US5361233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Semiconductor memory apparatus
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1993-08-12
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Granted: 1994-11-01
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Expires: 2013-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A semiconductor memory device is for randomly reading and writing data. Only a second bit line pair selected by a string selecting signal is amplified by a main amplifier. The number of the upper bit line pairs to be charged and discharged from the Vcc level or Vss level is reduced to thereby reduce the consumption current of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Hisakazu Kotani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:07
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/34; G11C11/40; G11C11/401; G11C7/00; G11C7/06; G11C7/10; G11C7/1006; G11C7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines each connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by a column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of the second bit line pairs, and a main amplifier connected with end portions of the common data line pair, said common data line pair being electrically connected between said main amplifier and said second switch elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines each connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by a column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of the second bit line pairs, and a main amplifier connected with end portions of the common data line pair, said common data line pair being electrically connected between said main amplifier and said second switch elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 1, wherein each memory cell is composed of a switching transistor and a capacitor controlled by word lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 1, wherein the sense amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 1, wherein the sense amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 1, wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the common data line pair and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the common data line pair.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 1, wherein, the potential of the first bit line pair is amplified by the sense amplifier, and then the thus amplified data is transferred into a second bit line pair and further is amplified by the main amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
236 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pairs and adapted to be controlled by a column selecting signal, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected; wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected to a third N type MOS transistor, and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected to a power supply line, the gate of the third N type MOS transistor receiving the column selecting signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
236 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pairs and adapted to be controlled by a column selecting signal, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected; wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected to a third N type MOS transistor, and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected to a power supply line, the gate of the third N type MOS transistor receiving the column selecting signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
253 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pairs and adapted to be controlled by a column selecting signal, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected; wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected with a third N type MOS transistor, and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected with a third P type MOS transistor, the gate of the third P type MOS transistor receiving an inverted column selecting signal, the gate of the third N type MOS transistor receiving the column selecting signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
253 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pairs and adapted to be controlled by a column selecting signal, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected; wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected with a third N type MOS transistor, and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and respective sources both connected with a third P type MOS transistor, the gate of the third P type MOS transistor receiving an inverted column selecting signal, the gate of the third N type MOS transistor receiving the column selecting signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
236 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pairs and adapted to be controlled by a column selecting signal, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected; wherein, the potential of the first bit line pair is amplified by the sense amplifier and, then the thus amplified data is transferred into the second bit line pair, said apparatus further including means for activating the column selecting signals to operate the main amplifier to amplify the potential of the second bit line pair at the same time or after the data is transferred into the second bit line pair or the common data line pair.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
236 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pairs and adapted to be controlled by a column selecting signal, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected; wherein, the potential of the first bit line pair is amplified by the sense amplifier and, then the thus amplified data is transferred into the second bit line pair, said apparatus further including means for activating the column selecting signals to operate the main amplifier to amplify the potential of the second bit line pair at the same time or after the data is transferred into the second bit line pair or the common data line pair.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
174 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines and controlled by a logical element with a signal for selecting a block having the memory cell and a column selecting signal being inputted therein, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pair, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled with the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
174 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the first bit lines and controlled by a logical element with a signal for selecting a block having the memory cell and a column selecting signal being inputted therein, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pair, a common data line pair connected through second switch elements, which are controlled with the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality of second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 10, wherein each memory cell is composed of a switching transistor and a capacitor controlled by word lines.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 10, wherein the sense amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 10, wherein the sense amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 10, wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 10, wherein the potential of the first bit line pair is amplified by the sense amplifier, and then the column selecting signal is activated, the thus amplified data is transferred into the second bit line pair from the first bit line pair, the main amplifier is activated to amplify the data of the second bit line pair and at the same time the data is transferred into the common data line pair.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
189 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said plural first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the plural first bit lines and controlled by a signal for selecting a block having a one of the memory cells, and through second switch elements, which are connected in series with the first switch elements and controlled by a column selecting signal, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pair, a common data line pair connected through third switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality the second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
189 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus comprising: plural first bit lines connected directly with memory cells and adapted to read and write data, a sense amplifier connected with a pair of said plural first bit lines, plural second bit line pairs connected through first switch elements, which are equal in number to the plural first bit lines and controlled by a signal for selecting a block having a one of the memory cells, and through second switch elements, which are connected in series with the first switch elements and controlled by a column selecting signal, with end portions of a pair or a plurality of pairs of said first bit lines, a main amplifier connected with a second bit line pair, a common data line pair connected through third switch elements, which are controlled by the column selecting signal, with end portions of a plurality the second bit line pairs, each of said first switch elements being operable to select only a block including one or some of the memory cells then reading or writing the data while the remaining memory cells not reading or writing the data are held non-selected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 16, wherein each memory cell is composed of a switching transistor and a capacitor controlled by word lines.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 16, wherein the sense amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having .respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 16, wherein the sense amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the pair of first bit lines.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 16, wherein the main amplifier is a differential amplifier composed of two N type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair and two P type MOS transistors having respective gates connected with the second bit line pair.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
A semiconductor memory apparatus described in accordance with the claim 16, wherein the potential of the first bit line pair is amplified by the sense amplifier, and then the column selecting signal is activated, the thus amplified data is transferred into the second bit line pair from the first bit line pair, the main amplifier is activated to amplify the data of the second bit line pair and at the same time the data is transferred into the common data line pair.
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) | 1997-10-31 | 1998-05-02 | 1998-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-31 | 2002-05-02 | 2002-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-31 | 2006-05-02 | 2006-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |