JP2000163878A - Recording and reproducing device, and recording and reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable realizing the switching of a recording time and the switching of recording quality without varying linear velocity at the time of rotation of an optical disk and to enable confirming simply picture quality and sound quality in respective recording modes when several recording modes are provided. SOLUTION: Audio and video signals inputted from a terminal 11 are compressed respectively with compression rates of 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, 8 Mbps in an AV encoding and decoding section 6. A track buffer 7 stores temporarily each compressed data in separate storage regions respectively. This compressed data read out from the track buffer 7 is sent to the AV encoding and decoding section 6, expansion-decoding, or read out after being recorded in an optical disk 1, expansion-decoded by the AV encoding and decoding section 6, and sent to a monitor device and a loundspeaker.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a so-called D
VD (Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc)-Optical information recording / reproducing using laser beam etc. is possible for optical information recording members centered on optical discs such as RAM and DVD-RW (Rewritable). A recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: means for temporarily storing a signal for performing compression / expansion of the signal; and performing high-speed and high-density recording / reproduction of a compressed signal on an optical information recording member such as an optical disk. It relates to a recording / reproducing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing a compressed signal on an optical disk at high speed and high density, a so-called DVD-RAM apparatus, DVD-RW apparatus,
There are MD (mini disk) devices and the like.

[0003] These recording / reproducing devices include a signal compression / compression system.
A storage unit (memory = track buffer) for temporarily storing data is provided for performing expansion and preventing occurrence of a recording / reproducing error due to external vibration or the like.

[0004] For example, an MD device is provided with a track buffer composed of a DRAM (dynamic RAM) having a capacity of 4 M (mega) bits corresponding to about 10 seconds of a music signal.
While the data reproduced from the optical disk is temporarily stored in a track buffer, and the data is read from the track buffer and the music signal is reproduced, the trace position of the optical head is moved to the next sector (track) to be reproduced on the optical disk. Is moved (kick or track jump), and the optical head is made to stand by (stand by with the optical disk rotated) on the sector to be reproduced.

In recording data on an optical disk,
An input signal to be recorded is compressed and stored in a track buffer, and when a predetermined amount of compressed data is accumulated in the track buffer, the compressed data is read from the track buffer and recorded on an optical disc, and the next compressed data is recorded. While the data is stored in the track buffer, the trace position of the optical head is moved (kick or track jump) to the next sector (track) to be recorded on the optical disk, and the optical head is moved over the sector to be recorded. They are waiting.

As described above, in the MD device, intermittent data recording / reproduction is performed on the optical disk by using the track buffer. Note that a track buffer that temporarily stores data to prevent occurrence of a recording / reproducing error due to external vibrations or the like is called a shock-proof memory.

For example, in a DVD device, an MD
Similarly to the device, a track buffer having a capacity of 4 Mbits is provided, and data is transferred at a variable transfer rate using the track buffer.

Here, if the data transfer rate of the DVD device is 8 Mbps (bits / second), about 0.5 seconds of data can be stored in the track buffer of 4 Mbits. The time during which the optical head is kept on standby in the sector (the time during which the optical head is kicked or the rotation waiting time) is also about 0.5 seconds.

In recent years, however, the price of DRAMs has also become cheaper, and the 4 Mbit DRAM conventionally used has been used.
16Mbit or more DR instead of RAM
It has become common to use AM. When a 16 Mbit DRAM is used, data for 2 seconds can be temporarily stored at a data transfer rate of 8 Mbps.
It is possible to temporarily store data for 8 seconds at a data transfer rate of Mbps.

As described above, a technique for providing a track buffer for temporarily storing data to be recorded / reproduced and for recording / reproducing a signal at one transfer rate using the track buffer is, for example, a special technique. Kaisho 59-1721
No. 69, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-128531, and the like. Also, a technique for reproducing or recording high-density information using a laser beam is known, and has been put to practical use mainly when an optical disk is used as a recording medium.

Here, optical disks can be broadly classified into a read-only type, a write-once type, and a rewritable type. The read-only type is a compact disk (C) in which music information is recorded.
D) and video CDs (VCDs) and DVs that record image information.
CD-R, DVD, etc.
-R etc. are commercialized. Furthermore, as a rewritable type, CD-RW, DVDRAM, DVD-
RWs and the like are being commercialized as video and audio recordings and data files for personal computers.

The rewritable type is realized by providing a recording thin film on an optical disc which reversibly changes between two or more states by changing irradiation conditions of a laser beam or the like. There is a phase change type. Of these, phase-change type optical disks record signals by changing the recording film reversibly between amorphous (non-crystalline) and crystalline by changing the irradiation conditions of laser light, and record the signal. The difference is optically detected and reproduced. Therefore, the rewritable type can reproduce a signal as a change in the reflectance of laser light, similarly to the read-only type or the write-once type. Since one beam can be used, there is an advantage that the device configuration can be simplified.

As a method of recording a signal on a rewritable optical disk that has already been commercialized, an edge position before and after a recording mark has a pulse width corresponding to a digital signal “1” in order to further increase the density. A modulation method (hereinafter, referred to as PWM) has been studied. Note that this PW
In the M system, since the width of a recording mark has information, it is necessary to record the recording mark without distortion, that is, symmetrically in the longitudinal direction.

[0014]

By the way, conventionally,
For example, in a tape recording / reproducing apparatus using a magnetic tape medium as a recording medium, when recording an audio signal or a moving image signal, switching of a recording time, for example, switching between a standard mode (standard time mode) and a long time mode, Switching of recording quality, for example, switching between a standard mode (standard quality mode) and a high quality mode, etc., is possible. For example,
In a conventional tape recording / reproducing apparatus for performing analog recording, switching of the recording time and switching of the recording quality are specifically realized by changing the tape speed. When the mode is set to the long time mode, the tape speed is reduced as compared with the standard recording time (standard time mode), and the tape speed is also reduced during reproduction. In the case of the long-time mode, the image quality and the sound quality are also reduced accordingly.

On the other hand, even when an optical disk is used as a recording medium, it is desired that recording time and recording quality can be switched in the same manner as when a magnetic tape medium is used. As described above, in the recording / reproducing apparatus using the optical disk, the simplest method of realizing the switching of the recording time and the switching of the recording quality may be, for example, switching the linear velocity when rotating the optical disk.

However, when a signal is recorded on an optical disk, the laser irradiation portion on the optical disk has a higher temperature at the irradiation end point than at the irradiation start point due to the so-called heat storage effect. However, there is a problem that the end portion (irradiation end point) becomes thinner and becomes thicker and distorted like teardrops. Such distortion of the recording mark shape causes distortion of the reproduced waveform, which causes a recorded signal to be incorrectly read. As a method of reducing the distortion of the recording mark, for example, an overwriting method in which one recording mark is formed by irradiating a plurality of short pulse trains (JP-A-3-185628) and a method of correcting the waveform (particularly, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6-12677) has already been proposed, but in the case of performing higher-speed and higher-density recording / reproducing, optimum optical discs are used depending on environmental conditions such as variations in individual optical discs, the number of recording times of optical discs, and ambient temperature. Due to the different recording conditions, a new problem that the reproduction quality deteriorates may occur.

That is, in a recording / reproducing apparatus that uses an optical disk as a recording medium, in order to switch the recording time or the recording quality, for example, if the recording is attempted by changing the linear velocity during rotation of the optical disk, the recording is performed. A problem that the characteristics are deteriorated occurs. This problem occurs in both the phase change medium and the magneto-optical medium which perform recording in the range of thermal recording.

Therefore, it is desired that the switching of the recording time and the switching of the recording quality can be realized without changing the linear velocity during rotation of the optical disk.

In recent years, as a compression / expansion technique such as a DVD, a so-called MPEG (Moving Picture Image Code) has been developed.
The number of optical disks and their recording / reproducing devices adopting the NG Experts Group) method is increasing. Therefore, it is particularly desirable to be able to switch the recording time and the recording quality in the optical disk and the recording / reproducing device employing the MPEG. It is. As an example of the recording time and the recording quality when the MPEG is adopted, for example, a high-quality recording mode in which recording is performed for 2 hours at a transfer rate of 8 Mbps,
Consider each mode such as a slightly higher quality mode for recording for 4 hours at a transfer rate of 4 Mbps (hereinafter referred to as a medium quality recording mode) and a normal quality recording mode for recording for 8 hours at a transfer rate of 2 Mbps. It is desired that these modes can be selectively switched. As described above, there is no recording / reproducing apparatus adopting the MPEG system that can select a recording mode for switching a recording time or switching a recording quality.

However, when the MPEG system is adopted, for example, when a long-time recording mode with a low transfer rate such as a normal quality recording mode is selected, for example, an image in which a picture moves at a high speed, or the entire screen is displayed. In an image in which the picture moves randomly, the image quality (image quality) may be extremely reduced. Therefore, when there are several recording modes, it is desired that the image quality and the sound quality in each recording mode can be easily confirmed.

Next, when recording a moving image or continuous audio information, or when editing and recording / reproducing the same, it is necessary to ensure the continuity of the information to be recorded. It cannot be stopped temporarily. However, it is preferable that the recording apparatus enables continuous recording in any state.

In particular, when deletion is performed by editing, empty areas on the disk become scattered. If an attempt is made to record a moving image recording signal here, the information amount of the moving image recording signal written to the track buffer exceeds the information amount of the moving image recording signal read from the track buffer and recorded on the disc. In such a case, the track buffer overflows, and there is a possibility that the recording signal of the moving image cannot be continuously recorded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and when an optical disk is used as a recording medium, the linear velocity during rotation of the optical disk is not changed.
Switching of recording time and recording quality can be realized,
In addition, when there are several recording modes, it is possible to easily check the image quality and sound quality in each recording mode, and also to prevent the track buffer from overflowing, and to fill the empty areas scattered on the disk. It is another object of the present invention to provide a recording / reproducing apparatus and a recording / reproducing method capable of recording a continuous recording signal.

[0024]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus for compressing an input signal at at least two or more compression rates. Means, temporary storage means for separately temporarily storing the compressed data compressed at each of the compression rates, and decompression means for respectively decompressing the compressed data compressed at each of the compression rates stored in the temporary storage means. Having.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus for managing the storage amount of the temporary storage means and writing / reading of the temporary storage means as means for solving the above-mentioned problems. And control means for controlling the Then, the control means sequentially stores the compressed data from the compression means in the temporary storage means, and writes the data to the temporary storage means when the management means detects that the storage amount has reached a predetermined value. Stopping, selectively reading out each of the compressed data stored in the temporary storage means and sending it to the decompression means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus for managing the storage amount of the temporary storage means, and a recording means for recording the compressed data. And a control unit for controlling writing / reading of the temporary storage unit and recording / reproduction of the recording unit. Then, the control means sequentially stores the compressed data from the compression means in the temporary storage means, and when the management means detects that the storage amount has reached a predetermined value, the compressed data is stored in the temporary storage means. Each of the compressed data is recorded in the recording means, and the compressed data recorded in the recording means is selectively reproduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the recording means records / reproduces a digital signal on / from an optical information recording medium capable of optically recording / reproducing. I do.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the recording means is adapted to perform the recording at a recording rate higher than a maximum rate among the plurality of compression rates. Record the compressed data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus as a means for solving the above-mentioned problem, wherein a management area in which at least position information indicating a recording position of recording information on a recording medium is recorded is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information, and free area detection for detecting a free area for a recording area on the recording medium where the recording information is recorded, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. And seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek from a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area. When the transfer rate of the recording information is “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage unit is “C”, and the time required for the seek is “T”, when “C / B> T” is satisfied,
Recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and the temporary storage means for the empty area detected by the recordable empty area detecting means. Recording means for recording the recording information via the recording medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus as a means for solving the above-mentioned problem, wherein a recording area on a recording medium is recorded at least from a management area in which position information indicating a recording position is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information, and free area detection for detecting a free area for a recording area on the recording medium where the recording information is recorded, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. And seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek from a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area. Further, the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording is “A”, the transfer rate of the recording information is “B”, the capacity of the free space detected by the free space detecting means is “m”, and the seek is required. If the time is “T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (AB)” is satisfied, the empty area is detected as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced. And a recording unit that records recording information in the empty area detected by the recordable empty region detection unit via the temporary storage unit.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus as a means for solving the above-mentioned problem, wherein a management area in which at least position information indicating a recording position of recording information on a recording medium is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information, and free area detection for detecting a free area for a recording area on the recording medium where the recording information is recorded, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. And seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek from a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area. Further, the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording is "A", the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", the capacity of the temporary storage means is "C", and the free space detected by the free space detecting means is used. When “C / B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (A−B)” are satisfied, where “m” is the capacity of “m” and “T” is the time required for the seek, A recordable empty area detecting means for detecting an empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced; and the temporary storage means for the empty area detected by the recordable empty area detecting means. Recording means for recording the recording information via the recording medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method for compressing an input signal at at least two or more compression rates as means for solving the above-mentioned problems. And temporarily storing the compressed data separately compressed at the respective compression rates, and decompressing the temporarily stored compressed data at the respective compression rates.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, wherein at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording is determined by a temporary storage means having a predetermined capacity. Absorbing the position information; and reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least the recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded. Detecting the free area for the recording area where the recording information is recorded, and detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each detected free area to the free area,
Assuming that the transfer rate of the recording information is “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage means is “C”, and the time required for the seek is “T”,
When “C / B> T” is satisfied, the vacant area is detected as a vacant area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and the temporary storage unit is stored in the detected vacant area. Recording the record information via the interface.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, wherein at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording is determined by temporary storage means having a predetermined capacity. Absorbing the position information; and reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least the recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded. Detecting the free area for the recording area where the recording information is recorded, and detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each detected free area to the free area,
The transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording is “A”, the transfer rate of the recording information is “B”, the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detecting means is “m”, and the time required for the seek is As “T”, “m> (A × B ×
T) / (A−B) ”, the vacant area is detected as a vacant area in which recording and reproduction of continuous recording information can be performed.
Recording the record information via the temporary storage means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, wherein at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording is determined by temporary storage means having a predetermined capacity. Absorbing the position information; and reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least the recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded. Detecting the free area for the recording area where the recording information is recorded, and detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each detected free area to the free area,
At the time of recording, the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium is "A", the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", the capacity of the temporary storage means is "C", and the capacity of the free space detected by the free space detecting means. Is “m”, and the time required for the seek is “T”, and if “C / B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (AB)” are satisfied, the free space Is detected as a vacant area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and the recording information is recorded in the detected vacant area via the temporary storage means.

[0036]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a recording / reproducing apparatus and a recording / reproducing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an optical disk apparatus as an embodiment to which the recording / reproducing apparatus and the recording / reproducing method of the present invention are applied. In the optical disk device of the present embodiment, for example, MPEG2 is adopted as the compression / expansion technique, and DVD is mentioned as an example of the optical disk. Further, in the configuration of FIG. 1, many parts usually provided in a so-called DVD device or the like are omitted.

In FIG. 1, an optical disk 1 is a recording type optical disk made of, for example, a phase change material. In this embodiment, for example, a so-called DVD-RW disk is used. In this DVD-RW disk, sectors (tracks) are spirally arranged in the disk, the rotation is controlled at a constant linear velocity (CLV), and one block is composed of 16 sectors.

FIG. 2 conceptually shows such a sector block of the optical disc 1. As can be seen from FIG. 2, a 4-sector block (one block is composed of 8 sectors) in the inner area EA. ), 8 in the outer area EB
A sector block (one block is eight sectors) has a disk rotation cycle of about 40 msec in the area EA and about 80 msec in the area EB. However, since the actual DVD has 16 sectors per block as described above, the example of FIG. 2 is different from the actual DVD.

The optical disk 1 is fixed to the spindle motor 2 by a chucking mechanism (not shown). The spindle motor 2 is rotationally driven by a driver 7,
The optical disk 1 chucked by the chucking mechanism is driven to rotate. The spindle motor 2 includes an FG generator and a rotation position signal detecting means such as a Hall element. The FG signal from the FG generator and the rotation position signal from the Hall element are
The signal is fed back to the servo section 8 via the driver 7 as a rotation servo signal.

The optical head 3 uses a semiconductor laser as a light source, forms a laser spot on a predetermined track of the optical disk 1 by an optical system such as a collimator lens and an objective lens, and drives the objective lens by a biaxial actuator. By doing so, focusing and tracking of the laser spot are performed. The semiconductor laser is driven by a laser drive circuit, and the biaxial actuator is driven by a driver 7.

The key input unit 10 includes a plurality of keys operated by the user. The key input unit 10 receives various types of key operation input information from the user to instruct recording start, reproduction start, recording stop, reproduction stop, and the like. To be supplied.

The system controller 9 includes the key input unit 1
As key operation input information from 0, according to various key operation input information such as recording start, reproduction start, recording stop, reproduction stop, etc., for example, the signal processing unit 5, the servo unit 8, the amplifier unit 4, and the AV encoding / decoding. The LSI of each unit such as the unit 6 is controlled.

Next, when performing reproduction, an instruction to start reproduction is issued from the key input unit 10 and the system controller 9 is operated.
Are the amplifier unit 4 and the servo unit 8, which will be described later, according to the command.
And the driver 7. Specifically, at the time of this reproduction, first, the rotation of the optical disc 1 is controlled, and a laser spot is irradiated on the optical disc 1, and an address signal formed in advance on a signal track on the optical disc 1 is read. A target sector (track) to be reproduced is detected from the information. Then, the movement of the optical head 3 is controlled so that the target sector (track) is scanned by the laser spot. After the movement to the target sector is completed, signal reproduction from the target sector is started.

At the time of this reproduction, the amplifier unit 4 amplifies the RF signal reproduced from the target sector of the optical disk 1 by the optical head 3 and, based on this RF signal, reproduces a reproduction signal and a tracking and focusing servo signal (tracking error and focus). Error signal).

The amplifier section 4 includes an equalizer for optimizing at least the frequency characteristic of the reproduced signal and a P / P for extracting a bit clock from the reproduced signal and forming a speed servo signal.
An LL unit (phase-locked loop); and a jitter forming unit for extracting a jitter component from a comparison between a bit clock from the PLL unit and a time axis of the reproduced signal. The tracking and focusing servo signal and the speed servo signal are supplied to the servo unit 8, and the reproduction signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 5.

The servo section 8 performs servo control of the corresponding portions based on the velocity servo signal from the amplifier section 4, the focusing and tracking servo signals of the optical head 3, and the rotation servo signal from the spindle motor 2. Specifically, the spindle motor 2 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed based on a speed servo signal generated by the PLL unit of the amplifier unit 4 according to the disk rotation speed and a rotation servo signal from the spindle motor 2. That is, a rotation speed servo control signal for rotating the optical disk 1 at a predetermined constant linear speed is formed.

Although the details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the recording / reproducing speed (recording data transfer rate) / reproducing speed (reproducing data transfer rate) of the optical disc 1 is higher than the internal maximum data transfer rate. Playback is performed. For this reason, the servo section 8 forms a rotation speed servo control signal for rotating the optical disc 1 at a constant linear speed that matches the recording speed / reproduction speed. Further, the servo unit 8 forms an optical head servo control signal for the optical head 3 to accurately perform focusing and tracking on the optical disc 1 based on the focusing and tracking servo signals.

The rotational speed servo control signal and the optical head servo control signal are sent to the driver 7. Hereinafter, the recording speed (recording data transfer rate) of the optical disk 1 will be referred to as a recording rate, and the reproduction speed (reproduction data transfer rate) of the optical disk 1 will be referred to as a reproduction rate.

The driver 7 drives the spindle motor 2 to rotate in accordance with the rotational speed servo control signal from the servo unit 8 and drives the biaxial actuator of the optical head 3 in accordance with the optical head servo control signal. In this embodiment, the driver 7 drives the spindle motor 2 according to the rotation speed servo control signal,
When the optical disk 1 is rotated at a predetermined linear velocity, and the driver 7 drives the biaxial actuator of the optical head 3 according to the optical head servo control signal, focusing and tracking of the laser spot on the optical disk can be performed. Done.

The signal processing section 5 at the time of this reproduction converts the reproduction signal supplied from the amplifier section 4 from analog to digital (analog / digital), and performs synchronization detection from the digital signal obtained by the A / D conversion. At the same time, decoding is performed from a so-called EFM + signal (8-16 modulated signal) applied to the digital signal to NRZ (Non Return to Zero) data, and further error correction processing is performed to address a sector on the optical disk 1. Obtain data and playback data. The address data and the synchronization signal obtained by the signal processing unit 5 are supplied to the system controller 9.

Here, since the reproduced data is data compressed and encoded at a variable transfer rate of MPEG, the optical disk device of this embodiment converts the reproduced data to, for example, a 64 Mbit DRAM (track buffer 7).
By temporarily controlling the writing / reading of the track buffer 7, the time variation of the variable transfer rate of the reproduced data is absorbed.

The track buffer used in the present embodiment indicates a buffer memory for temporarily storing compressed data, and absorbs a variable transfer rate generally provided in a DVD, for example. Buffer memory used for MPEG encoding and decoding.

The management of the storage capacity and storage area of the track buffer 7 and the write / read control are performed by the system controller 9 via the signal processing section 5, for example. The details of the operation of managing and controlling the track buffer 7 during data compression encoding and data reproduction will be described later. Hereinafter, the speed of writing to the track buffer 7 (write data transfer rate) is called the write rate, and the speed of reading (read data transfer rate)
Is referred to as a readout rate. The reproduction data read from the track buffer 7 is supplied to an AV encoding / decoding unit (A-V ENDEC) 6 via a signal processing unit 5.

Next, at the time of this reproduction, the AV encoding / decoding section 6 compresses and encodes the reproduced data read from the track buffer 7 by MPEG2 and multiplexes the audio data and the video data. Since the data is data, the multiplexed compressed audio data and compressed video data are separated, and each of them is decompressed and decoded by MPEG2, and further D / A (digital / analog) converted to obtain audio and video signals. As terminal 11
Output from The video signal output from the terminal 11 is supplied to a not-shown NTSC (National Television System).
Committee) Processed by an encoder or the like and displayed on a monitor device, and the audio signal is sent to a speaker or the like (not shown) and emitted.

The speed of the decompression decoding by the AV encoding / decoding section 6 at the time of this reproduction (the data transfer rate at the time of decompression decoding, hereinafter referred to as the decompression rate) is set at the time of recording. The expansion rate is set according to a recording mode described later. In other words, the AV encoding / decoding unit 6
Is capable of performing decompression decoding processing according to a plurality of decompression rates, determines the decompression rate according to a recording mode set at the time of recording, and performs decompression decoding at that rate. The information of the recording mode is recorded on the optical disc 1 together with the recording data as control data, and the control data is read out when the optical disc 1 is reproduced and sent to the system controller 9. The decompression rate of the AV encoding / decoding section 6 is set. The D / A conversion can be performed outside the AV encoding / decoding unit 6.

Next, when recording on the optical disk 1, the user issues a recording start command via the key input unit 10. Upon detecting this command, the system controller 9 first controls the rotation of the optical disc 1 and irradiates a laser spot on the optical disc 1 to thereby control the optical disc 1.
An address signal formed in advance on the upper signal track is read, and a target sector (track) to be recorded is detected from the address information. Then, the movement of the optical head 3 is controlled so that the laser spot is located on the target sector (track).

At the time of recording, audio and video signals to be recorded are input via the terminal 11, and these signals are supplied to the AV encoding / decoding unit 6. The AV encoder / decoder 6 performs A / D conversion of the audio signal and the video signal, and controls writing and reading to and from a 16 Mbit track buffer 8 in accordance with a transfer speed according to a recording mode described later. A compression encoding process is performed by using the compression technology of MPEG2, and further, they are multiplexed and supplied to the signal processing unit 5.

Although the track buffer 8 in this embodiment is 16 Mbits, it may have a capacity of 64 Mbits.
Further, the A / D conversion may be performed outside the AV encoding / decoding unit 6.

In the following, the speed of compression encoding (data transfer rate at the time of compression encoding) in the AV encoding / decoding section 6 will be referred to as a compression rate (that is, the AV rate).
The encoding / decoding unit 6 performs the compression encoding process at a plurality of compression rates according to the recording mode. ).

Next, the signal processing unit 5 during this recording
Temporarily controls the storage of data from the AV encoding / decoding unit 6 in a 64 Mbit track buffer 7, reads the data from the track buffer 7 at a read rate corresponding to the recording rate on the optical disc 1, and outputs an error correction code. At the same time, NRZ and EFM + encoding processes are performed, and a synchronization signal supplied from the system controller 9 is added to form recording data. The details of the management of the storage capacity and storage area of the track buffer 7 and the write / read control during this recording will be described later.

The recording data read from the track buffer 7 is D / A-converted by the signal processing unit 5 and supplied to the amplifier unit 3 as a recording signal. ).

At this time, the system controller 9 measures the jitter value from the amplifier unit 4 by A / D conversion, and changes the waveform correction amount in the amplifier unit 4 during recording according to the measured jitter value. That is, when a signal is recorded on the optical disk 1, the amplifier section 4 corrects the waveform of the signal from the signal processing section 5, and outputs the corrected signal to the optical head 3.
To the laser drive circuit.

Next, the recording mode set when recording / reproducing, the compression / expansion rate in the AV encoding / decoding section 6, the recording / reproduction rate of the optical disk, and the writing / reading rate of the track buffer 7 will be described. do.

In this embodiment, the input / output rate of the input original image signal or the output reproduced image signal is, for example, 10 Mbps, and the AV encoding is performed in accordance with the recording / reproducing rate. As the compression / decompression rate in the decoding unit 6, a total of three compression / decompression rates of "8Mbps", "4Mbps" and "2Mbps" can be selected.

When the compression / expansion rate of 8 Mbps is selected, recording / reproduction for two hours can be performed on the optical disk (high-quality recording mode), and the compression / decompression rate of 4 Mbps is achieved.
If the decompression rate is selected, 4
Recording / reproducing for a time is possible (moderately high-quality mode = medium-quality recording mode), and when a compression / expansion rate of 2 Mbps is selected, recording / reproducing for an optical disk for 8 hours is possible. (Normal quality recording mode).
In each recording mode, the fixed transfer rate (CB
R) or a variable transfer rate (VBR).

Further, for example, it is possible to set the resolution of an image to be recorded, to set high-speed scenes such as car races, and to set recording with priority on recording time. By performing each setting, the recording time of the optical disk can be changed.

The selection of the recording mode of the image quality priority and the setting of the recording time priority are performed by the user operating the selection keys provided on the key input unit 10 or by using the input terminal 12 to input the control data for the selection and setting. This is done by inputting. The input information from the key input unit 10 or the control data from the input terminal 12 is transmitted to the system controller 9.
The system controller 9 controls each unit based on the selection or setting contents.

The AV encoding / decoding section 6 is configured to perform MPEG compression encoding / expansion decoding at a compression / expansion rate according to the selected recording mode and recording time setting. Under the control of the system controller 9, a compression encoding / decompression decoding process corresponding to the compression / expansion rate is performed.

That is, when a recording mode is selected or a recording time is input from the key input unit 10 or the input terminal 12 by the user, the system controller 9 sets the AV encoding / decoding unit 6 in accordance with the input contents. To set the compression / decompression rate in MPEG compression / decompression decoding. At this time, the system controller 9
At the same time, according to the selection of the recording mode and the setting of the recording time, the capacity management and the write / read control of the 64 Mbit track buffer 7 and the setting of the write / read rate are also performed.

Hereinafter, in the optical disc apparatus of the present embodiment, when recording a signal on the optical disc 1, the recording mode, the compression rate of the AV encoding / decoding section 6, the capacity management of the track buffer 7, the write / read control, and The operation of the write / read rate will be described.

