Systems and methods for sideband communication between device and host to minimize file corruption

• US 9,223,787 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Herman, Kenneth, Fletcher, Daniel, Rogers, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Uddin, Mohammed R
• Application Number:
  US12/239,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20100082711A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,650 Days
• Field of Search: 707/687, 707/610, 707/612, 707/613, 707/617, 707/621, 707/999.101
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers

Abstract

Communications systems and methods for minimizing file corruption when communicating between a device and a host are provided. To initiate a file transfer section, a host can transfer data to a device on a primary communications channel. The device can then temporarily store the received data in a memory circuit until a command is received indicating that the file has been completely transferred. In order to avoid interfering with the data transfer, the host can provide such a command to the device on a sideband communications channel. Upon receiving the command, the device can integrate the received data into its file system by transferring the data from the memory circuit to a more permanent storage component. If the communications interface is disconnected before such a command is received, the temporarily stored data can be considered incomplete and can be deleted.

Claims

1. A method for minimizing file corruption during a file transfer between a host device and a client device, wherein primary and side channels exist between the host and client devices, the method implemented in the client device, and the method comprising:

storing received file system data temporarily in a client device memory circuit, wherein the file system data represents information about a file system of a storage component, wherein the file system data is received over the primary communications channel from the host device, and wherein the received file system data comprises a file allocation table pertaining to a file system of the client;

storing received file data directly in the client device storage component, wherein the file data is received over the primary communications channel from the host device, and wherein a size of the file data is too large to be temporarily stored in the client device memory circuit;

receiving, at the client device, an end command, from the host device, indicating that a file transfer section is finished, wherein the end command is received over the side channel;

transferring the received file system data from the client device memory circuit to the storage component based at least on the receiving of the end command; and

receiving, on the sideband communications channel, a start command indicating that the file transfer section is beginning; and

based on the receiving the start command, deleting data in the client device memory circuit before the storing the received file system data in the client device memory circuit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the file system data on the primary communications channel prior to the storing the received file system data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transferring comprises overwriting old file system data stored on the storage component with the received file system data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the file transfer section comprises:

a start command indicating that the file transfer section is beginning;

the file data;

the file system data; and

the end command.

5. A method for minimizing file corruption during a file transfer between a host device and a client device, the method comprising:

transmitting file system data on a primary communications channel from the host device to the client device, wherein the file system data represents information about a file system of a storage component of the client device, the file system data comprising a file allocation table of the storage component of the client device;

transmitting file data on the primary communications channel from the host device to storage component of the client device, wherein a size of the file data is too large to be temporarily stored in the client device memory circuit;

transmitting, on a sideband communications channel, from the host device to the client, an end command indicating that a file transfer section is finished; and

transmitting, on the sideband communications channel, a start command indicating that the file transfer section is beginning prior to the transmitting the file system data, wherein the start command causes the client device to delete data stored in its memory circuit before storing the received file system data temporarily in its memory circuit, when the size of the file data is not too large.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the file transfer section comprises:

a start command indicating that the file transfer section is beginning;

the file data;

the file system data; and

the end command.

7. A file transfer system for minimizing file corruption during a file transfer, the system comprising:

a host configured to transmit file system data and file data on a primary communications channel and commands on a sideband communications channel to a client device, wherein the file system data represents information about a file system of a storage component of the client device, and wherein the client device provided information on its file system to the host prior to transmission of any file system data and file data; and

the client device coupled to the host, the client device comprising;

the storage component configured to store the file data when the file data is received from the host on the primary communications channel; and

a memory circuit coupled to the storage component and configured to temporarily store the file system data received from the host on the primary communications channel until the device receives, on the sideband communications channel, an end command indicating that a file transfer section is finished, wherein the device is configured to transfer the file system data from the memory circuit to the storage component when the device receives the end command; and

a processor operative to;

receive, on the sideband communications channel, a start command indicating that the file transfer section is beginning; and

based on the receiving the start command, delete data in the memory circuit before storing the received file system data in the memory circuit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the file system data includes a file allocation table.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the file system data includes directory information.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the host comprises:

a processor configured to generate the end command;

a block command driver configured to generate the file system data and the file data; and

communications circuitry coupled to the processor and the block command driver and configured to transmit the file system data and the file data on the primary communications channel and the end command on the sideband communications channel.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the client device further comprises communications circuitry coupled to the memory circuit and the storage component, the communications circuitry configured to receive the file data and the file system data on the primary communications channel and the end command on the sideband communications channel from the host.