Method and apparatus for restoring data in a non-volatile memory

摘要

A method and apparatus for selectively restoring data in a non-volatile memory array based on failure type. Weakened data and erroneous data are identified by performing two readings of a specific memory section. Alternatively, an error correction code is used after a first reading of data to identify erroneous data. The manner in which data is restored will depend on whether the data changed because of an erase failure or a program failure. If only a program failure occurred then the data will be reprogrammed without an intervening erase step. If the data experienced an erase failure, then the data will be erased prior to being programmed with correct data.