| STEC, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120137054 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OBJECT LEVEL DE-DUPLICATION FOR SOLID STATE DEVICES - In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method of de-duplicating data in a solid state storage device. The method can include receiving a block of data to be written to a solid state storage device, wherein the block of data comprises header portion and a payload, wherein the header portion comprises context information; and determining whether the payload should be de-duplicated prior to storage, based on the context information stored within the header portion; if the payload is determined to be de-duplicated, de-duplicating the payload; and storing the de-duplicated payload to the solid state storage device. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20110029808 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF WEAR-LEVELING IN FLASH STORAGE - A flash storage device tracks performs wear-leveling by tracking data errors that occur when dynamic data is read from a storage block of the flash storage device and moving the dynamic data to an available storage block of the flash storage device. Additionally, the flash storage device identifies a storage block containing static data and moves the static data to the storage block previously containing the dynamic data. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110029717 | FLASH STORAGE DEVICE WITH FLEXIBLE DATA FORMAT - A flash storage device includes a flash storage for storing data and a controller for receiving a command containing data and selecting a sector size for the data. The controller allocates the data among data sectors having the sector size and writes the data sectors to the flash storage. In some embodiments, the controller generates system data and stores the system data in the data sectors or a system sector, or both. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110029716 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RECOVERING DATA IN A FLASH STORAGE SYSTEM - A flash storage system includes a system controller that generates redundant data based on data stored in flash storage devices of the flash storage system. The system controller stores the redundant data in one or more of the flash storage devices. Additionally, the system controller identifies data that has become unavailable in one or more of the flash storage device, recovers the unavailable data based on the redundant data, and stores the recovered data into one or more other flash storage devices of the flash storage system. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110026328 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAINTAINING DATA INTEGRITY IN A FLASH STORAGE DEVICE - A flash storage device includes a power hold circuit including a double layer capacitor. A power source supplies power to the flash storage device and charges the double layer capacitor. The double layer capacitor supplies power for maintaining integrity of data during a data transfer occurring in the flash storage device when the power supplied by the power source is disrupted. Additionally, the flash storage device can inhibit subsequent data transfers until the power supplied by the power source is restored. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110022829 | FLASH STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING A BOOT PROGRAM - A computing system includes a flash storage device that loads a boot program from a flash storage of the flash storage device to a random access memory of the flash storage device. A processor of the computing system then accesses the boot program from the random access memory and executes the boot program. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022783 | FLASH STORAGE WITH INCREASED THROUGHPUT - A flash storage system includes a flash storage controller coupled to storage modules of a flash storage array via universal serial buses. Each storage module includes at least one flash memory device. The flash storage controller receives a programming command of a communication protocol and generates universal serial bus commands based on the programming command. The flash storage controller issues the universal serial bus commands to storage modules in the flash storage array via the universal serial buses. The storage modules process the universal serial bus commands to access data in the flash storage devices of the storage modules. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022782 | FLASH STORAGE WITH ARRAY OF ATTACHED DEVICES - A flash storage system includes a flash storage controller coupled to storage modules of a flash storage array via universal serial buses. Each storage module includes at least one flash memory device. The flash storage controller receives a programming command of a communication protocol and generates universal serial bus commands based on the programming command. The flash storage controller issues the universal serial bus commands to storage modules in the flash storage array via the universal serial buses. The storage modules process the universal serial bus commands to access data in the flash storage devices of the storage modules. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110022777 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS IN A FLASH STORAGE - A flash storage device provides direct memory access based on a first communication protocol. A host selects the first communication protocol and provides a request to the flash storage device for a direct memory access. Additionally, the host provides data blocks to the flash storage device for the direct memory access. In the first communication protocol, the host need not provide an address to the flash storage device for the direct memory access. The flash storage device stores the data blocks at sequential addresses starting at a predetermined address in the flash storage device. Another host may then select a second communication protocol and transfer the data blocks in the flash storage by using the second communication protocol. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110019475 | INTERLEAVED FLASH STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A flash storage system accesses data interleaved among flash storage devices. The flash storage system receives a data block including data portions, stores the data portions in a data buffer, and initiates data transfers for asynchronously writing the data portions into storage blocks interleaved among the flash storage devices. Additionally, the flash storage system may asynchronously read data portions of a data block interleaved among the storage blocks, store the data portions in the data buffer, and access the data portions from the data buffer. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20100327436 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STACKING INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A multi-chip stack module provides increased circuit density for a given surface chip footprint. Support structures are alternated with standard surface mount type chips to form a stack wherein the support structures electrically interconnect the chips. One aspect is a structure and method for interconnecting a plurality of generally planar chips in a vertical stack such that signals, which are common to the chips, are connected in the stack and signals, which are accessed individually, are separated within the stack. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100205470 | FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE WITH STATE OF HEALTH AND/OR STATUS INFORMATION ACCESSIBLE THROUGH A CONFIGURATION DATA BUS - A memory device includes: volatile memory; an interface for connecting to a backup power source; non-volatile memory; a first configuration data bus for accessing parameters describing substantially permanent characteristics of the volatile memory; a second configuration data bus for accessing at least one of state of health information of the backup power source and status information of the memory device, wherein the first configuration data bus and the second configuration data bus implement a same bus protocol; a controller programmed to detect a loss of power of a primary power source and move data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory, wherein configuration information of the controller is at least one of readable and writable through the first configuration data bus; and wherein at least one of the state-of-health information and the status information is at least one of readable and writable through the second configuration data bus. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100205349 | SEGMENTED-MEMORY FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE - A memory device for use with a primary power source, includes volatile memory including a plurality of memory segments defined by at least one starting addresses and a corresponding at least one ending address; an interface for connecting to a backup power source; a non-volatile memory; and a controller in communication with the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory programmed to detect a loss of power of the primary power source and in response to move data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory based on the at least one starting address and the at least one ending address. In some aspects, there is only one starting address and one ending address and only data that is stored in the volatile memory at addresses between the one starting address and one ending address is moved to the non-volatile memory. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100205348 | FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE STORING PARAMETER INFORMATION OF THE DRAM MODULE IN THE FLASH - A device includes volatile memory; one or more non-volatile memory chips, each of which is for storing data moved from the volatile-memory; an interface for connecting to a backup power source arranged to temporarily power the volatile memory upon a loss of power from a primary power source; a controller in communication with the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory, wherein: the controller is programmed to move data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory chips upon a loss of power of the primary power source of the volatile memory; and parameters describing the volatile memory are stored in at least one of the non-volatile memory chips that store the data moved from the volatile memory. In some aspects the parameters include serial presence detect information. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202240 | STATE OF HEALTH MONITORED FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE - A device includes: non-volatile memory; a controller in communication with the non-volatile memory, wherein the controller is programmed to move data from a volatile memory to the non-volatile memory upon a loss of power of a primary power source of the volatile memory; and a backup power supply providing temporary power to the controller and the volatile memory upon the loss of power of the primary power source, including: a capacitor bank with an output terminal; a connection to a voltage source that charges the capacitor bank to a normal operating voltage; and a state-of-health monitor that is programmed to generate a failure signal based on a voltage at the output terminal of the capacitor bank. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202239 | STAGED-BACKUP FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE - A memory device for use with a primary power source includes: volatile memory including a plurality of memory portions each of which has a normal operating state and a low-power state; an interface for connecting to a backup power source arranged to temporarily power the volatile memory upon a loss of power from the primary power source; a non-volatile memory; and a controller in communication with the volatile memory and the non-volatile memory programmed to detect a loss of power of the primary power source and in response to move data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory at least one memory portion at a time, and while moving data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory place the memory portions from which data is being moved into a normal operating state and the memory portions from which data is not being moved into a low-power state. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202238 | FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE INCLUDING LOGIC FOR ISOLATING THE DRAM - A memory device for use with a primary power source including: non-volatile memory; volatile memory; an interface for connecting to a backup power source; isolation logic for controlling access to the volatile memory by a host processor, said isolation logic having a first mode during which the isolation logic provides the host processor with access to the volatile memory for storing or reading data and a second mode during which the isolation logic isolates the volatile memory from access by the host processor; and a controller controlling the isolation logic, said controller programmed to place the isolation logic in the first mode when the volatile memory is being powered by the primary power source and, when power to the volatile memory from the primary power source is interrupted, to place the isolation logic in the second mode and transfer data from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100202237 | FLASH BACKED DRAM MODULE WITH A SELECTABLE NUMBER OF FLASH CHIPS - A memory device for use with a primary power source and a backup power source, includes: volatile memory; an interface for connecting to a backup power source; a plurality of ports, each of which is for receiving a different corresponding non-volatile memory chip; a plurality of interfaces, each of which is for communicating through a different corresponding one of the plurality of ports with any non-volatile memory connected to that port; a controller that is programmed to activate a selectable set of the plurality of interfaces depending on which ports are to receive non-volatile memory chips, wherein said controller is also programmed to react to a loss of power from the primary power source by moving data from the volatile memory through the selected interfaces to whatever non-volatile memory is connected to the selectable set of interfaces. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100042901 | SUPPORTING VARIABLE SECTOR SIZES IN FLASH STORAGE DEVICES - A flash storage device comprises a plurality of data blocks, each data block comprising a plurality of data segments, a system memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to cache in the system memory a plurality of data sectors to be written, to write to a first one of the plurality of data segments a first one of the plurality of data sectors, to write to the first one of the plurality of data segments a first portion of a second one of the plurality of data sectors, and to write to a second one of the plurality of data segments a second portion of the second one of the plurality of data sectors. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100023714 | PARALLEL DATA STORAGE SYSTEM - A parallel data storage system for storing data received from, or retrieving data to, a host system using multiple data storage devices. The system includes an interface for communicating with the host system and a buffer configured to store data sectors received from the host system via the interface. A switch is used to selectively connect the interface and the data storage devices to the buffer to facilitate the transfer of data into and out of the buffer. The data sectors are transferred by segmenting each sector into multiple smaller data cells and distributing these data cells among the data storage devices using an arbitrated distribution method. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090327840 | REDUNDANT DATA DISTRIBUTION IN A FLASH STORAGE DEVICE - A flash storage device comprises a plurality of channels of flash storage, a system memory, and a controller. The controller is configured to cache, in the system memory, data to be written, to partition the data into a plurality of data portions, to generate error correction information based on the plurality of data portions, to write the error correction information to a first one or more of the plurality of channels of flash storage, and to write each of the plurality of data portions to a different one of the plurality of channels of flash storage other than the first one or more thereof. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090327804 | WEAR LEVELING IN FLASH STORAGE DEVICES - A method of wear leveling in a flash storage device comprising a plurality of data blocks is provided. The method comprises the steps of detecting a data error in a read of dynamic data from a first data segment of a first data block of the plurality of data blocks, correcting the data error, and moving the dynamic data from the first data segment to a second data segment in a second one of the plurality of data blocks. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090327591 | SLC-MLC COMBINATION FLASH STORAGE DEVICE - Flash memory drives and related methods are disclosed that operate to keep frequently written data, which results in frequently erased blocks, in SLC flash, and relatively static data in MLC flash. A flash drive according to the present disclosure keeps track of the number of times that data for each logical block address (LBA) has been written to the flash memory, and determines whether to store newly received data associated with a particular LBA in SLC flash or in MLC flash depending on the number of writes that have occurred for that particular LBA. For each logical block sent to the flash drive, a comparison is made of the write count of the associated LBA to a threshold. If the write count is above the threshold, the logical block is written to SLC flash. If the write count is below the threshold, the logical block is written to MLC flash. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090327590 | ENHANCED MLC SOLID STATE DEVICE - Flash memory drives and related methods are disclosed that operate to keep frequently written data, which results in frequently erased blocks, in SLC-mimicking MLC flash, and relatively static data in normal MLC flash. A flash drive according to the present disclosure keeps track of the number of times that data for each logical block address (LBA) has been written to the flash memory, and determines whether to store newly received data associated with a particular LBA in SLC-mimicking MLC flash or in normal MLC flash depending on the number of writes that have occurred for that particular LBA. Dynamic allocation can occur between the two types of MLC. Related methods and software are also described. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090327589 | TABLE JOURNALING IN FLASH STORAGE DEVICES - A method of table journaling in a flash storage device comprising a volatile memory and a plurality of non-volatile data blocks is provided. The method comprises the steps of creating a first copy in a first one or more of the plurality of non-volatile data blocks of an addressing table stored in the volatile memory, writing transaction log data to a second one or more of the plurality of non-volatile data blocks, and updating the first copy of the addressing table based on changes to the addressing table stored in the volatile memory after the second one or more of the plurality of non-volatile data blocks have been filled with transaction log data. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090300276 | ENHANCED DATA ACCESS IN A STORAGE DEVICE - A flash storage device having improved write performance is provided. The device includes a storage block having a plurality of physical pages and a controller configured to allocate subsets of the plurality of physical pages to a plurality of logical addresses, respectively, and to write data to the plurality of physical pages. Each of the subsets of physical pages includes more than one physical page. Upon receiving a first write request for one of the logical addresses, data from the first write request is written to a first physical page of the physical pages allocated to the logical address. Upon receiving a second write request for one of the logical address, the data from the second write request is written to a second physical page allocated to the logical address and the first physical page allocated to the logical address is invalidated. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090124129 | REMOVABLE STORAGE DEVICE - An adapter for removable memory cards including a housing configured to receive a memory card, a connector for connection to a host system, an interface circuit interconnecting the memory card and connector and adapted to allow communication therebetween and at least one movable cover pivotably engaged with the housing and which, in a closed position, with the housing, defines a substantially enclosed cavity configured to retain the memory card. The adapter has a generally rounded and smooth outer contour and is relatively small and light weight to provide convenient carry on the person. The adapter is made of strong materials and by fully enclosing the memory card provides a physically robust removable storage device. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090046513 | Enhanced erase for flash storage device - A flash storage device includes flash storage units that are erased in response to a condition or command while allowing the flash storage device to be used subsequent to the erase. A flash controller interface receives a command for erasing the flash storage device and provides an erase command to flash controllers in the flash storage device. Alternatively, the flash storage device detects a condition in response to which the flash controller interface provides an erase command to the flash controllers. Each flash controller independently erases a flash storage unit in response to receiving the purge command such that the flash storage units are erased substantially in parallel with each other and the erase operations overlap. Subsequent to the erase, certain control data is reconstructed to allow subsequent use of the flash storage device. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20080288717 | SINGLE SECTOR WRITE OPERATION IN FLASH MEMORY - A flash storage device having improved write performance is provided. The device includes a storage block having a plurality of physical pages and a controller for mapping the plurality of physical pages to a plurality of logical addresses and for writing data to the plurality of physical pages. When updating data previously written to one of the plurality of logical addresses, the controller is configured to write the updated data to a second physical page which is mapped to the logical address. Each of the logical addresses may be associated with a pointer field, which is for storing a pointer value indicating the invalidity of a physical page and/or the location of another physical page. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080253199 | PARALLEL DATA STORAGE SYSTEM - A parallel data storage system for storing data received from, or retrieving data to, a host system using multiple data storage devices. The system includes an interface for communicating with the host system and a buffer configured to store data sectors received from the host system via the interface. A switch is used to selectively connect the interface and the data storage devices to the buffer to facilitate the transfer of data into and out of the buffer. The data sectors are transferred by segmenting each sector into multiple smaller data cells and distributing these data cells among the data storage devices using an arbitrated distribution method. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080250223 | FLASH MEMORY ALLOCATION FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND ENDURANCE - A flash storage device having improved write performance is provided. The device includes a storage block having a plurality of physical pages and a controller for mapping the plurality of physical pages to a plurality of logical addresses and for writing data to the plurality of physical pages. When updating data previously written to one of the plurality of logical addresses, the controller is configured to write the updated data to a second physical page which is mapped to the logical address. Each of the logical addresses may be associated with a pointer field, which is for storing a pointer value indicating the invalidity of a physical page and/or the location of another physical page. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080228895 | DIRECT FILE TRANSFER HOST PROCESSOR - A computing host includes a communication processor that receives a file request from a computer network for transferring a file between the computer network and a storage device. If the file is directly transferable between the computer network and the storage device without a need for processing the file by a host processor of the computing host, the communication processor performs the file transfer. Otherwise, the host processor processes the file and performs the file transfer. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080201661 | Remote flash storage management - A computing host executes a web browser to access a utility application for managing or altering one or more storage devices connected to the computing host. Management or alteration of each storage device may include various purging of the storage device, encrypting the storage device, password protecting the storage device, purging the data or the firmware of the storage device, updating firmware of the storage device, updating programmable hardware of the storage device, erasing the storage device, sanitizing the storage device, logging events occurring in the storage device, and maintaining statistics on operation of the storage device. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080201520 | Flash firmware management - A computing host executes a web browser to access a utility application for managing one or more storage devices connected to the computing host. Management of each storage device may include making queries about the storage spaces and contents of the storage device, updating firmware of the storage device, updating programmable hardware of the storage device, erasing the storage device, sanitizing the storage device, logging events occurring in the storage device, and maintaining statistics on operation of the storage device. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080201342 | Data storage device management system and method - A computing host executes a web browser to access a utility application for managing one or more storage devices connected to the computing host. Management of each storage device may include updating firmware of the storage device, updating programmable hardware of the storage device, erasing the storage device, sanitizing the storage device, logging events occurring in the storage device, and maintaining statistics on operation of the storage device. | 08-21-2008 |
