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:
Jun. 03, 2008
Filed:
Jul. 20, 2006
Angelo Bovino, Brunico, IT;
Vincenzo Altieri, Ercolano, IT;
Roberto Ravasio, Ponte San Pietro, IT;
Rino Micheloni, Turate, IT;
Mario DE Matteis, Naples, IT;
Angelo Bovino, Brunico, IT;
Vincenzo Altieri, Ercolano, IT;
Roberto Ravasio, Ponte San Pietro, IT;
Rino Micheloni, Turate, IT;
Mario De Matteis, Naples, IT;
STMicroelectronics S.R.L., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Hynix Semiconductor Inc., Kyoungki-Do, KR;
Abstract
Multi-level programming allows for writing a first and a second bit in selected cells by separately programming the first bit from the second bit. Programming of the first bit determines a shifting from a first threshold level to a second threshold level. Programming of the second bit requires a preliminary reading to detect whether the first bit has been modified, performing a first writing step to bring the cell to a third threshold voltage if the first bit has been modified and performing a second writing step to bring the selected cell to a fourth threshold voltage different from the third threshold level if the first bit has not been modified. For increasing reading and program reliability, during preliminary reading of the second portion a reading result is forced to correspond to the first threshold level.