JP4106702B2 - Information processing apparatus, data recording / reproducing method, program for data recording / reproducing method, and recording medium recording program for data recording / reproducing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus,Data recording / reproducing method, program for data recording / reproducing method, and data recording / reproducingThe recording medium on which the method program is recorded can be applied to, for example, a hard disk device that records video data. The present invention distributes data to be recorded into a main recording area by a disk-shaped recording medium and a secondary recording area by a nonvolatile memory, thereby reducing access speed and increasing power consumption due to fragmentation. It is possible to significantly reduce it as compared with the prior art.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, hard disk drives used as peripherals for personal computers can be accessed randomly, and in recent years, they have been reduced in size and increased in recording density. As a result, various proposals have been made to apply the hard disk drive to recording of audio data and video data (hereinafter referred to as AV data) for use in home servers, in-vehicle devices, and the like.
[0003]
In such a hard disk drive, data recorded on the hard disk can be managed in units of clusters of a plurality of sectors by a file allocation table (FAT) which is management data recorded on the hard disk. This management is executed by a personal computer or the like which is a host device. Hereinafter, a file management system using such a file allocation table is referred to as a FAT file system.
[0004]
That is, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive 1 is connected to the host device 2 and records various data output from the host device 2 on the hard disk 3. Here, the host device 2 is, for example, a computer.
[0005]
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the format of the MS-DOS compatible file system is applied to the hard disk 3. That is, the hard disk 3 divides the information recording surface into an inner peripheral area and an outer peripheral area, and the outer peripheral area is assigned to the system entry area. Further, the inner peripheral area is allocated to the data area. Of these, the data area is subdivided into clusters, and user data is recorded in each cluster in units of a predetermined amount of data.
[0006]
Further, the hard disk 3 is divided into a plurality of sectors by dividing the information recording surface into a plurality of zones concentrically and further dividing the tracks of each zone by a predetermined length in the circumferential direction. In the hard disk 3 thus sectorized, the physical address is set by the surface number of the information recording surface, the track number continuously assigned from the outer peripheral side of the information recording surface, and the sector number for specifying the sector in each track. Further, user data is file-managed by logical addresses sequentially set from the outer peripheral side of the information recording surface corresponding to the physical address.
[0007]
Here, the logical address is represented by a cluster number in units of clusters formed by a set of a plurality of logical sectors. That is, the logical sector is an area corresponding to a data recording unit set with the first area on the information recording surface (in this case, the outermost periphery) set as 0 sector. For example, 1 physical sector is 1 logical sector. Correspondingly, the logical sector number can be expressed by a relational expression of logical sector number = number of sectors per track × (surface number + number of surfaces × track number) + sector number−1. Here, the surface number, track number, and sector number are based on physical addresses.
[0008]
Here, the logical sector is configured so that 512-byte data can be recorded in one logical sector in terms of user data, and one cluster is configured by a plurality of logical sectors. Note that one cluster is generally composed of power-of-two sectors, and is specified by a cluster number that is a serial number starting from 2 in the file area in a data area in which user data is recorded. .
[0009]
In the data area, a cluster number is assigned to each cluster set in this way, and the cluster can be accessed in units of clusters based on the cluster number. Here, the cluster number is shown in a 4-digit hex format. As a result, the minimum unit of one file is one cluster.
[0010]
On the other hand, the system entry area is further divided into a boot area, a FAT (Fail Allocation Table) area, and a directory area, and data defining the structure of the disk is recorded in the boot area. On the other hand, management data based on address information and the like necessary for accessing user data recorded in the data area is recorded in the FAT area and the directory area.
[0011]
That is, file management data for specifying the file recorded in the data area is recorded in the directory area. On the other hand, in the FAT area, a management table in which addresses of management units in which subsequent data is recorded is recorded for each cluster that is a management unit of the data area, in association with file management data. Specifically, in the FAT area, the cluster number and the like of each cluster subsequent to the first cluster of each file are recorded. As a result, the hard disk 3 detects the first cluster number of the desired file name from the directory area, and then sequentially detects the cluster number following the first cluster number from the FAT area, so that the continuous clusters constituting one file are detected. The address can be detected.
[0012]
Thus, in FIG. 8, when the file 1 is recorded in the clusters having the cluster numbers 1234h to 1240h in the data area, the code indicating the cluster number 1234h of the first cluster of the file 1 is recorded in the directory area. Further, the cluster number continuing from the cluster number 1234h is sequentially recorded in the corresponding area of the FAT area. In FIG. 8, EOF (End Of File) is identification information indicating the final cluster of one file.
[0013]
More specifically, in the directory area, for each file recorded in the data area, file management data for specifying each file recorded in the data area is recorded by the configuration shown in FIG. That is, in the file management data, the file name is assigned to the first 8 bytes, and the extension of each file is assigned to the subsequent 3 bytes. Further, data indicating the attribute of the file is allocated to the subsequent 1 byte, and the subsequent 10 bytes are allocated to reserve data. The subsequent 2 bytes are allocated to the recording start time data, the subsequent 2 bytes are allocated to the recording date data, and the cluster number which is the leading cluster number is allocated to the subsequent 2 bytes. The last 4 bytes are assigned file length data.
[0014]
On the other hand, in the FAT area (FIG. 8), identification data indicating the association of each cluster which is a management unit of the data area is recorded. That is, in the FAT area, a cluster address is assigned corresponding to the cluster number of the data area, and the cluster number of the cluster following each cluster address is recorded. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, among these codes that are not assigned to the cluster numbers, predetermined codes are assigned to identification information indicating empty areas, defective clusters, and EOF, respectively.
[0015]
As a result, the hard disk 3 can access the FAT area and detect an empty area of the data area. Further, the replacement process can be executed with reference to the defective sector. Further, at the time of recording, the defective sector can be registered by a retry process by write and verify. Thus, the hard disk 3 can manage the information recording surface in predetermined block units.
[0016]
The servo circuit 4 drives the motor (M) 6 under the control of the hard disk control circuit 5, thereby rotating the hard disk 3 at a predetermined rotational speed. Similarly, the servo circuit 4 drives the motor (M) 8 to seek the magnetic head and further performs tracking control. In the drive of the hard disk 3, the CAV (Constant Angular Verocity) method is generally given priority on the access speed, but recently, the number of sectors per round is increased by the so-called zone bit recording. In addition, a method of increasing the recording capacity by changing the recording frequency and thereby recording data efficiently to increase the recording capacity is adopted. In this zone bit recording, the data transfer speed differs greatly between the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side.
[0017]
Under the control of the hard disk control circuit 5, the read / write data channel unit 9 encodes the output data of the hard disk control circuit 5 by a method suitable for the characteristics of the recording / reproducing system during recording, and generates bit sequence data. The magnetic head is driven by this data. At the time of reading, the read / write data channel unit 9 processes the reproduction signal obtained from the magnetic head to generate reproduction data, and outputs the reproduction data to the hard disk control circuit 5.
[0018]
The hard disk control circuit 5 is a control circuit that manages data on the hard disk 3 in accordance with an instruction from the interface control circuit 7 and controls the operation of the servo circuit 4 in accordance with user data input through the buffer memory 10. By outputting this user data to the read / write data channel section 9, data sequentially input to the cluster designated via the interface control circuit 7 is recorded. At the time of reading, the operation of the servo circuit 4 is similarly controlled to output the output data of the read / write data channel section 9 to the buffer memory 10, thereby reproducing the cluster designated by the interface control circuit 7.
[0019]
The interface control circuit (IF control) 7 is formed by, for example, a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) controller, an IDE (Intelligent Drive Electronics) controller, or the like, and an input / output circuit for data and control commands sent to and received from the host device 2 Configure. That is, the interface control circuit 7 analyzes a command command input from the host device 2 and parameters set in the command command, and controls the operation of the hard disk control circuit 5 and the like. Further, at the time of writing, the data input from the host device 2 is output to the hard disk control circuit 5 via the buffer memory 10, and at the time of reading from the hard disk control circuit 5 via the buffer memory 10. The output data is output to the host device 2.
[0020]
Correspondingly, the host device 2 sends various commands to the hard disk drive 1 in accordance with instructions from the user by processing of a central processing unit (CPU) 12 that secures a work area in the system memory 11.
[0021]
In this processing, the central processing unit 12 issues a command to the hard disk drive 1 to reproduce the management data recorded in the system entry area of the hard disk 3 by executing a predetermined processing procedure when the power is turned on. Result The system entry area data (FAT area and directory area data) output from the hard disk drive 1 is recorded in the system memory 11. As a result, the central processing unit 12 acquires the management data recorded on the hard disk 3, sets parameters with this management data, and outputs various commands to the hard disk drive 1.
[0022]
That is, when data recording is instructed by the user, the central processing unit 12 detects the empty area by sequentially tracing the data in the FAT area recorded in the system memory 11, and records the parameters in the cluster based on this empty area. Is set and a write command is issued. The hard disk drive 1 records sequentially input data on the hard disk 3 in response to the write command. The central processing unit 12 and the hard disk drive 1 sequentially track the recording of management data in units of a predetermined data length, repeatedly issue such commands and record data, and thereby record a desired file. It is made like that. As a result, the time-series data is sequentially recorded in units of clusters from the outer track on the hard disk 3 to the inner track.
[0023]
When the recording of the file is completed in this way, the recording of the system memory 11 is updated so as to correspond to the recording of the file, and the hard disk drive 1 is adapted to correspond to the recording of the system memory 11 at a predetermined timing. The system entry area is instructed to be updated, so that the file thus recorded can be reproduced again.
[0024]
On the other hand, when the user instructs the reproduction of the file recorded on the hard disk 3, the central processing unit 12 searches the directory area data recorded in the system memory 11 by the file name instructed to reproduce, Corresponding file management data is detected, whereby the leading cluster address of this file is detected. Further, the data of the FAT area recorded in the system memory 11 is sequentially traced by this head cluster address, and thereby the cluster address where this file is recorded is sequentially detected from the head cluster address thus detected. The central processing unit 12 detects the continuous cluster addresses thus recorded in the system memory 11 up to the EOF.
