JP2007122180A - Hierarchized structure generation method and storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hierarchized structure generation method and a storage device, not allowing storage of data files of a file number smaller than a reference number in a bottommost folder, and allowing a user to easily retrieve an objective data file. <P>SOLUTION: A folder configuration determination part 15 sorts music files in order of priority received in a priority parameter input part 11b on the basis of musical piece information of the music files acquired by a musical piece information acquisition part 14, and classifies the music files into groups each having the same parameter (a file classification means 15a). The music files belonging to the group having the bottommost priority are counted, and the number of the counted music files and the reference number are compared (a comparison means 15b). When the number of the counted music files is less than the reference number, the music files are moved to the group of one rank higher level (a file movement means 15c). A configuration of the folder is determined on the basis of the classified and moved group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hierarchical structure generation method and a storage device that store data files hierarchically and allow a user to easily search for a target data file.

In recent years, audio devices (for example, MP3 players) that store a large amount of music files in a storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory have been put into practical use. In addition, when storing music files in a storage medium, audio devices that enable efficient management by storing hierarchically based on music information associated with music files have been put into practical use (for example, , See Patent Document 1). That is, a folder (also called a directory) is created on the storage medium, and music files are stored in the created folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, an artist name is assigned to the first hierarchy folder 111 and an album name is assigned to the second hierarchy folder 112, and stored in a hierarchical structure of “artist name / album name / music file name (song name)”. By doing so, the music file 113 can be managed efficiently.
JP 2003-22656 A

  However, since the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 limits the type of music information (object data) stored in a folder in the same hierarchy to one, there is a folder in which only one music file (content data) exists. There is a risk that it will occur. Therefore, there is a possibility that the folder structure (hierarchy) becomes more complex as the music file is stored. When searching for and playing back a music file, the number of operations until the target music file is searched increases. In recent years, the acquisition of music files by Internet distribution has become widespread, and even when one music file is downloaded, as shown in FIG. 12, "artist name / album name / music file name (song name)" It is stored in the folder structure.

  In order to play a music file, it is necessary to select the folder 112 of the second hierarchy (album name) after selecting the folder 111 of the first hierarchy (artist name), but only one song is stored in the folder 112. In order to sequentially play music files that have not been played, it is necessary to repeat the operation for selecting the folder 112. Similarly, when writing a music file to an external storage medium (such as a CD-R), it is necessary to repeat an operation for selecting the music file to be written. As described above, when only a few music files are stored in a folder, there is a problem that the number of folders becomes too large, which is contrary to the purpose of file management.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, accepts the priority of parameters that are attribute information associated with the data file, sorts the data file in the order of the accepted priority, and sets the data file to the same parameter. If the number of data files falls below the reference number, the data file is moved to the next higher group. By creating a hierarchical folder based on the group that has been classified and moved, and storing the data file in the generated folder, the lowermost folder has data with a smaller number of files than the reference number. Hierarchical structure that allows users to easily search for target data files without storing files And an object thereof is to provide a production method, and a storage device.

  Further, the present invention is configured to add flag information for identifying whether or not to sort the data file to the management area of the data file, so that the data file is excluded from sorting based on the flag information. An object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that can reduce the processing burden associated with the data file classification process.

  Furthermore, the present invention receives the maximum number of hierarchies of a folder to be generated, determines whether the received maximum number of hierarchies is zero, and if it is determined that the maximum number of hierarchies is zero, By creating a configuration that stores the data file in a predetermined folder without generating it, if the maximum number of hierarchical layers is set to zero, the data file is stored in the predetermined folder regardless of the attribute information, For example, an object is to provide a storage device that can store and manage a data file such as a temporary file in a predetermined folder.

  Furthermore, the present invention is configured to accept a reference number for determining whether or not to move a data file to the next higher group, so that the reference number is appropriately set according to the convenience of the user, and the lowest folder An object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that can adjust the number of files to be stored in the storage device.

  The hierarchical structure generation method according to the present invention is a hierarchical structure generation method for generating a folder for hierarchically storing data files in a storage device that stores data files associated with attribute information including a plurality of parameters. The storage device receives the priority of the parameter, sorts the data file in the received priority order, classifies the data file into a group having the same parameter, and data belonging to the group with the lowest priority If the number of files is compared with the reference number, and the number of data files is less than the reference number as a result of the comparison, the data file is moved to the next higher group, and the hierarchy is determined based on the group that has been classified and moved. And a data file is stored in the generated folder.

  The storage device according to the present invention, in a storage device for storing a data file associated with attribute information including a plurality of parameters, means for receiving the priority of the parameter, and sort the data file in the order of received priority, File classification means for classifying data files into groups having the same parameters, comparison means for comparing the number of data files belonging to the group with the lowest priority and the reference number, and as a result of comparison, the number of data files is When the number is below the reference number, a file moving means for moving the data file to the next higher group, and a hierarchical folder are generated based on the file classification means and the group classified and moved by the file moving means. Folder generation means to store data files in the generated folder Characterized in that it comprises a yl storage means.

  The storage device according to the present invention comprises means for adding flag information for identifying whether or not to sort the data file by the file classification means to the management area of the data file, and the file classification means The data file is excluded from sorting based on the flag information.

  The storage device according to the present invention comprises means for receiving the maximum number of configured layers of the folder and means for determining whether or not the received maximum number of configured layers is zero, wherein the maximum number of configured layers is zero. If it is determined, the data file is stored in a predetermined folder without generating the folder.

  The storage device according to the present invention further comprises reference number receiving means for receiving the reference number, and the comparing means receives the number of data files belonging to the lowest priority group and the reference number receiving means. It is characterized in that the reference number is compared.

  In the present invention, the priority of a parameter, which is attribute information associated with a data file, is received, the data file is sorted in the received priority order, and the data file is classified into a group having the same parameter. Then, the number of data files belonging to the lowest priority group is counted, and the number of data files is compared with the reference number. If the number of data files is less than the reference number, the data file is moved to the next higher group. In this way, a hierarchical folder is generated based on the classified and moved groups, and the data file is stored in the generated folder. Thereby, there is no possibility that the lowermost folder having the number of files smaller than the reference number exists.

  In the present invention, flag information for identifying whether or not to sort the data file is added to the management area of the data file. As a result, the data file is excluded from the sort target based on the flag information, and the processing load related to the data file classification process is reduced.

  In the present invention, the maximum number of configuration layers of a folder to be generated is received, and it is determined whether or not the received maximum number of configuration layers is zero. If it is determined that the maximum number of hierarchies is zero, the data file is stored in a predetermined folder without generating the folder. As a result, if the maximum number of hierarchies is set to zero, the data file is stored in a predetermined folder regardless of the attribute information. For example, a temporary data file is stored in the predetermined folder. Store and manage.

  In the present invention, the above-mentioned reference number is received, the number of data files belonging to the lowest priority group is compared with the received reference number, and the data file is moved to the next higher group. Decide whether or not. Thereby, the reference number is appropriately set according to the convenience of the user, and the number of files to be stored in the lowermost folder is adjusted.

  According to the present invention, the priority of a parameter that is attribute information associated with a data file is received, the data file is sorted in the received priority order, the data file is classified into a group having the same parameter, and the priority Compares the number of data files belonging to the lowest group with the reference number, and if the number of data files is less than the reference number, the data file is moved to the upper group, and the group is sorted and moved. Based on the above, it is configured to create a hierarchical folder and store the data file in the generated folder, so the lowermost folder does not store data files with a number of files less than the standard number and can be used The user can easily search for the target data file. That is, since there is no folder having a smaller number of files than the reference number, it is possible to prevent the hierarchy from becoming complicated according to the storage of the data file.

  According to the present invention, the flag information for identifying whether or not to sort the data file is added to the management area of the data file. Therefore, the data file is excluded from the sort target based on the flag information. Thus, the processing burden associated with the data file classification process can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, the maximum number of configured layers of a folder to be generated is received, it is determined whether or not the received maximum number of configured layers is zero, and if it is determined that the maximum number of configured layers is zero, the folder Since the data file is stored in a predetermined folder without generating the file, if the maximum number of hierarchical layers is set to zero, the data file is stored in the predetermined folder regardless of the attribute information. For example, a data file such as a temporary file can be stored and managed in a predetermined folder.

  According to the present invention, since the reference number for determining whether to move the data file to the next higher group is received, the reference number is appropriately set according to the convenience of the user, and is stored in the lowermost folder. An excellent effect is achieved such that the number of files to be stored can be adjusted.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof. The present invention can be applied to all storage devices. Here, an audio device such as an MP3 player will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an audio device as a storage device of the present invention.
The audio device 1 according to the present invention includes a control unit 10 composed of a CPU. The control unit 10 is connected to the operation unit 11, the display unit 12, the storage unit 13, the music information acquisition unit 14, the folder configuration determination unit 15, and the writing processing unit 16, and controls these units and stores them in the built-in ROM. Various functions are performed according to the control program.

  The operation unit 11 includes various function keys for operating the audio device 1, that is, a maximum configuration layer number input unit 11a that receives an input of the maximum number of configuration layers, and a priority parameter input that receives the priority of parameters constituting music information. The unit 11b includes a minimum storage file number input unit 11c that receives an input of the minimum storage file number.

  The display unit 12 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor or an LED monitor, and displays an operation state of the audio device 1 and a screen for prompting a user to input an operation. In addition, it is also possible to substitute a part or all of the various function keys of the operation unit 11 by using the display unit 12 as a touch panel system.

  The storage unit 13 is specifically a hard disk and stores music files hierarchically in the form of a folder structure. The music information acquisition unit 14 acquires music information of a music file stored in the storage unit 13 from a music information database server (for example, a CDDB server) 51 on the Internet 50, for example. The music information is information for specifying music such as the artist name, album name (title name), genre, and year of the music file.

  The folder configuration determination unit 15 sorts the music files in order of priority received by the priority parameter input unit 11b based on the music information of the music files acquired by the music information acquisition unit 14, and the music files have the same parameters. It functions as file classification means 15a for classifying into groups.

  For example, in the music information, when the priority 1 is an artist name and the priority 2 is an album name, the folder configuration determination unit 15 first sorts music files by artist name, and further sorts music files by album name. The music files are classified into groups having the same artist name and album name.

  Further, the folder configuration determination unit 15 counts music files belonging to the lowest priority group, compares the counted number of music files with a reference number, and the counted music file files. If the number falls below the reference number, the file function means 15c moves the music file to the next higher group, and the folder structure for storing the music file based on the group classified and moved in this way To decide.

  Based on the folder determined by the folder configuration determination unit 15, the writing processing unit 16 generates folder generation means 16 a that generates a hierarchical folder in the storage unit 13, and file storage that stores a data file in the generated folder It functions as the means 16b.

  In the present invention, in the music information, when the priority 1 is the artist name and the priority 2 is the album name, the number of music files belonging to the same album name is greater than or equal to the reference number, and lower than the reference number. In some cases, music files are stored in the following two states. If the number of music files belonging to the same album name is greater than the reference number, the music files are stored in the storage unit 13 in the folder structure of “artist name / album name / music file name (song name)”, and the same album When the number of music files belonging to the name falls below the reference number, the music file is stored in the storage unit 13 in a folder structure of “artist name / music file name (song name)”. In this way, there are no music files whose number of files is lower than the minimum number of stored files in the lowermost folder.

Next, an operation performed by the audio device 1 as the storage device of the present invention will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure performed by the audio device according to the present invention. The processing procedure is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Such a processing procedure is performed by incorporating a control program in the ROM built in the control unit 10 in advance.

  First, the control unit 10 receives an input of the maximum number of configuration layers in the operation unit 11 (maximum configuration layer number input unit 11a) (step S1). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, by displaying on the display unit 12 an image that prompts the user to input the maximum number of hierarchies, the user inputs the maximum number of hierarchies using the operation unit 11 while viewing this image. .

  Next, it is determined whether or not the input maximum number of layers is 0 (step S2). If the maximum number of hierarchies is 0 (S2: YES), there is no need to make hierarchies, so music files are stored in a predetermined folder without creating a new folder in the storage unit 13 (step S3). . For example, music files 30 (music files 1, 2,...) Are stored in the root directory 20 as shown in FIG. In this way, when the user intentionally gives 0 as the maximum number of constituent layers, the music file 30 is stored in the root directory 20 regardless of the attribute information, for example, music that is temporarily stored. Files can be stored and managed in the root directory 20.

  On the other hand, when the input maximum number of layers is not 0 (S2: NO), the operation unit 11 (priority parameter input unit 11b) receives input of the priority of parameters constituting the music information (step S4). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with the maximum number of hierarchies input in S1, priority level parameters, priority level 2 parameters,... By displaying the prompting image on the display unit 12, the user inputs the parameter priority using the operation unit 11 while viewing the image.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the number of parameters received in S4 matches the maximum number of hierarchies (step S5). If the number of parameters does not match the maximum number of hierarchies (S5: NO) Since it is considered that the user has made an input error, the process proceeds to S4 to accept priority re-input.

  On the other hand, when the number of parameters matches the maximum number of hierarchical layers (S5: YES), the operation unit 11 (minimum storage file number input unit 11c) receives an input of the minimum storage file number (step S6). For example, as shown in FIG. 6, by displaying an image for prompting the input of the minimum number of stored files on the display unit 12, the user inputs the minimum number of stored files using the operation unit 11 while viewing this image. . The minimum number of stored files is the minimum number of files when stored in a folder, and in this example, creation of a folder below the minimum number of stored files is prohibited.

  Then, the music file is sorted based on the input parameter priority and the minimum number of stored files (step S7). FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the sorting process. Here, for easy understanding, a case will be described in which the maximum number of layers is 2, the parameter of priority 1 is the artist name, the parameter of priority 2 is the album name, and the minimum number of stored files is 3.

  First, music files are sorted by artist name which is a parameter of priority 1 (step S11). Next, the sorted music files are further sorted by album name which is a priority 2 parameter (step S12). Then, the number of music files having the same artist name and album name in the music information is counted (step S13), the counted number of files is compared with the minimum number of stored files, and the number of music files is the minimum number of stored files. It is determined whether it is less than (step S14). If the number of music files is less than the minimum number of stored files (S14: YES), the album name is excluded from the sort target (step S15), the process proceeds to S11, and the sort is performed again.

  On the other hand, if the number of music files does not fall below the minimum number of stored files (S14: NO), the sort process is terminated and the process returns to the main flow.

  Then, based on the result of the sorting process, an artist name folder is generated in the storage unit 13, and an album name folder is further created (step S8). Then, the music file is stored in the generated folder (step S9). In the present example, the layers for storing music files are made different according to the number of music files having the same artist name and album name.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, an artist 1 folder 21 is created below the root directory 20, and an album 1-1 folder 22 a is created below the folder 21. Then, the music file 30a (music file 1-1-1, 1-1-2, 1-1-3) is stored in the folder 22a. Further, the folder 22b of the album 1-2 is created below the folder 21. Then, the music file 30b (music files 1-2-1, 1-2-2, 1-2-3) is stored in the folder 22b.

  On the other hand, for the music file 30c (music files 1-3-1-1, 1-4-1, 1-5-1), a folder is not generated below the folder 21, but each of these music files is assumed. When the folder corresponding to 30c is generated, the number of music files stored in the generated folder is less than the minimum number of stored files (for example, 3), so the music file 30c is stored in the folder 21. Note that the result of the sorting process performed in S7 may be displayed on the display unit 12 so that the user can grasp the hierarchized state of the music file.

  When sorting is performed, flag information for determining whether or not the number of music files having the same higher-order parameter than the one parameter is smaller than the minimum number of stored files is associated with each music file. By doing so, processing can be simplified.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an outline of flag information used in the sorting process.
The flag information 40 includes elements predetermined according to the number of parameters of music information, such as the first element 41 is an artist, the second element 42 is an album, and the third element 43 is a genre. When the element 41, 42,... Is '1', it indicates that the number of music files that are the same as the element is equal to or greater than the minimum stored file number, and when the element 41, 42, ... is '0'. Indicates that the number of music files identical to the element is less than the minimum number of stored files.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, before performing the sorting process, the elements 41 and 42 are once set to “1”, and after that, the sorting process is performed, and the number of music files that are the same as the elements 41 and 42 is the same. If it is less than the minimum number of stored files, the corresponding element 42 is set to '0'. Thereby, by referring to the flag information, an element of “0”, that is, a music file whose number of files is less than the minimum number of stored files is identified and easily excluded from the sort target. In other words, the flag information functions as information for identifying whether or not to sort the data file, and by referring to the flag information, the sorting process becomes extremely easy, and the processing load related to the sorting process can be reduced. .

  As described above in detail, there is no possibility that there are folders with the number of files less than the minimum number of stored files, so that it is possible to prevent the hierarchy from becoming complicated as music files are stored. Also, since the music files are sorted, the user can easily search for the target music file. Further, the user can appropriately set the minimum number of files to adjust the number of files to be stored in the lowermost folder.

  In the embodiment, the music file stored in the storage unit 13 is targeted, and the configuration of the folder storing the music file is determined. However, the folder configuration determining unit 15 is configured to use an external optical disk and a magnetic file. A folder structure of a storage disk such as a disk is determined, and based on the determined folder structure, the writing processing unit 16 generates a layered folder on the storage disk, and stores music files in the generated folder. May be. Further, among the music files stored in the storage unit 13, the user may select a music file to be written to the storage disk.

  Further, the audio apparatus 1 such as the MP3 player has been described as an example, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a DVD recorder and a hard disk recorder that store video files. In this case, the title, genre, and storage of the video file The date may be used as the attribute information of the video file, and the present invention can be applied to all storage devices.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio equipment as a memory | storage device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which the audio equipment which concerns on this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the image which prompts the input of the largest structure hierarchy number. It is a figure which shows the storage state of the music file in case the maximum structure hierarchy number is 0. It is a figure which shows the image which prompts input of the priority of a parameter. It is a figure which shows the image which prompts the input of the minimum number of stored files. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a sort process. It is a figure which shows the storage state of a music file. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the flag information used for a sort process. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of flag information. It is a figure which shows an example of the hierarchical storage of a music file. It is a figure which shows an example of the hierarchical storage of a music file.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 11 Operation part 12 Display part 13 Storage part 14 Music information acquisition part 15 Folder structure determination part 15a File classification means 15b Comparison means 15c File movement means 16 Write processing part 16a Folder generation means 16b File storage means

Claims (5)

In a hierarchical structure generation method for generating a folder for hierarchically storing data files in a storage device that stores data files associated with attribute information including a plurality of parameters,
The storage device is
Accept the priority of the parameters,
Sort the data files in the order of priority received, classify the data files into groups with the same parameters,
Compare the number of data files belonging to the lowest priority group and the reference number,
If the number of data files is less than the reference number as a result of the comparison, the data file is moved to the next higher group,
Create hierarchical folders based on categorized and moved groups,
A hierarchical structure generation method characterized by storing data files in a generated folder. In a storage device for storing a data file associated with attribute information including a plurality of parameters,
Means for receiving the priority of the parameter;
A file classification means for sorting the data files in order of received priority and classifying the data files into groups having the same parameters;
A comparison means for comparing the number of data files belonging to the lowest priority group and the reference number;
As a result of the comparison, when the number of data files is less than the reference number, a file moving means for moving the data files to a group higher by one,
Folder generating means for generating a hierarchical folder based on the group classified and moved by the file classification means and the file moving means;
A storage device comprising: file storage means for storing a data file in the generated folder. Means for adding flag information for identifying whether to sort the data file by the file classification means to the management area of the data file;
The file classification means includes:
The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the data file is excluded from sorting targets based on the flag information. Means for receiving the maximum number of hierarchical layers of the folder;
Means for determining whether or not the maximum number of configured layers received is zero,
The storage according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when it is determined that the maximum number of hierarchical levels is zero, a data file is stored in a predetermined folder without generating a folder. apparatus. A reference number receiving means for receiving the reference number;
The comparison means includes
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the number of data files belonging to the lowest priority group is compared with the reference number received by the reference number receiving means. The storage device according to one.

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