Prior art — US Patent 7882320

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 7882320, I have searched the USPTO database for the specific patent number.

Here's an analysis of the prior art cited in US7882320B2:

Prior Art for US7882320B2: Multi-processor flash memory storage device and management system

1. US5129074A

Full Citation: US5129074A - Data string storage device and method of storing and retrieving data strings
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: September 22, 1988; Published: July 7, 1992.
Brief Description: This patent describes a data string storage device and method primarily focused on efficient storage and retrieval of data strings. While not specifically mentioning Flash memory or multi-processor architectures, it deals with fundamental aspects of data storage and management.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US5129074A may potentially anticipate aspects of US7882320B2 related to general data storage methods, particularly regarding efficient organization and access of data, as these are foundational to any storage system. However, its lack of specific mention of flash memory, dedicated RAM per microprocessor, or distributed dataflow control makes direct anticipation of the core claims unlikely.

2. US20030115282A1

Full Citation: US20030115282A1 - Interactive broadband server system
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: November 28, 2001; Published: June 19, 2003.
Brief Description: This patent application describes an interactive broadband server system, which is a broader system for delivering interactive services over a network. It touches on data storage within such a system but is not primarily focused on the architecture of the storage device itself, especially not solid-state, multi-processor flash memory.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Given its focus on a server system for broadband services, US20030115282A1 is unlikely to directly anticipate the specific architectural and management innovations of US7882320B2, particularly those related to dedicated RAM portions for microprocessors, dedicated bus connections to Flash configurations, or the explicit dataflow controller for Flash management.

3. US7103684B2

Full Citation: US7103684B2 - Single-chip USB controller reading power-on boot code from integrated flash memory for user storage
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 2, 2003; Published: September 5, 2006.
Brief Description: This patent describes a single-chip USB controller that reads boot code from integrated flash memory for user storage. It focuses on the integration of flash memory with a controller in a single chip for USB devices.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While it involves Flash memory and a controller, US7103684B2 describes a single-chip solution for a USB controller, which is distinct from the multi-processor, distributed architecture of US7882320B2. It doesn't appear to teach the plurality of microprocessor units each with dedicated RAM, nor the dataflow controller managing multiple Flash configurations via dedicated buses. Therefore, it is unlikely to directly anticipate the core claims of US7882320B2.

4. US20060031389A1

Full Citation: US20060031389A1 - Storage system, computer system, and method of configuring storage system
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: May 6, 2004; Published: February 9, 2006.
Brief Description: This patent application discusses a storage system, computer system, and method of configuring a storage system. It appears to address broader aspects of storage system configuration rather than the internal architecture of a solid-state drive with multiple processors and Flash management.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Without more specific details about the internal architecture, it's difficult to definitively assess anticipation. However, the title suggests a higher-level focus on system configuration, which likely does not delve into the specific multi-processor, dedicated RAM, and dataflow controller elements of US7882320B2.

5. US20070180188A1

Full Citation: US20070180188A1 - Virtual path storage system and control method for the same
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: February 2, 2006; Published: August 2, 2007.
Brief Description: This patent application describes a virtual path storage system and its control method. This appears to relate to logical storage management and virtualization rather than the physical hardware architecture and data management at the Flash memory level.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The concept of a "virtual path storage system" is generally abstracted from the physical implementation of the storage hardware. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific multi-processor and dedicated Flash channel architecture claimed in US7882320B2.

6. US20070276994A1

Full Citation: US20070276994A1 - Methods for managing data writes and reads to a hybrid solid-state disk drive
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: May 23, 2006; Published: November 29, 2007.
Brief Description: This patent application describes methods for managing data writes and reads to a hybrid solid-state disk drive. This application is explicitly cited as a continuation-in-part (CIP) in US7882320B2, indicating a close relationship.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As a CIP, this reference describes earlier work by the same inventor and is directly related to the subject matter. It likely teaches aspects of data management, RAM caching, and wear leveling for solid-state drives. While not directly anticipating the multi-processor aspect of US7882320B2's claims, it may disclose elements of RAM caching, data movement strategies, and wear-leveling that are fundamental to the invention, potentially anticipating parts of Claim 1, particularly regarding RAM caching logic and data movement from RAM to non-volatile memory. However, the unique multi-processor architecture with dedicated RAM and dataflow controller, as claimed in US7882320B2, would still likely be novel.

7. US7383362B2

Full Citation: US7383362B2 - Single-chip multi-media card/secure digital (MMC/SD) controller reading power-on boot code from integrated flash memory for user storage
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 2, 2003; Published: June 3, 2008.
Brief Description: Similar to US7103684B2, this patent describes a single-chip controller for MMC/SD cards that uses integrated flash memory for boot code and user storage.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Like US7103684B2, this patent describes a single-chip controller for a specific type of flash memory device, which differs significantly from the multi-processor, distributed architecture of US7882320B2. It would not anticipate the core claims related to multiple microprocessors, dedicated RAM per microprocessor, dedicated bus connections, or the dataflow controller managing these multiple units.

8. US20080320214A1

Full Citation: US20080320214A1 - Multi-Level Controller with Smart Storage Transfer Manager for Interleaving Multiple Single-Chip Flash Memory Devices
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 2, 2003; Published: December 25, 2008.
Brief Description: This patent application describes a multi-level controller with a smart storage transfer manager for interleaving multiple single-chip flash memory devices. This begins to touch on managing multiple flash devices.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is more relevant as it discusses a "Multi-Level Controller" and "interleaving Multiple Single-Chip Flash Memory Devices," suggesting a system dealing with multiple flash components. This could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1 related to managing multiple Flash device configurations. However, it's crucial to determine if this "Multi-Level Controller" constitutes a plurality of microprocessor units each having a portion of random access volatile memory (RAM) dedicated thereto, as specifically claimed in US7882320B2. If the controller is a single entity managing multiple flash chips, it would not fully anticipate the distributed multi-processor architecture.

9. US20090193184A1

Full Citation: US20090193184A1 - Hybrid 2-Level Mapping Tables for Hybrid Block- and Page-Mode Flash-Memory System
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 2, 2003; Published: July 30, 2009.
Brief Description: This patent application describes hybrid 2-level mapping tables for a hybrid block- and page-mode flash-memory system. This relates to memory management techniques within a flash memory system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference focuses on mapping tables and memory management within a flash system. While such tables are used in US7882320B2, this reference does not appear to disclose the specific multi-processor, dedicated RAM, dedicated bus, and dataflow controller architecture, which are the distinguishing features of US7882320B2. It is unlikely to anticipate the structural claims of US7882320B2.

10. US20090204732A1

Full Citation: US20090204732A1 - Single-Chip Multi-Media Card/Secure Digital (MMC/SD) Controller Reading Power-On Boot Code from Integrated Flash Memory for User Storage
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 2, 2003; Published: August 13, 2009.
Brief Description: This is another patent application related to a single-chip controller for MMC/SD cards with integrated flash memory, similar to US7383362B2.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): For the same reasons as US7383362B2 and US7103684B2, this reference's focus on a single-chip controller for specific media cards makes it unlikely to anticipate the multi-processor, distributed architecture of US7882320B2.

11. US20090240873A1

Full Citation: US20090240873A1 - Multi-Level Striping and Truncation Channel-Equalization for Flash-Memory System
Publication/Filing Date: Filed: December 2, 2003; Published: September 24, 2009.
Brief Description: This patent application describes multi-level striping and truncation channel-equalization for a flash-memory system. This pertains to performance optimization techniques within a flash memory system.
Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference focuses on specific data management techniques like striping and channel equalization, which could be implemented within the broader architecture of US7882320B2. However, it does not describe the fundamental multi-processor, dedicated RAM, dedicated bus, and dataflow controller architecture of US7882320B2. Therefore, it is unlikely to anticipate the structural claims of US7882320B2.

Most Relevant Prior Art:

Based on the descriptions, US20070276994A1 and US20080320214A1 appear to be the most relevant prior art.

US20070276994A1 is a continuation-in-part of the same inventor and focuses on data management, RAM caching, and wear leveling in hybrid solid-state drives. This directly addresses the functional aspects of data management and caching detailed in the claims of US7882320B2, especially Claim 1's method of moving data from RAM to non-volatile memory when a threshold is met. It is highly likely to anticipate the general concept of using RAM for caching writes to Flash and implementing wear-leveling techniques. However, the multi-processor architecture with dedicated RAM for each microprocessor, dedicated buses, and a dataflow controller managing these plurality of units is the distinguishing feature of US7882320B2.
US20080320214A1 describes a "Multi-Level Controller" for "interleaving Multiple Single-Chip Flash Memory Devices." This reference moves closer to managing multiple flash memory units and could potentially anticipate parts of Claim 1 concerning the management of a "plurality of non-volatile memory device configurations." The key differentiator for US7882320B2 would be whether the "Multi-Level Controller" in US20080320214A1 includes a plurality of microprocessor units each having a portion of random access volatile memory (RAM) dedicated thereto and the specific dataflow controller as described in US7882320B2. Without those elements, it would not fully anticipate the core innovation.