FAT Cache Controller Dynamic Block Access for Storage Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data area managing methods, such as the FAT file system, are inefficient in retrieving free areas and managing link destinations, leading to increased overhead and processing time, especially when the number of free areas decreases and the FAT needs to be read from the information recording medium.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an information processor with a FAT cache, volatile memory, and a FAT cache controller that divides the FAT cache into blocks, allowing for dynamic access size adjustment based on processing content, such as free area retrieval and link destination acquisition, to improve efficiency by caching area management information in units of erase blocks for rapid access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the FAT is read completely into cache buffer for free area retrieval, then free area retrieval can be performed, but processing time increases significantly when number of free areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The FAT cache is divided into multiple blocks, allowing the system to read and process only relevant portions of the FAT at a time. This segmentation enables efficient free area retrieval by focusing on specific blocks rather than loading the entire FAT into cache, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining retrieval capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic block management in the FAT cache, where blocks can be dynamically loaded, updated, and replaced based on access patterns and cache availability. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying free area retrieval needs without consistently loading the entire FAT, optimizing processing time across different operational scenarios.
2Quantity of substance
If the read unit of cache buffer is small, then memory consumption is reduced, but free area retrieval processing takes longer due to read overhead
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the FAT cache into manageable blocks, the system can load smaller portions of the FAT into cache memory at a time, reducing memory consumption. Simultaneously, these blocks are structured to minimize read overhead, allowing efficient processing within the constraints of limited cache capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of cache block size to optimize the balance between memory usage and processing speed. By adjusting block sizes and managing cache contents dynamically, the system achieves efficient free area retrieval with reduced memory footprint while minimizing read overhead impacts on productivity.
3Speed
If FAT cache is used for fast access to existing files, then reaccess speed is improved, but free area retrieval requires reading FAT from recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The FAT cache is segmented into blocks that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast access to existing files through cached FAT entries while also enabling free area retrieval operations to access relevant cache blocks without requiring a complete FAT read from the recording medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The FAT cache structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it enables fast reaccess to existing files by caching FAT entries, and simultaneously supports free area retrieval operations by providing cached block data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to read FAT from the recording medium for free area retrieval, resolving the contradiction between fast access and free area retrieval efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Area management information is cached in a cache memory by controlling the access size when an information processor accesses the area management information in an information recording medium. When the processing content of the information processor is to retrieve a free area from the area management information, a physical management block size determined from the physical characteristics of the information recording medium is used. When the processing content is to acquire a link destination from the area management information, minimum access unit of the information recording medium is used. Consequently, overhead can be lessened when the area management information is accessed.