Extensible File System Contiguous Cluster Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current file system formats for portable storage media lack flexibility in managing increasing storage size capacities and inefficiently manage additional clusters, leading to inefficient file system management.

Innovation Solution

An extensible file system format is introduced, featuring primary and secondary directory entry types that can be custom-defined, allowing for contiguous allocation of clusters, which reduces the need for frequent updates in the file allocation table and improves data management by using a boot parameters component, file allocation table, and specific directory entry components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If each new allocated cluster is added as a separate entry in the file allocation table, then storage capacity can increase, but file system management becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidfile system management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cluster allocation entries into a single contiguous cluster chain entry in the file allocation table. Instead of managing each cluster separately, the system allocates a continuous range of clusters as one unit, reducing the number of table entries and improving management efficiency while maintaining expanded storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The file allocation table entry is designed to serve multiple functions: it tracks individual clusters within a chain, maintains contiguous allocation information, and enables efficient storage expansion. This multi-functional entry structure allows the system to manage growing storage capacities without proportionally increasing management complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If storage size capacity increases, then more data can be stored, but the number of allocated clusters increases leading to inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage size capacityVSAvoidcluster allocation management

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file allocation table into primary directory entries and secondary entries. Primary entries contain critical allocation information and chain identifiers, while secondary entries store additional cluster details. This segmentation allows the system to handle large numbers of clusters without overwhelming the main allocation structure, enabling storage expansion while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If contiguous cluster allocation is implemented, then file system management efficiency improves, but flexibility in allocation options decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefile system management efficiencyVSAvoidallocation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic cluster chain management where the system can allocate contiguous clusters when possible for efficiency, but also supports non-contiguous allocations when needed for adaptability. The file allocation table structure allows chains to be extended or modified dynamically, balancing the benefits of contiguous allocation with the flexibility to handle various allocation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10585868B2Extending cluster allocations in an extensible file system

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

An extensible file system format for portable storage media is provided. The extensible file system format includes the specification of primary and secondary directory entry types that may be custom defined. The primary and secondary directory entry types can be further classified as critical and benign directory entries. The directory entry types can define whether a cluster chain corresponding to a file can be contiguously allocated.