JP2007200443A - Recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device capable of dealing with a sudden recording instruction such that video recording is started by watching directly a program and an optimization instruction and preferentially processing either one of recording processing or optimization processing. <P>SOLUTION: The recording and reproducing device is provided with: a recording instruction reception part; an optimization instruction receiving part; a judging part for judging whether execution time of recording and optimization are overlapped or not; and a first (second) priority processing part for preferentially processing the recording instruction (or optimization instruction) when they are overlapped. Also, the instruction receiving part has a processing time calculating means calculating a processing time by inputting a start time, and the warning output part has a calculation result dependency warning means outputting the warning in accordance with the judgement result by the judging part in accordance with the calculation result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data recording apparatus and a technique for efficiently performing data recording processing on a recording medium and optimization processing (fragment elimination processing) of the recording medium.

  Normally, when digital data is recorded on a secondary (external) recording device, the data is continuously recorded in an empty area of the recording device. However, if data recording and erasure are repeated in such a recording apparatus, there will be no sufficient free space for continuous recording due to differences in the recording length of individual data. For this reason, data is divided into discrete blocks and recorded, so-called “recording medium fragmentation” occurs. This “fragmentation of the recording medium” causes excessive seek movement of the data read / write head, and the like, such as a reproduction failure such as a decrease in the useful life of the recording apparatus and noise caused by poor seek efficiency during data reproduction. It was the cause.

Therefore, various techniques for efficiently performing rearrangement processing of physical recording positions of data, so-called “optimization” processing, are currently disclosed in order to eliminate the fragmentation of the recording apparatus. For example, in Patent Document 1, since it is basically difficult to perform optimization during data recording, a recording reservation or the like is periodically referred to by a hard disk recorder or the like to determine a time at which recording is not performed. A technique is disclosed in which optimization processing in the system is prohibited.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-092484

  However, the above conventional techniques have the following problems. That is, firstly, since the reserved time is used, there is a problem that it does not correspond to an unexpected recording operation such as starting recording by directly viewing a program. Second, since the end time of the optimization process is not taken into consideration, even when it is determined that there is no recording process and the optimization process is executed, the recording may start in the middle of the optimization process. There is also a problem that there is.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention determines whether or not the execution times of the recording command receiving unit, the optimization command receiving unit, the recording based on the recording command, and the optimization based on the optimization command overlap. And a first priority processing unit for preferentially processing a recording command when the result of determination is that there is a duplication. Alternatively, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus including a second priority processing unit that preferentially processes an optimization command when it is a determination result that the same configuration is duplicated. Thus, it is possible to perform control so that either the recording process or the optimization process is preferentially processed even in an unexpected recording operation.

  Further, according to the present invention, the command receiving unit further includes a processing time calculating unit that calculates a processing time by inputting a start time, and the warning output unit generates processing duplication within the calculated processing time. There is also provided a recording / reproducing apparatus having a calculation result-dependent warning means for outputting the warning according to the determination result of the determination unit regarding the above. Accordingly, the recording process and the optimization process in the recording apparatus can be performed in consideration of the optimization end time.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, either recording processing or optimization processing is preferentially processed in response to sudden recording commands or optimization commands such as starting recording by directly viewing a program. To be able to. In addition, since the recording process and the optimization process can be performed in the recording apparatus in consideration of the optimization end time, the time scheduling for performing the optimization process can be easily performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the first embodiment, claim 1 will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, claim 2 will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, claim 3 will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, claim 4 will be mainly described. In the fifth embodiment, claim 5 will be mainly described. In the sixth embodiment, claim 6 will be mainly described.

  In the seventh embodiment, claim 7 will be mainly described. In the eighth embodiment, claim 8 will be mainly described. In the ninth embodiment, claim 9 will be mainly described. In the tenth embodiment, claim 10 will be mainly described. In the eleventh embodiment, claim 11 will be mainly described.

Example 1
<Overview of this example>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing outline in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, (1) a data optimization process is executed in a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a hard disk recorder in accordance with a user operation. (2) Here, at 11:30 during the optimization process, the user wants to quickly record the TV program being watched by the user, and presses the record button on the remote control. Then, since the recording process and the optimization process overlap, (3) the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment interrupts the initial optimization process and starts the recording process. (4) Further, even if the optimization process is performed again during the recording process, (5) the optimization process is not executed and the recording process is continued. As described above, when the recording process and the optimization process are overlapped by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the recording process can be prioritized and processed even if it is a sudden overlap.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 2 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (0200) of the present embodiment includes a “recording command reception unit” (0201), an “optimization command reception unit” (0202), and a “determination unit” (0203). And “first priority processing unit” (0204).

  Note that the functional blocks of the apparatus described below can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU, a main memory, a bus, a recording device such as a hard disk or a non-volatile memory, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a reading drive for these media, Examples include hardware components such as various communication and transmission / reception ports for printing devices, other peripheral devices, driver programs and other application programs for controlling the hardware, and interfaces used for information input.

  These hardware and software processes the programs developed on the memory in sequence by the CPU, and processes, stores, and outputs the data stored on the memory and hard disk and the data input via the interface. Or used to control each hardware component.

  The present invention can be realized not only as a system but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software and a recording medium in which the product is fixed to a recording medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification). Is).

  The “recording command receiving unit” (0201) has a function of receiving a recording command from the user. “Recording command” refers to a command for recording data on a recording medium of a recording / reproducing apparatus. “Recording medium” refers to a recording medium having a function of retaining digital data for a long period of time, such as an HDD, a nonvolatile memory, an optical recording medium such as a rewritable CD, DVD, or next-generation DVD. It is done. The recording command receiving unit specifically includes, for example, a remote controller and an infrared light receiving device, and includes a method of receiving a recording command by receiving an infrared pulse indicating a recording command by a user's remote control operation. In addition, recording commands can be received using an input device such as a keyboard, operation panel, and buttons, and recording commands can be received using a GUI (graphical user interface) using an electronic program guide as described later. .

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of data recording on a recording medium. As shown in FIG. 5A, when there is sufficient free space in a recording device such as an HDD, data is recorded physically continuously in the recording device. However, when recording and erasing are repeated in the HDD or the like, as shown in FIG. 5B, the data “α” and the data “β” that have already been fragmented are recorded. Cannot record in HDD. For this reason, the data “D1”, the data “D2”, the data “D3”, and the like are further fragmented and the data is recorded.

  The “optimization command receiving unit” (0202) has a function of receiving an optimization command for medium optimization from the user. “Media optimization” refers to a process of changing the physical arrangement position of data so that the physical recording positions of the data are continuous. The “optimization instruction” refers to an instruction for executing the data rearrangement.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of the medium optimization. As shown in this figure, (1) Data “D1”, “D2”, “D3”, “α”, “β”,... Are fragmented and recorded in the HDD. Here, “D1”, “D2”, and “D3” should be processed as the same data in the original data processing. Therefore, for optimization processing, (2) First, the physical recording positions of the data “α” and “β” are moved to the empty space “S” behind the HDD. (3) Then, since the recording space of the medium where the data “α” and “β” have been arranged is vacant, the data “D1”, “D2”, and “D3” are moved to the vacant space so as to be physically continuous. The (4) Due to the rearrangement, “D1”, “D2”, and “D3” are not fragmented and physically recorded data, but are recorded as one continuous data “Data” on the HDD, For example, data can be read without excessive seek movement.

  As with the recording command receiving unit, this optimization command receiving unit uses, for example, an infrared input unit including a remote controller and an infrared light receiving device, an input device such as a keyboard, an operation panel, and a button, or an electronic program guide as described later. The reception of an optimization command by the GUI etc. which were performed is mentioned. In this embodiment, when the “recording command” and the “optimization command” received in the above configuration requirements are duplicated as described above, the following configuration is used to efficiently record the data in the recording device. It is characterized by being able to record and optimize.

  The “determination unit” (0203) has a function of determining whether execution times of recording based on a recording command and optimization based on an optimization command overlap. Specifically, this is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a main memory. For example, as shown in the above conceptual example, information indicating the processing contents currently being executed in the HDD or the like, and end information of the processing are stored in the main memory. To store. Further, there is a method in which when the processing instruction different from the processing is received and stored in the main memory before the end information is stored at the interface, the CPU determines that “the execution time is duplicated (True)”. In addition, as will be described later, the execution time indicated by the reservation time and the execution time indicated by the end time calculated based on the start reservation time are stored in the main memory, respectively, and are executed by performing comparison operations in the CPU. A method for determining whether or not the times overlap is also included.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the duplication determination process is performed not only in the reservation time but also in the reception of the sudden recording command and the optimization command, so that the sudden recording operation can be handled. The recording process can be preferentially processed by the one priority processing unit.

  The “first priority processing unit” (0204) has a function of preferentially processing the recording command when the determination result in the determination unit (0203) is a judgment result. “Preferential processing” not only interrupts optimization processing and instead performs recording processing based on a recording command, but also includes, for example, preferentially allocating processing hardware resources to recording processing. . The first priority processing unit can be realized, for example, by adopting a configuration in which a control command for recording is preferentially sent from the CPU to the control circuit of the recording apparatus. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to preferentially process the recording process in response to an unexpected recording operation.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment when the above functional components are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the priority determination of various processes on the recording medium will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (0501) as a determination unit and a “main memory” (0502). In addition, the “interface” (0503) that is the recording command receiving unit and the optimization command receiving unit, the “control circuit” (0504) that is the first priority processing unit, and the “HDD” that performs the data recording processing and optimization processing (0505). They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

  The “HDD” holds data, performs data recording processing and optimization processing according to control commands sent from the CPU, and holds various programs executed by the CPU. In addition, the “main memory” provides a work area which is a work area for the program as well as being read for executing the program held in the “HDD”. A plurality of physical addresses are assigned to the “main memory” and “HDD”, and programs executed by the “CPU” exchange data with each other by specifying and accessing the physical addresses. It is possible to perform and process.

(Receiving optimization instructions and executing instructions)
Here, an interface such as an “infrared port” is always waiting to receive an infrared signal. Then, when an “optimization button” is pressed by a user's remote control operation, an infrared pulse indicating an optimization command is received at the “interface”. Then, the optimization command received and demodulated by this interface is stored at address 1 of the main memory. In accordance with the code of the determination program, the “CPU” receives the optimization instruction stored in the main memory, and sends an instruction for executing the optimization process to the “control circuit” of the HDD. Then, the control circuit of the HDD that has received the execution command starts optimization processing such as HDD data rearrangement processing in accordance with the command.

(Reception of recording instructions)
Then, during the execution of the “HDD” optimization process, the user who was watching the television program wanted to record the viewing program, and pressed the “record button” on the remote control. Then, the infrared pulse indicating the recording command is similarly received and demodulated at the “interface”, and the recording command is stored in the physical address 2 of the main memory.

(Judgment and priority processing)
Here, the CPU determines that the optimization process is currently being executed in the HDD from the optimization instruction stored at the address 1 and because the optimization process end information is not stored. Since the recording command is stored at address 2 of the main memory here, a determination result that “execution time is duplicated (True)” is returned according to the code of the program. Then, the CPU generates an execution signal for executing the recording process of the broadcast program data being received by the “tuner” (not shown) to the HDD, and a stop signal for the optimization process, to the “control circuit”. Send. The control circuit that has received the recording signal, for example, interrupts the optimization process and starts recording the broadcast program data received by the reception tuner.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, when an optimization command is received through an interface that is always waiting for reception (step S0601), a recording medium optimization process is executed in accordance with the command (step S0602). Then, before the processing end information indicating that the processing is completed is output (step S0603), if a data recording command is similarly received by the reception waiting interface (step S0604), the recording medium is optimized. The processing is interrupted (step S0605), and instead, data recording processing on the recording medium is executed (step S0606).

  Of course, step S0605 is not an interruption of the optimization process, and the priority process of the recording process by the distribution process of the hardware resource for the optimization process may be performed. Alternatively, the processing flow may be such that “recording command” is first received at the interface and “optimization command” is subsequently received at the interface. In this case, the recording process is continued without being interrupted, and the optimization process is not executed.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, when the recording process and the optimization process are overlapped by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the recording process can be prioritized and processed even if it is a sudden overlap.

<< Example 2 >>
<Overview of this example>
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing outline in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, (1) a recording process of data acquired by a reception tuner or the like is executed in a recording / reproducing apparatus such as a hard disk recorder in accordance with a user operation. (2) Here, at 11:30 during the execution of the recording process, the user presses the optimization button on the remote controller. Then, since the recording process and the optimization process overlap, (3) the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment interrupts the initial recording process and starts the optimization process instead. (4) Further, even if the recording process is performed again during the optimization process, (5) the optimization process is continued without executing the recording process. As described above, this embodiment is characterized in that, when the execution times of the recording process and the optimization process overlap, the “optimization process” is prioritized contrary to the first embodiment.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 8 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (0800) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment and includes a “recording command receiving unit” (0801), an “optimized command receiving unit” (0802), And “determination unit” (0803). Since the “recording command receiving unit”, “optimization command receiving unit”, and “determination unit” in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment, Description is omitted. A feature of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is that it further includes a “second priority processing unit” (0804).

  The “second priority processing unit” (0804) has a function of preferentially processing an optimization instruction when it is determined that the determination results in the determination unit (0803) overlap. As described above, this embodiment is characterized in that, when the execution times of the recording process and the optimization process overlap, the “optimization process” is preferentially processed, contrary to the first embodiment.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in the priority determination of various processes on the recording medium will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (0901) and a “main memory” (0902), which are determination units, as in the first embodiment, and also includes a recording command receiving unit and an optimum unit. An “interface” (0903) that is a composing instruction receiving unit is provided. Further, a “control circuit” (0904) which is a second priority processing unit and an “HDD” (0905) on which data recording processing and optimization processing are executed are also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Reception of recording command, execution of command)
Here, when the “recording button” is pressed by the user's remote control operation, an infrared pulse indicating a recording command is received at the “interface”. Then, the received and demodulated recording command is stored in the address 1 of the main memory, and the “CPU” follows the code of the determination program, and the moving image data received by the receiving tuner (not shown) etc. to the “control circuit” of the HDD A command for executing the recording process is sent out. Then, in accordance with the execution instruction, the “control circuit” starts recording processing such as moving image data.

