Patents by Inventor Yasushi Matsubara

Yasushi Matsubara 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: 10984848
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for erasing data on a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells in a memory cell array in a memory apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a memory cell array including a first plurality of word lines; a digit line; and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells; a control circuit that provides a section select signal and a word line select signal to select a second plurality of word lines among the first plurality of word lines responsive to an address; and an address decoder that activates the second plurality of word lines. Each ferroelectric memory cell includes: a ferroelectric capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a cell plate node and a second terminal coupled to a selection circuit that couples the digit line to the second terminal responsive to a signal on a corresponding word line of the second plurality of word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10957374
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises first, second, third, and fourth transistors individually comprising a transistor gate. First and second ferroelectric capacitors individually have one capacitor electrode elevationally between the transistor gates of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors. Other memory cells are disclosed, as are arrays of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10902935
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to access schemes for access line faults in a memory device are described. In one example, a method may include isolating a first word line of a section of a memory device from a voltage source (e.g., a deselection voltage source) during a first portion of a period when the first word line is deselected, and coupling the first word line with the voltage source during a second portion of the period when the first word line is deselected based on determining that an access operation is performed during the second portion of the period when the word line is deselected. In some examples, the method may include identifying that the first word line is associated with a fault, such as a short circuit fault with a digit line of the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10867653
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for protecting stored data in a memory device are described. In one example, a memory device may include a set of memory cells coupled with a digit line and a plate line. A method of operating the memory device may include performing an access operation on a selected memory cell of the set of memory cells, and performing an equalization operation on a non-selected memory cell of the plurality of memory cells based on performing the access operation. The equalization operation may include applying an equal voltage to opposite terminals of the non-selected memory cell via the digit line and the plate line, which may allow built-up charge, such as leakage charge resulting from the access operation, to dissipate. Such an equalization operation may reduce a likelihood of memory loss in non-selected memory cells after access operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20200335147
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for cell bottom node reset in a memory array are described. The memory array may include a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells having a cell bottom node and a cell plate opposite the cell bottom node. A zero voltage may be applied to a plurality of digit lines in the memory array. A plurality of word lines may be activated to electrically coupled the plurality of digit lines to cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells. Accordingly, the cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells may be reset to the zero voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10804225
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for gate power to circuits of semiconductor devices are described. An example apparatus includes a substrate, a first wiring and a second wiring, and a plurality of transistors. The first wiring may be supplied with a power voltage, and the first wiring is formed over the substrate and is elongating in a first direction. The second wiring may be formed between the substrate and the first wiring, and vertically overlapping the first wiring with the second wiring elongating in the first direction. The plurality of transistors are vertically coupled between the first wiring and the second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20200286539
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises first, second, third, and fourth transistors individually comprising a transistor gate. First and second ferroelectric capacitors individually have one capacitor electrode elevationally between the transistor gates of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors. Other memory cells are disclosed, as are arrays of memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10739985
    Abstract: First, a plurality of selection objects having at least one part thereof displayed on a display area of a display device are moved relative to the display area, based on an output signal outputted from an input device. Then, when an end-located selection object among the moved plurality of selection objects reaches a predetermined position of the display area, an object that is different from the plurality of selection objects is displayed on the display area. The object moves relative to the display area based on an output signal outputted from the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10685694
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for cell bottom node reset in a memory array are described. The memory array may include a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells having a cell bottom node and a cell plate opposite the cell bottom node. A zero voltage may be applied to a plurality of digit lines in the memory array. A plurality of word lines may be activated to electrically coupled the plurality of digit lines to cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells. Accordingly, the cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells may be reset to the zero voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20200185020
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for erasing data on a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells in a memory cell array in a memory apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a memory cell array including a first plurality of word lines; a digit line; and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells; a control circuit that provides a section select signal and a word line select signal to select a second plurality of word lines among the first plurality of word lines responsive to an address; and an address decoder that activates the second plurality of word lines. Each ferroelectric memory cell includes: a ferroelectric capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a cell plate node and a second terminal coupled to a selection circuit that couples the digit line to the second terminal responsive to a signal on a corresponding word line of the second plurality of word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10679687
