JPH10162505A - Data processing apparatus and data writing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a data processing apparatus ensuring a data transfer rate. SOLUTION: Time measuring means 23 measures a data writing time into a storage region excluding a defective sector for each track, and the measured time in addition to a data capacity is stored onto a management table on table managing means 24. Access control means 21 calculates a data transfer rate for each track, and compares the calculated data transfer rate with an expected data transfer rate required by a terminal. Thereafter, a track for which the calculated data transfer rate exceeds the expected data transfer rate is specified, and the corresponding track number is stored onto the management table as an ensuring region. Then, when size data indicating a size of data D is transferred from the terminal prior to the transfer of the data D, the access control means 21 specifies a track which satisfies the required data capacity in the ensuring region. Thereafter, when the data D is transferred, the data D is stored in the relevant track.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing device and a data writing method suitable for transferring data at a high speed by sufficiently exhibiting the performance of a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information-related devices such as personal computers have rapidly advanced, and the processing speed has been particularly improved. Accordingly, there is a demand for high-speed transmission of data and immediate use of stored data. In addition, output devices such as printers are demanded for colorization, high quality, and high-speed output, and this tendency is expected to increase in the future.

By the way, large-capacity data such as image data is usually stored in a disk-type storage device such as a so-called hard disk, from which data is read as needed. Disk storage devices include:
A disk-shaped storage medium and a head are provided. And
The storage medium is divided into a plurality of storage areas called concentric tracks, and the track is divided into a plurality of storage areas called sectors, and the storage area is often managed in sector units.

In general, a storage medium has an area where recording and reproduction cannot be performed due to a defect or a flaw of a magnetic material. Since data cannot be written to or read from such a defective sector, an alternative sector assigned to the spare area is used instead of the defective sector. In this case, data is written to a normal sector, and when a bad sector is reached,
The data writing is suspended once, the head is moved to the substitute sector, and writing is started again. Then, when the writing of the data to the substitute sector is completed, the writing of the data is interrupted, the head is moved to a normal sector, and the writing of the data is resumed. The method of using the alternative sector in this way requires a moving time of the head, and
Data transfer rate was limited.

The following techniques are known to improve this point. First, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-128735 describes a technique relating to a change in a method of assigning an alternative sector. This technique will be described with reference to FIG. Figure (A)
Is a logical sector including a bad sector, and sectors 11 and 34 indicated by crosses are bad sectors. These bad sectors are detected when the disk is formatted, and logical sector numbers are assigned excluding the bad sectors. As a result, for sectors that do not fit in the specified area, logical sectors are continuously arranged in the spare area, and the logical sectors are arranged as a whole as shown in FIG.
In this case, even if the head is not moved to the spare area when a defective sector is reached, it is sufficient to access a logical sector adjacent to the defective sector, so that a reduction in data transfer speed can be reduced.

Next, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-267243 describes a technique for improving a data management method. In this technique, a management area is provided on a disc, and recording position information for specifying a position on the disc where data recorded is recorded is stored. Then, the recording position information is transferred from the management area on the disk to the memory at a predetermined timing, and when reading and writing data, the memory is accessed to detect the recording position information, and the disk is accessed using the information. As a result, the number of accesses to the disk is reduced, and the decrease in data transfer speed is reduced.

Next, JP-A-5-274088 discloses that
There is disclosed a technique for temporarily storing data to be input / output to / from a disk using a buffer and changing the order of input / output to / from the disk to perform high-speed access. As described above, according to the conventional technology, the time during which data is not accessed is reduced as much as possible by changing the method of using the spare area, temporarily storing the recording position information in the memory, changing the access order using the buffer, and the like. It is intended to realize high-speed data transfer when the time is viewed as a whole.

[0008]

