Patents by Inventor Tokumasa Hara

Tokumasa Hara 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: 20150380097
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device, and a controller which controls the memory device. The memory device includes a plurality of memory cells capable of rewriting data, a plurality of word lines connected to the plurality of memory cells, a page including the plurality of memory cells connected to the same word line, a plane including a plurality of pages, a memory cell array including a plurality of planes, and a plurality of word line drivers which apply voltages to the plurality of word lines, and a plurality of switches provided for each plane and which assigns the word line drivers to the word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Manabu SATO, Daiki WATANABE, Hiroshi SUKEGAWA, Tokumasa HARA, Hiroshi YAO, Naomi TAKEDA, Noboru SHIBATA, Takahiro SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20150357040
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory includes a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells configured to store 3-bit data corresponding to first to third pages. Data coding, in which first page data values have one boundary, and second and three page data values each have three boundaries, is used to perform a first stage program based on data written into first page d, a second stage program based on data written into the first, second, and third pages, and a third stage program based on data written into the first, second, and third pages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa HARA, Noboru Shibata
  • Patent number: 9177661
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device reads data in units of page. The device includes: a memory cell array; a plurality of latch circuits; and an arithmetic operation circuit. The memory cell array holds data multiplexed in at least three pages. The latch circuits read and hold the multiplexed data at a startup. The arithmetic operation circuit performs operations by use of the multiplexed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Naoya Tokiwa, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Hitoshi Iwai, Toshifumi Shano, Shirou Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150269992
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, three bits stored in one memory cell of a nonvolatile memory correspond to three pages. In first page writing, a threshold voltage becomes within a first or second region base on a bit value. In second page writing, if being within the first region, it becomes within the first or fourth region; and if being within the second region, it becomes within the second or third region. In the third page writing, if being within the first region, it becomes within the first or sixth region; if being within the second region, it becomes within the second or seventh region; if being within the third region, it becomes within the third or eighth region; and if being within the fourth region, it becomes within the fourth or fifth region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Noboru Shibata
  • Publication number: 20150262630
    Abstract: A memory device includes first and second memory cell arrays, and a control circuit configured to output first information indicating whether the first memory cell array is in a ready state in which the control circuit is ready to receive a command to access the first memory cell array or a busy state in which the control circuit is not ready to receive the command to access the first memory cell array, and second information indicating whether the second memory cell array is in a ready state in which the control circuit is ready to receive a command to access the second memory cell array or a busy state in which the control circuit is not ready to receive the command to access the second memory cell array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Tokumasa HARA
  • Publication number: 20150248322
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory controller includes a controller that is configured to, when notified of an error by one of memory chips at a time of power supply startup, transmit a first command including an address to the memory chip by which the error was notified, when notified of a normal end by the memory chip in which the first command was received, transmit a second command including an address to the memory chip by which the normal end was notified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Hitoshi Iwai, Naoya Tokiwa, Toshikatsu Hida, Yoshihisa Kojima, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Shirou Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150206590
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a controller. The system includes the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory cells; and the controller configured to control one of read operation, write operation, and a use frequency of the read operation or the write operation on the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and configured to change controlling for a memory cell belonging to a first group of the memory cells and to change controlling for a memory cell belonging to a second group located on an upper side or a lower side of the memory cell belonging to the first group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Haruka SAKUMA, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Tokumasa Hara, Hiroshi Yao, Shirou Fujita, Ikuo Magaki, Kiwamu Sakuma, Masumi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 9003261
    Abstract: A memory system includes a first nonvolatile memory, a second nonvolatile memory with a longer access latency than the first nonvolatile memory, a first error correction unit, a second error correction unit, and an interface. The first nonvolatile memory stores first data and a first error correction code generated for the first data. The second nonvolatile memory stores a second error correction code which is generated for the first data with a higher correction ability than that of the first error correction code. The first error correction unit performs error correction on the first data by using the first error correction code. The second error correction unit performs error correction on the first data by using the second error correction code. The interface transmits the first data after the error correction to a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ikuo Magaki, Naoto Oshiyama, Kenichiro Yoshii, Kosuke Hatsuda, Shirou Fujita, Tokumasa Hara, Kohei Oikawa, Kenta Yasufuku
  • Publication number: 20150052417
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a memory system includes multiple nonvolatile memories to/from each of which data can be written/read independently of one another; and a controller configured to control writing of data to and reading of data from the nonvolatile memories. Each of the nonvolatile memories includes a data storage including a normal data storage area for storing the data and a redundant data storage area for writing the data avoiding defect positions in the normal data storage area; and a defect information storage configured to store defect information indicating information on a defect of the data storage included in another nonvolatile memory different from the present nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yohei HASEGAWA, Shigehiro Asano, Tokumasa Hara
  • Publication number: 20150036434
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device reads data in units of page. The device includes: a memory cell array; a plurality of latch circuits; and an arithmetic operation circuit. The memory cell array holds data multiplexed in at least three pages. The latch circuits read and hold the multiplexed data at a startup. The arithmetic operation circuit performs operations by use of the multiplexed data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa HARA, Naoya Tokiwa, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Hitoshi Iwai, Toshifumi Shano, Shirou Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150036430
