Non-Volatile Memory Secure Block Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-volatile memory devices lack effective mechanisms to protect secure data blocks from unauthorized access, posing a risk to sensitive information storage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and structure within non-volatile memory devices that inhibit access to secure data blocks by generating a lock enable signal and activating a read-only enable signal upon initialization, using control and secure block control circuits to manage access and prevent changes to secure data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If no lock mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation is improved (unrestricted access), but security of secure data block deteriorates (unauthorized access possible)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to data blockVSAvoidsecurity of secure data block

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is divided into distinct blocks including normal blocks and secure data blocks. The secure data block is further segmented with dedicated control circuits (secure block control circuit) that operate independently from the main control logic, allowing selective access control without affecting other memory operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A lock enable signal acts as an intermediary between the control logic and the secure data block. This signal mediates access requests by enabling or disabling the secure block control circuit, which then controls whether data can be read from or written to the secure data block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If lock mechanism is implemented, then security of secure data block is improved (unauthorized access prevented), but device complexity increases (additional control circuits and signals)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of secure data blockVSAvoidcontrol circuits and signals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secure block control circuit is merged with the existing control logic structure. The lock enable signal is integrated into the command decoding process, and the read-only enable signal is combined with the existing read control signals, allowing the security mechanism to operate within the existing control framework rather than as a completely separate system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control logic is designed to handle both normal and secure blocks using the same basic control structures. The lock enable signal can be generated based on different conditions (commands, addresses, or internal states), making the security mechanism versatile and applicable to various access scenarios without requiring separate control paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If read-only enable signal is activated, then data integrity of additional information block is improved (changes prevented), but ease of operation deteriorates (write access restricted)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrity of additional information blockVSAvoidwrite access to additional information block

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The read-only enable signal is activated in advance before any write operations to the additional information block. This preliminary activation prevents any subsequent write attempts, ensuring that once the block is marked as read-only, its contents cannot be modified. The signal is set based on initial conditions or commands received during power-on or initialization phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8982620B2Non-volatile memory device and method of operating

Publication Date: 2015.03.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of operating a non-volatile memory includes; during power-on, reading control information from an information block and lock information from an additional information block, then upon determining that a secure block should be locked, generating a lock enable signal that inhibits access to data stored in the secure block, and a read-only enable signal that prevents change in the data stored in the additional information block.