JP3777202B2 - Information recording / reproducing device - Google Patents

Description

【００４１】
表１の（Ａ）に示したＦＡＴ情報は、光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ領域の数すなわちＦＡＴの数：ｎと、その１組のＦＡＴに含まれる管理データの数すなわちファイルの数：ｍとからなり、それぞれ初期設定時にホストマシン９が光磁気ディスク７から読出し、光磁気ディスク装置１のＣＰＵ２（ベース情報入力手段）が入力してキャッシュバッファ５（又はＲＡＭ４）に記憶させたものである。
【００４２】
表１の（Ｂ）に示したＦＡＴ管理情報は、光磁気ディスク７上のｎ個のＦＡＴ領域の各スタートアドレスすなわち各ＦＡＴ（ＦＡＴ＃１，ＦＡＴ＃２…ＦＡＴ＃ｎ）のスタートアドレスにより構成されている。ＦＡＴの数ｎ及び各ＦＡＴのスタートアドレスは、使用されているＯＳと記録媒体とによりそれぞれ異なり、光磁気ディスク装置１には分らないから、このＦＡＴ管理情報も表１の（Ａ）に示したＦＡＴ情報と同じく、ＣＰＵ２によってホストマシン９から入力して記憶される。
【００４３】
表１の（Ｃ）に示した管理データ情報は、光磁気ディスク７上に記録されたｍ個のファイルの各管理データがｎ個のＦＡＴ＃１，ＦＡＴ＃２…ＦＡＴ＃ｎにそれぞれ記録された時に、その管理データのスタートアドレスが各ＦＡＴのスタートアドレスからどれだけ離れているかを示すオフセット値すなわちオフセット（１），オフセット（２）…オフセット（ｍ）と、キャッシュバッファ５の管理テーブル格納領域に形成されたＦＡＴの各管理データに関する情報すなわちキャッシュ情報とにより構成されている。
【００４４】
ここで、ＦＡＴの数ｎはＯＳ（オペレーティング・システム）と記録媒体とにより異なるといっても、通常のディスクではｎ＝２が殆どであり、光磁気ディスクでｎ＝３の場合もあるが、ｎ≧４はまれである。しかも、一般に情報記録再生装置が上位装置に接続されてシステムが形成されると、途中でｎが変化することはない。しかしながら、ファイルの数ｍは常に変化し、情報の抹消が行われた場合を除いて、情報の蓄積と共に増加する一方である。
【００４５】
いま、整数ｉ，ｊをそれぞれｉ＝１〜ｎ，ｊ＝１〜ｍとして、光磁気ディスク７上の或るＦＡＴ領域＃ｉの管理データ（ｊ）のスタートアドレスは、表１の（Ｂ）に示したＦＡＴ管理情報のＦＡＴ＃ｉのスタートアドレスに、表１の（Ｃ）に示した管理データ情報の該管理データのオフセット（ｊ）を加算させることにより得られる。
【００４６】
表１の（Ｃ）に示した管理データ情報のキャッシュ情報は２個のフラグからなり、第１のフラグは当該管理データ（ｊ）がキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴに格納されている否かを示し、第２のフラグは管理データ（ｊ）が光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ＃ｉに記録されているか否かを示す。
【００４７】
すなわち、表１の（Ｃ）に示したように第０列がオフセット値、第ｉ列がＦＡＴ＃ｉのキャッシュ情報であり、第ｊ行が管理データ（ｊ）のオフセット（ｊ）とキャッシュ情報であるから、第ｉ列，第ｊ行のキャッシュ情報（ｉｊ）の内容を第１，第２のフラグを順に並べて表わすと、例えばキャッシュ情報（２３）の内容が｛００｝であれば、管理データ（３）がまだキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴに格納されていないことを示し、光磁気ディスク７上のいずれかのＦＡＴから管理データ（３）がキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴに転送されると、（第３行の他のキャッシュ情報と共に）内容が｛１１｝に変る。
【００４８】
また、例えばファイル（ｊ）が新しく記録されると、その管理データのスタートアドレスからオフセット（ｊ）が記憶されると共に、第ｊ行のすべてのキャッシュ情報の内容が｛１０｝になり、キャッシュバッファ５上の管理データが光磁気ディスク７上の各ＦＡＴ領域のＦＡＴ＃１，ＦＡＴ＃２…ＦＡＴ＃ｎに記録されるに従って、キャッシュ情報（１ｊ），（２ｊ）…（ｎｊ）の内容が順に｛１１｝に変る。
【００４９】
すなわち、初期設定時の当初は管理データ情報のすべてのキャッシュ情報の欄は｛００｝であり、管理データ（ｊ）がキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴに転送されれば、（光磁気ディスク７上のいずれの領域のＦＡＴからであっても）第ｊ行のすべてのキャッシュ情報の内容が｛１１｝になる。また新しい管理データ（ｊ）がキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴに登録されれば、第ｊ行のすべてのキャッシュ情報が｛１０｝になり、光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴに記録されれば｛１１｝になる。
【００５０】
図１はこの発明の第１実施例である光磁気ディスク装置の構成を示す機能ブロック図である。
図１に示した光磁気ディスク装置１は、それぞれがＣＰＵ２（図２）の作用を機能別に示すベース情報入力手段１１，管理テーブル転送手段１２，管理データ登録手段１３，登録データ記録手段１４，記録媒体排出手段１５と、キャッシュバッファ５及び光磁気ディスク７とにより構成され、キャッシュバッファ５と光磁気ディスク７にはそれぞれファイル管理テーブル（ＦＡＴ）５ａ，７ａが設けられている。光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ７ａは実際は複数個であるが、図１では１個のＦＡＴで代表する。
【００５１】
以下、各手段の作用をフロー図を参照して説明する。
図３は第１実施例の初期設定時におけるベース情報入力手段１１と管理テーブル転送手段１２の作用の一例を示すフロー図である。
【００５２】
図３に示した初期設定のルーチンがスタートすると、先ずステップ１でベース情報入力手段１１が作用して、表１の（Ａ），（Ｂ）に示したＦＡＴ情報，ＦＡＴ管理情報からなる基本的な管理情報であるベース管理情報を、ホストマシン９から入力してキャッシュバッファ５に記憶させる。次にステップ２に進んで、表１の（Ｃ）に示したキャッシュバッファ５上の管理データ情報の領域をクリアする。
【００５３】
さらにステップ３で管理テーブル転送手段１２が作用して、光磁気ディスク７上の複数のＦＡＴ７ａのうちのいずれか１組をすべて読出してキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ領域に転送し、ｍ個の管理データからなるＦＡＴ５ａを形成すると共に、管理データ情報の領域のオフセット欄にオフセット（１）乃至オフセット（ｍ）を登録し、第１行乃至第ｍ行のすべてのキャッシュ情報を｛１１｝にする。
【００５４】
このようにして初期設定を終了し、通常の作業であるルーチン（Ａ）にジャンプする。なお、ステップ２からエンドになってルーチン（Ｂ）にジャンプする破線で示したルートについては後述する第２実施例において説明する。
【００５５】
図４は第１実施例の通常の作業の一例であるルーチン（Ａ）を示すフロー図である。
図４に示したルーチン（Ａ）がスタートすると、ステップ１０でホストマシン９からコマンドが入力したか否かを判定して、否ならばステップ１０に戻る。コマンドが入力していればステップ１１に進んでコマンドの内容を判定し、再生命令ならばステップ１２へ、記録命令ならばステップ１５へそれぞれ進む。
【００５６】
再生命令でステップ１２へ進むと、指定されたアドレスによって再生命令の対象がファイルか管理データかを判定して、ファイルであればステップ１３で光磁気ディスク７から読出し、管理データであればステップ１４でキャッシュバッファ５のファイル管理テーブル５ａから読出して、それぞれホストマシン９に転送したのちステップ１０に戻る。
【００５７】
