Patent ID: 8291152
Filing Date: 2012-10-16
Classification: G06F,G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a non-volatile memory having a plurality of physical blocks, which comprise a plurality of data blocks and a plurality of spare blocks, wherein the data blocks are used for storing data, and at least some spare blocks corresponding to the data blocks are reserved and used for data update operations, comprising: obtaining an index by comparing an average erase count of selected physical blocks with a first threshold; determining a performance capability status for the non-volatile memory according to the index, wherein the performance capability status is set to a first status when the average erase count exceeds the first threshold; generating an indication based on the performance capability status; and performing a limp function in response to the first status, wherein the limp function is used to configure a minimum number of the at least some spare blocks reserved and used for data update operations.