KR20020044573A - Device for storing audio/video data and non audio/video data - Google Patents

Abstract

Media storage device 62 uses a dynamic segmentation method to store data on media 80 in a media storage device. The media storage device 62 stores the first type or group of data 116-120 of the medium 80 at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address in the partition. The first pointer is maintained at a location where there is no first type of data stored on the medium 80 thereon. A second type or group of data 102-112 is stored on the medium 80 starting at the highest address in the partition and at an increasingly lower address. The second pointer is held in a position where there is no second type of data among the first and second types of data stored on the medium 80. The position of the first and second pointers change dynamically as data is stored on the medium 80. The split pointer is held between the first and second pointers. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Audio / video data is preferably stored at adjacent addresses. The media storage device 62 is also preferably connected to the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure 72. The media storage device 62 is preferably a standalone device, but is alternatively inherent in another device. As the data file or track of the first type is deleted, the media storage device creates a second partition in the area from which the data has been deleted. Within the second partition, two types of data can be stored and a second partition pointer is also maintained.

Description

Device for storing audio / video data and non-audio / video data {DEVICE FOR STORING AUDIO / VIDEO DATA AND NON AUDIO / VIDEO DATA}

The IEEE 1394-1995 standard, "1394 Standard for High-Performance Serial Buses," is an international standard for implementing low-cost, high-speed serial bus structures that support both asynchronous and isochronous format data transfers. In addition, the IEEE 1394-1995 bus has a universal clock called a cycle timer. This clock is synchronized on all nodes. Isochronous data transmissions are real-time transmissions that occur based on a general-purpose clock such that the time intervals between critical instances have the same duration in both transmitting and receiving applications. Each data packet transmitted isochronously is transmitted in its own time period. An example of an ideal application for isochronous data transmission is the transmission from a video recorder to a television set. The video recorder records images and sounds and stores the data in separate chunks or packets. The video recorder then transmits each packet representing the recorded image and sound over a limited time period for display on the television set during that time period. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard bus structure provides a number of independent channels for isochronous data transfer between applications. A channel number of 6 bits is broadcast with the data to ensure reception by the appropriate application. This allows multiple applications to transmit isochronous data simultaneously across the bus structure. Asynchronous transfer occurs as soon as coordination is achieved and is a traditionally reliable data transfer operation that transfers the maximum amount of data from the source to the destination.

The IEEE 1394-1995 standard interconnects digital devices, providing a high-speed serial bus to provide universal I / O connectivity. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard defines a digital interface for an application, which eliminates the need for the application to convert this digital data into analog data before it is transmitted over the bus. As such, the receiving application will receive digital data rather than analog data from the bus, and therefore there will be no need to convert analog data into digital data. The cables required by the IEEE 1394-1995 standard are very thin in size compared to other larger cables used to connect devices in these other connection structures. The device can be added to and removed from this bus while the IEEE 1394-1995 bus is operating. If a device is added or removed this way, the bus will automatically reconfigure itself to send data between existing nodes. A node is considered to be a logical entity with a unique address on the bus structure. Each node provides its own address space, an identification ROM, a standardized set of control registers in the standard address space.

The IEEE 1394-1995 standard defines a protocol as illustrated in FIG. This protocol includes a serial bus management block 10 connected to a transaction layer 12, a link layer 14, and a physical layer 16. Physical layer 16 provides electrical and mechanical connections between the device and the IEEE 1394-1995 cable. Physical layer 16 also provides coordination to ensure that all devices connected to the IEEE 1394-1995 bus have coordinated access to the bus as well as the actual data transmission and reception. Link layer 14 provides data packet forwarding services for both asynchronous and isochronous data packet transmission. It supports asynchronous data transfers using an admission protocol, and supports isochronous data transfers by providing a non-approved, real-time guaranteed bandwidth protocol for just-in-time data delivery. . Transaction layer 12 supports the instructions necessary to complete an asynchronous data transfer including reads, writes and locks. The serial bus management block 10 includes an isochronous resource manager for managing isochronous data transfers. The serial bus management block 10 also optimizes overall configuration control of the serial bus, optimizing timing, sufficient power assurance for all devices on the bus, cycle master assignment, isochronous channel and bandwidth resource allocation, and basic notification of errors. Provided in the form.

A hard disk drive that includes an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus interface is illustrated in FIG. The hard disk drive 20 includes an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus interface circuit 22 for interfacing to an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. The interface circuit 22 is connected to the buffer controller 24. The buffer controller 24 is connected to the random access memory (RAM) 26 and the read / write channel circuit 28. The read / write channel circuit 28 is connected to the medium 30 and data is stored on this medium 30 in the hard disk drive 20. The read / write channel circuit 28 controls a storage operation on the medium 30 that includes reading data from the medium 30 and writing data to the medium 30.

During the write operation to the hard disk drive 20, the data stream is received by the IEEE 1394-1995 interface circuit 22 from a device connected to the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure. This data stream is delivered from the IEEE 1394-1995 interface circuit 22 to the buffer controller 24. The buffer controller 24 then temporarily stores this data in a buffer in the RAM 26. When the read / write channel circuit 28 is available, the buffer controller 24 reads data from the RAM 26 and passes it to the read / write channel circuit 28. The read / write channel circuit 28 then writes data to the medium 30.

During a read operation from the hard disk drive 20, the data stream is read from the medium 30 by the read / write channel circuit 28. This data stream is delivered to the buffer controller 24 by the read / write channel circuit 28. The buffer controller 24 then temporarily stores this data in a buffer in the RAM 26. When the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus interface circuit 22 is available, the buffer controller 24 reads data from the RAM 26 and passes it to the interface circuit 22. The IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus interface circuit 22 then formats the data according to the requirements of the IEEE 1394-1995 standard and transmits this data to the appropriate device or devices over the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus.

As described, conventional hard disk drive 20 records data and plays it back according to commands received from an external controller using a protocol such as serial bus protocol (SBP). The external controller provides the command data structure to the hard disk drive 20, which instructs the hard disk drive 20 where the data will be written on the medium 30 in the case of a write operation, and the read operation. In this case, the hard disk drive 20 is informed where it is read from on the medium 30. The function of the hard disk drive 20 during a read operation is to recreate the original unaltered stream of data previously recorded on the medium 30.

With the increasingly use of the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus, personal computers are now interconnected with devices that have not previously been connected to personal computers in the IEEE 1394-1995 network. Examples of such devices are consumer electronic devices such as videocassette recorders, video camcorders, digital video disc players and compact disc players. The data attributes required for the personal computer are different from the attributes of the data used by these other devices. Audio / video data used by such devices, such as videocassette recorders, video camcorders, digital video disc players and compact disc players are typically time-based data and played back in a manner that recognizes the associated time constraints of this type of data. Should be. Conventional computer data or non-audio / video data typically does not have any such related time constraints.

The use of media storage devices, such as hard disk drives, to store audio and video data streams is known as "media storage devices with built-in data filters to process data dynamically during read and write operations." Known in US patent application Ser. No. 09 / 022,926, filed December 12, which application is hereby incorporated by reference. There is another type of media storage device used to store audio / video data. However, conventionally, these media storage devices do not store both audio / video data and non-audio / video data in the device.

This application discloses a co-pending US provisional application (serial number 60 / 164,784) filed November 10, 1999 entitled "Dynamic Partitioning in AV-Hard Disk Drives", USC 35.119 (e). We request by priority based on. A provisional application (serial number: 60 / 164,784) filed November 10, 1999 under the name "dynamic partitioning in an AV-hard disk drive" is also incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to the field of writing data to and reading data from a media storage device. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of recording a plurality of types of data, each having different attributes, to a media storage device.

1 illustrates a protocol stack defined by the IEEE 1394-1995 standard.

2 is a block diagram of a media storage device of the prior art.

3 illustrates an exemplary IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network of devices including a video camera, videocassette recorder, set top box, television, computer system, and audio / video hard disk drive of the present invention.

4 is a block diagram of a media storage device of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

5 illustrates a dynamic partition structure in a media storage device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates a second partitioned zone in a dynamic partitioned structure in a media storage device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The media storage device uses a dynamic partitioning method to store data on the media in the media storage device. The media storage device stores the first type or group of data on the media at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address in the partition. The first pointer is maintained at a location where there is no first type of data stored on the medium. Data of the second type or group is stored on the medium starting at the highest address in the partition and at lower and lower addresses. The second pointer is held in a position where the second type of data of the first and second types of data stored on the medium is not below it. The position of the first and second pointers varies dynamically as data is stored on the medium. The split pointer is maintained between the first and second pointers. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Audio / video data is preferably stored at adjacent addresses. The media storage device is also preferably connected to the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure. The media storage device is preferably a standalone device, but alternatively is embedded in another device. As the data file or track of the first type is deleted, the media storage device creates a second partition in the area where the data has been deleted. Within the second partition, two types of data can be stored and a second partition pointer is also maintained.

In one aspect of the invention, a method of partitioning media in a media storage device comprises storing the first type of data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available in the partition and the highest available within the partition. Storing the second type of data starting at an address and at an increasingly lower address. The method further includes receiving data to be recorded and determining if the data is of a first type. The method further includes maintaining a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. The first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The method further includes determining if the first type of data is deleted and maintaining the second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type of data is divided into the second partition. Starting at the lowest available address in the zone and stored at an increasingly higher address within the second partition, the second type of data starts at the highest available address in the second partition and increasingly lower in the second partition. It is stored at the address. Data of the first and second types are stored on media in a media storage device. The media storage device is preferably connected to a device network that generally conforms to the version of the IEEE 1394 standard. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Alternatively, the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. Audio / video data is preferably stored adjacently. Non-audio / video data is preferably stored using dynamic allocation.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of recording data in a media storage device includes receiving data to be recorded, determining if the data is of a first type, and if the data is of a first type, available Recording data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address; and recording data at an increasingly lower address in memory space starting at the highest available address if the data is not of the first type. The method further includes maintaining a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. The first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The method further includes determining whether the first type of data is deleted and maintaining the second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type of data is in the second partition. Stored at an increasingly higher address within the zone, the second type of data is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition, starting at the highest address available in the second partition. Data of the first and second types are stored on media in a media storage device. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Alternatively, the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. The data is preferably received from a bus structure, which generally conforms to the version of the IEEE 1394 standard.

In another aspect of the invention, a media storage device comprises means for receiving data to be stored, storing this data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is of a first type, and storing the data at a higher address. It includes data storage means connected to the receiving means for storing this data at an increasingly lower address, starting at the highest address available when it is two types. The medium storage device further comprises determining means coupled to the receiving means and connected to the storing means for determining whether the data is of a first type or a second type. Means for receiving data are connected to the device network. The device network is preferably largely compliant with the version of the IEEE 1394 standard. Means for storing data include a medium on which data is stored. The medium storage device further comprises read / write channel circuitry coupled to the medium and the interface means for controlling read and write operations to / from the medium. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Alternatively, the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. Audio / video data is preferably stored adjacently. Non-audio / video data is preferably stored using dynamic allocation. The storage means holds a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. The first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The storage means also determines whether the first type of data is deleted and maintains the second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type of data is available within the second partition. Starting at the lowest address and stored at an increasingly higher address within the second partition, the second type of data is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition, starting at the highest address available in the second partition. .

In another aspect of the invention, a media storage device comprises an interface circuit configured to receive data to be stored, and receiving data and storing data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is of a first type. And a storage circuit coupled to the interface circuit for storing data at lower and lower addresses starting at the highest address available when the data is of the second type. The media storage device further includes a control circuit coupled to the interface circuit and the storage circuit to determine whether the data is of a first type or a second type. The interface circuit is connected to the device network. The device network is preferably largely compliant with the version of the IEEE 1394 standard. The storage circuit includes a medium in which data is stored. The media storage device further includes interface circuitry and read / write channel circuitry coupled to the medium for controlling read and write operations to / from the medium. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Alternatively, the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. Audio / video data is preferably stored adjacently. Non-audio / video data is preferably stored using dynamic allocation. The storage circuit holds a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. The first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The storage circuitry also determines whether the first type of data is deleted and maintains the second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, where the first type of data is available within the second partition. Starting at the lowest address and stored at an increasingly higher address within the second partition, the second type of data is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition, starting at the highest available address in the second partition.

In another aspect of the invention, a media storage device utilizes an interface circuit configured to receive data to be stored, a medium on which data is stored and dynamically divided to store different types of data, and when the data is of a first type. Controls to store data at higher and lower addresses starting at the lowest possible address and connected to media and interface circuits for storing data at lower and lower addresses starting at the highest available address when the data is of type 2 A circuit, wherein a first pointer is indicated on the medium, the first boundary of the first type of data, and a second pointer is maintained on the medium, the second boundary of the second type of data. The first boundary changes as the first type of data is stored on the medium, and the second boundary changes as the second type of data is stored on the medium. The control circuit also determines whether the data is of a first type or a second type. The interface circuit is configured to connect to the device network. The device network preferably conforms generally with the version of the IEEE 1394 standard. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Alternatively, the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. The control circuitry also determines whether the first type of data is deleted and maintains the second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type of data is available within the second partition. Starting at the lowest address and stored at an increasingly higher address within the second partition, the second type of data is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition, starting at the highest address available in the second partition. .

