JP2002041336A - Data recording medium, data recorder and data reproducing device for handling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select cluster size depending on files to be recorded. SOLUTION: A hard disk as a data recording medium is provided with a data area 154a consisting of a cluster with 8K byte size and a data area 154b consisting of a cluster with 256K byte size. FAT areas have areas corresponding to each of the data areas 154a and 154b. Each directory entry to be recorded in a directory area 153 includes identification information to indicate in which data area corresponding files are recorded. Thus, the cluster size can be selected depending on the files to be recorded. Disadvantages due to the fact that the cluster size is small, namely, a delay of speed of recording and reproduction and impairment of real time nature are prevented, for example, by recording a file (large capacity file) of data for recording regarding a video signal SV and an audio signal SA in the data area 154b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data recording medium, and a data recording apparatus and a data reproducing apparatus for handling the data recording medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a recording medium or the like in which a data area is constituted by a plurality of data area sections each having a cluster having a different size so that a cluster size can be selected depending on a file to be recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, data recording / reproducing apparatuses for recording / reproducing video data, audio data, and the like using a non-linearly accessible data recording medium such as a hard disk have become widespread.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of a hard disk. That is, the hard disk is in boot sector 2
01, FAT (File Allocation Table) area 202,
202 ', directory area 203 and data area 2
04.

The boot sector 201 contains an OS (Operati
ng System) to load (IPL: Initia
l Program Loader) is written. Further, information for managing the hard disk (information on the start sector and capacity of the FAT area, directory area, and data area) is also written in the boot sector.

In the FAT areas 202 and 202 ',
Each FAT is recorded. Here, the FAT area 20
FAT2 recorded in 2 'is a copy of FAT1 recorded in FAT area 202. FAT2 is FAT1
Is prepared for when it breaks. The FAT includes a number of FAT entries corresponding to a plurality of clusters obtained by dividing the data area. When a file is recorded in the corresponding cluster, the content of each FAT entry is the next cluster number in which the file is further stored (also indicating the number of the FAT entry to be followed next), or A value indicating that the file is the last cluster in which the file is recorded is written.

Further, the contents of each FAT entry include a value indicating that the corresponding cluster is not yet used and is usable, and the corresponding cluster is a defective cluster (including a sector which cannot be read / written due to a flaw). Is also written. FIG. 7 collectively shows values written as the contents of the FAT entry and their meanings.

For example, when recording a file, the OS performs the following processing. The first empty cluster is found by searching the FAT, and the number of the cluster is
The first cluster number is registered in a directory entry of a directory area described later. Thereafter, data is written to the cluster, and when further data needs to be written, the corresponding FAT entry contains F
After searching the AT, the number of the cluster to which the data is to be written next is written, and then the data is written to the cluster in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, when no further data writing is necessary, the corresponding FAT
Write a value (0xFFFF) indicating that the file is the last cluster in which the file is recorded.

[0008] In the directory area 203, a plurality of directory entries are recorded. FIG. 8 shows a configuration example in which one directory entry has 32 bytes. This directory entry includes parameters such as a file name, a top cluster number, the number of clusters, and a data length.

FIG. 9 shows a directory area 203 and FA
The relationship between the T area 202 (202 ') and the data area 204 is shown. The directory entry in the directory area 203 is a file with a file name of “EXAMPLE_FILE”, which is written in the data area 204 using clusters 2 to 3 and has a data length of 20 Kbytes. Is shown. The cluster size is 8 Kbytes.

Since the first cluster number of the directory entry is 0x0002, the FAT area 202 (20
By referring to the FAT entry with the FAT entry number of 2 ') of 0x0002, the file is stored in the data area 204.
It can be known that the data is written to the cluster 3 next to the cluster 2 of the FAT area, and by referring to the FAT entry having the FAT entry number of 0x0003 in the FAT area, the file is stored next to the cluster 3 of the data area 204. In the cluster 4 can be known.

In the configuration example of the hard disk shown in FIG. 6 described above, referring to FIG.
A procedure for searching for a file using the FAT described in 2 ′) will be described. First, the first FAT entry number is found to be 0x0002 from the head cluster number of the directory entry in the directory area 203, and the contents of the FAT entry with this number indicate that the next FAT entry number is 0x0003. Next, from the contents of the FAT entry having the FAT entry number of 0x0003, it is found that the next FAT entry number is 0x0004. Next, from the contents of the FAT entry having the FAT entry number of 0x0004, it is found that the next FAT entry number is 0x0008. In this case, the FAT entry number is 0x00
05, 0x0006 and 0x0007 are used by other files. Next, from the content of the FAT entry having the FAT entry number of 0x0008, it is found that the next FAT entry number is 0x0009. Next, since the content of the FAT entry whose FAT entry number is 0x0009 is 0xFFFF, it is known that this is the last FAT entry of the file.

[0012]

In a conventional hard disk, a cluster (a cluster of sectors) indicated by an FAT is used.
Is fixed, and it is not possible to select a cluster size when recording a file. However, there are the following advantages and disadvantages when the cluster size is large and when the cluster size is small.

When the cluster size is small Advantage: The number of files that can be handled increases because the number of unused sectors decreases. Disadvantages: Since the number of sectors as a unit of access to a storage device such as an HDD decreases, the number of accesses increases, the access time increases, and the speed of recording and reproduction decreases.

When the cluster size is large Merits: Since the number of sectors as an access unit to a storage device such as an HDD is increased, the number of accesses is reduced, the access time is reduced, and the recording and reproducing speed is increased. Disadvantage: Since the number of unused sectors increases, the number of files that can be handled decreases.

When handling large-capacity files such as image files and audio files in real time, if the cluster size is small, the speed of recording and reproduction is reduced as described above.
There is a possibility that the real-time property is impaired. On the other hand, when handling a small-capacity file such as a text file, if the cluster size is large, the number of unused sectors increases and the number of files that can be handled is reduced. Therefore, it is desired that the cluster size can be selected depending on the file to be recorded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium or the like capable of selecting a cluster size depending on a file to be recorded.

[0017]

According to the present invention, a data area comprising at least a plurality of clusters and a FAT for searching a cluster of a data area in which a predetermined file is recorded by following a chain of FAT entries are recorded. A data recording medium comprising a FAT area and a directory area in which a directory entry having information of a file recorded in the data area is recorded. The FAT area is composed of a plurality of FAT areas for respectively recording FATs for searching for clusters of a predetermined file recorded in the plurality of data areas, and the directory area is a single directory area. Directory that is recorded in this single directory area The entry is intended to include identification information for identifying the data area portion where the file is recorded corresponding to the directory entry.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data recording apparatus for handling the above-mentioned data recording medium, wherein the selecting means selects which of a plurality of data areas to record a predetermined file to be recorded; FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the selected predetermined data area
Means for recording the data of the predetermined file in one or a plurality of free clusters of the predetermined data area, and the FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the predetermined data area.
Means for changing the contents of the AT in accordance with the recording of a predetermined file in a predetermined data area, and recording a directory entry having information of a predetermined file recorded in the predetermined data area in a single directory area; It is provided with.

According to the present invention, there is provided a data reproducing apparatus for handling the above-mentioned data recording medium, wherein a predetermined file in which information is recorded in a predetermined directory entry recorded in a single directory area is designated as a reproduction file. And a F corresponding to a predetermined data area identified by the identification information included in the predetermined directory entry.
Means for reproducing the data of the predetermined file from the predetermined data area by following the chain of FAT entries relating to the predetermined file with the FAT recorded in the AT area.

In the present invention, the data area of the data recording medium is composed of a plurality of data area sections each having a cluster having a different size. When a predetermined file is recorded on the data recording medium, the user selects which of the plurality of data area portions of the data recording medium to record the predetermined file. The data of the predetermined file is recorded in one or a plurality of free clusters of the predetermined data area with reference to the FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the selected predetermined data area.

