Non-Volatile Memory Page Segmentation for Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-volatile semiconductor memory devices face challenges in preventing the reading of insecure data, particularly when the program threshold is reached, leading to potential data integrity issues and incorrect data retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A memory system and method that divides each page of a non-volatile memory device into areas, performs write operations up to a predetermined number of partial programs (NOP), and marks segments as 'invalid' when the program threshold is reached, preventing further data writing and ensuring data integrity by storing an invalidation mark in a separate area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is continuously written to non-volatile memory without invalidation marking, then storage space utilization is improved, but data integrity deteriorates when program threshold is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each page into multiple segments, where at least one segment is dedicated to storing invalidation marks. This segmentation allows the memory system to distinguish between valid data regions and invalid regions, enabling continued storage utilization while preventing reading of insecure data through the invalidation mark mechanism in dedicated segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces invalidation marks as intermediary elements stored in specific segments. These marks act as mediators between the data storage function and the data validity verification function, allowing the system to maintain high storage utilization while ensuring data integrity by checking these intermediary marks before reading data.
2Reliability
If invalidation marks are stored in separate areas, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the invalidation mark storage function with the existing page structure by integrating invalidation marks into specific segments of pages. This merging approach allows the system to maintain data integrity through separate invalidation tracking while avoiding the need for entirely separate invalidation storage structures, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs page segments to serve multiple functions: some segments store user data while other segments store invalidation marks. This multi-functionality allows the same physical structure to handle both data storage and validity tracking, reducing the overall complexity compared to having completely separate structures for these functions.
3Reliability
If write operations are limited to predetermined number of partial programs, then data security is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic tracking of the number of partial programs (NOPs) for each page segment. The system monitors write operations and dynamically manages validity based on the NOP count, allowing flexible control that maintains data security through invalidation marking when thresholds are reached while optimizing write operation throughput by enabling continued writing in valid segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different write operation rules to different segments within the same page. Segments with remaining write capacity allow continued writing operations, while segments that have reached their NOP threshold are marked invalid. This local differentiation maintains data security at the segment level while preserving overall write productivity by allowing writes to continue in valid segments.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory system includes a non-volatile memory device including a plurality of pages and a controller connected electrically with the non-volatile memory device and configured to control the non-volatile memory device. The non-volatile memory device is configured to be capable of storing data from a set number of write operations before data erasing with respect to each page; and wherein the controller is configured to divide each page of the non-volatile memory device into first and second areas, to perform a write operation of the first area by the NOP, and to write an invalidation mark in the second area.