Storage Device Full-Text Search Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage devices lack a full-text search function and require central processing unit (CPU) or main memory (DRAM) resources for inverted file management and Boolean operations, leading to limited speed and scalability, especially in mobile applications with limited resources.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with an interface, a first memory block for storing files and inverted files, and a controller that performs inverted file management and Boolean operations, allowing for high-speed content search and Boolean processing without relying on the host system's resources, using a file search table to output file IDs as search results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If full-text search function is implemented using host system CPU and main memory, then search functionality is achieved, but search speed is limited by communication speed between host system and storage device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the full-text search function from the host system and relocates it to the storage device. Specifically, the controller within the storage device performs inverted file management and Boolean operations locally, eliminating the need for continuous communication with the host system's CPU and main memory during search operations. This extraction enables high-speed search execution while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated controller functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure called an inverted file stored within the storage device's nonvolatile memory. This inverted file serves as a mediator between the stored content and search queries, enabling the controller to perform rapid lookups and Boolean operations without involving the host system's processing resources. The intermediary inverted file structure allows the storage device to autonomously handle full-text search operations at high speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inverted file management is performed using host system resources, then full-text search is enabled, but scalability is limited due to dependency on host system capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality within the storage device, where the controller autonomously manages inverted files and performs Boolean operations without requiring host system intervention. The storage device independently handles search query processing, inverted file updates, and result generation, making it adaptable to different host systems and environments including mobile devices with limited resources. This self-service capability enhances scalability while maintaining operational simplicity through a unified interface.
3Productivity
If full-text search function is integrated into storage device, then search speed improves, but resource requirements of storage device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing and indexing content into inverted files during data storage or idle periods. The controller prepares inverted file structures in advance, organizing content by keywords and maintaining indexes that enable rapid search execution. This preliminary indexing reduces the computational burden during actual search operations, allowing high search throughput without requiring excessive processing resources during query execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by focusing the storage device's processing resources on specific search-related tasks (inverted file management and Boolean operations) rather than attempting to handle all possible processing functions. The controller selectively processes only the portions of search queries that require local computation, while leaving other operations to the host system. This selective approach achieves high search productivity without unnecessarily increasing overall device resource requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a storage device includes an interface, a first and second memory blocks and a controller. The interface receives a content search request. The first memory block stores files and inverted files corresponding to contents included in the files. The second memory block stores a file search table. The controller creates the inverted file for each content included in the files and stores IDs of the files including the content in the inverted file. The controller obtains, by search of the content, a corresponding inverted file from the inverted files stored in the first memory block and stores, in the file search table, the IDs of the files included in the obtained inverted file. The controller outputs the IDs of the files stored in the file search table from the interface as a search result for the content search request.