Patent ID: 7551490
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method of reading data from a flash memory device, the flash memory device comprising: a memory cell array including at least one memory block comprising a plurality of cell strings, each cell string having a string select transistor, at least one memory cell and a global select transistor, wherein the string select transistors of the plurality of cell strings are connected to at least one string select line, the global select transistors of the plurality of cell strings are connected to at least one global select line, and the memory cells of the plurality of cell strings connected to at least one wordline, wherein the plurality of cell strings are each respectively connected to a corresponding bit line among a plurality of bit lines, and the sources of the global select transistors are connected to a common source line, and the method comprising: pre-charging the plurality of bit lines to a first voltage during a standby state; after pre-charging the plurality of bit lines, discharging a selected bit line indicated by an address associated with a read command from among the plurality of bit lines and connected to a selected memory cell from the first voltage to a second voltage less than the first voltage in response to the read command; developing an output voltage on the selected bit line from the second voltage in relation to a data value stored by the selected memory cell; and reading the data value stored in the selected memory cell in response to the developed output voltage.