JP2009104695A - Recording media control device, recording media control method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform efficient format processing to recording media being in a state in which a lot of empty regions exist in a recording region. <P>SOLUTION: A file system issues write-in command monitoring instruction when full-format-processing is completed, and a device driver updates a range of an unrecorded region in accordance with a write-in command execution range processed hereafter. When the next full-format-processing is performed, when write-in destination corresponds to a range of an unrecorded region for a write-in command sent from the file system, the device driver does not transmit the write-in command to recording media, informs completion of write-in to the file system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording medium control apparatus, a recording medium control method, and a computer program for controlling a recording medium, and in particular, a recording that starts to be used after a recording area is formatted like a hard disk. The present invention relates to a recording medium control apparatus, a recording medium control method, and a computer program that control media.

  More particularly, the present invention relates to a recording medium control apparatus and a recording medium control method for performing a formatting process for completely erasing write data on a recording medium after data writing is performed, and in particular to a computer program. The present invention relates to a recording medium control apparatus, a recording medium control method, and a computer program that perform efficient format processing on a recording medium having a large amount of free space in the recording area.

  With the development of information technology such as information processing and information communication, it has become necessary to reuse information created and edited in the past, and information storage technology has become increasingly important for this purpose. Up to now, information recording apparatuses using various media such as magnetic tapes and magnetic disks have been developed and spread. Of these, a disk-type recording medium such as a hard disk can basically be accessed randomly by the read / write head seeking in the radial direction on the recording surface of the rotating disk.

  Hard disks are already widespread. For example, as a standard local recording device for a personal computer, various software such as an operating system (OS) and applications necessary for starting the computer can be installed, and files created and edited can be saved. A hard disk is used to do this.

  Recently, a hard disk has been used as a local recording device or an external recording device in an information device that handles a large amount of data such as a digital video camera. A digital video camera processes image data obtained by photographing a subject with a solid-state imaging device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) as a digital data. It has become widespread with the development. When a hard disk is used as a recording device for a digital video camera, digital recording of a large number of high-quality image data and random access to the recording data are possible, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) is connected to the computer. You can manipulate files and edit images on your computer. Further, since a recording medium attaching / detaching mechanism is not required, the weight, volume, and cost of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the case of using a detachable magnetic tape or optical disk. In addition, since it is not limited by the size of the recording medium or the layout of the detachable part, a smaller digital video camera can be realized and the degree of design freedom is increased (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Usually, the recording space of a hard disk is managed by a file system such as FAT (File Allocation Table). On a digital video camera, various data such as still images, moving images, and sounds are recorded as files on a hard disk via a file system. For example, in a recording apparatus such as a digital video camera, there has been proposed a method for recording predetermined data without effectively reducing a recording area for recording a file by effectively using a recording area that is not managed by the file system. (For example, see Patent Document 3).

  By the way, when a recording medium such as a hard disk is used, processing for arranging the recording area into a file format corresponding to the file system, that is, formatting processing is required. For example, a recording area of a recording medium formatted by the FAT method is divided into sections each having a predetermined capacity (for example, 512 bytes) called a sector, and a sector address is given to each sector. A sector is the minimum unit of a partition, but in practice, data is often recorded / reproduced in units of a cluster of a plurality of sectors.

  One recording medium consists of one or more partitions. The target range for formatting is specified in units of partitions. The format process is roughly a process of writing data consisting of a predetermined value (for example, 0 × FF) to the entire partition and crushing the previous data, and then transferring the file system management information to a predetermined location in the partition. It consists of processing to create.

  Among these, the predetermined data writing process in the previous stage has a problem that the required time increases as the capacity of the recording medium increases. For example, if the required time in the case of a 30 GB hard disk (partition) is 30 minutes, the required time increases in proportion to the capacity of the media, such as about 60 minutes in the case of 60 GB. In particular, when formatting a partition that still has a large amount of free space, a long time is required while repeating the useless process of writing the same data in the unused area and erasing the data. In addition, since the format process basically consists of data writing to the media, the time required means increased power consumption, especially for battery-powered devices such as digital video cameras. It ’s hard to overlook.

  A format process for shortening the required time by deleting only the management information of the file system and returning it to the initial state is also known and used. The process of initializing the entire partition is called “full format”, and the simple process of deleting only the management information of the file system is called “quick format”.

  For example, a digital camera that performs quick formatting on a memory card and then writes image data compressed in JPEG format to the memory card when the shutter is pressed with an unformatted memory card attached to the digital camera. Proposals have been made (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

  However, the quick format cannot completely erase the data. In other words, when a quick format is performed on a recording medium that has already been subjected to data writing processing, the data in the data area remains, so that it apparently disappears using dedicated software. There is a security problem because the data that should have been restored. In the full format, check the defective part on the media when writing data, and avoid writing data to the defective part afterwards to avoid the trouble that the file recorded in the defective part cannot be opened later. However, the quick format eliminates the check of defective parts.

JP-A-8-140027 JP 9-168109 A JP 2005-339628 A JP-A-11-146246

  An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent recording medium control device and recording medium control method capable of suitably controlling a recording medium that is used after formatting processing of a recording area like a hard disk, And providing a computer program.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent recording medium control device and recording medium control method capable of suitably performing a formatting process for completely erasing write data on a recording medium after data writing has been performed, and To provide a computer program.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent recording medium control device, recording medium control method, and computer program capable of performing efficient format processing on a recording medium having a large amount of free space in the recording area. Is to provide.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is a recording medium that controls a recording medium that is used after a formatting process corresponding to a file system is performed on the recording area. A control device,
Of the recording area, an unwritten area management means for grasping a range of an unwritten area in which writing is not performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process;
A data erasing means for erasing data by writing a predetermined value in the recording area, excluding the range of the unwritten area;
Management information creation means for creating file system management information at a predetermined location in the recording area;
A recording medium control apparatus comprising:

  Randomly accessible recording media such as hard disks are widely used and used in computer systems such as personal computers and information equipment such as digital video cameras. The recording space of this type of recording medium is managed by a file system, and the file system stores various data as files.

