Extensible File System Contiguous Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current file system formats for portable storage media lack flexibility in handling increasing storage size capacities and storage media applications, often resulting in inadequate performance for complex portable devices.

Innovation Solution

An extensible file system format is introduced, which includes custom-defined primary and secondary directory entry types, allowing files to be stored in a contiguous manner, eliminating the need for a file allocation table by checking free space bitmaps during file creation and modification, and updating directory entries to facilitate direct file reading without fragmentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional file system formats are used, then compatibility and simplicity are maintained, but flexibility for increasing storage capacities and applications is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for increasing storage capacitiesVSAvoidfile system format complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The file system format is made dynamic and extensible, allowing the directory entry structure to adapt to different storage capacities and applications. The format can dynamically allocate resources and modify its structure based on the specific needs of portable computing devices, thereby achieving flexibility without requiring a completely new file system design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the file system format, including the directory entry structure and resource allocation methods. By modifying these parameters, the system can accommodate increasing storage capacities while maintaining compatibility with existing systems, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If files are stored using traditional allocation methods, then the file allocation table is accessed for reading, but this increases access time and reduces performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile reading performanceVSAvoidtime to access file allocation table

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing allocation information in the directory entry structure before file reading is needed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to access the file allocation table during read operations, thereby reducing access time and improving performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the file allocation information from the separate file allocation table and integrates it directly into the directory entry structure. This extraction and integration allows the system to access file allocation data directly through the directory entry, eliminating the additional access step required by traditional methods and thus improving reading performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If files are stored in a fragmented manner, then storage space utilization is improved, but file reading requires accessing multiple locations through the allocation table

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile reading speedVSAvoidfile allocation table access complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the directory entry structure with the file allocation information, creating a unified structure that stores both file metadata and allocation details together. This merging allows the system to read files efficiently by accessing a single directory entry rather than traversing through a separate allocation table, thereby improving reading speed without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If custom-defined directory entry types are introduced, then flexibility and adaptability are enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiddirectory entry structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the directory entry structure into standardized base fields and customizable extension fields. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a simple, standardized core structure while enabling custom-defined entry types through optional extensions. Consequently, the system achieves high adaptability and customization capability without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8606830B2Contiguous file allocation in an extensible file system

Publication Date: 2013.12.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for creating and reading a contiguous file in an extensible file system. During the creation of a file on the storage media, the file system format check the bitmap to determine if there are areas of free space on the media that would permit the storage of the file in a contiguous manner. By storing the file in a contiguous manner the file may later be read without resorting to the file allocation table, because the file itself would not be fragmented on the storage media. Once an area of free space has been identified, the file is written to the media in a contiguous manner. Further, an associated entry for the file in the directory entry is updated or created to indicate that the file is a contiguous file and also provides basic parameters necessary to read the file without resorting to accessing the file allocation table.