Abstract: Disclosed is a memory system and a method of programming a multi-bit flash memory device which includes memory cells configured to store multi-bit data, where the method includes and the system is configured for determining whether data to be stored in a selected memory cell is an LSB data; and if data to be stored in a selected memory cell is not an LSB data, backing up lower data stored in the selected memory cell to a backup memory block of the multi-bit flash memory device.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for processing data of flash memory. The apparatus includes a user requesting unit to request a data operation using a predetermined logical address, a transformation unit to transform the logical address into a physical address, and a control unit to record count data counting the number of predetermined bits of data, in an index region to indicate whether the data is valid when conducting the data operation.

Abstract: Methods of operating a non-volatile multi-bit memory device can include programming multi-bit memory cells included in one page of the device with page data including an error detection code based on the page data and determining the validity of the page data using the error detection code read from the multi-bit memory cells in response to an error during programming of the multi-bit memory cells, wherein the multi-bit memory cells in the one page are configured to store a single bit of the page data.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for managing mapping information of a nonvolatile memory, in which a time period required for a request for access to a logic sector of the nonvolatile memory is minimized. The apparatus includes an extractor which extracts a logical sector mapped with each physical sector in physical units mapped with a predetermined logical unit, a mapping information generator which generates mapping information of logical sectors belonging to the logical unit including the extracted logical sector, and a mapping information memory which stores the generated mapping information.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of memory cells, each configured to store data having at least two bits and a control circuit configured to write data to a first memory cell connected to a wordline of the nonvolatile memory and to then write data to a second memory cell that is connected to wordline and shares a bit buffer with the first memory cell.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for controlling a flash memory, more particularly, an apparatus and method for controlling flash memory that updates control information of a flash memory stored in a predetermined volatile memory when the type of flash memory is changed and controls the changed flash memory using the updated control information. The apparatus includes a flash memory storing its own control information, a first memory storing a programming code for controlling the flash memory, a control unit generating a control code for controlling the flash memory by assigning the control information to the programming code, and a transceiver transmitting the control code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for managing a bad run-time block in a multi-level cell flash memory. The apparatus includes a buffer-allotting module which allots a buffer in which data programmed in a least significant bit (LSB) of a cell is temporarily stored, a data-copying module which copies the data programmed in the LSB of the cell to the allotted buffer, and a bad-block-managing module which programs the copied data to a free block if a program error occurs in a page of the cell.

Abstract: Provided are a nonvolatile memory and an apparatus and method for deciding data validity for the same, in which validity of data stored in the nonvolatile memory can be decided. The nonvolatile memory includes a memory cell storing data bits in a plurality of pages included in a predetermined block through a plurality of states realized by at least two bits. The block includes a first page in which data bits for determining validity of data bits written by a user are stored, and a second page in which the data bits written by the user are stored.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for operating a flash memory according to a priority order, in which a fast response is insured. The apparatus includes a time calculation unit which calculates an operation execution time required to perform a first operation, a remaining time calculation unit which calculates a remaining time until completion of the first operation based on the calculated operation execution time if a second operation having a higher priority than that of the first operation is requested during performing of the first operation, and an operation processing unit which compares the calculated remaining time with an operation suspension time requested to suspend the first operation and determines whether to suspend the first operation in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method for a flash memory, which make it easy to determine whether data stored in the flash memory is valid, are provided. The data processing apparatus includes a user request unit which issues a request for performing a data operation on a flash memory using a predetermined logical address, a conversion unit which converts the logical address into a physical address, and a control unit which performs the data operation on the physical address and writes inverted data obtained by inverting error correction code (ECC) corresponding to data used in the data operation to a region indicating whether the ECC is erroneous.

Abstract: A method for flash memory management where, if changing of data of a data block recorded in a data area is requested, recording the data block having changed data in an alternative area and recording mapping information representing an address of the data block recorded in the alternative area in a mapping area. If changing of data of the data block recorded in the alternative area is requested, recording a data block having changed data in the data area and deleting the mapping information representing the address recorded in the alternative area from the mapping area. If the mapping information on the data block exists in the mapping area, data is read from the data block in the alternative area, and if the mapping information on the data block does not exist in the mapping area, data is read from the data block at the original address in the data area.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory including a memory cell that stores data in a plurality of pages included in a block according to a voltage applied to a memory cell is provided. The nonvolatile memory includes a block that includes a first page including first data that stores data recorded by a user, and a second page including second data area that stores data recorded by a user, wherein the second page records count-information on states represented by a bit pair in the same position of the first data area and the second data area.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method are provided for a flash memory, wherein the data processing apparatus and method can easily determine whether data stored in the flash memory is valid. The data processing apparatus for a flash memory includes a user request unit which issues a request for performing a data operation on a predetermined logical address, a conversion unit which converts the predetermined logical address into a physical address, and a control unit which performs the data operation on the physical address and records inverted data of data written to the predetermined logical address in an index area to indicate whether the data written to the predetermined logical address is valid.

Abstract: Methods of operating a non-volatile multi-bit memory device can include programming multi-bit memory cells included in one page of the device with page data including an error detection code based on the page data and determining the validity of the page data using the error detection code read from the multi-bit memory cells in response to an error during programming of the multi-bit memory cells, wherein the multi-bit memory cells in the one page are configured to store a single bit of the page data.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of memory cells, each configured to store data having at least two bits and a control circuit configured to write data to a first memory cell connected to a wordline of the nonvolatile memory and to then write data to a second memory cell that is connected to wordline and shares a bit buffer with the first memory cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes adjacent planes and a control module. The adjacent planes include a reserve field and a data field having multiple blocks. The blocks of each of the reserve and data fields are successively arranged over the adjacent planes to form a multi-plane operation group. The control module is configured to control the adjacent planes to conduct a first operation or a second operation in accordance with whether the reserve field includes free blocks corresponding to a unit of the multi-plane operation group. The first operation includes replacing blocks of the data field with free blocks of the reserve field in the unit of the multi-plane operation group. The second operation includes replacing one block of the data field with one free block of the reserve field.

Abstract: A method for managing a flash memory, a method for leveling the wear of blocks in a flash memory, and a method for managing a file system for a flash memory are provided. The method for managing a flash memory includes: if changing of data of a data block recorded in a data area is requested, recording the data block having changed data in an alternative area and recording mapping information of the data block recorded in the alternative area in a mapping area; and if changing of data of the data block recorded in the alternative area is requested, recording a data block having changed data in the data area and deleting the mapping information recorded in the alternative area from the mapping area.

Abstract: A memory-protection method and apparatus is provided that can protect a memory that is used by components in a real time operating system environment (RTOS). The memory-protection method includes requesting access to a first memory region that a first component uses when the first component is called to execute a first task in a real time operating system, and permitting the first task to access the first memory region with reference to a task list that includes information on tasks which are permitted to access the first memory region.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device and method for storing status information using multiple strings are provided. The nonvolatile memory device and method allow the status information to be stored using multiple strings. The nonvolatile memory includes a cell capable of storing at least one bit of data, a plurality of strings in each of which at least two cells are connected in series, and a plurality of pages each of which includes a plurality of cells, wherein the strings comprise a main string group comprised of strings storing data and a spare string group including at least two spare strings that store status information on the data stored in the main string group.

Abstract: Disclosed is a memory system and a method of programming a multi-bit flash memory device which includes memory cells configured to store multi-bit data, where the method includes and the system is configured for determining whether data to be stored in a selected memory cell is an LSB data; and if data to be stored in a selected memory cell is not an LSB data, backing up lower data stored in the selected memory cell to a backup memory block of the multi-bit flash memory device.