The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 11, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 08, 2008
Brian J. Cagno, Tucson, AZ (US);
John C. Elliott, Tucson, AZ (US);
Robert A. Kubo, Tucson, AZ (US);
Gregg S. Lucas, Tucson, AZ (US);
Brian J. Cagno, Tucson, AZ (US);
John C. Elliott, Tucson, AZ (US);
Robert A. Kubo, Tucson, AZ (US);
Gregg S. Lucas, Tucson, AZ (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
To ensure integrity of non-volatile flash, the controller programs the non-volatile memories with background test patterns and verifies the non-volatile memories during power on self test (POST) operation. In conjunction with verifying the non-volatile memories, the controller may routinely run diagnostics and report status to the storage controller. As part of the storage controller power up routines, the storage controller issues a POST command to the controller via an IC register that is monitored by the storage controller. The storage controller may determine that the non-volatile flash is functional without any defects, and the controller may remove power from the non-volatile flash to extend its reliability. Periodically, in the background, the controller may run diagnostic routines to detect any failures associated with the volatile memory and the controller itself.