JP4488014B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention, for example, records information signals such as moving image information, still image information, and IT (Information technology) data such as text data on a recording medium, or records moving image information, still image information, and IT recorded on the recording medium. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program for performing processing such as reproducing information signals such as data.

  Conventionally, video and still images can be recorded using magnetic tape as a recording medium, such as VTR (Video Tape Recorder), digital VTR, video camera, and digital video camera, and the recorded video and still images can be played back. Many possible information processing apparatuses (recording / reproducing apparatuses) are provided and widely used.

  In recent years, recording media capable of random access such as hard disks and semiconductor memories have been downsized, recording density has been increased, and access speed has been increased, and removable mediums such as hard disks and semiconductor memories have become removable. Information processing devices such as hard disk devices and semiconductor memory recorders used as large-capacity recording media are also considered.

  Unlike tape recording media such as magnetic tape, the hard disk and semiconductor memory can be accessed at random, so if you record a movie or still image on the hard disk or semiconductor memory, you can edit or process the movie or still image. It has the advantage that it can be easily performed, and its range of use has become wide.

When a disk medium is used as a recording medium and when recording a moving image and a still image, the recording area and recording of the moving image and the still image are recorded so that the moving image can be played back at high speed. A method for controlling the direction is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-221303

  By the way, there are some problems as described below with respect to an information processing apparatus using a recording medium capable of random access such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

(1) Transfer rate problem When a hard disk or semiconductor memory is used as a recording medium, the address on the recording medium must be accurately indicated when writing and reading information signals (data). Some time is required for recording data in the area and reading data from the target area, and there is a case where there is not enough transfer rate to process moving picture information.

  For this reason, when recording moving image information, if the recording of moving image information onto a recording medium is slower than the supply of moving image information, a so-called overflow state occurs, and the recording process is forced because normal recording of moving image information is not possible. In some cases, it may be necessary to end automatically.

  In addition, when the moving image information is played back, if the moving image information cannot be read out from the recording medium in time, a so-called underflow state occurs, and the moving image information cannot be normally played back. It is considered that there may be a case where it is necessary to end the process.

(2) Problem of recording medium usage efficiency Even though hard disks and semiconductor memories have a large capacity, the storage capacity is limited, so the storage capacity of the recording medium should be used without waste and the usage efficiency should be as high as possible. There must be.

(3) Problem of host CPU load For example, even when moving image information has to be processed at high speed, processing of a host CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each unit of the information processing apparatus is made relatively easy. By reducing the load, it is necessary to always operate stably and to maintain high reliability regardless of what kind of processing is performed.

(4) Compatibility problems with other devices When exchanging information between an information processing device using a hard disk or semiconductor memory as a recording medium and, for example, a personal computer, the file system is the same. It is necessary to take measures such as making it, and simply exchanging information is not possible.

(5) Installation of file system In order to solve the problem (4) described above, a file system used in an information processing apparatus using a hard disk or a semiconductor memory as a recording medium is simply used, for example, a personal computer or the like. It is possible to install it on a device that is going to exchange data. However, installing the file system is cumbersome and you don't want to deal with this.

(6) Use of file system In addition, a file system is absolutely necessary when data is recorded on a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. It takes a certain amount of time to find the address of the data recording area, which may lead to a delay in writing and reading.

(7) of the power-off corresponding Also, due to a power failure or other causes, Oite when recording moving picture information, when the power had been shut off, if already caused the recorded video information is also unavailable inconvenience There is also a need for a sufficient response in such cases.

  As described above, when a recording medium capable of random access, such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, is used, there are problems to be solved. In recent years, it has been considered to provide various information processing apparatuses such as a recording / reproducing apparatus using a hard disk or a semiconductor memory as a recording medium. Therefore, it is desired to provide a product that reliably eliminates the problem, always operates stably, has high reliability, and is easy to use.

  In view of the above, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that solves the above-described problems, is highly reliable, and is easy to use, an information processing method used in the information processing apparatus, and an information processing program. Objective.

In order to solve the above problem, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
An information processing apparatus for reading a file recorded on a recording medium,
In the recording medium, a file management table including information indicating a link relation of clusters in which information signals constituting the file are recorded is formed.
Recording buffer means for temporarily storing an information signal to be recorded on the recording medium;
Reproduction buffer means for temporarily storing an information signal to be reproduced read from the recording medium;
During recording for recording information signals on the recording medium via the recording buffer means, the recording storage amount of the accumulated amount the recording buffer means from becoming below a predetermined lower limit amount of the buffer means of information signals on a given At the time of reproduction in which the information signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced through the reproduction buffer means in the free time determined according to the period until reaching the limit amount, the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means In the idle time determined according to the period from when the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit after the value exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the file management table is referred to and the link of the cluster Link information table forming means for forming a link information table comprising information indicating a relationship in a memory other than the recording medium;
A read control means for controlling a read means for reading the information signal based on the information in the link information table;
Is provided.

According to the information processing apparatus of the above-described configuration, not only normal reproduction but also processing such as fast forward and fast reverse are quickly and accurately executed based on the information in the link information table. Therefore, it is possible to realize an information processing apparatus as a playback apparatus that is highly versatile and easy to use.

An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect ,
The link information table forming means is within the free time and within a range of data amount that can be processed for the file management table, or within a range of processing time for forming the link information table. The link information table is formed .

According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the link information table is formed in the idle time when the information signal is processed in real time by the link information table forming means. In this case, the free space of the buffer memory is not monitored, but is performed within a range of other limit values that can be managed separately from the free space of the buffer memory.

  Specifically, when the link information table is formed, (1) within the range of the data amount that can be processed (data amount that can be accessed) for the file management table set in advance, or (2) in advance Within the range of the set link information table formation time, or (3) the amount of data that can be processed for the file management table that is set according to the actual free time (access is possible within the free time) Data amount), or (4) the link information table formation time set according to the actual idle time.

  As a result, the link information table forming process can be closed without delaying the real-time processing of the information signal regardless of the free capacity of the buffer memory. That is, no other interrupt is generated for the link information table forming process.

The information processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 3, claim 1 or claim 2 the non-volatile recording medium the link information table The information processing apparatus formed in the memory other than said recording medium according to Evacuation means is provided for evacuation.

According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the information indicating the link relationship is saved in the nonvolatile recording medium. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate waste of re-forming the link relation table every time the power is turned on even though the recording medium to be used is not removed from the information processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, not only normal playback but also processing such as fast-forward and fast-reverse is executed quickly and accurately based on the information in the link information table, as a playback device that is highly reliable and easy to use. An information processing apparatus can be realized.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, a recording / playback apparatus (digital video camera) having a video camera function and using a hard disk as a recording medium and a semiconductor memory card (digital video camera), an information processing apparatus, an information processing method according to the present invention, A case where an information processing program is applied will be described as an example.

[First Embodiment] (See FIGS. 1 to 7)
[Outline of recording and playback device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment includes a digital input / output terminal 1, a digital output terminal 2, a digital input terminal 3, and a camera block 4 as input or output ends. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the signal processing system includes three switch circuits 5, 7, and 9, an encoder / decoder 6, a buffer memory 8, and a media controller 10. In the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, a hard disk formed as a so-called removable recording medium and a semiconductor memory card are detachable. In the example of FIG. 1, a hard disk 11 and a semiconductor memory card 12 are loaded.

  As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment can use a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card as a recording medium, and each of these recording media has a single information signal ( Data) is stored as a single file and is managed, and widely used in personal computer OSs such as Windows (registered trademark), which is an OS (Operating System) provided by Microsoft Corporation in the United States. Generally, FAT (File Allocation) is used. A file system (file management system) called Table) is installed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a host CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13 for controlling each part of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment is provided. A key operation unit 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a nonvolatile memory 17 are connected to the host CPU 13.

  Here, the key operation unit 14 is for receiving an instruction input from the user, and includes various adjustment keys in addition to function keys such as a play key, a stop key, a fast forward key, a fast reverse key, and a pause key. Etc. are provided. The ROM 15 stores programs and necessary data, the RAM 16 is mainly used as a work area, and the nonvolatile memory 17 is retained even when the power is turned off. This is for storing and holding various necessary setting information and parameters.

  Then, as described below, the host CPU 13 encodes and decodes audio / visual signals (hereinafter referred to as AV data) and controls the buffer in response to a request from the user input through the key operation unit 14. Media controller control, switch control, etc. are performed. The host CPU 13 also performs file system arithmetic processing.

[Basic signal flow during recording and playback by the recording / playback device]
Next, a basic signal flow during recording and reproduction by the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described. First, an outline of the FAT file system used at the time of recording and reproduction of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described before a specific description of the basic signal flow.

[Outline of FAT file system]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of a FAT system that is a file system mounted in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an information area provided in a storage area of a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card. As shown in FIG. 2A, the recording medium is provided with a management information area, a FAT information area, and a directory entry area in order from the top, followed by a data area in which various information signals are recorded in units of files. It has become.

  Here, the management information area is an area of one sector at the head of the storage area of the hard disk or the semiconductor memory card, and is called an MBR (Master Boot Record). The management information recorded in this management information area includes a description of the disk capacity, cluster capacity, FAT12 / 16/32 settings, etc. If there is a partition, the partition information is included in the latter half of the management information. Is added.

  A FAT information table is formed in the FAT information area following the management information area. The FAT information table (hereinafter referred to as FAT information) is a table indicating which cluster is used in which order and a file is stored on a recording medium. Each address corresponds to each cluster, and in turn indicates which cluster is to be used next. For example, when FAT information is formed as shown in FIG. 2B, it can be seen that files are stored in the order of 02 cluster → 03 cluster → 04 cluster → 05 cluster.

  Therefore, by referring to the FAT information, following the cluster of the data area where the information signal is recorded as indicated by the FAT information, and reading the information signal recorded in the cluster, as shown in FIG. 2C It is possible to obtain and use all the target information signals recorded as information signals of one file (information indicated by circled numbers 1, 2, 3, 4,... In FIG. 2C). It becomes.

  Note that there are differences between FAT12 (12 bits), FAT16 (16 bits), and FAT32 (32 bits) depending on how many bits the FAT information data is represented. When FAT is used as the file system, no matter how small a file can be accommodated in one cluster, the longer the bit length, the more the cluster can be divided, so that the file can be stored more efficiently.

  In the directory entry area shown in FIG. 2A, the file name, the address of the first cluster where the file is stored, and other simple information (recording date and time) are stored as information of 32 words for each file. . Hereinafter, the information recorded in the directory entry area is simply referred to as directory entry information.

  At the time of recording a single input information signal, the FAT information and directory entry information are referred to find an empty cluster, and the information signal is recorded in the empty cluster. The FAT information and directory entry information are also recorded. By appropriately updating the information, it is possible to manage how the information signal is recorded while recording the information signal on the recording medium.

  In addition, when reading and reproducing a set of information signals recorded in units of files on a recording medium, the FAT information and directory entry information are referred to and a target set of information recorded in units of files is referred to. Information on how the information signal is recorded on the recording medium is obtained, and a desired set of data can be appropriately read and reproduced.

[Information signal (data) flow during recording]
Next, the flow of information signals during recording and reproduction by the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described. First, the flow of information signals during recording will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment includes a digital input / output terminal 1 for inputting / outputting IT data such as text data and graphic data, and another reproducing apparatus such as a personal computer. Are provided with a digital input terminal 3 for receiving input of moving image information, still image information, audio information, and the like, and a camera block 4 for taking an image.

  The user selects which input end of the digital input / output terminal 1, the digital input terminal 3, and the camera block 4 is to be used through the key operation unit 14. In addition, as with the selection of the input end, the user can select the information signal to be recorded on either the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor recording medium 12 through the key operation unit 14. The

  When the host CPU 13 receives a selection input of the input end from the user through the key operation unit 14, the host CPU 13 supplies a switching control signal to the switch circuit 5 and the switch circuit 7 in accordance with this and switches them. Further, when the host CPU 13 receives a selection input of the recording medium from the user through the key operation unit 14, the host CPU 13 controls the media controller 10 according to this and records an information signal on the selected recording medium.

  In the following, when the camera block 4 is selected as the input end, that is, when the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment is set to the photographing mode, the hard disk 11 is used as a recording medium. Taking the selected case as an example, the flow of signals during recording by the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 of this embodiment will be described.

  In this case, the switch circuit 5 and the switch circuit 7 are each switched to the input terminal b side. Further, the host CPU 13 switches the switch circuit 9 to the input terminal b side, and accesses the logical address on the hard disk 11 in this example through the media controller 10, and as shown in FIG. Management information and FAT information formed in the above are acquired. The host CPU 13 obtains necessary information from the management information, prepares for the recording process, and grasps an empty cluster position based on the FAT information.

  Although not shown, the camera block 4 includes a lens, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a microphone, and the like, and converts an image of a subject passing through the lens into a video signal by the CCD and converts it into a digital video signal. In addition, sound can be picked up through a microphone and converted into an electric signal, which can be converted into a digital sound signal, and AV data composed of these digital signals can be output.

  AV data output from the camera block 4 is supplied to the encoder / decoder 6 through the switch circuit 5. The encoder / decoder 6 compresses data by encoding the AV data supplied thereto by a predetermined encoding method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) method, and the encoded AV data. Is supplied to a buffer memory circuit (hereinafter simply referred to as a buffer) 8 through the switch circuit 7.

  The buffer 8 is controlled by the host CPU 13 to write / read data. Therefore, the AV data from the switch circuit 7 is written into the buffer 8 by the write control of the host CPU 13 and simultaneously the AV data already written in the buffer 8 is read out. In other words, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, the buffer 8 is used to perform time axis correction on AV data that is asynchronous between the recording / reproducing apparatus and the hard disk 11 that is a recording medium. ing.

  If the content data (information signal) to be recorded is real-time data composed of moving image information and audio information such as AV data, the content data is read (written) while being written (written) to the buffer 8. Are used in a so-called first-in-first-out format.

  In this case, in the conventional recording / reproducing apparatus, when the buffer 8 underflows or overflows, the continuity of the information signal is interrupted and normal recording is not performed. As will be described in detail later, measures have been taken so as not to cause such problems.

  The camera block 4 can not only shoot a moving image but also can shoot a subject as a still image in accordance with an instruction from a user. The digital input terminal 3 can receive not only moving image information but also still image information.

  In the case of recording a still image, the content data is stored in the buffer 8 or the RAM 16 connected to the host CPU 13 before being written on the recording medium. Therefore, in the case of recording a still image, real-time processing like a moving image is not necessary.

  Then, the AV data read from the buffer 8 by the read control of the host CPU 13 is supplied to the hard disk 11 through the switch circuit 9 and the media controller 10, and is stored in the free area based on the position of the free cluster that has been grasped previously. It is made to be written sequentially. When the AV data is written to the hard disk 11, the host CPU 13 switches the switch circuit 9 to the input terminal a side.

  At the time of recording the information signal, the switch circuit 9 is periodically switched to the input terminal b side, and the FAT information is updated by the host CPU 13. Also, when the recording of AV data is completed, the switch circuit 9 is switched to the input terminal b side so that the FAT information and directory entry information are updated by the host CPU 13.

  In this manner, AV data composed of moving images and audio that are captured through the camera block 4 is recorded in an empty cluster of the hard disk 11. Further, the information signal supplied through the digital input terminal 3 is also subjected to recording processing in the same manner as the information signal captured through the camera block 4.

  Further, since it is not necessary to encode the IT data supplied through the digital input / output terminal 1, it is supplied to the buffer 8 through the switch circuit 7, and after that, almost the same as the case of the AV data recording process described above. The same processing is performed.

  Here, the case where the information signal is recorded on the hard disk 11 has been described as an example. However, when an information signal is recorded on the semiconductor memory card 12, processing is performed in substantially the same manner as when an information signal is recorded on the hard disk 11.

[Information signal (data) flow during playback]
Next, a signal flow during reproduction in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described. Here, as described above, a case where the information signal recorded on the hard disk 11 is reproduced will be described as an example.

  When the host CPU 13 receives a reproduction instruction input from the user through the key operation unit 14, the host CPU 13 switches the switch circuit 9 to the input terminal b side, accesses the logical address on the hard disk 11 through the media controller 10, and FIG. As shown, management information, FAT information, and directory entry information formed on the hard disk 11 are acquired.

  Then, the host CPU 13 displays a list of files recorded on the hard disk 11 and reproducible based on the acquired information such as directory entry information on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) (not shown). Accept selection input.

  When the host CPU 13 receives selection input of the file to be played back through the key operation unit 14, the host CPU 13 grasps the recording position of the file to be played back on the hard disk 11 from the acquired directory entry and FAT information, and obtains the type of the file. The switch circuit 9 is switched to the input / output end a side, and the switch circuit 7 is switched to the input / output end a side or the input / output end b side according to the file type.

  Thereafter, the host CPU 13 controls the media controller 10 to read the information signal from the target file stored in the hard disk 11, and the read information signal is passed through the media controller 10 and the switch circuit 9. Write to buffer 8.

  As described above, in the buffer 8, data writing / reading is controlled by the host CPU 13, data read from the hard disk 11 is written, and data already written in the buffer 8 is read. By using this buffer 8, as in the case of recording, time axis correction is performed on the information signal to be reproduced during reproduction.

  When the information signal read from the buffer 8 is so-called IT such as text data, the switch circuit 7 is switched to the input / output end a side, so that the IT data read from the hard disk 11 is The signal is output through the digital input / output terminal 1.

  When the information signal read from the buffer 8 is moving image information or still image information other than IT data, the switch circuit 7 is switched to the input / output terminal b side, so that the encoder / decoder 6 is switched through the switch circuit 7. Here, AV data and still image information decoded and restored to the original state before encoding are output through the output terminal 2.

The information signal output from the digital input / output terminal 1 or the digital output terminal 2 is supplied to, for example, a personal computer and displayed on the display screen, or used. It can be used in various ways, such as being recorded on a recording medium.

  As described above, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, the information signal recorded on the hard disk 11 is read out, and necessary processing such as decoding is performed on the information signal, which can be output and reproduced. ing.

  Here, the case where the information signal recorded as a file on the hard disk 11 is reproduced has been described as an example. However, when an information signal recorded as a file on the semiconductor memory card 12 is reproduced, the same processing is performed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment includes an LCD and an LCD controller having a relatively large display screen as described above, and includes necessary information such as selection items and the like. In addition to displaying various messages, as described above, a reproduced image corresponding to the information signal read from the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12 can be displayed, or photographed through the camera block 4. It is also possible to display images that are intended to be displayed.

  As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment receives supply of moving image information, still image information, IT data, etc., records them on the removable hard disk 11 or semiconductor memory card 12, and records them on them. The read information signal can be read out and reproduced. In this case, by using the FAT file system, it is possible to easily manage each information signal recorded as a file.

  Further, since the hard disk 11 and the semiconductor memory card 12 as recording media are detachable, they can be exchanged through an adapter or directly connected to another electronic device such as a personal computer. . Here, data exchange refers to reproduction of various information signals such as AV data recorded by the recording / reproducing apparatus on other electronic devices such as a personal computer, or recording on other electronic devices such as a personal computer. This means that the various recorded information signals are reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus.

[Select recording method according to the data to be recorded]
As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment can process IT data such as moving image information, still image information, and text data. However, in order to process moving image information in real time, the data transfer rate at the time of recording and reproduction must be sufficiently high.

  However, it is not preferable that the load on the host CPU 13 is increased for that purpose. Further, it is not preferable if the storage areas of the hard disk 11 and the semiconductor memory card 12 cannot be effectively used in order to increase the transfer rate. Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, the recording method is different between the moving image information and the other still image information and IT data.

  The FAT file system has a minimum recording unit as a cluster. When this FAT file system is used, it is conceivable to use three recording methods of “general type”, “grid type”, and “stuffing type”.

  The “general type” performs recording in units of clusters as in a normal FAT file system. In a personal computer, processing is performed as a “general type”.

  “Lattice type” is one of a method of handling a plurality of clusters as one block, and the recording medium is regularly divided into blocks of the same size like a grid, and this block unit. It is intended to record with. Therefore, since the blocks are regularly formed on the recording medium, the exact position of each block on the recording medium can be always grasped accurately.

  The “packing type” is one of a method of handling a plurality of clusters as one block, and if there is a continuous free area of a designated number of clusters, it is used as an available block for recording an information signal. It is something that can be done. Therefore, in the “packed type”, unlike the “grid type”, it is necessary to detect a predetermined number of consecutive free clusters constituting a block at the time of recording.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining each of the “general type”, “grid type”, and “packing type”, and shows an example in which 8 clusters are handled as one block. In FIG. 3, blocks a, b, c, d, e, f,... Correspond to regularly provided blocks when the “grid type” is used as the recording method.

  As described above, the “general type” is recorded in units of one cluster. In FIG. 3A, the black clusters are the four clusters before block a and the four clusters after block b. It is assumed that information signals are already written in “general type” for two clusters before block c and three clusters from the fourth cluster before block e.

  In the state of FIG. 3A, if an information signal is to be recorded in the “lattice type”, the blocks a, b, c, d, e, f,... Regularly divided into eight clusters are vacant. Must find a block. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the blocks a, b, c, and e are used blocks because there are free clusters, but are not used depending on the “grid type”. . However, since the blocks d and f do not have any clusters used, the “lattice type” can be used.

  That is, in the case of the “grid type”, as shown in FIG. 3B, the block division is regularly and uniquely determined, and the boundary of the block does not change thereafter. When recording is performed in block units, the block can be recorded only when all the clusters in the block are empty, and if one cluster has been used, the block is treated as unrecordable. Like that.

  Further, when an information signal is to be recorded in the “packing type”, 8 clusters are continuously vacant, and only a portion that can be used as an empty area of one block is used. Therefore, when the information signal is recorded in this “stuffing type”, the boundary of the block changes according to the use state of the recording medium such as a hard disk as shown in FIG. 3C.

  When recording an information signal in the “general type”, since recording is performed in units of one cluster, all unused cluster portions except for the used portion shown in FIG. 3A are recorded in the information signal. Can be used.

  As described above, when recording is performed in units of blocks in the “grid type” or “packed type”, the block can be recorded only when all the clusters in the block are empty, and even one cluster can be recorded. If it has been used, it is treated that information signals cannot be recorded in the block.

  Then, the characteristics of the “general type”, “grid type”, and “packing type” which are the recording methods described with reference to FIG. 3 can be summarized as shown in FIG. As shown in the “general type” column of FIG. 4, in the case of the “general type” recording method, since the recording process is performed in units of clusters, the transfer rate is set when recording real-time data such as moving image information. Insufficient earning may cause problems, and if judged strictly, real-time data cannot be recorded.

  Further, in the case of the “general type” recording method, since the processing is performed in cluster units, the processing time is relatively long. However, since the recording unit is a cluster unit which is the minimum recording unit, It can be said that the use efficiency of is high. Considering that content such as AV data recorded by a personal computer is played back by a recording / playback device, the recording by the personal computer is performed in a “general type”. A function for reproducing content such as AV data recorded in the “general type” is indispensable.

  Further, as shown in the “grid type” column of FIG. 4, in the case of the “grid type” recording method, the recording process is performed in block units (contiguous block units) that are regularly and uniquely determined. Since the processing of the host CPU can be made relatively easy and the transfer rate can be increased, it is sufficient to record on a recording medium without causing discontinuities in real-time data such as moving image information. Is possible. In addition, in the case of the “grid type” recording method, since processing is performed in units of blocks, the processing time is relatively short (processing time is short).

  However, since all the clusters in the block uniquely determined regularly must be unused, and even if one of the clusters constituting the block is already used, the block cannot be used. It must be said that the use efficiency of is low.

  In addition, when the content recorded by the personal computer is played back by the recording / playback apparatus, since the recording by the personal computer is performed in the “general type”, the recording / playback apparatus has a “grid type” playback function. It is not sufficient to simply install it, and it is essential to install a “general” playback function in the recording / playback apparatus.

  Further, as shown in the “packing type” column of FIG. 4, in the case of the “packing type” recording method, the block is uniquely determined regularly as in the case of the “grid type” recording method. Although the recording process is not performed in units (consecutive block units), since the recording unit is a block unit as in the “grid type”, the processing of the host CPU can be made relatively easy. Since the transfer rate can be increased, it is possible to record on a recording medium without causing discontinuities in real-time data such as moving image information.

  However, in the case of the “packing type” recording method, it is necessary to detect an empty block composed of a plurality of continuous clusters, so that the processing time is longer than that of the “grid type”. That is, the processing time becomes long. In the case of the “packing type”, the boundary of empty blocks is not restricted as in the case of the “lattice type”, so the usage efficiency of the recording medium is between the “general type” and the “grid type”. It can be said to be moderate.

  In addition, when content recorded by a personal computer is played back by a recording / playback apparatus, since the recording by the personal computer is performed in a “general type”, the recording / playback apparatus has a “packing type” playback function. It is not sufficient to simply install it, and it is essential to install a “general” playback function in the recording / playback apparatus.

  Considering the above comprehensively, the “grid type” recording method is used when recording real-time data such as video information, and the “general type” is used when recording still image information and IT data. By using different recording methods, such as using a recording method, the transfer rate is increased, the load on the host CPU is reduced, the utilization efficiency of the recording medium is increased, and the information signal (data) with a personal computer or the like is transmitted. Ease of exchange (compatibility) can be improved.

  Also, assuming data exchange with a personal computer or the like, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment also uses the same file system as that of the personal computer, so that troublesome work such as installation of the file system also occurs. There is nothing.

  For this reason, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, the “grid type” and the “general type” are selectively used as recording methods for recording moving image information and other information signals. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a case where “grid type” and “general type” are selectively used as recording methods.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, blocks a, b, Many are assigned as shown in c, d, e, f,. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, one block is composed of 8 clusters.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, the black-colored portions, that is, two clusters before block a, four clusters after block b, and four clusters before block c are already recorded as “general type”. A used cluster in which still image information and the like are recorded according to a method. Therefore, when considered in units of blocks, as shown in FIG. 5A, the blocks a, b, and c are used blocks.

  When recording AV data, which is real-time data that includes moving image information and audio information, and whose data amount is enormous, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, the “grid type” Since recording is performed by the recording method, recording is performed in block units after the block d as shown in FIG. 5A.

  In this way, by using a “grid type” recording method, a high transfer rate can be secured, and real-time data can be recorded properly continuously without causing discontinuities. As described above, it is possible to reduce the load on the host CPU, such as shortening the processing time.

  However, in this state, the unused clusters of the blocks a, b, and c that have been used blocks are not used, and the utilization efficiency of the recording medium may be reduced.

  Therefore, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, for still image information and IT data with a relatively small amount of data, as shown in FIG. Use to record. As a result, in this example, still image information and IT data can be recorded in empty clusters of blocks a, b, and c. As a result, the occurrence of unused clusters in the used blocks can be reduced, and the usage efficiency of the recording medium can be increased.

[Recording and playback operations]
As described above, the recording operation of this embodiment, which uses “grid type” and “general type” as the recording method, and “grid type” and “general type” are used separately to record on the recording medium. The operation at the time of reproducing the information signal will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[Operation during recording]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of recording of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment. As described above, when the input terminal to be used and the recording medium are selected, the host CPU 13 executes the processing shown in FIG. First, the host CPU 13 refers to the file management table of the instructed recording medium, that is, FAT information, through the switch circuit 9 and the media controller 10, and acquires free cluster information (step S101).

  Then, the host CPU 13 receives a recording start instruction input through the key operation unit 14 (step S102), and determines whether or not a recording start instruction input has been received (step S103). If it is determined in step S103 that the recording start instruction input has not been received, the host CPU 13 repeats the processing from step S102.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the recording start instruction input has been received, the host CPU 13 attempts to perform the recording process based on information such as an input end selection instruction from the user and a header of the supplied information signal. It is determined whether the received information signal includes moving image information, or is not moving image information but still image information or IT data (step S104).

  When it is determined in step S104 that the information signal to be recorded is real-time data such as moving image information or AV data, the host CPU 13 determines “lattice type” from the free cluster information acquired in step S101. In accordance with the recording method, a block that is regularly provided in advance and in which all the clusters constituting the block are free clusters is detected (step S105).

  Then, the host CPU 13 controls the encoder / decoder 6, the buffer 8, the media controller 10, and other related switch circuits, and starts recording real-time data such as moving image information in units of empty blocks (step S106). Thereafter, the host CPU 13 receives a recording end instruction input from the user through the key operation unit 14 (step S107), and determines whether or not a recording end instruction input has been received (step S108).

  If it is determined in step S108 that a recording end instruction input has not been received, the host CPU 13 performs the processing from step S107. If it is determined in step S108 that a recording end instruction input has been received from the user, the FAT information and directory entry information, which are file management tables, are updated (step S112), and the processing shown in FIG. 6 ends.

  When it is determined in step S104 that the information signal to be recorded is still image information or IT data, the host CPU 13 determines the “general type” recording method from the free cluster information acquired in step S101. Accordingly, a free cluster is detected (step S109).

  Then, the host CPU 13 controls the encoder / decoder 6, the buffer 8, the media controller 10, and other related switch circuits, and starts recording still image information and IT data for each empty cluster (step S110). Thereafter, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the recording of the still image information and the IT data is finished (step S111).

  If it is determined in step S111 that the recording of still image information or the like has not been completed, the processing in step S111 is repeated and the process waits until the recording is completed. If it is determined in step S111 that recording of still image information or the like has been completed, the host CPU 13 updates the FAT information and directory entry information that are file management tables (step S112), and the processing shown in FIG. Exit.

  As described above, when moving image information or AV data that has a large amount of information and must be processed in real time is recorded on a recording medium, it is recorded in a “grid type” recording method, and real-time data such as moving image information is recorded. Information other than is recorded in the “general type” recording method.

  Thus, as described above, when recording real-time data such as moving image information, the transfer rate can be sufficiently increased, so that real-time data discontinuity does not occur and regular The load of the host CPU can also be reduced by the block unit recording provided in. In addition, the recording medium can be used efficiently by properly using “grid type” and “general type” as recording methods.

[Operation during playback]
Next, the operation during reproduction will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of reproduction of the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment. When receiving an operation for setting the recording / reproducing apparatus in the reproduction mode through the key operation unit 14, the host CPU 13 starts the processing shown in FIG. 7, and reads management information, FAT information as a file management table, and directory entry information. Then, a list of reproducible files is displayed on the LCD provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus (step S201), and a reproduction start instruction input for the target file is received (step S202).

  Next, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not a reproduction start instruction input has been accepted (step S203). If it is determined that a reproduction start instruction input has not been accepted, the processing from step S202 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S203 that the reproduction start instruction input has been received, the host CPU 13 determines how the file instructed to be reproduced on the recording medium based on the FAT information read in step S201. Information on whether or not recording is performed in the correct order is acquired (step S204).

  Then, the host CPU 13 follows the clusters on the recording medium in the order based on the information acquired in step S204, and performs reproduction (step S205). Then, the host CPU 13 receives a reproduction end instruction input through the key operation unit 14 (step S206), and determines whether or not a reproduction end instruction input has been received (step S207).

  If it is determined in step S207 that a reproduction end instruction input has been received, the host CPU 13 ends the reproduction operation and ends the process shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S207 that the reproduction end instruction input has not been received, it is determined whether or not all data in the instructed file has been reproduced (step S208).

  When determining in step S208 that all data has not been reproduced, the host CPU 13 repeats the processing from step S206. If it is determined in step S208 that all data has been reproduced, the reproduction operation is terminated, and the process shown in FIG. 7 is terminated.

  In this way, at the time of reproduction, without distinguishing whether the recording method is recorded using the “grid type” or the “general type”, that is, moving image information, etc. Or real-time data, still image information other than real-time data, or IT data can be reproduced without distinction.

  In addition, it can be reproduced without distinguishing whether it is recorded by the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment or by a device other than the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, such as a personal computer. To be.

  In this case, even when recording is performed in a “lattice type”, recording processing is performed in units of blocks each including a plurality of clusters, which are the minimum recording units. Since the relationship is managed, it is possible to reproduce without distinguishing the recording method or the device that actually recorded.

  Thus, since the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment uses the FAT file system as the file management system, it is highly compatible with devices such as personal computers, and the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment is used. Even if the information signal is recorded on the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12, the information signal can be easily used by connecting them to a device that performs file management using a FAT file system such as a personal computer. Become.

  On the contrary, even when a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card on which an information signal is recorded by an external device such as a personal computer is loaded in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, it can be used easily. In other words, since the recording / playback apparatus of this embodiment and the external device such as a personal computer have the same file system, it is possible to manage files with the same algorithm, which requires troublesome work such as installation of the file system. Nor.

[Second Embodiment] (See FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 to 15)
In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the transfer rate at the time of recording real-time data such as moving image information is increased by using “grid type” as a recording method. However, the recording / reproducing apparatus using the FAT file system is characterized in that the data access speed during reproduction is relatively slow and the random access performance is low.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment improves the data access speed and random access performance at the time of reproduction as described above, and can reproduce recorded information satisfactorily even at the time of reproduction. The access performance is also improved.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus of the second embodiment is also configured in the same manner as the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Similarly, file management is performed using the FAT file system described with reference to FIG. For this reason, the second embodiment will be described as having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the FAT file system shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the FAT information and the data area. As described above, the FAT information formed in the recording area of the hard disk or the semiconductor memory card is a table indicating which cluster is used in which order and a file is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, each address of the FAT information corresponds to each cluster, and each address indicates which cluster is used next. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, when FAT information is formed, the file is stored in the order of cluster 02 → cluster 25 → cluster 25 starting from cluster 02, as shown in FIG. 8B. Will be.

  In the process of accessing the target file by the forward search of the cluster chain using the FAT information, the FAT information recorded on the recording medium must be repeatedly accessed. Data access speed is relatively slow. Also, jumping in the reverse direction such as fast rewind is realized as a forward search from the file pointer set at the beginning of the cluster chain (the first cluster of the file), so the random access performance is low. Become.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to store necessary information such as FAT information in units of files in, for example, a built-in memory of the recording / reproducing apparatus so that it is not necessary to refer to FAT information on a recording medium such as a hard disk one by one. In this case, since each file must be managed, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a memory area having a memory capacity corresponding to the maximum size of the file to be handled as a memory area for holding FAT information of each file It is conceivable to secure

  In the case of this method, the storage area of the same storage capacity is used for any file, and FAT information and the like can be managed. Therefore, there is a merit that memory management is simple, the size of the file to be handled, If there is no large gap (width) in the number, it works efficiently.

  However, as a characteristic of a recording medium on which a moving image is recorded, there is a possibility that the file size and the number of files may take large values. Therefore, if this method is used, a very large memory capacity is required. Also, when a sufficient memory capacity cannot be secured, the number of files that can be handled is limited.

  Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, when a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card is loaded, the FAT information of the recording medium is referred to before the first file reproduction access, and the cluster is A cluster link table (link information table) having only the link information is formed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the cluster link table. FIG. 10A shows FAT information formed on a recording medium such as a hard disk. With reference to the FAT information, a cluster link table as shown in FIG. 10B showing a link relationship for each file is formed.

  In FIG. 10A, as in the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, it is shown that the file is recorded using 02 cluster, 03 cluster, 24 cluster, and 25 cluster. From the FAT information shown in FIG. 10A, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, a cluster link table including a file name as index information and link information of clusters constituting the file is formed in the RAM 16 or the nonvolatile memory 17 in advance. Keep it.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10C, the memory area for storing the cluster link table corresponding to the file is dynamically allocated according to the size of the target file. In this way, by allocating the cluster link table on the memory without any gap, a useless area is not created on the memory, and a memory with a limited storage capacity can be used effectively.

  Furthermore, by securing a memory area having a storage capacity of a certain amount or more, the number of files that can be handled simultaneously can be unlimited. Further, dynamically allocating a storage area for the cluster link table formed according to the link information of the FAT information for each file to the memory according to the data amount of each file requires an advanced memory management process.

  However, the number and size of files recorded on the hard disk and handled are determined according to the recording capacity of the recording medium, and the file size and the number of files do not take large values at the same time. Whatever the size and number of files recorded on the recording medium, the total capacity of all the files is within the total storage capacity of the recording medium.

  That is, the capacity of the cluster link table of all files does not exceed the capacity of FAT information. Since the upper limit of the used memory size is obvious as the capacity of the FAT information, if the memory of this size is secured, the memory allocation is performed so that the memory is divided so that the cluster link tables of all files are stored in the memory. It is possible to fit on top. In this case, the problem of insufficient memory capacity does not occur.

  In addition, when the storage capacity of the memory to be secured is small, the limitation due to the lack of capacity may appear in the form of “limit of the total playback time of video files that can be handled simultaneously by the recording / playback device”. If this is necessary, it is possible to take measures such as adding a memory.

[Generation and use of cluster link table (link information table)]
Next, generation and use of the cluster link table performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The cluster link table is generated prior to the use of the information signal recorded on the recording medium. The generated cluster link table is used when the information signal recorded on the recording medium is used, that is, at the time of reproduction, fast-forwarding. It is used for time and fast rewind.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing when using an information signal recorded on a recording medium in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment (for example, at the time of reproduction, fast forward, and fast reverse). As with the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the second embodiment also records information signals on the recording medium and reproduces information signals recorded on the recording medium. It is something that can be done.

  When the user sets the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment to the reproduction mode through the key operation unit 14, for example, the host CPU 13 executes the processing shown in FIG. First, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not a recording medium is loaded in its own device (step S301).

If it is determined in step S301 that the recording medium is not yet loaded, the processing from step S301 is repeated. If it is determined in step S301 that a recording medium is loaded, the directory entry information and FAT information of the recording medium are referred to, and a list of available files is displayed on the LCD of the own device. The designation (instruction input) of the target file is accepted (step S302).

  Then, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not a file specification is accepted (step S303). If it is determined in the determination process in step S303 that file designation has not been accepted, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the recording medium has been removed (step S304).

  If it is determined in step S304 that the recording medium has not been removed, the process from step S302 is repeated. If it is determined that the recording medium has been removed, the process from step S301 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S303 that the designation of the file has been accepted, the host CPU 13 executes a process for creating a cluster link table for the designated file (step S305), and then the created cluster link table. Instructed operation routines such as playback, fast forward, and fast reverse using are executed (step S306). After the operation routine is completed, the processing from step S301 is repeated again so that the file to be used can be changed.

[Create cluster link table]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the cluster link table generation process executed in step S305 of the process shown in FIG. First, the host CPU 13 sets 0 to the variable I used for generating the cluster link table, and initializes the variable I (step S401).

  Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the host CPU 13 refers to the FAT information of the file that is instructed to be used in the file management table formed on the recording medium, and the first of the file. Link destination information for the cluster is obtained (step S402).

  Then, the host CPU 13 stores the link destination information acquired in step S402 in the I-th storage location of the cluster link table formed in, for example, the RAM 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 10B (step S403). Then, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the last link destination information of the designated file has been stored (step S404).

  When determining that the last link destination information is not stored in the determination processing in step S404, the host CPU 13 adds 1 to the variable I (step S405), and based on the current link destination information, adds the FAT information. The storage location of the next link destination information is determined (step S406). The host CPU 13 acquires link destination information for the next cluster from the storage location determined in step S406 (step S407), and thereafter repeats the processing from step S403.

  In this manner, a cluster link table including link destination information for designating a cluster on the recording medium on which data for the designated file is recorded is formed. If it is determined in step S404 that the last link destination information of the specified file is stored in the cluster link table, the process shown in FIG. 12 is terminated, and the process shown in FIG. Will return.

[Use cluster link table]
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a case where the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment operates by actually using the generated cluster link table. Step S306 of the process shown in FIG. Is executed. As described above, when the cluster link table of the specified file is formed, the host CPU 13 starts the process shown in FIG. 13 in step S306 shown in FIG.

  First, the host CPU 13 receives an instruction input instructing to execute an operation using the cluster link table such as a reproduction key, a fast forward key, and a fast reverse key (step S501). Then, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not an instruction input has been accepted (step S502).

  If it is determined in step S502 that the instruction input is not accepted, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the recording medium has been removed (step S503). If it is determined in step S503 that the recording medium has not been removed, the host CPU 13 repeats the processing from step S501. If it is determined that the recording medium has been removed, the host CPU 13 is shown in FIG. The process ends, the process returns to the process shown in FIG. 11, and the process from step S301 is repeated.

  When it is determined in the determination process of step S502 that an instruction input has been accepted, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not a re-designation of a file (instruction for changing the target file) has been accepted (step S504). If it is determined in step S504 that file re-designation has been instructed, the process shown in FIG. 13 ends, the process returns to the process shown in FIG. 11, and the process from step S301 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S504 that the received instruction input is not a re-designation of the file, the host CPU 13 is instructed using the cluster link table of the file formed in the RAM 16. The operation is started (step S505).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the operation using the cluster link table performed in step S505. If the instruction input received in step S501 is a reproduction instruction input (playback key pressing operation), the CPU 13 sequentially refers to the cluster link table in the RAM 16 as shown in FIG. To get it to play.

  If the instruction input received in step S501 is a fast-forward instruction input (fast-forward key pressing operation), a predetermined cluster is skipped as indicated by the upper arrow of the cluster link table in FIG. 14B. In this way (in the case of FIG. 14B, skipping two clusters at a time) is performed.

  If the instruction input received in step S501 is a fast-reverse instruction input (fast-rewind key pressing operation), a predetermined cluster is indicated as indicated by an arrow on the lower side of the cluster link table in FIG. 14B. The fast reverse operation is executed so as to skip the minute (in the case of FIG. 14B, skipping two clusters at a time).

  Then, after the designated operation is executed, a stop instruction input for the operation is accepted (step S506), and it is determined whether a stop instruction input is accepted (step S507). If it is determined in step S507 that the stop instruction input has not been received, the processing from step S506 is repeated, and the operation started in step S505 is continued.

  If it is determined in step S507 that a stop instruction input has been received, the operation started in step S505 is stopped (step S508), and the processing from step S501 is repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the cluster link table formed in the RAM 16 as the internal memory is referred to, so that it is formed on the recording medium. There is no need to refer to the FAT information, and playback, fast forward, fast reverse, etc. can be performed quickly.

  In addition to normal playback operations and fast-forward operations, as well as fast-rewind operations that require data to be read in the reverse direction, simply re-reading the cluster link table ensures that the cluster in which the information to be reproduced next is recorded is accurately and accurately Therefore, it does not take time to read data in the reverse direction.

  As described above, since the cluster link table is dynamically formed in the internal memory of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the file to be used, the basic function of the file system is used for managing the capacity of the memory used for the cluster link table. Device operation information that is not normally handled by the program part that provides

  Conventionally, if FAT information or the like is read from a recording medium and stored in the internal memory, as described with reference to FIG. 9, the maximum size of the file to be handled is set as a memory area for storing the FAT information of each file. Since it is only necessary to secure the corresponding memory capacity, it is sufficient to manage the capacity of the internal memory in the closed condition in the file system as shown in FIG. 15A.

  However, in order to dynamically secure the storage area of the cluster link table and to effectively use the storage capacity of the internal memory, as shown in FIG. By releasing the process that manages the memory capacity of the memory, even if a memory area is used as a file deletion or work area, the memory that can be used in the internal memory is reflected in real time. It is possible to accurately manage the capacity, dynamically secure the storage area of the cluster link table, and use it.

  Thus, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the second embodiment, the cluster link table formed in the internal memory by eliminating access to the file management table of the recording medium during operations such as reproduction and fast-forwarding. Thus, it is possible to improve the data access speed and to reproduce real-time data such as moving picture information with a margin.

  Further, by using the cluster link table, random accessibility can be improved, and operations such as jump, fast forward, and fast reverse can be performed quickly and accurately.

  Further, by dynamically forming the cluster link table in the internal memory according to the actual data of the FAT information, the storage area of the internal memory can be used efficiently. The cluster link table of many files can be managed with a limited storage capacity.

  Further, when a storage capacity for FAT information is secured in the internal memory, the number of files that can be managed by forming a cluster link table can be unlimited.

  Further, even when the storage area of the memory forming the cluster link table is small, there is a restriction that the upper limit of the total playback time of files storing moving image information managed at the same time cannot be managed simultaneously. However, it does not lead to major problems such as inability to play back.

[Third Embodiment] (See FIGS. 16 and 17)
In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the transfer rate at the time of recording real-time data such as moving image information is increased by using “grid type” as a recording method. However, when detecting an empty area, it is necessary to refer to FAT information formed on the recording medium, and it is desirable to detect this empty area as quickly as possible. Therefore, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment can detect a free area on a recording medium more quickly.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment is configured in the same manner as the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Similar to the apparatus, file management is performed using the FAT file system described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the third embodiment will be described as having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the FAT file system shown in FIG.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment, information signals such as moving image information, still image information, and IT data are recorded in order to more quickly detect an empty area on the recording medium. Prior to recording on the medium, a free cluster map (free information table) is formed in the internal memory, for example, RAM 16 from the FAT information formed on the recording medium, and the free area is not required even if the FAT information on the recording medium is not accessed. Can be detected.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an empty cluster map formed in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the third embodiment. FIG. 16A shows FAT information formed on a recording medium when an information signal is recorded on the recording medium. Each address corresponds to each cluster.

  In the case of the FAT information example shown in FIG. 16A, the first file is formed using 02 cluster, 03 cluster, 04 cluster, 05 cluster, 06 cluster, and 06 cluster is the final cluster. Yes. The next file is formed by using 09 cluster, 10 cluster, 11 cluster, and 12 cluster, and 12 cluster is the final cluster. The following files are recorded from 18 clusters. In the case of FIG. 16A, 07, 08 clusters, 13 clusters, 15, 16, and 17 clusters are vacant clusters.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment forms a free cluster map as shown in FIG. 16B from the FAT information shown in FIG. 16A prior to the information signal recording process. The free cluster map only needs to indicate whether each of the clusters provided on the recording medium is used or unused.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16B, the used cluster is “0” and the unused cluster is “1”, and each cluster is indicated by 1 bit to indicate whether it is a used cluster or an unused cluster. Thus, since one cluster can indicate a used / unused cluster with one bit, the storage capacity of the RAM 16, which is the internal memory, is not used in large quantities for the free cluster map.

  Then, by forming a free cluster map as shown in FIG. 16B, when recording an information signal, it is possible to quickly and accurately detect a free cluster simply by referring to the free cluster map formed in the RAM 16. be able to. Further, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, a block composed of a predetermined number of empty clusters can be detected quickly and accurately. That is, an empty area of a target size can be easily detected from the empty cluster map.

[Generate free cluster map (free information table)]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of forming a free cluster map performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the third embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 17 is executed by the host CPU 13 when the recording / reproducing apparatus is set to the recording mode through the key operation unit 14.

  First, the host CPU 13 sets 0 to a variable I used for generating a free cluster map, and initializes the variable I (step S601). Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the host CPU 13 refers to the FAT information which is a file management table formed on the recording medium, and determines the usage status of the cluster from the link destination information of the first cluster. Information to be obtained is obtained (step S602).

  That is, in the third embodiment, in step S602, when the link destination information for the first cluster is information indicating the next link destination or information indicating the last cluster. Is already used, the information indicating the usage status is “0”. If the next link destination information is not indicated, the cluster is unused, and the information indicating the usage status is “1”.

  Then, the host CPU 13 stores the information indicating the usage status obtained in step S602 in the I-th storage location of the empty cluster map formed in, for example, the RAM 16 in the manner shown in FIG. 16B (step S603). Then, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the information indicating the usage status obtained this time corresponds to the information of the last cluster of the FAT information that is the file management table (step S604).

  When the host CPU 13 determines in the determination process in step S604 that the information does not correspond to the last cluster information, the host CPU 13 adds 1 to the variable I (step S605), and refers to the information about the next cluster in the FAT information. (Step S606), and the processing from step S603 is repeated.

  In this way, an empty cluster map is formed by referring to information on all the clusters of the FAT information that is the file management table, and information corresponding to the information of the last cluster is determined to be empty in the determination processing in step S604. When it is determined that the recording on the cluster map has been completed, the processing shown in FIG. 17 is terminated.

  In this way, by referring to the empty cluster map formed in the internal memory RAM 16 prior to the recording process, the empty area can be detected quickly and accurately without referring to the FAT information of the recording medium. Can be recorded promptly and appropriately.

  Note that when the recording process is performed with reference to the free cluster map, a new used cluster is generated. In this case, the free cluster map is updated at any time or at an appropriate timing such as at the end of recording. What is necessary is just to make it the latest state, or to form an empty cluster map again from the FAT information at the end of the recording process.

  The empty cluster map is necessary at the time of recording processing, and the cluster link table formed in the second embodiment described above is necessary at the time of reproduction processing including fast forward and fast reverse. For this reason, by forming a free cluster map in the recording mode and a cluster link table in the reproduction mode in the same storage area of the RAM 16 as the internal memory, the storage area of the internal memory can be used efficiently. .

  As described above, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the third embodiment, it is possible to eliminate access to the file management table of the recording medium when the information signal is recorded on the recording medium, and to improve the transfer rate. Can do.

[Fourth Embodiment] (See FIGS. 18 to 25)
The recording / reproducing apparatus of the first to third embodiments described above includes a camera block 4 and is used as a so-called digital video camera. Therefore, it is often carried and used, and a battery is used as its power source. In this case, it is considered that there are many cases where the power is cut off during the recording of the information signal, for example, during shooting, due to the consumption of the battery.

  However, in the case of a FAT file system used in a personal computer or the like, no particular countermeasure has been taken against inconvenience due to power interruption.

  Therefore, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment uses a new measure for file restoration (restoration) after power interruption due to various causes during recording.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is also configured similarly to the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Similar to the apparatus, file management is performed using the FAT file system described with reference to FIG. For this reason, the fourth embodiment will be described as having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and the FAT file system shown in FIG.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, moving image information, still image information, IT data, etc. recorded as a file in the data area of the recording medium as a file are shown in FIG. Based on the FAT information shown, as shown in FIG. 18B, the link relationship for the actual cluster used for recording is managed so that quick reproduction can be performed.

  Further, each file consisting of a group of information signals recorded on the recording medium is managed by hierarchically structured information called a directory and the directory entry information described above with reference to FIG. Each file can be uniquely specified by its containing directory and file name.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the directory entry described above with reference to FIG. 2 includes file name, extension, file attribute, update time, update date, top cluster number, file size, etc. I manage. Each data of the directory entry information has a meaning and is used as necessary.

  For example, if the power of the recording / reproducing apparatus is cut off for some reason such as a power failure during the recording process, the recording process is forcibly interrupted, and even if data is recorded in the cluster, the FAT information on the recording medium In some cases, the file cannot be accessed because the update for reflecting the recording state of the cluster could not be performed.

  Further, since the end point processing of the file cannot be performed, an abnormal state occurs in which the cluster chain is interrupted in an unused cluster. Also, if the file data size of the directory entry information takes an incorrect value, the consistency between the file system and the actual file is lost, and access is hindered. In other words, it may be impossible to access a file where information should be recorded until halfway.

  Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment, at the start of the recording process, the stored information disappears even if the information indicating which file the information signal is recorded to is turned off. Write to non-volatile memory. When the recording process ends normally, the information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded in the non-volatile memory at the start of recording is deleted or an end flag is set to invalidate the information signal. To.

  By doing so, for example, when the information indicating which file the information signal is recorded in is not invalidated when the power is turned on, the file is interrupted for some reason during the recording. It becomes clear that it has been done, and it becomes possible to make it the object of restoration.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the operation at the time of recording information signals such as moving image information, still image information, IT data, etc., performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, when the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment accepts a recording start request through the key operation unit 14 at time t1, to which file the information signal is transmitted at time t2. Is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 17.

  Then, as in the normal recording process, the directory entry information is written, the necessary information is obtained by referring to the FAT information, new information is written, and then the target information signal (data) is recorded. To do. At a predetermined timing, necessary information is obtained by referring to the FAT information, new information is written, and a predetermined amount of information signal (data) is written.

  Thereafter, as shown at time t3 in FIG. 20, when a recording end request is received from the user through the key operation unit 14, necessary information is obtained with reference to the FAT information and an end code (end code) is written. Also, the file size is written in the directory entry information.

  When these series of recording processes are normally completed, as shown at time t4 in FIG. 20, the host CPU 13 records the information signal (data) in any file recorded in the nonvolatile memory 17 at the start of recording. Is invalidated, and the recording process ends normally.

  However, as indicated by the cross in FIG. 21A, if the recording process is interrupted due to some reason during recording of the information signal, the FAT information is not attached with an end code, In the entry information, the exact file size is not updated, and the file size remains zero.

  In this case, when the power supply is restored and the power supply is turned on again, information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 17 is not invalidated, and thus the file indicated by the information is restored. I understand that it is necessary. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21B, the FAT information of the file to be restored is traced to determine the file size of the file.

  Since the place where it is no longer possible to follow the cluster without detecting the end code is the end of the FAT information of the file, the file size up to that point is regarded as the official file size, and the FAT information of the file is Add an end code at the end.

  In addition, the obtained file size is updated to the directory entry information, and a data portion that has been written to the data area but could not be recovered by correspondence with the FAT information is released as an unused data area. As a result, even if the power is cut off during the recording process and the recording process is interrupted, the information signal (data) recorded with the file for which the recording process is interrupted is not wasted as much as possible. It can be recovered.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the state shown in FIG. 21 in more detail. As shown in FIG. 22A, starting from the 02 cluster of the data area such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card, the file data is in the order of 03 cluster → 24 cluster → 25 cluster → 26 cluster → 27 cluster → 28 cluster → 29 cluster. Suppose you are recording.

  In this case, in order to update the FAT information of the recording medium, as shown in FIG. 22B, the FAT information stored in the internal memory, for example, the RAM 16 is included in the middle of recording the information signal to 29 clusters. Then, since the cluster to record the information signal next is undecided, the storage area at the address 29 is in a state where a code indicating that it is not used.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22C, the FAT information on the recording medium reflects the change in the FAT information on the RAM 16 in the periodic content update processing, but here, it is updated to the address 27. In this state, the addresses 28, 29,... Are updated by the next periodic update, and the addresses 28, 29 are unused.

  In the state of FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C, when the power is cut off and the recording process of the information signal is interrupted, the FAT information on the recording medium remains as shown in FIG. 22C. Further, the FAT information on the RAM 16 shown in FIG. 22B is lost due to power shutdown.

  Then, after the power supply is restored, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment is turned on, and when the information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 17 is confirmed, Since the information is not invalidated, it can be seen that the file is being recorded and cannot be used because the file size is not consistent.

  Therefore, a file to be restored is specified by information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded in the non-volatile memory 17, and the FAT information information signal recording start cluster is identified from the directory entry information of the file. Identify the corresponding address.

  Then, from the specified address, the FAT information formed on the recording medium is traced as shown in FIG. 22D. In the case of this example, in the FAT information on the recording medium shown in FIG. 22D, it is recorded that the next link destination is the cluster 28 at the address (27 addresses) corresponding to the cluster immediately before the unused code. However, since it is not possible to confirm in this state that the information signal has been recorded up to the end of the cluster 28, the 27 clusters in which the information signal has been recorded up to the end are regarded as the last cluster of the file.

  Then, the contents of address 27, which is the address of the FAT information on the recording medium corresponding to cluster 27, are replaced with a code indicating the end as shown in FIG. 22E. Then, the host CPU 13 converts the number of traced clusters into a data amount, and replaces the file size of the file of the directory entry information on the recording medium with the converted data amount.

  Thus, by restoring the FAT information on the recording medium, the file system is maintained consistent up to 27 clusters that have been processed at the end, so that the information signals recorded so far can be accessed without any problems. To be.

[File recovery process]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the above-described file restoration processing performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 23 is a process executed in the host CPU 13 when the recording / reproducing apparatus is powered on.

  When the power is turned on, the host CPU 13 refers to information indicating in which file in the nonvolatile memory 17 the information signal is recorded, and determines whether or not the power is turned on after abnormal termination (step S701). In the determination process in step S701, the information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded is invalidated. When it is determined that the power is not turned on after the abnormal end, the process shown in FIG. 23 is terminated.

  In the determination process of step S701, when the information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded is not invalidated and it is determined that the power is turned on after abnormal termination, the recording is interrupted from the information in the nonvolatile memory. The file is identified, and the address of the FAT information that is the file management table corresponding to the first cluster of the file is identified (step S702).

  Then, the host CPU 13 follows the FAT information, which is a file management table, from the address specified in step S702 (address corresponding to the first cluster of the file), and determines the file size (step S703). Thereafter, an end code is added to the area of the address corresponding to the final cluster of the file of the FAT information (step S704), and the file size determined in step S703 is updated to the directory entry information of the file to update the directory entry. The information is restored to a normal state (step S705).

  As a result, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the entire recorded data cannot be used even when the power supply is interrupted during the recording process and the recording process is interrupted, and a highly reliable recording / reproducing apparatus can be realized. it can.

[Another example to avoid inconvenience when the power is cut off]
In the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment described above, as described with reference to FIG. 20, when recording an information signal, the directory entry information is written on the recording medium immediately before the start of recording, The FAT information is formed on the recording medium, and thereafter only the FAT information is periodically updated. At the end of the recording, the FAT information is updated at the same time, and the directory entry information includes information such as the file size. Has been described as updating the recording process.

  In this case, when the power is cut off, the end code is not recorded in the FAT information, and the file size of the directory entry information is not accurate, so even the information recorded before the power is turned off cannot be used. It will become.

  Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 24, when the information signal is recorded, both the update of the FAT information and the update of the directory entry information are periodically performed, and after the information signal is recorded, In updating, an end code is always added to the FAT information, and the exact file size at that time is updated in the directory entry information.

  In this way, even if the power is cut off, the recorded information signal corresponding to the part where the FAT information and the directory entry information are updated last time can be used normally without being lost. To be able to. Further, it does not record information indicating in which file the information signal is recorded in the nonvolatile memory or invalidate the information.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining in detail a measure for avoiding the inconvenience at the time of power-off in this example described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 25A1, it is assumed that file information signals are recorded in the order of 03 clusters → 24 clusters → 25 clusters → 26 clusters starting from the 02 cluster of the data area such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card.

  In this case, in order to update the FAT information of the recording medium, as shown in FIG. 25A2, the FAT information stored in the internal memory, for example, the RAM 16 is included in the recording of information signals to 26 clusters. Then, since the cluster for recording the information signal next is undecided, the storage area at the address 26 is in a state where a code indicating that it is not used is entered.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25A3, the FAT information on the recording medium reflects the change in the FAT information on the RAM 16 by the periodic content update process. An end code (FF) is put in the last cluster at the time.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 25A3, the FAT information on the recording medium is updated when the information signal has been written to the 25 clusters in the data area on the recording medium, and the 25-address area of the FAT information corresponding to the 25 clusters. The exit code is entered in. At the same time, the file size value of the directory entry information on the recording medium is also updated to a size up to 25 clusters in which the information signal is recorded.

  Even if the power is cut off in this state, the consistency as the FAT system is maintained up to 25 clusters, so that the information signals recorded up to 25 clusters of the file can be accessed.

  Then, the recording of the information signal further proceeds from the state shown in FIGS. 25A1, A2, and A3, and as shown in FIGS. 25B1 and B2, the information signal is recorded after 26 clusters in the data area of the recording medium. The

Then, assuming that the time point when the information signal has been recorded in 29 clusters corresponds to a predetermined timing, as shown in FIG. 25B3, 25 addresses corresponding to 25 clusters of FAT information on the recording medium terminated in the previous update. The correct value, that is, the information indicating that the next information signal is recorded is 26 clusters is re-inserted in the area, and the end code (FF) is added to the area of 25 addresses corresponding to 25 clusters of the FAT information. Update to end 29 clusters.

  At the same time, the file size value of the directory entry information on the recording medium is updated to a size up to 25 clusters in which data is recorded.

  In this way, as described above, even if the power shutoff occurs, the information signal up to the point where the FAT information and the directory entry information are finally updated will not be changed after the power shutoff is restored. It can be accessed and used without any problems.

  It should be noted that any one of the method of tracing back the FAT information described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 23 and the method of periodically updating both the FAT information and the directory entry information described with reference to FIGS. Whether to use it may be selected in consideration of, for example, the capability of the host CPU and other various conditions.

[Fifth Embodiment] (See FIGS. 26 to 33)
In the second embodiment described above, a cluster link table (link information table) is created from the FAT information in order to improve the data access speed and random access performance during reproduction. The cluster link table has been described as being performed prior to the use of information recorded on the recording medium.

  Therefore, the cluster link table can be formed at any point in time until the information signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced. However, unless the cluster link table of the information signal recorded on the recording medium is prepared by the time of reproduction, the information signal cannot be reproduced, fast forwarded, or fast rewinded using the cluster link table.

  For this reason, the cluster link table may be formed at a predetermined timing, or the cluster link table may be formed in response to a request from the user when the recording / reproducing apparatus is available, for example. Conceivable. However, it is not preferable for the user to be aware of the formation of the cluster link table because it may result in restrictions on the use of the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the user himself instructs the formation of the cluster link table. It is troublesome to do.

  Therefore, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment forms the cluster link table without making the user aware of it and without affecting the processing performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus. It is what I did. The recording / reproducing apparatus of the fifth embodiment is also configured similarly to the recording / reproducing apparatuses of the first to fourth embodiments described above and has the same functions as shown in FIG. Is.

  In the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, when the information signal is processed in real time, the buffer 8 for temporarily storing the information signal is prevented from overflowing or underflowing from the buffer 8. Although it is possible to temporarily stop reading data and writing data to the buffer 8, there is a free time in which reading and writing data from the buffer memory can be temporarily stopped. It is provided as time, and the cluster link table is formed during this free time.

  Specifically, the recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 records information signals (data) in the order of data file a, data file b, and data file c on the hard disk 11. In that case, the FAT information will be formed as shown in FIG. 26A.

  In this case, when the recording of the first data file a is completed and the recording of the data file b is started, as shown in FIG. 26B, a buffer of data to be recorded on the hard disk 11 during the recording of the data file b. 8 is continued, but a period in which reading of the data recorded in the buffer 8 from the buffer 8 and writing to the hard disk 11 can be stopped without overflowing the buffer 8 is provided as an empty time. Then, a cluster link table is formed for the data file a recorded in this free time.

  The cluster link table of the data file b may be recorded in the data file c recorded after the data file b, or the hard disk 11 of the data to be reproduced during reproduction of the data file a recorded in the hard disk 11. A period in which reading from the disk and writing to the buffer 8 can be stopped so that the buffer 8 does not underflow is provided as a free time, and the FAT information formed as shown in FIG. From FIG. 27B, a cluster link table of the data file b is formed.

  The points to be noted when forming this cluster link table are that the real time processing such as recording processing and playback processing is not interrupted, so that the buffer 8 does not overflow during recording, and during playback, The buffer 8 must not be underflowed.

  In this case, the remaining amount of the buffer 8 is constantly monitored, and when the buffer 8 is likely to overflow during recording, the formation of the cluster link table is stopped, and when the buffer 8 is likely to underflow during reproduction, the cluster is stopped. It can be considered to stop the formation of the link table.

  However, in this case, an interrupt for stopping the processing must be generated while the cluster link table is being formed. If the cluster link table forming process is suddenly stopped, the cluster link table is invalidated. Post-processing such as preventing a match will be required, increasing the load on the host CPU 13.

  Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fifth embodiment, at the time of recording, when the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 falls below a predetermined lower limit, the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 exceeds the predetermined upper limit. The amount of free time during which the buffer 8 does not overflow is set from the period required until this time, and the cluster link table forming process is performed within this range.

  Similarly, at the time of reproduction, when the accumulated amount of data in the buffer 8 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined upper limit amount, the buffer 8 underflows from the period required until the accumulated amount of data in the buffer 8 becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined lower limit amount. The amount of free time that does not occur is set, and cluster link table formation processing is performed within this size range.

  Here, the amount of free time depends on the amount of data that can be processed (accessible data amount) for the FAT information already formed on the hard disk 11 in order to form the cluster link table, or on the cluster link. It can be defined by the table formation processing time.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining setting of free time for forming a cluster link table during real-time processing. FIG. 28A is a diagram for explaining setting of a free time for forming a cluster link table at the time of recording, and FIG. 28B is a diagram for explaining setting of a free time for forming a cluster link table at the time of reproduction. FIG.

  At the time of recording, as shown in FIG. 28A, the data to be recorded is temporarily recorded in the buffer 8 and then read out from the buffer 8 and recorded in the hard disk 11 in order to perform time axis correction. For example, when the accumulated data decreases to the lower limit reference W, it takes a certain amount of time for the accumulated data to be accumulated to the upper limit reference WD.

  Therefore, when the accumulated data in the buffer 8 becomes equal to or lower than the lower limit reference W, the data reading from the buffer 8 and the recording to the hard disk 11 are temporarily performed until the accumulated data is accumulated up to the upper limit reference WD. Thus, it is possible to stop the recording and only record the recording data in the buffer 8.

  Therefore, a period from when the accumulated data in the buffer 8 becomes lower than the lower limit reference W to when the accumulated data is accumulated up to the upper limit reference WD is defined as a free time, and the cluster link table is formed during this period.

  The upper limit reference WD is determined so that the overflow of the buffer 8 does not occur when data is read from the buffer 8 and recording processing is resumed on the recording medium when the accumulated data reaches the upper limit reference WD. It is a standard and is determined with some margin. The lower limit reference W is set so that the recording process is not delayed.

  At the time of reproduction, as shown in FIG. 28B, the data to be reproduced is temporarily recorded in the buffer 8 after being read from the recording medium in order to perform time axis correction, and this is read from the buffer 8. For example, when the accumulated data increases to the upper limit reference R, the reproduction proceeds, and it takes some time for the accumulated data to increase to the lower limit reference RD.

  Therefore, when the accumulated data in the buffer 8 is equal to or higher than the upper limit reference R, the process of reading the data from the recording medium and writing it in the buffer 8 is temporarily performed until the accumulated data decreases to the lower limit reference RD. It is possible to stop the operation and only reproduce data from the buffer 8.

  Therefore, a period from when the stored data in the buffer 8 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit reference R to when the stored data decreases to the lower limit reference RD is defined as a free time, and the cluster link table is formed during this period.

  Note that the lower limit reference RD is a reference that is set so that underflow of the buffer 8 does not occur when writing of reproduction data to the buffer 8 is resumed when the accumulated data reaches the lower limit reference WD. , Determined with some margin. In addition, the upper limit reference R is set so that no inconvenience occurs in the reproduction process.

  Depending on the free time set in this way, an upper limit is set for the amount of data that can be processed for FAT information and the cluster link table formation processing time, and until this upper limit is reached, the formation of the cluster link table is reached. When the process reaches the upper limit, the cluster link table forming process is automatically terminated.

  In this way, the remaining amount of the buffer 8 is not constantly monitored, and the amount of data that can be processed for the FAT information set according to the free time is set in the free time set as described above. After the FAT information is accessed and the cluster link table is formed, or after the cluster link table is formed for the processing time set according to the free time, the cluster link table forming process is automatically terminated in real time. The recording process and the reproduction process, which are processes, can be performed without delay.

  If the amount of data that can be processed for the FAT information set according to the free time is known, for example, when the access data amount per time of the FAT information is determined, the FAT information in the free time is determined. The maximum access count is also known, and after forming the cluster link table by accessing the FAT information for the maximum access count, control may be performed so that the cluster link table formation processing is automatically terminated.

  In other words, the cluster link table forming process is automatically terminated by using, as an upper limit, the number of accesses determined according to the amount of data that can be processed for FAT information and the amount of unit data read in one access. You can also

  Of course, when forming a cluster link table for the amount of data that can be processed for the FAT information set according to the free time, the data amount of the FAT information fetched is changed for each access, or the first N accesses are made. Then, the amount of data to be accessed is, for example, n blocks. In the next M accesses, for example, the amount of data to be accessed is, for example, m blocks. It is also possible to adjust the amount of data to be appropriately adjusted or to determine in advance.

  Similarly, if the cluster link table formation processing time set according to the free time is known, for example, when the access time per time for FAT information is determined, the maximum FAT information in the free time is determined. It is also possible to know the number of accesses, and after forming the cluster link table by accessing the FAT information for the maximum number of accesses, it is possible to control to automatically end the cluster link table forming process.

  Of course, when the cluster link table is formed for the formation time of the cluster link table set according to the free time, the amount of FAT information to be fetched is changed every time it is accessed, or with the minimum N accesses, The amount of data to be accessed is, for example, n blocks, but in the next M accesses, the amount of data to be accessed is, for example, m blocks. It is also possible to adjust the amount as appropriate or to determine it in advance.

  In FIG. 28, for simplicity of explanation, the upper limit reference WD at the time of recording and the lower limit reference RD at the time of reproduction are described as being set. However, these are not necessarily required. If there is an upper limit reference R at the time of reproduction, it is possible to set the start time of the idle time. That is, the amount of free time is set based on the data accumulation amount at the start time and the storage capacity of the buffer 8, and the upper limit value of the data amount that can be processed for the FAT information, the cluster link table forming process It is possible to set an upper limit value of time and an upper limit value of the number of accesses of FAT information that can be calculated from these.

  Next, cluster link table formation processing during recording and playback as real-time processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the following, the data amount of FAT information (access data amount) fetched in one access and the time required for one access (access time) are determined, and the cluster link table is formed. An example will be described in which the upper limit value of the FAT information access count obtained from the upper limit value of the processing time (corresponding to the free time in this example) is used as a criterion for determining the end of the cluster link table forming process.

  First, a case where a cluster link table is formed during recording will be described. FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining processing for forming a cluster link table during recording.

  As described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and receives various information signals from the input / output terminal 1, the input terminal 3, and the camera block 4 on the hard disk. 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12 can be recorded.

  Here, in order to simplify the description, a case where a moving image that is shot through the camera block 4 is recorded on the hard disk 11 will be described as an example. When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fifth embodiment is set to the photographing mode, the switch circuits 5 and 7 are switched to the connection end b side, and the switch circuit 9 is switched to the connection end a side to enter a standby state.

  When the start of shooting is instructed, the host CPU 13 executes the processing shown in FIG. 29, controls each unit, and starts taking moving image data from the camera block 4 into the buffer 8 (step S801). Then, the host CPU 13 performs time axis correction, reads the moving image data fetched into the buffer 8, and records it on the hard disk 11 (step S802).

  Then, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the operation has been performed so as to end the shooting (step S803). When the host CPU 13 determines that the shooting has been ended, the host CPU 13 moves the switch circuit 9 to the connection end b side. An end process such as switching and updating the FAT information on the hard disk 11 is performed (step S809), and the process shown in FIG. 29 ends.

  If it is determined in step S803 that the shooting has not been completed, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit reference W (step S803). Step S804). If it is determined in step S804 that the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 is not equal to or lower than the lower limit reference W, the host CPU 13 repeats the processing from step S802.

  If it is determined in step S804 that the amount of data in the buffer 8 is equal to or lower than the lower limit reference W, the switch circuit 9 is switched to the connection end b side, and the recording data is read from the buffer 8 and written to the hard disk 11. As described with reference to FIG. 28A, the host CPU 13 calculates the data amount DT from the current data accumulation amount of the buffer 8 to the upper limit reference WD (step S805).

  Then, the host CPU 13 calculates a time T required for the recording data for the data amount DT to be accumulated in the buffer 8 (step S806), and FAT information per unit amount handled by this time T and one access. The number of times of access K (the upper limit of the number of accesses) within which the FAT information can be accessed within the time T is calculated from the time taken to fetch the data into the RAM 16 (access time to the FAT information) (step S807).

  Thereafter, the host CPU 13 reads the FAT information K times, performs a process of forming a cluster link table in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 17, switches the switch circuit 9 to the connection end a side (step S808), and starts from step S802. This process is repeated to resume recording of recording data on the hard disk 11. When the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 decreases to the lower limit reference W, the cluster link table forming process is performed by the processes from step S805 to step S808.

  As described above, at the time of recording, when the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 falls to the lower limit reference W, reading of the recording data from the buffer 8 and recording to the hard disk 11 are temporarily stopped. The FAT information is accessed for the number K of FAT information accesses that can be executed until the data storage amount reaches the upper limit reference WD to form a cluster link table. Thereafter, the formation of the cluster link table is automatically terminated, and the process returns to the process of step S802, and the reading of the recording data from the buffer 8 and the recording of the read data on the hard disk 11 are resumed.

  By sequentially repeating such processes, the FAT information is accessed without affecting the recording process and without making the user aware of the recording process when the information signal is recorded on the hard disk 11. Then, a cluster link table can be generated.

  In FIG. 29, it has been described that the number of accesses to the FAT information is always calculated when the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 falls below the lower limit reference W. By doing so, it is possible to always set the accurate number of accesses to the FAT information. However, it is not limited to this. The number K of accesses to the FAT information can be determined in advance.

  For example, an access count K to FAT information that can be executed between a predetermined lower limit criterion W and an upper limit criterion WD is obtained in advance, and the cluster link table is recorded at the time of recording using the obtained access count K. It is also possible to perform a forming process.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining cluster link table formation processing at the time of recording, which is performed using the number of accesses K to FAT information obtained in advance. In FIG. 30, steps that perform the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 29 are given the same reference numerals.

  That is, in FIG. 30, the processing from step S801 to step S804 and the processing of step S809 are performed in the same manner as the corresponding portions of the processing shown in FIG.

  In the case of the process shown in FIG. 30, when it is determined in the determination process in step S804 that the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 has decreased to the lower limit reference W, the host CPU 13 accesses the FAT information. Without calculating the number of times, the FAT information is accessed for a predetermined number K of access times to form a cluster link table (step S810), and the processing from step S802 is repeated. By doing so, the load on the host CPU 13 can be reduced.

  In FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, the number of accesses K to the FAT information is obtained, for example, as the maximum number of times that the FAT information can be accessed from the lower limit reference W to the upper limit reference WD. This is not a limitation. Considering the processing after the cluster link table formation is completed, it is possible to set the access count K to be small so that there is a margin.

  In FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, the number K of accesses to the FAT information is used as the upper limit value of the period for forming the cluster link table, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, in addition to the number of accesses K to the FAT information, an upper limit of the cluster link table formation time can be set, and the cluster link table can be formed within that time. When the cluster link table formation time is used as a reference, for example, the passage of processing time is managed by a clock circuit (not shown) connected to the host CPU 13.

  Further, the criteria for automatically terminating the cluster link table forming process are not limited to the access count and the cluster link table forming time. Since the processing capacity of the host CPU 13 and the size of the free area in the RAM 16 used as a work area can be known, the data amount of FAT information that can be processed in the free time of real-time processing is known. It can be used as an upper limit value.

  In addition, the cluster link table formation processing is performed to determine the number of accesses required according to the amount of FAT information data that can be processed in free time and the amount of FAT information data (access data amount) fetched per access. It can also be used as an upper limit value for termination.

  If the data amount of the FAT information that can be processed in the cluster link table formation time or free time is used as a reference for automatically terminating the cluster link table formation processing, the formation time and data amount Within the range, the amount of FAT information fetched for each access of FAT information can be changed, the amount of FAT information fetched for each predetermined access can be changed, or preset.

  Next, a case where a cluster link table is formed during reproduction will be described. FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining processing for forming a cluster link table during reproduction.

  Here, a case where data recorded on the hard disk 11 is reproduced and output from the output terminal 2 will be described as an example. When the recording / reproducing apparatus of the fifth embodiment is instructed to reproduce the data recorded on the hard disk 11, the host CPU 13 executes the processing shown in FIG. Switching to the connection end b side, the switch circuit 9 is switched to the connection end a side, and reading of the target data from the hard disk 11 and recording of the read data in the buffer 8 are started (step S901).

  Then, the host CPU 13 performs reading of the reproduction data recorded in the buffer 8 and starts the reproduction processing so as to perform time axis correction (step S902). Thereafter, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the operation has been performed so as to end the reproduction (step S903). When the host CPU 13 determines that the reproduction is ended, the host CPU 13 ends the processing shown in FIG. To do.

  When it is determined in step S903 that the reproduction is not finished, the host CPU 13 determines whether or not the data storage amount in the buffer 8 is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit reference R (step S903). Step S904). If it is determined in step S904 that the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 is not greater than or equal to the upper limit reference R, the host CPU 13 repeats the processing from step S902.

  If it is determined in step S904 that the amount of data in the buffer 8 is equal to or greater than the upper limit reference R, the host CPU 13 temporarily stops reading of reproduction data from the hard disk 11 and writing to the buffer 8, and the switch circuit. 9 is switched to the connection end b side (step S905).

  Then, as described with reference to FIG. 28B, the host CPU 13 calculates a data amount DT from the current data accumulation amount of the buffer 8 to the lower limit reference RD (step S906), and reproduced data corresponding to the data amount DT. Is calculated from the time T required to be read from the buffer 8 (step S907).

  Next, the host CPU 13 determines that the time T calculated in step S907 and the time taken to fetch the FAT information per unit amount handled in one access into the RAM 16 (access time to the FAT information) are within the time T. The access count K (the upper limit of the access count) that can access the FAT information is calculated (step S908).

  Thereafter, the host CPU 13 reads the FAT information on the hard disk 11 K times, performs a process of forming a cluster link table in the nonvolatile memory 17 (step S909), switches the switch circuit 9 to the connection end a side, Reading of reproduction data from the hard disk 11 and writing to the buffer 8 are resumed (step S910), and the processing from step S903 is repeated. Then, when the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 increases by the upper limit reference RD, the cluster link table forming process is also performed.

  In this way, during reproduction, when the data storage amount of the buffer 8 increases to the upper limit reference R, reading of reproduction data from the hard disk 11 and writing to the buffer 8 are temporarily stopped, and the buffer 8 The FAT information is accessed for the number K of FAT information accesses that can be executed until the data storage amount reaches the lower limit reference RD to form a cluster link table. Thereafter, the formation of the cluster link table is automatically ended, and the process returns to the process of step S903, and the reading of the reproduction data from the hard disk 11 and the writing to the buffer 8 are resumed.

  By sequentially repeating such processes, the FAT information is accessed without affecting the reproduction process and without making the user aware of the reproduction process when reproducing the information signal from the hard disk 11. Then, a cluster link table can be generated.

  In FIG. 31, it has been described that the number of accesses to the FAT information is always calculated when the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 increases to the upper limit reference R or more. By doing so, it is possible to always set the accurate number of accesses to the FAT information. However, it is not limited to this. The number K of accesses to the FAT information can be determined in advance.

  For example, the number K of accesses to FAT information that can be executed between an upper limit criterion R and a lower limit criterion RD determined in advance is obtained in advance, and the cluster access table of the cluster link table is reproduced at the time of reproduction using the obtained access count K It is also possible to perform a forming process.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining cluster link table formation processing at the time of reproduction performed using the access count K for FAT information obtained in advance. In FIG. 32, steps that perform the same processes as those shown in FIG. 31 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  That is, in FIG. 32, the processing from step S901 to step S805 and the processing of step S910 are performed in the same manner as the corresponding portions of the processing shown in FIG.

  In the case of the process shown in FIG. 32, when it is determined in the determination process of step S904 that the amount of data stored in the buffer 8 has increased to the upper limit reference R, the host CPU 13 accesses the FAT information. Without calculating the number of times, the FAT information is accessed for a predetermined number of access times K to form a cluster link table (step S920). By doing so, the load on the host CPU 13 can be reduced.

  In FIG. 31 and FIG. 32, the number of accesses K to the FAT information is determined, for example, as the maximum number of accesses to the FAT information from the upper limit reference R to the lower limit reference RD. This is not a limitation. Considering the processing after the cluster link table formation is completed, it is possible to set the access count K to be small so that there is a margin.

  In FIGS. 31 and 32, the number of accesses K to the FAT information is used as the upper limit value of the period for forming the cluster link table, but the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, in addition to the number of accesses K to the FAT information, an upper limit of the cluster link table formation time can be set, and the cluster link table can be formed within that time. When the cluster link table formation time is used as a reference, for example, the passage of processing time is managed by a clock circuit (not shown) connected to the host CPU 13.

  In the case of the cluster link table forming process at the time of reproduction, as in the case of the cluster link table forming process at the time of recording described above, the criterion for automatically terminating the cluster link table forming process is the access It is not limited to the number of times and the cluster link table formation time.

  From the processing capacity of the host CPU 13 and the size of the free area of the RAM 16 used as a work area, the amount of FAT information that can be processed in the free time of real-time processing can be known. This data amount is used as an upper limit value for ending the cluster link table forming process, or the data amount of FAT information that can be processed in the free time and the data of the FAT information that is fetched by one access The number of accesses determined according to the amount (access data amount) can also be used as an upper limit value for ending the cluster link table forming process.

  Of course, also in the case of the cluster link table forming process at the time of reproduction, the cluster link table forming process automatically terminates the cluster link table forming time and the amount of FAT information data that can be processed in the free time. In the case of the standard, within the range of the formation time and the data amount, the data amount of the FAT information fetched for each access of the FAT information is changed, or the data amount of the FAT information fetched for each predetermined access time is changed. It can be changed or set in advance.

  Further, when recording, when the data storage amount of the buffer 8 becomes equal to or lower than the lower limit reference W, and during reproduction, when the data storage amount of the buffer 8 becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit reference R, the cluster link Although the table is formed, the present invention is not limited to this. At the time of recording, the cluster link table is formed when the data accumulation amount of the buffer 8 becomes smaller than the lower limit reference W, and at the time of reproduction, the data accumulation amount of the buffer 8 becomes larger than the upper limit reference R. Of course, you can do it.

  In this way, the cluster link table is formed in the idle time that can be provided at the time of real-time processing such as recording or reproduction of information signals, thereby making the cluster link table without any user awareness. When reproducing, fast-forwarding, fast-rewinding, etc., information signals recorded on a recording medium, smooth processing using a cluster link table may be performed. it can.

  It should be noted that when the cluster link table is formed, the upper limit of the number of accesses of the FAT information or the upper limit of the cluster link table formation processing time is the data collected on the recording medium even if the information collection amount is the same. It is also considered that the required number of FAT information accesses may vary depending on the usage status of the quantity range. That is, even if a small file has small fragments scattered over a wide area of the data area of the recording medium, the number of accesses to the FAT information increases, which may occupy the host CPU 13 for a long time. It is.

[Formation of a free cluster map]
The cluster link table can be formed based on the FAT information on the recording medium. However, as described in the third embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 33, the free cluster map is also recorded. It is formed based on FAT information on the medium.

  For this reason, the free cluster table can also be formed in free time that can be provided at the time of real-time processing such as recording or reproduction of information signals, as in the formation of the cluster link table. That is, the empty cluster table can be formed without making the user aware of it in exactly the same way as the formation of the cluster link table described with reference to FIGS.

  As in the case of forming the cluster link table, the free cluster table can be formed in the free time so that it is provided independently during the real-time processing. However, since both the cluster link table and the free cluster table are formed from FAT information, they may be formed simultaneously in parallel. That is, when a predetermined unit amount of FAT information is read, a cluster link table and an empty cluster map can be formed from the FAT information.

[Cluster link table and free cluster map backup (backup processing)]
In the above-described embodiment, the cluster link table and the empty cluster map have been described as being formed in the RAM 16 or the nonvolatile memory 17 of the recording / reproducing apparatus. When the cluster link table and the empty cluster map are formed in the RAM 16, for example, even when the hard disk 11 and the semiconductor memory card 12 are not replaced, the recording / reproducing apparatus is turned off. You will have to recreate it again.

  Therefore, the cluster link table and the empty cluster table are backed up (saved) to the hard disk 11, the semiconductor memory card 12, or the nonvolatile memory 17 before the recording / reproducing apparatus is powered off. In this case, the cluster link table and the empty cluster table are compressed and recorded so as not to waste the recording area. Of course, you may make it evacuate as it is, without compressing.

  In the case of the cluster link table, the compression in this case is considered to have only the start address and end address of the portion where the designated address is continuous, and omit the address data between them. It is done. Also, in the case of a free cluster map, the data is obtained by indicating what is continuous in a portion where “0” indicating a used cluster and “1” indicating an unused cluster are continuous. Can be compressed.

  When a cluster link table or a free cluster table is recorded on the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12, the free cluster changes due to the recording of these pieces of information, and as a result, the content of the free cluster table changes. Therefore, when backing up the cluster link table or the empty cluster table in the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12, the area of the backup file of the cluster link table or the empty cluster table in the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12 in advance. Is ensured so that there is no difference between the free cluster map information and the actual free cluster.

  Thus, by making a backup of the cluster link table and the free cluster map, it is not necessary to form these information tables every time the power of the recording / reproducing apparatus is turned on. It becomes possible to expand and use the memory of the device.

  If a cluster link table or an empty cluster map is formed in the nonvolatile memory 17 of the recording / reproducing apparatus, the cluster link table or the empty cluster map disappears even if the power of the recording / reproducing apparatus is turned off. There is nothing. However, the hard disk 11 and the semiconductor memory card 12 may be removed from the recording / reproducing apparatus.

  Therefore, when the cluster link table and the empty cluster map are formed in the nonvolatile memory 17 of the recording / reproducing apparatus, the hard disk 11 and the semiconductor memory card 12 are removed after the cluster link table and the empty cluster map are formed. If it is detected that the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12 has been removed, the cluster link table or free cluster map already formed in the nonvolatile memory 17 is invalidated. By doing so, it is possible to prevent inconsistency between the cluster link table and the free cluster map.

  Of course, even when a cluster link table or an empty cluster map is formed in the nonvolatile memory 17 of the recording / reproducing apparatus, a backup of the cluster link table or the empty cluster map should be taken on the hard disk 11 or the semiconductor memory card 12. It may be.

  In the fifth embodiment, the recording process and the reproducing process of the information signal are raised as an example of the real-time process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the transfer of the information signal performed by guaranteeing the real-time property In all real-time processing of information signals that process the stream data, which is an information signal that must be processed with guaranteed continuity, such as video and audio, without losing the continuity. The invention can be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, when recording moving image information, a “grid type” recording method is used, and when recording still image information other than moving image information or IT data, “general type” is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when recording moving image information, a “stuffing type” recording method may be used.

  Also, for example, when recording moving image information, it is recorded in a large block unit of 8 clusters, and when recording still image information and IT data other than moving image information, it is recorded in a small block unit of 2 clusters. As described above, the block size may be changed between when moving image information is recorded and when an information signal other than moving image information is recorded.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording method is different for moving image information, still image information, and IT data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if you want to increase the transfer rate of information signals (data) during recording, always use “grid type” or “stuffed type” recording methods, and always record in block units, regardless of the type of information signal. It is also possible to do so.

  In the embodiment described above, a hard disk or a semiconductor memory card is used as the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to the case where various random access recording media such as a magneto-optical disk such as MD (Mini-Disc (registered trademark)) and an optical disk such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) are used. .

  Further, the recording medium is not limited to a recording medium that can be randomly accessed. For example, the present invention is also applied to a recording medium such as a magnetic tape or a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) that is designed to record data sequentially in a continuous recording area on the recording medium. can do.

  That is, when an information signal is recorded on a magnetic tape or CD-R, the information signal can be recorded by changing the recording unit. By doing so, the transfer rate of the information signal (data) at the time of recording is improved, and more rapid recording processing is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a recording / reproducing apparatus that is a digital video camera having a camera block has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to various recording / reproducing apparatuses using various recording media.

  In addition, the invention described in the first, third, and fourth embodiments can be applied to an information processing apparatus as a recording-only apparatus that records an information signal on a recording medium. The invention described in the second embodiment can be applied to an information processing apparatus as a reproduction-only apparatus that reproduces an information signal recorded on a randomly accessible recording medium. That is, the present invention is not limited to the recording / reproducing apparatus, and the present invention can be selectively applied to various information processing apparatuses according to their functions.

  Further, the recording medium is not limited to a so-called removable removable recording medium, and the present invention is applied to an information processing apparatus such as a recording / reproducing apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a reproducing apparatus in which the recording medium is built. can do.

  In the embodiment described above, the FAT file system is used as the file system. As described above, the FAT file system is used in Windows (registered trademark) and OS / 2, which are operating systems for personal computers, and is widely used. It is possible to ensure high compatibility.

  However, the file system is not limited to the FAT file system, but includes various information having link information for recording information signals such as FAT information and information for managing recording data such as directory entry information as files. The present invention can be applied when using a file system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where one block is composed of 8 clusters has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one block may have an arbitrary number of clusters of two or more clusters. it can.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cluster is described as being expressed by, for example, two hexadecimal digits. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cluster may be represented by three or more hexadecimal digits.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the recording / reproducing apparatus (digital video camera aspect) which is an information processing apparatus with which one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the FAT file system used with the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating "grid type", "stuffing type", and "general type" which can be used. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining features and the like of each recording method shown in FIG. 3. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case where a moving image is recorded by a “grid type” recording method used in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a case where a still image and IT data are recorded by a “general type” recording method. It is. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of recording in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of reproduction by the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between FAT information formed with the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the cluster of the data area where an information signal is recorded. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where FAT information is expand | deployed to the internal memory of conventional recording / reproducing apparatuses, such as a personal computer. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where FAT information is expand | deployed to the internal memory of the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing in a playback mode in the recording / playback apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining cluster link table generation processing formed from FAT information in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining operations such as reproduction, fast forward, and fast reverse executed in the reproduction mode in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining operations such as reproduction, fast forward, and fast reverse executed in the reproduction mode in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating management of a cluster link table. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | generation of the empty cluster map performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining generation of an empty cluster map performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating FAT information used in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the directory entry information used in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the update timing of FAT information and directory entry information performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining recovery (restoration) of a file that has become unusable due to a power interruption occurring during recording performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining recovery (restoration) of a file that has become unusable due to a power interruption occurring during recording performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing at the time of recovery (restoration) of a file that has become unusable due to power interruption occurring during recording performed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the measure for preventing the said file from being unusable by the fact that a power supply interruption occurs at the time of recording that can be executed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the measure for preventing the said file from being unusable by the fact that a power supply interruption occurs at the time of recording that can be executed in the recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the formation process of the cluster link table performed at the time of real-time processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the formation process of the cluster link table performed at the time of real-time processing. It is a figure for demonstrating the free time provided at the time of the recording of the information signal which is a real-time process, and the time of reproduction | regeneration. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the formation process of the cluster link table performed at the time of recording. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of the formation process of the cluster link table performed at the time of recording. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the formation process of the cluster link table performed at the time of reproduction | regeneration. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of the formation process of the cluster link table performed at the time of reproduction | regeneration. It is a figure which shows an example of the empty cluster map formed from FAT information.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital input terminal, 2 ... Digital output terminal, 3 ... Input terminal, 4 ... Camera block, 5 ... Switch circuit, 6 ... Encoder / decoder, 7 ... Switch circuit, 8 ... Buffer memory circuit, 9 ... Switch circuit, 10 ... Media controller, 11 ... Hard disk, 12 ... Semiconductor memory card, 13 ... Host CPU, 14 ... Key operation unit, 15 ... ROM, 16 ... RAM, 17 ... Non-volatile memory

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus for reading a file recorded on a recording medium,
In the recording medium, a file management table including information indicating a link relation of clusters in which information signals constituting the file are recorded is formed.
Recording buffer means for temporarily storing an information signal to be recorded on the recording medium;
Reproduction buffer means for temporarily storing an information signal to be reproduced read from the recording medium;
During recording for recording information signals on the recording medium via the recording buffer means, the recording storage amount of the accumulated amount the recording buffer means from becoming below a predetermined lower limit amount of the buffer means of information signals on a given At the time of reproduction in which the information signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced through the reproduction buffer means in the free time determined according to the period until reaching the limit amount, the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means In the idle time determined according to the period from when the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit after the value exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the file management table is referred to and the link of the cluster Link information table forming means for forming a link information table comprising information indicating a relationship in a memory other than the recording medium;
A read control means for controlling a read means for reading the information signal based on the information in the link information table;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The link information table forming means is within the free time and within a range of data amount that can be processed for the file management table, or within a range of processing time for forming the link information table. An information processing apparatus for forming the link information table. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a save unit configured to save the link information table formed in a memory other than the recording medium to a non-volatile recording medium. An information processing method for reading a file recorded on a recording medium,
In the recording medium, a file management table including information indicating a link relation of clusters in which information signals constituting the file are recorded is formed.
When the information signal is recorded on the recording medium, the information signal is temporarily recorded in the recording buffer means and then recorded. When the information signal read from the recording medium is reproduced, the information signal is reproduced. When playing back after temporarily recording in the buffer means,
During recording for recording information signals on the recording medium via the recording buffer means, the recording storage amount of the accumulated amount the recording buffer means from becoming below a predetermined lower limit amount of the buffer means of information signals on a given At the time of reproduction in which the information signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced through the reproduction buffer means in the free time determined according to the period until reaching the limit amount, the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means In the idle time determined according to the period from when the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit after the value exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the file management table is referred to and the link of the cluster A link information table management step of forming a link information table comprising information indicating a relationship in a memory other than the recording medium;
A read control step of controlling a read means for reading the information signal based on the link information table. An information processing method according to claim 4,
In the link information table forming step, within the free time, within the range of data amount that can be processed for the file management table, or within the processing time for forming the link information table An information processing method for forming the link information table. 6. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a saving step of saving the link information table formed in a memory other than the recording medium to a nonvolatile recording medium. Mounted in an information processing apparatus that reads a file recorded in a file management table formed by a file management table including information indicating the link relation of clusters in which information signals constituting the file are recorded A program executed by a computer,
In the information processing apparatus, when the information signal is recorded on the recording medium, the information signal is temporarily recorded in the recording buffer means and then recorded, and the information signal read from the recording medium is reproduced. Is adapted to reproduce the information signal after temporarily recording it in the reproduction buffer means,
During recording for recording information signals on the recording medium via the recording buffer means, the recording storage amount of the accumulated amount the recording buffer means from becoming below a predetermined lower limit amount of the buffer means of information signals on a given At the time of reproduction in which the information signal recorded on the recording medium is reproduced through the reproduction buffer means in the free time determined according to the period until reaching the limit amount, the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means In the idle time determined according to the period from when the amount of information signal stored in the reproduction buffer means becomes equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit after the value exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the file management table is referred to and the link of the cluster A link information table forming step for forming a link information table including information indicating a relationship in a memory other than the recording medium;
An information processing program for executing a reading control step for controlling a reading means for reading the information signal based on the link information table. An information processing program according to claim 7,
In the link information table forming step, within the free time and within the range of data amount that can be processed for the file management table, or within the range of processing time for forming the link information table An information processing program for forming the link information table. The information processing program according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a saving step for saving the link information table formed in a memory other than the recording medium to a nonvolatile recording medium.

Images