Patent ID: 8386539

Claim:
A variable length data reading method for reading desired variable length data from a storage device having a stored data file in which variable length items, each including variable length data and the data length of the corresponding variable length data, are stored, a marker management file in which are registered marker management items, each including a break marker, a first file identifier, and a first storage location for corresponding variable length data in the stored data file, a marker management memory area in which are registered marker identifier management items, each including a second file identifier, a first marker identifier composed of specific data in the corresponding break marker in the marker management file, and a second storage location of the corresponding break marker in the marker management file, the reading method comprising: creating a second marker identifier based on input search criteria for comparison with the first marker identifier; determining if the second marker identifier matches the first marker identifier; determining if the search criteria matches the break marker of the marker management item when it is determined that the second marker identifier matches the first marker identifier; and accessing the stored data file and reading the desired variable length data based on the second storage location corresponding to the break marker when it is determined that the search criteria matches the break marker of the marker management item; wherein the stored variable length items and the registered marker management items and marker identifier management items are arranged to enable access to particular stored variable length data based on a search request with a name of the corresponding mark identifier and a name of the corresponding breaker marker.