JP2011135393A - Recorder and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent data fragmentation even when a plurality of contents including content whose volume cannot be estimated are simultaneously recorded in one recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The contents are classified according to whether the volume thereof can be estimated or not. Proper recording areas are secured according to the type of the contents which is being recorded and is to be recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The technical field relates to an apparatus and method for recording content on a recording medium.

  In recent years, mobile phones that can record broadcast programs, record captured moving images and still images (moving image shooting and still image shooting), download contents on the Internet (network download), and the like have appeared.

  Also, recording broadcast programs, moving or copying (dubbing) from one recording medium in the own device to the other recording medium, network download, moving contents of other devices connected via LAN to the recording medium of the own device or TVs with built-in HDDs and HDD recorders that can be duplicated (network dubbing) have also appeared.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 describes that “the ratio of fragmentation of each broadcast signal on the recording medium when simultaneously recording a plurality of broadcast signals can be reduced, and the unused area that can be formed on the recording medium is reduced and recorded. “Providing a broadcast receiving and recording apparatus and its simultaneous recording method capable of improving the utilization efficiency of the medium” (see Patent Document 1 [0005]), and as a means for solving the problem, “a plurality of broadcast signals can be received simultaneously” A receiving unit, a recording unit capable of recording a broadcast signal received by the receiving unit, and a plurality of broadcast signals, when recording a plurality of broadcast signals at the same time. When areas for recording broadcast signals are alternately secured, and there is an empty area equal to or larger than the threshold value on the recording medium, a range between a predetermined first size and a smaller second size is used. A control unit that secures a maximum possible free area as an area for recording a broadcast signal and secures an area for recording a broadcast signal in the second size when there is no free area equal to or greater than the threshold value (Refer to Patent Document 1 [0006]) and the like.

  Further, Patent Document 2 states that “the number of disk fragments increases in the disk storing content to be played back in real time, so that the number of seek times of the disk increases during data playback” (see Patent Document 2 [0016]). As a means for solving the problem, “(1) Management for managing the area of the disc by the list for specifying the recording area of the content recorded on the disc and the list for specifying the continuous free area of the disc” (2) When new content is written to the disc, there is a free space that is large enough to search the free space list managed by the management device and store the entire data of the content. The first allocating means for allocating the recording area of the content to the smallest free area among them, and (3) the first allocator In the search process of the free space list, if a free space large enough to store all the content data is not found, the content data is divided and the content recording region is divided from the large free space (4) when new content is written to the disc, and content data size and predicted retention time are given, the content is classified by data size and retention time The third allocation for allocating the content recording area to the free area so as to search the free area list managed by the management means based on the classification and prevent the classified content recording areas from being mixed in the disk area. Means, and (5) for content in which the recording area is divided, the size of one recording area is And (6) a recording area that moves the recording area when the recording area can be changed to a continuous state by moving the recording area to an empty area. If the size of one recording area is greater than or equal to a certain size and a recording area for content of a certain size is secured in an area adjacent to that recording area, A second moving means for moving the content data recorded when the content data recorded in the area to be moved is large, and (7) the size is equal to or less than a certain value, and For content recording areas that have free areas of a certain size or more on both sides, there is enough free area to move the content data recorded in the recording areas And 3rd moving means for performing the movement ”(see Patent Document 2 [0019]).

JP2007-74452 JP2009-076170

  As described above, in recent years, apparatuses that can record various types of content using different means have spread. It can be easily imagined that this tendency spreads to devices such as digital cameras, digital video cameras, car navigation systems, and the like.

  Also, with the advancement of high-definition content, the capacity and bit rate of each content has become large, and it is easy to imagine that this trend will continue in the future.

  Therefore, when content that requires real-time playback is played back, if the content data is fragmented in the recording medium, the playback speed decreases and smooth playback becomes difficult. That is, it is required to minimize data fragmentation when recording content.

