JP2005316835A - Recording device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device and a recording method which allow a data transfer rate as a storage device to be improved. <P>SOLUTION: In the recording device and the recording method wherein data transferred from an external apparatus per first data unit are temporarily stored in a temporary storage means, read out from the temporary storage means per second data unit and recorded in a recording medium, a frequency in access from the external apparatus to each storage area of the temporary storage means is detected, and data held in storage areas to which the frequencies in access are lower than a prescribed threshold are recorded in the recording medium preferentially to data held in storage areas to which the frequencies in access are equal to or higher than the threshold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method, and is particularly suitable when applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus having a cache memory for buffering data provided from an external device.

  In recent years, various disc media such as CD (Compact Disc), MD (Mini Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and Blu-ray Disc (Blue-Ray Disc) have been developed, and audio data, video data, or other computer data. Are widely used as recording media.

  As a recording / playback apparatus corresponding to these disk media, for example, it is used as a single device, and is connected to a host device such as a personal computer as a computer peripheral device or a device that records and plays back audio data etc. with respect to a CD or MD. A storage device that records and reproduces various data in response to a command from a host device is known.

In recent years, a recording / reproducing apparatus that can be used alone or as a computer peripheral device has been developed by the present applicant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This recording / reproducing apparatus uses an MD as a recording medium, can be used alone as an MD player, and can also be used as a data storage device by connecting to a host device.
JP 2003-100018 A

  By the way, generally, in a data storage device of a computer using a disk medium as a recording medium, a cache memory for buffering data transferred from the computer is provided therein, and the data from the computer is stored in the cache memory. In this case, a method is used in which the data is once stored in the disk medium and then recorded on the disk medium at a predetermined timing.

  In this case, the data write request given from the personal computer to the storage device is in units of sectors, whereas the data management in the cache memory is performed in units of clusters, which is the minimum unit for writing to the disk media.

  For this reason, in a storage device, if a computer receives a write request to the same cluster again while recording data from a cache memory to the disk media, the data overwritten halfway on the cache memory In order to avoid data recording, an operation specification is often employed in which data transfer from a personal computer is waited until recording processing of data currently being recorded on a disk medium is completed.

  However, in storage devices where the recording speed of data from cache memory to disk media is slow, this waiting time is a factor that greatly reduces the data transfer speed as a storage device. Some improvement that can be prevented is desired.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and intends to propose a recording apparatus and method capable of improving the data transfer speed as a storage device.

  In order to solve this problem, in the present invention, data transferred from an external device in a first data unit is temporarily stored in a temporary storage unit, and the data is read out from the temporary storage unit in a second data unit and recorded. In the recording apparatus for recording, the recording means for recording the data read and transferred from the temporary storage means on the recording medium, and the control means for controlling the temporary storage means and / or the recording means are provided. The access frequency from the external device to each storage area of the storage means is detected, and the access frequency is held in a storage area with a frequency lower than the threshold in preference to the data held in the storage area with a predetermined threshold or more. The temporary storage means and / or the recording means are controlled so as to record the data on the recording medium.

  As a result, in this recording apparatus, when data stored in a storage area that is frequently accessed from the external device in the temporary storage means is recorded on the recording medium, data writing from the external device to the storage area is restricted. And the efficiency of writing data held in the storage area to the disk can be improved.

  In the present invention, a recording method for temporarily storing data transferred from an external device in a first data unit in a temporary storage means, and reading the data from the temporary storage means in a second data unit and recording it on a recording medium In the first step of detecting the access frequency from the external device to each storage area of the temporary storage means, the access frequency is higher than the threshold in preference to the data held in the storage area whose access frequency is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. And a second step of recording data held in a small storage area on a recording medium.

  As a result, according to this recording method, restrictions on data writing from the external device to the storage area performed when recording data held in the storage area of the temporary storage means that is frequently accessed from the external device on the recording medium. Can be suppressed, and the efficiency of writing data held in the storage area to the disk can be improved.

  According to the present invention, a recording apparatus that temporarily stores data transferred from an external device in a first data unit in a temporary storage unit, reads the data from the temporary storage unit in a second data unit, and records the data on a recording medium. A recording means for recording the data read and transferred from the temporary storage means on the recording medium, and a temporary storage means and / or a control means for controlling the recording means. The access frequency from the external device to the area is detected, and the data held in the storage area with the access frequency less than the threshold is prioritized over the data held in the storage area with the access frequency equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold. Storage area with high access frequency from external device in temporary storage means by controlling temporary storage means and / or recording means to record It is possible to suppress the occurrence of restrictions on data writing to the storage area from an external device performed when recording the retained data on a recording medium, and the efficiency of writing data retained in the storage area to the disk Thus, a recording apparatus that can improve the data transfer speed as a storage device can be realized.

  According to the invention, the data transferred from the external device in the first data unit is temporarily stored in the temporary storage means, and the data is read from the temporary storage means in the second data unit and recorded on the recording medium. In the method, a first step of detecting an access frequency from an external device to each storage area of the temporary storage means, and an access frequency is a threshold value in preference to data held in a storage area having an access frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value The second step of recording data held in a smaller storage area on the recording medium is provided, so that the data held in the storage area that is frequently accessed from an external device in the temporary storage means is recorded. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of restrictions on data writing to the storage area from an external device when recording on the medium, and the storage area The write efficiency of the disk held data can be improved, thus possible to realize a recording method capable of improving the data transfer rate as a storage device for recording and reproducing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Recording / Reproducing Device According to the Present Embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording / reproducing device according to the present embodiment as a whole. It is made to be able to do. However, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is not only a mini-disc for music use, but also a high-density disc (also referred to as a next-generation disc) that enables higher-density recording and can be used for storage of various data for computer use. ) Can be dealt with.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can function as an external storage device for the personal computer 2 by being connected to an external device (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 2 via a USB cable 3. Yes. Also, music and various data can be downloaded and stored in the disk 4 by connecting to the network via the personal computer 2 or by installing a function that can be directly connected to the network.

  On the other hand, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 functions as, for example, an audio device without being connected to the personal computer 2 or the like. For example, music data input from another audio device or the like can be recorded on the disc 4, and music data recorded on the disc 4 can be reproduced and output.

  That is, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that can be used as a general-purpose data storage device by being connected to the personal computer 2 or the like, and can be used as a single unit or as an audio recording / reproducing device.

  In the following description, the operation state in which data recording / playback is performed as a connected device of the personal computer 2 is referred to as “storage mode”, and the operation state in which audio recording / playback is performed independently without being connected to the personal computer 2 is referred to as “audio mode”. ".

  Here, prior to the description of the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an outline of a next-generation disk by magneto-optical recording, to which the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 corresponds, will be described.

  First, such next-generation discs use a FAT (File Allocation Table) system as a file management system to record and play back content data such as audio data so that it can be compatible with current personal computers. It is. In addition, the current MD system is improved by an error correction method, a modulation method, and the like, thereby increasing the data recording capacity and improving the data reliability.

  Two types of specifications are currently being developed as recording and playback formats for next-generation discs. For the sake of explanation, these will be referred to as a first next generation MD and a second next generation MD.

  The first next-generation MD is a specification that uses a disk that is exactly the same as the disk used in the current MD system, and the second next-generation MD is a disk that is used in the current MD system. The outer shape is the same, but by using magnetic super-resolution (MSR) technology, the recording density in the linear recording direction is increased and the recording capacity is further increased.

  In the current MD system (audio MD or MD-DATA), a magneto-optical disk having a diameter of 64 mm housed in a cartridge is used as a recording medium. The disc has a thickness of 1.2 mm, and a center hole having a diameter of 11 mm is provided at the center thereof. The cartridge has a length of 68 mm, a width of 72 mm, and a thickness of 5 mm.

  In the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs, the shape of the disk and the shape of the cartridge are all the same. Regarding the start position of the lead-in area, the first and second next-generation MD disks start from a radial position of 29 mm and are the same as the disks used in the current MD system. That is, compatibility with the conventional MD system on the outer shape is ensured.

  The track pitch is set to 1.25 μm in the second next generation MD, and the track pitch is set to 1.6 μm in the first next generation MD that uses the disk of the current MD system. The bit length of the first next generation MD is 0.44 μm / bit, and the second next generation MD is 0.16 μm / bit. The redundancy is 20.50% for both the first and second next generation MDs.

  In the second generation MD specification disk, the recording capacity in the linear density direction is improved by using a magnetic super-resolution technique. In the magnetic super-resolution technology, when a predetermined temperature is reached, the cut layer becomes magnetically neutral, and the magnetic wall transferred to the recording layer is transferred, so that a minute mark can be seen in the beam spot. It is a thing using what becomes.

  Specifically, in the second generation MD disc, a magnetic layer serving as a recording layer for recording information, a cutting layer, and a magnetic layer for reproducing information are stacked on a transparent substrate. The cutting layer is an exchange coupling force adjusting layer. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the cut layer becomes magnetically neutral, and the domain wall transferred to the recording layer is transferred to the reproducing magnetic layer. As a result, minute marks can be seen in the beam spot. At the time of recording, a minute mark can be generated by using a laser pulse magnetic field modulation technique.

  In the second generation MD disc, the groove is deepened and the groove is sharpened to improve detrack margin, crosstalk from the land, crosstalk of the wobble signal, and focus leakage. Yes. That is, in the second next-generation MD specification disk, the groove depth is, for example, 160 nm to 180 nm, the groove inclination is, for example, 60 degrees to 70 degrees, and the groove width is, for example, 600 nm to 700 nm.

  Regarding the optical specification, in the specification of the first next generation MD, the laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the objective lens of the optical head is 0.45. Similarly, in the specifications of the second next generation MD, the laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is 0.45.

  As the recording system, the first next generation MD employs a groove recording system that uses a groove (groove on the disk surface of the disk) as a track for recording and reproduction, and the second next generation MD employs a groove recording system and domain wall motion. A detection (DWDD) method is employed.

  Furthermore, as an error correction coding system, convolutional codes based on ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) have been used in the current MD system, but in the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs, RS A block-complete code combining a Reed Solomon-Long Distance Code (LDC) and a Burst Indicator Subcode (BIS) is used. By employing this block completion type error correction code, a linking sector is not required. In an error correction method combining LDC and BIS, an error location can be detected by BIS when a burst error occurs. Using this error location, erasure correction can be performed by the LDC code.

  As an addressing method, a wobbled groove method is used in which a single spiral groove is formed and wobbles as address information are formed on both sides of the groove. Such an address system is called ADIP (Address in Pregroove).

  The specification of ADIP is the same as that of the current MD system. However, in the current MD system, a sector of 2352 bytes is used as an access unit for recording and reproduction, whereas the first and second next generation MDs are used. In the specification, 64 Kbytes are used as a recording / reproducing access unit (recording block).

  In the current MD system, a convolutional code called ACIRC is used as an error correction code, whereas in the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs, a block completion type combining LDC and BIS. Is used.

  Therefore, in the specification of the first next generation MD that uses the disk of the current MD system, the handling of the ADIP signal is made different from that in the current MD system. In the second next-generation MD, the specification of the ADIP signal is changed so as to match the specification of the second next-generation MD.

  As for the modulation method, EFM (8 to 14 Modulation) is used in the current MD system, whereas RLL (1, 7) PP (RLL) is used in the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs. Run Length Limited, PP; Parity Preserve / Prohibit rmtr (repeated minimum transition run length)) (hereinafter referred to as 1-7pp modulation). Further, the data detection method is Viterbi using partial response PR (1, 2, 1) ML in the first next generation MD and using partial response PR (1, -1) ML in the second next generation MD. It is a decoding method.

