Secure Element Memory Management via Virtual Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiency in utilizing non-volatile memory in secure elements of electronic devices, such as smart cards and mobile phones, due to the installation of various applications that are not frequently used, leading to a demand for increased physical memory while maintaining miniaturization and security hierarchy integrity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a physical memory region and a virtual memory region, where less frequently used data sets are transferred as compressed or secure data blobs to the virtual memory region or an external domain, managed by a control device that analyzes and off-loads data based on specific criteria, thereby freeing up physical memory without compromising security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the physical memory region of the secure element is increased to store more applications, then the storage capacity is improved, but the die size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual memory region as an additional dimension to storage. Instead of only expanding physical memory on the secure element chip, the system creates a virtual memory space that can store applications when they are not in use. This allows the physical memory to remain small while effectively providing large storage capacity through the virtual memory layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts inactive applications from the physical memory region and stores them in the virtual memory region. By taking out applications that are not currently in use, the system frees up physical memory space while maintaining the ability to access these applications when needed, thus avoiding the need to increase physical memory capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more applications are installed in the physical memory region, then the functionality is improved, but the memory utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic memory management system where applications can be moved between physical and virtual memory regions based on usage patterns. The system dynamically adjusts which applications reside in physical memory and which are stored in virtual memory, optimizing memory utilization efficiency while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading only the necessary applications into physical memory based on usage patterns and user needs. Applications that are not immediately needed are kept in virtual memory, allowing the system to maintain functionality while optimizing memory efficiency by loading applications into physical memory only when required.
3Productivity
If applications are transferred to virtual memory region, then the physical memory usage is improved, but the access time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that monitors application usage patterns and adjusts the placement of applications between physical and virtual memory regions accordingly. By using feedback from usage data, the system can predict which applications will be needed soon and keep them in physical memory, while moving rarely used applications to virtual memory, thus optimizing both memory efficiency and access time.
Data Source
AI summary
It is described an electronic device, comprising a secure element domain that further comprises:i) a physical memory region configured to store a plurality of data sets; andii) a control device, coupled to the physical memory region, and configured to transfer at least one data set away from the physical memory region, wherein transferring the data set comprises at least one of:a) transferring the data set as a first data blob to a virtual memory region of the secure element domain;b) off-loading the data set as a second data blob to an external domain.