IP Library Granted Patent US 8,533,563
Granted Patent B2
US 8,533,563 · App. 12/059,796 · Granted Sep 10, 2013

Memory read-out

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,533,563
App. No.
12/059,796
Granted
Sep 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A memory system having a plurality of memory cells for storing payload data and redundancy data. The memory system having a read-out circuit configured to read-out a status of the plurality of memory cells, the read-out status having payload data, redundancy data and associated reliability information. Moreover, the memory system has a data processor configured to derive the payload data from the read-out status using the reliability information.

Claims (21)

1. A memory system comprising:

a plurality of memory cells for storing payload data and redundancy data;

a read-out circuit configured to read-out a status of the plurality of memory cells, the read-out status comprising payload data, redundancy data and associated reliability information; and

a data processor configured to derive the payload data from the read-out status using the reliability information;

wherein the read-out circuit comprises a plurality of sense amplifiers configured to sense memory cells and wherein the read-out circuit is configured to read-out a status of a memory cell by a comparison of an output of a sense amplifier to a threshold;

wherein the read-out circuit is configured to sequentially change a word-line voltage according to a predetermined manner and wherein the read-out circuit is configured to read-out a status of a memory cell by determining an output of the sense amplifier dependent on the word-line voltage at a time being dependent on the comparison; and

wherein the predetermined manner is based on an age of the memory cell.

2. A memory system comprising:

a plurality of memory cells for storing payload data and redundancy data;

a read-out circuit configured to read-out a status of the plurality of memory cells, the read-out status comprising payload data, redundancy data and associated reliability information; and

a data processor configured to derive the payload data from the read-out status using the reliability information;

wherein the read-out circuit comprises a plurality of sense amplifiers configured to sense memory cells and wherein the read-out circuit is configured to read-out a status of a memory cell by a comparison of an output of a sense amplifier to a threshold;

wherein the read-out circuit is configured to sequentially change a word-line voltage according to a predetermined manner and wherein the read-out circuit is configured to read-out a status of a memory cell by determining an output of the sense amplifier dependent on the word-line voltage at a time being dependent on the comparison; and

wherein the read-out circuit further comprises a counter for counting incremental word-line voltage changes and is configured to determine the reliability information based on the count.

3. A memory system comprising:

a plurality of memory cells for storing payload data and redundancy data;

a read-out circuit configured to read-out a status of the plurality of memory cells, the read-out status comprising payload data, redundancy data and associated reliability information; and

a data processor configured to derive the payload data from the read-out status using the reliability information;

wherein the read-out circuit comprises a plurality of sense amplifiers configured to sense memory cells and wherein the read-out circuit is configured to read-out a status of a memory cell by a comparison of an output of a sense amplifier to a threshold;

wherein the read-out circuit is configured to sequentially change a word-line voltage according to a predetermined manner and wherein the read-out circuit is configured to read-out a status of a memory cell by determining an output of the sense amplifier dependent on the word-line voltage at a time being dependent on the comparison; and

wherein the output of the sense amplifier corresponds to a bit line voltage and the read-out circuit is configured to determine the reliability information dependent on the word line voltage when the bit line voltage reaches the threshold.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2015
From: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 036776/0905 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2015
From: QIMONDA AG
To: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
Reel/Frame 035623/0001 →