Check Bits Stored In Separate Area Of Memory Patents (Class 714/766)
  • Publication number: 20140149827
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the memory device includes a data storage region and an error correction (ECC) region. The data storage region configured to store a first number of data blocks. The ECC region is configured to store a second number of ECC blocks. Each of the second number of ECC blocks is configured to store ECC information. The second number of the ECC blocks is associated with the first number of data blocks, and the second number is less than the first number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-gyeum KIM, Hyeok-man KWON, Young-jun KWON, Ki-young CHOI, Jun-whan AHN
  • Publication number: 20140143635
    Abstract: A partition unit that includes a cache for storing both data and error-correcting code (ECC) checkbits associated with the data is disclosed. When a read command corresponding to particular data stored in a memory unit results in a cache miss, the partition unit transmits a read request to the memory unit to fetch the data and store the data in the cache. The partition unit checks the cache to determine if ECC checkbits associated with the data are stored in the cache and, if the ECC checkbits are not in the cache, the partition unit transmits a read request to the memory unit to fetch the ECC checkbits and store the ECC checkbits in the cache. The ECC checkbits and the data may then be compared to determine the reliability of the data using an error-correcting scheme such as SEC-DED (i.e., single error-correcting, double error-detecting).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wishwesh Anil GANDHI, Nirmal Raj SAXENA
  • Publication number: 20140143634
    Abstract: This can relate to non-regular parity distribution of a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as flash memory, and detection of the non-regular parity via a metadata tag. For example, each codeword of the NVM can include one or more parity pages that may be distributed at random through the NVM. To identify the page as a parity page, a parity page marker can be included in the metadata of that page. During power-up of the NVM, an address table including the logical-to-physical address mapping of the pages can be created. Pages including a parity page marker, however, can be skipped during the creation of this address table. Additionally, by having two or more parity pages associated with a codeword, an additional layer of protection can be provided for repairing errors in that codeword.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Post
  • Patent number: 8732552
    Abstract: A block management method for managing physical blocks of a rewritable non-volatile memory module, and a memory controller and a memory storage device using the same are provided. The method includes maintaining an error information table for recording one or more error correctable physical blocks among the physical blocks and an error bit number corresponding to the one or more error correctable physical blocks. The method further includes selecting a physical block for writing data according to the one or more error correctable physical blocks and the error bit number thereof recorded in the error information table. Accordingly, the data stability of the memory storage device can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Phison Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 8732557
    Abstract: Data protection across multiple memory blocks can include writing a first portion of a codeword in a first memory block and writing a second portion of the codeword in a second memory block. The first memory block and the second memory block can be different memory blocks. The first portion of the codeword can be written in a different location in the first memory block than the second portion of the codeword is written in the second memory block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sampath K. Ratnam, Troy D. Larsen, Doyle W. Rivers, Troy A. Manning, Martin L. Culley
  • Publication number: 20140136926
    Abstract: Methods are described that facilitate the detection and correction of data in memory systems or devices by encoding the data bits of a memory row or block in a non-systematic ECC code. This allows memory embodiments of the present invention to utilize reduced complexity error detection and correction hardware and/or routines to efficiently detect and correct corrupted user data in a segment of memory, such as a sector, word line row, or erase block. User data is not stored in a plaintext format in the memory array, allowing for an increased level of data security. The ECC code is distributed throughout the stored data in the memory segment, increasing the robustness of the ECC code and its resistance to damage or data corruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Shuba Swaminathan, Brady L. Keays
  • Patent number: 8726123
    Abstract: A bit error corrector includes an aging bit pattern memory operable to store at least one aging bit pattern which conveys aging-related effects within a succession of uncorrected bit patterns, a bit pattern modifier operable to modify a current, uncorrected bit pattern using the at least one aging bit pattern and generate a modified bit pattern, and a bit pattern comparator operable to compare the current uncorrected bit pattern with a corrected bit pattern which is based on the modified bit pattern and determine a corresponding comparative bit pattern. An aging bit pattern determiner is operable to recursively determine a new aging bit pattern based on the at least one aging bit pattern and the comparative bit pattern, and store the new aging bit pattern in the aging bit pattern memory for use during modification of a subsequent uncorrected bit pattern by the bit pattern modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rainer Goettfert, Berndt Gammel, Thomas Kuenemund