By the way, real-time processing is often required in image processing such as animation and moving images. In this case, even if the average data transfer speed is high, if there is a low-speed period in the middle of the transfer, the operation becomes unnatural or a screen is not output at all. For this reason, it is necessary to guarantee a certain data transfer rate or more for a predetermined period. But,
The conventional technique has a problem that it is not suitable for real-time processing because a low-speed period exists during transfer and the data transfer rate itself cannot be guaranteed. In addition, in image processing or high-speed printers for transmitting and receiving large amounts of data, there is a problem that it is necessary to wait until data transfer is completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a data processing device and a data writing method that guarantee a data transfer rate. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device and a data writing method capable of maximizing performance according to the state of each device.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium having divided storage areas, and read / write of data to / from the storage medium. Means for writing the data to each of the storage areas and reading the data to specify each of the continuously usable storage areas as a continuous storage area; and measuring the writing time of each of the continuous storage areas. Time measuring means, calculating means for calculating the data capacity of each continuous storage area, managing means for storing the writing time and the data capacity in association with each continuous storage area, and storing the data in the continuous storage area. An access control unit for determining the continuous storage area in which the data is to be written by referring to the management unit when writing the data on a medium.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2,
A storage medium having a plurality of tracks composed of a plurality of sectors; writing / reading means for writing / reading data to / from the storage medium; and writing / reading the data to / from the sector to reproduce the data normally. Specifying means for specifying a defective sector which cannot be performed; calculating means for calculating a data capacity of the track excluding the defective sector; time measuring means for measuring a writing time of the track; Transfer rate calculating means for calculating a transfer rate for the track based on the recording time, management means for storing the transfer rate and the data capacity in association with the track,
When writing the data to the storage medium, an access control unit that determines a track to which the data is to be written by referring to the management unit is provided.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3,
A storage medium having a plurality of tracks composed of a plurality of sectors; writing / reading means for writing / reading data to / from the storage medium; and writing / reading the data to / from the sector to continuously write the data. Identification means for identifying a continuous sector that can be stored in a memory, time measurement means for measuring the write time of the continuous sector, calculation means for calculating the data capacity of the continuous sector, Transfer rate calculating means for calculating a transfer rate for a track including at least the continuous sector based on the recording time, management means for storing the transfer rate and the data capacity in association with the continuous sector, and storing the data in the storage area. When writing to media,
Access control means for determining the continuous storage area in which the data is to be written by referring to the management means.

In the data processing apparatus, the time measuring means measures an access time from a certain sector on one track to a certain sector on another track in addition to the write time, and the managing means The stored access time may also be stored. In the data processing device, a read time may be used instead of the write time, or the write time and the read time may be combined. In the data processing device, the data processing device includes a storage device and a control device, the storage device includes the management unit, the control device includes the access control unit, and the access control unit includes the management unit. May be transferred to the memory in the control device, and then the processing may be performed.

According to the invention described in claim 8, in a data writing method for writing data to a storage medium having divided storage areas, data can be continuously used depending on the state of the storage medium. Each of the storage areas is specified as a continuous storage area, at least one of a write time and a read time of each of the continuous storage areas is measured, and a data capacity of each of the continuous storage areas is obtained. At least one of time and the data capacity are stored in the management unit in association with each of the continuous storage areas,
When writing the data, refer to the management means,
The continuous storage area satisfying the data condition is determined.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A. First Embodiment 1. First Embodiment Configuration of First Embodiment 1-1: System Configuration A print system using a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a block diagram of a printing system. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a terminal, which includes a personal computer, a keyboard, a display, and the like. The personal computer controls the entire system. Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage device controlled by the terminal 1, in which a disk-shaped storage medium is provided. This storage medium stores a large amount of image data and the like. Reference numeral 3 denotes a printer, which is connected to the terminal 1 via the network 4.

Here, data D for printing from the terminal 1
Is supplied to the printer control device 30, the printer control device 3 converts the data D into a format that can be processed by the output device 31, and generates print data D '. Print data D '
Are stored in the storage unit 32 and supplied to the output device 4. The output device that receives this prints an image on a sheet based on the print data D ′ to create a printed matter A. In addition,
When a plurality of copies of the printed matter A are created, the storage unit 32
Is output to the output device 31 to omit the conversion process. In such a printing system, when the transfer rate of the data D is low, the printing time is limited by the transfer rate. Therefore, it is necessary to read out the data D from the storage device 2 at high speed and supply it to the printer 3. Is done. For this reason, the storage device 2 is configured as follows so that the performance of the storage medium can be sufficiently exhibited.

1-2: Configuration of Storage Device Next, the configuration of the above storage device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the storage device 2. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes an external input / output unit connected to the terminal 1, by which data D is input / output. Also,
Reference numeral 21 denotes an access control unit that identifies a command input from the terminal 1 and controls the entire apparatus such as writing and reading of data D. A storage unit 22 includes a disk-shaped storage medium, a head for reading and writing data, a seek unit for moving the head, and the like. The storage area of the storage medium is divided into predetermined units, such as tracks and sectors, in which data D is stored. Reference numeral 23 denotes a time measuring unit connected to the access control unit 21 and is constituted by a timer or the like. Thereby, the transfer status of the data D input to the access control means 21 is monitored, and the transfer time is actually measured. Reference numeral 24 denotes a table management unit, and the management table T
B and writing / reading means for reading / writing management data therefrom. The management table TB is composed of a RAM or the like, and stores therein the relationship between the transfer time actually measured by the time measuring unit 23 and the data transfer amount in association with the track number.

2. Operation of First Embodiment Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 2-1: Determining the guaranteed range of the data transfer rate Since the disk provided in the storage means 22 may have a defective sector, the data transfer rate differs for each track. For this reason, a process of determining a track that can guarantee the data transfer rate requested by the terminal 1 is performed first. Note that, in this example, the above processing is executed when the disk is formatted.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the storage device to determine the guaranteed range of the data transfer rate. In FIG. 3, when the storage device 2 finishes formatting the disk (storage medium) (step S1), the expected data transfer rate is transmitted from the terminal 1, and the storage device 2 receives this (step S2). The expected data transfer rate is a transfer rate required for the terminal 1 to perform various processes. If the expected data transfer rate is lower than the expected data transfer rate, it means that the storage device 2 cannot be used. Therefore, the storage device 2 inputs and outputs data D using only the storage area that can guarantee the expected data transfer rate. When the transmitted expected data transfer rate is supplied to the access control means 21 via the input / output means 20, the access control means 21 stores this in the table management means 24 (step S3).

Next, the data transfer time is measured for each track (step S4). In this measurement, first, when the access control means 21 transmits the completion of the measurement preparation to the terminal 1, the terminal 1 receives this and returns test data. When the access control means 21 transfers the received test data to the storage means 22, the storage means 22 sequentially writes the test data from the first sector of the track located at the outermost edge of the storage medium (step S5). The time measurement means 23 starts time measurement in synchronization with the start of writing. Further, the write head and the read head are arranged adjacent to each other, and the written test data is immediately read by the read head. Then, the access control unit 21 detects whether or not the read test data is incorrect, and determines whether or not the sector is a bad sector. If it is determined that the sector is a bad sector, the access control unit 21 instructs the time measuring unit 23 to subtract the time related to the bad sector from the measured time. Thereby, the time measuring unit 23 measures the writing time excluding the defective sector.

Next, the access control means 21 determines whether or not the track is full (step S).
6) If it is not full, the determination result is NO, and the process returns to step S5 to continue writing the test data.
On the other hand, when it is full, the determination result is YES, and the process proceeds to step S7 to end the measurement of the data transfer speed.
Transfer to 4. The table management unit 24 stores the measured time in association with the track number supplied from the access control unit 21 (Step S8). As described above, the time measurement unit 23 excludes the time during which a bad sector is being written from the measurement time, so that the final measurement time is the time during which data can be actually read and written.

For example, it is assumed that the disk is composed of tracks A to J as shown in FIG. In this case, track B has 2
There are three bad sectors, and there are three bad sectors on track F. Therefore, in the tracks B and G, the data transfer time is shortened. As a result, the data transfer time of each track is as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the access control means 21 determines whether or not the measurement has been completed for all the tracks (step S9), and if not completed, repeats the processing of steps S4 to S9. On the other hand, if the measurement has been completed for all the tracks, the determination result is YES, and the process proceeds to step S10, where the access control unit 21
Calculates the data transfer rate for each track,
The calculation result is temporarily stored in the table management means 24 in association with the track number.

Next, the access control means 21 calculates the expected data transfer rate stored in step S3 in step S10.
Compare the data transfer rate calculated in step with the track unit,
It is determined whether the latter is greater than the former (step S1).
1). If the calculated data transfer rate is lower than the expected data transfer rate, it is determined as NO, and the next track is compared. On the other hand, if the calculated data transfer rate exceeds the expected data transfer rate, the determination is YES, and the process proceeds to step S12, in which the track number of the track is set as a guaranteed area that can guarantee the expected data transfer rate. (Step S
12). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13 to check whether or not the above-described processing has been completed for all the tracks. If the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 to S13 are performed until the processing has been completed for all the tracks. Is repeated.

As a result, the track numbers that can guarantee the expected data transfer rate are stored in the management table TB. Therefore, by referring to the management table TB, it is possible to know the track number that guarantees the expected data transfer rate.

2-2: Data Write Operation Next, an operation of writing data D from the terminal 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when writing the data D to the storage device 2. First, terminal 1
Is the size data SD indicating the size of the data D to be stored in the storage device 2 and the guarantee request data HD for identifying whether or not the data D requires guarantee of the expected data transfer rate. Is transferred (step S20).

When the transferred size data SD and guarantee request data HD are sent to the access control means 21 via the external input / output means 20, the access control means 21 accesses the management table TB in the table management means 24. . Then, based on the guarantee request data HD stored therein, it is determined whether or not the data D is one that requests guarantee of the expected data transfer rate (step S21). If the guarantee request data HD indicates guarantee, the determination result is YES and the process proceeds to step S22, where the access control means 21 allocates a track that can guarantee the expected data transfer rate to the data D (step S22). Specifically, first, a track number stored as a guaranteed area is extracted with reference to the management table TB. Next, the data transfer amount corresponding to each of the extracted track numbers is read from the management table TB, and the read data amount is compared with the data amount indicated by the size data SD, and a track number exceeding the data amount is extracted. Assign D. If there are multiple tracks finally extracted,
There is no problem assigning to any track.

On the other hand, if the guarantee request data HD does not indicate a guarantee, the determination result is NO, and the process proceeds to step S23, where a track for which the expected data transfer rate is not guaranteed is assigned to the data D (step S23). Specifically, a track number that is not stored as a guaranteed area is extracted with reference to the management table TB, and data D is assigned to the extracted track number. Since the data D is allocated based on the guarantee request data HD in this manner, the tracks can be properly used according to the transfer rate requested by the terminal, and the storage efficiency is improved.

When the storage area of the data D is determined in this way, the completion of the preparation for receiving the data D is transmitted from the storage device 2 to the terminal 1. When the terminal 1 detects this, the data D is transmitted from the terminal 1. The data is transferred to the storage device 2. Thereafter, the storage device 2 receives the transferred data D (Step S).
24), write the data D to the tracks allocated in steps S22 and S23.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the data D from the terminal 1 is stored in the storage device 2, the management table TB is referred to, so that the required data transfer rate is guaranteed, and It does not take a long time to write D.

Since the writing and reading of the data D are performed in the reverse path, the reading of the data D can be performed at a required data transfer rate. As a result, when the data D read from the storage device 2 is transferred to the printer 3 via the terminal 1 for printing, the waiting time of the data D in the printer 3 does not become long.

When the read data D is compressed image data, the terminal 1 can continuously perform expansion processing when expanding the read image data. This eliminates unnaturalness and no image being displayed on the display.

B. Second Embodiment A print system according to a second embodiment and a storage device used therein have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the operation thereof is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the data transfer rate is calculated for each track, and the track that satisfies the expected data transfer rate is specified. In the second embodiment, the data transfer rate is calculated for each successive valid sector. It guarantees the expected data transfer rate. Hereinafter, the second example will be described with reference to the drawings.
The operation of the embodiment will be described.

1: Calculation of Transfer Rate in Sector Unit FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the storage device according to the second embodiment. First, at an appropriate timing such as when formatting a disk, a defective sector (defective portion) is specified for each track (step S3).
0). The sector number of the specified bad sector is stored in the management table TB in association with the track number of the track each time the specified sector is specified (step S31). The detection of a defective sector is performed by writing and reading test data as in the first embodiment.

Next, it is determined whether a defective sector has been checked until the end of the track (step S30). If not, the process returns to step S30 and returns to step S30.
When the processing of steps S32 to S32 is repeated and the check is completed up to the end of the track, the process proceeds to step S33. Step S3
In step 3, it is determined whether or not the defective sectors have been checked for all the tracks. If the check has not been completed, the process returns to step S30 to repeat the processing of steps S30 to S33 to check for defective sectors for all the tracks. When the detection of the defective sector is completed for all the tracks in this manner, the management table TB stores the sector numbers of the defective sectors for all the tracks.

For example, in the disc shown in FIG.
If the location of the mark is a bad sector, the track A has the sector of the sector number A3, the track B has the sectors of the sector numbers B4 and B7, and the track D has the sector number D.
Four sectors are bad sectors. In this case, the contents shown in FIG. 9 are stored for each track in the column of the bad sector in the management table TB.

Next, the access control means 21 specifies each area in which valid sectors are consecutive based on the defective sector number stored in the management table TB and the number of sectors predetermined for each track (step S1). S35), and calculate their storage capacities. The calculated capacity of the continuous area is stored in the management table TB. At this time, the sector numbers corresponding to the sectors where the consecutive valid sectors start and end are stored in the management table TB. For example, in the disk shown in FIG. 8, a set of a start sector number and an end sector number is stored in an effective sector column shown in FIG. 9, and a data capacity corresponding to each continuous area is stored in a capacity column. The value is stored.

