Patents by Inventor Satoru Tamada

Satoru Tamada 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: 9536582
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods involving accessing memory cells are described. In one such method, chunks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed and then one or more of the chunks are disabled from being accessed. In one such apparatus, an array includes chunks of memory cells and a chunk selector circuit coupled to each chunk to enable the memory cells in the respective chunk to be accessed. Additional embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Satoru Tamada, Koichi Kawai, Tetsuji Manabe
  • Publication number: 20150262636
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods involving accessing memory cells are described. In one such method, chunks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed and then one or more of the chunks are disabled from being accessed. In one such apparatus, an array includes chunks of memory cells and a chunk selector circuit coupled to each chunk to enable the memory cells in the respective chunk to be accessed. Additional embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Satoru Tamada, Koichi Kawai, Tetsuji Manabe
  • Patent number: 9064578
    Abstract: Chunks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed and then one or more of the chunks are disabled from being accessed. In one such apparatus, an array includes chunks of memory cells and a chunk selector circuit coupled to each chunk to enable the memory cells in the respective chunk to be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Satoru Tamada, Koichi Kawai, Tetsuji Manabe
  • Publication number: 20140169098
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods involving accessing memory cells are described. In one such method, chunks of memory cells in a memory array are enabled to be accessed and then one or more of the chunks are disabled from being accessed. In one such apparatus, an array includes chunks of memory cells and a chunk selector circuit coupled to each chunk to enable the memory cells in the respective chunk to be accessed. Additional embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Tanzawa, Satoru Tamada, Koichi Kawai, Tetsuji Manabe
  • Patent number: 8576627
    Abstract: At least one data-line pair has a first data line aligned with a first column of memory cells and a second data line aligned with a second column of memory cells. The first data line is coupled to the second column of memory cells and the second data line is coupled to the first column of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 8422297
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are disclosed to facilitate utilization of a multi level inhibit programming scheme. In one such embodiment, isolated channel regions having boosted channel bias levels are formed across multiple memory cells and are created in part and maintained through capacitive coupling with word lines coupled to the memory cells and biased to predetermined bias levels. Methods of manipulation of isolated channel region bias levels through applied word line bias voltages affecting a program inhibit effect, for example, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 8243538
    Abstract: Methods for small unit internal verify read operation and a memory device are disclosed. In one such method, expected data is programmed into a grouping of columns of memory cells (e.g., memory block). Mask data is loaded into a third dynamic data cache of three dynamic data caches. The expected data is loaded into a second data cache. After a read operation of programmed columns of memory cells, the read data is compared to the expected data and error bit indicators are stored in the second data cache in the error bit locations. The second data cache is masked with the mask data so that only those error bits that are unmasked are counted. If the number of unmasked error bit indicators is greater than a threshold, the memory block is marked as unusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Manabe, Satoru Tamada
  • Publication number: 20120063226
    Abstract: Methods for small unit internal verify read operation and a memory device are disclosed. In one such method, expected data is programmed into a grouping of columns of memory cells (e.g., memory block). Mask data is loaded into a third dynamic data cache of three dynamic data caches. The expected data is loaded into a second data cache. After a read operation of programmed columns of memory cells, the read data is compared to the expected data and error bit indicators are stored in the second data cache in the error bit locations. The second data cache is masked with the mask data so that only those error bits that are unmasked are counted. If the number of unmasked error bit indicators is greater than a threshold, the memory block is marked as unusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Tetsuji Manabe, Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 8077532
    Abstract: Methods for small unit internal verify read operation and a memory device are disclosed. In one such method, expected data is programmed into a grouping of columns of memory cells (e.g., memory block). Mask data is loaded into a third dynamic data cache of three dynamic data caches. The expected data is loaded into a second data cache. After a read operation of programmed columns of memory cells, the read data is compared to the expected data and error bit indicators are stored in the second data cache in the error bit locations. The second data cache is masked with the mask data so that only those error bits that are unmasked are counted. If the number of unmasked error bit indicators is greater than a threshold, the memory block is marked as unusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Manabe, Satoru Tamada
  • Publication number: 20110267882