  Here, the content to be recorded is a content whose capacity can be predicted (also referred to as “prediction”) at the time of recording (hereinafter referred to as “capacity predictable content”) and the capacity at the time of recording. The contents can not be classified (hereinafter referred to as “capacity unpredictable contents”).

  More specifically, the capacity predictable content is a content whose content capacity can be predicted to some extent before recording the content, and so-called reservation for recording a broadcast program by designating a recording start time and a recording end time in advance. This includes recording, dubbing that can acquire the capacity of the original content, and recording of captured still images.

  Capacity unpredictable content is content for which the content capacity cannot be predicted before recording the content. Recorded video whose recording end depends on user operation, recording of content for which recording end time is not specified, content capacity This applies to network download records that cannot be obtained.

  The methods disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above are based on the assumption that capacity predictable content is recorded. When the capacity unpredictable content is recorded or the capacity unpredictable content is simultaneously recorded on the same recording medium, There is no mention of how to avoid fragmentation. Therefore, there is a possibility that data is fragmented when recording those contents.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an embodiment of the present invention, for example, in recording content, the content is recorded in a recording area having the largest continuous empty area among the recording areas of the recording medium.

  According to the above means, the content can be efficiently recorded on the recording medium.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example about the recording device of a present Example. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the logical address of a recording medium, and the existing data. It is an example of a continuous empty area table including a start address, an empty size, and a status flag. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium before and behind ensuring a recording area. It is an example of a recording control flow when recording capacity-predictable content on a recording medium that is not being recorded. It is an example of a recording control flow when recording capacity-predictable content on a recording medium that is not being recorded. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium at the time of performing the recording area reservation and recording of a capacity | capacitance impossible content. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium in the process at the time of recording a capacity | capacitance unpredictable content to the recording medium which is not recording. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium in the process at the time of recording a capacity | capacitance unpredictable content to the recording medium which is not recording. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium in the process at the time of recording a capacity | capacitance unpredictable content to the recording medium which is not recording. It is an example of a recording control flow when a capacity predictable content is recorded during a capacity unpredictable content recording. It is an example of a recording control flow when recording capacity unpredictable content during capacity unpredictable content recording. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium in the process at the time of recording capacity | capacitance predictable content during capacity | capacitance prediction impossible content recording. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the data of a recording medium in the process at the time of recording capacity | capacitance predictable content during capacity | capacitance prediction impossible content recording.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the recording apparatus of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a recording apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a content acquisition unit 101, a CPU 102, an operation unit 103, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 104, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105, a media controller 106, and a recording medium. It has a county 107, a bus 108, and the like.

  The content acquisition unit 101 is controlled by the CPU 102 and includes means for acquiring content based on a signal external to the recording apparatus 100. The CPU 102 comprehensively controls each block based on the firmware stored in the ROM 104 and executes various arithmetic processes.

  The operation unit 103 includes buttons, switches, keys, an operation confirmation display, and the like. The operation unit 103 inputs various setting values and commands from the user and outputs them to the CPU 102. The ROM 104 is a memory in which firmware such as programs to be executed by the CPU 102 and various parameters is fixedly stored.

  A RAM 105 is used as a work dose area of the CPU 102 and is a memory that temporarily holds processing data. The media controller is controlled by the CPU 102 and writes / reads data to / from the recording medium of the recording medium group 107.

  The recording medium group 107 includes at least one recording medium, and data is read and written by the media controller 106. Examples of the recording medium include a hard disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a BD (Blu-lay Disc), a memory card, and a built-in flash memory. The bus 108 is a communication path for inputting / outputting various information between the blocks.

  Next, an example of means for acquiring content by the content acquisition unit 101 will be described. The content acquisition unit 101 includes, for example, a TV broadcast antenna, a tuner, a demodulator, and the like, and is a unit that can acquire content of a broadcast program. If necessary, a means for providing a codec processing unit and capable of bit rate conversion (transcoding) of content may be added. If necessary, an electronic program guide acquisition unit may be provided and means for acquiring the electronic program guide may be added.

  Further, for example, it is a means that includes a lens, an imaging device, an imaging signal processing unit, an audio detection unit, an imaging signal / audio signal codec processing unit, and the like, and can acquire contents of moving image shooting and still image shooting. If necessary, means for changing the number of pixels of the content or changing the compression rate by the codec processing unit may be added.

  Further, for example, it is a means that includes a network interface or the like and can acquire content from the Internet or an external device.

  The means for acquiring content is not limited to the above-described means, and any means that can acquire at least one content may be used. Further, a means capable of acquiring a plurality of contents may be used. Moreover, the means which can also acquire the same kind of content simultaneously like another program of the same time slot | zone may be sufficient.

  The capacity predicting means for capacity predictable contents will be sequentially described below according to the type of contents.

  The capacity predicting means for broadcast program contents will be described. When the content acquisition unit 101 includes an electronic program guide acquisition unit, so-called reservation recording is possible in which the recording start time, recording end time, and bit rate of the content of the broadcast program can be set in advance. When recording broadcast program content by reserved recording, the program time required from the recording start time and recording end time is multiplied by the bit rate to estimate the capacity of the reserved recorded content.

  There is a possibility that a fixed bit rate and a variable bit rate exist as the bit rate. In the case of a variable bit rate, the average bit rate may vary depending on the content. Therefore, it is desirable to calculate the expected capacity somewhat larger. When controlling the recording start and recording end in real time using the operation unit 103, if content is divided for each program, the end of the program means the end of recording.

  By acquiring the end time of the program using the electronic program guide acquisition unit, the capacity of the content can be predicted. However, if the recording end of content is controlled in real time only by using the operation unit 103 without dividing the content for each program, it is difficult to predict the capacity of the content. And

  Next, capacity predicting means for contents to be dubbed will be described. The original content recorded on the recording medium A of the recording medium group 107 is dubbed to the other recording medium B or the same recording medium A. When dubbing the original content without processing it, the capacity of the original content may be acquired from the recording medium A and used as the expected capacity.

  When the original content is processed and dubbed by transcoding or adding meta information, the expected capacity is calculated from the bit rate of the original content, the bit rate after transcoding, and the size of the added meta information. When the bit rate after transcoding is a variable bit rate, it is desirable to calculate the expected capacity somewhat larger.

  Next, capacity estimation means for content of still image shooting will be described. The expected capacity is calculated based on the preset number of pixels of the content and the compression rate of the codec processing unit. However, since the compression rate may vary depending on the content, it is desirable to calculate the expected capacity somewhat larger.

  Next, capacity estimation means for moving image shooting content will be described. In general, the start and end of content recording are often controlled in real time using the operation unit 103. In that case, since it is difficult to predict the capacity of the content, the content cannot be predicted.

  Next, the capacity predicting means for network download and network dubbing contents will be described. In some cases, the capacity of content can be acquired by a network protocol. For example, when content is acquired using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), when a GET request is issued to the server storing the content through the network interface of the content acquisition unit 101, an HTTP response is returned from the server. The Content-Length entity header of the HTTP response header may be valid. In that case, since the capacity of the requested content is stored in the Content-Length entity header, the value is set as the expected capacity.

  If the Content-Length entity header of the header of the HTTP response is not valid, it is difficult to predict the capacity of the content. Further, although an example of content acquisition using HTTP has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this example. If there is a means that can acquire the capacity of the content, the capacity is predictable content, and if there is no means, the capacity is predictable content.

  Through the above processing, capacity prediction processing of capacity predictable content can be performed. However, the capacity prediction process is not limited to the above-described processes, and if the content capacity can be predicted to some extent by any means, the content is determined as a capacity predictable content.

  Content whose capacity cannot be predicted by any means is regarded as content whose capacity cannot be predicted. Further, when it is difficult to predict the capacity for some reason (function of the device, etc.) although the content is originally a capacity that can be predicted, the content may be a content that cannot be predicted.

  Next, the continuous empty area table will be described. Immediately after mounting the recording medium such as when the apparatus is turned on or when the recording medium is inserted, the usage status information of the data recording area of the recording medium (for example, a recording medium that uses FAT (File Allocation Table) for the file system) , FAT table) is read from the recording medium. From the read status information of the data recording area, the start address and empty size of consecutive empty areas are sequentially calculated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, if the continuous empty area Up (203) sandwiched between the existing data 201 and the existing data 202 is an area starting from the logical address ap and having a size Sp, then “start address ap, empty size Sp , A table having the state flag fp ”as an element is created. The elements are sequentially added to the table, and a continuous empty area table as shown in FIG. 3 is created and managed.

  The status flag is a flag indicating whether or not capacity-predictable content is being recorded in the corresponding continuous empty area. For example, when the flag is 0, it indicates a continuous empty area where no capacity-predictable content is recorded. Represents a continuous empty area where impossible content is recorded. The initial values of the status flags are all 0.

  In addition, the status flag is cleared to 0 when recording of the capacity unpredictable content is stopped in the area where the capacity unpredictable content is being recorded. The continuous empty area table is updated every time the usage status of the data recording area of the recording medium changes, such as when data is written to the recording medium or when data on the recording medium is deleted.

  Using this continuous empty area table, an area having a desired value or a desired range and having a start address, an empty size, and a status flag can be searched. Hereinafter, each corresponding relationship is represented by a subscript such that a region corresponding to the start address ap, the empty size Sp, and the state flag fp is a region Up.

  Next, a recording area securing method using the continuous empty area table will be described with reference to FIG. As an example, a method for securing the area 404 (start address ax, size Sx) in the area Up403 surrounded by the existing data 401 and the existing data 402 will be described.

  When ap ≠ ax, the region 404 creates two empty regions (405 and 406) in the region Up. Since the area 406 has a start address (ax + Sx) and an empty size (Sp− (ax−ap) −Sx), “start address aq = (ax + Sx), empty size Sq = (Sp− (ax−ap) −Sx ), An element of the status flag fq ”is newly added to the continuous empty area table, and this is set as the area Uq. The status flag fq is set to 0 when an area is reserved for recording capacity-predictable content, and is set to 1 when an area is reserved for recording capacity-unpredictable content. Since the area 405 has an empty size (ax-ap), the empty size Sp is replaced with (ax-ap), and the continuous empty area table is updated to be a new area Up.

  When ap = ax, only the area 406 is the empty area in the area Up. Therefore, the start address ap of Up is set to (ap + Sx), the empty size Sp is set to (Sp-Sx), and the continuous empty area table is updated to be a new area Up.

  By the above processing, in the continuous empty area table, the existing data exists in the area from the address ax to the size Sx, that is, it can mean that the recording area is secured. Hereinafter, “reserving an area” represents a process of updating the continuous empty area table as described above.

  The recording area securing method at the time of content recording will be described in order, divided into capacity predictable contents and capacity unpredictable contents.

  A recording area securing method when recording capacity-predictable content on a recording medium that is not being recorded will be described with reference to FIG.

  When capacity predictable content recording starts (S501), the process proceeds to S502, and an estimated capacity P of capacity predictable content is calculated. In step S503, the estimated capacity P is compared with the total empty size of the recording medium.

  If S503 is false, all of the content cannot be recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, the process proceeds to S509, and the process ends without recording on the recording medium. When S503 is true, the process proceeds to S504, and the predicted capacity P is compared with the maximum continuous empty size.

  If S504 is true, the process proceeds to S505. An area of the expected capacity P is secured at the head of the empty size area that is equal to or larger than the expected capacity P and closest to the expected capacity P. After the processing of S505, the process proceeds to S506, and the capacity predictable content is recorded in the secured area.

  When all the recording is completed, the process proceeds to S509, and the recording of the capacity predictable content is ended.

  When S504 is false, the process proceeds to S507, and a partial area securing process (S507 and S508) of the expected capacity P is performed. In S507, (P-maximum continuous empty size) is set as a new expected capacity P, and in S508, a recording area for the maximum continuous empty size is secured in the area of the maximum continuous empty size. And it transfers to the process of S504 again and continues a flow similarly.

  By configuring as described above, the number of fragmented contents to be recorded can be suppressed as much as possible. In addition, since an area having a large empty size is not used as much as possible, even if it becomes necessary to secure a recording area for content with a large expected capacity in the future, the recording area can be secured without fragmenting the content as much as possible.

  Next, a recording area securing method when recording capacity-predictable content on a recording medium not being recorded will be described with reference to FIG. When the capacity unpredictable content recording is started (S601), the process proceeds to S602, and the area having the largest empty size (hereinafter referred to as “the area having the maximum continuous empty size”) is searched from the continuous empty area table and set as the area Up. Then, the process proceeds to S603, where the empty size Sp is compared with the secured amount A.

  Here, the secured amount A is a size of a recording area secured at a time when content whose capacity cannot be predicted is recorded, and is a relatively small value of about 4 MB, for example. When S603 is true, the area of size A can be secured in the area Up, and the process proceeds to S604, where the area of size A is secured from the start address ap of the area Up.

  Here, the state flag fp of the region Up is set to 1. Then, the process proceeds to S605, and the capacity unpredictable content is recorded in the secured area. In step S606, it is determined whether the recording is continued. If S606 is true, the status flag fp is cleared to 0 in S607, the process proceeds to S608, and the recording of the capacity unpredictable content is terminated.

  If S606 is false, the process proceeds to S603 again. By looping S603, S604, S605, and S606, it is possible to record content whose capacity cannot be predicted continuously in the same area as shown in FIG.

  If S603 is false, no more recording areas can be secured in the area Up, so the status flag fp is cleared to 0 in S608, and the process proceeds to S609. In S609, it is determined whether Sp is the maximum continuous empty area.

  If S609 is true, there is no continuous empty area in which a recording area can be secured, so the process moves to S610, and the recording of the capacity unpredictable content ends.

  When S609 is false, the process proceeds to S602, the area having the maximum continuous empty size at that time is searched for as a new area Up, and the flow is similarly continued.

  By configuring as described above, it is possible to sequentially secure and record the recording area from the large empty area, and to avoid fragmentation of contents whose capacity cannot be predicted as much as possible. Also, for example, when recording video content captured at a low bit rate, the capacity cannot be predicted, but it is expected that the content capacity will not be relatively large. The recording area may be limited to the size area, and the recording area may be secured from the top of the area having the maximum continuous empty size among the limited areas.

  In this case, the “maximum continuous empty size” portion of S602 and S609 may be read as “maximum continuous empty size among continuous empty sizes below a certain threshold”. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid using a region having a large empty size as much as possible.

  Next, a recording area securing method for recording capacity predictable content on a recording medium in which capacity predictable content is being recorded will be described. At the time when the capacity-predictable content is being recorded, the expected capacity of the capacity-predictable content is secured. Therefore, the recording area may be secured by a method similar to the “recording area securing method for recording capacity-predictable content on a recording medium not being recorded”.

  Next, a description will be given of a method for securing a recording area when recording capacity-unpredictable content on a recording medium in which capacity-predictable content is being recorded. At the time when the capacity-predictable content is being recorded, the expected capacity of the capacity-predictable content is secured. Therefore, the recording area may be secured by a method similar to the “recording area securing method when recording capacity-predictable content on a recording medium not being recorded”.

