Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/951,652

MEMORY DEVICE AND MEMORY SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Nov 19, 2024
Priority
Aug 02, 2024 — RE 10-2024-0102966
Examiner
KING, DANIEL JOHN
Art Unit
2827
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
SK hynix Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
98%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
5m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 98% — above average
98%
Career Allowance Rate
67 granted / 68 resolved
+30.5% vs TC avg
Minimal +2% lift
Without
With
+2.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
12 currently pending
Career history
85
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
33.8%
-6.2% vs TC avg
§102
27.1%
-12.9% vs TC avg
§112
37.6%
-2.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 68 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Specification The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. Double Patenting Claims 1-2, 6-16, and 18-20 are provisionally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claims 1-2, 6-16, and 18-20 of copending Application No. 19/083,443. This is a provisional statutory double patenting rejection since the claims directed to the same invention have not in fact been patented. Instant application 18/951,652 Copending application 19/083,443 1. A memory device comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block including a plurality of memory cells and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell blocks; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output data corresponding to the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers. 1. A memory device comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block including a plurality of memory cells and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell blocks; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output data corresponding to the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers. 2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to allocate, according to the output control signal, data output from n cell blocks among 2n cell blocks sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. 2. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to allocate, according to the output control signal, data output from n cell blocks among 2n cell blocks sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. 6. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cell blocks are grouped into a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks, and wherein each of the plurality of cell groups includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 6. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cell blocks are grouped into a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks, and wherein each of the plurality of cell groups includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 7. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from cell blocks included in one of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 7. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from cell blocks included in one of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 8. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from a cell block included in each of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 8. The memory device of claim 6, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from a cell block included in each of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 9. The memory device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cell blocks includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell block disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell block disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 9. The memory device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cell blocks includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell block disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell block disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 10. The memory device of claim 9, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from one cell block among two cell blocks sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 10. The memory device of claim 9, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from one cell block among two cell blocks sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 11. A memory device comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks among a plurality of cell blocks and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell groups; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output data corresponding to the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting a number of bits of data output from cell groups sharing activated sub-word line drivers. 11. A memory device comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks among a plurality of cell blocks and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell groups; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output data corresponding to the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting a number of bits of data output from cell groups sharing activated sub-word line drivers. 12. The memory device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of cell groups includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 12. The memory device of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of cell groups includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 13. The memory device of claim 12, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map data output from cell blocks included in one of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 13. The memory device of claim 12, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map data output from cell blocks included in one of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 14. The memory device of claim 12, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map data output from a cell block included in each of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 14. The memory device of claim 12, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map data output from a cell block included in each of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 15. A memory system comprising: a memory module including a plurality of memory devices; and a memory controller configured to provide a command and an address to control the memory module, and output and receive data to and from the memory module, wherein at least one of the plurality of memory devices includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell blocks, each block including a plurality of memory cells and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell blocks; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output the data of the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers. 15. A memory system comprising: a memory module including a plurality of memory devices; and a memory controller configured to provide a command and an address to control the memory module, and output and receive data to and from the memory module, wherein at least one of the plurality of memory devices includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell blocks, each block including a plurality of memory cells and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell blocks; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output the data of the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers. 16. The memory system of claim 15, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from n cell blocks among 2n cell blocks sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. 16. The memory system of claim 15, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from n cell blocks among 2n cell blocks sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. 18. The memory system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of cell blocks are grouped into a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks, and wherein each of the plurality of cell groups includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 18. The memory system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of cell blocks are grouped into a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks, and wherein each of the plurality of cell groups includes: first word lines configured to share first sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a first direction; and second word lines alternately disposed with the first word lines in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and configured to share second sub-word line drivers with corresponding word lines of an adjacent cell group disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction. 19. The memory system of claim 18, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from cell blocks included in one of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 19. The memory system of claim 18, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from cell blocks included in one of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 20. The memory system of claim 18, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from a cell block included in each of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. 20. The memory system of claim 18, wherein the mapping circuit is configured to map, according to the output control signal, data output from a cell block included in each of two cell groups sharing the activated sub-word line drivers, into the plurality of data pads. Allowable Subject Matter The listed relevant prior art is made of record: US 20210098072 A1 (Choi, et al.) US 20230013747 (Choi, et al.) US 20090175077 (Takase, et al.) US 20240232066 (Park, et al.) US 20240012712 (Kim, et al.) US 7,535,792 B2 (Saito) The prior art of record does not appear to teach the subject matter of claims 1-20. In particular, the prior art does not appear to teach “a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers.” Although the concepts of a mapping circuit, data pads, and adjusting a number of bits of output are well-known in the art, controlling such a mapping while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers is not taught. Therefore, the prior art does not teach a memory device comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block including a plurality of memory cells and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell blocks; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output data corresponding to the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers; and/or a memory device comprising: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell groups, each group including two adjacent cell blocks among a plurality of cell blocks and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell groups; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output data corresponding to the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting a number of bits of data output from cell groups sharing activated sub-word line drivers; and/or a memory system comprising: a memory module including a plurality of memory devices; and a memory controller configured to provide a command and an address to control the memory module, and output and receive data to and from the memory module, wherein at least one of the plurality of memory devices includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of cell blocks, each block including a plurality of memory cells and sharing sub-word line drivers with adjacent cell blocks; a data input/output circuit configured to input and output the data of the plurality of cell blocks through a plurality of data pads; and a mapping circuit disposed between the memory cell array and the data input/output circuit, and configured to control a mapping between the plurality of cell blocks and the plurality of data pads, while adjusting, according to an output control signal, a number of bits of data output from cell blocks sharing activated sub-word line drivers.. Claims 3-5 and 17 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL J KING whose telephone number is (703)756-1232. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-5pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Amir Zarabian can be reached at (571) 272-1852. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /DANIEL JOHN KING/Examiner, Art Unit 2827 /AMIR ZARABIAN/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2827
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Prosecution Timeline

Nov 19, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101
Sep 21, 2026
Response Filed

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
98%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+2.1%)
2y 3m (~5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 68 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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