[0025]
When the central processing unit 12 detects a continuous cluster address in parallel with the detection of such a cluster address or in this way, the central processing unit 12 sets each cluster address and data length as parameters and sends a read command to the hard disk drive 1. In response to the read command, the hard disk drive 1 reproduces the data recorded on the hard disk 3 and outputs it to the host device 2. The central processing unit 12 and the hard disk drive 1 repeatedly issue this read command and output reproduction data, thereby reproducing a desired file.
[0026]
This FAT file system can be applied not only to various computer data and various application programs, but also to video data and audio data (hereinafter referred to as AV data). The hard disk 3 can be recorded and reproduced.
[0027]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such a hard disk drive, when file recording and deletion are repeated, high-speed access becomes difficult due to so-called fragmentation in which one file is fragmented and recorded on the hard disk 3, and power consumption is reduced. There is a problem that increases.
[0028]
That is, when one file is fragmented and recorded in this way, a lot of seeks are required to reproduce one file corresponding to the fragmentation.
[0029]
Here, in the seek, the time for the magnetic head to move to the target track in the radial direction of the hard disk (the movement time in the track direction) and the time for the magnetic head to reach the target position in the circumferential direction of the hard disk 3 ( Is the rotation waiting time), and is usually expressed in milliseconds.
[0030]
Thus, when one file is fragmented and recorded, it takes much time to seek for the fragmented portion, and it takes time to reproduce the desired file accordingly. Further, when the number of seeks increases as described above, it is necessary to frequently move the magnetic head in the radial direction of the hard disk 3, and the power consumption increases accordingly.
[0031]
When used as a storage device of a computer, the hard disk 3 records various component files, shortcuts, folders, texts to moving image files, and thereby files with a capacity of several hundred bytes to several hundred megabytes are recorded. Many will be recorded. However, fragmentation is significant by recording a large number of small files of less than one cluster unit.
[0032]
On the other hand, in the recording of AV data, it is considered that the degree of such fragmentation is small by recording a relatively large capacity file. However, in the AV data file, file management information, thumbnails, etc. Since it is also possible to record a small-capacity file, fragmentation is unavoidable as in the case of recording computer data.
[0033]
  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is an information processing apparatus that can significantly reduce a decrease in access speed due to fragmentation and an increase in power consumption, as compared with the prior art.Data recording / reproducing method, program for data recording / reproducing method, and data recording / reproducingThe present invention intends to propose a recording medium on which a method program is recorded.
[0034]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve this problem, in the invention of claim 1,By managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data An information processing apparatus for writing to and reading from an area, wherein consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas are allocated to the main and sub data areas, and the management information based on the addresses is assigned to the disc-shaped recording medium The main and sub data areas are selected on the basis of addresses set in the write and read commands, and the main or sub data area is selectively accessed. The recording unit corresponding to the address is smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area. The size of the file to be recorded is determined by the determination reference value, the data of the small capacity file is recorded in the sub data area, and the data of the large capacity file is recorded in the main data area. Set the address to.
[0035]
  And claims2In the invention ofBy managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data A data recording / reproducing method for writing to and reading from an area, wherein the disk-shaped recording medium and the nonvolatile memory allocate consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas to the main and sub data areas. The management information by the address is recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium so that the recording unit corresponding to one address is smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area. The data recording / reproducing method is set to an address set in a write / read command. A file provided for recording, having a selection step for selecting the main and sub data areas as a reference, and an access step for selectively accessing the main or sub data area according to the selection result of the selection step The address is set so that data of a small capacity file is recorded in the sub data area and data of a large capacity file is recorded in the main data area..
[0036]
  And claims3In the invention ofBy managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data A program of a data recording / reproducing method for writing to and reading from an area, wherein the disk-shaped recording medium and the non-volatile memory have consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas and the main and sub data areas And the management information by the address is recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, and the recording unit corresponding to one address is smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area. The data recording / reproducing method program is configured to write and read frames. A selection step for selecting the main and sub data areas on the basis of an address set in the access mode, and an access step for selectively accessing the main or sub data area according to the selection result of the selection step; The file size to be recorded is determined based on the determination reference value, the small file data is recorded in the sub data area, and the large file data is recorded in the main data area. Set the address as.
[0037]
  And claims4In the invention ofBy managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data Data recording / reproducing method for writing to and reading from an areaA recording medium on which the program is recorded,The disk-shaped recording medium and the non-volatile memory allocate consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas to the main and sub data areas, and the management information based on the addresses is assigned to a system entry area of the disk-shaped recording medium. The recording unit corresponding to one address is set to be smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area. A selection step of selecting the main and sub data areas on the basis of an address set in the command, and an access step of selectively accessing the main or sub data area according to the selection result of the selection step; And determine the size of the file to be recorded with the criterion value, Records over data in the sub data area, sets the address to record the data of large files in the data area of the main.