  Next, a method for securing a recording area when capacity predictable content is recorded on a recording medium in which capacity unpredictable content is being recorded will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the state in which the capacity-predictable content is being recorded is a state in which there is an area Up in which the state flag fp is 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, during the recording of unpredictable content, a method for securing the expected capacity of the predictable content is similar to the “method for securing a recording area when recording predictable content on a recording medium that is not being recorded”. In this case, there is a possibility that a capacity-predictable content recording area may be secured immediately after the area where capacity-predictable content is being recorded, and the capacity-predictable content is fragmented.

  Therefore, it is necessary to perform processing that can avoid fragmentation of capacity-predictable content and avoid fragmentation of capacity-predictable content as much as possible. As a process for realizing this, a method of securing a capacity-predictable content recording area in an area other than the area Up during capacity-predictable content recording as shown in FIG. 8, an area during capacity-predictable content recording as shown in FIG. A method of securing a capacity predictable content recording area below the Up, and a method of securing a capacity predictable content recording area in a plurality of areas including the bottom of the area Up during the capacity unpredictable content recording as shown in FIG. is there.

  Which method is used will be described with reference to FIG. When capacity-predictable content recording starts during capacity-predictable content recording (S1101), the process proceeds to S1102, and the predicted capacity P of capacity-predictable content is calculated. Then, the process proceeds to S1103, and the predicted capacity P is compared with (total empty size−allowable remaining capacity E).

  Here, the allowable remaining capacity E is a minimum capacity that should be left for recording of a capacity-predictable content being recorded. The allowable remaining capacity E is determined by the type of content whose capacity cannot be predicted during recording, the bit rate, the recorded capacity, and the like. For example, in the case of a moving image in which a capacity-predictable content being recorded is imaged, the bit rates of E = | (bit rate) × (E1−E2 × t) | It is a value that decreases in proportion to the recorded time.

  If S1103 is false, the process proceeds to S1111 and ends without recording capacity-predictable content. When S1103 is true, the process proceeds to S1104, and the predicted capacity P is compared with the maximum continuous empty size of the status flag 0 (that is, the area where capacity cannot be predicted is not recorded).

  When S1104 is true, there is an empty area in which capacity predictable content can be recorded without fragmentation in an area where capacity predictable content is not being recorded, and the process proceeds to S1105. In S1105, as shown in FIG. 8, a capacity-predictable content recording area is secured at the head of an empty size area that is equal to or larger than the expected capacity P and closest to the expected capacity P, except for the area Up.

  After the processing of S1105, the process proceeds to S1106, and the capacity predictable content is recorded in the secured area. When all the recording is completed, the process proceeds to S1111 and the recording of the capacity predictable content is ended.

  When S1104 is false, the capacity predictable content is fragmented unless the recording area for the capacity predictable content is also secured in the area Up. However, if a large number of recording areas are secured in the area Up, the capacity unpredictable content being recorded is recorded. Is more likely to be fragmented. In order to achieve both as much as possible, in S1107, (empty size Sp−expected capacity P) is compared with the allowable continuous remaining capacity F.

  Here, the allowable continuous remaining capacity F is the empty size (Sp-P) remaining when the entire expected capacity P is secured below the area Up as shown in FIG. 9, and the capacity unpredictable content is recorded without being fragmented. This is a parameter indicating whether or not the continuous empty size is sufficient. The allowable continuous remaining capacity F, like the allowable remaining capacity E, is determined by the type of content that cannot be predicted during recording, the bit rate, the recorded capacity, and the like.

  If S1107 is true, the process proceeds to S1108, and a capacity-predictable content recording area is secured below the Up as shown in FIG. After the processing of S1108, the process proceeds to S1106, and the capacity predictable content is recorded in the secured area.

  When all the recording is completed, the process proceeds to S1111 and the recording of the capacity predictable content is ended. When S1107 is false, the process proceeds to S1109, and a part of the area of the expected capacity P is secured (S1109 and S1110). In S1109, (P-maximum continuous empty size of status flag 0) is set as a new expected capacity P, and in S1110, a recording area is secured in an area of maximum continuous empty size of status flag 0. Then, the process proceeds to S1104 again to continue the flow.

