Patent ID: 8151137
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: G06F,G11C

Abstract:
1. A storage device, wherein the storage device comprises: a plurality of memory portions each including a plurality of memory cells; an unreliable block identification circuit, wherein the unreliable block identification circuit is operable to determine that one or more of the plurality of memory portions is unreliable; a partial failure indication circuit, wherein the partial failure indication circuit is operable to disallow write access to at least one of the plurality of memory portions that remains reliable upon determination that a number of the plurality of memory portions determined as unreliable exceeds a level; and an end of life indication circuit, wherein the end of life indication circuit is operable to estimate a second point when the ability to read one or more of the plurality of memory portions can no longer be guaranteed, and wherein the second point in time is based at least in part on a first point in time corresponding to a disallowed write access to the at least one of the plurality of memory portions by the partial failure indication circuit.