In another aspect of the invention, a device network includes one or more source devices for generating and transmitting data, and a media storage device coupled to the one or more source devices for receiving and storing data, the media storage device storing An interface circuit configured to receive data to be received, storing this data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is received and being the first type and the highest address available when the data is the second type It includes a storage circuit connected to the interface circuit to store this data at lower and lower addresses, starting at. The media storage device further includes control circuitry coupled to the storage circuitry and the interface circuitry to determine whether the data is of a first type or a second type. The device network preferably conforms generally with the version of the IEEE 1394 standard. The storage circuit includes a medium in which data is stored. Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Alternatively, the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. The storage circuit holds a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. The first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The storage circuitry also determines whether the first type of data is deleted, and maintains the second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, where the first type of data is available within the second partition. Starting at the lowest address and stored at an increasingly higher address within the second partition, the second type of data is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition, starting at the highest address available in the second partition. .

The media storage device uses a dynamic partitioning method to store data on media in the media storage device. The media storage device stores the first type or group of data on the media at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address in the partition. The first pointer is maintained at a location where there is no first type of data stored on the medium. As the first type of data is stored on the medium, the position of the first pointer changes dynamically.

Data of the second type or group is stored on the medium starting at the highest address in the partition and at lower and lower addresses. The second pointer is maintained at a location below which there is no second type of data stored on the medium. As the second type of data is stored on the medium, the position of the second pointer changes dynamically. The split pointer is held between the first and second pointers. The media storage device recognizes that the medium is full of the first type of data when the first pointer, the second pointer and the partition pointer all point to the same location.

Preferably, the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. Audio / video data is preferably stored at adjacent addresses. The media storage device is also connected to an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure, which preferably includes other devices. The media storage device is preferably a standalone device, but is alternatively inherent in another device.

As the file or track of the first type of data is deleted, the media storage device creates a second partition in the area designated for the first type of data. Within the second partition, both the first type of data and the second type of data can be stored. Furthermore, within the second partitioned zone, the boundary of the first type of data, the boundary of the second type of data, and the partitioned zone boundary between the first type of data and the second type of data in the second divided zone are shown. The second split pointer is also maintained.

3 shows a video system 46, a videocassette recorder (VCR) 48, a set top box 54, a computer system 60 with an associated display 58 and IEEE 1394-1995 cables 40, 42, 44, Illustrates an exemplary network of devices including media storage device 62 connected to each other by 50 and 52. The IEEE 1394-1995 cable 50 connects the video camera 46 to the VCR 48 so that the video camera 46 passes the VCR 48 to record data, commands and parameters. IEEE 1394-1995 cable 44 connects VCR 48 to computer system 60. IEEE 1394-1995 cable 42 connects computer system 60 to media storage device 62. IEEE 1394-1995 cable 40 connects computer system 60 to television 56. IEEE 1394-1995 cable 52 connects television 56 to set top box 54.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 is merely exemplary. It should be apparent that the network may include many different combinations of components. Devices in such an IEEE 1394-1995 network are autonomous devices, and the advantage is that in an IEEE 1394-1995 network as illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the computer system is one of the devices, a true "master" between the computer system and other devices is achieved. It means not a "master-slave" relationship. In many IEEE 1394-1995 network configurations, a computer system may not exist. Even in such a configuration, devices in the network can fully interact with each other on a peer basis. It should be recognized that data, commands and parameters can be properly sent between all devices in the IEEE 1394-1995 network.

A block diagram of a hardware system inherent in the media storage device of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. The media storage device 62 preferably includes an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus interface circuit 72 for interfacing to an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. The interface circuit 72 is connected to the buffer controller 74. The buffer controller 74 is connected to the random access controller (RAM) 76 and the read / write channel circuit 78. The read / write channel circuit 78 is connected to the medium 80 and data is stored on the medium 80 in the medium storage device 62. The read / write channel circuit 78 uses a dynamic division method of the present invention to store data on the medium 80, including reading data from the medium 80 and writing data to the medium 80. To control.

Within the preferred embodiment of the present invention, media storage device 62 is a standalone device in a device network. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the media storage device 62 of the present invention is alternatively embedded in another device, such as the computer system 60.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when storing multiple types of data having different attributes, such as audio / video data and non-audio / video data, the media storage device has multiple fixed numbers, one for each different type of data. Divided into spaces. Each type of data is then stored in its corresponding space in the media storage device in accordance with an appropriate allocation method. For example, when storing audio / video data, it is advantageous to store the audio / video data using a contiguous assignment so that the data is stored in adjacent locations within the media storage device in the proper order. The contiguous location may be either physical block address or logical block address, depending on the addressing structure implemented by the particular media storage device. Storing audio / video data in contiguous memory locations preserves the temporal components of the data, and makes it easy to retrieve the data in an appropriate order and in a manner that allows the integrity of the data to be preserved during playback. When storing other non-time-based data, such as conventional computer data, it is not necessary to store the data in adjacent locations. For this type of data, dynamic allocation is generally more effective, which allows the data to be stored wherever the memory space is available within the corresponding space.

Dividing a media storage device into fixed spaces for different types of data is one way to store multiple types of data with different attributes within the media storage device, but potentially a large amount of disk space is not used. This method is not preferred because it can remain. Once the initial partition is created, and the memory space is established, if the media storage device is not used to store a particular type of data, the space allocated for another type of data may be filled, whereas The allocated memory space will remain unused. For example, if a media storage device is partitioned for audio / video data and non-audio / video data, the space allocated for non-audio / video data is almost empty while the space allocated for audio / video data is full. Can be. In this example, although there is space available in the media storage device, the media storage device can no longer be used to store audio / video data.

The dynamic partitioning structure as described herein is used in the media storage device of the preferred embodiment. This dynamic partitioning structure may be used within media storage device 62 from one end for data of a first type, such as audio / video data, and from the other end for data of a second type, such as non-audio / video data. Start filling the medium 80. The partition zone boundary is maintained between the two types of data, but this boundary changes dynamically to appropriately adapt to the data actually stored in the media storage device 62.

The dynamic partitioning structure in the media storage device 62 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. Within FIG. 5, the medium 80 is shown in tabular form to illustrate how data is stored within the medium storage device 62. Audio / video data is stored in contiguous form, as described above, starting at the lowest address space of medium 80 and at an increasingly higher address. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the audio / video data group 120 was stored first, starting at the lowest address space of the medium 80. A group 118 of audio / video data was then stored starting at the next lowest address space available of the medium 80. The audio / video data group 116 was then stored starting at the next available minimum address of the medium 80. An audio / video pointer (pWR-AV) is used to indicate the audio / video data boundary on the medium 80, and above it represents the lowest address space without any audio / video data. Since the adjacent allocation method is used to store audio / video data, if the data is not deleted, any bin for the address below the address indicated by the audio / video pointer (pWR-AV) will be discussed, as discussed later. no space.

Non-audio / video data is preferably stored using dynamic allocation starting at the highest address space of the medium 80 and at increasingly lower addresses. Appropriate dynamic allocation methods can be used to store non-audio / video data in the media storage device 62 of the present invention, including first fit, best fit, and worst fit algorithms. have. Thus, as files stored in the non-audio / video data space of the medium 80 are deleted or edited, there is always a possibility that there is free space available within this space. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a group 102 of non-audio / video data has been stored starting at the highest address space of the medium 80. Groups 106, 108, and 112 have also been stored as non-audio / video data in media storage device 62. Empty spaces 104 and 110 arise from data that has been deleted, edited or otherwise removed. These empty spaces 104 and 110 can be used to store additional non-audio / video data as appropriate. The non-audio / video pointer (PWR-nAV) is used to indicate the boundaries of non-audio / video data on the medium 80 and represents the highest address space with no non-audio / video data below.

The available space 114 in the medium 80 is available for storing both audio / video data and non-audio / video data. As additional audio / video data is stored on medium 80, media storage device 62 stores this data adjacently starting at the location indicated by the audio / video pointer pWR-AV. As additional audio / video data is stored on the medium 80, the location indicated by the audio / video pointer pWR-AV will change dynamically to indicate the boundaries of the audio / video data. As additional non-audio / video data is stored on the medium 80, the media storage device 62 stores this data in the non-audio / video space of the medium 80. If additional space is needed for non-audio / video data, media storage device 62 stores this data starting at the location indicated by the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV. As additional non-audio / video data is stored on the medium 80, the location indicated by the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV may change dynamically to indicate the boundaries of the non-audio / video data. will be. As data is stored in the medium storage device 62, the pointers pWR-AV and pWR-nAV continue to move dynamically to reflect the boundaries of the corresponding data, thus segmenting on the medium 80 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The zone boundary changes dynamically to adapt and effectively store whatever type of data the media storage device 62 receives.

The thick arrows in FIG. 5 illustrate the direction in which data is preferably written on the medium 80. Audio / video data is recorded adjacent to an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address on medium 80. Non-audio / video data is recorded at increasingly lower addresses, starting with the highest address on medium 80. As described above, the audio / video pointer pWR-AV indicates the boundary of the audio / video data, and the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV indicates the boundary of the non-audio / video data. The partition pointer pPART indicates the position between the boundary of the audio / video data and the non-audio / video data. If the position indicated by the audio / video pointer pWR-AV is the same as the position indicated by the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV, then the media storage device 62 determines that the medium 80 is connected to the audio / video data. Recognize that it is full in storage. When this condition occurs, the non-audio / video data may still be stored in the non-audio / video space depending on the available free space in the medium 80 and the size of the data to be stored.

The media storage device 62 tracks the position of the audio / video pointer pWR-AV and the position of the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV to determine when the medium 80 is full. When the media storage device 62 determines that the medium 80 is full, the media storage device 62 then warns of an application that wants to store audio / video data in the media storage device 62. If simultaneous recording of audio / video data and non-audio / video data that causes the medium 80 to eventually fill up is performed by the media storage device 62, the media storage device 80 remains on the medium 80. You will not be able to save your data.

The dynamic partitioning structure of the present invention also uses the second partitioning zone to fill and effectively use a large portion of the empty medium 80 due to deletion of the file or files. The dynamic partitioning structure in the media storage device 62 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention using the second partitioning zone is illustrated in FIG. 6. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, because the position indicated by the audio / video pointer pWR-AV is the same as the position indicated by the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV, the medium 80 is connected to audio / video. Full for video data. Since the medium 80 is full, the position of the partition pointer pPART is also the same as the position indicated by the pointers pWR-AV and pWR-nAV. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the audio / video file or track indicated by reference numeral 216 has been deleted within the portion of the medium 80 in which the audio / video data is stored, thus the space is open. up). The media storage device 62 then creates a second partition in this empty space 216 and can then store additional data in this space in the same manner as discussed above. Thus, audio / video data can be stored at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address in this second partition and non-audio / video data can be stored at an increasingly lower address starting at the highest address in this second partition. Can be stored as. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, non-audio / video data group 222 is stored within the highest address of space 216.

Within the second partition, the pointers pWR-AV ₁ , pWR-nAV ₁ and pPART ₁ are held. The split audio / video pointer pWR-AV ₁ delimits the boundary of the audio / video data in the second partition. Used to indicate, above it in the second partition indicates the lowest address space without any audio / video data. A split non-audio / video pointer (pWR-nAV ₁ ) is used to mark the boundaries of audio / video data in the second partition and there is no non-audio / video data below it in the second partition. Represents the highest address space. The partition pointer pPART ₁ indicates the position between the boundary of the audio / video data and the non-audio / video data in the second partition. As additional audio / video data is stored on the medium 80, the location indicated by the split audio / video pointer pWR-AV ₁ may change dynamically to indicate the boundaries of the audio / video data in the second partition. will be. Accordingly, as additional non-audio / video data is stored on the medium 80, the location indicated by the partitioned non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV ₁ becomes non-audio / video in the second partition. It will change dynamically to indicate the boundaries of the data. In this manner, a plurality of second partitions can be maintained on the medium 80 in the media storage device 62 of the present invention.

As described above, preferably, non-audio / video data is stored at an increasingly lower address from the highest address on the medium 80 using dynamic allocation. Depending on the granularity of the media storage device 62, this structure may require some hardware changes in existing media storage devices. If the granularity is on the sector level on the medium 80, the implementation of writing to lower and lower addresses can be performed in software, using the lower and lower physical addresses of the sectors, while the data in certain sectors is higher and higher. The address is written on the medium 80. Alternatively, the audio / video portion may be recorded at an increasingly lower address starting at the highest address on the medium 80 and the non-audio / video portion may be recorded at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address on the medium 80. Can be recorded. This alternative embodiment allows non-audio / video data to be recorded in a conventional manner with increasingly higher addresses on the medium 80. In this embodiment, a structure with an increasingly lower address will then be implemented for the adjacently recorded audio / video data.

While the examples discussed herein use audio / video and non-audio / video data, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the principles of media storage devices and the dynamic partitioning method of the present invention can also be used with other types of data. Furthermore, the dynamic partitioning method of the present invention can also be used for such a device even if a conventionally partitioned media storage device is not used to store audio / video or time-based data. The dynamic partitioning method of the present invention will eliminate the need for accurate estimation of each partition usage when the medium is initialized, and thus eliminate potentially wasted space by using less of a particular type of data or media area.

In operation, media storage device 62 of the present invention stores data on medium 80. The media storage device 62 preferably maintains an audio / video pointer pWR-AV that indicates the boundary of the audio / video data. The audio / video pointer pWR-AV has a starting position corresponding to the lowest address in the partition to be filled on the medium. As audio / video data is recorded on the medium with increasingly higher adjacent addresses, the position indicated by the audio / video pointer pWR-AV increases accordingly. Media storage device 62 also preferably maintains a non-audio / video pointer (pWR-nAV) that indicates the boundaries of non-audio / video data. The non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV has a starting position corresponding to the highest address in the partition to be filled on the medium. As non-audio / video data is recorded on the medium with an increasingly lower address, the position indicated by the non-audio / video pointer pWR-nAV decreases accordingly. As a track or file of audio / video data is deleted from the medium 80, the media storage device 62 can preferably record both audio / video data and non-audio / video data as described above. Implement the second partition.

According to the method and apparatus of the present invention, different types of data may be stored on the same medium in a medium storage device. The media storage device preferably implements a dynamic partitioning structure, which allows the media storage device to fully and effectively use the space available on the media as different types of data are stored in the media storage device. The partitions or boundaries between different types of data move dynamically as one or two types of data are stored on the medium. In this way, the media storage device of the present invention minimizes unused space on the medium and maximizes the space to be used based on the data type received.

The invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details in order to facilitate an understanding of the construction and principles of operation of the invention. This reference herein to a particular embodiment and its detailed spirit is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiments selected for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention is used in conjunction with the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus structure, it will be clear that the present invention may also be implemented on any other suitable bus structure.

As described above, the present invention is used in the field of writing data to and reading data from the medium storage device, and more specifically, the field of writing a plurality of types of data each having different attributes to the medium storage device. Used for

Claims (62)

