Patents by Inventor Shunichi IGAHARA
Shunichi IGAHARA 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).
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Patent number: 11954357Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller. The nonvolatile memory includes blocks each including memory cells. The memory controller is configured to control access to the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller is configured to: set a first block, among the plurality of blocks, to be written in a first mode, the first mode being a mode in which data of a first number of bits is written into the memory cell, and set a plurality of second blocks, among the plurality of blocks, to be written in a second mode, the second mode being a mode in which data of a second number of bits is written into the memory cell, the second number being larger than the first number; acquire access information related to the second blocks; and change a writing mode of the first block which has been set in the first mode to the second mode when a first condition of the second blocks based on the access information is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko Amaki, Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida, Yoshihisa Kojima, Riki Suzuki
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Publication number: 20230367487Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a memory controller. The non-volatile memory includes a first block that includes first and second sub-blocks. The memory controller instructs the non-volatile memory to execute a data erase process in units of sub-blocks on data stored in the non-volatile memory. In response to a first value corresponding to the first sub-block having reached a first threshold value, the memory controller reads first data from the first sub-block, executes an error correction process on the first data read from the first sub-block, and writes the first data on which the error correction process has been executed into the non-volatile memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida
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Publication number: 20230342051Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory. The controller selects a write mode from a first mode in which data having N bits is written per one memory cell and a second mode in which data having M bits is written per one memory cell. N is equal to or larger than one. M is larger than N. The controller writes data into the nonvolatile memory in the selected write mode. The controller selects either the first mode or the second mode at least based on a total number of logical addresses mapped in a physical address space of the nonvolatile memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATIONInventors: Shunichi IGAHARA, Toshikatsu HIDA, Riki SUZUKI, Takehiko AMAKI, Suguru NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA
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Patent number: 11789643Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes non-volatile memory and volatile memory. A controller encodes a first unit size data portion to be written into the non-volatile memory and generates a first error correction code for the data portion, then writes the data portion into the non-volatile memory. The controller also stores the first error correction code in the volatile memory. When non-volatilization of an error correction code protect the data portion is requested, the controller encodes the data portion to generate a second error correction code for the data portion, and then writes the second error correction code into the non-volatile memory. The second error correction code is smaller in size than the first error correction code.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Takehiko Amaki
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Patent number: 11749350Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory medium includes a first memory cell, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a row decoder coupled to the first word line. A write operation is executed multiple times on the first memory cell within a first period from after an execution of an erase operation to an execution of a next erase operation. The write operation includes at least one of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. In the verify operation, the row decoder applies a verify voltage to the first word line. The verify voltage is set in accordance with a number of executed write operations on the first memory cell within the first period.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara
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Patent number: 11740965Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller that includes a toggle encoder configured to encode first data having a first bit length and a first number of toggles, into second data having a second bit length longer than the first bit length and a second number of toggles smaller than the first number of toggles, and transmit the second data to the non-volatile memory. The memory system may further include a toggle decoder configured to decode third data received from the non-volatile memory into fourth data, the third data having the second bit length and the second number of toggles and the fourth data having the first bit length and the first number of toggles.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa
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Patent number: 11733888Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a controller electrically connected to the nonvolatile memory. The controller selects a write mode from a first mode in which data having N bits is written per one memory cell and a second mode in which data having M bits is written per one memory cell. N is equal to or larger than one. M is larger than N. The controller writes data into the nonvolatile memory in the selected write mode. The controller selects either the first mode or the second mode at least based on a total number of logical addresses mapped in a physical address space of the nonvolatile memory.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida, Riki Suzuki, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima
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Patent number: 11734112Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, a random access memory and a controller. When writing n?1 data portions of a first unit that are included in n?1 error correction code frames of a first size, respectively, in the nonvolatile memory, the controller generates a second error correction code that constitutes an error correction code frame of a second size together with the n?1 data portions of the first unit and a second data portion to be written into the nonvolatile memory by encoding the n?1 data portions of the first unit and the second data portion, and writes the second data portion and the second error correction code into the nonvolatile memory.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko Amaki, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
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Patent number: 11727998Abstract: A memory system comprises a nonvolatile memory having a plurality of memory cells and a memory controller for controlling the nonvolatile memory. The plurality of memory cells is divided into different groups, and each group is assigned a threshold read count value from a predetermined range of read count values. The memory controller includes a counter which tracks a read count for each group, a determination circuit configured to compare the read count for each group tracked by the counter to the assigned threshold read count value for the group, and a nonvolatile memory read/write circuit configured to read data from the group when the determination circuit indicates the read count for the group has reached the assigned threshold read count value.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Shigehiro Asano, Neil Buxton, Julien Margetts, Shunichi Igahara, Takehiko Amaki
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Publication number: 20230145598Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory medium includes a first memory cell, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a row decoder coupled to the first word line. A write operation is executed multiple times on the first memory cell within a first period from after an execution of an erase operation to an execution of a next erase operation. The write operation includes at least one of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. In the verify operation, the row decoder applies a verify voltage to the first word line. The verify voltage is set in accordance with a number of executed write operations on the first memory cell within the first period.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Takehiko AMAKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Shunichi IGAHARA
