Unusable block management within a non-volatile memory system

Details Unusable block management within a non-volatile memory system Unusable block management within a non-volatile memory system

2007-01-30

2007-01-30

Nguyen, Hiep T. (Department: 2187)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: memory

Storage accessing and control

Memory configuring

C711S103000, C711S156000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10682641

ABSTRACT:
Methods and apparatus for tracking defective blocks such that at least some of the defective blocks may be readily identified and tested for usability when desirable are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for identifying spare blocks within a non-volatile memory includes subjecting at least one defective physical block associated with the non-volatile memory to a test that is arranged to determine if the defective physical block is usable. The method also includes determining when the defective physical block passes the test, and identifying the defective physical block as a usable physical block when it is determined that the defective physical block passes the test.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5222109 (1993-06-01), Pricer
patent: 5297148 (1994-03-01), Harari et al.
patent: 5377146 (1994-12-01), Reddy et al.
patent: 5388083 (1995-02-01), Assar et al.
patent: 5438573 (1995-08-01), Mangan et al.
patent: 5568439 (1996-10-01), Harari
patent: 5598370 (1997-01-01), Niijima et al.
patent: 5691786 (1997-11-01), Nakai
patent: 5835935 (1998-11-01), Estakhri et al.
patent: 5845313 (1998-12-01), Estakhri et al.
patent: 5860082 (1999-01-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5907856 (1999-05-01), Estakhri et al.
patent: 5924113 (1999-07-01), Estakhri et al.
patent: 6016275 (2000-01-01), Han
patent: 6081447 (2000-06-01), Lofgren et al.
patent: 6115785 (2000-09-01), Estakhri et al.
patent: 6125435 (2000-09-01), Estakhri et al.
patent: 6230233 (2001-05-01), Lofgren et al.
patent: 6260156 (2001-07-01), Garvin et al.
patent: 6381176 (2002-04-01), Kim et al.
patent: 6426893 (2002-07-01), Conley et al.
patent: 6563732 (2003-05-01), Matarrese et al.
patent: 6759257 (2004-07-01), McCormack et al.
patent: 62-283496 (1987-12-01), None
patent: 62-283497 (1987-12-01), None
Kim, Jesung et al., “A Space-Efficient Flash Translation Layer for Compactflash Systems”, IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, vol. 48, No. 2, May 2002.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Unusable block management within a non-volatile memory system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Unusable block management within a non-volatile memory system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Unusable block management within a non-volatile memory system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3805173