JP2004079140A - Data recording controller and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent lost data by recording data efficiently on a recording medium in which the number of times of writing is limited, to realize increased capacity of the recording medium by the above, and to promote the wide use of the recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: In first embodiment, a CPU 11 sets a recording region and a substitution recording region to a nonvolatile memory 17A by a nonvolatile memory control program, when the number of times of writing data in a block of the recording region reaches a threshold value, data recorded in this block is recorded in a substitution block of the substitution recording region. Further, in second embodiment, when difference of count values of the number of times of writing of a block in which the number of times of writing is the most and a block in which the number of times of block is the least reaches a count difference threshold value, the CPU 11 replaces data of these blocks using the empty block of a nonvolatile memory 17A, and disappearance of data in a block in which the number of times of recording data in the nonvolatile memory 17 is more is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data recording control device that controls data recording on a recording medium and a program for controlling the data recording control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a portable information processing device such as a portable notebook personal computer, a hard disk device is mounted as a large-capacity recording medium for recording various data and various programs. However, since the hard disk device is vulnerable to impact, a small-capacity recording medium such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory having excellent impact resistance is also mounted on the portable information processing device.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the non-volatile semiconductor memory has a lower limit of the number of times of writing as compared with the hard disk device. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the number of times of writing exceeds the limit, and recorded data may be lost. . Further, when the number of times of data writing is partially biased in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory and the number of times of writing reaches the limit value in the biased portion, the entire memory cannot be used any more. Would.
[0004]
Such a phenomenon is because the main body that determines the data write area in the memory is in the program on the control side, and the data write operation to some recording areas in the memory frequently occurs depending on the program to be used. In other words, in the conventional memory utilization mode, since the control in consideration of the number of times of writing to the recording area is not performed partially, the memory may not be used effectively, and the capacity of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory may be increased. It could hinder its spread.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to efficiently record data on a recording medium having a limited number of times of writing to prevent data loss, thereby realizing a large-capacity recording medium and promoting its spread.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is
In the data recording control device,
Area setting means for setting a data recording area and an alternative data recording area in a recording medium,
Data recording means for recording data in a designated data recording area of the recording medium,
Storage means for storing the number of times of data recording by the data recording means for each data recording area,
With
The data recording means records the data recorded in the data recording area in the alternative data recording area when the number of recordings of the data recording area stored in the storage means reaches a predetermined number. And
[0007]
According to the invention described in claim 1,
The area setting means sets a data recording area and an alternative data recording area in a recording medium, the data recording means records data in a designated data recording area of the recording medium, and the storage means comprises the data recording means. Is stored for each data recording area, and the data recording means records the data recording area in the data recording area when the recording number of the data recording area stored in the storage means reaches a predetermined number. The recorded data is recorded in the alternative data recording area.
[0008]
Therefore, it is possible to avoid loss of data recorded in the data recording area where the number of times of recording data in the recording medium is large, and it is possible to improve the reliability of the recording medium. This also makes it possible to increase the value of use of the recording medium and promote the spread of the recording medium.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 4 is
In a data recording device,
Data recording means for recording data in a designated data recording area in a recording medium,
Storage means for storing the number of times of data recording for each data recording area in which data is recorded by the data recording means,
With
The data recording unit is characterized in that data recorded in the data recording area is exchanged with data recorded in another data recording area having a smaller number of recording times than the data recording area, and is recorded.
[0010]
According to the invention described in claim 4,
The data recording means records data in a designated data recording area in a recording medium, and the storage means stores a data recording number for each data recording area in which data is recorded by the data recording means. The means is characterized in that the data recorded in the data recording area and the data recorded in another data recording area having a smaller number of recording times than the data recording area are exchanged and recorded.
[0011]
Therefore, the number of times of data recording for each data recording area in the recording medium can be averaged, and the use period of the recording medium can be extended. This also makes it possible to increase the value of use of the recording medium and promote the spread of the recording medium.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The data recording control device 1 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the first and second embodiments of the data recording control device 1 will be described in detail. However, since the configuration of the data recording control device 1 in each embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted, and the same parts will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0013]
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail including common parts of the embodiments. First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a data recording control device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the data recording control device 1 includes a CPU 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, a RAM 14, a ROM 15, a printing device 16, a nonvolatile memory drive 17, an HDD 18, and a transmission control unit 18. They are connected by a bus 20 so that data can be mutually transmitted and received.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure of various programs stored in the ROM 15 shown in FIG. The various programs include an application program executed by the CPU 11, a system program for realizing basic functions of an OS (Operating System) including memory management and task management, and a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) in order from the upper layer. A non-volatile memory control program for controlling the non-volatile memory 17A is mounted on the lowest layer. The CPU 11 of FIG. 1 uses the nonvolatile memory control program shown in FIG. 2 to set, in the nonvolatile memory 17A, a recording area that can be recognized by the OS and an alternative recording area that cannot be recognized by the OS (FIG. 3), and controls the writing, reading, and editing of data in the nonvolatile memory 17A in various processes described later.
