Patents by Inventor Shao-Yu Chou

Shao-Yu Chou 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).

  • Publication number: 20190252032
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory circuit and a fuse protection circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory cell and a program line. The memory cell includes a fuse. The program line is configured to receive a program voltage for programming the fuse. The fuse protection circuit is coupled to the memory circuit and is configured to prevent unintentional programming of the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chen-Ming Hung, Jen-Chou Tseng, Jam-Wem Lee, Ming-Hsiang Song, Shu-Chuan Lee, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Ti Su
  • Publication number: 20190244660
    Abstract: Memories with symmetric read current profiles are provided. A memory includes a first memory array formed by a plurality of memory cells, a second memory array formed by a plurality of memory cells, and a read circuit. The read circuit includes an output buffer. The output buffer is configured to simultaneously obtain first data from the first memory array and second data from the second memory array according a first address signal, and selectively provide the first data or the second data as an output according to a control signal. Binary representation of the first data is complementary to that of the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhsiang CHEN, Shao-Yu CHOU, Chun-Hao CHANG, Min-Shin WU, Yu-Der CHIH
  • Patent number: 10283210
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory circuit and a fuse protection circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory cell and a program line. The memory cell includes a fuse. The program line is configured to receive a program voltage for programming the fuse. The fuse protection circuit is coupled to the memory circuit and is configured to prevent unintentional programming of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chen-Ming Hung, Jen-Chou Tseng, Jam-Wem Lee, Ming-Hsiang Song, Shu-Chuan Lee, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Ti Su
  • Patent number: 10269420
    Abstract: Memories with symmetric read current profiles are provided. A memory includes a first memory array formed by a plurality of memory cells, a second memory array formed by a plurality of memory cells, and a read circuit. The read circuit includes a first decoder coupled to the first memory array, a second decoder coupled to the second memory array, and an output buffer. The first decoder obtains first data from the first memory array according a first address signal. The second decoder obtains second data from the second memory array according the first address signal. The output buffer selectively provides the first data or the second data as an output according to a control signal. The first data is complementary to the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuhsiang Chen, Shao-Yu Chou, Chun-Hao Chang, Min-Shin Wu, Yu-Der Chih
  • Publication number: 20190097420
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit includes: a cascade of NMOS transistors including a first NMOS transistor operatively cascaded to a second NMOS transistor wherein the cascade of NMOS transistors is operatively coupled to a first bus that receives an ESD pulse signal; a first single-gate-oxide ESD control circuit coupled to the first NMOS transistor and configured to turn on the first NMOS transistor during an ESD event, the first single-gate-oxide control circuit coupled between the first bus at a first voltage and a first node at a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; a second single-gate-oxide control circuit operatively coupled to the second NMOS transistor and configured to turn on the second NMOS transistor during an ESD event and to turn off the second NMOS transistor during a normal operation, wherein the second single-gate-oxide control circuit is coupled between the first node at the second voltage and a second bus at a ground voltage, wherein the seco
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Po-Hung CHEN, Kuo-Ji CHEN, Shao-Yu CHOU
  • Publication number: 20190019565
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory circuit and a fuse protection circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory cell and a program line. The memory cell includes a fuse. The program line is configured to receive a program voltage for programming the fuse. The fuse protection circuit is coupled to the memory circuit and is configured to prevent unintentional programming of the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chen-Ming Hung, Jen-Chou Tseng, Jam-Wem Lee, Ming-Hsiang Song, Shu-Chuan Lee, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Ti Su
  • Patent number: 10163783
    Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first fuse line formed in a first metal layer; a second fuse line formed in the first metal layer; a first pair of fuse wings formed in the first metal layer on opposite sides of a first end of the first fuse line; a second pair of fuse wings formed in the first metal layer on opposites sides of a first end of the second fuse line; a third pair of fuse wings formed in the first metal layer on opposite sides of a second end of the first fuse line; and a fourth pair of fuse wings formed in the first metal layer on opposites sides of a second end of the second fuse line. The first and second pairs of fuse wings share a first common fuse wing and the third and fourth pairs of wings share a second common fuse wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Shao-Tung Peng, Shao-Yu Chou, Liang Chuan Chang, Yao-Jen Yang
  • Patent number: 10153288
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory having a double metal layout is provided that includes a first fuse fabricated on a first conductive layer of the integrated circuit, a second fuse fabricated on a second conductive layer of the integrated circuit, and a transistor fabricated on front-end-of-the-line (FEOL) structure of the integrated circuit. A first memory cell of the non-volatile memory is provided by a first memory circuit comprising the first fuse and the transistor, and a second memory cell of the non-volatile memory is provided by a second memory circuit comprising the second fuse and the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Bai-Mei Chang, Shao-Yu Chou, Liang Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 10109366
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory circuit and a fuse protection circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory cell and a program line. The memory cell includes a fuse. The program line is configured to receive a program voltage for programming the fuse. The fuse protection circuit is coupled to the memory circuit and is configured to prevent unintentional programming of the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chen-Ming Hung, Jen-Chou Tseng, Jam-Wem Lee, Ming-Hsiang Song, Shu-Chuan Lee, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Ti Su
  • Patent number: 10109365
    Abstract: A word line driver comprising a select word line level shifter configured to generate at least one output signal in the first voltage domain or a second voltage domain and a control word line level shifter coupled to the select word line level shifter and configured to generate at least one output signal in the second voltage domain or a third voltage domain based, at least in part, on the at least one output signal generated by the select word line level shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Yuhsiang Chen, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Der Chih
  • Publication number: 20180166143
