Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of blocks of a Flash memory includes: recording/updating linking information regarding a logical block address, wherein the linking information includes a plurality of physical block addresses linking to the logical block address, and each physical block address represents a block of the plurality of blocks; and when a block represented by a physical block address of the plurality of physical block addresses has no valid page, selectively erasing the block and removing the physical block address from the linking information, wherein when a number of blocks that are within blocks represented by the physical block addresses and have no valid page reaches a predetermined value, erasing all of the blocks that have no valid page and removing physical block addresses thereof from the linking information.

Abstract: This invention is to plasma arc weld using a keyhole mode to build a partially-penetrated keyhole and then a melt-in mode to finally reach the full penetration before switching to the base period. The full penetration is thus established during the peak period in two stages: keyhole stage and then melt-in stage. While the keyhole stage helps reduce the heat inputs and weld puddles, the melt-in stage finishes the full penetration at reduced impacts from the plasma jets producing the desired weld bead geometry and regularity. The duration of the melt-in stage is automatically determined using arc signals to assure the full penetration. In comparison with keyhole PAW, bead geometry and regularity are significantly improved with slightly increased net heat inputs. In comparison with melt-in PAW and GTAW, the net heat input is reduced approximately forty percent.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method to determine the weld joint penetration from arc voltage measurements in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). It is based on an observation on the dynamic weld pool surface in GTAW—the surface tends to first expand toward the electrode and then be pushed away from the electrode after full penetration is established. For the pool surface in GTAW, localized partial keyholes around the arc axis as in plasma are welding are not significant. The pool surface is relatively smooth. The arc voltage that reflects changes in the arc length thus first tends to reduce and then increases after full penetration is established. This invention thus tracks the arc voltage until the decrease slope becomes insignificant. Once full penetration is established, the current is reduced to decrease the weld penetration or first decrease the penetration growth for a certain period and then decrease the weld penetration.

Abstract: A method of active Flash management is provided. The method is applied to a controller of a memory device, where the controller is utilized for accessing a Flash memory in the memory device, and the Flash memory includes a plurality of blocks. The method includes: extracting high level information of a file system of the Flash memory from contents stored in the Flash memory; and according to the high level information, managing operations that the controller performs on the Flash memory, in order to optimize at least one portion of the operations. An associated memory device and the controller thereof are further provided.

Abstract: A control system for a welding process controls the current applied to the welding torch in either a manual or automatic welding system. The arc voltage is monitored to determine when full penetration of the weld pool has occurred so that the current to the welding torch can be stopped. The arc voltage or the slope of the increase of the arc voltage can be used to operate the control algorithm. Additional variables such as torch speed, torch angle, and weld position can be used to influence the control algorithm. The contemplated systems include both GTAW and PAW welding process as well as others.

Abstract: A method for enhancing file system performance includes: in a situation where operations of visiting a file system of a memory device according to a plurality of file names are performed, regarding each of the file names, extracting a characteristic value and full file name location information from file information that is first read, and temporarily storing the characteristic value and the full file name location information; and when visiting the file system according to a target file name, checking whether any of temporarily stored characteristic values matches the target file name, and determining accordingly whether to perform a file system operation corresponding to the target file name. An associated memory device and the controller thereof are further provided.

Abstract: A method for enhancing fast backward performance includes: with regard to a plurality of offsets of a multimedia file, respectively storing corresponding cluster numbers into a first buffering region/buffer, where the offsets respectively correspond to different playback time points, and the cluster numbers respectively represent a plurality of clusters belonging to the multimedia file; and utilizing at least one portion of the offsets and the cluster numbers to perform a fast backward operation of the multimedia file. An associated electronic device is further provided.

Abstract: A method of active Flash management is provided. The method is applied to a controller of a memory device, where the controller is utilized for accessing a Flash memory in the memory device, and the Flash memory includes a plurality of blocks. The method includes: extracting high level information of a file system of the Flash memory from contents stored in the Flash memory; and according to the high level information, managing operations that the controller performs on the Flash memory, in order to optimize at least one portion of the operations. An associated memory device and the controller thereof are further provided.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of blocks of a Flash memory includes: dynamically determining a link type regarding a logical block address according to at least one criterion, where the link type is selected from a plurality of predetermined link types; and regarding the logical block address, recording/updating the link type and linking information corresponding to the link type. An associated memory device and a controller thereof are also provided, where the controller includes: a ROM arranged to store a program code; and a microprocessor arranged to execute the program code to control the access to the Flash memory and manage the plurality of blocks.

Abstract: A method for managing a plurality of blocks of a Flash memory includes: recording/updating linking information regarding a logical block address, wherein the linking information includes a plurality of physical block addresses linking to the logical block address, and each physical block address represents a block of the plurality of blocks; and when a block represented by a physical block address of the plurality of physical block addresses has no any valid page, selectively erasing the block and removing the physical block address from the linking information. An associated memory device and a controller thereof are also provided, where the controller includes: a ROM arranged to store a program code; and a microprocessor arranged to execute the program code to control the access to the Flash memory and manage the plurality of blocks.