Further, the FAT area of the data recording medium is composed of a plurality of FAT areas corresponding respectively to the plurality of data areas. Although the directory area of the data recording medium is composed of a single directory area, the directory entry recorded in the single directory area includes a data area in which a file corresponding to the directory entry is recorded. Is included.

As described above, when a predetermined file is recorded in the predetermined data area, the contents of the FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the predetermined data area are changed and a single directory is recorded. A directory entry having information on a predetermined file is newly recorded in the area. The directory entry includes identification information of the predetermined data area, for example, information of a cluster size.

When reproducing a predetermined file from the data recording medium, the predetermined file is first designated as a reproduction file. Then, by tracing the chain of the FAT entry relating to the predetermined file with the FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the predetermined data area identified by the identification information included in the predetermined directory entry having the information of the predetermined file. The data of the predetermined file is reproduced from the predetermined data area.

As described above, the data area of the data recording medium is composed of a plurality of data area sections each composed of clusters having different sizes from each other. When a predetermined file is recorded, which data area section is to be selected. To select the cluster size. That is, the cluster size can be selected according to the file to be recorded.

For this reason, when recording a large-capacity file such as an image file or an audio file, for example, by selecting a large cluster size, a disadvantage due to a small cluster size, that is, a recording and reproducing speed is reduced. It is possible to prevent the real-time property from being impaired. In addition, when recording a small-capacity file such as a text file, for example, selecting a small cluster size has a disadvantage that the cluster size is large, that is, the number of unused sectors increases and the number of files that can be handled decreases. Can be prevented.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a data recording / reproducing apparatus 100 as an embodiment.

The data recording / reproducing apparatus 100 has a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") 101 as a controller for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. The microcomputer 101 includes a display unit 102 which includes a liquid crystal display element or the like and displays the state of the device and the like.
An operation unit 103 provided with a plurality of input keys for user operation is connected.

The apparatus 100 also includes a video input terminal 104 for inputting an analog video signal SV, and an A / A converter for converting the video signal SV input to the video input terminal 104 into a digital signal to obtain video data VD. A D converter 105, an audio input terminal 106 for inputting an analog audio signal SA, and an audio signal AD for converting the audio signal SA input to the audio input terminal 106 into a digital signal to obtain audio data AD
/ D converter 107.

The device 100 has an encoder / decoder 108. This encoder / decoder 10
Numeral 8 performs encoding processing on the data VD and AD output from the A / D converters 105 and 107 to obtain recording data, and decodes the recording data reproduced from the hard disk as described later. To obtain the data VD and AD.

For example, video data VD output from the A / D converter 105 is converted into, for example, MPEG2 (digital recording) recording data by encoding. In this case, the user can select a recording mode with a different compression ratio by operating the operation unit 103. The higher the compression ratio is, the lower the image quality is, but the longer the recording time can be.
The audio data AD output from the A / D converter 107 is encoded by, for example, an MPE.
G1 Layer 2 (digital recording) recording data.

The apparatus 100 converts the video data VD obtained by the decoding processing of the encoder / decoder 108 into an analog signal, and converts the analog video signal SV
, A video output terminal 110 for outputting an analog video signal SV obtained from the D / A converter 109, and an encoder / decoder 10
Audio data A obtained by the decoding process of FIG.
D is converted to an analog signal and the analog audio signal S
It has a D / A converter 111 for obtaining A and an audio output terminal 112 for outputting an analog audio signal SA obtained from the D / A converter 111.

The apparatus 100 has a data input / output terminal 113 for inputting and outputting data DT such as a text file and a program file. The data input / output terminal 113 is connected to the microcomputer 101.

Further, the apparatus 100 records the recording data obtained by the encoding process of the encoder / decoder 108 and the data DT inputted to the data input / output terminal 113 on the hard disk. It has a hard disk drive (HDD) 114 for reproducing DT. The recording / reproducing operation in the drive 114 is performed by the microcomputer 10
1 is controlled through the HD controller 115.

