Bad Bit Patents (Class 365/200)
  • Patent number: 11810788
    Abstract: Methods for forming a transition metal niobium nitride film on a substrate by atomic layer deposition and related semiconductor device structures are provided. In some embodiments methods may include contacting a substrate with a first reactant comprising a transition metal precursor, contacting the substrate with a second reactant comprising a niobium precursor and contacting the substrate with a third reactant comprising a nitrogen precursor. In some embodiments related semiconductor device structures may include a semiconductor body and an electrode comprising a transition metal niobium nitride disposed over the semiconductor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Jerry Peijun Chen, Fred Alokozai
  • Patent number: 11798644
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for performing address fault detection in a memory system using a hierarchical ROM encoding system. In one embodiment, a hierarchical ROM encoding system comprises two levels of ROM encoders that are used to detect an address fault. In another embodiment, a hierarchical ROM encoding system comprises three levels of ROM encoders that are used to detect an address fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaozhou Qian, Yaohua Zhu
  • Patent number: 11797382
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a resistive change memory device including a control circuit block and a plurality of memory decks electrically connected with the control circuit block. The semiconductor memory device includes a pattern generation block, a position correction block and a position decision block. The pattern generation block receives a row address, a column address and a deck selection signal to generate a plurality of pattern generation signals to select a plurality of memory cells in the memory deck in various patterns. The position correction block receives a temporary code for classifying the memory cells into a temporary near cell region and a temporary far cell region and for reflecting a position of the memory deck in the temporary code to output a correction code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 11791011
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-repair verification are described. A memory system may receive, at a memory device, a command to initiate a repair operation. The memory system may perform the repair operation by replacing a first row of memory cells of the memory device with a second row of memory cells of the memory device. The memory system may write first data to the second row of memory cells, and read second data from the second row of memory cells, based on a stored indication associated with the replacement of rows. The memory device may output an error flag with a first value based at least in part on reading the second data, and the first value of the error flag may indicate that the repair operation was successfully performed based at least in part on the second data matching the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuya Tamano, Yoshinori Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11783909
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory bank that includes a first set of memory rows in a first section of the memory bank, a first set of redundant rows in a first section of the memory bank, a second set of memory rows in a second section of the memory bank, and a second set of redundant rows in the second section of the memory bank. The memory bank also includes a repeater blocker circuit that when in operation selectively blocks a signal from transmission to the second section of the memory bank and blocker control circuitry that when in operation transmits a control signal to control the selective blocking of the signal by the repeater blocker circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, Yoshinori Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11749355
    Abstract: According to a certain embodiment, the semiconductor integrated circuit includes a multi-chip package comprising a plurality of memory chips, and a controller configured to control the multi-chip package. Each of the plurality of memory chips includes a logic control unit including a logic unit circuit configured to detect a potential from a wiring pad. The logic unit circuit determines a master chip or a slave chip on the basis of the potential detected from the wiring pad, the master chip transmits a pulse count and a status response command to the slave chip, so that the slave chip sets a logical unit number of its own memory chip, and the master chip sets a total number of chips loaded on the basis of status information from the slave chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Daisaku Hiyamizu
  • Patent number: 11747992
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for memory wear management are described. A device may include an interface controller and a non-volatile memory. The interface controller may manage wear-leveling procedures for memory banks in the non-volatile memory. For example, the interface controller may select a row in a memory bank for the wear-leveling procedure. The interface controller may store data from the row in a buffer in the interface controller. The interface controller may then transfer the data to the non-volatile memory so that the non-volatile memory can write the data to a second row of the memory bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Saira Samar Malik, Hyunyoo Lee, Chinnakrishnan Ballapuram, Taeksang Song, Kang-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 11742044
