Reclaiming data storage capacity in flash memories
US7450420B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 11, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/102
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. A type of memory block is selected to receive additional data of a file that depends upon the types of blocks into which data of the file have already been written. Blocks containing data are selected for reclaiming any unused capacity therefrom by a process that selects blocks in order starting with those containing the least amount of valid data.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.