記録命令でステップ１５へ進むと、指定されたアドレスによって記録命令の対象がファイルか管理データかを判定して、ファイルであればステップ１６で続いて入力するファイルの内容を光磁気ディスク７に記録してステップ１０に戻る。管理データであればステップ１７で指定されたアドレスを記憶した後、そのアドレスによってステップ１８で記録対象であるＦＡＴ＃ｉがｉ＝１であるか否かを判定して、ＦＡＴ＃１であればステップ１９に進んでアドレスに続く管理データの内容を入力し、キャッシュバッファ５のファイル管理テーブル５ａに登録してステップ１０に戻り、ＦＡＴ＃１でなければ管理データの内容を入力することなく、そのままステップ１０に戻る。
【００５８】
すなわち、管理データのみについて考えれば、再生命令の時はキャッシュバッファ５から読出してホストマシンに出力するから、その度に光磁気ディスク７から読出すよりも応答が速い。
また、記録命令の時もｎ個の各ＦＡＴに対してその度に同一の内容を入力して光磁気ディスク７に記録することを繰返す代りに、ｎ個のアドレスは入力して記憶し、内容は１回だけ入力してファイル管理テーブル５ａに登録するだけであるから、応答は遥かに速くなる。
【００５９】
図５は登録／抹消のサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
登録とは、新しいファイル（読出して内容の一部が修正されたものも新しいファイルと見做される）の内容を光磁気ディスク７に記録し、その管理データをＦＡＴに登録することであり、抹消とは、既に内容が記録され管理データが登録されているファイルを無効にすることである。
【００６０】
しかしながら、登録の場合は、ファイルは図４に示したルーチン（Ａ）で説明したように、記録命令によって内容が光磁気ディスク７に記録されるが、その管理データは記録命令によってキャッシュバッファ５に登録されていても光磁気ディスク７の各ＦＡＴには記録されていない。
抹消の場合は、内容は光磁気ディスク７に残っていても、無効であることを示す管理データが記録命令によって登録されればよいから、管理データについて見れば登録も抹消も同じことである。
【００６１】
図５に示した登録／抹消のサブルーチンがスタートすると、ステップ２０でまだ光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ７ａに記録していない新しく登録された管理データ（登録データ）の有無、すなわち内容が｛１０｝であるキャッシュ情報（１ｊ）の有無を判定し、無ければリターンし、有ればステップ２１へ進む。
【００６２】
ステップ２１では、ＣＰＵ２が登録データ記録手段１４（図１）として作用して、キャッシュバッファ５上の登録データ（ｊ）をＦＡＴ＃ｉに記録し、キャッシュ情報（ｉｊ）を｛１１｝に変更することをｉ＝１〜ｎのｎ回繰返した後ステップ２２へ進む。ステップ２２ではステップ２０で説明したことと同じ判定を行って、有ればステップ２１に戻り、無ければリターンする。
【００６３】
図５に示した登録／抹消のサブルーチンがスタートすると、未記録の登録データをすべて処理し終らなければリターンしない。しかしながら、キャッシュバッファ５上のキャッシュ情報の変更に要する時間は極めて短かいから問題にならないが、光磁気ディスク７上の複数個ある領域のＦＡＴの管理データ（ｊ）を変更するには、ヘッドのトラッキングのための移動に時間がかかるので、短時間では終らない。
【００６４】
そのためホストマシン９から次のコマンドが入力しても暫らく待たせるようでは、光磁気ディスク装置１の作業効率を悪くして了う。従って、コマンドの割込みの優先度を高く設定して、コマンドが入力すれば登録／抹消のサブルーチンをストップして、コマンド命令を実行してからサブルーチンを再開するようにすればよい。
【００６５】
あるいは、図５に示したサブルーチンのステップ２２を削除して、ステップ２１が終ればリターンするようにしてもよい。この場合は、サブルーチンのスタートから、最大でも未記録の登録データを１個処理する時間でリターンする。
【００６６】
しかしながら、ホストマシン９からのコマンドが間を置かずに連続して入力する場合、例えば光磁気ディスク装置１が多数のホストマシンの共同データベースとして使用されるような極端な場合でも、必ずどこかに非命令実行時が存在し、その間このサブルーチンには何回もジャンプしてくるから、上記のような時間短縮のための変更を加えても実用上の障害は発生しない。
【００６７】
ただし、コマンドの入力が頻発したため、それらの命令を実行した後に登録／抹消のサブルーチンがその後処理を実行している時に、光磁気ディスク７を取出す排出命令が入力すると、後処理が完了しないまま排出される恐れがある。
【００６８】
図６は、そのような事故を防止するための記録媒体排出手段１５であるＣＰＵ２のルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
光磁気ディスク７の排出命令が入力して図６に示した排出ルーチンがスタートすると、ステップ２７で先ず図５に示した登録／抹消のサブルーチンにジャンプし、すべての未記録の登録データの処理が完了した後、ステップ２８へ進んで記録媒体である光磁気ディスク７を排出してエンドになる。
【００６９】
したがって、いかなる時に排出命令が入力しても、後処理が未完成のまま光磁気ディスク７が排出されることはない。同様に、特に図示はしないが、光磁気ディスク７を装着したまま誤って光磁気ディスク装置１の電源をオフする誤動作に備えて、電源オフ時にも図５に示した登録／抹消のサブルーチンを実行した後、電源が切れるようにするとよい。
【００７０】
図７はこの発明の第２実施例である光磁気ディスク装置の構成を示す機能ブロック図であり、図７に示した第２実施例が第１実施例（図１）と異なる所は、管理テーブル転送手段１２に代えて、同様にＣＰＵ２の作用を示す管理データ転送手段１６を設けたことであり、その他の部分は全く同様であるから説明を省略する。
【００７１】
この管理データ転送手段１６は、ホストマシン９から再生命令のコマンドが入力した時に、アクセスされた管理データがキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａになかった場合に、その管理データを光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ７ａのうちのいずれかから読出して、ＦＡＴ５ａに転送すると共に、ホストマシン９に出力するものである。
【００７２】
図７に示した第２実施例の初期設定は、図３に示した初期設定のルーチンにおいて、ステップ１とステップ２を終了した後、破線で示したようにエンドになって通常の作業であるルーチン（Ｂ）にジャンプする。従って、初期設定終了時には、表１の（Ａ），（Ｂ）に示したＦＡＴ情報，ＦＡＴ管理情報はキャッシュバッファ５上に記憶されているが、表１の（Ｃ）に示した管理データ情報の領域はクリアされたままである。
【００７３】
図８は第２実施例の通常の作業の一例であるルーチン（Ｂ）を示すフロ−図である。
図８に示したルーチン（Ｂ）の各ステップは、ステップ３４を除いてすべて図４に示したルーチン（Ａ）の各ステップに対応する。即ち、ルーチン（Ｂ）のステップ３０乃至ステップ３３及びステップ３５乃至ステップ３９は、ルーチン（Ａ）のステップ１０乃至ステップ１３及びステップ１５乃至ステップ１９とそれぞれ同じであるから説明を省略する。
【００７４】
ステップ３０で入力したコマンドが、ステップ３１，３２で管理データに対する再生命令であると判定されてステップ３４へ進むと、再生処理のサブルーチンにジャンプし、サブルーチンの処理が終了してリターンしてくるとステップ３０に戻る。
図９はルーチン（Ｂ）のステップ３４からジャンプしてくる管理データの再生処理のサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【００７５】
図９に示した再生処理のサブルーチンがスタートすると、先ずステップ４０でアクセスされた例えば管理データ（ｊ）がキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａに格納されているか否かを判定する。そのため、キャッシュバッファ５上の管理データ情報の第ｊ行のキャッシュ情報のいずれか１個の内容をチェックして、｛１０｝又は｛１１｝すなわち第１のフラグが立っていれば管理データ（ｊ）がＦＡＴ５ａに格納されていると判定してステップ４２にジャンプし、｛００｝又は｛０１｝すなわち第１のフラグが立っていなければステップ４１へ進む。
【００７６】
ステップ４１ではＣＰＵ２が管理データ転送手段１６（図７）として作用して、光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ７ａのいずれかから管理データ（ｊ）を読出し、キャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａに転送して格納すると共に、管理データ情報の第ｊ行のキャッシュ情報（１ｊ）乃至（ｎｊ）の内容をすべて｛１１｝に変換して、ステップ４２へ進む。
【００７７】
ステップ４２では第１実施例のルーチン（Ａ）のステップ１４（図４）と全く同様に、キャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａから管理データ（ｊ）を読出してホストマシン９に出力した後、メインのルーチン（Ｂ）にリターンする。
【００７８】
以上説明した第１実施例と第２実施例とを比較すると、第１実施例は光磁気ディスク装置１の初期設定時に、管理テーブル転送手段１２が光磁気ディスク７上の複数のＦＡＴ７ａのうちのいずれかから、１組のＦＡＴのすべての情報をキャッシュバッファ５のＦＡＴ領域に転送してＦＡＴ５ａを形成する。従って、ホストマシン９から管理データの再生命令のコマンドが入力した時のヒット率が１００％であり、全くＦＡＴ７ａから読出す必要がないから、アクセスされた管理データ（ｊ）の出力開始までの時間が極めて短かい。
【００７９】
しかしながら、キャッシュバッファ５は１組のＦＡＴをすべて格納するだけの容量が必要であり、１個の管理データの長さは短いといっても、例えば記録媒体が光磁気ディスクのように大容量のものであると記録可能なファイルの数ｍも大きくなるから、相当な容量のキャッシュバッファでなければならない。従って、コスト的にあまりアクセス速度の速い素子は使い難い。
【００８０】
一方、ファイルの数ｍがいかに大きくても、また１日の作業でいかに多数回のアクセスが行われても、殆んどの場合に実際に使用されるファイルの数は限られたものであり、同じファイルが何回もアクセスされる場合が多い。
【００８１】
第２実施例はホストマシン９から管理データの再生命令のコマンドが入力した時に、始めてアクセスされた管理データ（ｊ）であれば、その管理データ（ｊ）を光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ７ａのうちのいずれかから読出し、キャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａに転送して格納する。従って、始めてファイル（ｊ）がアクセスされた時は管理データ（ｊ）の転送に時間を要するが、２回目以降のアクセスは第１実施例と全く同様である。
【００８２】
この場合、キャッシュバッファ５は一日にアクセスされるファイルの最大数の容量があればよいから、第１実施例に比べて遥かに小容量で済み、それだけコスト的にもアクセス速度の速い素子を使用することが出来る。従って、第１実施例と同様に、用途によってはそれ以上に、光磁気ディスク装置の作業効率が向上する。
【００８３】
また、第１及び第２実施例の共通した特徴は、ホストマシン９から新しいファイルを記録するコマンドが入力した時に、そのファイルの内容を記録する時間は同じでも、新しいファイルの管理データをキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａに登録するだけで管理データの記録命令の実行を終了するから、その都度光磁気ディスク７上の複数のＦＡＴ７ａのすべてに登録していた従来の装置に比べて、新しいファイルの記録命令実行に伴う管理データ登録に要する時間が大幅に短縮され、作業効率が向上する。
【００８４】
光磁気ディスク７上の複数のＦＡＴ７ａへの新しいファイルの管理データの登録（記録）は、光磁気ディスク装置１の非命令実行時すなわちコマンドが入力していない時に実行するから、そのために作業効率が損なわれることがない。これは、光磁気ディスク７上に既に記録されているファイルを抹消する場合も全く同様であることは、既に説明した通りである。
【００８５】
さらに、従来は管理データを（登録又は抹消）する場合に、光磁気ディスク７上の複数のＦＡＴ７ａに対して、その都度ホストマシン９から各管理データのアドレスとその同じ内容を入力してそれぞれ記録していたが、この実施例では一度だけ入力した内容を登録したキャッシュバッファ５上のＦＡＴ５ａの管理データと記憶したアドレスとを用いて実行されるから、ホストマシン９との通信時間が極めて短かくなり、ホストマシン９の作業効率も向上する。
【００８６】
もし、記録（又は抹消）命令のコマンドの後処理としての光磁気ディスク７上のＦＡＴ７ａの更新を終了していない時に、記録媒体排出のコマンド又は押ボタン等による指令が入力した場合は、ＦＡＴ７ａの更新が終了してから記録媒体を排出するから、更新未了の事故が防止出来る。これは誤って光磁気ディスク装置１の電源をオフした場合にも、簡単に適用することが出来る。
【００８７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したようにこの発明による情報記録再生装置は、記録媒体上に形成されたファイル管理テーブルのヒット率を高めて情報の記録及び再生のアクセス時間を短縮し、その作業効率を向上することが出来る。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１実施例である光磁気ディスク装置の構成を示す機能ブロック図である。
【図２】この発明による情報記録再生装置の一実施例である光磁気ディスク装置の構成を示す回路図である。
【図３】図１に示した第１実施例の初期設定のルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図４】図１に示した第１実施例の作業の一例であるルーチン（Ａ）を示すフロー図である。
【図５】図４に示したルーチン（Ａ）が使用する登録／抹消のサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図６】記録媒体排出のルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図７】この発明の第２実施例である光磁気ディスク装置の構成を示す機能ブロック図である。
【図８】図７に示した第２実施例の作業の一例であるルーチン（Ｂ）を示すフロー図である。
【図９】図８に示したルーチン（Ｂ）が使用する再生処理のサブルーチンの一例を示すフロー図である。
【図１０】この発明の実施例及び従来例が共に使用する光磁気ディスク上のファイル管理テーブル領域の配置の一例を示す平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１：光磁気ディスク装置（情報記録再生装置）
２：ＣＰＵ ５：キャッシュバッファ
５ａ，７ａ：ＦＡＴ（ファイル管理テーブル）
７：光磁気ディスク（記録媒体）
９：ホストマシン（上位装置）
１１：ベース情報入力手段
１２：管理テーブル転送手段
１３：管理データ登録手段 １４：登録データ記録手段
１５：記録媒体排出手段 １６：管理データ転送手段
３１ａ，３１ｂ，３１ｃ：ＦＡＴ領域[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or an optical disk, and more particularly to means for managing information files and management data in the information recording / reproducing apparatus. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recording media used in information recording / reproducing apparatuses are rewritable magnetic disks such as floppy disks, rewritable magnetic disks such as a built-in magnetic disk that cannot be removed but has a large capacity, or recording from a magnetic disk, respectively. There are detachable optical discs (in a broad sense) such as write-once optical discs (in a narrow sense) with high density and rewritable magneto-optical discs.