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory circuit and a fuse protection circuit. The memory circuit includes a memory cell and a program line. The memory cell includes a fuse. The program line is configured to receive a program voltage for programming the fuse. The fuse protection circuit is coupled to the memory circuit and is configured to prevent unintentional programming of the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Yu-Der Chih, Chen-Ming Hung, Jen-Chou Tseng, Jam-Wem Lee, Ming-Hsiang Song, Shu-Chuan Lee, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Ti Su
  • Publication number: 20180166131
    Abstract: Memories with symmetric read current profiles are provided. A memory includes a first memory array formed by a plurality of memory cells, a second memory array formed by a plurality of memory cells, and a read circuit. The read circuit includes a first decoder coupled to the first memory array, a second decoder coupled to the second memory array, and an output buffer. The first decoder obtains first data from the first memory array according a first address signal. The second decoder obtains second data from the second memory array according the first address signal. The output buffer selectively provides the first data or the second data as an output according to a control signal. The first data is complementary to the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhsiang CHEN, Shao-Yu CHOU, Chun-Hao CHANG, Min-Shin WU, Yu-Der CHIH
  • Publication number: 20180151239
    Abstract: A word line driver comprising a select word line level shifter configured to generate at least one output signal in the first voltage domain or a second voltage domain and a control word line level shifter coupled to the select word line level shifter and configured to generate at least one output signal in the second voltage domain or a third voltage domain based, at least in part, on the at least one output signal generated by the select word line level shifter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Yuhsiang Chen, Shao-Yu Chou, Yu-Der Chih
  • Patent number: 9853035
    Abstract: A method and layout for forming word line decoder devices and other devices having word line decoder cells provides for forming metal interconnect layers using non-DPL photolithography operations and provides for stitching distally disposed transistors using a lower or intermediate metal layer or a subjacent conductive material. The transistors may be disposed in or adjacent longitudinally arranged word line decoder or other cells and the conductive coupling using the metal or conductive material lowers gate resistance between transistors and avoids RC signal delays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Yu Pan, Jung-Hsuan Chen, Shao-Yu Chou, Yen-Huei Chen, Hung-Jen Liao
  • Publication number: 20170345486
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a sense amplifier are provided. First and second MOS transistors of a first type are connected in series between a first voltage potential and a node. A gate terminal of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first data. A gate terminal of the second MOS transistor is coupled to a second data line. A third MOS transistor of a second type is connected between the node and a second voltage potential. The third MOS transistor has a gate terminal coupled to the first data line. A fourth MOS transistor of the second type is connected between the node and the second voltage potential in a parallel arrangement with the third MOS transistor. The fourth MOS transistor has a gate terminal coupled to the second data line. A control signal provided to a sense amplifier is based on a voltage of the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: CHUN-HAO CHANG, SHAO-YU CHOU, SHAWN CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170345827
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory having a double metal layout is provided that includes a first fuse fabricated on a first conductive layer of the integrated circuit, a second fuse fabricated on a second conductive layer of the integrated circuit, and a transistor fabricated on front-end-of-the-line (FEOL) structure of the integrated circuit. A first memory cell of the non-volatile memory is provided by a first memory circuit comprising the first fuse and the transistor, and a second memory cell of the non-volatile memory is provided by a second memory circuit comprising the second fuse and the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Meng-Sheng Chang, Bai-Mei Chang, Shao-Yu Chou, Liang Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 9830979
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a sense amplifier are provided. First and second MOS transistors of a first type are connected in series between a first voltage potential and a node. A gate terminal of the first MOS transistor is coupled to a first data. A gate terminal of the second MOS transistor is coupled to a second data line. A third MOS transistor of a second type is connected between the node and a second voltage potential. The third MOS transistor has a gate terminal coupled to the first data line. A fourth MOS transistor of the second type is connected between the node and the second voltage potential in a parallel arrangement with the third MOS transistor. The fourth MOS transistor has a gate terminal coupled to the second data line. A control signal provided to a sense amplifier is based on a voltage of the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Chun-Hao Chang, Shao-Yu Chou, Shawn Chen
  • Patent number: 9805815
    Abstract: A bit cell includes a program device comprising a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a first channel. The first source/drain region, the second source/drain region, and the first channel are positioned along a first direction. The bit cell also includes an electrical fuse (eFuse) having a conduction path along the first direction. A conductive element is electrically connected with the first source/drain region and one end of the eFuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Hung Chen, Liang Chuan Chang, Wei-Fen Pai, Bai-Mei Chang, Shao-Yu Chou, Ren-Fen Tsui, Dian-Sheg Yu, Shih-Guo Shen
  • Patent number: 9536827
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor structure which includes a first row of diffusion strap having two sections separated by a first distance, a second row of diffusion strap having two sections separated by the first distance, a third row of diffusion strap having two sections separated by the first distance, a fourth row of diffusion strap having two sections separated by the first distance, a first row of conductive strap over the first row of diffusion strap and the second row of diffusion strap, and a second row of conductive strap over the third row of diffusion strap and the fourth row of diffusion strap. The first row of conductive strap has two sections separated by a second distance. The second row of conductive strap has having two sections separated by the second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Hsiang Chen, Shao-Yu Chou, Chun-Hao Chang, Liang-Chuan Chang
  • Patent number: 9425095
    Abstract: A system and method for a distributed metal routing is disclosed. An embodiment comprises a metal_0 layer with a metal_1 layer overlying the metal_0 layer. The metal_1 layer comprises separate parallel lines, with lines having different signals being distributed across the metal_1 layer. Such a layout decreases the parasitic resistance within the metal_0 layer as it decreases the distance current travels. Additionally, the distributed layout in metal_1 allows connections to be made to a metal_2 layer without the need for a hammer head connection of vias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: You-Cheng Xiao, Yen-Huei Chen, Jung-Hsuan Chen, Shao-Yu Chou, Li-Chun Tien, Hung-Jen Liao