JP2004178712A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the efficiency of utilizing a recording medium, in recording of data on a unit consisting of consecutive sectors, by avoiding the state, in which the difference between the remaining recording capacity calculated from the vacant sectors and the remaining recording capacity calculated from the units that can be secured differs markedly. <P>SOLUTION: A recording time deciding part 121, calculates the remaining storage time obtained by the number of vacant clusters of the recording medium and the remaining storage time obtained, by securing the units by rearranging the already recorded clusters and notifies a system controller 110 of this, when a fixed difference is produced between them. Upon receiving this, the system controller 110 makes an LED 10 to light up and urges a user to execute a rearrangement processing. When the user inputs an instruction for executing the rearrangement process, a rearrangement process control part 123 repeats the rearrangement of the already recorded clusters and the number of recordable units is increased. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recorder that stores and reproduces data in a storage medium, and in particular, when storing data having a real-time property that requires data to be stored or reproduced continuously in time, the arrangement of data is It manages to provide a suitable environment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the development of IT (Information Technology), it has become possible to record content such as music and video as digital data (hereinafter, referred to as content data) on a digital recording medium, and play back and enjoy the content.
[0003]
Starting from reproducing content data recorded by a content provider on a reproduction-only digital recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), in recent years, a DVD-RAM (DVD-Random Access Memory) has been developed. Content data can be recorded on the user side by using a randomly accessible rewritable recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a hard disk drive (HDD).
[0004]
Commercialization of a video recorder in which an HDD is fixed inside using a HDD as a recording medium has begun.
[0005]
Two types of data are recorded on the HDD built in such a video recorder. One is video data itself, and the other is program data and reservation data such as management data for managing the recorded video data, reserved recording, EPG (Electric Program Guide), and the like.
[0006]
Video data, which is video data, needs to be continuously recorded or reproduced at a predetermined bit rate in order to record or reproduce in real time. Actually, the bit rate is compensated by limiting the response time at the time of writing / reading to / from the HDD and adjusting the data reading speed from the buffer memory. Such data that emphasizes real-time properties is referred to as real-time data. On the other hand, the management data, the program data, and the reservation data are data that does not require emphasis on real-time properties, and are called non-real-time data.
[0007]
The access (write / read) unit in the HDD is a 512-byte sector, and a logical address is assigned to each sector. The position on the recording medium is specified by specifying the logical dress.
[0008]
When real-time data is recorded in a series of sectors specified by consecutive logical addresses in the HDD, the access waiting time by seeking is reduced, so that the data access time is also reduced, and writing or reading has a margin. It is processed.
[0009]
However, the amount of real-time data represented by video data is enormous, and it is not realistic to secure a sector in the HDD such that this enormous data is always allocated to a sector having a continuous logical address.
[0010]
On the other hand, when sectors are arranged so as to be scattered in the HDD, a seek (movement of the magnetic head) frequently occurs when writing or reading data. For this reason, the access time required for writing data is delayed by the seek time and the rotation waiting time used for each seek, and there is a possibility that the access may not be in time.
[0011]
Therefore, a predetermined number of continuous blocks are accessed as one recording unit, that is, a unit so that real-time data can be accessed continuously to some extent.
[0012]
On the other hand, since the non-real-time data has no time limit, there is no need to define an access unit and there is no need to use the buffer memory 109. The non-real-time data has a smaller data amount than the real-time data.
[0013]
Therefore, as for the recording unit, the smallest unit manageable in the video recorder is sufficient. The first unit is determined by the file system adopted in the video recorder, and is smaller than the unit (hereinafter, the minimum management unit is referred to as a “cluster”).
[0014]
Also, since the unit needs to be managed by the file system together with the cluster, it is optimal that the unit is an integral multiple of the cluster.
[0015]
For the management of such mixed data of two types of data, a unique file system of a video recorder which can previously manage an area for recording real-time data and an area for recording non-real-time data is used. It can be realized by.
[0016]
On the other hand, the development of IT has removed the boundary between an AV device and a personal computer (PC), which have been handled independently so far. For this reason, when the digital recording medium is a portable digital recording medium that can be inserted into and removed from the video recorder, the portable digital recording medium can be treated as a digital recording medium that can be used in a PC.
[0017]
Therefore, in a video recorder in which the HDD has evolved from a fixed type to a portable type, if a file system unique to the video recorder is used, not only data cannot be recorded on a PC, but it cannot be interpreted even that video data is recorded. There is a risk that recorded video data is deleted, and it is not preferable to use a unique file system.
[0018]
On the other hand, a video recorder using a DVD-RAM as a portable digital recording medium has been commercialized. For example, in a video recorder using a DVD-RAM, data management is performed using a general-purpose file system called UDF (Universal Disk Format).
[0019]
However, the unit does not match the cluster that is the management unit of the UDF. Therefore, under the management of the file system, a dedicated file in which units are allocated is secured, and the arrangement of units to be recorded in the dedicated file is managed, thereby managing two types of mixed data.
[0020]
Note that the dedicated file is a large-capacity dedicated file to which continuous sectors are assigned in advance, and is an area dedicated to real-time data that never releases sectors even when real-time data is deleted. This method can be adopted in a recorder using an HDD regardless of whether it is a fixed type or a portable type.
[0021]
As described above, the method of securing the area in which the units are arranged in advance, that is, the area for recording the real-time data and the area for recording the non-real-time data are divided in advance, so that two types of mixed data can be managed. Is a so-called static unit arrangement method.
[0022]
The fact that a portable HDD can be used in a video recorder or a PC across the board has a great advantage for the user. In this case, it is desirable to use a general-purpose file system to manage the stored data, to be able to confirm the data recording state in any device, and to be able to efficiently use the free area where no data is recorded. It is.
[0023]
In view of this, a dynamic unit arrangement method in which units are dynamically arranged as necessary is preferable to a static unit arrangement method in which a unit arrangement area is secured regardless of whether video data is recorded.
[0024]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a dynamic unit arrangement method is adopted for an HDD in which real-time data and non-real-time data are recorded in a mixed format, each time data is recorded, edited or deleted, discretization of a sector in which data is recorded progresses, Free sectors gradually become scattered.
[0025]
In a PC, when storage / deletion of non-real-time data is repeatedly performed on a portable HDD, the dottedness of empty sectors appears more conspicuously. As a result, even though the HDD has enough empty sectors, continuous sectors cannot be secured, so that a unit that guarantees real-time performance cannot be provided, and the remaining recording capacity calculated from the number of empty sectors and There is a problem that a remarkable difference is generated between the remaining recording capacity calculated from the securable units.
[0026]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and realizes a function of avoiding a state in which the difference between the remaining recording capacity due to an empty sector and the remaining recording capacity calculated from a securable unit is significantly different. It is an object of the present invention to provide a video recorder.
[0027]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve such a problem, the present invention calculates the remaining storage capacity determined by the number of free sectors on the recording medium and the remaining storage capacity determined by the number of units that can be newly secured using the free sectors. When a remarkable difference occurs between the two, a warning is issued to the user so as to instruct the reallocation processing, and the user is prompted to perform the reallocation processing.
[0028]
When the user receives this warning and gives an instruction for improvement, relocation of recorded sectors is repeated to avoid scattered empty sectors, and the remaining number obtained by the number of units that can be newly secured using empty sectors is used. The storage capacity is approached to the remaining storage capacity determined by the number of free sectors.
[0029]
This makes it possible to provide a recorder that can efficiently use the storage capacity of the recording medium while dynamically securing units.
[0030]
The features of the claimed invention are as follows.
[0031]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recorder for storing data in a storage medium, wherein the first storage means stores data in units of blocks, and the data is stored in units composed of a predetermined number of continuous blocks. A second storage means, a first remaining storage capacity determined by the number of empty blocks in which data on the storage medium is not recorded, and a second storage capacity determined by the number of units that can be newly secured by the empty blocks. Determining means for determining whether or not the stored data on the storage medium needs to be relocated based on the remaining storage capacity of No. 2; Notification means for issuing a notification to the user.
[0032]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recorder for storing data in a storage medium, wherein the first storage means stores data in units of blocks, and the data is stored in units composed of a predetermined number of continuous blocks. A second storage means, a first remaining storage capacity determined by the number of empty blocks in which data on the storage medium is not recorded, and a second storage capacity determined by the number of units that can be newly secured by the empty blocks. A determination unit that determines whether the difference between the two storage volumes satisfies a predetermined criterion. If the determination unit determines that the predetermined criterion is not satisfied, And notifying means for issuing a notification.
[0033]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recorder according to the first or second aspect, the instruction input means for receiving a user instruction by a user operation, and the instruction input means corresponding to the notification from the notification means. Upon receipt of a user's instruction, the apparatus further comprises a relocation processing means for relocating the stored data on the storage medium to increase the second remaining storage capacity.
[0034]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recorder according to any one of the first to third aspects, the unit records real-time data that needs to be stored or reproduced continuously in time without causing a delay. The first storage means stores data other than the real-time data in a free block, and the second storage means The means secures a predetermined number of continuous empty blocks as a unit, and stores the real-time data in the secured unit.
