Patents by Inventor Shin-Jang Shen

Shin-Jang Shen 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: 11056172
    Abstract: A flash memory and an operation method thereof are provided. The flash memory includes a plurality of memory cell strings and a pass voltage generator. Each of the memory cell strings includes a plurality of memory cells. The pass voltage generator is configured to provide a pass voltage to a plurality of word lines of a plurality of unselected memory cells of a selected memory string. During a reading operation, the pass voltage generator raises the pass voltage from a first voltage at a first time point, and raises the pass voltage to a second voltage at a second time point. The second voltage is lower than a target voltage times a preset ratio The first time point is earlier than a start time point of a bit line voltage received by the selected memory cell, and the second time point occurs at the start time point of the bit line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Ping Chen, Ya-Jui Lee, Shin-Jang Shen, Yih-Shan Yang
  • Patent number: 10515707
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a first NAND string that includes a first plurality of memory cells and a first string select switch arranged in series, the first string select switch disposed between a first bit line and a first end of the first plurality, a second NAND string that includes a second plurality of memory cells and a second string select switch arranged in series, the second string select switch disposed between a second bit line and a first end of the second plurality, word lines coupled to memory cells in the first plurality and memory cells in the second plurality, and a string select line coupled to the first and second string select switches. A method of operating such a memory device comprises applying a voltage varying in a manner complementary to absolute temperature to at least one of the word lines and the string select line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yih-Shan Yang, Shin-Jang Shen
  • Publication number: 20190295667
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a first NAND string that includes a first plurality of memory cells and a first string select switch arranged in series, the first string select switch disposed between a first bit line and a first end of the first plurality, a second NAND string that includes a second plurality of memory cells and a second string select switch arranged in series, the second string select switch disposed between a second bit line and a first end of the second plurality, word lines coupled to memory cells in the first plurality and memory cells in the second plurality, and a string select line coupled to the first and second string select switches. A method of operating such a memory device comprises applying a voltage varying in a manner complementary to absolute temperature to at least one of the word lines and the string select line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YIH-SHAN YANG, SHIN-JANG SHEN
  • Patent number: 10325662
    Abstract: A circuit for adjusting a select gate voltage of a non-volatile memory is provided. The circuit includes a well, a select gate, and an adjustment unit. There is a capacitive coupling between the well and the select gate. The adjustment unit generates a driving voltage for the select gate based on a non-constant voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuo-Nan Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Wei-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 10243454
    Abstract: A boost circuit includes a power rail to provide a supply voltage, a switch transistor controlling output of a boosted signal from a source of the switch transistor, and a timing and voltage control circuit configured to generate an equalization (EQ) signal to be applied to a gate of the switch transistor. The EQ waveform has a level being an EQ high level, an EQ low level lower than the EQ high level, or an EQ clamped level between the EQ low level and the EQ high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Ting Hu, Shin-Jang Shen, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Publication number: 20180005699
    Abstract: A circuit for adjusting a select gate voltage of a non-volatile memory is provided. The circuit includes a well, a select gate, and an adjustment unit. There is a capacitive coupling between the well and the select gate. The adjustment unit generates a driving voltage for the select gate based on a non-constant voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuo-Nan Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Wei-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 9805803
    Abstract: A circuit for adjusting a select gate voltage of a non-volatile memory is provided. The circuit includes a well, a select gate, an adjustment unit, and a switch. There is a capacitive coupling between the well and the select gate. The adjustment unit generates a driving voltage for the select gate. The switch is coupled in series with the adjustment unit between the select gate and the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuo-Nan Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Wei-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 9589642
    Abstract: A level shifter receiving an input with a relatively narrow voltage range and provides an output with a relatively wide voltage range. The level shifter including a transistor with a turn-on voltage. Control circuitry applies a bias to the level shifter such that the transistor does not receive the turn-on voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Yi Chang, Chien-Ping Tai, Shin-Jang Shen, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Publication number: 20160308436
    Abstract: A boost circuit includes a power rail to provide a supply voltage, a switch transistor controlling output of a boosted signal from a source of the switch transistor, and a timing and voltage control circuit configured to generate an equalization (EQ) signal to be applied to a gate of the switch transistor. The EQ waveform has a level being an EQ high level, an EQ low level lower than the EQ high level, or an EQ clamped level between the EQ low level and the EQ high level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Chih-Ting HU, Shin-Jang SHEN, Yi-Ching LIU
  • Patent number: 9461623
    Abstract: A method and a circuit for generating a clock signal from a clock integrated circuit are introduced herein. A compensation voltage is generated according to a temperature coefficient of a resistor and a clock period of a clock circuit, where the compensation voltage is resistor-corner independent. The clock period of the clock circuit is determined by the resistor and at least one capacitor of the clock circuit. The temperature dependence of the clock period of the clock circuit is reduced according to the compensation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Hung Wu, Yi-Ching Liu, Shin-Jang Shen
