Storage Device Host Capability File Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Low-end DVD players with USB 2.0 full-speed capabilities struggle to play back high-bit-rate media files, leading to data read stalls and errors due to their inability to handle files requiring higher bit rates, especially those with variable bit rates or multiple segments.
Innovation Solution
A storage device method that creates a second directory tree for files incompatible with low-end hosts, hiding or making them non-selectable by altering metadata, such as renaming or altering file attributes, to ensure only compatible files are playable on hosts with insufficient playback capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a storage device presents all files to hosts regardless of host capability, then the file system is simple and universally accessible, but low-end hosts experience data read stalls and playback errors when attempting to play high-bit-rate files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file system into two separate directory trees: a first directory tree containing all files (including high-bit-rate files), and a second directory tree containing only low-bit-rate files compatible with low-end hosts. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete file storage while providing a filtered view to incompatible hosts, thereby improving playback reliability without completely redesigning the file system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB device acts as an intermediary between the host and the stored files. It includes a capability determination module that assesses host capabilities and a directory tree selection module that chooses which directory tree to present based on the host's bit-rate handling ability. This intermediary layer prevents incompatible files from being presented to low-end hosts, improving playback reliability while maintaining a relatively simple file system implementation.
2Reliability
If the storage device creates and maintains a second directory tree with altered metadata for incompatible files, then compatible files are reliably playable on low-end hosts, but the device complexity increases due to dual directory tree management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-altering the metadata of high-bit-rate files during the creation of the second directory tree. Files incompatible with low-end hosts are renamed or have their attributes modified before being added to the second directory tree. This preliminary processing ensures that when low-end hosts access the device, they only see compatible files, thereby guaranteeing file compatibility assurance while managing complexity through advance preparation rather than runtime processing.
3Ease of operation
If low-end hosts are allowed to access high-bit-rate files, then the file system maintains full accessibility, but playback errors and data read stalls occur due to insufficient host processing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different views of the file system to different hosts based on their capabilities. Low-end hosts receive a filtered view (second directory tree) containing only compatible files, while high-end hosts receive the complete view (first directory tree). This localized adaptation ensures that each host accesses files appropriate to its processing capability, maintaining ease of operation while preventing playback instability caused by attempting to play incompatible files.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes defining a host capability; creating for a storage device a second directory tree from a first directory tree of the storage device that is included in a file system within the storage device; and, for a data file that is stored in the storage device and is selectable for consumption by a host through the first directory tree that is included in the storage device's file system, determining whether the data file requires for consumption a host having the defined host capability. If the data file requires a host having the defined host capability, an entry is created in the second directory tree in which the data file is not selectable for consumption by the host. Otherwise, an entry is created in the second directory tree in which the data file is selectable for consumption by the host.