Superset Format Storage Device Sector Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost of managing and inventorying numerous unique Hard Disk Drive (HDD) formats in computer systems, which leads to increased inventory, scrap, and end-to-end costs due to the need for multiple unique parts and formats.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a superset format that includes sectors with a header, data section, and trailer, where the data section is sized to accommodate a maximum number of bytes equal to or greater than the largest subset format, allowing dynamic configuration to interface with different operating systems without reformatting, using meta data flags to indicate subset formats and configuring the device accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unique HDD formats are used to support different operating systems, then system compatibility is improved, but inventory complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal storage device format that can serve multiple operating systems and system types (eServer, pSeries, iSeries) through a single standardized sector structure. The superset format includes a data section sized to accommodate the maximum bytes per sector requirement across all subset formats, with unused bytes filled with padding or reserved areas, allowing one storage device to replace multiple unique formats previously required for different systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the form of configurable bytes per sector values within the superset format. By defining the data section size to accommodate the maximum possible bytes per sector and using metadata to indicate the actual subset format being used, the system can dynamically adapt to different operating system requirements without changing the physical storage device structure, thus reducing inventory complexity while maintaining compatibility.
2Reliability
If multiple unique HDD formats are maintained, then format-specific performance requirements are met, but manufacturing and field service operations become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized superset format enables a single manufacturing process to produce storage devices compatible with multiple system types. Instead of manufacturing separate HDD formats for different operating systems, the patent allows one manufacturing line to produce universally compatible devices, simplifying manufacturing operations while maintaining the ability to support various subset formats through configuration rather than physical variation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed sector format is used, then data storage is simplified, but adaptability to different operating systems is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability through metadata that indicates the actual subset format being used within the superset structure. This allows the storage device to maintain a simple, fixed physical sector format while dynamically configuring how the data section is interpreted and accessed by different operating systems. The superset format with padding bytes and metadata enables the same physical structure to adapt to different bytes per sector requirements without changing the fundamental storage simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device comprising a storage medium having a plurality of sectors and a superset format. Each sector includes a header, a data section and a trailer, the data section sized to contain a number of bytes per sector equal to or greater than a maximum of subset formats to be supported. Meta data in a non-user portion of the storage medium includes a flag for indicating a subset format such that each sector is formatted to store less than the number of bytes.