US5329494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Memory cell array divided type semiconductor memory device
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1992-03-09
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2012-03-09
Abstract
Abstract The memory device of this invention includes a plurality of memory cell blocks each having a plurality of memory cells disposed in a matrix form. A memory cell selector selects a predetermined number of the memory cells in each memory cell block in accordance with external address signals. A sense amplifier unit amplifies data read from the selected memory cells for data read. A data output unit outputs the data amplified by the sense amplifier unit. A block selector selects a desired one or more of the memory cell blocks as data write blocks for data write. A data write unit writes data in the selected memory cells in the selected blocks. A sense amplifier controller supplies, during the data write, a signal to the sense amplifier unit to make the sense amplifier unit inactive, and during the data read supplies a signal to the sense amplifier unit to make the sense amplifier unit active.
Inventors
- 👤 Youichi Suzuki
- 👤 Takenori Nakamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:24
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C7/00; G11C7/06; G11C7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A memory device having any given number of memory blocks, each of the memory blocks, comprising: a plurality of way cell arrays to and from each of which data can be written and read independently from said other way cell arrays; memory cell selecting means for selecting a memory cell of each of said way cell arrays on the basis of an external address signal, respectively, the selected memory cells having the same common address mutually in said way cell arrays; a plurality of sense amplifying means provided for each of said way cell arrays, for sensing and amplifying data read out of the memory cells, said sense amplifying means being allowed to be operative or inoperative in response to a sense control signal in data read/write operations; data output buffer means for outputting outputs of said sense amplifying means to the outside; and a plurality of way write buffer means provided for each of said wall cell arrays, are allowed to be any given number of said way write buffers being selectively operative on the basis of write way control signals, to write data in the selected memory cells of said way cell arrays corresponding thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A memory device having any given number of memory blocks, each of the memory blocks, comprising: a plurality of way cell arrays to and from each of which data can be written and read independently from said other way cell arrays; memory cell selecting means for selecting a memory cell of each of said way cell arrays on the basis of an external address signal, respectively, the selected memory cells having the same common address mutually in said way cell arrays; a plurality of sense amplifying means provided for each of said way cell arrays, for sensing and amplifying data read out of the memory cells, said sense amplifying means being allowed to be operative or inoperative in response to a sense control signal in data read/write operations; data output buffer means for outputting outputs of said sense amplifying means to the outside; and a plurality of way write buffer means provided for each of said wall cell arrays, are allowed to be any given number of said way write buffers being selectively operative on the basis of write way control signals, to write data in the selected memory cells of said way cell arrays corresponding thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The memory device of claim 1, wherein said memory cell selecting means comprises a row decoder and a column decoder, the external address being applied to said row and column decoders to select the memory cells of the same common address simultaneously in said respective way cell arrays.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The memory device of claim 1, which further comprises sense amplifier control means for forming the sense amplifier control signal on the basis of the write way control signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The memory device of claim 2, which further comprises sense amplifier control means for forming the sense amplifier control signal on the basis of the write way control signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The memory device of claim 3, which further comprises output control means for applying an output control signal to said data output buffer means, to selectively output data from one of said sense amplifier means in the data read operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The memory device of claim 4, which further comprises output control means for applying an output control signal to said data output buffer means, to selectively output data from one of said sense amplifier means in the data read operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The memory device of claim 5, which further comprises data input buffer means connected to said way write buffer means connected in parallel to each other, for transmitting write data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The memory device of claim 6, which further comprises data input buffer means connected to said way write buffer means connected in parallel to each other, for transmitting write data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The memory device of claim 7, wherein each of said sense amplifier means is composed of series-connected multi-state sense amplifiers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The memory device of claim 8, wherein each of said sense amplifier means is composed of series-connected multi-stage sense amplifiers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The memory device of claim 9, further comprising latch means connected between two of the multi-stage sense amplifiers constituting said sense amplifier means, for latching an output of the front-stage sense amplifier and transmitting the latched output to the succeeding-stage sense amplifier, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The memory device of claim 10, which further comprises latch means connected between two of the multi-stage sense amplifiers constituting said sense amplifier means, for latching an output of the front-stage sense amplifier and transmitting the latched output to the succeeding-stage sense amplifier, respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The memory device of claim 11, wherein an input/output terminal is connected in common to said data output buffer means and said data input buffer means, to receive read data from said data output buffer means and transmit write data to said data input buffer means, respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The memory device of claim 12, wherein an input/output terminal is connected in common to said data output buffer means and said data input buffer means, to receive read data from said data output buffer means and transmit write data to said data input buffer means, respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The memory device of claim 13, wherein the given number of the memory blocks are more than one.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The memory device of claim 14, wherein any given number of the memory blocks are more than one.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |