US5581737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for expansion, contraction, and reapportionment of structured external storage structures
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1994-09-12
•
Granted: 1996-12-03
•
Expires: 2014-09-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for optimizing a data structure of an external data storage facility shared by a plurality of data processing systems, the data structure being allocated by a first allocation command which includes first allocation parameters based on an amount of storage space in the external data storage facility assigned for creation of the data structure and a composition of the data structure, includes a device for determining values of the first allocation parameters, to thereby determine a first composition of the data structure, a device for determining an actual usage of the data structure, to thereby determine a second composition of the data structure, a device for comparing the first composition of the data structure with the second composition of the data structure, and a device for issuing, based on an output from the comparing device, a second allocation command having second allocation parameters, to the data structure for reallocation thereof. The issuing device includes a device for adjusting the first composition of the data structure to the second composition, as storage space in the external data storage facility and processing cycles become available to execute the second allocation parameters. Until the second allocation parameters are achieved, the reallocation of the data structure remains pending and all processing commands are accepted and processed by the external data storage facility.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis J. Dahlen
- 👤 David A. Elko
- 👤 Audrey A. Helffrich
- 👤 Richard P. King
- 👤 Jeffrey M. Nick
- 👤 Stewart L. Palmer
- 👤 Wendell W. Wilkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F12/00; G06F12/02; G06F12/08; G06F12/0802; G06F12/0806; G06F12/084; G06F12/0223; G06F12/023; G06F12/0815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for optimizing a data structure of an external data storage facility shared by a plurality of data processing systems, said data structure being allocated by a first allocation command which includes first allocation parameters based on an amount of storage space in said external data storage facility assigned for creation of said data structure and a composition of said data structure, said apparatus comprising: means for determining values of said first allocation parameters, to thereby determine a first composition of said data structure; means for determining an actual usage of said data structure, to thereby determine a second composition of said data structure; means for comparing said first composition of said data structure with said second composition of said data structure; and means for issuing, responsive to an output from said comparing means, a second allocation command having second allocation parameters, to said data structure for reallocation thereof, said issuing means including means for adjusting said first composition of said data structure to said second composition, as storage space in said external data storage facility and processing cycles become available to execute said second allocation parameters, wherein, until said second allocation parameters are achieved, the reallocation of said data structure remains pending and all processing commands are accepted and processed by said external data storage facility.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
218 words
An apparatus for optimizing a data structure of an external data storage facility shared by a plurality of data processing systems, said data structure being allocated by a first allocation command which includes first allocation parameters based on an amount of storage space in said external data storage facility assigned for creation of said data structure and a composition of said data structure, said apparatus comprising: means for determining values of said first allocation parameters, to thereby determine a first composition of said data structure; means for determining an actual usage of said data structure, to thereby determine a second composition of said data structure; means for comparing said first composition of said data structure with said second composition of said data structure; and means for issuing, responsive to an output from said comparing means, a second allocation command having second allocation parameters, to said data structure for reallocation thereof, said issuing means including means for adjusting said first composition of said data structure to said second composition, as storage space in said external data storage facility and processing cycles become available to execute said second allocation parameters, wherein, until said second allocation parameters are achieved, the reallocation of said data structure remains pending and all processing commands are accepted and processed by said external data storage facility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting means includes means for expanding a size of said data structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adjusting means includes means for contracting a size of said data structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data structure includes at least one data object and a directory comprising at least one directory element respectively locating said at least one data object, wherein said adjusting means includes means for altering a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object of said data structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data structure includes at least one data object and a directory comprising at least one directory element respectively locating said at least one data object, wherein said adjusting means includes means for expanding a size of said data structure and means for altering a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object of said data structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data structure includes at least one data object and a directory comprising at least one directory element respectively locating said at least one data object, wherein said adjusting means includes means for contracting a size of said data structure and means for altering a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object of said data structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for measuring progress of execution of said second allocation parameters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising means for terminating progress of said second allocation parameters based on an input from said measuring means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for altering said second allocation parameters based on said input from said measuring means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of optimizing a data structure of an external data storage facility shared by a plurality of data processing systems, said data structure being allocated by a first allocation command which includes first allocation parameters based on an amount of storage space in said external data storage facility assigned for creation of said data structure and a composition of said data structure, said method comprising the steps of: determining values of said first allocation parameters, to thereby determine a first composition of said data structure; determining an actual usage of said data structure, to thereby determine a second composition of said data structure; comparing said first composition of said data structure with said second composition of said data structure to provide a comparison output; issuing, responsive to said comparison output, a second allocation command having second allocation parameters, to said data structure for reallocation thereof, adjusting said first composition of said data structure to said second composition, as storage space in said external data storage facility and processing cycles become available to execute said second allocation parameters, wherein, until said second allocation parameters are achieved, the reallocation of said data structure remains pending and all processing commands are accepted and processed by said external data storage facility.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
208 words
A method of optimizing a data structure of an external data storage facility shared by a plurality of data processing systems, said data structure being allocated by a first allocation command which includes first allocation parameters based on an amount of storage space in said external data storage facility assigned for creation of said data structure and a composition of said data structure, said method comprising the steps of: determining values of said first allocation parameters, to thereby determine a first composition of said data structure; determining an actual usage of said data structure, to thereby determine a second composition of said data structure; comparing said first composition of said data structure with said second composition of said data structure to provide a comparison output; issuing, responsive to said comparison output, a second allocation command having second allocation parameters, to said data structure for reallocation thereof, adjusting said first composition of said data structure to said second composition, as storage space in said external data storage facility and processing cycles become available to execute said second allocation parameters, wherein, until said second allocation parameters are achieved, the reallocation of said data structure remains pending and all processing commands are accepted and processed by said external data storage facility.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of adjusting includes a step of expanding a size of said data structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of adjusting includes a step of contracting a size of said data structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said data structure includes at least one data object and a directory comprising at least one directory element respectively locating said at least one data object, wherein said step of adjusting includes a step of altering a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object of said data structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said data structure includes at least one data object and a directory comprising at least one directory element respectively locating said at least one data object, wherein said step of adjusting includes a step of expanding a size of said data structure and a step of altering a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object of said data structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein said data structure includes at least one data object and a directory comprising at least one directory element respectively locating said at least one data object, wherein said step of adjusting includes a step of contracting a size of said data structure and a step of altering a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object of said data structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 10, further comprising a step of measuring progress of execution of said second allocation parameters.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 16, further comprising a step of terminating progress of said second allocation parameters based on said step of measuring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of altering said second allocation parameters based on said step of measuring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said step of expanding a size of said structure includes: a step of determining when continuing said step of expanding would cause a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object to change, and a step of terminating said step of expanding when it is determined that continuing said step of expanding would cause said relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object to change.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of contracting a size of said structure includes: a step of determining when continuing said step of contracting would cause a relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object to change, and a step of terminating said step of contracting 8 when it is determined that continuing said step of expanding would cause said relative number of said at least one directory entry and said at least one data object to change.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of contracting a size of said structure includes: a step of determining when continuing said step of contracting would cause a number of said at least one directory entry to decrease below a predetermined amount, and a step of terminating said step of contracting when it is determined that continuing said step of expanding would cause said number of said at least one directory entry to become less than said predetermined amount.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
81 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of contracting a size of said structure includes: a step of determining when continuing said step of contracting would cause a number of said at least one data object to decrease below a predetermined amount, and a step of terminating said step of contracting when it is determined that continuing said step of expanding would cause said number of said at least one data object to become less than said predetermined amount.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-03 | 2000-06-03 | 2000-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-03 | 2004-06-03 | 2004-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-03 | 2008-06-03 | 2008-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |