JPH09319626A - Method and device for processing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden system manager or operator of equipment by automatically arranging an application program or a data file inside a storage medium suitable for system operating. SOLUTION: A file information analytic part 10 analyzes file managing information downloaded from a host computer 200 and recognizes how many times update access or execution access is performed to this file and whether this file has a write inhibition attribute or not. Based on the information recognized like this way, the file analytic part 10 selects and determines the storage medium to store that file out of a RAM 5, flash memory 6 and memory card 8. A file moving processing part 12 stores that file into the determined storage medium.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method and apparatus, and more particularly to an information processing method and apparatus for performing file management suitable for portable electronic devices and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, portable electronic devices have been used in the financial and distribution industries for business such as data entry and voucher issuance outdoors and away from offices. In such work, the system administrator or operator of the device usually confirms the business application programs and data files necessary for the work of the day before starting the work, and checks them from the host computer or the like to the portable electronic device. To download and set up the device before starting work. At the end of work, the data collected on that day is uploaded to a host computer or the like to save the data or create a work report.

Further, the portable electronic equipment includes a RAM, a memory card, a flash memory and the like as a storage medium for storing application programs for business use, data files and the like. By the download as described above, the application program file and the data file necessary for performing the business are stored in one of these storage media.

[0004]

However, the flash memory usually has a limit of the number of times of use for update processing of about 100,000 times, and when the number of times of use is exceeded, the memory block becomes an unupdatable area and is not used thereafter. Can not be. Further, although the business application program can be executed on the memory card, it is often copied from the memory card to the RAM and executed in consideration of the safety of the system. In this case, there is an overhead of the copy processing time to the RAM.

Due to the above-mentioned restrictions, the above-mentioned conventional portable electronic device has the following problems when the system administrator or operator of the device constructs the system.

(1) If the system administrator or operator of the device tries to install an application program, data file, or the like using the above-mentioned portable electronic device in an optimal storage for operation, the frequency of execution of the program or It becomes necessary to consider the frequency of file updates. For this reason,
The work for constructing the system was difficult and time-consuming, and the work efficiency was deteriorated.

(2) As described above, the flash memory used as the storage medium of the portable electronic device has a limited number of times for the data update process. Therefore, even if the logic of the writing process is made efficient to some extent by software, if a data file or the like that is frequently rewritten is placed in the flash memory, an unupdatable area will be generated in the flash memory, and the device will not be updated. The operating rate of is worse.

(3) When an application program frequently used in the memory card which is the storage unit of the above portable electronic device is arranged in the memory card, a dead time required at the time of execution (for copying from the memory card to the RAM and executing the program). Preparation time is required, and the work efficiency of the equipment deteriorates.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and makes it possible to automatically arrange an application program and a data file in a storage medium suitable for system operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing method and apparatus capable of reducing the load on the person.

[0010]

To achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, an information processing apparatus having a plurality of types of storage media, the acquisition means acquiring the access information indicating the access status of a file to be stored in any of the plurality of storage media, and the acquisition means. Determining means for determining a storage medium to be the storage destination of the file from the plurality of types of storage media based on the access information obtained, and storing the file in the storage medium determined by the determining means. And a storage means.

Further, preferably, the access information is
Indicates the number of past accesses to the file. This is because it is possible to determine the storage medium that is the storage destination of the file depending on the access frequency, and it is possible to appropriately determine the storage destination of the file.

[0012] Preferably, the access information is
Indicates whether a write access to the file occurs. Since the storage destination of the file is determined based on whether or not the write access occurs, it is possible to appropriately determine, for example, whether or not to store a certain file in the storage medium in which the number of write access is limited.

Further, preferably, the plurality of types of storage media are RAM, flash memory, and memory card, and the determining means stores a file whose access frequency for updating or executing is a predetermined number or more to the RAM. It is decided to store a file in which the write access occurs less than the predetermined number of times in the memory card, and a file in which the write access occurs less than the predetermined number of times in the flash memory.

[0014] Preferably, it further comprises input means for externally inputting a file, and execution means for executing the acquisition means, the determination means and the storage means for the file input by the input means. When downloading a file from the outside, the storage location of the file can be appropriately determined.

