US5953522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temporary computer file system implementing using anonymous storage allocated for virtual memory
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
•
Filing: 1996-07-01
•
Granted: 1999-09-14
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Expires: 2016-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A devtmp device driver provides the functionality of temporary files by representing a virtual device and including the virtual device among several devices within which a file system can store files. Rather than storing data in and retrieving data from a physical device, the devtmp device driver stores data in and retrieves data from anonymous storage through a swap file system which manages anonymous storage for a virtual memory system. A file system uses the devtmp device driver in the same manner the file system uses conventional device drivers which store data in and retrieve data from secondary storage devices. Since the devtmp device driver represents a virtual device whose data are stored in anonymous storage managed by the swap file system, the total amount of storage available for storing data of temporary files is shared among the various components of a computer process to successfully satisfy various needs of various computer processes. Temporary files can be accessed through a main file system, e.g., the UNIX file system, using a delayed-write-mode. In the delayed-write mode, the file system does not write metadata of a device to secondary storage and writes substantive data of files stored on the device only when insufficient primary storage is available to store the substantive data. Accordingly, temporary files are stored in primary storage so long as primary storage is available for such temporary files and are stored in, or moved to, secondary storage when primary storage is unavailable.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin C. Fox
- 👤 Timothy P. Marsland
- 👤 Michael L. Federwisch
- 👤 James J. Voll
- 👤 Madhusudhan Talluri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99956
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
In a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a file system (FS) for cataloguing files, said files including a data portion and a metadata portion, a method for implementing a temporary file within said file system, the method comprising: (a) providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; (b) mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within said computer system, said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system, said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; (c) using said file manager to invoke procedures within said device driver for accessing desired information within said virtual memory device relating to said at least one non-persistent data file; and (d) using said device driver to effect access of said desired information within said anonymous storage system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
In a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a file system (FS) for cataloguing files, said files including a data portion and a metadata portion, a method for implementing a temporary file within said file system, the method comprising: (a) providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; (b) mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within said computer system, said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system, said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; (c) using said file manager to invoke procedures within said device driver for accessing desired information within said virtual memory device relating to said at least one non-persistent data file; and (d) using said device driver to effect access of said desired information within said anonymous storage system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said computer system includes a second device driver for managing a secondary storage device, said method further including the step of configuring each device driver to implement an interface and an operating behavior which are substantially similar to each other device driver within said computer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of storing the data portion and metadata portion of a non-persistent file in said anonymous storage system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said operating system is a UNIX-based operating system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mounting step (b) further includes the step of mounting said device driver such that files are accessed using a delayed-write mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of using said device driver to manage information stored in said anonymous storage system by invoking procedures defined within said swap file system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating systems the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, a method for implementing a non-persistent data file within said file systems the method comprising: (a) providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files; (b) mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver representing a virtual memory device used for implementing non-persistent data files within said computer system, said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; (c) creating a non-persistent data file by invocation of a procedure of the storage media file system, while indicating that said non-persistent data file is to be created within the virtual memory device associated with said device driver; and (d) utilizing said device driver to allocate anonymous storage space within said anonymous storage system for storage of information relating to said non-persistent data file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
208 words
In a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating systems the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, a method for implementing a non-persistent data file within said file systems the method comprising: (a) providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files; (b) mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver representing a virtual memory device used for implementing non-persistent data files within said computer system, said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; (c) creating a non-persistent data file by invocation of a procedure of the storage media file system, while indicating that said non-persistent data file is to be created within the virtual memory device associated with said device driver; and (d) utilizing said device driver to allocate anonymous storage space within said anonymous storage system for storage of information relating to said non-persistent data file.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of releasing said allocated anonymous storage space in response to the storage media file system invoking a callback procedure in said device driver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said computer system includes a second device driver for managing a secondary storage device, said method further including the step of configuring each device driver to implement an interface and an operating behavior which are substantially similar to each other device driver within said computer system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of storing data and metadata related to said non-persistent data file in said anonymous storage space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said operating system is a UNIX-based operating system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said mounting step (a) further includes the step of mounting said device driver such that files are accessed using a delayed-write mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 further including the step of using said device driver to manage information stored in said anonymous storage system by invoking procedures defined within said swap file system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
244 words
A computer program product for use in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computable readable code embodied therein for implementing a temporary file system in the computer system, the computer readable code comprising: computer code for providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; computer code for mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within the computer system; computer code for implementing an anonymous storage system for use by said virtual memory device, said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; computer code for using the file manager to invoke procedures within said device driver for accessing desired information within said virtual memory device relating to said at least one non-persistent data file; computer code for using said device driver to effect access of said desired information within said anonymous storage system; and a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
244 words
A computer program product for use in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computable readable code embodied therein for implementing a temporary file system in the computer system, the computer readable code comprising: computer code for providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; computer code for mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within the computer system; computer code for implementing an anonymous storage system for use by said virtual memory device, said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; computer code for using the file manager to invoke procedures within said device driver for accessing desired information within said virtual memory device relating to said at least one non-persistent data file; computer code for using said device driver to effect access of said desired information within said anonymous storage system; and a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 14 wherein the computer readable medium is a data signal embodied in a carrier wave.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said computer system includes a second device driver for managing a secondary storage device, said computer program product further including computer code for configuring each device driver to implement an interface and an operating behavior which are substantially similar to each other device driver within said computer system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 14, including computer code for storing the data portion and metadata portion of a non-persistent file in said anonymous storage system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product of claim 14 wherein said operating system is a UNIX-based operating system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 14 further including computer code for mounting said device driver such that files are accessed using a delayed-write mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program product of claim 14 further comprising: computer code for using said device driver to manage information stored in said anonymous storage system by invoking procedures defined within said swap file system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
256 words
A computer program product for use in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computable readable code embodied therein for implementing a temporary file system in the computer system, the computer readable code comprising: computer code for providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; computer code for mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver representing a virtual memory device used for implementing non-persistent data files within said computer system; computer code for implementing an anonymous storage system for use by said virtual storage devices said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; computer code for creating a non-persistent data file by invocation of a procedure of the storage media file system, while indicating that said non-persistent data file is to be created within the virtual memory device associated with said device driver; computer code for utilizing said device driver to allocate anonymous storage space within said anonymous storage system for storage of information relating to said non-persistent data file; and a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
256 words
A computer program product for use in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computable readable code embodied therein for implementing a temporary file system in the computer system, the computer readable code comprising: computer code for providing a file manager within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; computer code for mounting and attaching within the operating system a device driver representing a virtual memory device used for implementing non-persistent data files within said computer system; computer code for implementing an anonymous storage system for use by said virtual storage devices said anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; computer code for creating a non-persistent data file by invocation of a procedure of the storage media file system, while indicating that said non-persistent data file is to be created within the virtual memory device associated with said device driver; computer code for utilizing said device driver to allocate anonymous storage space within said anonymous storage system for storage of information relating to said non-persistent data file; and a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer program product of claim 21 wherein the computer readable medium is a data signal embodied in a carrier wave.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program product of claim 21 further including computer code for releasing said allocated anonymous storage space in response to the storage media file system invoking a callback procedure in said device driver.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
56 words
The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said computer system includes a second device driver for managing a secondary storage device, said computer program product further including computer code for configuring each device driver to implement an interface and an operating behavior which are substantially similar to each other device driver within said computer system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer program product of claim 21 further including computer code for storing data and metadata related to said non-persistent data file in said anonymous storage space.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer program product of claim 21 wherein said operating system is a UNIX-based operating system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer program product of claim 21 further including computer code for mounting said device driver such that files are accessed using a delayed-write mode.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
192 words
A system for implementing temporary files in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, the operating system including a file system (FS) for cataloguing files, the system comprising: a file manager configured within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; and a device driver mounted and attached within the operating system for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within said computer system; said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system the anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; said device driver being responsive to instructions from the file manager for invoking procedures to access desired information within said virtual memory device relating to said at least one non-persistent data file; said device driver including means for effecting access of said desired information within said anonymous storage system.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
192 words
A system for implementing temporary files in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, the operating system including a file system (FS) for cataloguing files, the system comprising: a file manager configured within the file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; and a device driver mounted and attached within the operating system for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within said computer system; said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system the anonymous storage system utilizing a swap file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; said device driver being responsive to instructions from the file manager for invoking procedures to access desired information within said virtual memory device relating to said at least one non-persistent data file; said device driver including means for effecting access of said desired information within said anonymous storage system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said computer system includes a second device driver for managing a secondary storage device, and wherein each device driver is configured to implement an interface and an operating behavior which are substantially similar to each other device driver within said computer system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 28 wherein a data portion and a metadata portion of said at least one a non-persistent file are stored in said anonymous storage system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said operating system is a UNIX-based operating system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said device driver is mounted within said operating system such that files are accessed using a delayed-write mode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said device driver includes means for managing information stored in said anonymous storage system by invoking procedures defined within said swap file system.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for implementing temporary files in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, the apparatus comprising: a file manager configured within the storage media file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; and a device driver mounted and attached within the operating system for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within said computer system; said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system, the anonymous storage system utilizing a swan file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; said device driver being responsive to instructions from the storage media file system for invoking a procedure for creating a non-persistent data file within the virtual memory device.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for implementing temporary files in a computer system having an operating system (OS) which is structured to allow multiple different file system types to coexist within the operating system, the computer system including at least one volatile memory storage device and at least one non-volatile memory storage device, said operating system including a storage media file system (FS) for cataloging files, the apparatus comprising: a file manager configured within the storage media file system for managing persistent data files and non-persistent data files within said operating system; and a device driver mounted and attached within the operating system for representing a virtual memory device used for implementing at least one non-persistent data file within said computer system; said virtual memory device including an anonymous storage system, the anonymous storage system utilizing a swan file system for allocating anonymous storage space in said anonymous storage system; said device driver being responsive to instructions from the storage media file system for invoking a procedure for creating a non-persistent data file within the virtual memory device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said device driver includes means for releasing said allocated anonymous storage space in response to the storage media file system invoking a callback procedure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said computer system includes a second device driver for managing a secondary storage device, and wherein each device driver is configured to implement an interface and an operating behavior which are substantially similar to each other device driver within said computer systems.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 34 wherein said device driver includes means for allocating anonymous storage space within said anonymous storage system for storage of data and metadata relating to said non-persistent data file.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said operating system is a UNIX-based operating system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said device driver is mounted within said operating system such that files are accessed using a delayed-write mode.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said device driver includes means for managing information stored in said anonymous storage system by invoking procedures defined within said swap file system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |