Siliconsystems, Inc.

Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Gary A Drossel

Mark Diggs

David E Merry

Michael J Hajeck

David E Merry, Jr

Mark S Diggs

A solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory card or drive, includes a main memory area that is accessible via standard memory access commands (such as ATA commands), and a restricted memory area that is accessible only via one or more non-standard commands. The restricted memory area stores information used to control access to, and/or use of, information stored in the main memory area. As one example, the restricted area may store one or more identifiers, such as a unique subsystem identifier, needed to decrypt an executable or data file stored in the main memory area. A host software component is configured to retrieve the information from the subsystem's restricted memory area, and to use the information to control access to and/or use of the information in the main memory area.

Solid-state storage subsystem security solution

A non-volatile solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory device, maintains usage statistics reflective of the wear state, and thus the remaining useful life, of the subsystem's memory array. A host system reads the usage statistics information, or data derived therefrom, from the subsystem to evaluate the subsystem's remaining life expectancy. The host system may use this information for various purposes, such as to (a) display or report information regarding the remaining life of the subsystem; (b) adjust the frequency with which data is written to the subsystem; and/or (c) select the type(s) of data written to the subsystem.

Systems and methods for measuring the useful life of solid-state storage devices

A storage subsystem comprises a set of zone definitions that uses physical block addresses to divide a memory array in the storage subsystem into zones or segments. A set of zone parameters defines user access modes and security levels for each of the segments. Defining zones for the memory array provide flexibility and increased protection for data stored in the memory array. For example, data of one zone can be quickly erased without affecting data stored in other zones and critical data can be stored in read-only zones to prevent inadvertent overwrite.

Systems and methods for segmenting and protecting a storage subsystem

System for controlling use of a solid-state storage subsystem

Systems and methods for storing data in segments of a storage subsystem

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Laguna Niguel, CA, United States of America

Gary A Drossel