Patent ID: 7836244
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of providing block state information in a semiconductor memory device including a flash memory, the method comprising: storing, in the flash memory, block state information on at least one bad block of the flash memory and a plurality of reserved blocks which replace the at least one bad block, wherein the block state information includes the number of bad blocks, the number of reserved blocks present in the flash memory, and information denoting a number of available reserved blocks in the flash memory, providing the stored block state information to a user in response to a command provided by the user, and providing a warning to the user when the number of available reserved blocks reaches a reference value, wherein the reference value is variably set by a vendor in a vendor-specific area of a command having one of register values, and wherein a warning time point when the warning is provided is determined by the command having the one of the register values, and wherein the method is executed during at least one of a read operation and write operation of the flash memory.