Nonvolatile memory with cluster-erase flash capability and solid state file apparatus using the same

A method for storing data within a nonvolatile memory for cluster-erase flash, wherein the nonvolatile memory comprises a flash memory having N clusters each having M sectors, wherein M and N are integers greater than one and each of said N clusters includes a cluster information sector, wherein one of said M sectors is said cluster information sector, wherein said cluster information sector of each of said N clusters holds a sequence number, wherein no two of said cluster information sectors have the same sequence number and there being a maximum sequence number, and comprising the steps of:

• selecting a cluster to be written based on a cluster erase count contained in the cluster information sector;
• and
• writing data sequentially to the sectors within the selected cluster.

A nonvolatile NAND-type flash EEPROM memory for cluster-erase flash, comprising:

• a flash memory having N clusters, each cluster having M sectors, wherein M and N are integers greater than one and wherein at least one of said M sectors is a data sector;
• each of said N clusters includes a cluster information sector wherein one of said M sectors is the cluster information sector;
• said cluster information sector of each of said N clusters holds a sequence number, wherein no two of the cluster information sectors have the same sequence number and there being a maximum sequence number.