Virtual File System for Portable Media Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable media drives have limited and inflexible storage capacity, and their compact form poses risks of data loss or theft, compromising personal and corporate security, especially in scenarios where electronic file transfer is not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A virtual file system is created that partitions files into local and remote portions, with the local portion stored on the portable media drive and the remote portions stored on a server, enhancing security and increasing storage capacity by allowing file compression and distribution across multiple servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If files are stored entirely on portable media drive, then portability and accessibility are improved, but security and storage capacity are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides files into multiple segments and distributes them across different storage locations (portable media drive and remote server). This segmentation ensures that no single location contains the complete file, enhancing security while maintaining portability through the virtual file system that reconstructs files when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If files are stored entirely on portable media drive, then accessibility is improved, but storage capacity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidstorage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual file system as an intermediary layer between the user and the physical storage media. This virtual file system manages file distribution across local and remote storage, providing seamless accessibility while effectively expanding storage capacity beyond the physical limits of the portable media drive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If compact form is used for portable media drive, then portability is improved, but security is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompact formVSAvoiddata loss or theft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting files and distributing segments across secure remote servers, the patent mitigates the security risks inherent in compact portable storage. The compact drive retains only essential segments, while the majority of data resides in secure remote locations, reducing the impact of potential loss or theft.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If fixed storage capacity is used, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidstorage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the portable media drive multi-functional by enabling it to serve as both local storage and a gateway to remote storage. The virtual file system allows the drive to adapt its effective capacity dynamically, providing storage flexibility without adding physical complexity to the device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8996586B2Virtual storage of portable media files

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 CALLPLEX

AI summary

Storing and/or virtually compressing a file on a virtual file system associated with a portable media drive. The virtual file system includes the portable media drive and allocated storage of a storage server. The file partitioned into a local portion and at least one remote portion. The local portion is stored on the portable media drive and the remote portions are transferred to the storage server. For a virtually compressed file, the storage size of the file on the virtual file system is calculated as a function of the storage size of the local portion on the portable media drive.