(Receiving optimization instructions)
Then, during execution of the process of recording data on the “HDD”, the “optimization button” on the remote controller was pressed by the user this time. Then, the infrared pulse indicating the optimization command is similarly received and demodulated at the “interface”, and the optimization command is stored in the physical address 2 of the main memory.

(Judgment and priority processing)
Here, the CPU determines that the data recording process is currently being executed in the HDD from the recording command stored at address 1 and because the end information of the recording process is not stored. Since the optimization instruction is stored at address 2 of the main memory here, a determination result that “execution time is duplicated (True)” is returned according to the code of the program. Then, the CPU interrupts the recording process to the HDD, generates a recording signal for executing the optimization process instead, and transmits it to the “control circuit”. For example, the control circuit that has received the recording signal interrupts the recording process of the moving image data and starts the optimization process.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, when a recording command is accepted through the interface that is always waiting for reception (step S1001), data recording processing to a recording medium is executed according to the command (step S1002). Then, before the process end information indicating that the process has been completed is output (step S1003), an optimization command to the recording medium is similarly received by the interface waiting for reception (step S1004). The recording process is interrupted (step S1005), and an optimization process for the recording medium is executed instead (step S1006).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, when the recording process and the optimization process are overlapped by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the optimization process can be prioritized and processed even if it is a sudden overlap.

Example 3
<Overview of this example>
FIG. 11 shows an example of an outline of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first and second embodiments, for example, when the user presses the optimization button on the remote control while the broadcast program is being recorded, (α) “currently recording” ... ”Is displayed on an OSD (on-screen display) and (β) a warning lamp is blinked. Thus, this embodiment can issue a warning to the user when the execution times of the recording process and the optimization process overlap.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 12 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (1200) of the present embodiment is based on the first and second embodiments, and includes a “recording command receiving unit” (1201) and an “optimized command receiving unit” (1202). And a “determination unit” (1203) and a “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)” (1204). Regarding the “record command receiving unit”, “optimization command receiving unit”, “determination unit”, and “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)” in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, Since it is the same as that described in the first and second embodiments, its description is omitted. The feature of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is that it further includes a “warning output unit” (1205).

  The “warning output unit” (1205) has a function of outputting warning information including this when there is a determination result that there is an overlap in the determination unit (1203). “Warning information” is information for leaving the duplication to the user. As an example of notification means to the user by this warning information, text or icons as exemplified in the concept are displayed on the OSD. A method of displaying or blinking a warning lamp is mentioned. In addition, a method of displaying a warning text on an information display separate from the monitor or outputting a warning voice, a beep sound, or the like from a speaker can be used. Further, the warning output unit can be specifically realized by control information and a control circuit for controlling an output device such as a monitor, an information display, and a speaker. For example, if OSD display is performed on the monitor, it is preferable to perform processing such as acquiring text to be displayed on the monitor from a flash memory or the like, transferring it to the OSD display circuit together with a control command for OSD display, and outputting it to the monitor. .

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, when an optimization command is received through the interface that is always waiting for reception (step S1301), a recording medium optimization process is executed in accordance with the command (step S1302). Then, before the process end information indicating that the process has been completed is output (step S1303), if a data recording command is similarly received by the interface waiting for reception (step S1304), warning information is output. (Step S1305). At the same time, the optimization process of the recording medium is interrupted (step S1306), and instead, the recording process of data on the recording medium is executed (step S1307).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment can output warning information and notify the user that there is an overlap between the recording process and the optimization process. Therefore, the user can easily know that the recording or optimization process has become non-priority due to the duplication, so that, for example, the optimization command is input again after the recording is finished. Can take.

Example 4
<Overview of this example>
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of processing outline in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, for example, a task scheduler for performing processing reservation input is activated, and input is performed to execute optimization processing from 10:00 to 12:00. Further, after that, the task scheduler similarly inputs the recording process from 11:30 to 12:30. Then, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment refers to the input start / end time of each process, outputs a warning if there is an overlap in execution time, and prioritizes either recording or optimization. It is characterized by having the function of.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 15 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (1500) of the present embodiment is based on the third embodiment and includes a “recording command receiving unit” (1501), an “optimized command receiving unit” (1502), It has a “determination unit” (1503), a “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)” (1504), and a “warning output unit” (1505). In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, “recording command receiving unit”, “optimization command receiving unit”, “determination unit”, “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)”, The “warning output unit” (1505) is the same as that described in the first, second, and third embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The feature of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment is that each command receiving unit has a “time designation receiving unit” (1506), and the warning output unit has a “start / end warning unit” (1507). It is.

  The “time designation receiving means” (1506) has a function of receiving a command by inputting a start time and an end time. In this way, the execution of the process can be reserved by indicating the start time and end time of the process. Then, it can be determined whether the reservation execution times overlap.

  The “start / end warning means” (1507) has a function of outputting warning information at the time of each input based on the determination result for each of the start time and the end time. Of course, the warning method by the start / end warning means may be various as described above, such as OSD display on the monitor, blinking of the warning lamp, warning text display on the information display, and warning voice output from the speaker. In this way, by outputting a warning to the user at the reservation stage of the process execution indicated by the start / end time, the user has enough time to shift either one of the overlapping processes or both reservation time zones. Etc. can be taken.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, an optimization (reservation) command by designating a start / end time is accepted through an interface always waiting for reception (step S1601). Similarly, a data recording (reservation) command is received by specifying the start / end time on the interface waiting for reception (step S1602). Here, it is determined from the respective start / end times whether the optimization processing indicated by the optimization command and the (reservation) execution time of the recording processing indicated by the recording command overlap (step S1603). If it is determined as a result of the determination that there is an overlap, warning information is output (step S1604). Moreover, if the recording process and the optimization process (reservation) execution time overlap, one of the processes is preferentially processed in the actual process.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment can output warning information at the execution time reservation input stage of the process, and notify the user that there is an overlap between the recording process and the optimization process. Therefore, the user can take a countermeasure such as shifting one of the overlapping processes with a margin, or shifting the reservation time zones of both.

Example 5
<Overview of this example>
In the present embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, whether or not there is an overlap is determined from the (reservation) execution time of the optimization process and the recording process indicated by the start / end times, and a warning is given if the execution times of the processes overlap. Is a recording / reproducing apparatus having a function of outputting. The difference from the fourth embodiment and the feature of the present embodiment is that the (predicted) execution time required for the process is calculated by inputting the start time, and whether or not the recording process and the optimization process are overlapped is calculated. It is a point to judge.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 17 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (1700) of the present embodiment is based on the third embodiment and includes a “recording command receiving unit” (1701), an “optimized command receiving unit” (1702), It has a “determination unit” (1703), a “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)” (1704), and a “warning output unit” (1705). In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, “recording command receiving unit”, “optimization command receiving unit”, “determination unit”, “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)”, The “warning output unit” (1705) is the same as that described in the first, second, and third embodiments, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The feature of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment is that the command receiving unit has “processing time calculation means” (1706) and the warning output unit has “calculation result dependent warning means” (1707). is there.

  The “processing time calculation means” (1706) has a function of calculating the processing time of processing executed based on the command by inputting the start time. If this is a recording process, for example, a method of acquiring end time information of the corresponding program using electronic program guide information or the like may be used. In the case of optimization processing, a predetermined calculation formula f (x) is used to calculate from information such as the seek time and read / write time of the recording medium, the fragmentation ratio indicating the degree of fragmentation, and the data size. The method etc. are mentioned.

  The “calculation result dependence warning unit” (1707) outputs the warning according to the determination result in the determination unit regarding whether or not processing overlap occurs within the processing time calculated by the processing time calculation unit (1706). It has a function. In this way, the (predicted) execution time of each process is indicated by the input of the process start time, so that it is possible to determine whether or not the reserved execution times overlap.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in the priority determination of various processes on the recording medium will be described using this figure. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (1801) and a “main memory” (1802) as determination units, as in the first embodiment. These “CPU” and “main memory” are also processing time calculation means. Then, an “interface” (1803) that is a recording command receiving unit and an optimization command receiving unit, a “control circuit” (1804) that is a first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit), and a data recording process And an “HDD” (1805) on which optimization processing is executed. Further, a warning output unit and a calculation result dependent warning means “(lamp) control circuit” (1806) and a lamp (1807) are provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Reception of recording commands and optimization commands)
Here, when a “numeric button” or “record button” is pressed by a user's remote control operation, a recording (reservation) command and an infrared pulse indicating the (reservation) start time of the recording process are generated at the “interface”. Received. Then, the received and demodulated recording command and the (reservation) start time are stored at a predetermined address in the main memory. Also, this time, the “optimization button” and “number button” on the remote control are pressed, and the infrared pulse indicating the optimization (reservation) command and its start time is similarly received and demodulated in the “interface”, and the main memory It is also stored at another predetermined address.

(Processing time calculation and duplicate judgment)
Here, the processing time calculation program is executed by the CPU, triggered by the fact that both the recording (reservation) instruction and the optimization (reservation) instruction are stored in the main memory in order to execute the overlap determination process. For example, information such as “average seek time (St) of recording medium (St)” and “read / write time (RWt) of recording medium” previously stored in a flash memory or the like is acquired and stored in addresses 1 and 2 of the main memory. A command is sent from the CPU to store each. In addition, the “data size (Y)” of the file to be optimized and the “degree of fragmentation (X)” indicated by the position information from the relevant file and the center of the empty space are measured, and the measured numerical values are mainly used. A command is sent from the CPU to be stored at addresses 3 and 4 of the memory. Further, the “load numerical value (α)” required for other optimization is also acquired by an instruction from the CPU and stored in the address 7 of the main memory. Then, using the stored numerical values as parameters, for example, a calculation formula including predetermined coefficients a and b indicated by a program Optimization execution time = (a × X × St) + (b × Y × RWt)...・ (1)
Is calculated by the CPU and the (expected) processing time is calculated.

(Warning output)
The processing time of the optimization processing calculated in this way and the processing time of the recording processing are compared and judged, and if they overlap, the “(lamp) control circuit” displays “lamp” in a blinking manner. A command to control is sent from the CPU. Alternatively, although not shown, a warning icon or text is acquired from a flash memory or the like, and the video circuit is controlled and displayed on a monitor or the like. Then, according to the control command, the lamp blinks or a warning text is displayed on the monitor, so that the user is notified of the occurrence of duplication of the process.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, an optimization (reservation) command by specifying a start time is received at an interface that is always waiting for reception (step S1901), and the processing time required for optimization is calculated based on the start time. (Step S1902). Similarly, a data recording (reservation) command is received by specifying the start time at the interface waiting for reception (step S1903), and the processing time required for recording is calculated based on the start time (step S1904). Here, it is determined whether the optimization process indicated by the calculated optimization instruction and the (reservation) execution time of the recording process indicated by the recording instruction overlap (step S1905), and as a result, it is determined that they overlap. If so, warning information is output (step S1906).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment can save the input and output the warning information at the process execution time reservation input stage.

Example 6
<Overview of this example>
In this embodiment, in a recording / playback apparatus that prioritizes recording processing when processing times overlap, a function for executing optimization processing that has been non-executed due to overlapping processing time after the priority recording processing has ended It is characterized by having.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 20 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (2000) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment and the like, and “recording command receiving unit” (2001), “optimized command receiving unit” (2002), , “Determination unit” (2003) and “first priority processing unit” (2004). Of course, other embodiments based on the first embodiment may have a “warning output unit” or the like. The “recording command reception unit”, “optimization command reception unit”, “determination unit”, and “first priority processing unit” in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment are described in the first embodiment. Since it is the same as that described above, its description is omitted. A characteristic point of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is that the first priority processing unit has “non-priority processing restarting means” (2005).

  When the first priority processing unit (2004) preferentially processes the recording command, the “non-priority processing resuming unit” (2005) performs the priority processing of the recording command after the processing based on the recording command is completed. A function of executing non-executable medium optimization processing; This can be realized, for example, by sending an instruction to execute an optimization process from the CPU to the control circuit of the recording medium, triggered by reception of an end signal sent upon completion of the recording process on the recording medium. Can do. In this way, the optimization process is executed even if the user does not input an optimization command again for the optimization process that has not been executed.

  The non-priority process resuming unit may have a function of resuming the interruption of the optimization process that occurs when the recording command is received in the middle of the optimization process. In that case, information indicating the fragment distribution status at the time of interruption may be temporarily stored, and the optimization may be started immediately after the recording process is completed.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in resuming non-execution processing on the recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (2101) and a “main memory” (2102) as determination units, as in the first embodiment. In addition, an “interface” (2103) that is a recording command receiving unit and an optimization command receiving unit, a “control circuit” (2104) that is a first priority processing unit, and a data recording process and an optimization process are executed. HDD "(2105) is also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Receiving optimization instructions and executing instructions)
An optimization command input by a user's remote control operation is received by an interface such as an “infrared port” waiting for reception. Then, the “CPU” executes an optimization process on the “control circuit” of the HDD according to the code of the determination program, triggered by the optimization instruction received by this interface being stored in the address 1 of the main memory. Is sent. Then, the control circuit of the HDD that has received the execution command starts optimization processing such as HDD data rearrangement processing in accordance with the command.

(Reception of recording instructions)
During execution of the optimization process of “HDD”, a recording command is received at the “interface” this time by a remote control operation, and the recording command is stored in the physical address 2 of the main memory.

