Embedded Storage File-Usage Table for Memory-Constrained Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art file systems like FAT and NTFS are not suitable for low-end embedded systems due to their complexity, memory requirements, access time, and lack of security, necessitating a method that saves memory, reduces access time, and efficiently protects file contents.

Innovation Solution

A data accessing method using a file-usage table and file-index table that modifies file-usage data and sets file-index data when files are stored or deleted, optimizing memory usage and access efficiency while providing security through predetermined values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional file systems (FAT, NTFS) are used to organize data in storage devices, then data organization capability is improved, but memory consumption and access time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata organization capabilityVSAvoidmemory consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential file management functions from complex traditional file systems, implementing a simplified file system that retains core data organization capabilities while removing unnecessary complexity. This extraction approach reduces memory consumption by keeping only the minimum required data structures for file management in low-end embedded systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs lightweight, simple data structures that consume minimal memory resources, analogous to using cheap disposable objects. The file system uses basic allocation tables and simple metadata structures rather than complex hierarchical structures, making it suitable for systems with limited memory where simplicity and low resource consumption are prioritized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional file systems (FAT, NTFS) are used to organize data in storage devices, then data organization capability is improved, but access time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata organization capabilityVSAvoidaccess time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the file system into simple, discrete components including an allocation table that directly maps file data to storage locations. This segmentation eliminates complex hierarchical navigation required by traditional file systems, allowing direct access to file data and significantly reducing access time in embedded systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-organizing file data into a simple allocation table structure during file creation, storing direct location information rather than hierarchical paths. This preliminary organization enables immediate data retrieval without requiring complex tree traversal or directory navigation during access operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional file systems (FAT, NTFS) are used to organize data in storage devices, then data organization capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata organization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If traditional file systems (FAT, NTFS) are used to organize data in storage devices, then data organization capability is improved, but security capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata organization capabilityVSAvoidsecurity capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing security measures specifically where needed in the simplified file system structure. Rather than requiring complex system-wide security mechanisms, the patent can apply encryption or access control to specific files or directories within the simple allocation table framework, providing targeted security without adding overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8103623B2Method for accessing data stored in storage medium of electronic device

Publication Date: 2012.01.24 SILICON MOTION INC

AI summary

A method for accessing data stored in a storage medium of an electronic device, where the storage medium stores a file-usage table having a plurality of file-usage data which correspond to a plurality of clusters of the storage medium, respectively, includes: when a file is stored into at least a specific cluster of the plurality of the clusters of the storage medium, modifying a specific file-usage data which corresponds to the specific cluster; and when the file is deleted from the storage medium, setting the specific file-usage data by a first predetermined value.