JPH1173349A - Device and method for preventing file fragmentation due to downloading - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store a file of a storage device of a terminal in a continuous area without fragmentating it, to improve the storage efficiency of the storage device and to improve an access speed by managing an unused area of the storage device and simultaneously performing downloading for software change and relocation of a file to prevent file fragmentation. SOLUTION: A download control part 14 supervises the increase and decrease of a file size of software that has change and calculates the size of an unused area after change of the software. Also, it stores a file that has change due to download from a host computer 20 after deciding the storage position of new software based on the size of the calculated unused area and copies a file that does not have change. That is, it becomes possible to prevent a file on a storage device 13 from being fragmentated by simultaneously performing downloading for software updating and relocation of a file for file fragmentation prevention.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a software update technique by download in an online system in which a host computer and a terminal are connected to a network, and in particular, to avoid a decrease in storage efficiency of a storage device when resource constraints at the terminal are large. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preventing file fragmentation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an online system in which a host computer and a terminal are connected via a network, if the software of the terminal changes, the software is managed for two generations so that it can be downloaded from the host computer even while online. The file has been updated for an old version of the software that is not being used.

[0003] In the conventional software update method by download, when updating a file by download, the storage efficiency of the terminal in the storage device is not considered, and the management of the storage device is exclusively performed by the file of the OS (operating system) of the terminal. System dependent.

Generally, in a file system, by repeatedly creating and deleting a file, the file is physically divided and stored in a storage device. That is, free space is fragmented by repeatedly creating and deleting a file. However, files cannot be stored in a continuous area, and file fragmentation (fragmentation) occurs.

For this reason, conventionally, in order to cope with a decrease in storage efficiency of the storage device, a hardware resource of a large-capacity storage device has been required.

[0006]

The above-mentioned conventional system has the following problems.

[0007] The first problem is that the storage efficiency of the storage device of the terminal decreases every time the software of the terminal is repeatedly changed.

[0008] The reason is that, when the software of the terminal is changed, the file size is changed, so that the file cannot be stored in a continuous area of the storage device, and the file becomes fragmented. Is stored in different locations on the storage device.

[0009] The second problem is that the speed of accessing the storage device decreases every time the software of the terminal is repeatedly changed.

[0010] The reason for this is that, similarly to the reason for the first problem, the file on the storage device is fragmented and stored in a different location on the storage device for each fragment.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to fragment a file in a storage device of a terminal when updating the software of the terminal by downloading from a host computer. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for preventing fragmentation of a file, in which the file is stored in a continuous area without increasing the storage efficiency of the storage device and the speed of accessing the file is improved.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, when a change occurs in software of a terminal and a file size is changed, the terminal calculates a file size after the change and stores the changed file size in a storage device. By managing the unused area of the storage device, download for software change and relocation of file to prevent file fragmentation can be performed at the same time. Can store file data of software that has changed.

[0013] The present invention preferably comprises a storage device for storing two generations of new and old software, and a terminal for updating software by downloading from a host computer when the software is changed, and the host computer. In an online system connected by a network, a file information management unit that stores a capacity of the entire storage device, a capacity of each file constituting the new and old two-generation software, and an unused area in the storage device, Download control means for simultaneously performing download for software update and file relocation for preventing file fragmentation is provided.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a terminal which includes a storage device for storing software of two generations, old and new, and updates the software by downloading from a host computer when the software is changed, comprises a communication control unit ( File information management means (13 in FIG. 1) which stores the capacity of the entire storage device and the capacity of each file constituting the software of the new and old two generations in addition to the storage device (11 in FIG. 1) and the storage device (12 in FIG. 1). ), And a download control unit (14 in FIG. 1) that manages an unused area of the storage device and controls file download and file copy / deletion.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the download control unit (14 in FIG. 1) monitors an increase or decrease in the file size of the software that has changed, and calculates the size of the unused area after the software change.

The download control unit (14 in FIG. 1) determines the storage location of the new software based on the calculated unused area size, stores the changed file by downloading from the host computer, and changes the file. Copies a file without a. That is, by simultaneously performing the download for updating the software and the rearrangement of the file for preventing the fragmentation of the file, the fragmentation of the file on the storage device (12 in FIG. 1) can be prevented.

[0017]

Next, in order to describe the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention in more detail, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, a terminal 10 connected to a host computer 20 includes a communication control unit 11, a storage device 12, a file information management unit 13, and a download control unit 14. ing.

