AU2008200289B2

AU2008200289B2 - High-density recording medium and method and apparatus for controlling data playback/recording thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2008200289B2
Application number: AU2008200289A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jin Yong Kim; Sang Woon Suh
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2003-02-27
Filing date: 2008-01-21
Publication date: 2009-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-27
Also published as: AU2008200289A1

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: High-density recording medium and method and apparatus for controlling data playback/recording thereof The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: HIGH-DENSITY RECORDING MEDIUM AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DATA PLAYBACK/RECORDING THEREOF 1. Technical Field The present invention relates to a high-density recording medium and a method and 5 apparatus for controlling data playback/recording thereof, and more particularly to a high-density optical disc, such as a BD (Blu-ray Disc), and a method and apparatus for controlling data playback/recording thereof, wherein it is possible to perform a data playback/recording operation optimal to the recording capacity of the high-density optical disc. 10 2. Background Art The recent rapid progress in standardization of a new high-density optical disc, for example, a BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc-Rewritable), capable of recording high-quality video data and high-quality audio data for a lengthy period of time has led to anticipation that the 15 associated products will be developed and commercially available. The BD-RE has, as shown in Fig. 1, a clamping area, transition area, burst cutting area (BCA) and lead-in area defined sequentially at the inner periphery thereof, and a data area and lead-out area defined respectively at the intermediate portion and outer periphery thereof. 20 The lead-in area is partitioned into a first protection zone Protection zone 1, a PIC (Permanent Information & Control data) zone, a second protection zone Protection zone 2, an information 2 zone Info 2, an optimum power control (OPC) zone, etc. Whereas the first protection zone and PIC zone are pre-recorded areas where data is pre-recorded in advance, the remaining zones of the lead-in area, the data area and the lead-out area are rewritable areas 25 where new data is rewritten. High frequency modulated (HFM) grooves are formed in the PIC zone, in which main information of the disc to be permanently preserved is stored. These HFM grooves are modulated by a bi-phase modulation method to store disc information (DI), as shown in Fig. 2. 30 That is, HFM grooves are modulated in the radial direction with a rather high bandwidth signal, to create a data channel for replicated information with sufficient capacity and data rate. I A In this modulation method, a bit with value 0 is represented by a transition at the start of the bit cell and a bit with value I is represented by a transition at the start and in the middle of the bit cell. The modulated bits are recorded on the disc by a deviation of the groove from its average centerline as indicated in Fig. 2. The length of each bit cell shall be 36T, where T 5 corresponds to the length of a channel bit in the rewritable data areas. The disc information (DI) contains, as shown in Fig. 3, channel bit length information with a size of 1 byte, which is detected based on a push-pull signal. Four bits b7 to b4 of the channel bit length information are reserved bits having values of '0000', and the remaining four bits b3 to b0 represent the channel bit length of main data such as an A/V stream. 10 For example, the remaining four bits b3 to bO represent that the channel bit length of the main data is 80nm and the recording capacity of the optical disc is 23Gbytes if they are '0000', that the channel bit length is 74.5nm and the recording capacity is 25Gbytes if they are '0001', and that the channel bit length is 69nm and the recording capacity is 27Gbytes if they are '0010'. 15 In this connection, an optical disc device selects a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) corresponding to the recording capacity of the BD-RE with reference to the channel bit length information contained in the disc information and performs a bit detection mode appropriate to the selected PRIVIL, so as to normally perform a data playback operation. 20 Meanwhile, the standardization of a new high-density optical disc, as well as the BD-RE, is recently under discussion among the associated companies. The new high-density optical disc may be, for example, a BD-ROM, which has, as shown in Fig. 4, an inner area, clamping area, transition area, information area and rim area. The information area includes a BCA, and a PIC zone in which disc information 25 (DI) is recorded. This DI is recorded in the PIC zone in a straight pit type that is the same recording format as that of main data recorded in a data zone. The DI recorded in the straight pit type must be subjected to a decoding process since it is detected in a radio frequency (RF) signal detection mode, not in a push-pull signal detection mode. However, there is a problem in that an error occurs in the data playback 30 operation if channel bit length information recorded in the DI is not normally detected in the early stage of the data recording/playback operation. Also, because the DI only can be read after full start-up of the drive, it takes a time to 2 start recording or playback of data. The applicant does not concede that the prior art discussed herein forms part of the common general knowledge in the art at the priority date of the present application. 3. Disclosure of Invention 5 Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and it is an object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a high-density optical disc wherein a control information recorded on the optical disc, such as channel bit length information, can be detected without a separate decoding operation, or in early stage of drive start-up. 0 It is another object of at least some embodiments of the present invention to provide a method for detecting a control information additionally recorded in a specific area of a high density optical disc, such as channel bit length information, without a separate decoding operation or in early stage of drive start-up and performing a data playback/recording operation on the basis of the detected control information. 