Memory System Metadata Key Error Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory systems are unable to determine the cause of errors in user data encryption keys, leading to impaired operations when errors occur.
Innovation Solution
A memory system that includes a host and a memory device, where the host receives a user data encryption key from a server, and the memory device receives the key and associated metadata from the host. The system stores the metadata and uses it to detect errors in the user data encryption key during read operations, and determines the cause of changes in the key by comparing stored and received metadata.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user data encryption keys are injected into memory devices to maintain security, then data security is improved, but the system becomes unable to determine the cause of errors in the encryption keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary element that carries information about the encryption key (such as version numbers, generation timestamps, or checksums) without being the encryption key itself. This metadata is stored separately and used to detect and diagnose key errors, allowing the system to maintain security while gaining error diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the host compares received metadata with stored metadata about the encryption key. When discrepancies are detected, the system can identify that an error has occurred and determine its cause (such as key rotation or corruption), enabling appropriate error handling while maintaining security operations.
2Reliability
If the memory system detects errors in user data encryption keys, then operational reliability is improved, but the system becomes unable to determine whether errors are due to key rotation or other causes
Solution Approach 1:
Metadata serves as an intermediary that encodes diagnostic information about the encryption key's state and history. By comparing metadata attributes (such as version identifiers or generation codes), the system can distinguish between different error causes like intentional key rotation versus accidental corruption, enabling both reliable detection and easy diagnosis.
3Measurement precision
If metadata about encryption keys is stored and compared, then error detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagnostic functionality from the main encryption key management flow by using separate metadata structures. This allows error detection and diagnosis to be performed through simple metadata comparison operations rather than complex analysis of the encryption keys themselves, improving detection capability while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system operating with encrypted user data includes a host configured to receive a user data encryption key from a server, and a memory device configured to receive the user data encryption key and meta data about the user data encryption key from the host and to encrypt or decrypt user data. The memory system receives and stores meta data associated with the user data encryption key. The memory system receives a request for the data including meta data and compares the received meta data with the stored meta data to determine if the data has been changed.