  Formatting is required when using a recording medium such as a hard disk. Here, in the case of performing a full format in which all data areas are unused, a process of writing data consisting of a predetermined value (for example, 0 × FF) to the entire partition to be formatted and crushing the previous data Therefore, there is a problem that the required time increases as the capacity of the recording medium increases.

  In contrast, the recording media control apparatus according to the present invention grasps the range in which writing has not been performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process, and the current full format process. When formatting is performed, a range in which writing has not been executed is excluded from the full format processing target range.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when data is written on a once-formatted recording medium and then full-formatted again, a predetermined value is written to an unused area in the data area and the data is erased. Since this wasteful process is omitted, the entire full format process can be shortened.

  For example, if a file such as a movie or still image was recorded after a hard disk was fully formatted with a digital video camera, etc., but the full format process was performed again when there was still a large amount of free space, The time required for the full format process again can be shortened according to the free capacity size.

  In an information device such as a digital video camera or a computer system such as a personal computer, a file system manages a recording space of a recording medium and handles various data as files. The file system writes and reads data through a device driver for each recording medium such as a hard disk.

  Therefore, the device driver functions as an unwritten area management means, and grasps the range of unwritten areas that have not been written between the previous full format process and the current full format process. can do.

  The file system issues a write command monitoring instruction to the device driver when performing full format processing. On the other hand, the device driver updates the range of the unwritten area according to the execution range of the write command to the recording medium processed after the full format processing.

  In such a case, during the next full format process, the device driver writes to the recording medium when the write destination falls within the unwritten area range in response to a write command (for erasing data) received from the file system. Notifies the file system of completion of writing without sending a command. In other words, the device driver does not perform actual writing (for erasing data) in the range of the unwritten area, and fakes the file system as if it had been written. The file system recognizes that the entire partition has been erased.

  Alternatively, during the next full format process, the file system acquires information on the range of the unwritten area from the device driver, and based on this information, narrows the range for executing the data write process in the full format process. Also good.

  In any case, the time required for full format processing is shortened because unnecessary write processing of erasing data by writing a predetermined value in the range of the unwritten area after the previous full format processing is omitted. can do.

Also, the second aspect of the present invention is described in a computer-readable format so that a process for controlling a recording medium to be used after a format process corresponding to a file system is performed in a recording area is executed on a computer. Computer program, wherein the computer is
Of the recording area, an unwritten area management means for grasping a range of an unwritten area in which writing is not performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process;
A data erasing means for erasing data by writing a predetermined value in the recording area, excluding the range of the unwritten area;
Management information creation means for creating file system management information at a predetermined location in the recording area;
It is a computer program for making it function as.

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on the computer. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention on the computer, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer, and is the same as the recording medium control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. The effect of this can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, an excellent recording medium control device and recording medium control method capable of suitably controlling a recording medium that is used after a recording area is formatted like a hard disk, In addition, a computer program can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an excellent recording medium control apparatus and recording medium control method capable of suitably performing a format process for completely erasing write data on a recording medium after data writing has been performed, In addition, a computer program can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an excellent recording medium control device and recording medium control method capable of performing efficient format processing on a recording medium having a large amount of free space in the recording area, and a computer A program can be provided.

  The recording media control device according to the present invention grasps a range in which writing is not performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process, and when performing the current full format. Since the range in which writing has not been performed is excluded from the target range of data writing processing, the entire processing of the full format processing can be shortened.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

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

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a digital video camera as an example of an apparatus that can operate as a recording media control apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The illustrated digital video camera 100 includes an optical lens unit 111, a photoelectric conversion unit 112, a camera function control unit 102, an image signal processing unit 113, an image input / output unit 114, a liquid crystal display 115, and an audio input / output unit 116. An audio signal processing unit 117, a communication unit 131, a control unit 101, a built-in memory (RAM) 118, a built-in memory (ROM) 119, an operation input unit 120, a drive 132 for a recording medium, a GPS ( A sensor 150 such as a global positioning system or an acceleration sensor, and a power supply 141 that supplies power to each of the components described above are provided.

  The control unit 101 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, but executes processing according to various processing programs stored in a ROM (read Only Memory) 119. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 118 is mainly used as a work area, such as temporarily recording intermediate results in each process.

  The operation input unit 120 includes a mode switching key for switching operation modes such as a moving image shooting mode, a still image shooting mode, and a VTR mode, a shutter key for shooting a still image, a shooting start key for shooting a movie, a recording key, Various operation keys and function keys such as a play key, a stop key, a fast-forward key, and a fast-rewind key are provided, and an operation input from the user is received and an electric signal corresponding to the received operation input is supplied to the control unit 101 .

  In response to an operation input from the user, the control unit 101 reads out and executes a program for performing a target process from the ROM 119, and controls each unit to control the process according to an instruction from the user. . The digital video camera 100 can be mounted with various recording media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, etc., and records various information on these recording media via the drive 132, Information recorded on these recording media is reproduced. The magnetic disk mentioned here includes a so-called hard disk. The recording area of the hard disk is managed by a file system such as FAT, and an upper layer program such as an application or operating system can access the recording area in the hard disk via the file system. The hard disk is driven and controlled by a dedicated device driver, and the file system issues host commands such as a write command and a read command to the device driver.

  The digital video camera 100 records image data obtained by capturing an image on various recording media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory via a drive 132, and image input / output. It is provided with a “VTR mode” for recording data supplied through the recording unit 114, the voice input / output unit 116, or the communication unit 131 on a recording medium and reproducing data recorded on the recording medium.

  Under the image capturing mode, a moving image capturing mode for capturing a moving image and simultaneously recording a sound that is picked up on a recording medium and a still image capturing mode for capturing a still image are provided. In the VTR mode, the supplied data is recorded by operating the operation input unit 120 including a recording button / switch, and the recording is performed on the recording medium by operating the playback button / switch. The target data can be reproduced.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of a personal computer as another example of an apparatus that can operate as a recording media control apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  The CPI 201 executes a program stored in the ROM 201 or the hard disk drive 211 under a program execution environment provided by an operating system (OS).

