JP4428129B2 - Recording apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, method, and program, and more particularly, to a recording apparatus, method, and program that reduce power consumption to a predetermined value or less and shorten the waiting time at the end of recording processing.

  In recent years, for example, as a data recording method of a video camera, data obtained by multiplexing video data captured by a video camera and audio data collected by a microphone attached to the video camera (hereinafter referred to as multiplexed data) can be reproduced without interruption. As described above, the multiplexed data is divided into pieces of data having a predetermined reproduction time (hereinafter referred to as division time) of about 10 seconds to 20 seconds, and one piece of divided data (hereinafter referred to as division data) is recorded. A method of recording in one continuous area of the medium (hereinafter referred to as a reproduction time reference continuous recording method) is used.

  In this playback time reference continuous recording system, for example, an intermittent recording system is used as means for reducing power consumption when writing multiplexed data to a recording medium. The intermittent recording method will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a recording apparatus 1 to which a reproduction time reference continuous recording method and an intermittent recording method are applied as a method for recording data on a recording medium.

  The recording apparatus 1 includes a video processing unit 11, an audio processing unit 12, a multiplexer 13, a buffer 14, a drive 15, and a control unit 16.

  The video processing unit 11 is configured by, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The video processing unit 11 acquires, for example, video data shot by a video camera (not shown) and A / D (Analog / Digital) converted, and the acquired video data is converted into, for example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2. Encode to video data of the format. The video processing unit 11 supplies the encoded video data to the multiplexer 13.

  The voice processing unit 12 is configured by a DSP, for example. For example, the sound processing unit 12 acquires sound data collected by a microphone (not shown) and A / D converted, and the acquired sound data is converted into sound data of an AC3 (Audio Code number 3) system, for example. Encode. The audio processing unit 12 supplies the encoded audio data to the multiplexer 13.

  The multiplexer 13 multiplexes the video data supplied from the video processing unit 11 and the audio data supplied from the audio processing unit 12 under the control of the control unit 16. The multiplexer 13 supplies the multiplexed data to the buffer 14 for storage.

  The buffer 14 stores the multiplexed data supplied from the multiplexer 13 in order. That is, at the head of the buffer 14, multiplexed data supplied first (in the past) from the multiplexer 13 is stored.

  The drive 15 is loaded with a recording medium 31 such as, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, and is stored in the buffer 14 under the control of the control unit 16 as will be described later with reference to FIGS. The stored multiplexed data is written (recorded) in the recording medium 31.

  The control unit 16 controls the processing of the multiplexer 13 and the drive 15 while monitoring the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14. Further, the control unit 16 acquires a user command from a switch or button (not shown) according to the user operation.

  Next, a recording process executed by the recording apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. This process is started when the user instructs the start of the recording process.

  In step S1, initialization processing is executed. Specifically, with the start of the recording process, input of video data from an external device to the video processing unit 11 and input of audio data from the external device to the audio processing unit 12 are started. The video input unit 11 encodes the input video data into, for example, an MPEG2 system, and sequentially supplies it to the multiplexer 13. The audio input unit 12 encodes the input audio data into, for example, an AC3 system and sequentially supplies the encoded audio data to the multiplexer 13. The multiplexer 13 sequentially supplies multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing the supplied video data and audio data to the buffer 14 for storage.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14. In FIG. 4, the horizontal direction represents time, and the vertical direction represents the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14. As will be described later, when the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is equal to or greater than a threshold value L, which is a threshold value, writing of the multiplexed data to the recording medium 31 is started. The time when the recording process of the recording device 1 is started is represented by time t0.

  In step S <b> 2, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a command for stopping the recording process (hereinafter referred to as a recording stop command) is input by the user. If it is determined that a recording stop command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is greater than or equal to a threshold value L. If it is determined that the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is less than the threshold value L, the process returns to step S2 and the determination process is repeated. That is, until it is determined in step S2 that a recording stop command has been input, or until it is determined in step S3 that the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is greater than or equal to the threshold value L. Steps S2 and S3 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is greater than or equal to the threshold value L, for example, at time t1 in FIG. 4, the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is stored. When the data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value L, the process proceeds to step S4, and in step S4, the control unit 16 activates the drive 15.

  In step S5, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the divided data having a predetermined reproduction time among the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 can be written in a continuous area of the recording medium 31 from the current head position of the drive 15. Determine whether. For example, in step S5 executed after the process of step S4, the control unit 16 converts the first data of the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14, which is the first divided data, to the current It is determined whether or not data can be written in a continuous area of the recording medium 31 from the position of the head of the drive 15. If it is determined that the first divided data cannot be written in a continuous area from the current head position of the drive 15, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the control unit 16 seeks the head of the drive 15 to the head of the area of the recording medium 31 where the divided data can be continuously written.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a data recording state in a part of the recording medium 31. Data is recorded sequentially from the left to the right in the figure, and the blacked out area represents a non-recordable area where data cannot be written (for example, an area where data has already been recorded), and a white area can write data. It represents a recordable area. As will be described later, areas 41-1 to 41-4 represent areas where one piece of divided data is written by the current recording process. It is assumed that the head of the drive 15 is sought to the head (left end) of the area 41-1 in the process of step S6 this time.

  The time t1 in FIG. 4 indicates the start time of seek of the head of the drive 15, and the time t2 indicates the end time of seek of the head of the drive 15. As shown in FIG. 4, even during the seek process of the drive 15, the multiplexed data is supplied to the buffer 14, and the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 increases.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the divided data can be continuously written from the head position of the current drive 15, the head of the drive 15 does not need to be sought, so the process of step S6 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S7. Proceed to

  In step S <b> 7, the control unit 16 controls the drive 15 to cause the drive 15 to write the multiplexed data of the reproduction time having the length of the division time from the head in the buffer 14, that is, the division data, to the recording medium 31. In other words, the drive 15 reads the multiplexed data from the buffer 14 in the oldest order and writes the read multiplexed data to the recording medium 31 as divided data. The time t3 in FIG. 4 indicates the time when the writing of the first divided data to the area 41-1 in FIG.

  At this time, since the multiplexed data read to the drive 15 is erased from the buffer 14 (for example, logically erased by changing the position pointed to by the read pointer), it is divided into recording media 31. Since the data writing speed is higher than the supply speed of the multiplexed data to the buffer 14, it is stored in the buffer 14 during the period from time t2 to time t3 while the divided data is being written to the recording medium 31. The amount of multiplexed data is reduced.

  In step S8, the control unit 16 determines whether the reproduction time of the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is equal to or longer than the division time. If it is determined that the reproduction time of the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is equal to or longer than the division time, the process returns to step S5.

  In the second step S5, in the example shown in FIG. 5, since there is no recordable area at the tail end (right end) of the area 41-1, which is the current head position, the divided data is continued from the current head position. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the controller 16 seeks the head of the drive 15 to a position where the next divided data can be continuously written. By this processing, the head of the drive 15 is sought at the head (left end) of the area 41-2 in FIG. 5 during the period from time t3 to time t4 in FIG.

  In step S7, in this case, the second divided data is written into the area 41-2 in FIG. 5 during the period from time t4 to time t5 in FIG.

  Thereafter, the processing of steps S5 to S8 is repeated until it is determined in step S8 that the reproduction time of the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is less than the division time. In the case of the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the third divided data is written in the area 41-3 in FIG. 5 during the period from the time t5 to the time t9 in FIG. The divided data of the eyes is written.

  When it is determined in step S8 that the reproduction time of the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is less than the division time, that is, the amount of multiplexed data corresponding to the division data that is the minimum unit to be written to the recording medium 31 Does not remain in the buffer 14, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, as in the process of step S2, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a recording stop command has been input. If it is determined that a recording stop command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the control unit 16 pauses the drive 15. A time t9 in FIG. 4 indicates a time when the drive 15 is stopped. Thereafter, the process returns to step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S9 that a recording stop command has been input, that is, if the user operates a button (not shown) to input a recording stop command for the recording apparatus 1, the process proceeds to step S11. Note that when the recording stop command is input, the video processing unit 11 stops supplying video data to the multiplexer 13 and the audio processing unit 12 stops supplying audio data to the multiplexer 13. The supply of multiplexed data to the buffer 14 is stopped.

  In step S <b> 11, the control unit 16 determines whether or not multiplexed data remains in the buffer 14. If it is determined that the multiplexed data remains in the buffer 14, the process proceeds to step S12. Since the determination process of step S8 has been performed first, the reproduction time of the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 at this time is less than the division time.

  In step S12, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 can be continuously written from the current head position. If it is determined that the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 cannot be continuously written from the current head position, the process proceeds to step 13, and the drive 15 is stored in the buffer 14 in step S 13. The head is sought at the head of the recordable area of the recording medium 31 to which the multiplexed data can be continuously written.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 can be continuously written from the current head position, the head of the drive 15 does not need to be sought, so the process of step S13 is skipped. The process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the control unit 16 controls the drive 15 to write the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 to the recording medium 31, and in step S15, the drive 15 is paused, and the recording process ends.

  If it is determined in step S11 that no multiplexed data remains in the buffer 14, the processes in steps S12 to S14 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control unit 16 pauses the drive 15. The recording process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S2 that a recording stop command has been input, the process in step S3 is skipped, and the above-described processing is performed regardless of whether the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is equal to or greater than the threshold value L. The processes of steps S4 to S9 and steps S11 to S15 are executed, all the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 14 is written to the recording medium 31, and the recording process ends.

  In this way, the recording apparatus 1 pauses the drive 15 in the period from time t0 to time t1 (hereinafter referred to as pause period) Tp in FIG. 4 and stores it in the buffer 14 in the period from time t0 to time t9. In order to write the multiplexed data to the recording medium 31 during a period from time t1 to time t9 (hereinafter referred to as an operation period) Tm, the power consumption of the recording apparatus 1 is higher than when the drive 15 is always started. Can be reduced.

  Further, since more power is consumed when the drive 15 is started and stopped compared to when the drive 15 is operating, the threshold value L is increased so that more multiplexed data is written at a time. As a result, the number of activations and suspensions of the drive 15 can be reduced, and thus power consumption can be further reduced.

In addition, by utilizing the fact that the data transfer rate from the hard disk drive to the buffer memory is higher than the data transfer rate from the buffer memory to the reproducing unit for reproducing data, the data recorded on the hard disk is reproduced by the reproducing unit. In some cases, a video / audio recording / reproducing apparatus has been proposed in which a hard disk drive is suspended or a CPU that controls data transfer from the hard disk drive to a buffer memory is deactivated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-87052 A

  However, if the threshold value L is increased in the recording apparatus 1 in order to reduce power consumption, it remains in the buffer 14 when a recording stop command is input by the user (hereinafter referred to as the end of the recording process). There is a high possibility that the amount of multiplexed data increases. The larger the amount of multiplexed data remaining in the buffer 14 at the end of the recording process, the longer the time required to write all the multiplexed data to the recording medium 31, during which the recording apparatus 1 performs playback or the like. Since the next process cannot be executed, there is a problem that the waiting time of the user becomes long.

  Further, the invention described in Patent Document 1 does not disclose shortening the waiting time at the end of the recording process.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and reduces power consumption to a predetermined value or less and further shortens the waiting time at the end of the recording process.

Recording apparatus of the present invention includes: a setting means for setting a determination condition to start the recording to the recording medium stored in the buffer for storing input data data based on the determination condition, the data in the buffer Recording control means for controlling recording on the recording medium, and the setting means consumes when recording of the buffer data on the recording medium is started when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value. The first threshold value where the power is equal to or less than the predetermined target power consumption is set as a determination condition, and the recording control unit records the buffer data onto the recording medium when the buffer data amount becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value. To start.

It further includes search means for searching for a first continuous recording area of a recording medium capable of continuously recording data in a predetermined amount of buffer, and the setting means includes the first continuous recording area when there is a first continuous recording area. A threshold is set as a determination condition, and if there is no first continuous recording area, a second threshold larger than the first threshold is set as a determination condition, and the recording control means sets the data amount of the buffer as the determination condition. When the first threshold value or the second threshold value is exceeded, recording of the buffer data onto the recording medium is started, and if there is a first continuous recording area, the buffer data is recorded in the first continuous recording mode. It can be recorded in the area.

The retrieval means retrieves the second continuous recording area of the recording medium where the data in the buffer can be continuously recorded when the stop of recording of the data on the recording medium is instructed, and the recording control means retrieves the data in the buffer. Recording can be performed in the second continuous recording area.

The setting means sets a pause time for pausing the recording of data on the recording medium until the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold when the input speed of the data input to the buffer is maximum, as a first threshold. Instead, it is set as a determination condition, and the recording control means can start recording the data in the buffer on the recording medium when the recording pause time is equal to or longer than the pause time .

The setting means has a power consumption calculated based on an input speed of data input to the buffer when recording of the buffer data on the recording medium is started when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold. The first threshold value that is equal to or lower than the target power consumption can be set as the determination condition.
The setting means has a power consumption when the input speed of data input to the buffer is maximum when recording of the buffer data on the recording medium is started when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value. A first threshold value that is equal to or less than the target power consumption is set as a determination condition.

The setting means can set the target power consumption based on the remaining amount of the battery .

According to the recording method of the present invention, when a recording device that stores input data in a buffer and records the data stored in the buffer on the recording medium reaches a threshold value, the recording medium of the buffer data is recorded. A step of setting a threshold value that causes the power consumption when recording to the recording medium to be equal to or less than a predetermined target power consumption and starting recording of the buffer data to the recording medium when the buffer data amount exceeds the threshold value. Including.

The program of the present invention stores input data in a buffer and records the data in the buffer when the data amount of the buffer reaches a threshold value in a computer of the recording apparatus that records the data stored in the buffer on a recording medium. A step of setting a threshold at which power consumption when starting recording on a medium is equal to or lower than a predetermined target power consumption, and starting recording of buffer data on a recording medium when the amount of data in the buffer exceeds the threshold The process including is performed.

In the recording apparatus, method, and program of the present invention, the power consumption when starting to record the buffer data on the recording medium when the buffer data amount reaches the threshold value is equal to or less than the predetermined target power consumption. When a threshold value is set and the data amount of the buffer becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value, recording of the buffer data onto the recording medium is started.

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, data can be recorded for each data amount of a predetermined reproduction time. Further, according to the recording apparatus and method and the program of the present invention, the power consumption can be reduced to a predetermined value or less, and the waiting time at the end of the recording process can be further shortened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence between the invention described in this specification and the embodiments is illustrated as follows. Although this description is described in this specification, there is an embodiment which is not described here as corresponding to the invention. It does not mean that it does not correspond to. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean that all the inventions described in this specification are claimed. In other words, this description is an invention described in the present specification and is not claimed in this application, that is, a future divisional application, appearing by amendment, or added. It does not deny the existence of the invention.

According to the present invention, a recording apparatus is provided. This recording apparatus (for example, the recording apparatus 101 in FIG. 6) is a recording medium (for example, the recording medium 131 in FIG. 6) of the data stored in a buffer (for example, the buffer 114 in FIG. 6) that stores input data. ) And setting means (for example, the determination condition setting unit 142 in FIG. 7) for setting the determination condition for determining the start of recording on the recording medium, and recording the data in the buffer on the recording medium based on the determination condition. Recording control means for controlling (for example, the data recording control unit 144 in FIG. 7), and the setting means controls the data of the buffer when the data amount of the buffer reaches a first threshold value. The first threshold value (for example, the buffer threshold value Lth) at which the power consumption when starting recording on the recording medium is equal to or less than a predetermined target power consumption (for example, target power consumption Ptgt) is set as the determination condition. The recording control means starts recording the data in the buffer onto the recording medium when the amount of data in the buffer becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold.

In this recording apparatus, search means for searching for a first continuous recording area of the recording medium capable of continuously recording the data in a predetermined amount of the buffer (for example, the recording area management unit 143 in FIG. 7). The setting means sets the first threshold value as the determination condition when there is the first continuous recording area, and when there is no first continuous recording area , A large second threshold value (for example, buffer threshold value Ldft) is set as the determination condition, and the recording control means sets the first threshold value or the second threshold value in which the data amount of the buffer is set as the determination condition. When the data in the buffer starts to be recorded on the recording medium when the threshold value is exceeded, and the first continuous recording area is present, the data in the buffer is Recording can be performed in the first continuous recording area.

In this recording apparatus, the setting means stores the data on the recording medium until the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value when the input speed of the data input to the buffer is maximum . A pause time during which recording is paused (for example, drive pause time Tpth) is set as the determination condition instead of the first threshold value, and the recording control means sets the recording pause time to be equal to or greater than the pause time. When this happens, recording of the data in the buffer onto the recording medium can be started.

In this recording apparatus, when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value, the input speed of the data input to the buffer when recording of the data of the buffer on the recording medium is started The first threshold value at which the power consumption calculated based on (for example, the supplied bit rate Bs) is equal to or less than the target power consumption can be set as the determination condition.
In this recording apparatus, the setting means is input to the buffer when starting to record the data of the buffer onto the recording medium when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value. The first threshold value at which the power consumption when the data input speed is maximum (for example, the maximum bit rate Bsmax) is equal to or lower than the target power consumption may be set as the determination condition.

According to the present invention, a recording method is provided. In this recording method, input data is stored in a buffer (for example, the buffer 114 in FIG. 6), and the data stored in the buffer is recorded in a recording medium (for example, the recording medium 131 in FIG. 6). For example, when the data amount of the buffer reaches a threshold value (for example, the recording apparatus 101 in FIG. 6), the power consumption when the recording of the data in the buffer to the recording medium is started is a predetermined target power consumption. The threshold (for example, buffer threshold Lth) that is equal to or lower than (for example, target power consumption Ptgt) is set (for example, steps S55 and S56 in FIG. 8), and the buffer when the data amount of the buffer becomes equal to or larger than the threshold Including the step of starting the recording of the data on the recording medium (for example, steps S58 to S64 in FIGS. 8 and 9).

According to the present invention, a program is provided. The program, the input data buffer (e.g., buffer 114 in FIG. 6) stored in a recording device for recording the data stored in the buffer to the recording medium (e.g., recording medium 131 in FIG. 6) ( For example, the power consumption when the computer of the recording apparatus 101) in FIG. 6 starts recording the data of the buffer onto the recording medium when the data amount of the buffer reaches a threshold value is a predetermined target consumption. The threshold value (for example, buffer threshold value Lth) that is equal to or lower than the power (for example, target power consumption Ptgt) is set (for example, steps S55 and S56 in FIG. 8). A process including a step of starting recording of the data in the buffer onto the recording medium (for example, steps S58 to S64 in FIGS. 8 and 9); To make sense .

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

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a recording apparatus 101 to which the present invention is applied.

  The recording apparatus 101 includes a video processing unit 111, an audio processing unit 112, a multiplexer 113, a buffer 114, a drive 115, a control unit 116, and a battery 117.

  The video processing unit 111 is configured by, for example, a DSP or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a video processing program. The video processing unit 111 acquires, for example, video data captured by a video camera (not shown) and subjected to A / D conversion, and encodes the acquired video data. The video processing unit 111 encodes (encodes) the video data into video data of a system such as MPEG2, MPEG4, motion JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), for example. The video processing unit 111 supplies the encoded video data to the multiplexer 113.

  The voice processing unit 112 is configured by, for example, a DSP or a CPU that executes a voice processing program. The audio processing unit 112 acquires, for example, audio data collected by a microphone (not shown) and subjected to A / D conversion, and encodes the acquired audio data. The audio processing unit 112 encodes (encodes) audio data in a format such as AC3 (Audio Code Number 3) or AAC (Advanced Audio Coding). The audio processing unit 112 supplies the encoded audio data to the multiplexer 113.

  The multiplexer 113 multiplexes the video data supplied from the video processing unit 111 and the audio data supplied from the audio processing unit 112 under the control of the control unit 116, and the video data is multiplexed with the audio data multiplexed. Data is supplied to the buffer 114. Further, the multiplexer 113 supplies the control unit 116 with a bit rate (hereinafter, referred to as a supply bit rate) that is a data amount per unit time of multiplexed data to be supplied (input) to the buffer 114. .

  The buffer 114 stores the multiplexed data supplied from the multiplexer 113 in order. That is, the multiplexed data supplied first (in the past) from the multiplexer 113 is stored at the top of the buffer 114. Hereinafter, the multiplexed data stored in the buffer 114 is referred to as buffer data, and the amount of multiplexed data stored in the buffer 114 is referred to as buffer data amount.

  The drive 115 is loaded with a recording medium 131 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, and is stored in the buffer 114 as described later with reference to FIG. Is written (recorded) in the recording medium 131. The drive 115 records the size of the recordable area of the recording medium 131, the position of the recordable area, the size, type, and data of data recorded on the recording medium 131 under the control of the control unit 116. Data management information including the current position is read from the recording medium 131 and supplied to the control unit 116.

  The control unit 116 is composed of, for example, a general-purpose CPU, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and by executing a program, the buffer data amount of the buffer 114 The multiplexer 113 and the drive 115 are controlled while monitoring the above. In addition, the control unit 116 obtains a user command from a switch or button (not shown) according to the user operation.

  The battery 117 includes a rechargeable so-called secondary battery and supplies necessary power to each unit of the recording apparatus 101.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration realized by the control unit 116 that executes a recording control program. When the control unit 116 executes the program, the multiplexer control unit 141, the determination condition setting unit 142, the recording control management unit 143, and the data recording control unit 144 are realized.

  The multiplexer control unit 141 controls the processing of the multiplexer 113, acquires a supply bit rate indicating the data amount per unit time of data supplied from the multiplexer 113 to the buffer 114 from the multiplexer 113, and acquires the acquired supply bit rate Is supplied to the determination condition setting unit 142.

  The determination condition setting unit 142 acquires the remaining amount of the battery 117, and based on the acquired remaining amount of the battery 117, the maximum value of power that can be consumed by the recording apparatus 101 (hereinafter referred to as target power consumption). Set. The determination condition setting unit 142 acquires and acquires not only the remaining amount of the battery 117 but also the power consumption of another device (not shown) that uses the battery 117 (such as an imaging device or a display device that supplies video data). The target power consumption may be set based on the power consumption of the other device.