The communication control unit 11 includes a host computer 2
It monitors the communication path 30 connected to 0 and controls transmission and reception of data. When the data received from the host computer 20 is data related to download, the data is delivered to the download control unit 14.

Here, the data relating to the download is the control information of the changed file such as the file name and file capacity of the software to be changed (312 in FIG. 3A).
And download control data (31 in FIG. 3A) composed of the file and the total capacity of the change file (311 in FIG. 3A).
And the actual file data of the software to be changed. FIG. 3A is a diagram schematically showing download control data.

The storage device 12 stores actual file data constituting the new and old two-generation software.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the storage device 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the new and old two-generation software
To file n (22, 23), where
Software A and software B.

Referring to FIG. 2, software A is stored in the storage device 12 from the beginning of the area, software B is stored from the end of the area, and is not used in an intermediate portion between software A and software B. There is an unused area.

The software information management unit 13 stores information on the storage device 12. FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically showing the contents of the file information management unit 13 in one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the information on the storage device 12 stored in the software information management unit 13 includes the capacity 321 of the entire storage device and the control information of each file constituting the new and old two generations of software. 324, 32
6 and the capacity of new and old two generation software 323, 3
25. Further, the software information management unit 13 stores the current generation 322 as information for distinguishing between new and old software A and software B.

The download control unit 14 is a communication control unit 1
Download control data from 1 (see FIG. 3A)
Then, based on the information of the file information management unit 13 (see FIG. 3B), an increase or decrease in the file size of the changed software is monitored, and the size of the unused area after the software change is calculated.

Based on the calculated size of the unused area, the storage location of the new software is determined. For a file with a change, download file data is stored, and for a file without a change, the file is copied from the current generation.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the download control unit 14 in one embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG.

The communication control unit 11 is a host computer 2
Data arrival monitoring is performed on the communication path 30 connected to the communication path 0. When the download control data (31 in FIG. 3) arrives from the host computer, the download control unit 14 is notified of the arrival of the data.

Upon receiving the notification of the arrival of the download control data (31 in FIG. 3), the download control unit 14 refers to the file management unit 13 to update and update the file data of the changed software.

Hereinafter, the file update operation of the download control unit 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step 42, the current generation (332 in FIG. 3) is acquired from the file information management unit 13, and the software A and the software B are discriminated in step 43.

If the software A is the current generation, in step 441, all the files constituting the software B are deleted.

Next, in step 442, the capacity of the software B after the change (325 in FIG. 3) is calculated. That is, for a file that has been changed, the total size of the changed file (311, FIG. 3) of the download control data (31, FIG. 3) is used, and for a file that has not been changed, the file information management unit (32, FIG. 3) uses it. With reference to the control information of the software A (324 in FIG. 3), the capacity of the software B after the change is calculated by adding each of them.

Further, the capacity of the software B after the change (325 in FIG. 3) is subtracted from the capacity of the entire storage device (321 in FIG. 3) stored in the file information management unit 13, thereby obtaining the storage device 12 The capacity of the unused area (unused area) is calculated.

Next, at step 443, the storage device 1
Step 442 in the area immediately after software A on
Create a temporary work file with the capacity of the unused area calculated in.

In step 444, the file having the change is downloaded to the communication control unit 11.
And on the storage device 12 immediately after the temporary work file created in step 443.

Next, in step 445, the unchanged file is stored in the area immediately after the changed file created in step 444 on the storage device 12 from the current generation software A.

Finally, in step 446, the temporary work file created in step 443 is deleted.

On the other hand, if the software B is the current generation in step 43,
Delete all files that make up software A.

Next, in step 452, the file having the change is downloaded from the communication control unit 1.
1 and stored in the first area on the storage device 12.

Further, in step 453, the unchanged file is the software B of the current generation, and is stored on the storage device 12 in an area immediately after the changed file created in step 452.

The above steps 441, 444, 44
When files constituting software are created or deleted in 5, 451, 452, and 453, the corresponding portions of the file information management unit 13 (see FIG. 3) are updated.

As described above, when the current generation is software A, the steps 441 to 4
46, if the current generation is software B, step 4
By performing the operations from 51 to 453, the download control unit 14 updates the file data of the changed software in a continuous area on the storage device 12.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The first effect of the present invention is that the storage efficiency of the storage device of the terminal does not decrease even if the software of the terminal is changed and the software is updated by downloading from the host computer.

The reason is that, in the present invention, an unused area of the storage device is managed, and download for changing software and relocation of files for preventing file fragmentation are simultaneously performed.

