Patent · US Active

Efficiently managing unmapped blocks to extend life of solid state drive

US9946473B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
13References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 17, 2016
Grant dateApr 17, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 17, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/0688
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Systems and methods disclosed herein allow for efficiently managing unmapped blocks to extend life of solid-state drives. In one aspect, a method includes: determining a quantity of unmapped storage units in the storage device and operating the storage device in a first mode of operation while the quantity satisfies a first threshold. The method also includes: changing to a second mode of operation if the quantity of unmapped storage units doesn't satisfy the first threshold. While operating in the second mode of operation, the method includes: determining whether processing a write command would reduce the quantity of unmapped storage units to a quantity less than a second threshold. If processing the write command wouldn't reduce the quantity of unmapped storage units to a quantity less than the second threshold, the method includes: accepting and processing the write command. Else, the method includes: forgoing acceptance and processing of the write command.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.