Patent ID: 8679917

Claim:
A method of operating a one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell which is part of a one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory array accessed by a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines, comprising: programming the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell, including: applying a program voltage between a word line of the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell and a bit line of the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell, wherein before said programming, an open circuit separates the word line of the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell and the bit line of the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell, and wherein after said programming, a diode circuit separates the word line of the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell and the bit line of the one-time-programmable nonvolatile memory cell.