Storage Device Firmware Redundancy and Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storage devices face operational failures due to errors in firmware, leading to malfunction or inability to boot, as existing technologies lack effective mechanisms for handling firmware errors and updates.

Innovation Solution

A storage device with a semiconductor memory device and controller that stores original firmware as default and backup versions, allowing the controller to load valid firmware and update the default firmware from previous versions, ensuring continuous operation even if the default firmware is invalid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If firmware is stored in the storage device, then the storage device can perform read and write operations, but errors in the firmware can cause operational failures and boot failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware validityVSAvoidfirmware errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores multiple copies of firmware (original firmware and backup firmware) in advance before any errors occur. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the default firmware becomes invalid, the system can immediately load a valid backup firmware without interruption, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining firmware functionality and preventing firmware errors from causing failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates backup firmware copies as a protective measure against potential firmware errors. This cushioning mechanism allows the storage device to withstand firmware failures by switching to backup versions, thereby maintaining operational reliability while protecting against the harmful effects of firmware errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the storage device loads firmware from memory, then it can operate, but if the firmware is invalid, the storage device cannot boot or malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot operationVSAvoidfirmware execution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system checks the validity of the loaded firmware before execution. If the default firmware is found to be invalid, the system responds by loading backup firmware instead. This feedback loop ensures that only valid firmware is executed, maintaining ease of operation while guaranteeing reliable firmware execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state parameter of the firmware from a single default version to multiple versions with different validity states. By monitoring the validity parameter and switching between different firmware versions based on their validity, the system ensures continuous operability even when the default firmware becomes invalid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If firmware updates are performed, then the storage device can access updated features, but update errors can leave the firmware in an invalid state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirmware versionVSAvoidfirmware validity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before performing firmware updates, the patent maintains existing firmware versions as backup copies. This preliminary preservation of older versions allows the system to revert to previous valid firmware if the update introduces errors, thus enabling access to updated features while protecting against update-related validity issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates and maintains multiple copies of firmware with different versions. When updates are performed, the system copies the updated firmware while preserving the previous version. This copying mechanism allows the storage device to adapt to new firmware versions while ensuring that valid firmware copies are always available for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10990378B2Storage device and operating method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

A storage device includes a semiconductor memory device including a plurality of memory blocks; and a controller configured to control the semiconductor memory device, wherein the semiconductor memory device stores original firmware as default firmware and one or more copies of the original firmware as pieces of backup firmware in a first memory block among the plurality of memory blocks, and wherein the controller includes a firmware load circuit configured to load the default firmware when the default firmware is valid and load one of the pieces of backup firmware when the default firmware is not valid; and a firmware update circuit configured to update the default firmware from a previously updated version of the original firmware to a currently updated version of the original firmware.