    Abstract: An apparatus with a memory array having a plurality of memory cells. The apparatus also including a memory built-in self-test circuit to test the memory array. The memory built-in self-test circuit includes one or more processing devices to write a data pattern to one or more memory cells to be tested in the memory array, pause for a time period corresponding to a predetermined pause time setting, and read the written data pattern from the one or more memory cells after the time period has elapsed. The predetermined pause time setting is automatically adjusted based on memory device conditions, which can include the temperature of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Fujiwara, Daniel S. Miller
  • Patent number: 11743449
    Abstract: An imaging device according to the present disclosure has a stacked chip structure in which at least two semiconductor chips, that are a first semiconductor chip provided with a pixel circuit and a second semiconductor chip including an analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuit which is provided so as to correspond to the pixel circuit, are stacked. The AD conversion circuit includes a latch circuit that retains a digital code after AD conversion and a transfer circuit that transfers the digital code after AD conversion. Further, a failure detection circuit for detecting a failure of the AD conversion circuit is provided. The failure detection circuit performs failure detection by writing a test pattern for failure detection into the latch circuit via the transfer circuit, then reading the test pattern from the latch circuit via the transfer circuit, and comparing the read test pattern with an expected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Suto
  • Patent number: 11735278
    Abstract: A method of operating a controller includes randomly transmitting a first command to a non-volatile memory device upon a read request from a host; receiving first read data corresponding to the first command from the non-volatile memory device; determining whether the number of first error bits of the first read data is greater than a first reference value; determining whether the number of first error bits is greater than a second reference value, when the number of first error bits is not greater than the first reference value; storing a target wordline in a health buffer, when the number of first error bits is greater than the second reference value; periodically transmitting a second command to the non-volatile memory device; and receiving second read data corresponding to the second command from the non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangsoo Cha, Sewoong Lee, Younsoo Cheon
  • Patent number: 11715548
    Abstract: A repair circuit includes: a plurality of redundant memory cells, each redundant memory cell being configured with a state signal; and a repair module connected to the plurality of redundant memory cells and configured to determine target memory cells from the redundant memory cells based on the state signals and repair defective memory cells through the target memory cells. The target memory cells are in one-to-one correspondence to the defective memory cells. The repair module can repair, at each of multiple repair stages, different defective memory cells, the plurality of redundant memory cells being shared at the multiple repair stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Liang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11699061
    Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a control chip, a storage chip, a power interface configured to receive a first voltage, a first variable-voltage circuit. An input end of the first variable-voltage circuit is coupled to the power interface. The first variable-voltage circuit is configured to convert the first voltage into a second voltage, and provide the second voltage to the control chip and a second variable-voltage circuit, where an input end of the second variable-voltage circuit is coupled to the power interface. The second variable-voltage circuit is configured to convert the first voltage into a third voltage and provide the third voltage to the control chip and the storage chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Honghui Hu, Guangqing Liang
  • Patent number: 11694762
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems related to managing repair assets are described. An apparatus stores a repair segment locator and a repair address for each defect repair. The apparatus may be configured to selectively apply a repair asset to one of multiple sections according to the repair segment locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Wieduwilt, James S. Rehmeyer, Seth A. Eichmeyer
  • Patent number: 11694757
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a method for identifying unprogrammed bits for one-time-programmable memory (OTPM) and a corresponding structure. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a structure including: a read circuit configured to perform at least one read operation at an address for a twin-cell one-time-programmable-memory (OTPM); and a comparison circuit configured to identify whether at least one bit of the address for the twin-cell OTPM has been programmed based on the at least one read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
    Inventors: Balaji Jayaraman, Toshiaki Kirihata, Amit K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 11687402
    Abstract: Provided are a data transmission circuit and a memory. The data transmission circuit includes: a normal reading module, which is connected to a normal storage array and configured to read and output data from the normal storage array; a redundant reading module, which is connected to a redundant storage array, and configured to read and output data from the redundant storage array; and an error detection operation module, which is connected to the normal reading module and the redundant reading module respectively, and configured to synchronously receive the read data output from the normal reading module and the redundant reading module, and perform error detection operation on the read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kangling Ji, Hongwen Li
