Recordable CDROM accessing system

• US 5,666,531 A
• Filed: 04/07/1995
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ramana Featherby
• Original Assignee: Optima Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lintz, Paul R.
• Application Number:
  US08/418,275
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 345/600, 395/480, 395/488, 395/601, 395/603, 395/604, 395/615, 395/616, 395/619, 395/620, 395/427, 369/32, 369/48, 369/54, 369/58
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9017 using directory or table look-up use of a directory or look-up table in file systems G06F16/13
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/213 Read-only discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 Archiving or backup

Abstract

The Recording Technique provides a directory which indicates the location of only the last version of any stored information or modified entry of stored information, prior versions being transparent to the operating system. The Recording Technique further provides a directory recorded on the CDROM which is transportable to other computers having the Recording Technique installed thereon. As a result, the user of a computer with a CDROM reader will interface with the CDROM in the same manner as with a non-volatile memory device that is read only.

Claims

1. A method for entering new information on a recordable CDROM operatively connected an operating system of a computer system having an updatable memory comprising:

a) opening a directory in an updatable memory, said directory being identifiable with a directory on a CDROM, said directory in the updatable memory constituting a working directory,

b) storing the data on the CDROM and updating the working directory to reflect the data on the CDROM,

c) upon completion of the data entry, copying the working directory from the updatable memory to the track on the CDROM containing the last entered data, writing a track information map, and closing the track where the data is entered,

such that an operating system accessing data stored on the CDROM is routed by the working directory directly to the latest revision of such data on the CDROM, any previous versions of said data which are still present on the CDROM being transparent to the operating system.

2. The method of claim 1 further including working directory update means for use when the CDROM has data added thereto through use of the operating system, said update means comparing the working directory with the directory last entered on the CDROM and if the directories are different, transferring the directory on the last track of the CDROM to the working directory and deleting from the working directory all but the latest versions of each data entry.

3. The method of claim 1 further including means to update the directory of the contents of a CDROM after revision of information on the CDROM, said means rendering the prior versions of information transparent to the operating system while the operating system can recognize the location of the prior version of the information as occupied.

4. The method of claim 1 which further allows a user to repeatedly add and interchange recordable CDs between a CD reader and a recordable CD drive using sessions.

5. A computer system having a CDROM recorder attached thereto, the computer system being programmed to copy new information and amend old information on a recordable CDROM operatively connected to the operating system within the computer system also having an updatable, non-volatile memory system attached thereto, the program comprising:

including the steps of;

a) opening a directory in an updatable memory, said directory being identifiable with a directory on a CDROM, said directory in the updatable memory constituting a working directory,

b) storing information on the CDROM and updating the working directory to reflect the information on the CDROM,

c) upon completion of the information entry, copying said information and directory from the working memory to the track on the CDROM containing the last entered information, writing a track information map, and closing the track where the information is entered,

such that an operating system accessing information stored on the CDROM is routed by the working directory directly to the latest revision of such information on the CDROM, any previous versions of said information which are still present on the CDROM being transparent to the operating system.

6. The system of claim 5 further including working directory update means for use when the CDROM has data added thereto through use of the operating system, said update means comparing the working directory with the directory last entered on the CDROM and if the directories are different, replacing the working directory with the directory on the last track of the CDROM.

7. The system of claim 5 further including means to update the directory of the contents of the CDROM after revision of information on the CDROM, said means rendering the prior versions of information transparent to the operating system while the operating system can recognize the location of the prior version of the information as occupied.

8. The system of claim 5 which further allows a user to repeatedly add and interchange recordable CDs between a CD reader and a recordable CD drive using sessions.