Further, preferably, the input means inputs a file and file management information corresponding to the file, and the acquisition means obtains access information of the file input by the input means. It is acquired from the file management information.

[0016] Further, preferably, a storage unit for storing access information indicating an access state corresponding to the file, and an update for updating the access information for the file based on occurrence of access to the file in the information processing apparatus. Means are further provided. Since the access information is updated according to the usage status, each file can be appropriately arranged according to the usage status.

[0017] Preferably, it further comprises uploading means for uploading the access information updated by the updating means to an external device.

Further, it is preferable that the apparatus further comprises moving means for moving a file between the plurality of types of storage media based on the access information updated by the updating means. It is possible to move a file already placed in each storage medium to a more appropriate storage medium according to the usage status.

Preferably, the file management information including at least the access information constitutes a part of a corresponding file, and the acquisition means extracts the file management information from the file input by the input means, The access status is acquired from the extracted file management information. Since the file management information becomes part of the file, file management becomes easy.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portable electronic device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which performs arithmetic processing such as device control and data analysis. Reference numeral 2 denotes a ROM, which stores basic software, control programs, data and the like necessary for the portable electronic device. The CPU 1 executes the control program stored in the ROM 2 to realize the functions of the file information analysis unit 10, the file information storage unit 11, and the file movement processing unit 12.

Reference numeral 3 is an input unit for inputting data, processing commands, etc. from an operator. The input unit 3 includes a keyboard, a touch panel (touch keys), and the like. Four
Is a display unit, which is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays characters, figures, images, etc. under the control of the CPU 1. 5 is RA
M, which is used as a data storage area and a work area necessary for information processing. Normally, the RAM 5 is used as a storage area for application programs and data files, a system work area for basic software, and a calculation work area for application programs.

A flash memory 6 is used as an area for storing data necessary for information processing and the like. Normally, the flash memory 6 is used as a storage area for application program files and data files. However, since the flash memory 6 has a limited number of times for update processing such as deletion processing and writing processing that accompanies data writing, files and the like that may be frequently rewritten are not arranged, and are mainly used. It is used as an area for storing reference-only data files.

Reference numeral 7 is a memory card interface for reading / writing from / to the memory card. Reference numeral 8 denotes a memory card, which is used as a storage medium for storing data and the like necessary for information processing. Usually a memory card 8
Is used as a storage area for application programs and data files. Reference numeral 9 is a communication interface for exchanging files and commands with an external device such as a host computer.

As described above, the CPU 1 realizes the functions of the file information analysis unit 10, the file information storage unit 11, and the file movement processing unit 12 by executing the control program stored in the ROM 2. Here, the file information analysis unit 10 determines an optimum destination of the file based on the file management information transmitted when an application program (data) file is installed from an external device such as a host computer.

The file information storage unit 11 is a RAM for storing data relating to file movements occurring in the file information analysis unit 10 and the file movement processing unit 12 and file management information.
Store on top 5. In addition, the file move processing unit 12 executes a file move process between the RAM 5, the flash memory 6, and the memory card 8 based on the move destination determined by the file analysis unit 10.

Reference numeral 13 is a data bus used for exchanging data and control signals with each section in the device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the file moving function of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment. In the figure, 100 indicates the portable electronic device described in FIG. 1, and 200 indicates a host computer.

When the file is downloaded from the host computer 200, the file management information of the file is transferred to the portable electronic device 100 prior to the transfer of the file. The file management information is input to the file information analysis unit 10 via the communication interface 9. The file information analysis unit 10 determines the transfer destination of the file based on the input file management information,
The contents are notified to the file move processing unit 12. The file migration processing unit 12 transfers the files transferred from the host computer 200 via the communication interface 9
The data is stored in any one of the RAM 5, the flash memory 6, and the memory card 8 according to the notified moving destination.

The file information storage unit 11 stores the file management information of the file and preferably also the information indicating the storage destination. Then, when the file is accessed in the portable electronic device 100, the corresponding file management information is updated. Furthermore,
The file information analysis unit 10 updates the file management information in the file information storage unit 11 based on the subsequent file access, and based on the updated file management information, the current storage destination of each file is inappropriate. If it is determined that the file exists, the file is moved to a more appropriate storage destination.

