Patent ID: 7072225

Claim:
A nonvolatile memory apparatus comprising: a nonvolatile memory cell having a threshold voltage within one of a plurality of threshold voltage ranges in accordance with data stored therein; a first signal line coupled to a first terminal of the nonvolatile memory cell; a second signal line coupled to a second terminal of the nonvolatile memory cell; a word line coupled to a control terminal of the nonvolatile memory cell; and a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is adapted to control program operations, wherein in a program operation in which the threshold voltage of the nonvolatile memory cell is to be changed from one of said plurality of threshold voltage ranges to another, the control circuit performs control to discharge a voltage charged in the first signal line to a first voltage level, to charge a second voltage having a level higher than the first voltage level to the second signal line, and then to supply a program voltage to the word line, and wherein current flows from the second terminal of the nonvolatile memory cell to the first terminal of the nonvolatile memory cell during a first period for charging a parasitic capacitance of the first signal line after supplying the program voltage in the program operation.