Fragmentation reduction using virtual sectors for static data
AssigneeNokia Corporation
InventorOlli Olavi Luukkainen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for facilitating enhanced storage efficiency. Operational scenarios that include, for example, many distinct files that are smaller than a read/write block size in an apparatus may result in large portions of unused memory. Sectors that would have normally fallen within a block occupied by a small file may be replaced by “virtual” sectors. The virtual sectors may be mapped in an intermediate control level so that small files may still be read using a standard block size without wasting actual physical memory space. The physical sectors that were previously virtualized may then, for example, be used to “extend” the available memory.
Claims19
A method, comprising:
- identifying a requirement for accessing at least one read/write block in a memory, wherein the read/write block is identified by a range of logical sector addresses;
- determining whether each logical sector address in the range of logical sector addresses corresponds to a physical sector or a virtual sector;
- if the address corresponds to a physical sector, determining the location of the physical sector and accessing the physical sector;
- and
- if the address corresponds to a virtual sector, performing an alternative activity as defined by an intermediate control layer.
A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a computer readable storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising:
- code configured to identify a requirement for accessing at least one read/write block in a memory, wherein the read/write block is identified by a range of logical sector addresses;
- code configured to determine whether each logical sector address in the range of logical sector addresses corresponds to a physical sector or a virtual sector;
- code configured to, if the address corresponds to a physical sector, determine the location of the physical sector and access the physical sector;
- and
- code configured to, if the address corresponds to a virtual sector, perform an alternative activity as defined by an intermediate control layer.
An apparatus, comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one memory including executable instructions, the at least one memory and the executable instructions being configured to, in cooperation with the at least one processor, cause the device to perform at least the following:
- identify a requirement for accessing at least one read/write block in a memory, wherein the read/write block is identified by a range of logical sector addresses;
- determine whether each logical sector address in the range of logical sector addresses corresponds to a physical sector or a virtual sector;
- if the address corresponds to a physical sector, determine the location of the physical sector and access the physical sector;
- and
- if the address corresponds to a virtual sector, perform an alternative activity as defined by an intermediate control layer.
A system, comprising:
- an application layer;
- a physical memory layer;
- and
- an intermediate control layer;
- the application layer identifying a requirement for accessing at least one read/write block, wherein the read/write block is identified by a range of logical sector addresses;
- the intermediate control layer determining whether each logical sector address in the range of logical sector addresses corresponds to a physical sector or a virtual sector;
- if the address corresponds to a physical sector, the physical memory layer determining the location of the physical sector and accessing the physical sector;
- and
- if the address corresponds to a virtual sector, the intermediate control layer performing an alternative activity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.