At the time of recording, when a user selects a recording mode or inputs a setting of a recording time from the key input unit 10 or the input terminal 12, the system controller 9.
First, the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 is checked via the signal processing unit 5, and according to the input information on the selection of the recording mode and the setting of the recording time, as shown in FIGS. A predetermined upper limit capacity (full: FULL) and a lower limit capacity (empty: EMPT) of the track buffer 7
Y) is set. The details of FIGS. 3 to 5 will be described later.

Next, the system controller 9 controls the AV encoding / decoding section 6 to perform a compression encoding process at a compression rate corresponding to the selection of the recording mode and the setting input of the recording time. Is written in a predetermined recording unit, and is temporarily written to the track buffer 7 at the same write rate as the compression rate. At the same time,
The system controller 9 controls the optical head 3 in a standby state (kick state) on a desired track (sector) on the optical disc 1 by controlling the servo unit 8. At this time, the compression encoding process in the AV encoding / decoding unit 6 is continued, and the writing to the track buffer 7 is also continued.

By continuing writing to the track buffer 7 in this state, when the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 reaches a predetermined upper limit capacity (full), the system controller 9 sets the track buffer 7 The data is read from and controlled to be supplied to the signal processing unit 5. In this state, the writing from the track buffer 7 is continued simultaneously with the reading. However, at this time, the reading rate from the track buffer 7 is
The recording rate is the same as the recording rate. Since the recording rate of the optical disc 1 is higher than the maximum compression rate in the AV encoding / decoding unit 6, the track buffer 7
In the case where writing and reading are performed at the same time, the data storage amount gradually decreases.

The signal processing section 5 adds an error correction code to the compressed and coded data read from the track buffer 7 at the same reading rate as the recording rate of the optical disc 1, and further adds an address and a synchronization signal to the amplifier. Supply to section 4. The signal from the amplifier unit 4 is further supplied to the optical head 3. At this time, the standby state of the optical head 3 is released by the system controller 9. As a result, a signal is recorded on the optical disc 1.

Next, the data storage amount of the track buffer 7 gradually decreases, and the remaining storage capacity becomes the lower limit capacity (empty).
Is reached, the system controller 9 controls the optical head 3 via the servo unit 8 so as to be in a standby state (kick state) on the next track (sector) to be recorded, and at the same time, the track buffer 7 Read control from the CPU is stopped. Then, it waits until the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 reaches the value of the upper limit capacity (full). When the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 recovers to the upper limit capacity, the system controller 9 resumes reading from the track buffer 7 and releases the optical head 3 from the standby state. By repeatedly performing such an operation, continuous recording is performed on the optical disc 1.

Hereinafter, the optical disk 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The details of the capacity management of the track buffer 7, write / read control, and write / read rate control at the time of recording will be described in detail.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show the write / read control of the track buffer 7, the change in the write / read rate, and the change in the capacity of the track buffer 7 during recording on the optical disk 1. FIG. 3 shows a case where the compression rate in the AV encoding / decoding unit 6 is 2 Mbps (the write rate of the track buffer 7 is 2 Mbps), FIG. 4 shows a case where the compression rate (write rate) is 4 Mbps, and FIG. The case where the compression rate (write rate) is 8 Mbps is shown.

The area A shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 has a predetermined upper limit capacity after data writing to the track buffer 7 whose storage capacity is the initial value 0 at the start of recording. The period until data is written to (full) is shown. In this area A, reading from the track buffer 7 and recording on the optical disk 1 are not performed, and the optical head 3 is on standby on a desired track (sector) on the optical disk 1.

In the area B shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, data is read from the track buffer 7 having a predetermined upper limit capacity (full) to the predetermined lower limit capacity (empty) after data reading is started. The period until is shown. In the area B, reading and writing of the track buffer 7 are performed at the same time, and recording on the optical disk 1 is also performed at the same time.

In the area C shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, data is written into the track buffer 7 having the lower limit capacity (empty), so that the capacity of the track buffer 7 becomes equal to the predetermined upper limit capacity (full). It shows the period until it becomes. In the C area, reading from the track buffer 7 and recording on the optical disk 1 are not performed, and the optical head 3 is in a standby state on a desired track (sector) on the optical disk 1.

The D area shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 shows a period during which data is simultaneously read from the upper limit capacity (full) to the lower limit capacity (empty) of the track buffer 7, and data is written at the same time as the B area. . During this time, recording on the optical disk 1 is also performed at the same time.

In the following, the compression rate (write rate) is 2 Mbps. In FIG.
Data is written to a predetermined upper limit capacity (full) at a write rate of bps, but reading from the track buffer 7 and recording on the optical disk 1 are not performed, and the optical head 3 is in a standby state on a desired track (sector). It has become.

In the area B, as described above, the optical disk 1
Since the recording rate for the data is 10 Mbps, data is read from the track buffer 7 at the same reading rate of 10 Mbps as the recording rate. In the area B, the writing to the track buffer 7 is continued at a write rate of 2 Mbps, so that the track buffer 7 outputs 10 (Mbps) −2 (Mbp).
s) = 8 (Mbps) At a speed corresponding to a rate of 8 (Mbps), the data accumulation amount gradually decreases.

Since the data storage amount gradually decreases in the B area, the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 decreases to a predetermined lower limit capacity (empty). Then, only data is written to the track buffer 7 at a write rate of 2 Mbps to a predetermined upper limit capacity, no recording is performed on the optical disc 1, and the optical head 3 is in a standby state on a desired track (sector). Becomes The D region is the same as the B region.

Next, when the compression rate (write rate) is 4 Mb
In FIG. 4 showing the case of ps, in the area A, data is written to the track buffer 7 at a write rate of 4 Mbps up to a predetermined upper limit capacity, but reading from the track buffer 7 and recording on the optical disc 1 are performed. Not
The optical head 3 is on standby on a desired track.

In the area B, since the recording rate on the optical disc 1 is 10 Mbps, the track buffer 7 has a read rate of 10 Mbps which is the same as the recording rate.
Is read from the memory. In the case of FIG. 4, B
In the area, writing to the track buffer 7 is continued at a write rate of 4 Mbps, and therefore, from the track buffer 7, 10 (Mbps) −4 (Mbp)
s) = 6 (Mbps), and the data storage amount gradually decreases at a speed corresponding to the rate.

In the area C after the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 has been reduced to the predetermined lower limit capacity by gradually reducing the data storage amount in the area B, as in the case of the area A, Only data is written to the buffer 7 at a write rate of 4 Mbps up to a predetermined upper limit capacity, no recording is performed on the optical disk 1, and the optical head 3 enters a standby state on a desired track (sector). D
The region is the same as the region B.

Next, when the compression rate (write rate) is 8 Mb
In FIG. 5 showing the case of ps, in the area A, data is written to the track buffer 7 at a write rate of 8 Mbps up to a predetermined upper limit capacity, but reading from the track buffer 7 and recording on the optical disc 1 are performed. Not
The optical head 3 is on standby on a desired track.

In the area B, since the recording rate on the optical disc 1 is 10 Mbps, the track buffer 7 has a read rate of 10 Mbps which is the same as the recording rate.
Is read from the memory. In the case of FIG. 5, B
In the area, writing to the track buffer 7 is continued at a writing rate of 8 Mbps, so that 10 (Mbps) -8 (Mbp)
s) = 2 (Mbps) The data storage amount gradually decreases at a speed corresponding to the rate.

As the data storage amount gradually decreases in the area B, the track storage capacity of the track buffer 7 is reduced to a predetermined lower limit capacity. Only data is written to the buffer 7 at a write rate of 8 Mbps up to a predetermined upper limit capacity, no recording is performed on the optical disk 1, and the optical head 3 is in a standby state on a desired track (sector). D
The region is the same as the region B.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when recording a signal on the optical disc 1, the compression rate (write rate of the track buffer 7) in the AV encoder / decoder 6 is
Since the recording rate on the optical disc 1 is set to be as low as 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps with respect to 10 Mbps which is the recording rate on the optical disc 1, the difference between the transfer rates in the standby state of the A area or the C area (recording standby state on the optical disc 1) is reduced. It is possible to perform recording while absorbing the continuity of the information to be recorded.

Next, in the optical disk device of the present embodiment, when a signal is reproduced from the optical disk 1, the recording mode, the decompression rate in the AV encoding / decoding section 6, the capacity management of the track buffer 7, and the writing / reading are performed. The operation of the control and the write / read rate will be described.

First, at the time of reproduction, the system controller 9 controls the servo section 8 to control the movement of the optical head 3 on a predetermined track on the optical disk 1 and read data of a start sector from the predetermined track. Control. This start sector contains control data. The control data includes information on a recording mode at the time of recording, that is, for example, information on a decompression rate (the same rate as a compression rate at the time of recording) in the AV encoding / decoding unit 6 and the like.

The system controller 9 performs the operations shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 on the basis of the information of the decompression rate of the control data.
As shown in the figure, a predetermined upper limit capacity (full: FULL) and a lower limit capacity (empty: EMPTY) of the track buffer 7
Set the value of each. Further, the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 is confirmed via the signal processing unit 7. The details of FIGS. 6 to 8 will be described later.

Further, the system controller 9 controls the servo section 8 to read out a signal from a desired track on the optical disc 1 at the same reproduction rate as the recording rate at the time of recording by the optical head 3, and further controls the signal. Processing unit 5
Performs error correction processing on the playback data via
The start of data writing to the track buffer 7 is controlled. At this time, the writing rate to the track buffer 7 is the same as the reproduction rate of the optical disc 1.

