JPH1153844A - File management method, data controller, data recording /-data reproducing device and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the treatment of data such as images and sounds which require real-time treatment. SOLUTION: A data controller 21 transmits commands of data recording, data reproducing, etc., to data recording/reproducing devices 26 (26a, 26b,), receives their statuses, transmits data to be recorded or receives reproduced data. The data recording/reproducing devices 26 record the transmitted data, transmit the reproduced data, inform of the statuses, etc., in accordance with the transmitted commands. A file management unit 22, referring to management information of each file, if a subject file requires the real-time treatment, transmitts commands by which the real-time treatment can be ensured to the respective components of the system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data control device, a data recording / reproducing device, and a recording medium for recording digital data having real-time properties as a file, and a method of managing a file.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A hard disk (HDD for short) of a conventional personal computer (sometimes referred to as PC for short).
For example, a data recording device such as MS-DOS, which describes the physical characteristics of a disk and boots a computer (or, in other words, is started, is also called) A boot sector with routines, a file allocation table showing where each file is recorded on the disk in cluster units, a root directory for recording entries of files and subdirectories, and a file area for recording subdirectories and data. By taking the configuration, a file can be recorded.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a file entry which is information about a file. The 32-byte information indicates the file name, extension, file attribute, date of creation or last update, recording position (first cluster number), file size, and the like. Of these, the attributes of the file are
As shown in FIG. 7, what kind of property the file has is shown. The extension can also indicate what kind of computer software the file is associated with.

As described above, the data file in the conventional data recording device has been managed.

Conventionally, such a file management system has been realized by the configuration of a data control device and a data recording / reproducing device as described below. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional data control device and a conventional data recording / reproducing device. Reference numeral 11 denotes a data control device, 12 denotes a data recording / reproducing device, 13 denotes an input / output unit, 14 denotes a controller, and 15 denotes a data processor. , 16 are recording media.

First, the data control device 11 transmits data recording, reproduction, status inquiry and other commands to the data recording / reproducing device 12, or receives the transmitted status, and transmits and reproduces data to be recorded. The received data is received. The data recording / reproducing device 12
In accordance with the command transmitted from the data control device 11, the received data is received and recorded, the reproduced data is transmitted, the status is notified, and the like. Actually, the input / output unit 13 performs transmission / reception, interprets the transmitted command, and instructs data recording / reproduction or the like according to the command. When a status is requested, a predetermined process is performed to obtain the information. The controller 14 controls the operation of a mechanism for recording on the recording medium 16 or reproducing from the recording medium 16 according to an instruction from the input / output unit 13. When a recording operation is instructed, the data processor 15 performs predetermined processing such as error correction encoding / modulation on data input from the input / output unit 13 to convert the data into a format recordable on the recording medium 16. When a reproduction operation is instructed, a process of extracting original data from the reproduced signal is performed.

In the above configuration, the data control device 11 sends a command, and the data recording / reproducing device 12 responds to the command. For example, when the recorded data is requested, the data recording / reproducing device 12 reproduces and transmits the data, but the transfer rate is not specified, and the transfer rate specific to the data recording / reproducing device 12 and the control device 11 Depends on processing speed. Note that this processing speed may be affected by other processing being performed at the same time.

[0008]

However, the data control device, the data recording / reproducing device, and the method for managing files described above cannot handle data that requires real-time properties, particularly video data and audio data.

At present, the data handled by the computer includes a lot of data that requires real-time properties such as video and audio, and the transfer rate of the transmission path between the data control device 11 and the data recording / reproducing device 12 is limited by the transfer rate. On the other hand, if the transfer rate required by the data is sufficiently low, these video / audio data can be handled, but high-quality video / audio data cannot be transferred.

When the recording medium is a medium such as a tape which performs sequential recording / reproduction, in order to adjust the difference between the transfer rate and the recording rate, repositioning, that is, recording, is interrupted. Although a method of repeating rewinding a little and performing assembling recording is repeated, this operation takes a long time, and the actual transfer rate is rather lowered. Therefore, there is a method of avoiding repositioning by recording a difference between the transfer rate and the recording rate by recording a dummy.However, if this method is used, the amount of data handled in byte units changes. When copying or moving data between media, it becomes impossible to check the free area or the like.

The prior art has the above-mentioned problems. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a file management method, a data control device, a recording medium, and a data recording / reproducing device which can handle real-time data.

[0012]

In order to solve this problem, a first file management method according to the present invention provides a recording medium comprising:
In a system for recording medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, real-time identification information indicating whether or not the file is a real-time data file is used as the management information. This is a file management method characterized by having

Further, according to a second file management method of the present invention, the recording medium stores the medium information of the recording medium itself and
In a system for recording management information of at least one file and each of the files, a file management method characterized in that a file of real-time data has rate information indicating an original data rate of the data as the management information. It is.

