Memory control device and memory data search circuit

• US 5,915,263 A
• Filed: 07/08/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Maeda, Yasuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): BRAGDON, REGINALD GLENWOOD
• Application Number:
  US08/888,305
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 711/154, 711/100, 711/104, 707/1, 707/3, 360/72.2, 369/275.3, 369/32, 369/33, 369/47, 369/54
• US Class Current: 711/154
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 11/10563 Access of indexed parts
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 11/10595 Control of operating function
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2525 Magneto-optical [MO] discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2529 Mini-discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/036 Insert-editing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/19 by using information detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/3027 used signal is digitally coded
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99957 Garbage collection

Abstract

A memory controller is equipped with a memory data search circuit for carrying out an identifying operation of management information corresponding to a segment located in front of or behind a segment serving as a reference for an editing operation on a recording medium through search and comparison processing of managing information (U-TOC). The system controller does not receive search data and execute the data search but only sets the comparison standard and an initial value and outputs an execution control signal. The editing operation performed, reduces wasted space on a recording medium, such as a disc, and eliminates "trash areas" which are not addressable in the U-TOC.

Claims

1. A memory data search circuit for processing management information relating to information stored on a recording medium, the memory data search circuit comprising:

a memory for storing the management information at addresses in the memory;

reference data register means for holding reference data serving as a search reference;

output selection means for extracting search target data from data read out from the memory through a search operation and outputting the extracted search target data;

search target data register means for holding the search target data output from the output selection means as search data;

search target data position register means for holding position information of the search target data in accordance with the search target data output from the output selection means;

search data position register means for holding the position information of the search data in accordance with the search data held in the search data register means;

first comparing means for comparing the reference data held in the reference data register means with the search target data output from the output selection means;

second comparing means for comparing the search data held in the search data register means with the search target data output from the output selection means; and

renewing control means for allowing the search target data output from the output selection means to be held in the search data register means on the basis of comparison results of the first and second comparing means to thereby renew the search data in the search data register means, and allowing the search target data position information held in the search target data position register means to be held in the search data position register means to thereby renew the search data position information in the search data position register means.

2. The memory data search circuit according to claim 1 wherein the search target data comprises at least one of a start address, an end address, and link information.

3. The memory data search circuit according to claim 1 wherein the reference data indicates a start address of search target data on the recording medium.

4. The memory data search circuit according to claim 1 wherein the reference data indicates an end address of search target data on the recording medium.