Patent ID: 8305817
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method of programming a non-volatile memory device, comprising: performing a first program-verify loop on a memory cell of the non-volatile memory device having a plurality of programmable states associated therewith, the first program-verify loop comprising a first program operation and a first at least one verify operation; and determining that the memory cell is in a pass state when a result of the at least one verify operation indicates the memory cell is in a targeted programmed state, is in a pre-pass state when the result of the at least one verify operation indicates that the memory cell is in within a defined state difference of the targeted programmed state, and is in a fail state when the result of the at least one verify operation indicates that the memory cell is not within the defined state difference of the targeted programmed state; wherein performing the first at least one verify operation comprises: using a target verify voltage for one of the programmable states as a pre-pass verify voltage for another one of the programmable states to determine that the memory cell is in the pre-pass state.