Flash Memory Background Processing Control for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

NAND-type flash memory in image capturing apparatuses experiences increased heat generation and potential recording suspension during background processing, which can lead to suspended recording when power saving periods are not optimized, and prohibiting background processing reduces write speed and capacity optimization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a control method that permits or prohibits automatic background processing during power saving periods based on temperature, power source, and buffer conditions to manage heat generation and maintain recording efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If background processing is performed during power saving periods, then write speed and capacity optimization are improved, but heat generation increases and recording suspension may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrite speedVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts background processing based on real-time temperature monitoring. When temperature exceeds a threshold, background processing is suspended; when temperature decreases, it resumes. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by adapting processing behavior to thermal conditions, maintaining write speed optimization while preventing heat-related recording suspension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring temperature and using this information to control background processing execution. The temperature detection unit provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts background processing accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize write capacity while preventing thermal issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If background processing is prohibited during power saving periods, then heat generation is suppressed, but write speed and capacity optimization are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat generationVSAvoidwrite capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static prohibition approach to a dynamic control approach. Background processing is not permanently prohibited but is selectively enabled or disabled based on temperature conditions. This allows the system to suppress heat generation when necessary while maintaining write capacity optimization when thermal conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If SLC method is used as cache region, then read/write speed is improved, but unit price per bit increases and capacity per cell decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveread/write speedVSAvoidcapacity per cell
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The flash memory is segmented into different regions with different characteristics: an SLC-based cache region for high-speed operations and a TLC-based main data region for high capacity. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for speed when needed while maintaining overall high capacity, resolving the contradiction between speed and capacity by using appropriate storage technologies in appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the flash memory are assigned different qualities (SLC for speed-critical areas, TLC for capacity-critical areas). The cache region uses SLC with higher read/write speed but lower capacity per cell, while the main data region uses TLC with lower speed but higher capacity per cell. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by matching storage characteristics to functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3786804B1Recording apparatus, image capturing apparatus, control method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 CANON KK
  • EP3786804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3786804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3786804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a recording apparatus. Recording control means performs control to record a still image or a moving image into a first recording medium. Control means controls whether to permit execution of automatic background processing during a power saving period on the first recording medium. The control means performs control to permit the execution of the automatic background processing during the power saving period when the still image is recorded into the first recording medium, and not to permit the execution of the automatic background processing during the power saving period when the moving image is recorded into the first recording medium.