Patent ID: 7444463

Claim:
A non-volatile memory storage system, comprising: a memory configured to store a storage system firmware; a non-volatile memory cell array configured to maintain a first memory block and a second memory block; and a processor in communication with the memory and the non-volatile memory cell array, the processor being configured to execute the storage system firmware stored in the memory, the storage system firmware comprising program instructions for: allocating the first memory block comprising a first logical group and a first buffer portion; receiving a memory write command and writing the memory write command to a second buffer portion of the second memory block; performing at least a portion of a garbage collection of a second logical group; opening an update block for the first logical group; and performing a phased garbage collection of the first logical group; the program instructions further comprising; indicating that the buffer portion is available using a first intact state; indicating that the memory block is full using a second intact state; and indicating that a first phase of the phased garbage collection is completed using a half full state.