Known-Pattern Verification of Internal Data Erasure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data erasure methods struggle to meet verification requirements of international standards due to unknown or varying internal erasure procedures, leading to unnecessary repetition or destruction of data storage devices, especially in large-scale operations, and lack practicality in temporarily storing or caching data for comparison.
Innovation Solution
A method that performs data erasure within the storage apparatus using predefined patterns, such as static or random sequences, directly addressing memory without a file system, and verifies the process by comparing read data with known patterns, allowing for positive or negative verification results based on predefined tolerances, without requiring prior data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If internal erasure procedures are used in data storage apparatus, then data erasure can be performed without external data eraser apparatus, but verification of successful erasure becomes difficult due to unknown or varying internal procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by writing a known data pattern to the storage apparatus before the internal erasure procedure is executed. This pre-written pattern serves as a reference for later verification, enabling confirmation that the erasure process successfully removed the intended data without requiring knowledge of the internal erasure methodology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the data read from the storage apparatus after erasure with the originally written known data pattern. This comparison provides verification feedback on whether the erasure was successful, allowing the system to confirm erasure effectiveness without needing to understand the internal erasure procedure details.
2Measurement precision
If data is read and cached for comparison before and after erasure, then verification can be performed, but large amounts of temporary storage capacity are required which may not be practically obtainable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential verification function from the traditional approach. Instead of caching large portions of data for comparison, it extracts and retains only the known data pattern that was written before erasure. This minimal extracted data is sufficient for verification while avoiding the need for large temporary storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing verification on a representative sample or portion of the data rather than requiring complete data caching. The known data pattern serves as a partial but sufficient reference for verifying erasure success, eliminating the need to store and compare all data.
3Measurement precision
If data is temporarily stored remotely from the data storage apparatus, then verification comparison is enabled, but security risk increases if storage location becomes known to third parties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the known data pattern as an intermediary reference that remains associated with the storage apparatus throughout the process. This intermediary enables verification without requiring remote storage of sensitive data, as the comparison is performed using the pre-written pattern that never leaves the secure environment of the storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage apparatus performs verification using its own internal resources and the pre-written known data pattern. The system serves itself by comparing post-erasure data with the retained pattern, eliminating the need for external remote storage and the associated security risks of third-party access.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method of erasing data from a data storage apparatus comprising a memory, the method comprises writing a known data pattern to a plurality of known memory locations of the data storage apparatus, causing the data storage apparatus to perform a data erasure procedure, reading data stored at the known memory locations after completion of the data erasure procedure, comparing the read data and the data of the known data pattern, and determining a verification result based at least in part on the result of the comparison between the read data and the data of the known data pattern.