Memory area protection system and methods

摘要

In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of protection bits denoting that an area of memory in the device must be protected from being erased or programmed. The memory device further includes a majority logic circuit for determining the logic state of the majority of the plurality of protection bits. Another embodiment includes a pattern generator for generating the logic levels to be stored in the plurality of protection bits.

主权项

1. A method of protecting a memory area comprising:
programming a plurality of memory cells with a predetermined level; computing a logical state of a majority of the plurality of memory cells; and preventing memory cells in the memory area from being programmed responsive to the logical state being a first value, wherein the logical state has the first value when the majority of the plurality of memory cells stores the predetermined level.