Self-correcting memory system
AssigneeBroadcom Corporation
InventorErik Andersen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A network device for correcting corrupted memory locations. The network device includes a plurality of free pointers, each of which points to a free memory location. The network device also includes a plurality of cell locations for storing information, each of the plurality of cell locations comprising a field for storing a pointer to another cell location. Upon retrieving information from one of the plurality of cell locations, the device includes means for determining if the pointer to the current cell location is valid and for storing a valid pointer with the plurality of free pointers.
Claims16
A network device for correcting corrupted memory locations, the network device comprising:
- a memory device with a plurality of free pointers, each of which points to a free memory location;
- a plurality of cell locations for storing information, each of the plurality of cell locations comprising a field for storing a pointer to another cell location,
- wherein upon retrieving information from one of the plurality of cell locations, the device comprises means for determining if the pointer to the current cell location is valid and for storing a valid pointer with the plurality of free pointers.
A method for correcting corrupted memory locations, the method comprising the steps of:
- storing a plurality of free pointers, each of which points to a free memory location, in a pool;
- storing information comprising a pointer to another cell location in at least one of a plurality of cell locations;
- retrieving the information from one of the plurality of cell locations;
- determining if the pointer to the current cell location is valid;
- and
- storing a valid pointer with the plurality of free pointers.
An apparatus for correcting corrupted memory locations, the apparatus comprising:
- storing means for storing a plurality of free pointers, each of which points to a free memory location, in a pool;
- storing means for storing information comprising a pointer to another cell location in at least one of a plurality of cell locations;
- retrieving means for retrieving the information from one of the plurality of cell locations;
- determining means for determining if the pointer to the current cell location is valid;
- and
- storing means for storing a valid pointer with the plurality of free pointers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.