US 12,481,769 B2
Memory system, memory controller and operation method thereof for encrypting data stored in a nonvolatile memory
Seung Duk Cho, Gyeonggi-do (KR); Woo Tae Chang, Gyeonggi-do (KR); Gi Jo Jeong, Gyeonggi-do (KR); and Jung Hyun Joh, Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Assigned to SK hynix Inc., Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Filed by SK hynix Inc., Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Filed on Jan. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/096,561.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0112923 (KR), filed on Sep. 6, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0078322 A1, Mar. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. G06F 21/60 (2013.01); G06F 21/78 (2013.01)
CPC G06F 21/602 (2013.01) [G06F 21/78 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A memory controller comprising:
a first interface configured to perform data communication with a first external device comprising a host memory buffer being a portion of a volatile memory provided in the first external device;
a second interface configured to generate signal for controlling an operation of a second external device and transmit the signal; and
a processor configured to:
receive keys from the first external device,
encrypt the keys by an encryption key of the memory controller,
store the encrypted keys in a key area provided in the host memory buffer,
receive, from the first external device, a data write command to write data to the second external device,
read one of the encrypted keys stored in the key area,
encrypt, in response to the data write command, the data by using the read key, and
control the encrypted data to be written to the second external device.