SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING THE USEFUL LIFE OF SOLID-STATE STORAGE DEVICES
First Claim
1. A data storage system, comprising:
- a storage subsystem that connects to and stores data for a host system, the storage subsystem comprising;
a memory array comprising a plurality of solid-state memory devices having one or more data blocks; and
a controller configured to access usage data stored in the memory array, the usage data reflecting the number of times the one or more data blocks have been erased;
a first program module configured to calculate an estimate of remaining useful life from the usage data; and
a second program module configured to use said usage data to generate a graphical display indicating an estimated remaining useful life of the storage subsystem.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A non-volatile solid-state storage subsystem, such as a non-volatile memory device, maintains usage statistics reflective of the wear state, and thus the remaining useful life, of the subsystem'"'"'s memory array. A host system reads the usage statistics information, or data derived therefrom, from the subsystem to evaluate the subsystem'"'"'s remaining life expectancy. The host system may use this information for various purposes, such as to (a) display or report information regarding the remaining life of the subsystem; (b) adjust the frequency with which data is written to the subsystem; and/or (c) select the type(s) of data written to the subsystem.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A data storage system, comprising:
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a storage subsystem that connects to and stores data for a host system, the storage subsystem comprising; a memory array comprising a plurality of solid-state memory devices having one or more data blocks; and a controller configured to access usage data stored in the memory array, the usage data reflecting the number of times the one or more data blocks have been erased; a first program module configured to calculate an estimate of remaining useful life from the usage data; and a second program module configured to use said usage data to generate a graphical display indicating an estimated remaining useful life of the storage subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a host computer, causes the host computer to retrieve usage information from a solid state storage subsystem that is configured to maintain such usage information in a non-user-data memory area thereof, and to use said usage information to do at least one of the following:
- (a) generate a graphical display depicting a remaining useful life of the solid state storage subsystem, the display including an indicia of an estimated value of the remaining useful life calculated from said usage information;
(b) select a type of data to be written to the solid state storage subsystem, wherein said usage information is reflective of a number of erase cycles that have been executed by the solid state storage subsystem. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- (a) generate a graphical display depicting a remaining useful life of the solid state storage subsystem, the display including an indicia of an estimated value of the remaining useful life calculated from said usage information;
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15. A method of estimating a remaining useful life of a solid state storage subsystem, comprising:
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maintaining a plurality of counter values in a plurality of memory blocks in the storage subsystem, wherein at least one counter value is associated with a memory block and is incremented when the associated memory block is erased; calculating usage information reflective of a current wear level of the solid state storage subsystem based on the plurality of counter values; storing the usage information with one or more timestamps; and upon receiving a request from a host system, providing to the host system the usage information including the timestamps. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification