Erasure Controller Data Verification Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for verifying data erasure in storage devices apply a large load on information processing apparatuses due to the comparison of large data amounts, requiring external assistance for data storage.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a self-encrypting storage device and an erasure controller that uses compression and encryption key changes to verify data erasure, reducing the load by comparing compressed data samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current data is compared with original data to verify erasure, then verification reliability is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only a portion of the data (sample data) from the storage device for verification purposes, rather than comparing all data. This is achieved by reading specific logical block addresses and selecting representative samples, which reduces the processing load while maintaining verification reliability through targeted comparison of critical data portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the verification process into distinct phases: reading sample data before erasure, performing the erasure operation, and reading sample data after erasure for comparison. This segmentation allows the system to verify erasure effectiveness without requiring simultaneous processing of large data volumes, thereby reducing processing load while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If all data is read and compared for erasure verification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerasure verification accuracyVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by verifying only a representative sample of data rather than all data in the storage device. The system reads specific logical block addresses before and after erasure, comparing these samples to determine erasure effectiveness. This approach achieves sufficient verification accuracy for security purposes while dramatically reducing the time required compared to full data verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If compressed data is used for verification, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification efficiencyVSAvoiddata comparison accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the sample data read from the storage device and stores it temporarily in memory for comparison purposes. This copying approach allows the system to efficiently compare data before and after erasure without requiring repeated reads from the storage device, thereby improving verification productivity while maintaining comparison accuracy through faithful data replication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4700628A1Information processing system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP4700628A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4700628A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4700628A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

In a case where a first encryption key is stored in a nonvolatile memory (23), an erasure controller (14) generates first sample data by compressing data read from a designated position in a storage area. The erasure controller (14) controls a storage device (13) to change the first encryption key stored in the nonvolatile memory (23) to a second encryption key. In a case where the second encryption key is stored in the nonvolatile memory (23), the erasure controller (14) generates second sample data by compressing data read from the designated position in the storage area. In a case where the second sample data is different from the first sample data, the erasure controller (14) outputs a verification result indicating that the data stored in the storage device (13) has been successfully erased; or otherwise, the erasure controller (14) outputs a verification result indicating that erasure of the data stored in the storage device (13) has failed.