Patents by Inventor Toshikatsu Hida

Toshikatsu Hida 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: 10824353
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida, Riki Suzuki, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 10818358
    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 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Riki Suzuki, Masanobu Shirakawa, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Patent number: 10803930
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system comprising includes a semiconductor memory and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to obtain first data read from the semiconductor memory using a first voltage, obtain second data read from the semiconductor memory using a second voltage, calculate a first value for a first section of the first data using the first data and the second data, calculate a second value for a second section of the first data using the first data and the second data, calculate a third value for a third section of the first data using the first data and the second data, and correct an error of the first data using the first to third values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyooka, Yoshihisa Kojima, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Patent number: 10777283
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory including memory cells and a memory controller configured to perform a first tracking process to determine a first voltage, and to read data using the first voltage in a read process after the first tracking process. In the first tracking process, the memory controller is configured to read only first, second, and third data respectively using a second, third, and fourth voltage, determine a number of first memory cells based on the first and second data, determine a number of second memory cells based on the second and third data, and determine the first voltage, based on the number of first and second memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Asami, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Patent number: 10770147
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a word line and a plurality of memory cells connected to the word line, and a controller configured to transmit to the nonvolatile memory, a command that causes the nonvolatile memory to search for an optimum read voltage for the plurality of memory cells connected to the word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shohei Asami, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Patent number: 10756764
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system encodes a plurality of data frames written in the same block in an inter-frame direction and generates first parity data, encodes the first parity data in the inter-frame direction and generates second parity data, generates a plurality of pieces of first frame data by concatenating at least a part of the first or second parity data with each of the plurality of data frames, encodes each of the plurality of pieces of first frame data in an intra-frame direction and generates a plurality of third parity data, and writes a plurality of pieces of second frame data obtained by concatenating each of the plurality of pieces of first frame data and each of the plurality of pieces of third parity data in a plurality of pages in the same block in the non-volatile memory one by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Uchikawa, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Publication number: 20200211654
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory including memory cells and a memory controller configured to perform a first tracking process to determine a first voltage, and to read data using the first voltage in a read process after the first tracking process. In the first tracking process, the memory controller is configured to read only first, second, and third data respectively using a second, third, and fourth voltage, determine a number of first memory cells based on the first and second data, determine a number of second memory cells based on the second and third data, and determine the first voltage, based on the number of first and second memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Asami, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Publication number: 20200194075
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Shunichi IGAHARA, Toshikatsu HIDA
  • Patent number: 10665305
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller of a host causes a memory device to transit from a first state that is an active state to a second state that is a sleep state in a case where there is no access to the memory device for a first time or more. The controller causes the memory device to transit from the second state to the first state in a case where there is no access to the memory device for a second time or more after the transition to the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yao, Riki Suzuki, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Publication number: 20200133496
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks as data erase units, a measuring unit which measures an erase time at which data of each block is erased, and a block controller which writes data supplied from at least an exterior into a first block which is set in a free state and whose erase time is oldest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya KITSUNAI, Shinichi KANNO, Hirokuni YANO, Toshikatsu HIDA, Junji YANO
  • Patent number: 10614888
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Publication number: 20200089415
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory as a nonvolatile memory storing first data, second data as a translation table for accessing the first data, third data, fourth data as a translation table for accessing the third data, and including two memory cell arrays which are accessible in parallel, a second memory in which the second and fourth data is storable, and which stores a management table for managing information about whether the second and fourth data is stored in the second memory, a controller checking whether the second and fourth data is stored in the second memory based on the management table, a third memory storing an order of executing commands to be issued to the first memory, and a scheduler scheduling the order based on a result of the checking, two of a first command for reading the first data, a second command for reading the second data, a third command for reading the third data and a fourth command for reading the fourth data being executed in parallel in t
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Sayano AGA, Toshikatsu HIDA, Riki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20200083240
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes blocks each containing memory cells. The controller is configured to instruct the semiconductor memory to execute a first operation and a second operation. In the first operation and the second operation, the semiconductor memory selects at least one of the blocks, and applies at least one voltage to all memory cells contained in said selected blocks. A number of blocks to which said voltage is applied per unit time in the second operation is larger than that in the first operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko AMAKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Toshikatsu HIDA, Marie Grace Izabelle Ange SIA, Riki SUZUKI, Shohei ASAMI
  • Patent number: 10558360
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks as data erase units, a measuring unit which measures an erase time at which data of each block is erased, and a block controller which writes data supplied from at least an exterior into a first block which is set in a free state and whose erase time is oldest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Kitsunai, Shinichi Kanno, Hirokuni Yano, Toshikatsu Hida, Junji Yano
  • Patent number: 10545691
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller executes first refreshing in a case where a first value of a first block is larger than a first threshold and less than a second threshold. The first refreshing includes reprogramming a plurality of second memory cells among a plurality of first memory cells included in the first block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Riki Suzuki, Toshikatsu Hida, Tokumasa Hara
  • Patent number: 10529730
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a semiconductor memory and a controller. The semiconductor memory includes blocks each containing memory cells. The controller is configured to instruct the semiconductor memory to execute a first operation and a second operation. In the first operation and the second operation, the semiconductor memory selects at least one of the blocks, and applies at least one voltage to all memory cells contained in said selected blocks. A number of blocks to which said voltage is applied per unit time in the second operation is larger than that in the first operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Toshikatsu Hida, Marie Grace Izabelle Angeles Sia, Riki Suzuki, Shohei Asami
  • Patent number: 10521129
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory as a nonvolatile memory storing first data, second data as a translation table for accessing the first data, third data, fourth data as a translation table for accessing the third data, and including two memory cell arrays which are accessible in parallel, a second memory in which the second and fourth data is storable, and which stores a management table for managing information about whether the second and fourth data is stored in the second memory, a controller checking whether the second and fourth data is stored in the second memory based on the management table, a third memory storing an order of executing commands to be issued to the first memory, and a scheduler scheduling the order based on a result of the checking, two of a first command for reading the first data, a second command for reading the second data, a third command for reading the third data and a fourth command for reading the fourth data being executed in parallel in t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Sayano Aga, Toshikatsu Hida, Riki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20190332285
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory including a first memory region for storing start-up information and a second memory region for storing a copy of the start-up information, a volatile semiconductor memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether or not an address of the second memory region is stored in the volatile semiconductor memory, issue a first start-up read command, which designates no read address, to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory to read the start-up information from the first memory region if the address of the second memory region is not stored in the volatile semiconductor memory, and issue a second start-up read command, which designates the address of the second memory region as a read address, to read the start-up information from the second memory region if the address of the second memory region is stored in the volatile semiconductor memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Riki SUZUKI, Toshikatsu HIDA, Takehiko AMAKI, Shunichi IGAHARA
  • Patent number: 10437490
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory including a first memory region for storing start-up information and a second memory region for storing a copy of the start-up information, a volatile semiconductor memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether or not an address of the second memory region is stored in the volatile semiconductor memory, issue a first start-up read command, which designates no read address, to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory to read the start-up information from the first memory region if the address of the second memory region is not stored in the volatile semiconductor memory, and issue a second start-up read command, which designates the address of the second memory region as a read address, to read the start-up information from the second memory region if the address of the second memory region is stored in the volatile semiconductor memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riki Suzuki, Toshikatsu Hida, Takehiko Amaki, Shunichi Igahara
  • Patent number: 10432231
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory areas and controller circuit including an error correction code encoder. The error correction code encoder encodes a first data to generate a first parity in a first operation and encodes a second data to generate a second parity in a second operation. The controller circuit writes the first data and the first parity into a first memory area among the plurality of memory areas and writes the second data and the second parity into a second memory area among the plurality of memory areas. The size of the second data is smaller than the size of the first data and the size of the second parity is equal to the size of the first parity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riki Suzuki, Toshikatsu Hida, Osamu Torii, Hiroshi Yao, Kiyotaka Iwasaki