Backup User Interface Using Sparse Metadata for Storage Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data backup systems require users to connect to external storage devices to view and recover backups, and they inefficiently manage storage space by not allowing for the replacement of older backups with metadata, leading to storage capacity issues.
Innovation Solution
The system generates visual representations of file systems using sparse metadata, allowing for the replacement of file data in older backups with metadata, enabling faster navigation and storage space optimization by allowing users to view and restore data without external connections and by retrieving items from online stores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If file data for older backups is retained on the backup storage device, then data recovery completeness is improved, but storage capacity is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential metadata from complete backup files, separating the navigation/identification information from the actual file data. This allows the system to retain backup information without storing the full file contents, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining data recovery capability and preserving storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of backup data in the form of metadata structures that replicate the essential information needed for backup management and recovery initiation, without duplicating the full file data. This enables the system to maintain backup records while consuming minimal storage space.
2Measurement precision
If complete backup files are stored for all backup versions, then data recovery accuracy is improved, but storage capacity is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts critical identification and metadata information from complete backup files, creating a streamlined representation that preserves the accuracy needed for precise data recovery while eliminating redundant storage of full file copies across multiple backup versions.
3Measurement precision
If visual representations of backup files are generated from complete file data, then user interface accuracy is improved, but processing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction and organization of metadata during the backup process itself, so that visual representations can be generated quickly from pre-processed information rather than analyzing complete backup files at the time of user interaction, thus reducing processing time while maintaining interface accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If all backup data is retained in external storage, then data availability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts essential backup metadata and stores it locally on the computing device, enabling users to access and manage backup information without requiring a physical connection to external storage devices. The complete backup files remain in external storage for actual recovery operations, maintaining data availability while improving ease of operation for backup management tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data are disclosed. In some implementations, visual representations of files are generated for presentation in a backup user interface. The visual representations are generated from sparse file system metadata stored on the computing device, thus allowing faster navigating of the backup user interface. During a restore operation, the metadata can be used to retrieve the items from their physical storage locations. In some implementations, when the storage capacity of a backup storage device exceeds a threshold, the data for the N oldest backups are replaced with sparse file system metadata, which can be used to generate visual representations for presentation in the backup user interface.