[0015]
Here, the recording area and the alternative recording area of the nonvolatile memory 17A will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the recording area and the substitute recording area are each composed of a plurality of data blocks.
[0016]
FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of one block in the recording area. As shown in FIG. 4A, each block 100 forming a recording area records a data area 101 for recording actual data and an ECC (Error Correcting Code) for correcting errors in data in the data area. Area 102 for writing data, the number-of-writes count area 103 for recording the number of times data is written to the data area 101, and the number of times data is written in the data area 101 when the number of times data is written in the data area 101 reaches a predetermined number. An alternative block designation area 104 for recording an address designating a block in an alternative recording area for recording actual data, and an ECC for error correction of data recorded in the write count area 103 and the substitution block designation area 104 And an area 105 for recording the information.
[0017]
FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of one block in the alternative recording area. As shown in FIG. 4B, each of the replacement blocks 110 constituting the replacement recording area includes a data area 111 for recording actual data and an ECC for error correction of data in the data area. The area 112, the number-of-writes count area 113 for recording the number of times of data writing to the data area 111, and the address of the block 100 when the data of this block is used as a substitute area for the block of the recording area And an area 115 for recording an ECC for error correction of data in the original block specification area 114.
[0018]
In addition, in each process described below, when writing data to each block in the nonvolatile memory 17A, the CPU 11 calculates an ECC for error correction of real data and records it in the area 102 (or area 112). At the same time, when writing the number of times of data writing and the address of the substitute block (or the address of the original block), the ECC is calculated and recorded in the area 105 and the area 115. When reading data from each block, the CPU 11 performs an error correction process using the ECC recorded in each block. The description of the error correction processing using the ECC by the CPU 11 will be omitted below.
[0019]
Hereinafter, each functional component of the data recording control device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.
[0020]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 loads a system program including an OS stored in a ROM 15 and various application programs corresponding to the system into a work memory formed in a RAM 14 and controls each unit according to the system program. . Further, various instructions or data input from the input unit 12 or the transmission control unit 16 are temporarily stored in the RAM 14, and various processes are executed in accordance with the input instructions and the input data in accordance with the application programs stored in the ROM 15. Then, the processing result is temporarily stored in the RAM 14. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 14 is stored in a storage destination in the ROM 15 according to an input instruction from the input unit 12.
[0021]
Specifically, the CPU 11 reads out the data editing processing program, the editing target data reading processing 1 program, and the editing content writing processing 1 program stored in the ROM 15 and develops them in the work memory in the RAM 14, which will be described later. The data editing process, the editing target data reading process 1, and the editing content writing process 1 are executed, and the processing results are stored in the work memory in the RAM 14 and displayed on the display unit 12.
[0022]
When an instruction to start the data editing processing program is input from the input unit 12, the CPU 11 executes the data editing processing. In the data editing process, the CPU 11 displays a file designation menu (not shown) for selecting a file to be edited on the display unit 13, opens the file specified from the input unit 12, and displays the data in the file. A file editing screen (not shown) for editing is displayed on the display unit 13. When the edit target data selected on the file edit screen is input via the input unit 12, the CPU 11 executes an edit target data read process 1 described later, and then executes an edit process of the read edit target data. When the content of the editing process is determined by the instruction input from the input unit 12, the editing content writing process 1 described later is executed.
[0023]
The CPU 11 searches the data of the block 100 in the recording area of the non-volatile memory 17A in which the designated edit target data is recorded in the edit target data read processing 1, and stores the substitute block in the substitute block designation area 104 of this block. It is determined whether or not the data designating is designated. If data for designating a substitute block is recorded in the substitute block designation area 104, the CPU 11 searches the designated substitute block 110, and reads out the actual data recorded in the data area 111 as data to be edited. On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines that the data designating the substitute block is not recorded in the substitute block designation area 104, the CPU 11 reads the actual data from the data area 101 of the block 100 as the data to be edited.
[0024]
The CPU 11 performs an editing process on the actual data (hereinafter, referred to as editing target data) read in the editing target data reading process 1 to generate edited data. Next, in the edit content writing process 1, the count value of the number of times of writing is read from the number-of-times-of-writing count area 103 of the block 100 where the data to be edited is recorded, and the address of the alternative block is read from the alternative block designation area 104. . The CPU 11 compares the count value of the read number of times of writing with a count threshold value stored in the ROM 15 in advance, and if the count value is smaller than the count threshold value, records the edited data in the data area 101 of the block 100; The count value of the write count area 103 is incremented by one.
[0025]
If the count value of the number of times of writing to the block 100 is equal to or larger than the count threshold value in the editing content writing process 1, the CPU 11 records data designating a substitute block in the substitute block designation area 104. For example, the edited data is recorded in the data area 111 of the designated replacement block 110. On the other hand, if the address specifying the replacement block is not recorded, the replacement block 110 in which no data is recorded is searched from the replacement recording area of the nonvolatile memory 17A, and the replacement block is designated as the replacement block of the block 100. Record the address of the block 100 in the original block designation area 114 of FIG.
[0026]
The input unit 12 includes a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse provided with a cursor key, a numeric input key, various function keys, and the like, and outputs to the CPU 11 a signal indicating a key pressed on the keyboard and a mouse position signal.
[0027]
The display unit 13 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays data being processed by the CPU 11, data of a processing result, and the like in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the CPU 11.
[0028]
A RAM (Random Access Memory) 14 forms a temporary storage area for programs, input or output data, parameters, and the like read from the ROM 15 in various processes executed and controlled by the CPU 11.
[0029]
A ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 stores in advance programs and data used when the CPU 11 executes the various programs. Specifically, the ROM 15 stores various processing programs as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a data editing processing program, a program for editing target data reading processing 1, a program for editing content writing processing 1, and the like as application programs. Remember. The ROM 15 stores a count threshold value for limiting the number of times of writing.
[0030]
Note that some or all of the programs, data, and the like stored in the ROM 15 are received from an external device from a transmission control unit 19 via a communication network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the data is stored.
[0031]
The printing device 16 includes an image forming unit (not shown), a transfer unit, a fixing unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like, and prints out data input from the CPU 11 on recording paper.
[0032]
The nonvolatile memory drive 17 is a memory interface, and mediates transmission and reception of data between the nonvolatile memory 17A, which is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and the data recording control device 1.
[0033]
The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 is an interface that mediates transmission and reception of data between the hard disk 18A and the data recording control device 1.
[0034]
The transmission control unit 19 includes a network card, a modem, a TA (Terminal Adapter), a router, and the like for communicating with an external device via a communication network (not shown).
[0035]
Next, the operation in the first embodiment will be described.
The data editing processing, which is the main processing by the CPU 11, and the editing target data reading processing 1 and the editing content writing processing 1 executed in the data editing processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0036]
Here, programs for implementing the functions described in these flowcharts are stored in the ROM 15 in the form of readable program codes, and the CPU 11 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes. Further, the CPU 11 can also sequentially execute an operation according to the above-described program code transmitted via the transmission medium. That is, an operation unique to the present embodiment can be executed using a program or data externally supplied via a transmission medium other than the ROM 15.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a data editing process executed by the CPU 11. In the data editing process shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 11 displays a file designation menu (not shown) on the display unit 13 (step S1). Next, it is determined whether or not a file has been designated by an instruction input from the input unit 12 (step S2). If a file has not been designated (step S2; NO), the process returns to step S1 and a file has been designated (step S2). (Step S2; YES), a block in which the designated file is recorded is retrieved from the non-volatile memory 17A, expanded in the RAM 14 (Step S3), and the process proceeds to Step S4.
[0038]
Next, the CPU 11 displays a file editing screen (not shown) on the display unit 13 (step S4), and determines whether or not the data to be edited has been designated by the instruction input from the input unit 12 (step S5). If the edit target data is not specified (step S5; NO), the CPU 11 returns to step S4. If the edit target data is specified (step S5; YES), the CPU 11 executes edit target data reading processing 1 described later (step S5). Step S6) Then, the editing process of the data to be edited is executed to generate the edited data (step S7).
[0039]
After the end of the editing processing in step S7, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the editing content has been determined by inputting an instruction from the input unit 12 (step S8). If the editing content has not been determined (step S8; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S7. When the editing content is determined (step S8; YES), the editing content writing process 1 described later is executed to record the edited data in the nonvolatile memory 17A, and the data editing process ends.
[0040]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the edit target data reading process 1 executed by the CPU 11 in the data editing process. In the editing target data reading process 1 shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 11 reads the block 100 in the recording area of the nonvolatile memory 17A in which the editing target data is recorded, and reads the data in the alternative block designation area 104 of this block ( Step S11), it is determined whether or not there is data specifying the alternative block 110 (step S12).
[0041]
When the CPU 11 determines that the data designating the replacement block 110 is not recorded in the replacement block designation area 104 (step S12; NO), the CPU 11 reads the actual data recorded in the data area 101 of the block 100 (step S13). . On the other hand, if it is determined that data designating a substitute block is recorded in the substitute block designation area 104 (step S12; YES), the CPU 11 searches the nonvolatile memory 17A for the substitute block 110 and retrieves the actual data from the data area 111. Is read (step S14).
[0042]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an editing content writing process 1 executed by the CPU 11 in the data editing process. In the description of the editing content writing processing 1 shown in FIG. 7, the address of the block 100 corresponding to the data to be edited is A0, the address of the replacement block 110 of the block of A0 is A1, and the data in the replacement storage area is A1. Let A2 be the address of any empty block that is not recorded.
