Patent ID: 8275931
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A block management method for managing a plurality of physical blocks of a flash memory, the block management method comprising: grouping the physical blocks into a plurality of physical units; grouping the physical units into a data area, a spare area, and a replacement area; performing a first physical unit switch which switches the physical units between the data area and the spare area; and performing a second physical unit switch which switches the physical units between the spare area and the replacement area, wherein the second physical unit switch is to switch good physical units among the physical units between the spare area and the replacement area; determining whether a damaged physical block occurs in the physical units of the data area or the spare area; and when the damaged physical block occurs in the physical units of the data area or the spare area, selecting a usable physical block from the replacement area to replace the damaged physical block, wherein the step of performing the first physical unit switch comprises: selecting a first physical unit from the physical units of the data area; selecting a second physical unit from the physical units of the spare area; copying data stored in the first physical unit to the second physical unit; linking the first physical unit to the spare area; and linking the second physical unit to the data area, wherein the step of performing the second physical unit switch comprises: selecting a third physical unit from the physical units of the spare area; selecting a fourth physical unit from the physical units of the replacement area; linking the third physical unit to the replacement area; and linking the fourth physical unit to the spare area.