Patent ID: 7512734
Filing Date: 2009-03-31
Classification: G06F,G11B,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A storage controller for a host device, comprising: a control module that receives data storing and data retrieving requests from said host device and that comprises an adaptive storage module; a disk drive that is controlled by said control module and that selectively stores user data received from said control module and selectively retrieves said user data for said control module; and non-volatile semiconductor memory that is controlled by said control module and that selectively stores user data received from said control module and selectively retrieves said user data for said control module, wherein said control module selects at least one of said disk drive and said non-volatile semiconductor memory for storage and retrieval of said user data, wherein said control module includes a least used block (LUB) module that identifies a LUB in said non-volatile semiconductor memory, and wherein said control module selectively transfers said LUB to said disk drive when at least one of said data storing request and said data retrieving request is received, and wherein said adaptive storage module determines whether said write data is likely to be used before said LUB when there is insufficient space available for said write data in said non-volatile semiconductor memory.