Patent ID: 6029224
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A self-contained memory apparatus configured to be interfaced with at least one processing unit of a data processing system for increasing data storage capacity of said data processing system, said at least one processing unit being external to said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of self-managing memory units packaged within a single storage unit, each of said plurality of self-managing memory units capable of being coupled to said at least one processing unit when said apparatus is interfaced with said at least one processing unit for transmitting data and control signals between said at least one processing unit and said apparatus, each of said plurality of self-managing memory units comprising:(i) a plurality of memory elements, each of said plurality of memory elements including at least one of a primary storage area, a secondary storage area, and a bulk storage area;(ii) a control means operatively associated with at least one interface for integrally connecting said plurality of memory elements to said at least one processing unit, said control means controlling the sequencing of specific memory contents of said memory elements to said processing unit by controlling a plurality of other control means operatively associated with said plurality of memory elements to control self-managing of said plurality of memory elements, such that each one of the plurality of other control means controls only units of a given type and all units of said given type; and(iii) a bus network interlinking said control means with said other control means form transmitting data between said plurality of memory elements within said self-contained memory apparatus and between said plurality of memory elements and said processing unit;wherein said control means enables said at least one processing unit to access at least one of said plurality of memory units as a cache memory, and wherein each memory unit operates independently under the control of said control means.