Reporting available physical storage space of non-volatile memory array
AssigneeWestern Digital Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMichal Silbermintz, David Haliva, Gadi Vishne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosure relates in some aspects to reporting the amount of available physical storage space of a non-volatile memory (NVM) array. A device including an NVM array may send reports regarding the amount of available physical storage space in the non-volatile memory device to a host device or some other suitable apparatus. The amount of available physical storage space takes into account whether any of the physical address blocks of the NVM array have been designated as worn-out. The host device (or other suitable apparatus) may send a report to a user when the amount of available physical storage space is relatively low.
Claims27
A data storage apparatus, comprising:
- a non-volatile memory array;
- an interface;
- and
- a processor coupled to the non-volatile memory array and the interface and configured to:
- determine an amount of available physical storage space in the non-volatile memory array, wherein the amount of available physical storage space is based on a total amount of physical storage space, a first amount of storage space comprising used blocks, and a second amount of storage space comprising worn-out blocks,
- generate an indication based on the amount of available physical storage space, and
- send the indication to another apparatus via the interface.
A data storage method, comprising:
- determining an amount of available physical storage space in a non-volatile memory array, wherein the amount of available physical storage space is based on a total amount of physical storage space, a first amount of storage space comprising used blocks, a second amount of storage space comprising worn-out blocks, and a third amount of storage space comprising reserved blocks;
- generating an indication based on the amount of available physical storage space, and
- sending the indication to a host device.
A data storage apparatus, comprising:
- means for determining an amount of available physical storage space in a non-volatile memory array, wherein the amount of available physical storage space is based on a total amount of physical storage space, a first amount of storage space comprising used blocks, and a second amount of storage space comprising worn-out blocks;
- means for generating a report based on the amount of available physical storage space;
- and
- means for sending the report.
17-19. (canceled)
An apparatus for accessing a non-volatile memory device, comprising:
- a device interface to the non-volatile memory device;
- a user interface;
- and
- a processor coupled to the device interface and the user interface and configured to:
- receive, via the device interface, an indication of an amount of available physical storage space in the non-volatile memory device, wherein the amount of available physical storage space is based on a total amount of physical storage space, a first amount of storage space comprising used blocks, and a second amount of storage space comprising worn-out blocks,
- generate a message based on the indication, and
- output the message via the user interface.
A method of accessing a non-volatile memory device, comprising:
- receiving an indication of an amount of available physical storage space in the non-volatile memory device, wherein the amount of available physical storage space is based on a total amount of physical storage space, a first amount of storage space comprising used blocks, and a second amount of storage space comprising worn-out blocks;
- generating an alert message based on the indication;
- and
- sending the alert message to a user.
29-35. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.