5 It is yet another object of at least some embodiment of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for selecting a bit detection mode most appropriate to a high-density optical disc and performing a data playback operation in the selected bit detection mode. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a high-density recording medium including: 20 a lead-in zone in which recording medium information is recorded; and a specific area, prior to said lead-in zone, in which disc information regarding a recording capacity of said high-density recording medium is recorded, wherein the disc information is one of the recording medium information recorded in the lead-in zone, the specific area is a burst cutting area, and the burst cutting area includes one or more data units, each said data unit 25 includes a data field having eight consecutive rows, each of a first four rows of the data field includes one sync byte and four information bytes, and each of a second four rows of the data field includes a sync byte and four parity bytes. 3 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for controlling data playback/recording of a high-density recording medium, comprising: detecting disc information regarding a recording capacity of said high-density recording medium from a specific area; and 5 performing a data playback/recording operation with reference to the detected disc information, wherein the disc information is one of recording medium information recorded in a lead-in zone, the specific area is a burst cutting area prior to the lead-in zone, and the burst cutting area includes one or more data units, each said data unit includes a data field having eight consecutive 0 rows, each of a first four rows of the data field includes one sync byte and four information bytes, and each of a second four rows of the data field includes a sync byte and four parity bytes. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling data playback/recording of a high-density recording medium, comprising: an optical pickup configured to detect disc information regarding a recording capacity of 5 said high-density recording medium from a specific area; and a controller configured to perform a data playback/recording operation with reference to the detected disc information, wherein the disc information is one of recording medium information recorded in a lead-in zone, the specific area is a burst cutting area prior to the lead-in zone, and the burst cutting area 20 includes one or more data units, each said data unit includes a data field having eight consecutive rows, each of a first four rows of the data field includes one sync byte and four information bytes, and each of a second four rows of the data field includes a sync byte and four parity bytes. 4. Brief Description of Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of 25 the invention, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 4 Fig. I is a view showing the structure of a BD-RE; Fig. 2 is a view showing HFM grooves formed in a PIC zone of the BD-RE; Fig. 3 is a view illustrating channel bit length information contained in disc information (DI) of the BD-RE; 5 Fig. 4 is a table showing the structure of a BD-ROM to which the present invention is applied; Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing recorded states of channel bit length information in a BCA according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a view schematically showing the configuration of an optical disc device to 0 which the present invention is applied; and Fig. 8 is a block diagram conceptually showing a part of the configuration of the optical disc device to which the present invention is applied. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in 5 accordance with one or more embodiments. 5. Modes for Carrying out the Invention Now, preferred embodiments of a high-density recording medium and a method and apparatus for controlling the data playback thereof according to the present invention will be 4a described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. A high-density optical disc, for example, a BD-ROM, to which the present invention is applied has an information area including a BCA, PIC zone, data zone, etc., as stated previously with reference to Fig. 4. Disc information (DI) is recorded in the PIC zone in a 5 straight pit type, and main data, such as an A/V stream, is recorded in the data zone in the straight pit type. The DI, recorded in the straight pit type, is detected in an RF signal detection mode, as shown in Fig. 5. In one embodiment of the present invention, playback control information, such as channel bit length information set to a different value depending on the recording capacity 10 of the optical disc, is additionally recorded in a specific area prior to the PIC zone, for example, the BCA, in a wobble type. Alternatively, the channel bit length information may be recorded in the PIC zone in the wobble type. In either case, the channel bit length information, recorded in the wobble type, can be detected in a push-pull signal detection mode without a separate decoding process. 15 The channel bit length information can be recorded, as shown in Fig. 6, with a size of at least 2 bits of the first byte of each data unit recorded in the BCA, as will hereinafter be described in detail. The BCA code is based on a structure of maximum 4 data units as shown in Fig. 6. Each data unit contains 16 information bytes I(m,n) and 16 parity bytes C(m,n). Furthermore, 20 the code structure contains Sync bytes SB(a,b) and a BCA preamble. In Fig. 6, the first byte I(0,n) of each data unit indicates channel bit length information. For example, the minimum channel bit length is 80nm corresponding to a recording capacity of 23Gbytes if bits 'b5 and b4' of the first byte of each data unit are recorded as '00', 74.5nm corresponding to 25Gbytes if they are recorded as '01', and 69nm 25 corresponding to 27Gbytes if they are recorded as '10'. Fig. 7 schematically shows the configuration of an optical disc device to which the present invention is applied. As shown in this drawing, the optical disc device comprises an optical pickup 11, a video disc play (VDP) system 12, a digital/analog (D/A) converter 13 and so forth. If a BD-ROM 10 is loaded therein, then the optical disc device detects, during 30 initial servo operation, channel bit length information recorded in the BCA of the BD-ROM 10 in the wobble type using the push-pull signal detection mode without a separate decoding process. 