Multimedia Backward Seek via File Allocation Table Pointers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia file systems, particularly those using a single-link file allocation table, experience poor backward seek performance for combined audio and video files like MPEG-4 files, as they require a search from the beginning of the file to correct the position, leading to slow performance that worsens with increasing file size and current playback position.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multimedia player application that fragments multimedia files into non-contiguous data blocks, using a file allocation table to manage storage with address entries, and maintaining current and backward seek address pointers to efficiently handle data requests, allowing for direct access to requested data without needing to search from the beginning of the file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single-link file allocation table is used to manage multimedia files, then memory conservation is achieved, but backward seek performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing backward seek addresses in the file allocation table structure. Instead of searching from the beginning when a backward seek is needed, the system has already prepared the necessary address information during file initialization or previous operations, enabling direct access to the correct position without time-consuming searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by adding a backward seek address field to the file allocation table entry. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator between the current playback position and the beginning of the file, providing a direct reference point that eliminates the need to search through the entire file history when backward seeking is required.
2Measurement precision
If a search from the beginning of the file is performed for backward seek, then position correction is achieved, but seek time increases with file size and current position
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing backward seek addresses in the file allocation table during file initialization or previous reads. When a backward seek is needed, the correct address is already prepared and available, eliminating the need to search from the beginning of the file and significantly reducing seek time while maintaining accurate position correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a copy of the necessary address information and storing it in the file allocation table structure. Instead of repeatedly searching the entire file history, the system copies the relevant backward seek address into a readily accessible location, enabling fast direct access to the correct position without re-traversing the file structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A multimedia player application is adapted to process multimedia data of one or more multimedia files (e.g. MPEG-4 files) to produce multimedia output data at an audio/video output device. A file allocation table (FAT) system is adapted to manage storage of these multimedia files. An interface process is adapted to maintain a current address pointer for a current position in a multimedia file being played, a backward seek address pointer for a preceding position in the multimedia file between the current position and the beginning of the multimedia file, and an index table address pointer for an index table of the multimedia file. The current and backward seek address pointers are regularly updated while the multimedia file is being played, and the backward seek address pointer is updated as a function of the current address pointer. Advantageously, backward seek times for backward seeks in the multimedia file are reduced.