"The word, “segments” in the patent, claim and line in

question is not limited to an erase block."

That must mean that they can kill(mark) a whole array(erase block), or mark discrete read/write blocks within arrays having a bad bits.

Maybe we should fashion the question differently....

Specifically, can claim 6 line (b) of patent 737 when marking bad segments under the read/write block action....salvage the balance of the erase block(array)?

"not limited to".....would have to have an answer of "yes"

I'm stuck on this because others do not have the advantage to be that discrete with memory integrity.

They are as discrete in memory integrity issues....as they are for what you may have read regarding "discrete manipulation" of segments for other patent issues.

The reason they are going after claim 6 is because of its importance in having simple control over the memory integrity issue. Memory is not manufactured perfect and they have a simple solution.

That simple solution is inherent in the OS and does not require directive structure tracking.....in the same exact fashion as their data management.

4 and 6 are very important....lets hope they can convience the court of the discovery necessay to bring them into the picture.

doni