Patents by Inventor Wen Chiao
Wen Chiao 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).
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Publication number: 20110085380Abstract: A method of programming a memory, wherein the memory includes many memory regions having multiple multi-level cells. Each memory region includes a first bit line, a second bit line, a data buffer and a protecting unit. The protecting unit, coupled to the first and second bit lines, and the data buffer, prevents a programming error from occurring. In an embodiment of the programming method, corresponding data are inputted to the data buffers respectively. The data corresponding to an nth phase are programmed into the targeted multi-level cells. Data corresponding to an (n+1)th phase is modified to make the data corresponding to the (n+1)th phase be the same as the data corresponding to the nth phase if the targeted multi-level cells pass a programming verification process according to an nth programming verification voltage. The above steps are repeated until n is equal to a maximum, n being a positive integer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Patent number: 7925939Abstract: A pre-code device includes firstly memory circuit, an address decoder, and an alternative logic circuit. The first memory circuit includes a number of memory blocks and at east a replacing block. The memory blocks are pointed by a number of respective physical addresses. The replacing block is pointed by a replacing address. The address decoder decodes an input address to provide a pre-code address. The alternative logic circuit looks up an address mapping table, which maps defect physical address among the physical addresses to the replacing address, to map the pre-code address to the replacing address when the pre-code address corresponds to the defect physical address. The alternative logic circuit correspondingly pre-codes the pre-code data to the replacing block.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Macronix International Co., LtdInventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Wen-Chiao Ho
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Patent number: 7925960Abstract: A method for checking reading errors of a memory includes receiving a first data fragment and accordingly generating a first ECC and a first count index; writing the first data fragment, the first ECC and the first count index into a memory; reading the first data fragment from the memory as a second data fragment, generating a second ECC and second count index according to the second data fragment; determining whether the first count index and second count index are equal; determining whether the first ECC and the second ECC are equal; and outputting the second data fragment when the first count index is equal to the second count index and the first ECC is equal to the second ECC.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Kuen-Long Chang
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Patent number: 7889572Abstract: A memory includes many memory regions each including a target memory cell, a source line, a bit line and a reading control circuit. The source line is coupled to a first terminal of the target memory cell. The bit line is coupled to a second terminal of the target memory cell. The reading control circuit is for selectively applying a working voltage to the source line.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Patent number: 7885120Abstract: A method for double programming of multi-level-cell (MLC) programming in a multi-bit-cell (MBC) of a charge trapping memory that includes a plurality of charge trapping memory cells is provided. The double programming method is conducted in two phrases, a pre-program phase and a post-program phase, and applied to a word line (a segment in a word line, a page in a word line, a program unit or a memory unit) of the charge trapping memory. A program unit can be defined by input data in a wide variety of ranges. For example, a program unit can be defined as a portion (such as a page, a group, or a segment) in one word line in which each group is selected for pre-program and pre-program-verify, either sequentially or in parallel with other groups in the same word line.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Wen-Chiao Ho, Kuen-Long Chang
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Patent number: 7869276Abstract: A memory includes many memory regions. The memory regions have multiple multi-level cells. Each memory region includes a first bit line, a second bit line, a data buffer and a protecting unit. The first bit line is coupled to a first column of the multi-level cells. The second bit line is coupled to a second column of the multi-level cells. The data buffer is coupled to the first bit line and the second bit line and for storing data to be programmed into the multi-level cells. The protecting unit is coupled to the first bit line, the second bit line and the data buffer and is for preventing a programming error from occurring.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Publication number: 20100322018Abstract: A compensation circuit includes a comparator and an emulation circuit. The comparator has a first terminal, and a second terminal for receiving a reference voltage. The emulation circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. The emulation circuit responses to the temperature, so that the comparator outputs a read timing control signal at a first time spot, or outputs the read timing control signal at a second time spot, the first time spot is later than the second time spot.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Ji-Yu Hung, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shuo-Nan Hung
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Patent number: 7804729Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit includes a voltage generator, a comparator and an emulation cell array. The voltage generator provides a predetermined voltage and a reference voltage. The comparator has a first terminal for receiving the predetermined voltage, and a second terminal for receiving the reference voltage. The emulation cell array is coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. When a voltage of the first terminal of the comparator is discharged, via the emulation cell array, to be lower than the reference voltage, the comparator outputs a read timing control signal to control a sense amplifier to perform a sensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Ji-Yu Hung, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shuo-Nan Hung
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Publication number: 20100192039Abstract: A method for operating a memory device is provided and includes the following steps. A first error correction code is generated according to user data. Then, the user data is written to the memory device. Moreover, the user data in the memory device is read, and a second error correction code is generated according to the read user data. Further, the first and the second error correction codes are written to the memory device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Shuo-Nan Hung, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Patent number: 7755945Abstract: A page buffer and method of programming and reading a memory are provided. The page buffer includes a first latch, a second latch, a data change unit and a program control unit. The first latch includes a first terminal for loading data of the lower page and the upper page. The second latch includes a first terminal for storing the data of the lower page and the upper page from the first latch. The data change unit is coupled to a second terminal of the first latch for changing a voltage of the second terminal of the first latch to a low level. The program control unit is coupled to the first terminal of the second latch and the cells, and controlled by the voltage of the first terminal of the first latch for respectively programming the data of the lower page and the upper page to a target cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Publication number: 20100124136Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit includes a voltage generator, a comparator and an emulation cell array. The voltage generator provides a predetermined voltage and a reference voltage. The comparator has a first terminal for receiving the predetermined voltage, and a second terminal for receiving the reference voltage. The emulation cell array is coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. When a voltage of the first terminal of the comparator is discharged, via the emulation cell array, to be lower than the reference voltage, the comparator outputs a read timing control signal to control a sense amplifier to perform a sensing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Ji-Yu Hung, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Shuo-Nan Hung
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Publication number: 20100122043Abstract: A memory and a method applied in one program command for the memory are provided. The memory includes a buffer and at least one program unit. The method includes the following steps. First, enter the program command to the memory. Next, enter user data to the buffer. Read the data of the program unit. Determine whether the user data fill the buffer. Fill the part of the buffer unoccupied by the user data with the data of the program unit if the user data do not fill the buffer. Erase the program unit if the program unit is not empty. Finally, program the data of the buffer into the program unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Wen-Chiao Ho
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Patent number: 7710802Abstract: A method for testing a memory includes the following steps. First, data is read from the memory and stored to a first temporary memory. Meanwhile, expected data corresponding to the data from the memory is written into a second temporary memory from a tester. Thereafter, the data in the first temporary memory and the expected data in the second temporary memory are compared with each other to judge whether the memory has an enough operation window.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chin-Hung Chang, Wen-Chiao Ho, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Publication number: 20100082880Abstract: A pre-code device includes firstly memory circuit, an address decoder, and an alternative logic circuit. The first memory circuit includes a number of memory blocks and at east a replacing block. The memory blocks are pointed by a number of respective physical addresses. The replacing block is pointed by a replacing address. The address decoder decodes an input address to provide a pre-code address. The alternative logic circuit looks up an address mapping table, which maps defect physical address among the physical addresses to the replacing address, to map the pre-code address to the replacing address when the pre-code address corresponds to the defect physical address. The alternative logic circuit correspondingly pre-codes the pre-code data to the replacing block.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung HUNG, Wen-Chiao HO
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Publication number: 20100054045Abstract: A memory includes many memory regions each including a target memory cell, a source line, a bit line and a reading control circuit. The source line is coupled to a first terminal of the target memory cell. The bit line is coupled to a second terminal of the target memory cell. The reading control circuit is for selectively applying a working voltage to the source line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Publication number: 20100027339Abstract: A page buffer and method of programming and reading a memory are provided. The page buffer includes a first latch, a second latch, a data change unit and a program control unit. The first latch includes a first terminal for loading data of the lower page and the upper page. The second latch includes a first terminal for storing the data of the lower page and the upper page from the first latch. The data change unit is coupled to a second terminal of the first latch for changing a voltage of the second terminal of the first latch to a low level. The program control unit is coupled to the first terminal of the second latch and the cells, and controlled by the voltage of the first terminal of the first latch for respectively programming the data of the lower page and the upper page to a target cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Chiao HO, Chin-Hung CHANG, Kuen-Long CHANG, Chun-Hsiung HUNG
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Patent number: 7652512Abstract: A clock synchronizing circuit applied in a SMD block is provided. The clock synchronizing circuit includes a number of stages of clock synchronizing units. The clock synchronizing circuit can achieve the purpose of clock synchronizing by using a novel circuit design of the forward delay unit, the mirror control unit or the backward delay unit in each stage of clock synchronizing unit or by using a short-pulse generation circuit to generate a short pulse for triggering out an output clock of each stage of forward delay unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wen-Chiao Ho, Chin-Hung Chang, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Patent number: 7649772Abstract: A method for programming a memory, which includes multiple multi-level cells each having a left half cell and a right half cell, includes the following steps. First, a target address corresponding to 2n-group data to be stored is provided, wherein n is a positive integer. Next, the 2n-group data is sequentially programmed into the multi-level cells based upon the target address in a programming loop so that the data stored in the left half cells and the data stored in the right half cells are from different groups of the 2n-group data.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung Hung, Hsin-Yi Ho, Wen-Chiao Ho
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Patent number: 7639533Abstract: A method for programming a plurality of multi-level memory cells described herein includes iteratively changing a bias voltage applied to a first memory cell to program the first memory cell to a first threshold state and detecting when the first cell reaches a predetermined threshold voltage. The bias voltage applied to the first memory cell upon reaching the predetermined threshold voltage is recorded. A second memory cell is programmed to a second threshold state by applying an initial bias voltage to the second memory cell which is function of the recorded bias voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chin-Hung Chang, Wen-Chiao Ho, Kuen-Long Chang, Chun-Hsiung Hung
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Publication number: 20090296496Abstract: A method and circuit for testing a multi-chip package is provided. The multi-chip package includes at least a memory chip, and the memory chip includes a number of memory cells. The method includes performing a normal read operation on the memory cells to check if data read from the memory cells is the same with preset data in the memory cells; and performing a special read operation on the memory cells to check if data read from the memory cells is the same with an expected value, wherein the expected value is independent from data stored in the memory cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Chun-Hsiung HUNG, Wen-Chiao HO, Kuen-Long CHANG