Patent ID: 8369147
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for programming an array of memory cells, the method comprising: programming a first lower page, a second lower page and a third lower page of selected cells of a first group of cells having commonly coupled control gates; programming an upper page of the selected cells of the first group; wherein performing the first, the second, and the third lower page programming and the upper page programming for the selected cells of the first group includes alternating between performing the first, the second, and the third lower page programming and the upper page programming for cells associated with a first subset and a second subset of bit lines; subsequently programming an upper page of selected cells of a second group of cells having commonly coupled control gates, the second group of cells adjacent the first group; and reprogramming the upper page of the selected cells of the first group after the upper page programming of the selected cells of the second group has finished; wherein the method includes reprogramming the upper page of cells associated with the first subset of bit lines after the upper page programming of cells associated with the second subset of bit lines has finished; and wherein the method includes reprogramming the upper page of the selected cells of the first group only when a target state of the selected cells of the first group is a state nearest to an erase state.