Logical Cylindrical Storage Capsules for Seamless Data Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data storage systems face inefficiencies when migrating data between incompatible formats due to the need for extensive data translation, which is computationally intensive and time-consuming, and object storage systems still require handling of different physical storage formats, leading to unwanted delays and resource expenditure.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a logical cylindrical recording format using data storage capsules and vessels that are self-describing, allowing data to be migrated without reformatting or translating, by employing a globally unique identifier and dynamic error correction approaches, enabling seamless migration across different storage media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is translated between incompatible formats in conventional storage systems, then compatibility between different storage devices is achieved, but computational resources and time are excessively consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoiddata migration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a translation layer as an intermediary component that sits between the storage device and the data processing system. This translation layer contains format conversion capabilities that automatically translate data between different proprietary formats without requiring system-wide reformatting. The intermediary handles format compatibility transparently, allowing data to be stored in native formats while ensuring interoperability through real-time or pre-processing translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the storage system into distinct functional layers: a format-agnostic data layer, a translation layer for format conversion, and device-specific interface layers. By dividing the system this way, format translation is isolated to specific modules rather than affecting the entire system, enabling parallel processing and reducing overall computational overhead during data migration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If data is translated between incompatible formats, then storage devices can communicate with each other, but resource expenditure increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary formatting where data is pre-translated or pre-processed into a standardized intermediate format during the initial storage operation. This preliminary action ensures that subsequent data access and migration operations do not require repeated translation, significantly reducing computational resource expenditure for routine operations while maintaining full interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates and maintains copy index structures that map data locations across different formats and storage devices. Instead of physically translating all data during migration, the system creates intelligent copies and references that allow data to be accessed efficiently in the required format, reducing the actual data transformation workload while preserving interoperability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If object storage systems are used to manage different formats, then abstraction is achieved, but delays still occur during format handling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveabstractionVSAvoidformat handling delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous background translation processes that pre-translate data during idle periods and low-utilization times. This ensures that when data is actually needed for access or migration, the translation work has already been completed or is in progress, eliminating perceptible delays while maintaining the abstracted object storage interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic format handling where the translation and access methods adapt in real-time based on the specific data format being accessed, the current system load, and the priority of the operation. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between abstraction overhead and actual translation time, reducing delays for high-priority operations while maintaining ease of operation through the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11422891B2Global storage solution with logical cylinders and capsules

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 QUANTUM CORP

AI summary

Example apparatus and methods control a data storage system to store data in a self-describing logical data storage capsule using a logical cylindrical recording format. Example apparatus and methods assign a searchable, globally unique identifier to the capsule and associate the globally unique identifier with a user. The logical data storage capsule is migrated from a first data storage medium to a second data storage medium without translating or reformatting the data storage capsule. The data storage capsule contains information describing to a data storage device how to migrate the capsule without translating or reformatting the data storage capsule. Example apparatus and methods dynamically select an error correction approach for storing data in the data storage capsule, de-duplicate, and encrypt the data storage capsule. The data storage capsule may be local, or may be part of a cloud-based storage system.