Data storage device having active management mechanism

Abstract

A data storage device having an active management mechanism. The data storage device comprises a storage apparatus (10) and a host server (20). The storage apparatus (10) comprises an internal memory (11) and an external memory (12). The internal memory (11) comprises an internal storage component (111) and an internal control component (112). The external memory (12) comprises an external storage component (121) and an external control component (122). The internal control component (112) transmits data of the internal memory (11) to the external storage component (121) for storage. The external control component (122) actively transmits the data stored in the external storage component (121) to the host server (20). The host server (20) evaluates the state of the internal memory (11) on the basis of the received data.

Description

Data storage device with active management mechanism TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a data storage device, and in particular, to a data storage device with active management mechanism. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the advancement of technology, the storage capacity of storage devices is increasing, and the use of storage devices is gradually increasing, resulting in an increase in events that occur unexpectedly and abnormally. Users may mistakenly modify the storage device and then want to restore the original data, or mistakenly use incompatible third-party software, or power outages or other unexpected events occur, causing unstable storage devices or data loss. Existing servers passively obtain the required information of the storage device. When the existing server receives the information of the storage device to discover that the storage device has an abnormality, and then performs corresponding processing, the lost data may have been delayed for too long to be restored, and the damage to the storage device cannot be repaired or requires higher repair costs.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a data storage device with an active management mechanism. The data storage device with an active management mechanism of the present invention comprises a storage device and a host server. The storage device comprises an internal memory and an external memory. The internal memory comprises an internal storage component and an internal control component. The internal control component is connected to the internal storage component. The external memory comprises an external storage component and an external control component. The external storage component is connected to the internal control component and the external control component. The host server is connected to the external control component. The internal control component outputs the original data of the internal memory as detection data to the external storage component for storage. The external control component actively outputs a detection data signal to the host server according to the detection data. The host server evaluates the state of the internal memory according to the detection data signal.

[0005] As mentioned above, the present application provides a data storage device with an active management mechanism. The storage device of the data storage device with an active management mechanism of the present application comprises an internal storage and an external storage. The external storage of the present application acquires and stores the data of the internal storage in real time, and actively transmits the data of the internal storage to a host server for the host server to monitor the status of the internal storage in real time, so as to provide the host server (or the user of the internal storage) with the possibility of knowing in advance that the status of the internal storage is abnormal, and to perform corresponding processing procedures (such as backing up the data of the internal storage in advance, repairing or restoring the internal storage) in advance, thereby avoiding the need to pay more expensive repair costs when the internal storage is completely damaged.

[0006] For a more complete understanding of the features and technical content of the present application, please refer to the following detailed description of the present application and the accompanying drawings. However, the provided drawings are only used for reference and illustration, and are not used to limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present application.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present application.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The advantages and effects of the present application can be understood by the following embodiments and the technical contents of the present application will be further explained in detail. The present application can be implemented or applied by other different embodiments and the details in the present specification can be modified and changed based on different views and applications without departing from the concept of the present application. In addition, the drawings of the present application are only simple schematic illustrations and not actual size depictions. The following embodiments will further explain the technical contents of the present application in detail, but the disclosed contents are not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. In addition, the term "or" used herein can include any one or more combinations of the associated listed items as possible.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, it is a block diagram of the data storage device with active management mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the data storage device with active management mechanism of the present application comprises a storage device 10 and a host server 20.

[0020] It is worth noting that, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage device 10 of the present application not only comprises an internal memory 11, but also comprises an external memory 12.

[0021] The internal memory 11 of the storage device 10 is usually in a normal state when it is brand new, but it will be damaged due to various factors after long-term use, which will cause abnormal operation and result in data loss or damage of the data in the internal memory 11 of the storage device 10 during use or transmission process. Therefore, in the data storage device with active management mechanism of the present application, the external memory 12 is additionally provided in the storage device 10. The external memory 12 and the host server 20 are used to monitor and manage the internal memory 11.

