公开(公告)号：US5437020A

公开(公告)日：1995-07-25

申请号：US969723

申请日：1992-10-03

申请人： Steven Wells ,  Robert N. Hasbun ,  Richard P. Garner

发明人： Steven Wells ,  Robert N. Hasbun ,  Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F3/06 ,  G11C29/00 ,  G06F13/10

CPC分类号： G11C29/765 ,  G06F3/0601 ,  G11C29/88 ,  G06F2003/0694 ,  G06F2003/0697

摘要： A method of detecting the loss of a sector of data stored in a solid state memory disk is described. Detection is enabled by the creation of a header for each sector number during formatting. Each header includes a logical sector number equal to a sector number. Location and loss of a sector of data associated with a particular sector number is aided by a sector header translation table. The sector header translation table stores an offset, or pointer, for each sector number that points to its associated header. The method by which the sector header translation table is generated aids in the detection of lost sectors of data. Upon power-up, each offset in the sector header translation table is initialized to an initial, invalid value. Afterward, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory is scanned and the sector header translation table is modified so that for each sector number it points to the header including a logical sector number equal to the sector number. As a result, retrieving an invalid offset from the sector header translation table indicates that the sector of data associated with the sector number is lost.Circuitry for detecting the loss of sector data stored in a solid state memory disk is also described.

摘要翻译： 描述了检测存储在固态存储盘中的数据扇区丢失的方法。 通过在格式化期间为每个扇区号创建报头来启用检测。 每个报头包括等于扇区号的逻辑扇区号。 与特定扇区号相关联的数据扇区的位置和丢失由扇区标题转换表辅助。 扇区标题转换表存储针对其关联报头的每个扇区号的偏移量或指针。 产生扇区标题转换表的方法有助于检测丢失的数据扇区。 上电时，扇区头部转换表中的每个偏移量初始化为初始无效值。 之后，扫描非易失性半导体存储器并修改扇区标题转换表，使得对于每个扇区号，它指向包括等于扇区号的逻辑扇区号的报头。 结果，从扇区头转换表中检索无效偏移指示与扇区号相关联的数据扇区丢失。 还描述了用于检测存储在固态存储盘中的扇区数据丢失的电路。

公开(公告)号：US5765002A

公开(公告)日：1998-06-09

申请号：US938398

申请日：1997-09-26

申请人： Richard P. Garner ,  Robert N. Hasbun

发明人： Richard P. Garner ,  Robert N. Hasbun

IPC分类号： G06F1/32

CPC分类号： G06F1/3275 ,  G06F1/32 ,  Y02B60/1225 ,  Y02B60/1228

摘要： A flash electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) device including a flash EEPROM array having circuitry for controlling operations within the flash EEPROM array, a microprocessor for controlling operations external to the flash EEPROM array, circuitry for detecting when operations are taking place within the array, and circuitry for disabling the microprocessor during periods in which operations are taking place in the flash EEPROM array so that power use by the microprocessor is minimized.

摘要翻译： 闪存电可擦除可编程只读存储器（EEPROM）装置，其包括具有用于控制闪存EEPROM阵列内的操作的电路的快闪EEPROM阵列，用于控制闪速EEPROM阵列外部的操作的微处理器，用于检测何时在 该阵列以及用于在闪存EEPROM阵列中进行操作的周期期间禁止微处理器的电路，使得由微处理器使用的功率最小化。

公开(公告)号：US5357475A

公开(公告)日：1994-10-18

申请号：US969466

申请日：1992-10-30

申请人： Robert N. Hasbun ,  Steven E. Wells ,  Richard P. Garner

发明人： Robert N. Hasbun ,  Steven E. Wells ,  Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G11C16/10 ,  G11C16/16 ,  G11C29/00 ,  G11C11/34

CPC分类号： G11C16/16 ,  G11C16/102 ,  Y10S707/99953 ,  Y10S707/99957

摘要： A process for releasing sectors of a flash EEPROM memory array which includes a plurality of individually erasable blocks and stores sectors of data in such blocks with a header providing a logical sector number, an indication of validity of data stored, and an indication of whether data is stored with the header. The process includes the steps of finding the header of a sector with data to be released, setting the indication of validity of the data stored to indicate that the data is invalid, and writing a new header for the sector to a new position in the array without data and with an indication that data is not attached.

摘要翻译： 一种用于释放快闪EEPROM存储器阵列的扇区的过程，其包括多个单独可擦除块，并且在这种块中存储具有提供逻辑扇区号的报头，存储的数据的有效性的指示以及数据的指示 与标题一起存储。 该过程包括以下步骤：用要发布的数据找出扇区的头部，设置存储的数据的有效性的指示，以指示数据无效，以及将扇区的新头部写入阵列中的新位置 没有数据，并且没有附加数据的指示。

公开(公告)号：US5553261A

公开(公告)日：1996-09-03

申请号：US221802

申请日：1994-04-01

申请人： Robert N. Hasbun ,  Richard P. Garner

发明人： Robert N. Hasbun ,  Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F3/06 ,  G06F12/02 ,  G06F12/00

CPC分类号： G06F3/0601 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F2003/0694 ,  G06F2212/7203 ,  G06F2212/7205

摘要： A method of executing states of a clean-up state machine while executing a command from a host CPU to read a sector of data stored within a memory array. First, a number of sectors of data are copied from the memory array into a sector buffer. Then, while the host CPU is reading sectors from the sector buffer, a number of states of a clean-up state machine are executed to aid in the conversion of invalid user data into free memory. Also described is a solid state memory disk that converts invalid sectors of data to free memory while executing a read command from a host CPU.

摘要翻译： 执行清理状态机的状态的方法，同时执行来自主机CPU的命令以读取存储在存储器阵列中的数据扇区。 首先，将多个数据扇区从存储器阵列复制到扇区缓冲器中。 然后，当主机CPU从扇区缓冲器读取扇区时，执行清理状态机的多个状态以帮助将无效用户数据转换为空闲存储器。 还描述了一种固态存储器盘，其在从主CPU执行读取命令时将无效扇区的数据转换为空闲存储器。

公开(公告)号：US06839823B1

公开(公告)日：2005-01-04

申请号：US09675578

申请日：2000-09-29

申请人： Deborah L. See ,  Robert N. Hasbun ,  Jeffrey A. Dunlap ,  Phillip J. del Pozo, III ,  Richard P. Garner

发明人： Deborah L. See ,  Robert N. Hasbun ,  Jeffrey A. Dunlap ,  Phillip J. del Pozo, III ,  Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F12/02 ,  G06F12/12

CPC分类号： G06F12/023 ,  G06F12/0246 ,  G06F2212/1044 ,  G06F2212/7202

摘要： Methods for storing data in an erasable nonvolatile memory are described herein. In one embodiment, an example method includes allocating a space within a block of an erasable nonvolatile memory for an object, wherein the allocated space is within a single block of the erasable nonvolatile memory and the allocated space includes a plurality of areas capable of storing multiple instances of the object, storing a first instance of the object in one of the areas within the allocated space, storing a superseding second instance of the object in another one of the areas within the allocated space without erasing any of the allocated space, and for each of the first and second instances of the object, storing status information corresponding to the respective instance of the object within the allocated space which is within the single block of the erasable nonvolatile memory.

摘要翻译： 这里描述了将数据存储在可擦除非易失性存储器中的方法。 在一个实施例中，示例性方法包括在对象的可擦除非易失性存储器的块的块内分配空间，其中所分配的空间在可擦除非易失性存储器的单个块内，并且所分配的空间包括能够存储多个的多个区域 将对象的第一实例存储在所分配的空间中的一个区域中，将对象的替代的第二实例存储在所分配的空间中的另一个区域中，而不擦除所分配的空间中的任何一个，并且为 对象的第一和第二实例中的每一个，存储与在可擦除非易失性存储器的单个块内的分配的空间内的对象的相应实例相对应的状态信息。

公开(公告)号：US5724592A

公开(公告)日：1998-03-03

申请号：US760325

申请日：1996-12-05

申请人： Richard P. Garner

发明人： Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F1/32

CPC分类号： G06F1/3225 ,  G06F1/3275 ,  Y02B60/1225 ,  Y02B60/1228

摘要： A flash electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) array and a method for allowing a host computer to detect a plurality of different power-expending modes into which a storage device may be placed for operation, to select a particular one of those modes to match the power abilities of the host computer, and then to place the storage device in the proper power mode of operation to best function with the host system.

