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:
Jul. 04, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 23, 2004
Matteo Patelmo, Trezzo Sull'Adda, IT;
Rosario Portoghese, Catania, IT;
Massimo Bassi, Motta S. Anastasia, IT;
Stefano Scuratti, San Giovanni La Punta, IT;
Matteo Patelmo, Trezzo Sull'Adda, IT;
Rosario Portoghese, Catania, IT;
Massimo Bassi, Motta S. Anastasia, IT;
Stefano Scuratti, San Giovanni La Punta, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A method for locating in an array of memory cells a set of cells having a stand-by current that exceeds a certain value based on their programming state. The method includes selecting all the cells of the array of memory cells as a set of cells to be tested, and dividing the set of cells to be tested into subsets of cells, and repeatedly sensing a stand-by current absorbed by the array of memory cells after having changed the programming state of the subsets of cells. The sensed stand-by currents are compared and a subset of cells having a stand-by current exceeding the certain value are identified as a function of the comparison. The identified subset of cells is selected as a new set of cells to be tested, and the method is repeated. Otherwise, the testing stops with the just tested subset of cells having a stand-by current exceeding the certain value.