Patent ID: 8300473
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. In a non-volatile memory device having a plurality of memory cells to be sensed in parallel, each memory cell having a source electrode, and the plurality of memory cells having their source electrodes coupled together into a combined source line, a method of sensing comprising: (a) providing a predetermined demarcation current value to discriminate between two memory states; (b) sensing the plurality of memory cells in parallel; (c) identifying a high-current set of memory cells having conduction currents higher than said predetermined demarcation current value; (d) marking the high current set of memory cells; (e) inhibiting the conduction currents of the memory cells which have been marked; (f) repeating (b) to (e) for a predetermined number of times; and (g) sensing the plurality of memory cells in parallel in a final pass.