  • Patent number: 11604585
    Abstract: A method for rebuilding data when changing erase block sizes in a storage system is provided. The method includes determining one or more erase blocks to be rebuilt and allocating one or more replacement erase blocks, wherein the one or more erase blocks and the one or more replacement erase blocks have differing erase block sizes. The method includes mapping logical addresses, for the one or more erase blocks, to the one or more replacement erase blocks and rebuilding the one or more erase blocks into the one or more replacement erase blocks, in accordance with the mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PURE STORAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bernat, Timothy W. Brennan, Mark L. McAuliffe, Neil Buda Vachharajani
  • Patent number: 11575083
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises: a magnetic junction having a magnet with a first magnetization (e.g., perpendicular magnetization); a first structure adjacent to the magnetic junction, wherein the first structure comprises metal (e.g., Hf, Ta, W, Ir, Pt, Bi, Cu, Mo, Gf, Ge, Ga, or Au); an interconnect adjacent to the first structure; and a second structure adjacent to the interconnect such that the first structure and the second structure are on opposite surfaces of the interconnect, wherein the second structure comprises a magnet with a second magnetization (e.g., in-plane magnetization) substantially different from the first magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tanay Gosavi, Sasikanth Manipatruni, Kaan Oguz, Ian Young, Dmitri Nikonov, Chia-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 11562804
    Abstract: A storage device includes a nonvolatile memory device and a memory controller to control the nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array. The memory cell array includes a normal cell region, a parity cell region and a redundancy cell region. First bit-lines are connected to the normal cell region and the parity cell region and second bit-lines are connected to the redundancy cell region. The memory controller includes an error correction code (ECC) engine to generate parity data. The memory controller stores user data in the normal cell region, controls the nonvolatile memory device to perform a column repair on first defective bit-lines among the first bit-lines, assigns additional column addresses to the first defective bit-lines and the second bit-lines and stores at least a portion of the parity data in a region corresponding to the additionally assigned column addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sehwan Park, Jinyoung Kim, Youngdeok Seo, Dongmin Shin, Joonsuc Jang, Sungmin Joe
  • Patent number: 11551780
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus may include a repair circuit configured to activate a redundant line of a cell array region by comparing repair information and address information. The semiconductor apparatus may include a main decoder configured to perform a normal access to the cell array region by decoding the address information. The address information may include both column information and row information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Keun Kim
  • Patent number: 11538546
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for data compression for global column repair are described. In some cases, a testing device may perform a first internal read operation to identify errors associated with on one or more column planes. A value (e.g., a bit) indicating whether an error occurred when testing each column plane may be stored. The testing device may perform a second internal read operation on the same column planes, or on column planes of a different bank of memory cells. The values (e.g., bits) indicating whether errors occurred during the first internal read operation and the values indicating whether errors occurred during the second internal read operation may be combined and stored in a register. The stored values may be read out (e.g., as a burst) to repair the defective column planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11532363
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of planes including a plurality of blocks each being a set of memory cells, and a sequencer configured to execute a first operation, and a second operation shorter than the first operation. Upon receiving a first command set that instructs execution of the first operation, the sequencer is configured to execute the first operation. Upon receiving a second command set that instructs execution of the second operation while the first operation is being executed, the sequencer is configured to suspend the first operation and execute the second operation or execute the second operation in parallel with the first operation, based on an address of a block that is a target of the first operation and an address of a block that is a target of the second operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akio Sugahara, Akihiro Imamoto, Toshifumi Watanabe, Mami Kakoi, Kohei Masuda, Masahiro Yoshihara, Naofumi Abiko
  • Patent number: 11532259
    Abstract: An electronic display includes an active area including multiple pixels. The electronic display also includes a first row driver set including a first column of row drivers and a second column of row drivers. A first active row driver in the first column of row drivers drives a first portion of the multiple pixels, and a first spare row driver in the second column of row drivers is in an inactive state. The electronic display also includes a second row driver set including a third column of row drivers and a fourth column of row drivers. A third active row driver in the third column of row drivers drives a second portion of the multiple pixels, and a second spare row driver in the fourth column of row drivers is inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Mohammad B Vahid Far, Hopil Bae, Mahdi Farrokh Baroughi, Xiaofeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11527464
    Abstract: A method for forming a package structure may comprise applying a die and vias on a carrier having an adhesive layer and forming a molded substrate over the carrier and around the vias, and the ends of the vias and mounts on the die exposed. The vias may be in via chips with one or more dielectric layers separating the vias. The via chips 104 may be formed separately from the carrier. The dielectric layer of the via chips may separate the vias from, and comprise a material different than, the molded substrate. An RDL having RDL contact pads and conductive lines may be formed on the molded substrate. A second structure having at least one die may be mounted on the opposite side of the molded substrate, the die on the second structure in electrical communication with at least one RDL contact pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jing-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 11527303
    Abstract: A memory device includes a row decoder, a column decoder, and a repair control circuit, which is configured to: (i) compare a row address with a stored failed row address, (ii) compare a column address with a stored failed column address, (iii) control the row decoder to activate the at least one of a plurality of redundancy word lines when the row address corresponds to the failed row address, and (iv) control the column decoder to activate at least one of a plurality of redundancy bit lines when the column address corresponds to the failed column address. The repair control circuit varies a repair unit according to an address input during a repair operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Yesin Ryu, Yoonna Oh, Hyunki Kim
  • Patent number: 11513880
    Abstract: A failure bit count (FBC) circuit for memory array is provided. The memory array includes pages each having plural sectors and a redundancy column. The FBC circuit includes FBC units, in which each FBC unit is respectively coupled to each sector for providing a failure bit count current; a redundancy FBC unit coupled to the redundancy column and provides a redundancy current; a switch having a first end and a second end capable of being switched to couple to one of outputs of the FBC units to receive the failure bit count current from one of the FBC units; a comparator having a first input end that receives a reference current, and a second input end that receives a measurement current obtained by adding the failure measurement current and the redundancy current, and an output end outputting a judge signal to indicate a number of failure bits for each sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Tomofumi Kitani
  • Patent number: 11500719
    Abstract: To improve the reliability of a memory system, data and error correction codes associated with the data can be stored in a first memory. Parity bits calculated over data bits in the first memory can be stored in a second memory. The parity bits in the second memory can be used to recover errors that are uncorrectable by the error correction codes. The first memory can be implemented, for example, using an emerging memory technology, while the second memory can be implement using a different memory technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charan Srinivasan, Nafea Bshara
  • Patent number: 11488685
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for adjustable column address scramble using fuses are described. A testing device may detect a first error in a first column plane of a memory array and a second error in a second column plane of the memory array. The testing device may identify a first column address of the first column plane associated with the first error and a second column address of the second column plane based on detecting the first error and the second error. The testing device may determine, for the first column plane, a configuration for scrambling column addresses of the first column plane to different column addresses of the first column plane. In some cases, the testing device may perform a fuse blow of a fuse associated with the first column plane to implement the determined configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Rehmeyer, Christopher G. Wieduwilt, George Raad, Seth Eichmeyer, Dean Gans
  • Patent number: 11467910
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory device; and a controller configured to transmit a target address to the memory device for performing an access operation, receive from the memory device a reference address at which the access operation has been performed, and selectively re-perform the access operation based on the reference address. The controller re-performs the access operation when the reference address is different from the target address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung Min Lee, Yong Il Jung
  • Patent number: 11462286
    Abstract: A method for operating a memory includes: activating a first row, and sensing and amplifying, by a first bit line sense amplifier array, data of memory cells of the first row; transferring data of first columns of the first row from the first bit line sense amplifier array to global input/output lines through first input/output sense amplifiers; storing data of the global input/output lines in the first columns of a dummy bit line sense amplifier array through dummy write drivers; transferring data of second columns of the first row from the first bit line sense amplifier array to the global input/output lines through the first input/output sense amplifiers; and storing the data of the global input/output lines in the second columns of the dummy bit line sense amplifier array through the dummy write drivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Munseon Jang, Hoiju Chung