[0041]
  According to the configuration of claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, an exampleFor example, it is applied to an information processing device such as a hard disk drive or an optical disk device that can be connected to various information devices, and a small-capacity file that is prone to fragmentation due to repeated recording and deletion on a disk-shaped recording medium is recorded, Even if fragmentation occurs due to repeated deletion, it is possible to record in the secondary recording area of the non-volatile memory that does not cause a decrease in access speed or increase in power consumption. The decrease in power consumption and the increase in power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0044]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
[0045]
(1) First embodiment
(1-1) Configuration of the first embodiment
  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hard disk drive which is an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The hard disk drive 21 is detachably held in a host device 22 such as a computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), an imaging device, an electronic still camera, or the like, which is a similar information processing device. Various data are controlled by the control of the host device 22. Is recorded, and the recorded data is reproduced and output. In this hard disk drive 21, the same components as those of the hard disk drive 1 described above with reference to FIG.Note that the first embodiment shows the premise configuration of the present application.
[0046]
In the hard disk drive 21, a main recording area is formed by the hard disk 3, and a sub recording area is formed by the nonvolatile memory 23, and output data from the host device 22 is selectively recorded in these main and sub recording areas. To do. The hard disk drive 21 is set with continuous cluster addresses in these main and sub recording areas, and can be managed together by one file management system. Note that an MS-DOS compatible FAT file system is applied to this file management system block. The nonvolatile memory 23 is formed by a memory such as a FLASH memory, FeRAM, or MRAM.
[0047]
FIG. 3 is a chart showing these main and sub recording areas. That is, in the hard disk drive 21, the outer peripheral side of the hard disk 3 is allocated to the system entry area, and a boot data area, a FAT area, and a directory area are provided in the system entry area. Further, the inner peripheral side is allocated to the data area, and is sequentially subdivided into clusters, and cluster addresses based on physical addresses are sequentially allocated.
[0048]
In the nonvolatile memory 23, like the hard disk 3, recording areas are sequentially divided to set clusters, and the cluster size is set to be the same as the cluster size of the hard disk 3. In addition, the non-volatile memory 23 is configured such that a cluster address is set for each cluster so as to continue from the cluster address at the end of the hard disk 3.
[0049]
In the hard disk drive 21, the interface control circuit 27 is formed by, for example, a SCSI controller, an IDE controller, or the like, and constitutes an input / output circuit for data, control commands, etc. transmitted to and received from the host device 22. That is, the interface control circuit 27 analyzes a command command input from the host device 22 and parameters set in the command command, and controls the operation of the hard disk control circuit 5 and the like. In these processes, at the time of writing, the interface control circuit 27 distributes data for writing input from the host device 22 to the non-volatile memory 23 and the hard disk 3 according to the address set in the command. During reproduction, data related to reading obtained from the nonvolatile memory 23 and data related to reading obtained from the hard disk 3 are output to the host device 22.
[0050]
That is, as shown in FIG. 1 in detail the configuration of the interface control circuit 27 together with the peripheral configuration, the interface control circuit 27 inputs / outputs commands and data to / from the host device 22 through the host interface 27A, and the input commands To control each part. In the interface control circuit 27, when the input command is a write command or a read command, the address set in the command is input to the address conversion circuit 27B, and the physical address of the hard disk 3 described above with reference to FIG. Conversion into a memory address of the memory 23 is performed.
[0051]
Here, the address conversion circuit 27B converts this address into the physical address of the hard disk 3 and the memory address of the non-volatile memory 23 by referring to the address conversion table with the addresses set in the write and read commands.
[0052]
In the interface control circuit 27, when the address related to the address conversion by the address conversion circuit 27B is a cluster address based on a logical address corresponding to the physical address of the hard disk 3, in the case of writing, subsequently input data is inputted. The output of the built-in selector 27C is switched so that the data is output to the recording / reproduction systems 4-9 of the hard disk 3 via the buffer memory 10, and the recording / reproduction systems 4-9 are written by the physical address converted by the address conversion circuit 27B. Instruct. On the other hand, in the case of a command related to reading, similarly, reproduction of the hard disk 3 is instructed, and reproduction data obtained as a result is input via the buffer memory 10 and output to the host device 22 from the host interface 27A.
[0053]
On the other hand, when the address related to the command is a cluster address related to the nonvolatile memory 23, in the case of writing, it is built in so that subsequently input data is output to the nonvolatile memory 23 via the buffer memory 10. The output of the selector 27C is switched, and this data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 23 by the memory address converted by the address conversion circuit 27B. On the other hand, in the case of a command related to reading, similarly, corresponding data is read from the nonvolatile memory 23 and the read data is output to the host device 22.
[0054]
When a file is recorded in the hard disk 3 and the non-volatile memory 23 by this series of processing, the contents of the system entry area are updated at a predetermined timing so as to correspond to this recording.
[0055]
Accordingly, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the hard disk drive 21 related to this series of writing processing. That is, in the hard disk drive 21, the process proceeds from step SP1 to step SP2, a write command is input from the host device 22, and in the subsequent step SP3, the address conversion table of the address conversion circuit 27B is set according to the address set in this write command. Refer to
[0056]
Subsequently, in step SP4, the hard disk drive 21 determines whether the address set in the command is the address of the hard disk 3 from the reference result of the address conversion table. If an affirmative result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step SP5. The address set in the command by referring to the address conversion table is converted into a physical address of the hard disk 3. In further subsequent step SP6, the data relating to writing subsequently input by this physical address is recorded in the hard disk 3, and the process proceeds to step SP7 and the processing procedure is terminated.
[0057]
On the other hand, if the address set in the command indicates the nonvolatile memory 23, the hard disk drive 21 moves from step SP4 to step SP8, and the address set in the command by referring to the address conversion table is stored in the nonvolatile memory. To the memory address. In further subsequent step SP9, the data relating to the writing that is subsequently input by this memory address is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 23, and the process proceeds to step SP7 to end the processing procedure.
[0058]
On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to the reading process. In the hard disk drive 21, the process proceeds from step SP11 to step SP12, and a read command from the host device 22 is input. In the subsequent step SP13, the address conversion table of the address conversion circuit 27B is set by the address set in the read command. refer.
[0059]
Subsequently, in step SP14, the hard disk drive 21 determines whether the address set in the command is the address of the hard disk 3 from the reference result of the address conversion table. If an affirmative result is obtained here, the process proceeds to step SP15. The address set in the command by referring to the address conversion table is converted into a physical address of the hard disk 3. In further subsequent step SP16, the data recorded on the hard disk 3 is reproduced by the physical address. In further subsequent step SP17, the reproduced data is temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 10, and the host device 22 is interrupted. In the hard disk drive 21, when data transfer is instructed from the host device 22 by this interruption, the data temporarily recorded in the buffer memory 10 is transferred to the host device 22 in the following step SP18, and the process proceeds to step SP19. The processing procedure ends.
[0060]
On the other hand, if the address set in the command indicates the nonvolatile memory 23, the hard disk drive 21 moves from step SP14 to step SP20, and the address set in the command by referring to the address conversion table is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Then, in step SP21, the data recorded in the nonvolatile memory 23 is read by this memory address, and the process proceeds to step SP17.
[0061]
Corresponding to the configuration of the hard disk drive 21, the host device 22 performs processing by a central processing unit (CPU) 32 that secures a work area in the system memory 31, and performs sub-storage by the nonvolatile memory 23 according to data to be recorded. The address is set to the write command and the read command so as to indicate the recording area and the main recording area by the hard disk 3.
[0062]
Here, the central processing unit 32 issues a write / read command to the hard disk drive 21 by executing a program recorded in advance in a random access memory (not shown), and further writes data related to the write / read with the hard disk drive 21. I / O between Such a program is provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet and further by various recording media. As such a recording medium, a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magnetic tape can be applied.
[0063]
When the central processing unit 32 executes the program and the file to be written is a small capacity file that does not reach the predetermined capacity, the central processing unit 32 distributes the data of the file to the secondary recording area, and the file exceeds the predetermined capacity. In the case of a large-capacity file, a write command is issued so that the data of this file is distributed to the main recording area. Here, such a small-capacity file includes various component files, shortcuts, folders, and texts that constitute application software.
[0064]
That is, the central processing unit 32 issues a command to the hard disk drive 21 so as to reproduce the management data recorded in the system entry area of the hard disk 3 by executing a predetermined processing procedure when the power is turned on. The system entry area data (FAT area and directory area data) output from the drive 21 is recorded in the system memory 31.
[0065]
When the data recording is further instructed by the user, the central processing unit 32 determines the file size related to the recording based on a predetermined determination reference value, and if it does not satisfy the determination reference value, the central processing unit 32 records the management data recorded in the system memory 31. Data is searched and free clusters are sequentially detected from the clusters assigned to the non-volatile memory 23, parameters are set according to the detected free cluster addresses, and a write command is issued. On the other hand, when the file to be written has a file size larger than the determination reference value, the management data recorded in the system memory 31 is searched, and free clusters are sequentially detected from the clusters assigned to the hard disk 3, and this detection is performed. Set the parameters according to the free cluster address and issue a write command.
[0066]
When the writing of these files is completed, the management data recorded in the system memory 31 is updated so as to correspond to the writing of this file, and the recording of the hard disk 3 is updated so as to correspond to this update at a predetermined timing. Instruct.
[0067]
On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the cluster address is set and the read command is issued by searching the management data recorded in the system memory 31 as in the conventional case.
[0068]
With these configurations, in this embodiment, the hard disk control circuit 5, the servo circuit 4, the motors 6 and 8, and the read / write data channel section constitute a main recording system for recording input data on the hard disk. Yes. Correspondingly, the peripheral circuit of the nonvolatile memory 23 constitutes a secondary recording system for recording the input data in the nonvolatile memory 23, and the address conversion circuit 27B and the selector 27C receive the data from the host device 22. Control means for allocating to the main and sub recording systems is configured.