[0003]
In order to record or reproduce information on these recording media, a surface number indicating where the file is recorded along with the file name or file number for each file which is a set of information at the time of recording. , Track number, sector number address, number of sectors to be used, etc. are registered as management data of the file, and a file management table in which the management data is collected is created. During reproduction, the table is searched by file name or file number, and information is reproduced from the obtained address.
[0004]
This file management table corresponds to, for example, FAT (file allocation table) in MS-DOS (a disk-based operating system of US Microsoft Corporation: a registered trademark of the company), and is generally widely used. The “file management table” is also referred to as “FAT”.
[0005]
Since this FAT is required every time information is recorded, reproduced, deleted, etc., it is always recorded on a recording medium, and is particularly important in the case of a removable recording medium.
[0006]
In the unlikely event that the FAT is destroyed or cannot be reproduced, the recorded valuable information will be lost. Therefore, in order to prevent such a serious accident, the FAT having the same contents is stored in a plurality of independent areas. ing. For example, when the recording medium is the magneto-optical disk 7, as shown in FIG. 10, at least two of the FAT areas 31a and 31b on the recording surface 30 of the recording surface 30 or the imaginary lines are further shown. .. Are provided, and the FAT is stored in each of them, and the safety is improved as the number of FAT areas (that is, the number of FATs) n increases.
[0007]
At the time of information reproduction, any one of these areas, for example, the FAT in the FAT area 31a may be read out, and the FAT may be read out from the FAT area 31b when the FAT area 31a cannot be read out. It doesn't matter too much. However, since the FATs of all n FAT areas 31a, 31b, 31c. However, the work efficiency of the information recording / reproducing apparatus is reduced accordingly.
[0008]
For this reason, for example, there has been a proposal of a write-back type disk cache device as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-303528. That is, data for about one track including the accessed block (corresponding to management data) is managed as a group in the order of addresses on the cache buffer, and if there is a block updated by information writing, it is backlit as a group on the recording medium. There was a proposal.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above proposal uses a cache buffer of LRU (Least Recently Used), that is, the most recently accessed block as a cache buffer, and manages a group including the accessed block as a transfer unit. . For this reason, there is a lot of extra data other than the necessary blocks, and if the capacity of the cache buffer is not increased, the block accessed a while ago is lost.
[0010]
Therefore, the file accessed from the host device and the block of the file on the cache buffer do not necessarily match (hit). That is, since the hit rate is bad, a block that does not hit has to be reproduced from the recording medium again, and there is a problem that the access time becomes slower than normal access without a cache buffer. The buffer capacity must be increased further.