The operation of the portable electronic device of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be further described with reference to the flowchart.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for determining an installation destination when a file is downloaded from an external device in the portable electronic device of the first embodiment.

In step S201, it is checked whether there is a file to be downloaded from an external device such as the host computer 200, and if there is a file to be downloaded, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, file management information regarding a file to be downloaded is received from an external device such as the host computer 200. Then, the process proceeds to step S203, the file information analysis unit 10 analyzes the file management information received in step S202,
Determine the installation destination. In step S204, a process of moving (storing) the file to the installation destination determined in step S203 is performed, and step S2
Return to 01.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the file information analysis processing in step S203 of FIG.

In step S301, the file information analysis unit 10 analyzes the access information of the file management information in order to determine the file transfer destination. Here, if the file is a data file, the number of updates is acquired, and if the file is an application program file, the number of executions is acquired, and it is compared whether or not the number is greater than the set number. If it is greater than the set number of times, the process proceeds to step S303, and if not, the process proceeds to step S302.

In step S302, the file information processing unit 10 analyzes the file management information to check whether the attribute of this file is write-protected, and if the attribute of the file is write-protected or write (update). If it is an application program for which processing does not occur, the process proceeds to step S304, and if not, step S305.
Proceed to. According to the above processing, the file management information of the file to which the transfer destination should be determined is analyzed, the access status to the file is checked, and the access to the file for program execution or the data update is performed. It is determined whether the access exceeds the predetermined number of times. If it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S303, and the transfer destination of the file is determined in the RAM 5 in order to cope with frequently occurring access.

On the other hand, if the number of times of access does not exceed the predetermined number of times, the process proceeds to step S302. Step S
At 302, it is further determined whether the file is a file that is not written. That is, the file management information is analyzed by the file information analysis unit 10, and if the file attribute of the file is “write-protected” or if the application program does not cause writing, “the file is a file that is not written”. , ”And the process proceeds to step S304. Then, although the number of times of writing is limited, the transfer destination of the file is determined in the flash memory 6 that can respond to access for reading at high speed.

As for the destination of the file to which the write access occurs, the memory card 8 is set in step S305.

As described above, the optimum storage destination for the file is determined according to the access status (access frequency for updating data or access frequency for program execution) to the file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the file management information stored in the file information storage unit 11.
In FIG. 5, 41 is a file name and 42 is an extension. Reference numeral 43 denotes a file attribute, which indicates whether the file is data, an application program, or write-protected attribute data. Reference numeral 44 is access information for recording the number of times the file is updated or executed in a predetermined cycle. Reference numeral 45 is a file size indicating the size of the file, and 46 is a file creation date for recording the date and time when the file was created or updated. Incidentally, as described above, such file management information is stored in the RAM 5. Further, the file information storage unit 11 may store information (not shown) indicating the storage destination of each file.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the access information 44 shown in FIG. The access information 44 is information analyzed and updated by the file information analysis unit 10 at the time of the process of step S301 in FIG. 4, and the number of accesses for updating or executing is recorded in units of one day, one week, and one month. .

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure for updating the file management information in the embodiment. Step S
In 400, the occurrence of access to the file stored in any of the RAM 5, the flash memory 6, and the memory card 8 is monitored, and when the access occurs, step S401.
To step S402. Here, the file information storage unit 11 is searched for the file management information of the file that is the subject of the access. Then, step S403
At, the access count counter (not shown) of the retrieved file management information is updated. Needless to say, in the case of updating data, other information is updated as necessary, such as updating the file creation date 46.

If the access counter is reset every day, the access counter stores the access count of the day by the above process. Such an access count for one day is retained for the maximum 31 days in the past, and the access count for one month (maximum 31 days), one week (seven days), and one day is obtained. . Here, when registering the access count for a new day that exceeds the daily access count area, the access count for the same day of the previous month is discarded and a new registration /
Perform update processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing when an upload request to the host computer is issued to the portable electronic device of the embodiment.

In FIG. 8, in step S420, it is checked whether or not an upload request is generated, and if the upload request is generated, the process proceeds to step S421.
In step S421, from the file information storage unit 11,
File management information of each file is acquired, and step S4
This file management information is sent to the host computer 2 at 22.
Upload to 00. Then, in step S423, the designated file is uploaded.

