Multi-dimensional Indexing for Archived File Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for accessing archived files are cumbersome and resource-intensive, requiring users to mount entire file folders and search through files manually, leading to delays and inefficient use of computational resources.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional indexing system that stores indexed files in secondary storage, allowing users to search for files and content using specific criteria, and streams media files in smaller pieces based on search parameters, enabling quick access and random offset navigation within media files without restoring the entire file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users mount entire file folders to search for archived files, then complete file access is available, but computational resources are wasted and access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file search process by creating a virtual file system that presents only a filtered subset of archived files to users based on search criteria, rather than requiring mounting of entire file folders. This segmentation allows users to search through specific portions of archived data without loading unnecessary files into memory, thereby reducing computational resource usage while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If users mount entire file folders to search for archived files, then complete file access is available, but access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing and indexing archived files with metadata before user search requests. The virtual file system pre-organizes files based on potential search criteria, allowing users to quickly access relevant files without waiting for entire folder mounts. This preliminary organization significantly reduces file access time while maintaining user-friendly search capabilities.
3Reliability
If entire archived files are restored for access, then complete file content is available, but storage resources and access time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and presents only the necessary portions of archived files to users based on search criteria, rather than restoring entire files. The virtual file system extracts relevant file metadata and content snippets that match user search parameters, allowing complete and reliable access to needed information while minimizing storage resource usage by avoiding restoration of unnecessary file portions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional file searching methods are used, then all files can be accessed, but user efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual file system as an intermediary between users and the archived file storage. This intermediary layer provides flexible file access by translating user search criteria into targeted file retrievals, maintaining adaptability for various search needs while dramatically improving user efficiency by eliminating the need to manually navigate through entire archived folders.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for enabling user search of content stored in a file archive include providing a search interface comprising a search rules portion and an action rules portion, receiving a file archive search criterion comprising at least one search rule, and searching the file archive using the search criterion. The techniques also include generating a set of files filtered using the search criterion and performing an action specified in the action rules portion on a file included in the set of files.