Patent ID: 9563371
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: G06F,G11C

Claim:
1. A method for dynamically self-adjusting a capacity of a memory storage device having a plurality of phase change memory (PCM) cells, each PCM cell comprising an adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module, the method comprising: providing one of said plurality of adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-modules in a stand-by mode of operation; determining, based on a switching criteria, when the memory storage device needs to be switched to a different operation mode; selecting an original actively operating adjustable-sized PCM memory storage sub-module for switching to said different operation mode, wherein the original actively operating adjustable-sized PCM memory storage sub-module is selected based upon the original actively operating adjustable-sized PCM memory storage sub-module that supports a highest addressed memory location, having a lowest frequency of data requests and operates in the mode with a smallest capacity; copying stored data from the original selected actively operating adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module to said adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module in said stand-by mode; designating the original selected actively operating adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module as a new adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module in a stand-by mode of operation after said copying; and changing the capacity of the original selected actively operating adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module designated as the new adjustable-size PCM memory storage sub-module in the stand-by mode of operation after said copying according to said different operation mode, and repeating said selecting, said copying stored data to said adjustable-size PCM stand-by mode sub-module, said designating and said capacity changing to convert a number of said adjustable-sized PCM memory storage sub-modules to a different mode, wherein a programmed control device associated with said memory storage device performs said determining and selecting and initiates said copying and said capacity changing without powering down the memory storage device or paying any timing penalty.