摘要翻译： 闪存电可擦除可编程只读存储器（EEPROM）阵列和用于允许主计算机检测多个不同功率消耗模式的方法，存储设备可以放置在其中用于操作，以选择这些模式中的特定一个 以匹配主机的电源能力，然后将存储设备置于正确的电源操作模式，以便与主机系统最好地起作用。

公开(公告)号：US06704835B1

公开(公告)日：2004-03-09

申请号：US09669609

申请日：2000-09-26

申请人： Richard P. Garner

发明人： Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F1200

CPC分类号： G06F12/0804 ,  G06F12/0875 ,  G06F2212/2022 ,  G06F2212/7205

摘要： A cache memory for operations to a flash memory. A flash memory manager places flash write and flash erase commands into a cache, for subsequent execution by the flash memory. The cache can replace a queue used in conventional flash memory systems. A foreground manager can perform a check for available space in the flash memory, break up the command into appropriate cache entries, and write the entries into the cache. A background manager can subsequently read the entries from cache and execute them to flash memory, deleting each cache entry as it is posted to flash memory. The cache can include multiple sets of tag/data arrays, each dedicated to commands with a particular priority. Relocating most conventional flash management functions from background to foreground can eliminate the possibility of “flash full” responses from the background manager, thus eliminating the need for the background manager to determine whether space will be available for the command when it is executed to flash.

摘要翻译： 用于对闪存进行操作的高速缓冲存储器。 闪存管理器将闪存写入和闪存擦除命令放置到高速缓存中，以便随后由闪存执行。 高速缓存可以替代传统闪存系统中使用的队列。 前台管理员可以对闪存中的可用空间进行检查，将命令分解成适当的缓存条目，并将条目写入高速缓存。 后台管理器随后可以从高速缓存中读取条目并将其执行到闪存，在将其缓存到闪存时删除每个缓存条目。 高速缓存可以包括多组标签/数据阵列，每组专用于具有特定优先级的命令。 将大多数常规闪存管理功能从后台转移到前台可以消除后台管理器发出“闪存完全”响应的可能性，从而无需背景管理器确定在执行闪存时是否有可用的命令。

公开(公告)号：US06779045B2

公开(公告)日：2004-08-17

申请号：US09813472

申请日：2001-03-21

申请人： Terry L. Kendall ,  Richard P. Garner ,  James W. Bridgewater ,  Deborah L. See

发明人： Terry L. Kendall ,  Richard P. Garner ,  James W. Bridgewater ,  Deborah L. See

IPC分类号： G06F350

CPC分类号： G06F3/0613 ,  G06F3/0659 ,  G06F3/0679 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C16/102

摘要： The present invention is in the field of flash memory. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention can enhance an interface of a flash memory device by increasing the number of operations performed per transmission from a media management system. Further, some embodiments of the invention are designed to interface the flash memory device and media management controller via an interconnection attachment and/or driver common to a second type of data storage device, such as a hard drive.

摘要翻译： 本发明在闪速存储器领域。 更具体地，本发明的实施例可以通过增加从媒体管理系统进行的每次传输的操作次数来增强闪存设备的接口。 此外，本发明的一些实施例被设计成经由与第二类型的数据存储设备（例如硬盘驱动器）公用的互连附件和/或驱动器来连接闪存设备和介质管理控制器。

公开(公告)号：US07155560B2

公开(公告)日：2006-12-26

申请号：US09892816

申请日：2001-06-27

申请人： Richard A. McGrew ,  Richard P. Garner

发明人： Richard A. McGrew ,  Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F12/00

CPC分类号： H04W8/245

摘要： In an embodiment, a method includes receiving a request to download data into flash memory. The method also includes halting the downloading of the data into the flash memory until the flash memory is initialized. The initialization includes storing pointers in a memory to different locations within the flash memory where the data is to be stored. Additionally, the method includes storing the data into the flash memory based on the pointers stored in the memory.

公开(公告)号：US07062616B2

公开(公告)日：2006-06-13

申请号：US09880404

申请日：2001-06-12

申请人： Akila Sadhasivan ,  Richard P. Garner

发明人： Akila Sadhasivan ,  Richard P. Garner

IPC分类号： G06F13/00

CPC分类号： G06F13/4239 ,  G11C7/1042 ,  G11C7/22 ,  G11C16/06 ,  G11C2216/20

摘要： A method of performing multiple operations on a flash memory device is described. This is made possible through the implementation of multiple partitions within the flash memory. The partitions are used to store data, application code, and system code. Low level functions within the system code process the data and handle preemption functions within the flash memory.