Converting file-systems that organize and store data for computing systems

• US 20070112891A1
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Marriott, Greg, Shayer, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,836,105 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/116 Details of conversion of file system types or formats
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/1794 Details of file format conversion

Abstract

Techniques for converting file-systems used for organizing and storing data on computer readable mediums are disclosed. A first file-system is converted to a second file-system while file(s) stored on the computer readable medium remain(s) virtually undisturbed in the same location. A FAT file-system (e.g., FAT32) is converted to an HFS file-system (e.g., HFS Plus) by generating HFS data structures (Catalog, Allocation File and Extents) for file(s) already stored in the HFS file-system. The number and location of the file(s) can be determined primarily based on the FAT file-system'"'"'s data structures (FAT and Directory). The conversion process can be stopped before the FAT file-system indicators (partition map and boot sector) are overwritten. After the HFS data structured have been generated and successfully verified for the file(s) already stored on the computer readable medium, the HFS file-system can effectively replace the FAT file-system by modifying the partition map and writing a volume header that may overwrite that boot sector. Similarly, A HFS file-system can be converted to a FAT. In general, any file-system used to organize and store files can be converted based on the location of the files(s) which is typically readily obtainable from the original file-system.

Claims

1. A method of converting a first file-system to a second file-system used to organize files on a computer readable medium, said method comprising:

receiving or reading a computer readable medium that stores at least one file in accordance or in compliance with a first file-system which is used to organize and store at least one file on said computer readable medium;

determining at least one location for said at least one file after said receiving or reading of said computer readable medium, wherein said at least one location indicates the location of said at least file on said computer readable medium; and

generating, based on said at least one location, a second file-system that organizes and stores said at least one file in the same location on said computer readable medium as stored under said first file-system, thereby effectively replacing said first file-system by said second file-system while said at least one file remains at the same location on said computer readable medium.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one file is not altered or overwritten.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

generating one or more file-system indicators for said second file-system, wherein said one or more file-system indicators that can indicate that said second file-system is used to organize and store said at least file on said computer readable medium.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one of more file-systems indicators of said first or second file-systems are one or more of the following:

a partition map,

a Volume Header of a Hierarchical File System (HFS) file-system, and

a boot sector of a File Allocation Table (FAT) file-system.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said generating of said second file-system comprises:

generating one more data structures for said second file-system based on the location of said at least one file on said computer readable medium.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said generating of said one or more data structures comprises:

reading one or data structures of said first file-system; and

generating, at least partially based on said one or more data structures of said first file-system, said one or more data structures of said second file-system.

7. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said one or more data structures of said first or second file-systems are one or more of the following:

a File Allocation Table (FAT) of a FAT file-system,

a Directory of a FAT file-system,

a Catalog of a Hierarchical File System (HFS),

an Allocation File of a Hierarchical File System (HFS), and

Extents of a Hierarchical File System (HFS).

8. A method as recited in claim 1,

wherein said first file systems is a FAT file-system or a Hierarchical File System (HFS);

and

wherein said second file-system is a FAT file-system or a Hierarchical File System (HFS).

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer readable medium is a hard disk.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer system is a portable device.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein portable device can play media.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether to convert said first file-system to said second file-system; and

generating said second file-system when said determining determines to convert said first file-system to second file-system.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said determining of whether to convert said first file-system to said second file-system comprises:

determining whether that first file-system is supported or preferred by a computer system that is or can be operatively connected to said computer readable medium.

14. A method of converting a first file-system, used to organize files on a computer readable medium, to a second file-system used to organize files on said computer readable medium, said method comprising:

storing files in a first file-system that is more likely to be used by a computer system that accesses said first files;

subsequently, determining whether to convert the first file-system to a second file-system that can be used by said computing system;

converting said first file-system to a second file-system when said determining determines to convert the first file-system to a second file-system.

15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said converting of said first file-system to said second file-system comprises:

receiving or reading a computer readable medium that stores at least one file in accordance or in compliance with a first file-system which is used to organize and store at least one file on said computer readable medium;

determining at least one location for said at least one file after said receiving or reading of said computer readable medium, wherein said at least one location indicates the location of said at least file on said computer readable medium; and

generating, based on said at least one location, a second file-system that organizes and stores said at least one file in the same location on said computer readable medium as stored under said first file-system, thereby effectively replacing said first file-system by said second file-system while said at least one file remains at the same location on said computer readable medium.

16. A computer system, comprising:

at least one processor that operates to;

receive or reading a computer readable medium that stores at least one file in accordance or in compliance with a first file-system which is used to organize and store at least one file on said computer readable medium;

determine at least one location for said at least one file after said receiving or reading of said computer readable medium, wherein said at least one location indicates the location of said at least file on said computer readable medium; and

generate, based on said at least one location, a second file-system that organizes and stores said at least one file in the same location on said computer readable medium as stored under said first file-system, thereby effectively replacing first file-system by said second file-system while said at least one file remains at the same location on said computer readable medium.

17. A computer system as recited in claim 16, wherein said computer system is one or more of the following:

a handheld device,

a portable device, and

a media player.

18. A computer system as recited in claim 17,

wherein said computer system can be connected to another computing system, and

wherein said another computing system operates to:

determine whether to convert the first file-system to said second file-system;

initiate said converting of said first file-system to a second file-system when said determining determines to convert the first file-system to a second file-system.

19. A computer system as recited in claim 18,

wherein said other computing system initiates said converting of said first file-system by sending a command to said computing system;

and

wherein said other computing system

20. A computer system as recited in claim 18, wherein said first file systems is a FAT file-system or a Hierarchical File System (HFS);

and

wherein said second file-system is a FAT file-system or a Hierarchical File System (HFS).

21. A computer readable medium including computer program code for converting a first file-system that stores at least one file in accordance or in compliance with a first file-system to a second file-system that stores said at least one file in accordance or in compliance with a second file-system, comprising:

computer program code for determining at least one location for said at least one file after said receiving or reading of said computer readable medium, wherein said at least one location indicates the location of said at least file on said computer readable medium; and

computer program code for generating, based on said at least one location, a second file-system that organizes and stores said at least one file in the same location on said computer readable medium as stored under said first file-system, thereby effectively replacing said first file-system by said second file-system while said at least one file remains at the same location on said computer readable medium.