Contiguous block addressing scheme
View Patent ↗An improved non-volatile erase block memory device apparatus and method is described that incorporates an improved addressing scheme to provide for extended addressing allowing redundant erase blocks that are not utilized to repair general use erase blocks of the main memory array to be accessed and utilized as additional storage space by an end user. The additional storage space formed by the unused redundant erase blocks and the specified storage space of the main memory array is presented to the end user as a single contiguous address space. Additionally, the redundant erase blocks can be utilized to repair any damaged erase block in the memory array of the non-volatile erase block memory or Flash memory device regardless of bank placement.
1. A memory, comprising:
an X number of memory cells;
a Y number of unused redundant memory cells;
a first address connection to address the X number of memory cells; and
a second address connection to address the Y number of unused memory cells to allow general use of the X+Y cells.
2. The memory of claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile memory is adapted to present the X and Y memory cells as a contiguous address space of memory cells utilizing the first and second address connection.
3. The memory of claim 1 , further comprising:
a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is adapted to map selected Y memory cells to replace damaged memory cells and maps the unused Y memory cells as available memory cells on the second address connection.
4. The memory of claim 3 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to map a selected Y memory cell to replace a damaged X memory cell by selecting the most significantly addressed Y memory cell.
5. The memory of claim 3 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to block access to Y memory cells that have been utilized to replace damaged memory cells.
6. The memory of claim 1 , wherein the memory is a non-volatile memory.
7. A memory, comprising:
an X number of general use erase blocks;
a Y number of unused redundant erase blocks;
a first address connection to address the X number of general use erase blocks; and
a second address connection to address the Y number of unused erase blocks to allow general use of the X+Y erase blocks.
8. The memory of claim 7 , wherein the memory is a non-volatile memory.
9. The memory of claim 7 , wherein the non-volatile memory is adapted to present the X and Y erase blocks as a contiguous address space utilizing the first and second address connection.
10. The memory of claim 7 , further comprising:
a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is adapted to map selected Y erase blocks to replace damaged erase blocks and maps the unused Y erase blocks as available general use erase blocks on the second address connection.
11. The memory of claim 10 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to map a selected Y erase block to replace a damaged X erase block by selecting the most significantly addressed Y erase block.
12. The memory of claim 10 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to block access to Y erase blocks that have been utilized to replace damaged erase blocks.
13. A memory, comprising:
an X number of general use erase blocks, wherein X is a specified minimum size of the memory;
a Y number of additional erase blocks, wherein the memory is adapted to redirect access to a defective erase block to a selected additional erase block; and
wherein the memory is adapted to allow access to additional erase blocks that are not being utilized to repair defective erase blocks as general use erase blocks.
14. The memory of claim 13 , wherein the memory is a non-volatile memory.
15. The memory of claim 13 , further comprising:
a first address connection to address the X number of general use erase blocks;
a second address connection to address the Y number of unused erase blocks to allow general use of the X+Y erase blocks.
16. The memory of claim 13 , wherein the memory is adapted to present the X and Y erase blocks as a contiguous address space of erase blocks.
17. The memory of claim 13 , further comprising:
a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is adapted to map selected Y erase blocks to replace the defective erase blocks and to map the unused Y erase blocks as available general use erase blocks.
18. The memory of claim 17 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to map a selected Y erase block to replace a defective X erase block by selecting the most significantly addressed Y erase block.
19. The memory of claim 17 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to block direct access to a Y erase block that has been utilized to replace damaged erase block.