5 Where the value of the channel bit length information is 'b5b4=00', the optical disc device determines that the recording capacity of the optical disc is 23Gbytes and the minimum channel bit length of recorded data is 80nm, selects a partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) corresponding to the determination results, and performs a bit detection 5 mode appropriate to the selected PRML. Where the value of the channel bit length information is 'b5b4=01', the optical disc device determines that the recording capacity of the optical disc is 25Gbytes and the minimum channel bit length of recorded data is 74.5nm, and performs a bit detection mode corresponding to the determination results. Where the value of the channel bit length information is 'b5b4=10', the optical disc device determines 10 that the recording capacity of the optical disc is 27Gbytes and the minimum channel bit length of recorded data is 69nm, and performs a bit detection mode corresponding to the determination results. As a result, the optical disc device can accurately reproduce DI and main data recorded in the straight pit type. In another embodiment of the present invention, in the case where there is no channel 15 bit length information of the wobble type additionally recorded in the BCA of the BD-ROM 10, the VDP system 12 of the optical disc device checks the recording capacity of the loaded optical disc and selects a bit detection mode most appropriate thereto in order to accurately reproduce DI recorded on the optical disc, more particularly DI recorded in the PIC zone of the disc in the straight pit type, and main data recorded in the data zone of the disc, as will 20 hereinafter be described in detail. The VDP system 12 includes, as shown in Fig. 8, a detector part including a plurality of, for example, first to third equalizers 121, 122 and 123, a first switch 120 for selecting one of the first to third equalizers 121, 122 and 123 and applying an RF input signal to the selected equalizer, a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit 124, a plurality of, for example, first to third 25 PRML detectors 126, 127 and 128, a second switch 125 for selecting one of the first to third PRML detectors 126, 127 and 128 and applying an output signal from the PLL circuit 124 to the selected PRML detector, and an equalizer/PRML selector 132 for controlling the first and second switches 120 and 125. The VDP system 12 further includes a decoder part including a demodulator 129 for demodulating modulated data of a certain format, an error correcting 30 unit 130 for performing error correction for the demodulated data, and a bit error rate (BER) calculator 131 for calculating a BER of the demodulated data. Although the equalizer/PRML selector 132 has been disclosed to be included in the 6 detector part in the present embodiment, it may be included in the decoder part, not in the detector part, or separately configured as a separate part (not shown). The PRML (Partial Response and Maximum Likelihood) is a process to detect binary data from Read channel I signal (RF signal). It typically consists of an equalizer and a Viterbi 5 decoder. The equalizer controls inter-symbol interference of Read channel 1 signal (RF signal) and fit Read channel I signal to a partial response channel. The partial response channel means that the impulse response appears at plural sample points and it is linear time invariant. The Viterbi decoder detects binary data using a known correlation of Read channel 1 10 signal. The equalizer/PRML selector 132, in the early stage of the data playback operation, controls the first switch 120 and the second switch 125 such that a first bit detection mode appropriate to an optical disc of 23Gbytes recording capacity is performed. In the first bit detection mode, an RF signal read from the BD-ROM 10 is passed along a first path of the 15 first equalizer 121, PLL 124 and first PRML detector 126. The BER calculator 131 checks bit data demodulated and error-corrected by the demodulator 129 and error correcting unit 130 to calculate a first BER (BER #1) that is the ratio between normal bit data and erroneous bit data, and then outputs the calculated first BER to the equalizer/PRML selector 132. 20 The above operation is similarly performed sequentially with regard to second and third paths so that second and third BERs (BER #2 and BER #3) are calculated and outputted to the equalizer/PRML selector 132. Thereafter, the equalizer/PRML selector 132 selects a path where the smallest amount of bit error occurs, namely, the most appropriate equalizer and PRML detector, on the 25 basis of BER #1, BER #2 and BER #3 sequentially calculated through the above process, and controls the first and second switches according to the selected path. Therefore, a bit detection mode optimal to the recording capacity of the optical disc loaded in the device is performed and the data playback operation is thus normally performed. Although the playback control method has been disclosed in association with a 30 read-only optical disc, for example, a BD-ROM, for illustrative purposes, this invention is also applicable to a writable medium, such as a BD-RE or WO, to control a data recording operation. 7 As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a high-density recording medium and a method and apparatus for controlling data playback thereof, wherein it is possible to perform a data playback operation optimal to the recording capacity of a BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc-ROM) even through disc information (DI) is recorded in a PIC (Permanent 5 Information & Control data) zone of the BD-ROM in a recording format necessitating a decoding process and the recording capacity is any of different values such as 23Gbytes, 25Gbytes, 27Gbytes, etc. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions 0 and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. It will also be understood that the term "comprises" (or its grammatical variants) as used in this specification is equivalent to the term "includes" and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.

