Abstract: A storage system and method for thin provisioning are provided. In one embodiment, a storage system is provided comprising a memory and a controller. The controller is configured to provide a logical exported capacity of the memory to a host, wherein the logical exported capacity is greater than an actual storage capacity of the memory; receive a command from the host to write data to a logical address; determine whether there is available actual storage capacity in the memory to write the data; and write the data to a physical address in memory that corresponds to the logical address only if it is determined that there is available actual storage capacity in the memory to write the data. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device uses physical authentication to enable the secure programming of a boot partition, when the boot partition is write protected. This physical authentication can also be used to enable other features/functions.

Abstract: A memory device is embedded in (or connected to) a host device. The memory device includes a first boot partition and a second boot partition. The first boot partition stores first boot data. The second boot partition stores second boot data. The memory device includes a pointer that points to either the first boot partition or the second boot partition. The memory device transfers the first boot data from the first boot partition in response to receiving a boot signal from the host and the pointer pointing to the first boot partition. The host attempts to boot using the first boot data. If the host does not boot successfully from the first boot data then the host is booted from second boot data transferred from the memory device without the host requesting that the pointer switch to pointing at the second boot data.

Abstract: A memory system and method are provided for performing garbage collection on blocks based on their obsolescence patterns. In one embodiment, a controller of a memory system classifies each of the plurality of blocks based on its obsolescence pattern and performs garbage collection only on blocks classified with similar obsolescence patterns. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a write cache, a non-volatile memory and a controller coupled to the write cache and to the non-volatile memory. The controller is configured to, responsive to receiving a plurality of flush commands, write all data from the write cache to the non-volatile memory while executing fewer than all of the plurality of flush commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing transfer of data into and out of a host data buffer of a host are disclosed. In one implementation, a partial write completion module of a storage system retrieves from the host, stores in a memory, and acknowledges retrieving and storing with a partial write completion message, each subset of a larger set of data associated with a host write command. The host may utilize received partial write completion messages to release and use the portion of the host data buffer that had been storing the subset identified in the message rather than waiting to release data associated with the host write command until all the data associated with the command is stored in the memory. The memory in which each subset is stored may be non-volatile memory in the storage device or a shadow buffer on the host or an external memory device.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing enhanced functionality on a storage device is disclosed. A hijack command is sent to the storage device that includes an identifier (such as a signature or an address). The storage device determines whether to hijack one or more subsequently commands by analyzing the subsequently commands using the identifier. For example, the storage device may analyze the subsequently received commands to determine whether the signature is in the payload of the subsequently received commands. As another example, the storage device may compare the address in the subsequently received commands with the address in the hijack command to determine whether to hijack the subsequently received commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a data buffer of a non-volatile memory system are disclosed. The method may include a controller of a storage system retrieving host data, storing the retrieved data in a data buffer and transferring the data to a non-volatile memory. The controller may then overwrite the retrieved data in the data buffer as soon as the retrieved data has been transferred to the non-volatile memory die but prior to sending a command to program that data to the non-volatile memory array of the non-volatile memory. The system includes a non-volatile memory with a plurality of data latches and a non-volatile memory array, a data buffer and a controller configured to free the data buffer for receiving new data as soon as the prior data is transferred to the data latches and prior to any indication on success of programming prior data to the non-volatile memory array.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing transfer of data into and out of a host data buffer of a host are disclosed. In one implementation, a partial write completion module of a storage system retrieves from the host, stores in a memory, and acknowledges retrieving and storing with a partial write completion message, each subset of a larger set of data associated with a host write command. The host may utilize received partial write completion messages to release and use the portion of the host data buffer that had been storing the subset identified in the message rather than waiting to release data associated with the host write command until all the data associated with the command is stored in the memory. The memory in which each subset is stored may be non-volatile memory in the storage device or a shadow buffer on the host or an external memory device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing transfer of data into and out of a host data buffer of a host are disclosed. In one implementation, a partial write completion module of a storage system retrieves from the host, stores in a memory, and acknowledges retrieving and storing with a partial write completion message, each subset of a larger set of data associated with a host write command. The host may utilize received partial write completion messages to release and use the portion of the host data buffer that had been storing the subset identified in the message rather than waiting to release data associated with the host write command until all the data associated with the command is stored in the memory. The memory in which each subset is stored may be non-volatile memory in the storage device or a shadow buffer on the host or an external memory device.