A method of partitioning media in a media storage device, the method comprising: a. Storing the first type of data at higher and higher addresses starting at the lowest available address in the partition; b. Storing the second type of data at lower and lower addresses starting at the highest available address in the partition; Media segmentation method comprising. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data to be recorded and determining if the data is of the first type. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. . 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The method of claim 1, a. Determining whether the first type of data is deleted; b. Maintaining a second partition in an available location from which the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type of data begins at the lowest available address in the second partition; Storing at an increasingly higher address within the second partition, wherein the second type of data is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition starting at the highest available address in the second partition. Steps, A media segmentation method further comprising. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second types of data are stored on a medium in a medium storage device. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the media storage device is connected to a device network that generally conforms to a version of the IEEE 1394 standard. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the audio / video data is stored adjacently. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the non-audio / video data is stored using dynamic allocation. A method of recording data in a media storage device, comprising: a. Receiving data to be recorded; b. Determining if the data is of a first type; c. If the data is of the first type, recording the data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available; d. If the data is not of the first type, recording the data starting at the highest available address and at an increasingly lower address in memory space, The recording method which includes. 13. The recording method according to claim 12, further comprising maintaining a first pointer indicating a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer indicating a second boundary of the second type of data. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. The method of claim 12, a. Determining whether the first type of data is deleted; b. Maintaining a second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type of data is stored at an increasingly higher address within the second partition; A second partition maintenance step, wherein type of data is stored at increasingly lower addresses within the second partition starting at the highest available address in the second partition; The recording method further includes. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second types of data are stored on a medium in a medium storage device. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the data is received from a bus structure that generally conforms to a version of the IEEE 1394 standard. a. Means for receiving data to be stored; b. Storing the data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is a first type, and storing the data at an increasingly lower address starting at the highest address available when the data is a second type Means for storing data, connected to said receiving means for A media storage device comprising. 21. The medium storage device according to claim 20, further comprising determining means connected to said receiving means and said storage means for determining whether said data is of said first type or said second type. 21. The media storage device of claim 20, wherein the means for receiving data is coupled to a device network. 23. The media storage device of claim 22, wherein the device network generally conforms to a version of the IEEE 1394 standard. The media storage device of claim 20, wherein the means for storing data comprises a medium on which the data is to be stored. 25. The medium storage device of claim 24, further comprising read / write channel circuitry coupled to the medium and interface means for controlling read and write operations to / from the medium. 21. The media storage device of claim 20, wherein the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. 21. The media storage device of claim 20, wherein the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. 28. The media storage device of claim 27, wherein said audio / video data is stored adjacently. 29. The media storage device of claim 28, wherein the non-audio / video data is stored using dynamic allocation. 21. The medium storage device according to claim 20, wherein said storage means holds a first pointer representing a first boundary of said first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of said second type of data. 31. The media storage device of claim 30, wherein the first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the storage means also determines whether the first type of data is deleted, and maintains a second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type Is stored at an increasingly higher address in the second partition, starting at the lowest address available in the second partition, and the second type of data is starting at the highest address available in the second partition. Thereby storing at an increasingly lower address in the second partition. a. Interface circuitry configured to receive data to be stored; b. Receive the data, store the data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is of the first type, and increasingly lower starting at the highest address available when the data is the second type; A storage circuit connected to the interface circuit for storing the data at an address, A media storage device comprising. 34. The media storage device of claim 33, further comprising a control circuit coupled to the interface circuit and the storage circuit to determine whether the data is of the first type or the second type. 34. The media storage device of claim 33 wherein the interface circuit is coupled to a device network. 36. The media storage device of claim 35, wherein the device network generally conforms to a version of the IEEE 1394 standard. 34. The medium storage device of claim 33, wherein the storage circuitry comprises a medium in which the data is stored. 38. The medium storage device of claim 37, further comprising read / write channel circuits coupled to the interface circuit and the medium for controlling read and write operations to and from the medium. 34. The media storage device of claim 33, wherein the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. 34. The media storage device of claim 33, wherein the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. 41. The media storage device of claim 40 wherein the audio / video data is stored adjacently. 42. The media storage device of claim 41 wherein the non-audio / video data is stored using dynamic allocation. 34. The media storage device of claim 33, wherein the storage circuit maintains a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. 44. The media storage device of claim 43, wherein the first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. 34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the storage circuitry further determines if the first type of data is deleted and maintains a second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type. Is stored at an increasingly higher address in the second partition, starting at the lowest address available in the second partition, and the second type of data is starting at the highest address available in the second partition. Thereby storing at an increasingly lower address in the second partition. a. Interface circuitry configured to receive data to be stored; b. A medium in which the data is stored and dynamically divided to store different types of data; c. Control the storage of the data to an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is of the first type, and placing the data at an increasingly lower address starting at the highest address available when the data is of the second type. Coupled to the interface circuit and the medium for storage, wherein a first pointer indicating a first boundary of the first type of data on the medium is maintained and a second boundary of the second type of data on the medium is retained. A control circuit is maintained, the second pointer indicating A media storage device comprising. 47. The media storage device of claim 46, wherein the first boundary changes as the first type of data is stored on the medium, and the second boundary changes as the second type of data is stored on the medium. 47. The media storage device of claim 46, wherein the control circuitry further determines whether the data is of the first type or the second type. 47. The media storage device of claim 46, wherein the interface circuit is configured to connect to a device network. 50. The media storage device of claim 49, wherein the device network generally conforms to a version of the IEEE 1394 standard. 47. The media storage device of claim 46, wherein the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. 47. The media storage device of claim 46, wherein the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. 47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the control circuit also determines whether the first type of data is deleted and maintains a second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type. Is stored at an increasingly higher address in the second partition, starting at the lowest address available in the second partition, and the second type of data is starting at the highest address available in the second partition. Thereby storing at an increasingly lower address in the second partition. a. One or more source devices for generating and transmitting data; b. A media storage device coupled to the one or more source devices for receiving and storing the data, Iii. Interface circuitry configured to receive the data to be stored; Ii. Receive the data, store the data at an increasingly higher address starting at the lowest address available when the data is of the first type, and increasingly lower starting at the highest address available when the data is the second type; A media storage device comprising storage circuitry coupled to the interface circuitry for storing the data at an address, Device network comprising. 55. The device network of claim 54, wherein the media storage device further comprises a control circuit coupled to the interface circuit and the storage circuit to determine whether the data is the first type or the second type. 55. The device network of claim 54, wherein the device network generally conforms to a version of the IEEE 1394 standard. 55. The device network of claim 54 wherein the storage circuitry comprises a medium in which the data is stored. 55. The device network of claim 54, wherein the first type of data is time-based data and the second type of data is non-time-based data. 55. The device network of claim 54, wherein the first type of data is audio / video data and the second type of data is non-audio / video data. 55. The device network of claim 54, wherein the storage circuitry maintains a first pointer representing a first boundary of the first type of data and a second pointer representing a second boundary of the second type of data. 61. The device network of claim 60, wherein the first boundary changes as additional data of the first type is stored, and the second boundary changes as additional data of the second type is stored. 55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the storage circuitry also determines whether the first type of data is deleted and maintains a second partition in an available location where the first type of data has been deleted, wherein the first type. Is stored at an increasingly higher address in the second partition, starting at the lowest address available in the second partition, and the second type of data is starting at the highest address available in the second partition. Device is stored at an increasingly lower address within the second partition.