Multifile Storage for Media Resource Retrieval Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operating systems and file systems do not efficiently store and retrieve sets of smaller related files, leading to numerous seek operations by the disk head, which can result in inefficient data retrieval and increased access times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a request manager that monitors requests for media resources and generates multifiles, grouping related resources into a single contiguous file to reduce disk read time and improve storage efficiency by keeping related data close together on disk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If related small files are stored in non-sequential manner according to optimal storage algorithm, then storage space utilization is improved, but retrieval time increases due to multiple seek operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple related small files into a single multifile structure, combining files that are frequently accessed together. This allows the disk head to read multiple related files in a single continuous operation rather than performing separate seek operations for each file, thereby reducing retrieval time while maintaining efficient storage utilization through intelligent file grouping strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-grouping related files into multifiles based on access patterns and relationships. By anticipating future retrieval needs and organizing files in advance according to their relational structure, the system prepares data in a format that minimizes seek operations during actual retrieval, thus reducing loss of time without sacrificing storage efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If each small file is stored independently, then file management simplicity is improved, but disk access operations increase due to random access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the multifile structure into logical segments, each representing a related small file. The system maintains segment boundaries and metadata that track which segments belong together, allowing the disk to read continuous portions of the multifile while preserving the logical independence of individual files. This segmentation approach maintains file management simplicity through clear organizational structure while dramatically improving disk access efficiency by eliminating random seek operations.
3Loss of time
If multifile generation is performed for all media resources, then retrieval efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and generation logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing selective multifile generation based on specific characteristics of media resources. The system analyzes individual files and their relationships, applying multifile grouping only to resources that benefit from this approach. By monitoring access patterns, file relationships, and resource types locally rather than uniformly applying multifile generation to all resources, the system improves retrieval time for relevant files while avoiding unnecessary complexity for resources that don't require multifile treatment.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are computer-implemented methods and systems for performing media resource storage and management. The computer-implemented method and system implemented as a request manager is capable of monitoring requests for media resources in a content delivery network. For each monitored request, the request manager determines whether to generate a multifile for the requested media resource. For example, the request manager can first determine whether the media resource is eligible for multifile generation. If eligible, the request manager then determines whether the media resource has reached a popularity threshold. If the media resource has reached the popularity threshold, the request manager initiates generation of the multifile for the requested media resource. Generally, the generated multifile is stored in a storage system associated with the content delivery network.