Next, when the system controller 9 detects that the capacity of the track buffer exceeds a predetermined lower limit capacity (empty) value by writing data to the track buffer 7, the The start of reading data from the buffer 7 is controlled. The data read from the track buffer 7 is supplied to the AV encoder / decoder 6.

The reading rate from the track buffer 7 at this time is the same as the decompression rate detected based on the control data. In addition, the system control 9 continues reading and writing to the track buffer 7 at the same time.

The write rate of the track buffer 7 is the same as the reproduction rate from the optical disc 1, while the read rate of the track buffer 7 is the same as the decompression rate of the AV encoding / decoding section 6. Is higher than the maximum decompression rate (memory read rate) in the AV encoder / decoder 6, even if writing and reading are performed simultaneously in the track buffer 7, The data storage amount will gradually increase.

The AV encoder / decoder 6 decompresses and decodes the data read from the track buffer 7 at the decompression rate previously detected based on the control data, and further separates audio data and video data. / A conversion and outputs each.

In this state, by continuing writing and reading to and from the track buffer 7, when the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 reaches a predetermined upper limit capacity (full), the system controller 9 sets The optical head 3 is controlled to move via the servo unit 8 so as to be in a standby state (kick state) on a track (sector) to be reproduced.
At the same time, the system control 9 stops writing to the track buffer 7 and continues reading only. As a result, the amount of data stored in the track buffer 7 gradually decreases.

Next, when the amount of data stored in the track buffer 7 gradually decreases and the remaining storage capacity reaches the value of the lower limit capacity (empty), the system controller 9 starts reproduction of the next track to be reproduced. Then, the optical head 3 is controlled via the servo unit 8 and the writing control of the track buffer 7 is performed so that the writing of the data reproduced from the optical disk 1 is restarted.

Thereafter, when the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 reaches the upper limit capacity, the optical head 3 is controlled to be in a standby state, and the writing to the track buffer 7 is stopped. By repeatedly performing such an operation, a series of recorded information can be continuously reproduced.

Next, referring to FIG. 6 to FIG.
The following describes in detail the management of the capacity of the track buffer 7, the control of writing / reading, and the control of the writing / reading rate during reproduction of. 6 to 8 show how the write / read control of the track buffer 7 and the change in the write / read rate and the change in the capacity of the track buffer 7 during reproduction of the optical disc 1 are shown.

FIG. 6 shows the case where the expansion rate in the AV encoding / decoding section 6 is 2 Mbps (the reading rate of the track buffer 7 is 2 Mbps), FIG. 7 shows the case where the expansion rate (reading rate) is 4 Mbps, and FIG. Indicates a case where the decompression rate (readout rate) is 8 Mbps.

The area a in FIGS. 6 to 8 has a predetermined lower limit capacity (empty) from the start of data writing to the track buffer 7 whose storage capacity is the initial value 0 at the start of reproduction. Represents a period until data is written. In the area a, the decompression and decoding by the AV encoding / decoding section 6 are not performed, and only the data reproduced from the optical disc 1 is written to the track buffer 7.

The area b in FIGS. 6 to 8 shows a period from when the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 reaches the lower limit capacity (empty) to when it reaches the upper limit capacity (full).
In the area b, reading is performed simultaneously with writing of the reproduction data to the track buffer 7 and the AV data is read.
The encoding / decoding section 6 also starts decompression decoding.

In the area c in FIGS. 6 to 8, after the remaining storage capacity reaches the upper limit capacity (full), writing to the track buffer 7 is stopped and data is read to the lower limit capacity (empty). Is shown. In the area c, the optical head 3 is in a standby state on a desired track (sector) on the optical disk 1 and only reading from the track buffer 7 is performed.

The d region in FIGS. 6 to 8 shows a period from the lower limit capacity (empty) to the upper limit capacity (full), similarly to the b region. In the d area, readout is performed simultaneously with writing of the reproduction data to the track buffer 7, and decompression decoding is also performed in the AV encoding / decoding unit 6.

The area e in FIGS. 6 to 8 is the same as the area c, the area f is the same as the area d, and the area g is the same as the area c or e.

In the following, a specific description will be given. In FIG. 6 showing a case where the decompression rate (readout rate) is 2 Mbps, in the area a, data is reproduced from the optical disc 1 at a reproduction rate of 10 Mbps. Data is written at a write rate of 10 Mbps. At this time, data is not read from the track buffer 7.

In the area b, 10 Mbp from the optical disc 1
The data is reproduced at the reproduction rate of s, and the data is also written into the track buffer 7 at the write rate of 10 Mbps.
Data reading is started at the same reading rate as the expansion rate of 2 Mbps in the encoding / decoding unit 6. This b
In the area, reading is performed from the track buffer 7 at a read rate of 2 Mbps, but writing is continued at a write rate of 10 Mbps, so that 10 (Mbps) −2 (Mbps) = 8 ( Mb
At a speed corresponding to the rate of (ps), the data accumulation amount gradually increases.

In the area c, data reproduction from the optical disk 1 is stopped, the optical head 3 is put on standby on a desired track (sector), and writing to the track buffer 7 is also stopped. Therefore, in the area c, the data storage amount gradually decreases at a read rate of 2 Mbps from the track buffer 7. At this time, AV
The encoding / decoding unit 6 continues the decompression decoding.

Area d is the same as area b, and area e is c
The region, the f region is the same as the d region, and the g region is the same as the c or e region, and thus the description is omitted.

Next, the decompression rate (readout rate) is 4 Mb.
In FIG. 7 showing the case of ps, in the area a, data is reproduced from the optical disc 1 at a reproduction rate of 10 Mbps, data is written in the track buffer 7 at a write rate of 10 Mbps, and data is written from the track buffer 7. Is not read.

In the area b, the optical disk 1 is 10 Mbp
The data is reproduced at the reproduction rate of s, and the data is written into the track buffer 7 at the write rate of 10 Mbps. At the same time, the read rate from the track buffer 7 is the same as the decompression rate of 4 Mbps in the AV encoding / decoding unit 6. Starts reading data. In this area b, reading is performed from the track buffer 7 at a read rate of 4 Mbps, but writing is continued at a write rate of 10 Mbps, so that 10 (Mbps) −4 (Mbps) = 6 (Mbp
At a speed corresponding to the rate of s), the data accumulation amount gradually increases.

In the area c, reproduction of data from the optical disk 1 is stopped, the optical head 3 enters a standby state on a desired track (sector), and writing to the track buffer 7 also stops. Therefore, in the area c, the data storage amount gradually decreases at a read rate of 4 Mbps from the track buffer 7. At this time, AV
The encoding / decoding unit 6 continues the decompression decoding.

Area d is the same as area b, and area e is c
The region, the f region is the same as the d region, and the g region is the same as the c or e region, and thus the description is omitted.

Next, the decompression rate (readout rate) is 8 Mb.
8, in the area a, data is reproduced from the optical disc 1 at a reproduction rate of 10 Mbps, data is written to the track buffer 7 at a write rate of 10 Mbps, and data is written from the track buffer 7 to the area a. Is not read.

In the area b, the optical disk 1 is 10 Mbp
The data is reproduced at the reproduction rate of s, the data is also written into the track buffer 7 at the write rate of 10 Mbps, and the read rate from the track buffer 7 is the same as the decompression rate of 8 Mbps in the AV encoding / decoding section 6. Starts reading data. In the area b, reading is performed from the track buffer 7 at a reading rate of 8 Mbps, but writing is continued at a writing rate of 10 Mbps, so that 10 (Mbps) −8 (Mbps) = 2 (Mbp
At a speed corresponding to the rate of s), the data accumulation amount gradually increases.

In the area c, reproduction of data from the optical disk 1 is stopped, the optical head 3 enters a standby state on a desired track (sector), and writing to the track buffer 7 also stops. For this reason, in the area c, the data accumulation amount gradually decreases at a read rate of 8 Mbps from the track buffer 7. At this time, AV
The encoding / decoding unit 6 continues the decompression decoding.

Area d is the same as area b, and area e is c
The region, the f region is the same as the d region, and the g region is the same as the c or e region, and thus the description is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the signal from the optical disc 1 is reproduced, the AV encoder / decoder 6
Decompression rate (read rate of track buffer 7)
Are set to 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps, which are lower than 10 Mbps, which is the reproduction rate for the optical disc 1, so that the c area or the e and g areas are in a standby state (reproduction standby state from the optical disk 1). The difference in transfer rate can be absorbed, and a series of recorded information can be continuously reproduced.

Next, the optical disc device of the present embodiment can perform a test operation of compression encoding / decompression decoding in a multi-recording mode as described below, based on the above-described configuration and operation. It has been done. Hereinafter, a test of compression encoding / decompression decoding in the multiple recording mode will be referred to as a first test mode.

That is, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned 8
Image quality (recording quality) by compression encoding / expansion decoding at each compression / expansion rate of Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps
In order to make it possible to check the compression rate, for example, using one image signal, compression encoding is performed while time-division is performed at compression rates of 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps, respectively. The data is sequentially written into each of the divided storage areas provided on the track buffer 7 corresponding to each of the compression rates, and then the compressed data of each of the compression rates stored in these divided storage areas is compressed at the corresponding decompression rate. It is possible to read out and perform decompression decoding and display it on a monitor device or the like.

The compression encoding /
According to the decompression decoding, one image signal originally having the same image quality can be compression-encoded at different compression rates and stored in different storage areas on the track buffer 7. By reading out the stored compressed data and decompressing and decoding, respectively, it is possible to compare the image quality after compression encoding / decompression decoding at each compression / decompression rate, and before actually recording on the optical disc 1, Determine the compression / decompression rate on a test basis,
That is, it is possible to determine the recording mode.

Test operation of compression encoding / decompression decoding in such a multi-recording mode (first test mode)
Is realized, in the optical disk device of the present embodiment,
It works as follows.

First, when key operation input information from the key input unit 10 or control data from the input terminal 12 indicating that the first test mode is designated is supplied, the system controller 9 sets the AV code. The encoding unit (MPEG encoder) of the encoding / decoding unit 6 is set to this first test mode.

The AV encoding / decoding section 6 set to the first test mode converts one image data supplied as an image signal to be recorded into the above-mentioned 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps,
The compression encoding process is performed while performing time division at a compression rate of 2 Mbps.

That is, the AV encoding / decoding section 6 uses the track buffer 8 as a work RAM and uses a GOP (group of pictu
re) Compressed data of each compression rate in a unit is formed by time division. Since the MPEG standard is already known,
Although a detailed description is omitted, a GOP is an MPEG unit composed of one or more I pictures and zero or more P pictures or B pictures. The compressed data at each of these compression rates is stored in each divided storage area of the track buffer 7 under the control of the system controller 9.

For example, if the data array of the image data is D1,
, And the compressed data corresponding to the compression rate of 8 Mbps is 8D1, 8D2, 8D3,.
4D compressed data corresponding to a compression rate of 4 Mbps
, 4D2, 4D3,... Compressed data corresponding to a compression rate of 2 Mbps is 2D1, 2D2, 2D3,.
And each divided storage area on the track buffer 7 corresponding to each rate of 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps is set to an 8 Mbps area, a 4 Mbps area, and a 2 Mbps area, respectively.
In the case of the bps area, the system controller 9 distributes and controls the compressed data of each rate while addressing each divided storage area of the track buffer 7 as shown in FIG. 9, and performs storage control as shown in FIG. When the track buffer 7 reaches the 100% storage capacity, the writing is controlled to end.

The 100% storage area of the track buffer 7 having a capacity of 64 Mbits is set to 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps,
When the data is divided at a ratio of, for example, 8: 4: 2 corresponding to 2 Mbps, that is, when the size of the 8 Mbps region, the 4 Mbps region, and the 2 Mbps region is set at a ratio of 8: 4: 2, the actual capacity of the 8 Mbps region is 36. .6 Mbits,
The 4 Mbps area has 18.3 Mbits, and the 2 Mbps area has 9.1 Mbits. Therefore, these 8 Mbps
When compressed data is stored at the respective rates of 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps for the area, the 4 Mbps area, and the 2 Mbps area, the time required for each divided storage area to become full is approximately the same as that for each divided storage area. This is 4.5 seconds.

Although the example of FIG. 10 shows an example in which compressed data is stored up to a storage capacity of 100%, the compressed data may be stored up to an upper limit capacity (full).

Next, in the first test mode,
When a reproduction instruction is given in any of the recording modes (compression / decompression rates), the system controller 9 controls reading of compressed data from the track buffer 7 in accordance with the instruction, and transmits the read compressed data to AV. It is supplied to the encoding / decoding unit 6.

For example, when a reproduction instruction of the recording mode at the transfer rate of 8 Mbps is given, the system controller 9 converts the compressed data stored in the 8 Mbps area of the track buffer 7 into 8D1, 8D2, 8D3,.
.., And supplies the compressed data to the AV encoding / decoding unit 6. Alternatively, when a reproduction instruction in the recording mode at a rate of 4 Mbps is given, the system controller 9 controls the 4 Mbps of the track buffer 7.
The compressed data stored in the area is defined as 4D1, 4D2,
Read control is performed in the order of 4D3,... And these compressed data are supplied to the AV encoding / decoding unit 6. Or 2Mb
When the reproduction instruction of the recording mode at the rate of ps is given, the compressed data stored in the 2 Mbps area of the track buffer 7 is converted into 2D1, 2D2, 2D3,.
And supplies the compressed data to the AV encoding / decoding unit 6.

The AV encoding / decoding section 6 decompresses and decodes the compressed data supplied from the track buffer 7 at an expansion rate corresponding to each compression rate. The image signal decompressed and decoded by the AV encoder / decoder 6 is supplied to a monitor device (not shown) via a terminal 11. Thereby, the first screen is displayed on the display screen of the monitor device.
In the test mode, each image obtained by compression encoding / decompression decoding is displayed for 4.5 seconds.

The user looks at the image displayed on the display screen of the monitor device and evaluates the image quality for each compression / expansion rate in each recording mode. Therefore, a desired recording mode can be selected from the relationship between the image quality and the recording time, and the best recording mode can be set.

In this example, the storage capacity of the track buffer 7 is 64 Mbits. However, in the case where a DRAM having a storage capacity of 256 Mbits is used instead of the DRAM having a storage capacity of 64 Mbits, each track buffer 7 has a capacity of 64 Mbits. In each of the divided areas, data for about 18 seconds can be stored. Therefore, an image for about 18 seconds is displayed on the monitor device.

Next, in the optical disk device of this embodiment, not only the first test mode of compression encoding / decompression decoding in the multi-recording mode described above, but also the test mode of recording / reproduction in the multi-recording mode, That is, a test mode for performing recording / reproduction on the actual optical disc 1 is also provided. Hereinafter, the recording / reproducing test mode in the multi-recording mode will be referred to as a second test mode.

In the second test mode, the image quality (recording quality) when the recording / reproduction is actually performed on the optical disc 1 in the above-described high-quality recording mode, medium-quality recording mode, and normal-quality recording mode. In order to make it possible to confirm, for example, each image signal is set to 8 Mbp using one image signal.
The compression encoding process is performed while performing time division at the compression rates of s, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps, and the compressed data of each of the time-divided compression rates is divided and stored in the track buffer 7 as described with reference to FIG. Writing control is sequentially performed on the area. Then, while managing the storage capacity of the track buffer 7, each compressed data stored in each divided storage area of the track buffer 7 is sequentially read and controlled, and the optical disk 1 is controlled.
(D1, 8D2, 8D3,..., 4D1,
4D2, 4D3,..., 2D1, 2D2, 2D3,.
.. (In the order of...), And thereafter, data is reproduced from the optical disk 1 as necessary, read out again via the track buffer 7, and subjected to corresponding decompression decoding, and displayed on a monitor device or the like.

According to the second test mode, one image signal originally having the same image quality can be compression-encoded at different compression rates and stored and controlled in different storage areas on the track buffer 7. Further, since the compressed data can be recorded on the optical disk 1, the compressed data recorded on the optical disk 1 is reproduced, and the compressed data read via the track buffer 7 is subjected to decompression decoding processing, whereby each compression / decompression rate is , And the image quality of the optical disc 1 after recording / reproduction can be compared. Therefore, it is possible to easily select a desired recording mode.

The operation in the second test mode will be described in more detail. First, the key operation input information from the user, for example, from the key input unit 10, or the input terminal 1
When the setting input of the second test mode is made by the control data from the system controller 2, the system controller 9
The encoding unit (MPEG encoder) of the encoding / decoding unit 6 is set to the second test mode.

In the AV encoding / decoding section 6 set in the second test mode, one image data supplied as an image signal to be recorded is converted into one image data in the same manner as in the first test mode. 8Mbps, 4Mbps, 2Mbps
The compression encoding process is performed while performing time division at the compression rate of s. That is, even in the second test mode, A
The V encoding / decoding unit 6 includes a DRAM as a work RAM.
8 is used to form time-division compressed data at each compression rate for each GOP in MPEG.

The compressed data of each compression rate is stored and controlled in each divided storage area of the track buffer 7 under the control of the system controller 9. The writing operation to each divided storage area of the track buffer 7 is the same as in the first test mode, and the system controller 9 performs addressing to each divided storage area of the track buffer 7 as described with reference to FIG. The compressed data of each rate is distributed and stored and controlled.

In the case of the second test mode, 64M
In the 100% storage area of the track buffer 7 having a bit capacity, the size of the 8 Mbps area, the 4 Mbps area, and the 2 Mbps area can be set to a ratio of 8: 4: 2. In this case, 8 Mbps area, 4 Mbps area and 2 Mbps
In the area, 8Mbps, 4Mbps, 2Mbps
s each compressed data at a rate of about 4.5
Seconds can be stored.

Next, the storage capacity of the track buffer 7 is 1
When the storage capacity reaches 00%, the system controller 9 continues the read control and the write control while maintaining the management of the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 to 8 Mb.
The compressed data sequentially read out from the ps area, the 4 Mbps area, and the 2 Mbps area in a time division manner is supplied to the signal processing unit 5.

The signal processing section 5 adds an error correction code to the compressed data read out from the 8 Mbps area, 4 Mbps area, and 2 Mbps area of the track buffer 7 in a time-division manner, and also adds an address and a synchronization signal. The control data is supplied to the amplifier 4 and control data indicating the compression / expansion rate of each recording mode is also supplied to the amplifier 4.

The signals of each recording mode input to the amplifier unit 4 are further supplied to the optical head 3 and recorded on the optical disk 1.

That is, the system controller 9 at this time controls the driver 7 via the servo section 8 to move the optical head 3 to a position of a predetermined recording start sector on the optical disk 1 and to perform tracking and focus servo control. 8D1, 8D2, 8D corresponding to the data arrangement order of each divided storage area of the track buffer 7.
3, ..., 4D1,4D2,4D3, ..., 2D
Data is recorded and controlled on the optical disc 1 in the order of 1, 2D2, 2D3,.

When recording on this optical disc 1,
When the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7 becomes the lower limit capacity, the recording on the optical disc 1 is interrupted as described above, and the recording buffer is in a standby state until the track buffer 7 recovers to the upper limit capacity.

Here, what is important in the second test mode is that, in order to record compressed data of 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 2 Mbps in the optical disk 1 in order, the recording rate on the optical disk 1 is reduced. 8 (Mbps) +4 (Mbps) +2 (Mbps) = 1
That is, it is necessary to set a value larger than 4 (Mbps).

That is, assuming that the recording / reproducing rate of the optical disc 1 is 10 Mbps as in the basic configuration described above, the recording rate of 10 Mbps is 8 Mbps, 4 Mbps.
Since all data at the compression rates of Mbps and 2 Mbps cannot be recorded, when recording / reproducing the optical disc 1 in the second test mode, the rotation speed of the optical disc 1 is set to a recording rate higher than 14 Mbps. The rotation is controlled.

Next, in the second test mode,
After the data recording on the predetermined recording sector of the optical disc 1 is completed as described above, the reproduction by any one of the recording modes is performed by the user according to the key operation input information from the key input unit 10 or the control data from the input terminal 12, for example. Is issued, the system controller 9 controls the servo unit 8 and the driver 7 in accordance with the instruction, reproduces desired data from the optical disk 1 by the optical head 3, and transmits the reproduced data to the amplifier unit 4. Through the signal processing unit 5
To supply.

The signal processing unit 5 performs an error correction process or the like on the reproduced data. At this time, the system controller 9 performs control based on the control data (information on the recording mode) previously detected from the control data. The compressed data output from the signal processing unit 5 is stored and controlled in the track buffer 7, and the compressed data is read from the track buffer 7 and controlled to be supplied to the AV encoding / decoding unit 6.

That is, in the second test mode, when a reproduction instruction of the recording mode at a transfer rate of, for example, 8 Mbps is given, the system controller 9
Data (8D1, 8D2, 8D3, 8D3, 8D3, 8D3) compressed from a predetermined recording sector of the optical disc 1 at a compression rate of 8 Mbps.
.. Are read and controlled in the recording order, and the compressed data after the processing in the signal processing unit 5 is sequentially written and controlled in the track buffer 7. Then, the compressed data stored in the track buffer 7 is written in the writing order (8D1, 8D2, 8D3,...).
), And the compressed data is subjected to decompression decoding processing by the AV coding / decoding unit 6.

When a reproduction instruction in the recording mode at a rate of 4 Mbps is issued, the system controller 9
Reads out only the data (compressed data of 4D1, 4D2, 4D3,...) Compressed from the optical disc 1 at a compression rate of 4 Mbps in the recording order, and further controls the compressed data after being processed by the signal processing unit 5. Are sequentially written to the track buffer 7. After that, the compressed data stored in the track buffer 7 is read and controlled in the writing order (the order of 4D1, 4D2, 4D3,...), And each compressed data is decoded by the AV encoding / decoding unit 6. Decompress and decode.

When a reproduction instruction in the recording mode at a rate of 2 Mbps is given, the system controller 9
Controls only the data (compressed data of 2D1, 2D2, 2D3,...) Compressed from the optical disc 1 at a compression rate of 2 Mbps in the recording order, and further controls the compressed data after being processed by the signal processing unit 5. Are sequentially written to the track buffer 7. After that, the compressed data stored in the track buffer 7 is read and controlled in the writing order (2D1, 2D2, 2D3,...), And the compressed data is decoded by the AV encoding / decoding unit 6. Decompress and decode.

As described above, the image signal decompressed and decoded by the AV encoding / decoding section 6 is supplied to a monitor device (not shown) via the terminal 11 so that the monitor device can perform the second test mode. Each image by compression encoding / decompression decoding and recording / reproduction at the time is displayed.

The user can evaluate the image quality of each recording mode by looking at the display screen of the monitor device, and can select a desired recording mode from the relationship between the image quality and the recording time. It is possible to set the best recording mode.

According to the second test mode, data for a long time can be recorded on the optical disk 1 without being influenced by the capacity of the track buffer 7 as in the first test mode. The image for a long time can be displayed on the device, and the test image can be sufficiently evaluated.

As is clear from the above description, the optical disk device of the present embodiment employs, for example, MPEG2 as a compression / expansion technique, and performs compression encoding / decoding processing corresponding to each recording mode according to recording time and recording quality. When the recording mode is selected, the recording / reproducing rate of the optical disc 1 is changed by compression encoding / decoding.
Maximum rate during decompression decoding (8 Mbp in the present embodiment)
s) With a value higher than the rate, that is, a state where the recording / reproducing speed of the optical disc 1 is fixed to the recording / reproducing rate, the write / read control of the track buffer 7 is further performed. Thereby, it is possible to realize switching selection of each recording mode. Further, since the recording / reproducing rate of the optical disc (recording / reproducing rate) is fixed, that is, the linear velocity at the time of rotation of the optical disc is fixed, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the recording characteristics due to the change in the linear velocity. Good recording characteristics can be obtained.

In the first test mode, when checking the recording quality (recorded image), it is necessary to use one image signal to check the recording image quality in each recording mode. One image signal is compressed while time-dividing at least two compression rates, and the time-division compressed data of each compression rate is sequentially written to the divided storage areas on the track buffer 7. According to the first test mode, one image signal originally having the same image quality can be compressed at different compression rates and stored in the track buffer.
By reading and decompressing the compressed data separately stored in the track buffer, the image quality after compression at the two compression rates can be compared, and the compression rate can be determined on a test basis. .

In the second test mode, in order to be able to check the recording quality in each recording mode using one image signal, this one image signal is time-divided at at least two compression rates. The compressed data at each compression rate is sequentially written to the divided storage areas on the track buffer 7, and is further stored in the track buffer 7 while managing the storage capacity of the track buffer 7. The compressed data of each compression rate is sequentially read out and written separately on the optical disk.

According to the second test mode, one image signal originally having the same image quality can be compressed at different compression rates and stored in the track buffer and also recorded on the optical disk. By reading the recorded compressed data and then decompressing it, the image quality after compression at the two compression rates can be compared over a long period of time, and as a result, the video can be reproduced in the desired recording mode. Can be possible.

Next, in the example of this embodiment, a DVD-RW disk is provided as the optical disk 1 as described above. In the case of this DVD-RW disk, the total recording capacity is 4. At 7 GB (gigabyte), the time required for access from the inner circumference to the outer circumference is, for example, 3 sec.
It has become about.

When recording moving images from the inner circumference to the outer circumference with no data recorded on the optical disc 1, the track buffer 7 does not become empty.
However, recording is performed on this optical disk 1 several times,
By erasing a part of this (by editing), for example, the 1 GB area on the inner and outer circumferences is not recorded, and the 2.7 GB area between the inner and outer circumferences is recorded. It takes 2 s to seek this 2.7 GB area.
Assuming that ec time is required, the capacity of the track buffer 7 needs to be 2 sec or more. And
If the track buffer 7 has a capacity less than this capacity, there is no time for the seek, so continuous data must be recorded in a 1 GB free area on either the inner side or the outer side.

Here, in the optical disk device of the present embodiment, since the track buffer 7 has a capacity of 64 Mbits, the transfer rate for the optical disk 1 is 10 Mb.
ps, the transfer rate on the input side is 2Mbps, 4Mbps,
Even at 8 Mbps, 6.4 sec and 32 sec respectively
Since data for c, 16 sec, and 8 sec can be stored, even if a seek time of 3 sec occurs during this time, the track buffer 7 does not become empty and continuous data recording can be performed. The capacity of the optical disc 1 is not wasted.

More specifically, FIG. 11A is a diagram schematically showing data (audio information, video information, etc.) on the optical disk 1. In this example, a data file is stored after the control data. 1 (File 1)-File 8
(File 8) are recorded on the disk 1. It should be noted that the side on which the control data is recorded is the inner circumference side of the disc, and the file 8 (Fil
The side where e8) is recorded is the outer peripheral side of the disk.

Here, the user selects file 2, file 4, file 6, file 8 from all the files (file 1 to file 8) recorded on the optical disc 1.
Is deleted, four divided free areas are formed on the optical disc 1 as shown in FIG. 11B.

The system controller 9 performs an operation described below, and divides and records new data into each free area based on the calculation result, thereby recording a series of data continuously in each free area. It is possible to make it possible to continuously reproduce each data recorded by dividing into each free area.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the recording control executed by the system controller 9. This flowchart starts when the main power supply of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus is turned on, and the system controller 9 starts execution of each routine from step S1 to step S7.

First, in step S1, the system controller 9 controls the optical head 3 to control data recorded on the inner circumference of the optical disk 1 (FIG. 4A).
) Is reproduced, and this is temporarily stored in the track buffer 7, and the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the system controller 9 determines the position of the start address and the end address of the data such as the video file recorded in the data area, which is recorded in the control data stored in the track buffer 7. , The start address and the end address of some or all of the free areas on the optical disc 1 are detected, the capacity of each free area is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the system controller 9 calculates the size of each data area existing between the free area and the next free area, and detects the seek time which is the time required for seeking each data area. And step S
Proceed to 4.

This seek time is determined by the time when the optical disc 1
Since this is control, the address difference between the end address of the free area and the start address of the next free area is calculated, and the number of track movements is determined by referring to a seek table stored in the ROM in the system controller 9. Asked,
It is calculated by performing a predetermined coefficient calculation described later based on the number of track movements.

