# US 7,412,562 B2 · Using non-volatile memories for disk caching of partition table entries

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- Number: US 7,412,562 B2
- Document ID: US7412562B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/251,665
- Filed: 2005-10-17
- Published: 2006-02-16
- Granted: 2008-08-12
- Earliest claimed: 2002-11-04
- Assignees: Intel Corporation
- Inventors: John I. Garney
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7412562B2

## CPC

- G06F 12/0866: for peripheral storage systems, e.g. disk cache
- G06F 2212/222: Non-volatile memory
- G11C 11/005: {comprising combined but independently operative RAM-ROM, RAM-PROM, RAM-EPROM cells}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G11C: STATIC STORES (semiconductor memory devices H10B)

## Abstract

A disk cache may include a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory and a nonvolatile memory such as a polymer memory. When a cache line needs to be allocated on a write, the polymer memory may be allocated and when a cache line needs to be allocated on a read, the volatile memory may be allocated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
saving a partition table entry from a disk to a disk cache in a first system;
scrambling the entry on the disk in such a way that if the disk is removed from a first system and used in a second system without the cache the entry cannot be accessed, but when the disk is returned to the first system the entry can be accessed;
restoring said entry to the disk from the cache; and
determining whether disk caching is disabled and, if so, restoring said entry to the disk.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 including redirecting an access to said entry on said disk to said cache.

### Claim 3

An article comprising a computer readable medium storing instructions that enable a first processor-based system to:
save a partition table entry from a disk to a disk cache;
scramble the entry on the disk in such a way that if the disk is removed from the first system and used in a second system without the cache the entry cannot be accessed, but when the disk is returned to the first system the entry can be accessed;
restore said entry to the disk from the cache; and
determine whether disk caching is disabled and, if so, to restore said entry to said disk.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The article of claim 3 further storing instructions to redirect an access to said entry on said disk to said disk cache.

### Claim 5

A system comprising:
a processor;
a disk cache coupled to said processor;
a storage coupled to said processor storing instructions that enable the system to save a partition table entry from a disk to the disk cache and scramble the entry on the disk in such a way that if the disk is removed from the system and used in a second system without the cache the entry cannot be accessed, but when the disk is returned to the system the entry can be accessed, said storage to restore said entry to the disk from the cache, and wherein said storage stores instructions to determine whether disk caching is disabled and, if so, to restore said entry to said disk; and
a wireless interface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5 including a disk drive.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5 wherein said cache includes a polymer memory.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5 wherein said storage stores instructions to redirect an access to said entry on said disk to said disk cache.