JPH0635780A - File controlling method of large capacity storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the limit of the number of file by preparing new index areas when index information becomes full and imparting the positional information for connecting them in a chain state in order of each index area. CONSTITUTION:By taking new index areas (B) in the free areas of a disk when an index area (A) becomes full and writing the address nnnn in the previous index area (A) which have become full, a retrieval is enabled to be performed for index areas in a chain state and the limit of the number of file to be written in a directory is enabled to be eliminated. An area which is written by a file is fixed and an area showing addresses mmmm, nnxm which are subsequent to the file is provided on the file header of the area for the case where file capacity is larger than the area. Thus, even when the index areas are destroyed, they can be easily restored because the file is written in a fixed area.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a file management method for a mass storage device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an operating system (OS) widely used in personal computers, an OS represented by MS-DOS or the like is used as a FAT for an external storage device such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk or a semiconductor memory disk. (File Allocat
Ion Table) and directories, and the data in the disc is managed by these FATs and directories.

The FAT is a reduced representation of the entire disc and indicates which part of the disc the file is on. The directory is an index area, and information such as the directory name, file name, date and time, and FAT number is written in the directory. The directory and the FAT enable access to files on the disc between the personal computer and the personal computer.

In an example such as MS-DOS, the directories may have a hierarchical structure, a child directory may be placed under the root directory, and a child directory may be placed further under the root directory. You can

A directory name is given to each directory, and movement between directories can be performed by a change directory command by designating a directory name. Since the directory has a child directory under the root directory, it has a hierarchical structure, that is, a tree structure.

[0006]

By the way, this kind of O
In the root directory of S, when the directory area is full, there is the first problem that the file cannot be put in the same directory any more.

In MS-DOS, FAT is 2
A system is provided, one of which is the FAT of the main area as a spare area.
The same contents as those of the main area are stored as a backup of the contents of the above, and are used in case of emergency. However, FA
There is a second problem that when T is destroyed including the spare area, the file cannot be restored even if the data of the file portion is safe.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a file management method for a mass storage device which can eliminate the limitation on the number of files that can be managed in one directory and can restore the files even if the index area is destroyed.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. That is, as a management method in a large-capacity recording medium that manages a plurality of files in directory units and holds index information of files managed in directory units in an index area so that recording and reading can be performed. ,

When the index information to be stored in the index area in the specific directory becomes full, a new index area is created, and position information for connecting them in a chain is sequentially added to each index area, Also, prepare a plurality of file areas in the recording medium as fixed length,
In the file area corresponding to the storage position information of the first file in the file name and the index information in the index area, the file header information including the file name and the file length information is stored together with the file content information, and the storage target information is stored. When the capacity of the file exceeds the capacity of the file area used for storing the file, the continuation of the file is sequentially stored in another file area within the allowable capacity range,
The position information of the file area used to store the next file is held in each file area used to store the target file.

[0011]

That is, in a large-capacity recording medium in which a plurality of files are managed in directory units, and index information of files managed in directory units is held in an index area for recording and reading. As a management method,

When the index information to be stored in the index area in the specific directory becomes full, a new index area is created and the overflowing index information is stored in this new index area for file management. Then, position information for connecting the index area groups in a chain shape is sequentially added to each index area in the specific directory, thereby eliminating the limit of the number of manageable files in one specific directory. . In addition, a plurality of file areas in the recording medium are prepared with a fixed length, and the file name and the file length information are stored in the file area corresponding to the storage location information of the first file in the index information in the index area. With file header information to include
When the file content information is stored and the capacity of the file to be stored exceeds the capacity of the file area used for storing that file, the continuation of the file is sequentially stored in another file area within the allowable capacity range. By storing the position information of the file area used for storing the next file in each file area used for storing the target file, it is possible to manage in which file area the file is stored. I did it. Also, one file is set to span multiple file areas. In this case, since each file area has information as to where the next file area is, the storage of one file Since the relationship between the file areas provided for the above is known in each file area, even if the directory is destroyed, the files can be restored if the file areas are saved.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the limitation on the number of files that can be written in one directory of the tree structure, and to repair the files even if the index area is destroyed.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of the format according to the method of the present invention. The figure shows an overall view of the information written on the disc, and is an example of the format according to the method of the present invention.

