JP4022971B2 - Storage device and data deletion method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a storage device for storing audio data in an accumulative manner on a randomly accessible large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, andData deletion methodAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, it is common to convert an audio signal into a digital format and store it in a storage medium. As a storage medium at this time, a disk storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or an MD (Mini Disc) is mainly used.
[0003]
By the way, a so-called CD changer in which a large number of CDs (Conpact Discs) are stored and a CD is automatically reproduced has already been put into practical use. In this CD changer, several tens to several hundreds of CDs are stored in one casing, and the CD selected by a predetermined operation is automatically reproduced. CD reproduction can be performed for each CD, or a plurality of CDs can be selected, and random reproduction can be performed in units of CDs or recorded songs. This CD changer is mainly used in a fixed manner.
[0004]
However, in the above-described CD changer, it is difficult to realize continuous playback because CD replacement time occurs even during automatic playback. In addition, a CD changer that stores a large number of CDs such as 100 or 200 has been unsatisfactory in that it is very inconvenient to carry because the casing becomes large and heavy.
[0005]
On the other hand, as portable audio data reproducing apparatuses, those using MD (Mini Disc) are becoming popular in recent years. In this method, an audio signal is digitally converted, compressed by a compression technique called ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding: trademark), and recorded on an MD using magneto-optical. Since the audio signal is recorded as digital data, there is little deterioration in sound quality, and there is an advantage that random reproduction is possible because a disk is used as a recording medium.
[0006]
Even in this portable MD playback device, once recording is performed on the MD, random playback and general playback can be performed only within the range of the MD. For this reason, it is necessary to change the disk one by one in random reproduction or music designation reproduction with a plurality of MDs. Therefore, the user must always carry a plurality of MDs, which is inconvenient.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, large-capacity small hard disks of several GB have become available at a relatively low cost. By using this hard disk, it is possible to easily store a large amount of audio data and continuously reproduce them at random. However, conventionally, there has been a problem that a hard disk for audio has not been used for a consumer playback device.
[0008]
By the way, since a large amount of audio data can be stored in the hard disk, there is a possibility that a large number of data may be generated, such as being unnecessary although it was stored. If such data is deleted each time, it must be stored again when it is needed again.
[0009]
In a personal computer or the like, a so-called “trash box” function is generally used in which a file to be deleted is saved in a predetermined area, and the file is virtually deleted. Putting a file in the “trash can” means that it has been deleted. On the other hand, since the file put in the “recycle bin” is again put out of the “recycle bin” and made usable, the hard disk continues to occupy an area of the same size as the original file. Therefore, files placed in the “trash box” will squeeze the capacity of the hard disk unless they are deleted and actually deleted.
[0010]
Normally, in the “trash box” function, the maximum capacity that can be stored in the “trash box” can be determined in advance. If the total capacity of files placed in the “trash box” exceeds this maximum capacity, a message to that effect is displayed.
[0011]
Consider this for the audio consumer products mentioned above. That is, it is a case where a hard disk configured to store audio data is applied to a consumer product intended for an unspecified number of users. In this case, only a message such as “the disk capacity is full” is unkind to the user and may not be noticed by the user. Therefore, for example, there is a problem that it may become a problem subject to a claim such that new audio data cannot be stored even if it is stored.
[0012]
  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that can easily delete and restore unnecessary data.And data deletion methodIs to provide.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Further, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a storage medium that is built in the main body and stores a plurality of data, and a display unit that displays each of the plurality of data stored in the storage medium as icons. A predetermined storage area is allocated in the storage medium, and a plurality of temporary storage means displayed on the display means and a plurality of data displayed as icons on the display means are displayed.SelectionThe moving means for moving and storing the selected predetermined data in the predetermined temporary storage means among the plurality of temporary storage means, and the predetermined data respectively stored in the plurality of temporary storage means are determined by each temporary storage means. And a deletion control means for controlling to delete from each storage area in a predetermined period.
  The present invention is also a data deletion method for deleting data stored in a storage unit, wherein predetermined data selected from a plurality of data stored in the storage unit is stored in a predetermined part of a plurality of temporary storage means. And a step of moving to the temporary storage means, and a step of deleting data stored in each temporary storage means when a predetermined period set for each of the plurality of temporary storage means has elapsed. This is a data deletion method.
[0016]
As described above, according to the present invention, since the data stored in the storage medium is automatically moved to the temporary storage unit according to the frequency of use, the user needs to pay less attention to the capacity of the storage medium. Absent.
[0017]
In the present invention, since the data stored in the storage medium is compressed when moved to the temporary storage means, the storage medium can be used effectively.
[0018]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the data stored in the temporary storage means is automatically deleted after a predetermined period, so that the user does not need to worry about the capacity of the storage medium.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, in order to facilitate understanding, an apparatus and a system to which the present invention can be applied will be described. FIG. 1 schematically shows a music server to which the present invention is applied and a system using the music server. The music server 50 includes a server main body 51 and left and right speaker units 52L and 52R. The server main body 51 is provided with a display unit 53 made of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, and a CD insertion unit 54 for inserting a CD.
[0020]
Although omitted in FIG. 1, an operation unit for the user to operate the functions of the server main body 51 is provided on the server main body 51. Further, for example, a signal receiving unit for receiving an infrared signal may be provided for remotely controlling the function of the server main body 51 with a remote commander. The server body 51 has a CPU and is controlled by a predetermined program stored in advance in, for example, a ROM.
[0021]
The user can set the CD 55 in the CD insertion unit 54 and perform a predetermined operation on the operation unit to reproduce the CD 55 and enjoy the reproduced music, for example, by the speaker units 52L and 52R. Further, when the CD 55 is CD text including text data, predetermined text data can be displayed on the display unit 53.
[0022]
The music server 50 has a large-capacity recording medium such as a hard disk inside. Based on a predetermined operation, the music data of the CD 55 set in the CD insertion section 54 can be recorded on this recording medium. At this time, it is possible to select a method of recording at a single speed that is the same as the playback speed of the CD 55 and a high-speed recording that performs recording at a speed higher than the playback speed. High-speed recording can be selected and executed by performing a billing process according to a predetermined procedure.
[0023]
In the music server 50, the music data is compressed and encoded by a predetermined method and recorded as compressed music data. For example, about 1000 songs can be stored in a hard disk having a capacity of 6 GBytes. A list of music items stored in the hard disk is displayed on the display unit 53, for example, and the user can select and play an arbitrary music based on this display. Further, since the hard disk can be randomly accessed, it is possible to continuously reproduce a large number of stored music data in an arbitrary order.
[0024]
Various methods can be used for compression coding. In this example, a method called ATRAC2 (Adaptive Tranform Acoustic Coding 2) is used. This is an extension of ATRAC, which is a compression coding method used for MD, and uses transforming coding and entropy coding by utilizing the masking effect based on auditory properties and the frequency dependence of the minimum audible limit. In combination, the audio data is compressed and encoded. With relatively small hardware, encoding / decoding can be performed at high speed while maintaining high sound quality.
[0025]
The music server 50 can be connected to an external system, for example, an Internet server 60 that is a server connected to the Internet, via a communication line 61 that is a public telephone line, for example. By connecting to the Internet server 60 from the music server 50 via the communication line 61, various information on the Internet can be obtained. The Internet server 60 has a database storing title information of commercially available music CDs, for example. By giving a predetermined key to this database, data accompanying the CD, for example, title information of the CD can be obtained.
[0026]
In addition, the Internet server 60 performs billing processing for the music server 50 according to the service. The above-described high-speed recording of the CD 55 is performed by the music server 50 communicating with the Internet server 60, and can be selected and executed.
[0027]
Here, the billing process is performed by the Internet server 60 having a lot of CD additional information, but this is not limited to this example. For example, this billing process may be performed by another server connected to the Internet. It is also possible to perform the billing process on a dedicated network other than the Internet, for example.
[0028]
The portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 has a recording medium including a hard disk or a flash memory (flash RAM). Other recording media can be used as long as the music playback speed can be followed. By connecting the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 to the music server 50 via the connection line 71, the music data recorded on the music server 50 can be transferred to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 and recorded on the recording medium. . At this time, on the music server 50 side, the transferred music data exists on the recording medium but cannot be reproduced. The recording medium used in the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 has a capacity of, for example, about 200 MBytes, and can store music data for several tens of songs.
[0029]
Here, when the above transfer method used in the present invention, that is, music data is transferred, the music data is recorded on the transfer destination recording medium, and the transferred music data is stored on the transfer source recording medium. The state that exists on the recording medium but cannot be reproduced is referred to as “movement”. By moving the music data in this way, unlimited copying of the music data can be prevented.
[0030]
In the above description, the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 are connected by the connection line 71. However, this is not limited to this example. For example, the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 can be provided with corresponding mounting portions, and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 can be directly attached to the music server 50 to exchange data. Further, not only electrical connection but also an interface corresponding to IrDA (Infrared Data Association) for exchanging data by infrared signals, for example, may be provided on both sides to transfer music data by infrared signals.
[0031]
Furthermore, by providing a predetermined interface for the music server 50, information exchange with various media can be performed. For example, by providing an interface corresponding to the PC card 80, music data distributed by the PC card 80 can be taken into the music server 50, and data can be exchanged between the personal computer and the music server 50. Become. By providing a serial digital interface such as an optical cable, music data can be exchanged with another digital music data recording / reproducing apparatus such as the MD recorder 81, for example. In this example, the MD 82 is mounted on the MD recorder 81, and music data reproduced from the MD 82 is supplied to the music server 50. Similarly, an interface such as IEEE1394 can be provided, and for example, a set top box 83 for CATV (Cable Television) or satellite broadcasting can be connected.
[0032]
The PC card is a standard for a card-type peripheral device for a personal computer jointly established by PCMCIA (Personal Memory Card International Association) in the US and JEIDA (Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association) in Japan. IEEE 1394 is an interface standard adopted by the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
[0033]
The music server 50 can have a WWW (World Wide Web) browser as a built-in application. By connecting to the Internet server 60 via the communication line 61, various contents described in, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) on the Internet can be searched and displayed on the display unit 53.
[0034]
With such a configuration, for example, the user can reproduce music data stored in the music server 50 and listen to it with the speaker units 52L and 52R, and set the CD 55 in the CD insertion unit 54, and the CD 55 Can be played.
[0035]
Further, by performing communication between the music server 50 and the Internet server 60, the title information of the CD 55 set in the CD insertion unit 54 can be automatically obtained via the communication line 61. The obtained information is stored in the music server 50 and displayed on the display unit 53 as necessary.
[0036]
More specifically, user information such as a user ID is sent from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60. On the Internet server 60 side, verification processing and billing processing are performed based on the received user information. Also, media information is sent from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60. Based on the received media information, the Internet server 60 searches for additional information with respect to music data such as a song title, a player name, a composer / lyricist name, lyrics, and a jacket image. Then, the Internet server 60 returns predetermined information requested by the user to the music server 50.
[0037]
For example, TOC (Table Of Contents) information of CD 55 is sent to the Internet server 60 as media information. In the Internet server 60, a database is constructed in which additional information for the music data can be searched using the TOC information as a key. Additional information may be obtained by searching other WWW servers on the Internet. The Internet server 60 searches for additional information of the music data based on the received TOC information. This can be searched based on the time information of each piece of music recorded on the CD 55 included in the TOC, for example.
[0038]
Additional information obtained by the search is transmitted from the Internet server 60 to the music server 50. In the music server 50, the received additional information is displayed on the display unit 53. Note that by sending the additional information embedded in the HTML file, the additional information can be displayed on the music server 50 using the built-in WWW browser.
[0039]
If another URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on the Internet is described in the additional information, the music server 50 can access a homepage on the Internet indicated by the URL.
[0040]
Further, by communicating with the Internet server 60, the music data of the CD 55 set in the CD insertion unit 54 is recorded on the recording medium of the music server 50 at a speed higher than the prescribed playback speed of the CD 55, for example, one CD 55 Minute music data can be recorded in about 2 minutes. When communication with the Internet server 60 is not performed, recording is performed at a single reproduction speed equal to the specified reproduction speed.
[0041]
Furthermore, the music data stored in the music server 50 can be transferred to the portable playback device 71 and moved by connecting to the portable recording / playback device 70 via the connection line 71. The moved music data can be reproduced by the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 even when the connection by the connection line 71 is not made, and can be listened to by the headphones 72, for example. The music data that has been transferred and moved is in a state in which the music server 50 cannot reproduce the music data.
[0042]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the music server 50. First, the music server 50 is provided with a RAM 5, a ROM 6, a flash RAM 7, and a CPU 8 which are coupled to each other via a bus, in the same manner as in the configuration of a normal personal computer. CPU 8 is connected to bus 40. The entire operation of the music server 50 is controlled by the CPU 8.
[0043]
The ROM 6 stores a program for controlling the operation of the music server 50 in advance. In the music server 50, an operation corresponding to the operation of the input means 1 described later is performed based on this program. In the RAM 5 and the flash RAM 7, a data area and a task area for executing a program are temporarily secured. Alternatively, the ROM 6 stores a program loader, and the program itself can be loaded into the flash RAM 7 by the program loader.
[0044]
The input unit 1 includes, for example, a push type key and a rotary type key. The input unit 1 is not limited to this, and may be a rotary push type key called a jog dial, a touch panel on an LCD, or the like. Of course, it is possible to use a switch mechanism that reacts when pressed. A signal corresponding to the operation of the input means 1 is supplied to the CPU 8 via the bus 40. The CPU 8 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the music server 50 based on this signal. The music server 50 is operated according to this control signal.
[0045]
An infrared interface (IrDA I / F) driver 3 and / or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) driver 4 is connected to the bus 40. The keyboard 2 can communicate or connect to these drivers. By using the keyboard 2, it is possible to easily input, for example, a song name and an artist name corresponding to recorded music data. Alternatively, data transfer may be performed via the infrared interface driver 3 or the USB driver 4. The infrared interface 3 and the USB driver 4 can be omitted.
[0046]
The CD-ROM drive 9 is connected to the bus 40, and the above-described CD 55 is set in the CD-ROM drive 9. In the CD-ROM drive 9, music data is read from the set CD 55 at a specified reproduction speed. Further, the CD-ROM drive 9 can read the music data of the CD 55 at a speed higher than the prescribed reproduction speed, for example, 16 times or 32 times the prescribed reproduction speed.
[0047]
Note that the CD-ROM drive 9 is not limited to this example, and may be compatible with other media storing music data, such as a magneto-optical disk or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). A drive corresponding to the memory card can also be used. Further, the data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is not limited to music data. Image data, text data, program data, etc. can be read out.
[0048]
A hard disk drive HDD 10 is connected to the bus 40. In the HDD 10, music data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is recorded. As preprocessing for recording music data on the HDD 10, the music data read by the CD-ROM drive 9 is supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the bus 40 and the audio DRAM 11.
[0049]
In the compression encoder 12, for example, the music data is compression-encoded by the above-described ATRAC2. Note that two speeds of low speed and high speed are prepared for the compression speed of the music data by the compression encoder 12 based on the control of the CPU 8. The low speed compression corresponds to a reproduction speed of 1 × speed in the CD-ROM drive 9. The compression speed is switched according to the reproduction speed by the CD-ROM drive 9, for example. In the compression encoder 12, for example, an encoding algorithm corresponding to the compression speed is driven.
[0050]
The change of the compression speed in the compression encoder 12 is not limited to this method. For example, it may be performed by switching the clock frequency of the compression encoder 12. Also, different hardware may be prepared for each. Further, in the compression encoder 12 capable of high-speed compression, it is possible to perform low-speed compression by thinning processing.
[0051]
The compressed music data compressed and encoded by the compression encoder 12 is recorded and stored in the HDD 10 via the DRAM 11.
[0052]
Here, the compressed music data compression-encoded by the compression encoder 12 is configured to be stored in the HDD 10, but the music data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is directly recorded and stored in the HDD 10. You can also.
[0053]
In this example, an audio signal input from the microphone connected to the terminal 13 via the amplifier 14 and an audio signal input from the line input end 15 are supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the A / D converter 16. Is done. These audio signals can be compressed and recorded on the HDD 10. Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from the optical digital input end 17 to the compression encoder 12 via an IEC958 (International Electrotechnical Commission 958) encoder 18. An audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal can be compressed and recorded in the HDD 10. Of course, it is not necessary to have all these signal input means.
[0054]
In the above description, the compression encoder 12 uses ATRAC2 as an encoding algorithm, but this is not limited to this example. In other words, the compression encoder 12 can use any other encoding algorithm that compresses information. For example, encoding algorithms such as ATRAC (trademark), moving picture coding experts group (MPEG), precision adaptive sub-band coding (PASC), TwinVQ (trademark), RealAudio (trademark), and LiquidAudio (trademark) may be used. .
[0055]
The modem 20 is connected to the bus 40. The modem 20 is connected to an external network 19 such as a public telephone line, CATV, or wireless communication. The music server 50 can communicate via the external network 19 by the modem 20.
[0056]
The music server 50 is connected to, for example, the Internet via the external network 19, and communication is performed between the music server 50 and the remote Internet server 60. Request information from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60, media information that is information related to the CD 55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9, user ID and user information given in advance to each of the music servers 50, Various information such as billing information for the user is transmitted.
[0057]
These pieces of information are received by the Internet server 60, and collation processing and billing processing are performed based on the received user information such as the user ID, and additional information of the music data is searched based on the received media information, and the music server Returned to 50.
[0058]
Here, an example in which additional information of music data is returned has been shown, but it is also possible to supply music data directly from the external network 19 based on a user request. That is, the user can download music data from the Internet server 60 using the music server 50. Also, music data can be returned in response to the media information. According to this, for example, a bonus track of a predetermined CD 55 can be acquired by distribution.
[0059]
The compressed music data compressed and encoded by the compression encoder 12 and recorded and stored in the HDD 10 is supplied to the compression decoder 21 via the bus 40 when it is read out for reproduction. The compressed music data is decompressed and encoded by the compression decoder 21 and is led to the terminal 24 via the D / A converter 22 and the amplifier 23. Then, it is supplied from the terminal 24 to the speaker units 52L and 52R, and music is reproduced. Although not shown in FIG. 2, two paths from the D / A converter 22 to the terminal 24 via the amplifier 23 are provided corresponding to the stereo output. Similarly, there are two terminals 24 corresponding to stereo.
[0060]
Note that the compression decoder 21 uses a decoding algorithm corresponding to the encoding algorithm in the compression encoder 12. Further, the compression decoder 21 and the compression encoder 12 described above may be software processing by the CPU 8 without having hardware.
[0061]
The LCD 26 constituting the display unit 53 is connected to the bus 40 via the LCD driver 25. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU 8 to the LCD driver 25 via the bus 40. Based on this signal, the LCD driver 25 drives the LCD 26 to perform a predetermined display.
[0062]
For example, an operation menu of the music server 50 is displayed on the LCD 26. The LCD 26 displays, for example, a title list of the compressed music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10. Further, on the LCD 26, for example, a folder and a jacket image corresponding to the compressed music data to be selected and reproduced are displayed.
[0063]
Based on the display of the LCD 26, the pointing music data as the input means 1 and the keyboard 2 are operated, and the instructed music data is controlled to be reproduced. Further, it is possible to delete the selected music data and control the copying and movement of the selected music data to an external device based on the display of the LC 26. For example, when the input unit 1 is a touch panel provided on the LCD 26, the music server 50 can be operated by touching the touch panel according to the display on the LCD 26. As described above, the music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10 is managed and controlled by the user using the LCD 26 as an interface.
[0064]
In the first embodiment, IEEE1394 and a PC card are supported as an interface between the music server 50 and an external general information device. An IEEE 1394 interface 28 is connected to the bus 40 via an IEEE 1394 driver 29. Similarly, a PC card slot 31 is connected to the bus 40 via a PC card driver 30.
[0065]
The IEEE 1394 interface 28 enables data exchange between the music server 50 and, for example, a personal computer. In addition, the IEEE 1394 interface 28 can take in music data from satellite broadcast IRD (Integrated Reciever / Decorder), MD, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc: trademark), digital video, and the like. Furthermore, by installing a PC card in the PC card slot 31, it is easy to expand various peripheral devices such as an external storage device and other media drives, or a modem, a terminal adapter, a capture board, and the like.
[0066]
The interface 34 is an interface for exchanging music data and the like between the music server 50 and other corresponding recording / reproducing devices. For example, the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the other recording / reproducing apparatus. The present invention is not limited to this, and the other recording / playback apparatus may be another music server 50.
[0067]
An interface 34 is connected to the bus 40 via an interface driver 33. Another corresponding recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with an interface 35 that is paired with the interface 34. By electrically connecting the interfaces 34 and 35 with a predetermined connection line 71, for example, music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10 can be transferred from the music server 50 to another recording / reproducing apparatus.
[0068]
FIG. 3 schematically shows a signal flow until the music data read by the CD-ROM drive 9 is recorded in the HDD 10. The music data read from the CD-ROM drive 9 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory via the bus 40. Then, music data is read from the DRAM 11 at a predetermined timing and supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the bus 40. The compression encoder 12 is set to a predetermined compression speed in step S13 or step S14 described above. The music data is compression-encoded by the compression encoder 12 and once stored again in the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory. Then, the compressed music data read from the DRAM 11 at a predetermined timing is supplied to the HDD 10 via the bus 40 and recorded.
[0069]
FIG. 4 schematically shows a signal flow from when the compressed music data read from the HDD 10 is reproduced to be output to the terminal 24. The compressed music data read from the HDD 10 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 11 as a buffer memory via the bus 40. Then, the compressed music data is read from the DRAM 11 at a predetermined timing and supplied to the compression decoder 21 via the bus 40. The compressed music data is decompressed and encoded by the compression decoder 21, converted into music data, and supplied to the D / A converter 22. The music data is converted into an analog audio signal by the D / A converter 22, amplified by the amplifier 23, and output to the terminal 24 as a reproduction output. If a speaker is connected to the terminal 24, the music reproduced by the speaker can be enjoyed.
[0070]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 used as another recording / reproducing apparatus. This portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 has a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the music server 50 shown in FIG. Further, the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is normally used as a single unit with the interface 34 on the music server 50 side and the interface 35 on the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 side separated.
[0071]
First, the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is provided with a RAM 103, a ROM 104, and a CPU 105, which are coupled to each other by a bus, in the same manner as in a normal personal computer. Of course, a flash RAM may be provided as in the configuration of the music server 50 described above. The CPU 105 is connected to the bus 130. The CPU 105 controls the overall operation of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70.
[0072]
The ROM 104 stores in advance a program for controlling the operation of the portable recording / reproducing device 70. In the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70, an operation corresponding to the operation of the input means 102 described later is performed based on this program. In the RAM 103, a data area and a task area for executing the program are temporarily secured.
[0073]
The input unit 102 includes, for example, a push type key and a rotary type key. The input means 102 is not limited to this, and may be a rotary push type key called a jog dial, a touch panel on an LCD, or the like. Of course, it is possible to use a switch mechanism that reacts when pressed. A signal corresponding to the operation of the input means 102 is supplied to the CPU 105 via the bus 130. The CPU 105 generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the portable recording / reproducing device 70 based on this signal. The portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is operated according to this control signal.
[0074]
In the music server 50, the music data read from the HDD 10 and instructed to be transferred to the portable recording / reproducing device 70 is connected to the interface 34, the interface 35, and the connection line connecting the interface 34 and the interface 35. The data is transferred to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 and supplied. Further, when the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 are provided with corresponding mounting portions, the interface 34 and the interface 35 are directly connected to transfer music data. Further, when an IrDA interface is provided, music data is transferred with an infrared signal.
[0075]
The music data transferred and supplied is recorded on the HDD 106 which is a music data recording medium of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 via the bus 130 from the interface driver 101.
[0076]
In the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70, the music data recording medium is not limited to the HDD 106, and for example, a flash RAM can be used. In addition, other recording medium media such as a magneto-optical disk can be used as long as they can follow the reproduction speed of music data. As a music data recording medium, for example, several tens of songs can be recorded by using a medium having a capacity of about 200 Mbytes.
[0077]
By the way, in this example, the music data transferred and recorded in the HDD 106 is already compressed and encoded in the music server 50 and is compressed music data. The portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is not limited to this example, and music data that has not been compression-encoded can be supplied and recorded in the HDD 106. For example, music data reproduced and read from the CD 55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 of the music server 50 is supplied directly to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 via the interface driver 101. In this case, however, it goes without saying that the number of recordable music data is greatly limited.
[0078]
As pre-processing for recording music data on the HDD 106, the supplied music data is temporarily stored in the audio DRAM 107 connected to the bus 130. Then, the music data is supplied to the compression encoder 108 via the bus 130. The compression encoder 108 compresses and encodes music data using an encoding algorithm equivalent to the compression encoder 12 in the music server 50 (ATRAC2 in this example). The compression-coded compressed music data is supplied to the DRAM 107 and temporarily stored again. Finally, the compressed music data stored in the DRAM 107 is read and recorded in the HDD 106.
[0079]
As described above, when the compressed music data stored in the HDD 10 in the music server 50 is instructed to move and transferred to the portable recording / reproducing device 70, the compressed music data in the HDD 10 exists on the HDD 10. However, playback is disabled. The moved compressed music data is returned to the recording medium of the movement source again, and can be reproduced at the movement source. At this time, the compressed music data is deleted from the destination recording medium.
[0080]
In this example, an audio signal input from the microphone connected to the terminal 109 via the amplifier 110 and an audio signal input from the line input end 111 are supplied to the compression encoder 108 via the A / D converter 112. Is done. These audio signals can be compressed and recorded on the HDD 106. Further, an optical digital signal is supplied from the optical digital input end 113 to the compression encoder 108 via the IEC958 encoder 114. An audio signal supplied as an optical digital signal can be compressed and recorded on the HDD 106. Of course, it is not necessary to have all of these signal input means, and it is possible to omit all of these signal input means if it is a portable playback device dedicated to playback. .
[0081]
The compressed music data is read from the HDD 106 for reproduction and supplied to the compression decoder 115 via the bus 130. The music data that has been subjected to compression encoding by the compression decoder 115 is led to the terminal 118 via the D / A converter 116 and the amplifier 117. For example, a headphone 72 is connected to the terminal 118. The user can listen to the reproduced music by wearing the headphones. Although omitted in FIG. 5, two paths from the D / A converter 116 to the terminal 118 via the amplifier 117 are provided corresponding to the stereo output. Similarly, there are two terminals 118 corresponding to the stereo.
[0082]
The LCD 120 is connected to the bus 130 via the LCD driver 119. A drawing control signal is supplied from the CPU 105 to the LCD driver 119 via the bus 130, and the LCD 120 is driven to perform a predetermined display. On the LCD 120, an operation menu of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70, a title list of music data recorded in the HDD 106, and the like are displayed. For example, a folder or a jacket image corresponding to music data to be selected and reproduced may be displayed on the LCD 120.
[0083]
Based on the display on the LCD 120, the pointing device as the input means 102 is operated to control the reproduction of the designated compressed music data. Further, erasure, copying, and movement control of the selected compressed music data can be performed based on the display of the LC 120. For example, the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 can be operated by touching a touch panel as the input unit 102 in accordance with the display on the LCD 120. In this manner, the compressed music data recorded on the HDD 106 is managed and controlled by the user using the LCD 120 as an interface.
[0084]
Although omitted in FIG. 5, the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is driven by a battery power source. Therefore, a power supply unit using a general dry battery and a charging unit are provided. When the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing device 70 are directly connected by a connection line or a mounting unit, the charging unit is charged by being supplied with power from the music server 50 and transferring music data. Of course, it can also be charged by an external charging power source. The power source may have only one of the power source using a dry cell and the charging power source.
[0085]
FIG. 6 shows another example of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 described above. In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 ′ shown in FIG. 6, a switch circuit 200 is inserted between the HDD (or flash RAM) 106 ′ and the bus 130 in the configuration of FIG. 5 described above. One selection end 200 a of the switch circuit 200 is connected to the bus 130, and the other selection end 200 b is connected to the interface 35. The switch circuit 200 separates the HDD 106 ′ from the bus 130.
[0086]
When the compressed music data is transferred from the music server 50, the selection terminal 200b is selected in the switch circuit 200. The HDD 106 ′ and the bus 40 of the music server 50 are directly connected via the interfaces 34 and 35. The HDD 106 ′ appears as if it is a recording medium of the music server 50. The CPU 8 of the music server 50 can directly control the HDD 106 '. It is possible to easily move or copy compressed music data between the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70.
[0087]
Next, the operation in this embodiment performed with the above-described configuration will be described. First, functions executed by the music server 50 alone will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of processing when recording music data of the CD 55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 in the HDD 10 of the music server 50.
[0088]
In the first step S10, a request for recording the music data of the CD 55 on the HDD 10 by the user is awaited. For example, when a recording request is issued by the user using the input unit 1, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, it is determined whether the requested recording is high-speed recording or single-speed recording. For example, when the recording request is issued in step S10 described above, the user specifies both the recording method, that is, whether the recording is performed at high speed or 1 × speed.
[0089]
If it is specified in step S11 that recording is to be performed at high speed, the process proceeds to step S12, and the charging system is activated. Processing by the charging system will be described later. When the charging process is performed and the high-speed recording is permitted, the process proceeds to step S13, and the compression encoder 12 starts the high-speed compression process. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.
[0090]
On the other hand, if it is specified in step S11 that recording at 1 × speed is specified, the process proceeds to step S14, and the compression encoder 12 starts the low-speed compression process. Then, the process proceeds to step S15.
[0091]
In step S15, the CD-ROM drive 9 is driven at a predetermined speed based on the control of the CPU 8, and the music data recorded on the set CD 55 is read out. The read music data is compression encoded by the compression encoder 12 and transferred to the HDD 10 for recording.
[0092]
If the transfer of the compressed music data to the HDD 10 is completed in step S16, the transfer from the CD-ROM drive 9 to the HDD 10 is prohibited in the next step S17, and the compression encoder 12 is stopped in the next step S18. Is done.
[0093]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the billing process in step S12 of the flowchart of FIG. The billing process is performed by performing communication between the music server 50 and the Internet server 60. FIG. 8A shows processing at the music server 50, and FIG. 8B shows processing at the Internet server 60.
[0094]
When the charging process is started, first, communication is started between the music server 50 and the Internet server 60 using a predetermined protocol in the first step S20 of FIG. 8A. If it is confirmed in step S21 that a connection is established and communication is possible, the process proceeds to step S22.
[0095]
In step S22, the TOC information of the CD 55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 and transferred to the HDD 10 for recording is sent from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60. At the same time, high-speed recording information indicating that high-speed recording is performed is transmitted from the music server 50 to the Internet server 60.
[0096]
On the other hand, in FIG. 8B, the Internet server 60 waits for high-speed recording information and TOC information from the music server 50 (step S30). When such information is received, TOC information is searched in step S31. The CD 55 is specified by searching the TOC information.
[0097]
Then, billing processing is performed in the next step S32. Billing can be performed, for example, by debiting from an account based on a user's registered credit card number. The billing method is not limited to this. For example, the music server 50 is provided with a function of reading a prepaid card, the set billing amount is sent to the music server 50, and the user pays the billing amount with the prepaid card. A method is also conceivable. Further, based on the TOC information, the charge amount can be changed depending on the contents of the CD 55, or recording on the HDD 10 can be prohibited.
[0098]
In step S33, billing information is sent to the music server 50. In FIG. 8A, the billing information is confirmed on the music server 50 side (step S23). On the Internet server 60 side as well, it is confirmed whether or not the billing information is received by the music server 50 (step S34).
[0099]
Returning to FIG. 8A, when the billing information is confirmed in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24, and the received billing information or the like is displayed on the display unit 53. In step S 25, the music data of CD 55 is read at high speed by the CD-ROM drive 9, compressed at high speed by the compression encoder 12, and recorded on the HDD 10. This step S25 corresponds to step S15 in FIG.
[0100]
By the way, in this embodiment, a cooperative operation is possible between the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70. For example, when music data is moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70, a cooperative operation is performed between them. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of an example of this movement.
[0101]
First, in the first step S40, it is determined whether or not the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 are connected by the interfaces 34 and 35. For example, the connection is detected by exchanging a predetermined signal between the interfaces 34 and 35. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a switch mechanism may be provided at a portion where the music server 50 and the portable recording / reproducing device 70 are connected, and the connection can be detected by mechanical means.
[0102]
When the connection is confirmed, in the next step S41, it is determined whether or not the music data recorded and stored in the HDD 10 is requested to be moved to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70. For example, a list of compressed music data stored in the HDD 10 is displayed on the display unit 53, and a predetermined compressed music data is selected from the list display by a predetermined pointing device as the input unit 1 by the user. In addition, movement of the selected compressed music data to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is instructed.
[0103]
There are various ways of instructing movement. For example, a button for instructing movement is displayed on the display unit 53, and this button can be designated by a predetermined method. Further, for example, an icon indicating compressed music data is displayed, and this icon can be moved by a so-called drag and drop operation in which the icon is moved onto the icon indicating the mobile recording / reproducing device 70 of the moving destination. Of course, the movement may be instructed by operating a switch mechanism provided in the operation unit.
[0104]
If there is a request to move the compressed music data in step S41, the file size of the compressed music data designated for movement is checked in step S42. In the next step S43, the free capacity of the HDD 106 of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is checked. Then, the free space of the HDD 106 is compared with the file size of the compressed music data designated for movement checked in step S42. Based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the compressed music data designated for movement can be recorded in the HDD 106. If it is determined that recording is possible, the process proceeds to step S45, and the transfer of the compressed music data is started.
[0105]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S43 that the HDD 106 of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 has insufficient free space, the process proceeds to step S44. In step S44, the compressed music data already recorded on the HDD 106 is deleted so that the compressed music data designated for movement can be recorded on the HDD 106. Then, the process proceeds to step S45.
[0106]
The compressed music data is automatically deleted based on predetermined parameters of the compressed music data already recorded on the HDD 106. For example, in the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70, it is conceivable that the number of times of reproduction is counted for each compressed music data recorded in the HDD 106, and the number of times of reproduction is deleted. It is also possible to delete the date recorded in the HDD 106 in order of oldest date.
[0107]
Furthermore, when automatically deleting, the compressed music data important for the user may be deleted. In order to prevent this, a warning can be displayed on the display unit 53 of the music server 50 or the LCD 120 of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 and deleted after obtaining confirmation from the user. Furthermore, a list of compressed music data already recorded in the HDD 106 is displayed on the display unit 53 of the music server 50 or the LCD 120 of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70, and the user himself selects the compressed music data to be deleted. You can take a method.
[0108]
When the compressed music data for which movement has been designated is made recordable on the HDD 106 by the processing in steps S43 and S44 described above, the compression from the music server 50 to the portable recording / reproducing device 70 is performed in step S45. Transfer of music data is started. That is, the compressed music data read from the HDD 10 is supplied to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 via the bus 40 and the interface 34. In the portable recording / reproducing device 70, the supplied compressed music data is recorded in the HDD 106 on the interface 35.
[0109]
The transferred compressed music data also exists in the HDD 10 on the music server 50 side as before the transfer. In this embodiment, reproduction of the corresponding compressed music data existing in the HDD 10 is prohibited (step S46). For example, a reproduction prohibition flag indicating reproduction prohibition is set for the compressed music data. Thereby, the corresponding compressed music data is virtually moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70. Therefore, each piece of compressed music data is managed so that there is always only one, and illegal data duplication is prevented.
[0110]
In the next step S47, it is determined whether or not there is a request to move the next compressed music data. If it is desired to further move the compressed music data, the process returns to step S42. If there is no more data movement request, a series of movement processes are terminated.
[0111]
In the above description, it is described that one piece of compressed music data is moved in steps S42 to S46 in the flowchart of FIG. 9, but this is not limited to this example, and a plurality of pieces of compressed music data are moved together. You can also
[0112]
In the above description, the compressed music data that has been moved in the HDD 10 of the music server 50 that is the movement source in the process of step S46 has been described as being only prohibited from being reproduced. It is not limited to an example, and may be deleted.
[0113]
In the above description, the example in which the compressed music data is moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 has been described. However, the movement in the reverse direction, that is, the compressed music data recorded in the HDD 106 of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 Can be moved to the HDD 10 of the music server 50 according to the same process as the flowchart of FIG.
[0114]
At this time, the compressed music data moved from the music server 50 to the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 is moved again from the portable recording / reproducing apparatus 70 to the music server 50, so that the music server 50 reproduces the corresponding reproduction music flag. Is released. That is, the corresponding compressed music data can be played back again on the music server 50.
[0115]
FIG. 10 shows an example of a music data file display screen on the display unit 53. The music data exists as a music data file on the HD 10. Each music data file is represented as an icon 200, 200, 200,. As the images used for the icons 200, 200,..., For example, a reduced version of a jacket image obtained as additional information of music data from the Internet server 60 is used. Of course, a predetermined image prepared in advance may be used. In addition, a music data file icon is not displayed directly, a folder including a plurality of music data files is displayed, and by specifying this folder, music data file icons 200, 200,. You may make it display.
[0116]
When the user designates and executes one of the icons 200, 200,... By the input means 1, for example, the music data file is reproduced and additional information added to the music data is displayed on the display unit 53. Is displayed. Further, for each music data file, the number of times that the file has been reproduced can be counted. The count result is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 10, for example.
[0117]
By the way, as described above, when the recording of the music data of the CD 55 on the HDD 10 is carried out one after another, naturally the capacity of the HDD 10 becomes full, or the music data that has been recorded but hardly reproduced. May occur. In such a case, it is necessary to delete unnecessary music data files. On the other hand, if the music data file is completely deleted, if it is desired to reproduce the file again, recording from the CD 55 must be performed.
[0118]
Therefore, in the present invention, a trash can icon 201 indicating a temporary storage location of unnecessary files is provided on the music data file display screen shown in FIG. When a music data file is placed in this storage location (hereinafter referred to as a “trash can”), the file is temporarily deleted, hidden from the music data file display screen, and unless a predetermined process is performed. You can not play again. For example, by designating a file in the recycle bin by a predetermined operation and taking the file out of the recycle bin, the file is made reproducible again.
[0119]
For example, a flag indicating whether or not the file can be deleted is provided for each music data file recorded in the HDD 10. This flag may indicate stepwise whether or not deletion is possible. In the music data file display screen, the icons 200, 200,... Representing music data files are designated by the input means 1 as a pointing device and moved onto the trash can icon 201 to perform drag and drop. The flag indicating whether or not the file can be deleted is set to a value indicating “temporary deletion”, for example, and the corresponding file is stored in the trash box. At this time, the date and time when the file was stored and the size of the file are recorded as attributes of the corresponding file.
[0120]
In addition, the method of putting the icons 200, 200,... Into the trash can is not limited to this method. For example, an icon indicating a file to be stored in the trash can may be designated with a four-way key and determined with another key.
[0121]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen for confirming the contents of the trash box. For example, the trash box contents list 202 is displayed by designating the trash can icon 201 by the input means 1. The trash box content list 202 displays the name of the music data file stored in the trash box, the date when the file was stored in the trash box, the file size, and the like. Further, by designating a predetermined file in the trash box content list 202, the file can actually be deleted from the HDD 10. In addition, it is preferable that a predetermined capacity is determined in advance as the trash can because the trash can does not grow unnecessarily.
[0122]
The above-described method for storing unnecessary files in the trash can is also implemented by a general personal computer or the like. However, in this general method, even if the capacity of the trash box is full, only that effect is displayed, which may cause a problem that new music data files cannot be recorded successfully. Therefore, according to the present invention, in addition to this general method, the music data file stored in the trash can is automatically deleted according to a predetermined rule.
[0123]
Next, a method for deleting music data with the above-described configuration will be described. The music data is handled as a file in the HDD 10, but in the present invention, an erasure level is set for each of the files under a predetermined condition, and the file is automatically deleted from the HDD 10 based on the erasure level. To make it possible. That is, this erasure level corresponds to the above-described flag indicating whether or not the file can be deleted.
[0124]
The erasure level is described in, for example, a FAT (File Allocation Table) which is a table in which file storage information is described in a file system applicable to the HDD 10. Of course, a table in which each music data file is associated with the erasure level information may be provided as a file.
[0125]
FIG. 12 shows an example of the data structure of the table in which the file storage information is described. In this table, information about all music data files recorded in the HDD 10 is recorded. This table is rewritten as needed according to the state of each music data file. In the address item, an address where the corresponding music data file is stored in the HDD 10 is described. In the recording date item, the date when the corresponding music data file is recorded in the HDD 10 is described.
[0126]
In this example, the erasure level item describes the erasure level of the corresponding music data file as a numerical value. The erase level “0” indicates that the data can be reproduced. That is, the file of the erasure level “0” exists on the HDD 10 in a state where it is not put in the trash box. A file with an erasure level “1” indicates that the data has been temporarily deleted. That is, the file of the erasure level “1” is in the trash box. On the other hand, the file of the deletion level “2” is in a state of being completely deleted. For example, only traces of the corresponding file remain on the HDD 10, and the file cannot be reproduced.
[0127]
In the item of “erasure date”, the date and time when the corresponding file is put into the trash box or deleted and deleted from the music server 50 is described. The title item describes the title attached to the corresponding music data file.
[0128]
There are several methods for deleting the music data file. In the music server 50, how to delete a music data file can be selected and set by a user from several methods prepared in advance.
[0129]
For example, among the files stored in the trash can, the files that have passed a predetermined period counted from the stored date and time can be deleted. It is possible to automatically delete music data files that have passed a predetermined period of 3 months or 6 months from the date and time stored in the trash box. At this time, if the capacity allocated as the HDD 10 or the recycle bin becomes full without being deleted in a predetermined period, the files stored in the recycle bin may be deleted in order from the oldest storage date.
[0130]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when a file is deleted in a predetermined period among these methods. First, in the first step S50, it is determined whether or not the music server 50 is set to a mode for performing automatic deletion in the predetermined period. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S51.
[0131]
When counting the period, the date is updated when a predetermined time of the day has elapsed, and one day is added to the counted number of days. In step S51, for example, a timer (not shown) is referred to by the CPU 8, and it is determined whether or not the current time is a designated time for counting the number of days. For example, if 0:00 am is set as the time for updating the date, it is determined whether or not the designated time has been reached after 0:00 am. If it is the designated time, the process proceeds to step S52.
[0132]
In step S52, the table whose example is shown in FIG. 12 described above is referred to, and a file having an erase level “1” is searched. Then, in the next step S53, a predetermined period (for example, 3 months) has elapsed since the file having been searched for the deletion level “1” is put in the trash box, that is, the deletion level is set to “1”. The file is searched further. Then, the erase level of the retrieved file is changed to “2”.
[0133]
In the next step S54, in order to notify the user of the music data file whose erase level is set to “2”, a list of the corresponding files is displayed on the display unit 53, for example. It is also possible to notify only that there is a file whose erase level has been changed from “1” to “2”. Based on this display, for example, the corresponding file is deleted with the confirmation of the user. Of course, the corresponding file may be automatically deleted.
[0134]
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of an example of the above-described process of deleting the oldest ones when the capacity becomes full. This process is performed when music data is recorded on the HDD 10. In the first step S60, it is determined whether or not recording is to be performed on the HDD 10, and if recording is to be performed, the processing from step S61 is performed.
[0135]
In step S61, the size C of the music data to be recorded is checked. For example, when recording from the CD 55 set in the CD-ROM drive 9 to the HDD 10, the data size can be known from the time information for each data described in the TOC information of the CD 55. Similarly, the free capacity R of the HDD 10 is obtained in step S62.
[0136]
If the capacity allocated to the trash can is fixed, the free capacity R is obtained based on the capacity obtained by subtracting the capacity allocated to the trash can from the capacity of the entire HDD 10. Further, if the size of the trash can is dynamically allocated, the music data file stored in the trash can is also taken into consideration.
[0137]
In the next step S63, (RC) is obtained based on the music data size C and the free space R of the HDD 10 obtained in the above-described steps S61 and S62. If (RC) ≧ 0, it is determined that recording from the CD 55 can be performed, and the process proceeds to step S71. In step S71, the music data of the set CD 55 is read from the CD-ROM drive 9, and the read music data is recorded in the HDD 10 as a new music data file.
[0138]
On the other hand, if (RC) <0 in step S63, recording to the HDD 10 cannot be performed as it is, so old files are deleted in the next step S64 and thereafter.
[0139]
First, in step S64, it is determined whether or not a mode for performing this process is set. If the mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S65, and recording of the music data to the HDD 10 cannot be executed. For example, this is displayed on the display unit 53 and notified to the user. The
[0140]
On the other hand, if the mode is set in step S64, the process proceeds to step S66. In step S66, a music data file having an erase level “1” is searched. Then, in the next step S67, the files of the erasure level “1” are searched in order from the oldest date until the music data to be newly recorded can be recorded in the HDD 10.
[0141]
In this step S67, (1) selection of a file having an erasure level “1”, (2) size check of the selected file, (3) cumulative addition of the selected file size, these three processes are repeated. If the cumulative addition result of the file size is S, for example, when (R + S−C) ≧ 0, new recording is possible, and the process proceeds to step S68.
[0142]
In step S68, it is determined whether or not the music data file selected in step S67 can be deleted. If it is determined that the deletion cannot be performed for some reason, the process proceeds to step S69, and the display unit 53 displays that the deletion and the new recording cannot be performed to notify the user.
[0143]
If it can be deleted, the selected music data file is deleted in the next step S70. Then, new music data is recorded on the HDD 10 in which the file is deleted and the free space is sufficient (step S71).
[0144]
Note that the method of setting the erasure flag is not limited to the method described above. For example, in the music server 50, the reproduction frequency of music data files stored in the HDD 10 can be counted, and the deletion flag can be changed based on the number of reproduction frequencies. The change of the erasure flag based on the reproduction frequency may be applied to a recording that has been recorded for a certain period of time after being recorded on the HDD 10. When music data is recorded in the HDD 10, the number of times of reproduction is counted, and the count value is normalized when a certain period of time has elapsed. The erase level is changed based on the normalized reproduction frequency.
[0145]
When the erase level is changed from “0” to “1”, for example, the music data file is put into the trash box. The music data file placed in the trash box is deleted from the HDD 10 after a certain period of time, for example, according to the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 13 or FIG.
[0146]
It is also possible to prepare a plurality of trash bins of different types. For example, in the first trash box, the period until the file is automatically deleted is 3 months after being put in the first trash box, and in the second trash box, the file is deleted in 6 months. When the user puts the music data file in the trash, the first and second trash can can be selected. In the first and second trash bins, for example, the erasure levels are different.
[0147]
FIG. 15 shows the erasure level when two trash bins are prepared. In this way, the erasure level “1” is set for music data files having a high reproduction frequency. The file with the erasure level “1” is stored in, for example, the first trash box. On the other hand, an erasure level “2” is set for a file with a relatively low reproduction frequency. The file with the erasure level “2” is stored in, for example, the second trash box. A file that is completely deleted has an erasure level of “3”. Of course, this is not limited to this example, and it is possible to further increase the number of erasure levels.
[0148]
Furthermore, music data files can be automatically distributed and stored in the plurality of trash bins. For example, the reproduction frequency of music data is counted, and a file that has been played frequently is set to an erasure level of “1”, and the period until it is automatically erased is lengthened. As “2”, the period until automatic erasure is set short.
[0149]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for automatically distributing and storing files in the first and second trash bins according to the reproduction frequency. First, in a first step S80, all music data files recorded in the HDD 10 are searched, and it is checked whether there is a file that has passed a predetermined period since being recorded in the HDD 10. If there is a corresponding file, the reproduction frequency of the file is obtained and analyzed in step S81.
[0150]
Based on the analysis result in step S81, in step S82, the music data file is sorted according to the reproduction frequency. A predetermined threshold value is set in advance for the reproduction frequency. For example, when two trash bins are provided, the first, second, and third threshold values are provided correspondingly. In step S82, sorting is performed based on the magnitude relationship between the reproduction frequency and the threshold value.
[0151]
For example, if the reproduction frequency is lower than the first threshold and higher than the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S83, and the erase level is set to “1”. Then, the file is automatically stored in the trash box 1. On the other hand, if the reproduction frequency is lower than the second threshold value and higher than the third threshold value, the process proceeds to step S84, and the erase level is set to “2”. Then, the file is automatically stored in the trash box 2.
[0152]
Although omitted in FIG. 16, if the reproduction frequency is higher than the first threshold value, the erasure level is set to “0”, and the storage and deletion of the file in the trash box 1 or 2 are not performed. If the reproduction frequency is lower than the third threshold value, the file is deleted according to a predetermined procedure.
[0153]
Here, a plurality of trash cans are provided according to the reproduction frequency, but this is not limited to this example. For example, only one trash can may be used, and the period until automatic erasure is automatically set according to the reproduction frequency may be set.
[0154]
Furthermore, even when a plurality of recycle bins are provided, not only the recycle bins are selected based on the reproduction frequency, but also selection based on the contents of the music data, for example, by genre or by performer, for example, recording from one's own CD, or from another party You may make it select according to the acquisition source of the music data file, such as recording from borrowed CD.
[0155]
By the way, in order to be able to record music data supplied continuously for a long time, for example, by radio or satellite broadcasting, it is necessary to always ensure a certain capacity in the HDD 10. There is. As described above, a trash box area is allocated on the HDD 10. Therefore, the capacity of the HDD 10 for recording a normal music data file is pressed by the capacity of the trash box. If files are accumulated in the recycle bin without knowing it, it may be difficult to perform such recording.
[0156]
For this reason, it is preferable to always secure a free space of a certain capacity or more in the HDD 10. For example, when a music data file to be deleted is generated in the trash box, extra files are deleted. This can be realized by setting the erasure level for the file more finely.
[0157]
On the contrary, a certain capacity or more may always be secured for the trash box. At the time of recording that requires immediacy as described above, an appropriate file is temporarily stored in the trash box in order to secure a free space that can be recorded in the HDD 10. When recording is completed, for example, music data recorded over a long period of time is edited to reduce the data size. Thereafter, the files temporarily stored in the recycle bin are returned from the recycle bin.
[0158]
In addition, when a music data file is stored in the recycle bin, the file may be further compressed. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at this time. First, in the first step S90, all music data files recorded in the HDD 10 are searched, and it is checked whether there is a file that has passed a predetermined period since being recorded in the HDD 10.
[0159]
If the corresponding file is searched in step S90, the searched and specified file is compressed in step S91. In this example, the file recorded on the HDD 10 is already compression-coded with ATRAC2. In this step S91, for example, this file is further compressed and encoded by ATRAC2. That is, the file is read from the HDD 10 and supplied to the compression encoder 12 via the bus 40.
[0160]
Further, the data amount may be reduced by reducing the sampling frequency of music data, the data rate, or the number of quantization bits. These may be performed by providing a dedicated processing circuit or may be processed by software by the CPU 8.
[0161]
The compressed file is recorded in the area allocated as the trash box of the HDD 10 in step S92. In step S93, for example, FAT is rewritten, and the erasure level of the file is set to “1”.
[0162]
The original file of the files compressed by this process and recorded in the HDD 10 is deleted from the HDD 10, for example. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the file may be left on the HDD 10 for a certain period of time.
[0163]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, unnecessary music data files recorded on the hard disk can be automatically searched and deleted, so that the operation is easy and the consumer use There is an effect that it is suitable for use as a product.
[0164]
In addition, according to the present invention, since there is a mode for temporarily deleting a file that is no longer needed, there is an effect that the trouble of re-recording the deleted music data file is reduced.
[0165]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, unnecessary files are automatically retrieved and temporarily and completely deleted, so that there is an effect that the hard disk can be used effectively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a music server and a system using the music server according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a music server.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a signal flow until music data read by a CD-ROM drive is recorded on an HDD.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a signal flow until compressed music data read from an HDD is reproduced and derived to a terminal.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portable recording / reproducing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another example of the portable recording / reproducing apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example of processing when recording music data of a CD on the HDD in the music server.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of billing processing when high-speed recording of CD music data on the HDD is performed.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example of a process of moving music data according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a music data file display screen on the display unit.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen for confirming the contents of a trash box.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a table in which storage information of a file is described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when a file is deleted in a predetermined period.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example of processing for deleting the oldest ones when the capacity becomes full.
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an erasure level when two trash cans are prepared.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for automatically distributing and storing files in first and second trash bins according to the reproduction frequency.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for further compressing a file when storing a music data file in the trash bin.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input means of music server, 8 ... CPU of music server, 9 ... CD-ROM drive, 10 ... Hard disk drive of music server, 11 ... DRAM as buffer memory of music server , 12 ... Music server compression encoder, 19 ... Communication line, 20 ... Modem, 21 ... Music server compression decoder, 26 ... Music server LCD, 34, 35 ... Interface 40 ... Bus, 50 ... Music server, 55 ... CD, 60 ... Internet server, 70 ... Portable recording / reproducing apparatus, 106 ... Hard disk drive or flash RAM of portable recording / reproducing apparatus 107 Buffer memory of portable recording / reproducing apparatus DRAM, 108 ... compressor encoder of portable recording / reproducing apparatus, 115 ... compressor decoder of portable recording / reproducing apparatus, 120 ... LCD of portable recording / reproducing apparatus, 130 ... bus of portable recording / reproducing apparatus, 200: Switch circuit

Claims (10)

A storage medium built in the main body and storing a plurality of data;
Display means for displaying each of the plurality of data stored in the storage medium as an icon;
A plurality of temporary storage means each of which is assigned a predetermined storage area in the storage medium and displayed on the display means;
Moving means for moving and stored in a predetermined said temporary storage means among the plurality of data sac Chi selection, predetermined data said plurality of temporary storage means to be displayed above the icon on the display means,
Deletion control means for controlling the predetermined data stored in the plurality of temporary storage means to be deleted from each of the storage areas for a predetermined period determined by each temporary storage means, Storage device. The storage device according to claim 1 .
A storage device, wherein a deletion level for each of the plurality of data is set for each of the plurality of data stored in the storage medium. The storage device according to claim 2.
A storage device characterized in that the level of deletion is set according to the frequency of use of each of the plurality of data. The storage device according to claim 1,
A storage apparatus characterized in that the predetermined data moved and stored in the temporary storage means by the moving means is automatically compressed and stored in the temporary storage means. The storage device according to claim 1,
A storage apparatus characterized in that the predetermined period for deleting the predetermined data respectively stored in the plurality of temporary storage means from the storage area is set according to the frequency of use of the predetermined data. A data deletion method for deleting data stored in a storage unit,
A step of moving predetermined data selected from a plurality of data stored in the storage unit to a predetermined temporary storage means among a plurality of temporary storage means;
Deleting the data stored in each temporary storage means when a predetermined period set for each of the plurality of temporary storage means has elapsed;
Data deletion method consisting of: The data deletion method according to claim 6,
A data deletion method, wherein a deletion level of each of the plurality of data is set for each of the plurality of data stored in the storage unit. In the data deletion method according to claim 7,
A data deletion method, characterized in that the level of deletion is set according to the frequency of use of each of the plurality of data. The data deletion method according to claim 6,
A data deletion method, wherein the predetermined data moved and stored in the temporary storage means by the step of moving is automatically compressed and stored in the temporary storage means. The data deletion method according to claim 6,
A data deletion method characterized in that the predetermined period for deleting the predetermined data stored in each of the plurality of temporary storage means from the storage area is set according to the frequency of use of the predetermined data. .

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