Non-volatile memory device capable of initiating transactions

摘要

A non-volatile memory may operate, not in a master/slave arrangement, but in a peer-to-peer arrangement. In some embodiments, the memory may initiate a transaction with a device outside the memory. Thus, the memory may proactively perform tasks conventionally performed by memory controllers and other external devices.

主权项

1. A non-volatile memory, comprising:
a memory array; a control coupled to the memory array and configured to receive requests from a memory controller outside said non-volatile memory to access the memory array, the control further configured to initiate one or more of a plurality of transactions with the memory controller, wherein the plurality of transactions comprises an alert to the memory controller without being prompted by the memory controller or an external device and a request to memory controller for the memory controller to allow the control to directly initiate a transaction with the external device, wherein the transaction is a request for security information, and wherein the control is further configured to provide a status request to the memory controller to determine if the memory controller has information that will not be used for a period of time, and based on the memory controller having information that will not be used for a period of time, the control performs maintenance activities on the memory array.