[0011]
The cache memory used as a cache buffer may be replaced with a normal RAM in terms of function, but a RAM having a higher access speed than other RAMs is used particularly for data requiring high-speed access. In practice, considering the cost, a RAM having a higher access speed can be used as the capacity is smaller, and if the capacity is larger, a RAM slightly faster than other RAMs must be endured.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and improves the work efficiency of the information recording / reproducing apparatus by increasing the hit rate of the FAT formed on the cache buffer to shorten the access time for recording and reproducing information. The purpose is to measure.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information recording for recording or reproducing information on a recording medium in which a file management table having the same contents composed of management data for each of a plurality of files is recorded in a plurality of areas. In the playback device, each is performed as follows.
[0014]
That is, a cache buffer having a management table storage area capable of storing a file management table, the number of areas in which the file management table is recorded on the recording medium, and the number of management data included in the file management table And base information input means for inputting base management information including the address of each file management table from a host device that has been read from the recording medium in advance and storing the base management information in the cache buffer; On the above cache buffer Means for clearing the information area related to the management data formed in the management table storage area, and file management from any one of a plurality of areas on the recording medium after clearing the information area related to the management data A management table transfer means for reading the table and transferring it to a management table storage area on the cache buffer, and recording and reproducing information using the file management table on the cache buffer and the information on the management data, and on the recording medium Each file management table in a plurality of areas is managed.
[0017]
Furthermore, it is preferable to provide management data registration means for registering management data input along with the command in the management table storage area on the cache buffer when the recording command is executed.
[0018]
In addition, among the management data of the file management table on the cache buffer registered by the management data registration means during non-command execution, management data not recorded in the file management table on the recording medium is stored in a plurality of areas on the recording medium. It is preferable to provide registration data recording means for recording in each file management table.
[0019]
Alternatively, when the recording medium is ejected, management data that is not recorded in the file management table on the recording medium among the management data in the file management table on the cache buffer registered by the management data registering means is stored on the recording medium. Recording medium ejecting means for ejecting the recording medium after recording in each file management table in this area may be provided.
[0020]
[Action]
The information recording / reproducing apparatus configured as described above has a management table storage area on the cache buffer in which the management table transfer means can store the file management table at the time of initial setting, from any one of a plurality of areas on the recording medium. Since the file management table is read and transferred, a set of file management tables are all stored in the cache buffer.
[0021]
Therefore, the hit rate is 100%, and even if the cache buffer is not so fast, it is not necessary to read from the recording medium every time, so that the effective access speed is remarkably improved. Information recording / reproduction and each file management table in a plurality of areas on the recording medium are managed using a set of file management tables on the cache buffer, so that the work efficiency of the information recording / reproducing apparatus is improved.
[0025]
Also, Base information input means is connected The base management information is read from the recording medium in advance. By inputting the base management information including the number of areas in which the file management table on the recording medium is recorded and the address of each file management table from the host device, and storing it in the same cache buffer or RAM, Even if the number of areas and the address of each file management table differ depending on the version of the OS (operation system), for example, the same MS-DOS, the same processing can be performed. This is particularly effective in the case of an information recording / reproducing apparatus using a recording medium that can be exchanged and attached.
[0026]
Further, the management data registration means registers management data input in accordance with the recording command in the management table storage area on the cache buffer when the recording command is executed, that is, when new management data including file update is recorded.
[0027]
Therefore, each time new management data is recorded, the file management table on the cache buffer that manages each file management table of a plurality of areas on the recording medium is updated using the new management data. Since the file management table for each area is not updated, the execution time of the recording command is shortened compared to the conventional method.
[0028]
The registered data recording means stores the file management table in the file management table in the newly registered cache buffer in the file management table in the newly registered cache buffer during the non-instruction execution time, that is, the idle time except when the recording instruction or the reproduction instruction is executed. Unrecorded management data is recorded in each file management table in a plurality of areas on the recording medium.
[0029]
Therefore, the management data of the new file registered by the management data registration means is recorded in all the file management tables on the recording medium by the registration data recording means, and all the tables are updated. For this reason, a time substantially proportional to the number of areas on the recording medium is required. However, since this process is performed at the time of non-command execution, the work efficiency of the information recording / reproducing apparatus is not slightly impaired.
[0030]
Alternatively, when the recording medium ejecting means ejects the recording medium, if management data that is not recorded in the management table on the recording medium remains among the management data in the management table storage area on the newly registered cache buffer, The remaining management data is recorded in each file management table in a plurality of areas on the recording medium, and then the recording medium is ejected.
[0031]
Therefore, for example, even when a recording medium ejection command is issued immediately after the recording command is executed and the management data registration unit does not operate, the recording medium ejection unit operates and each file management table on the recording medium operates. After the update is performed reliably, the recording medium is ejected.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a magneto-optical disk apparatus which is an example of an information recording / reproducing apparatus embodying the present invention.
[0033]
The magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 reads and writes data from a CPU 2 that controls the entire apparatus and processes information, a memory group that includes ROM 3, RAM 4, and cache buffer 5, and a magneto-optical disk 7 that is a recording medium. Is connected to a host machine 9 such as a personal computer or a workstation, which is a host device, and controls an I / O interface for input / output of data (information) and commands (commands). The F control unit 8 is configured.
[0034]
In response to a command from the host machine 9, the CPU 2 controls each part of the magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 and processes information according to a program stored in the ROM 3 in advance, and temporarily stores necessary data in the RAM 4 and the cache buffer 5. Store or read the stored data for processing.
[0035]
The cache memory constituting the cache buffer 5 is a kind of RAM, but is generally constituted by a memory having a high access speed instead of a smaller capacity than the large capacity RAM 4. The memory with the fastest access speed is a memory provided on the same chip as the CPU, but its capacity is limited and is often limited to applications such as registers. A fast memory element is provided near the CPU 2 and used as the cache buffer 5.
[0036]
The read / write control unit 6 includes an information processing system (not shown) such as a modulation / demodulation circuit and an error correction circuit, an optical head for writing, reading, and erasing information and management data on the magneto-optical disk 7, its movement and magneto-optical. Each servo mechanism system that rotates the disk 7 and a servo control system that controls the servo mechanism system are configured.
[0037]
A file, ie, a set of information, is recorded in an area other than the FAT areas 31a, 31b,... On the recording surface 30 of the magneto-optical disk 7 (FIG. 10), and its start address, the number of recorded sectors, etc. Data is recorded in each FAT in the FAT areas 31a, 31b. Unlike a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk is recorded only on one side, so the address is composed only of a track number and a sector number.
[0038]
In the magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 according to the present invention, one set of FAT including management data for each file is initialized in the cache buffer 5 one by one at the time of initial setting or each time a file is accessed for the first time when a reproduction command is executed. Transferred and a FAT is formed in the management table storage area on the cache buffer 5.