When the storage is completed, the access control means 21 prepares to receive the test data from the terminal 1 and, when the preparation is completed, requests the terminal 1 to transmit the test data. When the terminal 1 detects this, the terminal 1 transmits the test data to the storage device 2. Storage device 2
Receives the test data, supplies the test data to the storage means 22 via the access control means 21, and starts writing the test data from the start sector of each continuous area.
Then, in synchronization with the start of writing of the test data, time measurement is started by the time measurement means 23 (step S35). Thus, the test data is sequentially written in the area where the valid sectors are continuous (step S36), and it is determined whether or not the continuous area is full (step S3).
7). If it is not full, the process returns to step S35 to continue writing the test data. If it is full, the process proceeds to step S38 to end the time measurement. When the writing time of the continuous area is measured by the time measuring means 23 in this manner, the measured time is stored in the management table TB in association with the continuous area. And
It is determined whether the time measurement of the continuous area has been completed for all tracks (step S39). If the time measurement has not been completed, the process returns to step S35, and step S35.
Steps S39 to S39 are repeated.

On the other hand, if the time measurement of the continuous area has been completed for all the tracks, the process proceeds to step S40, and the table management means 24 refers to the capacity column and the measurement time column of the management table TB. , And calculates the data transfer rate, and stores the calculation result in the transfer rate column of the management table TB (step S42).

2: Data Write Operation Next, a process of writing data D using the management table TB will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of writing data D using the management table TB. First, the terminal 1 transfers the size data SD indicating the size of the data D to be stored and the expected data transfer rate when writing the data D to the storage device 2 (step S50), and stores the data. The device 2 receives (step S51).

When the transferred size data SD and the expected data transfer rate are sent to the access control means 21 via the external input / output means 20, the access control means 21 refers to the management table TB to read the continuous data satisfying the condition. Extract the region. Specifically, the data capacity value of each continuous area is compared with the capacity value indicated by the size data SD, and a continuous area in which the former exceeds the latter is extracted. Then, a continuous area whose transfer rate exceeds the expected data transfer rate is extracted from each of the extracted continuous areas.

For example, consider a case where the management table TB is as shown in FIG. 9 and the size data SD is 4 MByte and the expected data transfer rate is 10 MByte / Sec. Here, the capacity of B5 → B6 is 2 MByte, and D5 → B6
The transfer rate of D3 is 8 MBytes, and in either case, the condition is not satisfied, so these continuous areas are excluded. Therefore, the continuous area (valid sector) to be extracted is A4 → A2, B8 → B3, C0 → C9 as shown in FIG.
When the size data SD is 3 MByte and the expected data transfer rate is 12 MByte / Sec, C0 → C9 is excluded. This is because the transfer rate in this area is 10 MByte / Sec, which does not satisfy the condition. For this reason, the continuous area to be extracted is A4 → A2, B8 → B as shown in FIG.
It becomes 3.

Next, proceeding to step S53 shown in FIG. 10, the access control means 21 allocates a storage area. For example, when the size data SD is 4 MByte and the expected data transfer rate is 10 MByte / Sec,
A continuous storage area of 4 MBytes is allocated from the extracted continuous areas such as A4 → A2, B8 → B3, C0 → C9. Here, the capacity per sector is 1 MByte
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, A4 → A7, A8 → A11, A12 corresponding to the continuous area of A4 → A2.
→ A storage area can be allocated, such as A15. When the size data SD is 3 MByte and the expected data transfer rate is 12 MByte / Sec, A4 → A
For example, as shown in FIG.
A4 → A6, A7 → A9, A10 → A12, A13 → A
A storage area such as 15 can be allocated. In the case where data can be stored in a plurality of storage areas as in these examples, the data may be stored in any of the areas.

When the storage area allocation is completed, the process proceeds to step S54 shown in FIG. 10 to transfer the data D. In this case, the access control unit 21 transmits to the terminal 1 that the data is ready to be stored. When the terminal 1 detects this, the transfer of the data D from the terminal 1 to the storage device 2 is started. The transferred data D is stored in a storage area allocated in advance via the access control means 21.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, continuous areas are specified in units of sectors based on the detection results of defective sectors, the capacity and transfer rate are calculated for each continuous area, and these are stored in the management table TB. Stored in. And data D
Is written in the storage device 2, since the storage area is allocated based on the required transfer rate and the size data SD, all the data D can be stored at the required transfer rate. In addition, since the continuous area is specified in units of sectors, the storage area is not wasted as compared with the first embodiment, and the performance of the disk can be further enhanced. Further, even when the requested transfer rate is changed, it is possible to cope with the case, and this is also advantageous in comparison with the first embodiment.

C. Third Embodiment A print system according to a third embodiment and a storage device used therein have the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, and the operation thereof is different from that of the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the data transfer rate is calculated in units of continuous valid sectors, and the expected data transfer rate is guaranteed. However, the third embodiment is designed to cope with a large amount of data. In addition, the storage area is determined in consideration of the movement time from sector to sector across the tracks. Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the "calculation of the transfer rate in sector units" described in the second embodiment is the same in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

1: Operation of Measuring Access Time Between Tracks First, a description will be given of a process for determining a time from an arbitrary track to access to another track. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining this processing. At an appropriate timing such as when formatting a disc,
The access control means 21 moves the head to a certain sector on an arbitrary track (step S60), and writes or reads data to or from this sector. Then, from the point in time when the writing or reading of data is completed, the time measuring means 23 starts measuring time (step S61), and the access control means 21 starts processing for accessing a certain sector in another track (step S62). ). Thereafter, when the movement of the head to the sector ends, the time measuring means 23 ends the time measurement (step S63). Thus, the access time from the sector on one track to the sector on another track is measured.

Next, when data indicating the measured access time is supplied from the access control means 23 to the table management means 24 in association with the movement pattern, the table management means 24 refers to the management table TB and Then, it is determined whether or not the access time has been measured with the same movement pattern (step S64).

If the sectors on the disk are allocated as shown in FIG. 8, the storage area related to the access time in the management table TB is configured as shown in FIG. 12, for example. In the figure, the rows represent the starting sector, while the columns represent the ending sector. For example, in the column shown by the thick frame in the figure, the sector A0 of the track A is shown.
The access time from the data to the sector B0 of the track B is stored. When this storage area is generated, “0” is stored as an initial value. Therefore, in the determination of step S64, the management table is searched using the measured start sector number and end sector number as addresses, the data stored therein is read, and it is determined whether the value is “0”. Is done. If it is "0", it has never been measured with the same pattern in the past, while if it is other than "0", it is determined that it has been measured with the same pattern in the past.

If there is no identical movement pattern, the determination result is NO, and step S6 shown in FIG.
Proceeding to 5, the access time is stored in the management table TB (step S65). On the other hand, if the access time has been measured in the same movement pattern in the past, the table management unit 24 determines whether the access time measured this time is longer than the access time stored in the management table TB. Is determined (step S66). If the stored value is larger than the measured value, it is determined as YES, the process proceeds to step S67, and the access time measured this time is stored in the management table TB. On the other hand, if the measured value is smaller than or equal to the stored value, the determination is NO, and the management table TB is not updated. As a result, the longest access time is registered in the management table TB.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the measurement of all the specified patterns has been completed (step S68). If there is a specified pattern that has not been measured, NO is determined,
Returning to step S60, steps S60 to S68 are repeated. Then, when the measurement of all the specified patterns is completed, YES is determined, and the access time measuring process is completed.

Here, the prescribed pattern is a movement pattern of the head which is predetermined based on the division of the sector, and corresponds to, for example, a pattern corresponding to a sector requiring the maximum access time. In this case, assuming that the disk is configured as shown in FIG. 8, if it is between sector A0 and sector B0, between sector A0 and sector C0, and sector A0
And the sector D0, between the sector B0 and the sector C0, and between the sector C0 and the sector D0 correspond to the prescribed pattern. In this example, the contents of the management table TB corresponding to the prescribed pattern are, for example, those shown in FIG.
In this case, since the maximum access time between tracks is stored in the management table TB, it is possible to guarantee the transfer rate of data across tracks by referring to this.

Further, the prescribed pattern may be constituted by the end sector of the continuous area to the start sector. For example, if the disk is as shown in FIG. 8, the end sector is A2,
B6, B3, C9, and D3, and the start sector is A
4, B5, B8, C0, and D5. Therefore, the prescribed pattern is A2 → B5, B5, B8, C0, D5, B6
→ A4, C0, D5, B3 → A4, C0, D5, C9 →
A4, B5, B8, D5, D3 → A4, B5, B8, C
There are 19 patterns such as 0. The reason why the specified pattern extends from the end sector to the start sector is that the movement of the head is normally performed between these.

2: Data Write Operation Next, a process of writing data D using the management table TB will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a process of writing data D using the management table TB. First, the terminal 1 transfers the size data SD indicating the size of the data D to be stored and the expected data transfer rate when writing the data D to the storage device 2 (step S70), and stores the data. The device 2 receives (step S71).

When the transferred size data SD and the expected data transfer rate are sent to the table management means 24 via the external input / output means 20, the access control means 21 refers to the management table and determines the expected data transfer rate. Extract the continuous area that satisfies. Specifically, continuous areas in which the transfer rate of each continuous area exceeds the expected data transfer rate are extracted. For example, if the management table TB is as shown in FIG. 9 and the expected data transfer rate is 11 MByte / Sec, the continuous area to be extracted is A4 → A2, B5 → B6
B8 → B3.

