US Patent 7499313 Nonvolatile memory with data clearing functionality

A nonvolatile memory and a method of operating the memory are described. The memory includes memory cells that may each include a magnetoresistive memory bit. The memory includes toggle circuitry for altering the resistive states of memory cells within the memory without changing the logical states of the memory cells. The memory may be toggled to balance resistive decay associated with operating a memory bit under certain conditions or in extreme environments.