Performing Search and Replace Operations in a Memory Device Using Command Parameters and a Storage Controller Without Transfering Data to a Processor

Abstract

An apparatus and method for performing search and replace operations at a storage controller of a storage device are disclosed. The storage controller can receive a search command with one or more parameters that instructs the storage controller to search for a data pattern in data stored in a memory and can locally search the data in the memory for the data pattern according to the parameters without transferring the data to a processor to perform the search. The parameters can include, but are not limited to, the data pattern or template to be searched, a data pattern length, a bit-mask, a logical block address (LBA) range, a byte offset, and an alignment parameter. Verdict bits can be provided to indicate data chunks in the memory that match the data pattern. Flags may define potential outputs to provide after searching, such as location and number of matches. A replace command with a set of parameters, including a write mask, can instruct the storage controller to replace the data pattern with a replacement or substitute pattern.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a memory; and   a storage controller comprising logic to:
 receive a search command with one or more parameters that instructs the storage controller to search for a data pattern in data stored in the memory; and 
 search the data stored in the memory for the data pattern according to the one or more parameters included in the search command, wherein the storage controller is configured to locally search the data in the memory for the data pattern without transfer of the data to a processor to perform the search.