Patent ID: 7388770

Claim:
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising: a storage element of an insulating film breakdown type, which is programmed with information; a power supply circuit connected to one end of the storage element to apply a high voltage that is not lower than a maximum rating to the storage element; an open/close switch connected to another end of the storage element to control application of the high voltage to the storage element from the power supply circuit; a control circuit which controls an open/close operation of the open/close switch; a sensing circuit which senses that an insulating film of the storage element is broken down by the application of the high voltage from the power supply circuit; an oscillator which oscillates; and a counter circuit which counts in response to an output of the sensing circuit and an output of the oscillator, wherein the device is programmed by controlling the control circuit such that an output of the counter circuit interrupts the application of the high voltage to the storage element from the power supply circuit after a lapse of a given period of time.