Method of storing data in a multi-bit-cell flash memory
AssigneeSanDisk IL Ltd.
InventorMenahem Lasser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In writing to a block, of a flash memory, that includes pages with different write access or read access speeds, after writing first data to a first page that has fast access, at least one page that has slow access is skipped to write second data to a second page that has fast access.
Claims18
A method of using a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block;
- and
- (b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
A memory device, for storing data, comprising:
- (a) a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages;
- and
- (b) a controller operative:
- (i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block;
- and
- (ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
A system, for storing data, comprising:
- (a) a memory device that includes a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster write access than said second plurality of pages;
- and
- (b) a processor operative:
- (i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block;
- and
- (ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
A computer readable storage medium having computer readable code embodied on said computer readable storage medium, the computer readable code for managing a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages, the computer readable code comprising:
- (a) program code for writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block;
- and
- (b) program code for skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
A method of using a flash memory that includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of a first block;
- (b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said first block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said first block;
- and
- (c) copying said first and second data to at least one page of the first plurality of pages of a second block other than said first block and to at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said second block.
A method of using a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block;
- and
- (b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
A memory device, for storing data, comprising:
- (a) a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages;
- and
- (b) a controller operative:
- (i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block;
- and
- (ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
A system, for storing data, comprising:
- (a) a memory device that includes a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster read access than said second plurality of pages;
- and
- (b) a processor operative:
- (i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block;
- and
- (ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
A method of using a flash memory that includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of a first block;
- (b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said first block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said first block;
- and
- (c) writing third data to both at least one page of the first plurality of pages of a second block other than said first block and to at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said second block.
A computer readable storage medium having computer readable code embodied on said computer readable storage medium, the computer readable code for managing a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages, the computer readable code comprising:
- (a) program code for writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block;
- and
- (b) program code for skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.