In-Place Metadata Conversion for Proprietary Data Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in providing non-proprietary access to data initially available via proprietary interfaces, limiting data sharing and flexibility between different applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating metadata that associates files in a new file system with the location of data objects within volumes, allowing access to data via a standard file system interface, using an in-place conversion module that generates new logical structures without modifying or copying the underlying data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is accessed through a proprietary interface, then the application can maintain control and consistency over its data, but other applications cannot access the data without the proprietary interface, limiting data sharing and flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proprietary interface layer that acts as an intermediary between the file system and the application data. This interface layer translates standard file system operations into proprietary interface operations, enabling other applications to access data without requiring the proprietary interface while maintaining data consistency and control through the translation mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If proprietary interfaces are used to access data, then applications can have specialized access methods, but backup software and other applications cannot easily access the data, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal file system interface that can access data through multiple pathways - both the proprietary interface and standard file system operations. The file system is designed to be multi-functional, supporting both proprietary interface operations and standard file operations, thereby enabling backup software and other applications to access data easily while maintaining specialized access methods.
3Productivity
If data is stored in a proprietary format with proprietary interface access, then the application can optimize data storage, but migrating or sharing data requires copying and converting data, increasing loss of time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a file system copy of the proprietary data structure without physically copying the underlying data. The file system metadata layer creates virtual copies of data objects, allowing standard file system operations to access proprietary data formats efficiently. This eliminates the need for time-consuming data conversion and migration while maintaining data access efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a new file system is created to provide standard access, then standard applications can access the data, but the application providing the proprietary interface must still maintain access to its data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested architecture where the proprietary interface layer is embedded within the file system structure. The file system contains the proprietary interface capabilities, allowing the proprietary application to access its data through the nested proprietary interface while other applications access the same data through the outer file system interface. This nested structure maintains both access methods without requiring separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and systems can be used to provide standard file system access to data that is originally accessed only by a proprietary interface. One such method involves querying an application (e.g., a database management system) for information identifying a location of each of several data objects within several volumes. The application provides a proprietary interface to the data objects stored on the volumes. The method then creates metadata, which associates each of several files within a new file system with the location of a respective one of the data objects within the volumes. The metadata can be created by an in-place conversion module implemented on a computing device. The method then provides the application with access to the files within the new file system, subsequent to creating the metadata.