Next, the size data SD is compared with the data capacity of each extracted continuous area to determine whether there is a continuous area exceeding the size data SD (step S7).
2). If such a continuous area exists, YES
Is determined, and data D is allocated to the continuous area (step S74). In the above example, if the data capacity indicated by the size data D is 12 MByte, A4 → A15 in the continuous area A4 → A2 is allocated.

On the other hand, if there is no continuous area exceeding the size data SD, the determination is NO, and the flow advances to step S75 to store the data D on a plurality of tracks in consideration of the access time.
Assign. This process is performed as follows. First, by combining each continuous area, the size data SD
Is specified. At this time, a total data capacity is calculated for each set. In this case, the management table TB is referred to. Referring to the management table TB, a total sum of the measurement times is calculated for each group. The total access time is calculated for each set. On this occasion,
The access route is specified so that the access time is minimized. For example, if there are tracks A to F in order from the outer edge, and if a set is composed of tracks A to D,
The access route is specified as A → B → C → D or D → C → B → A. The data transfer rate is calculated for each set. In this case, the data transfer rate is obtained by the following equation. Data transfer rate = total of data capacity / (total of measurement time + total of access time) A set in which the calculated data transfer rate exceeds the expected data transfer rate is specified. If there are a plurality of sets, one of the sets is specified. Then, data D is allocated according to the above access path.

When the assignment of the data D is completed in this way, the process proceeds to step S76, where the data D is transferred. In this case, the access control unit 21 transmits to the terminal 1 that the data is ready to be stored. When the terminal 1 detects this, the transfer of the data D from the terminal 1 to the storage device 2 is started. The transferred data D is stored in a storage area allocated in advance via the access control means 21.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the transfer can be specified in consideration of the access time between tracks, so that the transfer rate is guaranteed even for large-capacity data extending between tracks. To write to the disc. Therefore, image data related to animation and video can be stored in real time,
The buffer memory can be made unnecessary.

Although the access time varies depending on the device depending on the response of the seek unit, etc., according to the present embodiment, the access time is measured, so that the data transfer rate is guaranteed and the performance of the storage device is ensured. Can be maximized.

D. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,
For example, various modifications described below are possible. In each of the embodiments described above, the storage medium is described as an example of a hard disk, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an MO. In short, the present invention can be applied to any storage medium having a logical configuration such as a track and a sector. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a semiconductor memory, which is a kind of storage medium, as long as it has the above-described logical configuration.

In each of the embodiments described above, the data writing has been described. However, the management table TB can be created in the same manner in the case of reading.
In this case, the data writing time described above may be replaced with the reading time. Specifically, the time measuring means 23
The reading period of the continuous area is measured. Thus, the access control unit 21 calculates the read transfer rate for each continuous area or each track, and allocates a data storage area based on the calculated transfer rate. For example, it is assumed that the disk is as shown in FIG. 8 and the contents of the management table TB are as shown in FIG. Here, when writing the data D1 to D8 to the disk so that the data D1 to D8 can be read within 3 seconds as shown in FIG. Data D1 to D8 may be written to the disk. Further, a data storage area may be allocated in consideration of both the writing time and the reading time. In this case, the time measuring unit 23 measures the writing time and the reading time, and stores the reading time together with the writing time in the management table TB. Then, the access control means 21 allocates data to the storage area so as to satisfy the conditions for writing and reading from the terminal 1.

In each of the above embodiments, the storage device 2 is provided with the access control means 21, the time measurement means 23, the storage means 22, and the management table TB. , The management table TB may be provided in either the terminal 1 (control device) or the storage device 2. For example, the management table TB is provided in the storage device 2 and the access control means 21 is provided in the terminal 1 side, and when starting the processing, the management data stored in the management table TB is transferred to the memory of the terminal 1 side. . Then, the access control means 21 may assign a data storage area with reference to the contents of the memory. For example, the input / output of data may be controlled by incorporating the management table TB into a data management mechanism of the file system.

In each of the above-described embodiments, when a measured value, such as an access time, which requires actual measurement is known as a specification in advance, the actual measurement can be omitted. However, in this case, since there is a variation for each device,
It is necessary to expect a proper margin. In addition, the storage device 2
May be created at the time of shipment of the management table. In this case, the user can use the storage device 2 immediately after connecting it to the terminal 1.

In each of the above-described embodiments, a write flag is set for a sector to which data has been written so that the empty area of the storage medium can be determined, and this is stored in the management table TB. Is also good. Then, when writing new data, referring to the write flag of the management table TB,
What is necessary is just to perform the process of each embodiment mentioned above.

In each of the embodiments described above, the management table TB is constituted by a RAM or the like. However, a management area is provided in a part of the storage medium constituting the storage means 22, and this is used as the management table TB. May be used. The test data may be generated in the storage device 2. In data transfer, areas where the data transfer rate is guaranteed are secured as spools and high-speed transfer areas.
The unguaranteed area may be a boot system or other data storage location, and may be divided as a separate partition.