As described above, the file management information of the application program file and the data file stored in the file information storage unit 11 is transferred to the host computer 200 when the file is uploaded. Therefore, when the file is downloaded next time, the latest file management information is obtained, and the downloaded file can be stored in an appropriate storage medium.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the portable electronic device, the application program file and the data file are stored in the RAM 5, the flash memory 6, the memory card 8 or the like suitable for system operation. Since it can be installed in the medium, the workload of the system administrator or operator of the device can be reduced. Further, since the file for which write access occurs is not stored in the flash memory, it is possible to prevent the non-updatable area from occurring in the flash memory due to exceeding the update count limit, and improve the operation efficiency of the device. Furthermore, since frequently used application programs are not arranged in the memory card 8, there is no dead time (time required for loading from the memory card to the RAM for execution processing, etc.) at the time of execution, and the device Work rate is improved.

In the above description, when a file is downloaded from the host computer 200, the process of determining the storage destination of the file has been described.
However, even for a file that is already stored in the storage medium of the portable electronic device, the access information in the file management information may change, and it may be necessary to change (move) the storage destination of the file. For example, if the data file stored in the memory card 8 is frequently accessed during use of the portable electronic device and the number of accesses for updating exceeds a predetermined value, the data file is moved to the RAM 5. It is desirable to do.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the file moving process. In step S500, the file information analysis unit 10 monitors the access information in each file management information stored in the file information storage unit 11. Then, in step S501, the storage location is changed (moved).
It is determined whether or not there is a file that requires. Then, if there is a file that needs to be moved, step S5
The process proceeds from 02 to step S503, and the file is moved to an appropriate storage medium. Here, the process of determining the file transfer destination is similar to the procedure of FIG. For example, if there is file management information in which the number of times of access for execution or update exceeds a predetermined number, it is checked in which storage medium the file corresponding to this is stored. If the storage destination is the memory card 8, it is determined that the file needs to be moved, and the file is moved to the RAM 5. Here, if the storage destination of the file is registered in the file management information, the storage destination of each file can be easily detected.

As described above, even files that have already been stored are moved to an appropriate storage medium according to changes in their usage, so that a portable electronic device with good operability can be provided.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, upon downloading, the file management information of the file to be downloaded is received and the transfer destination is determined. In the second embodiment, each file includes file management information, and the file management information stored inside the file is analyzed to determine the storage destination of the file.

The configuration of the portable electronic device according to the second embodiment (FIGS. 1 and 2), the configuration of the file management information (FIGS. 5 and 6), and the procedure for determining the storage destination based on the file management information (FIG. 4). Is similar to the first embodiment described above. Here, the unique points of the second embodiment will be described. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the reception and analysis processing under the file management in the format of storing the file information inside the file will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for determining an installation destination when a file is downloaded from an external device in the portable electronic device of the second embodiment. In step S601, it is checked whether there is a file to be downloaded from an external device such as the host computer 200, and if there is a file to be downloaded, the process proceeds to step S602. In step S602, a file is received from an external device such as a host computer. In step S603, the file information analysis unit 10 extracts the file management information from the received file and stores it in the file information storage unit 11. In step S604, the extracted file management information is analyzed (see the procedure of FIG. 4) to determine the storage destination of the file. Step S6
In 05, a process of moving the file to the installation destination determined in step S604 is performed, and then in step S
Return to 601.

In the second embodiment, the file management information can be uploaded to the host computer 200 as in the first embodiment (FIG. 8). When the file management information is uploaded, the host computer 200 updates the file management information of the corresponding file.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the file management information is included in each file, the file and the file management information can be managed in addition to the effect described in the first embodiment. It will be easy.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the above-mentioned storage medium, the storage medium stores the program code corresponding to the above-mentioned flowchart. Briefly, the memory map example of FIG. Each module shown will be stored in the storage medium.

That is, at least the program code of each of the "acquisition processing module", "decision processing module" and "storage processing module" may be stored in the storage medium.

Here, the acquisition processing module executes the acquisition processing for acquiring the access information indicating the access status of the file to be stored in any of the plurality of storage media included in the portable electronic device. Further, the determination processing module executes the determination processing of determining the storage medium to be the storage destination of the file from the plurality of types of storage media, based on the access information acquired in the acquisition processing. Further, the storage processing module executes a storage processing of storing the file in the storage medium determined in the determination processing.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Application programs and data files can be automatically arranged in an appropriate storage medium during system operation, and the load on the system administrator and operator of the device can be reduced.

[0066]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a file moving function of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining an installation destination when a file is downloaded from an external device in the portable electronic device of the first embodiment.

4 is a flowchart showing an example of file information analysis processing in step S203 of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of file management information stored in a file information storage unit 11. FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of access information 44 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for updating file management information in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process when an upload request to the host computer is issued to the portable electronic device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a file moving process.

FIG. 10 shows a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment,
9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining an installation destination when downloading a file from an external device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a storage medium storing a control program according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 input section 4 display section 5 RAM 6 flash memory 7 memory card interface 8 memory card 9 communication interface 10 file information analysis section 11 file information storage section 12 file movement processing section 13 data bus

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus having a plurality of types of storage media, and acquiring means for acquiring access information indicating an access state of a file to be stored in any one of the plurality of storage media, the acquisition means. Determining means for determining a storage medium to be the storage destination of the file from among the plurality of types of storage media based on the access information acquired by the means; and the file to the storage medium determined by the determining means. An information processing apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores the information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access information indicates the number of past accesses to the file. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access information indicates whether a write access is made to the file. 4. The plurality of types of storage media are a RAM, a flash memory, and a memory card, and the determining unit stores a file whose access count for updating or executing is a predetermined count or more, to the RAM. Is determined to store a file in which write access occurs less than the predetermined number of times in the memory card, and a file in which the write access occurs less than the predetermined number of times in the flash memory. 1. The information processing device according to 1. 5. The apparatus further comprises input means for inputting a file from the outside, and execution means for executing the acquisition means, the determination means and the storage means for the file input by the input means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 6. The input means inputs a file and file management information corresponding to the file, and the acquisition means manages the access information of the file input by the input means in the file management information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information processing apparatus is acquired from information. 7. A storage unit for storing access information indicating an access state corresponding to the file, and an updating unit for updating access information for the file based on occurrence of access to the file in the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising uploading means for uploading the access information updated by the updating means to an external device. 9. The information processing according to claim 7, further comprising a moving unit that moves a file between the plurality of types of storage media based on the access information updated by the updating unit. apparatus. 10. The file management information including at least the access information constitutes a part of a corresponding file, and the acquisition means extracts the file management information from the file input by the input means and is extracted. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access status is acquired from the file management information. 11. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus having a plurality of types of storage media, the method comprising: acquiring access information indicating an access state of a file to be stored in any one of the plurality of storage media. A determining step of determining a storage medium to be a storage destination of the file from the plurality of types of storage media based on the access information obtained in the obtaining step; and a storage medium determined in the determining step. And a storing step of storing the file. 12. The method further comprises an input step of externally inputting a file, and an execution step of executing the acquisition step, the determination step and the storage step for the file input by the input step. The information processing method according to claim 11. 13. The input step inputs a file and file management information corresponding to the file, and the acquisition step manages access information of the file input in the input step in the file management. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein the information processing method is obtained from information. 14. A storage step of storing access information indicating an access state corresponding to the file, and an updating step of updating access information for the file based on occurrence of access to the file in the information processing method. It is provided with Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned.
An information processing method according to claim 1. 15. The information processing method according to claim 14, further comprising an uploading step of uploading the access information updated in the updating step to an external device. 16. The information processing according to claim 14, further comprising a moving step of moving files between the plurality of types of storage media based on the access information updated by the updating step. Method. 17. The file management information including at least the access information constitutes a part of a corresponding file, and the acquisition step extracts the file management information from the file input in the input step and extracts the file management information. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the access status is acquired from the file management information. 18. A computer-readable memory for storing a control program for controlling an information processing device having a plurality of types of storage media, the access state of a file to be stored in any of the plurality of storage media. A determination step of determining a storage medium to be the storage destination of the file from among the plurality of types of storage media based on the code of the acquisition step of acquiring the access information and the access information acquired in the acquisition step. A computer-readable memory comprising: a code; and a code of a storing step of storing the file in the storage medium determined in the determining step.