Multiple attribute file directory manipulation and navigation system

• US 6,496,837 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 1 Vision Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 1 Vision Software Incorporated
• Inventors: Godwin, Kurt E., Gandee, John J., Howard, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Hosain T.
• Application Number:
  US09/603,701
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-4, 707/10, 707/102, 707/200-204
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1446 Point-in-time backing up or restoration of persistent data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/32 with visual or acoustical indication of the functioning of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3476 Data logging G06F11/14, G06F11/2205 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/168 Details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems, e.g. browsing and visualisation, 2d or 3d GUIs query results presentation G06F16/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/188 Virtual file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/192 Implementing virtual folder structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

The parallel virtual directory system can extend the native file system to provide a superior method for organizing a computer system'"'"'s physical storage devices or locations. These can include hard disks and removable media or remote storage locations such as on the Internet. Interceptor modules can monitor all file or memory changes such as creations, writes and deletes to the native file system and can pass this information to the parallel virtual directory system. The parallel virtual directory system may be accessed through the native file system methods allowing users to view their file system as it existed at any point in time, including removable media that is no longer present in the system. Further, via the parallel virtal directory system and the Interceptor modules, users can access any file in any of the monitored file systems. The parallel virtual directory system may be implemented using database technology thereby allowing multiple views of the parallel virtual directory system to be offered to the user based on their needs and can thus be used to ease navigation through the file system. Further, a set of information management processes can run at the application level providing data management services such as backup, archiving, recording of digital video programming, or even controlled playback or utilization of that information. The information management processes can configure the parallel virtual directory system to capture the information they require and use the gathered information to efficiently complete their data management functions.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a. a native file directory capable of storing directory information;

b. a second file directory capable of storing at least a portion of the directory information stored on the native file directory and which provides capability beyond the native file directory;

c. an interface coupled to the second file directory which is capable of communicating commands to the second file directory;

wherein the native file directory and the second file directory are both capable of containing common file information.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the second file directory is a virtual file directory.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 1 and further comprising a sorter element to which the second file directory is responsive based on input criteria.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein the second file directory comprises a database capable of storing file information.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 4 and further comprising a filter to which the file information stored on the database of the second file directory is responsive.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 1 and further comprising a third file directory capable of storing at least a portion of the directory information stored on the first file directory.

7. The apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the second file directory and the third file directory are accessible to an application program of a computer system.

8. The apparatus as described in claim 7 and further comprising a reconfigurer to which the second file directory is responsive.

9. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the second file directory has a redefinable hierarchy.

10. The apparatus as described in claim 9 and further comprising a redefiner element to which the hierarchy of the second file directory is responsive after a first hierarchy of the second file directory is established.

11. The apparatus as described in claim 9 and further comprising a sorter element to which the second file directory is responsive based on user criteria.

12. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the second file directory comprises a database capable of storing file information.

13. The apparatus as described in claim 12 and further comprising a filter to which file information stored on the database of the second file directory is responsive.

14. The apparatus as described in claim 9 and further comprising a third file directory having a redefinable hierarchy.

15. The apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein the second file directory and the third file directory are accessible to a computer system application program.

16. The apparatus as described in claim 15 and further comprising a reconfigure element capable of reconfiguring the second file directory and the third file directory.

17. The apparatus as described in claim 9 and further comprising at least one storage medium which stores at least one file represented on the second file directory and wherein the at least one storage medium is accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

18. The apparatus as described in claim 1 and further comprising at least one storage medium capable of storing at least one file represented on the second file directory and wherein the at least one storage medium is accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

19. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the interface is a private interface.

20. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the interface is an input/output of a computer system, an interceptor element, an information management process, a computer system application program, or a remote access interface.

21. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the second file directory is coupled to at least one physical storage device.

22. The apparatus as described in claim 1 and further comprising a reconfigurer which reconfigures the second file directory.

23. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the directory information comprises file attribute information and wherein the native file directory and the second file directory are both capable of containing common file attribute information.

24. The apparatus as described in claim 23 and further comprising a configurable file database presentable as the second file directory and capable of storing at least a portion of the file attribute information of the native file directory.

25. The apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein the configurable file database comprises at least one file attribute field capable of storing file attribute information.

26. The apparatus as described in claim 25 wherein the at least one file attribute field comprises a non-filename attribute.

27. The apparatus as described in claims 25 or 26 wherein the configurable file database can be configured to have additional file attribute fields capable of storing additional file attribute information.

28. The apparatus as described in claim 27 and further comprising an adder element to which is capable of providing a new file attribute field to the configurable file database.

29. The apparatus as described in claim 27 and further comprising a selector element to which a file attribute field is responsive;

and a sorter element to which the configurable file database is responsive based on a selected file attribute field.

30. The apparatus as described in claim 29 wherein the file attribute field selected is responsive to the selector element based on user input criteria.

31. The apparatus as described in claim 27 and further comprising a deleter element to which a file attribute field is responsive.

32. The apparatus as described in claim 27 and further comprising a sorter element to which the configurable file database is responsively represented as the second file directory based on a selected file attribute field.

33. The apparatus as described in claim 32 and further comprising a sorter element to which the configurable file database is responsively represented as a third directory based on a second selected file attribute field.

34. The apparatus as described in claim 27 wherein at least two files having the same file name are listed in the configurable file database.

35. The apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein the native file directory is capable of providing file attribute information for the at least one storage medium and the second file directory is capable of providing at least a portion of the file attribute information for the at least one storage medium provided by the native file directory.

36. The apparatus as described in claim 35 and further comprising at least a third file directory capable of providing at least a portion of the file attribute information of the at least one storage medium provided by the native file directory.

37. The apparatus as described in claim 18 and further comprising a retriever element to which a file provided by the second directory is responsive.

38. The apparatus as described in claim 37 and further comprising a determiner element capable of determining whether the at least one storage medium is accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

39. The apparatus as described in claim 38 and further comprising a prompter element to which an operator is responsive to make accessible the storage medium to the native file directory and the second file directory.

40. The apparatus as described in claims 37, 38 or 39, wherein the at least one storage medium is remotely accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

41. The apparatus as described in claim 40 and further comprising a remote access element to which the at least one storage medium is accessibly responsive.

42. The apparatus as described in claim 41 wherein the at least one storage medium comprises at least one file storage device to which at least one file for use by a computer system is responsive.

43. The apparatus as described in claim 38 and further comprising an access element to which the at least one storage medium is automatically accessibly responsive.

44. The apparatus as described in claim 43 wherein the at least one storage medium comprises at least one file storage device to which at least one file for use by a computer system is responsive.

45. The apparatus as described in claim 43 wherein the at least one storage medium is remotely accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

46. The apparatus as described in claim 45 and further comprising a remote access element to which is capable of establishing remote access with the at least one storage medium.

47. The apparatus as described in claim 46 wherein the at least one storage medium comprises at least one file storage device to which at least one file for use by a computer system is responsive.

48. The apparatus as described in claim 18 and further comprising a designator element to which at least one storage medium is designatingly responsive as a medium to monitor for changes to at least one file stored on the designated storage medium.

49. The apparatus as described in claim 48 wherein the at least one storage medium comprises at least one file storage device to which at least one file for use by a computer system is responsive.

50. The apparatus as described in claim 18 and further comprising an access monitor element which is capable of monitoring for an accessible condition of the at least one storage medium.

51. The apparatus as described in claim 50 and further comprising an access element which is capable of accessing at least one storage medium;

and a retrieve element which is capable of retrieving information about the at least one storage medium.

52. The apparatus as described in claim 51 wherein the at least one storage medium comprises at least one file storage device which is capable of storing at least one file for use by a computer system.

53. The apparatus as described in claim 18, 48 or 50, and further comprising an updater element which is capable of updating the second file directory with changed file attribute information of the at least one file.

54. The apparatus as described in claim 18 and further comprising a monitor element to which the native file directory is changeably responsive.

55. The apparatus as described in claim 18 and further comprising a presentation element to which a directory of file information for at least one removable storage medium is responsive while the removable storage medium is not accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

56. A method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system, the computer system having a native file directory comprising directory information of files, the method comprising:

a. inputting to a second file directory which provides capability beyond the native file directory at least a portion of the directory information stored on the native file directory;

b. utilizing a database to store the portion of directory information in the second file directory; and

c. issuing a command to the database through an interface to the second file directory;

wherein the native file directory and the second file directory both may contain common file information.

57. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising managing the database based on the command issued to the database by way of the interface.

58. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 wherein the step of inputting to a second file directory comprises inputting to a virtual file directory at least a portion of the directory information stored on the native file directory.

59. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 wherein the step of issuing a command to the database comprises issuing the command through a private interface to the second file directory.

60. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 57 wherein the step of managing the database based on the command issued to the database by way of the interface comprises reconfiguring the second file directory.

61. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 wherein the step of issuing a command to the database through an interface to the second directory comprises issuing a command through an interface selected from the group consisting of an input/output of a computer system, an interceptor element, an information management process, a computer system application program, and a remote access interface.

62. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 wherein the step of issuing a command to the database comprises:

a. inputting criteria through the interface to the second file directory for sorting of file information stored in the database; and

b. sorting the file information based on the input user criteria.

63. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 62 and further comprising utilizing a filter to filter the file information in the database.

64. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claims 62 or 63 and further comprising presenting the file information stored in the database as the second file directory to an operating system of the computer system.

65. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claims 62 or 63 and further comprising presenting the file information stored in the database as the second file directory to an application program of the computer system.

66. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 65 and further comprising issuing a command from the application program to reconfigure the second file directory.

67. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. sorting the second file directory;

b. presenting a first group of file information stored in the database as the second file directory to an operating system of the computer system; and

c. presenting a second group of file information stored in the database as a third file directory to an operating system of the computer system.

68. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. sorting the second file directory;

b. presenting a first group of file information stored in the database as the second file directory to an application program of the computer system; and

c. presenting a second group of file information stored in the database as a third file directory to an application program of the computer system.

69. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 68 and further comprising issuing a command from the application program to reconfigure the second file directory.

70. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claims 68 or 69 and further comprising issuing a command from the application program to reconfigure the third file directory.

71. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 wherein step of issuing a command to the database through an interface to the second file directory comprises redefining a hierarchy of the second file directory after a first hierarchy of the second file directory is established.

72. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claims 60, 62 or 63, and further comprising storing at least one file represented on the second file directory to at least one storage medium.

73. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 72 wherein step of storing at least one file represented on the second file directory to at least one storage medium comprises storing at least one file represented on the second file directory to at least one physical storage device.

74. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 wherein the step of inputting to a second file directory which provides capability beyond the native file directory at least a portion of the directory information stored on the native file directory comprises inputting to the second file directory at least a portion of file attribute information stored on the native file directory.

75. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 74 wherein the step of utilizing a database to store the portion of directory information in the second file directory comprises utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second file directory.

76. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 75 wherein said step of issuing a command to the database through an interface to the second file directory comprises the issuing a command to configure the database to comprise at least one file attribute field.

77. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 76 wherein the step of issuing a command to configure the database to comprise at least one file attribute field comprises issuing a command to configure the database to comprise at least one non-filename file attribute field.

78. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 77 and further comprising after the step of issuing a command to configure the database to comprise at least one file attribute field, the step of issuing a command to configure the database to comprise additional file attribute fields, wherein at least two files having the same file name are stored in the database.

79. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 77 wherein step of utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second directory comprises utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second file directory according to the additional file attribute fields.

80. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 76 wherein step of utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second directory comprises utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second file directory according to the at least one file attribute field.

81. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 80 wherein step of utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second directory according to the at least one file attribute field comprises utilizing the database to store the portion of the file attribute information in the second directory according to a non-filename file attribute field.

82. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 76 and further comprising:

a. selecting a file attribute field;

b. sorting the database based on the file attribute field selected; and

c. presenting the database as the second file directory to the computer system.

83. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 82 and further comprising:

a. selecting a second file attribute field;

b. sorting the database based on the selected file attribute field; and

c. presenting the database as a third file directory to the computer system.

84. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 82 wherein the step of selecting a file attribute field and sorting the database based on the selected file attribute field comprises selecting a non-filename file attribute field and sorting the database based on the selected non-filename file attribute field.

85. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 76 wherein said step of issuing a command to the database through an interface to the second file directory further comprising the step of issuing a command to configure the database to delete at least one file attribute field from the database.

86. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising storing at least one file represented on the second file directory to at least one storage medium.

87. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 86 further comprising retrieving the at least one file represented on the second file directory.

88. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 87 and further comprising before the steps of storing and retrieving, the step of determining whether the at least one storage medium is accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

89. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 88 wherein the step of determining whether the at least one storage medium is accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory further comprises prompting an operator to make accessible the storage medium to the native file directory and the second file directory.

90. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claims 87, 88 or 89, and further comprising remotely accessing the at least one storage medium.

91. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 88 and further comprising automatically accessing the at least one storage medium.

92. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 91 wherein the step of automatically accessing the at least one storage medium comprises automatically accessing remotely the at least one storage medium.

93. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 92 wherein the step of automatically accessing remotely the at least one storage medium comprises automatically accessing remotely a physical storage device.

94. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 86 and further comprising designating at least one storage medium as a medium to monitor for changes to at lest one file stored on the designated storage medium.

95. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 86 and further comprising monitoring for a mounted condition of the at least one storage medium.

96. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 95 and further comprising:

a. accessing the at least one storage medium when the at least one storage medium is in a mounted condition; and

b. retrieving information about the at least one storage medium.

97. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 95 wherein step of monitoring for a mounted condition of the at least one storage medium comprises checking if the at least one storage medium should be monitored.

98. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 97 and further comprising checking for any changes made to the at least one storage medium since the at least one storage medium was removed from the computer system.

99. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 98 and further comprising updating the second file directory with changed file attribute information from the storage medium.

100. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 95 and further comprising automatically mounting the at least one storage medium.

101. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 86, 94 or 96, and further comprising obtaining file attribute information of the at least one file.

102. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 101 and further comprising updating the second file directory with file attribute information of the at least one file.

103. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising monitoring for changes made to the native file directory.

104. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 103 and further comprising monitoring for a new file saved to the monitored native file directory.

105. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 103 or 104 and further comprising monitoring for a new version of a file saved to the monitored native file directory.

106. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 104 and further comprising updating the second file directory with file attribute information for the new file.

107. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 105 and further comprising updating the second file directory with file attribute information for the new version.

108. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 103 and further comprising monitoring for a command to open a file.

109. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 108 and further comprising:

a. associating a file handle with a file retrieved from a monitored native file directory;

b. monitoring for the file handle to know when a revised file is being stored to the monitored native file directory;

c. capturing file attribute information for the revised file; and

d. storing the file attribute information in the second file directory.

110. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising presenting a directory of file information for at least one removable storage medium while the removable storage medium is not accessible to the native file directory and the second file directory.

111. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 110 and further comprising receiving requests for a file stored on the at least one removable storage medium.

112. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 110 and further comprising automatically establishing a connection with the at least one removable storage medium.

113. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 110 and further comprising prompting a computer operator to connect the at least one removable storage medium.

114. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising querying a computer operator whether file attribute information for a storage medium should be added to the second file directory.

115. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising presenting at least a third file directory for use by the operating system.

116. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. receiving an open file command directed to the second file directory, wherein the file data requested is stored on a storage medium; and

b. causing the file data stored on the storage medium to be opened.

117. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. receiving an open file command directed to the second file directory for a file represented on the second directory and stored on a storage medium;

b. initiating an open file command directed to the storage medium for the file represented on the second file directory; and

c. reading the file from the storage medium.

118. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. receiving a save file command directed to the second file directory for a file to be represented on the second file directory;

b. initiating a save file command directed to a storage medium where the file is to be stored; and

c. storing the file on the storage medium.

119. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 further comprising presenting the second file directory in a hierarchical manner.

120. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. entering a file name to be retrieved from the second file directory;

b. determining which storage medium stores file data for the file name; and

retrieving the file data.

121. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. maintaining file attribute information about at least one file not connected to the computer system; and

b. presenting the file attribute information of the at least one file not connected to the computer system as a part of the second file directory.

122. The method of utilizing a file directory for a computer system as described in claim 56 and further comprising:

a. presenting a first file having a file name in the second file directory; and

b. presenting a second file having the same file name in the second file directory.