The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 26, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1997
Toshio Takeshima, Tokyo, JP;
Hiroshi Sugawara, Tokyo, JP;
NEC Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
On programming a selected memory cell of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, first programming (S11) of the selected memory cell is made by applying a first programming pulse to the selected memory cell to make the selected memory cell have a programmed threshold voltage (Vtm). First verification (S12) is made whether the selected memory cell has the programmed threshold voltage which is not greater than a first predetermined upper limit voltage (Vt1). When the selected memory cell has the programmed threshold voltage greater than the Vt1, the first programming is again made. When the selected memory cell has the programmed threshold voltage not greater than the Vt1, second verification (S13) is made whether the selected memory cell has the programmed threshold voltage which is not greater than a second predetermined upper limit voltage (Vt10) less than the Vt1. When the selected memory cell has the programmed threshold voltage greater than the Vt10, second programming (S13) of the selected memory cell by applying a second programming pulse different from the first programming pulse to the selected memory cell so as to make the selected memory cell have the programmed threshold voltage which is not greater than the Vt10. When the selected memory cell has the programmed threshold voltage not greater than the Vt10, programming of the selected memory cell is completed.