[0022] The internal memory 11 comprises an internal storage component 111 and an internal control component 112. The external memory 12 comprises an external storage component 121 and an external control component 122. The internal control component 112 and the external control component 122 are controllers.

[0023] In the internal memory 11, the internal control component 112 is connected to the internal storage component 111. The external storage component 121 is connected to the internal control component 112 and the external control component 122 of the internal memory 11. The host server 20 is connected to the external control component 122.

[0024] The internal control component 112 of the internal memory 11 sends the original data (i.e. the original data described herein) of the internal control component 112, the internal storage component 111 or both of the internal memory 11 as a to-be-detected data to the external storage component 121.

[0025] The internal storage component 111 and the external storage component 121 can be a memory or other storage device, for example, the internal storage component 111 is a flash memory and the external storage component 121 is a read-only memory (ROM), which is only an example, and the present application is not limited thereto. The internal storage component 111 is used to store a to-be-detected data obtained from the internal control component 112. In the external storage component 121, the external control component 122 obtains a to-be-detected data stored in the external storage component 121.

[0026] It is worth noting that the external control component 122 actively outputs a to-be-detected data signal containing a to-be-detected data stored in the internal storage component 111 of the internal storage 11 to the host server 20 according to the to-be-detected data.

[0027] Furthermore, the host server 20 can monitor or evaluate the state information of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both, contained in the internal storage 11 of the storage device 10, including usage, remaining usage such as remaining capacity, total usage such as total capacity, damage level, remaining service life, and other health status information, according to the to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122, so as to predict whether the internal storage 11 has a risk of abnormality in advance.

[0028] In this way, if there is a risk of abnormality, the host server 20 can perform a processing program in advance, such as backing up, restoring, or correcting the data, programs, and data (such as firmware) of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both, or warning the user to take appropriate measures in advance, so as to reduce the risk of permanent data loss, reduce the probability of irreversible damage, and avoid the burden of expensive repair costs.

[0029] Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present application. The second embodiment of the present application is the same as the first embodiment, and the same parts are not described herein.

[0030] When the host server 20 determines that the to-be-detected data contained in the to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122 is correct, the host server 20 returns a data correct indication signal to the external control component 122. Then, the external control component 122 controls the external storage component 121 to store the correct to-be-detected data as a backup data according to the data correct indication signal.

[0031] It is worth noting that when the host server 20 determines that the to-be-detected data contained in the to-be-detected data signal is incorrect, the host server 20 returns a data error indication signal to the external control component 122. Then, the external control component 122, according to the data error indication signal, takes the to-be-detected data of the to-be-detected data signal as an error data (for example, the data of the abnormal firmware). At this time, the external control component 122 can control the external storage component 121 to clear the stored error data.

[0032] Then, the external control component 122 controls the external storage component 121 to transmit the backup data stored in the external storage 12 to the internal control component 112. Then, the internal control component 112, according to the received backup data (for example, the data of the normal firmware), performs a repair program on the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both.

[0033] In the repair program, the internal control component 112 repairs the error data of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both according to the backup data received from the external storage component 121, or directly covers the error data of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both with the backup data.

[0034] The host server 20 can pre-store the correct original data of the internal storage 11, compare the to-be-detected data contained in the to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122 with the correct original data, and determine whether the to-be-detected data signal is incorrect or distorted.

[0035] The host server 20 can determine whether the internal storage component 111 and the internal control component 112 are in a normal state or an abnormal state according to the completeness and correctness of the content of the to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122, the transmission speed, the transmission time, whether an error occurs during transmission, and other related information.

[0036] When the host server 20 determines that the internal storage 11 is still in a normal state according to the to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122, the host server 20 outputs a normal state indication signal to the external control component 122. Then, the external control component 122, according to the normal state indication signal, controls the external storage component 121 to keep storing the correct to-be-detected data as a backup data.

[0037] Further, when the host server 20 determines that the internal memory 11 is in an abnormal state according to a to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122, the host server 20 outputs an abnormal state warning signal to the external control component 122. Then, the external control component 122 performs a repair procedure on the internal memory 11 according to the abnormal state warning signal.

[0038] The host server 20 can compare the health state data (including a plurality of numerical values) of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both, included in a to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122, with normal health state data (including a plurality of reference numerical values) to determine the health state of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both.

[0039] In addition or alternatively, the host server 20 can set a plurality of health state reference data ranges corresponding to a plurality of health levels, respectively, and determine the health level of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both, by comparing the health state data of the internal memory 11 to the plurality of health state reference data ranges to determine which of the plurality of health state reference data ranges the health state data falls into.

[0040] Various factors, such as usage amount, usage frequency, and the like, of the internal storage component 111 and the internal control component 112 can affect the health level of the internal memory 11.

[0041] The host server 20 can determine the usage amount of the internal storage component 111 according to a to-be-detected data signal received from the external control component 122, and can further determine whether the usage amount of the internal storage component 111 reaches an upper limit value of the usage amount.

[0042] When the host server 20 determines that the usage amount (e.g., used capacity) of the internal storage component 111 reaches an upper limit value (e.g., total capacity) of the usage amount, the host server 20 can output a stop usage instruction signal directly to the internal control component 112, or sequentially to the internal control component 112 through the external control component 122 and the external storage component 121. Then, the internal control component 112 can stop controlling the internal storage component 111 to store data according to the received stop usage instruction signal.

[0043] In addition or alternatively, when the usage amount of the internal storage component 111 reaches an upper limit value of the usage amount, the host server 20 outputs a data clearing instruction signal directly to the internal control component 112, or sequentially to the internal control component 112 through the external control component 122 and the external storage component 121. Then, the internal control component 112 clears the original data of the internal storage component 111, the internal control component 112, or both, according to the received data clearing instruction signal.

[0044] When the data signal received by the host server 20 from the external control component 122 contains the health status data (containing a plurality of values) of the internal control component 112, the host server 20 can determine the usage amount of the internal control component 112 according to the health status data, including the number of times of executing programs such as the number of times of operations and the length of running time.

[0045] When the usage amount (for example, the number of times of operations that have been executed) of the internal control component 112 reaches a usage amount upper limit value (the total number of operations that can be executed by the internal control component 112), the host server 20 outputs a stop usage instruction signal directly to the internal control component 112, or sequentially to the internal control component 112 through the external control component 122 and the external storage component 121. The internal control component 112 stops running or performs self-repair or data cleaning according to the stop usage instruction signal.

[0046] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a block diagram of a data storage device with an active management mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present application. The third embodiment of the present application is the same as the first and second embodiments, and thus the same parts are not described herein.

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the internal control component 112 and the external storage component 121, and the external storage component 121 and the external control component 122 can be connected through an I2C integrated bus circuit respectively.

[0048] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the internal control component 112 and the external control component 122, the internal control component 112 and the host server 20, and the external control component 122 and the host server 20 can be connected through an I3C integrated bus circuit respectively.

[0049] In the third embodiment, the internal control component 112, the external control component 122, and the external storage component 121 of the storage device 10, and the host server 20 can perform the following programs.

[0050] The internal control component 112 actively outputs a memory registration requirement to the host server 20 to log in or register the host server 20. Then, the internal control component 112 backs up the original data stored in the internal storage 11 to output a backup data BKDA to the external storage component 121 for storage.

[0051] Then, the external control component 122 outputs a backup data provision requirement to the external storage component 121.

[0052] Then, the external storage component 121 transmits the backup data BKDA to the external control component 122 according to the backup data provision requirement received from the external control component 122.

[0053] Next, the external control component 122 outputs a data detection request with the backup data BKDA to the host server 20 according to the backup data BKDA received from the external storage component 121.

[0054] Next, the host server 20 records and analyzes the backup data BKDA of the data of the internal storage 11 received from the external control component 122 to evaluate the status of the internal storage 11 and the corresponding procedures to be performed, and outputs a detection result processing instruction signal.

[0055] Next, the external control component 122 performs appropriate procedures, including repair, restoration, update, cleaning, or reset, etc. on the internal storage 11 according to the detection result processing instruction signal received from the host server 20.