[0035]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recorder according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the recording apparatus further includes a control unit for activating the storage medium and thereafter instructing the determination unit to perform a determination process. Features.
[0036]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recorder according to the fifth aspect, a connection portion that allows the storage medium to be detachably mounted, and the storage medium is mounted in an attached state where the storage medium is connected to the connection portion or in an unmounted state where the storage medium is detached. Further comprising mounting detection means for detecting whether or not the storage medium is present, wherein the control means, when detecting that the mounting state is detected by the mounting detection means, instructs the storage medium to be activated and the determination means to perform a determination process It is characterized by doing.
[0037]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recorder according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the notifying unit is a light emitting element, and emits light when the determining unit determines that the predetermined standard is not satisfied. When the predetermined condition is satisfied by the rearrangement processing means performing the rearrangement processing, the light is extinguished.
[0038]
The invention according to claim 8 is the recorder according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a message superimposing means for superimposing a message on a video signal to be reproduced, wherein the notifying means comprises: It is characterized by giving an instruction to superimpose a message prompting execution of the rearrangement processing on the video signal.
[0039]
In the above claims, “activation” means a process of supplying power to the storage medium and performing various settings (for example, setting of a block length) for making the storage medium usable. Further, “relocation” means changing the recording position of the stored data on the storage medium, and can widely include changing the recording position in block units, changing the recording position in unit units, and the like. .
[0040]
The features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments.
[0041]
However, the following embodiments are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the meanings of the terms of the present invention and each component are limited to those described in the following embodiments. is not.
[0042]
It should be noted that “block” in the above claims is indicated as “cluster” in the embodiment.
[0043]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0044]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a video recorder 100 according to the embodiment.
[0045]
The video recorder 100 has a built-in HDD 115 as an example of a randomly accessible recording medium. Further, an analog TV wave and an analog external input are input.
[0046]
The video recorder 100 includes a reception wave input terminal 101, a tuner 102, an external input terminal 103, a selector 104, a CCI (Copy Control Information) detector 105, an NTSC decoder 106, an encoder 107, a scrambler 108, a buffer memory 109, a system. Controller 110, remote control receiver 111, operation panel 112, clock 113, HDD controller 114, HDD 115, descrambler 116, decoder 117, NTSC encoder 118, CCI embedding device 119, external output terminal 120, recording time determination unit 121, It comprises an LED 122, a rearrangement processing unit 123, and a bus A.
[0047]
The buffer memory 109 has two areas, an area 109a used for recording and an area 109b used for reproduction.
[0048]
The reception TV wave is received by an antenna (not shown), and is input to the tuner 102 via the reception wave input terminal 101. Then, the signal is extracted as an input signal for a desired channel by the user's instruction in the tuner 102, and is input to the selector 104.
[0049]
On the other hand, an input signal from another video device (not shown) is input to the selector 104 via the external input terminal 103. The selector 104 selects one of the input signals input through the tuner 102 or the external input terminal 103 according to the instruction of the user, and inputs this to the CCI detection circuit 104 and the NTSC decoder 105.
[0050]
The CCI detection circuit 104 detects CCI embedded in the video signal in the input signal and determines whether copying is possible. The CCI includes Macrovision, CGMS-A (Copy Generation Management System for Analog Signal), and the like. These signals embedded in a video signal are extracted, and whether or not the input video signal can be recorded is recorded. Make a state decision. That is, recording is not possible when macrovision embedding is detected, and recording is possible when detection is not detected.
[0051]
The CGMS-A signal is detected, and if the content is "copy impossible", recording is not possible. If "one generation copy is possible", recording is performed in a scrambled state. This is a record in a scrambled state.
[0052]
Note that analog terrestrial waves are recorded in a non-scrambled state because no CCI is embedded. The determination result is transmitted to the system controller 110 via the bus A.
[0053]
On the other hand, the NTSC decoder 106 separates a video signal and an audio signal from the input signal and digitizes both signals, and outputs the digitized video and audio to the encoder 107. Then, the encoder 107 converts the data into a code sequence, that is, video data according to a compression coding method for reducing the data amount, for example, an MPEG2 (Motion Picture Coding Experts Groups 2, ISO / IEC13818) method. , And inputs the converted video data to the scrambler 108. This conversion to video data significantly reduces the amount of data.
[0054]
The scrambler 108 scrambles the converted video data. Scrambling is a process of encrypting video data for the purpose of rendering it unreproducible even if copied to another device.