    Abstract: At least one data-line pair has a first data line aligned with a first column of memory cells and a second data line aligned with a second column of memory cells. The first data line is coupled to the second column of memory cells and the second data line is coupled to the first column of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 7983085
    Abstract: At least one data-line pair has a first data line aligned with a first column of memory cells and a second data line aligned with a second column of memory cells. The first data line is coupled to the second column of memory cells and the second data line is coupled to the first column of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 7983091
    Abstract: A flash memory array and a method for performing read operation therein are disclosed. The flash memory array comprises a plurality of memory segment, a data cache and a plurality of data handlers coupled between a pair of memory segment and between a memory segment and the data cache. A read operation of selected bitlines of a selected memory segment is performed by a segment data handler coupled to the selected memory segment locally and the read data is transmitted to the data cache. A segment data handler is configured to get read data from the selected bitlines by first pre-charging the bitlines and sensing the bitlines. Further, the read data is transmitted to the data cache through all of the segment data handlers in a sequential manner, if present between the selected memory segment and the data cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 7965548
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices, one such device being a memory device configured to concurrently assert a first pulse pattern through a plurality of conductors disposed on both a source side and a drain side of a floating-gate transistor, wherein a source side of the first pulse pattern has a different median voltage than a drain side of the first pulse pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Publication number: 20110096599
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are disclosed to facilitate utilization of a multi level inhibit programming scheme. In one such embodiment, isolated channel regions having boosted channel bias levels are formed across multiple memory cells and are created in part and maintained through capacitive coupling with word lines coupled to the memory cells and biased to predetermined bias levels. Methods of manipulation of isolated channel region bias levels through applied word line bias voltages affecting a program inhibit effect, for example, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Publication number: 20110051523
    Abstract: Methods for small unit internal verify read operation and a memory device are disclosed. In one such method, expected data is programmed into a grouping of columns of memory cells (e.g., memory block). Mask data is loaded into a third dynamic data cache of three dynamic data caches. The expected data is loaded into a second data cache. After a read operation of programmed columns of memory cells, the read data is compared to the expected data and error bit indicators are stored in the second data cache in the error bit locations. The second data cache is masked with the mask data so that only those error bits that are unmasked are counted. If the number of unmasked error bit indicators is greater than a threshold, the memory block is marked as unusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tetsuji Manabe, Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 7864585
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods are disclosed to facilitate utilization of a multi level inhibit programming scheme. In one such embodiment, isolated channel regions having boosted channel bias levels are formed across multiple memory cells and are created in part and maintained through capacitive coupling with word lines coupled to the memory cells and biased to predetermined bias levels. Methods of manipulation of isolated channel region bias levels through applied word line bias voltages affecting a program inhibit effect, for example, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 7835187
    Abstract: A method and device using bitline-bitline capacitance between adjacent bitlines to boost seed voltage in a memory device are provided. The method may include a precharge phase, a boost phase, an equalize phase, and a lock in phase. In one embodiment, the method may include boosting the seed voltage twice. The bitlines may be divided into one or more segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Tamada, Neal R Mielke, Krishna Parat
  • Publication number: 20100202201
    Abstract: At least one data-line pair has a first data line aligned with a first column of memory cells and a second data line aligned with a second column of memory cells. The first data line is coupled to the second column of memory cells and the second data line is coupled to the first column of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Patent number: 7755939
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices, one such device being a memory device configured to concurrently assert a first pulse pattern through a plurality of conductors disposed on both a source side and a drain side of a floating-gate transistor, wherein a source side of the first pulse pattern has a different median voltage than a drain side of the first pulse pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada
  • Publication number: 20100149866
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices, one such device being a memory device configured to concurrently assert a first pulse pattern through a plurality of conductors disposed on both a source side and a drain side of a floating-gate transistor, wherein a source side of the first pulse pattern has a different median voltage than a drain side of the first pulse pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoru Tamada