Storage Copy Command Mapping for Atomic Writes Without Buffers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage management systems face challenges in maintaining copy command atomicity without requiring additional buffer space or delaying non-copy commands, particularly when handling overlapping commands in data storage devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that includes the initial insertion of a blocking NOP command across the LBAs of copy-write subcommands and mapping these subcommands to a shadow storage address space to maintain atomicity, allowing for autonomous execution without additional buffer space or delaying non-copy commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If copy-write subcommands are executed with atomicity guarantee, then data consistency is improved, but execution efficiency deteriorates due to blocking non-copy commands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidexecution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the storage address space into a normal address space and a shadow address space. Copy-write subcommands are mapped to the shadow address space, while non-copy commands operate in the normal address space. This segmentation allows parallel execution of copy and non-copy commands without mutual blocking, maintaining atomicity in the shadow space while improving overall execution efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional buffer space is allocated to maintain copy command atomicity, then atomicity is improved, but resource allocation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveatomicityVSAvoidbuffer space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shadow address space as an additional dimensional layer for storing copy-write data. Instead of using additional buffer space within the same address space, the solution creates a parallel address space dimension where copy operations can proceed without interfering with non-copy operations in the normal address space, thereby maintaining atomicity without consuming extra buffer resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If non-copy commands are delayed to maintain copy command atomicity, then atomicity is improved, but response time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveatomicityVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a shadow copy of the address space specifically for handling copy-write operations. Non-copy commands continue to execute in the normal address space without being delayed, while copy-write subcommands operate independently in the shadow address space. This copying approach ensures atomicity for copy operations while allowing non-copy commands to proceed without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4488814B1Method and device for copy command execution in data storage management system
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4488814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488814B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and devices are provided in which a controller of a storage device generates copy-read subcommands and copy-write subcommands of a copy command. The controller executes a blocking no-operation (NOP) command that spans a first storage address range of the copy-write subcommands in a first storage address space. The controller generates a mapping of the copy-write subcommands from the first storage address range, to mapped copy-write subcommands at a corresponding second storage address range in a second storage address space that is higher than a maximum storage address of the first storage address space. The controller executes the copy-read subcommands and the mapped copy-write subcommands. The mapped copy-write subcommands copy data for execution at the first storage address range.