Abstract: An efficient control technology for non-volatile memory is shown. A controller selects the main source block from the non-volatile memory, wherein the main source block has a logical group amount exceeding a threshold amount. The controller selects a target logical group from the main source block, and collects data of the target logical group to a destination block provided by the non-volatile memory to reduce the logical group amount of the main source block.

Abstract: An efficient control technology for non-volatile memory is shown. A controller selects the main source block from the non-volatile memory, wherein the main source block has a logical group amount exceeding a threshold amount. The controller selects a target logical group from the main source block, and collects data of the target logical group to a destination block provided by the non-volatile memory to reduce the logical group amount of the main source block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for writing data into a flash memory module, wherein each flash memory chip within the flash memory module includes a plurality of blocks, each block includes a plurality of pages, and the method includes: building a page-status table, wherein the page-status table records if at least a portion of pages within a specific block is/are damaged; when the data is to be written into the specific block, referring to the page-status table to determine if a specific page, which the data is intended to be written, is damaged; when the page-status table indicates that the specific page is not damaged, writing the data into the specific page; and when the page-status table indicates that the specific page is not damaged, not writing data into the specific page.

Abstract: A data storage device and a Flash memory control method. A data storage device comprises a Flash memory and a controller. The controller controls the Flash memory in accordance with firmware. When the firmware is available for at least a predetermined time period without being requested by a host, the controller, driven according to the firmware, performs a garbage-collection operation on the Flash memory without a request from the host.

Abstract: A data storage device and a Flash memory control method. A data storage device comprises a Flash memory and a controller. The controller controls the Flash memory in accordance with firmware. When the firmware is available for at least a predetermined time period without being requested by a host, the controller, driven according to the firmware, performs a garbage-collection operation on the Flash memory without a request from the host.

Abstract: A data storage system comprises a host and a flash memory device having a non-non-volatile memory. A controller of the flash memory device calculates an average erase count of the flash memory to obtaining a remaining period of time indicating usable lifespan of the flash memory device. The host obtains an index by comparing the average erase count with a first threshold and determines a performance capability status for the flash memory device. The performance capability status is set to a first status when the average erase count exceeds the first threshold. The host generates an indication based on the performance capability status and performs a limp function responsive to the first status. The limp function loads a predetermined in-system programming code for replacing an original one to configure a minimum number of at least some spare blocks of the flash memory reserved and used for data update operations.

Abstract: A method for controlling icon display corresponding to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Mass Storage is provided. The USB Mass Storage is electrically connected to a USB port of a personal computer. The method includes: when it is detected that there is nothing inserted into any memory card slot of the USB Mass Storage, preventing the USB Mass Storage from triggering a specific icon to be displayed, wherein the specific icon is selectively utilized for indicating that at least one USB device is electrically connected to the personal computer; and when it is detected that a memory card is inserted into any of at least one memory card slot of the USB Mass Storage, allowing the specific icon to be displayed. An associated personal computer and a storage medium storing an associated USB Mass Storage driver for controlling icon display corresponding to the USB Mass Storage are further provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling power consumption of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Mass Storage is provided. The USB Mass Storage is electrically connected to a USB port. The method includes: monitoring at least one Test Unit Ready (TUR) command from an operating system (OS) to the USB Mass Storage; and when it is detected that there is no other command from the OS to the USB Mass Storage for a predetermined time period, controlling the USB port to enter a suspend mode in order to save power supplied to the USB Mass Storage. An associated personal computer and a storage medium storing an associated USB Mass Storage driver for controlling power consumption of the USB Mass Storage are further provided, where the personal computer includes the storage medium. In particular, when the USB Mass Storage driver is executed by the personal computer, the personal computer operates according to the method.

Abstract: A data storage system comprises a host and a flash memory device having a non-non-volatile memory. A controller of the flash memory device calculates an average erase count of the flash memory to obtaining a remaining period of time indicating usable lifespan of the flash memory device. The host obtains an index by comparing the average erase count with a first threshold and determines a performance capability status for the flash memory device. The performance capability status is set to a first status when the average erase count exceeds the first threshold. The host generates an indication based on the performance capability status and performs a limp function responsive to the first status. The limp function loads a predetermined in-system programming code for replacing an original one to configure a minimum number of at least some spare blocks of the flash memory reserved and used for data update operations.

Abstract: A method for controlling power consumption of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Mass Storage is provided. The USB Mass Storage is electrically connected to a USB port. The method includes: monitoring at least one Test Unit Ready (TUR) command from an operating system (OS) to the USB Mass Storage; and when it is detected that there is no other command from the OS to the USB Mass Storage for a predetermined time period, controlling the USB port to enter a suspend mode in order to save power supplied to the USB Mass Storage. An associated personal computer and a storage medium storing an associated USB Mass Storage driver for controlling power consumption of the USB Mass Storage are further provided, where the personal computer includes the storage medium. In particular, when the USB Mass Storage driver is executed by the personal computer, the personal computer operates according to the method.

Abstract: A method for controlling icon display corresponding to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Mass Storage is provided. The USB Mass Storage is electrically connected to a USB port of a personal computer. The method includes: when it is detected that there is nothing inserted into any memory card slot of the USB Mass Storage, preventing the USB Mass Storage from triggering a specific icon to be displayed, wherein the specific icon is selectively utilized for indicating that at least one USB device is electrically connected to the personal computer; and when it is detected that a memory card is inserted into any of at least one memory card slot of the USB Mass Storage, allowing the specific icon to be displayed. An associated personal computer and a storage medium storing an associated USB Mass Storage driver for controlling icon display corresponding to the USB Mass Storage are further provided.