[0043]
In the editing content writing process 1 shown in FIG. 7, when the address in the nonvolatile memory 17A in which the data to be edited is recorded is A0 (step S21), the CPU 11 counts the number of times of writing of the block 100 of the address A0. The data recorded in the area 103 and the alternative block designation area 104 are read (step S22), and it is determined whether or not the count value read from the write count area 103 is less than the count threshold value stored in the ROM 15. (Step S23) If the count value of the number of times of writing is less than the count threshold (Step S23; YES), the edited data is recorded in the data area 101 of the block 100 at the address A0, and The count value is incremented by 1 (step S24), and the editing content writing process 1 ends.
[0044]
On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines in step S23 that the count value of the number of times of writing of the block at the address A0 is not smaller than the count threshold value (step S23; NO), the data specifying the replacement block in the replacement block designation area 104 of the block 100 It is determined whether or not there is (step S25). Here, when the CPU 11 determines that there is data (address A1) designating a substitute block (step S25; YES), the CPU 11 reads the substitute block 110 of the address A1 (step S26), and reads the data of the substitute block 110 of the address A1. The edited data is recorded in the area 111 (step S27), and the edited content writing processing 1 ends.
[0045]
On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines in step S25 that the data designating the replacement block is not recorded in the replacement block designation area 104 of the block 100 at the address A0 (step S25; NO), the CPU 11 determines from the replacement recording area of the nonvolatile memory 17A. An empty block in which no data is recorded is searched (step S28).
[0046]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 designates the empty block at the address A2 as the substitute block of the block 100 at the address A0, and records the address A2 in the substitute block designation area 104 of the block 100 at the address A0 (step S29). Next, the edited data is recorded in the data area 111 of the substitute block 110 at the address A2 (step S30), and the edited content writing processing 1 is terminated.
[0047]
As described above, according to the data recording control device 1 of the first embodiment, the CPU 11 sets the recording area and the alternative recording area in the nonvolatile memory 17A by the nonvolatile memory control program, and When the number of times of data writing in the block reaches the threshold value, the data recorded in this block is recorded in the substitute block of the substitute recording area. To extend the use period and increase the capacity. In addition, it is possible to promote the spread of a recording medium such as a non-volatile memory having a limited number of writings.
[0048]
In the first embodiment, the replacement block 110 is not provided with an area for recording the count value of the number of times of writing, but the replacement block 110 is also provided with an area for counting the number of times of writing. When the threshold value is reached, guidance urging replacement of the non-volatile memory 17A may be displayed on the display unit 13, or backup data of data recorded in the replacement block 110 may be stored in the ROM 15. As a result, data loss can be more reliably prevented.
[0049]
[Second embodiment]
In the second embodiment, since the data recording control device 1 has substantially the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. , And duplicate description will be omitted.
[0050]
However, in the second embodiment, the CPU 11 in FIG. 1 does not use the nonvolatile memory control program in FIG. 2 to set a recording area and an alternative recording area as shown in FIG. Thus, the entire nonvolatile memory 17A is set as a recording area that can be recognized by the OS.
[0051]
Further, in the second embodiment, the CPU 11 creates a block management table shown in FIG. 9 using the nonvolatile memory control program and saves the block management table in the ROM 15 so that the data of each block in the nonvolatile memory 17A is stored. Manage. As shown in FIG. 9, in the block management table, an address in the nonvolatile memory 17A, a block name, a file name that can be specified by the user, a count value of the number of times of data writing, and each block are recorded. Actual data and an alternative block name are stored in association with each other.
[0052]
Here, in the present embodiment, each block in the nonvolatile memory 17A has the same data configuration as the block 100 in FIG. 4A. The difference from the first embodiment is that, for example, when the number of times of data recording has reached the count threshold in an arbitrary block X in the nonvolatile memory 17A, the CPU 11 determines that the number of times of data recording has not reached the count threshold. The block Y is searched, and the data of these two blocks are exchanged. At this time, the CPU 11 records the address of the block Y in the substitute block designation area of the block X, and records the address of the block X in the substitute block designation area of the block Y. That is, the substitute blocks are not predetermined, and the blocks that replace the recorded data are substitute blocks for each other.
[0053]
Note that the following description will be made assuming that the data configuration of each block of the nonvolatile memory 17A in the present embodiment is the same as the data configuration of the first embodiment (see FIG. 4A). As shown in FIG. 10, a write frequency check area may be provided in place of the write frequency count area 103. In this case, a bit pattern is recorded in the write count check area 123 of FIG. 10 every time data is written to the data area 121, and the pattern changes when the number of write times of the bit pattern reaches a predetermined count. To be configured. Then, the CPU 11 restricts data writing in this block by detecting a change in the pattern.
[0054]
Hereinafter, a functional configuration of the data recording control device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0055]
The CPU 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention specifically includes a data editing process program, a program for editing target data reading process 2, a program for editing content writing process 2, an updating process program, an exchange returning process stored in the ROM 15. The program and the exchange processing program are read out and developed in the work memory in the RAM 14, and the following data editing processing, editing target data reading processing 2, editing content writing processing 2, update processing, exchange return processing, and exchange processing are executed. The processing results are stored in the work memory in the RAM 14 and displayed on the display unit 12. The CPU 11 also calculates the total number of executions of the data editing process, the write count Cmax of the block with the largest number of data writes among all the blocks in the nonvolatile memory 17A, and the count of the block with the smallest number of data writes. The purchase count value Cmin is stored in the ROM 15.
[0056]
The CPU 11 executes substantially the same processing as that of the first embodiment in the data editing processing, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted. However, in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 executes an edit data read process 2 described later instead of the edit target data read process 1, and executes an edit content write process 2 described later instead of the edit content write process 1.
[0057]
In the edit target data read process 2, the CPU 11 reads a block in which the edit target data is recorded, and if there is no data designating a substitute block in the substitute block designation area of this block, reads actual data from the data area of this block. On the other hand, if there is data specifying a replacement block in the replacement block specification area 104, the replacement block is read and actual data is read from the data area. Further, the count value C is read from the write number count area of the block from which the actual data is read, and is compared with the count value Cmax stored in the ROM 15. If the count value C is larger than Cmax, the count value C is read from the ROM 15 by the count value C. Is updated. On the other hand, the count value C is compared with the count value Cmin stored in the ROM 15, and if the count value C is smaller than the count value Cmin, the count value C in the ROM 15 is updated with the count value C.
[0058]
In the editing content writing process 2, if the number of times of execution of the data editing process is a multiple of 100, the CPU 11 executes an updating process described later. The block in the nonvolatile memory 17A in which the target data is recorded is read. Next, if there is no data designating a substitute block in the substitute block designation area of the read block, the edited data is recorded in the data area of this block, and the count value C of the write count area is incremented by one. On the other hand, if there is data designating a substitute block in the data area of the read block, the substitute block is read, the edited data is recorded in the data area, and the count value C of the write count area is incremented by one.
[0059]
Further, in the editing content writing process 2, if the count value C of the block in which the edited data is recorded is larger than the count value Cmax stored in the ROM 15, the CPU 11 updates the count value Cmax with the count value C. If the count value C is smaller than the count value Cmin, the count value Cmin is updated by the count value C.
[0060]
When the difference between the count value Cmax and the count value Cmin stored in the ROM 15 is not smaller than the count difference threshold value stored in the ROM 15 in the update process, the CPU 11 reads the data of the block of the count value Cmax, If there is data designating a substitute block in the substitute block designation area, the exchange return process described later is executed. Next, the CPU 11 reads the data of the block having the count value Cmin, and if there is data specifying a substitute block in the substitute block designation area of this block, performs the exchange return process described later. Next, the CPU 11 executes an exchange process described later and ends the update process.
[0061]
In the exchange return processing, the CPU 11 refers to the block management table of FIG. 9 to search for an empty block in which no actual data is recorded, and uses this empty block to perform the exchange return target block and its replacement. The actual data is returned to the original block by exchanging the actual data recorded in the block.
[0062]
Here, an example of the exchange return process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11A, the block B1 of the count value Cmax or the count value Cmin to be subjected to the exchange return processing has the block B2 set as a substitute block, and the actual data D1 of the block B1 and the block B2 of the block B2 are set. The actual data D2 is replaced with the actual data D2, and B2 is recorded in the substitute block designation area of the block B1, and B1 is recorded in the substitute block designation area of the block B2. The CPU 11 transfers the real data D1 recorded in the block B2 to the data area of the empty block Aa, records B1 in the substitute block designation area of the block Aa, and clears the substitute block designation area of the block B2.
[0063]
Next, the CPU 11 moves the actual data D2 recorded in the block B1 to the data area of the vacant block B2, and clears the substitute block designation area of the block B1. Subsequently, the CPU 11 transfers the actual data D1 recorded in the data area of the block Aa to the data area of the vacant block B1. As a result, the actual data D1 of the block B1 and the actual data D2 of the block B2 are returned to the original block.
[0064]
In the exchange process, the CPU 11 exchanges the actual data recorded in the block of the count value Cmax and the block of the count value Cmin in which the actual data is returned to the original block in the exchange return process.
[0065]
Here, an example of the exchange processing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11B, the actual data D1 is recorded in the data area of the block C1 having the count value Cmax, and the actual data D2 is recorded in the data area of the block C2 having the count value Cmin. The CPU 11 searches for a free block Aa in which no data is recorded, with reference to the block management table of FIG. Next, the real data D2 of the block C2 is moved to the data area of the block Aa, C2 is recorded in the replacement block designation area of the block Aa, and Aa is recorded in the replacement block designation area of the block C2.
[0066]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 moves the real data D1 of the block C1 to the data area of the block C2, records C1 in the replacement block designation area of the block C2, and records C2 in the replacement block designation area of the block C1. Next, the real data D1 recorded in the data area of the block Aa is moved to the data area of the block C2, the data in the substitute block designation area of the block Aa is cleared, and C1 is recorded in the substitute block designation area of the block C2. In this way, the actual data recorded in the block with the largest number of writing times and the block with the smallest number of writing times are exchanged.
[0067]
Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 12, a process of exchanging blocks of count value Cmax, an exchanging process of blocks of count value Cmin, and an exchanging process executed after these exchanging processes will be described. An example of a series of processing procedures will be described.
[0068]
As shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 11 first converts the actual data recorded in the block B1 of the count value Cmax and its substitute block B2 into the original block by using the empty block Aa in the first exchange return processing. Then, the data in the alternate block designation area of the blocks B1 and B2 is cleared. Also, 1 is added to the count value 40,000 of the number of writing times of the block B1 to update it to 40,001, and 1 is added to the count value 30,000 of the block B2 to update it to 30,001.
[0069]
Next, in the second replacement return process, the CPU 11 returns the actual data recorded in the block B3 of the count value Cmin and the replacement block B4 to the original block in the same procedure as described above, and replaces the replacement blocks of the blocks B3 and B4. Clear the data in the specified area. Further, 1 is added to the count value 10,000 of the number of writing times of the block B3 to update it to 10,000, and 1 is added to the count value 20,000 of the number of writing times of the block B4 and updated to 20,001. I do.
[0070]
Next, the CPU 11 exchanges the actual data D1 recorded in the block B1 of the count value Cmax and the actual data D3 recorded in the block B3 of the count value Cmin after the above two exchange return processes. As described above, the CPU 11 replaces data recorded in a block with a high writing frequency with data of a block with a low writing frequency, thereby preventing data writing to a specific block from being concentrated.
[0071]
The ROM 15 specifically stores various processing programs as shown in FIG. 2, and includes a data editing processing program, a program for editing target data reading processing 2, a program for editing content writing processing 2, an updating processing program, It stores application programs such as an exchange return processing program and an exchange processing program. Further, the ROM 15 stores the total number of executions of the data editing process by the CPU 11, the count value Cmax of the number of times of writing in the block having the largest number of data writings among the blocks of the nonvolatile memory 17A, and the count value Cmax of the block having the least number of times of data writing. A count value Cmin, which is a count value of the number of times of writing, a count difference threshold value, and the like are stored.
[0072]
Next, an operation in the second embodiment will be described.
The editing target data reading process 2, the editing content writing process 2, the updating process, the exchange return process, and the exchange process executed in the data editing process by the CPU 11 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0073]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the edit target data reading process 2 by the CPU 11. In the editing target data reading process 2 shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 11 searches for a block in the non-volatile memory 17A in which the editing target data is recorded, and reads data in an alternative block designation area of this block (step S101). It is determined whether or not a substitute block has been designated (step S102).
[0074]
In step S102, when the replacement block is not designated (step S102; NO), the actual data recorded in the data area of the block searched in step S101 and the count value C recorded in the write count area are compared with the count value C. Is read out (Step S103), and the routine goes to Step S105. On the other hand, when a substitute block is designated in the substitute block designation area of the block (step S102; YES), the actual data recorded in the data area of the designated substitute block and the actual data recorded in the write count area are recorded. After reading out the count value C (step S104), the process proceeds to step S105.
[0075]
In step S105, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the count value C of the number of data writings read in step S103 or S104 exceeds the count value Cmax recorded in the ROM 15, and the count value C exceeds the count value Cmax. In this case (step S105; YES), the count value Cmax stored in the ROM 15 is updated with the count value C using the count value C (step S106), and the edit target data reading process 2 ends.
[0076]
On the other hand, in step S105, if the count value C does not exceed the count value Cmax (step S105; NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the count value C is less than the count value Cmin stored in the ROM 15. (Step S107) When the count value C is less than the count value Cmin (Step S107; YES), the count value C is updated with the count value C, and when the count value C is not less than the count value Cmin ( Step S107; NO), the edit target read process 2 is terminated as it is.
[0077]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the edit content writing process 2. As shown in FIG. 14, the CPU 11 determines whether the number of times of execution of the data editing process stored in the ROM 15 is a multiple of 100 (step S111), and determines that the number of executions is not a multiple of 100 (step S111; NO), the process proceeds to step S113, and if it is a multiple of 100 (step S111; YES), an update process is executed (step S112), and the process proceeds to step S113.
[0078]
Next, the CPU 11 reads the data of the block A0 of the data to be edited from the nonvolatile memory 17A (step S113), reads out the data in the write count area and the alternative block designation area (step S114), It is determined whether there is data specifying a block (step S115).
[0079]
In step S115, if there is no data designating the substitute block (step S115; NO), the edited data is recorded in the data area of the block read in step S113, and the count value of the write count count area of this block is written. C is incremented by 1 (step S116), and the process proceeds to step S118. On the other hand, in step S115, if there is data designating a substitute block (step S115; YES), the designated substitute block is read out, the edited data is recorded in the data area, and the number-of-writes count area of this block is written. Is incremented by 1 (step S117), and the routine goes to step S118.
[0080]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the count value C of the block in which the edited data has been written in step S116 or S117 exceeds the count value Cmax stored in the ROM 15 (step S118). If the count value Cmax is exceeded (step S118; YES), the count value Cmax is updated with the count value C (step S119), and the editing content writing process 2 ends.
