Methods of Managing File Allocation Table Information
First Claim
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1. A method of managing data in a nonvolatile memory array in which a host stores data, the host recording addresses of stored data in a File Allocation Table that is also stored in the nonvolatile memory array, comprising:
- receiving a request from the host for a portion of the File Allocation Table that is stored in the nonvolatile memory array;
reading the portion of the File Allocation Table from the nonvolatile memory array;
subsequently modifying the portion of the File Allocation Table according to a record that indicates at least one address used by the memory controller to store data received from the host; and
sending the modified portion of the File Allocation Table to the host.
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Abstract
In a nonvolatile memory system, a host allocates clusters and records allocation information in a File Allocation Table that is stored in the nonvolatile memory. A controller separately allocates certain data and records allocation in a record in a volatile memory. File Allocation Table information provided to the host is modified according to the record in the volatile memory.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of managing data in a nonvolatile memory array in which a host stores data, the host recording addresses of stored data in a File Allocation Table that is also stored in the nonvolatile memory array, comprising:
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receiving a request from the host for a portion of the File Allocation Table that is stored in the nonvolatile memory array; reading the portion of the File Allocation Table from the nonvolatile memory array; subsequently modifying the portion of the File Allocation Table according to a record that indicates at least one address used by the memory controller to store data received from the host; and sending the modified portion of the File Allocation Table to the host. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of managing data in a nonvolatile memory array comprising:
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receiving a first portion of data from a host, the first portion of data allocated by the host to a first cluster that was previously allocated; storing the first portion of data in the nonvolatile memory array; receiving allocation information from the host, the allocation information linking the first portion of data and the first cluster, the allocation information indicating that a second cluster is available for storage of additional data; storing the allocation information in the nonvolatile memory array; and subsequently, in response to a host request for the allocation information, reading the allocation information from the nonvolatile memory array and modifying the allocation information, the modified allocation information indicating that the first cluster and the second cluster are both unavailable for storage of additional data.
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8. A method of managing data in a nonvolatile memory in which a host allocates data in clusters and records the allocation in the nonvolatile memory, comprising:
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generating a cluster map that indicates an allocation/deallocation state for each cluster of a plurality of clusters; maintaining the cluster map in a volatile memory; in response to receiving a host request for allocation information regarding the plurality of clusters, determining from the cluster map whether the plurality of clusters are allocated; and if the plurality of clusters are not allocated, then generating allocation information from the cluster map and returning the generated allocation information to the host. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of managing data in a nonvolatile memory system having a logical address space that is allocated to data stored in the nonvolatile memory, comprising:
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recording allocation of address space by a host in a file system structure that is stored in the nonvolatile memory array; recording allocation of address space that is not by the host in a record that is stored in a volatile memory array and is not stored in the nonvolatile memory array; and in response to a host request for allocation data, consulting the record and providing a response to the host that is dependent on the contents of the record. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification