Non-Volatile Memory Sleep Control to Cut eMMC Initialization Time

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing devices face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and transition times due to the initialization requirements of non-volatile memories, particularly embedded multimedia cards (eMMCs), which consume significant power and time during activation and deactivation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a non-volatile memory with a sleep function, such as an eMMC, that is initialized only when the device is in an operating state, and transitioned into and out of sleep mode without re-initialization when the device is not in use, along with a power supply mechanism that constantly powers the memory to reduce power consumption and initialization times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the non-volatile memory is initialized every time power is supplied, then the memory becomes operational reliably, but the power consumption and initialization time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory operational reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs initialization in advance when the device transitions to an operating state from a non-operating state. The initialization is done beforehand so that when the device needs to operate, the memory is already ready, avoiding the need for repeated initialization during each power supply cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the initialization behavior based on the operational state of the device. Initialization is performed only when transitioning from non-operating to operating state, while skipping initialization when remaining in the same operating state or transitioning to non-operating state, making the system adaptive to actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the non-volatile memory is initialized every time power is supplied, then the memory becomes operational reliably, but the initialization time increases the transition time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory operational reliabilityVSAvoidinitialization time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs initialization in advance when the device transitions to an operating state from a non-operating state. The initialization is done beforehand so that when the device needs to operate, the memory is already ready, avoiding the need for repeated initialization during each power supply cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the initialization behavior based on the operational state of the device. Initialization is performed only when transitioning from non-operating to operating state, while skipping initialization when remaining in the same operating state or transitioning to non-operating state, making the system adaptive to actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the non-volatile memory is turned off to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the memory cannot be accessed when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmemory accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs initialization in advance when the device transitions to an operating state from a non-operating state. The initialization is done beforehand so that when the device needs to operate, the memory is already ready, avoiding the need for repeated initialization during each power supply cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the initialization behavior based on the operational state of the device. Initialization is performed only when transitioning from non-operating to operating state, while skipping initialization when remaining in the same operating state or transitioning to non-operating state, making the system adaptive to actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20260019519A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and computer-readable, non-transitory medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 PFU LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a non-volatile memory operable in response to being initialized and having a sleep function, processing circuitry, and a supply device to supply power to the non-volatile memory and the processing circuitry, wherein the processing circuitry initializes the non-volatile memory when a state of the information processing apparatus is an operating state in a case where the supply device starts to supply the power to the non-volatile memory and the processing circuitry, when the state of the information processing apparatus is not the operating state in the case where the supply device starts to supply the power to the non-volatile memory and the processing circuitry, brings the non-volatile memory into a sleep mode after initializing the non-volatile memory, and when the state of the information processing apparatus transitions to the operating state, brings the non-volatile memory out of the sleep mode without initializing the non-volatile memory.