Cache Data Management for Sequential Program Readback

Solution Overview

Problem

Excessive actuator arm movement in storage devices to read non-sequential data files is time-consuming and power-intensive, impacting program execution speed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cached data area within a storage device to store frequently accessed program data in sequential blocks, allowing for sequential reading and reducing the need for time-consuming seek operations by moving the actuator arm only when reading from the user data area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data files are read from non-sequential positions on storage media, then program execution can access required data files, but excessive actuator arm movement occurs which is time-consuming and power-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access flexibilityVSAvoidseek latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by identifying sequential read command patterns in advance and pre-loading the corresponding data blocks into a cache area before they are actually needed for program execution. This allows the data to be readily available when the program requests it, eliminating the need for time-consuming seek operations during actual program execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A cache area is introduced as an intermediary storage layer between the main storage media and the program execution process. This cache area stores frequently accessed data blocks that would otherwise require random access from the main storage, allowing sequential read operations to serve multiple future requests without additional seek operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If data files are read from non-sequential positions on storage media, then program execution can access required data files, but excessive actuator arm movement occurs which consumes significant power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata access flexibilityVSAvoidactuator power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by identifying sequential read command patterns in advance and pre-loading the corresponding data blocks into a cache area before they are actually needed for program execution. This allows the data to be readily available when the program requests it, eliminating the need for time-consuming seek operations during actual program execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A cache area is introduced as an intermediary storage layer between the main storage media and the program execution process. This cache area stores frequently accessed data blocks that would otherwise require random access from the main storage, allowing sequential read operations to serve multiple future requests without additional seek operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If sequential read commands are cached and executed from cache, then seek latency is reduced, but additional storage space and cache management complexity are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseek latencyVSAvoidcache management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cache management system dynamically adapts to the actual read command patterns observed during program execution. It continuously monitors the sequence of read commands and automatically identifies when sequential access patterns occur, adjusting its behavior to cache data only when beneficial. This dynamic approach avoids the complexity of static cache management schemes while maintaining performance benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs self-service mechanisms where the cache management automatically identifies sequential read patterns and manages its own content based on observed access patterns. The system monitors its own operation and makes autonomous decisions about what data to cache, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9478249B2Cache data management for program execution

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 SEAGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

Implementations disclosed herein provide for sequential readback of program data in from a cached data region of a storage device. In particular, the disclosed technology provides for storing a sequence of logical addresses associated with execution of a program, the sequence of logical addresses including at least two consecutive logical addresses associated with non-consecutive data blocks in a user data region; writing data corresponding to the at least two consecutive logical addresses to sequential data blocks in a cached data region; determining that a sequence of read commands from a host computer is associated with the data; and reading the data from the cached data region.