[0081]
On the other hand, if the count value C is equal to or smaller than the count value Cmax in step S118 (step S118; NO), the CPU 11 determines whether the count value C is less than the count value Cmin stored in the ROM 15 (step S120). If the count value C is not less than the count value Cmin (step S120; NO), the editing content writing process 2 is terminated. On the other hand, if the count value C is less than the count value Cmin (step S120; YES), the count value Cmin is updated with the count value C (step S121), and the editing content writing process ends.
[0082]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an updating process executed in the editing content writing process 2 by the CPU 11. As shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 11 determines whether the difference between the count value Cmax and the count value Cmin stored in the ROM 15 is less than the count difference threshold stored in the ROM 15 (step S122). If the difference is less than the difference threshold (step S122; YES), the update processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the difference between the count value Cmax and the count value Cmin is not smaller than the count difference threshold (step S122; NO), the block with the count value Cmax is read, and the data in the substitute block designation area is read (step S123). ).
[0083]
Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a substitute block has been designated in the substitute block designation area of the block having the count value Cmax (step S124). If no substitute block has been designated (step S124; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S126. When a substitute block is designated (step S124; YES), a process of replacing the block with the count value Cmax is performed (step S125), and the process proceeds to step S126.
[0084]
Next, the CPU 11 reads out the data of the block having the count value Cmin and also reads out the data in the substitute block designation area (step S126), and determines whether or not there is data designating the substitute block (step S127). If there is no data designating a substitute block (step S127; NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to step S129, and if there is data designating a substitute block (step S127; YES), a process of exchanging blocks of the count value Cmin. Is executed (Step S128), and the routine goes to Step S129. Subsequently, the CPU 11 executes an exchange process for exchanging data of the block of the count value Cmax and the block of the count value Cin (step S129), and ends the update process.
[0085]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the exchange return processing executed in the update processing by the CPU 11. As shown in FIG. 16, the CPU 11 reads out data of a block (here, block A1) to be subjected to the exchange return processing and data of its replacement block (here, block A2) (step S131). Next, the CPU 11 searches for an empty block by referring to the block management table shown in FIG. 9 (step S132), and acquires the block Aa (step S133).
[0086]
Next, the CPU 11 records the actual data D1 recorded in the block A2 in the data area of the block Aa, records A1 in the alternative block designation area of the block Aa, and adds 1 to the count value C of the write count area. (Step S134). Further, the CPU 11 clears the data in the substitute block designation area of the block A2 (step S135).
[0087]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 moves the real data D2 recorded in the data area of the block A1 to the data area of the block A2, and clears the data of the alternative block designation area of the block A1 (step S136). Next, the CPU 11 moves the actual data D1 recorded in the data area of the block Aa to the data area of the block A1, and adds 1 to the count value of the write count area of the block A1 (step S137). Then, the data of the substitute block designation area of the block Aa is cleared (step S138), and the exchange return processing ends.
[0088]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exchange process executed in the update process by the CPU 11. As shown in FIG. 17, the CPU 11 reads, from the nonvolatile memory 17A, data of a block of the count value Cmax (here, block A1) and a block of the count value Cmin (here, block A2) which have been subjected to the exchange return processing. (Step S141). Next, the CPU 11 searches for a free block in the nonvolatile memory 17A with reference to the block management table of FIG. 9 (step S142), and acquires a free block (referred to as block Aa) (step S143).
[0089]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 transfers the real data D1 recorded in the block A1 to the data area of the block Aa, records A1 in the alternative block designation area of the block Aa, and changes the count value C of the write count area of the block Aa. One is added (step S144). Next, after recording Aa in the substitute block designation area of A1 (step S145), the CPU 11 moves the actual data D2 recorded in the block A2 to the data area of the block A1, and stores A2 in the substitute block designation area of the block A1. Is recorded and 1 is added to the count value of the write count area of the block A1 (step S146).
[0090]
Next, the CPU 11 transfers the real data D1 recorded in the block Aa to the data area of the block A2, records A1 in the alternative block designation area of the block A2, and sets the count value of the write count area of the block A2 to 1 Addition is performed (step S147). Next, the CPU 11 clears the data in the substitute block designation area of the block Aa (step S148), and ends the exchange processing.
[0091]
As described above, according to the data recording control device 1 of the second embodiment, the CPU 11 determines that the difference between the count values of the block with the largest number of writing times and the block with the smallest number of times reaches the count difference threshold value. Since the data in these blocks are exchanged using the empty blocks of the nonvolatile memory 17A, it is possible to prevent frequent data writing in the nonvolatile memory 17A. Therefore, loss of data in the non-volatile memory 17A is prevented, and the capacity can be increased. In addition, it is possible to promote the spread of a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory, which has a limited number of times of writing.
[0092]
In the second embodiment, in the editing content writing process 2, the update process is executed when the number of times of execution of the data editing process is a multiple of 100. The update process is not performed every time the edit content writing process 2 is performed, but the frequency is set so as not to hinder other processes by the CPU 11 and the update process is periodically performed. Is desirable.
[0093]
Further, in the second embodiment, an example has been described in which data is moved from an arbitrary block to another block using an empty block in which no data is recorded. This is to prevent the data being moved from being lost in some cases. Alternatively, for example, the data to be moved may be temporarily stored in the RAM 14 without using an empty block.
[0094]
Further, in the second embodiment, in the exchange processing, the data of the blocks with the largest and smallest data write count values are exchanged. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By exchanging the data of the block with a low writing frequency, partial data writing in the nonvolatile memory 17A can be prevented from being concentrated, and data loss can be prevented.
[0095]
In addition, the detailed configuration and the detailed operation of each unit included in the data recording control device 1 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0096]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first or eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid the loss of data recorded in the data recording area where the number of times of data recording in the recording medium is large, and to improve the reliability of the recording medium. This also makes it possible to increase the value of use of the recording medium and promote the spread of the recording medium.
[0097]
According to the invention described in any one of claims 2, 6, and 7, when data recorded in a data recording area of a recording medium and data recorded in another area are used, an area where data is actually recorded is recorded. Identify and manage your data.
[0098]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the number of times of data recording can be limited for each data recording area in the recording medium according to the type and use of the recording medium.
[0099]
According to the fourth or ninth aspect of the present invention, the number of times of data recording for each data recording area in the recording medium can be averaged, and the use period of the recording medium can be extended. This also makes it possible to increase the value of use of the recording medium and promote the spread of the recording medium.
[0100]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent data loss when data exchanged between data recorded in the data recording area and data recorded in another data recording area is recorded, and data movement can be safely performed. Can be done.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a data recording control device 1 according to first and second embodiments to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a hierarchical structure of various programs stored in a ROM 15 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a nonvolatile memory 17A of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment.
4A is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of one block in a recording area of a nonvolatile memory 17A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of one block in an alternative recording region; It is.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a data editing process by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the first and second embodiments.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an edit target data reading process 1 by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an editing content writing process 1 by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a nonvolatile memory 17A of FIG. 1 in a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a block management table stored in a ROM 15 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of one block of a recording area of the nonvolatile memory 17A shown in FIG. 1 which is different from FIG. 4A.
11A is a diagram illustrating a procedure of an exchange return process by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a procedure of an exchange process by the CPU 11;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a procedure in a case where the exchange process is executed after the exchange return process is executed twice in the update process by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an edit target data reading process 2 by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an editing content writing process 2 by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an update process by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an exchange return process by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an exchange process by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Data recording control device
11 CPU
12 Input section
13 Display
14 RAM
15 ROM
16 Printing device
17 Non-volatile memory driver
17A Non-volatile memory
18 HDD
18A hard disk
19 Transmission control unit
20 bus

Claims (9)

Area setting means for setting a data recording area and an alternative data recording area in a recording medium,
Data recording means for recording data in a designated data recording area of the recording medium,
Storage means for storing the number of times of data recording by the data recording means for each data recording area,
With
The data recording means records the data recorded in the data recording area in the alternative data recording area when the number of recordings of the data recording area stored in the storage means reaches a predetermined number. Data recording control device. 2. The data recording unit according to claim 1, wherein data for designating the alternative data recording area is recorded in the data recording area, and data for designating the data recording area is recorded in the alternative data recording area. The data recording control device according to the above. 3. The data recording control device according to claim 1, further comprising a number setting means for setting the predetermined number of times. Data recording means for recording data in a designated data recording area in a recording medium,
Storage means for storing the number of times of data recording for each data recording area in which data is recorded by the data recording means,
With
The data recording control, wherein the data recording means exchanges data recorded in the data recording area with data recorded in another data recording area having a smaller number of recording times than the data recording area, and records the data. apparatus. A search unit for searching for an empty area where data is not recorded from the recording medium,
5. The data according to claim 4, wherein the data recording unit records the data recorded in the data recording area and the data recorded in the other data recording area by using the empty area. Recording control device. 6. The data recording control device according to claim 4, wherein the storage unit stores the data recording area and the other data recording area in association with each other. The data recording means records data designating the other data recording area in the data recording area, and records data designating the data recording area in the other data recording area. Item 7. The data recording control device according to any one of Items 4 to 6. On the computer,
A function of setting a data recording area and an alternative data recording area in a recording medium,
A function of recording data in a designated data recording area of the recording medium,
A function of storing the number of data recordings for each data recording area,
A function of recording data recorded in the data recording area in the alternative data recording area when the number of recording times of the data recording area becomes a predetermined number of times;
The program to realize. On the computer,
A function of recording data in a designated data recording area of a recording medium,
A function of storing the number of times of data recording for each data recording area in which data is recorded,
Data recorded in the data recording area, a function of recording data by replacing data recorded in another data recording area having a smaller number of recording times than the data recording area,
The program to realize.

Images