Patent ID: 8305795

Claim:
A method of writing data to a nonvolatile variable resistance memory element that includes a first electrode and a second electrode and reversibly changes between a high resistance state and a low resistance state according to a polarity of a voltage applied across the first electrode and the second electrode, said writing method comprising: performing high resistance writing by applying a positive first voltage to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, to set the nonvolatile variable resistance memory element to the high resistance state; performing low resistance writing by applying a negative second voltage to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode, to set the nonvolatile variable resistance memory element to the low resistance state; and performing low resistance stabilization writing by applying a positive third voltage to the second electrode with respect to the first electrode to set the nonvolatile variable resistance memory element to the low resistance state, after the negative second voltage is applied in said performing low resistance writing.