Patents by Inventor Toshio Terano

Toshio Terano 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: 8520463
    Abstract: A memory macro includes: a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix; a plurality of word lines corresponding to rows of the plurality of memory cells; and a plurality of word line drivers configured to drive the plurality of word lines. The voltage of the word lines in their activated state is set to vary with threshold voltage characteristics of a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Sumitani, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 8345470
    Abstract: A control circuit supplies a word line drive voltage to one of m word lines which corresponds to a memory cell to which data is to be written, during a word line drive period including a first period and a second period following the first period, to decrease current capabilities of first and second load transistors included in the memory cell during the first period, and increase the current capabilities of the first and second load transistors during the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuji Satomi, Toshio Terano, Kazuhiro Takemura, Marefusa Kurumada
  • Publication number: 20120155211
    Abstract: A memory macro includes: a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix; a plurality of word lines corresponding to rows of the plurality of memory cells; and a plurality of word line drivers configured to drive the plurality of word lines. The voltage of the word lines in their activated state is set to vary with threshold voltage characteristics of a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: NORIHIKO SUMITANI, TOSHIO TERANO
  • Patent number: 8077530
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a holding circuit for holding memory data, and a read-only output circuit for outputting a signal corresponding to the data held by the holding circuit. The read-only output circuit has a read drive transistor controlled in accordance with a signal held by the holding circuit. A gate length of the read drive transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit. Alternatively, the read-only output circuit has a read access transistor controlled in accordance with a read word select signal, and a gate length of the read access transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikura, Marefusa Kurumada, Hiroaki Okuyama, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Publication number: 20110188327
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a holding circuit for holding memory data, and a read-only output circuit for outputting a signal corresponding to the data held by the holding circuit. The read-only output circuit has a read drive transistor controlled in accordance with a signal held by the holding circuit. A gate length of the read drive transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit. Alternatively, the read-only output circuit has a read access transistor controlled in accordance with a read word select signal, and a gate length of the read access transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi ISHIKURA, Marefusa Kurumada, Hiroaki Okuyama, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7948787
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a holding circuit for holding memory data, and a read-only output circuit for outputting a signal corresponding to the data held by the holding circuit. The read-only output circuit has a read drive transistor controlled in accordance with a signal held by the holding circuit. A gate length of the read drive transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit. Alternatively, the read-only output circuit has a read access transistor controlled in accordance with a read word select signal, and a gate length of the read access transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikura, Marefusa Kurumada, Hiroaki Okuyama, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Publication number: 20110103126
    Abstract: A control circuit supplies a word line drive voltage to one of m word lines which corresponds to a memory cell to which data is to be written, during a word line drive period including a first period and a second period following the first period, to decrease current capabilities of first and second load transistors included in the memory cell during the first period, and increase the current capabilities of the first and second load transistors during the second period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuji SATOMI, Toshio Terano, Kazuhiro Takemura, Marefusa Kurumada
  • Patent number: 7872893
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a hierarchical bit line structure includes memory cells and an amplification circuit for amplifying a signal read from one of the memory cells via a bit line. A cell N-well region in which the P-channel transistors of the memory cell are formed and an amplification-circuit N-well region in which the P-channel transistors of the amplification circuit are formed are formed continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Marefusa Kurumada, Satoshi Ishikura, Toshio Terano
  • Publication number: 20110007575
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a holding circuit for holding memory data, and a read-only output circuit for outputting a signal corresponding to the data held by the holding circuit. The read-only output circuit has a read drive transistor controlled in accordance with a signal held by the holding circuit. A gate length of the read drive transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit. Alternatively, the read-only output circuit has a read access transistor controlled in accordance with a read word select signal, and a gate length of the read access transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi ISHIKURA, Marefusa KURUMADA, Hiroaki OKUYAMA, Yoshinobu YAMAGAMI, Toshio TERANO
  • Patent number: 7839697
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a holding circuit for holding memory data, and a read-only output circuit for outputting a signal corresponding to the data held by the holding circuit. The read-only output circuit has a read drive transistor controlled in accordance with a signal held by the holding circuit. A gate length of the read drive transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit. Alternatively, the read-only output circuit has a read access transistor controlled in accordance with a read word select signal, and a gate length of the read access transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikura, Marefusa Kurumada, Hiroaki Okuyama, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7692955
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of SRAM memory cells; a characteristic measuring circuit including a plurality of transistor circuits connected in parallel; and a first terminal. The plurality of transistor circuits each include a first transistor configured in the same manner as one of transistors included in one of the SRAM memory cells. The first transistor is connected so as to control current between the first terminal and a node at a reference potential according to a voltage supplied to a gate of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Terada, Satoshi Ishikura, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7453118
