Data storage control apparatus and data storage control method

Abstract

To provide data storage control apparatus and method capable of performing plural processes including processes that data are required to be processed in real time, without increasing cost and decreasing productivity, a RAM for storing data, a hard disk (HD) for storing data, a printer for printing an image, a scanner for reading an image, a facsimile for performing memory transmission/reception, and a CPU are provided. The CPU performs control to use the RAM if high speed is required and capacity is not so required, to use a high-speed accessible area in the HD if predetermined speed is required and capacity is required, and to use a low-speed accessible area in the HD if required speed may be low and capacity is required. In the control unit of a copying machine having the HD including plural storage areas of different access speeds, the predetermined storage area is selected from among these areas according to the purpose of image data to be stored in the HD, and the data is stored in the selected area. To increase the productivity of the process that the data are required to be processed in real time, the control unit performs control that a dummy access to the HD is automatically performed according as a second predetermined time shorter than a first predetermined time elapses from a time when the access to the HD terminates, so as to maintain rotation of the HD.