KR20100110651A - Memory apparatus and program method for the memory apparatus and memory system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A memory device, a programming method thereof, and a memory system are provided to select reliable level according to a subjective data classification of a user by enabling the user to select a program method when data is stored. CONSTITUTION: A host(100) receives program information about a program method of written data. The program information inputted by a user is outputted to a memory device through an OS(Operating System)(120), a file system(130), and a host driver(140). The OS transmits the information about the program method to the file system through a system interface. A memory device(200) includes a host interface(210), a controller(220), and a nonvolatile memory(230). The controller controls the memory device according to the received information through the host interface.

Description

Memory device, a program method of the memory device, and a memory system

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a memory device, and more particularly, to a memory device and a method for allowing a user to select a method of programming data to be written to the memory device.

Among memory devices, a memory device including a multi-level cell (MLC), for example, a solid state disk (SSD), is known.In the case of a memory device that stores information in the MLC, the number of bits and the number of bits decrease. Many problems are exposed in terms of reliability of data, etc. As a result, dedicated algorithms as well as error correction codes (ECC) for MLC memory devices are being developed at the bit level.

As a conventional method for this purpose, in a memory device including both a single level cell (SLC) and an MLC, a system determines a characteristic of data, stores important data in an SLC, and stores data in an MLC that is not.

However, in the conventional method, important data and data that are not can be distinguished and efficiently managed from the viewpoint of the memory system, but the user using the memory system cannot directly manage the reliability of his data. In addition, the application or file system determines whether to program the SLC or the MLC by identifying the characteristics of the data using a predetermined algorithm, so that it is difficult for the user to understand the reduction in storage capacity due to the writing (program) of the data. For example, if a user has stored 1MB of data (ie when programmed into an SLC), the storage capacity is reduced by 4MB, and sometimes (ie when programmed to a 4-bit MLC), when the user decreases 1MB. Is difficult to understand and predict. In addition, the classification of data according to the characteristics of the file may also vary according to users. In the case of normal video data, even if it is slightly damaged, the play is less affected. Therefore, the video data may be stored in an area of low reliability level. However, some video data may be hoped that it will never be broken. Therefore, classifying the characteristics of data uniformly in the memory system or the host and storing the data in the SLC or the MLC may be different from the result desired by the user.

Therefore, when a user wants to store data, a user can select a desired program method. Accordingly, a method and a device that can efficiently use a memory device by selecting a reliability level from the user's point of view are urgently required.

Accordingly, a technical problem of the present invention is to provide a memory device and a method for allowing a user to select a program method by himself / herself when storing data, thereby selecting a reliability level according to the subjective data classification of the user.

In particular, by allowing a user to include a program method selected by a user in a write command outputted from the host to a memory device, the program desired by the user without additional process or resource for selecting a program method. It is to provide a method and apparatus for selecting a method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for efficiently programming data in another program method when data cannot be programmed by a program method selected by a user.

The program method of the memory device for solving the technical problem is a step of receiving a program information including information on the programming method of the write data to be stored in the memory device selected by the user from the host and the memory device Programming the write data to correspond to the received program information.

The program information of the write data may be included in a write command corresponding to the write data transmitted from the host to the memory device.

Receiving the program information of the write data may be stored in any one register of the host interface provided in the memory device. One of the registers may be a feature register.

The program information may include information about a bit level at which the write data is to be programmed.

The program method of the memory device may further include recording error information and receiving second program information from a host when the memory device cannot program the write data to correspond to the program information. The device may program the write data to correspond to the second program information.

The program method of the memory device may further include programming the write data with a program method having a closest similarity of the program information if the memory device cannot program the write data to correspond to the program information. Can be.

The memory device may be a solid state disk (SSD).

The program information further includes information about a type of a memory included in the memory device, wherein the memory device writes the memory corresponding to the information about the memory type included in the program information so as to correspond to the program method. You can program the data.

The memory type may include at least one of an SRAM, a DRAM, or a flash memory included in the memory device.

The program method of the memory device for achieving the technical problem is a program interface information of the write data to be stored in the memory device selected by the user is included in the write command to be transmitted from the host to the memory device is transmitted to the host interface of the memory device And writing the write data to the feature register included in the memory device and corresponding to the recorded program method information.

The program method of the memory device for achieving the technical problem includes the step of the program checks the program information stored in any one register of the host interface, and programming the write data to correspond to the identified program information Can be. The program information may be information selected from a user and transmitted from a host.

The memory device for achieving the technical problem is a non-volatile memory cell programmable into a single-level cell or a multi-level cell, program information including information on a method of programming write data to be stored in the memory device selected by a user from a host. A host interface for receiving, and a controller for programming the write data into the nonvolatile memory cell corresponding to the program information received at the host interface. The program information may be included in a write command corresponding to the write data transmitted by the host to the memory device, and the program information may be stored in any one register of a host interface included in the memory device. Can be. One of the registers may be a feature register.

The memory device further includes at least one volatile memory, and the program information further includes memory selection information for selecting one of the at least one volatile memory or the nonvolatile memory cell, and the controller further comprises: The write data may be programmed to correspond to the program method in a memory corresponding to the memory selection information included in program information.

The controller writes error information when the write data cannot be programmed to correspond to the program information in the nonvolatile memory cell, and programs the write data to correspond to the second program information received through the host interface again. Alternatively, the write data may be programmed by a program method having a closest similarity of the program information.

The memory system for achieving the technical problem is a memory device including a non-volatile memory cell programmable to a single-level cell or a multi-level cell and program information including information on a method of programming write data to be stored in the memory device from a user And a host configured to receive and output the received data to the memory device, wherein the memory device may program the write data in the nonvolatile memory cell to correspond to the program information. The memory system may include at least one of a portable multimedia player (PMP), personal digital assistants (PDAs), ultra mobile PCs (UMPCs), game machines, digital cameras, or mobile phones.

According to the method and the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the user stores the data, the user can select the program method by himself, so that the data that the user thinks as subjective data can be stored by the highly reliable program method. By allowing data to be stored in a somewhat less reliable program method, the user can use the memory device as desired. In addition, there is an effect that can ensure the predictability in the user manages the resources of the memory device.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a separate process or resource for selecting a program method may be included by allowing a user to include a program method selected by a user in a write command output from the host to a memory device. There is an effect that the user can select the desired program method without additional use.

In addition, when the data cannot be programmed by the program method selected by the user, the program can be efficiently programmed by another program method, so that the user can efficiently store the data even in an unexpected situation.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Also, in this specification, when any one element 'transmits' data to another element, the element may transmit the data directly to the other element, or may be transmitted through at least one other element And may transmit the data to the other component.

Conversely, when one element 'directly transmits' data to another element, it means that the data is transmitted to the other element without passing through another element in the element.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a schematic functional block diagram of a memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a host 100 and a memory device 200. The host 100 may receive program information including data to be stored in the memory device 200, that is, information about a programming method of write data, from the user 100 according to the spirit of the present invention. The information about the program method may mean information about a bit level to be stored in the memory device 200. That is, the information about the program method may include information about whether the program is programmed to a single-level cell or a multi-level cell. In addition, when programmed as a multi-level cell, it may include information on how many bits (eg, 2 bits, 3 bits, 4 bits, etc.) are programmed to the multi level cells. As a result, the program information may include information about a reliability level at which the user stores the write data. The user 100 may correspond to a predetermined user application. Then, the program information input by the user 100 may be output to the memory device 200 through an operating system 120, a file system 130, and a host driver 140. That is, the user 110 may transmit information about a program method to the OS 120 through a predetermined user interface (UI), and the OS 120 may access the file system 130 through a system interface. Information about the program method can be delivered to. Then, the information about the program method may be output to the memory device 200 through the host driver 140.

