US 11681614

US patent 11681614, titled "Storage device with subdivisions, subdivision query, and write operations," was issued to Radian Memory Systems LLC. The inventors are Andrey V. Kuzmin and James G. Wayda. The patent was filed on September 12, 2022, and issued on June 20, 2023.

Abstract:
A memory controller maintains information for each of several physical subdivisions of memory, relating to a usage parameter specific to that subdivision. This memory controller is configured to respond to queries from a host for information derived from this maintained data or for the memory's status based on this data. In one embodiment, after receiving this information, the host then issues a write command to the memory controller, specifically indicating a physical address for the write operation.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1 (Memory Controller): This claim describes a memory controller that manages memory. It includes an interface for communication with a host and control logic. This control logic is designed to store data about how each physical section of the memory is being used (a "subdivision-specific usage parameter"). It can respond to the host's requests for information derived from this usage data. Crucially, it receives write commands from the host where the host has already determined and specified the exact physical location for the data to be written.

• Independent Claim 7 (System): This claim describes a memory management system comprising both a host and a memory controller. The host, equipped with an API, is configured to ask the memory controller for information about a physical subdivision of memory. Based on the information received from the memory controller, the host then issues a write command. This write command explicitly includes the physical address for the write operation, as assigned by the host, where this address corresponds to a physical subdivision of the memory.

• Independent Claim 14 (Method by Memory Controller): This claim outlines a method performed by a memory controller for managing memory. The method involves the controller storing usage information for each physical subdivision of the memory. It then responds to query commands from a host by providing derived information. Finally, it receives a write command from the host that specifies the physical address for the write operation, with this physical address having been assigned by the host.

• Independent Claim 20 (Method by Host): This claim describes a method performed by a host for managing memory. The method includes the host sending a query command to a memory controller to obtain information about a physical subdivision of memory. After receiving this information, the host issues a write command to the memory controller. This write command specifies the physical address for the write operation, which is assigned by the host and refers to the address of the physical subdivision of memory.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 116816614 did not yield specific docket entries. The patent's Google Patents page indicates "Family has litigation," including PTAB case IPR2025-01289 (settled) and a US case filed in Texas Eastern District Court, but these are not specific CAFC 2026 dockets for the patent itself.