IP Library Granted Patent US 7,057,966
Granted Patent B2
US 7,057,966 · App. 10/998,678 · Granted Jun 6, 2006

Semiconductor memory device for reducing current consumption in operation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,057,966
App. No.
10/998,678
Granted
Jun 6, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A synchronous memory device can reduce unnecessary current consumption in its operation. In the synchronous memory device, a clock receiver receives an external clock to output a first internal clock. An address latch unit receives and latches an address in synchronous with the first internal clock. A row address latch unit latches a row address that is outputted from the address latch unit. A column address control unit receives the first internal clock to output a second internal clock and stops the output of the second internal clock when a non-column command is performed. Finally, a column address control unit is activated in response to the second internal clock to count a column address that is outputted from the address latch unit so as to output an inner column address.

Claims (16)

1. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a clock receiving means for receiving an external clock to output a first internal clock;

an address latching means for receiving and latching an address in synchronous with the first internal clock;

a row address latching means for latching a row address that is outputted from the address latching means;

a clock signal controlling means for receiving the first internal clock to output a second internal clock and stopping the output of the second internal clock when a non-column command is performed; and

a column address controlling means activated in response to the second internal clock for counting a column address that is outputted from the address latching means to output an inner column address.

2. The synchronous memory device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the clock signal controlling means includes:

a NAND gate receiving the first internal clock and a control signal that is activated when the non-column command is performed; and

an inverter for inverting the output of the NAND gate to output the second internal clock.

3. The synchronous memory device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the non-column command performing operation is one selected from the group consisting of a stand-by mode state (pre-charge operation has been performed), an active state, an initial setting state such as MRS and EMRS, and a refresh operation state.

4. A synchronous memory device comprising:

a clock receiving means for receiving an external clock to output a first internal clock and a second internal clock and stopping the output of the second internal clock when a non-column command is performed;

an address latching means for receiving and latching an address in synchronous with the first internal clock;

a row address latching means for latching a row address that is outputted from the address latching means;

a column address controlling means activated in response to the second internal clock for counting a column address that is outputted from the address latching means to output an inner column address.

5. The synchronous memory device as recited in claim 4 , wherein the non-column command performing operation is one selected from the group consisting of a stand-by mode state (pre-charge operation has been performed), an active state, an initial setting state such as MRS and EMRS, and a refresh operation state.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE IS HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC. NOT HYNIX-SEMICONDUCTOR INC. THERE IS NO HYPHEN IN THE NAME. PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 67328 FRAME 814. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded May 14, 2024
From: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 067412/0482 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2024
From: SK HYNIX INC.
To: MIMIRIP LLC
Reel/Frame 067369/0832 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 6, 2024
From: HYNIX-SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 067328/0814 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2004
From: KANG, SHIN-DEOK; KWEAN, KI-CHANG
To: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 016043/0713 →