Data Descriptor Maps for Firmware Control Data Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firmware management systems face challenges in accurately and efficiently managing different versions of firmware control data stored in memory devices, leading to potential incompatibilities and compatibility issues during firmware updates or downgrades.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a data descriptor map (DDM) system that maps data descriptors to data locations within control data structures, allowing for automatic detection and upgrade/downgrade of control data between different firmware versions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual versioning and compatibility testing of control data structures is implemented, then compatibility between firmware versions is improved, but engineering cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware version compatibilityVSAvoidengineering time for validation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding version identifiers and compatibility metadata into control data structures during the firmware development phase. This allows compatibility to be automatically verified during updates without requiring extensive manual testing, thus improving reliability while reducing engineering time investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms through automated compatibility checking systems that compare control data structures across firmware versions. The system provides immediate feedback on compatibility status, enabling rapid identification and resolution of issues without lengthy manual validation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If extensive validation resources are deployed for compatibility testing, then firmware version compatibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware version compatibilityVSAvoidengineering resource requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing control data structures with embedded versioning and compatibility information that automatically verify themselves during firmware updates. The system performs self-validation without requiring external validation resources, thereby improving reliability while eliminating the need for extensive engineering validation teams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by incorporating version identifiers and compatibility metadata as parameters within control data structures. These parameters enable automated compatibility assessment, replacing resource-intensive manual validation with efficient parameter-based verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If manual labeling of control data structures is performed, then version tracking accuracy is improved, but human error probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversion identification accuracyVSAvoiderror-free versioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual labeling with an automated computational system. Version identifiers and compatibility metadata are programmatically generated and embedded into control data structures, eliminating human error while maintaining precise version tracking through systematic algorithmic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple version numbers are used for different firmware components, then version specificity is improved, but version management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversion granularityVSAvoidversion tracking complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing version management into distinct components, each with its own version identifier embedded in the corresponding control data structure. This modular approach allows precise tracking of individual firmware components while simplifying overall version management through systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality through a standardized versioning framework that handles multiple firmware components and version types uniformly. The same embedding and verification mechanisms apply across all firmware elements, simplifying management despite the granularity of multiple version numbers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250156170A1Application of data descriptor maps in management of firmware control data

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 SK HYNIX NAND PRODUCT SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

This application is directed to managing firmware control data stored in a memory device of an electronic device. The electronic device obtains a current data descriptor map (DDM) corresponding to a current version of a firmware program, and identifies, in the memory device, a prior DDM and a prior control data structure corresponding to a prior version of the firmware program. Each of the prior and current DDMs maps a plurality of data descriptors to a plurality of locations in a respective control data structure. The prior control data structure stores a plurality of prior control data items identified by a plurality of prior data descriptors. A current control data structure is automatically generated for the current version of the firmware program based on the prior control data structure, the current DDM, and the prior DDM, and stores a plurality of current control data items identified by the data descriptors.