Abstract: A memory system and method are provided for performing garbage collection on blocks based on their obsolescence patterns. In one embodiment, a controller of a memory system classifies each of the plurality of blocks based on its obsolescence pattern and performs garbage collection only on blocks classified with similar obsolescence patterns. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: Data transfer between a data storage device and a peripheral device bypasses an application processor that is coupled to the data storage device and to the peripheral device. In one embodiment, the data storage device includes a memory controller configured to receive, from an application processor, a message indicating a set of logical addresses and a data transfer identifier corresponding to the set of logical addresses. The memory controller is responsive to a request for memory access that includes the data transfer identifier and that is received from a peripheral device. The memory controller is configured to respond to the request by performing a memory access operation based on the set of logical addresses.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for allowing access to processing resources of one or more idle memory devices to an active memory device is disclosed, where the idle and active memory devices are associated with a common host. The resources shared may be processing power, for example in the form of using a processor of an idle memory to handle some of the logical-to-physical mapping associated with a host command, or may be other resources such as RAM sharing so that a first memory has expanded RAM capacity. The method may include exchanging tokens with resource sharing abilities, operation codes and associated data relevant to the requested resources.

Abstract: A memory system and method for improving read latency of a high-priority partition are provided. In one embodiment, a memory system receives a command to store data in the memory. The memory system determines if the command specified that the data is to be stored in a standard partition in the memory or in a high-priority partition in the memory. If the command specified that the data is to be stored in a standard partition in the memory, the memory system stores the data using a first write technique. If the command specified that the data is to be stored in a high-priority partition in the memory, the memory system stores the data using a second write technique, wherein the second write technique provides improved read latency of the stored data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring, controlling and operating a non-volatile cache are disclosed. A host system may poll a memory system as to the memory system's configuration of its non-volatile cache. Further, the host system may configure the non-volatile cache on the memory system, such as the size of the non-volatile cache and the type of programming for the non-volatile cache (e.g., whether the non-volatile cache is programmed according to SLC or the type of TRIM used to program cells in the non-volatile cache). Moreover, responsive to a command from the host to size the non-volatile cache, the memory system may over or under provision the cache. Further, the host may control operation of the non-volatile cache, such as by sending selective flush commands.

Abstract: A data storage device may be configured to direct access to at least a portion of a host memory of a host device. For example, the data storage device may store data at the host memory, such as data predicted to be subject to a read request from the host device. When the data storage device receives a read request from the host device to read the data, the data storage device may send an indication to the host device to enable the host device to read the data directly from the host memory.

Abstract: A method includes, in a data storage device including a non-volatile memory, receiving, from a host device, a read command to read data from the non-volatile memory. The host device is coupled to the data storage device and includes a memory having a unified memory (UM) area. The method also includes, responsive to the read command, sending a UM read command to the host device. The UM read command instructs the host device to read the data from a location of the UM area.

Abstract: Enhanced configuration of security and access control for data in a storage device is disclosed. A request is received to access an addressable memory location in a storage media within the storage device. A set of addressable memory locations with contiguous addresses identified by an address range is associated with first and second characteristics. The first characteristic is applied if the addressable memory location is within the set of addressable memory locations, and an entity is currently authenticated to and authorized to access the set of addressable memory locations. The second characteristic is applied if the addressable memory location is within the set of addressable memory locations, and no entity is currently authenticated to and authorized to access the set of addressable memory locations. The set of addressable memory locations can also be a logical partition, where the first and second characteristics are stored in a logical partition table.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing enhanced functionality on a storage device is disclosed. A hijack command is sent to the storage device that includes an identifier (such as a signature or an address). The storage device determines whether to hijack one or more subsequently commands by analyzing the subsequently commands using the identifier. For example, the storage device may analyze the subsequently received commands to determine whether the signature is in the payload of the subsequently received commands. As another example, the storage device may compare the address in the subsequently received commands with the address in the hijack command to determine whether to hijack the subsequently received commands.

Abstract: A third party facilitates preparation of a backup SSD for backing up a source SSD. Digital data of the source SSD, which includes protected and sensitive data and information, is copied to the backup SSD either by and via the third party or directly from the source SSD but under supervision of the third party. The digital data of the source SSD is copied to the backup SSD under stringent rules and only if each party (i.e., the source SSD, destination SSD, and third party) proves to a counterpart device with which it operates that it is authorized to send to it digital data or to receive therefrom digital data, depending on the device with which that party operates.