(Judgment and priority processing)
Here, as described in the first embodiment, the CPU determines that the optimization process is currently being executed in the HDD because the optimization process end information is not stored. Therefore, a determination result that “execution time is duplicated (True)” is returned according to the code of the program, and an optimization processing stop signal and an execution signal for executing the recording processing of the program data to the HDD are generated. To the control circuit ". The control circuit that has received these signals interrupts the optimization process and starts recording the program data received by the reception tuner. Further, since the optimization process is resumed, the data arrangement information in the recording medium at the time of the interruption may be generated and stored in the predetermined address 1 of the main memory.

(Resumption of optimization processing)
Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, a “recording stop button” or the like is pressed by a user's remote control operation or the like, and a stop command is received by the interface. Alternatively, it is determined by the CPU referring to the built-in clock that the recording end time input by the recording processing reservation has been reached. In response to this, the CPU transmits a process stop signal to the control circuit of the HDD, and the recording process in the HDD is completed. In response to the transmission of a stop signal to the control circuit, an optimization process start signal is generated and transmitted. In response to this, the control circuit refers to the data arrangement at the time of interruption stored in the address 1, and resumes the movement and arrangement of data from there.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, when an optimization command is received through an interface that is always waiting for reception (step S2201), a recording medium optimization process is executed according to the command (step S2202). Then, before the process end information indicating that the process has been completed is output (step S2203), if a data recording command is similarly received by the interface waiting for reception (step S2204), the recording medium is optimized. The processing is interrupted (step S2205), and instead, data recording processing to the recording medium is executed (step S2206).

  Then, upon completion of the recording process and the output and reception of information indicating the end (step S2207), the interrupted optimization process is resumed (step S2208). Of course, in the case of a process flow in which “recording command” is first received by the interface and “optimization command” is subsequently received by the interface, after the preferentially executed recording process is finished, non-prioritization is performed again. The optimization process is executed.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment can execute the optimization process for the optimization process that has not been executed even if the user does not input an optimization command again. It can be omitted.

Example 7
<Overview of this example>
As in the third embodiment, the present embodiment is a recording / reproducing apparatus having a function of outputting a warning when the execution times of the optimization process and other processes overlap. However, the difference from the third embodiment is that the duplication target with the optimization that triggers the warning output is not limited to the recording process, and the execution such as interruption at the time of duplication depends on the command reception from the user. That is the point.

  As described above, it is basically difficult to simultaneously process recording and optimization as the data arrangement status is sequentially converted by recording, but duplication of data reproduction and optimization, for example, is difficult. Processing is not necessarily difficult. However, if parallel processing is performed, the processing load on the apparatus becomes heavy, and in the worst case, the data may be damaged or the recording medium may be broken. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the duplication of recording and optimization is not as difficult and the risk is low, it is provided with a function of notifying the user of the occurrence of the duplication and waiting for the optimization interruption instruction. .

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 23 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (2300) of this embodiment includes a “medium processing command receiving unit” (2301), a “second determination unit” (2302), and a “second warning output unit”. (2303) and an “interrupt command receiving unit” (2304).

  The “medium processing instruction receiving unit” (2301) has a function of receiving a medium processing instruction from the user. The “medium processing command” includes, in addition to data recording processing, a command for performing data reproduction processing, a command for performing erasing processing, a command for performing movement processing, and the like. However, in the case of a movement process that changes the physical recording position on the recording medium as well as on the file system, the data movement process is stopped from the user because the data placement position is changed sequentially. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which one process is interrupted semi-forcibly as in the above embodiment without waiting for an instruction to be input. In any case, when this medium processing command is received by the interface, reproduction processing, moving processing, erasing processing, and the like corresponding to the processing command are executed on the recording medium.

  The “second determination unit” (2302) has a function of determining whether or not medium optimization is being executed when a medium processing command is received by the medium processing command receiving unit (2301). This is the same as the above determination unit, specifically, information indicating the processing command sent to the recording medium and end information of the processing are stored in the main memory, and when the medium processing command is received, the CPU makes a reference determination. This can be realized.

  The “second warning output unit” (2303) has a function of outputting warning information to the effect that the determination result in the second determination unit is a determination result. This is similar to the “warning output unit” described in the third embodiment, OSD display of warning text and icons on the monitor, blinking of the warning lamp, warning text display on an information display separate from the monitor, For example, warning information is output by a warning sound from a speaker or a beep sound output. The warning information output here may include a text, a voice, or the like that prompts the user to input an interruption command such as “Please interrupt the optimization process currently being executed”.

  The “interrupt command accepting unit” (2304) has a function for accepting an interrupt command for optimization processing from the user. Therefore, this interrupt command accepting unit is similar to other command accepting units such as an infrared input unit comprising a remote controller and an infrared light receiving device, an input device such as a keyboard, an operation panel, and a button, or a GUI displayed on a monitor. It should be realized. In the present embodiment, by providing the interruption instruction receiving unit as described above, even if the overlap processing is performed as described above, the processing is not as difficult as the combination of “recording processing and optimization processing” and the processing load is relatively low. Allows the user to interrupt the optimization process at will.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in the warning output process on the recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (2401) as a second determination unit and a “main memory” (2402). In addition, an “interface” (2403) which is a medium processing command reception unit and an interruption command reception unit, a “(lamp) control circuit” (2406) and a lamp (2407) which are second warning output units are also provided. A “control circuit” (2404) and “HDD” (2405), which are recording media on which optimization processing and various media processing are performed, are also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Execution of optimization processing and reception and execution of media processing instructions)
The HDD optimization process is executed under the control of the control circuit, triggered by the optimization command received by the interface by the user's remote control operation or the like. After a lapse of time, the “play button” is pressed by the user's remote control operation, and this time, a play command, which is one of the medium processing commands, is received by the “interface” and stored in the address 2 of the main memory.

(Duplicate judgment)
Here, since the process end information sent from the control circuit in response to the end of the HDD optimization process is not sent, the medium processing information stored at address 1 of the main memory is being optimized. Is shown. Therefore, the CPU issues a determination result “Currently being optimized (True)”, and generates and sends a lamp blinking control command for outputting warning information accordingly.

(Warning information output)
The “lamp control circuit” that has received the lamp blinking control instruction causes the “lamp” to blink according to the blinking instruction, so that the optimization process and the medium processing instruction (reproduction process in this case) previously received by the interface are performed. Informs the user that is duplicated.

(Reception of interruption instruction)
Then, the user who sees the blinking of the warning lamp can know that the optimization processing and the reproduction command input by himself / herself overlapped. This allows the user to decide whether to prioritize the optimization process or the playback process, and accepts / does not accept the “interrupt command” of the optimization process on the command standby interface depending on the judgment. It is.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, when a medium processing command is received at the command standby interface (step S2501), it is determined whether or not the optimization processing is currently being executed on the recording medium (step S2502). . If the result of the determination is that the medium optimization process is being executed, warning information is output (step S2503). Then, when the optimization process interruption command input by the user who saw the output of the warning information is received (step S2504), the optimization process is interrupted (step S2505), and based on the medium processing instruction received in step S2501. Medium processing is executed (step S2506).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment notifies the user of a warning in the case of an overlapping combination that reduces the risk of processing load and data corruption as compared with the overlapping combination of the recording process and the optimization process. , It is possible to allow the user to input a decision to interrupt the optimization.

Example 8
<Overview of this example>
In this embodiment, in a recording / reproducing apparatus having a function of performing an optimization process during power standby, the optimization process is in progress when the power is turned on and the standby state is released (the recording / reproduction apparatus is activated). And a function of waiting for input of an instruction to interrupt the optimization process in response to the warning notification.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 26 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (2600) of this embodiment includes a “medium optimization unit” (2601), a “third determination unit” (2604), and a “third warning output unit” ( 2602) and a “second interruption instruction receiving unit” (2603).

  The “medium optimization unit” (2601) has a function of performing medium optimization in the power standby state. Here, the “power standby state” refers to a state in which power is controlled to supply only a part of the apparatus including the HDD and the main memory necessary for the medium optimization process. In this way, power can be saved by performing the optimization process with the power supply controlled. In the power standby state, power is basically not supplied to the encoding / decoding circuit and the image output circuit necessary for recording and reproduction processing, and therefore it is not assumed that other processing is performed. In other words, in the power standby state, it can be said that the duplication of the optimization process and other processes hardly occurs and is a suitable timing for performing the medium optimization process.

  Note that the medium optimization processing by the medium optimization unit may be executed in the power standby state, or the user is asked whether or not to perform the optimization processing using the GUI or the like before shifting to the power standby state. It may be configured such that an input is performed and the optimization process is performed / not performed according to the input command.

  The “third determination unit” (2604) has a function of determining whether medium optimization is being performed when the power supply standby state is changed to the power supply ON state. The method for determining the change from the power standby state to the power ON state includes, for example, a method for determining by starting the operation system of the recording apparatus and a method for determining by acquiring the current power control mode by the power management application. Can be mentioned. Then, when the power is turned on in this way, the standby state is canceled and other processing can be executed. In this case, the present embodiment notifies the user of the possibility of the process duplication, and if the optimization process is being executed, the second interruption instruction receiving unit described below waits for the input of the interruption instruction. Take.

  The “third warning output unit” (2602) has a function of displaying the determination result when the determination result of the third determination unit is executed. Therefore, this third warning output unit has the same basic configuration and operation as the other warning output units of the above embodiment. Also, this warning output may be output together with a warning prompting the user to input the interruption command to be received by the next interruption command receiving unit, as in the seventh embodiment.

  The “second interruption instruction receiving unit” (2603) has a function for receiving an interruption instruction for optimization processing from the user. Therefore, this second interruption command receiving unit is the same in basic configuration and operation as the other command receiving units in the above embodiment. In this way, when a transition from the power standby state, which is a suitable timing for the optimization process, to the power ON state, the user is warned that the execution of the optimization process and other processes may overlap. The user can arbitrarily instruct the interruption of the optimization process.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in the warning output process on the recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (2701) as a third determination unit and a “main memory” (2702). In addition, a “control circuit” (2704) that is a medium optimization unit, an “HDD” (2705) that performs the optimization, an “interface” (2703) that is a second interruption instruction reception unit, and a third warning output It also includes a “(lamp) control circuit” (2706) and a lamp (2707). In addition, a “power supply circuit” (2708) having a function of shifting to a standby state or an ON state is also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Transition to power standby state and execution of optimization processing)
First, an instruction to shift the power supply circuit to the power standby state by a user's remote control operation or the like was input. Then, a power supply control command is sent in response to receiving the command signal at the “interface”. Then, the power supply circuit that has received the command restricts the power supply destination and shifts to the power standby state. At this time, power is supplied to the main memory and HDD and its control circuit, and optimization processing such as data rearrangement is executed. When the HDD optimization process ends, end information indicating the end is sent to the main memory and stored at address 1. In this power standby state, power is also supplied to the interface, and a power ON command from a remote control or the like can be received at any time.

(Transition to power ON state, judgment of optimization processing execution)
Here, a power ON command is input this time by the user's remote control operation. Then, a power supply control command is sent in response to receiving the command signal at the “interface”. The power supply circuit that has received the command resumes normal power supply and shifts to the power ON state. At the same time, information indicating its own power supply mode is transmitted from the power supply circuit and stored in address 2 of the main memory. Then, using the storage in the memory in the power supply mode as a trigger, the CPU determines whether or not the end information is stored at address 1 of the main memory. If the end information is not stored in the main memory, a determination result “optimization processing has not ended (True)” is returned. When the determination result that “the optimization process has not been completed (True)” is returned, the CPU generates and sends a command for controlling the lamp control circuit to blink.

(Warning output)
The “lamp control circuit” that has received the lamp blinking control command is turned on by blinking the “lamp” in accordance with the blinking command, and other data recording and reproduction processes can be executed. The user is notified that there is a possibility that the optimization process and these other processes overlap.

(Reception of interruption instruction)
Then, the user who sees the blinking of the warning lamp can know that the optimization process is still being executed and there is a possibility that other processing instructions such as reproduction to be input will overlap. As a result, the user determines whether to wait until the optimization process is completed or prioritize other processes such as playback, and accepts the “interrupt instruction” of the optimization process on the instruction waiting state interface depending on the determination / It is not accepted.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. Here, first, the recording / reproducing apparatus shifts to a power standby state, and executes medium optimization processing depending on circumstances. As shown in this figure, when a power ON command is received through the command standby interface (step S2801), the recording / reproducing apparatus shifts from the power standby state to the power ON state. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the optimization process is currently being executed on the recording medium (step S2802). If the result of the determination is that the medium optimization process is being executed, warning information is output. (Step S2803). When the optimization process interruption command input by the user who has seen the warning information output is received (step S2804), the optimization process is interrupted (step S2805).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment performs optimization processing in a power standby state in which duplication execution with other processing is unlikely to occur, and power ON state in which duplication execution with other processing may occur When the process is shifted to (2), a warning can be notified to the user, and the user can input the decision to interrupt the optimization.

Example 9
<Overview of this example>
This embodiment is based on one of the above embodiments, and when the execution of the optimization process is reserved after the data recording process, the data write position in the recording process is determined by the subsequent optimization process. This is a recording / reproducing apparatus having a function of recording at a position other than an empty space to be used.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 29 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (2900) of the present embodiment is based on, for example, the first and second embodiments, for example, a “recording command reception unit” (2901) and an “optimization command reception unit” ( 2902), “determination unit” (2903), and “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)” (2904). Further, although not shown in the drawings, a “warning output unit” or the like may be provided. Also, although not shown in the figure, on the basis of the seventh embodiment, etc., “medium processing command receiving unit”, “interrupt command receiving unit”, “second determination unit”, and “second warning output unit” , May be included. In any case, these structural requirements are the same as those described in the first embodiment and the description thereof is omitted. The characteristic point of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is that it includes an “optimization reservation determination unit” (2905) and a “save unit” (2906).

  The “optimization reservation determination unit” (2905) has a function of determining whether the medium optimization process is reserved after the recording execution time. Specifically, the optimization reservation determination unit stores the recording end time included in the recording command and the optimization start time included in the optimization command in the main memory, and compares them in the comparison operation processing of the CPU. The method of judging by doing.

  If the determination result by the optimization reservation determination unit is a determination result that the reservation is made, the “save unit” (2906) is an extra used for the medium optimization process during the recording process. It has a function of evacuating so as not to perform writing processing in the space. “Extra space used for media optimization processing” means, for example, that when fragmented data is collectively relocated to an empty space and optimized, the relocation target data is moved. Examples include a continuous extra space having a size equal to or larger than the data. Alternatively, the data that causes fragmentation of a certain data (data α and data β in FIG. 4) is moved, so that one data is continuously packed in a free space and rearranged for optimization. In some cases, there is an extra space for moving the data causing the fragmentation. Of course, if the extra space in the vicinity of the optimization target data is used preferentially in the optimization, the extra space used for optimization is specified from the positional relationship of the optimization target data. Also good. Then, by specifying the address of the extra space that can be used for optimization from the size of the extra space and the positional relationship with the data to be moved in this way, the data can be rearranged while avoiding the address.

  In addition, when a disk-shaped recording medium such as an HDD is used, the data recording / reading speed is faster in the outer peripheral portion. This is because the recording / reading head of the recording medium is disposed closer to the outer periphery due to its structure. Therefore, in the optimization process, there is a saving method such that the free space on the outer periphery of the recording medium suitable as a relocation position of frequently used data is not used in the recording process.

<Hardware configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The operation of each hardware component in an optimization process including saving on a recording medium will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus includes a “CPU” (3001) which is a determination unit and an optimization reservation determination unit, and a “main memory” (3002). In addition, an “interface” (3003) that is a recording command receiving unit and an optimization command receiving unit, a “control circuit” (3004) that is a first priority processing command and a saving unit, and data are recorded and optimized. “HDD” (3005) is also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

(Optimization instruction reservation and recording instruction reception)
An optimization command including the processing start time is received by the interface by a user's remote control operation or the like. Then, the received optimization start time is stored at address 2 of the main memory, and the optimization process is started at the corresponding time by referring to the internal clock. In addition, the recording command (reservation) including the processing end time is received at the interface, and the end time is similarly stored in the address 1 of the main memory.

(Judgment of optimization processing start time)
In addition, the “CPU” performs a determination process as to whether or not an optimization process is reserved after execution of recording. For this purpose, the end time of the recording process stored at address 1 of the “main memory” is compared with the start time of the optimization process, and the “CPU” determines the longitudinal relationship between the end time and the start time.

(Evacuation process)
Here, when a determination result that “optimization start is after recording (True)” is returned, the CPU acquires information on the recording position including the fragmentation state of data in the HDD, and the main memory Is stored at address 3 of FIG. Then, the address of the extra space that can be used for optimization is specified by arithmetic processing of the CPU from the size of the data to be moved in the optimization process and the size of the extra space, or the positional relationship between the data to be moved and the extra space. Then, the address of the specified HDD is included in a command signal for recording data on the HDD according to the received recording command, and transmitted to the “control circuit”. In the “control circuit”, according to the received command signal, the data recording process is executed so as to avoid the specific address.

(Optimization process)
Then, it is determined by the “CPU” referring to the built-in clock that the time stored in the address 2 of the main memory has come, and this time, a command signal for performing the optimization process is generated and “CPU”. To the “control circuit”. Then, the optimization process can be efficiently performed by using the optimization process, and the optimization process is performed using an extra space that is not used for data recording in the recording process.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, a recording command (reservation) including an end time is accepted through the command standby interface (step S3101). In addition, the optimization instruction reservation including the start time is similarly received by the interface (step S3102). Then, based on the time included in the received command, it is determined whether or not the optimization process is reserved after the recording execution time (step S3103). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the optimization process is reserved after the recording execution time, an extra space to be used for the optimization process is specified (step S3104), and the recording command is not written to the extra space. Accordingly, the recording process is executed (step S3105).

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment can prevent the extra space that enables efficient optimization from being used for writing by the recording process.

Example 10
<Overview of this example>
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining an example of the outline of the recording / reproducing apparatus in the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment has a function of displaying an electronic program guide on a monitor or the like. Further, the program for which the recording reservation (recording command reservation) has been made can be confirmed in the electronic program guide such as “daytime drama” and “quiz 100”. Therefore, since it is possible to easily visually recognize the time zone in which the recording command reservation is not performed in the electronic program guide, it is possible to easily perform the optimization reservation so that the execution time does not overlap with the recording process.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 33 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (3300) of the present embodiment is based on, for example, the first and second embodiments, for example, a “recording command reception unit” (3301) and an “optimization command reception unit” ( 3302), a “determination unit” (3303), and a “first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit)” (3304). Further, although not shown in the drawings, a “warning output unit” or the like may be provided. Since these constituent elements are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. A feature of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is that the optimization command receiving unit further includes “electronic program guide reservation display means” (3305).

  The “electronic program guide reservation display means” (3305) has a function of reserving the time for performing optimization by specifying the time using the electronic program guide. By specifying a program in the electronic program guide, recording start / end times and broadcast station identification information (reception channel) associated with the designated program are automatically acquired, and a recording command can be reserved. The user can easily know the execution time (scheduled time) of the recording process by displaying the program for which the recording command reservation is made in this way, for example, by changing the icon display or the background color as shown in FIG. Can do. Therefore, while observing the electronic program guide, the optimization instruction reservation is made without causing duplicate execution time by specifying the start time and end time of the optimization process in the time zone display part of the electronic program guide. It is possible to do so.

  The electronic program guide display means includes, as specific hardware, a “network line” and “connection circuit” for receiving electronic program guide information, and a “video” for displaying the received electronic program guide. It may be configured by a “circuit”, a “monitor”, and an “interface” for acquiring a time designated in the electronic program guide in order to make a recording command reservation and an optimization command reservation.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, first, an electronic program guide is displayed on a monitor or the like (step S3401), and a recording command input using the electronic program guide is received (step S3402). Similarly, an optimization command input using the electronic program guide is accepted (step S3403). Then, it is determined whether or not the execution time of the recording process based on the received recording instruction overlaps with the execution time of the optimization process based on the optimization instruction (step S3404). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that there is an overlap, a priority processing instruction for either the recording process or the optimization process is generated (step S3405), and the process is performed with priority on the execution time.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment makes it possible to easily recognize the time zone in which the recording command reservation is not performed in the electronic program guide. Can be done easily.

Example 11
<Overview of this example>
The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment is, for example, an HDD recorder, and has a function of issuing a warning of overlapping execution times of the recording process and the optimization process using a reservation lamp indicating that there is a recording reservation. It is characterized by. By sharing the reservation lamp and the warning lamp in this way, the number of parts can be reduced, so that resources can be saved. In addition, the user has a habit of checking the recording reservation lamp that is normally provided in a recording device such as an HDD recorder, so that the user can notice the warning indication of the recording reservation lamp intuitively without reading the manual. it can.

<Functional configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 35 shows an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “recording / reproducing apparatus” (3500) of the present embodiment is based on, for example, the third embodiment, for example, a “recording command reception unit” (3501) and an “optimization command reception unit” (3502). ”,“ Determination unit ”(3503),“ first priority processing unit (or second priority processing unit) ”(3504), and“ warning output unit ”(3505). Further, although not shown in the drawings, “start / end warning means” may be provided. Since these structural requirements are the same as those described in the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The feature of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is that the recording command receiving unit has “reservation lamp means” (3506) and the warning output unit has “lamp output means” (3507).

  The “reservation lamp means” (3506) has a function of indicating a recording reservation. In other words, when a recording command reservation is accepted by the interface and stored in the main memory as a task schedule, the user can make a reservation for recording or accept it by lighting the lamp with a predetermined color or a predetermined blinking pattern. Notify that. This reservation lamp is preferably realized by an LED (light emitting diode) or other light emitting means and a control circuit for the light emitting means.

  The “lamp output means” (3507) has a function for giving a warning using the reservation lamp means (3506). For example, a recording command reservation is received, and the lighting color of a lamp that is lit in green is converted to red or blinked. By controlling in this way, it is possible to warn the user of execution time duplication without increasing the number of parts. Also, since the user has a habit of checking the normal recording reservation lamp, the user can intuitively notice the warning display of the recording reservation lamp without reading the manual or the like.

<Processing flow of this embodiment>
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the steps shown below may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling a computer recorded on a medium. As shown in this figure, when a recording command is accepted through the command standby interface (step S3601), the reservation lamp means is turned on (step S3602). Thereafter, when an optimization instruction is received through the interface (step S3603), it is determined whether the execution time of the recording process indicated by the received recording instruction and the execution time of the optimization process indicated by the optimization instruction overlap ( Step S3604). If the result of the determination is that there is an overlap, the reserved lamp means lit in step S3602 is changed to warning lighting by changing the lighting color, for example (step S3605). In addition, a priority processing instruction for either the recording process or the optimization process is generated (step S3606), and the process is preferentially performed at the execution time.

<Brief description of effect>
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment can warn the user of execution time overlap without increasing the number of parts. Also, since the user has a habit of checking the normal recording reservation lamp, the user can intuitively notice the warning display of the recording reservation lamp without reading the manual or the like.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a processing outline in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Conceptual diagram for explaining an example of data recording on a recording medium in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment. Conceptual diagram for explaining an example of medium optimization in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment Schematic showing an example of a hardware configuration in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 1 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a processing outline in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the second embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 2. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The figure showing an example of the outline | summary in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 3. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 3. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment. The figure for demonstrating an example of the process outline | summary in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 4. FIG. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 4. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 5. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 5. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 6. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 6. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 7. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 8. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the eighth embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 9. FIG. Schematic showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 9. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the ninth embodiment. The figure for demonstrating an example of the outline | summary of the recording / reproducing apparatus in Example 10. FIG. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 10. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the tenth embodiment. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the recording / reproducing apparatus of Example 11 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

0200 Recording / reproducing apparatus 0201 Recording command receiving unit 0202 Optimization command receiving unit 0203 Judgment unit 0204 First priority processing unit

Claims (13)

A recording command receiving unit for receiving a recording command from a user;
An optimization command receiving unit that receives an optimization command for media optimization from a user;
A determination unit that determines whether the execution time of the recording based on the recording instruction and the optimization based on the optimization instruction overlaps;
A first priority processing unit for preferentially processing a recording command when the result is a determination result that there is an overlap;
A recording / reproducing apparatus. A recording command receiving unit for receiving a recording command from a user;
An optimization command receiving unit that receives an optimization command for media optimization from a user;
A determination unit that determines whether the execution time of the recording based on the recording instruction and the optimization based on the optimization instruction overlaps;
A second priority processing unit that preferentially processes an optimization instruction when it is a determination result that there is an overlap;
A recording / reproducing apparatus.   The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a warning output unit that outputs warning information including that when there is a determination result that there is an overlap. The command receiving unit
Having a time designation receiving means for receiving a command by inputting a start time and an end time;
The warning output unit
4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising start / end warning means for outputting warning information at the time of each input based on a determination result for each of the start time and the end time. The command receiving unit
Having a processing time calculation means for calculating the processing time of processing executed based on the command by inputting the start time;
The warning output unit
4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising calculation result-dependent warning means for outputting the warning in accordance with a determination result in a determination unit regarding whether or not duplicate processing occurs within the calculated processing time. When the first priority processing unit preferentially processes the recording command, after the processing based on the recording command is finished, non-priority processing resumption means for executing non-executable medium optimization processing by the priority processing of the recording command is provided. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: A medium processing command receiving unit that receives a medium processing command from a user;
A second determination unit that determines whether or not medium optimization is executed when a medium processing instruction is received;
If it is a determination result that it is being executed, a second warning output unit that outputs warning information to that effect;
An interruption instruction receiving unit for receiving an interruption instruction of optimization processing from a user;
A recording / reproducing apparatus. A medium optimization unit that performs medium optimization in a power standby state;
A third determination unit that determines whether medium optimization is being performed when the power standby state is changed to the power ON state;
A third warning output unit that displays that if it is a determination result that is being executed,
A second interruption acceptance unit for accepting an interruption instruction of optimization processing from a user;
A recording / reproducing apparatus. An optimization reservation determination unit that determines whether medium optimization processing is reserved after the recording execution time;
In the case of a determination result that it is reserved, a retreat unit that retreats so as not to perform a write process in an extra space used for a medium optimization process during a recording process;
The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The recording / reproduction according to claim 1, wherein the optimization command receiving unit includes an electronic program guide reservation unit that reserves a time for executing the optimization by specifying the time using the electronic program guide. apparatus. The recording command receiving unit has reservation lamp means for indicating recording reservation,
The recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the warning output unit includes lamp output means for giving a warning using a reservation lamp means. A recording command receiving step for receiving a recording command from a user;
An optimization command reception step for receiving an optimization command for media optimization from the user;
A determination step of determining whether the execution time of the recording based on the recording instruction received in the step and the optimization based on the optimization instruction overlap;
A first priority processing step for preferentially processing a recording command if the result of determination is that there is an overlap;
Recording / playback method that causes a computer to execute the above. A recording command receiving step for receiving a recording command from a user;
An optimization command reception step for receiving an optimization command for media optimization from the user;
A determination step of determining whether the execution time of the recording based on the recording command received in the step and the optimization based on the optimization command overlap;
A second priority processing step for preferentially processing an optimization instruction when the result is a determination that it is a duplicate,
Recording / playback method that causes a computer to execute the above.

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