{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531889","patent":{"patent_number":"US-8531889","title":"Non-volatile memory and method with improved sensing having bit-line lockout control","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2011-10-24T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2013-09-10T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["G11C"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"In sensing a group of cells in a multi-state nonvolatile memory, multiple sensing cycles relative to different demarcation threshold levels are needed to resolve all possible multiple memory states. Each sensing cycle has a sensing pass. It may also include a pre-sensing pass or sub-cycle to identify the cells whose threshold voltages are below the demarcation threshold level currently being sensed relative to. These are higher current cells which can be turned off to achieve power-saving and reduced source bias errors. The cells are turned off by having their associated bit lines locked out to ground. A repeat sensing pass will then produced more accurate results. Circuitry and methods are provided to selectively enable or disable bit-line lockouts and pre-sensing in order to improving performance while ensuring the sensing operation does not consume more than a maximum current level."},"analysis":{"summary":null,"layman_explanation":null,"technical_analysis":null,"business_analysis":null,"faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Non-volatile memory and method with improved sensing having bit-line lockout control","description":"In sensing a group of cells in a multi-state nonvolatile memory, multiple sensing cycles relative to different demarcation threshold levels are needed to resolve all possible multiple memory states. E","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531889","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531889","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Non-volatile memory and method with improved sensing having bit-line lockout control\" (US-8531889). https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531889","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-8531889","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-8531889","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-31T11:53:49.382Z"}