[0069]
(1-2) Operation of the first embodiment
In the above configuration, in the hard disk drive 21, when the power is turned on, the data in the system entry area is reproduced in accordance with an instruction from the host device 22. Of the data in the system entry area, the data in the directory area and the FAT area. Is transferred from the hard disk drive 21 to the host device 22 and recorded in the system memory 31 of the host device 22.
[0070]
In the host device 22, when the management data is held in the system memory 31 in this way and the file recording is instructed by the user, the capacity of the file is determined, and the file to be written is determined based on the determination result. In the case of a small-capacity file, empty clusters are sequentially detected from the cluster of the nonvolatile memory 23 of the hard disk drive 21, a write command is sequentially issued based on the detected cluster address of the empty cluster, and the file data relating to the writing is stored in the hard disk Output to the drive 21. On the other hand, when the file to be written is a large-capacity file, the management data recorded in the system memory 31 is searched, and free clusters are sequentially detected from the clusters of the hard disk 3, and the detected free clusters are detected. A write command is sequentially issued based on the cluster address, and file data relating to writing is output to the hard disk drive 21.
[0071]
In the hard disk drive 21, the address conversion table of the address conversion circuit 27 B is searched based on the cluster address set in the write command in this way, so that the address is related to the hard disk 3 or stored in the nonvolatile memory 23. Such an address is detected. Here, in the case of an address related to the hard disk 3, the address related to the write command is converted into a physical address of the hard disk 3, and data input from the host device 22 is recorded on the hard disk 3 by the cluster address. In the case of the address related to the nonvolatile memory 23, in the hard disk drive 21, the address conversion circuit 27B converts this address into the memory address of the nonvolatile memory 23, and the output data of the host device 22 is converted into the nonvolatile memory by this memory address. 23.
[0072]
As a result, in this embodiment, for a small-capacity file that is likely to be fragmented due to repeated recording and deletion, even if fragmentation occurs due to repeated recording and deletion, the access speed decreases and the power consumption increases. Is recorded in the secondary recording area of the non-volatile memory 23 that does not incur the problem, and when viewed as a whole, the decrease in the access speed and the increase in the power consumption due to fragmentation are significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case. Has been made.
[0073]
Thus, when the host device 22 completes the recording of the file in this way, the recording of the system memory 31 is updated so as to correspond to this, and the hard disk drive 21 supports the updating of the system memory 31. Thus, the system entry area of the hard disk 3 is updated.
[0074]
On the other hand, when the user gives an instruction to play a file, the host device 22 detects the start cluster address of the corresponding file by searching for the record in the system memory 31, and further detects this start cluster until EOF is detected. Sequential cluster addresses are detected from the addresses. Further, parameters are set by the cluster addresses sequentially detected in this way, and a read command is output from the host device 22 to the hard disk drive 21.
[0075]
In the hard disk drive 21, the address conversion table of the address conversion circuit 27 B is searched based on the address related to the read command sent in this way, so that the address related to the hard disk 3 or the address related to the nonvolatile memory 23 is determined. Detected. Here, in the case of an address related to the hard disk 3, the address related to the write command is converted into a cluster address based on the physical address of the hard disk 3, and data recorded on the hard disk 3 is reproduced and output to the host device 22 by this cluster address. The On the other hand, in the case of the address related to the nonvolatile memory 23, in the hard disk drive 21, this address is converted into the memory address of the nonvolatile memory 23 in the address conversion circuit 27B and is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 23 by this memory address. The read data is read and output to the host device 22.
[0076]
Thus, in the case of reading, the host device 22 can issue a command by the same file management as in the prior art and reproduce a desired file.
[0077]
When the file is instructed to be deleted by the user, the host device 22 detects the start cluster address of the corresponding file by searching the record in the system memory 31, and from this start cluster address until EOF is detected. Sequential cluster addresses are detected. Further, the record of the corresponding directory area recorded in the system memory 31 by the cluster address sequentially detected in this way is rewritten with a code indicating an empty cluster, and the system entry area of the hard disk 3 is adapted to correspond to this rewriting. Is updated.
[0078]
As a result, in the hard disk drive 21, when the user instructs to write again, the file data relating to the writing is sequentially recorded in the cluster formed by deleting the file in this way, and the size of the file is deleted. If it is larger than the file, in addition to the area from which the file was deleted, the file relating to this writing is fragmented by being recorded in the cluster instead of being set as a free area. Further, by such repetition, the file fragmentation related to writing proceeds sequentially.
[0079]
However, in this embodiment, since a large-capacity file is selectively written in the hard disk 3, in the fragmentation generated in the hard disk 3 in this way, a relatively large amount of data is used as a unit. It is fragmented. As a result, in the hard disk drive 21, fragmentation in the hard disk 3 can be reduced as compared with the case where a small capacity file and a large capacity file are mixed and recorded in the hard disk 3, thereby also reducing the access speed. The reduction in power consumption and the increase in power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the prior art.
