Digital video recorder file system
View Patent ↗A method for storing video data files upon an array of multiple storage devices on a frame-by-frame basis, with the larger video frames placed upon devices having more free storage capacity, so as to preserve the video data stream continuity, optimize the capacity of the storage devices within the array, minimize or negate the need for any redundant storage, and at the same time, provide a means for easily expanding the overall storage capacity of the array.
1. A method for storing video data upon an array of multiple storage devices, comprising the steps of:
(a) separating said video data into its individual sequential frames;
(b) grouping said frames into sequential sets, wherein the number of frames within each set equals the number of storage devices within said array;
(c) sorting said frames within the first set according to their file sizes, in descending order from the frame having the largest file size to the frame having the smallest file size;
(d) sorting said storage devices according to their free storage capacity, in descending order from the storage device having the most free storage capacity to the storage device having the least storage capacity;
(e) recording said first set of frames upon said array of multiple storage devices, such that the first sorted frame is recorded upon the first sorted storage device, the second sorted frame is recorded upon the second sorted storage device, and so on, until the last sorted frame of the set is recorded upon the last storage device;
(f) sorting the frames within the next sequential set according to their file sizes, in descending order from the frame having the largest file size to the frame having the smallest file size;
(g) sorting the storage devices according to their free storage capacity, in descending order from the storage device having the most free storage capacity to the storage device having the least storage capacity;
(h) recording said next set of frames upon said array of multiple storage devices, such that the first sorted frame is recorded upon the first sorted storage device, the second sorted frame is recorded upon the second sorted storage device, and so on, until the last sorted frame of the set is recorded upon the last storage device;
(i) repeating steps (f) through (h) for each of the sequential sets of frames.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein in the sorting of said frames in step (f), if frames of equal size are encountered, the two frames are sorted relative to each other in ascending order according to file size for placement upon the array.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein in the sorting of said devices in step (g), if devices having equal storage capacity are encountered, the two devices are sorted relative to each other in ascending order according to free capacity for storage of the frames.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein in the sorting of said frames in step (f), if frames of equal size are encountered, the two frames are sorted relative to each other in descending order according to file size for placement upon the array.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein in the sorting of said devices in step (g), if devices having equal storage capacity are encountered, the two devices are sorted relative to each other in descending order according to free capacity for storage of the frames.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein in the sorting of said frames in step (f), if frames of equal size are encountered, the two frames are alternatively sorted relative to each other in descending order according to file size, and then in ascending order according to file, size for placement upon the array.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein in the sorting of said devices in step (g), if devices having equal storage capacity are encountered, the two devices are alternatively sorted relative to each other in descending order according to free capacity, and then in ascending order according to free capacity for storage of the frames.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one additional storage device is added to the array and wherein in step (d) said at least one storage device is assigned a free storage capacity that is the same as that of the storage device previously in the array having the most free storage capacity, and is then sorted with the other storage devices of the array according to such free storage capacity, and wherein the number of frames of each set is increased to be equal to the total number of storage devices in the array.