Importance

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Abstract

A memory controller controls the operation of a non-volatile memory device. The memory device has a data storage section and an erased storage section. The data storage section has a first plurality of blocks and the erased storage section has a second plurality of blocks. Each of the first and second plurality of blocks has a plurality of non-volatile memory bits that are erased together. Further, each block has an associated counter for storing the number of times the block has been erased. The memory controller has program instructions which are to scan the counters associated with the blocks of the first plurality of blocks based upon the count contained in each of the counters associated therewith to select a third block, and to scan the counters associated with the blocks of the second plurality of blocks based upon the count contained in each of the counters associated therewith to select a fourth block. The program instructions are further configured to transfer data from the third block to the fourth block, and associating said fourth block with said first plurality of blocks. Finally the program instructions are configured to erase said third block and incrementing the counter associated with said third block, and associating said third block with said second plurality of blocks. The present invention is also a method of operating a non-volatile memory device in accordance with the above described steps.

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First Claim