    Abstract: To propose a new channel structure suitable for high efficiency source side injection, and provide a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a charge injection method using the same. The non-volatile memory device includes a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate (SUB), a first conductivity type inversion layer-forming region (CH1), second conductivity type accumulation layer-forming regions (ACLa, ACL2b), second conductivity type regions (S/D1, S/D2), an insulating film (GD0) and a first conductive layer (CL) formed on the inversion layer-forming region (CH1). A charge accumulation film (GD) and a second conductive layer (WL) are stacked on an upper surface and side surface of the first conductive layer (CL), an exposure surface of the inversion layer-forming region (CH1), and an upper surface of the accumulation layer-forming regions (ACLa, ACLb) and the second conductivity type regions (S/D1, S/D2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Tomiie, Toshio Terano, Toshio Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20080253171
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of SRAM memory cells; a characteristic measuring circuit including a plurality of transistor circuits connected in parallel; and a first terminal. The plurality of transistor circuits each include a first transistor configured in the same manner as one of transistors included in one of the SRAM memory cells. The first transistor is connected so as to control current between the first terminal and a node at a reference potential according to a voltage supplied to a gate of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Yutaka Terada, Satoshi Ishikura, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Publication number: 20080151606
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having a hierarchical bit line structure includes memory cells and an amplification circuit for amplifying a signal read from one of the memory cells via a bit line. A cell N-well region in which the P-channel transistors of the memory cell are formed and an amplification-circuit N-well region in which the P-channel transistors of the amplification circuit are formed are formed continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Marefusa KURUMADA, Satoshi Ishikura, Toshio Terano
  • Publication number: 20080151653
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a holding circuit for holding memory data, and a read-only output circuit for outputting a signal corresponding to the data held by the holding circuit. The read-only output circuit has a read drive transistor controlled in accordance with a signal held by the holding circuit. A gate length of the read drive transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit. Alternatively, the read-only output circuit has a read access transistor controlled in accordance with a read word select signal, and a gate length of the read access transistor is longer than a gate length of a transistor included in the holding circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Satoshi ISHIKURA, Marefusa Kurumada, Hiroaki Okuyama, Yoshinobu Yamagami, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7227255
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling word lines to be arranged at close intervals, comprising a plurality of memory transistors arranged in an array and a plurality of word lines serving also as gate electrodes of memory transistors in a same row, extending in a row direction, and repeating in a column direction, where insulating films are formed between the plurality of word lines to insulate and isolate the word lines from each other and where a dimension of separation of word lines is defined by the thickness of the insulating films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Nomoto, Toshio Kobayashi, Akihiro Nakamura, Ichiro Fujiwara, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7049180
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling word lines to be arranged at close intervals, comprising a plurality of memory transistors arranged in an array and a plurality of word lines serving also as gate electrodes of memory transistors in a same row, extending in a row direction, and repeating in a column direction, where insulating films are formed between the plurality of word lines to insulate and isolate the word lines from each other and where a dimension of separation of word lines is defined by the thickness of the insulating films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Nomoto, Toshio Kobayashi, Akihiro Nakamura, Ichiro Fujiwara, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7023061
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling word lines to be arranged at close intervals, comprising a plurality of memory transistors arranged in an array and a plurality of word lines serving also as gate electrodes of memory transistors in a same row, extending in a row direction, and repeating in a column direction, where insulating films are formed between the plurality of word lines to insulate and isolate the word lines from each other and where a dimension of separation of word lines is defined by the thickness of the insulating films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventors: Kazumasa Nomoto, Toshio Kobayashi, Akihiro Nakamura, Ichiro Fujiwara, Toshio Terano
  • Patent number: 7012329
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling word lines to be arranged at close intervals, comprising a plurality of memory transistors arranged in an array and a plurality of word lines serving also as gate electrodes of memory transistors in a same row, extending in a row direction, and repeating in a column direction, where insulating films are formed between the plurality of word lines to insulate and isolate the word lines from each other and where a dimension of separation of word lines is defined by the thickness of the insulating films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Nomoto, Toshio Kobayashi, Akihiro Nakamura, Ichiro Fujiwara, Toshio Terano
  • Publication number: 20050255652
    Abstract: A semiconductor device enabling word lines to be arranged at close intervals, comprising a plurality of memory transistors arranged in an array and a plurality of word lines serving also as gate electrodes of memory transistors in a same row, extending in a row direction, and repeating in a column direction, where insulating films are formed between the plurality of word lines to insulate and isolate the word lines from each other and where a dimension of separation of word lines is defined by the thickness of the insulating films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kazumasa Nomoto, Toshio Kobayashi, Akihiro Nakamura, Ichiro Fujiwara, Toshio Terano