Further, according to a third file management method of the present invention, the recording medium has the following information:
In a system for recording management information of at least one file and each of the files, if the original data rate of the data is variable as the management information for a file of real-time data, the maximum data rate among them is This is a file management method characterized by having maximum rate information shown.

According to a fourth file management method of the present invention, the recording medium has the medium information of the recording medium itself.
In a system for recording management information of at least one file and each of the files, for a file of real-time data, it is preferable that the management information has file size information indicating a time required at an original data rate as the management information. This is a characteristic file management method.

Further, the first data control device of the present invention comprises:
What is claimed is: 1. A data control apparatus comprising: a control unit for transmitting a control command to a data recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing one or more digital data and transmitting / receiving data. Is a data control device for transmitting and receiving data at a transfer rate set based on information on a data rate, which is file management information.

Further, the second data control device of the present invention comprises:
The data control device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a transfer unit that sends a control command for inquiring a data recording / reproducing device connected to the data recording / reproducing device for information on a recordable / reproducible data rate.

Further, a third data control device of the present invention comprises:
The data control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a transfer means for sending a control command for inquiring information relating to a recordable / reproducible time to a data recording / reproducing apparatus connected thereto in the first data control apparatus.

Further, the fourth data control device of the present invention comprises:
The data control apparatus according to the third data control apparatus of the present invention, further comprising a transfer means for sending a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible time of a recording medium handled at that time in the data recording / reproducing apparatus connected thereto. .

Further, the first data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention comprises recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing digital data in real time, and transfer means for transmitting / receiving control commands to / from the outside and transmitting / receiving data. A data recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein the transfer means transmits and receives data at a transfer rate set based on information on a data rate, which is management information of the file, for a file of data having real-time properties. Is a data recording / reproducing apparatus.

Further, the second data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a transfer means for transmitting or receiving a control command for inquiring information on a data rate at which data can be recorded / reproduced in the first data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention to / from the outside. A data recording / reproducing device characterized by having:

Further, the third data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention has a transfer means for transmitting or receiving a control command for inquiring information regarding the recordable / reproducible time in the first data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention to / from the outside. A data recording / reproducing apparatus characterized in that:

Further, the fourth data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, in the third data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, transmits a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible time of a recording medium handled at that time. And a transfer means for transmitting or receiving the data.

The first recording medium of the present invention records medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, and is a real-time data file. A recording medium characterized by having real-time identification information indicating the above as the management information.

Further, the second recording medium of the present invention records the medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files. A recording medium having rate information indicating an original data rate of data as the management information.

The third recording medium of the present invention records the medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, and for the data file having real-time property, If the original data rate of the data is variable, the recording medium has maximum rate information indicating the maximum data rate as the management information.

The fourth recording medium of the present invention records the medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files. A recording medium characterized by having, as the management information, file size information indicating a time required at an original data rate of data.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data control device 21 and a data recording / reproducing device 26 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 22 denotes a file management unit, 23 denotes a command / status processor, and 24 denotes file data. A processor 25 is an input / output unit of the data control device, 27 is an input / output unit of the data recording / reproducing device, 28 is a controller, 29 is a data processor, and 30 is a recording medium.

First, the data control device 21 transmits data recording, reproduction, status inquiry and other commands to the data recording / reproducing device 26, receives the transmitted status, and transmits data to be recorded. The reproduced data is received.

The file management unit 22 uses the medium information, which is information on the recording medium 30, and the management information of each of the files recorded on the recording medium 30 to store the recording medium 3.
0 manages the file recorded in the file.

The command / status processor 23 generates a command to be transmitted to the data recording / reproducing device 26 in accordance with a file read / write or other instruction from the file management unit 22, and processes the received status if necessary. .

The file data processor 24 handles actual file data. The input / output unit 25 converts a format in the data control device 21 and a format on a transmission path connected to the data recording / reproducing device 26 in order to transmit / receive a command / status and transmit / receive data.

The data recording / reproducing device 26 receives the transmitted data according to the command transmitted from the data control device 21, and performs recording, transmission of reproduced data, notification of status, and the like. Actually, the input / output unit 27 performs transmission / reception, interprets the transmitted command, and instructs data recording / reproduction or the like according to the command. When a status is requested, a predetermined process is performed to obtain the information. The controller 28 controls the operation of a mechanism for recording on the recording medium 30 or reproducing from the recording medium in accordance with an instruction from the input / output unit 27. When a recording operation is instructed, the data processor 29 performs predetermined processing such as error correction encoding / modulation on data input from the input / output unit 27 to convert the data into a format recordable on the recording medium 30. When a reproduction operation is instructed, a process of extracting original data from the reproduced signal is performed.

