Format Information Storage in Nonvolatile Area for Data Recording Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In information recording devices like HDDs and SSDs, the process of formatting data areas is time-consuming due to the need to record data in all areas, which invalidates previous data and requires processing CRCs, making it inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An information recording device and method where format information is recorded in a nonvolatile area separate from the data area, allowing for efficient formatting by updating and storing format information in the system area, and embedding it in CRC data for each sector, reducing processing time and maintaining data integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is recorded in all data areas during formatting, then data integrity and validity are ensured, but formatting time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the format information from the data areas and stores it separately in a nonvolatile recording area. This allows formatting to be performed by only updating the format information in the nonvolatile area rather than recording data in all data areas, thereby reducing formatting time while maintaining data integrity through the separate storage of format validation information.
2Reliability
If format information is stored in the data area, then formatting validation is straightforward, but data area space is consumed and formatting efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into distinct functional areas: data areas for user data and a separate nonvolatile recording area for format information. This segmentation allows formatting operations to efficiently update only the format information in the nonvolatile area without affecting data area operations, thereby improving formatting efficiency while maintaining reliable format validation.
3Reliability
If previous data is invalidated during formatting, then data consistency is maintained, but processing overhead increases due to CRC processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing format information in the nonvolatile recording area before actual data recording operations. This pre-stored format information includes validation data that allows the system to quickly determine data consistency without performing extensive CRC processing during formatting, thereby reducing processing overhead while maintaining data consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
An information recording device includes a recording medium that includes a data area, and a controller that controls recording of data on the recording medium, wherein in response to a request for execution of formatting of the data area of the recording medium, the controller does not record data for the formatting in the data area and records format information about the formatting in a nonvolatile recording area that is different from the data area.