IP Library Granted Patent US 7,333,368
Granted Patent B2
US 7,333,368 · App. 11/398,771 · Granted Feb 19, 2008

Semiconductor memory device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,333,368
App. No.
11/398,771
Granted
Feb 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor memory device which is highly reliable, is operable at a low voltage and a high speed, and is produced at a high production yield is provided. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of reading and erasing data and holding the data even while no voltage is supplied comprises a plurality of memory cells each including a plurality of local charge portions each capable of storing a static charge corresponding to the data. Either two of the local charge portions store the charges in a complementary state.

Claims (13)

1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device capable of reading and erasing data and holding the data even while no voltage is supplied, the semiconductor memory device comprising:

a plurality of memory cells each including a plurality of local charge portions each capable of storing a static charge corresponding to the data;

wherein either two of the local charge portions store the charges in a complementary state.

2. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the two local charge portions are included in different memory cells.

3. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the two local charge portions are included in the same memory cell.

4. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the charges stored in the complementary state are read using different bit lines respectively connected to the local charge portions.

5. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the charges stored in the complementary state are read using a dummy bit line which is not connected to the local charge portions.

6. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the two local charge portions are included in different memory cells included in different memory arrays.

7. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the two local charge portions are included in different memory cells connected to different word lines.

8. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , further comprising capacitors connected to bit lines for reading the charges stored in the complementary state via a switch.

9. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the local charge portions are switchable into a state of storing charges independently.

10. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 9 , wherein the local charge portions are switched based on a flag.

11. A semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein one bit of data is stored using a plurality of pairs of the local charge portions, each pair being capable of storing the charges in the complementary state.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 052755/0917 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 20, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021930/0876 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2006
From: MUKUNOKI, TOSHIO
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 017798/0438 →