The memory device 200 according to the information received through the host interface 210, the host interface 210 to receive the write data and / or various commands (command) output from the host 100, the memory A controller 220 for controlling the apparatus 200, and a nonvolatile memory 230 in which the write data is stored. At least one register 10 may be provided in the host interface 210. The nonvolatile memory 230 may be a NAND FLASH memory. The nonvolatile memory 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a memory that can be selectively programmed into a single level cell or a multilevel cell. The memory device 200 may further include a Flash Tlanslation Layer (FTL) for programming the write data in the nonvolatile memory 230. In addition, the memory device 200 may include at least one volatile memory 240 or 250. The at least one volatile memory 240 and 250 may include DRAM and / or SRAM. The memory device 200 may be implemented as a solid state disk (SSD) device.

The controller 220 may control the programming of the write data to the nonvolatile memory 230 to correspond to the program information output from the host 100. The program information may be output to the memory device 200 in various ways. In particular, the program information may be included in a write command output from the host 100 to the memory device 200.

In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a technical idea that can output the program information to the memory device 200 using a protocol defined in the Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface.

2 illustrates at least one register included in a host interface of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At least one register 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 represents a register set defined in the ATA interface, and the memory device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may use the register set defined in the ATA interface. have. Referring to FIG. 2, a register set defined in the ATA interface includes a feature register 1, a sector count register, and registers for logical addresses LBA low, mid, and the like as shown in FIG. 2. High), a device register, and a command register. The feature register 1 is not used when the host 100 outputs a write command to the memory device 200 among the registers. Therefore, in the memory system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the host 100 outputs a write command to the memory device 200, the feature register 1 may be used as a register for storing the program information. have. Accordingly, the host driver 140 may write the program information to the feature register 1, and each of the other registers has a logical address where the write data is to be stored, such as when a write command is generally processed. ) And the write command.

As described above, in the memory system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the program information may be transmitted by using a register not used in the write command processing. Therefore, a separate process or a separate resource for storing the program information is not used. Does not work.

According to a program method of a memory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a user may select not only the nonvolatile memory 230 but at least one volatile memory 240 or 250 as a memory for storing write data. It may be. That is, the program information may include not only information on how the write data is to be programmed (ie, information on a bit level), but also information on a type of a memory in which the write data is to be stored. Of course, when the volatile memory is used as a memory for storing the write data, the program information may not include information on how the write data is to be programmed (ie, information about a bit level). When stored in the at least one volatile memory 240 and 250, the write data may be data to be temporarily stored (eg, swapping data, etc.).

3 illustrates an example of program information according to a program method of a memory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 3, in a program method of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a specific value corresponding to the program information may be predetermined. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the value stored in the feature register is “00000000”, it may mean that the write data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 230 and programmed into a single level cell. In addition, when the value stored in the feature register is "00000001", it may mean that the write data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 230 and programmed into a 2-bit multilevel cell. In addition, when the value stored in the feature register is "00000010", it may mean that the write data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 230 and programmed into a 3-bit multilevel cell. In addition, when the value stored in the feature register is "00000011", it may mean that the write data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 230 and programmed into a 4-bit multilevel cell. In addition, when the value stored in the feature register is "00000100", it may mean that the write data is stored in the DRAM 240. In addition, when the value stored in the feature register is "00000101", it may mean that the write data is stored in the SRAM 250.

Of course, the user 100 does not need to input a specific value stored in the feature register. As long as at least one of the OS 120, the file system 130, or the host driver 140 can convert the program information selected by the user to the specific value. In addition, the program information as shown in FIG. 3 and a specific value of the corresponding feature register may be stored in a predetermined storage device of the memory device 200 in advance.

