Patent ID: 11948644
Assignee: LODESTAR LICENSING GROUP LLC
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. A memory, comprising:
an array of memory cells comprising a plurality of memory cells, wherein each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells is selected for programming to a respective data state of a plurality of data states for a programming operation; and
control logic;
wherein the control logic is configured to cause the memory to:
program each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells whose respective data state is higher than or equal to a first particular data state of the plurality of data states from a lowest data state of the plurality of data states to its respective data state responsive to data corresponding to its respective data state while inhibiting programming of each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells whose respective data state is lower than the first particular data state, wherein the data states of the plurality of data states that are higher than or equal to the first particular data state comprise each data state of the plurality of data states from the first particular data state to a highest data state of the plurality of data states inclusive, and wherein the first particular data state of the plurality of data states is lower than the highest data state of the plurality of data states; and
after programming each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells whose respective data state is higher than or equal to the first particular data state, program each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells whose respective data state is lower than or equal to a second particular data state of the plurality of data states from the lowest data state to its respective data state responsive to data corresponding to its respective data state while loading level zero data to inhibit programming of each memory cell of the plurality of memory cells whose respective data state is higher than or equal to the first particular data state.