Patent ID: 7627792
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for repairing a memory device having at least one array of memory cells arranged in rows and columns with each row further divided into a plurality of words, the method comprising: detecting defective storage cells; conducting one of a column test and a row test comprising identifying and storing addresses of a respective one of columns and rows having one or more defective storage cells; overwriting stored addresses of one of columns and rows having a first number of defective storage cells with addresses of one of columns and rows having a second number of defective storage cells, wherein the second number is greater than the first number; replacing at least one of a row and column having a stored address with a redundant row or column; and thereafter replacing at least one word containing one or more defective storage cells with a redundant word without replacing the entire row containing the at least one word.