On the other hand, the program method of the memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an effective countermeasure when the write data can not be programmed according to the program method selected by the user. For example, the storage capacity remaining in the nonvolatile memory 230 is insufficient or the program method desired by the user according to a programming method (ie, at what bit level) of the data already stored in the nonvolatile memory 230 is used. A case where write data cannot be programmed may occur. The user may not know in advance whether the program can be programmed according to the desired program method, so that the user may select another program method or the memory system may determine another program method by itself. This technical idea is illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a program cannot be programmed using a program method desired by a user in a program method of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, program information selected by a user of the controller 220 of the memory device 200 may be checked (S100). The program information may be recorded in the feature register 1 provided in the host interface 210 as described above. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the program information may be stored in any other storage device capable of storing the program information. Then, the controller 220 may determine whether the write data can be programmed to correspond to the program information (S110). If the write data cannot be programmed to correspond to the program information for the aforementioned various reasons, the controller 220 may set error information in a predetermined storage device (eg, a status register) (S120). . In addition, a predetermined storage device (for example, an error register) capable of setting information on an error type may include information about an error (that is, when a program cannot be programmed to correspond to program information selected by a user). The specific value indicated may be set (S120). The specific value may be, for example, a value in which a specific bit (for example, the seventh bit) of the error register is set to '1'. The specific value may be a value that can be distinguished from a value representing another type of error.

Then, the host 100 checks the values stored in the status register and the error register, the information stored in the status register is information representing an error, and the information stored in the error register is an error according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the case of an error when the user cannot program in accordance with the selected program information (S130), a predetermined UI may be displayed to receive new program information from the user again (S140). Of course, if the information stored in the status register indicates an error, and the information stored in the error register is an error other than an error according to an embodiment of the present invention, the host may perform the error processing accordingly (S180).

When the host 100 receives new program information, the host 100 may transmit new program information received to the memory device 200 again (S150). Then, the memory device 200 may proceed with the process again from the process of checking the program information (S100).

On the other hand, when an error according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is, when the program cannot be made to correspond to the program information selected by the user (S130), the memory device performs the program in the program method most similar to the program information. You may. The program method most similar to the program information may be variously set according to an implementation example, and the program information most similar to the specific program information may be preset. For example, a program method most similar to specific program information may be a program method having a similar degree of reliability or a bit level most similar. For example, if the user selects the SLC program method, the program method with nearest similarity may be 2bit MLC. In addition, if 2bit MLC is selected, 3bit MLC or SLC may be a program method having nearest similarity. For example, if 4bit MLC is selected, 3bit MLC may be a programming method having nearest similarity. According to an embodiment, when the nonvolatile memory 230 is selected as the memory in which write data is to be stored, the nonvolatile memory 230 may be set not to be stored in the volatile memories 240 and 250. It can be easily inferred by the average expert in the art that various implementations of setting a program method with nearest similarity are possible. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the controller 220 cannot program a program corresponding to the program information selected by the user (S130), a value stored in a feature register corresponding to the current program information as illustrated in FIG. 3 (eg, , Program information (eg, information for programming with 2-bit MLC) corresponding to a value of increasing "00000000" by 1 (for example, "00000001") may be set as new program information. Then, the process may proceed again from the process of determining whether the program is possible in a method corresponding to the new program information (S110).

The memory system according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept may be used to include all data processing devices including the host 100 and the memory device 200 described above. In particular, the memory system includes at least one of a portable multimedia player (PMP), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a game machine, a digital camera, or a mobile phone that can be easily modified by the host driver 140. It can be applied to various mobile systems. In order to implement the method of programming a memory device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a function of allowing the host driver 140 to write information in a specific register of the host interface 210 may be additionally required. In addition, the host 100 may additionally need a function for providing a predetermined UI for receiving program information from a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user may set to store the important data that is determined to be never erased or determined to be particularly reliable by the SLC. In addition, the OS 120 may set the system data used by the OS 120 to be stored in the SLC. Depending on the implementation, the movie / MP3 may be set to store as MLC (eg, 4bit MLC), which may be somewhat less reliable. Various memory devices 200 may be operated according to a setting of a default storage method of the OS 120 and a user's setting.

