Storage Controller for Tiered Data Retention Under Capacity Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited storage capacity of storage systems in information processing systems for recording life data makes it difficult to store all acquired data for a long period, especially as the importance of data varies, necessitating a solution to prioritize and manage storage of important data effectively.

Innovation Solution

A storage system comprising nonvolatile memories with a controller that manages storage periods for data, moving data between volatile and nonvolatile semiconductor memories based on predefined thresholds and conditions, ensuring important data is stored long-term while less important data is managed in shorter-term storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If all acquired life data is stored in the storage system, then the completeness of stored data is improved, but the storage capacity is exceeded and new data cannot be recorded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of stored dataVSAvoidability to store new data

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system automatically erases old life data when storage capacity is reached, allowing continuous recording of new data. The controller monitors storage fullness and deletes historical data to make space for new acquisitions, ensuring the system can operate indefinitely without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the storage state of data by transitioning between stored and erased states based on storage capacity conditions. When storage is full, the parameter of data retention is changed from preserved to deleted, allowing the system to maintain operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If important data is prioritized for long-term storage, then the storage efficiency for valuable data is improved, but the complexity of data management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiency for important dataVSAvoiddata management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system automatically determines which data is important and prioritizes its retention without user intervention. The controller autonomously evaluates life data, identifies important events, and ensures their long-term storage while automatically managing less important data, eliminating the need for manual data classification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors storage status and data importance, using this feedback to dynamically adjust storage priorities. When storage capacity changes or new data arrives, the controller re-evaluates which data to retain and which to erase based on importance assessments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12475038B2Storage system and information processing system for managing stored data

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 KIOXIA CORP

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a controller, when a first possible storage period corresponding to a first data portion among one or more data portions is equal to or more than a first threshold in one or more possible storage periods, writes the first data portion to one or more second blocks different from one or more first blocks and invalidate the first data portion stored in the one or more first block. When the first possible storage period is less than the first threshold and a period for which the first data portion is stored in the one or more first blocks has reached the first possible storage period, invalidates the first data portion stored in the one or more first blocks.