{
  "patent_number": "US 10565497",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How SK Hynix Builds Artificial Synapses for Brain-Like Computer Chips",
  "original_title": "Synapse and neuromorphic device including the same",
  "summary": "A design for a tiny hardware component that mimics biological brain connections to help computers learn and process information like a human brain.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a physical component called a synapse designed for neuromorphic computing, which is a way of building computer chips that mimic the structure of the human brain. The core mechanism involves a 'reactive metal layer' shaped like a tapering wedge or staircase, positioned between two electrodes and an oxygen-containing layer. When voltage is applied, oxygen ions move to react with the metal, creating or removing a thin layer of insulating oxide. This change in the oxide layer alters the electrical conductivity of the device, effectively storing memory or 'weight' in the system, similar to how biological synapses strengthen or weaken their connections based on activity.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover software-based neural networks that run on traditional CPUs or GPUs.",
    "Does not cover synapses that rely on biological materials or organic chemistry.",
    "Does not cover devices where the reactive metal layer has a uniform, non-tapered width.",
    "Does not cover memory cells that do not use oxygen ion migration to change conductivity."
  ],
  "filed": "2016-12-22",
  "granted": "2020-02-18",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "SK Hynix Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/sk-hynix-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Sang-Su PARK",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/sang-su-park"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hyung-Dong Lee",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/hyung-dong-lee"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "semiconductors",
    "ai_ml",
    "consumer_electronics"
  ],
  "abstract": "A neuromorphic device includes a synapse. The synapse, according to an embodiment, includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, an oxygen-containing layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the oxygen-containing layer including oxygen ions, and a reactive metal layer disposed between the oxygen-containing layer and the second electrode. The oxygen-containing layer includes oxygen ions. The reactive metal layer is capable of reacting with the oxygen ions of the oxygen-containing layer. A width of the reactive metal layer decreases along a direction toward the oxygen-containing layer from the second electrode.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10565497/multi-turn-conversational-ai",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10565497/multi-turn-conversational-ai/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US10565497",
  "relatedPatents": []
}