[0039]
Table 1 shows the cache buffer 5 (or RAM 4) for managing the FAT on the cache buffer 5 or the files on the magneto-optical disk 7 and the FATs of the FAT areas 31a, 31b, 31c. 1A shows FAT information, FIG. 2B shows FAT management information on the magneto-optical disk 7, and FIG. 1C shows management data included in the FAT. Information, that is, an offset value and cache information, respectively.
[0040]
[Table 1]

[0041]
The FAT information shown in (A) of Table 1 includes the number of FAT areas on the magneto-optical disk 7, that is, the number of FATs: n, and the number of management data included in the set of FATs, that is, the number of files: m. These are read by the host machine 9 from the magneto-optical disk 7 at the time of initial setting, input by the CPU 2 (base information input means) of the magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 and stored in the cache buffer 5 (or RAM 4).
[0042]
The FAT management information shown in (B) of Table 1 is composed of start addresses of n FAT areas on the magneto-optical disk 7, that is, start addresses of FAT (FAT # 1, FAT # 2,... FAT # n). Has been. The FAT number n and the start address of each FAT differ depending on the OS and the recording medium used, and are not known to the magneto-optical disk device 1, so this FAT management information is also shown in Table 1A. Like the FAT information, the CPU 2 inputs and stores it from the host machine 9.
[0043]
In the management data information shown in (C) of Table 1, each piece of management data of m files recorded on the magneto-optical disk 7 is recorded in n FAT # 1, FAT # 2,... FAT # n, respectively. Offset value indicating how far the start address of the management data is from the start address of each FAT, that is, offset (1), offset (2)... Offset (m), and management table storage area of the cache buffer 5 The information regarding each management data of the FAT formed in the above, that is, cache information.
[0044]
Here, although the number n of FATs varies depending on the OS (operating system) and the recording medium, n = 2 is almost the case with normal disks, and n = 3 may be the case with magneto-optical disks. n ≧ 4 is rare. Moreover, in general, when an information recording / reproducing apparatus is connected to a host apparatus to form a system, n does not change midway. However, the number m of files always changes and increases with the accumulation of information except when information is deleted.
[0045]
Now, assuming that integers i and j are i = 1 to n and j = 1 to m, respectively, the start address of the management data (j) of a certain FAT area #i on the magneto-optical disk 7 is (B) in Table 1. It is obtained by adding the offset (j) of the management data of the management data information shown in (C) of Table 1 to the start address of FAT # i of the FAT management information shown in FIG.
[0046]
The cache information of the management data information shown in (C) of Table 1 includes two flags, and the first flag indicates whether or not the management data (j) is stored in the FAT on the cache buffer 5. The second flag indicates whether the management data (j) is recorded in FAT # i on the magneto-optical disk 7 or not.
[0047]
That is, as shown in Table 1 (C), the 0th column is the offset value, the ith column is the FAT # i cache information, and the jth row is the management data (j) offset (j) and the cache information. Therefore, if the contents of the cache information (ij) in the i-th column and the j-th row are expressed by arranging the first and second flags in order, for example, if the contents of the cache information (23) is {00}, the management is performed. When the data (3) is not yet stored in the FAT on the cache buffer 5 and the management data (3) is transferred from any FAT on the magneto-optical disk 7 to the FAT on the cache buffer 5, The content changes to {11} (along with other cache information on line 3).
[0048]
For example, when a file (j) is newly recorded, an offset (j) is stored from the start address of the management data, and the contents of all the cache information on the j-th line become {10}, and the cache buffer As the management data on 5 are recorded in FAT # 1, FAT # 2,... FAT # n in each FAT area on the magneto-optical disk 7, the contents of the cache information (1j), (2j). It changes to {11}.
[0049]
That is, at the time of initialization, all the cache information fields of the management data information are {00}, and if the management data (j) is transferred to the FAT on the cache buffer 5, (on the magneto-optical disk 7). The contents of all the cache information in the j-th line (from any area of FAT) are {11}. If new management data (j) is registered in the FAT on the cache buffer 5, all cache information on the j-th row becomes {10}, and if it is recorded in the FAT on the magneto-optical disk 7, {11}. become.
[0050]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the magneto-optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a base information input means 11, a management table transfer means 12, a management data registration means 13, a registration data recording means 14, and a recording, each indicating the function of the CPU 2 (FIG. 2). The medium ejecting means 15 is constituted by a cache buffer 5 and a magneto-optical disk 7. The cache buffer 5 and the magneto-optical disk 7 are provided with file management tables (FAT) 5a and 7a, respectively. Although there are actually a plurality of FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7, they are represented by one FAT in FIG.
[0051]
Hereinafter, the operation of each means will be described with reference to the flowchart.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the base information input means 11 and the management table transfer means 12 at the time of initial setting in the first embodiment.
[0052]
When the initial setting routine shown in FIG. 3 is started, first, the base information input means 11 is operated in step 1, and the basic information consisting of FAT information and FAT management information shown in (A) and (B) of Table 1 is obtained. Base management information, which is the correct management information, is input from the host machine 9 and stored in the cache buffer 5. Next, the process proceeds to step 2, and the management data information area on the cache buffer 5 shown in (C) of Table 1 is cleared.
[0053]
Further, in step 3, the management table transfer means 12 operates to read out any one of the plurality of FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 and transfer them to the FAT area on the cache buffer 5 to obtain m management data. And the offset (1) to offset (m) are registered in the offset column of the management data information area, and all the cache information of the first to mth lines is set to {11}.
[0054]
In this way, the initial setting is completed, and the routine jumps to routine (A), which is a normal operation. A route indicated by a broken line that jumps from step 2 to the routine (B) will be described in a second embodiment to be described later.
[0055]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine (A) which is an example of a normal operation of the first embodiment.
When the routine (A) shown in FIG. 4 is started, it is determined in step 10 whether or not a command is input from the host machine 9. If not, the process returns to step 10. If a command has been input, the process proceeds to step 11 to determine the contents of the command. If the command is a reproduction command, the process proceeds to step 12;
[0056]
If the playback command proceeds to step 12, it is determined whether the target of the playback command is a file or management data based on the designated address. If the file is a file, it is read from the magneto-optical disk 7 in step 13; Then, the data is read from the file management table 5a of the cache buffer 5, transferred to the host machine 9, and the process returns to step 10.
