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:
Dec. 04, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 13, 2006
Ignazio Martines, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Michele LA Placa, Cefalù, IT;
Ignazio Martines, Tremestieri Etneo, IT;
Michele La Placa, Cefalù, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A method for simultaneously programming a pre-established number of memory cells includes setting an initial number of memory cells to be simultaneously programmed equal to the pre-established number, and subdividing the initial number of memory cells to be programmed into subsets of memory cells. A program operation for simultaneously programming all the memory cells of each subset of memory cells is executed by forcing a current through all the memory cells of each subset of memory cells. The current has a program voltage associated therewith. The program voltage is compared to a threshold voltage during execution of the program operation. The method further includes stopping execution of the program operation if the threshold voltage is surpassed, reducing the initial number of memory cells to be simultaneously programmed, and restarting from the subdividing.