Method and apparatus for efficient storage and retrieval of objects in and from an object storage device

A method for storing an image in an image storage device, said method comprising:

• (a) receiving URL and associated HTTP Request and HTTP Response information;
• (b) parsing the HTTP Request information and the HTTP Response information to obtain cookies and authorizations contained therein;
• (c) merging the cookies if related cookies are contained in the HTTP Request and the HTTP Response;
• (d) forming an image identification string by combining the URL, the merged cookies and the authorizations;
• (e) hashing the image identification string to produce a hash directory;
• (f) replacing unpermitted characters in the image identification string with predetermined replacements;
• (g) dividing the image identification string to form a directory path having a series of individual directories;
• (h) forming the individual directories of the directory path in the image storage device to the extent not already present;
• and
• (i) storing at least one file in a resulting directory identified by the directory path.

A method for storing a plurality of image files to a digital storage unit for subsequent retrieval, said method comprising the acts of:

• (a) identifying an image file to be stored to the digital storage unit, the identified image file being identified by a combination of a resource locator and an associated data string;
• (b) forming a directory path into the digital storage unit from the combination of the resource locator and an associated data string;
• and
• (c) storing the image file in the digital storage unit at a directory indicated by the directory path.