US Patent 9224480 Dual-function read/write cache for programmable non-volatile memory

A non-volatile memory, such as a one-time programmable memory, with a dual purpose read/write cache. The read/write cache is used as a write cache during programming, and stores the data to be written for a full row of the memory array. The programming operation simultaneously programs all cells in the selected row based on the contents of the write cache. In subsequent read operations, the read/write cache is used as a read cache. A full row of the array is simultaneously read in a read access, and the contents of that row are stored in the read cache. Subsequent access to that same row causes the data to be read from the read cache rather than requiring access of the array.