Patents by Inventor Suguru Nishikawa

Suguru Nishikawa 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: 20220342606
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device having a memory cell array, and a controller. The memory cell array includes a plurality of first units and at least one second unit. The second unit includes the plurality of first units. The controller counts a first number of times of read operation for each of the plurality of first units, and, in response to the first number of times for one first unit among the plurality of first units reaching a first value, updates a second number of times for the second unit that includes the one first unit. In response to the second number of times reaching a second value, the controller determines whether to rewrite data stored in at least one of the first units included in the second unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Takehiko AMAKI
  • Publication number: 20220328102
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes a memory cell, and a write circuit configured to write data to the memory cell by applying a program voltage to the memory cell and comparing a threshold voltage of the memory cell with a first reference voltage corresponding to the write data. The write circuit is configured to execute a first programming operation to obtain a value of a write parameter by comparing the threshold voltage with a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Riki SUZUKI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Toshikatsu HIDA
  • Patent number: 11442808
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Amaki, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11436136
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Amaki, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11422746
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device having a memory cell array, and a controller. The memory cell array includes a plurality of first units and at least one second unit. The second unit includes the plurality of first units. The controller counts a first number of times of read operation for each of the plurality of first units, and, in response to the first number of times for one first unit among the plurality of first units reaching a first value, updates a second number of times for the second unit that includes the one first unit. In response to the second number of times reaching a second value, the controller determines whether to rewrite data stored in at least one of the first units included in the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki
  • Publication number: 20220261174
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi IGAHARA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Takehiko AMAKI, Suguru NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 11410729
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes a memory cell, and a write circuit configured to write data to the memory cell by applying a program voltage to the memory cell and comparing a threshold voltage of the memory cell with a first reference voltage corresponding to the write data. The write circuit is configured to execute a first programming operation to obtain a value of a write parameter by comparing the threshold voltage with a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Riki Suzuki, Masanobu Shirakawa, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Publication number: 20220189561
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller configured to cause the nonvolatile memory to execute a first process of reading data based on a first request from a host device. The memory controller is configured to, when the first request is received from the host device while causing the nonvolatile memory to execute a second process, hold interruption of the second process until a first number becomes a first threshold value or more. The first number is a number of the first requests to be performed in the memory controller. The first threshold value is an integer of 2 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoya KAMATA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Suguru NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 11342026
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara
  • Publication number: 20220130462
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Takehiko AMAKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Shunichi IGAHARA
  • Publication number: 20220058085
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Shunichi IGAHARA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Takehiko AMAKI, Suguru NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 11244728
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara
  • Patent number: 11231874
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks, in each of which a plurality of memory cells is arranged between bit lines and a source line, and a memory controller configured to control an operation of the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller is configured to issue a warming command to the nonvolatile memory when a temperature of the nonvolatile memory is lower than a first temperature, and the nonvolatile memory, in response to the warming command, causes current to flow through at least one bit line connected to memory cells of a first block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Masanobu Shirakawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki
  • Patent number: 11194656
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20210349664
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory chip that includes a memory cell array, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to perform a read operation on the non-volatile memory chip by instructing the non-volatile memory chip to perform a sensing operation to read data stored in the memory cell array, estimating a time when the read data becomes ready to be transferred from the non-volatile memory chip to the memory controller, and instructing the non-volatile memory chip, after the estimated time, to perform a transfer operation to transfer the read data to the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Marie SIA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Suguru NISHIKAWA, Riki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20210286671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko AMAKI, Toshikatsu HIDA, Shunichi IGAHARA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Suguru NISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 11099783
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory chip that includes a memory cell array, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to perform a read operation on the non-volatile memory chip by instructing the non-volatile memory chip to perform a sensing operation to read data stored in the memory cell array, estimating a time when the read data becomes ready to be transferred from the non-volatile memory chip to the memory controller, and instructing the non-volatile memory chip, after the estimated time, to perform a transfer operation to transfer the read data to the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marie Sia, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa, Riki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20210257027
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Takehiko AMAKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Shunichi IGAHARA
  • Patent number: 11086718
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, a buffer, and a controller. The buffer can temporarily store a plurality of data bits to be written to the nonvolatile memory. The controller can write the plurality of data bits, read from the buffer, to the nonvolatile memory; write a plurality of intermediate parity bits to the buffer, but not to the nonvolatile memory, wherein each of the plurality of intermediate parity bits is associated with an error correction process on each of the plurality of data bits; and write, to the nonvolatile memory, an accumulated parity bit that is an integration of the plurality of intermediate parity bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riki Suzuki, Toshikatsu Hida, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11069413
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller that controls operation of the nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is configured to receive, from the memory controller, a first command for execution of at least one of an erase operation and a program operation; in response to receiving a second command from the memory controller during execution of a first operation requested by the first command, execute a second operation for suspending the first operation before the first operation reaches a given section; and in response to receiving a third command from the memory controller during the execution of the first operation, suspend the first operation after the given section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Riki Suzuki, Yoshihisa Kojima