Patent ID: 7656710

Claim:
A method for writing to memory comprising: programming a first memory cell to a first predetermined voltage using a first set of programming parameters, wherein the first predetermined voltage is a threshold voltage of the memory cell that differs from threshold voltages used to represent data values written to the memory cell; programming a second memory cell to the first predetermined voltage using the first set of programming parameters, wherein programming of the first and second memory cells commences simultaneously; selecting a first increase in a programming voltage for programming of the first memory cell beyond the first predetermined voltage, wherein the first increase is selected based on performance of the first memory cell during the programming to the first predetermined voltage; and selecting a second increase in a programming voltage for programming of the second memory cell beyond the first predetermined voltage wherein the second increase is selected based on performance of the second memory cell during the programming to the first predetermined voltage, wherein the first and second increases differ by an amount that tends to equalize a rate at which the first and second memory cells program.