  • Patent number: 8719677
    Abstract: A method includes initiating a decoding operation of a first portion of a codeword representation to generate a set of data bits. The first portion includes first parity bits and is associated with a first error correcting code. The method includes initiating an encoding operation of the set of data bits according to a second error correcting code to generate computed parity bits. The method includes comparing the computed parity bits to a second portion of the codeword representation to determine a number of bits that differ between the computed parity bits and the second portion of the codeword representation. The method also includes generating an indication of successful decoding in response to the number of bits that differ being less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Idan Alrod, Eran Sharon, Simon Litsyn
  • Patent number: 8719664
    Abstract: Accessing data at a memory is described. A request associated with a read or write operation is received, wherein the request includes a logical address associated with the memory. A physical address is generated based at least in part on the logical address. A block of data at the memory that includes data associated with the physical address is determined. Data at the determined block of data and a corresponding set of ECC from the memory are accessed. Whether the accessed data can be decoded based at least in part on the corresponding set of ECC is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SK hynix memory solutions inc.
    Inventors: Ka Hou Chan, Kwok W. Yeung
  • Publication number: 20140122971
    Abstract: A memory in a LDPC decoding system includes data banks organized into a ping-pong memory. The ping-pong memory is connected to an interleaver and a de-interleaver. The interleaver interleaves L values; the interleaved L values are then stored in the ping-pong memory. A LDPC decoder retrieves L values from the ping-pong memory and returns E values to the ping-pong memory. The de-interleaver de-interleaves the E values and sends data to a LE queue and HD queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: LSI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zongwang Li, Lei Chen, Shaohua Yang, Johnson Yen
  • Patent number: 8707134
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a data storage apparatus comprises a channel controller, an encoding module, and a data controller. The channel controller configured to control data input and output to and from nonvolatile memories for channels. The encoding module configured to generate encoded data for an interchannel error correction process, using data stored in each of the nonvolatile memories. The data controller configure to manage the encoded data in units of logical blocks when the channel controller writes the encoded data in parallel to the channels, and to allocate parity data contained in the encoded data to planes of the same channel in each logical block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kyosuke Takahashi, Motohiro Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8707132
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprising: a reception unit adapted to receive a packet containing first data to be stored in a storage unit, a first address indicating an address of second data held in the storage unit, and a second address indicating an address at which the first data is to be written in the storage unit; an access unit adapted to read out the second data from the storage unit based on the first address, and write the first data in the storage unit based on the second address; and a transmission unit adapted to replace the first data of the packet received by the reception unit with the second data read out by the access unit, and transmit the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Nakagawa, Hisashi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20140101516
    Abstract: A data storage system includes a memory circuit that has memory cells and a control circuit that is operable to receive data bits provided for storage in the memory cells. The control circuit is operable to receive a first matrix. Each row of the first matrix corresponds to a unique one of the data bits. The control circuit is operable to generate a second matrix having only the rows of the first matrix that correspond to the data bits provided for storage in a subset of the memory cells having stuck-at faults. The control circuit is operable to generate a third matrix having linearly independent columns of the second matrix. The control circuit is operable to encode the data bits to generate encoded data bits and redundant bits using the third matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Eugeniu Mateescu, Luiz Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Hessam Mahdavifar, Zvonimir Bandic, Qingbo Wang
  • Publication number: 20140101517
    Abstract: A data storage system has a memory circuit that comprises memory cells and a control circuit that receives data bits provided for storage in the memory cells. The control circuit encodes the data bits to generate a first set of redundant bits and encoded data bits, such that the encoded data bits selected for storage in a first subset of the memory cells with first stuck-at faults have digital values of corresponding ones of the first stuck-at faults. The control circuit encodes the first set of redundant bits to generate a second set of redundant bits. The control circuit performs logic functions on the second set of redundant bits and the encoded data bits to generate a third set of redundant bits, such that redundant bits in the third set of redundant bits selected for storage in a second subset of the memory cells with second stuck-at faults have digital values of corresponding ones of the second stuck-at faults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: HGST NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Robert Eugeniu Mateescu, Luiz Franca-Neto, Cyril Guyot, Hessam Mahdavifar, Zvonimir Bandic, Qingbo Wang
  • Patent number: 8694862
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus is provided having error code generation circuitry configured to generate an error code associated with a received data value, such that a bit change in the received data value can be known about by reference to the error code. Stored data values are stored in a data store and associated error codes are stored in an error code store. Error checking circuitry performs a verification operation on a stored data value and an associated error code to determine if an error has occurred in at least one of the stored data value and the associated error code during storage. The received data value comprises at least one additional bit with respect to the stored data value and the error checking circuitry is configured to reconstruct the at least one additional bit by reference to the stored data value and the associated error code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Yiannakis Sazeides, Emre Özer, Daniel Kershaw, Jean-Baptiste Brelot
  • Publication number: 20140089760
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe device, methods, computer-readable media and system configurations for dividing error correcting code (“ECC”) codewords into portions and storing the portions among multiple die of non-volatile memory (“NVM”). For example, a device may include memory including a first die and a second die, and a memory controller configured to store a first portion of a codeword for use with an error correcting code in a first segment of the first die and to store a second portion of the codeword in a first segment of the second die. In various embodiments, the first segment of the second die may be offset from the first segment of the first die. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Schmidt, Scott Nelson, Zion S. Kwok
  • Publication number: 20140089759
    Abstract: An error detection/correction system provides an electronic circuit detecting and correcting transmission errors using linear programming. Linear programming techniques are made practical for real-time error correction and decoding by dividing the linear programming problem into independent parallelizable problems so that separate independent portions of the electronic circuit may simultaneously address solutions related to individual bits and/or parity rules. Linear programming is believed to avoid error floors inherent in conventional belief propagation error detection and correction techniques providing a decoding system suitable for high reliability applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Stark Draper, Benjamin Recht, Siddharth Barman
  • Patent number: 8683292
    Abstract: A multiple access scheme is described. One or more encoders are configured to encode a plurality of bit streams using Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding. The bit streams correspond to a respective plurality of terminals. The plurality of bit streams are converted to provide a multiple access scheme for the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hughes Network Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lin-Nan Lee, Mustafa Eroz
  • Patent number: 8661321
    Abstract: Error detection and error location determination circuitry is provided for detecting and locating soft errors in random-access-memory arrays on programmable integrated circuits. The random-access-memory arrays contain rows and columns of random-access-memory cells. Some of the cells are loaded with configuration data and produce static output signals that are used to program associated regions of programmable logic. Cyclic redundancy check error correction check bits are computed for each column of an array. The cyclic redundancy check error correction check bits are stored in corresponding columns of cells in the array. During normal operation of an integrated circuit in a system, the cells are subject to soft errors caused by background radiation strikes. The error detection and error location determination circuitry uses parallel processing to continuously monitor the data to identify the row and column location of each error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Ninh D. Ngo
  • Publication number: 20140053033
    Abstract: Memory devices that, in a particular embodiment, receive and transmit analog data signals representative of bit patterns of two or more bits such as to facilitate increases in data transfer rates relative to devices communicating data signals indicative of individual bits. Programming error correction code (ECC) and metadata into such memory devices includes storing the ECC and metadata at different bit levels per cell based on an actual error rate of the cells. The ECC and metadata can be stored with the data block at a different bit level than the data block. If the area of memory in which the block of data is stored does not support the desired reliability for the ECC and metadata at a particular bit level, the ECC and metadata can be stored in other areas of the memory array at different bit levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Frankie F. Roohparvar, Vishal Sarin, Jung S. Hoei
  • Publication number: 20140047300
    Abstract: A data processing method adapted for a rewritable non-volatile memory module is provided. The method includes receiving a first data stream and performing an error-correction encoding procedure on the first data stream to generate an original error checking and correcting (ECC) code corresponding to the first data stream. The method also includes converting the original ECC code into a second ECC code according to a second rearrangement rule, and the original ECC code is different from the second ECC code. The method further includes respectively writing the first data stream and the second ECC code into a data bit area and an error-correction code bit area of the same or different physical programming units in the rewritable non-volatile memory module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: PHISON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Li-Chun Liang, Tien-Ching Wang, Kuo-Hsin Lai
  • Patent number: 8650463
    Abstract: The present general inventive concept relates to a solid state drive and a method of controlling an error thereof. A flash translation layer includes a parity managing module to correct errors. A block address of a storage medium including error data that can be recovered is managed through the parity managing module. Parity data of a block including error data is generated through the parity managing module. The generated parity data is managed through the parity managing module. The generated parity data can be stored in an assigned area of the storage medium. When data of a block managed by the parity managing module is not recovered by an error correction code unit, error data is recovered with reference to the generated parity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungho Lim, Jung-Yeon Yoon
  • Patent number: 8650461
    Abstract: A method for data storage includes, in a memory that includes multiple memory blocks, specifying at a first time a first over-provisioning overhead, and storing data in the memory while retaining in the memory blocks memory areas, which do not hold valid data and whose aggregated size is at least commensurate with the specified first over-provisioning overhead. Portions of the data from one or more previously-programmed memory blocks containing one or more of the retained memory areas are compacted. At a second time subsequent to the first time, a second over-provisioning overhead, different from the first over-provisioning overhead, is specified, and data storage and data portion compaction is continued while complying with the second over-provisioning overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ofir Shalvi, Naftali Sommer, Yoav Kasorla
  • Publication number: 20140040702
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of managing a storage array. The method comprises: striping the storage array to form a plurality of stripes; selecting F storage chunks from each stripe as local parity chunks, and selecting another L storage chunks from the storage array as global parity chunks; performing (F+L) fault tolerant erasure coding on all data chunks in a stripe to generate (F+L) groups of parity data, and storing F groups of parity data therein into the F local parity chunks; performing cross-stripe operation on another L groups of parity data to generate L groups of global parity data, and storing them into the L global parity chunks, respectively. The apparatus corresponds to the method. With the invention, a plurality of errors in the storage array can be detected and/or recovered to improve fault tolerance and space utilization of the storage array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Huan He, Mingqiang Li
  • Publication number: 20140026016
    Abstract: Memory and method for storing a plurality of memory bits. The memory has a data storage element and a processor. The data storage element has a plurality of lines, each having a plurality of segments having a plurality of data bits. A plurality of error correction codes are each associated with one of the lines. A plurality of validity bits, each being associated with one of the lines, are configured to indicate that one of the error correction codes associated with the one of the lines is valid or invalid. The processor is configured to generate one of the error correction codes for all of the data bits in the segments associated with one of the lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Nicholes
  • Publication number: 20140026015
    Abstract: A method for low density parity code decoding according to one embodiment includes sequentially processing groups of variable node (vim& values associated with a codeword using a plurality of vnode logic modules and outputting updated vnode values; storing the vnode values and updated vnode values in a vnode memory; sequentially processing groups of cnode values using a plurality of check node (cnode) logic modules and outputting updated vnode values; storing the (mode values and updated (mode values in a mode memory; and checking the codeword using the updated vnode values and the updated mode values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Melanie J. Sandberg, Matthew M. Viens
  • Publication number: 20140026014
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with soft decoding for a quantized channel are described. According to one embodiment, a method includes repetitively controlling the soft decoder to attempt to decode the signal based, at least in part, on a reliability measure selected from a pre-determined collection of reliability measures. When the soft decoder fails to decode the signal, the method includes computing a new reliability measure and repetitively controlling the soft decoder to attempt to decode the signal based, at least in part, on the new reliability measure. When the soft decoder decodes the signal with the new reliability measure, the method includes adding the new reliability to the pre-determined collection of reliability measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
    Inventor: Xueshi YANG
  • Patent number: 8627174
