IP Library Granted Patent US 10,353,615
Granted Patent B2
US 10,353,615 · App. 16/102,030 · Granted Jul 16, 2019

Apparatuses and methods for single level cell caching

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,353,615
App. No.
16/102,030
Granted
Jul 16, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for single level cell caching are described. According to one example, a method includes receiving, at a memory device, a first set of data to be stored in a lower page of multilevel memory cells, storing the first set of data in a page of single level memory cells, storing the first set of data in the lower page of the multilevel memory cells, receiving, at the memory device, a second set of data to be stored in an upper page of the multilevel memory cells, and storing the second set of data directly in the upper page of the multilevel memory cells.

Claims (38)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a control circuit configured to receive a first set of data and store a copy of the first set of data in a page of a block of single level memory cells, and subsequently store the first set of data in a lower page of a block of multilevel memory cells,

wherein the control circuit is configured to:

update one or more page tables responsive to storing at least the first set of data,

receive a second set of data and store the second set of data directly in an upper page of the multilevel memory cells without storing a copy of the second set of data in the page of the block of single level memory cells, and

erase the page of the block of single level memory cells responsive to storing the second set of data in the upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the block of multilevel memory cells comprises memory cells configured to store at least three bits.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to provide a confirmation message responsive to storing the first set of data in the page of the single level memory cells.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

detect a power loss event while storing the second set of data in the upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells; and

copy the first set of data from the page of the block of single level memory cells to the lower page of the block multilevel memory cells responsive to detecting the power loss event.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the control circuit is configured to continue storing the second set of data in the upper page of the multilevel memory cells responsive to the first set of data being copied from the page of the block of single level memory cells to the lower page of the block multilevel memory cells.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the control circuit is configured to erase the page of the block of single level memory cells responsive to completion of storing the second set of data in the upper page of the multilevel memory cells.

7. A method comprising:

storing a copy of a first set of data in a page of a block of single level memory cells;

subsequently to storing the copy of the first set of data in the page of the block of single level memory cells, receiving the first set of data at a lower page of a block of multilevel memory cells;

storing a second set of data in an upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells, wherein the page of the block of single level memory cells does not store a copy of the second set of data;

updating one or more page tables responsive to storing the first set of data or the second set of data; and

erasing the page of the block of single level memory cells responsive to storing the second set of data in the upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising providing a confirmation message responsive to storing the first set of data in the page of the single level memory cells.

9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

detecting a power loss event while storing the second set of data in the upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells; and

copying the first set of data from the page of the block of single level memory cells to the lower page of the block multilevel memory cells responsive to detecting the power loss event.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising continuing to store the second set of data in the upper page of the multilevel memory cells responsive to the first set of data being copied from the page of the block of single level memory cells to the lower page of the block multilevel memory cells.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a control circuit configured to receive a first set of data and store a copy of the first set of data in a page of a block of single level memory cells, and subsequently store the first set of data in a lower page of a block of multilevel memory cells,

wherein the control circuit is configured to:

update one or more page tables responsive to storing at least the first set of data,

receive a second set of data and store the second set of data directly in an upper page of the multilevel memory cells without storing a copy of the second set of data in the page of the block of single level memory cells,

detect a power loss event while storing the second set of data in the upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells, and

copy the first set of data from the page of the block of single level memory cells to the lower page of the block multilevel memory cells responsive to detecting the power loss event.

12. A method comprising:

storing a copy of a first set of data in a page of a block of single level memory cells;

subsequently to storing the copy of the first set of data in the page of the block of single level memory cells, receiving the first set of data at a lower page of a block of multilevel memory cells;

storing a second set of data in an upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells, wherein the page of the block of single level memory cells does not store a copy of the second set of data;

updating one or more page tables responsive to storing the first set of data or the second set of data;

detecting a power loss event while storing the second set of data in the upper page of the block of multilevel memory cells; and

copying the first set of data from the page of the block of single level memory cells to the lower page of the block multilevel memory cells responsive to detecting the power loss event.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 051028/0835 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 050719/0550 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047630/0756 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 10 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048102/0420 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2018
From: DOYLE, DANIEL
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 046628/0668 →