Patent ID: 7046548
Filing Date: 2006-05-16
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a non-volatile memory having memory cells that store data as different levels of charge in charge storage elements thereof, wherein the memory cells are connected in series strings that individually include eight or more memory cells and have word lines extending across the memory cells of different strings to define rows of memory cells, comprising: programming the charge storage elements of a first one of the rows with a first set of data to levels that are less than full charge levels for such data but which still represent the first set of data, thereafter programming the charge storage elements of a second one of the rows with a second set of data to levels that are less than full charge levels for such data but which still represent the second set of data, wherein the charge storage elements of the first and second rows are field coupled with each other, and thereafter increasing the charge levels on the charge storage elements of the first row to the full storage levels representing the first set of data.