  • Patent number: 11456032
    Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory elements. The memory device additionally includes a first current mirror that when in operation selectively outputs a first current to select a target memory cell as a first memory element of the plurality of memory elements. The memory device further includes a second current mirror that when in operation selectively outputs a second current to select the target memory cell as the first memory element of the plurality of memory elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yen Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 11446564
    Abstract: A first sensor detects a movement of a first apparatus attached to a lower body of a user, and a second sensor detects a movement of a second apparatus attached to an upper body of the user or held by a hand of the user. Then, a virtual object is caused to continue a first action in a virtual space while received outputs from the first sensor and the second sensor both satisfy a condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kitahara, Atsushi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11442631
    Abstract: As described herein, an apparatus may include a memory that includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The apparatus may also include a memory controller that includes a first logical-to-physical table stored in a buffer memory. The memory controller may determine that the first portion is accessed sequential to the second portion and may adjust the first logical-to-physical table to cause a memory transaction performed by the memory controller to access the third portion as opposed to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh N. Gupta
  • Patent number: 11436090
    Abstract: One example includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes non-volatile memory and logic. The logic is configured to receive repair code associated with a memory instance and assign a compression parameter to the repair code based on a configuration of the memory instance. The logic is also configured to compress the repair code based on the compression parameter to produce compressed repair code and to provide compressed repair data that includes the compressed repair code and compression control data that identifies the compression parameter. A non-volatile memory controller is coupled between the non-volatile memory and the logic. The non-volatile memory controller is configured to transfer the compressed repair data to and/or from the non-volatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Texas Instmments Incorporated
    Inventors: Devanathan Varadarajan, Ramakrishnan Venkatasubramanian, Varun Singh
  • Patent number: 11437387
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a stack capacitor, a flash memory device, and a manufacturing method thereof. The stack capacitor of the flash memory device has a a memory transistor structure which at least comprises a substrate, and a tunneling oxide layer, a floating gate layer, an interlayer dielectric layer and a control gate layer which are sequentially stacked on the substrate, the interlayer dielectric layer of the stack capacitor comprises a first oxide layer and a nitride layer; the stack capacitor further comprises a first contact leading out of the control gate layer and a second contact leading out of the floating gate layer. The capacitance per unit area of the stack capacitor provided by the disclosure is effectively improved, and the size of the transistor device is reduced. The manufacturing method according to the disclosure does not add any additional photomask than a conventional process flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI HUALI MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhi Tian, Juanjuan Li, Hua Shao, Haoyu Chen
  • Patent number: 11430539
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for modifiable repair solutions for a memory array are described to support storing repair information for a memory array within the memory array itself. A memory device may include the memory array and an on-die microprocessor, where the microprocessor may retrieve the repair information from the memory array and write the repair information to repair circuitry used for identifying defective memory addresses. The microprocessor may support techniques for identifying additional defects and updating the repair information during operation of the memory array. For example, the microprocessor may identify additional defects based on errors associated with one or more memory cells of the memory array or based on testing performed on one or more memory cells of the memory array. In some cases, a host device may identify additional defects and may notify the microprocessor of the additional defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy A. Manning, Troy D. Larsen, Jonathan D. Harms, Glen E. Hush, Timothy P. Finkbeiner
  • Patent number: 11429291
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a memory system or scheme that includes a first memory device configured for low-energy access operations and a second memory device configured for storing high-density information and operations of the same are described. The memory system may include an array configured for high-density information and may interface with a host via a controller and a cache or another array of a relatively fast memory type. The memory system may support signals communicated according to one or several modulation schemes, including a modulation scheme or schemes that employ two, three, or more voltage levels (e.g., NRZ, PAM4). The memory system may include, e.g., separate channels configured to communicate using different modulation schemes between a host and between memory arrays or memory types within the memory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean D. Gans