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises first, second, third, and fourth transistors individually comprising a transistor gate. First and second ferroelectric capacitors individually have one capacitor electrode elevationally between the transistor gates of the first, second, third, and fourth transistors. Other memory cells are disclosed, as are arrays of memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10607678
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for erasing data on a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells in a memory cell array in a memory apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a memory cell array including a first plurality of word lines; a digit line; and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells; a control circuit that provides a section select signal and a word line select signal to select a second plurality of word lines among the first plurality of word lines responsive to an address; and an address decoder that activates the second plurality of word lines. Each ferroelectric memory cell includes: a ferroelectric capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a cell plate node and a second terminal coupled to a selection circuit that couples the digit line to the second terminal responsive to a signal on a corresponding word line of the second plurality of word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20200051659
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to access schemes for access line faults in a memory device are described. In one example, a method may include isolating a first word line of a section of a memory device from a voltage source (e.g., a deselection voltage source) during a first portion of a period when the first word line is deselected, and coupling the first word line with the voltage source during a second portion of the period when the first word line is deselected based on determining that an access operation is performed during the second portion of the period when the word line is deselected. In some examples, the method may include identifying that the first word line is associated with a fault, such as a short circuit fault with a digit line of the memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10553594
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for reading memory cells are described. An example method includes sharing a first voltage to increase a voltage of a first sense line coupled to a first capacitor plate of a ferroelectric capacitor of a memory cell, sharing a second voltage to decrease a voltage of a second sense line coupled to a second capacitor plate of the ferroelectric capacitor of the memory cell, sharing a third voltage to increase the voltage of the second sense line, and sharing a fourth voltage to decrease the voltage of the first sense line. A voltage difference between the first sense line and the second sense line that results from the voltage sharing is amplified, wherein the voltage difference is based at least in part on a polarity of the ferroelectric capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20190355677
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for gate power to circuits of semiconductor devices are described. An example apparatus includes a substrate, a first wiring and a second wiring, and a plurality of transistors. The first wiring may be supplied with a power voltage, and the first wiring is formed over the substrate and is elongating in a first direction. The second wiring may be formed between the substrate and the first wiring, and vertically overlapping the first wiring with the second wiring elongating in the first direction. The plurality of transistors are vertically coupled between the first wiring and the second wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20190325934
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for protecting stored data in a memory device are described. In one example, a memory device may include a set of memory cells coupled with a digit line and a plate line. A method of operating the memory device may include performing an access operation on a selected memory cell of the set of memory cells, and performing an equalization operation on a non-selected memory cell of the plurality of memory cells based on performing the access operation. The equalization operation may include applying an equal voltage to opposite terminals of the non-selected memory cell via the digit line and the plate line, which may allow built-up charge, such as leakage charge resulting from the access operation, to dissipate. Such an equalization operation may reduce a likelihood of memory loss in non-selected memory cells after access operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20190311757
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for cell bottom node reset in a memory array are described. The memory array may include a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells having a cell bottom node and a cell plate opposite the cell bottom node. A zero voltage may be applied to a plurality of digit lines in the memory array. A plurality of word lines may be activated to electrically coupled the plurality of digit lines to cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells. Accordingly, the cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells may be reset to the zero voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20190287602
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for erasing data on a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells in a memory cell array in a memory apparatus are disclosed. An example apparatus includes: a memory cell array including a first plurality of word lines; a digit line; and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells; a control circuit that provides a section select signal and a word line select signal to select a second plurality of word lines among the first plurality of word lines responsive to an address; and an address decoder that activates the second plurality of word lines. Each ferroelectric memory cell includes: a ferroelectric capacitor having a first terminal coupled to a cell plate node and a second terminal coupled to a selection circuit that couples the digit line to the second terminal responsive to a signal on a corresponding word line of the second plurality of word lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10373921
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for gate power to circuits of semiconductor devices are described. An example apparatus includes a substrate, a first wiring and a second wiring, and a plurality of transistors. The first wiring may be supplied with a power voltage, and the first wiring is formed over the substrate and is elongating in a first direction. The second wiring may be formed between the substrate and the first wiring, and vertically overlapping the first wiring with the second wiring elongating in the first direction. The plurality of transistors are vertically coupled between the first wiring and the second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsubara
  • Patent number: 10311933
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for cell bottom node reset in a memory array are described. The memory array may include a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells having a cell bottom node and a cell plate opposite the cell bottom node. A zero voltage may be applied to a plurality of digit lines in the memory array. A plurality of word lines may be activated to electrically coupled the plurality of digit lines to cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells. Accordingly, the cell bottom node of each of the ferroelectric memory cells may be reset to the zero voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyotake Sakurai, Yasushi Matsubara