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Patent number: 11615851Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory medium includes a first memory cell, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a row decoder coupled to the first word line. A write operation is executed multiple times on the first memory cell within a first period from after an execution of an erase operation to an execution of a next erase operation. The write operation includes at least one of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. In the verify operation, the row decoder applies a verify voltage to the first word line. The verify voltage is set in accordance with a number of executed write operations on the first memory cell within the first period.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara
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Publication number: 20230073249Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes non-volatile memory and volatile memory. A controller encodes a first unit size data portion to be written into the non-volatile memory and generates a first error correction code for the data portion, then writes the data portion into the non-volatile memory. The controller also stores the first error correction code in the volatile memory. When non-volatilization of an error correction code protect the data portion is requested, the controller encodes the data portion to generate a second error correction code for the data portion, and then writes the second error correction code into the non-volatile memory. The second error correction code is smaller in size than the first error correction code.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Toshikatsu HIDA, Shunichi IGAHARA, Takehiko AMAKI
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Publication number: 20220358011Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, a random access memory and a controller. When writing n?1 data portions of a first unit that are included in n?1 error correction code frames of a first size, respectively, in the nonvolatile memory, the controller generates a second error correction code that constitutes an error correction code frame of a second size together with the n?1 data portions of the first unit and a second data portion to be written into the nonvolatile memory by encoding the n?1 data portions of the first unit and the second data portion, and writes the second data portion and the second error correction code into the nonvolatile memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko AMAKI, Toshikatsu HIDA, Shunichi IGAHARA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Suguru NISHIKAWA
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Publication number: 20220300190Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller. The nonvolatile memory includes blocks each including memory cells. The memory controller is configured to control access to the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller is configured to: set a first block, among the plurality of blocks, to be written in a first mode, the first mode being a mode in which data of a first number of bits is written into the memory cell, and set a plurality of second blocks, among the plurality of blocks, to be written in a second mode, the second mode being a mode in which data of a second number of bits is written into the memory cell, the second number being larger than the first number; acquire access information related to the second blocks; and change a writing mode of the first block which has been set in the first mode to the second mode when a first condition of the second blocks based on the access information is satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko AMAKI, Shunichi IGAHARA, Toshikatsu HIDA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Riki SUZUKI
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Publication number: 20220300185Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage device comprises a nonvolatile memory, and a controller configured to perform a first data write operation in a first mode, and to perform a second data write operation in a second mode. Data of a first number of bits is written per memory cell in the first mode. Data of a second number of bits is written per memory cell in the second mode. The second number is larger than the first number. The controller reserves one or more free blocks as write destination block candidates of the first data write operation, perform the first data write operation for one of the write destination block candidates, and perform a garbage collection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko AMAKI, Shunichi IGAHARA, Toshikatsu HIDA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA
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Patent number: 11442808Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, a random access memory and a controller. When writing n?1 data portions of a first unit that are included in n?1 error correction code frames of a first size, respectively, in the nonvolatile memory, the controller generates a second error correction code that constitutes an error correction code frame of a second size together with the n?1 data portions of the first unit and a second data portion to be written into the nonvolatile memory by encoding the n?1 data portions of the first unit and the second data portion, and writes the second data portion and the second error correction code into the nonvolatile memory.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko Amaki, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
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Patent number: 11436136Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a non-volatile memory including first and second block groups, and a controller that performs a first write operation for the first block group and the first or a second write operation for the second block group. A first or second number of bits is written into a memory cell in the first or the second write operation. The second number of bits is larger than the first number of bits. The controller allocates a block to a buffer as a write destination block in the first write operation based on a degree of wear-out of at least one block, and writes data from an external device into the buffer in the first write operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takehiko Amaki, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
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Publication number: 20220261174Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a non-volatile memory, and a memory controller. The memory controller receives a write request for data, and determines a unit of a logical-to-physical address conversion which is a conversion between a logical address associated with the data and a physical address of the non-volatile memory into which the data is to be written, according to a size of the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Shunichi IGAHARA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Takehiko AMAKI, Suguru NISHIKAWA
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Patent number: 11355197Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory having a plurality of memory cells, and a controller configured to carry out write operations in a first mode in which n-bit data is written per target memory cell of the non-volatile memory until an allowable data amount of data items has been written, and then, in a second mode in which m-bit data is written per target memory cell of the non-volatile memory, where n is an integer of one or more and m is an integer greater than n. The controller is further configured to detect that an idle state, in which a command has not been received from the host, has continued for a threshold period of time or more, increase the allowable data amount in response thereto, and after the increase, carry out a write operation to write data items in the non-volatile memory in the first mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATIONInventors: Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida
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Patent number: 11342026Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory medium includes a first memory cell, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a row decoder coupled to the first word line. A write operation is executed multiple times on the first memory cell within a first period from after an execution of an erase operation to an execution of a next erase operation. The write operation includes at least one of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. In the verify operation, the row decoder applies a verify voltage to the first word line. The verify voltage is set in accordance with a number of executed write operations on the first memory cell within the first period.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara