# US 8,572,440 B1 · System and method for managing information stored in semiconductors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,572,440 B1 - Document ID: US8572440B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 12/946,057 - Filed: 2010-11-15 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2010-11-15 - Assignees: e.Digital Corporation - Applicants: Patrick Nunally - Inventors: Patrick Nunally - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8572440B1 ## CPC - G06F 3/062: {Securing storage systems} - G06F 3/0619: {in relation to data integrity, e.g. data losses, bit errors} - G06F 3/065: {Replication mechanisms} - G06F 3/0685: {Hybrid storage combining heterogeneous device types, e.g. hierarchical storage, hybrid arrays} - G06F 11/1666: {where the redundant component is memory or memory area} - G06F 12/1408: {by using cryptography (for digital transmission H04L9/00)} - G06F 21/44: Program or device authentication - G06F 21/73: by creating or determining hardware identification, e.g. serial numbers - G06F 21/1011: {to devices} - G06F 2212/1052: Security improvement - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A system and method of identifying a memory includes detecting defects in regions of the memory, comparing the detected defects with defects contained in a previously-created defect map associated with the memory and stored in another memory of a device accessing the memory, confirming the identity of the memory where a result of the comparison indicates the detected defects match defects contained in the previously-created defect map; and denying the identity of the memory where the result of the comparison indicates the detected defects do not match the defects contained in the previously-created defect map. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of identifying a memory, comprising: detecting defects in regions of the memory; comparing the detected defects with defects contained in a previously-created defect map associated with the memory and stored in another memory of a device accessing the memory; confirming the identity of the memory where a result of the comparison indicates the detected defects match defects contained in the previously-created defect map; and denying the identity of the memory where the result of the comparison indicates the detected defects do not match the defects contained in the previously-created defect map. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing a data exchange between the device and the memory where the identity of the memory is confirmed, and preventing the data exchange between the device and the memory where the identity of the memory is denied. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the defects comprises detecting the defects in selected regions of the memory, and locations of the selected regions are pre-determined. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detected defects match defects contained in the previously-created defect map where a difference between the detected defects and the defects contained in the previously-created defect map is within a predetermined error rate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, when there is a difference between the detected defects and the defects contained in the previously-created defect map, performing a secondary authentication of the memory to confirm the identity of the memory, wherein the identity of the memory is confirmed where the secondary authentication is successful. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising storing the detected defects in the another memory as a newly-created defect map where the secondary authentication is successfully performed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the detected defects in the another memory as a newly-created defect map associated with the memory. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the memory is not a counterfeit having counterfeit data and allowing a data exchange between the device and the memory where the identity of the memory is confirmed, and determining that the memory is a counterfeit having counterfeit data and preventing the data exchange between the device and the memory where the identity of the memory is denied. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the defects comprises performing a normal read process of selected cells to determine which of the selected cells of the memory were written as a logical first state but are read as a logical second state to determine which cells have an error, and comparing the cells having the error with the defect map. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising writing data in a predetermined pattern of the logical first and second states to the selected cells prior to the detecting the defects. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the previously-created defect map comprises a defect list of the memory used in defect management of the memory, the detecting the defects comprises writing data in a predetermined pattern to the memory in regions included on the defect list, and the comparing comprises comparing the detected defects with the defect list stored in the another memory of the device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the previously-created defect map is stored encrypted, and the comparing further comprises decrypting the encrypted previously-created defect map and comparing the decrypted previously-created defect map with the detected defects. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein confirming the identity of the memory where a result of the comparison indicates the detected defects match defects contained in the previously-created defect map is used in part to decrypt data stored within said memory; and denying the identity of the memory where the result of the comparison indicates the detected defects do not match the defects contained in the previously-created defect map is used in part to avert the decrypt of data stored within said memory. ### Claim 15 A method of providing identification of a memory, comprising: detecting defects in regions of the memory; and storing the detected defects as a defect map associated with the memory in another memory of a device accessing the memory so as to uniquely identify the memory to the device, further comprising, after reconnecting the memory to the device, confirming an identity of the memory by again detecting defects in regions of the memory, comparing the again detected defects with the stored defect map, confirming the identity of the memory where a result of the comparison indicates the again detected defects match defects contained in the stored defect map, and denying the identity of the memory where the result of the comparison indicates the again detected defects do not match the defects contained in the stored defect map. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the again detected defects match defects contained in the stored defect map where a difference between the again detected defects and the defects contained in the stored defect map is within a predetermined error rate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising, when there is a difference between the again detected defects and defects contained in the stored defect map, performing a secondary authentication of the memory to confirm the identity of the memory, wherein the identity of the memory is confirmed where the secondary authentication is successful. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising storing the again detected defects in the another memory as an updated defect map where the secondary authentication is successfully performed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising storing the again detected defects in the another memory as a newly-created defect map associated with the memory. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising determining that the memory is not a counterfeit having counterfeit data and allowing a data exchange between the device and the memory where the identity of the memory is confirmed, and determining that the memory is a counterfeit having counterfeit data and preventing the data exchange between the device and the memory where the identity of the memory is denied. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the again detecting the defects comprises performing a normal read process of selected cells to determine which of the selected cells of the memory were written as a logical first state but are read as a logical second state to determine which cells have an error, and comparing the cells having the error with the stored defect map. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, further comprising writing data in a predetermined pattern of the logical first and second states to the selected cells prior to the again detecting the defects. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein: the stored defect map comprises a defect list of the memory used in defect management of the memory, the detecting the defects comprises reading the defect list from the memory, the again detecting the defects comprises writing data in a predetermined pattern to the memory in regions included on the defect list, and the comparing comprises comparing the again detected defects with the defect list stored in the another memory of the device. ### Claim 24 An information handling system comprising: a memory which stores a defect map associated with another memory connectable to the information handling system; and a processor which, when the another memory is connected to the information handling system, detects defects in regions of the another memory, compares the detected defects with defects contained in the stored defect map, confirms the identity of the another memory where a result of the comparison indicates the detected defects match defects contained in the stored defect map, and denies the identity of the memory where the result of the comparison indicates the detected defects do not match the defects contained in the stored defect map. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor allows a data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is confirmed, and prevents the data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is denied. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor detects the defects in selected regions of the another memory, and locations of the selected regions are pre-determined. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor confirms the identity of the another memory when a difference between the detected defects and the defects contained in the stored defect map is within a predetermined error rate. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, further comprising, when the detected defects do not match defects contained in the stored defect map, the processor performs a secondary authentication of the another memory to confirm the identity of the another memory. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The information handling system of claim 28, wherein the processor stores the detected defects in the memory as a newly-created defect map where the secondary authentication is successfully performed. ### Claim 30 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor stores the detected defects in the memory as a newly-created defect map associated with the another memory. ### Claim 31 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor further determines that the another memory is not a counterfeit having counterfeit data and allows a data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is confirmed, and determines that the another memory is a counterfeit having counterfeit data and prevents the data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is denied. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor detects the defects while performing a normal read process of selected cells to determine which of the selected cells of the another memory were written as a logical first state but are read as a logical second state to determine which cells have an error, and comparing the cells having the error with the defect map. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The information handling system of claim 32, wherein the processor writes data in a predetermined pattern of the logical first and second states to the selected cells prior to the detecting the defects. ### Claim 34 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the stored defect map comprises a defect list of the another memory used in defect management of the another memory which the processor copied and stored in the memory, and the processor detects the defects by writing data in a predetermined pattern to the another memory in regions included on the defect list, and compares the detected defects with the defect list stored in the memory. ### Claim 35 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor encrypts the stored defect map and decrypts the encrypted defect map to perform the comparison. ### Claim 36 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the another memory comprises at least one of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor performs the comparison when the processor detects that the another memory has re-attached to the information handling system after being detached from the information handling system. ### Claim 38 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor performs the comparison when the processor detects that the another memory has reestablished a network connection to the information handling system after losing the network connection with the information handling system. ### Claim 39 (depends on 24) The information handling system of claim 24, wherein the processor performs the comparison of defects matching defects contained in the previously created defect map is used in part to decrypt data stored within said memory. ### Claim 40 An information handling system comprising: a memory; and a processor which, when another memory is connected to the information handling system, detects defects in regions of the another memory, and stores the detected defects as a defect map associated with the another memory in the memory so as to uniquely identify the another memory to the information handling system, wherein the processor, after the information handling system reconnects to the another memory, confirms an identity of the another memory by again detecting defects in regions of the another memory, comparing the again detected defects with the stored defect map, confirming the identity of the another memory where a result of the comparison indicates the again detected defects match defects contained in the stored defect map, and denying the identity of the another memory where the result of the comparison indicates the again detected defects do not match the defects contained in the stored defect map. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, wherein the processor allows a data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is confirmed, and prevents the data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is denied. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, wherein the processor confirms that the again detected defects match defects contained in the stored defect map where a difference between the again detected defects and the defects contained in the stored defect map is within a predetermined error rate. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, further comprising, when the result of the comparison indicates the again detected defects do not match defects contained in the stored defect map, the processor performs a secondary authentication of the another memory to confirm the identity of the another memory. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The information handling system of claim 43, wherein the processor further stores the again detected defects in the memory as an updated defect map where the secondary authentication is successfully performed. ### Claim 45 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, wherein the processor further stores the again detected defects in the memory as a newly-created defect map associated with the another memory. ### Claim 46 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, wherein the processor determines that the another memory is not a counterfeit having counterfeit data and allows a data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is confirmed, and determines that the another memory is a counterfeit having counterfeit data and prevents the data exchange between the information handling system and the another memory where the identity of the another memory is denied. ### Claim 47 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, wherein the processor detects the defects by performing a normal read process of selected cells to determine which of the selected cells of the another memory were written as a logical first state but are read as a logical second state to determine which cells have an error, and comparing the cells having the error with the defect map. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The information handling system of claim 47, wherein the processor writes data in a predetermined pattern of the logical first and second states to the selected cells prior to the detecting the defects. ### Claim 49 (depends on 40) The information handling system of claim 40, wherein the stored defect map comprises a defect list of the another memory used in defect management of the another memory which the processor copied and stored in the memory, and the processor detects the defects by writing data in a predetermined pattern to the another memory in regions included on the defect list, and compares the detected defects with the defect list stored in the memory.