Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that have been transferred into the buffer but that have not yet been transferred out of the buffer, a second register that stores a value for incrementing a value contained in the first register, and a third register that stores a value for decrementing a value contained in the first register.

Abstract: A memory card comprising a first modular component that comprises a first interface and first conductors and a data mover that comprises second conductors coupled to the first conductors. The first modular component is replaceable with a second modular component that comprises a second interface that differs from the first interface and third conductors that are configured to couple to the second conductors.

Abstract: A method of storing defective data site information for a storage device according to a particular embodiment of the invention includes determining a first defective data site associated with the storage device, determining a second defective data site associated with the storage device, determining a spacing value that represents spacing between the first defective data site and the second defective data site, and storing the spacing value. Apparatus and method aspects according to other embodiments of the invention also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transferring data and for pausing the transfer of data when certain conditions are met. In one embodiment, an error correcting code (ECC) encoder/decoder reads a codeword from a data storage device and decodes the codeword. The ECC encoder/decoder corrects any correctable errors in the codeword and outputs information regarding the condition of the codeword, such as the number of detected full errors and the number of erasures. The number of full errors is compared with a full error threshold value. When erasures are available, the number of erasures can be compared with an erasure threshold value. Both threshold values may be set at levels below the maximum levels at which errors can still be corrected. When either of the threshold values are exceeded, the transfer of data is paused and a processor is interrupted so that further action may be taken.

Abstract: A memory card comprising a first modular component that comprises a first host interface and a first host interface module and a device interface module configured to operate a device interface that is coupled to a storage device. The first host interface module is configured to call a function in the device interface module. The first modular component is replaceable with a second modular component that comprises a second host interface and a second host interface module, and the second host interface module is configured to call the function in the device interface module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage device controller for controlling the operations of the data storage system. The controller includes error-correcting code (ECC) coding and decoding of data stored on media of the data storage system. A Verify procedure of the present invention is performed which verifies the validity of the data written to the media. The Verify procedure runs continuously until an error is detected or until an external event terminates the procedure. By accessing a range of memory addresses in the media and by resetting an address counter to a start of the range of addresses after a last address of the range has been accessed, the Verify procedure continuously checks the memory locations for errors. The range of addresses may include all of the accessible addresses in the data storage device. Additionally, information on the quality of the media may be collected and used to determine how much the media deteriorates over time.

Abstract: In a data storage and retrieval system, a method and system for exchanging operation parameters between a data storage device and a storage device controller is disclosed. A memory device within the data storage device comprises operation parameter registers, which store operation parameters that are indicative of environmental conditions and characteristics of the memory device itself. The operation parameter registers may be readable and writable. To initiate an exchange of operation parameters, the storage device controller sends a command code indicative of an operation parameter exchange command and designates an address in the operation parameter registers to which operation parameters are to be written or from which operation parameters are to be read.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a method for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes receiving from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and a storage medium, storing in a first register a value that is correlated to a number of second data units contained in a first data unit, and storing in a second register a value for tracking a number of second data units that are transferred between the host device and a buffer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from a host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that are transferred between the buffer and the storage medium, and a second register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that are transferred between the host device and the buffer. A data unit is transferred between the buffer and the storage medium if the value in the first register is within a predetermined range. Similarly, a data unit is transferred between the buffer and the host device if the value in the second register is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: In a data storage and retrieval system, a method and system for exchanging operation parameters between a data storage device and a storage device controller is disclosed. A memory device within the data storage device comprises operation parameter registers, which store operation parameters that are indicative of environmental conditions and characteristics of the memory device itself. The operation parameter registers may be readable and writable. To initiate an exchange of operation parameters, the storage device controller sends a command code indicative of an operation parameter exchange command and designates an address in the operation parameter registers to which operation parameters are to be written or from which operation parameters are to be read.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage device controller for controlling the operations of the data storage system. The controller includes error-correcting code (ECC) coding and decoding of data stored on media of the data storage system. A Verify procedure of the present invention is performed which verifies the validity of the data written to the media. The Verify procedure runs continuously until an error is detected or until an external event terminates the procedure. By accessing a range of memory addresses in the media and by resetting an address counter to a start of the range of addresses after a last address of the range has been accessed, the Verify procedure continuously checks the memory locations for errors. The range of addresses may include all of the accessible addresses in the data storage device. Additionally, information on the quality of the media may be collected and used to determine how much the media deteriorates over time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that have been transferred into the buffer but that have not yet been transferred out of the buffer, a second register that stores a value for incrementing a value contained in the first register, and a third register that stores a value for decrementing a value contained in the first register.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for transferring data and for pausing the transfer of data when certain conditions are met. In one embodiment, an error correcting code (ECC) encoder/decoder reads a codeword from a data storage device and decodes the codeword. The ECC encoder/decoder corrects any correctable errors in the codeword and outputs information regarding the condition of the codeword, such as the number of detected full errors and the number of erasures. The number of full errors is compared with a full error threshold value. When erasures are available, the number of erasures can be compared with an erasure threshold value. Both threshold values may be set at levels below the maximum levels at which errors can still be corrected. When either of the threshold values are exceeded, the transfer of data is paused and a processor is interrupted so that further action may be taken.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a method for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes receiving from the host device a command to transfer data between the host device and a storage medium, storing in a first register a value that is correlated to a number of second data units contained in a first data unit, and storing in a second register a value for tracking a number of second data units that are transferred between the host device and a buffer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium are provided. In one implementation, a system for transferring data between a host device and a storage medium includes a host interface that receives from a host device a command to transfer data between the host device and the storage medium, a buffer that temporarily stores data that is transferred between the host device and the storage medium, a first register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that are transferred between the buffer and the storage medium, and a second register that stores a value for tracking a number of data units that are transferred between the host device and the buffer. A data unit is transferred between the buffer and the storage medium if the value in the first register is within a predetermined range. Similarly, a data unit is transferred between the buffer and the host device if the value in the second register is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a runt block data transfer. A representative system includes a data transfer system having data organized into a plurality of sectors and a host device, a storage medium and a data transfer controller operably configured to couple between a host interface and a storage medium interface. The storage medium has stored thereon a plurality of sectors of data and the host having data organized into a plurality of blocks representing a multiple of sectors, the data transfer controller being configured to request a data transfer of a sector of data, conduct a first retrieval of sectors of data from the storage medium and decrement a counter containing the number of words for the current block size upon the first retrieval, conduct subsequent retrievals until either the counter value is zero or the counter value is less than a value in a register that contains the number of words for the current sector.