US Patent 9773553 Segmented memory and operation

Apparatus having a plurality of strings of series-connected memory cells, and methods of their operation, where each string of the plurality of strings is selectively connected to a common data line through a corresponding respective first select gate and selectively connected to a common source through a corresponding respective second select gate. A first access line is coupled to a respective memory cell of a first position of each string of the plurality of strings. A second access line is coupled to a respective memory cell of a second position of each string of a first subset of the plurality of strings, and a third access line is coupled to a respective memory cell of the second position of each string of a second subset of the plurality of strings.