In the format of the present invention, as shown in the figure, both the index area and the file area have fixed lengths. Then, in order to eliminate the limit of the number of files that can be accommodated in one directory, a plurality of areas (index areas) assigned to one directory can be secured as necessary.

The index area assigned to a directory having an arbitrary directory name stores the contents of the directory, that is, the number of files in the directory, the file name and date and time of each file, the start position of the file, the file length, and the like. has been written.

In addition to the contents of these directories,
Position information (address), which is information on the position where the subsequent index area is placed, is written at a specific location (the end of the directory header area in this embodiment) in the index area.

The subsequent index area contains information about files that could not be stored in the previous index area. The contents are information such as file name, date and time, file start position and file length. .

In the file area, a file header and information of the head position of the next file area (head address of the next file area) are followed by the contents of the file. The file area is sequentially arranged following the assigned index area of the directory containing the file.

That is, according to the present invention, in order to solve the first problem, when one index area (A) becomes full, a new index area (B) is taken in the free area of the disk and its address is stored. Is written in the previous full index area (A) so that the index area can be searched in a chain and the number of files that can be written in one directory can be eliminated. .

Further, in order to solve the second problem, the area where the file is written is fixed. And if the file size is larger than that area,
An area indicating the address of the continuation of the file is provided at the beginning of the area. Thus, even if the index area is destroyed, the file is written in the fixed area, so that the file can be easily repaired. (Structure of Example)

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the system of the present invention to which the format according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, 20
Reference numeral 0 is a computer, and 201 is a scanning probe microscope for taking in image data of the sample, which can output a fine surface condition of the sample as image data.
Reference numeral 202 denotes a display, which is one of output devices connected to the computer 200, for displaying images and character information, and visualizes and displays character information and image information output by the computer 200. It is for.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a magneto-optical disk device, which is a large-capacity external storage device connected to the computer 200. An operation panel 204 is an input device connected to the computer 200, and is an operation panel for an operator to operate the computer 200. The magneto-optical disk device 203 is capable of holding an extremely large amount of data, and its file management follows the format shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a format according to the method of the present invention and shows an overall view of information written on the disc. As shown in the figure, in the method of the present invention, there are a file index area and a file area, and there are a plurality of areas, each of which has a fixed length.

The file index area is composed of a directory header section 300 and a file information area 301, and each file is sequentially written into a file area 302, which is an area having a predetermined size and a start address.

A plurality of pieces of file information 500 are sequentially written in the file information area 301. A file header 303, additional conditions 304, and file contents 305 are written in the file area 302.

4 to 6 show details of each of these parts. FIG. 4 shows the format of the directory header 300 portion. In the directory header 300, the file number information 401 in the directory storing the number of files written in the directory of the same hierarchy, the media free area start address information 402 indicating the start address of the media free area, and the file number in the directory To store the information of the start address of the index area of the newly secured new directory when the number of files in the directory reaches the upper limit of the value of the information 401 (for example, 200) The index area top address 403 of the next directory is written.

FIG. 5 shows the format of the file information 500. 200 pieces of file information 500 are written in the file information area 301. The file information 500 is the start address 501 of the file on the medium.
, File capacity 502, file name 504, date and time information 505, various flags (directory flag 506 representing a directory or a file, conditions when the file is loaded, etc. are added as the additional conditions at the beginning of the file? Additional condition flag 507 indicating that the file is valid, and a file valid flag 508 indicating whether the file is valid or invalid)
FLG, if there is an additional condition, an additional condition capacity indicating the capacity of the additional condition is written.

As the various flags FLG, for example,
A directory flag 506 indicating whether it is a directory or a file, an additional condition flag 507 indicating whether the condition when the file is imported is added to the beginning of the file as an additional condition, and a file valid indicating whether the file is valid or invalid There is a flag 508 and the like.

FIG. 6 shows the format of the file header 303. File information 50 in the file header 303
When the same information as 0 is written and the file is larger than the capacity of the file area, the continuation file address 601 indicating where the continuation of the file starts
Is written. (Explanation of the operation of the embodiment) Next, the operation of the system of the present invention employing such a format will be described.

[Data Storage Method] First, the flow of stored data will be described in the present embodiment. First, the operation panel 204 is operated to capture image data into the computer 200 by the scanning probe microscope 201 and display it on the display 202.

Next, when it is desired to save the data, the operation panel 204 is operated to issue a save command to the computer 20.
Give to 0. As a result, the computer 200 sends the data to the magneto-optical disk device 203 and stores it. The flow of the stored data from the computer 200 to the magneto-optical disk device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The controller of the computer 200 or the magneto-optical disk device 203 firstly writes an address for writing a file on the disk in the magneto-optical disk device 203 and an address for writing file information 500 such as file name, date and time, and capacity. And to confirm.

For that purpose, first, the directory header portion at the head of the medium is read (S701). Since the start address of the area for writing the file is the free area start address 402 of the disk in the directory header part,
This address is determined as the start address (S70)
2).

When the head address is determined, the file information 500 which is the content of the file is written in this area. For that purpose, it is necessary to determine the address of the area to which the file is written. .

To determine the address to write the file information 500, the process is divided depending on whether the number of files 401 in the directory is equal to or not the maximum number of files (200) that can be stored in the file information area (S703).

That is, in S703, it is checked whether the number of files in the directory is equal to 200, which is the maximum number of files. If the number of files is equal to 200, the number of files in the directory is less than the maximum number of files in the file information area. Read directory header 303 until the directory header with a small number of files is reached
The reading of the directory header at the position indicated by the next directory position 403 in the directory is repeated.

That is, the number of files in the directory is 40
When 1 is equal to 200, which is the maximum number of files, there is a continuation or the index area just ends there, so the information part of the head address 403 of the next index area in the directory header 303 that has just been read out. Processing from 2
Divide into two. If a number greater than “0” is written,
Next directory position (start address of next index area)
Therefore, the directory header at that position, that is, the position indicated by the start address 403 of the next index area is read. When "0" is written, it means that the index area has just ended, so there is no next index area.

More specifically, the check in S715 is
This is to check whether or not the next directory address 403 is "0". If the address 403 is not "0", the position of the next directory header is known by the above method, and the directory header at that position is read. (S71
6) and returns to the step of S703. In other words, if there is the next index area, there is the start address of that index area. Therefore, if the address is not "0" as a result of checking whether the address is "0", the next directory header is set. Read and return to the step of S703.

If the directory address is "0" in step S715, the process proceeds to step S717. That is, in the check in S715, if the directory address is "0", it means that the information 403 of the next directory position represents the beginning of the medium. At this time, the information is saved one before. Since it means that the file information area has just been filled with a file, a new directory header and file information area are taken on the disk (S717) and the format (FIG. 4, FIG.
Write the value according to (5. At that time, the address to which the file information 500 of the file to be saved is written is at the head of the newly created file information area (S7).
18).

If the directory address is not "0" in the check in S715, the number written in the area of the number of files 401 in the directory is not equal to the maximum number of files (200) that can be stored in the file information area. The area in which the file information 500 is to be written is determined in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, as a result of the check in step S703, when the number of files 401 in the directory is not equal to the maximum number of files that can be stored in the file information area (when the number of files is not 200), "current directory header The value of the number of files 401 in the directory + first area ”is set as an area in which the file information 500 is written (S704).

Then, in the area determined in step S702, the same file header 600 as the file information,
If there is an additional condition 304, the file additional condition 304
And then write the file (S705 to S70
8).

At this time, it is checked whether or not the size of the file is larger than the capacity of the predetermined file area (S706), and if it is larger, the address of the next file area is written in the subsequent file address 601 (S71).
9), the file header and the subsequent file are written in the next file area (S721).

At this time, "file capacity = file capacity-
The file area capacity "is calculated (S720), until the remaining capacity of this calculation result is smaller than the file area,
Steps S706 and S719 and subsequent steps are repeated (S
706).

As a result of the check in step S706, when the remaining capacity of the file is smaller than the file area, the process proceeds to step S707 and thereafter, the file is written in the area determined in step S704 as it is, and the remaining area is free. deep. Next, by executing step S704 or S718, the file information 5 is added to the confirmed area.
00 is written (S709).

Further, the value of the number of files in directory 401 in the directory header is incremented (S7
10) Addition of "the number of used file areas multiplied by the capacity of a predetermined file area" to the disk free area start address information area 402 of the directory header at the head of the medium (S711), and the directory header to which the file belongs Then, the directory header at the head of the medium is written (S714) and (S713), and the process ends.

Summarizing the above outline, the present management method divides the storage area in the recording medium into a plurality of fixed capacity units in order to hold and manage files in the external storage device. In addition to securing a plurality of index areas and file areas, the index area for storing the index information includes at least the number of files and file names managed in the index area, the recording position information of the files in the recording medium, and the file. The length and the head position information of the next index area, which is the extended index area, are stored. If there is no file to be managed in the extended index area, the head position information of the next index area in the index area is specified. The initial value information of the file is at least the file start position information and the file in the file area of the recording area in the recording medium. The file header including the information and the file length information, and the file content information including the information of the storage area position used for saving the file of the continuation when the file content information continues, The area and the head position of each file area are characterized in that they are used by allocating at a fixed fixed interval from the head position in the storage area of the storage area. Further, when there is no file to be held in the next index area, the head position information of the next index area in the index is set as the predetermined initial value information.

Therefore, in the general management method, unless a subdirectory is provided in the root directory, the number of files is limited to, for example, a maximum of 200 files. When the number of files is large, a directory with a different name is used. The directory area of the root directory can be increased one after another, and the index information of the files can be stored in the increased directory area so that files can be stored in the root directory without any restrictions. Is convenient because it can be stored. In addition, files are stored in a fixed-length file area, allocating one file area to one file, and securing and recording the amount corresponding to the required file capacity. I made it easier to understand by having location information. Therefore, the relationship between the files stored in the file area can be understood only by the information in the file area. Next, a method of reproducing the file data stored in the above format will be described.

[Data Reproduction Method] The flow of data reproduction from the magneto-optical disk device 203 to the computer 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, from the file name of the file to be reproduced in the magneto-optical disk device 203, the area in the magneto-optical disk device 203 in which the file information is written is searched.

Therefore, first, the directory header portion at the head of the medium is read (S801). Next, the file information is read by the number of files in the directory (S
802), the file information in which the file names match is searched (S803).

Then, it is checked whether or not there is file information that matches the file name retrieved in step S803 (S804). If the result of this check is that they match (S804), the file and additional conditions are read from the on-disk address of the file in the file information and the file capacity (S805). Then, it is checked whether the file size is larger than the file area size (S800). As a result, when the capacity of the file is larger than the capacity of the file area, the continuous file address 601 is traced and read.

On the other hand, if the result of the check in step S804 is that they do not match, the file information area is searched one by one by tracing the chain of directories as described in the data saving process. (S80
8, S809). If the file still does not exist, an error is displayed (S810) and the process ends.

[Expression method of sub-directory] The expression method of the sub-directory which is a directory under the specific directory is the directory flag 5 in the file information.
This is done by setting 06. Other information is used as it is, and the file name becomes the directory name. In the body of the file, a new directory header and a file information area are taken. This part becomes the index area of the subdirectory.

The above-described storage and reproduction processing flow is for the files in the root directory, and the storage and reproduction of the files in the sub-directory goes into the directory hierarchy by the sub-directory name, Perform from the directory according to the above saving and playback flow.

Next, a method of repairing a file will be described. [File Recovery Method] If the index area is destroyed, the content of the file header may be referred to for each fixed-length file area. In the above method,
Since the information of the file stored in the file area is written at the beginning of the predetermined file area,
Since it is known which file and which file area if there is a continuation, it is possible to restore by reproducing according to these information. In addition, in any file area where files are stored, there is information about the file name and connection of subsequent files, so even if the file area is damaged, the file area that remains intact Can be restored.

Further, in the method of the present invention, since the additional condition flag and the additional condition capacity are added to the format, in the case where the data file is the measurement data, according to the measurement conditions when the data is measured, etc. The capacity can be made variable.

Since a file header is provided in each file area and the same information as the file information is recorded as the file header, the file including the index area can be restored by using this file information. .

As described above, in the file management method according to the present invention, a plurality of files are managed in directory units, and index information of files managed in directory units is held in the index area for recording and reading. As a management method for large-capacity recording media that has been made possible, a position for creating a new index area and connecting them in a chain when the index information stored in the index area in a specific directory is full Information should be added to each index area in order, and
A plurality of file areas with a fixed length are prepared in the recording medium, and the file area corresponding to the storage location information of the first file in the file name and the index information in the index area includes the file name and the file length information. When the file content information is stored together with the header information and the capacity of the file to be stored exceeds the capacity of the file area used for storage of that file, the continuation of the file is not allowed to the capacity of another file area. The files are sequentially stored in the range, and the position information of the file area used for storing the next file is held in each file area used for storing the target file.

That is, in a large-capacity recording medium in which a plurality of files are managed in directory units, and index information of files managed in directory units is held in an index area so that recording and reading can be performed. As a management method, when the index information to be stored in the index area in the specific directory becomes full, a new index area is created, and the overflowing index information is stored in this new index area for file management.

Then, position information for connecting the index area groups in a chain form is sequentially given to each index area in the specific directory.
Eliminate the limit on the number of manageable files in one specific directory.

Further, a plurality of file areas in the recording medium are prepared with a fixed length, and a file name and file length information are stored in the file area corresponding to the file storage location information in the index information in the index area. Information of the file contents is stored together with the file header information that includes, and when the capacity of the file to be stored exceeds the capacity of the file area used for storing the file, the continuation of the file is allowed in another file area. The file area to which the file is stored by storing the position information of the file area used to store the next file in each file area used to store the target file. Enabled to manage what is remembered.

Further, one file is made to span a plurality of file areas, but in this case, since each file area has information as to where the next succeeding file area is, Since the relationship between the file areas used for storing files is known in each file area, even if the directory is destroyed, the files can be restored if the file areas are saved.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the limitation on the number of files that can be written in one directory of the tree structure, and to repair the files even if the index area is destroyed.

[0066]

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION In addition to being able to remove the limit on the number of files that can be written in one directory of a tree structure, even if the index area is destroyed, files can be restored and a large capacity with high reliability can be obtained. A file management method for a storage device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a format in a recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a format in a recording medium according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a directory header format used for a format in a recording medium in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a file data format used as a format in a recording medium in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a file header format used for the format in the recording medium in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when recording is performed in a recording medium according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when reading the recorded contents in the recording medium in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

200 ... Computer, 201 ... Scanning probe microscope, 202 ... Display, 203
... magneto-optical disk device, 204 ... operation panel,
300 ... Directory header part, 301 ... File information area, 302 ... File area, 303 ... File header, 304 ... Addition condition, 305 ... File content, 500 ... File information, 401 ...
File number information in directory, 402 ... Media free area start address information, 403 ... Index area start address of next directory, 501 ... Start address,
502 ... File size, 504 ... File name,
505 ... Date and time information, FLG ... Various flags,
506 ... Directory flag, 507 ... Additional condition flag, 508 ... File valid flag.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A large-capacity recording medium in which a plurality of files are managed in directory units, and index information of files managed in directory units is held in an index area for recording and reading. As a management method, when the index information to be stored in the index area in a specific directory becomes full, a new index area is created, and
Positional information for connecting them in a chain is added to each index area in order, and a plurality of file areas in the recording medium are prepared with a fixed length, and the file name and the first in the index information in the index area are prepared. In the file area corresponding to the storage location information of the file, the file header information including the file name and the file length information is stored together with the file content information, and the capacity of the storage target file is used for storing the file. When the capacity of the file area is exceeded, the continuation of the file is sequentially stored in the range of the capacity allowed in another file area, and the storage of the next file is stored in each file area used for storing the target file. A file management method for a large-capacity storage device, characterized in that the position information of the file area provided for is stored. 2. A storage area in a recording medium is divided into a plurality of predetermined capacity units for holding and managing files in an external storage device, and a plurality of fixed-length directory areas and file areas are secured. In the directory area for storing the index information, at least the number of files and file name information managed in the directory, recording position information of the first file managed in the directory in the recording medium, and extended directory area And the start position information of the next directory area is stored, and when there is no file to be managed in the extension directory area, the start position information of the next directory area in the directory is set as predetermined initial value information. To the file area of the recording area in the above recording medium. Includes the file header information including at least the file head position information, the file name information and the file length information, and the information of the storage area position used to save the continued file when there is a continuation of the file content information. File management of a large-capacity storage device characterized by being configured to store information of contents and using the directory area and the start position of each file by allocating from the start position in a desired storage area of the above-mentioned storage areas. Method.