JPH1145496A - Recording and reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording and reproducing device capable of recording/ reproducing information even to/from a disk in which a rewriting control program to be distributed to users is stored similarily to an ordinary disk. SOLUTION: This device has a key input part 23 for recording and reproduction, a ROM in which data are writable and erasable and a disk control part 15 for recording and reproducing information to/from a disk 14. In this case, the device is provided with specific keys which are keys being in the key input part 23 and are allotted in order to starting control program rewriting functions, a retrieval part 20 of a control program for performing a rewriting being in the disk in accordance with an input from the key, a write part 21 writing the retrieved control program for rewriting in the ROM and a recording and reproducing part 22 handling the disk as an ordinary disk for recording and reproduction when the control program for rewriting is not present or a control program rewriting function is not started up. Thus, the disk in which the rewriting control program is stored is handled similarily to the ordinary disk and the information can be recorded and reproduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to reading information from a disk such as a DVD (digital versatile disk), CD (compact disk), and CD-R (write once), and writing information to a writable disk. And a recording / reproducing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a recording / reproducing apparatus for reading or writing information from a DVD or a CD or a recording / reproducing apparatus for reading / writing information from / to various discs such as a personal computer is operated by a predetermined program. This program is provided in advance in a read-only memory, for example, an RO.
M. It is desirable that this program be complete from the beginning, but sometimes it has bugs that need to be fixed, or it needs to be fixed for a specific application, and in order to improve its functions, In some cases, it is necessary to rewrite data to upgrade the version. In such a case, a highly reliable rewriting operation is required so that rewriting does not fail.

An example of such a method of correcting program data is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-248914, and an example of this apparatus is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, 1
Denotes a disk device, in which a CPU 2 for performing various arithmetic processes, a bus 3 for transmitting control signals and data, a disk control unit 5 for reading and writing information from and to a disk 4, and a device for electrically writing data A flash ROM 6 for storing a predetermined processing program, an EPROM 7 for storing a processing program not to be upgraded, a RAM for temporarily storing various data, a SCSI controller 9, an SCS
A buffer 12 is used as a buffer memory when data is exchanged with a host computer 11 via the I bus 10.

In this case, the EPROM 7 stores a rewriting program used when rewriting a program in the flash ROM 6. At the time of rewriting the program, the dedicated disk 4 is used, and when the dedicated disk 4 is loaded, the rewriting program in the EPROM 7 starts. Then, a new processing program is read from the disk 4 into the shared RAM 8, and thereafter, the RA
The new processing program in M8 is written in the flash ROM 6, and the old processing program is upgraded or debugged.

[0005]

By the way, the disk 4 for storing the above-mentioned new program for rewriting,
For example, since this is a dedicated disk distributed from a maker or the like, if this is applied to a DVD player or the like, any other signal such as a video signal and an audio signal on the user side can be recorded on the disk 4. And it was not preferable for effective use of resources. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has been made in order to effectively solve the problems. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a disk for storing a rewrite control program distributed to users. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing recording / reproducing like a normal disk.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.
In a recording / reproducing apparatus having a key input unit for recording / reproducing, a ROM capable of electrically writing and erasing data, and a disk control unit for recording / reproducing data on / from a disk, a key in the key input unit is used. A specific key assigned to activate the control program rewriting function, and a search unit for searching whether or not a rewriting control program exists in the disk according to an input from the specific key. A writing unit for writing the searched rewriting control program to the ROM, and when the rewriting control program does not exist or the control program rewriting function is not activated, the disc is used as a normal recording / reproducing disc. And a recording / reproducing unit for handling. In the ROM, a control program necessary for a predetermined arithmetic processing is stored. When debugging or upgrading the version, for example, a disk in which a new rewrite control program is stored from the manufacturer of the apparatus. Will be distributed.

[0007] The user loads the disc and turns on a specific key of the data input section to activate the control program rewriting function. Then, the search unit searches the disk for a control program for rewriting,
The writing unit writes the retrieved control program for rewriting in the ROM, and upgrades or corrects the old control program. The recording / reproducing unit treats the disk as a normal recording / reproducing disk when there is no rewriting control program or when the control program rewriting function is not activated. As a result, it is possible to write or read out any information from or to this disc and to use it effectively.

The above-mentioned specific key can be assigned, for example, as a play start key for instructing the start of play of the apparatus. When the power of the apparatus is turned on while the key is pressed, the control program rewriting function is performed. May function. According to this, the configuration of the device itself can be simplified. Further, a dedicated program rewriting key may be provided as a specific key.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording / reproducing device 13 is a device that reads and reproduces information from a disk 14 such as a DVD, or writes input data. Reference numeral 15 denotes a disk control unit,
The disk 14 is loaded, and information is read or written from the disk 14 while controlling the rotation. Reference numeral 16 denotes a video decoder, which decodes a signal related to video input from the disk 14 and outputs a video signal. For example, MPEG is used as a signal related to video. 17
Denotes an audio decoder, which decodes a signal related to audio and outputs an audio signal.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a ROM capable of electrically writing and erasing data, for example, a flash ROM, which stores a control program necessary for the operation of the apparatus, and stores the control program in the program as described later. It is rewritten when there is a bug or when upgrading. 19
Is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The functions performed here are: a search unit 20 for searching whether a rewrite control program exists in the disk 14; and a searched rewrite control program. Is written in the ROM 18 to modify or update the old program, and when the control program for rewriting does not exist or the control program rewriting function is not activated, the disc is used as a normal recording / reproducing disc. And a recording / reproducing unit 22 capable of performing recording and reproduction.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a key input unit, and a function for activating a control program rewriting function is assigned to a specific key 23A. Here, the specific key 23
A is also used as a play start key for instructing the start of play of the apparatus, and the control program rewriting function can be activated when the power of the apparatus is turned on while the key is pressed.

In the device configured as described above, when the power of the device is turned on while pressing the play start key 23A which is a specific key, the control program rewriting function is activated as described above, and the search is performed. The unit 20 includes the disk 14
It is determined whether there is a control program for rewriting in the information read from. A disc in which a control program for rewriting is stored is distributed, for example, from the manufacturer of the apparatus. The program is given a specific identification code in advance, and the retrieving unit 20 recognizes the identification code to rewrite the disc. The presence or absence of a control program for use.

If this control program exists,
The writing unit 21 fetches the control program for rewriting from the disk 14 and
18 and replace it with the old control program,
Thus, corrections and updates are performed. A control program for performing this rewriting operation is stored in a ROM different from the flash ROM, for example, an EPRO, as described later.
M is stored in advance. Also, when there is no rewriting control program on the disc 14, or when the play start key 23
When A is simply turned on and the control program rewriting function is not activated, the recording / reproducing unit 22 treats the disk 14 as a normal read / write disk, and reads out, for example, a video signal or an audio signal from the disk during reproduction. At the time of recording, those signals are recorded on a disk in a free area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that embodies the apparatus shown in FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes a bus, and each CPU 1
Data transmission, control signal transmission, and the like are performed between this unit 9 and each unit via this bus 24. Reference numeral 25 denotes an I / O, which is an interface for placing a signal input from the key input unit 23 on the bus 24 side. Reference numeral 26 denotes an EPROM, which stores at least a control program for rewriting control program data in the flash 18. Reference numeral 27 denotes a RAM, which is a memory for temporarily storing data required at the time of arithmetic processing in the CPU 19 and the like.

Here, the operation of this apparatus will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. First, when a disk 14 storing a new control program for rewriting to be upgraded or corrected is distributed, the user turns on the power of the apparatus (S1) and places the disk 14 in a disk control unit. 15 and the power is turned off (S2). In this state, the disk 14 is turned off while being loaded in the apparatus.

Next, the user turns on the power again (S3). To rewrite the control program, the user turns on the power while the play start key, which is a specific key, is turned on (S3). YES). Then, the control program rewriting function is activated, and the control program for executing this function is loaded into the CPU 19 from the EPROM 26.
Then, first, the detection section 20 (see FIG. 1) of the CPU 19 searches for a rewrite control program in the data in the disk 14 (S5), and determines whether or not it exists (S6). If the control program for rewriting exists on the disk 14 (YES in S6), the control program is read out and written in the RAM 27 (S6).
7). Then, the control program read into the RAM 27 is rewritten into the flash ROM 18 to modify the old control program stored previously or upgrade this version (S8). When the rewriting process is completed, the rewritten new control program is read by the CPU 19.

On the other hand, if NO in S6, that is, if there is no new control program for rewriting in the disk 14, the control program rewriting function is stopped, and the CPU 19 receives the normal control program from the flash ROM 18. It is read and enters a standby state.
Then, for example, when the play start key 23A is turned on (S9), for example, in the case of a DVD, for example, in the case of a DVD, an FP-PGC (First PlayProg) is prepared in accordance with the format to prepare for a normal reproduction operation.
ram Chain) flag for search (S10),
The reproduction of the video signal or the audio signal is started (S1
1). That is, here, the disk 14 is treated as a normal reproduction / recording disk, and data is written to the disk 14 during a recording operation.

On the other hand, if the answer is NO in S4, that is, if the power is simply turned on without pressing the play start key 23A, the process goes to S9 and enters a standby state. Therefore, if the play start key is turned on here, the above-described S
As described in S10 and S11, the disk 14 is handled as a normal disk regardless of whether a new control program for rewriting is recorded in the disk 14 or not.
In the case of D reproduction, the FP-PGC flag is searched (S10). As described above, according to the present invention, even a disk storing a rewriting program can be handled in the same manner as a normal read / write disk, and arbitrary data can be written or read on the disk. it can.

In the above embodiment, the play start key is assigned so as to also be used as a specific key, and the control program rewriting function is activated by turning on the power of the apparatus while pressing this key. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a dedicated program rewriting key may be provided in the key input unit 23, and the control program rewriting function may be activated when the key is turned on. Also, here
Although the recording / reproducing apparatus for a DVD disk has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the recording / reproducing apparatus for all disks such as a CD disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a laser disk. .

[0020]

As described above, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent functions and effects can be exhibited. A dedicated disk storing a control program for rewriting can be handled in the same way as a normal disk, and arbitrary information can be written on this disk,
Alternatively, this information can be read and reproduced. Therefore, this type of disc conventionally used exclusively for reproduction can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of an operation of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating a conventionally used disk device.

[Explanation of symbols]

13 recording / reproducing device, 14 disk, 15 disk controller, 16 video decoder, 17 audio decoder, 18 flash ROM, 19 CPU, 20
Search unit, 21 writing unit, 22 recording / reproducing unit, 23
Key input section, 23A: specific key (play start key),
24 bus, 25 I / O, 26 EPROM, 27
RAM.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a key input unit for recording / reproducing; a ROM capable of electrically writing and erasing data; and a disk control unit for performing recording / reproducing on a disk. A specific key assigned to activate the control program rewriting function, and whether or not a rewriting control program exists in the disc in response to an input from the specific key. A search unit for searching; a writing unit for writing the searched rewrite control program into the ROM; and a normal recording of the disc when the rewrite control program does not exist or the control program rewrite function is not activated. A recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a recording / reproducing unit that handles a disc for reproduction. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control program rewriting function is activated when the power is turned on while the specific key is pressed. 3. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific key is a dedicated program rewriting key.