Storage management system for memory card using memory allocation table

Claim 2

A storage management method for a memory card (10), having a storage area (12) divided into a plurality of storage units (14) that have a predetermined storage capacity, of managing storage of information in each of the plurality of storage units (14), CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said method comprises the steps of: indicating by one of memory allocation tables (18) a relationship of ones of the plurality of storage units (14) in which a group of mutually associated information is to be stored; and indicating by one of directories (16) one of the plurality of storage units (14) in which a beginning portion of the group of mutually associated information is to be stored; either one of the memory allocation tables (18) and the directories (16) comprising an indication (28) for indicating whether or not one of the plurality of storage units (14) associated with the one of the memory allocation tables (18) and the directories (16) is inhibited from being written and erased; said method further comprising the steps of, prior to writing information in the memory card (10), searching the directories (16), tracing, with respect to one of the directories (16) which is in use, one of said memory allocation tables (18) which is associated with the one directory (16) in use, and forming a storage unit table (300, 302) for indicating whether the one memory allocation table (18) thus traced is empty or occupied.

Claim 3

A method in accordance with claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said method further comprises the steps of, when writing information in the memory card (10), making reference to the storage unit table (300, 302) to search empty one of the plurality of storage units (14).

Claim 4

Storing apparatus for storing information in a memory card (10) having a storage area (12) divided into a plurality of storage units (14) that have a predetermined storage capacity, CHARACTERIZED BY card connector means (50) for connecting said memory card (10) to said apparatus; tabulating means (68, 72) for tabulating in said memory card (10) a memory allocation table (18) indicating a relationship of ones of the plurality of storage units (14) in which a group of mutually associated information is stored; directory forming means (68, 72) for forming in said memory card (10) a directory (16) indicating one of the plurality of storage units (14) in which a beginning portion of the group of mutually associated information is stored; controlling means (68) for controlling said tabulating means (68, 72) and said directory forming means (68, 72) to store information in each of the plurality of storage units (14); and a storage unit table (300, 302) for indicating whether one of the plurality of storage units (14) which is indicated by one of the memory allocation tables (18) is empty or occupied; either one of the memory allocation tables (18) and the directories (16) comprising an indication (28) for indicating whether or not one of the plurality of storage units (14) associated with the one of the memory allocation tables (18) and the directories (16) is inhibited from being written and erased; said control means (68) being responsive to said card connector means (50) connecting said memory card (10) to said apparatus to search the directories (16), trace, with respect to one of the directories (16) which is in use, one of said memory allocation tables (18) which is associated with the one directory (16) in use, and indicate on said storage unit table (300, 302) whether the one memory allocation table (18) thus traced is empty or occupied.

Claim 5

Storing apparatus for storing information in a memory card (10) having a storage area (12) divided into a plurality of storage units (14) that have a predetermined storage capacity, CHARACTERIZED BY card connector means (50) for connecting said memory card (10) to said apparatus; tabulating means (68, 72) for tabulating in said memory card (10) a memory allocation table (18) indicating a relationship of ones of the plurality of storage units (14) in which a group of mutually associated information is stored; directory forming means (68, 72) for forming in said memory card (10) a directory (16) indicating one of the plurality of storage units (14) in which a beginning portion of the group of mutually associated information is stored; controlling means (68) for controlling said tabulating means (68, 72) and said directory forming means (68, 72) to store information in each of the plurality of storage units (14); and a storage unit table (300, 302) for indicating whether one of the plurality of storage units (14) which is indicated by one of the memory allocation tables (18) is empty or occupied; either one of the memory allocation tables (18) and the directories (16) comprising an indication (28) for indicating whether or not one of the plurality of storage units (14) associated with the one of the memory allocation tables (18) and the directories (16) is inhibited from being written and erased; said control means (68) being responsive to said card connector means (50) connecting said memory card (10) to said apparatus to search the directories (16), trace, with respect to one of the directories (16) which is in use, one of said memory allocation tables (18) which is associated with the one directory (16) in use, and indicate on said storage unit table (300, 302) whether the one memory allocation table (18) thus traced is empty or occupied.

Claim 6

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said copntrolling means (68), when writing information in the memory card (10), makes reference to the storage unit table (10), and searches empty one of the plurality of storage units (14).

Claim 7

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said controlling means (68) compares said storage unit table (300, 302) with said memory allocation tables (18), and uses forcibly one of the memory allocation tables (18) which lacks logical consistency between said storage unit table (300, 302) and said memory allocation tables (18).

Claim 8

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said controlling means (68) compares said storage unit table (300, 302) with said memory allocation tables (18), and indicates one of the memory allocation tables (18) which lacks logical consistency between said storage unit table (300, 302) and said memory allocation tables (18).