    Abstract: In one aspect, a memory device includes a memory cell array, parallel internal data paths which transmit internal data to and from the memory cell array, a data driver which transmits and receives external data, and a data buffer which delays and transfers the external data received by the data driver to the internal data paths, and which delays and transfers the internal data transmitted from the memory cell array to the data driver. The memory device further includes an error correction code generator which generates an error correction code (EC) based on the internal data transmitted on the internal data paths, an EC buffer which delays the error correction code generated by the error correction code generator, an EC driver which transmits the error correction codes delayed by the EC buffer, and a latency controller which variably controls a delay time of at least one of the data buffer and the EC buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-hyun Kim, Kwang-il Park, In-chul Jeong
  • Patent number: 8627183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing variable rate product codes are provided. A plurality of row code parity symbols is stored on a storage unit. Each symbol of the row code parity symbols is associated with a different one of a plurality of equal sized portions of information. A plurality of column code parity symbols is computed. Each of the plurality of column code parity symbols is computed based on (1) a respective one of the plurality of row code parity symbols and (2) the portion of information associated with the respective one of the plurality of row code parity symbols. Each of the plurality of column code parity symbols corresponds to one of at least two code rates. The plurality of column code parity symbols is stored on the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhengang Chen, Xueshi Yang
  • Publication number: 20140006901
    Abstract: A memory system includes a processor and a plurality of memories. The processor includes a plurality of ECCs having different error restoration rates with each other, and a plurality of memories is coupled to the plurality of ECCs, respectively, according to distances from the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Young Suk MOON, Hyung Dong LEE, Yong Kee KWON, Hyung Gyun YANG
  • Patent number: 8621325
    Abstract: A packet switching system includes a forwarding processing unit determining a destination of an input packet by analyzing the input packet and outputting it as an output packet, the forwarding processing unit comprises an ingress interface card checking if the input packet has a sequential cyclic number and an egress interface card creating a sequential cyclic number and assigning it to the output packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kanta Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8621326
    Abstract: An error correction circuit 1 in accordance with an aspect of the invention includes an associative memory 20, a logic circuit 10 disposed in parallel with the associative memory 20, and selection unit 30 that receives an output signal from the associative memory 20 and an output signal from the logic circuit 10 as an input. The associative memory 20 includes a table that handles an input signal as a word and holds an output signal related to the word and an error correction code used to correct the output signal as data. The associative memory 20 further includes error correction unit that outputs a signal in which an error was corrected based on data related to a word corresponding to an input signal. The selection unit 30 selects and outputs one of an output signal from the associative memory 20 and an output signal from the logic circuit 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shusaku Uchibori
  • Patent number: 8615690
    Abstract: A controller of a memory device which accesses a memory of the memory device having a data storage area and a data correction area. The controller includes a mode selection unit When the memory works with a first operation voltage, the mode selection unit selects a first mode of the controller, and the controller writes input data into the data storage area to serve as storage data and reads the storage data from the data storage area. When the memory works with a second operation voltage, the mode selection unit selects a second mode of the controller, and the controller performs a correction function to encode the input data to generate encoded input data, writes the encoded input data into the data storage area and the data correction area to respectively serve as the storage data and correction data, and reads and decodes the storage data and the correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8595594
    Abstract: A data processing method is provided. A data is compressed to obtain a compressed data. Compression information corresponding to the compressed data is obtained. Error checking and correcting (ECC) codes are respectively generated for the compression information and the compressed data. The compression information, the compressed data, and the ECC codes are respectively written into a rewritable non-volatile memory module. The compression information, the compressed data, and the ECC codes are respectively read from the rewritable non-volatile memory module. An ECC procedure is preformed on the compression information according to the corresponding ECC code, so as to obtain a storage state when the compression information is written. An ECC procedure is preformed on the compressed data according to the storage state of the compression information and the ECC code corresponding to the compressed data, so as to obtain a storage state when the compressed data is written.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Phison Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Li-Chun Liang
  • Patent number: 8595593
