Static information storage and retrieval – Floating gate – Data security
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-23
2001-04-03
Phan, Trong (Department: 2818)
Static information storage and retrieval
Floating gate
Data security
C365S185110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212097
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory for managing a file recorded on a memory card using a FAT (File Allocation Table).
2. Description of the Related Art
EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) that is an electrically rewritable memory requires a large space because each bit is composed of two transistors. Thus, the integration of EEPROM is restricted. To solve this problem, a flash memory that allows one bit to be accomplished with one transistor using all-bit-erase system has been developed. The flash memory is being expected as a successor of conventional record mediums such as magnetic disks and optical discs.
A memory card using a flash memory is also known. The memory card can be freely attached to an apparatus and detached therefrom. A digital audio recording/reproducing apparatus that uses a memory card instead of a conventional CD (Compact Disc: Trademark) or MD (Mini Disc: Trademark) can be accomplished.
A file management system used for a conventional personal computer is named FAT (File Allocation Table). In the FAT system, when a particular file is defined, predetermined parameters are successively set to the file. Thus, the size of a file becomes variable. One file is composed of at least one management unit (sector, cluster, or the like). Data corresponding to the management unit is written to a table referred to as FAT. In the FAT file system, a file structure can be easily formed regardless of the physical characteristics of a record medium. Thus, the FAT file system can be used for a magneto-optical disc as well as a floppy disk and a hard disk. In the above-mentioned memory card, the FAT file system is used.
However, a CD with which audio data is recorded does not have the concept of the FAT system at all. In the era of the MD with which audio data can be recorded and reproduced, music programs are recorded and edited using an FAT modified system called Link-P. Thus, the system itself can be controlled with a low power CPU. However, using such a system, data cannot be exchanged with a personal computer. Thus, the MD system has been developed as an isolated AV system.
The link-P system used in the MD is composed of a P-DFA (Pointer for Defective Area), a P-Empty (Pointer for Empty slot) area, a P-FRA (Pointer for FReely Area), and P-TNO
1
. . . P-TNo
255
. The P-DFA represents the top position of a slot that contains information of a defect on an MD. The P-Empty area represents the use state of a slot. The P-FRA represents the top position of a slot used for managing a recordable area. The P-TNo
1
, P-TNo
2
, . . . , P-TNo
255
represent the start positions of slots corresponding to individual music programs.
Next, with reference to
FIGS. 42A
to
42
E, a process for successively searching recordable areas dispersed on a record medium will be described using the area PRA. Referring to
FIGS. 42A
to
42
E, the volume of the FRA is 03h. In this case, as shown in
FIG. 42A
, the slot 03h is accessed. The start address and the end address recorded in the slot 03h represent the start address and the end address of one part on the disc.
As shown in
FIG. 42A
, link information recorded in the slot 03h represents that the next slot address is 18h. Thus, as shown in FIG.
42
B. the slot 18h is accessed. Link information recorded in the slot 18h represents that the next slot address is 1Fh. Likewise, as shown in
FIG. 42C
, the slot 1Fh is accessed. As shown in
FIG. 42D
, corresponding to link information in slot 1Fh, a slot 2Bh is accessed. As shown in
FIG. 42E
, corresponding to link information in the slot 2Bh, a slot E3h is accessed. In such a manner, link information is traced until a null (00h) is detected as link information. Thus, the addresses of recordable areas dispersed on the MD are successively recognized. Alternatively, by controlling an optical pickup and successively accessing these addresses, recordable areas dispersed in the memory can be obtained. Likewise, by referencing the P-DFA or the P-TNoN, defective areas that are dispersed in the memory can be successfully accessed.
In such a manner, in the Link-P system, with the four parameters, the similar control effect to the FAT system can be obtained. However, the system is complicated and the size of software is large. If a U-TOC (User-Table Of Contents) area that contains the Link-P is destroyed, the recordable areas and recorded areas that are dispersed in the memory cannot be traced. On the other hand, since the memory card was strongly considered for use with personal computers, it has the FAT system used for the personal computers. Thus, since the memory card system used for the memory card becomes large, a low power CPU cannot manage the FAT system. Likewise, when the FAT system is destroyed, the recorded areas dispersed in the memory cannot be traced.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory for segmenting a data file that is successively reproduced into blocks each having a predetermined data length, aggregating a plurality of blocks as a plurality of parts, and recording the plurality of parts so that they disperse in the nonvolatile memory, the nonvolatile memory comprising, a management area for recording first management information so as to link the plurality of parts and restore the plurality of parts as a data file that is successively reproduced, and a data area for adding second management information to each data file, aggregating the plurality of blocks as a plurality of parts, and recording the plurality of parts so that they disperse in the nonvolatile memory, the second management information containing the number of parts that composes a data file and the size of each part and having a predetermined data length.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of a best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5787445 (1998-07-01), Daberko
patent: 5862083 (1999-01-01), Tobita et al.
patent: 6031758 (2000-02-01), Katayama et al.
patent: 751 477 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 802 535 (1997-10-01), None
Kihara Nobuyuki
Yokota Teppei
Frommer William S.
Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP.
Phan Trong
Sony Corporation
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