Here, the hard disk is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the hard disk
Boot sector 151, FAT (File Allocation Tabl)
e) regions 152a, 152a ', 152b, 152b',
Directory area 153 and data area 154a, 1
54b.

The boot sector 151 contains an OS (Operati
ng System) to load (IPL: Initia
l Program Loader) is written. Further, information for managing the hard disk (information on the start sector and capacity of the FAT area, directory area, and data area) is also written in the boot sector.

The data area 154a is composed of clusters having a size of 8 Kbytes. The data area 154b is 2
It consists of clusters of 56 Kbytes in size. As described later, in the present embodiment, the data area 154
a is used for recording data DT input to the data input / output terminal 113, and the data area 154b is used for recording recording data obtained by the encoding process of the encoder / decoder 108.

FAT areas 152a and 152a 'are provided corresponding to data area 154a. This FAT
The FAT is recorded in each of the areas 152a and 152a '. FAT2 recorded in FAT area 152a '
Is a copy of FAT1 recorded in the FAT area 152a. FAT2 is prepared for when FAT1 is broken. The FAT recorded in the FAT areas 152a and 152a 'is used to search for a cluster of a predetermined file recorded in the data area 154a. This FAT is composed of a number of FAT entries corresponding to a plurality of clusters (8 KB size) constituting the data area 154a.

If a file is recorded in the corresponding cluster, the contents of each FAT entry indicate the next cluster number in which the file is further stored (the number of the FAT entry to be followed next is also shown). ) Or a value indicating that the file is the last cluster in which the file is recorded. Further, the contents of each FAT entry include a value indicating that the corresponding cluster is not yet used and can be used, and the corresponding cluster is a defective cluster (including a sector which cannot be read / written due to a flaw).
Is also written (see FIG. 7).

For example, when recording a file, the OS performs the following processing. The first empty cluster is found by searching the FAT, and the number of the cluster is
The first cluster number is registered in a directory entry of a directory area described later. Thereafter, data is written to the cluster, and when further data needs to be written, the corresponding FAT entry contains F
After searching the AT, the number of the cluster to which the data is to be written next is written, and then the data is written to the cluster in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, when no further data writing is necessary, the corresponding FAT
Write a value (0xFFFF) indicating that the file is the last cluster in which the file is recorded.

The FAT areas 152b and 152b 'are provided corresponding to the data area 154b. The FAT is recorded in each of the FAT areas 152b and 152b '. FAT4 recorded in the FAT area 152b '
This is a copy of FAT3 recorded in the AT area 152b. FAT4 is prepared for when FAT3 is broken. The FAT recorded in the FAT areas 152b and 152b 'is used to search for a cluster of a predetermined file recorded in the data area 154b. The FAT includes a number of FAT entries each corresponding to a plurality of clusters (256 Kbytes) constituting the data area 154b. The contents of the FAT entry and the FAT of the OS at the time of recording the file
The writing process to the FAT areas 152a, 152
Since it is the same as that described in relation to 2a ', the description is omitted.

In the directory area 153, a plurality of directory entries are recorded. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example in which one directory entry has 32 bytes. This directory entry includes parameters such as a file name, a top cluster number, the number of clusters, and a data length. In the present embodiment, the directory entry further includes cluster size information as identification information for identifying a data area in which a file corresponding to the directory entry is recorded. For example,
When the information of the cluster size is “1 (= 0x0001)”, the data area 154a of the cluster size of 8 Kbytes × 1 = 8 Kbytes is identified. For example, when the cluster size information is “32 (= 0x0020)”, 8K
A data area 154b having a cluster size of bytes × 32 = 256 Kbytes is identified.

