Patent ID: 7769945
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of maintaining data structures of a memory system that includes a nonvolatile memory having a plurality of blocks, the method comprising storing a first copy of a management table in only a first portion of the plurality of blocks, wherein the plurality of blocks includes the first portion and a second portion; storing a second copy of the management table in a volatile memory of the memory system; wherein the management table includes data associated with a first state of the memory system, wherein the first state is associated with a first time; storing, in only the second portion of the plurality of blocks, a future information data structure, the future information data structure including a record related to an event of the memory system, wherein the event is expected to occur subsequent to the storing of the future information data structure; and responding to an occurrence of the event at a second time that is subsequent to the storing of the future information data structure, wherein responding includes: modifying the second copy of the management table in the volatile memory in accordance with the future information data structure, wherein the modification is accomplished without scanning the non-volatile memory to determine which blocks are unused blocks; deciding whether to update the first copy of the management table; and in response to a positive decision to update the first copy of the management table, updating the first copy of the management table in accordance with the future information data structure without scanning the non-volatile memory.