For example, when the recording medium is a tape,
As shown in FIG. 2, after recording the file, file information (medium information which is information on the recording medium 30 and management information of each of the files recorded on the recording medium 30) can be recorded. The file management unit 22 of the data control device 21 checks the real-time identification information indicating whether or not the file information is real-time data, which is one of the management information held for each file of the file information. If it is a file of data that has been set, an instruction is sent to each part so that real-time performance can be guaranteed in the entire system.

When there are various rates that can be handled by the system, real-time guarantee of data is assured.
It becomes possible by managing information indicating the rate itself for each file.

For this purpose, the file management unit 22 of the data control device 21 has a function of inquiring each of the peripheral parts about the corresponding rate and determining whether or not processing as a whole is possible. The part must have a function corresponding to the above inquiry.

When the recording medium 30 is fixed to the data recording / reproducing device 26 like a hard disk, the applicable rate is a value specific to each data recording / reproducing device 26. In some cases, both the data control device 21 and the data recording / reproducing device 26 need to have a function of responding to an inquiry about a rate that the recording medium 30 can support.

The actual data is always at a fixed rate, but also at a variable rate. For such data, it is necessary to manage at the maximum rate, and if corresponding to information on the maximum rate as file information,
Such a function can also be guaranteed.

If information indicating the time required to transfer data in real time is included in the file information, the capacity of each file can be easily understood. This is because when data of various rates is handled, a dummy may need to be recorded in order to guarantee real-time performance depending on the recording medium, especially when the recording medium is a tape. In order to determine whether there is enough capacity to record one data file, not only the net number of bytes but also a capacity including a dummy is necessary. From the information on the rate and time recorded / reproduced by the data recording device 26, it is possible to correctly determine the dummy capacity added to the net information.

FIG. 3 shows an example of medium information and management information prepared for each file. First, as media information,
The contents as shown in FIG. 3 are raised. Here, the amount of data recorded on one track is constant, and the reference transfer rate is 300 tracks / second, which is an integral multiple or 1 /
As an example, a data recording / reproducing apparatus that can handle an integral multiple is considered.

For each file, by recording not only the file size but also the number of bytes and the number of tracks (file time), it becomes clear how much capacity is being used, and the recording medium is managed. Becomes possible. That is, it is possible to know from where to where the data was written. In particular, it is possible to handle files with variable transfer rates, such as the fourth and fifth files, in which the number of tracks actually required for recording cannot be determined only by the file size expressed in bytes.

Also, in the case of a file having a variable transfer rate, such as the fourth or fifth file, even if it is instantaneous, if the transfer rate exceeds the transfer rate that can be handled by each device, the real-time property cannot be maintained. By recording the information, such troubles can be avoided.

By recording the transfer rate, together with the number of tracks (file time), the time required for transfer (reproduction time when a reproduction of a video data file is instructed) becomes clear. And the data recording / reproducing apparatus can maintain the transfer rate and maintain the data in real time.

Here, the recording start position describes the number of the track from the beginning from which recording was started.

By recording such file information, real-time data such as video and audio can be handled. Also, data having a variable transfer rate can be handled in consideration of the difference between the transfer rate and the recording rate.

The present invention is applicable even when the data control device 21 controls a plurality of data recording / reproducing devices 26. It is also possible to instruct the data recording / reproducing device 26a to perform recording at the same time as instructing the data recording / reproducing device 26b to reproduce, thereby copying / moving a file. At this time, the file management unit 22 may have a function of determining whether or not such an operation is possible by referring to a rate that can be supported by each data recording / reproducing device.

The data recording / reproducing device 26a and the data recording / reproducing device 26b may be devices having the same specifications or devices having different specifications having the same functions.

Further, the present invention can be applied as it is even when the data control device 21 and the data recording / reproducing device 26 are combined into one device. This embodiment is shown in FIG. At this time, a configuration is also possible in which the data control device 21 and the data recording / reproducing device 26a are combined into one device, and the data recording / reproducing device 26b is connected.

Here, the file time is set as the number of tracks, but the same effect can be obtained regardless of the number of frames, the number of seconds, or other units. In the case of sequential recording on a tape medium, the file time can be obtained not only by the combination of the recording start position and the number of tracks but also by the combination of the recording start position and the recording end position. You can get it.

Although the transfer rate is shown as a ratio to this value with 300 tracks / sec being 1, the same effect can be obtained no matter what expression is used. The recording start position is
Although the number of tracks counted from the beginning of the tape is expressed as an absolute address, the same effect can be obtained with an arbitrary expression. The type of recording data is also V
It is possible to handle any type of file regardless of the TR recording format.

