Abstract: A single segment data structure and method for storing data objects employing a single segment data object having a header and a data record. The header includes a segment length field describing the length of memory reserved for the data record and the data record contains at least one data instance object. Each of the data instance objects has a data instance header and data field. The header includes a data instance state field and a data instance length field. The data instance length field contains data representing the length of the data instance data field allowing for variable length “in place” updating. The data instance state field contains data representing an object state of the instance data. Only one of the data instance objects of the data record of the single segment data object has a valid object state. The state field facilitates a power loss recovery process.

Abstract: A system and method for replacing an original linear object with an updated linear object. In a flash memory or other memory device storing groups of data objects, in replacing a linear object with an updated linear object of the same size, the present invention overwrites the original linear object in the same memory space as the original version. As a result, updating the data requires erasing and writing of the block of flash memory cells where the data object is stored. A copy of the original linear object is stored so that the original version of the linear object is available for undoing the update and/or facilitating recovery if the updated linear object becomes corrupted.

Abstract: A linear and non-linear object management method and structure. A data structure on a computer-readable medium is used to store linear and non-linear objects in a range of memory of a volume. The data structure includes a contiguous range of memory in which the data objects are stored. A plurality of data objects are stored contiguously in the range of memory and are associated with a first or second list in the range of memory. The plurality of data objects include a first-type of data object having a data field in linear objects are stored and further include a second-type of data object having a data field containing non-linear data objects.

Abstract: Data object management for a range of memory. The range of memory has first and second opposite ends. A plurality of data objects are written to a first contiguous region of memory located at the first end of the range of memory. At least one of the valid data objects of the plurality of data objects are copied to a second contiguous region of memory located at the second end of the range of memory when a reclamation process is requested. The valid data objects copied from the first contiguous region of memory are marked as invalid data in the first contiguous region of memory subsequent to the valid data objects being copied to the second end of the range of memory, and the memory in which invalid data objects in the first contiguous region of memory are located is erased.

Abstract: A linear and non-linear object management method and structure. A data structure on a computer-readable medium is used to store linear and non-linear objects in a range of memory of a volume. The data structure includes a contiguous range of memory in which the data objects are stored. A plurality of data objects are stored contiguously in the range of memory and are associated with a first or second list in the range of memory. The plurality of data objects include a first-type of data object having a data field in linear objects are stored and further include a second-type of data object having a data field containing non-linear data objects.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory device, driver, and method is described that utilizes write or erase cycle tracking to interrupt or stop a non-volatile memory programming or erase operation at a selected point to interrupt/stop execution or simulate power loss at a specific point. This ability allows for a deterministic and repeatable testing process of all write or erase cycles of a non-volatile command where the state of floating gate memory cells are changed in the non-volatile memory device. Additionally, this ability to utilize write or erase cycle tracking to interrupt or stop a non-volatile memory programming operation or erasing operation at any selected point enables simulation of power loss at each point in a selected operation that a non-volatile floating gate memory cell is programmed or erased, allowing for improved, deterministic testing of the power loss recovery cycle and faster code/design change verification.

Abstract: Data object management for a range of memory. The range of memory has first and second opposite ends. A plurality of data objects are written to a first contiguous region of memory located at the first end of the range of memory. At least one of the valid data objects of the plurality of data objects are copied to a second contiguous region of memory located at the second end of the range of memory when a reclamation process is requested. The valid data objects copied from the first contiguous region of memory are marked as invalid data in the first contiguous region of memory subsequent to the valid data objects being copied to the second end of the range of memory, and the memory in which invalid data objects in the first contiguous region of memory are located is erased.

Abstract: A multiple segment data structure and method manage data objects stored in multiple segments. The structure and method use one or more multiple segment index table objects containing defining information about the data objects in which the data are stored, such as the state, index table size, and one or more index tables referencing the data segment objects. The data objects themselves comprise a header, specifying information about the data segment, including a data segment state, and a data section in which data actually are stored. The state fields in the index table object and the data segment objects facilitate the data recovery process.