Claims

1. A high-density recording medium including: a lead-in zone in which recording medium information is recorded; and a specific area, prior to said lead-in zone, in which disc information regarding a recording 5 capacity of said high-density recording medium is recorded, wherein the disc information is one of the recording medium information recorded in the lead-in zone, the specific area is a burst cutting area, and the burst cutting area includes one or more data units, each said data unit includes a data field having eight consecutive rows, each of a first four rows of the data field includes one sync byte and four information bytes, and each of a second four rows of the data 0 field includes a sync byte and four parity bytes.

2. The high-density recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein said disc information is repeatedly included in each said data unit.

3. The high-density recording medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein said disc information is channel bit length information variably set to a different value depending on the recording 5 capacity of said high-density recording medium.

4. The high-density recording medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein each disc information is recorded in a predetermined byte position in each said data unit.

5. The high-density recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein each said data unit is composed of 16 information data and 16 parity data and the disc information is included in the 20 16 information data of at least one data unit, and said disc information is repeatedly included in each said data unit and wherein the high-density recording medium can record 25 GB when the channel bit length is 74.5 nm and 27 GB when the channel bit length is 69 nm.

6. A method for controlling data playback/recording of a high-density recording medium, comprising: 25 detecting disc information regarding a recording capacity of said high-density recording medium from a specific area; and 9 performing a data playback/recording operation with reference to the detected disc information, wherein the disc information is one of recording medium information recorded in a lead-in zone, the specific area is a burst cutting area prior to the lead-in zone, and the burst 5 cutting area includes one or more data units, each said data unit includes a data field having eight consecutive rows, each of a first four rows of the data field includes one sync byte and four information bytes, and each of a second four rows of the data field includes a sync byte and four parity bytes.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein said detecting step detects the disc 0 information in each said data unit.

8. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the disc information is channel bit length information variably set to a different value depending on the recording capacity of said high density recording medium, and 5 wherein said performing step includes identifying the recording capacity of said high density recording medium using the different value of the disc information.

9. The method as set forth in claim 7, wherein the detecting step detects each disc information from a predetermined byte position in each said data unit.

10. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein each said data unit is composed of 16 20 information data and 16 parity data and the disc information is included in the 16 information data of at least one data unit, and said disc information is repeatedly included in each said data unit and wherein the high-density recording medium can record 25 GB when the channel bit length is 69 nm.

11. An apparatus for controlling data playback/recording of a high-density recording 25 medium, comprising: 10 an optical pickup configured to detect disc information regarding a recording capacity of said high-density recording medium from a specific area; and a controller configured to perform a data playback/recording operation with reference to the detected disc information, 5 wherein the disc information is one of recording medium information recorded in a lead-in zone, the specific area is a burst cutting area prior to the lead-in zone, and the burst cutting area includes one or more data units, each said data unit includes a data field having eight consecutive rows, each of a first four rows of the data field includes one sync byte and four information bytes, and each of a second four rows of the data field includes a sync byte and four 0 parity bytes.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said optical pickup is configured to detect the disc information in each said data unit.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the disc information is channel bit length 5 information variably set to a different value depending on the recording capacity of said high density recording medium, and wherein said controller is further configured to identify the recording capacity of said high-density recording medium using the different value of the disc information.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12, wherein the optical pickup is configured to detect 20 each disc information from a predetermined byte position in each said data unit.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein each said data unit is composed of 16 information data and 16 parity data and the disc information is included in the 16 information data of at least one data unit, and said disc information is repeatedly included in each said data unit and wherein the high-density recording medium can record 25 GB when the channel bit 25 length is 69 nm. 11