Intel Corporation

Deborah L See

Robert N Hasbun

Phillip J Del Pozo, Iii

Richard P Garner

Jeffrey A Dunlap

Steven E Wells

Peter K Hazen

Terry L Kendall

Walter S Matthews

Clark S Thurlo

Rina Martin

MacDonald Verner, Iii

James W Bridgewater

Methods for storing data in an erasable nonvolatile memory are described herein. In one embodiment, an example method includes allocating a space within a block of an erasable nonvolatile memory for an object, wherein the allocated space is within a single block of the erasable nonvolatile memory and the allocated space includes a plurality of areas capable of storing multiple instances of the object, storing a first instance of the object in one of the areas within the allocated space, storing a superseding second instance of the object in another one of the areas within the allocated space without erasing any of the allocated space, and for each of the first and second instances of the object, storing status information corresponding to the respective instance of the object within the allocated space which is within the single block of the erasable nonvolatile memory.

Increased reliability of data stored on flash memory in applications sensitive to power-loss

The present invention is in the field of flash memory. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention can enhance an interface of a flash memory device by increasing the number of operations performed per transmission from a media management system. Further, some embodiments of the invention are designed to interface the flash memory device and media management controller via an interconnection attachment and/or driver common to a second type of data storage device, such as a hard drive.

System and apparatus for increasing the number of operations per transmission for a media management system

A processor-implemented method is described for updating a datum stored in a nonvolatile memory, bits of which cannot be overwritten from a first logical state to a second logical state without a prior erasure. A first storage location in the memory that stores a first version of the datum is accessed. A status field of the first storage location is checked to determine whether the first version of the datum has been superseded. If the status field of the first storage location indicates that the first version of the datum has not been superseded, then a most recent version of the datum is stored in a second storage location of the memory. An address of the second storage location is then written into a next location address field of the first storage location and the status field of the first storage location is written to indicate that the first version of the datum has been superseded such that the datum is updated without the prior erasure of the memory. If the status field of the first storage location indicates that the first version of the datum has been superseded, then the next location address field of the first storage location is accessed to obtain the address of a next storage location that stores a second version of the datum that supersedes the first version of the datum. The next storage location is then caused to be the first storage location and the method repeats itself to access the first storage location. An apparatus for storing a datum is also described.

Electrically erasable and programmable memory that allows data update without prior erasure of the memory

A method of moving a boundary in a nonvolatile memory is disclosed. The method comprises identifying a boundary location in the nonvolatile memory. The boundary location comprises a position between a first block of a first type and a second block of a second type. The method also comprises allocating objects from a last block of the first type to a second block of the first type. Additionally, the method comprises erasing the last block of the first type.

Method and apparatus to permit adjustable code/data boundary in a nonvolatile memory

A method of storing data in a nonvolatile memory includes the step of receiving the data to be stored. A storage structure is selected for the data according to the relative size (z) of the data with respect to a plurality of thresholds including: a minimum number of instances (m), a maximum single instance size (s*g), and an allocation granularity (g). The data is then stored in the selected structure within the nonvolatile memory. If z is less than a first threshold, the data is stored within a multiple instance object structure. If z is less than a second threshold, the data is stored as a single instance object. If z exceeds the second threshold, the data is fragmented. The fragmented data can then be stored among the plurality of blocks of nonvolatile memory. If the number of fragments is less than a maximum sequence table size, then a sequence table indicative of the order and the locations of the data fragments is stored in the nonvolatile memory. If the number of data fragments exceeds the maximum sequence table size, then a plurality of sequence table fragments and a group table are stored in the nonvolatile memory. The group table indicates the order and the location of the sequence table fragments which in turn indicate the order and the location of the data fragments within the nonvolatile memory.

Dynamic allocation for efficient management of variable sized data within a nonvolatile memory

A method and apparatus manages data and reads code from a nonvolatile writeable memory. In a nonvolatile writeable system, interrupts are disabled. A non-read operation is initiated in the nonvolatile writeable memory. A check for whether an interrupt has occurred is performed. If an interrupt has occurred, then the non-read operation in the nonvolatile writeable memory is suspended. Interrupts are enabled, and code is read from the nonvolatile writeable memory. Non-read operations may include program operations and erase operations.

Apparatus and method for suspending operation to read code in a nonvolatile writable semiconductor memory

A method of managing data in a flash EEPROM memory array allows all data to be recovered after power loss except new data in a sector in which the data content is being changed when power is lost. The method includes providing a block data structure and a plurality of sector data structures in each block of a flash EEPROM memory array, each data structure storing an indication of the operating state of the block or an associated physical sector of the array; changing the indication stored in the block data structure or the sector data structure when the operating state of the block or the associated sector changes; detecting the indication stored in the block data structure and the sector data structures when power is restored to a system which has lost power; and managing the flash EEPROM memory array depending on the indications detected.

Power-off recovery management for sector based flash media managers

A file system created in a flash EEPROM memory array including a first data structure for file entries, the file entries being arranged serially for access, each file entry pointing to one of a plurality of second data structures; a plurality of second data structures for file information entries, each file information entry of the second data structure pointing to data in one file, each file information entry of the second data structure being arranged serially for access and pointing to data entered in a file; and a plurality of data entries each pointed to by a file information entry of one of the second data structures.

Virtual small block file manager for flash memory array

A file system created in a flash EEPROM memory array for an embedded system having a plurality of blocks of flash memory cells, each block being divided into identical-sized areas capable of being addressed, the file system including a data structure positioned at a predetermined one of the areas on each block of a flash EEPROM memory array, the data structure storing a logical identification of data stored in each of the areas, the logical identifications of data being stored sequentially in the physical order of the areas on the block, a controller implemented process for searching the predetermined ones of the areas on each block to detect a logical identification of data, and means for accessing the physical area associated with any logical identification of data which is detected.

A nonvolatile memory having a plurality of individually erasable blocks is used to store sectors of a file. A method of overwriting the file includes the step of receiving a frame of data. The logical sector that the frame is to be written to is determined. The logical sector corresponds to a first sector located at a first offset in a first block of the nonvolatile memory. The first block also has an associated first logical block number. The frame of data is written to a second sector. The second sector is located at a second offset in a spare block. The first and second offsets are identical. The logical block number of the spare block is updated to be the same as the first logical block number.

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Placerville, CA, United States of America

Deborah L See