Patent ID: 8374051

Claim:
A non-volatile storage apparatus, comprising: a monolithic three dimensional array of non-volatile storage elements arranged in blocks; a plurality of word lines connected to the non-volatile storage elements; a plurality of bit lines connected to the non-volatile storage elements, the bit lines are grouped into columns of bit lines, each block has multiple columns of bit lines; row decoders connected to the word lines; one or more signal sources; first selection circuits and second selection circuits, the first selection circuits selectively connect columns of bit lines to the second selection circuits, the second selection circuits connects bit lines to the one or more signal sources; global column decoders in communication with and controlling the first selection circuits, each global column decoder selects corresponding columns of bit lines for multiple blocks of non-volatile storage elements; and a control circuit in communication with the row decoders and the global column decoders to concurrently select two columns of bit lines per selected block to be in communication with the second selection circuits, the control circuit is in communication with the one or more signal sources and the second selection circuits to allow one of two columns of bit lines at a time to be programmed by the one or more signal sources, the first selection circuits switch one of two columns of bit lines connected to the second selection circuits while another column is being programmed.