FIG. 4 shows the directory area 153 and the FA
T area 152a (152a ') and data area 154a
The relationship is shown. The directory entry 153a of the directory area 153 has a file name "EXAMPLE_
FILEa ". This directory entry 153a indicates that the file is written in the data area 154a using three clusters from cluster 2 and that the data length is 20 Kbytes.

FIG. 5 shows a directory area 153.
, And the relationship between the FAT area 152b (152b ') and the data area 154b. Directory area 15
The third directory entry 153b has information on a file whose file name is “EXAMPLE_FILEb”. This directory entry 153b indicates that the file has been written to the data area 154b using clusters 2 to 3, and that the data length is 768 Kbytes.

The operation of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. By the operation of the operation unit 103 by the user,
An operation in the case where an instruction to record the signals SV and SA input to the input terminals 104 and 106 will be described. In this case, the recorded file capacity generally increases, so that the data areas 154a and 154 of the hard disk are
The data area 154b composed of a 256-Kbyte size cluster is automatically selected as the file recording area.

The analog video signal SV input to the video input terminal 104 is supplied to an A / D converter 105 and converted into a digital signal.
05 is supplied to the encoder / decoder 108. Also, audio input terminal 1
The analog audio signal SA input to A / D
The audio data AD is supplied to the converter 107 and converted into a digital signal. The audio data AD obtained from the A / D converter 107 is supplied to the encoder / decoder 108. In the encoder / decoder 108, the data V
An encoding process is performed on D and AD to generate recording data.

Then, the recording data is transferred to the hard disk drive 114 through the HD controller 115 and recorded on the hard disk. The operation of the microcomputer 101 when the recording data file is recorded on the hard disk as described above will be described in further detail.

The first vacant cluster is assigned to the FAT area 1
The FAT recorded in the 52b (152b ') is found by searching, and the number of the cluster (first cluster) is assigned to the directory entry corresponding to the file recorded in the directory area 153 as the first cluster number. Write. Note that this directory entry contains “32 (= 0x0020)” as cluster size information.
Is written.

Thereafter, data is written to the first cluster, and when no further data writing is necessary, a value (0xFFFF) indicating that this is the last cluster in which the file is recorded is stored in the corresponding FAT entry. )
Write. When it is necessary to write further data following the first cluster, the corresponding FAT entry contains the number of the next cluster (second cluster) to which data is to be written next after searching and finding the FAT. (Which also indicates the number of the FAT entry to be tracked).

Thereafter, data is written to the second cluster, and when no further data writing is required, a value (0xFFFF) indicating that this is the last cluster in which the file is recorded is stored in the corresponding FAT entry. )
Write. When further data needs to be written following the second cluster, the number of the cluster (third cluster) to which data is to be written next after the FAT has been searched and found is written in the corresponding FAT entry.
Thereafter, data is written to the third cluster, and the same operation as described above is repeated.

Next, a text file input to the input / output terminal 113 by the operation of the operation unit 103 by the user,
An operation when an instruction to record data DT such as a program file is given will be described. In this case, of the data areas 154a and 154b of the hard disk, the data area 154a composed of an 8-Kbyte size cluster is automatically selected as a file recording area.

The data DT input to the data input / output terminal 113 is transmitted to the microcomputer 101 and the HD controller 11.
5, transferred to the hard disk drive 114,
Recorded on the hard disk. The operation of the microcomputer 101 when the file of the data DT is recorded on the hard disk as described above is performed in the FAT area 152b (152
b '), instead of the data area 154b, the FAT area 1
52a (152a ') and the data area 154a are the same as in the case of recording the recording data described above, except that they are targeted. The directory entry recorded in the directory area 153 corresponding to the file includes:
“1 (= 0x0001)” is written as cluster size information.

Next, the operation at the time of reproduction will be described. At the time of this reproduction, a predetermined file whose information is recorded in a predetermined directory entry recorded in the directory area 153 is designated as a reproduction file by an operation of the operation unit 103 by the user.

The information of the cluster size included in the predetermined directory entry having the information of the reproduction file is "32".
Is described. In this case, the reproduction file is the above-described recording data file, and is recorded in the data area 154b.