  • Patent number: 11430535
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an internal power supply generation circuit that generates an internal power supply voltage from an external power supply voltage and a non-volatile memory circuit. The semiconductor device sets the internal power supply voltage generated by the internal power supply generation circuit based on data stored in the non-volatile memory circuit. A mode signal that switches the internal power supply voltage is set in the non-volatile memory circuit. The mode signal is set to a burn-in mode before a burn-in test and is set to a normal mode after the burn-in test. In the burn-in test, when a VCC burn-in voltage is applied to a VCC terminal to start the semiconductor device, the internal power supply generation circuit generates a VDD burn-in voltage upon receiving the mode signal set in the burn-in mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kawashima
  • Patent number: 11423999
    Abstract: A memory device and its addressing method are disclosed. The memory device includes: an input module for receiving an input signal including an access address, a command, and a decoding selection instruction; a memory array including memory blocks, each having memory units arranged in an array; and a control module including memory block local control units, which respectively connected to one of the memory blocks in one-to-one correspondence. The memory block local control unit includes: at least one decoding unit, which performs redundant decoding or normal decoding to the input signal. The input of the decoding unit is coupled to the input module and the output is coupled to one of the memory units. The device further includes a selection module; the input of the selection module is coupled to the input module, and the output is coupled to the decoding unit. The addressing efficiency of the memory device is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: WeiBing Shang, Liang Zhang, Jia Wang
  • Patent number: 11417407
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a method for identifying unprogrammed bits for one-time-programmable memory (OTPM) and a corresponding structure. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a structure including: a read circuit configured to perform at least one read operation at an address for a twin-cell one-time-programmable-memory (OTPM); and a comparison circuit configured to identify whether at least one bit of the address for the twin-cell OTPM has been programmed based on the at least one read operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. INC.
    Inventors: Balaji Jayaraman, Toshiaki Kirihata, Amit K. Mishra
  • Patent number: 11398272
    Abstract: Along with the miniaturization of the semiconductor memory device, the resistor and parasitic capacitance of the wires become large, which prevents the semiconductor memory device from being speeded up. In a semiconductor memory device having a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a first memory cell row having a plurality of first memory cells arranged in parallel to a first direction in plan view on the main surface, a first word line connected to the plurality of first memory cells, a first word line driver for changing a potential of the first word line, and a control circuit for outputting a first predecode signal to the first word line driver via the first predecode line in response to a clock signal and an address signal, a repeater is inserted between the control circuit and the first word line driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Yabuuchi
  • Patent number: 11393831
    Abstract: A memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is connected to a word line to apply a first signal to select the memory cell to read data from or write the data to the memory cell and a bit line to read the data from the memory cell or provide the data to write to the memory cell upon selecting the memory cell by the word line. A first bit line portion of the bit line connected to a first memory cell of the plurality of memory cells abuts a second bit line portion of the bit line connected to a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cells. The first memory cell is adjacent to the second memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ping-Wei Wang, Lien Jung Hung, Kuo-Hsiu Hsu, Kian-Long Lim, Yu-Kuan Lin, Chia-Hao Pao, Chih-Chuan Yang, Shih-Hao Lin, Choh Fei Yeap
  • Patent number: 11385959
    Abstract: A memory module is disclosed that includes a substrate, a memory device that outputs read data, and a buffer. The buffer has a primary interface for transferring the read data to a memory controller and a secondary interface coupled to the memory device to receive the read data. The buffer includes error logic to identify an error in the received read data and to identify a storage cell location in the memory device associated with the error. Repair logic maps a replacement storage element as a substitute storage element for the storage cell location associated with the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Ware, Ely Tsern
  • Patent number: 11379363
    Abstract: A controller, a memory system, and operating methods thereof are disclosed. A memory system includes at least one nonvolatile memory device and a controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory device. The at least one nonvolatile memory device includes a super block including a plurality of way interleaving memory blocks and each of memory cells included in the plurality of way interleaving memory blocks operates in a first mode which stores N-bit (wherein N is a natural number of 2 or more) data. The controller generates a reproduction super block by replacing at least one bad block among the plurality of way interleaving memory blocks included in the super block with a non-way interleaving spare block and sets each of memory cells included in the non-way interleaving spare block to operate in a second mode which stores M-bit (wherein M is a natural number smaller than N) data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jeen Park, Hyeong Ju Na
