Memory Device Data Restoration During Power Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices struggle to restore valid data when power supply is blocked or interrupted during programming, especially for data without generated parity.

Innovation Solution

A memory device configuration that includes a first area for programming a data column, a second area for storing restoration data, and a processor that identifies the program state of the data column, generates a second data column by combining restoration data with the stopped portion of the first data column, and programs the second data column in a separate stripe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If parity data is stored for data restoration, then data reliability is improved, but device complexity and storage overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata restoration capabilityVSAvoidstorage structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores restoration data in advance in a separate second area before power cut-off occurs. This preliminary action enables data restoration without requiring complex parity generation mechanisms during failure recovery, thus improving reliability while maintaining simpler device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage device is divided into a first area for normal data storage and a second area specifically for restoration data. This segmentation isolates the restoration function, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring data reliability through dedicated restoration storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If programming operations are interrupted by power cut-off, then productivity is reduced, but data integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming efficiencyVSAvoiddata integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Restoration data is prepared and stored in advance in the second area before programming operations complete. When power cut-off interrupts programming, this pre-prepared restoration data enables immediate recovery without compromising data integrity, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The restoration data stored in the second area acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap caused by power interruptions. This intermediary enables recovery of interrupted programming operations without data corruption, resolving the conflict between maintaining productivity during interruptions and ensuring data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If restoration data is stored in the same area as valid data, then device complexity is reduced, but data reliability deteriorates due to potential corruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage area configurationVSAvoidrestoration data integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage device into a first area for valid data and a second area for restoration data. This segmentation physically separates restoration data from valid data, ensuring restoration data integrity even though it increases storage area configuration complexity slightly. The separation prevents corruption risks that would arise from storing both types of data in the same area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4553637A1Memory device, processor, and operating method of the memory device to restore data during power cut-off
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4553637A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4553637A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4553637A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A memory device (100) configured to restore data based on power supply being blocked during programming of a storage device (110) includes a first area (111) including a first data column that is to be programmed, a second area (112) configured to store restoration data of the first data column, and a processor (120) configured to identify a program state of the first data column programmed in a first stripe of the storage device (110), and complete programming of the first data column based on the program state of the first data column. The processor (120) is further configured to determine that the programming of the first data column has stopped, to generate a second data column by combining the restoration data with a stopped portion of the first data column, and to program the second data column in a second stripe.