Abstract: A single segment data structure and method for storing data objects employing a single segment data object having a header and a data record. The header includes a segment length field describing the length of memory reserved for the data record and the data record contains at least one data instance object. Each of the data instance objects has a data instance header and data field. The header includes a data instance state field and a data instance length field. The data instance length field contains data representing the length of the data instance data field allowing for variable length “in place” updating. The data instance state field contains data representing an object state of the instance data. Only one of the data instance objects of the data record of the single segment data object has a valid object state. The state field facilitates a power loss recovery process.

Abstract: A memory device driver is described that can support multiple differing memory devices, in particular, differing Flash memory devices, by being internally re-configurable to match the driving and management requirements of the particular memory device. This allows for a limited number of operating system versions to be produced and maintained for a given system by the manufacturer, reducing the possibility of misconfiguration of the system/device by the inadvertent updating or programming of the wrong operating system version by an end user or service personnel. The resulting driver routine and/or operating system is also typically smaller than operating systems/drivers that compile in or load multiple separate drivers into themselves. In one embodiment of the present invention, the software driver is automatically configures itself by querying the memory device for a device ID and/or manufacturer code or by detecting a specific characteristic of the memory device being driven.

Abstract: A linear and non-linear object management method and structure. A data structure on a computer-readable medium is used to store linear and non-linear objects in a range of memory of a volume. The data structure includes a contiguous range of memory in which the data objects are stored. A plurality of data objects are stored contiguously in the range of memory and are associated with a first or second list in the range of memory. The plurality of data objects include a first-type of data object having a data field in linear objects are stored and further include a second-type of data object having a data field containing non-linear data objects.

Abstract: A single segment data structure and method for storing data objects employing a single segment data object having a header and a data record. The header includes a segment length field describing the length of memory reserved for the data record and the data record contains at least one data instance object. Each of the data instance objects has a data instance header and data field. The header includes a data instance state field and a data instance length field. The data instance length field contains data representing the length of the data instance data field allowing for variable length “in place” updating. The data instance state field contains data representing an object state of the instance data. Only one of the data instance objects of the data record of the single segment data object has a valid object state. The state field facilitates a power loss recovery process.

Abstract: A method for managing a range of memory in a flash memory space in which a plurality of data objects are stored. A volume defined for the range of memory has a first end and second end, with a respective list of data objects associated with each end. The volume can be resized, moved, and reallocated in the flash memory space without recompilation.

Abstract: A multiple segment data structure and method manage data objects stored in multiple segments. The structure and method use one or more multiple segment index table objects containing defining information about the data objects in which the data are stored, such as the state, index table size, and one or more index tables referencing the data segment objects. The data objects themselves comprise a header, specifying information about the data segment, including a data segment state, and a data section in which data actually are stored. The state fields in the index table object and the data segment objects facilitate the data recovery process.

Abstract: A system and method for replacing an original linear object with an updated linear object. In a flash memory or other memory device storing groups of data objects, in replacing a linear object with an updated linear object of the same size, the present invention overwrites the original linear object in the same memory space as the original version. As a result, updating the data requires erasing and writing of the block of flash memory cells where the data object is stored. A copy of the original linear object is stored so that the original version of the linear object is available for undoing the update and/or facilitating recovery if the updated linear object becomes corrupted.

Abstract: Data object management for a range of memory. The range of memory has first and second opposite ends. A plurality of data objects are written to a first contiguous region of memory located at the first end of the range of memory. At least one of the valid data objects of the plurality of data objects are copied to a second contiguous region of memory located at the second end of the range of memory when a reclamation process is requested. The valid data objects copied from the first contiguous region of memory are marked as invalid data in the first contiguous region of memory subsequent to the valid data objects being copied to the second end of the range of memory, and the memory in which invalid data objects in the first contiguous region of memory are located is erased.