Self-Disentangling Data Storage with Format Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data storage techniques require knowledge of the data format for retrieval, limiting access and being prone to issues with outdated formats, as they often necessitate reconstructing the entire data structure.
Innovation Solution
A self-disentangling data storage method that includes a software program on the storage media, allowing data to be retrieved in multiple formats and formats as needed, isolating the data format from the application and enabling partial or complete reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standardized formats like CPIO or TAR are used for archiving data, then data can be stored and retrieved, but data access functionality is limited and the entire data structure must be reconstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data structure into multiple independent components with individual identifiers, allowing selective access to specific data elements without reconstructing the entire data structure. This enables partial reconstruction capability while maintaining standardized format compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal data structure that can be accessed through multiple request types and interpreted in accordance with multiple different data formats. This multi-functional approach allows the same stored data to be retrieved using various access methods without requiring format-specific reconstruction procedures.
2Ease of operation
If application-specific data formats are used to store data, then data can be accessed by the generating application, but the format may become outdated when the application is updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary universal data format that sits between the application-specific format and the storage medium. This intermediary format acts as a translation layer that preserves data accessibility across different application versions while maintaining compatibility with the original generating application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary conversion of application-specific data formats into a universal format during the initial storage process. This preliminary action ensures that data can be retrieved using multiple request types and interpreted in accordance with multiple different data formats, preventing future compatibility issues.
3Reliability
If a software routine is appended to reconstruct data, then data can be recovered, but the entire data structure must be reconstructed and the technique requires knowledge of the data format
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data structure into independently identifiable components, allowing selective reconstruction of only the necessary data elements rather than requiring reconstruction of the entire data structure. This reduces the complexity of the recovery process while maintaining data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables partial reconstruction of data structures by allowing access to specific components without requiring complete reconstruction. This partial action approach reduces the complexity and resource requirements of data recovery operations while maintaining full data recovery capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-disentangling data storage technique. Machine-readable data is stored by a data storage media, such as a magnetic tape or floppy drive. A software program for interpreting the data and requests for access to the data is also stored on the data storage media. The program allows the data to be retrieved using multiple different request types and interpreted in accordance with multiple different data formats. The invention overcomes disadvantages of prior storage techniques since the data can be completely or partially reconstructed, as needed. Further, the invention isolates the data storage format from the application used to generate the data so as to minimize problems caused by outdated data storage formats.