    Abstract: A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device comprises performing a read operation to read data stored in a first memory cell block including first unit groups; detecting a second unit group from among the first unit groups, the second unit group having a number of error bits included in the read data, which is greater than a set number of bits and equal to or smaller than a maximum allowable number of bits which can be corrected through an error checking and correction (ECC) processing; and after the second unit group is detected, performing a copyback operation for moving the data, that are stored in the first memory cell block, to a second memory cell block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Jin Joo
  • Publication number: 20130311853
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses related to NVM devices with extended error correction protection. In some embodiments, a parity cache is used to store parity values of data values stored in a plurality of codewords of an NVM device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Bueb
  • Patent number: 8589766
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for remapping codewords for storage in a non-volatile memory, such as flash memory. In some embodiments, a controller that manages the non-volatile memory may prepare codeword using a suitable error correcting code. The controller can store a first portion of the codeword in a lower page of the non-volatile memory may store a second portion of the codeword in an upper page of the non-volatile memory. Because upper and lower pages may have different resiliencies to error-causing phenomena, remapping codewords in this manner may even out the bit error rates of the codewords (which would otherwise have a more bimodal distribution).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Post, Kenneth Herman
  • Patent number: 8589768
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an error correction channel determination module determines, a channel to be allocated to a logical page as an error correction channel so that each of a plurality of channels is allocated to a uniform number of logical pages as the error correction channel. A command list generation module generates a list of write commands each specifying that a corresponding logical page is to be written using, in parallel, channels included in the plurality of channels and excluding the error correction channel, based on the determination of the channel to be allocated to the corresponding logical page as the error correction channel. A command list issue module issues the list of the write commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoko Masuo
  • Patent number: 8589769
    Abstract: A memory subsystem with a memory bus and a memory assembly. The memory bus includes multiple bitlanes. The memory assembly is in communication with the memory bus and includes instructions for receiving an error code correction (ECC) word in multiple packets via the memory bus. The ECC word includes data bits and ECC bits arranged into multiple multi-bit ECC symbols. Each of the ECC symbols is associated with one of the bitlanes on the memory bus. The memory assembly also includes instructions for utilizing one of the ECC symbols to perform error detection and correction for the bits in the ECC word received via the bitlane associated with the ECC symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Dell, Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 8589767
    Abstract: A device, e.g., a semiconductor memory device, includes a plurality of memory cells, each configured to store at least one data bit and a plurality of error correction code (ECC) cells configured to redundantly store ECC bits for the memory cells. According to some embodiments, the plurality of ECC cells includes a plurality of pairs of ECC cells configured to store an ECC bit and a complement thereof. According to further embodiments, the plurality of ECC cells includes a plurality of groups of at least three ECC cells configured to store identical copies of an ECC bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Beom Kang, Chul Woo Park, Hyun Ho Choi, Ho Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 8583990
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method provided for a plurality of storage elements arranged and concurrently accessible in an array. A controller executes programming instructions stored in memory to append an error correction code (ECC) block to a first data block and to store the first data block with appended ECC block in a first storage element of the plurality, the appended ECC block associated with a second data block other than the first data block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Spectra Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Thomas Starr
  • Patent number: 8583987
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to read and write processes of a memory device. During a write process to a particular partition in a memory array, a response to a read request of contents of the particular partition may be delayed. In some embodiments, the contents of the particular partition may be indirectly read during the write process without delaying the response to the read request. The contents of the particular partition can be indirectly read by determining the contents of the particular partition based, at least in part, on an error correction code based, at least in part, on contents of memory partitions of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Graziano Mirichigni
  • Patent number: 8578246
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for recording input data in q-level cells of solid-state memory (2), where q>2. Input data words are encoded as respective codewords, each having a plurality of symbols. The coding scheme is such that each symbol can take one of q values corresponding to respective predetermined levels of the q-level cells, and each of the possible input data words is encoded as a codeword with a unique sequence of relative symbol values. The symbols of each codeword are then recorded in respective cells of the solid-state memory by setting each cell to the level corresponding to the recorded symbol value. Input data is thus effectively encoded in the relative positions of cell levels, providing resistance to certain effects of drift noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Mittelholzer, Nikolaos Papandreou, Charalampos Pozidis
