Patent ID: 7505323

Claim:
A method of programming a target memory cell of a memory device, comprising: increasing voltages of a word line that includes the target memory cell and one or more word lines that do not include the target memory cell from an initial voltage to a pass voltage, wherein the pass voltage is adapted to activate memory cells of the word lines, but to inhibit programming of the memory cells; allowing a length of time for the word lines that do not include the target memory cell and the word line that includes the target memory cell to increase from the initial voltage to the pass voltage; applying a programming voltage to the word line that includes the target memory cell after the length of time; continuing to apply the pass voltage to the word lines that do not include the target memory cell while applying the programming voltage to the word line that includes the target memory cell; determining whether the target memory cell is programmed; and increasing the programming voltage by a step voltage if it is determined that the target memory cell is not programmed; wherein an initial programming voltage and the step voltage are each selectable after fabrication of the memory device.