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 permanently stores program codes such as POST (Power On Self Test) and BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The RAM 203 is used to load a program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 211 when the CPU 201 executes it, or to temporarily hold work data of the program being executed. These are connected to each other by a local bus 204 directly connected to a local pin of the CPU 201.

  The local bus 204 is connected to an input / output bus 206 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus via a bridge 205.

  A keyboard 208 and a pointing device 209 such as a mouse are input devices operated by a user. The display 210 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text and images.

  The HDD 211 has a built-in hard disk as a recording medium and drives the hard disk. The hard disk installs programs executed by the CPU 210 such as an operating system and various applications, and stores various local files such as media files such as moving images and still images, and data files. Used for. The recording area of the hard disk is managed by a file system such as FAT, and an upper layer program such as an application or operating system can access the recording area in the hard disk via the file system. The hard disk is driven and controlled by a dedicated device driver, and the file system issues host commands such as a write command and a read command to the device driver.

  The drive 212 reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 221 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and inputs / outputs an input / output interface 207, an input / output bus 206, and a bridge 205. , And the RAM 503 connected via the local bus 204.

  The connection port 214 is a port for connecting the external connection device 222, and has a connection interface such as USB or IEEE1394. The connection port 214 is connected to the CPU 201 via the interface 207, the input / output bus 206, the bridge 205, and the local bus 204. The communication unit 215 is connected to a network and executes communication with other information processing apparatuses (not shown).

  In the information apparatus such as the digital video camera 100 and the personal computer 200 described above, when data is recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk, the data is handled as a file by processing using a file system such as FAT. Is called. This type of file system manages file system management information such as recording position information and recording position chain information for each file recorded on the recording medium. A recording medium management method using the file system will be described below.

  By dividing a recording medium such as a hard disk into one or more partitions and subjecting the designated partition to a formatting process, the partition is incorporated into the file system. The file system is a system for managing files on a recording medium, that is, a system that configures files and directories themselves by associating files and directories that are logically handled by users with actual physical disks. Manages directory entries and FAT information.

  Examples of the FAT include FAT16 and FAT32. FIGS. 3A and 3B show data structures when one partition is provided on the hard disk and formatted by FAT16 and FAT32.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the FAT 16 has a data structure in which a master boot record (MBR) is recorded in the first sector (LBA = 0), and thereafter, a partition boot record (PBR), a file Allocation table 1 (FAT1) and file allocation table 2 (FAT2) are recorded, followed by a root directory entry and a data area. The data area is partitioned into a plurality of clusters.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the data structure of FAT32 is that a master boot record (MBR) is recorded in the first sector (LBA = 0), and thereafter, a partition boot record (PBR), File system information (FSinfo), file allocation table 1 (FAT1), and file allocation table 2 (FAT2) are recorded, followed by a data area. The data area is partitioned into a plurality of clusters.

  For details of the FAT16 / 32, refer to, for example, “Microsoft Extensible Firmware Initial FAT32 File System Specification”.

  FIG. 4A schematically shows the configuration of the master boot record. As shown in the figure, the master boot record holds startup information and partition information, that is, a partition table including the start address and size information of each partition. FIG. 3 shows the data structure of FAT16 and FAT32 when only one partition is provided in the hard disk. However, it is possible to manage a recording medium such as a hard disk by dividing it into a plurality of partitions. Is possible. When the recording medium is divided into a plurality of partitions, a partition table for each partition is set as shown in FIG. 4A.

  At startup, first, an activation code (program) is read from the activation code area of the master boot record. For the activation code of the read master boot record, the partition table of the partition table area formed immediately after the activation code shown in FIG. 4A is referred to, and information on the boot sector of the target partition is read. The operating system (OS) is started by the code (program) of the boot sector.

  A plurality of partition tables (four in the illustrated example) can be provided in the master boot record. As described above, each partition table holds information indicating the position (start address) and size (partition size) of each partition area formed by dividing the recording area of the hard disk, for example. A signature for the partition table is added to 2 bytes (0E, 0F) following the partition table area.

  FIG. 4B shows a data structure of a partition table having a data length of 16 bytes (128 bits). The 8-byte area from the 0th byte to the 7th byte is an information storage area used when an address is specified by the CHS (Cylinder / Head / Sector) method. The 8th byte from the 8th byte to the 15th byte The minute area is an information storage area used when an address is designated by the LBA (Logical Block Addressing) method.

  Here, in the CHS system, an address (position) on a recording medium (hard disk) is designated using three parameters of a cylinder (Cylinder), a head (Head), and a sector (Sector) as one set. In the LBA method, numbers (block addresses (logical addresses)) are assigned in order from 0, for example, for each accessible unit block (for example, one sector unit) on the recording area of the hard disk. By specifying the number, an address (position) on the recording area of the hard disk is specified.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the storage area for information used when accessing the CHS system in the partition table is the storage area for active flag information (hereinafter simply referred to as “flag information”), the first byte, as shown in FIG. 4B. Storage area for starting sector information used when 3 bytes from the first to the third byte are accessed by the CHS method, the fourth byte is a storage area for partition type information (hereinafter simply referred to as “type information”), the fifth byte 3 bytes from the first to the seventh byte are storage areas for the end sector information used when accessing by the CHS method.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4B, the storage area of the information used for accessing the partition table by the LBA method includes 4 bytes from the 8th byte to the 11th byte of the start sector information used by the LBA method. Storage area, 4 bytes from the 12th byte to the 15th byte are a partition size storage area used in the LBA method.

  Note that the CHS method is an addressing method that uses the physical structure of a hard disk as it is, and has three parameters for addressing, ie, cylinder, head, and sector, so that software processing is complicated. . On the other hand, since the LBA method is designated by a single parameter called a block address, address designation at the time of access is very simple. Currently, the LBA method is the mainstream as a hard disk addressing method, and it is widely applied to removable media such as memory cards and other recording media. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to a specific addressing system, and the present invention can also be applied to a recording medium that employs any addressing system such as a CHS system or an LBA system.

  The file system is a system that constitutes a file or directory itself, and is managed by a directory entry and a FAT (described above). Although the file is configured in units of clusters, the physical position of the cluster on the recording medium is not always continuous for each file. The FAT is a table for managing the connection between clusters constituting a file, and each entry of the FAT has a one-to-one correspondence with each cluster of the recording medium. The start cluster of the file is recorded in the directory entry, and the next cluster is the content of the next entry of the FAT corresponding to the first cluster.

  When a file is recorded in a partition in the recording medium, a directory entry for managing detailed information of the file such as a file name and recording date / time is formed. FIG. 5 schematically shows the information structure of the directory entry set in each file recorded on the recording medium.

  As shown in the figure, the directory entry corresponding to each file includes a file name field, an extended name field, an attribute field, a reservation field, a creation time field, a creation date field, a last access date field, and head cluster number indication information (High). ) Field, recording time field, recording date field, head cluster number indication information (Low) field, and file size field, respectively corresponding information, that is, file name, extended name, attribute, creation time, creation date, The last access date, the leading cluster number (High), the recording time, the recording date, the leading cluster number (Low), and the file size are stored. By using this directory entry information, the file specified by the file name is (1) what attribute it is, (2) where the starting cluster is, and (3) how big the file is It is possible to manage (4) when it was created, (5) when it was last accessed, (6) when data was recorded, and so on.

  The head cluster number indicates the number of clusters in the data area obtained by partitioning the partition into cluster units, and the data of the file is recorded in the directory entry as shown in FIG. The leading cluster number is managed by dividing it into 2 bytes on the upper side (high side) and 2 bytes on the lower side (Low side).

  The cluster is the smallest unit in which the FAT can manage the data area in the partition, and corresponds to the smallest recording unit per file. One cluster has a configuration in which n (n = 1, 2, 4,... 64, 128) of sectors (sector size = 512 bytes in the case of a hard disk), which are the minimum units of recording media, are collected. Become. Since a sector is too small as a unit for managing a file, management of a file is facilitated by using a unit called a cluster in which a plurality of sectors are collected. The specific size of the cluster is, for example, 32 kilobytes for FAT16 and 4 kilobytes for FAT32.

  In the FAT data structure, a master boot record (see FIG. 4A) is followed by a partition boot record (PBR) including an activation code corresponding to the partition, and then a file allocation record. Table 1 (FAT1) and file allocation table 2 (FAT2) are stored (see FIG. 3). The file allocation table 2 (FAT2) is a copy of the file allocation table 1 (FAT1) and is used as spare data.

  The file allocation table (FAT) is a table for managing recording position information and recording position chain information for each data file recorded on the recording medium. FIG. 6 shows a data configuration example of the file allocation table. The configuration data of each file is distributed to one or more clusters and recorded on a recording medium. The file allocation table (FAT) stores chain information of cluster numbers of clusters that store configuration data of each file. The items indicated by double lines in the figure are indexes, and the following cluster numbers are indicated as data entries. [0x] is omitted in the table shown in the figure, but the above [0x] indicates that the cluster number indicated by the subsequent 8-digit number 0 to F is in hexadecimal notation. Yes.

[0x00000000] to [0x0000000F]
[0x00000010] to [0x0000010F]
[0x00000020] to [0x000020F]
[0x00000030] to [0x00000030F]

  The cluster number storing the next data of the file configuration data is recorded at the position of the cluster number storing the configuration data of each file, and the code [0 × 0FFFFFFF] indicating EOF (end of file) is stored at the position of the final cluster number Is recorded. The head cluster number is recorded in the directory entry (see FIG. 5) of each file (described above).

  For example, the first cluster number recorded in the directory entry is 0 × 00000007, the second file first cluster number is 0 × 0000000000A, and the third file first cluster number is 0 × 0000001B. The first cluster number of the fourth file is set to 0 × 0000002C.

  Since the first cluster number of the first file is [0 × 00000007], the first data of the first file can be acquired by first reading the cluster with the cluster number [0 × 00000007]. The cluster number in which the next configuration data of the first file is recorded can be known based on the recording information at the position of the FAT cluster number [0 × 00000007] shown in FIG. The cluster number [0 × 00000008] is recorded at the position of the FAT cluster number [0 × 00000007] shown in FIG. 6, and the cluster number in which the next configuration data of the first file is recorded is [0 × 00000008]. As a result, data can be read from the cluster having the cluster number [0 × 00000008].

  Furthermore, the cluster number in which the next configuration data of the first file is recorded is recorded at the position of the FAT cluster number [0 × 00000008] shown in FIG. The cluster number [0 × 00000009] is recorded at the position of the FAT cluster number [0 × 00000008] shown in FIG. 6, and the cluster number in which the next configuration data of the first file is recorded is [0 × 00000009]. The data can be read from the cluster having the cluster number [0 × 00000009]. Further, in order to obtain the cluster number in which the next configuration data is recorded, referring to the recording information in the FAT cluster number [0 × 00000009], the corresponding code [0 × 0FFFFFFF] of EOF (end of file) is recorded. And no subsequent data is found.

  As a result, it is found that the first file is stored in the cluster specified by the cluster number: [0 × 00000007] → [0 × 00000008] → [0 × 00000009].

  Similarly, the second file is stored in the cluster specified by the cluster number: [0x0000000A] → [0x0000001F] → [0x00000025] → [0x00000031] → [0x00000030]. The file No. 3 is stored in the cluster specified by the cluster number: [0 × 000001B] → [0 × 0000011] → [0 × 0000012] → [0 × 0000013] → [0 × 0000013] → [0 × 000003]. The fourth file has a cluster number: [0 × 000002C] → [0 × 000002D] → [0 × 000002E] → [0 × 000002F] → [0 × 00000038] → [0 × 00000039] → [0 × 000003A] → It is stored in the cluster specified by [0x000003B] Known, it is possible to acquire data from these clusters.

