Memory Controller Security Pool Initialization for Secret Data Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonvolatile memory devices face security vulnerabilities when secret information is not properly initialized, compromising data security.

Innovation Solution

A memory controller with a buffer allocator and processor that allocates a security memory pool, modifies secret information using cryptography, and initializes a security parameter to enhance data security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If secret information is stored in a buffer for processing, then the functionality of the storage device is improved, but security vulnerability increases if initialization is omitted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary initialization of the buffer with reference values before storing secret information, and performs preliminary checking before and after operations to ensure security parameters are properly maintained throughout the processing cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the checking unit continuously monitors whether security parameters are properly initialized and maintained, providing feedback to the control unit to trigger re-initialization when needed, ensuring security is maintained throughout the buffer's usage cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If secret information is repeatedly used in the buffer, then processing efficiency is improved, but security risk increases due to potential omission of initialization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs periodic initialization of security parameters at regular intervals and before each critical operation, rather than only at the beginning, ensuring that repeated processing operations do not compromise security while maintaining efficient throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a buffer is allocated for secret information, then data processing capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional security management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing capabilityVSAvoidsecurity management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the security management functions (initialization unit, checking unit) with the existing buffer control structure, integrating security checks into the normal data flow control rather than creating separate parallel systems, thus reducing overall complexity while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12530286B2Memory controller, operating method thereof, and storage device for ensuring initialization of security parameter

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are memory controllers, operating methods thereof, and storage devices for ensuring initialization of a security parameter. The memory controller includes a buffer memory including a plurality of memory pools, a buffer allocator configured to allocate a security memory pool among the plurality of memory pools, and a processor configured to modify, based on a cryptography algorithm, secret information received from a host and control the buffer memory to store the modified secret information in the security memory pool.