Patent ID: 6185665
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: G06F,G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
A file management apparatus used in an information processor using a media exchange type storage device comprising a plurality of storage media, at least one data access device for recording and reproducing data to/from the storage media, and a storage media exchanging means for mounting and dismounting the arbitrary storage medium in/from the arbitrary data access device, as an external storage device, the file management apparatus including:a data block management means for dividing storage regions of the respective storage media into data blocks of fixed capacity and managing the use states of the divided data blocks; anda data block allocation means for allocating unused data blocks shown by the data block management means to a file to which a writing request from the information processor has been given, wherein:data writing of the file to which the writing request has been given is performed to the data blocks allocated by the data block allocation means, using the storage media exchanging means and the data access device; andat the start of file writing, the storage medium having the most unused data blocks which are shown by the data block management means is selected as a medium for writing.