  The FAT shown in FIG. 6 is a data configuration example corresponding to the FAT32. In FAT32, the EOF (end of file) corresponding code is [0 × 0FFFFFFF], while in FAT16, the EOF (end of file) corresponding code is [0 × FFFF]. By detecting a corresponding code of EOF (end of file), it can be determined that the file configuration data ends.

As described above, each file recorded on the recording medium has the following three elements, which are recorded on the recording medium, identifying the constituent cluster of each file based on the directory entry and FAT, Data can be read.
(A) "Directory entry" that holds file name, creation date and time, file size, etc.
(B) “FAT” that holds cluster chain information
(C) “Data (substance of file)” recorded in cluster units

  Next, an operation for recording and reproducing data on a recording medium such as a hard disk from an information device such as the digital video camera 100 or the personal computer 200 will be described.

  As described above, the file system that manages the recording space of the recording medium writes and reads data by issuing a write command and a read command to a device driver for each recording medium such as a hard disk. . FIG. 7 schematically shows a processing hierarchy for accessing a recording medium and recording and reproducing data.

  The uppermost layer application program serves as a user interface that accepts a processing request from a user and returns a processing result. A file system as a file management program for managing files on a recording medium exists immediately below the application program. Further, the underlying device driver controls the recording medium based on information from the file system.

  Between the application and the file system, access requests and responses are made in units of files. Also, between the file system and the device driver, access requests and responses are made in units of clusters. Further, an access request and a response are made in units of sectors between the device driver and the recording medium. The application, file system, and device driver are software programs executed by the control unit 101 and the CPU 201.

  When recording data on a recording medium or reproducing data from a recording medium, for example, a request via an application program is transmitted in the order of the file system and the device driver, and the data of the data is recorded by the function of the file system and the device driver. Writing or playback is performed.

  FIG. 8 shows the file system in more detail in the processing hierarchy shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, two recording media A 341 and recording media B 342 are provided, and a device driver A 332 and a device driver B 333 corresponding to each are installed as the device driver 330.

  The application 310, the file system 320, and the device driver 330 use the RAM 350 as a work area for storing programs and parameters necessary for respective processes and for data processing.

  The application 310 includes a recording application 311 that executes data recording processing on each recording medium, a playback application 312 that executes playback processing of data recorded on each recording medium, a USB connection application 313 that executes processing by a connected device, and the like. , Application according to the process is included. The user selects these applications 311 to 313 and executes various processes. It is assumed that the recording application 311 and the reproduction application 312 access the device driver 330 via the file system, and the USB connection application 313 directly accesses the device driver 330.

  The file system 320 holds mount drive information 321 and 322 corresponding to each storage medium including the type and format information of the recording medium, and data recording and reproduction using a recording medium such as a hard disk according to the mount drive information. Execute control. The file system 320 includes a recording / playback control unit 323 that executes data recording / playback control, and a media control unit 324 that executes media control. The processing executed by the recording / playback control unit 323 is a media-independent type common media processing, and the processing executed by the media control unit 324 is a media-dependent type processing.

  The recording / playback control unit 323 executes a FAT control unit 323A that performs file allocation table (FAT) recording and reference processing, cluster determination processing as data recording position information, and playback position determination processing based on the cluster number. And a directory entry control unit 324C that executes a process for generating or referring to a directory entry (see FIG. 5) that stores information corresponding to a file. The directory entry control unit 324C obtains a directory entry corresponding to a specific file based on storage means and file designation information from the application 301. For example, in the case of file reproduction, obtains a head cluster number from the directory entry. And provided to the cluster control unit 324B.

  The media control unit 324 includes a position calculation unit 324A and an access control unit 324B. Based on the cluster information determined by the cluster control unit 322 and the FAT cluster chain information, the position calculation unit 324A determines the access position on the recording medium on which data recording or data reproduction is performed based on the cluster number. In addition, the access control unit 324B controls the device driver 330 according to the position information determined by the position calculation unit 324A, and performs data recording on the recording medium or data reproduction from the recording medium via the device driver 330. To do.

  The access control unit 324B in the file system 320 cooperates with the access control unit 331 in the device driver 330 to perform access control according to the application executed in the application 310 (except for the USB connection application 312). Do.

  As already described in the “Background Art” section, most recording media such as hard disks need to be formatted when they are used. Conventionally, the format process includes “full format” as the process for initializing the entire partition, and “quick format” as the simple process for deleting only the management information of the file system. Any format processing is performed through the corresponding device driver for driving the recording medium under the initiative of the file system.

  FIG. 9 shows a procedure of a conventional full format process in the form of a flowchart. For example, the file system is activated in response to a request from an upper application.

  The file system first writes data having a predetermined value (for example, 0 × FF) over the entire partition to be formatted, and erases the previous data (step S1).

  As shown in FIG. 10, when a partition consisting of A logical block addresses whose logical block addresses start with X is the target of formatting, the value 0 × is in the logical block address range of X to X + A−1. FFs are written sequentially.

  This data writing is actually performed by sequentially issuing a data write command for each cluster to the device driver. The device driver returns the execution result of each data write command (whether or not an error has occurred).

  Next, the file system checks whether a data write error has occurred based on the return value from the device driver (step S2). Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S2), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S6), and this processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when no error has occurred (No in step S2), the file system subsequently creates file system management information similar to the quick format in a predetermined location in the partition, similar to the quick format. Processing is performed (step S3). Refer to FIG. 11 for the procedure of the quick format process.

  Subsequently, the file system checks whether an error has occurred in the process corresponding to the quick format based on the return value from the device driver for the quick format process (step S4).

  Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S4), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S6). If no error has occurred (No in step S4), the request source is notified that the full format process has been completed successfully (step S5), and the process routine ends.

  FIG. 11 shows a procedure of quick format processing in the form of a flowchart. This formatting process is performed as step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Alternatively, for example, it is activated in response to a request from a higher-level application.

  The file system clears the cluster corresponding to the root directory entry to 0 (step S11).

  This data writing is actually performed by sequentially issuing a data write command for each cluster to the device driver. The device driver returns the execution result of each data write command (whether or not an error has occurred).

  Next, the file system checks whether a data write error has occurred based on the return value from the device driver (step S12). Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S12), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S18), and this processing routine ends.

  On the other hand, when no error has occurred (No in step S12), the file system subsequently creates management information such as a partition boot record (PBR) and FSInfo in a predetermined location in the partition (step S13). ). This process is performed by issuing a data write command to the device driver.

  Subsequently, the file system checks whether an error has occurred in the processing for writing management information such as PBR and FSInfo, based on the return value from the device driver (step S14).

  Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S14), the requester is notified of the failure of the full format process (or quick format process) (step S16), and the entire processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when no error has occurred (No in step S14), the file system further performs a process of returning FAT1 and FAT2 to the initial state (that is, the unused state) (step S15). This process is performed by issuing a data write command to the device driver, and the execution result of each data write command (such as whether an error has occurred) is returned.

  Subsequently, the file system checks whether an error has occurred in the process of returning FAT1 and FAT2 to the initial state based on the return value from the device driver (step S16).

  If an error has occurred (Yes in step S16), the requester is notified of the failure of the full format process (or quick format process) (step S18), and the process routine ends.

  If no error has occurred (No in step S16), the request source is notified that the quick format process has been completed successfully (step S17), and the process routine is terminated.

  As can be seen from FIG. 9, the full format process is a process of writing data consisting of a predetermined value (for example, 0 × FF) to the entire partition to crush previous data (erasing the written data), and thereafter The file system management information is created at a predetermined location in the partition (similar to the quick format). Among these, the predetermined data writing process in the previous stage has a problem that the required time increases as the capacity of the recording medium increases. In particular, when formatting a partition that still has a large amount of free space, a long time is required while repeating the useless process of writing the same data in the unused area and erasing the data.

  Therefore, the present inventor knows the range in which writing has not been performed from the previous full formatting process to the current full formatting process, and when performing the current full formatting, the writing is not performed. A full-format processing method is proposed in which a range that has not been executed is excluded from the full-format processing target range. According to this method, when data is written on a once-formatted recording medium and then full format is performed again, a predetermined value is written in an unused area of the data area and data is erased. Therefore, the entire full format process can be shortened.

  A device driver for driving a recording medium to be formatted can function as an unwritten area management unit. Specifically, the address (logical block address) of the request destination is monitored each time a write command is issued from the file system between the last full format process and the current full format process. Thus, the range of the unwritten area where writing has not been performed can be grasped, and the contents thereof are recorded in a nonvolatile manner.

  When the file system completes the full format process, it issues a write command monitoring instruction to the device driver. On the other hand, the device driver updates the range of the unwritten area according to the execution range of the write command to the recording medium processed after the full format processing.

  During the next full format processing, the device driver does not send a write command to the recording medium when the write destination falls within the unwritten area range in response to a write command received from the file system (for data erasure). To the file system. In other words, the device driver does not perform actual writing (for erasing data) in the range of the unwritten area, and fakes the file system as if it had been written. The file system recognizes that the entire partition has been erased.

  FIG. 12 shows a processing procedure executed by the file system in the form of a flowchart in order to perform a full format process excluding a range where writing has not been executed. However, here, it is assumed that a partition including A logical block addresses whose logical block addresses start with X as shown in FIG.

  First, the file system sends a write command monitoring result reflection instruction to the device driver (step S21).

  Next, the file system writes data having a predetermined value (for example, 0 × FF) over the entire partition to be formatted, and erases the previous data (step S22).

  When the partition is assumed to be A blocks from the logical block address X, the file system issues a write command to the device driver in the range of the logical block address from X to X + A-1. The device driver returns the execution result of each data write command (whether or not an error has occurred).

  If a write command monitoring result reflection instruction has been issued, the device driver does not send the write command to the recording medium when the write destination of the write command received from the file system falls within the unwritten area range. The system is notified of the completion of writing. Refer to FIG. 16 for details of the procedure.

  Next, the file system checks whether or not a data write error has occurred based on the return value from the device driver (step S23). Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S23), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S28), and this processing routine ends.

  On the other hand, if no error has occurred (No in step S23), the file system has performed a full format process on the device driver and the subsequent data area in the partition has been written. A command to monitor the write command is issued so as to grasp the range of the unwritten area that is not present (step S24).

  This write command monitoring instruction includes, for example, a 1-byte field indicating whether or not to monitor, and a 6-byte field storing the logical block addresses at the beginning and end of the monitoring range (FIG. 13). checking).

  Next, the file system performs a process similar to the quick format in which management information of the file system similar to the quick format is created at a predetermined location in the partition (step S25). Refer to FIG. 11 (described above) for the procedure of the quick format process.

  Subsequently, the file system checks whether an error has occurred in the process corresponding to the quick format based on the return value from the device driver for the quick format process (step S26).

  Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S26), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S28). If no error has occurred (No in step S26), the request source is notified that the full format processing has been completed successfully (step S27), and this processing routine is terminated.

  After the write command monitoring instruction is received from the file system in step S24 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the device driver executes writing in the data area in the partition every time the write command is received from the file system. The range of the unwritten area that is not updated is updated.

  FIG. 14 illustrates how the device driver updates the unwritten area range. For example, the device driver manages the unwritten state of the data area in the partition in units of logical block addresses, and uses a bitmap that represents the unwritten state by the bit value of the bit position corresponding to each logical block address. The range of the trial writing area is managed, and such a bitmap is stored in the nonvolatile memory. In FIG. 14, the unwritten cluster is indicated by shading, and the cluster to which writing has been performed is indicated by white.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, when a write command arrives from the file system to an area surrounded by a dotted line continuous to a written cluster, the write command changes to a write state up to the final cluster instructing writing. Also, as shown in FIG. 14B, when a write command arrives from the file system to a region surrounded by a dotted line that is discontinuous from the already written cluster, the write command enters a write state up to the final cluster that instructs writing. change.

