IP Library Granted Patent US 9,460,804
Granted Patent B2
US 9,460,804 · App. 14/861,288 · Granted Oct 4, 2016

Semiconductor memory device for storing multivalued data

Inventors: Noboru Shibata (Kawasaki, JP); Tomoharu Tanaka (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
G11C16/3427G11C11/5628G11C11/5642G11C16/0483G11C16/10G11C16/12G11C16/3459G11C2211/5621G11C2211/5646G11C2211/5648G11C2216/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,460,804
App. No.
14/861,288
Granted
Oct 4, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Data storage circuits are connected to the bit lines in a one-to-one correspondence. A write circuit writes the data on a first page into a plurality of 5 first memory cells selected simultaneously by a word line. Thereafter, the write circuit writes the data on a second page into the plurality of first memory cell. Then, the write circuit writes the data on the first and second pages into second memory cells adjoining 10 the first memory cells in the bit line direction.

Claims (24)

1. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a memory cell array in which memory cells is provided in a matrix;

word lines connected to the memory cells;

bit lines connected to the memory cells;

a control circuit configured to control potentials of the word lines and potentials of bit lines,

a constant voltage generation circuit,

wherein data in an n number of memory cells among the memory cells is simultaneously read from memory cell array;

an h (2<h<n) number of memory cells among the n number of memory cells is used as flag cells, data of the flag cells is determined by a majority decision for the read data from the h number of memory cells, and

in a read result of a k (k<n) number of memory cells among the read n number of memory cells,

the read data from the k number of memory cells is converted based on data of the flag cells determined by a majority decision.

2. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

write data is simultaneously written into the n number of memory cells in a write operation.

3. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

data from an external is written into the k number of memory cells.

4. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

data read from the k number of memory cells is outputted to an external.

5. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

data read from the h number of memory cells as the flag cells is not outputted to an external.

6. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

when the data of the flag cells determined by the majority decision is a first value, the read data from the k number of memory cells is set to a second value.

7. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

each of the h number of memory cells is capable of storing the data having a third value or a fourth value, a result of the majority decision is determined based on the number of the third values.

8. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

each of the memory cells is capable of storing i bits of data (i is a natural number equal to or larger than two).

Assignments (4)
MERGER Recorded Jan 22, 2021
From: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
To: K.K. PANGEA
Reel/Frame 055659/0471 →
CHANGE OF NAME AND ADDRESS Recorded Jan 22, 2021
From: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
To: KIOXIA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055669/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME AND ADDRESS Recorded Jan 22, 2021
From: K.K. PANGEA
To: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055669/0401 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2017
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
To: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043328/0388 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2002-347797 · Nov 29, 2002 · national
JP 2003-402161 · Dec 1, 2003 · national
Continuity (15)
Continuation 14581714 · Dec 23, 2014
Continuation 14266275 · Apr 30, 2014
Continuation 14079279 · Nov 13, 2013
Continuation 13648778 · Oct 10, 2012
Continuation 13158508 · Jun 13, 2011
Continuation 12837595 · Jul 16, 2010
Continuation 12365039 · Feb 3, 2009
Continuation 12189566 · Aug 11, 2008
Continuation 11949649 · Dec 3, 2007
Continuation 11469279 · Aug 31, 2006
Division 11325917 · Jan 4, 2006
Division 10764828 · Jan 26, 2004
Continuation In Part 10689868 · Oct 20, 2003
Continuation In Part 10358643 · Feb 4, 2003
Related Publication 20160012906A1 · Jan 14, 2016