Under the control of the microcomputer 101, in the hard disk drive 114, the data of the reproduction file is reproduced from the data area 154b of the hard disk.
In this case, the FAT recorded in the FAT area 152b (152b ') follows the chain of the FAT entry relating to the reproduction file, thereby obtaining the data area 154.
b or one or more clusters (256 KB size)
Thus, the data of the reproduced file is sequentially reproduced (see FIG. 5).

The recording data reproduced from the hard disk is transferred to the encoder / decoder 108. The encoder / decoder 108 decodes the recording data to generate video data VD and audio data AD. The video data VD generated by the encoder / decoder 108 is supplied to a D / A converter 109 and converted into an analog signal. The analog video signal SV obtained from the D / A converter 109 is output to a video output terminal 110. You. Also,
The audio data AD generated by the encoder / decoder 108 is supplied to a D / A converter 111 and converted into an analog signal. An analog audio signal SA obtained from the D / A converter 111 is output to an audio output terminal 112.

A case where the information of the cluster size included in the predetermined directory entry having the information of the reproduction file is “1” will be described. In this case, the playback file is a file of the data DT described above,
54a.

Under the control of the microcomputer 101, the hard disk drive 114 reproduces (reads) the data of the reproduction file from the data area 154a of the hard disk. In this case, the FAT area 152a (15
2a '), by tracing the chain of the FAT entry relating to the reproduction file with the FAT recorded in
The data of the playback file is sequentially played back from one or a plurality of clusters (8 KB size) of the data area 154a (see FIG. 4). Data DT reproduced from the hard disk is output to the data input / output terminal 113.

As described above, in this embodiment, the hard disk as the data recording medium is 8K.
Data area 154a consisting of byte-sized clusters
And a data area 154b composed of clusters having a size of 256 Kbytes. Then, a recording data file (large-capacity file) related to the video signal SV and the audio signal SA is recorded in the data area 154b.
Therefore, in this case, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage caused by a small cluster size, that is, a reduction in the speed of recording and reproduction, and a loss of real-time performance.
Data DT such as a text file and a program file is recorded in the data area 154a. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage caused by a large cluster size, that is, it is possible to prevent the number of unused sectors from increasing and the number of files that can be handled from decreasing.

In the above embodiment, a hard disk as a data recording medium is provided with a data area 154a composed of clusters of 8 Kbytes and a data area 154b composed of clusters of 256 Kbytes. The size of the cluster is not limited to this, and three or more data area portions composed of clusters having different sizes may be provided.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each area of the hard disk includes FAT areas 152a and 152a 'for 8K clusters, FAT areas 152b and 152b' for 256K clusters,
53, 8K cluster data areas 154a and 256
Although arranged in the order of the K cluster data area 154b, the present invention is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the directory entry recorded in the directory area 153 includes cluster size information as identification information for identifying a data area portion in which a file corresponding to the directory entry is recorded. Although included, the identification information may be other information. In short, it is only necessary to identify the data area where the file is recorded.

In the above-described embodiment, when recording data output from the encoder / decoder 108 is recorded, the data area 154b is automatically selected.
When recording the data DT input to the data input / output terminal 113, the data area 154a is automatically selected. However, the user operates the operation unit 103 to determine in which data area to record. Any selection may be made.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium is a hard disk. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where the recording medium is another FAT type recording medium. It is.