[0080]
(1-3) Effects of the first embodiment
According to the above configuration, the access speed is reduced due to fragmentation by allocating the data to be recorded to the main recording area by the hard disk, which is a disk-shaped recording medium, and the sub recording area by the nonvolatile memory. In addition, the increase in power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0081]
That is, on the hard disk drive side, by providing recording means corresponding to these main and sub recording areas and means for distributing data input from the host device to these main and sub recording systems, the access speed is reduced due to fragmentation. In addition, the increase in power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0082]
In the host device, the address is set so as to indicate the main and secondary recording areas, and the command is issued, so that the decrease in access speed due to fragmentation and the increase in power consumption are markedly higher than before. Can be reduced.
[0083]
In addition, by managing these main and sub recording areas by continuous addresses, the host device can reproduce a desired file by issuing a read command by the same file management as in the prior art during reproduction.
[0084]
In addition, by determining the files to be allocated to the main and secondary recording areas based on the file capacity, for example, when the host device is a computer, the files are divided into the main and secondary by a simple determination process. Can be sorted and recorded in these areas.
[0085]
(2) Second embodiment
  FIG. 6 is a chart showing the setting of recording areas in the hard disk drive and the nonvolatile memory according to the second embodiment in comparison with FIG. In this embodiment, the data in the system entry area is recorded in a nonvolatile memory, the remaining nonvolatile memory area is set as a secondary recording area, and cluster addresses are sequentially assigned. Further, the cluster address of the hard disk is set following the cluster address of the nonvolatile memory. This embodiment is configured in the same manner as the hard disk drive and host device of the first embodiment, except that each section is configured to correspond to such a recording area setting.The second embodiment shows a reference example of the present application.
[0086]
As shown in FIG. 6, even if the system entry area is allocated to the nonvolatile memory and the cluster addresses are sequentially allocated to the hard disk from the nonvolatile memory, the access speed by fragmentation is controlled as in the first embodiment. Reduction and increase in power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[0087]
(3) Third embodiment
  In this embodiment, the minimum recording unit in the sub recording area is set smaller than the minimum recording unit in the main recording area. The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first or second embodiment except that the setting of the recording unit and the configuration related to the setting of the recording unit are different.However, the third embodiment based on the configuration of the second embodiment shows a reference example of the present application.
[0088]
That is, in this embodiment, one cluster in the main recording area is formed by 16 [K bytes], whereas one cluster in the sub recording area is formed by 1 [K bytes]. Yes. Correspondingly, in the host device, when detecting the free cluster by recording in the system memory, the free cluster is sequentially detected in consideration of the difference in capacity. When a write command is issued, a data length parameter is set so as to correspond to the difference in recording units. Similarly, at the time of reading, the cluster address is sequentially detected in consideration of the capacity difference, and the read command is issued after setting the data length parameter.
[0089]
Correspondingly, the hard disk drive also records data in the hard disk and nonvolatile memory and reproduces the data in units of these clusters.
[0090]
Thus, in this embodiment, the recording unit of the non-volatile memory is reduced, and accordingly, the use of the memory space is prevented in the recording of the non-volatile memory by simply clustering.
[0091]
(4) Fourth embodiment
  In this embodiment, a camera-integrated video recorder and an electronic still camera are applied to the host device, and the moving image file and still image file data from the host device are allocated and recorded in the main and sub recording areas, respectively. This embodiment is configured in the same way as the first or second embodiment except that the sorting criteria are different.This fourth embodiment shows a reference example of the present application.
[0092]
As in this embodiment, data may be distributed and recorded in the main and sub recording areas according to the file type, that is, the data of the moving image file and the still image file are specifically recorded in the main and sub recording areas, respectively. Even when recording is performed by sorting the areas, the effect similar to that of the first or second embodiment can be obtained in the still image file because the file size is smaller than that of the moving image file.
[0093]
(5) Fifth embodiment
  In this embodiment, file data having a high read frequency and data of a file having a low read frequency are separately recorded in the main and sub recording areas. This embodiment is configured in the same way as the first or second embodiment except that the sorting criteria are different.In addition, this 5th Embodiment shows the reference example of this application.
[0094]
That is, in a file with a high read frequency, the frequency of update and deletion is increased accordingly, so that the frequency of fragmentation is high and the file size is generally small. Thus, in this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first or second embodiment can be obtained even if a file having a high read frequency is assigned to the secondary recording area. Also, by assigning a file with a high read frequency to the secondary recording area in this way, it can be read at a higher speed than when recording on a hard disk, and the usability can be improved accordingly.
[0095]
(6) Sixth embodiment
  In this embodiment, data to be recorded is distributed according to a user instruction. This embodiment is configured in the same way as the first or second embodiment except that the sorting criteria are different.The sixth embodiment shows a reference example of the present application.
[0096]
That is, in this embodiment, when recording a file, the host device prompts the user to select a recording area that identifies the main and sub recording areas, and writes the file in the main and sub recording areas according to this selection. .
[0097]
Alternatively, instead of selecting the recording area that identifies the main and sub recording areas, the message “Save” and “Store” is displayed, and the main and sub recording areas are displayed in accordance with the selection of this message. Write the file.
