Controlling memory operations using a driver and flash memory type tables

• US 8,775,721 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• 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): BATAILLE, PIERRE MICHE
• Application Number:
  US13/296,084
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 711/103, 711/115, 711/E12.002, 713/1, 713/2, 719/327
• 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:

storing, in a first nonvolatile memory, a driver for the first nonvolatile memory;

retrieving, from a second nonvolatile memory, nonvolatile-memory type data for the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is on a separate chip from the first nonvolatile memory; and

controlling the first nonvolatile memory using the driver and the retrieved nonvolatile memory type data;

exchanging the first nonvolatile memory with a third-nonvolatile memory;

erasing the nonvolatile-memory type data for the first nonvolatile memory from the second nonvolatile memory; and

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

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the nonvolatile-memory type data identifies 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 wherein the first nonvolatile memory comprises NAND flash memory.

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

5. 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.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing an application stored in the first nonvolatile memory using the driver.

7. A device, comprising:

a first nonvolatile memory configured to store a driver for the first nonvolatile memory;

a second nonvolatile memory on a separate chip from the first memory and configured to store nonvolatile-memory type data;

one or more processors configured to;

retrieve, from the first nonvolatile memory, the driver;

retrieve, from the second nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile-memory type data of the first nonvolatile memory; and

control the first nonvolatile memory dependent upon the driver and the retrieved nonvolatile-memory type data;

exchange the first nonvolatile memory with a third nonvolatile memory

erasing the nonvolatile-memory type data for the first nonvolatile memory from the second nonvolatile memory; and

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

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the nonvolatile-memory type data identifies 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.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the first nonvolatile memory comprises NAND flash memory.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein the second nonvolatile memory comprises NOR flash memory.

11. The device of claim 7, the processors further configured to store an operating application for a host in the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the host includes the first nonvolatile memory and the second nonvolatile memory.

12. The device of claim 7, the processors further configured to execute an application stored in the first nonvolatile memory using the driver.

13. A computer program product encoded on a tangible, non-transitory storage medium, the product comprising computer readable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

storing, in a first nonvolatile memory, a driver for the first nonvolatile memory;

retrieving, from a second nonvolatile memory, nonvolatile-memory type data of the first nonvolatile memory, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is on a separate chip from the first nonvolatile memory; and

controlling the first nonvolatile memory using the driver and the retrieved nonvolatile-memory type data;

exchanging the first nonvolatile memory with a third nonvolatile memory;

erasing the nonvolatile-memory type data for the first nonvolatile memory from the second nonvolatile memory; and

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

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the nonvolatile-memory type data identifies 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.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the first nonvolatile memory comprises NAND flash memory.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the second nonvolatile memory comprises NOR flash memory.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, the operations 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.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, the operations further comprising executing an application stored in the first nonvolatile memory using the driver.