Patents Assigned to SandForce, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8140712
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for inserting a gap in information sent from a drive to a host device. In operation, one or more commands are received at a drive from a host device. Additionally, information is queued to send to the host device. Furthermore, a gap is inserted in the information to send to the host device such that the host device is capable of sending additional commands to the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross John Stenfort
  • Publication number: 20120060001
    Abstract: Techniques are taught for reducing writes, and estimating and displaying estimated remaining lifetime of non-volatile memories. The write reducing is optionally via determining a difference between write operation results and data stored in the non-volatile memories. The estimated remaining lifetime is optionally based at least in part on a previous lifetime. The displaying is optionally via a gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20120060002
    Abstract: A storage subsystem receives writes from a computer via a standard storage subsystem interface. The storage subsystem reduces a number of the writes. A single drive of the storage subsystem has primary and redundant storage devices with storage device interfaces. A disk controller of the single drive implements a data redundancy scheme by storing data associated with the reduced number of writes in the primary storage devices and by storing computed redundancy information in the redundant storage devices. The disk controller is operable without a loss of data in the presence of at least a single failure of any of the storage devices. Optionally the storage devices are flash memory devices. Optionally the disk controller is operable without a loss of data in the presence of at least two failures of any of the storage devices when a number of the redundant storage devices is at least two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20120060060
    Abstract: Techniques are described for increasing a lifetime of blocks of memory. In operation, respective life expectancy scores for each of the blocks are calculated based at least in part on a respective number of times each of the blocks is respectively erased, and further based at least in part on at least one other factor that affects the lifetime of the blocks. An order to write and recycle the blocks is determined, based at least in part on at least some of the respective lifetime expectancy scores. A total amount of the blocks that are erased and written is minimized while lifetime expectancy score variation between the blocks is equalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20120054415
    Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing write operations in memory. In use, write operations to be performed on data stored in memory are identified. A difference is then determined between results of the write operations and the data stored in the memory. Difference information is stored in coalescing memory buffers. To this end, the write operations may be reduced, utilizing the difference information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 8108737
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sending failure information from a solid state drive (SSD) to a host device. In operation, an error is detected during an operation associated with a Serial ATA (SATA) solid state drive. Additionally, a command is received for failure information from a host device. Further, the failure information is sent from the solid state drive to the host device, the failure information including failure information associated with the solid state drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross John Stenfort
  • Patent number: 8090905
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for converting logical block address de-allocation information in a first format to a second format. In use, logical block address de-allocation information is received in a first format associated with a first protocol. Additionally, the logical block address de-allocation information in the first format is converted to a second format associated with a second protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross John Stenfort
  • Patent number: 8090980
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing data redundancy in a plurality of storage devices. In operation, storage commands are received for providing data redundancy in accordance with a first data redundancy scheme. Additionally, the storage commands are translated for providing the data redundancy in accordance with a second data redundancy scheme. Furthermore, the translated storage commands are outputted for providing the data redundancy in a plurality of storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20110276745
    Abstract: Techniques for writing data to different portions of storage devices based on write frequencies are disclosed. Frequencies of data writes to various portions of a memory are monitored. The memory includes various storage technologies. Each portion includes one of the storage technologies and has a respective lifetime. An order that the portions are written into and recycled is dynamically managed to equalize respective life expectancies of the portions in view of differences in endurance values of the portions, the monitored frequencies of data writes, and the lifetimes. In some embodiments, the storage technologies include Single-Level Cell (SLC) flash memory storage technology and Multi-Level Cell (MLC) flash memory storage technology. The SLC and MLC flash memory storage technologies are optionally integrated in one device. In some embodiments, the storage technologies include two or more different types of SLC flash memory storage technologies, optionally integrated in one device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20110167199
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for prolonging a lifetime of memory by controlling operations that affect the lifetime of the memory. At least one aspect associated with the memory lifetime is identified and at least one of the operations is delayed, based on the at least one aspect. The operations include a write operation, an erase operation, a program operation, and/or any other operation that is capable of reducing the memory lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20110125956
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for identifying at least one aspect associated with a lifetime of each of a plurality of memory devices. Further, data is moved between the plurality of memory devices, based on the at least one aspect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: SANDFORCE INC.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7904619
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for reducing write operations in memory. In use, write operations to be performed on data stored in memory are identified. A difference is then determined between results of the write operations and the data stored in the memory. Difference information associated with the difference is stored in the memory. To this end, the write operations may be reduced, utilizing the difference information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7903486
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for increasing a lifetime of a plurality of blocks of memory. In operation, at least one factor that affects a lifetime of a plurality of blocks of memory is identified. Additionally, the plurality of blocks to write is selected, based on the at least one factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7904672
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing data redundancy in a plurality of storage devices. In operation, a number of writes to a plurality of storage devices is reduced. Additionally, after the reducing, data redundancy is provided utilizing a data redundancy scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7904764
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying at least one aspect associated with a lifetime of memory. Further, an indicia is visually displayed reflecting the at least one aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7849275
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for writing data to different storage devices based on write frequency. In operation, a frequency in which data is written is identified. Additionally, a plurality of storage devices of different types is selected from to write the data, based on the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7809900
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for delaying operations that reduce a lifetime of memory. In use, at least one aspect associated with a lifetime of memory is identified. To this end, at least one operation that reduces the lifetime of the memory is delayed, based on the aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 7747813
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying at least one aspect associated with a lifetime of each of a plurality of memory devices. Further, data is moved between the plurality of memory devices, based on the at least one aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: SandForce, Inc.
    Inventor: Radoslav Danilak