[0098]
In other words, when the “save” and “save” menus are displayed in this way, and the user selects the “save” menu, it is considered that the user intends to save this file for a long period of time. It is done. As a result, the frequency of update and deletion is considered to be lower than when the “store” menu is selected. In this case, this file is recorded on the hard disk.
[0099]
On the other hand, if the “Save” or “Remember” menu is displayed and the user selects the “Remember” menu, this file is considered to have a relatively short storage period. Therefore, it is considered that the frequency of deletion and update is relatively high. Thereby, in this case, this file is recorded in the nonvolatile memory.
[0100]
In addition, if the file recorded in the non-volatile memory by selecting the “store” menu is not played back or updated for a certain period of time or longer, the user is inquired whether or not to save it, and the user saves the file. If selected, switch to hard disk.
[0101]
Thus, for example, when recording a music file, a file with a high reproduction frequency, which is a new musical score, is recorded in a nonvolatile memory, and a music file that has become old and has not been heard much is transferred to the disk area.
[0102]
Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to 5th Embodiment can be acquired.
[0103]
(7) Other embodiments
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the hard disk drive and the host device are configured separately has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be widely applied to a case where they are configured integrally.
[0104]
In the above embodiment, the cluster address is set so that the recording area of the non-volatile memory continues after the recording area of the hard disk drive, and conversely, the recording area continues. As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and various address setting methods can be set.
[0105]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the file management system using the FAT file system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be widely applied to various file management systems.
[0106]
In the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a hard disk drive has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and desired data is recorded by a disk-shaped recording medium such as an optical disk device or a magneto-optical disk device. It can be widely applied to information processing apparatuses.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the access speed is reduced due to fragmentation by allocating and recording data to be recorded on the main recording area of the disk-shaped recording medium and the secondary recording area of the nonvolatile memory. In addition, the increase in power consumption can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a hard disk drive according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of the hard disk drive of FIG. 1 together with a host device.
FIG. 3 is a chart for explaining recording areas in the hard disk drive of FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of writing in the hard disk drive of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of reading in the hard disk drive of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a chart for explaining a recording area in the hard disk drive according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional hard disk drive.
8 is a chart showing a recording format in the hard disk of FIG.
9 is a chart showing data recorded in the directory area of FIG. 7. FIG.
10 is a chart showing codes recorded in the FAT area of FIG. 7. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21... Hard disk drive, 2, 22... Host device, 3... Hard disk, 7, 27... Interface control circuit, 12, 32 ... Central processing unit, 11, 31.

Claims (4)

By managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data An information processing apparatus for writing to and reading from an area,
Assigning consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas to the main and sub data areas, and recording the management information by the addresses in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium,
Select the main and sub data areas based on the addresses set in the write and read commands, and selectively access the main or sub data area,
The recording unit corresponding to one address is set to be smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area ,
The size of the file to be recorded is determined by a determination reference value, the small file data is recorded in the sub data area, and the large file data is recorded in the main data area. An information processing apparatus characterized by setting . By managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data A data recording / reproducing method for writing to and reading from an area,
The disk-shaped recording medium and the nonvolatile memory are
Assigning consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas to the main and sub data areas, and recording the management information by the addresses in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium,
The recording unit corresponding to one address is set to be smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area,
The data recording / reproducing method includes:
A selection step of selecting the main and sub data areas based on addresses set in the write and read commands;
An access step of selectively accessing the main or sub data area according to the selection result of the selection step;
The size of the file to be recorded is determined by a determination reference value, the small file data is recorded in the sub data area, and the large file data is recorded in the main data area. A data recording / reproducing method characterized in that : By managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data A data recording / reproducing method program for writing to and reading from an area,
The disk-shaped recording medium and the nonvolatile memory are
Assigning consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas to the main and sub data areas, and recording the management information by the addresses in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium,
The recording unit corresponding to one address is set to be smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area,
The data recording / reproducing method program includes:
A selection step of, based on the write and the address set in the command of the read, selecting the main and sub of data areas,
An access step of selectively accessing the main or sub data area according to the selection result of the selection step,
The size of the file to be recorded is determined by a determination reference value, the small file data is recorded in the sub data area, and the large file data is recorded in the main data area. program data recording and reproducing method characterized by setting a. By managing the main data area provided in the disc-shaped recording medium and the sub-data area by the nonvolatile memory by the management information recorded in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium, the main and sub-data A recording medium that records a program of a data recording / reproducing method for writing and reading to / from an area ,
The disk-shaped recording medium and the nonvolatile memory are
Assigning consecutive addresses in the main and sub data areas to the main and sub data areas, and recording the management information by the addresses in the system entry area of the disc-shaped recording medium,
The recording unit corresponding to one address is set to be smaller in the sub data area than in the main data area,
The data recording / reproducing method program includes:
A selection step of selecting the main and sub data areas based on addresses set in the write and read commands;
An access step of selectively accessing the main or sub data area according to the selection result of the selection step,
The size of the file to be recorded is determined by a determination reference value, the small file data is recorded in the sub data area, and the large file data is recorded in the main data area. recording medium for recording a program of a data recording and reproducing method and sets the.

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