Patent US6189016B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6189016B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Journaling ordered changes in a storage volume
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 1998-06-12
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Granted: 2001-02-13
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Expires: 2018-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A change journal for recording changes to files in a storage volume of a computer system keeps a record for each notable change to a file. Each record is given a unique update sequence number, which is a serial number of ever-increasing value assigned to each record. Each record includes one or more change reasons specifying what type of action occurred with respect to the associated file. The presence of a close file change reason in a record connotes that the record includes all the notable changes made to the file in a preceding file session, which is defined as the time occurring after the last time a close file change reason was entered in a change record, up to the time of the next succeeding close file change reason. For each file, an entry is made in the storage volume's master file table referencing the change record that currently includes the most up-to-date information on the status of the change reasons for the file.
Inventors
- 👤 Luis Felipe Cabrera
- 👤 Thomas J. Miller
- 👤 Brian D. Andrew
- 👤 Mark J. Zbikowski
- 👤 Gary D. Kimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952; Y10S707/99953; Y10S707/99954
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for journaling changes, comprising: a) keeping a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) creating each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and c) recording in each change record data representing one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for journaling changes, comprising: a) keeping a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) creating each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and c) recording in each change record data representing one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 further including updating an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record created when the file was last changed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 further wherein the change journal is circular, wherein older records are eliminated from the journal to make room for newer records.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of recording in a change record an indication if a session has been completed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 further wherein one or more successive change records created for a file during a session record the collective history of changes to the file occurring during a session.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 4 further including the step of eliminating from the change journal all records for a file which precede a record which includes a set of change reasons representing all relevant changes occurring in a file during a session.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of storing the change journal on the same storage volume as the files.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of archiving change records eliminated from the change journal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of reading the change journal to determine changes in a file.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 9 further including the step of reading the archived change records to determine changes in a file.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 further including recording in the change journal the source of a change to a file.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
109 words
A data structure for facilitating journaling of changes, comprising a computer-readable change journal stored on a computer-readable media, the change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record, and wherein each change record specifies one or more reasons why the file was last changed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A data structure for facilitating journaling of changes, comprising a computer-readable change journal stored on a computer-readable media, the change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record, and wherein each change record specifies one or more reasons why the file was last changed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A data structure according to claim 12 further including an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A data structure according to claim 12 further wherein each change record also specifies one or more sources of a change.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
174 words
An operating system program product for journaling changes, comprising: operating system computer program components recorded on a machine-readable media, the operating system computer program components executable on a computer to act as an operating system for the computer; the operating system computer program components including one or more file system computer program components, the file system computer program components executable on the computer to create a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; create each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and a) record in each change record data representative of one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
174 words
An operating system program product for journaling changes, comprising: operating system computer program components recorded on a machine-readable media, the operating system computer program components executable on a computer to act as an operating system for the computer; the operating system computer program components including one or more file system computer program components, the file system computer program components executable on the computer to create a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; create each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and a) record in each change record data representative of one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
An operating system according to claim 15 further including computer program components executable on the computer to update an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record created when the file was changed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
An operating system according to claim 15 further wherein the one or more computer program components is executable on the computer to record in each change record one or more sources of changes to a file.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
164 words
An operating system program product for journaling changes, comprising: operating system computer program components recorded on a machine-readable media, the operating system computer program components executable on a computer to act as an operating system for the computer; the operating system computer program components including one or more file system computer program components, the file system computer program components executable on the computer to create a computer-readable change journal stored on a computer-readable carrier, the change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record, and wherein each change record specifies one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
164 words
An operating system program product for journaling changes, comprising: operating system computer program components recorded on a machine-readable media, the operating system computer program components executable on a computer to act as an operating system for the computer; the operating system computer program components including one or more file system computer program components, the file system computer program components executable on the computer to create a computer-readable change journal stored on a computer-readable carrier, the change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record, and wherein each change record specifies one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
An operating system program product according to claim 18 further including computer program components executable on the computer to create an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
An operating system according to claim 18 further wherein the one or more computer program components is executable on the computer to record in each change record one or more sources of changes to a file.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
A program product for journaling changes, comprising a computer program encoded on a computer-readable media and executable on a computer to: a) keep a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) create each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and c) record in each change record one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
A program product for journaling changes, comprising a computer program encoded on a computer-readable media and executable on a computer to: a) keep a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) create each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and c) record in each change record one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A program product comprising a computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein the change journal is circular, wherein older records are eliminated from the journal to make room for newer records.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform the step of recording in a change record an indication if a session has been completed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein one or more successive change records created for a file during a session record the collective history of changes to the file occurring during a session.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer program product according to claim 24 further wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform the step of eliminating from the change journal all records for a file which precede a record which includes a set of change reasons representing all relevant changes occurring in a file during a session.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform the step of storing the change journal on the same storage volume as the files.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform the step of archiving change records eliminated from the change journal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform the step of reading the change journal to determine changes in a file.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer program product according to claim 27 further wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform the step of reading the archived change records to determine changes in a file.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer program product according to claim 21 further wherein the computer program is executable on the computer to record the source of change to a file in a change record.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for journaling changes, comprising: a) a storage medium having a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) an electronic component producing each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and c) the electronic component further recording in each change record data representing one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
128 words
A system for journaling changes, comprising: a) a storage medium having a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) an electronic component producing each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during sessions, and wherein when an operation occurs more than once in a session, only a first occurrence of the operation is recorded in each change record; and c) the electronic component further recording in each change record data representing one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 31 further including an electronic component updating an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record created when the file was last changed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 32 further wherein the change journal is circular, wherein older records are eliminated from the journal to make room for newer records.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 31 further wherein the electronic component records in a change record an indication if a session has been completed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 31 further wherein one or more successive change records created for a file during a session record the collective history of changes to the file occurring during a session.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 34 further wherein the electronic component eliminates from the change journal all records for a file which precede a record which includes a set of change reasons representing all relevant changes occurring in a file during a session.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system according to claim 31 further wherein the electronic component stores the change journal on the same storage volume as the files.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 31 further wherein the electronic component archives change records eliminated from the change journal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 31 further wherein the electronic component reads the change journal to determine changes in a file.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 39 further wherein the electronic component reads the archived change records to determine changes in a file.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 31 further wherein the electronic component records in the change journal the source of a change to a file.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
system according to claim 31 wherein the electronic component is software executing on a computer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 31 wherein the electronic component is hardware.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for journaling changes, comprising: a) keeping a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) creating each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during a session, and wherein one of the change records contains a summary of all changes to the file that occurred during the session; and c) recording in each change record data representing one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for journaling changes, comprising: a) keeping a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; b) creating each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during a session, and wherein one of the change records contains a summary of all changes to the file that occurred during the session; and c) recording in each change record data representing one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 44 , wherein the one change record containing the summary of all changes further comprises a close reason representing an end of the session.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the one change record containing the summary of all changes further comprises a false close reason representing that although the file is still open, earlier change records for the file are deallocated.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 44 , further comprising: updating an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record created when the file was last changed.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 44 , further comprising: reading the change journal to determine changes in a file.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 44 , further comprising: recording in the change journal the source of a change to the file.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
106 words
A data structure for facilitating journaling of changes, comprising: a computer-readable change journal stored on a computer-readable media, the change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during a session, and wherein one of the change records contains a summary of all changes to the file that occurred during the session, and wherein each change record specifies one or more reasons why the file was last changed.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
106 words
A data structure for facilitating journaling of changes, comprising: a computer-readable change journal stored on a computer-readable media, the change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during a session, and wherein one of the change records contains a summary of all changes to the file that occurred during the session, and wherein each change record specifies one or more reasons why the file was last changed.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data structure of claim 50 , wherein the one change record containing the summary of all changes further comprises a close reason representing an end of the session.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
40 words
The data structure of claim 50 , wherein the one change record containing the summary of all changes further comprises a false close reason representing that although the file is still open, earlier change records for the file are deallocated.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The data structure of claim 50 , further comprising: an entry for the file in an index of files on the storage volume to reference the unique identification for the change record.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data structure of claim 50 , wherein each change record also specifies one or more sources of a change.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
125 words
A program product for journaling changes, comprising a computer program encoded on a computer-readable media and executable on a computer to: keep a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; create each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during a session, and wherein one of the change records contains a summary of all changes to the file that occurred during the session; and record in each change record one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
125 words
A program product for journaling changes, comprising a computer program encoded on a computer-readable media and executable on a computer to: keep a computer-readable change journal having a plurality of change records each having a unique identification that unambiguously specifies the order in which the records were created, wherein each change record records one or more changes to a file in a computer-readable storage volume; create each change record in response to changes to the file in the storage volume, wherein changes to the file occur during a session, and wherein one of the change records contains a summary of all changes to the file that occurred during the session; and record in each change record one or more reasons why the file was changed.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
The program product of claim 55 , wherein the one change record containing the summary of all changes further comprises a close reason representing an end of the session.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
The program product of claim 55 , wherein the one change record containing the summary of all changes further comprises a false close reason representing that although the file is still open, earlier change records for the file are deallocated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-13 | 2008-08-14 | 2009-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-13 | 2012-08-14 | 2013-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |