Patents by Inventor Robert W. Ellis

Robert W. Ellis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130332796
    Abstract: A method of operation of a storage control system includes: generating encoded data having a proportional data distribution for writing to a memory device; identifying a marginal block when an erase block is read from the memory device; and generating a marginal tag for the marginal block, the marginal tag having a non-proportional data distribution different from the proportional data distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20130282962
    Abstract: A storage control system and method of operation thereof includes: a memory circuit for accessing a configuration category; a configuration module, coupled to the memory circuit, for configuring the memory circuit with the configuration category; and an operation module, coupled to the configuration module, for controlling a performance characteristic of a memory device based on the configuration category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernardo Rub, James Fitzpatrick, Sheunghee Park, Yi-Ching Wu, Robert W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8566505
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including receiving data from a host, writing the data to a flash memory device in the order it was received from the host, and providing at least one data structure configured to locate the data written to the flash memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20130275795
    Abstract: A storage control system and method of operation thereof includes: a control unit for initiating a hardening process beginning at a power-down signal; a counter module, coupled to the control unit for tracking a recorded time beginning at the power-down signal; a completion module, coupled to the counter module, for generating a work-complete entry in memory devices at a conclusion of the hardening process; and a calculation module, coupled to the completion module, for calculating a power down margin by determining the recorded time between the work-complete entry and a complete power loss of a hold-up power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, Theron Wayne Virgin, Scott Creasman
  • Publication number: 20130061101
    Abstract: A method of operation of a non-volatile memory system includes: generating a test stimulus for a page in a memory array; measuring a test response from the page in the memory array based on the test stimulus; calculating a measured effective life of the page from the test response; and determining a use plan according to the measured effective life for accessing the page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Fitzpatrick, Bernardo Rub, James Higgins, Ryan Jones, Robert W. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20130054881
    Abstract: A method of operation of an electronic system includes: forming a superblock by organizing an erase block according to a wear attribute; detecting a trigger count of the wear attribute of the superblock; updating a metadata table with the trigger count; and triggering a recycling event of the superblock based on the metadata table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, James Fitzpatrick, James Higgins
  • Publication number: 20120317433
    Abstract: A method of operation of a data storage system includes: providing a power monitor module for detecting a loss of host power; interrupting a unit controller by the power monitor module; configuring a memory controller by the unit controller; and writing a non-volatile memory array for storing in-flight data and contents of a system control random access memory in a multi-level cell NAND flash device in response to detecting the loss of the host power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Ellis, Scott Creasman
  • Publication number: 20120254519
    Abstract: A method of operation of a data storage system includes: identifying a target block; configuring a command setting for maximizing a data retention period of the target block for refreshing the target block; writing a pre-archived memory block to the target block based on the command setting; and updating an archive status for sending to a host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8271722
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20120203958
    Abstract: A method of operation of a storage control system including: providing a memory controller; accessing a volatile memory table by the memory controller; writing a non-volatile semiconductor memory for persisting changes in the volatile memory table; and restoring a logical-to-physical table in the volatile memory table, after a power cycle, by restoring a random access memory with a logical-to-physical partition from a most recently used list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SMART STORAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Jones, Robert W. Ellis, Joseph Taylor
  • Patent number: 8208273
    Abstract: An apparatus for restricting the flow of RF energy when attached to a tester wherein test equipment is positioned within the apparatus, comprising: a lid; a base; hinges for attaching the lid to the base; EMI gasket material for sealing seams; latches for attaching the lid to the base and for applying forces between the lid and the base to provide compression of the EMI gasket material for proper sealing of the seams; a connection point for providing two axis alignment of the base to the tester; and a positioning plate for providing three axis alignment of the test equipment in relation to the tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventors: Osvaldo C Alcala, Kent Steven Doub, Robert W Ellis, Octavio D Martinez, Patrick Sumner
  • Patent number: 8185778
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including storing metadata and/or error correcting information separately from payload data. In various embodiments, metadata and/or error correcting information are stored in a random access memory within a solid state drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Kilzer, Robert W Ellis, Rudolph J Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 8180954
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including tracking payload data via one or more data structures configured to define the size of logical pages in a flash memory. In various embodiments, the logical page size may be larger than, equal to, or smaller than a physical page size of a flash memory chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Storage Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Kilzer, Robert W Ellis, Rudolph J Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20110296094
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SMART MODULAR TECHNOLOGIES (AZ), INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 8028123
    Abstract: A method for flash memory management comprises providing a head pointer configured to define a first location in a flash memory, and a tail pointer configured to define a second location in a flash memory. The head pointer and tail pointer define a payload data area. Payload data is received from a host, and written to the flash memory in the order it was received. The head pointer and tail pointer are updated such that the payload data area moves in a circular manner within the flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: SMART Modular Technologies (AZ) , Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Patent number: 7925847
    Abstract: A storage system controller (302) includes a plurality of media controllers (301), a local microprocessor (306), and a host interface logic (310), operably coupled by a multi-drop bus. The multi-drop bus includes a control bus (324), a payload data bus (320), a real-time ready-status (data ready) signaling bus (322) and a general microprocessor bus (330). Each media controller has a storage media (311) operably coupled thereto. Each media controller includes a parameter storage (404), a media interface circuit (406), a control data state machine (408), a command sequencer state machine (410), a media-side multi-mode transfer state machine (412), a dual-port memory (402), a memory controller (420), and a host-side transfer state machine (430). The host interface logic and the media controllers are implemented in one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W Ellis, Alan A Fitzgerald, Daniel P Fogelson, Kevin Lee Kilzer
  • Publication number: 20110035540
    Abstract: A flash blade and associated methods enable improved areal density of information storage, reduced power consumption, decreased cost, increased IOPS, and/or elimination of unnecessary legacy components. In various embodiments, a flash blade comprises a host blade controller, a switched fabric, and one or more storage elements configured as flash DIMMs. Storage space provided by the flash DIMMs may be presented to a user in a configurable manner. Flash DIMMs, rather than magnetic disk drives or solid state drives, are the field-replaceable unit, enabling improved customization and cost savings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Alan A. Fitzgerald, Robert W. Ellis, Scott Harrow
  • Publication number: 20090259806
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including utilizing defect information corresponding to a granularity smaller than a physical erase block size of a flash memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259919
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including storing metadata and/or error correcting information separately from payload data. In various embodiments, metadata and/or error correcting information are stored in a random access memory within a solid state drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz
  • Publication number: 20090259805
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for flash memory management, including tracking payload data via one or more data structures configured to define the size of logical pages in a flash memory. In various embodiments, the logical page size may be larger than, equal to, or smaller than a physical page size of a flash memory chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ADTRON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Kilzer, Robert W. Ellis, Rudolph J. Sterbenz