JP2004178417A - Processor with nonvolatile memory means and nonvolatile memory control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid coming into a portable terminal unusable state during garbage collection when a user wishes to use it. <P>SOLUTION: Operation from the user is received, and a frequency of the received user's operation is calculated. A time zone having a smaller operation frequency is detected in a predetermined period. An erasure start of unnecessary data of a nonvolatile memory is directed in the detected time zone, and garbage collection control for erasing the unnecessary data is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a processing device such as a portable terminal having a rewritable nonvolatile memory.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, non-volatile memories have been used as means for holding and storing data of mobile terminals, particularly mobile phones. This non-volatile memory requires garbage collection to release the used area and return to a writable state. "Garbage" refers to memory storage locations that are no longer used in data such as application programs, and garbage collection identifies garbage and reclaims these memory locations for future data write requests. Is a term that describes an automatic technique for performing
[0003]
In the related art, the garbage collection and the mapping management means are used to distribute the rewriting frequency of the entire nonvolatile memory, thereby extending the life of the nonvolatile memory (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In some cases, the nonvolatile memory is divided and set as blocks for each of a plurality of sectors, and the load on the entire system is reduced by garbage collection using access state management for each block (for example, see Patent Document 2). .
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-330850 A [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-32256
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the processing time of this garbage collection is longer than the processing time of reading and writing data such as mail used in a portable terminal to a nonvolatile memory. During the garbage collection process, reading and writing to the nonvolatile memory cannot be performed. In particular, when processing is performed on all blocks, a very long processing time is required. For this reason, when the user desires to use the mobile terminal and the garbage collection is being processed, reading and writing to the non-volatile memory cannot be performed until this processing is completed, and the user cannot use the mobile terminal. If the processing time becomes longer, the time during which the portable terminal cannot be used becomes longer, and the user must wait until it becomes usable.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce a possibility that a garbage collection is activated when a user desires to use the user and the user cannot use the garbage collection.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, includes a nonvolatile memory unit, a garbage collection unit, an operation unit, and an instruction unit. The nonvolatile memory means stores data. The garbage collection unit performs control to delete unnecessary data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit. The operation means receives an operation from a user. The calculation means calculates the frequency of the user's operation received by the operation means, and detects a time period in which the operation frequency becomes lower during a predetermined period. The instruction unit instructs the garbage collection unit to start erasing the unnecessary data during the time period detected by the calculation unit. By performing the garbage collection during a time period when the operation frequency is lower, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the garbage collection is activated during use by the portable user and the memory cannot be accessed.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of a mobile terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the mobile terminal calculates the frequency of the user's operation, detects a time period in which the operation frequency is lower in a predetermined period, and performs garbage collection in the detected time period. Instruct.
[0011]
In FIG. 1, the mobile terminal calculates a predetermined amount of a non-volatile memory 103 that stores data, an operation unit 101 that receives an operation from a user such as an input key, and a frequency of a user operation that is received by the operation unit 101. A calculation unit 104 for detecting a time period during which the operation frequency becomes lower during the period, an instruction unit 105 for instructing the start of garbage collection in the detected time period, and a garbage collection unit for erasing unnecessary data in the nonvolatile memory 103 102, a processing unit 106 that performs processing in accordance with a user operation received by the operation unit 101, a display unit 107 that displays a result of the processing, and a communication unit 108 that communicates with another communication device such as a base station. Is provided. The processing unit 106 can access the nonvolatile memory 103.
[0012]
Examples of the mobile terminal include a mobile phone and a PDA. Further, the mobile terminal may be a processing device such as a computer terminal. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone will be described as an example. FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the portable terminal. 2, the mobile terminal includes a CPU 201 for performing processing, operation keys 202 for receiving operations, a non-volatile memory 203 as a storage area, and a display 204 as a display unit. The CPU 201, the operation keys 202, the nonvolatile memory 203, and the display 204 are connected by a communication bus. The mobile terminal is connected to a power source such as a battery (not shown). The program processed by the CPU 201 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 203. The processing in the calculation unit 104, the instruction unit 105, the garbage collection unit 102, and the processing unit 106 according to the present embodiment is programmed in advance and processed by the CPU 201. Further, in the case of a mobile phone or the like, the mobile terminal can include a communication circuit for performing communication with the outside.
