Efficient access of bitmap array with huge usage variance along linear fashion, using pointers

Abstract

A system and method for locating an unallocated bit in a bitmap array includes traversing the bitmap array using a plurality of pointers to locate a unit. The unit includes a plurality of entities and at least one of the plurality of entities is unallocated. The method further includes traversing the at least one of the plurality of unallocated entities in the unit to obtain an unallocated entity. The unit is associated with at least one pointer, and the at least one pointer is associated with a plurality of threshold values and a fill count, the fill count being less than a maximum fill count of the bitmap array.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.