Pseudo-Merge File Allocation Table Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data recording methods for multimedia files in embedded systems require significant storage space and memory usage due to the need to reserve space for merging audio and video files, leading to inefficiencies in file merging and storage.
Innovation Solution
A pseudo-merging method that modifies the File Allocation Table (FAT) to establish a linkage relationship between files, allowing them to be merged without changing their actual storage addresses, thereby reducing storage space and processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional file merging method is used where second file is accessed and appended to the end of first file, then files are merged into a single file, but sufficient storage space must be reserved in advance and memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a logical copy of the file linkage through FAT table modification rather than physically moving or copying file data. The File Allocation Table is updated to establish a chain relationship between file clusters, creating a virtual merged file structure without requiring additional storage space for file duplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The File Allocation Table serves as an intermediary structure that manages the merging process. By modifying FAT entries to link the first file's end cluster to the second file's start cluster, the system achieves file merging through the intermediary FAT mechanism without direct file data movement or reserved space requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If sufficient space is reserved in the end of first file for recording second file, then merging can be performed, but storage space is wasted and memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating physical copies or reserving space, the patent uses FAT table entries to create a logical representation of file concatenation. The cluster chain in FAT mimics the structure of a merged file without occupying additional storage resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters stored in the File Allocation Table (specifically the cluster chain pointers) to reflect the merged file structure. By modifying FAT entries rather than file data, the system achieves merging capability without altering actual file content or requiring reserved space.
3Reliability
If second file is accessed and moved to reserved space after both files are completely recorded, then merging is completed, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by updating the File Allocation Table during the file recording process itself. As files are being written, the FAT is concurrently modified to establish cluster linkages, so that merging is achieved incrementally rather than requiring a separate post-processing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The merging operation continues concurrently with file recording through continuous FAT updates. Rather than pausing recording to perform merging, the system maintains continuous useful action by simultaneously writing file data and updating the FAT structure to reflect the merged state.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for recording data with pseudo-merge are provided. The apparatus comprises a storage medium for storing a first and a second files and a File Allocation Table (FAT) for recording a first start position and a first end position for the first file and recording a second start position and a second end position for the second file. The method modifies the first end position of the first file to be the second start position of the second file so as to merge the first and second files into a first merged file.