The program method of the memory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept may be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, hard disk, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also in the form of carrier waves (e.g., transmission over the Internet). It also includes implementations. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. And functional programs, codes and code segments for implementing the present invention can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to better understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the invention, a brief description of each drawing is provided.

1 is a schematic functional block diagram of a memory system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 illustrates at least one register included in a host interface of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 illustrates an example of program information according to a program method of a memory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a program cannot be programmed using a program method desired by a user in a program method of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims (22)

Receiving, by a memory device, program information including information on a program method of write data to be stored in the memory device selected by a user from a host; And Programming the write data to correspond to the received program information by the memory device. The program information of claim 1, wherein And a write command corresponding to the write data transmitted from the host to the memory device. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the program information of the write data, And storing the program information in any one register of a host interface included in the memory device. The method of claim 3, wherein any one register, A method of programming a memory device, characterized in that it is a feature register. The method of claim 1, wherein the program information, And information about a bit level at which the write data is to be programmed. The method of claim 1, wherein the program method of the memory device comprises: If the memory device is unable to program the write data to correspond to the program information, recording error information and receiving second program information from a host again; And the memory device programs the write data to correspond to the second program information. The method of claim 1, wherein the program method of the memory device comprises: If the memory device cannot program the write data to correspond to the program information, programming the write data with a program method having a closest similarity of the program information. The memory device of claim 1, wherein the memory device comprises: Program method of a memory device, characterized in that the SSD (Solid State Disk). The method of claim 1, wherein the program information, Further comprising information on the type of memory included in the memory device, And the memory device programs the write data in a memory corresponding to the information on the type of memory included in the program information so as to correspond to the programming method. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory type is The program method of the memory device including at least one of the SRAM, DRAM, or flash memory included in the memory device. Program method information of write data to be stored in a memory device selected by a user is included in a write command transmitted from a host to the memory device, and is written to a feature register included in a host interface of the memory device; And Programming the write data by the memory device to correspond to the recorded program method information. In the program method of the memory device, Checking, by the memory device, program information stored in a register of a host interface; Programming write data to correspond to the identified program information. The method of claim 12, wherein the program information, The program method of a memory device, characterized in that the information selected by the user and transmitted from the host. In a memory device, A nonvolatile memory cell programmable into a single-level cell or a multilevel cell; A host interface for receiving program information from the host, the program information including information about a method of programming write data to be stored in the memory device selected by the user; And And a controller for programming the write data into the nonvolatile memory cell to correspond to the program information received at the host interface. The method of claim 14, wherein the program information, And a write command corresponding to the write data transmitted from the host to the memory device. The method of claim 14, wherein the program information, The memory device is stored in any one register of the host interface provided in the memory device. The method of claim 16, wherein any one register, And a feature register. The memory device of claim 14, wherein the memory device comprises: Further comprises at least one volatile memory, The program information, Memory selection information for selecting any one of the at least one volatile memory or the nonvolatile memory cell, And the controller programs the write data to correspond to the program method in a memory corresponding to the memory selection information included in the program information. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller, Error information is recorded when the write data cannot be programmed to correspond to the program information in the nonvolatile memory cell, And program the write data to correspond to the second program information received again through the host interface. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller, And if it is not possible to program the write data to correspond to the program information in the nonvolatile memory cell, programming the write data by a program method having a closest similarity of the program information. A memory device including a nonvolatile memory cell programmable into a single-level cell or a multilevel cell; And A host for receiving program information including information on a method of programming write data to be stored in the memory device from a user and outputting the program information to the memory device; And the memory device programs the write data into the nonvolatile memory cell so as to correspond to the program information. The memory system of claim 21, wherein the memory system comprises: A memory system comprising at least one of a portable multimedia player (PMP), personal digital assistants (PDA), ultra mobile PC (UMPC), game machine, digital camera, or mobile phone.

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