In this embodiment, the file management unit is described as being built in the data recording apparatus. However, data output from the conversion data input / output unit is obtained externally, file information is generated, and conversion data input is performed. The present invention can also be realized by recording file information through an output device. That is, the present invention is realized by a program such as a computer or a microcomputer, and is recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk and transferred, so that it can be easily implemented by another independent system. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a case where this is performed on a floppy disk.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a physical format of a floppy disk which is a recording medium body. A track is formed concentrically from the outer circumference to the inner circumference, and is divided into 16 sectors in the angular direction. The program is recorded according to the allocated area.

FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining a case for storing the floppy disk. From the left, a front view of the floppy disk case, a sectional view thereof, and a floppy disk are shown. By storing the floppy disk in the case in this way, the disk can be protected from dust and external impact and can be transported safely.

FIG. 5C is a diagram for explaining recording and reproducing of a program on a floppy disk. By connecting a floppy disk drive to the computer system as shown in the figure, it is possible to record and reproduce programs on the disk. A disk is inserted into and removed from a floppy disk drive through an insertion slot. When recording, the program is recorded on a disk by a floppy disk drive from the computer system. To play, the floppy disk drive reads the program from the disk and transfers it to the computer system.

In this embodiment, the description has been made by using a floppy disk as a recording medium. However, the same operation can be performed using an optical disk. Further, the recording medium is not limited to this, but can be similarly implemented as long as the program can be recorded, such as an IC card or a ROM cassette.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, real-time data such as video and audio can be handled by recording file information. Also, for data with a variable transfer rate,
It can be handled in consideration of the difference between the transfer rate and the recording rate. The practical effect of the present invention is great in the current situation in which data to be treated as a file is not limited to simple numerical values and text data, but includes various video and audio data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data control device and a data recording / reproducing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example showing a state of a recording medium recorded by the data recording device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of file information / medium information generated / managed in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a data control device and a data recording / reproducing device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of realization by a program.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a file entry which is conventional file information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing designation of a file attribute in a conventional file entry.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional data control device and data recording / reproducing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 21 data control device 22 file management unit 23 command / status processor 24 file data processor 25 data control device input / output unit 26 data recording / reproducing device 27 data recording / reproducing device input / output unit 28 controller 29 data processor 30 recording Medium

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuro Shigesato 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Yukio Kurano 1006 Kazama Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Soft Research

Claims (16)

[Claims] In a system for recording, on a recording medium, medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, the management information is a file of data having real-time properties. A file management method characterized by having real-time identification information indicating whether or not the file exists. 2. Media information of the recording medium itself, one or more files and management information of each of the files are recorded, and real-time identification information indicating whether or not the file is a file with real-time data is recorded in the management. A recording medium having information as information. 3. A system for recording, on a recording medium, medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, a file of real-time data is used as the management information. A file management method having rate information indicating an original data rate of data. 4. The medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files are recorded, and for a file of real-time data, rate information indicating an original data rate of the data is recorded. A recording medium having the management information. 5. In a system for recording, on a recording medium, medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, files of real-time data are used as the management information. A file management method characterized by having maximum rate information indicating the maximum data rate when the original data rate of the data is variable. 6. A method for recording medium information of a recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, and for a file of data having real-time properties, the original data rate of the data is variable. Wherein the management information has maximum rate information indicating the maximum data rate among them. 7. In a system for recording, on a recording medium, medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files, a file of real-time data is used as the management information. A file management method characterized by having file size information indicating a time required at an original data rate of data. 8. The medium information of the recording medium itself, one or more files, and management information of each of the files are recorded. For a file of real-time data, the time required at the original data rate of the data is recorded. Characterized by having file size information indicating the above as the management information. 9. A data control device comprising a transfer means for transmitting a control command to a data recording / reproducing device for recording / reproducing one or more digital data and transmitting / receiving data, wherein the transfer means comprises a real-time transmission / reception device. A data control apparatus for transmitting and receiving a data file at a transfer rate set based on information on a data rate, which is management information of the file. 10. A transfer means for sending a control command for inquiring information relating to a data rate at which data can be recorded / reproduced to a connected data recording / reproducing apparatus.
Data control device as described. 11. The data control device according to claim 9, further comprising a transfer unit that sends a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible time to a connected data recording / reproducing device. 12. The data control device according to claim 11, further comprising a transfer unit for sending a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible time of a recording medium handled by the data recording / reproducing device to be connected at that time. . 13. A data recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: recording / reproducing means for recording / reproducing digital data in real time; and transmission means for transmitting / receiving a control command to / from an external device and transmitting / receiving data. Is
A data recording / reproducing apparatus for transmitting / receiving a data file having real-time properties at a transfer rate set based on information on a data rate which is management information of the file. 14. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a transfer means for transmitting or receiving a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible data rate to / from the outside. 15. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a transfer unit for transmitting or receiving a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible time to / from the outside. 16. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a transfer means for transmitting or receiving a control command for inquiring information on a recordable / reproducible time of the recording medium handled at that time to / from the outside.