  • Patent number: 9391597
    Abstract: A boost circuit includes a power rail to provide a supply voltage, a switch transistor controlling output of a boosted signal from a source of the switch transistor, and a timing and voltage control circuit configured to generate an equalization (EQ) signal to be applied to a gate of the switch transistor. The EQ waveform has a level being an EQ high level, an EQ low level lower than the EQ high level, or an EQ clamped level between the EQ low level and the EQ high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Ting Hu, Shin-Jang Shen, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Publication number: 20160064086
    Abstract: A circuit for adjusting a select gate voltage of a non-volatile memory is provided. The circuit includes a well, a select gate, an adjustment unit, and a switch. There is a capacitive coupling between the well and the select gate. The adjustment unit generates a driving voltage for the select gate. The switch is coupled in series with the adjustment unit between the select gate and the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Shuo-Nan Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Wei-Jen Chen
  • Publication number: 20160042794
    Abstract: A level shifter receiving an input with a relatively narrow voltage range and provides an output with a relatively wide voltage range. The level shifter including a transistor with a turn-on voltage. Control circuitry applies a bias to the level shifter such that the transistor does not receive the turn-on voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Yi Chang, Chien-Ping Tai, Shin-Jang Shen, Chung-Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 9214471
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridge-shaped stacks, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as strings which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. Diodes are connected to the bit line structures at either the string select of common source select ends of the strings. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the ridge-shaped stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of ridge-shaped stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips on the stacks and the conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Publication number: 20150333736
    Abstract: A method and a circuit for generating a clock signal from a clock integrated circuit are introduced herein. A compensation voltage is generated according to a temperature coefficient of a resistor and a clock period of a clock circuit, where the compensation voltage is resistor-corner independent. The clock period of the clock circuit is determined by the resistor and at least one capacitor of the clock circuit. The temperature dependence of the clock period of the clock circuit is reduced according to the compensation voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsien-Hung Wu, Yi-Ching Liu, Shin-Jang Shen
  • Publication number: 20150131344
    Abstract: A boost circuit includes a power rail to provide a supply voltage, a switch transistor controlling output of a boosted signal from a source of the switch transistor, and a timing and voltage control circuit configured to generate an equalization (EQ) signal to be applied to a gate of the switch transistor. The EQ waveform has a level being an EQ high level, an EQ low level lower than the EQ high level, or an EQ clamped level between the EQ low level and the EQ high level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Ting Hu, Shin-Jang Shen, Yi-Ching Liu
  • Publication number: 20150123192
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridge-shaped stacks, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as strings which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. Diodes are connected to the bit line structures at either the string select of common source select ends of the strings. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the ridge-shaped stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of ridge-shaped stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips on the stacks and the conductive lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 9024374
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridges, in some embodiments ridge-shaped, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as bit lines which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of stacks. The conductive lines conform to the surface of the stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the semiconductor material strips on the stacks and the conductive lines. The memory elements are programmable, like the anti-fuses or charge trapping structures. In some embodiments, the 3D memory is made using only two critical masks for multiple layers. Some embodiments include a staircase-shaped structure positioned at ends of the semiconductor material strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Hang-Ting Lue, Shin-Jang Shen
  • Publication number: 20150054057
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridges, in some embodiments ridge-shaped, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as bit lines which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of stacks. The conductive lines conform to the surface of the stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the semiconductor material strips on the stacks and the conductive lines. The memory elements are programmable, like the anti-fuses or charge trapping structures. In some embodiments, the 3D memory is made using only two critical masks for multiple layers. Some embodiments include a staircase-shaped structure positioned at ends of the semiconductor material strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Hsiung Hung, Hang-Ting Lue, Shin-Jang Shen
  • Patent number: 8947936
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a plurality of ridge-shaped stacks, in the form of multiple strips of conductive material separated by insulating material, arranged as strings which can be coupled through decoding circuits to sense amplifiers. Diodes are connected to the bit line structures at either the string select of common source select ends of the strings. The strips of conductive material have side surfaces on the sides of the ridge-shaped stacks. A plurality of conductive lines arranged as word lines which can be coupled to row decoders, extends orthogonally over the plurality of ridge-shaped stacks. Memory elements lie in a multi-layer array of interface regions at cross-points between side surfaces of the conductive strips on the stacks and the conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shin-Jang Shen, Hang-Ting Lue