Atomic Write Method for Multi-Transaction Data Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data write methods in electronic systems face challenges in ensuring the reliability and recovery of write data, particularly in scenarios where atomic write operations involve non-consecutive addresses, leading to potential delays and data integrity issues during communication and storage.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a host groups transactions into multi-transactions, assigns unique transaction IDs, and communicates atomic write data using these IDs, ensuring that data is stored in a first storage area before being atomically written to a second area only after successful completion, utilizing identifiers to track completion status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If atomic write data is stored in a first storage area before being written to a second storage area, then data integrity and atomicity are improved, but storage complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidstorage complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage process into two distinct phases: a first storage area (buffer) and a second storage area (final destination). Write data is first stored in the buffer area with associated metadata including transaction IDs and completion identifiers, then atomically moved to the final storage area only when all transactions are complete. This segmentation isolates the complexity of transaction coordination from the final storage operation, improving reliability while managing complexity through structured separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary validation and organization of write data in the first storage area before committing to the second storage area. Transaction completion identifiers are set and validated in advance, ensuring all prerequisites for atomicity are met before the final write operation. This preliminary action prevents partial writes and ensures data integrity without requiring complex error handling during the critical write phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If transaction IDs and completion identifiers are used to track atomic write data, then transaction coherence is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction coherenceVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces transaction IDs as intermediary identifiers that link multiple write data units to their parent transaction. These IDs enable the system to track and coordinate transactions without requiring complex inter-process communication or synchronization mechanisms. The completion identifiers act as intermediaries to signal when all write operations for a transaction are complete, enabling efficient atomic commit decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where completion identifiers are updated based on the status of individual write operations. When all writes for a transaction complete successfully, the identifier transitions to a completion state, providing clear feedback to the atomic write coordinator. This feedback loop enables automatic decision-making for atomic commits without requiring continuous polling or complex status checking, reducing processing overhead while maintaining coherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If all atomic write data is written together in a single operation, then atomicity is improved, but write operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveatomicityVSAvoidwrite operation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary gathering and validation of all write data in the first storage area before executing the atomic write operation. By preparing everything in advance and validating completion identifiers upfront, the system ensures that the actual atomic write operation can proceed quickly without interruptions or rollbacks. This preliminary preparation concentrates the time investment in a controlled phase, making the critical atomic commit faster and more reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple individual write operations into a single atomic write operation that transfers all validated data from the first storage area to the second storage area in one action. This merging eliminates the overhead of multiple separate write operations, including repeated validation and error handling, while maintaining atomicity. The combined operation reduces total write time by leveraging the efficiency of bulk transfer operations and avoiding partial write scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10642531B2Atomic write method for multi-transaction
Publication Date: 2020.05.05 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US10642531B2 patent drawing
  • US10642531B2 patent drawing
  • US10642531B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of operating a host includes defining transaction identifications for each one of multiple transactions in a multi-transaction, thereafter communicating atomic write data related to each transaction to a data storage device using the transaction ID, and storing the atomic write data in the data storage device using the transaction ID and an identifier.