Patent ID: 7318117
Filing Date: 2008-01-08
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for managing flash memory, the method comprising: (a) receiving at least one request from a host system utilizing a processor within a flash memory controller; (b) determining which sectors of the flash memory are available for programming, reprogramming, or reading utilizing the processor and an index within the flash memory controller, wherein the host system interacts with the flash memory controller without the host system having information regarding a configuration of the flash memory; and (c) recycling obsolete sectors so that they are available for reprogramming, wherein the recycling step (c) comprises: (c1) block copying valid data from sectors of a first block to sectors of a second block, wherein the sectors of the first block become obsolete sectors; and (c2) erasing the obsolete sectors of the first block so that they are available for reprogramming.