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Publication Number
US-10621149-B1
Publication Date
2020-04-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
One or more embodiments of the present invention include a memory and a processor. The memory includes a plurality of files, a master cluster record, and an operating system. The processor is configured to execute the operating system in order to locate and load each cluster of a file. Each file includes a plurality of clusters and each cluster includes a first pointer and a second pointer. The first pointer is linked to a previous cluster of a file and second pointer is linked to a subsequent cluster of the file using a double linked list data structure.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a stable file system in which each file is stored as a plurality of clusters on a medium, and the operating system locates and loads clusters of a file. A master cluster record maintains a list of the plurality of files and, for each file, the first cluster, and the processor uses the master cluster record to locate a first cluster for a file.
The clusters are organized to enable skipping one or more intervening clusters when each cluster of the file is loaded. Each cluster comprises a first 64-bit pointer at the front and a second 64-bit pointer at the end, and the first pointer is linked to a previous cluster of the file while the second pointer is linked to a subsequent cluster of the file using a double linked list data structure.
The processor traverses the file based on these linked pointers, including locating another cluster when a 64-bit pointer references another cluster. In the case where a 64-bit pointer of the second cluster is empty, the processor loads previously located clusters of the file.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to an apparatus, a computer implemented method, and a computer program that locate and load file clusters using a master cluster record and 64-bit pointers in clusters. Across the independent claims, there are four inventive features focused on locating the first cluster with the MCR, skipping intervening clusters, traversing clusters with a double linked list, and loading previously located clusters when a pointer is empty.
Master cluster record with first cluster per file
The master cluster record comprises a list of each of the plurality of files and a first cluster for each of the plurality of files, the first cluster configured to point to a subsequent cluster of a file in sequence.
Cluster navigation by skipping intervening clusters using 64-bit pointers
The processor is further configured to locate a first cluster of the file and skip one or more intervening clusters on a medium when each cluster of the file is loaded.
Double linked list of clusters via first and second 64-bit pointers
Each of the plurality of clusters comprise a first 64-bit pointer at front of each of the plurality of clusters and a second 64-bit pointer at end of each of the plurality of clusters, the first pointer is linked to a previous cluster of a file and second pointer is linked to a subsequent cluster of the file using a double linked list data structure.
Conditional loading of previously located clusters when pointer is empty
When the 64-bit pointer of the second cluster is empty, loading previously located clusters of the file.
Collectively, the independent claims cover locating a file’s first cluster from a master cluster record, skipping intervening clusters while loading, and traversing the remaining clusters by following first/second 64-bit pointers arranged as a double linked list, with conditional loading of previously located clusters when a pointer is empty.
Stated Advantages
Improved stability.
Reduced seek/access time.
Fragmentation immunity.
Documented Applications
Stable file system operation where an operating system locates and loads clusters of a file using a master cluster record and pointer traversal.
Hard links and soft links as part of the described stable file system extensions.
Public/private key encryption using an external private key for files in the stable file system.
Optional journaling and/or hybrid integration with FAT32 or NTFS by modifying file tables.
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