The ISPP operation is finished based on a second pass-fail result of the memory cells, the second pass-fail result being generated based on the second verification voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD
    Inventors: Sang-Won Hwang, Chan-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7974128
    Abstract: A flash memory device including a high voltage generator circuit that is adapted to supply a program voltage having a target voltage to a selected word line is provided. The flash memory device is adapted to terminate the program interval in accordance with when the program voltage has been restored to the target voltage after dropping below the target voltage. A method for operating the flash memory device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Gun Park, Jin-Wook Lee, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 7911841
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory may include a flag cell array, wherein each flag cell is arranged in the memory cell array interspersed among the plurality of memory cells. The flag cell array may include a plurality of flag cells indicating whether a corresponding row is MSB programmed. The non-volatile memory device performs an algorithm to read out data stored in the memory cell based on whether the memory cells of a row are MSB programmed. When determining whether the corresponding row is MSB programmed, a flag cell that is not normally operated may be replaced by a redundancy flag cell or data of the flag cell that is not normally operated may be excluded. Thus, the reliability in reading out of data and the production yield of the non-volatile memory may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 7908425
    Abstract: In a read method for a memory device, a bit line is set with data in a first memory cell; and the data on the bit line is stored in a register. The data in the register is transferred to a data bus while setting the bit line with data in a second memory cell. In another read method for a memory device, a bit line of a first memory cell is initialized and the bit line is pre-charged with a pre-charge voltage. Data in a memory cell on the bit line is developed, and a register corresponding to the bit line is initialized. The data on the bit line is stored in the register. The data in the register is output externally while performing the initializing, pre-charging, making and initializing to set the bit line with data in a second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Yub Lee, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 7817473
    Abstract: A flash memory device is disclosed and includes a memory cell array including a plurality of sectors. Each one of the plurality of sectors includes a plurality of strings, and each of the plurality of strings includes a plurality of memory cells series connected between a string select transistor and a ground select transistor. The flash memory device also includes a plurality of string selection lines, wherein each one of the plurality of string selection lines is respectively connected to string select transistors associated the plurality of strings in one of the plurality of sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Wook Lee, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Patent number: 7800950
    Abstract: In a flash memory device, different self-boosting techniques are selectively applied to a string of serially connected memory cells responsive to a programming voltage applied to a selected word line. For example, non-local self-boosting and local self-boosting may be selectively applied responsive to the programming voltage applied to the selected word line. For example, non-local self-boosting and local self-boosting may be selectively applied to a first string of serially-connected cells responsive to the programming voltage during an incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) of a selected cell of a second string of serially-connected cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Yeol Park, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100211852
    Abstract: In a method of reading data from a non-volatile memory device, read data is generated based on a word line voltage. The read data includes data read from a plurality of sectors included in the non-volatile memory device. Bad sector data is transferred data based on read data and bad sector information. The bad sector data corresponds to data read from at least one bad sector included in the plurality of sectors. The bad sector information is updated by checking error bits of the bad sector data. The word line voltage is generated based on the updated bad sector information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Wook Lee, Sang-Won Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100208526
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory device includes a well of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate, and a first plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series to a bit line formed in the well. A buffer is formed in the substrate outside the well and is connected to the bit line. At least one de-coupling transistor is configured to de-couple the buffer from the bit line; and the de-coupling transistor is formed in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Dae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang, Jun-Yong Park
  • Patent number: 7757153
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device, memory system and read method are disclosed. The memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory blocks each having a plurality of memory cells adapted to store N bits, where N is an integer greater than 1, a page buffer configured to perform a read operation adapted to read data from the memory cell array and output read data, an error correction circuit configured to detect and correct an error in read data stored in a memory block K and generate corresponding error information, and a control circuit configured to reduce the number of bits stored in the plurality of memory cells for memory block K from N to J, where J is an integer less than N but greater than zero, in response to the error information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Won Hwang, Jong-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 7733695
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the non-volatile memory device includes a well of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate, and a first plurality of memory cell transistors connected in series to a bit line formed in the well. A buffer is formed in the substrate outside the well and is connected to the bit line. At least one de-coupling transistor is configured to de-couple the buffer from the bit line, and the de-coupling transistor is formed in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Hwang, Jun-Yong Park