  • Patent number: 11373729
    Abstract: A replacement block pool for a memory device is established. The replacement block pool comprises one or more valid blocks from a set of valid blocks in the memory device determined based on a constraint defining a minimum number of valid blocks for the memory device. A grown bad block is detected in the memory device. The grown bad block is replaced with a replacement block from the replacement block pool in response to detecting the grown bad block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Liu, Chun Sum Yeung, Xiangang Luo
  • Patent number: 11373724
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems, apparatuses, and methods for improving safety and correctness of data reading in flash memory devices associated with System-on-Chips. An example may include a plurality of sub-arrays, a plurality of memory blocks in each sub-array of the plurality of sub-arrays, a plurality of memory rows in each memory block of the plurality of memory blocks, and a plurality of extended pages in each memory row of the plurality of memory rows, wherein each extended page of the plurality of extended pages includes a group of data, an address, and an error correction code (ECC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Troia, Antonino Mondello
  • Patent number: 11361814
    Abstract: A memory mat architecture is presented where a column decoder is disposed within the memory array. The location of the column decoder reduces a distance between the column decoder and a target memory cell and thus reduces a distance that a column select signal travels from the column decoder to the target memory cell. A single predecoder is disposed in a bank controller for the memory array. The column decoder may be disposed in the middle of the memory array or offset from the middle near the far edge of the memory array opposite the bank controller. The location of the column decoder enables a reduced array access time to obtain data from the target memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan He, Hiroshi Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 11348504
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel; and a display driver integrated circuit (DDI) chip coupled to the display panel, the DDI chip being configured to generate a display driving signal for driving the display panel based on image data. The DDI chip may include: a first embedded memory device embedded in the DDI chip and configured to store compensation data for compensating for electrical and optical characteristics of a plurality of pixels included in the display panel; a timing controller configured to control signals for driving the display panel, and to generate a data control signal based on the image data and the compensation data; and a data driver configured to provide a data voltage to the display panel according to the data control signal. The first embedded memory device may not include static random access memory (SRAM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngmok Kim, Kyunglyong Kang, Jungu Kang, Boyoung Seo, Yongsang Jeong
  • Patent number: 11348660
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus that includes a memory cell array; a data input/output terminal; a read data path and a write data path coupled in parallel between the memory cell array and the data input/output terminal, wherein the read data path includes a pre-driver and an output driver coupled in series, and wherein the write data path includes an input receiver and a latch circuit coupled in series; and a test path configured to provide a shortcut between the pre-driver in the read data path and the latch circuit in the write data path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Morishita, Hiroshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 11340802
    Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor memory device and a controller. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of planes and performs a protection operation and a general operation on the plurality of planes. The controller controls an operation of the semiconductor memory device by transferring a Sudden Power Off (SPO) process command, which is generated in response to a Sudden Power Off (SPO) that occurs in the memory system, to the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device is configured to interrupt the general operations among operations performed on the plurality of planes in response to the SPO process command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyo Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 11342014
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to column select circuitry of a memory device. Specifically, the column select circuitry includes a pre-header circuit coupled to a pre-driver circuit. The pre-header circuit is configured to couple a gate of a transistor of a main column select driver circuit of the column select circuitry to a first voltage supply during operation and a second voltage supply when in a standby state. A voltage of the second voltage supply is greater than a voltage of the first voltage supply. The voltage of the second power supply applied to the gate of the transistor of the main column select driver circuit reduces current leakage through the transistor and enables a reduction in a size of the column select circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Ingalls