Patent attributes
Methods and apparatus for managing erase counts in a non-volatile memory system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for initializing an erase count block in a system memory of a non-volatile memory system, the non-volatile memory system which includes a non-volatile memory involves allocating a plurality of pages within the system memory that are divided into a plurality of entries. Each entry of the plurality of entries has an associated block in the non-volatile memory. The method also includes identifying usable blocks which are suitable for use in accepting user data, and storing values in each entry which is associated with a usable block. Storing the values in each entry which is associated with a usable block substantially identifies the usable block as being usable.
