Flash memory management method

• US 20030101327A1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Beck, Chang-kyu
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0246 in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/1009 using page tables, e.g. page table structures

Abstract

A method for managing a flash memory is provided wherein logical addresses of data recorded in a data region of the flash memory are recorded in a corresponding spare region. An address mapping table is produced by scanning information recorded in the spare region. As a result, the flash memory can be embodied more effectively. In addition, it is possible to restore a mapping table even though the power is suddenly cut-off.

Claims

1. A method for managing a flash memory, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) recording logical addresses of data recorded in a data region of the flash memory in a corresponding spare region; and

(b) producing an address mapping table by scanning information recorded in the spare region.

2. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 1, further comprising (c1) recording a produced address mapping table in a main memory.

3. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 1, further comprising (c2) recording a produced address mapping table in the flash memory is further included.

4. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 1, wherein the step (b) includes producing the address mapping table by scanning logical addresses recorded in a particular spare region.

5. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 1, wherein the step (a) includes recording time marks indicating orders of recording corresponding data in the spare region.

6. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 5, wherein the step (a) includes recording deletion marks indicating possibilities of using the corresponding data in the spare region.

7. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 4, wherein the step (b) includes producing the address mapping table by scanning logical addresses and time marks of the data.

8. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 1, wherein the step (b) includes producing the address mapping table by scanning logical addresses, time marks and deletion marks of the data.

9. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 1, wherein the step (b) is performed when a system equipped with the flash memory is booted.

10. A method for managing a flash memory, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) recording writing-requested data in an empty address of a data region of the flash memory with reference to an address mapping table, and recording corresponding logical addresses in corresponding spare regions; and

(b) updating a correction table so that physical addresses where the writing-requested data is recorded in the step (a) are mapped to the logical addresses.

11. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 10, further comprising the step (c) marking a deletion mark indicating the possibility of use of the data recorded in the step (a) in spare regions corresponding to the physical addresses corresponding to the logical addresses with reference to the address mapping table.

12. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 10, wherein the step (a) includes recording time marks indicating an order of recording corresponding data in the spare region.

13. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 12, wherein step (a) includes recording deletion marks indicating a possibility of use of corresponding data in the spare region.

14. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 10, further comprising step (d) producing an address mapping table by scanning information recorded in the spare region.

15. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 14, wherein the step (d) is performed when a system equipped with the flash memory is booted.

16. A method for managing a flash memory, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) recording changes of an address mapping table stored in the flash memory containing mapping information of logical addresses and physical addresses in a correction table formed in a main memory;

(b) confirming whether the correction table is filled to a predetermined portion;

(c) reflecting changes recorded in the correction table to the mapping table when it is confirmed that the predetermined portion of the correction table is filled; and

(d) deleting the portions reflected to the mapping table of the contents recorded in the correction table.

17. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 16, wherein the correction table has a predetermined size.

18. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 17, wherein the correction table includes deletion marks indicating a possibility of use of corresponding data.

19. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 18, wherein the correction table includes time marks indicating an order of recording corresponding data.

20. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 16, wherein the mapping table includes deletion marks indicating a possibility of use of corresponding data.

21. The method for managing a flash memory of claim 20, wherein the mapping table is recorded by time marks indicating an order of recording corresponding data.