  14A and 14B, a process of correcting the bitmap so that the first logical block address of the monitoring range becomes an address obtained by adding 1 to the logical block address at the end of the write range of the write command. To update the range of the unwritten area. In FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, the range of the unwritten area remaining shaded is the monitoring range when the write command arrives after that.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the device driver to update the range of the unwritten area in response to a write command monitoring instruction from the file system. However, it is assumed that the device driver manages the state of receiving the write command monitoring instruction from the file system using the write monitoring instruction flag.

  When a write command is received from the file system, the device driver first checks the write command monitoring instruction flag (step S31).

  When the write command monitoring instruction has not been issued (No in step S32), the processing steps for monitoring the write command in the subsequent steps S33 to S37 are skipped, and the write command from the file system is executed as it is (step S38). ), This processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when a write command monitoring instruction is given (Yes in step S32), a bitmap of the monitoring range corresponding to the write command (see FIG. 14) is read from the nonvolatile memory (step S33) and the write is performed. The writing range indicated by the command is checked (step S34).

  When there is no portion where the write range of the write command overlaps the monitoring range (No in step S35), the execution of the write command does not change the write area range only within the partition. Therefore, the processing step for monitoring the write command in subsequent steps S36 to S37 is skipped, the write command from the file system is executed as it is (step S38), and this processing routine is ended.

  When there is a portion where the write range of the write command overlaps the monitoring range (Yes in step S35), the first logical block address of the monitoring range is incremented by 1 to the logical block address of the end of the write range of the write command. The monitoring range is corrected by correcting the bitmap so that the address becomes the same address (step S36), and the bitmap is recorded in the nonvolatile memory (step S37). Then, a write command from the file system is executed (step S38), and this processing routine ends.

  When the file system performs full format processing again on the recording medium, a write command monitoring result reflection instruction is sent to the device driver (step S21 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12). It is assumed that the device driver side uses the write command monitoring result reflection flag to manage the state of receiving the instruction.

  In a normal state, the device driver executes a write command from the file system as it is. On the other hand, when receiving a write command from the file system, the device driver that has received the write command monitoring result reflection instruction performs processing according to the write command monitoring result managed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. . Specifically, during full format processing again, the device driver writes to the recording medium when the write destination falls within the unwritten area range in response to a write command (for erasing data) received from the file system. Notifies the file system of completion of writing without sending a command. That is, since the device driver fakes the file system in the unwritten area range, the number of write commands actually issued to the recording medium is reduced, so that the time required for full format processing can be shortened.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the device driver to process a write command from the file system in response to a write command monitoring result reflection instruction.

  When a write command is received from the file system, the device driver first checks the write command monitoring result reflection flag (step S41).

  When the write command monitoring result reflection flag is not set (No in step S42), the processing step for monitoring the write command in the subsequent steps S43 to S45 is skipped, and the write command from the file system is executed as it is. (Step S46), this processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the write command monitoring result reflection flag is set (Yes in step S42), the monitoring range bitmap corresponding to the write command (see FIG. 14) is read from the nonvolatile memory (step S43). Then, the write range indicated by the write command is checked (step S44).

  When there is a portion where the write range of the write command from the file system does not overlap with the monitoring range (Yes in step S45), the write range of the write command has a portion outside the monitoring range, that is, data has already been written. It will include the area. Therefore, the write command from the file system is executed as it is, that is, the command for writing the predetermined value (0 × FF) for erasing the write data is transferred to the recording medium (step S46), and this processing routine is finished. .

  When there is no portion where the write range of the write command does not overlap with the monitoring range (No in step S45), the write range of the write command is all included in the unwritten area. Therefore, the subsequent step S46 is skipped, the writing command is not transmitted to the recording medium, the writing completion is notified to the file system, and this processing routine is ended.

  In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 16, the time required for full format processing is reduced by the device driver performing data write processing reflecting the write command monitoring result in response to the data write command from the file system. . As a modified example, a method of performing data write processing reflecting the write command monitoring result on the file system side is also conceivable.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure for the file system to receive the write command monitoring result from the device driver and perform the full format processing reflecting this.

  Prior to issuing the write command for the full format processing, the file system acquires the write command monitoring result from the device driver (step S51).

  The write command monitoring result includes, for example, a 6-byte field storing the logical block address at the beginning and end of the monitoring range (see FIG. 18).

  Next, the file system writes data consisting of a predetermined value (for example, 0 × FF) over the entire area excluding the monitoring range in the entire partition to be formatted, and erases the previous data. (Step S52).

  The partition is composed of logical block addresses X to X + A-1, while the monitoring range (that is, the unwritten area after the previous full format processing) is logical block addresses X + B to X + A-1. If there is, the logical block addresses X to X + B are the data write range in step S52 (see FIG. 19). In this range, the file system issues a write command to the device driver. The device driver returns the execution result of each data write command (whether or not an error has occurred).

  Next, the file system checks whether or not a data write error has occurred based on the return value from the device driver (step S53). Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S53), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S58), and this processing routine ends.

  On the other hand, if no error has occurred (No in step S23), the file system has performed a full format process on the device driver and the subsequent data area in the partition has been written. A command to monitor the write command is issued so as to grasp the range of the unwritten area that is not present (step S54). The monitoring instruction of the write command is as shown in FIG. Further, the processing operation according to the write command monitoring instruction by the device driver is as already described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the file system performs a process similar to the quick format in which management information of the file system similar to the quick format is created in a predetermined location in the partition (step S55). Refer to FIG. 11 (described above) for the procedure of the quick format process.

  Subsequently, the file system checks whether an error has occurred in the process corresponding to the quick format based on the return value from the device driver for the quick format process (step S56).

  Here, when an error occurs (Yes in step S56), the request source is notified of the failure of the full format process (step S58). If no error has occurred (No in step S56), the request source is notified that the full format processing has been completed successfully (step S57), and this processing routine ends.