[0057]
When the recording command proceeds to step 15, it is determined whether the target of the recording command is a file or management data based on the designated address, and if it is a file, the contents of the file to be input subsequently in step 16 are recorded on the magneto-optical disk 7. Then, the process returns to step 10. If it is management data, the address specified in step 17 is stored. Then, it is determined whether or not FAT # i to be recorded is i = 1 in step 18 based on the address. In step 19, the contents of the management data following the address are input, registered in the file management table 5a of the cache buffer 5, and the process returns to step 10. If it is not FAT # 1, the contents of the management data are not input and are input as they are. Return to Step 10.
[0058]
That is, considering only the management data, since the read command is read from the cache buffer 5 and output to the host machine, the response is faster than reading from the magneto-optical disk 7 each time.
In addition, at the time of a recording command, instead of repeatedly inputting the same contents to each of the n FATs and recording them on the magneto-optical disk 7, n addresses are inputted and stored, and the contents are stored. Is input only once and registered in the file management table 5a, so the response is much faster.
[0059]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration / deletion subroutine.
Registration is to record the contents of a new file (a file that has been read and partly modified is regarded as a new file) on the magneto-optical disk 7 and register the management data in the FAT. Deletion means invalidating a file whose contents are already recorded and management data is registered.
[0060]
However, in the case of registration, as described in the routine (A) shown in FIG. 4, the contents of the file are recorded on the magneto-optical disk 7 by the recording command, but the management data is stored in the cache buffer 5 by the recording command. Even if it is registered, it is not recorded in each FAT of the magneto-optical disk 7.
In the case of deletion, even if the contents remain on the magneto-optical disk 7, it is only necessary to register management data indicating that it is invalid by a recording command.
[0061]
When the registration / deletion subroutine shown in FIG. 5 starts, the presence / absence of newly registered management data (registration data) that has not yet been recorded in the FAT 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 in step 20, ie, the content is {10}. The presence or absence of certain cache information (1j) is determined. If there is no cache information (1j), the process returns.
[0062]
In step 21, the CPU 2 acts as the registration data recording means 14 (FIG. 1), records the registration data (j) on the cache buffer 5 in FAT # i, and changes the cache information (ij) to {11}. This is repeated n times from i = 1 to n, and the process proceeds to step 22. In step 22, the same determination as described in step 20 is performed. If there is, the process returns to step 21, and if not, the process returns.
[0063]
When the registration / deletion subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is started, the process does not return unless all unrecorded registration data has been processed. However, since the time required for changing the cache information on the cache buffer 5 is extremely short, there is no problem. To change the FAT management data (j) in a plurality of areas on the magneto-optical disk 7, however, Since it takes time to move for tracking, it does not end in a short time.
[0064]
Therefore, even if the next command is input from the host machine 9, the work efficiency of the magneto-optical disk device 1 is deteriorated so as to wait for a while. Accordingly, the priority level of the command interrupt may be set high, and if a command is input, the registration / deletion subroutine is stopped, the command instruction is executed, and then the subroutine is resumed.
[0065]
Alternatively, step 22 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 5 may be deleted, and the process may return when step 21 is completed. In this case, the process returns from the start of the subroutine at the time required to process one piece of unrecorded registration data at the maximum.
[0066]
However, when commands from the host machine 9 are continuously input without any gap, for example, even in an extreme case where the magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 is used as a joint database of a large number of host machines, it is always somewhere. Since there is a non-instruction execution time and jumps to this subroutine many times during that time, there is no practical problem even if the above-mentioned change for shortening the time is added.
[0067]
However, since commands are frequently input, if a discharge command for ejecting the magneto-optical disk 7 is input when the registration / deletion subroutine executes subsequent processing after executing those commands, the post-processing is not completed and the discharge is not completed. There is a fear.
[0068]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a routine of the CPU 2 which is the recording medium discharge means 15 for preventing such an accident.
When the eject command for the magneto-optical disk 7 is inputted and the eject routine shown in FIG. 6 is started, first, in step 27, the process jumps to the registration / deletion subroutine shown in FIG. 5 to process all unrecorded registration data. After completion, the process proceeds to step 28, where the magneto-optical disk 7 as the recording medium is ejected and the end is reached.
[0069]
Therefore, no matter what time the eject command is input, the magneto-optical disk 7 is not ejected while the post-processing is incomplete. Similarly, although not specifically shown, the registration / deletion subroutine shown in FIG. 5 is executed even when the power is turned off in preparation for a malfunction in which the power of the magneto-optical disk device 1 is accidentally turned off with the magneto-optical disk 7 mounted. After that, you should turn off the power.
[0070]
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the magneto-optical disk apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the first embodiment (FIG. 1) in the management. Instead of the table transfer means 12, a management data transfer means 16 that similarly shows the operation of the CPU 2 is provided, and the other parts are completely the same, so the description thereof is omitted.
[0071]
The management data transfer means 16 transfers the management data to the FAT 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 when the accessed management data is not in the FAT 5a on the cache buffer 5 when the command for the reproduction command is input from the host machine 9. Are transferred to the FAT 5 a and output to the host machine 9.
[0072]
The initial setting of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is a normal operation in the initial setting routine shown in FIG. 3 after completing Step 1 and Step 2 and ending as shown by the broken line. Jump to routine (B). Therefore, at the end of initialization, the FAT information and FAT management information shown in (A) and (B) of Table 1 are stored on the cache buffer 5, but the management data information shown in (C) of Table 1 is stored. This area remains cleared.
[0073]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a routine (B) which is an example of normal work of the second embodiment.
Each step of the routine (B) shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to each step of the routine (A) shown in FIG. That is, step 30 to step 33 and step 35 to step 39 of the routine (B) are the same as step 10 to step 13 and step 15 to step 19 of the routine (A), respectively, and thus description thereof is omitted.
[0074]
When the command input in step 30 is determined to be a reproduction command for management data in steps 31 and 32 and the process proceeds to step 34, the process jumps to the subroutine for the reproduction process, and when the subroutine process ends and returns. Return to step 30.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a subroutine of management data reproduction processing jumping from step 34 of the routine (B).
