Solid State Drive Device

Abstract

This invention discloses a solid-state drive device for a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a detection module for detecting a connection state of a connector on a backplane of the computer system, the detection module including a memory module for storing data; a connection module for connecting to the connector on the backplane of the computer system; and a controller module coupled to the memory module and the connection module, for writing data to the memory module according to a write notification from the computer system when the connection state of the connection between the connection module and the connector of the computer system changes from a first connection state to a second connection state, and notifying the computer system to unlock the connector of the computer system after the data writing is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a solid-state drive device, and more particularly to a solid-state drive device that supports hot-swapping. Background Technology

[0002] Existing hot-swappable technology for solid-state drives (SSDs) allows for the removal of SSDs without warning. In other words, SSDs can be inserted or removed while the computer system is running. However, if the data on the SSD has not yet been written to its internal non-volatile memory (NDRAM) before the user removes it from the computer system, the power loss protection mechanism may be activated. When the computer system restarts, it may take several minutes to write the data back to the NDRAM, affecting connection speeds. Alternatively, an excessively long recovery time may cause the SSD to become unresponsive to the computer system, resulting in disk loss. Therefore, existing technology needs improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a hot-swappable solid-state drive device to solve the above problems.

[0004] This invention discloses a solid-state drive (SSD) device for a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a detection module for detecting a connection state of a connector on a backplane of the computer system. The SSD includes: a memory module for storing data; a connection module for connecting to the connector on the backplane of the computer system; and a controller module coupled to the memory module and the connection module, configured to write data to the memory module according to a write notification from the computer system when the connection state of the connection between the connection module and the connector of the computer system changes from a first connection state to a second connection state, and to notify the computer system to unlock the connector of the computer system after the data writing is completed. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a solid-state drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0006] Figures 2 to 4 This is a schematic diagram of a connection state between a solid-state drive device and a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Symbol Explanation

[0009] 10: Solid State Drive (SSD) Device

[0010] 102: Memory Module

[0011] 104: Connection Module

[0012] 106: Controller Module

[0013] 50: Method

[0014] 502~518: Steps

[0015] CT: Connector

[0016] D: Specific displacement

[0017] F: External force Detailed Implementation

[0018] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a solid-state drive (SSD) device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The SSD device 10 supports a hot-plugging mechanism and can be used in a computer system (not shown). It includes a memory module 102, a connection module 104, and a controller module 106. The computer system may be a device or software including a kernel subsystem with an operating system, used as a communication interface between the computer system and the SSD device 10. Furthermore, the computer system may include a detection module (not shown) for detecting the connection status of a connector on a backplane of the computer system, wherein the backplane of the computer system may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) of the hard drive.

[0019] The solid-state drive (SSD) device 10's memory module 102 is used to store data; for example, the memory module 102 can be non-volatile memory. The connection module 104 is used to connect to a connector on the backplane of the computer system. In one embodiment, the connection module 104 of the SSD device 10 can be a pin header, and the computer system's connector can be a corresponding slot for connection to the connection module 104. A controller module 106 is coupled to the memory module 102 and the connection module 104. When the connection state between the connection module 104 and the computer system's connector changes from a first connection state to a second connection state, it writes data to the memory module 102 according to a write notification from the computer system. After completing the data writing, it notifies the computer system to unlock the computer system's connector. In other words, when the SSD device 10 completes the data writing, it indicates that the SSD device 10 is ready to enter a power-off state. Furthermore, in both the first and second connection states, the SSD device 10 and the computer system have a hardware connection for signal transmission. Therefore, when a user wants to remove the solid-state drive device 10, the computer system can, based on the change in the connection status with the solid-state drive device 10, first notify the solid-state drive device 10 to write data to the memory module 102 before allowing the solid-state drive device 10 to be removed, so as to avoid data loss or disk failure.

[0020] For details regarding the different connection states between the computer system and the solid-state drive device 10, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 2 to 4 .like Figure 2 As shown, the solid-state drive (SSD) device 10 of this embodiment is connected to a connector CT of a computer system and is locked to the backplane of the computer system. In one embodiment, the computer system can lock the SSD device 10 to the backplane with a latch. When the SSD device 10 is pulled out by an external force F from the user, it cannot be removed because it is locked to the connector CT. Figure 3As shown, when the solid-state drive (SSD) device 10 is locked to the connector CT, it is slightly moved by a specific displacement D, for example, 1 millimeter (mm). In one example, since the SSD device 10 can be mounted on a slide tray to lock to the connector CT, when the SSD device 10 is subjected to an external force F, the computer system can detect the change in the connection state between the connector CT and the SSD device 10 (i.e., when the SSD device 10 is subjected to an external force and a specific displacement D) through a detection module coupled to the connector CT. The detection module then notifies the computer system, which in turn sends a write notification to the controller module 106 of the SSD device 10 to write the data to the memory module 102. After the SSD device 10 has completed writing the data, the controller module 106 of the SSD device 10 notifies the computer system to unlock the connector CT, so that the user can easily remove the SSD device 10 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 (As shown).

