Patents by Inventor Tomoharu Tanaka

Tomoharu Tanaka 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: 20180342299
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamada, TOMOHARU TANAKA
  • Patent number: 10109358
    Abstract: Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of 5 first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining 10 the first memory cells in the bit line direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10096358
    Abstract: A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180261283
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes an electrically data rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell and a write circuit for writing data in the memory cell, the write circuit writing a data in the memory cells by supplying a write voltage Vpgm and a write control voltage VBL to the memory cell, continuing the writing of the data in the memory cell by changing the value of the write control voltage VBL in response to an advent of a first write state of the memory cell and inhibiting any operation of writing a data to the memory cell by further changing the value of the write control voltage VBL to Vdd in response to an advent of a second write state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 10056149
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamada, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180158529
    Abstract: Embodiments describe techniques and configurations for an apparatus including a three-dimensional (3D) memory array having a plurality of strings of memory cells, where individual strings may have memory cells that correspond to different memory blocks (e.g., multiple memory blocks per string). For example, a first set of memory cells of a string may be included in a first memory block, and a second set of memory cells of the string may be included in a second memory block. The memory device may include separator wordlines disposed between wordlines associated with the first memory block and wordlines associated with the second memory block. The separator wordlines may receive different bias voltages during various operations of the memory device. Additionally, a wordline biasing scheme may be selected to program the first memory block based on whether the second memory block is programmed. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Akira Goda, Graham Richard Wolstenholme, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9990987
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes an electrically data rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell and a write circuit for writing data in the memory cell, the write circuit writing a data in the memory cells by supplying a write voltage Vpgm and a write control voltage VBL to the memory cell, continuing the writing of the data in the memory cell by changing the value of the write control voltage VBL in response to an advent of a first write state of the memory cell and inhibiting any operation of writing a data to the memory cell by further changing the value of the write control voltage VBL to Vdd in response to an advent of a second write state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Jian Chen
  • Publication number: 20180122488
    Abstract: Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of 5 first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining 10 the first memory cells in the bit line direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru SHIBATA, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180096723
    Abstract: A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9881681
    Abstract: Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of 5 first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining 10 the first memory cells in the bit line direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9858992
    Abstract: A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9823880
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a storage device comprising a NAND flash memory array, the storage device to program, during a first programming pass, a plurality of cells of a first wordline of the NAND flash memory array to store a first page of data; initiate a read of the first page of data prior to completion of loading of a second page of data to be programmed during a second programming pass; and program, during the second programming pass, the plurality of cells of the first wordline of the NAND flash memory array to store the first page of data and the second page of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Kawai, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20170309329
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes an electrically data rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell and a write circuit for writing data in the memory cell, the write circuit writing a data in the memory cells by supplying a write voltage Vpgm and a write control voltage VBL to the memory cell, continuing the writing of the data in the memory cell by changing the value of the write control voltage VBL in response to an advent of a first write state of the memory cell and inhibiting any operation of writing a data to the memory cell by further changing the value of the write control voltage VBL to Vdd in response to an advent of a second write state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 9786375
    Abstract: Embodiments describe techniques and configurations for an apparatus including a three-dimensional (3D) memory array having a plurality of strings of memory cells, where individual strings may have memory cells that correspond to different memory blocks (e.g., multiple memory blocks per string). For example, a first set of memory cells of a string may be included in a first memory block, and a second set of memory cells of the string may be included in a second memory block. The memory device may include separator wordlines disposed between wordlines associated with the first memory block and wordlines associated with the second memory block. The separator wordlines may receive different bias voltages during various operations of the memory device. Additionally, a wordline biasing scheme may be selected to program the first memory block based on whether the second memory block is programmed. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Goda, Graham Richard Wolstenholme, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9734899
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes an electrically data rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell and a write circuit for writing data in the memory cell, the write circuit writing a data in the memory cells by supplying a write voltage Vpgm and a write control voltage VBL to the memory cell, continuing the writing of the data in the memory cell by changing the value of the write control voltage VBL in response to an advent of a first write state of the memory cell and inhibiting any operation of writing a data to the memory cell by further changing the value of the write control voltage VBL to Vdd in response to an advent of a second write state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Tomoharu Tanaka, Jian Chen
  • Publication number: 20170178721
    Abstract: A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Noboru SHIBATA, Tomoharu TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9653171
    Abstract: Apparatuses may include a memory block with strings of memory cells formed in a plurality of tiers. The apparatus may further comprise access lines and data lines shared by the strings, with the access lines coupled to the memory cells corresponding to a respective tier of the plurality of tiers. The memory cells corresponding to at least a portion of the respective tier may comprise a respective page of a plurality of pages. Subsets of the data lines may be mapped into a respective partial page of a plurality of partial pages of the respective page. Each partial page may be independently selectable from other partial pages. Additional apparatuses and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Abraham, Tomoharu Tanaka, Koichi Kawai, Yuichi Einaga
  • Publication number: 20170125106
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices and methods include a flash memory cell array fabricated in a well, with memory cells in the same column connected to each other in series and connected to a respective bit line. The memory devices also include a column decoder, a data register buffer unit, a row decoder, an erase control unit, and an input/output buffer unit. In one or more embodiments, the erase control unit applies voltages to the well to erase the memory cells in a manner that avoids breaking down p-n junctions formed by transistors fabricated in the well. In another embodiment, high voltage transistors are used to selectively isolate the bit lines from and couple the bit lines to a peripheral circuit in pairs so that each high voltage transistor is shared by two bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: SHIGEKAZU YAMADA, TOMOHARU TANAKA
  • Patent number: 9627048
    Abstract: A memory cell array is configured to have a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of the memory cells being connected to a word line and a bit line and being capable of storing n values (n is a natural number equal to or larger than 3). A control circuit controls the potentials of the word line and bit line according to input data and writes data into a memory cell. The control circuit writes data into the memory cell to a k-valued threshold voltage (k<=n) in a write operation, precharges the bit line once, and then changes the potential of the word line an i number of times to verify whether the memory cell has reached an i-valued (i<=k) threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Noboru Shibata, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20170076805
    Abstract: Embodiments describe techniques and configurations for an apparatus including a three-dimensional (3D) memory array having a plurality of strings of memory cells, where individual strings may have memory cells that correspond to different memory blocks (e.g., multiple memory blocks per string). For example, a first set of memory cells of a string may be included in a first memory block, and a second set of memory cells of the string may be included in a second memory block. The memory device may include separator wordlines disposed between wordlines associated with the first memory block and wordlines associated with the second memory block. The separator wordlines may receive different bias voltages during various operations of the memory device. Additionally, a wordline biasing scheme may be selected to program the first memory block based on whether the second memory block is programmed. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Akira Goda, Graham Richard Wolstenholme, Tomoharu Tanaka