Hybrid Storage Architecture for Mobile Data Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data processing systems in mobile devices face limitations in capacity, cost, and physical size due to information storage constraints, particularly in balancing the use of higher-endurance and lower-endurance storage solutions.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system that combines a rewriteable information storage apparatus and a one-time programmable information storage apparatus, managed by a memory controller that performs an information archive operation and conditional write operations to optimize storage capacity and cost, by archiving less frequently accessed data from the rewriteable storage to the one-time programmable storage and determining storage destinations based on access history and file characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If one-time programmable storage is used to increase storage capacity, then storage capacity is improved, but storage capacity losses occur when data must be modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstorage capacity losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is segmented into two distinct types: one-time programmable (OTP) storage for stable, infrequently accessed data, and rewriteable storage for frequently accessed and modified data. This segmentation allows each storage type to be optimized for its specific use case, preventing capacity loss in OTP storage while maintaining overall system capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the storage destination parameter based on file characteristics and access history. Files are classified according to their likelihood of modification, and this classification determines whether they are stored in OTP or rewriteable storage, optimizing both capacity utilization and preventing unnecessary capacity loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If rewriteable storage is used to maintain flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but storage capacity and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different storage locations are assigned different qualities: OTP storage provides high capacity and low cost for stable data, while rewriteable storage provides flexibility for modified data. The system applies local quality by matching each file's characteristics to the appropriate storage location, optimizing both capacity utilization and flexibility where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If more storage capacity is provided in mobile devices, then quantity of substance is improved, but physical size and cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoiddevice physical size

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges OTP storage and rewriteable storage into a unified storage architecture managed by a single memory controller. This combination allows the system to achieve high total capacity using cost-effective and space-efficient OTP technology for the majority of data, while maintaining flexibility through a smaller rewriteable portion, thereby reducing overall device size and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7633799B2Method combining lower-endurance/performance and higher-endurance/performance information storage to support data processing

Publication Date: 2009.12.15 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

An information storage arrangement that combines higher-endurance (or performance) storage with lower-endurance (or performance) storage is managed in a manner that makes judicious use of the lower-endurance (or performance) storage. It is therefore possible to exploit the economic advantage associated with lower-endurance (or performance) storage, while also avoiding storage capacity losses that would otherwise be associated with lower-endurance (or performance) storage.