Patent ID: 6985992
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: G06F,G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for allocating non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory being substantially divided into elements, the method comprising: grouping the elements into at least a first group, a second group, and a third group, wherein the first group includes erased elements with relatively low wear and the second group includes erased elements with relatively high wear; determining when a first element included in the third group is to be replaced by a second element included in the first group; copying contents associated with the first element into the second element obtained from the first group when it is determined that the first element is to be substantially replaced by the second element; erasing contents of the first element from the first element; and associating the second element with the third group, wherein associating the second element with the third group includes disassociating the second element from the first group.