Patents by Inventor Yoshihiko Kamata

Yoshihiko Kamata 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).

  • Publication number: 20240071507
    Abstract: Memories might include a controller configured to cause the memory to apply a first voltage level indicative of a data state of a memory cell of an array of memory cells to a control gate of a transistor, retain the first voltage level on the control gate of the transistor, connect a first source/drain of the transistor to a data line corresponding to the memory cell while applying a second voltage level to a second source/drain of the transistor and while retaining the first voltage level on the control gate of the transistor, and apply a programming pulse to a control gate of the memory cell while the data line is connected to the first source/drain of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Koichi Kawai, Yoshihiko Kamata, Akira Goda
  • Patent number: 11915758
    Abstract: Memory devices might include a first storage element, a second storage element, a data line, and a controller. The first storage element is to store a first data bit. The second storage element is to store a second data bit. The data line is selectively connected to the first storage element, the second storage element, and a memory cell. The controller is configured to apply one of four voltage levels to the data line based on the first data bit and the second data bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao T. Nguyen, Tomoko Ogura Iwasaki, Erwin E. Yu, Dheeraj Srinivasan, Sheyang Ning, Lawrence Celso Miranda, Aaron S. Yip, Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Publication number: 20240038305
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Mai SHIMIZU, Koji KATO, Yoshihiko KAMATA, Mario SAKO
  • Publication number: 20240029805
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first and second memory cells, a first word line, first and second sense amplifiers, first and second bit lines, a controller. The first and second sense amplifiers each include first and second transistors. The first bit line is connected between the first memory cell and the first transistor. The second bit line is connected between the second memory cell and the second transistor. In the read operation, the controller is configured to apply a kick voltage to the first word line before applying the read voltage to the first word line, and to apply a first voltage to a gate of the first transistor and a second voltage to a gate of the second transistor while applying the kick voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiko KAMATA, Naofumi ABIKO
  • Publication number: 20240021219
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, pillar structures, a conductive plug structure, a sense transistor, and selector transistors. The stack structure comprises a vertically alternating sequence of conductive material and insulative material, and is divided into blocks separated by dielectric slot structures. The blocks individually include sub-blocks horizontally extending in parallel with one another. The pillar structures vertically extend through one of the blocks of the stack structure. Each pillar structure of a group of the pillar structures is positioned within a different one of the sub-blocks of the one of the blocks than each other pillar structure of the group. The conductive plug structure is coupled to multiple of the pillar structures of the group of the pillar structures. The sense transistor is gated by the conductive plug structure. The selector transistors couple the sense transistor to a read source line structure and a digit line structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Shuji Tanaka, Yoshihiko Kamata, Jun Fujiki, Tomoharu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11862248
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11837295
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first and second memory cells, a first word line, first and second sense amplifiers, first and second bit lines, a controller. The first and second sense amplifiers each include first and second transistors. The first bit line is connected between the first memory cell and the first transistor. The second bit line is connected between the second memory cell and the second transistor. In the read operation, the controller is configured to apply a kick voltage to the first word line before applying the read voltage to the first word line, and to apply a first voltage to a gate of the first transistor and a second voltage to a gate of the second transistor while applying the kick voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kamata, Naofumi Abiko
  • Patent number: 11823752
    Abstract: Memory devices might include an array of memory cells, a plurality of access lines connected to the array of memory cells, a plurality of data lines connected to the array of memory cells, a plurality of shield lines, and control logic. The plurality of shield lines might be interleaved with the plurality of data lines. The control logic might be configured to implement a program verify operation of respective memory cells of the array of memory cells connected to a selected access line including charging the plurality of shield lines to a first voltage level, discharging the plurality of shield lines to a voltage level less than the first voltage level, and sensing a voltage level on each data line to determine whether each respective memory cell coupled to the selected access line has been programmed to a target level for the respective memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Patent number: 11778827
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises first digit lines, second digit lines, and multiplexer devices. The first digit lines are coupled to strings of memory cells. The second digit lines are coupled to additional strings of memory cells. The second digit lines are offset from the first digit lines in a first horizontal direction and are substantially aligned with the first digit lines in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction. The multiplexer devices are horizontally interposed between the first digit lines and the second digit lines in the first horizontal direction. The multiplexer devices are in electrical communication with the first digit lines, the second digit lines, and page buffer devices. Additional microelectronic devices, memory devices, and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Kawai, Yoshihiko Kamata, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Tamotsu Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 11763890
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, first and second P-type well regions on the substrate, an N-type well region on the substrate and sandwiched between the first and second P-type well regions, a first peripheral circuit on a region of the first P-type well region adjacent to the N-type well region and supplied with a reference voltage via a first wiring, and a second peripheral circuit on a region of the second P-type well region adjacent to the N-type well region and supplied with a reference voltage via a second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yuki Shimizu, Yoshihiko Kamata, Tsukasa Kobayashi, Hideyuki Kataoka, Koji Kato, Takumi Fujimoto, Yoshinao Suzuki, Yuui Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11728263
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an assembly having channel-material-structures, and having memory cells along the channel-material-structures. The memory cells include charge-storage-material. Linear-conductive-structures are vertically offset from the channel-material-structures and are electrically coupled with the channel-material-structures. Intervening regions are between the linear-conductive-structures. Conductive-shield-structures are within the intervening regions. The conductive-shield-structures are electrically coupled with a reference-voltage-source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Naveen Kaushik, Yoshihiko Kamata, Richard J. Hill, Kyle A. Ritter, Tomoko Ogura Iwasaki, Haitao Liu
  • Patent number: 11678482
    Abstract: Arrays of memory cells might include a first upper data line, a second upper data line, a lower data line, a first pass gate selectively connected to the lower data line, a second pass gate connected to the first pass gate and selectively connected to the lower data line, a third pass gate selectively connected to the lower data line, a fourth pass gate connected to the third pass gate and selectively connected to the lower data line, unit column structures selectively connected to a respective one of the upper data lines and capacitively coupled to a first channel of a respective one of the pass gates, and control lines capacitively coupled to a second channel of a respective one of the pass gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Jun Fujiki, Shuji Tanaka, Masashi Yoshida, Masanobu Saito, Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230178152
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Mai SHIMIZU, Koji KATO, Yoshihiko KAMATA, Mario SAKO
  • Patent number: 11670379
    Abstract: Arrays of memory cells might include a data line, a source, a plurality of pass gates connected in series between the data line and the source, a plurality of unit column structures each having a respective plurality of series-connected non-volatile memory cells connected in series with a respective plurality of series-connected field-effect transistors, wherein a channel of each non-volatile memory cell of its respective plurality of series-connected non-volatile memory cells and a channel of each field-effect transistor of its respective plurality of series-connected field-effect transistors are selectively connected to one another, and a plurality of backside gate lines each connected to the second control gate of a respective pass gate of the plurality of pass gates, wherein, for each unit column structure of the plurality of unit column structures, the channel of a particular field-effect transistor of its respective plurality of field-effect transistors is capacitively coupled to the first channel of a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Jun Fujiki, Shuji Tanaka, Masashi Yoshida, Masanobu Saito, Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Patent number: 11657880
    Abstract: Memory might include a plurality of series-connected non-volatile memory cells, a plurality of series-connected first field-effect transistors connected in series with the plurality of series-connected non-volatile memory cells, and a second field-effect transistor, wherein the channel of the second field-effect transistor is capacitively coupled to channels of the plurality of series-connected first field-effect transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Jun Fujiki, Shuji Tanaka, Masashi Yoshida, Masanobu Saito, Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230154554
    Abstract: Memory devices might include an array of memory cells, a plurality of access lines connected to the array of memory cells, a plurality of data lines connected to the array of memory cells, a plurality of shield lines, and control logic. The plurality of shield lines might be interleaved with the plurality of data lines. The control logic might be configured to implement a program verify operation of respective memory cells of the array of memory cells connected to a selected access line including charging the plurality of shield lines to a first voltage level, discharging the plurality of shield lines to a voltage level less than the first voltage level, and sensing a voltage level on each data line to determine whether each respective memory cell coupled to the selected access line has been programmed to a target level for the respective memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Patent number: 11600328
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell electrically connected to a first bit line and a first word line, a second memory cell electrically connected to a second bit line and the first word line, and a first circuit configured to supply voltages to the first word line. During a reading operation to read a page of memory cells including the first memory cell and the second memory cell, the first circuit supplies a first voltage to the first word line while the first memory cell is selected as a read target during a first time period, and supplies a second voltage greater than the first voltage to the first word line while the second memory cell is selected as a read target during a second time period that is different from the first time period, and directly thereafter, supplies the first voltage to the first word line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Mai Shimizu, Koji Kato, Yoshihiko Kamata, Mario Sako
  • Patent number: 11600337
    Abstract: Memory devices might include a capacitor, a first capacitance element, a first transistor, and control logic. The first transistor might be connected between the capacitor and the first capacitance element. The control logic might be connected to a control gate of the first transistor. The control logic might be configured to activate the first transistor to precharge the capacitor and the first capacitance element during a read operation of the memory device. The first capacitance element might be a wire capacitance of a first signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230069616
    Abstract: A memory device includes a sense amplifier (SA) latch coupled to a sense node. A dynamic latch (DL) is connected to the SA latch and coupled to sense node. A sense line includes the sense node and is selectively connected to the SA latch, the DL, and a bit line that is coupled to a memory cell string. Control logic is coupled to the SA latch and the DL, and to: cause a pre-program verify voltage to boost the sense node; and, in response to detecting a high bit value stored in SA latch, cause a voltage to turn on set transistor(s) of DL so that a first bias voltage or a second bias voltage is stored at a latch transistor. The first bias voltage is useable for slow programming of a selected memory cell and the second bias voltage is useable for fast programming of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Koichi Kawai, Yoshihiko Kamata
  • Publication number: 20230039026
    Abstract: Memory devices might include a first latch to store a first data bit; a second latch to store a second data bit; a data line selectively connected to the first latch, the second latch, and a string of series-connected memory cells; and a controller configured to bias the data line during a programing operation of a selected memory cell. The controller may with the first data bit equal to 0 and the second data bit equal to 0, bias the data line to a first voltage level; with the first data bit equal to 1 and the second data bit equal to 0, bias the data line to a second voltage level; with the first data bit equal to 0 and the second data bit equal to 1, bias the data line to a third voltage level; and with the first data bit equal to 1 and the second data bit equal to 1, bias the data line to a fourth voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hao T. Nguyen, Tomoko Ogura Iwasaki, Erwin E. Yu, Dheeraj Srinivasan, Sheyang Ning, Lawrence Celso Miranda, Aaron S. Yip, Yoshihiko Kamata