Dynamic Redirection for Compressed OS Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for reducing storage space on computing devices, such as mobile phones, either compromise functionality by removing operating system features or degrade user experience by removing pre-installed applications, and continue to consume increasing storage space due to the growing size of operating systems, leading to higher costs or poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic file redirection that allows computing devices to access compressed files without decompressing them, using a compressed container with redirect pointers, enabling transparent access to files as if they were uncompressed, thereby reducing storage requirements while maintaining full functionality and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the operating system is installed from a compressed version, then storage space consumption is reduced, but every file is written to persistent memory multiple times increasing complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual file system layer as an intermediary between the application and the compressed container. This virtual layer intercepts file access requests and redirects them to the compressed container, eliminating the need for multiple write operations to persistent memory while maintaining the appearance of uncompressed file access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the file system interface that points to the compressed container rather than physical copies of decompressed files. This virtual copying mechanism allows the system to access compressed data without physically decompressing and writing files to persistent memory multiple times.
2Quantity of substance
If pre-installed applications are removed to reduce storage space, then storage space is reduced, but user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage parameter of pre-installed applications from uncompressed to compressed format. By compressing the container holding these applications, the system reduces storage space consumption while maintaining full functionality and user experience, as the virtual file system transparently handles access to the compressed applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operating system size grows to provide more functionality, then functionality is improved, but storage space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies compression to the operating system container, changing its storage density parameter. This allows the operating system to maintain full functionality with growing features while consuming less storage space, as the compressed container holds more data in the same physical space.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide access to data in a compressed container through dynamic redirection, without storing decompressed data in persistent memory. The compressed container is stored in a first portion of memory. User data and reference files, with redirect pointers, for accessing corresponding files in the compressed container are stored in a second portion of memory. A command to access data is detected by a computing device. The redirect pointer in the reference file associated with the command redirects access to the corresponding compressed version of data stored in the compressed container. The corresponding accessed compressed version of data is decompressed on the fly and provided in response to the command without storing the decompressed data in persistent memory. Some embodiments provide integrity protection to validate the data coming from the compressed container.