Method of storing data in a multi-bit-cell flash memory
View Patent ↗In writing to a block, of a flash memory, that includes pages with different write access or read access speeds, after writing first data to a first page that has fast access, at least one page that has slow access is skipped to write second data to a second page that has fast access.
1. A method of using a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block; and
(b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
2. A memory device, for storing data, comprising:
(a) a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages; and
(b) a controller operative:
(i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block; and
(ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said pages of said first and second pluralities alternate within each said block.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein pairs of said pages of said first plurality alternate with pairs of pages of said second plurality within each said block.
5. A system, for storing data, comprising:
(a) a memory device that includes a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster write access than said second plurality of pages; and
(b) a processor operative:
(i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block; and
(ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein said pages of said first and second pluralities alternate within each said block.
7. The device of claim 5 , wherein pairs of said pages of said first plurality alternate with pairs of pages of said second plurality within each said block.
8. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable code embodied on said computer readable storage medium, the computer readable code for managing a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages, the computer readable code comprising:
(a) program code for writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block; and
(b) program code for skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
9. A method of using a flash memory that includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster write access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of a first block;
(b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said first block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said first block; and
(c) copying said first and second data to at least one page of the first plurality of pages of a second block other than said first block and to at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said second block.
10. A method of using a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block; and
(b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.
11. A memory device, for storing data, comprising:
(a) a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages; and
(b) a controller operative:
(i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block; and
(ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein said pages of said first and second pluralities alternate within each said block.
13. The device of claim 11 , wherein pairs of said pages of said first plurality alternate with pairs of pages of said second plurality within each said block.
14. A system, for storing data, comprising:
(a) a memory device that includes a flash memory that includes at least one block, each said block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, said first plurality of pages having faster read access than said second plurality of pages; and
(b) a processor operative:
(i) to write first data to a first page of said first plurality of pages of one of said at least one block; and
(ii) to skip at least one page of said second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of said first plurality of pages of said one block.
15. The device of claim 14 , wherein said pages of said first and second pluralities alternate within each said block.
16. The device of claim 14 , wherein pairs of said pages of said first plurality alternate with pairs of pages of said second plurality within each said block.
17. A method of using a flash memory that includes a plurality of blocks, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of a first block;
(b) skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said first block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said first block; and
(c) writing third data to both at least one page of the first plurality of pages of a second block other than said first block and to at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said second block.
18. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable code embodied on said computer readable storage medium, the computer readable code for managing a flash memory that includes at least one block, each block including a first plurality of pages and a second plurality of pages, the first plurality of pages having faster read access than the second plurality of pages, the computer readable code comprising:
(a) program code for writing first data to a first page of the first plurality of pages of one of the at least one block; and
(b) program code for skipping at least one page of the second plurality of pages of said one block to write second data to a second page of the first plurality of pages of said one block.