Method and apparatus for generating a file allocation table for a storage medium with no file allocation table using file storage information

A method for accessing a compressed file stored on a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) having no file allocation table, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a request for file allocation table (FAT) information from a compression mechanism;
• obtaining file storage information for said compressed file directly from said CD-ROM specifying where on said CD-ROM said compressed file is located;
• generating dynamically a FAT using said file storage information, said FAT having a format which is compatible with said compression mechanism;
• providing information from said FAT to said compression mechanism;
• receiving a data request from said compression mechanism, said data request being based on information from said FAT;
• translating said data request into a read request, said read request containing a reference to at least one location on said CD-ROM;
• producing hardware calls for directly accessing the storage device and retrieving a portion of said compressed data from the location specified in the data request;
• and
• the retrieved portion of said compressed data to said compression mechanism.

An apparatus for interfacing a data processing mechanism with a storage medium having no file allocation table (FAT) stored thereon to directly access one of a plurality of compressed files stored on the storage medium, comprising:

• means for receiving a request from said data processing mechanism for file allocation table (FAT) information for said storage medium;
• means for obtaining, in response to said request, file storage information for said storage medium directly from said storage medium specifying, for at least one file stored on said storage medium, where the file is located;
• means for dynamically generating a FAT using said file storage information, said FAT having a format compatible with said data processing mechanism;
• and
• means for providing information from said FAT to said data processing mechanism to allow said data processing mechanism to directly access information stored on said storage medium.

An apparatus for directly accessing a compressed file stored on a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) having no file allocation table stored thereon, comprising:

• means for receiving a request for file allocation table (FAT) information from a compression mechanism;
• means for obtaining file storage information for said compressed file directly from said CD-ROM specifying where on said CD-ROM said compressed file is located;
• means for generating a FAT using said file storage information, said FAT having a format which is compatible with said compression mechanism;
• means for providing information from said FAT to said compression mechanism;
• means for receiving a data request from said compression mechanism, said data request being based on information from said FAT;
• means for translating said data request into a read request, said read request containing a reference to at least one location on said CD-ROM;
• means for receiving at least a portion of said compressed file directly retrieved from said one location;
• and
• means for providing the retrieved portion of said compressed file to said compression mechanism.

An information accessing system, comprising:

• a storage medium having information stored thereon, said storage medium having no file allocation table (FAT) stored thereon;
• a data processing mechanism, said data processing mechanism requiring FAT information in order to submit access requests to said storage medium;
• an interface, said interface generating a FAT for said storage medium, providing information from said FAT to said data processing mechanism to enable said data processing mechanism to submit an access request, and translating said access request directly into a read request having a reference to at least one location on said storage medium;
• and
• a device driver for processing said read request to retrieve information from at least said one location on said storage medium.