[0013]
Next, the processing in the calculation unit 104 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the contents of the table of the calculator 104 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The calculation unit 104 includes a recording area therein, and records the time of each operation received by the operation unit 101 and the time interval from the previously received operation in a table. In FIG. 3, a calculation unit 104 records time information at which an operation by a user is received by the operation unit 101, obtains a time interval since the previous operation was received, and records the time interval in a table. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the mail transmission is received at 9:00, the reception time “9:00” is recorded in association with “mail transmission”. At 9:15, when the next mail reception operation is received, the reception time “9:15” corresponding to “mail reception” is recorded, and the time interval from the immediately preceding operation is set. Record as "15" minutes. If the predetermined period is, for example, one day (24 hours), the calculation unit 104 totals time intervals for each day. The calculation unit 104 selects the operation time interval having the widest interval in one day as a time zone in which the operation frequency is low, obtains an intermediate time from the two operation times used to calculate the operation time interval, and Is reserved in the instruction unit 105 as the next garbage collection start time. In FIG. 3, the time interval between the reception of the mail at 21:00 and the transmission of the mail at 9:00 on the next day is the widest time interval. Therefore, this time zone is the time zone with the lowest operation frequency, and the calculation unit 104 An intermediate time of 3:00 of the next day is reserved in the instruction unit 105 as a garbage collection start time. Thereby, the time when the user has not performed the operation for the longest time can be obtained. The instruction unit 105 includes a timer and instructs the garbage collection unit 102 to start at a reserved time.
[0014]
The calculation unit 104 calculates the number of user operations performed during the unit time, finds the time zone with the least number of operations, and reserves the instruction unit 105 to perform garbage collection in the time zone with the least number of operations. It may be.
[0015]
As the predetermined period or unit time, a unit of several minutes, a unit of several hours, or a unit of several days may be used. For example, in the case of a unit of several days, it is possible to check the difference in the operation frequency of the portable terminal that varies depending on the day of the week. The garbage collection can be started by selecting a time zone where the user's operation frequency is low.
[0016]
According to the first embodiment, the garbage collection can be operated by the calculation unit during a time period when the operation frequency of the user is lower, and when the user uses the mobile terminal, the garbage collection is being executed and the mobile terminal cannot be used. The state can be avoided.
[0017]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, when a power-off instruction is received, a garbage collection process is performed before power-off. Further, when the mobile terminal is operating on a battery, garbage collection is not performed when the remaining battery level is low. The mobile terminal according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the calculation unit 104, and stores a program corresponding to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 203. The mobile terminal according to the present embodiment includes, instead of calculation unit 104, a charge state management unit that manages a charge state of a connected battery and a free memory area management unit that manages a free memory area of nonvolatile memory 203. .
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a garbage collection process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, when the operation unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 receives an instruction to turn off the power (S41), the free memory area management unit detects whether the free memory area of the nonvolatile memory 103 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (see FIG. 4). S42). The default value of the empty memory area can be, for example, 20% of the entire nonvolatile memory 103. The free memory area management unit needs to perform garbage collection when the free memory area becomes 20% or less. Next, the charge state management unit determines whether the remaining battery charge is equal to or more than a predetermined value. It is detected (S43). If the battery level is not sufficient, the battery may run out during the garbage collection process.To avoid such a case, the battery level must be higher than the specified value in the charge status management unit. The instruction unit 105 instructs to perform the garbage collection process only when the garbage collection is detected (S44). After the garbage collection process, the processing unit 106 performs a power-off process (S45). If the empty memory area management unit detects that the empty memory area of the nonvolatile memory 103 is larger than the default value, or if the charge state management unit detects that the remaining battery level is smaller than the default value, the instruction is issued. The unit 105 instructs the garbage collection unit 102 not to perform the garbage collection process, and the processing unit 106 performs the power-off process (S45).
[0019]
According to the present embodiment, the garbage collection 16 is performed in the non-volatile memory when the user gives an instruction to turn off the power, and the garbage collection can be performed when the user does not use the garbage collection. It is possible to prevent the mobile terminal from being disabled during garbage collection when used. Alternatively, garbage collection may be performed not when the power is turned off but when the operation unit 101 receives a manner mode setting. Further, since the garbage collection is operated after detecting that the remaining battery level is sufficient to perform the garbage collection, an effect of preventing the power from being suddenly cut off during the garbage collection can be obtained.
[0020]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Third, in the third embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 203 is divided into a plurality of blocks, and garbage collection is performed in units of blocks during charging. The mobile terminal according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the calculation unit 104, and stores a program corresponding to the processing procedure shown in FIG. I remember. The mobile terminal according to the present embodiment includes a charge state management unit that manages a charge state of a connected battery instead of calculation unit 104.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 203 is divided into a plurality of blocks, for example, one block is composed of 16 sectors, and a block number B is added in the order of the divided blocks. In FIG. 5, when the charging state management unit detects that the portable terminal is connected to the charger and charging has started, the instruction unit 105 instructs the garbage collection unit 102 to perform a garbage collection process, and performs a charging operation. In parallel, the garbage collection unit 102 performs garbage collection in order from block number 1 (S51, S52, S53, S54). When the block number reaches the end (END) and the garbage collection of all blocks is completed and the block number becomes (END + 1), the process proceeds to the next processing (S52). Next, when the charging state management unit detects that the charging is “completed” (S55), the processing unit 106 displays a charging completion sign on the display unit 107 (S56).
[0022]
According to the present embodiment, garbage collection can be performed during charging. Further, in the present embodiment, the garbage collection process is performed in parallel during the charging, but the garbage collection may be performed after the charging is completed.
[0023]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, the garbage collection process is performed after the memory access process ends. A portable terminal uses a non-volatile memory to write and delete data files. Therefore, after the file operation by the user, that is, after the memory access processing, the need to perform the garbage collection increases. In the present embodiment, a control procedure for performing garbage collection after processing using a nonvolatile memory such as a file operation is described. The mobile terminal according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except for the calculation unit 104, and stores a program corresponding to the processing procedure shown in FIG. I remember. Further, the mobile terminal according to the present embodiment includes a charge state management unit that manages a charge state of a connected battery and a free memory area management unit that manages a free memory area of nonvolatile memory 203, instead of calculation unit 104. Prepare for.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 6, when the processing of the type using the nonvolatile memory by the user or the application is completed in the processing unit 106 (S61), the free memory area management unit sets the free memory area of the nonvolatile memory 103 to the default value. It is detected whether or not it is below (S62). When the free memory area management unit detects that the free memory area is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the instruction unit 105 determines whether the garbage collection unit 102 Is instructed to perform a garbage collection process (S64). If the free memory area management unit detects that the free memory area of the nonvolatile memory 103 is larger than the default value, or if the charge state management unit detects that the remaining battery level is smaller than the default value, the instruction unit 105 Instructs the garbage collection unit 102 not to perform the garbage collection process.
[0025]
According to the present embodiment, garbage collection can be performed immediately after a user uses a type of processing using a nonvolatile memory, that is, immediately after a used area is added to the nonvolatile memory. This means that garbage collection, which is completed in a relatively short time, is performed each time memory is used. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of garbage collections performed on a large memory area that is likely to cause the user to wait during the processing time.
[0026]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fifth embodiment, after the memory access processing described in the fourth embodiment, the garbage collection processing is performed after confirming that there is no user operation for a certain period of time. For this reason, the instruction unit 105 is provided with a timer T for measuring a certain time T1.
[0027]
In FIG. 7, after the processing of the memory access by the processing unit 106 (S71), the instruction unit 105 activates the timer T (S72). After no operation is performed and the timer T elapses a predetermined time T1 (S73), The process proceeds to the next process (S75 to S77). If a user operation has been received (S74), the instruction unit 105 resets the timer T and returns to the beginning.
[0028]
In this way, it may be confirmed that there is no user operation for a certain period of time. According to the present embodiment, there is an effect of preventing garbage collection while a user is performing a file operation.
[0029]
Each of the above embodiments can be combined. Further, in the sixth embodiment, a case will be described in which all of the above embodiments are provided. In the present embodiment, the user can select the time to perform garbage collection. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of types of modes indicating the operation time of garbage collection. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of types of defined contents that define the data erasing time are stored. As the automatic processing in mode 1, as shown in the first embodiment, a time period in which usage frequency is lower is calculated and obtained, and garbage connection is performed in that time period. As described in the second embodiment, the power-off operation in mode 2 is performed when a power-off operation is received, and the silent mode setting is received in mode 3 in the manner mode. Sometimes a garbage connection is made. During charging in mode 4, garbage collection is performed for each block during charging, as described in the third embodiment. Garbage collection is performed after the completion of charging in the mode 5. After the memory access in mode 6 is completed, as described in the fourth embodiment, after using the type of processing using the non-volatile memory, or when there is no operation for 10 minutes after the memory access in mode 7 is completed. Performs a garbage collection process when no operation is accepted for 10 minutes after using a type of process using a nonvolatile memory. The operation unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 receives a selection as to whether or not to operate each mode, and the instruction unit 105 stores the received content in the nonvolatile memory 103, and the instruction unit 105 transmits the received content in accordance with the selected mode. The garbage collection unit 102 can be activated. If not selected, the instruction unit 105 may set mode 1 as the initial setting. Further, the instruction unit 105 may select any one mode.
[0030]
According to the present embodiment, the user can set the operation time of the garbage collection.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that garbage collection is activated while the user is using the mobile terminal and the user cannot access the memory. In addition, when the user desires to use the portable terminal, it is possible to prevent the portable terminal from being disabled during the garbage collection.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing contents of a table of a calculation unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a garbage collection process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a garbage collection process according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a garbage collection process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating garbage collection processing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing types of modes according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 operation unit, 102 garbage collection unit, 103 nonvolatile memory, 104 calculation unit, 105 instruction unit, 106 processing unit, 107 display unit, 108 communication unit, 201 CPU, 202 operation keys , 203: nonvolatile memory; 204: display.

Claims (8)

A processing device comprising nonvolatile memory means for storing data,
Garbage collection means for performing control to erase unnecessary data stored in the nonvolatile memory means,
Operation means for receiving an operation from a user;
Calculating means for calculating the frequency of the user's operation received by the operation means, and detecting a time zone in which the operation frequency is lower in a predetermined period;
A processing unit comprising: an instruction unit configured to instruct the garbage collection unit to start erasing the unnecessary data during the time period detected by the calculation unit. A processing device comprising nonvolatile memory means for storing data,
Garbage collection means for performing control to erase unnecessary data stored in the nonvolatile memory means,
Operation means for receiving an operation from a user;
Charge state management means for managing the charge state of the connected battery;
With reference to the charge state management unit, the garbage collection unit is instructed to start erasing the unnecessary data in one of a case where the battery is being charged and a case where the battery is completely charged. A processing device comprising: an instruction unit. A processing device comprising nonvolatile memory means for storing data,
Garbage collection means for performing control to erase unnecessary data stored in the nonvolatile memory means,
Operation means for receiving an operation from a user;
The garbage collection unit may be configured to receive the operation of turning off the power of the processing apparatus by the operation unit or the operation of erasing an instruction to delete data stored in the nonvolatile memory unit. A processing unit for instructing the start of erasing of the unnecessary data. A processing device comprising nonvolatile memory means for storing data,
Garbage collection means for performing control to erase unnecessary data stored in the nonvolatile memory means,
Processing means for instructing the garbage collection means to start erasing the data in accordance with stipulations defining the data erasing time;
Storage means for storing a plurality of types of the prescribed content,
And receiving means for receiving a specification of a type of the prescribed content to be followed by the processing means, among a plurality of types of prescribed content stored in the storage means,
The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit issues the start instruction according to the specified content of the specified type received by the receiving unit. The processing device according to claim 4, wherein
The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit issues the start instruction according to a predetermined type of specified content when the receiving unit does not receive the specification of the specified content. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein:
The processing device, wherein the processing device is a portable terminal. A method for controlling a nonvolatile memory that stores data, comprising:
Storing a plurality of types of stipulated contents defining the data erasing time,
Accepting the specification of one type of the specified content of the plurality of types of specified content,
Instruct the start of erasing unnecessary data according to the specified erasure time of the contents,
A non-volatile memory control method, wherein the unnecessary data erase control is performed. A method for controlling a nonvolatile memory that stores data, comprising:
Receiving an operation from the user, calculating a frequency of the received operation of the user,
During a predetermined period, it detects the time period when the operation frequency is lower,
A non-volatile memory control method, comprising: instructing the start of erasing unnecessary data in the non-volatile memory during the detected time zone, and controlling the unnecessary data erasure.

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