A second effect of the present invention is that the speed of accessing the storage device of the terminal does not decrease even if the software of the terminal changes and the software is updated by downloading from the host computer. .

The reason is that the files on the storage device are stored in a continuous area for the reason of the first effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating details of a storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a file information management unit in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a file update operation of a download control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Terminal 11 Communication control part 12 Storage device 13 File information management part 14 Download control part 20 Host computer 30 Communication path (network)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A terminal, comprising a storage device for storing software of two generations, new and old, wherein a terminal for updating software by downloading from a host computer when the software is changed, and the host computer are connected by a network. In the online system, a file information management unit that stores a capacity of the entire storage device, a capacity of each file configuring the new and old two-generation software, and an unused area in the storage device to update software. Download control means for simultaneously downloading and relocating files to prevent file fragmentation. A file fragmentation prevention device comprising: 2. A host computer comprising a storage device for storing software of two generations, new and old, and a terminal for updating software by downloading from a host computer when the software is changed, and the host computer connected by a network. In the online system, when a change occurs in the software of the terminal and a file size is changed, by managing an unused area of the storage device, download for software change and file fragmentation prevention are performed. File fragmentation characterized by simultaneously relocating the file and storing the changed file data of the software in a continuous area on the storage device without fragmenting the file during downloading. Prevention method. 3. A file information management means for storing and managing the capacity of the entire storage device, the capacity of each file constituting the software of the two generations old and new, and the current generation, and is transmitted from the host computer to the terminal. Further, based on download control data including information on the changed file, its file capacity, and the total capacity of the changed file, and information on the file information management means, monitor the increase or decrease in the file size of the software that has changed, and The size of the unused area after the software change in the device is calculated, the storage location of the new software is determined based on the calculated size of the unused area, and the changed file is obtained by downloading the download file data from the host computer. For files that are stored and unchanged, do you use the current generation of software? Copying, file fragmentation prevention method according to claim 2, wherein a. 4. The two generations of new and old software are placed at the beginning of the area,
An online system that connects a host computer and a terminal that updates software by downloading from a host computer when a change in software is provided, the storage device comprising: File information management means for storing and managing the total capacity, the capacity of each file constituting the two generations of old and new software, and the current generation; and managing the unused area in the storage device and downloading for updating the software. And download control means for simultaneously performing file relocation for preventing file fragmentation, wherein the download control means obtains (a) current generation information from the file information management means, and (b) Generation is at the end of the storage device area In the case of software stored from the storage device, all files constituting the old generation software stored from the beginning of the area of the storage device are deleted from the storage device, and (c) the changed file is deleted from the host computer. Storing the download file data and copying the unchanged file from the current generation software; (d) if the current generation is software stored from the beginning of the storage device area, (E) deleting all files constituting the old-generation software stored from the end of the area in the storage device, and (e) transmitting the changed file, its file capacity, and all the changed files transmitted from the host computer to the terminal. Download control data consisting of capacity information;
Based on the information of the file information management means, monitor the increase or decrease of the file size of the software that has been changed. (F) Calculate the size of the unused area in the storage device after the software change, and Determining the storage location of the new software based on the size; (g) storing the changed file, storing the downloaded file data from the host computer, and copying the unchanged file from the current generation software; A file fragmentation prevention method, characterized in that: 5. The two generations of new and old software are placed at the beginning of the area,
And a storage device for storing the software from the end, and in the case of downloading the software in an online system for connecting the host computer via a network and a terminal for updating the software by downloading from the host computer when the software is changed. (A) a process of acquiring current generation information by referring to file information management means for storing and managing the total capacity of the storage device, the size of each file constituting the software of the new and old generations, and the current generation. (B) If the current generation is software stored from the end of the storage device area, all files constituting the old generation software stored from the beginning of the storage device area are deleted from the storage device. Processing, (c) files with changes A process of storing download file data from the host computer and copying a file that has not been changed from the software of the current generation; (d) a software in which the current generation is stored from the beginning of the area of the storage device In the case of (a), a process of deleting all the files constituting the old generation software stored from the end of the area of the storage device in the storage device, and (e) a change file transmitted from the host computer to the terminal. Download control data including information on the file capacity and the total capacity of the changed file;
(F) calculating the size of the unused area of the storage device after the software change, and calculating the calculated unused area based on the information of the file information management means. And (g) storing a file that has been changed from the host computer and storing the file data that has been downloaded from the host computer. A recording medium on which a program for executing each of the above-described processes (a) to (g) by a computer constituting the terminal is recorded.