Browser Cache Management via Indexed File Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current web browser data file management systems face inefficiencies in storing and managing large quantities of data files, leading to slow browser response, difficulty in deleting irrelevant files, and increased bandwidth requirements, as they lack effective methods for distinguishing between valuable and irrelevant data.

Innovation Solution

A data file management system that includes a database to index data files, generates automated search strings to identify and delete irrelevant files, and allows users to configure automatic deletion based on access frequency and user-defined search strings, thereby optimizing storage space and improving access speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the browser stores more data files to reduce bandwidth requirements, then bandwidth usage decreases, but browser response speed deteriorates due to searching through tens of thousands of files

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth usageVSAvoidbrowser response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cache file system into multiple directories organized by file type (images, scripts, stylesheets, etc.) and by domain. This segmentation allows the browser to search only within relevant directories rather than scanning all cache files, thus maintaining fast response times while storing large volumes of data files to reduce bandwidth usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indexing system that maintains a separate database of cache file metadata including file paths, timestamps, and domain information. This intermediary index allows rapid lookup and deletion of specific files without searching through the entire cache, resolving the contradiction between storing many files and maintaining search speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the browser automatically stores data files from all accessed addresses, then data availability increases, but storage space is wasted on irrelevant files

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidstorage space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different retention policies and priorities to different cache files based on their domain, file type, and relevance. Frequently accessed or important files are retained with higher priority, while less relevant files are automatically cleaned up, optimizing storage space utilization while maintaining data availability for important resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automatic discarding of cache files that are no longer relevant through scheduled cleanup routines and on-demand deletion triggered by user actions. The system recovers storage space by identifying and removing obsolete files while maintaining a robust caching mechanism that recovers and stores important files, thus optimizing the balance between data availability and storage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Area of stationary object

If the user manually deletes cache files to free storage space, then storage space increases, but time is lost in searching and selecting files to delete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailable storage spaceVSAvoidtime to search and delete files

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service cache management through automatic cleanup routines that periodically scan and delete obsolete cache files without user intervention. The system also provides one-click selective deletion capabilities that allow users to quickly remove all files from a specific domain or file type with a single action, eliminating the time-consuming manual search and selection process while effectively freeing storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Extent of automation

If the browser uses LRU algorithm to manage cache, then automatic file removal is enabled, but files most likely to be accessed in the future are deleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic file removalVSAvoidfile retention accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters used for cache management from simple LRU (least recently used) based solely on access time, to a multi-parameter system that considers domain importance, file type, access frequency, and recency. This allows the system to automatically remove obsolete files while preserving files that are likely to be accessed in the future, improving file retention accuracy while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8661006B1Data file management system and method for browsers

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 CHARLES E HILL & ASSOCS

AI summary

A data file management system and method for a web browser is disclosed. The data file management method may include the step of deleting certain data files upon termination of a browsing session of the web browser. The data file management system may relate to the management of data files stored in a storage area of a computer. The data files may include at least one of a graphic file, a text file, and a cookie file.