  Also, the determination condition setting unit 142 acquires the buffer data amount from the buffer 114. Based on the target power consumption and the buffer data amount, the determination condition setting unit 142 sets a buffer data amount threshold value (hereinafter referred to as a buffer threshold value) as a determination condition for starting writing of buffer data to the recording medium 131. The set buffer threshold is supplied to the data recording control unit 144.

  The recording area management unit 143 acquires data management information recorded on the recording medium 131 from the data recording control unit 144. In addition, the recording area management unit 143 acquires the buffer data amount from the buffer 114. The recording area management unit 143 searches the area of the recording medium 131 to which the buffer data is written (hereinafter referred to as a writing area) based on the data management information and the buffer data amount, and indicates the position and size of the searched writing area. Data is supplied to the data recording control unit 144.

  The data recording control unit 144 causes the drive 115 to read data management information from the recording medium 131, acquires the data management information, and supplies the acquired data management information to the recording area management unit 143. Further, the data recording control unit 144 acquires the buffer data amount from the buffer 114. The data recording control unit 144 starts a process of writing buffer data to the recording medium 131 based on the buffer threshold and the buffer data amount, controls the drive 115, and uses the data supplied from the recording area management unit 143. Write the buffer data to the indicated write area. Further, when the recording stop command input by the user is supplied, the data recording control unit 144 executes a recording stop process which will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, recording processing by the recording apparatus 101 that executes the recording control program will be described. The recording process is started when the user instructs the start of the multiplexed data recording process. When the recording process is started, input of video data from an external device to the video processing unit 111 and input of audio data to the audio processing unit 112 are started. The video input unit 111 encodes the input video data into, for example, an MPEG2 system and sequentially supplies the encoded video data to the multiplexer 113. The audio input unit 112 encodes the input audio data into, for example, an AC3 system and sequentially supplies the encoded audio data to the multiplexer 113. The multiplexer 113 sequentially supplies multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing the supplied video data and audio data to the buffer 114 for storage.

  8 and 9 are flowcharts for explaining the recording process by the recording apparatus 101. FIG. In step S51, the recording apparatus 101 executes an initialization process. Specifically, the data recording control unit 144 controls the drive 115 to read the data management information recorded on the recording medium 131, and acquires the read data management information from the drive 115. The data recording control unit 144 supplies the acquired data management information to the recording area management unit 143.

  In step S52, the recording area management unit 143 searches for an area on the recording medium 131 in which buffer data having a predetermined amount of data can be continuously written. For example, in step S52, the recording area management unit 143 writes the buffer data to the recording medium 131 when the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Ldft that is a predetermined default threshold based on the data management information. When the operation is started, an area of the recording medium 131 in which the buffer data can be continuously written is searched.

  FIG. 10 shows the transition of the buffer data amount when the buffer data amount starts to be written to the recording medium 131 when the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Ldft and the buffer data is written in a continuous area of the recording medium 131. FIG. In FIG. 10, the horizontal direction indicates time, and the vertical direction indicates the amount of buffer data. Time t0 indicates the time when buffer data storage starts, and times t1 and t4 indicate the time when the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Ldft and the writing of buffer data to the recording medium 131 is started. Yes. That is, the drive 115 is inactive during the period from time t0 to time t1 and during the period from time t3 to time t4.

  Times t2 and t5 indicate times when the head of the drive 115 is seeked to the writing position of the recording medium 131 and writing of the buffer data is started. Times t3 and t6 indicate times when the reproduction time of the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 is less than the division time (for example, 0) and the writing of the buffer data ends.

  In the following description, the drive 115 is repeatedly executed in the recording apparatus 101, for example, during the period from time t0 to time t3 in FIG. 4, the drive 115 is started, the buffer data is written, and the drive 115 is finished. A series of processing until the operation stops is referred to as one-cycle processing. In addition, a series of processes for writing buffer data to the recording medium 131 in a period from time t1 to time t3 in one cycle process is referred to as a write process.

  In addition, the state in which the drive 115 is activated refers to a state in which power is supplied to the drive 115 and the recording medium 131 is rotating, for example. The state in which the drive 115 is inactive refers to, for example, the drive 115. Is the state in which the rotation of the recording medium 131 is stopped.

  In step S52, since an area on the recording medium 131 in which the buffer data can be continuously written is searched in advance, when the buffer data is written in the continuous area of the recording medium 131, a buffer data writing process is performed. In the operation period Tm of the drive 115 from the time t1 to the time t3, it is not necessary to seek the head of the drive 115 to the next writing position every time one divided data is written, and the number of seeks of the drive 115 This is only performed once during the period from time t1 to time t2. Therefore, when buffer data is written in a discontinuous area of the recording medium 131, the time required for writing varies depending on the number of seeks, whereas the buffer data is written in a continuous area of the recording medium 131. In this case, the time required for writing becomes constant, and the amount of power consumed by seeking the head of the drive 115 is reduced.

  Further, the seek time of the drive 115 is reduced, and the length of the operation period (write processing period) of the drive 115 per one cycle process can be shortened. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until the writing of all the buffer data that occurs when the user inputs a recording stop command and the recording process of the recording apparatus 101 is ended.

  As described above, in step S52, the recording area management unit 143 searches for an area of the recording medium 131 in which the data amount of the buffer data written in the operation period Tm in FIG. 10 can be continuously written. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a recording state of a part of data on the recording medium 131 as in FIG. For example, when four pieces of divided data are written in the operation period Tm in FIG. 10, the recording area management unit 143 can write, for example, areas 151-1 to 151 in which the four pieces of divided data shown in FIG. The area indicated by -4 is searched.

  In step S53, the recording area management unit 143 determines whether there is an area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written based on the result of the process in step S52. When it is determined that there is an area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, the power consumption can be changed by determining the amount of buffer data to start writing, so the process proceeds to step S54.

  In step S54, the determination condition setting unit 142 sets a target power consumption. For example, the determination condition setting unit 142 stores a table of correspondence between the remaining battery level and the target power consumption shown in FIG. 12 in advance, acquires the remaining battery 117 level, Based on the correspondence table between the remaining battery level and the target power consumption shown in FIG. 12, the target power consumption is set to a lower value as the remaining amount of the battery 117 decreases.

  Note that, for example, the recording device 101 is provided in a video camera, and devices other than the recording device 101 such as a video camera, a microphone, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a communication device consume power of the battery 117. If so, the determination condition setting unit 142 acquires the current power consumption of those devices, and sets the target power consumption to a value obtained by subtracting the power consumption of other devices from the target power consumption shown in FIG. You may do it. In addition to the remaining amount of the battery 117, the determination condition setting unit 142 may set the target power consumption based on the type of battery such as a so-called alkaline battery or lithium battery. When power is supplied from an external power source such as an AC power source instead of the battery 117, the target power consumption may be constant.

  In step S55, the determination condition setting unit 142 calculates a buffer threshold value. Here, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, a change in the waiting time of the user due to a change in the buffer threshold and a method for calculating the buffer threshold will be described.

  FIG. 13 shows the transition of the buffer data amount when a recording stop command is input by the user of the recording apparatus 101 when buffer data is written in a continuous area of the recording medium 131 (hereinafter referred to as the end of the recording process). FIG. In FIG. 13, the horizontal direction indicates time, and the vertical direction indicates the buffer data amount.

  For example, if the user inputs a recording stop command at a time t1 during the pause period of the drive 115 where the writing process is not performed, the head of the drive 115 seeks to the writing position during the period from the time t1 to the time t2. Is done. At time t1, since the supply of multiplexed data to the buffer 114 is stopped, the buffer data amount remains the data amount A1 during this period. Then, buffer data having a data amount A1 is written to the recording medium 131 during a period from time t2 to time t3. Accordingly, the waiting time of the user from when the user inputs the recording stop command until the writing of the buffer data is completed is the length of the period Tw1 from time t1 to time t3.

  Further, for example, when the user inputs a recording stop command at time t4 when the writing process is performed, a period Tw2 from time t4 to time t5 when the buffer data of the buffer data amount A2 at the time t4 is written Is the waiting time of the user.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the transition of the buffer data amount at the end of the recording process when the buffer threshold is set to the default buffer threshold Ldft of the recording apparatus 101 and when the buffer threshold Lth is set to be smaller than the buffer threshold Ldft. is there. In FIG. 14, the horizontal direction indicates time, and the vertical direction indicates the buffer data amount.

  When the buffer threshold is set to the buffer threshold Ldft, the longest waiting time at the end of the recording process is that the user inputs a recording stop command at time t4 when the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Ldft. Is the case. In this case, the head of the drive 115 is sought to the writing position during the period from time t4 to time t5, and the buffer data of the buffer threshold Ldft is written during the period from time t5 to time t6. Therefore, the waiting time of the user at the end of the recording process is the length of the period Twdft from time t4 to time t6.

  When the buffer threshold is set to the buffer threshold Lth, the longest waiting time at the end of the recording process is that the user inputs a recording stop command at time t1 when the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Lth. Is the case. In this case, the head of the drive 115 is sought to the writing position during the period from time t1 to time t2, and the buffer data of the buffer threshold Lth is written during the period from time t2 to time t3. Therefore, the waiting time of the user at the end of the recording process is the length of the period Twth from time t1 to time t3.

  Therefore, when the buffer threshold is set to the buffer threshold Lth, the waiting time of the user at the end of the recording process is at most the length of the period Twdft minus the length of the period Twth compared to the case where the buffer threshold Ldft is set. It will be shortened by the time. That is, the waiting time of the user at the end of the recording process is the longest, and is shortened by a time obtained by subtracting the time required to write the buffer data of the buffer threshold Lth from the time required to write the buffer data of the buffer threshold Ldft.

  However, if the buffer threshold value is decreased, the number of write processes increases and the number of times the drive 115 is activated and deactivated increases, so that the power consumed when the drive 115 is activated and deactivated increases.

  When there is an area in which the buffer data can be continuously written, the recording apparatus 101 sets the buffer threshold to a buffer threshold Lth smaller than the default buffer threshold Ldft, and writes the buffer data in the continuous area. In addition, the increase in power consumption due to an increase in the number of seek operations is suppressed, the power consumption of the drive 115 is set to be equal to or lower than the target power consumption, and the write processing time per cycle process is shortened to perform recording. Reduce user waiting time at the end of processing.

  Next, a method for calculating the buffer threshold Lth will be specifically described.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the performance of the drive 115. In the performance of the drive 115 shown in FIG. 15, the amount of power (unit: joule) consumed when the drive 115 is started is Qsta, and the amount of power (unit: joule) consumed when the drive 115 is stopped is Qstp. It is. It is assumed that the time required to start and stop the drive 115 can be ignored.

  Further, the power consumption (unit: watts) consumed by the drive 115 during the pause of the drive 115 is Pp, and the power consumption (unit: watts) consumed by the drive 115 when the head of the drive 115 seeks is Ps. The average seek time (unit: second), which is the average time required to seek 115 heads, is Tsave, and the maximum seek time (unit: seconds), which is the maximum time required to seek the head of the drive 115, is Tsmax. The power consumption when writing data to the recording medium 131 by the drive 115 (unit: watts) is Pw, and the data is the average value of the data amount that the drive 115 writes to the recording medium 131 per unit time. The average bit rate (unit: bits / second) at the time of writing is Bw.

  When the performance of the drive 115 is the value shown in FIG. 15, when the buffer data is written in a continuous area of the recording medium 131 and the buffer data amount changes as shown in FIG. Lth is obtained as follows.

  In FIG. 16, time t0 indicates the time when the previous one-cycle process is completed and buffer data storage is started, and time t1 indicates that the buffer data amount has reached the buffer threshold Lth and the write process is started. Indicates the time. The time t1 indicates the time when the head of the drive 115 is sought to the writing position and the writing of the buffer data is started, and the time t3 indicates that the reproduction time of the buffer data is less than the division time, and the writing process is terminated. The time at which the storage of the buffer data is started is shown.

  In FIG. 16, the length of the suspension period (unit: second) of the drive 115 from time t0 to time t1 is Tp, and the length of operation period of the drive 115 from time t1 to time t3 (unit: second). Is Tm, and the length (unit: second) of one cycle processing from time t0 to time t3 is Ta. Further, the head seek time (unit: second) of the drive 115 from time t1 to time t2 is Ts, and the write time (unit: second) of the drive 115 from time t2 to time t3 is Tw. In such a case, the following relational expressions (1) to (2) are established.

Ta = Tp + Tm (1)
Tm = Ts + Tw (2)

  Further, assuming that the supply bit rate (unit: bits / second) is Bs and the buffer data amount (unit: bits) at time t0 is Dr, the length of stop period Tp of the drive 115 is expressed by the following equation (3). It is. The buffer data amount at time t0 indicates the data amount of buffer data having a reproduction time less than the unit time that was not written in the previous writing process.

  Tp = (Lth−Dr) ÷ Bs (3)

  The total amount (unit: bits) of the buffer data written to the recording medium 131 in the period from time t0 to time t3 (one cycle processing period) is Dall, and at time t3, all the buffer data is stored in the recording medium 131. When there is no buffer data remaining, Dall and Tw are expressed by the following equations (4) and (5).

Dall = Dr + Bs × Ta (4)
Tw = Dall ÷ Bw (5)

  In step S52, the area of the recording medium 131 in which the data amount represented by Dall in the equation (4) can be continuously written is searched.

  When the power consumption (unit: joule) of the drive 115 in the period from time t0 to time t3 (one cycle processing period) is Qall, Qall is expressed by the following equation (6).

  Qall = Pp × Tp + Qsta + Ps × Ts + Pw × Tw + Qstp (6)

  If the power consumption (unit: watts) of the drive 115 in the period Ta is Pave, Pave is expressed by the following equation (7).

  Pave ＝ Qall ÷ Ta (7)

  Therefore, if the target power consumption (unit: watts) set in step S54 is Ptgt, the buffer threshold Lth may be set so as to satisfy the following equation (8).

  Pave ≦ Ptgt (8)

  In step S55, the determination condition setting unit 142 sets the condition that maximizes the power consumption Pave, and calculates the buffer threshold Lth. That is, in the period from time t0 to time t3 (one cycle processing period) in FIG. The buffer threshold Lth is calculated under the condition that the ratio of the length Tm is maximized.

  FIG. 17 shows a case where the maximum bit rate Bsmax, which is the maximum value of the supply bit rate, which is the data amount per unit time of multiplexed data supplied (input) to the buffer 114, and a case where the maximum bit rate is lower than the maximum bit rate Bsmax. It is the figure which compared transition of the data amount. The solid line shows the transition of the buffer data amount when the maximum bit rate Bsmax is shown, and the dotted line shows the transition of the buffer data amount when it is lower than the maximum bit rate Bsmax.

  When the buffer threshold is the buffer threshold Lth, the period until the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Lth, that is, the pause period of the drive 115 is the shortest period Tp1 when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax, and the supply bit rate Is lower than the maximum bit rate Bsmax, the period Tp2 is longer than the period Tp1. On the other hand, since the magnitude of the supply bit rate and the write speed of the drive 115 are irrelevant, the length of the write process period Tm1 when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax and the write process when the supply bit rate is lower than the maximum bit rate Bsmax The length of the period Tm2 is almost equal. Therefore, when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax, the ratio of the idle period of the drive 115 to one cycle processing is minimized.

