Imaging device including wear leveling for non-volatile memory and secure erase of data

Abstract

Methods and apparatus teach wear leveling non-volatile memory and secure erasure of data. A computing device receives data to be stored. The data is encrypted, including generation of encryption/decryption key(s). The key(s) are stored in either non-volatile or volatile memory according to a plurality of classification schemes. In a first scheme, key(s) are stored in non-volatile memory and will be retained in the event of a power cycle of the computing device. Otherwise, key(s) stored in volatile memory will be lost upon a power cycle. Upon issuance of a key destruction command, key(s) in the non-volatile memory are sanitized or erased, but the underlying encrypted data need not be erased since no key(s) exist that can recover original content. These techniques limit erasure commands to the non-volatile memory which prolongs its service life. Further embodiments note techniques in imaging devices conducting imaging operations, such as printing or scanning.