Storage Device Reset Interception Circuit for Data Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer storage systems face data loss during storage device resets, as unwritten data in the write cache is often flushed or lost due to immediate reset operations, which can be costly in terms of time and energy, and reduce the useful lifetime of storage media.

Innovation Solution

Intercepting reset signals to delay the reset process, allowing unwritten data to be written to a storage medium before executing a reset, using a timer and processor interrupts to manage the write operation and prevent data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If immediate reset operation is performed to enhance system reliability, then device malfunction is corrected, but data in write cache is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the reset condition and initiating a data flush operation before the reset is executed. The system identifies when data in the write cache needs to be preserved, performs the write-to-storage-medium operation in advance, and only then allows the reset to proceed, thereby preventing data loss while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If data is written to storage medium before reset, then data loss is prevented, but reset time is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidreset time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the reset process adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the reset timing based on whether data flush is required. When data is present in the write cache, the reset is delayed until after the flush completes; when no data needs flushing, the reset proceeds immediately. This dynamic approach minimizes unnecessary delays while ensuring data safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If write operation is performed during reset delay, then unwritten data is preserved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata preservationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively detecting the presence of unwritten data in the write cache before the reset occurs. The system takes preventive action by flushing only the necessary data that would otherwise be lost, rather than performing unnecessary write operations. This targeted approach preserves data while minimizing energy consumption by writing only what is essential.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11762565B2Reset interception to avoid data loss in storage device resets

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are disclosed, including a controller circuit, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a reset circuit, where the reset circuit is configured to receive a reset signal from a host device and actuate a timer circuit. The timer circuit, where the timer circuit is configured to cause a storage device to reset after a threshold time period. The reset circuit is further configured to actuate the controller circuit to write data stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory before the storage device is reset.