Token Non-Volatile Memory Fragmentation Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing non-volatile memory in tokens lead to disadvantages in write operation speed and service life, necessitating improved memory management techniques to optimize free memory usage.

Innovation Solution

A method for storing user data in non-volatile memory involves determining contiguous fragments, dividing data into sections, writing sections in these fragments, and storing metadata for each fragment to facilitate efficient access, thereby maximizing the use of free memory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is stored in non-volatile memory using conventional methods, then memory capacity is utilized, but write operation speed decreases and service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrite operation speedVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the non-volatile memory into multiple fragments (e.g., FRG1, FRG2, FRG3) to store user data. This segmentation allows the memory management to distribute write operations across different fragments, preventing concentration of wear in a single location and thereby extending service life while maintaining write speed through parallel access to multiple fragments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-divides the user data into separate data sections (e.g., DATA1, DATA2, DATA3) before storage, and assigns each section to a specific fragment in advance. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for complex runtime rearrangement and enables faster write operations by directly mapping data sections to predetermined fragments, thus improving write speed without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If free memory is used in non-volatile memory, then storage capacity is available, but fragmentation increases and access efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefree memory capacityVSAvoidaccess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the free memory into multiple fragments (FRG1, FRG2, FRG3) with different sizes, allowing flexible allocation of user data sections to appropriate fragments. This segmentation maintains access efficiency by enabling the memory management to select optimal fragments for storage while preserving free memory capacity for future allocations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic memory management system that can allocate, deallocate, and rearrange fragments based on current storage needs. The system dynamically adjusts the mapping between user data sections and fragments, allowing efficient use of free memory capacity while maintaining high access efficiency through adaptive allocation strategies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3186711B1Memory management for a token
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3186711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3186711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3186711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for storing user data in the non-volatile memory of a token, comprising the following steps: determining a sufficient number of fragments in the address range of the free non-volatile memory to be stored; dividing the user data into user data sections and writing the user data sections in the previously determined fragments; storing metadata which provides, for said fragments, the size of the respective user data sections stored therein, and which contains a reference structure for an access to the user data sections; and adding management data, thereby facilitating an access to the stored metadata.