[0021] It is worth noting that when the computer system unlocks the device, it can immediately notify the user to remove the solid-state drive 10, for example by displaying a notification window in the operating system or issuing a prompt sound, without being limited to this.

[0022] In one embodiment, when the connection module 104 of the solid-state drive device 10 is a header pin, the first connection state is that the header pin of the solid-state drive device 10 and the connector CT have a first contact area, and the second connection state is that the header pin of the solid-state drive device 10 and the connector CT have a second contact area, and the first contact area is larger than the second contact area. Specifically, the solid-state drive device 10 may have a buffer space in the spool, so when the solid-state drive device 10 is subjected to an external force, the solid-state drive device 10 is slightly moved, thereby changing the contact area between the header pin of the solid-state drive device 10 and the connector CT. Therefore, the detection module of the computer system can detect that the solid-state drive device 10 is subjected to an external force.

[0023] In another embodiment, the header pins can also be of different lengths. Therefore, when the solid-state drive device 10 is subjected to external force and is in the second connection state, the computer system can know the connection status of the connector CT through the connection signal of a specific pin of the header pin.

[0024] The operation method of the hot-swapping mechanism of the above-mentioned solid-state drive device 10 can be summarized as an operation method 50, which includes:

[0025] Step 502: Begin;

[0026] Step 504: The solid-state drive device 10 is subjected to an external force F;

[0027] Step 506: The computer system's detection module senses the external force F and notifies the computer system;

[0028] Step 508: The computer system sends a write notification to the solid-state drive device 10;

[0029] Step 510: The controller module 106 of the solid-state drive device 10 writes data to the memory module 102;

[0030] Step 512: The controller module 106 of the solid-state drive device 10 notifies the computer system that the data writing has been completed;

[0031] Step 514: Unlock connector CT in the computer system;

[0032] Step 516: Solid-state drive device 10 is removed from the backplane of the computer system;

[0033] Step 518: End.

[0034] For the operation process of operation method 50, please refer to the above embodiment of solid-state drive device 10, which will not be repeated here.

[0035] It is worth noting that the above embodiments describe the concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make appropriate modifications accordingly and are not limited thereto. For example, the backplane of the computer system, the connector of the backplane, the displacement distance, etc., used to lock the solid-state drive device to the computer system can be adjusted according to the settings of the user or the computer system, and are not limited to the above embodiments.

[0036] In summary, the present invention provides a solid-state drive (SSD) device. Based on the change in the connection status between the SSD device and the computer system, the computer system notifies the SSD device to complete the data writing process and then unlocks the computer system's connector, allowing the SSD device to be easily removed, thus avoiding situations where the disk is lost or the data cannot be recovered.

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims of the present invention should be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A solid-state drive (SSD) device for a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a detection module for detecting the connection status of a connector on the backplane of the computer system, the SSD device comprising: The memory module is used to store data; A connection module for connecting to the connector on the backplane of the computer system; as well as A controller module, coupled to the memory module and the connection module, is configured to write data to the memory module according to a write notification from the computer system when the connection state between the connection module and the connector of the computer system changes from a first connection state to a second connection state, and, after completing the data writing, notify the computer system to unlock the connector of the computer system. In both the first and second connection states, the solid-state drive device has a hardware connection with the computer system.

2. The solid-state drive device of claim 1, wherein the computer system secures the solid-state drive device to the backplate with a latch.

3. The solid-state drive device of claim 1, wherein when the connection module is a pitch header, the first connection state is that the connection module and the connector of the computer system have a first contact area, the second connection state is that the connection module and the connector of the computer system have a second contact area, and the first contact area is greater than the second contact area.

4. The solid-state drive device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the solid-state drive device moves on the slide tray of the computer system when the connection module is in the first connection state and the second connection state.

5. The solid-state drive device of claim 4, wherein the second connection state is that the solid-state drive device produces a specific displacement.

6. The solid-state drive device of claim 1, wherein the solid-state drive device is subjected to an external force that changes the connection state from the first connection state to the second connection state.

7. The solid-state drive device of claim 1, wherein the solid-state drive device supports a hot-plugging mechanism.

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