[0056] Please refer to FIG. 4 to FIG. 10, which are block diagrams of the data storage device with the active management mechanism of the fourth embodiment of the present application. The fourth embodiment of the present application is the same as the first to third embodiments, and thus the same parts are not described herein.

[0057] The internal storage component 111 of the storage device 10 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 can include a plurality of storage units, which can include an original storage unit 1111 and a backup storage unit 1112.

[0058] When the internal storage 11 of the storage device 10 is still in a normal state, as shown in FIG. 4, the original storage unit 1111 of the internal storage 11 stores an original data OLDA (including an original firmware data), and the backup storage unit 1112 of the internal storage 11 does not store any data. At this time, the internal control component 112 backs up the original data OLDA (including an original firmware data) as shown in FIG. 5 and transmits it to the external storage component 121, which is stored in the external storage component 121 as a backup data BKDA (including a firmware backup data) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0059] When the host server 20 determines that the internal storage 11 (used firmware) is abnormal according to the detection data signal received from the external control component 122, the host server 20 outputs a repair instruction signal to the external control component 122. The external control component 122 controls the external storage component 121 to transmit the stored backup data BKDA (including a firmware backup data) to the backup storage unit 1112 of the internal storage 11 for storage as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 according to the received repair instruction signal.

[0060] Then, the internal control component 112 controls the backup storage unit 1112 of the internal storage 11 to transmit the stored backup data BKDA to the original storage unit 1111 of the internal storage 11, so as to overwrite the error original data OLDA (containing original firmware data) stored in the original storage unit 1111 of the damaged internal storage 11, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0061] The internal control component 112 can obtain the backup data BKDA (containing a firmware backup data) from the original storage unit 1111 of the internal storage 11, instead of the original data OLDA (containing original firmware data), and execute corresponding normal / correct procedures according to the backup data BKDA (containing a firmware backup data).

[0062] In summary, the present application provides a data storage device with an active management mechanism. The storage device of the data storage device with an active management mechanism of the present application comprises an internal storage and an external storage. The external storage of the present application obtains and stores the data of the internal storage in real time, and actively transmits the data of the internal storage to a host server for real-time monitoring of the state of the internal storage, so as to provide the host server (or the user of the internal storage) with the possibility of knowing in advance that the state of the internal storage is abnormal, and to execute corresponding processing procedures (such as backing up the data of the internal storage in advance, repairing or restoring the internal storage) in advance, thereby avoiding the need to pay more expensive repair costs when the internal storage is completely damaged.

[0063] The above disclosed content is only the preferred feasible embodiment of the present application, and is not limited to the claims of the present application, so any equivalent technical changes made according to the content of the specification and drawings of the present application are included in the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A data storage device with active management mechanism, characterized by, The data storage device with the active management mechanism comprises: a storage device comprising: an internal memory comprising an internal storage component and an internal control component connected to the internal storage component; and an external memory comprising an external storage component and an external control component connected to the internal control component and the external control component; and a host server connected to the external control component; wherein the internal control component outputs original data of the internal memory as to-be-detected data to the external storage component for storage, and the external control component actively outputs a to-be-detected data signal to the host server according to the to-be-detected data; wherein the host server evaluates the state of the internal memory according to the to-be-detected data signal.

2. The data storage device with active management mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the host server determines that the to-be-detected data signal is correct, the host server returns a data correct indication signal, and the external control component controls the external storage component to store the correct to-be-detected data as backup data according to the data correct indication signal.

3. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, When the host server determines that the to-be-detected data signal is incorrect, the host server returns a data error indication signal, and the external control component controls the external storage component to transmit the to-be-detected data to the internal control component, and the internal control component performs a repair program on the internal memory according to the to-be-detected data.

4. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, When the host server determines that the internal memory is in a normal state according to the to-be-detected data signal, the host server outputs a normal state indication signal, and the external control component controls the external storage component to store the correct to-be-detected data as backup data according to the normal state indication signal.

5. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, When the host server determines that the internal memory is in an abnormal state according to the to-be-detected data signal, the host server outputs an abnormal state warning signal to the external control component, and the external control component performs a repair program on the internal memory according to the abnormal state warning signal.

6. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 5, wherein, In the repair program, the external control component controls the external storage component to transmit the to-be-detected data to the internal control component, and the internal control component repairs the original data of the internal memory according to the to-be-detected data or covers the original data of the internal memory with the to-be-detected data.

7. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The host server compares the health state data of the internal memory included in the to-be-detected data signal with normal health state data to determine the health state of the internal memory.

8. The data storage device with active management mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The host server sets a plurality of health state reference data ranges corresponding to a plurality of health degrees, and compares the health state data of the internal memory to determine which of the plurality of health state reference data ranges the health state data falls into, to determine the health degree of the internal memory.

9. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The host server judges the usage amount of the internal storage component according to the health status data of the internal storage component contained in the to-be-detected data signal.

10. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The host server judges the usage amount of the internal control component according to the health status data of the internal control component contained in the to-be-detected data signal.

11. The data storage device with active management mechanism according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, When the usage amount of the internal storage component reaches an upper limit value of the usage amount, the host server outputs a stop usage instruction signal directly to the internal control component or sequentially transmits the stop usage instruction signal to the internal control component through the external control component and the external storage component, and the internal control component stops controlling the internal storage component to store data according to the stop usage instruction signal.

12. The data storage device with active management mechanism according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, When the usage amount of the internal control component reaches an upper limit value of the usage amount, the host server outputs a stop usage instruction signal directly to the internal control component or sequentially transmits the stop usage instruction signal to the internal control component through the external control component and the external storage component, and the internal control component stops running or performs self-repair or cleaning according to the stop usage instruction signal.

13. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 1, wherein, When the usage amount of the internal storage component reaches an upper limit value of the usage amount, the host server outputs a data cleaning instruction signal directly to the internal control component or sequentially transmits the data cleaning instruction signal to the internal control component through the external control component and the external storage component, and the internal control component cleans the data stored in the internal storage component according to the data cleaning instruction signal.

14. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 13, wherein, The host server judges whether an error occurs in the transmission process between the internal control component and the external storage component, between the internal control component and the external storage component, between the external storage component and the external control component, and between the external storage component and the host server according to the content and format of the to-be-detected data signal.

15. The data storage device with active management mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, The host server outputs a data backup requirement to the internal control component, and the internal control component backs up the original data of the internal storage component according to the data backup requirement to output a backup data output to the external storage component for storage.

16. The data storage device with active management mechanism according to claim 5, wherein, The external control component outputs a backup data provision requirement to the external storage component, and the external storage component transmits the backup data to the external control component according to the backup data provision requirement.

17. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 16, wherein, The external control component outputs a data detection request to the host server according to the backup data.

18. A data storage device having an active management mechanism, characterized by, The data storage device with an active management mechanism comprises: a storage device comprising: an internal storage component and an internal control component, the internal control component being connected to the internal storage component; and an external storage component and an external control component, the external storage component being connected to the internal control component and the external control component; and a host server connected to the external control component. The internal control component outputs original data of the internal storage as to-be-detected data to the external storage component for storage, and the external control component actively outputs a to-be-detected data signal to the host server according to the to-be-detected data. The internal storage component comprises an original storage unit and a backup storage unit. When the internal storage is in a normal state, the original storage unit stores the original data, the backup storage unit does not store any data, and the internal control component backs up the original data to generate backup data and transmits the backup data to the external storage component for storage.

19. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 18, wherein, When the host server determines that the internal storage is abnormal according to the to-be-detected data signal, the host server outputs a repair instruction signal to the external control component, and the external control component controls the external storage component to transmit the backup data to the backup storage unit for storage according to the repair instruction signal.

20. The data storage device with active management mechanism of claim 19, wherein, The internal control component controls the backup storage unit to transmit the stored backup data to the original storage unit to overwrite the original data stored in the original storage unit.

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