Methods for adaptively programming flash memory devices and flash memory systems incorporating same

A system for programming a plurality of data sequences using a programming process having at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, the system comprising:

• a plurality of flash memory functional units into which the plurality of data sequences are to be programmed;
• a situational analyzer operative to provide at least one indication of at least one varying situational characteristic and to determine a value for said at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, for each flash memory functional unit, depending at least partly on said indication of said varying characteristic;
• and a bit sequence programmer operative, for each individual flash memory functional unit from among said plurality of flash memory functional units, to program a sequence of bits into said individual flash memory functional unit using a programming process having at least one selectable parameter which is set at said value determined for said individual flash memory functional unit;
• wherein the varying situational characteristic a degradation state of at least one of the flash memory functional units.

A method for programming a plurality of data sequences into a corresponding plurality of flash memory functional units using a programming process having at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, the method comprising:

• providing at least one indication of at least one varying situational characteristic;
• determining a value for said at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, for each flash memory functional unit, depending at least partly on said indication of said varying characteristic;
• and for each individual flash memory functional unit from among said plurality of flash memory functional units, programming a sequence of bits into said individual flash memory functional unit using a programming process having at least one selectable parameter, said at least one selectable parameter being set at said value determined for said individual flash memory functional unit;
• wherein the varying situational characteristic is at least one characteristic of an application to which a flash memory functional unit of the plurality of flash memory functional units has been assigned.

A non-transitory computer usable medium having embodied therein program code that once executed by the computer cause the computer to execute the stages of:

• providing at least one indication of at least one varying situational characteristic;
• determining a value for at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling a duration of a programming process for a given data sequence, for each flash memory functional unit, depending at least partly on said indication of said varying characteristic;
• and for each individual flash memory functional unit from among a plurality of flash memory functional units, programming a sequence of bits into said individual flash memory functional unit using a programming process having at least one selectable parameter, said at least one selectable parameter being set at said value determined for said individual flash memory functional unit;
• wherein the varying situational characteristic is a degradation state of at least one of the flash memory functional units.

A non-transitory computer usable medium having embodied therein program code that once executed by the computer cause the computer to execute the stages of:

• providing at least one indication of at least one varying situational characteristic;
• determining a value for at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling a duration of a programming process for a given data sequence, for each flash memory functional unit, depending at least partly on said indication of said varying characteristic;
• and for each individual flash memory functional unit from among a plurality of flash memory functional units, programming a sequence of bits into said individual flash memory functional unit using a programming process having at least one selectable parameter, said at least one selectable parameter being set at said value determined for said individual flash memory functional unit;
• wherein the varying situational characteristic is at least one characteristic of an application to which a flash memory functional unit of the plurality of flash memory functional units has been assigned.

A system for programming a plurality of data sequences using a programming process having at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, the system comprising:

• a plurality of flash memory functional units into which the plurality of data sequences are to be programmed;
• a situational analyzer operative to provide at least one indication of at least one varying situational characteristic and to determine a value for said at least one selectable programming duration-controlling parameter controlling the duration of the programming process for a given data sequence, for each flash memory functional unit, depending at least partly on said indication of said varying characteristic;
• and a bit sequence programmer operative, for each individual flash memory functional unit from among said plurality of flash memory functional units, to program a sequence of bits into said individual flash memory functional unit using a programming process having at least one selectable parameter which is set at said value determined for said individual flash memory functional unit;
• wherein the varying situational characteristic is at least one characteristic of an application to which a flash memory functional unit of the plurality of flash memory functional units has been assigned.