  The drive period 115 has the longest operation period length Tm when the drive 115 seek time Ts is the maximum, and is the drive 115 maximum seek time Tsmax.

  Therefore, when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax and the seek time Ts of the drive 115 is the maximum seek time Tsmax, the power consumption Pave is maximum, and the determination condition setting unit 142 sets the supply bit rate to the maximum bit rate Bsmax. Assuming that the seek time Ts of the drive 115 is the maximum seek time Tsmax, the buffer threshold Lth that satisfies the relational expression of the expression (8) is calculated based on the above expressions (1) to (7).

  Note that the correspondence relationship between the target power consumption and the buffer threshold value may be defined in advance, and the determination condition setting unit 142 may obtain the buffer threshold value based on the correspondence relationship without calculating the buffer threshold value Lth. .

  Returning to FIG. 8, in step S56, the data recording control unit 144 acquires the buffer threshold value Lth calculated in the process of step S55 from the determination condition setting unit 142, and sets the buffer threshold value to the buffer threshold value Lth. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S58.

  If it is determined in step S53 that there is no area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, the power consumed by seeking the head of the drive 115 cannot be reduced, so the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, the data recording control unit 144 sets the buffer threshold value to the default buffer threshold value Ldft. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S58.

  In step S58, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether or not a recording stop command is input by the user. If it is determined that a recording stop command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S59.

  In step S59, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether or not the buffer data amount is greater than or equal to the buffer threshold value. If it is determined that the buffer data amount is less than the buffer threshold value, the process returns to step S58. In step S58, it is determined that a recording stop command is input, or in step S59, the buffer data amount is buffered. The determination process of step S58 and step S59 is repeated until it is determined that the value is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

  If it is determined in step S59 that the buffer data amount is greater than or equal to the buffer threshold, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the data recording control unit 144 activates the drive 115.

  In step S61, the data recording control unit 144 causes the head of the drive 115 to seek to the beginning of the buffer data writing area. Specifically, the data recording control unit 144 obtains information about the writing area in which the buffer data is written in the recording medium 131 from the recording area management unit 143, and based on the information, starts the writing area in which the buffer data is written. To seek the head of the drive 115. At this time, in step S52, the recording area management unit 143 searches for an area where the buffer data can be continuously written, if the area is used as a writing area, and if an area where the buffer data can be continuously written is not searched, Of the areas in which the buffer data can be written, the area closest to the current head position of the drive 115 and in which one piece of divided data can be written is defined as a writing area.

  In step S62, the data recording control unit 144 controls the drive 115 to store the buffer data of the reproduction time having the length of the divided time from the head in the buffer 114, that is, the divided data, to the drive 115. The number of data that can be written is written in the 131 write area. In other words, until the size of the recordable area of the current writing area is reduced and the divided data cannot be written, or until the reproduction time of the buffer data stored in the buffer 114 becomes less than the divided time, the drive 115 Then, the buffer data is read from the buffer 114 in the oldest order, and the read buffer data is written into the write area of the current recording medium 131 as divided data.

  At this time, if an area in which the buffer data can be continuously written is searched in step S52, all the divided data are searched in the searched area until the reproduction time of the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 becomes less than the division time. Since writing is performed continuously, the number of seeks of the drive 115 can be reduced (the number of seeks is 1), the power consumption of the recording apparatus 101 is further reduced, and the writing time is further shortened. Further, the operation sound generated by the seek process of the drive 115 is reduced. In step S52, if an area in which the buffer data can be continuously written is not found, the number of pieces of divided data that can be written in the current writing area is written in the current writing area.

  In step S63, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether or not a recording stop command is input by the user. If it is determined that a recording stop command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S64.

  In step S64, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether the reproduction time of the buffer data stored in the buffer 114 is equal to or longer than the division time. When it is determined that the reproduction time of the buffer data is equal to or longer than the division time, that is, there is no area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, and the buffer data has not been written in the continuous area. If buffer data for the playback time remains, the process returns to step S61. Thereafter, the process from step S61 to step S64 is performed until it is determined in step S63 that a recording stop command has been input or until it is determined in step S64 that the reproduction time of the buffer data is less than the division time. Repeatedly, the divided data is written to the recording medium 131.

  If it is determined in step S64 that the reproduction time of the buffer data has become less than the division time, the process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S65, the data recording control unit 144 pauses the drive 115.

  In step S66, the determination condition setting unit 142 determines whether or not the buffer threshold is set to the default buffer threshold Ldft. If it is determined that the buffer threshold is not set to the default value, the process returns to step 52, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S66 that the buffer threshold is the default value, the process returns to step S58, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the buffer threshold is set to the default buffer threshold Ldft when it is determined in the past processing in step S53 that there is no area in which buffer data can be continuously written. Since it is not necessary to recalculate and set the threshold value, the buffer threshold value setting process in steps S52 to S57 is not executed. Therefore, the recording process is performed with the buffer threshold value fixed to the buffer threshold value Ldft.

  When it is determined in step S58 or step S63 that a recording stop command has been input, that is, for example, when a user operates a button (not shown) to input a recording stop command, the processing is performed. Proceed to step S67. At the time when a recording stop command is input, the video processing unit 111 stops supplying video data to the multiplexer 113, and the audio processing unit 112 stops supplying audio data to the multiplexer 113. The supply of multiplexed data to the buffer 114 is stopped.

  In step S <b> 67, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether buffer data remains in the buffer 114. If it is determined that buffer data remains, that is, if buffer data that has not yet been written to the recording medium 131 remains, the process proceeds to step S68, a recording stop process is executed, and the recording process ends. . The details of the recording stop process will be described later with reference to FIG. 18. With this process, all buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 is written to the recording medium 131, and the drive 115 is paused.

  If it is determined in step S67 that no buffer data remains, the process of step S68 is skipped, and the recording process ends.

  In this manner, the power consumption of the drive 115 is reduced to the target power consumption or less, and the write processing time per cycle process is further shortened, and the waiting time of the user at the end of the recording process is further shortened.

  Next, details of the recording stop process in step S68 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S101, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether or not the drive 115 is being activated. If it is determined that the drive 115 is not activated, that is, if a recording stop command is input by the user during the pause period of the drive 115 that is not executing buffer data write processing, the process proceeds to step S102. . In step S102, the data recording control unit 144 activates the drive 115.

  If it is determined in step S101 that the drive 115 is being activated, that is, if a recording stop command is input by the user while the buffer data writing process is being executed, the process of step S102 is skipped. Then, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the recording area management unit 143 searches for an area of the recording medium 131 in which the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 can be continuously written based on the data management information.

  In step S104, the recording area management unit 143 determines whether there is an area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 can be continuously written based on the result of the process in step S103. If it is determined that there is an area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the recording area management unit 143 searches the area of the recording medium 131 in which the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 can be continuously written, for an area where the time required for the writing process is the shortest.

  For example, when the recording medium 131 is a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a magneto-optical disk, the data writing speed is generally faster in a region closer to the outer periphery of the disk. Based on the data management information, the recording area management unit 143 is the area where the data writing speed is the fastest among the areas of the recording medium 131 to which the buffer data can be continuously written, that is, on the outer periphery of the disk that is the recording medium 131. The closest area is searched, and the searched area is set as an area where the time required for the writing process is the shortest.

  Further, in consideration of the seek time of the head of the drive 115, the area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, the area where the data writing speed is the highest, and the current drive 115 head Of the two areas closest to the position, the total time of the seek time of the head of the drive 115 to each area and the writing time of the buffer data in each area, that is, an area where the time required for the writing process is shorter Alternatively, an area where the time required for the writing process is minimized may be used.

  In addition, when the data writing speed hardly changes due to the difference in the area of the recording medium 131 or when the change in the seek time of the head of the drive 115 is larger than the change in the writing time due to the difference in the area of the recording medium 131. When the buffer data is written in the area of the recording medium 131 where the data writing speed is the fastest, such as when the data is larger, if the time required for the writing process is hardly shortened, the processes of steps S104 and S105 are omitted. It may be.

  If it is determined in step S104 that there is no area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, the process of step S105 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the data recording control unit 144 causes the head of the drive 115 to seek at the head of the buffer data writing area. Specifically, the data recording control unit 144 obtains information about the writing area in which the buffer data is written in the recording medium 131 from the recording area management unit 143, and based on the information, starts the writing area in which the buffer data is written. To seek the head of the drive 115.

  At this time, if it is determined in step S104 that there is an area in which the buffer data can be continuously written, the recording area management unit 143 sets the area that takes the shortest time for the writing process searched in step S105 as the writing area. To do. Note that even if the buffer data is written in the area of the recording medium 131 where the data writing speed is the fastest, the time required for the writing process is hardly shortened. Therefore, when the processing in steps S104 and S105 is omitted, the recording is performed. The area management unit 143 sets the area closest to the current head position of the drive 115 among the areas of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written as the write area. If it is determined in step S104 that there is no area in which the buffer data can be continuously written, the area that is closest to the current drive 115 head position among the areas in which the buffer data can be written, A writable area is defined as a write area.

  In step S <b> 107, the data recording control unit 144 controls the drive 115 to write the buffer data to the recording medium 131. At this time, if an area in which the buffer data can be continuously written is searched in step S103, the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 is continuously written in the searched area, so the number of seeks of the drive 115 is reduced. (The number of seeks is one), the power consumption of the recording apparatus 101 is further reduced, and the waiting time at the end of the recording process is further reduced. Further, the operation sound due to the seek process of the drive 115 is reduced. Furthermore, the waiting time at the end of the recording process is further shortened by writing the buffer data remaining in the buffer 114 in the area where the time required for the writing process searched in step S105 is the shortest.

  In step S108, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether or not buffer data remains in the buffer 114. If it is determined that the buffer data remains, that is, if the buffer data is not written in the continuous area and the buffer data still remains, the process returns to step S103, and no buffer data remains in step S108. Until it is determined, the processes in steps S103 to S108 are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S108 that no buffer data remains, that is, if all buffer data has been written to the recording medium 131, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S109, the data recording control unit 144 determines that the drive 115 is paused, and the recording stop process ends.

  As described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, the recording apparatus 101 controls the start of the buffer data writing process based on the suspension period of the drive 115, thereby waiting for the user at the end of the recording process. Time can be further reduced.

  A line 201 in FIG. 19 shows the transition of the buffer data amount when the supply bit rate of the multiplexed data supplied to the buffer 114 is the maximum bit rate Bsmax when the buffer threshold is set to the buffer threshold Lth. Yes. Time t1 indicates the time when the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Lth and buffer data writing starts, and time t3 indicates the time when buffer data writing ends. In this case, the time for the buffer data amount to reach the buffer threshold value Lth, that is, the length from time t0 to time t1, which is the suspension period of the drive 115, is the shortest time Tpmin.

  The line 202 indicates that when the supply bit rate is lower than the maximum bit rate Bsmax, the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Lth (when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax, the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Lth). It shows the transition of the buffer data amount when the writing process is started at time t1. In this case, the write processing time Tm1 is shorter than the write processing time Tm2 when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax. Therefore, in this case, since the buffer bit write processing time Tm1 is shorter than the write processing time Tm2 with respect to the pause time Tpmin of the same drive 115 as compared with the case where the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax, the drive 115 The power consumption is also reduced.

  Therefore, by fixing the length of the pause period of the drive 115 to the time Tpmin until the buffer data amount reaches the buffer threshold Lth when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate Bsmax, regardless of the magnitude of the supply bit rate. The power consumption of the drive 115 can be reduced below the target power consumption, and the waiting time at the end of the recording process can be further shortened.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 20 and 21, the recording apparatus 101 that executes the recording control program in the case where the start of the buffer data writing process is controlled by the length of the pause period (pause time) of the drive 115. The recording process will be described. In addition, about the process similar to the process demonstrated with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The processing in steps S151 through S157 is the same as the processing in steps S51 through S57 in FIG. Note that the buffer threshold value is set to the buffer threshold value Lth or the buffer threshold value Ldft by the processing in step S156 or S157.

  In step S158, the data recording control unit 144 sets a drive pause time. Specifically, the determination condition setting unit 142 calculates the drive pause time Tpth based on the following formula (9) or formula (10), and supplies the drive pause time Tpth to the data recording control unit 144. The data recording control unit 144 Set the drive pause time to the drive pause time Tpth.

  When the buffer threshold is set to the buffer threshold Lth, the drive pause time Tpth is expressed by the following equation (9) based on the maximum supply bit rate Bsmax and the current buffer data amount Dr.

  Tpth = (Lth−Dr) ÷ Bsmax (9)

  When the buffer threshold is set to the buffer threshold Ldft, the drive pause time Tpth is expressed by the following equation (12).

  Tpth = (Ldft−Dr) ÷ Bsmax (10)

  Note that a correspondence relationship between the target power consumption and the drive suspension time is defined in advance, and the determination condition setting unit 142 directly sets the drive suspension time Tpth based on the correspondence relationship without calculating the buffer threshold value. It may be.

  In step S159, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether a recording stop command is input by the user. If it is determined that a recording stop command has not been input, the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, the data recording control unit 144 determines whether or not the suspension period of the drive 115 has passed the drive suspension time Tpth set in the process of step S158. If it is determined that the drive pause time Tpth has not elapsed, the process returns to step S159, and it is determined in step S159 that a recording stop command has been input, or the drive pause time has elapsed in step S160. Until it is determined that the determination has been made, the determination processing of step S159 and step S160 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S160 that the drive pause time Tpth has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S161.

  The processing from step S161 to step S169 is the same as the processing from step S60 to step S68 in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the above description, the example in which the buffer threshold is calculated by fixing the supply bit rate to the maximum bit rate Bsmax has been described. However, based on the supply bit rate of the multiplexed data actually supplied to the buffer 114, By calculating the buffer threshold value, the buffer threshold value can be made smaller, and the waiting time of the user at the end of the recording process can be further shortened.

  With reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, processing of the recording apparatus 101 that executes the recording control program when the buffer threshold is calculated based on the actual supply bit rate will be described. In addition, about the process similar to the process demonstrated with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The processing in steps S201 to S204 is the same as the processing in steps S51 to S54 in FIG. Note that the target power consumption is set by the processing in step S204.

  In step S <b> 205, the multiplexer control unit 141 acquires data indicating a supply bit rate, which is a data amount per unit time for supplying multiplexed data to the buffer 114, from the multiplexer 113, and supplies the data to the determination condition setting unit 142.

  In step S206, the determination condition setting unit 142 calculates a buffer threshold value. Specifically, the buffer in which the power consumption of the recording apparatus 101 is equal to or lower than the target power consumption based on the equations (1) to (8) used when calculating the buffer threshold value in step S55 of FIG. 8 described above. The threshold value Lth is calculated. At this time, the determination condition setting unit 142 sets the value of the supply bit rate Bs to the value acquired in the process of step S205, and calculates the buffer threshold Lth. Therefore, since the value of the supply bit rate Bs is equal to or less than the maximum bit rate Bsmax, the buffer threshold Lth is equal to or less than the value calculated in the process of step S55 of FIG.

  Note that a correspondence relationship between the target power consumption, the supply bit rate, and the buffer threshold value is defined in advance, and the determination condition setting unit 142 calculates the buffer threshold value based on the correspondence relationship without calculating the buffer threshold value Lth. You may do it.

  In step S207, the data recording control unit 144 sets the buffer threshold value to the buffer threshold value Lth, similarly to the process in step S56 of FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S209.

  If it is determined in step S203 that there is no area of the recording medium 131 into which the buffer data can be continuously written, the process proceeds to step S208, and in step S208, the data recording control unit 144 sets the buffer threshold value to the default value. Set to the threshold Ldft. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S209.

  The processing of steps S209 to S219 is the same as the processing of steps S58 to S68 of FIGS. 8 and 9, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the above description, an example in which multiplexed data obtained by multiplexing video data and audio data is written on the recording medium 131 has been described. However, other data such as video data, audio data, image data, and text data is written. It is also possible to do.

  As described above, the determination is made to search the continuous recording area of the recording medium capable of continuously recording the data stored in the buffer, and to determine the start of recording of the data on the recording medium based on the search result of the continuous recording area The condition is set so that the power consumption of the recording device is equal to or lower than a predetermined target power consumption, and the data stored in the buffer is recorded on the recording medium so as to start recording in the continuous recording area based on the determination condition. When recording is controlled, data can be recorded for each data amount of a predetermined reproduction time. In addition, the power consumption can be reduced to a predetermined value or less, and the waiting time at the end of the recording process can be further shortened.

  The present invention can be applied to a recording apparatus such as a video camera.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a network or a recording medium into a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of a general-purpose personal computer 500. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502 or a program loaded from a recording unit 508 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503. The RAM 503 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 501 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 501, ROM 502, and RAM 503 are connected to each other via a bus 504. An input / output interface 505 is also connected to the bus 504.

  The input / output interface 505 includes an input unit 506 configured with buttons, switches, a keyboard, or a mouse, an output unit 507 configured with a display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a speaker. Further, a recording unit 508 configured by a hard disk or the like and a communication unit 509 configured by a modem, a terminal adapter, or the like are connected. A communication unit 509 performs communication processing via a network including the Internet.

  A drive 510 is also connected to the input / output interface 505 as necessary, and a removable medium 511 composed of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like is appropriately installed, and a computer program read therefrom is loaded. Installed in the recording unit 508.

  As shown in FIG. 24, a recording medium that records a program that is installed in a computer and can be executed by the computer is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from the apparatus main body. Recording magnetic disk (including flexible disk), optical disk (including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), magneto-optical disk (MD (Mini-Disc) (registered trademark) ), Or included in the ROM 503 or the recording unit 508 in which a program is provided that is provided to the user in a state of being incorporated in the apparatus main body in advance. Hard disk.

  In the present specification, the step of describing the program stored in the program storage medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series according to the described order, but is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is also included.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the recording device to which an intermittent recording system is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the recording process of the recording device to which the intermittent recording system is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the recording process of the recording device to which the intermittent recording system is applied. It is a figure which shows transition of the data amount of the multiplexed data memorize | stored in the buffer of the recording device to which an intermittent recording system is applied. It is the figure which represented typically the example of the recording state of the data of a recording medium. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the function implement | achieved by the control part. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the recording process of the recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the recording process of the recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows transition of the buffer data amount at the time of writing buffer data in the continuous area | region of a recording medium. It is the figure which represented typically the example of the recording state of the data of a recording medium. It is a figure which shows the example of the target power consumption of a recording device. It is a figure which shows transition of the buffer data amount at the time of the completion | finish of a recording process. It is a figure which shows transition of the buffer data amount when a buffer threshold value is a default value and when it is smaller than a default value. It is a figure which shows the example of the performance of a drive. It is a figure which shows transition of buffer data amount. It is the figure which compared transition of the buffer data amount when the supply bit rate is the maximum bit rate and when it is lower than the maximum bit rate. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of a recording stop process in step S68 of FIG. It is a figure which shows transition of the buffer data amount when a supply bit rate is a maximum bit rate and when it is lower than a maximum bit rate. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of the recording process of the recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the other example of the recording process of the recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of the recording process of the recording device to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart explaining the further another example of the recording process of the recording device to which this invention is applied. And FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  101 recording device, 114 buffer, 115 drive, 116 control unit, 131 recording medium, 141 multiplexer control unit, 142 judgment condition setting unit, 143 recording area management unit, 144 data recording control unit, 501 CPU, 502 ROM, 503 RAM, 508 recording unit, 510 drive, 521 removable media

Claims (9)

Setting means for setting a determination condition for determining the start of recording of the data stored in the buffer for storing the input data on the recording medium;
Recording control means for controlling the recording of the data in the buffer on the recording medium based on the determination condition; and
The setting means is configured such that when the data amount of the buffer reaches a first threshold, power consumption when starting recording of the data of the buffer on the recording medium is equal to or less than a predetermined target power consumption. Setting a first threshold as the determination condition;
The recording control unit starts recording of the data in the buffer onto the recording medium when the data amount of the buffer becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold. A search means for searching for a first continuous recording area of the recording medium capable of continuously recording the data in a predetermined amount of the buffer;
The setting means sets the first threshold value as the determination condition when there is the first continuous recording area, and sets the second threshold value larger than the first threshold value when there is no first continuous recording area. Set a threshold as the determination condition,
The recording control means records the data of the buffer onto the recording medium when the data amount of the buffer becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold value or the second threshold value set as the determination condition. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus records the data in the buffer in the first continuous recording area when there is the first continuous recording area. The search means searches for a second continuous recording area of the recording medium capable of continuously recording the data in the buffer when an instruction to stop recording the data on the recording medium is given,
The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording control unit records the data in the buffer in the second continuous recording area. The setting means pauses the recording of the data on the recording medium until the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold when the input speed of the data input to the buffer is maximum. Is set as the determination condition instead of the first threshold,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording control unit starts recording the data in the buffer onto the recording medium when a recording pause time is equal to or longer than the pause time. The setting means adjusts the input speed of the data input to the buffer when recording of the data of the buffer on the recording medium is started when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold value at which the power consumption obtained based on the target power consumption is equal to or less than the target power consumption is set as the determination condition. The setting means has an input speed of the data input to the buffer when the recording of the data of the buffer to the recording medium is started when the data amount of the buffer reaches the first threshold value. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold value at which the maximum power consumption is equal to or less than the target power consumption is set as the determination condition. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the target power consumption based on a remaining battery level of the battery. A recording device for storing input data in a buffer and recording the data stored in the buffer on a recording medium,
When the data amount of the buffer reaches a threshold value, the threshold value is set such that the power consumption when starting the recording of the data of the buffer to the recording medium is equal to or less than a predetermined target power consumption,
A recording method comprising: starting recording of the data in the buffer onto the recording medium when the amount of data in the buffer becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value. A computer of a recording apparatus that stores input data in a buffer and records the data stored in the buffer on a recording medium.
When the data amount of the buffer reaches a threshold value, the threshold value is set such that the power consumption when starting the recording of the data of the buffer to the recording medium is equal to or less than a predetermined target power consumption,
A program for performing processing including a step of starting recording of the data in the buffer onto the recording medium when the amount of data in the buffer becomes equal to or greater than the threshold.

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