Patents by Inventor Barry Wright

Barry Wright 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: 20090164745
    Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating blocks at a reprogrammable non-volatile mass storage system are disclosed. Generally, a controller identifies a group of data to be written to a block at the mass storage system, and allocates one of a new block or a partial block to the identified group of data based on whether a total unprogrammed capacity in partial blocks of the mass storage system exceeds an amount of valid data in obsolete blocks of the mass storage system. In one implementation, the identifier group of data may be associated with a single file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Patent number: 7552271
    Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory system that includes a block-erasable memory array, records are individually maintained for certain classifications of blocks. One or more lists may be maintained for the blocks, an individual list ordered according to a descriptor value. Such ordered lists allow rapid identification of a block by descriptor value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Welsh Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080307192
    Abstract: A method and system for storage address re-mapping is disclosed. The method includes allocating logical addresses in blocks of clusters and re-mapping logical addresses into storage address space, where short runs of data dispersed in logical address space are mapped in a contiguous manner into blocks in storage address space. Valid data is flushed from blocks having both valid and obsolete data to make new blocks available for receiving data when an available number of new blocks falls below a desired threshold. The system includes a host file system, processor executable instructions residing on a host separately from the host file system or residing on a flash memory device such as an embedded solid state disk, or a backend memory manager of the flash memory device that is configured to map data from a logical address space to complete blocks in storage address space in a contiguous manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Patent number: 7450420
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. A type of memory block is selected to receive additional data of a file that depends upon the types of blocks into which data of the file have already been written. Blocks containing data are selected for reclaiming any unused capacity therefrom by a process that selects blocks in order starting with those containing the least amount of valid data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Sandisk Corporation
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080155177
    Abstract: Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080155176
    Abstract: Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080155178
    Abstract: Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080155175
    Abstract: Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080155227
    Abstract: Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20080155228
    Abstract: Data files are assigned addresses within one or more logical blocks of a continuous logical address space interface (LBA interface) of a usual type of flash memory system with physical memory cell blocks. This assignment may be done by the host device which typically, but not necessarily, generates the data files. The number of logical blocks containing data of any one file is controlled in a manner that reduces the amount of fragmentation of file data within the physical memory blocks, thereby to maintain good memory performance. The host may configure the logical blocks of the address space in response to learning the physical characteristics of a memory to which it is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070186032
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033328
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. A type of memory block is selected to receive additional data of a file that depends upon the types of blocks into which data of the file have already been written. Blocks containing data are selected for reclaiming any unused capacity therefrom by a process that selects blocks in order starting with those containing the least amount of valid data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033375
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. Each data file is uniquely identified in a file directory, which points to entries in a file index table (FIT) of data groups that make up the file and their physical storage locations in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033377
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033378
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033376
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033332
    Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory system that includes a block-erasable memory array, records are individually maintained for certain classifications of blocks. One or more lists may be maintained for the blocks, an individual list ordered according to a descriptor value. Such ordered lists allow rapid identification of a block by descriptor value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033329
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. A type of memory block is selected to receive additional data of a file that depends upon the types of blocks into which data of the file have already been written. Blocks containing data are selected for reclaiming any unused capacity therefrom by a process that selects blocks in order starting with those containing the least amount of valid data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070033374
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. Each data file is uniquely identified in a file directory, which points to entries in a file index table (FIT) of data groups that make up the file and their physical storage locations in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright
  • Publication number: 20070030734
    Abstract: Host system data files are written directly to a large erase block flash memory system with a unique identification of each file and offsets of data within the file but without the use of any intermediate logical addresses or a virtual address space for the memory. Directory information of where the files are stored in the memory is maintained within the memory system by its controller, rather than by the host. A type of memory block is selected to receive additional data of a file that depends upon the types of blocks into which data of the file have already been written. Blocks containing data are selected for reclaiming any unused capacity therefrom by a process that selects blocks in order starting with those containing the least amount of valid data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Sinclair, Barry Wright