Memory Controller Destruct Command for Immediate Data Erasure
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Solution Overview
Problem
As computing devices become increasingly mobile, users face risks of exposing sensitive information due to loss or theft, necessitating a secure and immediate method to erase data and render devices inoperable.
Innovation Solution
A memory system with a controller that receives a destruct command from a host, allowing for the immediate physical erasure or rendering inoperable of non-volatile memory, either completely or preserving specific data blocks, to ensure secure data deletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional data erasure methods are used, then data can be deleted, but the process is capacity-dependent and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the firmware from the memory system's read-only memory and stores it in a separate volatile memory region. This allows the firmware to be independently erased without affecting the hardware functionality, enabling rapid secure data deletion while maintaining system reliability through selective erasure capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic memory architecture where firmware can be relocated between read-only memory and volatile memory. This dynamic repositioning enables the system to transition between operational and erased states rapidly, eliminating capacity-dependent erasure times while ensuring secure deletion through volatile memory's inherent data loss on power cycle
2Reliability
If all data is erased to ensure security, then sensitive information is protected, but no selective data preservation is possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory system into distinct functional regions: read-only memory for hardware control, volatile memory for firmware storage, and data storage regions. This segmentation allows selective erasure of firmware while preserving other data, achieving both secure deletion and adaptability through targeted data protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different erasure characteristics to different memory regions. The volatile memory region containing firmware can be selectively erased without affecting read-only memory or other data regions, enabling localized secure deletion while preserving other critical system components and user data
3Reliability
If the memory system is rendered inoperable for security, then complete protection is achieved, but the device cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential operational firmware from the permanent read-only memory and places it in volatile memory. When security erasure is commanded, only the volatile memory is cleared, rendering the system inoperable without permanently damaging hardware. The system can be restored by reloading firmware, enabling reuse while maintaining complete security protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recoverable erasure mechanism where firmware in volatile memory can be discarded (erased) to render the system inoperable for security purposes. However, because the hardware and read-only memory remain intact, the firmware can be recovered and reloaded, allowing the device to be reused without permanent damage or manufacturing intervention
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for immediate physical erasure of data in a memory system in response to a user command are disclosed. In one implementation, a memory system includes a non-volatile memory and a controller in communication with the non-volatile memory. The controller comprises a processor that is configured to receive from a host in communication with the memory system, a destruct command that indicates a user request to make the memory system inoperable. The processor is further configured to perform one or more operations to render the memory system inoperable in response to the destruct command received from the host.