    Abstract: A controller controls a memory including first and second strings. The first and second strings configure first and second string groups, respectively. In each string group, a set of memory cell transistors each from each string configures a unit. The controller is configured to: sequentially write, in the first string group, data in first units to which serially-coupled memory cell transistors respectively belong; sequentially write, in the second string group, data in first units to which serially-coupled memory cell transistors respectively belong; and sequentially write, in the first string group, data in second units to which serially-coupled memory cell transistors respectively belong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sukegawa, Ikuo Magaki, Tokumasa Hara, Shirou Fujita
  • Patent number: 8924820
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory that includes memory cells each storing 3 bits, a control unit that writes data to the non-volatile semiconductor memory, and an encoding unit that generates a first parity for user data stored in the first page, a second parity for user data stored in the second page, and a third parity for user data stored in the third page. The user data, the first parity, the third parity, and a portion of the second parity are written to the non-volatile semiconductor memory by a first data coding and a portion of the second parity and a portion of the third parity are written to the non-volatile semiconductor memory by second data coding in which the first page is 0 bit, the second page is 2 bits, and the third page is 1 bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Osamu Torii
  • Publication number: 20140369127
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first string; a second string; and a controller. The first string is coupled with a first bit line and includes first memory cells. The second string is coupled with a second bit line and includes second memory cells. The controller executes writing first data into the first memory cells and writing second data into the second memory cells simultaneously. The controller reads data from the first and second strings after writing the first and second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa HARA, Naoya Tokiwa, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Hitoshi Iwai, Toshifumi Shano, Shirou Fujita
  • Patent number: 8902657
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of blocks. The blocks includes a first selection transistor, a second selection transistor, a plurality of memory cell transistors, a first selection gate line and a second selection gate line, and word lines. One of the blocks holds information on a word line, a first selection gate line and/or a second selection gate line including a short-circuiting defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hitoshi Iwai, Shirou Fujita, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Toshio Fujisawa, Tokumasa Hara
  • Patent number: 8902670
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes memory cell arrays each including blocks. The block is unit of erase and includes string-groups. Each string-group includes strings each including a first transistor, memory cell transistors, a second transistor coupled in series. The first transistor is connected to different bit line and the second transistor is connected to same source line. The memory cell arrays are provided with different respective block address signals. The memory cell arrays are provided with different respective string address signals. Each of the block address signals specifies one block. Each of the string address signals specifies one string-group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Toshio Fujisawa, Shirou Fujita, Masaki Unno, Masanobu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 8879349
    Abstract: A storage device according to an embodiment includes first and second non-volatile semiconductor memories. In addition, the storage device includes first controller that controls the first non-volatile memory to cause the first non-volatile memory to perform processes. In addition, the storage device includes second controller that controls the second non-volatile memory to cause the second non-volatile memory to perform processes. The storage device further includes a signal line which is connected to the first controller and the second controller and through which a token is transmitted between the first controller and the second controller. The first controller is capable of controlling the first non-volatile memory while holding the token and the second controller is capable of controlling the second non-volatile memory while holding the token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichiro Yoshii, Ikuo Magaki, Naoto Oshiyama, Tokumasa Hara, Akira Yamaga, Ryo Yamaki, Kenta Yasufuku, Naomi Takeda, Yu Nakanishi, Arata Miyamoto, Naoaki Kokubun, Daisuke Iwai
  • Patent number: 8826099
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory controller that controls a non-volatile semiconductor memory including a memory cell of 3 bits/cell includes a controller that extracts bits which becomes an error caused by the movement to the adjacent threshold voltage distribution from a first bit and a second bit of data to be written in each of the memory cells to generate a virtual page and an encoding unit that generate an error correcting code for the virtual page and writes the data for three pages and the error correcting code in the non-volatile semiconductor memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tokumasa Hara, Osamu Torii
  • Publication number: 20140245101
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory includes a memory cell unit, an encoding circuit that generates a first parity and a second parity for data, and a decoding circuit that performs error correction by using the data, the first parity, and the second parity, the first parity is generated by using a first generation polynomial for the data, the second parity is generated by using a second generation polynomial for the input data and the first parity, the second generation polynomial is selected based on the first generation polynomial, the data and the first parity is output to the outside, and the second parity is not output to the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tokumasa HARA, Osamu Torii, Yasukazu Kosaki
  • Publication number: 20140241096
    Abstract: A storage device according to an embodiment includes first and second non-volatile semiconductor memories. In addition, the storage device includes first controller that controls the first non-volatile memory to cause the first non-volatile memory to perform processes. In addition, the storage device includes second controller that controls the second non-volatile memory to cause the second non-volatile memory to perform processes. The storage device further includes a signal line which is connected to the first controller and the second controller and through which a token is transmitted between the first controller and the second controller. The first controller is capable of controlling the first non-volatile memory while holding the token and the second controller is capable of controlling the second non-volatile memory while holding the token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichiro YOSHII, Ikuo MAGAKI, Naoto OSHIYAMA, Tokumasa HARA, Akira YAMAGA, Ryo YAMAKI, Kenta YASUFUKU, Naomi TAKEDA, Yu NAKANISHI, Arata MIYAMOTO, Naoaki KOKUBUN, Daisuke IWAI
  • Patent number: 8730741
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory system includes a first semiconductor memory device, a second semiconductor memory device, and a wiring line. The wiring line is connected between the first semiconductor memory device and the second semiconductor memory device. When one of the first and second semiconductor memory devices discharges electric charge, the other of the first and second semiconductor memory devices receives the discharged electric charge through the wiring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Hiroshi Sukegawa, Tokumasa Hara