Abstract: A flash memory system comprises a group of pages each consisting of a plurality of memory zones with various sizes; a read/write controller for controlling reading or writing of data from or to one of the pages; an error correction unit including at least two ECC (Error Correction Code) engines each encoding or decoding the data for performing error detection and correction; and an ECC judgment unit for selecting one of the ECC engines on the basis of predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A storage system including a storage unit, a connector, and a controller is provided. A personal identification number (PIN) message digest and a cipher text are stored in the storage unit. When the storage system is connected to a host system through the connector, the controller requests a password from the host system and generates a message digest through a one-way hash function according to the password. After that, the controller determinates whether the message digest matches the PIN message digest. If the message digest matches the PIN message digest, the controller decrypts the cipher text in the storage unit through a first encryption/decryption function according to the password to obtain an encryption/decryption key. Eventually, the controller encrypts and decrypts user data through a second encryption/decryption function according to the encryption/decryption key. Thereby, the user data stored in the storage system can be effectively protected.

Abstract: A data writing method for a non-volatile memory and a storage system and a controller using the same are provided. The data writing method includes executing a non-volatile memory writing program pre-stored in the non-volatile memory on a host, managing data desired to be written through the non-volatile memory writing program, executing a write-enabling command to temporarily disable a write protection of the non-volatile memory and executing a write command through the non-volatile memory writing program to write the data in a writing unit not recorded with any data in the non-volatile memory, and re-enabling the write protection after completing the writing by executing a write-protecting command. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid damage to the non-volatile memory due to multiple writings which are not desired in the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: A flash memory system comprises a group of pages each consisting of a plurality of memory zones with various sizes; a read/write controller for controlling reading or writing of data from or to one of the pages; an error correction unit including at least two ECC (Error Correction Code) engines each encoding or decoding the data for performing error detection and correction; and an ECC judgment unit for selecting one of the ECC engines on the basis of predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a flash memory is provided. According to the method of the present invention, a page or a block can be selected as a unit for writing data to the flash memory. When the flash memory controller process the step of writing data into the flash memory, the volume of data is calculated for determining the time and frequency of moving and erasing data for both page and block as a unit. Based on the above result, the most appropriate method of writing data is selected to substantially improve speed of the writing process and also to reduce the frequency of erasing steps in order to extend the service life of the flash memory.

Abstract: A storage controlling and judging methods of flash memory is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, the flash memory comprises plurality sets of mother and child blocks for temporarily saving the written data in order to increase the saving/retrieving speed of the flash memory. According to another aspect of the present invention, the correlation concept of the mother and child block is used to substantially reduce the erase frequency for extending the service life of the flash memory.

Abstract: A method of optimizing performance of a flash memory is provided. According to the method of the present invention, a page or a block can be selected as a unit for writing data to the flash memory. When the flash memory controller process the step of writing data into the flash memory, the volume of data is calculated for determining the time and frequency of moving and erasing data for both page and block as a unit. Based on the above result, the most appropriate method of writing data is selected to substantially improve speed of the writing process and also to reduce the frequency of erasing steps in order to extend the service life of the flash memory.

Abstract: A method of writing data to a flash memory for efficiently managing the flash memory is provided. According to the method of the present invention, a page or a block can be selected as a unit for writing data to the flash memory. When a host, for instance, computer, card reader, cellular phone and alike, process the step of writing data into the flash memory, the volume of data is calculated for determining the time and frequency of moving and erasing data for both page and block as a unit. Based on the above result, the most appropriate method of writing data is selected to substantially improve speed of the writing process and also to reduce the frequency of erasing steps in order to extend the service life of the flash memory.

Abstract: A storage controlling and judging methods of flash memory is provided. According to an aspect of the present invention, the flash memory comprises plurality sets of mother and child blocks for temporarily saving the written data in order to increase the saving/retrieving speed of the flash memory. According to another aspect of the present invention, the correlation concept of the mother and child block is used to substantially reduce the erase frequency for extending the service life of the flash memory.