[0075]
When the reproduction processing subroutine shown in FIG. 9 starts, it is first determined whether or not, for example, management data (j) accessed in step 40 is stored in the FAT 5a on the cache buffer 5. Therefore, the contents of any one of the cache information in the jth row of the management data information on the cache buffer 5 are checked, and if {10} or {11}, that is, the first flag is set, the management data (j ) Is stored in the FAT 5a, the process jumps to step 42. If {00} or {01}, that is, the first flag is not set, the process proceeds to step 41.
[0076]
In step 41, the CPU 2 acts as the management data transfer means 16 (FIG. 7), reads the management data (j) from any one of the FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7, transfers it to the FAT 5a on the cache buffer 5, and stores it. At the same time, all the contents of the cache information (1j) to (nj) on the j-th line of the management data information are converted to {11}, and the process proceeds to step 42.
[0077]
In step 42, the management data (j) is read from the FAT 5a on the cache buffer 5 and output to the host machine 9 in the same manner as in step 14 (FIG. 4) of the routine (A) of the first embodiment. Return to (B).
[0078]
Comparing the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, in the first embodiment, when the magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 is initially set, the management table transfer means 12 includes a plurality of FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7. From either of them, all information of one set of FAT is transferred to the FAT area of the cache buffer 5 to form the FAT 5a. Accordingly, the hit rate when the command for reproducing the management data is input from the host machine 9 is 100%, and it is not necessary to read from the FAT 7a at all, so the time until the start of the output of the accessed management data (j) Is very short.
[0079]
However, the cache buffer 5 needs to have a capacity enough to store all of one set of FATs, and even if the length of one piece of management data is short, the recording medium has a large capacity such as a magneto-optical disk. If it is, the number m of files that can be recorded becomes large, so the cache buffer must have a considerable capacity. Therefore, it is difficult to use an element having a very high access speed in terms of cost.
[0080]
On the other hand, no matter how large the number of files m is, or how many times a day is accessed, the number of files actually used is limited in most cases. The same file is often accessed many times.
[0081]
In the second embodiment, if management data (j) is accessed for the first time when a management data reproduction command is input from the host machine 9, the management data (j) is stored in the FAT 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7. Are transferred to the FAT 5a on the cache buffer 5 and stored. Therefore, when the file (j) is accessed for the first time, it takes time to transfer the management data (j), but the second and subsequent accesses are exactly the same as in the first embodiment.
[0082]
In this case, since the cache buffer 5 only needs to have the capacity of the maximum number of files accessed in a day, the capacity of the cache buffer 5 is much smaller than that of the first embodiment. Can be used. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the working efficiency of the magneto-optical disk apparatus is further improved depending on the application.
[0083]
Further, the common feature of the first and second embodiments is that when a command for recording a new file is input from the host machine 9, the management data of the new file is stored in the cache buffer even if the time for recording the contents of the file is the same. Since the execution of the management data recording command is completed simply by registering it in the FAT 5a, the recording of a new file is performed in comparison with the conventional apparatus registered in all of the plurality of FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 each time. The time required for registering management data associated with the execution of instructions is greatly reduced, and work efficiency is improved.
[0084]
Registration (recording) of new file management data to the plurality of FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 is performed when the magneto-optical disk apparatus 1 is not instructed, that is, when no command is input. It will not be damaged. This is exactly the same when erasing a file already recorded on the magneto-optical disk 7, as already described.
[0085]
Further, conventionally, when management data is registered (registered or deleted), the address of each management data and the same contents are inputted to the plurality of FATs 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 from the host machine 9 each time and recorded respectively. However, in this embodiment, since the processing is executed using the management data of the FAT 5a on the cache buffer 5 in which the contents inputted only once are registered and the stored address, the communication time with the host machine 9 is extremely short. Thus, the working efficiency of the host machine 9 is also improved.
[0086]
If the update of the FAT 7a on the magneto-optical disk 7 as the post-processing of the command of the recording (or deletion) command has not been completed, if a command for ejecting the recording medium or a command by a push button or the like is input, Since the recording medium is discharged after the update is completed, it is possible to prevent accidents that have not been updated. This can be easily applied even when the magneto-optical disk device 1 is accidentally turned off.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention can increase the hit rate of the file management table formed on the recording medium, shorten the access time for recording and reproducing information, and improve the work efficiency. I can do it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a magneto-optical disk apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a magneto-optical disk apparatus which is an embodiment of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an initial setting routine of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a routine (A) which is an example of the operation of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration / deletion subroutine used by the routine (A) shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a recording medium discharge routine.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a magneto-optical disk apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a routine (B) which is an example of the operation of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a reproduction processing subroutine used by a routine (B) shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of an arrangement of file management table areas on a magneto-optical disk used by both the embodiment of the present invention and the conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Magneto-optical disk device (information recording / reproducing device)
2: CPU 5: Cache buffer
5a, 7a: FAT (file management table)
7: Magneto-optical disk (recording medium)
9: Host machine (host device)
11: Base information input means
12: Management table transfer means
13: Management data registration means 14: Registration data recording means
15: Recording medium discharge means 16: Management data transfer means
31a, 31b, 31c: FAT region

Claims (4)

In an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a recording medium in which file management tables having the same contents composed of management data for a plurality of files are recorded in a plurality of areas,
A cache buffer having a management table storage area capable of storing the file management table;
Base management information including the number of areas in which the file management table is recorded on the recording medium, the number of management data included in the file management table, and the address of each file management table is recorded in advance. Base information input means for inputting the information from a host device reading the information from the medium and storing the information in the cache buffer;
Means for clearing an area of information relating to the management data formed in a management table storage area on the cache buffer;
Management table transfer for reading out the file management table from one of a plurality of areas on the recording medium and transferring it to the management table storage area on the cache buffer after clearing the information area on the management data Means,
Information recording, wherein information is recorded or reproduced using the file management table on the cache buffer and the information on the management data, and each file management table in a plurality of areas on the recording medium is managed. Playback device. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: management data registration means for registering management data input in accordance with a command in a management table storage area on the cache buffer when the recording command is executed. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2 ,
Management data not recorded in the file management table on the recording medium among the management data of the file management table on the cache buffer registered by the management data registration means at the time of non-command execution An information recording / reproducing apparatus provided with registered data recording means for recording in each file management table in the above area. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 2 ,
Management data that is not recorded in the file management table on the recording medium among the management data of the file management table on the cache buffer registered by the management data registration means when the recording medium is ejected. An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a recording medium ejecting means for ejecting the recording medium after recording in each file management table of the plurality of upper areas.

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