In each of the above embodiments, the transfer rate is calculated from the capacity and the measurement time, and the storage area is allocated based on the transfer rate and the capacity. However, since the transfer rate is a value related to the capacity, the capacity and the write The storage area may be allocated based on time or read time. The points described above can be regarded as a data writing method, and a program for realizing such a method may be recorded on a recording medium. As the recording medium, for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a floppy disk or a magnetic tape, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, the required time is measured and the storage area is allocated based on the measured time, so that the required data transfer rate can be assured reliably. In addition, the performance can be maximized according to the state of each device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a storage device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the storage device according to the embodiment determines a guaranteed range of the data transfer rate.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a defective sector of the disk according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data transfer time of each track according to the embodiment. Is

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when writing data to the storage device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a storage device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for explaining bad sectors of the disk according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the content of a management table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a data write process using a management table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining a time from an arbitrary track to access to another track in the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a storage area related to an access time in a management table according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a storage area related to an access time corresponding to a prescribed pattern according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a data write process using a management table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for describing a modification in which allocation of a storage area based on a read time is determined based on the read time.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional technique relating to a change in an alternative sector allocation method.

[Description of Signs] 1 Terminal (control device) 2 Storage device 21 Access control means (identification means, calculation means, transfer rate calculation means) 22 Storage means (storage medium, write / read means) 23 Time measurement means TB management table

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium having divided storage areas, writing / reading means for writing / reading data to / from the storage medium, and writing / reading the data to / from each of the storage areas for continuous use. Specifying means for specifying each of the possible storage areas as a continuous storage area; time measuring means for measuring a writing time of each of the continuous storage areas; calculating means for calculating a data capacity of each of the continuous storage areas; Management means for storing the write time and the data capacity in association with each of the continuous storage areas; and when the data is written to the storage medium, the continuous storage to which the data is to be written by referring to the management means. A data processing device comprising: an access control unit that determines an area. 2. A storage medium having a plurality of tracks composed of a plurality of sectors; a writing / reading means for writing / reading data to / from the storage medium; Specifying means for specifying a defective sector that cannot reproduce data normally; calculating means for calculating a data capacity of the track excluding the defective sector; time measuring means for measuring a writing time of the track; Transfer rate calculation means for calculating a transfer rate for the track based on the data capacity and the write time; management means for storing the transfer rate and the data capacity in association with the track; and storing the data in the storage When writing to a medium, the track to which the data is to be written is referred to with reference to the management means. The data processing apparatus characterized by comprising an access control means for constant. 3. A storage medium having a plurality of tracks composed of a plurality of sectors, writing / reading means for writing / reading data to / from the storage medium, and writing / reading the data to / from the sector, thereby providing continuous data. Specifying means for specifying a continuous sector capable of storing the data continuously, time measuring means for measuring a writing time of the continuous sector, calculating means for calculating a data capacity of the continuous sector, Transfer rate calculation means for calculating a transfer rate for a track including at least the continuous sector based on the data capacity and the write time; management means for storing the transfer rate and the data capacity in association with the continuous sector; When writing the data to the storage medium, refer to the management unit before writing the data. The data processing apparatus characterized by comprising an access control means for determining a continuous storage area. 4. The time measuring means measures an access time from a certain sector of one track to a certain sector of another track in addition to the write time, and the management means measures the measured access time. The data processing device according to claim 2, wherein the data processing device also stores the data. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said time measuring means measures a reading time instead of said writing time, and said management means stores said reading time instead of said writing time. The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said time measuring means measures said writing time and reading time, and said management means stores said reading time together with said writing time.
5. The data processing device according to any one of Items 4 to 4. 7. The data processing device includes a storage device and a control device, wherein the storage device includes the storage medium, the writing / reading device, the specifying device, the time measuring device, and the managing device, The control device includes the calculation unit and the access control unit, and the access control unit performs processing after transferring the content of the management unit to a memory in the control device. 7. The data processing device according to any one of 6. 8. A data writing method for writing data to a storage medium having divided storage areas, wherein each of the storage areas that can be used continuously is specified as a continuous storage area according to the state of the storage medium. Measuring at least one of the write time or the read time of each of the continuous storage areas; determining the data capacity of each of the continuous storage areas; and determining at least one of the write time or the read time and the data capacity When the data is stored in the management unit in association with the continuous storage area and the data is written, the management unit is referred to,
A data writing method, wherein the continuous storage area satisfying the data condition is determined.