US 11,733,869 B2
Apparatus and method to share host system RAM with mass storage memory RAM
Olli Luukkainen, Salo (FI); Kimmo J. Mylly, Ylojarvi (FI); and Jani Hyvonen, Tampere (FI)
Assigned to Memory Technologies LLC, Kirkland, WA (US)
Filed by Memory Technologies LLC, Kirkland, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/937,901.
Application 17/937,901 is a continuation of application No. 17/204,591, filed on Mar. 17, 2021.
Application 17/204,591 is a continuation of application No. 15/989,695, filed on May 25, 2018, granted, now 10,983,697, issued on Apr. 20, 2021.
Application 15/989,695 is a continuation of application No. 15/335,688, filed on Oct. 27, 2016, granted, now 9,983,800, issued on May 29, 2018.
Application 15/335,688 is a continuation of application No. 14/945,757, filed on Nov. 19, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/945,757 is a continuation of application No. 14/520,030, filed on Oct. 21, 2014, granted, now 9,208,078, issued on Dec. 8, 2015.
Application 14/520,030 is a continuation of application No. 12/455,763, filed on Jun. 4, 2009, granted, now 8,874,824, issued on Oct. 28, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0027240 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 12/02 (2006.01); G06F 12/06 (2006.01); G06F 3/06 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 3/061 (2013.01) [G06F 3/0631 (2013.01); G06F 3/0655 (2013.01); G06F 3/0679 (2013.01); G06F 12/0223 (2013.01); G06F 12/0246 (2013.01); G06F 12/0638 (2013.01); G06F 2212/171 (2013.01); G06F 2212/205 (2013.01); G06F 2212/7202 (2013.01); G06F 2212/7203 (2013.01); G06F 2212/7207 (2013.01); Y02D 10/00 (2018.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A memory device comprising:
a controller;
a non-volatile flash memory;
a first volatile random access memory that is readable and writable by the controller; and
an interface for connecting the memory device to a host device,
the controller operable to:
receive, from the host device and via the interface, an indication of an allocation of a second volatile random access memory;
extend, based at least in part on the indication, accessible volatile random access memory of the memory device to include the second volatile random access memory, wherein the controller is configured to read or store data in any of the non-volatile flash memory, the first volatile random access memory, or the second volatile random access memory;
receive, from the host device, a shutdown command;
store, responsive to the shutdown command, data in the second volatile random access memory; and
send, to the host device responsive to storing the data in the second volatile random access memory, a shutdown OK indication.