Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Seagate Technology Incorporated

Lsi Corporation

Dmitry Obukhov

Andrew John Tomlin

Mei-Man L Syu

Jing Booth

Kamyar Souri

Leonid Baryudin

Justin Cree Jones

Marc A Bombet

Khurram Ismail

Timothy Joseph Markey

Muthukumar Karuppiah

Bin Tan

Afshin Latifi

Anuj Awasthi

Anshuman Singh

Agnel Soundron

Pravin Singh

Embodiments of serial neural network configuration and processing via a common serial bus are disclosed. In some embodiments, the input data and source identification data is sent to nodes of the neural network serially. The nodes can determine whether the source identification data matches with an address for the node. If the address matches, the node can store the input data in its register for further processing. In some embodiments, the serial neural network engine can include a common serial bus that can broadcast data across multiple processor chips or cores.

Neural network engine utilizing a serial bus

A sensing apparatus may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a processing unit, a positioning sensor, an environmental sensor and one or more inductive elements positioned within a region at an edge of the PCB. The one or more inductive elements may be configured to generate electrical energy for the processing unit by passing through a magnetic field. The apparatus may also include a spindle implemented through the PCB, such that the spindle protrudes through a substantially central location relative to one plane of the PCB.

Mechanically powering sensors using a magnetic field

Systems and methods are disclosed for performing data maintenance and/or other data operations within a data storage device. A data storage device is disclosed including a device controller, non-volatile data storage, an interface for receiving data storage commands from a host system, a framework including a memory for storing xenocode code received from the host system, and a processor for executing the xenocode. The device controller is configured to write user data received from the host system to a first partition of the non-volatile data storage in response to a storage command received via the interface from the host system. The xenocode, when executed, causes the processor to read the user data from the first partition of the non-volatile data storage, perform data operations on the read user data, and write results associated with the data operations in a second partition of the non-volatile data storage.

Data storage device providing data maintenance services

Systems and methods are disclosed for an electronic label system. An electronic label may include a reflective component configured to reflect light transmitted by a light source. The electronic label may also include a light blocking device configured. The light blocking device may prevent at least a portion of the light transmitted by the light source from reaching the reflective component when in a first configuration. The light blocking device may also allow the light transmitted by the light source to reach the reflective component when in a second configuration. The electronic label also includes a processing device configured to control operation of the light blocking device. The light blocking device further includes a power generation device configured to generate power for the light blocking device and the processing device.

Electronic label

Disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for improving garbage collection and wear leveling performance in data storage systems. The embodiments can improve the efficiency of static wear leveling by picking the best candidate block for static wear leveling and/or postponing static wear leveling on certain candidate blocks. In one embodiment, one or more source blocks for a static wear leveling operation are selected based at least on whether the one or more blocks have a low P/E count and contain static data, such as data that has been garbage collected.

Systems and methods for improving garbage collection and wear leveling performance in data storage systems

Disclosed embodiments are directed to systems and methods for assigning and selecting memory units for internal memory operations in data storage systems. The embodiments can improve the efficiency of garbage collection operations by directing dynamic data into memory units with a relatively lower P/E count, directing static and system data into memory units with a relatively higher P/E count, and not mixing static and dynamic data by packing static data into separate memory units from dynamic data. In one embodiment, after completion of garbage collection of blocks, the blocks are each assigned to one of a cool down list and an available memory unit list based on a size limit of the cool down list and a number of program-erase (P/E) operations performed on each block. The blocks are subsequently selected from the lists for write operations according to whether write data includes static or dynamic data.

Memory unit assignment and selection for internal memory operations in data storage systems

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a storage device having a non-volatile memory, a Proof of Physical Access (PPA) mechanism and a controller circuit. The PPA mechanism generates a PPA value responsive to a direct physical user interaction with the storage device by a user. In response to receipt of a storage command from a host, the controller circuit executes the received storage command responsive to the storage command being determined to be a protected command and responsive to detection of the PPA value during a predetermined window of time. The controller circuit does not execute the received storage command responsive to the storage command being determined to be a protected command and responsive to an absence of the PPA value during the predetermined window of time. The protected command is a command that changes access to data stored in the non-volatile memory.

Techniques for secure storage hijacking protection

A data storage device includes: a controller; an engine for performing at least one of encryption and decryption; and a logic circuit. In response to receiving a memory access command, the controller controls the logic circuit to generate an initialization vector based on initialization information in a first portion of the received command, selects a key from a plurality of keys based on key information in a second portion of the command, and controls the engine to perform at least one of encrypting and decrypting plain text data specified by the received command using the initialization vector and the selected key.

Self-encrypting data storage device supporting object-level encryption

A non-deterministic encryption functionality receives and encrypts an open-text input stream. Codes for error-correction are generated for the encrypted stream, and a correctable amount of non-deterministic random error is overlaid onto the encrypted stream and the codes for error-correction. The error-injected encrypted stream and codes for error-correction are re-encrypted and delivered to a using process. A non-deterministic decryption functionality reverses the encryption, in some embodiments using key values used during the encryption, and delivers an open-text stream to a using process. Some embodiments of a non-deterministic encryption include a reversible scrambling layer. In some embodiments, the non-deterministic encryption and decryption functionalities are performed, at least in part, by a controller of a solid state disk. In some embodiments, the functionalities are performed within a secure physical boundary provided by implementation within a single integrated circuit.

Non-deterministic encryption

Techniques for encryption key destruction for secure data erasure via an external interface or physical key removal are described. Electrical destruction of key material retained in a memory of a storage device renders the device securely erased, even when the device is otherwise inoperable. The memory (e.g. non-volatile, such as flash) stores key material for encrypting/decrypting storage data for the device. An eraser provides power and commands to the memory, even when all or any portion of the device is inoperable. The commands (e.g. erase or write) enable zeroizing or destroying the key material, rendering data encrypted with the destroyed key material inaccessible, and therefore securely erased. Alternatively, the memory is a removable component (e.g. an external security device or smartcard) coupled to the device during storage operation. Removing and physically destroying the memory renders the device securely erased. The device and/or the memory are sealed to enable tamper detection.

Encryption key destruction for secure data erasure

A deformable tamper sensor and tamper resistant electronic system is operable to detect opening of an enclosure and perform actions responsive to the detection. Movable elements within the tamper sensor are held in position when the sensor is compressed and define a multi-bit sensor value. Transitioning the sensor from a compressed to a non-compressed state non-destructively provides a new sensor value through movement of one or more elements.

Tamper sensor

Disclosed herein are data storage device embodiments for accelerating database operations and associated methods. In one embodiment, the data storage device includes a controller; an array of one or more solid-state memory storage devices; a first memory for storing processor executable instructions associated with database operations; and a second memory for storing data related to the database operations; wherein the controller is configured to execute the instructions to: cause data to be read from the solid-state memory storage devices into the second memory; determine whether the data match a query specified by the instructions; and perform a database operation based on the query match determination.

Data storage device supporting accelerated database operations

A hijack-protected, secure storage device requires proof that the user has actual physical access to the device before protected commands are executed. Examples of protected commands include attempts to change storage device security credentials of the device, erasure of protected portions of the device, and attempts to format, sanitize, and trim the device. Various techniques for proving the actual physical possession include manipulating a magnet to control a magnetic reed switch located within the device, operating a momentary switch located within the device, altering light reaching a light sensor located within the device (such as by opening or shutting a laptop cover to change ambient light reaching the sensor), and manipulating a radio-transmitting device (such as a cell phone) near the storage device for detection of the manipulation by a compatible radio receiver located within the device.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Dmitry Obukhov