Virtual Disk Mapping for Bluetooth Storage Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Bluetooth file transfer methods do not allow a first terminal to access or utilize the storage space of a second terminal, making it inconvenient for file storage and management.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable a first terminal to map the storage space of a second terminal as a virtual disk, allowing the first terminal to access and manage the storage space of the second terminal without increasing its own storage capacity, by establishing a Bluetooth connection and sending specific instruction messages to parse and manipulate the storage information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If Bluetooth file transfer is used between terminals, then data transmission is enabled, but the storage space of the receiving terminal remains invisible and inaccessible to the sending terminal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space visibilityVSAvoidfile storage convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the second terminal's storage space on the first terminal. Through Bluetooth communication, the storage space information (capacity, used space, available space) is copied and displayed on the first terminal's interface, making it visible and accessible without physically accessing the second terminal's hardware storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a virtual storage space mechanism as an intermediary between the two terminals. This virtual storage acts as a mediator that allows the first terminal to access and manage files in the second terminal's storage space through Bluetooth connection, without direct hardware access to the second terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the first terminal accesses the second terminal's storage space, then storage capacity is effectively expanded, but the first terminal's own storage hardware is not increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstorage management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from physical storage dimension to virtual storage dimension. Instead of increasing physical storage hardware, the system creates a virtual storage layer through software and Bluetooth communication that provides additional storage capacity to the first terminal by accessing the second terminal's storage space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If virtual storage mapping is implemented, then storage accessibility is improved, but communication protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage accessVSAvoidcommunication protocol
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal virtual storage interface that can access storage spaces across different terminals through Bluetooth. The virtual storage mechanism provides multi-functional capabilities including viewing storage capacity, copying files, creating folders, and managing files, all through a unified interface that works across different terminal devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2838027B1Method and apparatus for expanding storage space
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2838027B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2838027B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2838027B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for expanding a storage space, and relate to the field of communications technologies. A first terminal sends a first instruction message to a second terminal, where the first instruction message carries an instruction of obtaining information of a storage space of the second terminal; the first terminal receives a first instruction response message sent by the second terminal, where the first instruction response message carries the information of the storage space of the second terminal; the first terminal sets a virtual folder in a storage space of the first terminal, and stores, in the virtual folder, the information of the storage space of the second terminal carried in the first instruction response message.