Redundant memory structure using bad bit pointers
First Claim
1. A method for correcting an error, the method comprising:
- (a) writing data in a first plurality of memory cells;
(b) detecting an error in writing data in one of the first plurality of memory cells;
(c) writing a pointer in a second plurality of memory cells, the pointer identifying which memory cell in the first plurality of memory cells contains the error;
(d) reading the data from the first plurality of memory cells;
(e) reading the pointer from the second plurality of memory cells;
(f) from the pointer, identifying which memory cell of the first plurality of memory cells contains the error; and
(g) correcting the error.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The preferred embodiments described herein relate to a redundant memory structure using bad bit pointers. In one preferred embodiment, data is written in a first plurality of memory cells, and an error is detected in writing data in one of the memory cells. In response to the detected error, a pointer is written in a second plurality of memory cells, the pointer identifying which memory cell in the first plurality of memory cells contains the error. During a read operation, the data is read from the first plurality of memory cells, and the pointer is read from the second plurality of memory cells. From the pointer, the memory cell containing the error is identified, and the error is corrected. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.
83 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for correcting an error, the method comprising:
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(a) writing data in a first plurality of memory cells;
(b) detecting an error in writing data in one of the first plurality of memory cells;
(c) writing a pointer in a second plurality of memory cells, the pointer identifying which memory cell in the first plurality of memory cells contains the error;
(d) reading the data from the first plurality of memory cells;
(e) reading the pointer from the second plurality of memory cells;
(f) from the pointer, identifying which memory cell of the first plurality of memory cells contains the error; and
(g) correcting the error. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification