Controlling memory operations using a driver and flash memory type tables

• US 8,060,690 B1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Cornwell, Michael J., Dudte, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Hetul
• Application Number:
  US12/985,908
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 711/103, 711/154
• US Class Current: 711/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0246 in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2212/7207 management of metadata or control data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4411 Configuring for operating with peripheral devices; Loading of device drivers

Abstract

Systems and processes may include a first memory and a second memory. A driver and/or an application may be stored in the first memory. Flash memory type data of the first memory may be stored in the second memory. The driver may control the first memory at least partially based on the flash memory type data. The first memory may be exchanged for a third memory. The driver may be stored on the third memory. The flash memory type data for the third memory may be stored on the second memory.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying a driver for a first nonvolatile memory stored in the first nonvolatile memory, the driver configurable to operate with each of a plurality of different types of nonvolatile memory;

retrieving data identifying type of nonvolatile memory of the first nonvolatile memory from a second nonvolatile memory separate from the first nonvolatile memory;

configuring the driver to manage the first nonvolatile memory using the nonvolatile-memory-type data retrieved from the second nonvolatile memory; and

executing an application stored on the first nonvolatile memory using the driver.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile-memory-type data includes at least one of a manufacturer of the first nonvolatile memory, a size of the first nonvolatile memory, or a timing of the first nonvolatile memory.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an operating application for a host in the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the driver is incorporated in the operating application.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first nonvolatile memory comprises NAND flash memory.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the second nonvolatile memory comprises NOR flash memory.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing an operating application for a host in the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the host includes the first nonvolatile memory and the second nonvolatile memory.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

exchanging the first nonvolatile memory with a third memory; and

storing flash memory type data for the third memory in the second nonvolatile memory.

8. A computer program product encoded on a non-transitory, tangible storage medium, the product comprising computer readable instructions for causing at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

identifying a driver for a first nonvolatile memory stored in the first nonvolatile memory, the driver configurable to operate with each of a plurality of different types of nonvolatile memory;

retrieving data identifying type of nonvolatile memory of the first nonvolatile memory from a second nonvolatile memory separate from the first nonvolatile memory; and

configuring the driver to manage the first nonvolatile memory using the nonvolatile-memory-type data retrieved from the second nonvolatile memory; and

executing an application stored on the first nonvolatile memory using the driver.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the nonvolatile-memory-type data includes at least one of a manufacturer of the first nonvolatile memory, a size of the first nonvolatile memory, or a timing of the first nonvolatile memory.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising storing an operating application for a host in the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the driver is incorporated in the operating application.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the first nonvolatile memory comprises NAND flash memory.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the second nonvolatile memory comprises NOR flash memory.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising storing an operating application for a host in the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the host includes the first nonvolatile memory and the second nonvolatile memory.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, further comprising:

exchanging the first nonvolatile memory with a third memory; and

storing flash memory type data for the third memory in the second nonvolatile memory.

15. A system comprising:

a first nonvolatile memory configured to enable sequential access to data stored on the first nonvolatile memory and store an application;

a second nonvolatile memory different from the first memory configured to enable random access to data stored on the second memory;

flash memory type data for the first memory stored in the second nonvolatile memory; and

a driver configured to control the first memory based at least partially on the flash memory type data and stored on the first memory and executing the application stored on the first nonvolatile memory.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising a third memory and flash memory type data for the third memory, and wherein the driver is configured to control the third memory based at least partially on the flash memory type data for the third memory.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising an operating application configured to manage a host device and stored in the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the driver is incorporated into the operating application.