Patent ID: 6636942
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: G06F,G11B

Abstract:
A method for providing a mapping structure for storing data of any of various formats on a random access medium, said medium having a plurality of equal sized logical sectors as a smallest single writeable/readable unit, said logical sectors sequentially numbered, comprising:recording a third level construct comprising at least one region for writing and reading data in one of said various formats, each said region having an identification of said region in terms related to said one format of said data, and related to said sequentially numbered logical sectors; recording a second level construct comprising a global device block map having at least one global device block element for each said region, each said global device block element identifying bounds of said data recorded in said region in terms of said sequentially numbered logical sectors; and recording a first level construct comprising at least one format identifier having a pointer indicating location and size of said second level construct, said location and size in terms of said sequentially numbered logical sectors.