  As described above, according to the full format process that excludes the unwritten area range and erases the data, for example, after performing a hard disk full format with a digital video camera or the like, a file such as a moving image or still image Is recorded, but the operation of performing the full format process again in a state where the free capacity is still large is performed, the time required for the full format process can be shortened according to the free capacity size.

  For example, assuming that the time required for a 30 GB hard disk (partition) is 30 minutes, after recording only one still image on the fully formatted hard disk and consuming 3 MB of the data area Consider the case where full format processing is performed again.

  In the conventional full format process, since a process of writing a predetermined value is performed for all areas, a required time of 30 minutes is required again. On the other hand, in the case of performing the full format process excluding the unwritten area range according to the present invention, the process is completed in several seconds.

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The recording media control method according to the present invention is used after performing format processing corresponding to the file system in the recording area, including information devices such as digital video cameras and digital still cameras, and computer systems such as personal computers. The present invention can be applied to various apparatuses that use a recording medium to be started.

  In the present specification, a hard disk has been mainly described as a recording medium of a type that performs format processing in accordance with the file system. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical disk, a memory card, and the like are used. The present invention can also be applied to other recording media that perform format processing. In addition, the recording medium does not matter whether it is built-in or detachable (in the case of a detachable medium, control for discarding the write monitoring information recorded in the nonvolatile memory when the medium is removed) Would be necessary).

  In this specification, FAT is taken as the file system. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applicable to various file systems that perform full format processing.

  In short, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the description of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims should be taken into consideration.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a digital video camera. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the personal computer. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a data structure when a partition provided on the hard disk is formatted with FAT16. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a data structure when a partition provided on the hard disk is formatted with FAT32. FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the master boot record. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a data structure of a partition table having a data length of 16 bytes (128 bits). FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the information structure of the directory entry set in each file recorded on the recording medium. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the file allocation table. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a processing hierarchy for accessing a recording medium and recording and reproducing data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the file system in more detail in the processing hierarchy shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a conventional full format process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart schematically showing the structure of a partition to be formatted. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a procedure of quick format processing. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the file system in order to grasp the range of the unwritten area and perform the full format processing. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a write command monitoring instruction. FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating how the device driver updates the range of the unwritten area. FIG. 14B is a diagram showing how the device driver updates the range of the unwritten area. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the device driver to update the range of the unwritten area in response to a write command monitoring instruction from the file system. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for the device driver to process a write command from the file system in response to a write command monitoring result reflection instruction. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure for the file system to perform full format processing reflecting the write command monitoring result. FIG. 18 shows a configuration example of the write command monitoring result. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a data write range when the file system performs a full format process reflecting a write command monitoring result.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Digital video camera 101 ... Control part (CPU)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 ... Camera function part 111 ... Optical lens part 112 ... Photoelectric conversion part 113 ... Image signal processing part 114 ... Image input / output part 115 ... Liquid crystal display 116 ... Audio | voice input / output part 117 ... Audio | voice signal processing part 118 ... Built-in memory (RAM)
119 ... Built-in memory (ROM)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 ... Operation input part 131 ... Communication part 132 ... Drive 141 ... Power supply 201 ... CPU
202 ... ROM
203 ... RAM
204 ... Local bus 205 ... Bridge 206 ... Input / output bus 207 ... Input / output interface 208 ... Keyboard 209 ... Pointing device (mouse)
210 ... Display 211 ... HDD
214 ... Connection port 221 ... Removable recording medium 222 ... External connection device 310 ... Application 311 ... Recording application 312 ... Playback application 313 ... USB connection application 320 ... File system 321, 322 ... Mount drive information 323 ... Recording / playback control unit 323A ... FAT Control unit 323B ... Cluster control unit 323C ... Directory / entry control unit 324 ... Media control unit 324A ... Position control unit 324B ... Access control unit 330 ... Device driver 331 ... Access control unit 332 ... Device driver A
333: Device driver B
341 ... Recording medium A
342 ... Recording medium B
350 ... RAM (work area)

Claims (6)

A recording medium control device for controlling a recording medium to be used after a format process corresponding to a file system is performed on a recording area,
Of the recording area, an unwritten area management means for grasping a range of an unwritten area in which writing is not performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process;
A data erasing means for erasing data by writing a predetermined value in the recording area, excluding the range of the unwritten area;
Management information creation means for creating file system management information at a predetermined location in the recording area;
A recording medium control apparatus comprising: When the file system accesses the recording media through the device driver,
The file system issues a write command monitoring instruction to the device driver when the previous full format processing is completed,
The device driver, as the unwritten area management means, sequentially determines the range of the unwritten area according to the write command execution range to the recording medium processed thereafter in accordance with the write command monitoring instruction from the file system. Update,
The recording media control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein During the next full format processing, the device driver sends a write command to the recording medium when the write destination does not fall within the unwritten area range in response to a write command received from the file system. Notifying the completion of writing to the file system without sending a write command to the recording medium when corresponding to the range of the writing area,
The recording medium control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein During the next full format process, the file system obtains information on the range of the unwritten area from the device driver, writes a predetermined value in the full format process based on the information, and sets the range for executing the data erasure process. Narrow,
The recording medium control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein A recording medium control method for controlling a recording medium to be used after a format process corresponding to a file system is performed on a recording area,
Of the recording area, an unwritten area management step for grasping a range of an unwritten area in which writing is not performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process;
A data erasing step of erasing data by writing a predetermined value in the recording area, excluding the range of the unwritten area;
Management information creating step for creating file system management information at a predetermined location in the recording area;
A recording medium control method comprising: A computer program written in a computer-readable format so as to execute on a computer a process for controlling a recording medium to be used after a formatting process corresponding to a file system is performed on a recording area. The
Of the recording area, an unwritten area management means for grasping a range of an unwritten area in which writing is not performed between the previous full format process and the current full format process;
A data erasing means for erasing data by writing a predetermined value in the recording area, excluding the range of the unwritten area;
Management information creation means for creating file system management information at a predetermined location in the recording area;
Computer program to function as