Apparatus for recording data and method for writing data to flash memory

A method for writing management information to a flash memory, the flash memory having data written therein in a unit of a page having data of a predetermined amount, which written data can be deleted at a time in a unit of a block composed of a plurality of pages, comprising the steps of:

• reading out management information stored in the flash memory;
• having read out management information stored to a predetermined storage means;
• updating management information stored in the storage means;
• when writing updated management information to a page of the flash memory, selecting a block which is different from a block including a page in which management information just before updating is written;
• and writing updated management information to a vacant page of the selected block,
• whereby a block is selected that is different from a block including a page in which management information just before updating is written at least in a case other than when a page in which management information just before updating is written is a last page of a block.

In a device for reading and writing data and management information in a flash memory, the flash memory having data written therein in a unit of a page having data of a predetermined amount, which written data can be deleted at a time in a unit of a block composed of a plurality of pages, the flash memory including at least one page with management information stored therein, a method for controlling writing of management information to the flash memory for protecting the stored management information, comprising:

• reading previously stored management information from a page in a block of the flash memory;
• creating updated management information from the previously stored management information;
• and
• controlling writing of the updated management information to a block of the flash memory such that the updated management information is written to a block distinct from the block with the previously stored management information;
• wherein the updated management information is written to a block distinct from the block with the previously stored management information at least in a case other than when the previously stored management information is in a last page of a block, and
• whereby the stored management information is protected in the event of an error in writing the updated management information.

A device for reading and writing data and management information in a flash memory, the flash memory having data written therein in a unit of a page having data of a predetermined amount, which written data can be deleted at a time in a unit of a block composed of a plurality of pages, the flash memory including at least one page with management information stored therein, the device for controlling writing of management information to the flash memory for protecting the stored management information, comprising:

• a reading control circuit configured to read old management information from a page in a block of the flash memory;
• an updating control circuit configured to create new management information from the old management information;
• and
• a writing control circuit configured to write the new management information to a block of the flash memory such that the new management information is written to a block distinct from the block with the old management information;
• wherein the new management information is written to a distinct block of the flash memory at least in a case other than when the old management information is in a last page of a block of the flash memory, and
• whereby the old management information is protected in the event of an error in writing the new management information.

An apparatus for reading and writing management information in a flash memory, the flash memory having data written therein in a unit of a page having data of a predetermined amount, which written data can be deleted at a time in a unit of a block composed of a plurality of pages, the flash memory including at least one page with management information stored therein, the apparatus for controlling writing of management information to the flash memory for protecting the stored management information, comprising:

• a processor configured with processor control instructions that control reading previously stored management information from a page in a block of the flash memory;
• the processor being further configured with processor control instructions that control creating updated management information from the previously stored management information;
• and
• the processor being further configured with processor control instructions that control writing the updated management information to a block of the flash memory such that the updated management information is written to a block distinct from the block with the previously stored management information;
• wherein the updated management information is written to a distinct block of the flash memory at least in a case other than when the previously stored management information is in a last page of a block of the flash memory,
• whereby the processor protects the stored management information in the event of an error in writing the updated management information.