[0064]

According to the present invention, the data area of the data recording medium is composed of a plurality of data area sections each having a cluster having a different size from each other. The cluster size can be selected by selecting whether to record, and the cluster size can be selected depending on the file to be recorded. For this reason, when recording a large-capacity file such as an image file or an audio file, a large cluster size can be selected, and disadvantages due to the small cluster size, that is, recording and playback speeds are reduced, and real-time performance is impaired. Can be prevented. Also, when recording a small-capacity file such as a text file, for example, a small cluster size can be selected, and the disadvantage of a large cluster size, that is, the number of unused sectors increases and the number of files that can be handled is reduced is prevented. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data recording / reproducing apparatus as an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hard disk.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a directory entry.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship (8 Kbyte cluster) between a directory area, a FAT area, and a data area.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship (256 Kbyte cluster) between a directory area, a FAT area, and a data area.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a hard disk.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating values written as contents of a FAT entry and their meanings.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a directory entry.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship among a directory area, a FAT area, and a data area.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for searching for a file.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 data recording / reproducing device 101 microcomputer 102 display unit 103 operation unit 104 video input terminal 105, 107 A / D converter 106 audio input terminal 108 encoder / decoder 109, 111 D / A converter 110 video output terminal 112 audio output terminal 113 data I / O terminal 114 Hard disk drive 115 HD controller 151 Boot sector 152a, 152a ', 152b, 152b' FAT
Area 153 directory area 154a, 154b data area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B082 CA01 EA01 5D044 AB05 AB07 BC01 CC05 DE03 DE37 DE49 DE54 EF05 FG18 GK12 5D110 AA13 AA27 AA29 DA07 DA11 DA12 DA17 DA18 DB03 DC05 DC15

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data area comprising at least a plurality of clusters; a FAT area for recording a FAT for searching a cluster of the data area on which a predetermined file is recorded by following a chain of FAT entries; A directory area in which a directory entry having information of a file recorded in the area is recorded, wherein the data area is constituted by a plurality of data area parts each having a cluster having a different size from each other; The FAT area is an FAT for searching a cluster of the predetermined file recorded in the plurality of data areas.
The directory area is composed of a single directory area section, and the directory entries recorded in the single directory area section correspond to the directory entries. A data recording medium comprising identification information for identifying the data area in which a file is recorded. 2. A data area comprising at least a plurality of clusters; a FAT area in which a FAT for searching a cluster of the data area in which a predetermined file is recorded by following a chain of FAT entries is recorded; And a directory area in which a directory entry having information of a file recorded in the area is recorded. The data area is composed of a plurality of data area portions each having a cluster having a different size from each other, and the FAT area is composed of the plurality of data areas. The directory area is composed of a plurality of FAT areas for respectively recording FATs for searching for the cluster of the predetermined file recorded in the area section, and the directory area is composed of a single directory area section, The directory entry recorded in the area section contains the directory entry. A data recording apparatus for handling a data recording medium including identification information for identifying the data area portion in which a file corresponding to the entry is recorded, wherein a predetermined file to be recorded is stored in any of the plurality of data area portions. Selecting means for recording or selecting; and referring to the FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the predetermined data area selected by the selecting means to one or a plurality of free clusters in the predetermined data area. Means for recording the data of the predetermined file; and changing the contents of the FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to the predetermined data area in accordance with the recording of the predetermined file in the predetermined data area. And a directory entry having information of the predetermined file recorded in the predetermined data area in the single directory area. Data recording apparatus characterized by comprising a means for recording the directory. 3. A data area comprising at least a plurality of clusters; a FAT area in which a FAT for searching a cluster of the data area in which a predetermined file is recorded by following a chain of FAT entries; A directory area in which a directory entry having information of a file recorded in the area is recorded. The directory area is composed of a plurality of FAT areas for respectively recording FATs for searching for the cluster of the predetermined file recorded in the area section, and the directory area is composed of a single directory area section, The directory entry recorded in the area section contains the directory entry. A data reproducing apparatus which handles a data recording medium including identification information for identifying the data area portion in which a file corresponding to the entry is recorded, wherein a predetermined directory entry recorded in the single directory area portion includes Means for designating a predetermined file in which information is recorded as a reproduction file; and FAT recorded in the FAT area corresponding to a predetermined data area identified by identification information included in the predetermined directory entry. FA related to the specified file
Means for reproducing the data of the predetermined file from the predetermined data area by following a chain of T entries.