Abstract: A method of writing data to a flash memory for efficiently managing the flash memory is provided. According to the method of the present invention, a page or a block can be selected as a unit for writing data to the flash memory. When a host, for instance, computer, card reader, cellular phone and alike, process the step of writing data into the flash memory, the volume of data is calculated for determining the time and frequency of moving and erasing data for both page and block as a unit. Based on the above result, the most appropriate method of writing data is selected to substantially improve speed of the writing process and also to reduce the frequency of erasing steps in order to extend the service life of the flash memory.

Abstract: A method of writing data to a large block of a flash memory cell is disclosed. When the processor writes data to the flash memory cell, if the changed data can not fill up the whole page, the processor will pick a block from one of the backed up blocks in the flash memory cell using as a special block for storing changed data temporarily, and continue to write the next changed data into the special block until whole space in the page is filled up. When the page is completely filled, then the data stored temporarily in the special block is moved to a buffer of the backed up block and then the special block is erased so that it can be used as a back up block, thus when writing data to flash memory cell, even when the change of data is unable fully fill up the whole page, the changed data still can be written continuously, and therefore the writing speed can be substantially increased.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory storage integrated circuit is disclosed. The non-volatile memory storage integrated circuit of the present invention comprises a controlling IC, a NAND IC and a memory IC. The non-volatile memory storage integrated circuit of the present invention can be used as a basic I/O system for electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of writing data to a large block of a flash memory cell is disclosed. When the processor writes data to the flash memory cell, if the changed data can not fill up the whole page, the processor will pick a block from one of the backed up blocks in the flash memory cell using as a special block for storing changed data temporarily, and continue to write the next changed data into the special block until whole space in the page is filled up. When the page is completely filled, then the data stored temporarily in the special block is moved to a buffer of the backed up block and then the special block is erased so that it can be used as a back up block, thus when writing data to flash memory cell, even when the change of data is unable fully fill up the whole page, the changed data still can be written continuously, and therefore the writing speed can be substantially increased.

Abstract: A single integrated circuit flash memory controller is provided. When the CPU is operating, the operating time of the external ROM and all the flash memory devices are designed or programmed to function in an alternative manner, for example, the flash memory device will not be activated while the external ROM is operating to retrieve the program code. On the contrary, while data is being retrieved from the flash memory device, the CPU will be in a waiting status, in other words, the CPU does not function to retrieve the program code from the external ROM while the data is being retrieved from the flash memory device. Accordingly, this design makes it possible for the single integrated circuit flash memory control to accommodate required connections for connecting with the external ROM as well as all the flash memory device without the need to increasing pin terminals or the size of the integrated circuit package.

Abstract: The invention provides an audio video digital signal processing device comprising a plurality of memory interfaces or connecters adapted to receive memory means, a digital signal processor DSP adapted to detect connection of memory means in the memory interfaces and to recognize the audio video format of the stored data, an audio output for audio signal output, a video output for video signal output, and a digital to analog converter and amplifier controlled by the DSP to process audio and video signals from the memory means for output to external audio and video apparatus through the audio output and the video output. The audio and video signals can be processed with a variety of personalized presentation effects based upon users requirements.

Abstract: A portable data storage device includes a main circuit board, a stack of memory circuit boards mounted on the main circuit board, and a USB port pivoted to one end of the main circuit board and adapted to electrically connect the main circuit board to, for example, the USB port of a personal computer at one of a series of angular positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a flash memory storage device that is connectable to a computer via a universal serial bus. The universal serial bus (USB) has become a standard serial interface which allows data to be stored in and read from an external memory device at high speed. Therefore, it is advantageous to combine the benefits of a flash memory device with the speed of the universal serial bus. In addition, by designing the flash memory device with a USB interface, the flash memory device appears as a standard USB storage device which permits the host and flash memory device to connect and interact with ease.