  The disk drive system is CLV (Constant Linear Velocity), and the linear velocity is 2.7 m / second in the first next generation MD specification, and 1.98 m in the second next generation MD specification. Per second. In the specification of the current MD system, it is 1.2 m / second for a 60-minute disk and 1.4 m / second for a 74-minute disk.

  In the specification of the first next-generation MD in which a disk used in the current MD system is used as it is, the total data recording capacity per disk is about 300 Mbytes (when an 80-minute disk is used). By changing the modulation method from EFM modulation to 1-7pp modulation, the window margin is changed from 0.5 to 0.666, and in this respect, a 1.33 times higher density can be realized.

  Further, since the error correction method is a combination of BIS and LDC from the ACIRC method, the data efficiency is improved, and in this respect, 1.48 times higher density can be realized. Overall, a data capacity of about twice that of the current MD system was realized using exactly the same disk.

  On the other hand, in the disc of the second next generation MD specification using magnetic super-resolution, the recording density is further increased in the linear density direction, and the total data recording capacity is about 1 Gbyte. The data rate is 4.4 Mbit / sec in the first next generation MD, and 9.8 Mbit / sec in the second next generation MD.

  FIG. 2A shows the configuration of the first next-generation MD disk. The first next-generation MD disc is a diverted version of the current MD system disc. That is, a dielectric film, a magnetic film, a dielectric film, and a reflective film are laminated on a transparent polycarbonate substrate. Further, a protective film is laminated thereon.

  In the first next-generation MD disk, as shown in FIG. 2A, a P-TOC (pre-mastered TOC (Table Of Contents)) area is provided in the lead-in area on the inner periphery of the disk. This is a pre-mastered area as a physical structure, and control information and the like are recorded as P-TOC information by embossed pits.

  The outer periphery of the lead-in area in which the P-TOC area is provided in this way is a recordable area (a magneto-optical recording area), which is a recordable / reproducible area in which a groove is formed as a guide groove for a recording track. ing. A U-TOC (user TOC) is provided on the inner periphery of the recordable area.

  The U-TOC in this case has the same configuration as the U-TOC used for recording disc management information in the current MD system. For confirmation, the U-TOC is management information that can be rewritten according to the order of tracks (audio tracks / data tracks), recording, erasing, etc. in the current MD system. The start position, end position, and mode are managed for the parts constituting the track.

  An alert track is provided on the outer periphery of the U-TOC. The alert track is a warning track on which a warning sound indicating that this disc is used in the first next generation MD system and cannot be reproduced by a player of the current MD system is recorded.

  FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the recordable area of the disc of the first next generation MD specification. As is clear from FIG. 2B, a U-TOC and an alert track are provided at the beginning (inner peripheral side) of the recordable area. In the area including the U-TOC and the alert track, the data is modulated by EFM and recorded so that it can be reproduced by a player of the current MD system.

  An area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation of the next generation MD1 system is provided on the outer periphery of the area where the data is modulated and recorded by the EFM modulation. The area where data is modulated and recorded by EFM modulation and the area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation are separated by a predetermined distance, and a guard band is provided. . Since such a guard band is provided, it is possible to prevent a malfunction from being caused by mounting the disc of the first next generation MD specification on the current MD player.

  A DDT (Disc Description Table) area and a secure track are provided at the beginning (inner circumference side) of an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. The DDT area is provided for performing a replacement sector process for a physically defective sector (recording block). A disc ID is further recorded in the DDT area. The disk ID is an identification code unique to each recording medium, and is based on a predetermined random number, for example.

  In addition, a bit map corresponding to a recorded cluster called “1” is recorded as a scratch pad area or SRB (Serial Recording Bitmap). The secure track stores information for protecting the content.

  Furthermore, a FAT (File Allocation Table) area is provided in an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. This FAT area is an area for managing data in the FAT system.

  The FAT system performs data management conforming to the FAT system used in general-purpose personal computers. The FAT system performs file management by a FAT chain using a directory indicating entry points of files and directories at the root and a FAT table in which FAT cluster connection information is described.

  In such a disc of the first next generation MD specification, in the above-mentioned U-TOC area, information on the start position of the alert track and the start position of the area where the data is modulated by 1-7pp modulation and recorded This information is recorded.

  Here, when a first next-generation MD disc having the above-described configuration is loaded into a player of the current MD system, the U-TOC area is read, and the position of the alert track is known from the U-TOC information. , The alert track is accessed and the playback of the alert track is started.

  In the alert track, a warning sound is recorded indicating that this disc is used in the first next generation MD system and cannot be reproduced by a player of the current MD system. This warning sound informs that this disc cannot be used with the current MD system player. Note that the warning sound in this case may be a warning in a language such as “cannot be used with this player”. Of course, a buzzer sound may be used.

  On the other hand, when the disc of the first next generation MD is mounted on the player compliant with the first next generation MD, the U-TOC area is read, and the data is 1-7pp modulated from the U-TOC information. The start position of the recorded area is known, and the above-described DDT, secure track, and FAT area are read. As described above, in the 1-7pp modulation data area, data management is performed by the FAT system, not by the U-TOC.

  FIG. 3A shows the configuration of a second next-generation MD disk. Also in this case, the disk is formed by laminating a dielectric film, a magnetic film, a dielectric film, a reflective film on a transparent polycarbonate substrate, and a protective film on the upper layer.

  In the case of the second next-generation MD disc, as shown in the figure, control information is recorded in the lead-in area on the inner periphery of the disc by an ADIP signal.

  In the second next-generation MD disc, the lead-in area is not provided with a P-TOC by embossed pits, and instead, control information by an ADIP signal is used. The recordable area starts from the outer periphery of the lead-in area, and is a recordable / reproducible area in which a groove is formed as a guide groove for a recording track. In this recordable area, data is modulated and recorded by the 1-7 pp modulation method.

  Whether a disc is the first next generation MD or the second next generation MD can be determined from the lead-in information. That is, if a P-TOC due to an embossed pit is detected in the lead-in, it can be determined that the disc is the current MD or the first next-generation MD. If control information based on the ADIP signal is detected in the lead-in and the P-TOC due to the embossed pit is not detected, it can be determined that the second next-generation MD.

  The discrimination between the first and second next generation MDs is not limited to such a method. It is also possible to discriminate from the phase of the tracking error signal between on-track and off-track. Of course, a detection hole for disc identification may be provided in the cartridge or the like.

  As the configuration of the recordable area of the disc of the second next generation MD specification, as shown in FIG. 3B, an area where data is modulated and recorded by the 1-7pp modulation method is formed. A DDT area and a secure track are provided at the head (inner circumference side) of an area where data is modulated and recorded by the 1-7pp modulation method.

  Also in this case, the above-mentioned DDT area is an area for performing a replacement sector process on a physically defective sector (recording block). In the DDT area, the above-mentioned disc ID is recorded. Further, the above-described scratch pad area and SRB are provided. Further, in this case, information for protecting the content is stored in the secure track.

  Further, a FAT area is also provided in an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. The FAT area is an area for managing data in the FAT system. The FAT system performs data management conforming to the FAT system used in general-purpose personal computers.

  In the second next-generation MD disc as described above, as is apparent from FIG. 3B, the U-TOC area is not provided. That is, the second next-generation MD disc is assumed to be used only by a player compliant with the next-generation MD.

  In a player compliant with the next-generation MD, when a second next-generation MD disc is loaded, the DDT area, secure track, and FAT area at a predetermined position are read, and data management is performed using the FAT system. It will be.

  Data managed by the FAT system and recorded in the data area of FIGS. 2B and 3B includes a data file, a track information file (TIF), a key information file, a MAC list file, and the like.

  The data file is a data file such as audio data or computer use data.

  The track information file (TIF) is a file in which various information for managing music data stored in an audio data file is described. The track information file includes a play order table that indicates the playback order of the music, a programmed play order table that manages the playback order specified by the user, a group information table that manages whether the music is in groups of albums, etc. ), A part information table for managing parts of each track, and a name table for managing character information added to each track.

  Furthermore, the key information file describes data indicating key version information in the encryption method. Further, the MAC list file describes the MAC value for tampering check.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

  In FIG. 1, a USB interface 10 performs processing for data transmission when connected to a personal computer 2 connected as a host device with a USB cable 3.

  The cache memory 11 is composed of, for example, a D-RAM (Dynamic-RAM (Random Access Memory)), and data to be written to the disk 4 loaded in the storage unit 12 or data read from the disk 4 by the storage unit 12. Do buffering for.

  The storage unit 12 is a recording / reproducing unit corresponding to the current MD and the first and second next-generation MDs described above. In the recording mode, the storage unit 12 applies EFM modulation scheme or 1 to data transferred from the cache memory 11. Modulate by -7pp modulation method and write to disk 4. In the reproduction mode, the storage unit 12 demodulates the data read from the disk 4 using the EFM demodulation method or the 1-7pp demodulation method and transfers the data to the cache memory 11.

  The system controller 13 receives various commands such as a write request and a read request from the personal computer 2 via the USB interface 10 and performs various control processes such as controlling the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 according to the commands. Execute.

  For example, when the system controller 13 receives a data write request specifying the address and data length transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the USB interface 10, the system controller 13 controls the USB interface 10 and the cache memory 11 accordingly. Thereafter, the data transmitted from the personal computer 13 is input to the cache memory 11 via the USB interface 10 and temporarily stored. The system controller 13 then controls the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 to transfer the data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12 and write it to the designated address position on the disk 4. Make it.

  When the system controller 13 receives a data read request specifying the address and data length transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the USB interface 10, the system controller 13 controls the storage unit 12 and the cache memory 11 accordingly. The designated data is read from the disk 4 and transferred to the cache memory 11 and temporarily stored in the cache memory 11. The system controller 13 then controls the cache memory 11 and the USB interface 10 to transmit data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 to the personal computer 2 via the USB interface 10.

  The input / output processing unit 14 performs processing for input / output of recording / playback data, for example, when the recording / playback apparatus 1 functions alone as an audio device.

  The input / output processing unit 14 includes, for example, an analog audio signal input unit such as a line input circuit / microphone input circuit, an analog / digital converter, a digital audio data input unit, and an ATRAC compression encoder / decoder as an input system. The ATRAC compression encoder / decoder is a circuit for executing compression / decompression processing of audio data by the ATRAC system. Of course, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment may adopt a configuration capable of recording / reproducing compressed audio data in another format such as MP3. In this case, these compressed audio data may be used. An encoder / decoder corresponding to the data format may be provided.

  In the present embodiment, video data is not limited to a format that can be recorded / reproduced. For example, MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) 4 can be considered. As the input / output processing unit 14, an encoder / decoder corresponding to such a format may be provided.

  Further, the input / output processing unit 14 includes an analog audio signal output unit such as a digital audio data output unit, a digital / analog converter, and a line output circuit / headphone output circuit as an output system.

  In this case, an encryption processing unit (not shown) is provided in the input / output processing unit 14. In the encryption processing unit, for example, the AV data to be recorded on the disk is encrypted by a predetermined algorithm. For example, when the AV data read from the disk is encrypted, a decryption process for decryption is executed as necessary.

  Audio data is recorded on the disc as processing via the input / output processing unit 14 when, for example, digital audio data (or an analog audio signal) is input to the input / output processing unit 14 as an input TIN. The input linear PCM digital audio data or the linear PCM audio data obtained by converting the analog audio signal and converting it by the analog / digital converter is subjected to ATRAC compression encoding as necessary and stored in the cache memory 11. . Then, the data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the storage unit 12 at a predetermined timing (data unit corresponding to an ADIP cluster). In the storage unit 12, the transferred compressed data is modulated by a predetermined modulation method and written to the disk 4.

  When mini-disc type audio data is reproduced from the disk, the storage unit 12 demodulates the reproduced data into the ATRAC compressed data state and transfers the data to the cache memory 11. The data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the input / output processing unit 14. The input / output processing unit 14 performs ATRAC compression decoding on the supplied compressed audio data to obtain linear PCM audio data, which is output from the digital audio data output unit. Alternatively, line output / headphone output is performed as an analog audio signal by a digital / analog converter.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 15A stores an operation program of the system controller 13, fixed parameters, and the like. The RAM 15B is used as a work area by the system controller 13 and is a storage area for various necessary information. For example, various management information and special information read from the disk 4 by the storage unit 12, such as the above-described P-TOC data, U-TOC data, FAT data, etc., are stored in the cache memory 11. In the storage mode, the data is then transferred to the personal computer. However, the system controller 13 takes necessary information out of the management information into the RAM 15B for processing.

  The cache management memory 16 is composed of, for example, an S-RAM (Static-RAM), and stores information for managing the state of the cache memory 11. The system controller 13 controls data cache processing while referring to the cache management memory 16.

  The display unit 17 displays various information to be presented to the user based on the control of the system controller 13. For example, character data such as operation state, mode state, name of music, track number, time information, and other information are displayed.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the disk 4 is a next-generation disk, it is assumed that image data is stored in association with the music data on the disk 4, but the display unit 17 It is also conceivable to display the image data correlated in this way based on the control of the system controller 13 when the disk 4 is loaded or played back.

  Various operation buttons, a jog dial, and the like are formed in the operation unit 18 as various operators for user operations. The user gives a required operation instruction to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 by operating the operation unit 18. The system controller 13 performs predetermined control processing based on the operation information input by the operation unit 18.

  Note that the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 described so far is merely an example, and for example, the input / output processing unit 14 may be provided with an input / output processing system corresponding to not only audio data but also video data. Further, the connection with the personal computer 2 is not USB, but other external interfaces such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 may be used. Further, as the operation unit 18, it is possible to provide an operation element similar to that exemplified above on the remote controller.

(2) Read / Write Control of Cache Memory 11 Next, read / write control of the cache memory 11 in the storage mode in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 will be described.

  In this recording / reproducing apparatus 1, data write requests from the personal computer 2 are made in units of sectors, whereas data read / write to the disk 4 is made in units of clusters. This is because, as described above, in the specifications of the first and second next-generation MDs, 64 Kbytes, which is the data amount for one cluster, is used as a recording / reproducing access unit (recording block). Therefore, the exchange of data between the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 and the management unit of data in the cache memory 11 are also performed in this cluster unit.

Here, assuming that one cluster is 16 sectors, the data structure in the cache memory 11 is as shown in FIG. The data transmitted from the personal computer 2 by specifying the address (sector) and data length on the disk 4 in units of sectors is the data corresponding to 16 sectors in the cache memory 11 associated with the cluster to which the sector belongs at that time. Is stored in a location corresponding to the sector in the storage area (hereinafter referred to as a cache) 11 _{0 to} 11 _n .

For example, in the case a state in which data of a sector already in the cache 11 ₀ associated with number "0" of the cluster on the cache memory 11 disk number "0" is stored, then from the personal computer 2 " When a write request is given to the sector “5”, the sector “0” and the sector “5” belong to the same “0” cluster. It will be stored in the position associated with "5" number of sectors in the cache 11 ₀ associated with the cluster.

When data is written to the cache memory 11, the data is then read from the cache memory 11 in units of clusters (that is, in units of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n ) and stored in the storage unit 12. The data is transferred and recorded on the disk 4 in units of the cluster.

In this case, while the data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the storage unit 12, the data is read out to prevent the data overwritten halfway from being written to the disk 4. has been that cache ₁₁ write data to 0 to 11 _n is locked (limited). Similarly, while data is being transferred from the personal computer 2 to the cache memory 11, data is read from the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n storing the data in the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12. Is locked. In either case, the lock is released by completing the data transfer thereafter.

As a means for performing such read / write control of the cache memory 11, the system controller 13 corresponds to each of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in the cache memory 11 as shown in FIG. disk address field ₂₀ 1, 2 USB output control flag storage field 20 of _two bits, also 2-bit read / write control flag storage column ₂₀ 3, 1-bit write incompletion flag storage column 20 ₄ and 32-bit file cache management memory 16 to the cache management table 20 storage column 20 ₅ is provided has a (FIG. 1).

The system controller 13 manages write disk 4 on the address to write the data stored in the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n of the cache memory 11 (sector) to the disk address field 20 ₁ of the cache management table 20 together, it stores the input flag to the USB output management flag storage column 20 ₂ when the writing of data from the personal computer 2 to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n have been made, from the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n If the read data to the personal computer 2 is being carried out so as to store the output flag to the USB output management flag storage column 20 _2, the data by the personal computer 2 to the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n Manages reading / writing.

The system controller 13 stores the output flag to read / write control flag storage field 20 ₃ in the case is being transferred the data stored in the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n in the storage unit 12, recorded on the disk 4 data that if the cache ₁₁ is recorded in the 0 to 11 _n is so as to store the input flag to read / write control flag storage column 12 _3, by the storage section 12 for that cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n Manage whether data is read or written.

Further, the system controller 13 is still writing unfinished write incompletion flag storage column 20 ₄ in a state that has not been written to the disk 4 the data stored is transferred to the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n from the personal computer The flag is stored to manage whether or not the data stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is recorded on the disk 4, and valid data is stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in units of sectors. so as to store the file storage flag in a file flag storage field 20 ₅ when being manages whether a valid data in the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n are stored in sectors.

Thus, when a write request is given from the personal computer 2 by designating an address (sector) and data length on the disk 4, the system controller 13 refers to the cache management table 20 and includes the address (sector). It is determined whether or not the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n associated with the clusters exist, and if they exist, whether or not the data stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is being transferred to the storage unit 12. Determine whether. If the data stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is being transferred to the storage unit 12 at this time, the system controller 13 does not accept the write request from the personal computer 2 and The writing of data from the personal computer 2 to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is locked.

The system controller 13, the cache data stored in the memory 11 when causing written to disk 4, based on the cache management table 20, then the cache write data from the personal computer 2 is being carried out 11 ₀ avoiding to 11 _n, and the data stored in another cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n so as to control the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 to write to the disc 4, to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n The writing of data from the personal computer 2 is locked.

In this way, the system controller 13 reads the data from the cache memory 11 and transfers it to the storage unit 12 or while transferring data from the personal computer 2 to the cache memory 11. The caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n and the storage unit 12 are controlled so as not to read and write data from the cache.

By the way, when the OS (Operating System) of the personal computer 2 manages files using FAT such as Windows (registered trademark) XP, for example, every time the file is written from the personal computer 2 to the disk 4. As shown in FIG.
1. 1. Write request for one sector to each of FAT1 and FAT2 recorded on the disk 4 2. Write request for two sectors to the directory entry recorded on the disc 4 Three write requests such as a request to write actual data of a file to the disk 4 are generated.

  Therefore, when writing a plurality of files held in the personal computer 2 to the disk 4, one or two sectors are frequently used for a cluster containing FAT or a cluster storing a directory entry of the current directory. The data write request is generated.

However, while the data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the storage unit 12 as described above, writing of data to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n storing the data is locked. As shown in FIG. 7, when the next write request is for the same cluster, the next write request from the personal computer 2 is made to wait until the write process is completed.

Therefore, from the personal computer 2 when there is data writing to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n associated with cluster or the like including a FAT in the cache memory 11, immediately disc 4 the data in this cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n Assuming that the process of writing data to is started, a situation in which a write request from the personal computer 2 is awaited frequently occurs.

Further, after the data write process to the disk 2 is completed, the cache memory 11 accepts data write to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in response to the write request from the personal computer 2. The data stored in 11 _{0 to} 11 _n must be written again to the disk 4, which has a problem of poor efficiency.

In view of this, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 holds, among the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache memory 11, a cluster including such a FAT or a cluster in which a directory entry of the current directory is stored. For the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n that are frequently accessed, such as the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n , the data immediately after the data is written to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n from the personal computer 2. The writing process to the disk 4 of the data stored in the other caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is prioritized without performing the writing process to the disk 4, thereby causing the above-described write waiting. It can be reduced.

Specifically, in the case of the recording and reproducing apparatus 1, as a means of detecting the "cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n that are frequently accessed" as shown in FIG. 5, each of the cache 11 ₀ in the cache management table 20 respectively 11 _n to correspond, the counter column 20 ₆ and the counter flag storage column 20 ₇ is provided.

The system controller 13, 2 for each receiving a data write request within the sector, the count stored in the counter field 20 ₆ of the cache 11 _0-11 cache management table 20 that is associated with _n for storing the data the value (initial value is "0") as well as incremented by "1", when the count value stored in the counter field 20 ₆ reaches a predetermined threshold value (e.g. "3"), the cache management table It adapted to store a flag indicating this to the corresponding counter flag storage field 20 ₇ of 20, thus being adapted to detect the "frequently accessed cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n" on the basis of the flag.

In practice, the system controller 13 performs the write request acceptance processing procedure shown in FIG. 8 for accepting the data write request from the personal computer 2 including the detection of the “frequently accessed caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n ”. Execute according to RT1.

  That is, when a write request designating an address (sector) and data length on the disk 4 is given from the personal computer 2, the system controller 13 starts this write request acceptance processing procedure RT1 in step SP0, and in subsequent step SP1 The cluster to which the sector belongs is calculated from the sector number of the sector designated by the personal computer 2.

Then the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP2, based on the address described in the disk address storage field 20 ₁ of the cache management table 20, one of the cache ₁₁ already in the cache memory 11 0 to 11 _n Is associated with the cluster calculated in step SP1.

If the system controller 13 obtains a positive result in step SP2, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP3, acquires the cache numbers of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n associated with the cluster, and then proceeds to step SP6.

On the other hand, when the system controller 13 obtains a negative result in step SP2, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP4 and, based on the cache management table 20, transfers the data already stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n to the disk 4. has write process is completed (not corresponding write incomplete flag in the write incompletion flag column 20 ₄ cache management table 20 are stored), and not performed read and write current data (cache management table 20 the corresponding USB output control flag storage column 20 ₂ and the input flag or output flag to either of the read / write control flag storage column 20 ₃ is not stored) to search for cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n.

The system controller 13 detects such a cache ₁₁ 0-11 _n, the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n, the cache ₁₁ 0-11 to store the data write request is given from the personal computer 2 at that time assigned as _n obtains the cache number of the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n, the process proceeds to step SP5 after this, is stored in the counter field 20 ₆ corresponding to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n in the cache management table 20 After setting the counter value to “0”, the process proceeds to step SP6.

  Further, when proceeding to step SP6, the system controller 13 determines whether or not the data length specified in the write request given from the personal computer 2 is 2 sectors or less.

If the system controller 13 obtains a negative result in step SP6, it proceeds to step SP11. If it obtains an affirmative result, it proceeds to step SP7, and acquires the cache number in step SP3 or step SP4 in the cache management table 20. flag to determine whether it is stored in the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n and the associated counter flag column 20 _7.

If the system controller 13 obtains a positive result in step SP7, it proceeds to step SP11, and if it obtains a negative result, it proceeds to step SP8 and associates it with the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in the cache management table 20. the count value stored in the counter field 20 ₆ which is then incremented by "1", the process proceeds to the following step SP9, it is determined whether reached its threshold count value is determined in advance.

Thus, if the system controller 13 obtains a negative result in this step SP9, it proceeds to step SP11, and if it obtains an affirmative result, it proceeds to step SP10 and associates with the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache management table 20. after storing the flag in the counter flag storage column 20 ₇ which is, proceeds to step SP11.

The system controller 13 proceeds to step SP11, by storing the input flag to the USB output flag storage column 20 ₂ associated with the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n in the cache management table 20, the cache 11 ₀ ~ 11 Lock other read / write operations for _n .

Subsequently, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP12 and waits for the completion of data transfer from the personal computer 2 to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _{n. When} the data transfer ends, the process proceeds to step SP13. by withdrawing the input flag stored the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n to the USB output flag storage column 20 ₂ associated with the cache management table 20, to unlock the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n. Then, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP14 and ends this write request acceptance processing procedure RT1.

On the other hand, the system controller 13 executes a recording process from the cache memory 11 to the disk 4 in parallel with the data receiving process in response to the write request from the personal computer 14, and at this time, the disk write process shown in FIG. Following the procedure RT2, by referring to the cache management table 20, the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n (i.e. the write incompletion flag storage column 20 ₄ of the cache management table 20 that holds data to be written to the disk 4 Shokomihitsuji completion flag is one of the cache 11 0 _{to 11 n)} that is stored, write the data in the counter flag storage field 20 ₇ flag is stored in the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n that are not stored in the preferentially disk 4 Make it.

That is, for example, when a write request is given from the personal computer 2, the system controller 13 starts this disk write processing procedure RT2 in step SP20, and in the subsequent step SP21, based on the cache management table 20, the corresponding counter flag storage column is started. 20 ₇ out of the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n that flag is not stored in, search for cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n which holds the data to be written to the disk 4.

Subsequently, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP22, among corresponding counter flag storage field 20 ₇ cache ₁₁ 0-11 flag is not stored in the _n of the cache management table 20, data to be recorded on the disk 4 It is determined whether or not there is what is held.

Then the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP26 upon obtaining a positive result at step SP22, proceeds to the step SP23 yields a negative result, the flag in the corresponding counter flag storage field 20 ₇ of the cache management table 20 There one of the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n that are stored, retrieves the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n which holds the data to be written to the disk 4.

Subsequently, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP24, among corresponding counter flag storage field 20 ₇ cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n which flag is stored in the cache management table 20, data to be recorded on the disk 4 It is determined whether or not there is what is held.

Here, obtaining a negative result in step SP24 means that all of the data respectively stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in the cache memory 11 has been written to the disk 4. Thus, at this time, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP25, and ends this disk write processing procedure RT2.

On the other hand, obtaining a positive result in step SP24 means that the data stored in any one of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in the cache memory 11 has not yet been written to the disk 4. Thus, at this time, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP26, and based on the cache management table 20, the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n perform other read / write processes other than data read / write with the personal computer 2. determines whether it is locked (whether either the input flag or output flag corresponding to the USB output flag storage section 20 ₂ of the cache management table 20 are stored).

If the system controller 13 obtains a negative result in step SP26, it returns to step SP21, and if it obtains an affirmative result, it proceeds to step SP27 and cache management table associated with the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n. by storing output flag to read / write control flag storage field 20 ₃ of 20, while locking the processing-out other reading for that cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n, to then control the cache memory 11 and the storage section 12 As a result, the data stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is transferred to the storage unit 12 and written to the address (cluster) designated by the personal computer 2 in the disk 4.

Then, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP28 and waits for the transfer of the data stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n to the storage unit 12 to be completed. When the transfer is completed, the process proceeds to step SP29. in other by unloading the output flag stored in the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n and the associated read / write control flag storage field 20 ₃ of the cache management table 20, to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n Unlock the reading / writing process of.

Further, the system controller 13 then proceeds to step SP30, down the flag stored in the counter flag storage column 20 ₇ associated with the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n of the cache management table 20, then proceeds to step SP31 in, it is determined whether the counter value stored in the counter field 20 ₆ of the cache 11 _0-11 cache management table 20 that is associated with the _n is greater than 0.

If the system controller 13 obtains an affirmative result in step SP31, it returns to step SP21. If it obtains an affirmative result, it proceeds to step SP32 and associates it with the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache management table 20. the resulting counter column 20 counter value stored in the ₆ after lowering by "1", the flow returns to step SP21.

  The system controller 13 thereafter repeats the same processing for step SP21 to step SP24 and step SP26 to step SP32 until a positive result is obtained in step SP24.

In this way, the system controller 13 causes the data stored in the other caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n to be written to the disk 4 in preference to the data stored in the frequently accessed caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n. Has been made.

(3) Operation and effect of the present embodiment In the above configuration, the number of data write requests received from the personal computer 2 for each of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache memory 11 is counted. When the data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 is transferred to the storage unit 12 and written to the disk 4 based on the count value, the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n become “frequently accessed caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n ”. a judgment of whether or not, where applicable in preference to the data stored in the cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n, the data stored in another cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n in the storage section 12 Transfer and record on disk 4.

Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, for example, data held in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n associated with the cluster including the FAT or the cluster storing the directory entry of the current directory is stored in the storage unit 12. Since the lock of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _{n at} the time of transfer is suppressed, the frequency of waiting for a write request from the personal computer 2 to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n can be significantly reduced. It is possible to improve the writing efficiency of the data held in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n to the disk 4.

In the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, after data stored in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n is recorded on the disk 4, the counter column 20 associated with the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache management table 20 is recorded. _{Since the} counter value stored in ₆ is reduced by 1 without being initialized, a request for writing data of 2 sectors or more from the personal computer 2 to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _{n is performed} again thereafter. flag corresponding counter flag storage field 20 ₇ immediately cache management table 20 when there will be is stored, function of leaving an original role as a cache of the cache memory 11, the data that is frequently accessed Can be significantly improved.

According to the above configuration, for each of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache memory 11, the number of times data write requests for two or more sectors are received from the personal computer 2 is counted, and the cache 11 ₀ is based on this count value. If the to 11 _n corresponds to the "frequently accessed cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n 'is in preference to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n are stored in the data, the other cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n By transferring the stored data to the storage unit 12 and recording it on the disk 4, the frequency of waiting for a write request to the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n from the personal computer 2 can be significantly reduced. it is possible, di of the data held in such cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n Writing efficiency to the disk 4 can be improved, and thus the data transfer speed of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 as a storage device can be improved.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to the current MD and the first and second next-generation MDs described above. As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be widely applied to recording apparatuses compatible with other recording media.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the cache memory 11 composed of D-RAM is applied as temporary storage means for temporarily storing data transferred from the personal computer 2 as an external device has been described. The invention is not limited to this, and various devices other than the memory can be widely applied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n whose number of data write requests within two sectors within the cache memory 11 are received from the personal computer 2 are _equal to or greater than a threshold value are referred to as “frequently accessed caches ₁₁₀ to 11 _n ”has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other determination criteria may be applied as the determination criteria for such“ frequently accessed caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n ”. Anyway.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the system controller 13, as the access frequency of the personal computer 2 for each cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n of the cache memory 11, the data from the personal computer 2 with respect to the cache ₁₁ 0 to 11 _n write Although the case where the number of received requests is detected has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the time interval at which a write request is given or the number of times per unit time may be detected as the access frequency. good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, for example, the data held in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n associated with the cluster including the FAT or the cluster storing the directory entry of the current directory is stored in the storage unit 12. it has dealt with the case where the lower the corresponding counter field 20 ₆ stored in the counter values in the transfer to the cache management table 20 after recording on the disc 4 by one, the present invention is not limited to this, lowered 2 or more You may do it.

  The present invention can be applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing data on various disk media in addition to a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing data on / from a magneto-optical disk.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus by this Embodiment. It is the top view and conceptual diagram which show the disk structure and data format of 1st next generation MD. It is the top view and conceptual diagram which show the disk structure and data format of 2nd next generation MD. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the data management method in a cache memory. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of a cache management table. It is a graph which shows the example of a write request from a personal computer. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the lock of a cache. It is a flowchart which shows a write request reception process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a disk writing processing procedure.

Explanation of symbols

1 ...... recording and reproducing apparatus, 2 ...... personal computer, 4 ...... disk, 11 ...... cache _memory, 11 0 to 11 _n ...... cache, 12 ...... storage unit, 13 ...... system controller, 16 ...... cache management Memory 20... Cache management table, RT1... Write request acceptance processing procedure, RT2.

Claims (8)

A recording apparatus having temporary storage means for temporarily storing data transferred from an external device in a first data unit, and reading the data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means in a second data unit and recording it on a recording medium In
Recording means for recording the data of the second data unit read and transferred from the temporary storage means on the recording medium;
A control means for controlling the temporary storage means and / or the recording means,
The control means includes
The access frequency from the external device to each storage area for temporarily storing the data in the temporary storage means in the second data unit is detected, and the access frequency is held in the storage area having a predetermined threshold value or more. Prior to data, the temporary storage means and / or the recording means are controlled so as to record the data held in the storage area where the access frequency is lower than the threshold value on the recording medium. Recording device. The control means includes
The number of times of receiving the data write request from the external device to the storage area is detected as the access frequency from the external device to each storage area of the temporary storage unit. The recording device described. The first data unit is a sector;
The second data unit is a cluster,
The control means includes
As the access frequency from the external device to each storage area of the temporary storage means, the number of times that the write request for the data within two sectors from the external device to the storage area is received is detected. The recording apparatus according to claim 2. The control means includes
When the data held in the storage area with the access frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is recorded on the recording medium, the write request for the data within two sectors from the external device to the storage area is accepted. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the count value of the number of times is lowered by a predetermined number. In a recording method in which data transferred from an external device in a first data unit is temporarily stored in a temporary storage unit, and the data is read from the temporary storage unit in a second data unit and recorded on a recording medium.
A first step of detecting an access frequency from the external device to each storage area for temporarily storing the data in the temporary storage unit in the second data unit;
The data stored in the storage area having the access frequency less than the threshold is recorded on the recording medium in preference to the data held in the storage area having the access frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. A recording method comprising the steps of: In the first step,
6. The number of times of receiving the data write request from the external device to the storage area is detected as the access frequency from the external device to each storage area of the temporary storage unit. The recording method described. The first data unit is a sector;
The second data unit is a cluster,
In the first step,
As the access frequency from the external device to each storage area of the temporary storage means, the number of times that the write request for the data within two sectors from the external device to the storage area is received is detected. The recording method according to claim 6. In the second step,
When the data held in the storage area with the access frequency equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is recorded on the recording medium, the write request for the data within two sectors from the external device to the storage area is accepted. The recording method according to claim 6, wherein the count value of the number of times is lowered by a predetermined number.

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