Patent ID: 8711615

Claim:
A method for operating a memory device, comprising: performing a first kink check before applying a programming pulse including: floating first data lines and selectively applying one of a plurality of voltages to second data lines, wherein the voltage applied to a respective one of the second data lines is dependent upon a programming status of a memory cell coupled to that second data line and to an access line, wherein a plurality of memory cells coupled to the access line are alternately associated with a respective one of the first data lines and the second data lines; and sensing the first data lines; and performing a second kink check before applying the programming pulse including: floating the second data lines and selectively applying one of the plurality of voltages to the first data lines, wherein the voltage applied to a respective one of the first data lines is dependent upon a programming status of a memory cell of the plurality of memory cells that is coupled to that first data line and to the access line; and sensing the second data lines.