US6571326B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Space allocation for data in a nonvolatile memory
Assignee: Intel NDTM US LLC
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Filing: 2001-03-08
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Granted: 2003-05-27
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Expires: 2021-03-08
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises a method, apparatus, and machine-readable medium to pre-allocate a space for data. Embodiments of the present invention are designed to pre-allocate a space for data in nonvolatile memory. More specifically, embodiments may provide a reservation for a data write, so sufficient unallocated space can be confirmed as available for the write prior to actually writing the data to the nonvolatile memory.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. Spiegel
- 👤 Christopher M. McAllen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/0223; G06F12/023; G06F12/0238; G06F12/0246
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A system, comprising: a media management system; and a nonvolatile memory manager coupled to said media management system and coupled to a nonvolatile memory; a first reservation tracker coupled to the nonvolatile memory manager to track unallocated nonvolatile memory space; a second reservation tracker to test changes in the unallocated nonvolatile memory space before implementing the changes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A system, comprising: a media management system; and a nonvolatile memory manager coupled to said media management system and coupled to a nonvolatile memory; a first reservation tracker coupled to the nonvolatile memory manager to track unallocated nonvolatile memory space; a second reservation tracker to test changes in the unallocated nonvolatile memory space before implementing the changes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising an allocation system coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a reclamation system coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said nonvolatile memory manager comprises a nonvolatile memory modifier to modify the contents of a memory cell in a background operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a buffer coupled to the second reservation tracker in which to test said changes.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus, comprising: a nonvolatile memory manager coupled to a nonvolatile memory; a table to store references to unallocated space; a reservation system coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager and the table and having a tracker to test requested changes to unallocated space in a copy of the table and to implement the changes in the table only if the test is successful.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus, comprising: a nonvolatile memory manager coupled to a nonvolatile memory; a table to store references to unallocated space; a reservation system coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager and the table and having a tracker to test requested changes to unallocated space in a copy of the table and to implement the changes in the table only if the test is successful.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising an allocation system coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the allocation system comprises an unallocated granule tracker coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a reclamation system coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the reclamation system comprises a dirty space tracker coupled to said nonvolatile memory manager.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said nonvolatile memory manager comprises a nonvolatile memory modifier to modify the contents of a memory cell in a background operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a buffer couple to the tracker in which the requested changes are to be tested.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
83 words
A method, comprising: receiving data to be stored in nonvolatile memory; copying a logical block table of unallocated space to a buffer; testing a first change in allocation of nonvolatile memory space to accommodate the data by modifying the table in the buffer; discarding the first change and repeating the copying and testing operations with a second change if said testing the first change is unsuccessful; reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory; and storing the data in the nonvolatile memory.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
83 words
A method, comprising: receiving data to be stored in nonvolatile memory; copying a logical block table of unallocated space to a buffer; testing a first change in allocation of nonvolatile memory space to accommodate the data by modifying the table in the buffer; discarding the first change and repeating the copying and testing operations with a second change if said testing the first change is unsuccessful; reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory; and storing the data in the nonvolatile memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising tracking a header boundary.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising tracking a unit of memory comprising dirty space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising tracking an unallocated granule.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said receiving data to be stored in a nonvolatile memory comprises: receiving a request to store data; and storing the data in a buffer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory comprises tracking a logical block having space to store the data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory comprises modifying a prior space reservation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said storing the data in the nonvolatile memory comprises storing the data with a background operation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
99 words
A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause said machine to perform operations, comprising: receiving data to be stored in nonvolatile memory; copying a logical block table of unallocated space to a buffer; testing a first change in allocation of nonvolatile memory space to accommodate the data by modifying the table in the buffer; discarding the first change and repeating the copying and testing operations with a second change if said testing the first change is unsuccessful; reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory; and storing the data in the nonvolatile memory.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
99 words
A machine-readable medium that provides instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause said machine to perform operations, comprising: receiving data to be stored in nonvolatile memory; copying a logical block table of unallocated space to a buffer; testing a first change in allocation of nonvolatile memory space to accommodate the data by modifying the table in the buffer; discarding the first change and repeating the copying and testing operations with a second change if said testing the first change is unsuccessful; reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory; and storing the data in the nonvolatile memory.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 21 , further comprising tracking a unit header boundary.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 21 , further comprising tracking a unit of memory comprising dirty space.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 21 , further comprising tracking an unallocated granule.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein said receiving data to be stored in a nonvolatile memory comprises: receiving a request to store data; and storing the data in a buffer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein said reserving space for the data in the nonvolatile memory comprises tracking a logical block having space to store the data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The machine-readable medium of claim 21 , wherein said storing the data in the nonvolatile memory comprises storing the data with a background operation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-05-26 | 2006-11-25 | 2007-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-26 | 2010-11-25 | 2011-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-26 | 2014-11-25 | 2015-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |