Nonvolatile memory with cluster-erase flash capability and solid state file apparatus using the same
First Claim
1. A nonvolatile memory for cluster-erase flash, comprising:
- a flash memory having N clusters each having M sectors, wherein M and N are integers greater than one;
each of said N clusters includes a cluster information sector, wherein one of said M sectors is said cluster information sector;
and said cluster information sector of each of said N clusters holds a sequence number, wherein no two of said cluster information sectors have the same sequence number.
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Abstract
A nonvolatile memory-with cluster-erase flash capability. A cluster information sector is included in each of N clusters, the cluster information sector of each cluster being written with the sequence number assigned to the cluster so that no two clusters have the same sequence number. When erasing a given sector, a controller saves its sequence number prior to erasure. Then, when initializing a given erased sector, the controller sets its sequence number to a value greater than the current maximum sequence number. The controller writes user data to sectors other than the cluster information sector for the cluster thus initialized according to their address sequence. Accordingly, an invalid sector can be distinguished from a valid sector without using an overwrite approach.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A nonvolatile memory for cluster-erase flash, comprising:
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a flash memory having N clusters each having M sectors, wherein M and N are integers greater than one; each of said N clusters includes a cluster information sector, wherein one of said M sectors is said cluster information sector; and said cluster information sector of each of said N clusters holds a sequence number, wherein no two of said cluster information sectors have the same sequence number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6, 10)
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3. A method for storing data within a nonvolatile memory for cluster-erase flash, wherein the nonvolatile memory comprises a flash memory having N clusters each having M sectors, wherein M and N are integers greater than one and each of said N clusters includes a cluster information sector, wherein one of said M sectors is said cluster information sector, wherein said cluster information sector of each of said N clusters holds a sequence number, wherein no two of said cluster information sectors have the same sequence number and there being a maximum sequence number, and comprising the steps of:
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selecting a cluster to be written based on a cluster erase count contained in the cluster information sector; and writing data sequentially to the sectors within the selected cluster. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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7. A nonvolatile NAND-type flash EEPROM memory for cluster-erase flash, comprising:
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a flash memory having N clusters, each cluster having M sectors, wherein M and N are integers greater than one and wherein at least one of said M sectors is a data sector; each of said N clusters includes a cluster information sector wherein one of said M sectors is the cluster information sector; said cluster information sector of each of said N clusters holds a sequence number, wherein no two of the cluster information sectors have the same sequence number and there being a maximum sequence number. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification