Patents by Inventor Yoshihisa Kojima

Yoshihisa Kojima 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: 11740965
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller that includes a toggle encoder configured to encode first data having a first bit length and a first number of toggles, into second data having a second bit length longer than the first bit length and a second number of toggles smaller than the first number of toggles, and transmit the second data to the non-volatile memory. The memory system may further include a toggle decoder configured to decode third data received from the non-volatile memory into fourth data, the third data having the second bit length and the second number of toggles and the fourth data having the first bit length and the first number of toggles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11733888
    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: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Igahara, Toshikatsu Hida, Riki Suzuki, Takehiko Amaki, Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 11734112
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory, a random access memory and a controller. When writing n?1 data portions of a first unit that are included in n?1 error correction code frames of a first size, respectively, in the nonvolatile memory, the controller generates a second error correction code that constitutes an error correction code frame of a second size together with the n?1 data portions of the first unit and a second data portion to be written into the nonvolatile memory by encoding the n?1 data portions of the first unit and the second data portion, and writes the second data portion and the second error correction code into the nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Amaki, Toshikatsu Hida, Shunichi Igahara, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11696441
    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: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Toshikatsu Hida, Marie Grace Izabelle Angeles Sia, Riki Suzuki, Shohei Asami
  • Patent number: 11693463
    Abstract: In a memory system in an embodiment, in a case of normal operation, a control unit returns a write completion response upon completion of reception of write data from a host, and writes the write data into nonvolatile memory in a multiple values. In a case of unordinary power-off, changeover to operation using a backup battery is conducted and the control unit writes dirty data that is not completed in writing into the nonvolatile memory, into the nonvolatile memory with two values. When next boot, the control unit reads the dirty data from the nonvolatile memory into the volatile memory, and thereafter writes the dirty data into the nonvolatile memory in a multiple values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kojima, Katsuhiko Ueki
  • Patent number: 11693603
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device having a memory cell array, and a controller. The memory cell array includes a plurality of first units and at least one second unit. The second unit includes the plurality of first units. The controller counts a first number of times of read operation for each of the plurality of first units, and, in response to the first number of times for one first unit among the plurality of first units reaching a first value, updates a second number of times for the second unit that includes the one first unit. In response to the second number of times reaching a second value, the controller determines whether to rewrite data stored in at least one of the first units included in the second unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Takehiko Amaki
  • Publication number: 20230207016
    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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Riki SUZUKI, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Toshikatsu HIDA
  • Patent number: 11657875
    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: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Yoshihisa Kojima, Riki Suzuki, Masanobu Shirakawa, Toshikatsu Hida
  • Publication number: 20230144171
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory configured to execute one of a plurality of read operations, including a first read operation and a second read operation, and a memory controller configured to issue a read command to the nonvolatile memory to cause the nonvolatile memory to execute one of the plurality of read operations. The memory controller is configured to receive a read request, estimate a reliability level of a result of a read operation to be executed by the nonvolatile memory to read data from a physical address specified in the read request, select one of the first and second read operations to be executed first in a read sequence corresponding to the read request by the nonvolatile memory based on the estimated reliability level, and instruct the nonvolatile memory to execute the selected read operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Yoshihisa KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20230145598
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory medium includes a first memory cell, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a row decoder coupled to the first word line. A write operation is executed multiple times on the first memory cell within a first period from after an execution of an erase operation to an execution of a next erase operation. The write operation includes at least one of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. In the verify operation, the row decoder applies a verify voltage to the first word line. The verify voltage is set in accordance with a number of executed write operations on the first memory cell within the first period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru NISHIKAWA, Takehiko AMAKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Shunichi IGAHARA
  • Publication number: 20230139665
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory chip that includes a memory cell array, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to perform a read operation on the non-volatile memory chip by instructing the non-volatile memory chip to perform a sensing operation to read data stored in the memory cell array, estimating a time when the read data becomes ready to be transferred from the non-volatile memory chip to the memory controller, and instructing the non-volatile memory chip, after the estimated time, to perform a transfer operation to transfer the read data to the memory controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Marie SIA, Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Suguru NISHIKAWA, Riki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20230101298
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory having a plurality of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to switch a mode for controlling an access operation to the non-volatile memory from a first mode to a second mode, in response to receiving from a host, a first command for instructing the controller to switch the mode from the first mode to the second mode. The access operation controlled according to the second mode improves data retention relative to the access operation controlled according to the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Riki SUZUKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20230096401
    Abstract: A memory system according to an embodiment includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller. The nonvolatile memory includes a plurality of memory cells. The memory controller is configured to control the nonvolatile memory. In read operation for the memory cells, the memory controller is configured to: perform tracking including a plurality of reads in which a read voltage is shifted; determine a hard bit read voltage based on results of the tracking; calculate a soft bit read voltage based on the determined hard bit read voltage; perform soft bit read using the calculated soft bit read voltage; and perform a soft bit decoding process using a result of the soft bit read and a log-likelihood ratio table associated with the calculated soft bit read voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro KIYOOKA, Riki SUZUKI, Yoshihisa KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 11615851
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the semiconductor memory medium includes a first memory cell, a first word line coupled to the first memory cell, and a row decoder coupled to the first word line. A write operation is executed multiple times on the first memory cell within a first period from after an execution of an erase operation to an execution of a next erase operation. The write operation includes at least one of program loops each including a program operation and a verify operation. In the verify operation, the row decoder applies a verify voltage to the first word line. The verify voltage is set in accordance with a number of executed write operations on the first memory cell within the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Nishikawa, Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima, Shunichi Igahara
  • Publication number: 20230056583
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a nonvolatile memory including a memory cell array, an input/output buffer, one or more intermediate buffers, and a control circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of pages. Each of the one or more intermediate buffers is electrically connected between the memory cell array and the input/output buffer. The control circuit is configured to store, in a first intermediate buffer, data read through sensing operation from a first page out of the plurality of pages in accordance with a first command that includes a sensing operation instruction and designation of the first intermediate buffer among the one or more intermediate buffers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa KOJIMA, Masanobu SHIRAKAWA, Kiyotaka IWASAKI
  • Patent number: 11573740
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory chip that includes a memory cell array, and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to perform a read operation on the non-volatile memory chip by instructing the non-volatile memory chip to perform a sensing operation to read data stored in the memory cell array, estimating a time when the read data becomes ready to be transferred from the non-volatile memory chip to the memory controller, and instructing the non-volatile memory chip, after the estimated time, to perform a transfer operation to transfer the read data to the memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Marie Sia, Yoshihisa Kojima, Suguru Nishikawa, Riki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11574688
    Abstract: A memory system includes a nonvolatile memory configured to execute one of a plurality of read operations, including a first read operation and a second read operation, and a memory controller configured to issue a read command to the nonvolatile memory to cause the nonvolatile memory to execute one of the plurality of read operations. The memory controller is configured to receive a read request, estimate a reliability level of a result of a read operation to be executed by the nonvolatile memory to read data from a physical address specified in the read request, select one of the first and second read operations to be executed first in a read sequence corresponding to the read request by the nonvolatile memory based on the estimated reliability level, and instruct the nonvolatile memory to execute the selected read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 11562792
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory having a plurality of memory cells and a controller. The controller is configured to switch a mode for controlling an access operation to the non-volatile memory from a first mode to a second mode, in response to receiving from a host, a first command for instructing the controller to switch the mode from the first mode to the second mode. The access operation controlled according to the second mode improves data retention relative to the access operation controlled according to the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Riki Suzuki, Yoshihisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 11543969
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a nonvolatile memory including a memory cell array, as input/output buffer, one or more intermediate buffers, and a control circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of pages. Each of the one or more intermediate buffers is electrically connected between the memory cell array and the input/output buffer. The control circuit is configured to store, in a first intermediate buffer, data read through sensing operation from a first page out of the plurality of pages in accordance with a first command that includes a sensing operation instruction and designation of the first intermediate buffer among the one or more intermediate buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Kojima, Masanobu Shirakawa, Kiyotaka Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 11526301
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a memory system including a non-volatile memory, and a controller. The controller selects one read method from a plurality of read methods with different time required to perform a read operation on the non-volatile memory and issues a first read command according to the selected one read method to the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Amaki, Yoshihisa Kojima