Parallel Buffer NVS Data Encryption During Power Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions fail to rapidly and efficiently write nonvolatile storage (NVS) data to disk during a power loss event while ensuring data security through encryption.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two buffer modules that alternate between encrypting and writing NVS data to a shared storage device, where one buffer encrypts while the other writes to disk, allowing simultaneous encryption and writing in parallel to minimize data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NVS data is encrypted during power loss event, then data security is improved, but data transfer time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoiddata transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The NVS data is divided into multiple segments that are processed independently through separate buffer modules. Each buffer module handles a portion of the encryption and transfer operations simultaneously, allowing parallel processing that reduces total transfer time while maintaining security through encryption of all data segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Buffer modules are pre-configured and ready before the power loss event occurs. The system prepares the encryption infrastructure and buffer structures in advance, so that when power is lost, the encryption and transfer operations can begin immediately without setup delays, reducing overall transfer time while ensuring security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If NVS data is written rapidly to disk, then data loss is minimized, but data security against theft is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Data is segmented into multiple portions processed by different buffer modules in parallel. This segmentation allows rapid transfer through concurrent operations while each segment remains encrypted throughout the process, maintaining security despite high transfer speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous encryption operations throughout the entire data transfer process. Encryption is not interrupted or delayed during transfer, ensuring that even as data moves rapidly through the system, security protection remains constant and uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If battery backup capacity is increased to retain NVS data during power loss, then data retention reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retention reliabilityVSAvoidbattery backup system capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical battery backup system with a processor-based encryption and rapid transfer system. Instead of relying on battery power to maintain NVS data, the system uses encryption to protect data and rapidly transfers it to disk during power loss events, eliminating or reducing the need for extensive battery capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10133883B2Rapid safeguarding of NVS data during power loss event

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method, system, and computer program product for safeguarding nonvolatile storage (NVS) data by a processor in communication with a memory device following a power loss event is provided. A first portion of the NVS data is encrypted using a first buffer module. Subsequently the first portion of the NVS data is transferred to at least one shared storage device, while a second portion of the NVS data is simultaneously encrypted using a second buffer module. The second portion of the NVS data is subsequently transferred to the at least one shared storage device.