Storage System Data Processing Module for Redundant Computation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Storage systems often process data without providing applications with information about processing techniques, leading to inefficiencies in using computing resources for tasks that could benefit from processed data.

Innovation Solution

A data processing module identifies and analyzes data to determine if it has been previously processed, allowing applications to request and utilize data in its processed form, reducing the need for re-processing and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If storage systems process data using compression, deduplication, or encryption techniques, then storage space is minimized, but applications lack information about the processing techniques and must re-process data, leading to inefficiency in computing resource usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidcomputing resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the storage system provides processing information (metadata) back to applications. This feedback loop allows applications to know what processing has been applied to data, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether re-processing is necessary, thereby avoiding redundant computation while maintaining storage optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces processing information as an intermediary element that bridges the storage system and applications. This intermediary contains metadata about processing techniques applied to data, allowing applications to understand the data state without direct access to storage system internals, thus enabling efficient decision-making about data processing needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If storage systems perform seamless data processing without revealing details to applications, then data is optimized for storage, but applications cannot leverage processed data forms for tasks, leading to redundant processing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseamless data processingVSAvoidtask efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data management system into distinct components: the storage system that performs processing, the processing information that documents processing details, and the application that consumes data. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently while maintaining awareness of processing states through the processing information interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system performs data processing actions in advance before applications need the data. By pre-processing data for storage optimization and recording processing details, the system eliminates the need for applications to re-process data, turning a potential inefficiency into a productivity gain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If applications request data without knowledge of processing techniques, then data retrieval is simple, but applications may re-process already processed data, increasing network bandwidth consumption and processing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retrieval complexityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth and processing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary processing of data before it is stored, and preliminarily documents this processing in processing information. When applications retrieve data, they can check this pre-recorded information to determine if re-processing is needed, avoiding redundant operations and reducing network bandwidth consumption for transferring data that doesn't need re-processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Processing information acts as feedback to applications about the state of stored data. This feedback enables applications to adjust their data retrieval and processing strategies accordingly, reducing unnecessary network traffic and computational overhead by avoiding re-processing of already optimized data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9529829B1System and method to facilitate the use of processed data from a storage system to perform tasks
Publication Date: 2016.12.27 COHESITY INC
  • US9529829B1 patent drawing
  • US9529829B1 patent drawing
  • US9529829B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for facilitating the use of use processed data from a storage system to perform one or more tasks are disclosed. For example, the method can include identifying data, stored within a storage system, and needed to perform a task. Such data can be stored in a processed form, as a result of such data having been previously processed by the storage system. A determination is made to determine whether the identified data is stored in a processed form. If so, a subsequent determination is made to determine whether the data in the processed form is usable to perform the task. If the data in the processed form is usable to perform the task, a request is generated to request the data in the processed form. The processed data can then be used to perform the task.