System and method for allocating and using spare blocks in a flash memory
US9021177B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 2011 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C2211/5641
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for using a single spare block pool in flash memory comprising: allocating a plurality of flash memory arrays, wherein each flash memory array comprises a plurality of flash memory blocks; within a main flash memory array: allocating a used block pool comprising a plurality of used blocks and allocating a main spare block pool comprising a plurality of spare blocks; within each of the other flash memory arrays: allocating a used block pool comprising multiple used blocks; allocating a minimum spare block pool comprising a minimum number of spare blocks; allocating the main spare block pool and each of the minimum spare block pools to a single spare block pool; transferring a spare block from the main spare block pool to one of the minimum spare block pools; and transferring a spare block from a first minimum spare block pool to a second minimum spare block pool.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.