System and method to correct data errors using a stored count of bit values

A method comprising:

• at a controller coupled to a memory array:
• storing a first count of bits of a group of bits that are identified as having a particular bit value, the group of bits corresponding to at least a portion of a word-line of the memory array;
• and
• in response to a read of the word-line resulting in data that is uncorrectable by an error correcting code (ECC) engine:
• retrieving the first count;
• comparing the first count to a second count of bits having the particular bit value, the second count determined based on the data read from the word-line;
• and
• determining from the comparison a number of bits to correct.

A memory device comprising:

• a memory array;
• at least one error probability table to store data indicating likelihood of an error of a particular bit of a multi-bit value of a memory cell of the memory array, the data at least partially based on a number of errors of other bits of the memory cell;
• and
• a controller coupled to the memory array, the controller including an error correction coding (ECC) engine configured to detect the errors of the other bits of the memory cell, wherein the controller is configured to determine a number of bits of a particular value to correct, the bits retrieved via a read operation at the memory array, the number of bits determined based on comparing a count of retrieved bits having the particular value to a stored count of bit values, wherein the retrieved bits correspond to multiple bits of a word-line of the memory array, the controller further configured to access the at least one error probability table to identify at least one bit for correction.