Patents by Inventor Tomohito Tsushima

Tomohito Tsushima 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: 9530469
    Abstract: An integrated circuit system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: an integrated circuit die; a non-volatile memory cell in the integrated circuit die and having a bit line for reading a data condition state of the non-volatile memory cell; and a voltage clamp in the integrated circuit die, the voltage clamp having a semiconductor switch connected to the bit line for reducing voltage excursions on the bit line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Publication number: 20160267978
    Abstract: Memory devices and memory operational methods are described. One example memory system includes a common conductor and a plurality of memory cells coupled with the common conductor. The memory system additionally includes access circuitry configured to provide different ones of the memory cells into one of a plurality of different memory states at a plurality of different moments in time between first and second moments in time. The access circuitry is further configured to maintain the common conductor at a voltage potential, which corresponds to the one memory state, between the first and second moments in time to provide the memory cells into the one memory state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino
  • Publication number: 20160203861
    Abstract: Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitigawa, Jun Sumino, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 9349450
    Abstract: Memory devices and memory operational methods are described. One example memory system includes a common conductor and a plurality of memory cells coupled with the common conductor. The memory system additionally includes access circuitry configured to provide different ones of the memory cells into one of a plurality of different memory states at a plurality of different moments in time between first and second moments in time. The access circuitry is further configured to maintain the common conductor at a voltage potential, which corresponds to the one memory state, between the first and second moments in time to provide the memory cells into the one memory state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino
  • Patent number: 9293196
    Abstract: Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitigawa, Jun Sumino, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20150294719
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a resistive storage element having a high resistance state and a low resistance state; coupling an analog multiplexer to the resistive storage element for applying a bias voltage; and switching between a verification bias and a read bias through the analog multiplexer for increasing a read margin between the high resistance state and the low resistance state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Jun Sumino, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 9153317
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system including: providing a resistive storage element having a transformation layer; activating a write driver, coupled to the resistive storage element, for applying a bias voltage to the transformation layer; monitoring a resistance of the resistive storage element by a sense amplifier; and detecting a conductive thread, formed in the transformation layer, by the sense amplifier for reducing a level of the bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Takafumi Kunihiro, Jun Sumino, Wataru Otsuka
  • Publication number: 20150234603
    Abstract: A memory device comprising a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells, two or more fuses coupled to the memory array, wherein each of the two or more fuses contains trim data for the memory array and a mode register for selecting one of the two or more fuses to be enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro, Wataru Otsuka, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Patent number: 9093147
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for charge transfer comprising a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cell, coupled to a common source voltage line (CSL) for controlling state of the ReRAM cell, and a charge transfer circuit, coupled to the memory cell through the CSL and a charge consumption circuit, for transferring charge from the CSL to the charge consumption circuit when the state of the memory cell is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Patent number: 9070441
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a resistive storage element having a high resistance state and a low resistance state; coupling an analog multiplexer to the resistive storage element for applying a bias voltage; and switching between a verification bias and a read bias through the analog multiplexer for increasing a read margin between the high resistance state and the low resistance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Jun Sumino, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Patent number: 9007837
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a control field effect transistor having a source electrode and a body-tie electrode; coupling a resistive storage element to the source electrode; and opening a well switch coupled to the body-tie electrode for increasing a well voltage and resetting the resistive storage element by the source electrode floating on the well voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Wataru Otsuka, Jun Sumino, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Patent number: 8981325
    Abstract: A memory device 10 has an arrangement in which a memory thin film 4 is sandwiched between first and second electrodes 2 and 6, the memory thin film 6 contains at least rare earth elements, the memory thin film 4 or a layer 3 in contact with the memory thin film 4 contains any one of elements selected from Cu, Ag, Zn and the memory thin film 4 or the layer 3 in contact with the memory thin film 4 contains any one of elements selected from Te, S, Se. The memory device can record and read information with ease stably, and this memory device can be manufactured easily by a relatively simple manufacturing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Aratani, Akihiro Maesaka, Akira Kouchiyama, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Publication number: 20140362633
    Abstract: Memory devices and memory operational methods are described. One example memory system includes a common conductor and a plurality of memory cells coupled with the common conductor. The memory system additionally includes access circuitry configured to provide different ones of the memory cells into one of a plurality of different memory states at a plurality of different moments in time between first and second moments in time. The access circuitry is further configured to maintain the common conductor at a voltage potential, which corresponds to the one memory state, between the first and second moments in time to provide the memory cells into the one memory state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitagawa, Jun Sumino
  • Publication number: 20140355329
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for charge transfer comprising a resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cell, coupled to a common source voltage line (CSL) for controlling state of the ReRAM cell, and a charge transfer circuit, coupled to the memory cell through the CSL and a charge consumption circuit, for transferring charge from the CSL to the charge consumption circuit when the state of the memory cell is modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: MAKOTO KITAGAWA, WATARU OTSUKA, TAKAFUMI KUNIHIRO, TOMOHITO TSUSHIMA
  • Patent number: 8884397
    Abstract: A memory device 10 having an arrangement in which a memory thin film is sandwiched between first and second electrodes, the memory thin film contains at least rare earth elements, the memory thin film 4 or a layer in contact with the memory thin film contains any one of elements selected from Cu, Ag, Zn and the memory thin film or the layer in contact with the memory thin film contains any one of elements selected from Te, S, Se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Aratani, Akihiro Maesaka, Akira Kouchiyama, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Patent number: 8842463
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes: a plurality of storage elements configured to have the resistance state thereof changed in accordance with an applied voltage; and a drive portion configured to perform a resistance change operation and a read operation, the resistance change operation involving writing or erasing information to or from the storage elements by changing the resistance state thereof, the read operation involving reading the information from the storage elements; wherein the drive portion includes an amplifier configured to output a read signal upon execution of the read operation, a constant current load, and a control portion configured to perform the resistance change operation and a direct verify operation on the storage elements, the direct verify operation involving carrying out, subsequent to the resistance change operation, the read operation for verifying whether the writing or erasing of the information to or from the storage elements has been normally accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tsunenori Shiimoto, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Publication number: 20140268975
    Abstract: An integrated circuit system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: an integrated circuit die; a non-volatile memory cell in the integrated circuit die and having a bit line for reading a data condition state of the non-volatile memory cell; and a voltage clamp in the integrated circuit die, the voltage clamp having a semiconductor switch connected to the bit line for reducing voltage excursions on the bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro
  • Publication number: 20140268992
    Abstract: Memory cells, memory systems and methods are described. In one embodiment, a memory cell includes electrodes and a memory element, and a first electrically conductive structure is formed within dielectric material providing the memory element in a low resistance state as a result of a first voltage of a first polarity being applied across the electrodes. Additionally, the first electrically conductive structure is removed from the dielectric material providing the memory element in a high resistance state as a result of a second voltage of a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, being applied across the electrodes. A permanent and irreversible electrically conductive structure is formed within the dielectric material providing the memory element in the low resistance state as a result of a third voltage of the second polarity and having an increased potential compared with the second voltage being applied across the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Wataru Otsuka, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima, Makoto Kitigawa, Jun Sumino, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20140226390
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: providing a control field effect transistor having a source electrode and a body-tie electrode; coupling a resistive storage element to the source electrode; and opening a well switch coupled to the body-tie electrode for increasing a well voltage and resetting the resistive storage element by the source electrode floating on the well voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Wataru Otsuka, Jun Sumino, Takafumi Kunihiro, Tomohito Tsushima
  • Publication number: 20140177317
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system including: providing a resistive storage element having a transformation layer; activating a write driver, coupled to the resistive storage element, for applying a bias voltage to the transformation layer; monitoring a resistance of the resistive storage element by a sense amplifier; and detecting a conductive thread, formed in the transformation layer, by the sense amplifier for reducing a level of the bias voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Makoto Kitagawa, Tomohito Tsushima, Takafumi Kunihiro, Jun Sumino, Wataru Otsuka