  • Patent number: 8566686
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for updating parity information in a RAID 6 system wherein only one parity block is read during each write operation. Both parity blocks may be updated from the new data, the data being overwritten and either of the old blocks of parity information. A method for load balancing in a RAID 6 system using this method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventor: Naveen Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8566673
    Abstract: A method for computing and storing parity information in a RAID system includes dividing each segment in a stripe into a data block and a parity block, and storing in each parity block, parity information for a limited number of other data blocks in the stripe. A method for rebuilding data in a RAID system includes rebuilding the data from parity information and storing the rebuilt data on reserve portions of the remaining disks in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Kidney, Kenneth Day
  • Patent number: 8560927
    Abstract: Integrated circuits with memory elements may be provided. Integrated circuits may include memory error detection circuitry that is capable of correcting single-bit errors, correcting adjacent double-bit errors, and detecting adjacent triple-bit errors. The memory error detection circuitry may include encoding circuitry that generates parity check bits interleaved among memory data bits. The memory error detection circuitry may include decoding circuitry that is used to generate output data and error signals to indicate whether a correctable soft error or an uncorrectable soft error has been detected. The output data may be written back to the memory elements if a correctable soft error is detected. The memory error detection circuitry may be operable in a pipelined or a non-pipelined mode depending on the desired application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Kostas Pagiamtzis, David Lewis
  • Patent number: 8560931
    Abstract: Solid-state random access memory including error correction capability applied to memory arrays entering and exiting a data retention mode. Error correction coding of the data to be retained is performed upon determining that a portion of the memory is to enter data retention mode; the parity bits (i.e., bits in addition to those required for storage of the payload) are stored in available memory cells within or external to the retention domain. Upon exit from retention mode, the code words are decoded to correct any errors, and the payload data are returned to the original cells. Error correction encoding and decoding is not performed in the normal operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Anand Seshadri, Wah Kit Loh
  • Publication number: 20130262959
    Abstract: A processing module encodes data using a dispersed storage error coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices and identifies storage units for storage of the set of encoded data slices. The processing module determines that a storage unit of the storage units is unavailable, where the storage unit is targeted to store an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices. The processing module selects a foster storage unit of the storage units for temporarily storing the encoded data slice. When the storage unit is available, the processing module transfers the encoded data slice from the foster storage unit to the storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jason K. Resch, Andrew Baptist
  • Patent number: 8549388
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller controls writing into and reading from a storage apparatus that includes a first data-storage unit and a second data-storage unit. The second data-storage unit stores user data and parity data of the user data. The first data-storage unit stores the parity data. The controller includes a parity updating unit and a parity writing unit. When parity data is updated, the parity updating unit writes the updated parity data into the first data-storage unit. When a certain requirement is satisfied, the parity writing unit reads the parity data written in the first data-storage unit, and writes the parity data thus read into the second data-storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fukutomi, Hiroshi Yao, Shinichi Kanno, Shigehiro Asano, Toshikatsu Hida, Yasuhiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8539312
    Abstract: A memory system and method using at least one memory device die stacked with and coupled to a logic die by interconnects, such as through silicon vias. One such logic die includes an ECC system generating error checking and correcting (“ECC) bits corresponding to write data. The write data are transmitted to the memory device dice in a packet containing a serial burst of a plurality of parallel data bits. The ECC bits are transmitted to the memory device dice using through silicon vias that are different from the vias through which data are coupled. Such a logic die could also include a data bus inversion (“DBI”) system encoding the write data using a DBI algorithm and transmitting to the memory device dice DBI bits indicating whether the write data have been inverted. The DBI bits are transmitted using through silicon vias that are shared with the ECC bits when they are unused for transferring the ECC bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Microns Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ebrahim Hargan