Patent ID: 8351236

Claim:
A data memory including memory elements arranged in a three-dimensional pattern defined by rectangular coordinates having x, y and z-directions and with a plurality of parallel planes stacked in the z-direction, the memory further comprising: a plurality of first conductive lines elongated in the z-direction through the plurality of planes and arranged in a two-dimensional rectangular array of rows in the x-direction and columns in the y-direction; a plurality of second conductive lines elongated in the x-direction across individual planes and spaced apart in the y-direction between and separated from the first plurality of conductive lines in the individual planes, wherein the first and second conductive lines cross adjacent each other at a plurality of locations across the individual planes; each adjacent pair of the second conductive lines being disposed around a corresponding row of first conductive lines in the x-direction for operating exclusively therewith; a plurality of non-volatile re-programmable memory elements individually connected between the first conductive lines and second conductive lines adjacent the crossings thereof at the plurality of locations; and a plurality of select devices arranged to individually couple a selected row of first conductive lines to a plurality of third conductive lines.