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:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 08, 1998
Hai Wang, Fremont, CA (US);
Information Storage Devices, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
An intelligent refreshing method and apparatus for increasing multi-level non-volatile memory charge retention reliability is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a circuit that is coupled to a multi-level memory cell and a sensing circuit. The sensing circuit senses a voltage of the memory cell and provides a digital value in response thereto. The circuit includes a selection circuit that receives the digital value and at least one trigger voltage, and provides an output trigger voltage responsive to the digital value. The circuit further includes a comparator having a first terminal coupled to receive the output trigger voltage, a second terminal coupled to receive the memory cell voltage, and an output terminal.