Method for reclaiming fragmented space on a physical data storage cartridge
US6151666A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0686
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for selectively reclaiming fragmented space on a multiple volume cartridge (MVC) device using a cost-benefit type analysis to determine whether making the fragmented space useable justifies moving all nonexpired data volume sets to another MVC. The present invention analyzes the allocation of space on the MVC to determine the location and size of any gaps between nonexpired data volume sets. Any gaps appearing at the end of the MVC are automatically reallocated for subsequent use. Any gaps appearing between nonexpired data volume sets are analyzed to determine whether the size and location meet predetermined criteria before moving any of the nonexpired data volume sets. In addition, the present invention allows selective movement of less than all of the nonexpired data volume sets if the size of the separating gap is larger than any nonexpired data volume sets appearing after the gap.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.