  By configuring as described above, for example, when recording a content area of a capacity-predictable content that is a very large expected capacity during recording of a content of a captured video that is a capacity-predictable content, It is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the capacity that can be recorded is drastically reduced and the user's continuation of video shooting is prevented.

  In addition, it is possible to avoid as much as possible the area in which the capacity unpredictable content is recorded, and to avoid fragmenting the capacity unpredictable content as much as possible.

  In addition, even if a capacity-predictable content recording area is secured in the area where capacity-predictable content is recorded, fragmentation of capacity-predictable content can be avoided as much as possible, and fragmentation of capacity-predictable content can be avoided as much as possible. be able to.

  Next, a method for securing a recording area when recording capacity-unpredictable content on a recording medium on which capacity-predictable content is being recorded will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14. FIG. The content that cannot be predicted for capacity being recorded is content I, and the content that cannot be predicted for capacity is content J.

  Further, the allowable remaining capacity and the allowable continuous residual capacity of the content I are assumed to be E (I) and F (I), respectively. In addition, the allowable remaining capacity, the secured amount, and the allowable continuous remaining capacity of the content J are respectively E (J), A (J), and F (J).

  When capacity unpredictable content J recording starts during capacity unpredictable content I recording (S1201), the process proceeds to S1202, and the total empty size is compared with (E (I) + E (J)). If S1202 is false, it is determined that there is not enough remaining capacity to record the contents I and J at the same time, and the process proceeds to S1219, and the process ends without recording the contents J whose capacity cannot be predicted.

  If S1202 is true, the process proceeds to S1203, where an area having the maximum continuous empty size is searched from the areas of the status flag 0, and the area is set as an area Uq. The process proceeds to S1204, and Sq and F (J) are compared. When S1204 is true, it is determined that the area Uq has a continuous free space sufficient for recording the content J, and S1205, S1206, S1207, and S1208 are looped to sequentially start from the top of Uq as shown in FIG. Secure recording area and record.

  If S1208 becomes true, the status flag fq is cleared to 0 in S1209, the process proceeds to S1219, and the recording of the capacity unpredictable content J is finished. If S1205 is false, no more data can be recorded in the area Uq, the status flag fq is cleared to 0 in S1210, and the process proceeds to S1203.

  In step S1203, a new area Uq is searched, and the process proceeds to step S1204 to continue the flow. If S1204 is false, the process proceeds to S1211. Here, Sp is compared with (F (I) + F (J)). If S1211 is true, it is determined that the area Up in which the content I is being recorded has a sufficient continuous free space for simultaneously recording the content I and the content J, and the process proceeds to S1212.

  In S1212, the area Ur (ar = ap + F (I), Sr = Sp−F (I), fr = 0) is stored in the continuous empty area table so that the content J can be started from the middle of the area Up as shown in FIG. Add to

  As the area Ur is added, the area Up table is also updated. Then, by looping S1213, S1214, S1215, and S1216, the recording area is secured and recorded sequentially from the beginning of Ur as shown in FIG.

  If S1216 becomes true, the status flag fr is cleared to 0 in S1217, the process proceeds to S1219, and the recording of the capacity unpredictable content J is finished. If S1213 becomes false, no more recordings can be made in the area Ur. In S1218, the status flag fr is cleared to 0, and the process proceeds to S1203.

  FIG. 12 shows the processing flow of the content J, but the content I also has a similar processing flow. That is, in the state before the content J recording, the content I is processed as shown in FIG. 6, but when the recording of the content J is started (S1201) when the process proceeds to S602, the content I The process proceeds to S1202, and the process may be performed by replacing I with J and J with I.

  If content I and content J are recorded at the same time and one of the recordings is completed, the processing of the content that is being recorded moves from S1203 to S602, and processing for recording a single unpredictable content Should be done.

  With the configuration as described above, it is possible to prevent the continuation of the recording from being disturbed for both the capacity unpredictable content being recorded and the capacity unpredictable content to be recorded.

  In addition, it is possible to avoid as much as possible the area in which the capacity is unpredictable content is recorded, and to avoid fragmentation of the capacity unpredictable content being recorded as much as possible.

  In addition, even if another capacity unpredictable content recording area is secured in the area where capacity unpredictable content is being recorded, fragmentation of capacity unpredictable content being recorded can be avoided as much as possible, and the capacity to be recorded Avoid fragmenting unpredictable content as much as possible.

  When recording capacity-predictable content, it is not necessary to record in the area secured immediately after securing the recording area. For example, when recording the contents of a broadcast program by reserved recording, the recording area may be secured when the reservation is executed, and the recording may be performed at the reserved recording start time. The recording area may be secured immediately before.

  Further, it is not necessary to match the recording area securing order and the recording order. For example, in the case of shifting to S1104, S1107, S1109, S1110, S1104, and S1105 in FIG. 11, the capacity cannot be predicted after the first recording area is secured in the area in which the capacity unpredictable content is not recorded as shown in FIG. The second recording area is secured below the area where content is being recorded. When recording is performed in S1106, the data may be recorded in the secured area 1 after being recorded in the secured area 1, or may be recorded in the secured area 1 after being recorded in the secured area 2.

100 Recording Device 101 Content Acquisition Unit 102 CPU
103 Operation unit 104 ROM
105 RAM
106 Media controller 107 Recording medium group 108 Bus 201 Existing data 202 Existing data 203 Area Up
401 Existing data 402 Existing data 403 Area Up
404 Secured area 405 Area Up after securing the recording area
406 New area Uq after securing recording area

Claims (10)

A content acquisition unit for acquiring content;
A recording medium for recording the content acquired by the content acquisition unit,
When recording the content acquired by the content acquisition unit on the recording medium, the recording apparatus records the content in a recording area having the largest continuous empty area among the recording areas of the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The content acquired by the content acquisition unit is a content whose size cannot be predicted. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
When recording a content whose size can be predicted while recording content whose size cannot be predicted on the recording medium, the size of the recording area of the recording medium is predicted. Predicting the size in a recording area other than the area where content that cannot be recorded is recorded and having a continuous free space closest to the size of the content for which the size can be predicted A recording apparatus for recording content that can be recorded. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
When recording the second content whose size cannot be predicted when the first content whose size cannot be predicted is recorded on the recording medium, of the recording area of the recording medium A second recording area other than the first content recording area where the size cannot be predicted, and the second recording capacity cannot be predicted in a recording area having the largest continuous free space. Recording apparatus characterized by recording content The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The recording device includes a start address of an empty area of the recording medium, a size of the empty area, and a status flag indicating whether or not content whose size cannot be predicted is recorded in the empty area. A recording apparatus characterized by being associated and managed. A recording method for recording content on a recording medium,
A recording method comprising: recording content in a recording area having the largest continuous empty area among the recording areas of the recording medium. The recording method according to claim 6, comprising:
The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the content to be recorded on the recording medium is content whose size cannot be predicted. The recording method according to claim 6, comprising:
When recording a content whose size can be predicted while recording content whose size cannot be predicted on the recording medium, the size of the recording area of the recording medium is predicted. Predicting the size in a recording area other than the area where content that cannot be recorded is recorded and having a continuous free space closest to the size of the content for which the size can be predicted A recording method characterized by recording content that can be recorded. The recording method according to claim 6, comprising:
When recording the second content whose size cannot be predicted when the first content whose size cannot be predicted is recorded on the recording medium, of the recording area of the recording medium A second recording area other than the first content recording area where the size cannot be predicted, and the second recording capacity cannot be predicted in a recording area having the largest continuous free space. Recording method characterized by recording content The recording method according to claim 6, comprising:
Managing the start address of the empty area of the recording medium, the size of the empty area, and a status flag indicating whether or not content whose size cannot be predicted is recorded in the empty area And a recording method.

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