Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to improve the performance of a memory system by freeing up physical memory areas that correspond to logical block address ranges that have repeated data patterns. A controller detects data patterns in incoming data. When a data pattern is detected, the data is not written to non-volatile storage area. Rather, the logical block address range of the data is marked in a data structure as having pattern data. The pattern may also be recorded in the data structure as a pattern descriptor. Because the data having the data pattern is not written to the non-volatile storage area, the freed up corresponding physical memory area may be utilized by the memory system for other purposes, thereby improving the overall performance and endurance of the memory system.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling the storage of data in a storage device to reduce fragmentation. The method may include a controller of a storage device receiving data for storage in non-volatile memory, proactively preventing fragmentation by only writing an amount of sequentially addressed logical groups of data into a main storage area of the storage device, such as multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory, and reactively defragmenting data previously written into the MLC memory when a trigger event is reached. The system may include a storage device with a controller configured to perform the method noted above, where the thresholds for minimum sequential writes into MLC, and for scanning the memory for fragmented data and removing fragmentation by re-writing the fragmented data already in MLC into new MLC blocks, may be fixed or variable.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing extensions to intelligently manage resources of a mass storage system are disclosed. Generally, a host sends an extension of an enabled set of extensions to a mass storage system that includes at least one of command sequence information, command information or file attribute information. The host additionally sends a host application command to the mass storage system that includes logical block address information associated with the at least one of command sequence information, command information or file attribute information of the extension. Based on the received extension, the mass storage system intelligently performs operations that efficiently manage the resources of the mass storage system to reduce the frequency of operations such as data consolidation operations, data collection operations, and data copy operations, thereby increasing the data programming and reading performance of the mass storage system.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling the storage of data in a storage device to reduce fragmentation. The method may include a controller of a storage device receiving data for storage in non-volatile memory, proactively preventing fragmentation by only writing an amount of sequentially addressed logical groups of data into a main storage area of the storage device, such as multi-level cell (MLC) flash memory, and reactively defragmenting data previously written into the MLC memory when a trigger event is reached. The system may include a storage device with a controller configured to perform the method noted above, where the thresholds for minimum sequential writes into MLC, and for scanning the memory for fragmented data and removing fragmentation by re-writing the fragmented data already in MLC into new MLC blocks, may be fixed or variable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passing information to a host system to suggest logical locations to allocate to a file are disclosed. Generally, when a host system determines a need to allocate a logical location to a file, the host system sends a non-data command to a memory system. In response, the memory system sends information to the host system that includes one or more logical locations to allocate to the file. By suggesting one or more logical locations to allocate to a file, the memory system may reduce a number of data consolidation or garbage collection operations that will need to be performed in the future, thereby improving performance of the memory system.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling the storage of data in a storage device to reduce fragmentation. The method may include a controller of a storage device receiving data for storage in non-volatile memory and determining if a threshold amount of data has been received. When the threshold amount of data is received, the non-volatile memory is scanned for sequentially numbered logical groups of data previously written in noncontiguous locations in the non-volatile memory. When a threshold amount of such sequentially numbered logical groups is found, the controller re-writes the sequentially numbered logical groups of data contiguously into a new block. The system may include a storage device with a controller configured to perform the method noted above, where the thresholds for scanning the memory for fragmented data and removing fragmentation by re-writing the fragmented data into new blocks may be fixed or variable.

Abstract: A portion of a nonvolatile memory array that is likely to contain, partially programmed data may be identified from a high sensitivity read, by applying stricter than usual error correction code (ECC) requirements, or using pointers to programmed sectors. The last programmed data may be treated as likely to be partially programmed data. Data in the identified portion may be copied to another location, or left where it is with an indicator to prohibit further programming to the same cells. To avoid compromising previously stored data during subsequent programming, previously stored data may be backed up. Backing up may be done selectively, for example, only for nonsequential data, or only when the previously stored data contains an earlier version of data being programmed. If a backup copy already exists, another backup copy is not created. Sequential commands are treated as a single command if received within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method for writing data to a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, data of an atomic transaction is written to a first memory in a memory device. A determination is made regarding whether all of the data of the atomic transaction was written to the first memory. The data of the atomic transaction is read from the first memory and written to a second memory in the memory device only if it is determined that all of the data of the atomic transaction was written to the first memory.

Abstract: A portion of a nonvolatile memory array that is likely to contain, partially programmed data may be identified from a high sensitivity read, by applying stricter than usual ECC requirements, or using pointers to programmed sectors. The last programmed data may be treated as likely to be partially programmed data. Data in the identified portion may be copied to another location, or left where it is with an indicator to prohibit further programming to the same cells. To avoid compromising previously stored data during subsequent programming, previously stored data may be backed up. Backing up may be done selectively, for example, only for nonsequential data, or only when the previously stored data contains an earlier version of data being programmed. If a backup copy already exists, another backup copy is not created. Sequential commands are treated as a single command if received within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: The variable latency associated with flash memory due to background data integrity operations is managed in order to allow the flash memory to be used in isochronous systems. A system processor is notified regularly of the nature and urgency of requests for time to ensure data integrity. Minimal interruptions of system processing are achieved and operation is ensured in the event of a power interruption.

Abstract: Command cycles incorporate mechanisms to inform a host processor in advance of a need to service the memory so that the host can respond when it suits the host, but in time for the service to be performed before a catastrophic failure. The regular host cycle need not be interrupted for such notification.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to reduce the number of partial logical groups that are erased by writing erase patterns to memory in a non-volatile memory system. When a non-aligned erase command is received, the logical addresses of data associated with the erase command may be marked as erased. If the logical group corresponds to the size of a physical metablock, the controller may also issue a physical erase command for complete logical groups within the erase command. For those parts of the erase command that encompass only partial logical groups, the ranges of the logical block addresses marked for erasure are stored. As subsequent erase commands are received the address ranges of the erase commands are added to the previously stored address ranges. When a set of erase commands spans an entire logical group, the logical group is marked for physical erasure in its entirety.

Abstract: Method and mass storage memory system is provided. The system includes, re-programmable non-volatile memory cells, the memory cells being arranged in a plurality of blocks that are erasable together; and a controller including a microprocessor that is adapted to receive files of data identified by unique identifiers via a first interface and the controller causes a received data file to be stored in one or more memory blocks; and the controller receives data identified by logical addresses via a second interface and stores the received data in one or more memory blocks, wherein data written via the first interface is indexed using the unique identifiers so that data is accessible via the second interface or the first interface; and data received via the second interface is indexed so that data can be accessed via the first interface or the second interface.

Abstract: Method for transferring data between a host system and a re-programmable non-volatile mass storage system having memory cells organized into blocks of memory cells is provided. The method includes receiving data via a first interface and/or a second interface; and making data accessible via the first interface and the second interface, even if a file name is not provided by a host system or before a write operation is complete.

Abstract: A mass storage memory system is provided. The memory system includes, re-programmable non-volatile memory cells arranged in a plurality of blocks of memory cells; and a controller that is adapted to receive data via a first interface, and/or a second interface, and data received via the first interface and the second interface is accessible via the first interface and the second interface even if a file name for the data is not provided by a host system or before a write operation is complete. The first interface is a file based interface and the second interface is a logical interface.

Abstract: A portion of a nonvolatile memory array that is likely to contain, partially programmed data may be identified from a high sensitivity read, by applying stricter than usual ECC requirements, or using pointers to programmed sectors. The last programmed data may be treated as likely to be partially programmed data. Data in the identified portion may be copied to another location, or left where it is with an indicator to prohibit further programming to the same cells. To avoid compromising previously stored data during subsequent programming, previously stored data may be backed up. Backing up may be done selectively, for example, only for nonsequential data, or only when the previously stored data contains an earlier version of data being programmed. If a backup copy already exists, another backup copy is not created. Sequential commands are treated as a single command if received within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for passing information to a host system to suggest logical locations to allocate to a file are disclosed. Generally, when a host system determines a need to allocate a logical location to a file, the host system sends a non-data command to a memory system. In response, the memory system sends information to the host system that includes one or more logical locations to allocate to the file. By suggesting one or more logical locations to allocate to a file, the memory system may reduce a number of data consolidation or garbage collection operations that will need to be performed in the future, thereby improving performance of the memory system.

Abstract: An information storage arrangement that combines higher-endurance (or performance) storage with lower-endurance (or performance) storage is managed in a manner that makes judicious use of the lower-endurance (or performance) storage. It is therefore possible to exploit the economic advantage associated with lower-endurance (or performance) storage, while also avoiding storage capacity losses that would otherwise be associated with lower-endurance (or performance) storage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing extensions to intelligently manage resources of a mass storage system are disclosed. Generally, a host sends an extension of an enabled set of extensions to a mass storage system that includes at least one of command sequence information, command information or file attribute information. The host additionally sends a host application command to the mass storage system that includes logical block address information associated with the at least one of command sequence information, command information or file attribute information of the extension. Based on the received extension, the mass storage system intelligently performs operations that efficiently manage the resources of the mass storage system to reduce the frequency of operations such as data consolidation operations, data collection operations, and data copy operations, thereby increasing the data programming and reading performance of the mass storage system.

Abstract: A portion of a nonvolatile memory array that is likely to contain, partially programmed data may be identified from a high sensitivity read, by applying stricter than usual ECC requirements, or using pointers to programmed sectors. The last programmed data may be treated as likely to be partially programmed data. Data in the identified portion may be copied to another location, or left where it is with an indicator to prohibit further programming to the same cells. To avoid compromising previously stored data during subsequent programming, previously stored data may be backed up. Backing up may be done selectively, for example, only for nonsequential data, or only when the previously stored data contains an earlier version of data being programmed. If a backup copy already exists, another backup copy is not created. Sequential commands are treated as a single command if received within a predetermined time period.