[0055]
The scramble instruction is given by the CCI detector 104 to the video data corresponding to the input signal which is detected to be "copyable for one generation" and determined to be recorded in the scrambled state. Video data without instructions is output as it is.
[0056]
The output video data is temporarily stored in an area 109a of the buffer memory 109. When a predetermined amount of data is stored, the video data stored in the area 109a of the buffer memory 109 is instructed by the system controller 110. Is recorded on the HDD 115, which is a digital recording medium, via the bus A and the HDD controller 114.
[0057]
During reproduction, video data read from the HDD 115 is temporarily stored in the area 109 b of the buffer memory 109 via the HDD controller 114 and the bus A in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 110. At this time, the system controller 110 controls the data amount so that a fixed amount of video data is always stored in the area 109b of the buffer memory 109 so that video data necessary for decoding by the decoder 117 is supplied in a timely manner. Is controlling.
[0058]
The video data stored in the area 109b of the buffer memory 109 is input to the descrambler 116. If the video data is scrambled video data, the scramble performed by the scrambler 108 is released, and the unscrambled video is In the case of data, it is output to the decoder 117 as it is.
[0059]
The decoder 117 interprets the video data (code sequence), restores the input video data to original video and audio digital data, and outputs this to the NTSC encoder 110. Then, the signal is converted into an analog video signal and an audio signal by the NTSC encoder 118, and the reproduced signal is output to the CCI embedding device 119.
[0060]
The CCI embedding unit 119 embeds CCI information indicating “copy impossible” in the input reproduction signal in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 110 and outputs the reproduction signal to the outside via the external output terminal 120 as an output signal. The instruction to embed CCI information indicating “copy impossible” is instructed with respect to a reproduction signal that reproduces video data in which the CCI detection circuit 104 detects “copy is allowed for one generation” during recording. The reproduction signal which is not instructed is output as it is to the outside via the external output terminal 120 as an output signal.
[0061]
Note that the buffer memory 109 is a volatile memory, and provides a buffer function for mitigating a difference in access between the encoder 107, the decoder 117, and the HDD 115, respectively.
[0062]
The HDD controller 114 provides a control function for exchanging data with the HDD 115 and an interface for providing an electrical connection. The system controller 110 controls the entire video recorder, manages data in the HDD 115, and realizes recording and reproduction of video, and is mainly configured by a microcomputer.
[0063]
The operation panel 111 and the remote control receiving unit 112 are input devices for receiving a user's instruction, and the operation panel 111 is directly connected, and the remote control receiving unit 112 is indirectly connected to the user via a remote control (not shown). Receive instructions. The clock 113 is for performing scheduled recording. The reservation data for managing the reservation recording is stored in the HDD 115.
[0064]
The recording time determination unit 121 performs processing such as checking the usage status of the HDD 115, that is, checking the number of free clusters in which no data is recorded, calculating the number of securable units, and determining the necessity of relocation processing of recorded clusters. Details of such processing will be described later.
[0065]
The LED 122 emits light under the control of the system controller 110 when the recording time determination unit 121 determines that the rearrangement processing of the recorded data is necessary. The reallocation processing control unit 123 performs reallocation of the recorded clusters in response to a reallocation processing command from the user.
[0066]
Hereinafter, the operation at the time of the relocation processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0067]
When the condition for instructing the determination start to check the usage status of the HDD 115 is satisfied, that is, when the scheduled start time has elapsed and the video recorder 100 is in the standby state, the system controller 110 On the other hand, an instruction to start the determination process is issued to confirm the usage status of the HDD 115 (S11). The timing for instructing the start of the determination process may be determined by various methods, such as when the number of data deletions from the previous determination process exceeds a set threshold value, or when the remaining storage capacity falls below the set threshold value. Can be adopted.
[0068]
Upon receiving the instruction to start the determination process, the recording time determination unit 121 checks the usage status of the HDD 115 via the HDD controller 114, that is, the empty cluster where no data is recorded. Then, the number of units that can be provided is obtained from the current arrangement of free clusters, and the remaining recording time of the real-time data is calculated.
[0069]
Further, a unit that can be secured by performing the rearrangement processing is obtained from the current number of free clusters, and the expected maximum remaining recording time of the real-time data is calculated. Then, these two remaining recording times are compared to determine whether or not it is necessary to perform a rearrangement process (described later). For example, when a predetermined number of units (corresponding to a remaining time equal to or longer than a predetermined time) can be configured by rearrangement, it is determined that the recording time can be secured, and the difference between the remaining recording time and the expected maximum remaining recording time is determined by a predetermined value. If the value exceeds the reference value, the remaining recording time can be expected to be improved by the rearrangement process. Conversely, if the value is equal to or less than the reference value, no improvement in the remaining recording time is expected, so it is determined that "relocation processing is unnecessary". Then, the determination result is notified to the system controller 110 (S12).
[0070]
The system controller 110 receives the data from the recording time determination unit 121.
If the notification is “no need for relocation processing”, the LED 122 is turned off (S17), and a scheduled start time for performing the above-described determination processing next is set (S18). If the notification is “relocation processing required”, the LED 122 is caused to emit light (S13). That is, when receiving a signal from the recording time determination unit 121, the system controller 110 turns on the LED 122 to notify the user that the recording efficiency of the HDD 115 has decreased.
[0071]
When the user who has received the notification from the LED 122 operates the remote controller (not shown) or the operation panel 111 to instruct the start of the rearrangement processing (S14), the rearrangement processing unit 123 transmits the data recorded in the HDD 115. A rearrangement process is performed (S15).
[0072]
Note that the rearrangement process is a process of increasing the number of units that can be newly secured by moving the recording position of the disk recorded on the HDD to a different position on the same HDD.
[0073]
The relocation processing unit 123 determines the number of empty clusters on the disk of the HDD 115 so that a large number of units can be secured, that is, the number of empty clusters continues in units of units. In order to perform the process of changing the arrangement, the instruction to read and write the data in the HDD 115 is repeatedly issued via the HDD controller 114.
[0074]
In this rearrangement process, no rearrangement for destroying the unit is performed.
[0075]
When the rearrangement processing is completed, the rearrangement processing unit 123 notifies the system controller 110 to that effect.
[0076]
The system controller 110 determines that the remaining recording time has been extended by the rearrangement processing and has approached the expected maximum remaining recording time, turns off the LED 122 (S16), and sets a scheduled start time at which the above-described determination processing will be performed next ( S18).
[0077]
During the execution of the rearrangement process (S15), if the rearrangement process is interrupted by a user's instruction or the execution of a process to be prioritized such as scheduled recording, the process to be prioritized is terminated. The time is set so that the determination process is performed immediately (S19).
[0078]
FIG. 2 shows a front panel of the video recorder 100.
[0079]
FIG. 2A shows a state in which the LED 122 is turned off, and does not require rearrangement. FIG. 2B shows a state in which the LED 122 is lit, notifying the user that the rearrangement process is necessary, and prompting the user to start the rearrangement process.
[0080]
As described above, the video recorder 100 checks the usage status in the HDD 115, and when the usage efficiency of the HDD decreases, prompts the user to start the relocation processing, and executes the relocation processing according to the user's instruction. , The use efficiency of the HDD 115 is improved.
[0081]
In the present embodiment, the start of the rearrangement processing is executed according to an instruction from the user. However, this is because the video recorder 100 cannot be used during the execution of the rearrangement processing. There is also a meaning to have the user consent.
[0082]
In the determination process of the recording time determination unit 121, the determination is made by comparing the remaining recording time with the expected remaining recording time. However, these are determined by the unit obtained based on the remaining storage capacity of the free cluster and the arrangement of the free cluster. Since the remaining storage capacity that can be secured is calculated by converting the remaining storage capacity by a predetermined calculation formula, the determination may be made based on the remaining storage capacity and the remaining storage capacity that can be secured as a unit.
[0083]
Furthermore, the determination may be made based on the number of remaining clusters and the number of units that can be secured. According to the information obtained by checking the usage status in the HDD 115, if it is possible to confirm that the free clusters are divided due to the dotted clusters of recorded clusters in the HDD 115 and the recording time of real-time data, that is, the storage capacity is reduced. Good.
[0084]
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the video recorder 200 according to the embodiment.
[0085]
In the figure, a video recorder 200 has a configuration in which the HDD 115 of the video recorder 100 in FIG. 1 is replaced with a removable HDD unit 201.
[0086]
The video recorder 200 includes an HDD unit 201, a socket 202, an insertion / removal detection unit 203, and a system memory 204 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0087]
The system memory 204 is a memory in which information to be referred to inside the video recorder, such as scheduled recording and EPG information, is recorded. Since the HDD unit 201 is detachable, the system memory 204 does not depend on the HDD unit 201, Information related to the operation of the recorder 200 is recorded.
[0088]
Blocks having the same functions as those of the video recorder 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Also, basic operations such as video signal recording and playback are the same as those of the video recorder 100, and thus description thereof will be omitted, and functions newly provided by the present embodiment will be described.
[0089]
The HDD unit 201 has a built-in HDD 115. The HDD unit 201 is provided on an outer shell in order to make the HDD 115 portable, and has only the functions provided by the HDD 115 except that the HDD unit 201 is detachably attached to the socket 202 of the video recorder 200.
[0090]
In the following description, the HDD unit 201 itself is regarded as equivalent to the HDD 115 for convenience. The writing of data to the HDD unit 201 mounted on the socket 202 and the reading of data from the HDD unit 201 are controlled and executed by the HDD controller 114 in the same manner as the HDD 115.
[0091]
Hereinafter, the operation at the time of the relocation processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0092]
As described above, the video recorder 200 can removably mount the HDD unit 201 on the socket 202. Further, the insertion / removal detection unit 203 detects a state as to whether or not the HDD unit 201 is attached to the socket 202 and notifies the system controller 110 of the state.
[0093]
Based on the detection result of the insertion / removal detection unit 123, the system controller 110 newly inserts an HDD unit into the socket 202 when the power is turned on while the HDD unit 201 is mounted on the socket 202 or when the power is on. When the HDD 201 is mounted, the HDD controller 114 is instructed to activate the HDD unit 201. In the rearrangement process, it is determined whether or not this activation process has been performed (S21).
[0094]
Here, the activation means that power is supplied to the HDD unit 201 so that the HDD unit 201 can be used, and data relating to the specification of the HDD recorded in the HDD unit 201 and the usage status of the HDD unit 201 are transmitted to the system controller 110. The notification is made via the bus A to indicate that the HDD unit 201 is ready to record or read data.
[0095]
Then, when the HDD unit 201 is activated, the system controller 114 outputs an instruction to start a determination process to the recording time determination unit 121.
[0096]
The recording time determination unit 121 that has received the instruction to start the determination processing starts the determination processing. The operation of calculating the remaining recording time and the estimated remaining recording time in this determination process is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the description is omitted. When the estimated remaining recording time does not reach the predetermined minimum recording time as a result of the determination as to whether or not the rearrangement process is necessary, the recording time determination unit 121 notifies the user of “insufficient remaining capacity”, and If the recording time reaches the minimum recording time and exceeds the predetermined reference value, a notification of `` relocation required '' is sent, and the estimated remaining recording time reaches the minimum recording time and the predetermined reference value is below Next, "relocation is unnecessary" is notified to the system controller 110 (S22).
[0097]
The system controller 110 turns on the LED 111 on the front panel as shown in FIG. 4 according to these notifications (S23, 24, 25).
[0098]
FIG. 4 is an example of notification by the front panel of the video recorder 200 in the present embodiment. On the front panel, an operation panel 111, an LED 122, and a socket 202 are arranged. The LED 122 is a light emitting element that can emit three colors of red (R), orange (Y), and green (G), and can notify four states including an extinguished state.
[0099]
4A shows a state in which the HDD unit 201 is not mounted in the socket 202, and FIGS. 4B to 4D show a state in which the HDD unit 201 is mounted in the socket 202. FIG.
[0100]
When the HDD unit 201 is not mounted, the LED 122 is turned off as shown in FIG. This is a state where a loop is made in S21.
[0101]
When the HDD unit 201 is mounted and the notification to the HDD unit 201 is "no need to relocate", the LED 122 emits green (G) light as shown in FIG. 4B (S24).
[0102]
When the HDD unit 201 is mounted and the notification to the HDD unit 201 is “relocation required”, the LED 122 is caused to emit orange (Y) light as shown in FIG. 4C (S25). In this state, the user is notified that the recording efficiency has decreased, and waits for a rearrangement start instruction from the user. When the HDD unit 201 is mounted and the notification to the HDD unit 201 is “insufficient remaining capacity”, the LED 122 is caused to emit red (R) as shown in FIG. 4D (S23). Such a state is a notification for urging the user to replace the HDD unit 201 with another HDD unit. The user needs to replace the HDD unit 201 with another HDD unit.
[0103]
In S23 or S24, the controller 110 that has caused the LED 122 to emit red (R) or green (G) light checks whether the HDD unit 201 is mounted to detect removal of the HDD unit 201 (S33).
[0104]
If the HDD unit 201 is not mounted, it is determined that the HDD unit 201 has been removed, the lit LED 122 is turned off (S34), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the HDD unit 201 is mounted, S33 is repeated until the HDD unit 201 is removed.
[0105]
The controller 110 that has caused the LED 122 to emit orange (Y) light in S25 checks again whether the HDD unit 201 is mounted (S26). Then, when the HDD unit 201 is not mounted, the lighted LED 122 is turned off (S34), and the present process ends. If the HDD unit 201 is mounted, it is checked whether or not there is an instruction to start the rearrangement process (S27).
[0106]
If there is no instruction to start the rearrangement process, S26 and S27 are repeated until the HDD unit 201 is removed. When there is an instruction to start the rearrangement process, the rearrangement process is performed (S28). When the rearrangement is completed, the lighting of the LED 122 is changed from orange (Y) to green (G) (S29), and the process proceeds to S33. Transition.
[0107]
During the reallocation process, for example, when a process to be prioritized, such as scheduled recording, occurs, the current reallocation process is stopped (S30). At this time, it is checked again whether the HDD unit 201 is mounted (S31).
[0108]
If the HDD unit 201 is not mounted, the lighted LED 122 is turned off (S34), and the process ends. When the HDD unit 201 is mounted, it is confirmed whether or not the cause of stopping the rearrangement processing has been eliminated (S32). For example, it is to confirm whether or not the scheduled recording has been completed.
[0109]
When the cause of the termination of the relocation processing is eliminated, the processing is continued from the determination processing of the necessity of the relocation processing (S22). On the other hand, if the cause of the suspension of the relocation processing is not resolved, the presence or absence of the HDD unit 201 (S31) and S32 are repeated.
[0110]
In the present embodiment, the determination by the recording time determination unit 121 is instructed after the activation of the HDD unit 201 because it is expected that the HDD unit 201 is used by another device and data is recorded / deleted. However, as in the case of the video recorder 100, it may be configured to start by another factor.
[0111]
In addition, as an example of the determination process performed by the recording time determination unit 121, the determination is made based on the difference between the expected remaining recording time and the remaining recording time. What is necessary is just to make a determination. Further, the expected remaining recording time is determined by the remaining storage capacity obtained from the number of free clusters, and the remaining recording time is determined by a predetermined calculation formula from the remaining storage capacity that can be secured as the current unit. It may be something. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the number of free clusters and the number of units that can be secured.
[0112]
That is, from the information obtained by confirming the usage status in the HDD unit 201, the scattered clusters recorded in the HDD unit 201 cause the division of the free cluster, and the recording time of real-time data, that is, the storage capacity of the unit decreases. Then, it is only necessary to determine that the storage capacity of the unit can be increased by relocating recorded clusters (relocating empty clusters). Further, in the first and second embodiments, the start of rearrangement is notified by the LED 122 disposed on the front panel of the video recorder 100 or 200. However, the present invention is not limited to the LED, and the display may be performed by any display element. May be.
[0113]
Further, in the video recorder 100 or the video recorder 200, the recording time determination unit 121 and the rearrangement processing unit 123 are configured independently, but this is not a limitation on the embodiment of the recording time determination unit 121 and the rearrangement processing unit 123. It does not add. These functions can be implemented by a program executed on the system controller 110. In this case, the recording time determination unit 121 and the rearrangement processing unit 123 are incorporated in the system controller 110.
[0114]
As for the algorithm of the rearrangement process, any algorithm can be used as long as the rearrangement that destroys the unit in which the real-time data is recorded is not performed and the rearrangement increases the number of securable units. Is also good. For example, an algorithm for rearranging all empty clusters so as to be continuous may be used, or an algorithm for rearranging continuous empty cluster groups that can secure at least one unit may be used.
[0115]
(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments, the notification is made by the display element arranged on the front panel, but the video recorder 300 provided with another notification method will be described here.
[0116]
FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the video decoder 300.
[0117]
The video recorder 300 has a structure in which an on-screen display (OSD) unit 301 is added to the video recorder 200. All other configurations and functions are the same as those of the video recorder 200, and are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, only functions newly provided by the present invention will be described.
[0118]
The OSD unit 301 superimposes a predetermined character string or the like on the reproduced signal and outputs the superposed signal.
[0119]
When an output instruction of the message “Please perform relocation” is received from the system controller 110, the specified message is superimposed on the output signal and output to the output terminal 120.
[0120]
FIG. 6 shows an example of an image in which the output signal is displayed on a monitor. In this figure, a message “Please relocate” is displayed superimposed on the reproduced image being reproduced. When the video recorder 300 is not playing back, a blue background is output as an output signal from the OSD unit 301 or the like, and messages are superimposed.
[0121]
The system controller 110 instructs the OSD unit 301 to display a message, and instructs the LED 122 to emit light as in the video recorder 200 described in the second embodiment.
[0122]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the message indicating that the recording efficiency of the HDD unit 201 is reduced is displayed so as to be superimposed on the reproduced image viewed by the user, so that the user can easily know that. it can.
[0123]
In the present embodiment, the message indicating that the recording efficiency has been lowered is "Please relocate", but the content of the message is not limited.
[0124]
The message does not need to be a sentence but may be a display of an icon mark or the like defined in advance. In the video recorder 300, the LED 122 and the OSD unit 301 are notified by two means, but may be notified only by the OSD unit 301.
[0125]
As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described based on the first to third examples. However, these embodiments are all examples, and various combinations of the respective constituent elements and respective processing processes are provided. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications are possible and that such modifications are also within the scope of the invention.
[0126]
In the present embodiment, the processing system is independent of the recording time determination unit 121 and the rearrangement processing unit 123. However, it is also possible to implement these as a program incorporated in the system controller 110.
[0127]
Further, in the present embodiment, a video recorder using an analog video signal as an input has been described as an example. However, the input of the video data is not limited. It can be widely used for video recorders.
[0128]
In addition, the timing for checking the usage status of the HDD 115 or the HDD unit 201 can be appropriately changed.
[0129]
In the present embodiment, a hard disk has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to a DVD-RAM, an MO, a semiconductor memory, and any other random accessible digital recording medium.
[0130]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when data is recorded in a unit composed of consecutive sectors, it is possible to avoid a state where the difference between the remaining recording capacity due to an empty sector and the remaining recording capacity calculated from a securable unit is significantly different. it can.
[0131]
Thereby, the use efficiency of the recording medium can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video recorder 100 according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a front panel of the video recorder 100;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video recorder 200 according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of a front panel of the video recorder 200;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video recorder 300 according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display image example of the video recorder 300;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the video recorder 100 in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the video recorder 200 in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 100, 200, 300 video recorders
110 System controller
111 Operation panel
112 Remote control receiver
114 Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
115 HDD controller
121 Recording time judgment unit
122 LED
123 relocation processing unit
201 HDD unit
202 socket
203 insertion / removal detection unit
301 On Screen Display (OSD)

Claims (8)

In a recorder that stores data in a storage medium,
First storage means for storing data in units of blocks;
Second storage means for storing data in units of a unit constituted by a predetermined number of continuous blocks;
Based on a first remaining storage capacity determined by the number of empty blocks in which data on the storage medium is not recorded, and a second remaining storage capacity determined by the number of units that can be newly secured by the empty blocks. Determining means for determining whether it is necessary to relocate the stored data on the storage medium,
Notification means for issuing a notification to the user when it is determined that the rearrangement is necessary by the determination means,
A recorder comprising: In a recorder that stores data in a storage medium,
First storage means for storing data in units of blocks;
Second storage means for storing data in units of a unit constituted by a predetermined number of continuous blocks;
Compare the first remaining storage capacity obtained from the number of free blocks in which data on the storage medium is not recorded with the second remaining storage capacity obtained from the number of units that can be newly secured by the free blocks. Determining means for determining whether a difference between the two satisfies a predetermined criterion,
When the determining unit determines that the predetermined standard is not satisfied, a notifying unit that issues a notification to a user,
A recorder comprising: In claim 1 or 2,
An instruction input means for receiving an instruction of the user by an operation of the user,
Upon receiving a user's instruction from the instruction input means in response to the notification from the notification means, relocating the stored data on the storage medium to increase the second remaining storage capacity. Processing means,
A recorder further provided. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
The unit is a continuously storable or playable unit that is determined based on the performance of a storage medium to record real-time data that needs to be stored or played back continuously in time without causing a delay. Yes,
The first storage means stores data other than the real-time data in an empty block,
The second storage means secures a predetermined number of consecutive free blocks as a unit and stores the real-time data in the secured unit.
A recorder characterized in that: In any one of claims 1 to 4,
A recorder further comprising a control unit for activating the storage medium and thereafter instructing the determination unit to perform a determination process. In claim 5,
A connection unit for detachably attaching the storage medium,
The storage medium further includes an attachment detection unit that detects whether the attachment state is connected to the connection unit, or whether the storage medium is in a detached unattached state,
The recorder, characterized in that, when the mounting means detects the mounted state by the mounting detecting means, the control means activates the storage medium and instructs the determining means to perform a determination process. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
The notifying unit is a light emitting element, emits light when the determining unit determines that the predetermined criterion is not satisfied, and satisfies the predetermined criterion by performing the rearrangement process by the rearrangement processing unit. A recorder characterized by quenching in cases. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
Further comprising a message superimposing means for superimposing a message on a video signal to be reproduced,
The recorder according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit instructs the message superimposing unit to superimpose a message prompting execution of a rearrangement process on the video signal.

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