Multi-image Container File Format for Photo Storage Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage systems inefficiently handle the unique storage and retrieval requirements of photographs, leading to time-consuming access and inefficient use of storage resources due to treating photographs identically with other types of objects, and often dispersing a user's photos across multiple physical disks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-image container file format that separates photograph content from metadata, utilizing an in-memory index, and employing a cache algorithm to efficiently store and retrieve photographs, allowing for optimized storage on solid-state and hard-disk drives, and ensuring photos are stored and accessed from a single physical location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If photographs are stored using conventional storage systems that treat all objects identically, then storage capacity is utilized, but retrieval time increases and storage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments photograph data into distinct components: photograph content and metadata are stored separately in different locations. This segmentation allows optimized retrieval paths where frequently accessed metadata can be retrieved independently from content, reducing overall retrieval time while improving storage efficiency through targeted caching strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing structure that mediates between storage and retrieval operations. This index maintains mappings between photograph identifiers and their physical locations, enabling rapid lookup without scanning entire storage volumes, thus reducing retrieval time while improving storage system productivity.
2Quantity of substance
If photographs are dispersed across multiple physical disks for storage, then storage capacity is optimized, but access time increases due to distributed locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing location mappings in an index structure before retrieval operations occur. Photograph metadata includes pre-computed pointers to content locations on specific disks, allowing the system to jump directly to required data without scanning multiple disks sequentially, thus maintaining fast access times while utilizing distributed storage capacity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional storage methods are used without photo-specific optimization, then system simplicity is maintained, but retrieval efficiency and storage optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal container format that can hold both photograph content and metadata in a standardized structure. This multi-functional container works across different storage backends and retrieval scenarios, providing photo-specific optimization without requiring complex specialized systems for each case, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving retrieval efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a request to retrieve a photograph is received. The request is interpreted and associated metadata for the requested photograph is retrieved. A determination is then made as to whether to retrieve the content of the photograph from either a multi-image container file or from a photo cache. The content of the photograph is then retrieved from the determined source. Finally, the content of the photograph and associated metadata are displayed on a display.