Implicit Metadata Storage in Memory Devices via Parity Bit Encoding

Solution Overview

Problem

Storing metadata information alongside data in memory devices consumes excess memory resources, reducing the capacity for other data storage.

Innovation Solution

A memory device encodes parity bits for data sets such that metadata information is recoverable without explicitly storing it, using the inversion status of parity bits to represent metadata.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If metadata information is explicitly stored alongside data in memory devices, then metadata recovery is enabled, but memory capacity for data storage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata recoveryVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges metadata storage with parity bit storage by encoding metadata information within the parity bits themselves. Instead of allocating separate memory resources for metadata, the system combines both functions into a single storage mechanism, allowing metadata to be recovered without consuming additional memory capacity beyond what is already required for error correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The parity bits serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide error detection/correction for data integrity AND encode metadata information. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated metadata storage resources, as the same parity bit structures are reused to carry both error correction and metadata purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated metadata storage is allocated in memory devices, then metadata information is preserved, but available memory resources for other data are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetadata preservationVSAvoidmemory efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges metadata storage with parity bit storage by encoding metadata information within the parity bits themselves. Instead of allocating separate memory resources for metadata, the system combines both functions into a single storage mechanism, allowing metadata to be recovered without consuming additional memory capacity beyond what is already required for error correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The parity bit structure serves itself by simultaneously providing error correction functionality and metadata storage capability. The existing parity bits, which are already part of the data storage structure, are utilized to carry metadata information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated metadata storage allocations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250147840A1Implicit storage of metadata at a memory device

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for implicit storage of metadata at a memory device are described. A memory device may perform an error correction code (ECC) decoding operation on a first set of parity bits for a set of data and a second set of parity bits for the set of data. The memory device may compare the first set of parity bits to the second set of parity bits based on the ECC decoding operation indicating that the set of data has an uncorrectable error, the first set of parity bits to the second set of parity bits. The memory device may recover metadata information, for the set of data, previously received by the memory device, based on the comparison.