Next, in step S4, the system controller 9 detects a vacant area in which continuous recording and reproduction can be performed for each transfer rate (each recording mode) at 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps, and determines a vacant area that is not suitable for continuous reproduction. The recording order is determined based on each free area excluding the area (a free area that enables continuous playback), and the capacity of the determined free area is multiplied by a transfer rate to calculate a recordable time. Then, the process proceeds to step S5.

That is, the transfer rate of recording / reproducing to the optical disk 1 is A (Mbps), the transfer rate of the input signal after compression is B (Mbps), the capacity of the track buffer 7 is C (Mb), and the predetermined seek time is T (msec), when the recording time of the predetermined area is Tw (msec), and the recording capacity of the predetermined free area is m (Mb), the time required to record data in the predetermined free area (recording time Tw) ) Is “Tw = m / A”.

Here, in order to prevent the track buffer 7 from reaching the upper limit capacity (full) during the seek of the recorded area, the capacity C of the track buffer 7 is set longer than the recording time at the transfer rate B of the input signal. It is necessary to shorten the seek time T (C / B> T). The seek time T is a time including a time for moving the truck and a rotation waiting time.

Next, in order to record data following the data recorded in the first empty area in the second empty area,
During the recording of the second free area, a capacity equal to or more than a predetermined value is required so that the track buffer 7 is near the lower limit capacity (empty). This is because if the capacity of the second free area is not larger than a predetermined value, the track buffer 7 overflows during the next seek without reducing the remaining storage capacity of the track buffer 7.

In this case, the capacity that the second free space should have is “(AB) / A> T / (m / A + T)”, and “m> (A × B × T) / (AB) ".

That is, the capacity of the track buffer 7 corresponding to the transfer rate difference must not exceed the capacity of the transfer rate B at the seek time T. As described above, since the seek time T changes according to the transfer rate of the input signal, the capacity of the free area required for recording varies depending on the transfer rate B at the time of actual recording.

More specifically, for example, if the maximum seek time T from the outer circumference to the inner circumference is 3 sec, the transfer rate B of the input signal after compression is 2 Mbps, and the transfer rate A of recording and reproduction on the disk 1 is 10 Mbps, The capacity of the free space needs to be 7.5 Mb or more, and the seek time T
Is 3 sec, and the transfer rate B of the input signal after compression is 8 Mb.
ps, transfer rate A for recording / reproducing to disk 1 is 10M
Assuming bps, the capacity of the free area needs to be 120 Mb or more.

For example, a calculation result calculated in advance may be stored in a table in a ROM, and a seek time, a capacity of an empty area, and the like may be obtained by referring to the table at the time of recording and reproduction.

Further, DVDRW (RW: rewritable)
In the case of 1, the writing speed to the disc at 1 × speed is 11.
The speed is 08 Mbps or 10.08 Mbps, but in this example, the writing speed to the disc at 1 × speed is set to, for example, 10 Mbps in order to simplify the description.

When the system controller 9 detects the capacity of all the empty areas by such an operation, the process proceeds to step S5.
In FIG. 13, the capacity of all free areas on the optical disc 1 and the recordable time (and effective free capacity) for each transfer rate are displayed and controlled on a monitor device as shown in FIG.
Proceed to 6. By displaying the recordable time (and effective free space) for each transfer rate on the monitor device, the user can select a desired transfer rate.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, while the capacity of the entire free area is 2 GB, the available free area is reduced to 1.0 GB, 1.5 GB, or the like. This is because the recording information is recorded using only the free area determined to be appropriate for recording without using the free area determined to be inappropriate for recording (the free area with insufficient capacity).

Next, in step S6, the system controller 9 determines whether or not a desired transfer rate has been selected by the user. If the desired transfer rate has not been selected (if No), the process waits for the input of the transfer rate. Step S6 is repeatedly executed. If the desired transfer rate is selected, (Y
If (es), proceed to step S7.

In step S7, the system controller 9 detects a vacant area capable of continuous recording and reproduction corresponding to the transfer rate selected by the user, determines the recording order, and proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the system controller 9 determines whether or not data to be recorded has been input via the terminal 11 shown in FIG. 1, and if no data has been input (in the case of No), the data The routine of step S8 is repeatedly executed until an input is made. When data is input, the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the system controller 9 controls the recording of the data supplied via the terminal 11 shown in FIG. 1 according to the recording order determined in step S7. Then, the execution of all the routines shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 ends at the timing when the recording stop is designated by the user.

When the recording of the data is completed, the system controller 9 writes the recorded data and information on the recording position (address) as control data in the control area of the optical disc 1 (see FIG. 11A). I do.

The specific recording format of data is shown in FIG.
(C) to (e). FIG. 11 (c)
FIG. 11 shows a recording form when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, and FIG.
FIG. 11D shows a recording mode when the transfer rate is 4 Mbps, and FIG. 11E shows a recording mode when the transfer rate is 8 Mbps.

First, in the example shown in FIG. 11C in the case where the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, the capacity of each free area formed by erasing the data of file 2, file 4, file 6, and file 8 is sequentially reduced. It is large (capacity: file 2 <file 4 <file 6 <file 8), the total distance of file 5 is shorter than file 3, and the total distance of file 7 is shorter than file 5. The fact that the total distance of file 5 is shorter than that of file 3 means that the seek time of file 5 is shorter than the seek time of file 3.
Is shorter (seek time: file 3> file 5). Further, the fact that the total distance of the file 7 is shorter than that of the file 5 means that the seek time of the file 7 is shorter than the seek time of the file 5 (seek time: file 5> file 7).

In such a situation of the empty area, if the track buffer 7 does not become full while seeking the data file located in the preceding stage of the empty area, continuous reproduction is performed even if data is recorded in the empty area. Becomes possible.
For this reason, when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, first, as shown in FIG. 11C, the data area of the file 1 is jumped by seeking and the file 2 is erased in the empty area formed by erasing the file 2. 11 is recorded, the data area of the file 3 is jumped by seek, and the data of the file 12 is recorded in a free area formed by erasing the file 4. Also, the data of the file 13 is recorded in a free area formed by seeking the data area of the file 5 and erasing the file 6, and the data area of the file 7 is seeked to erase the file 8. The data of the file 14 is recorded in the free space.

Next, in the case where the state of the empty area is the same as the state shown in FIG. 11B, when the transfer rate is 4 Mbps, the time that can be stored in the track buffer 7 is shorter than when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps. For example, if the track buffer 7 becomes full while the data area of the file 1 is jumped by seeking, as shown in FIG. 11D, the track buffer 7 is formed by erasing the file 2. The empty area is determined to be inappropriate and is not used for recording data.

Then, the data area of the file 3 is recorded in a free area formed by erasing the file 4 by jumping the data area of the file 3 by seeking, and similarly seeking the data areas of the file 5 and the file 7. File 22 and file 23 in each free area formed by erasing file 6 and file 8 by
Are recorded respectively.

Next, in the case where the state of the empty area is the same as that shown in FIG. 11B, the time that can be stored in the track buffer 7 is shorter when the transfer rate is 8 Mbps than when the transfer rate is 4 Mbps. If the track buffer 7 becomes full while the data areas of the file 1 and the file 3 are jumped by seeking, for example, the file 2 is erased as shown in FIG. The empty area formed by erasing the file 4 and the empty area formed by erasing the file 4 are determined to be inappropriate and are not used for recording data.

Then, the data area of the file 5 is recorded in the empty area formed by erasing the file 6 by jumping the data area of the file 5 by seeking, and by jumping the data area of the file 7 by seeking. The data of the file 32 is recorded in a free area formed by erasing the file 8.

As is apparent from the above description, the optical disk device of this embodiment has a transfer rate of the input signal after compression of B (Mbps), a capacity of the track buffer 7 of C (Mb), and a predetermined seek time. When T / (msec) and “C / B> T”, the vacant area is determined as a vacant area where continuous signal recording and reproduction can be performed, and data recording is performed.

The transfer rate of recording / reproducing to the disk 1 is A (Mbps), the transfer rate of the input signal after compression is B (Mbps), the recording capacity of a predetermined area is m (Mb), and the predetermined seek time is When “m> (A × B × T) / (A−B)” as T (msec), the empty area is determined as an empty area where continuous signal recording and reproduction can be performed, and Make a record.

[0200] Thus, even when empty areas are scattered on the disk 1 due to editing or the like, continuous signals such as moving images can be recorded and reproduced without a break.

Further, the capacity of all free areas and each transfer rate (in this case, 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, 8 Mbps)
By displaying the recordable time (and the effective free space) of the optical disc 1, it is possible to provide the user with information for determining the effective use of the free space of the optical disc 1. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the empty area of the optical disc 1 that is wasted by recording.

In the above description of the arithmetic operation, "C /
When both “B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (AB)” are satisfied, the empty area is determined to be an empty area where continuous signal recording and reproduction can be performed. However, this is because “C / B> T” or “m> (A × B × T) / (A
-B)).

Finally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above as an example. Therefore, the present invention may be applied not only to DVDs but also to MO (magneto optical) disks, MDs, and the like. Also, the signal recorded / reproduced by changing the compression / expansion rate is not limited to the image signal, but may be an audio signal or the like. Further, the rotation control of the optical disc 1 is a constant linear velocity (CLV) control,
This is because, in constant angular velocity (CAV) control or so-called zone CAV control, for example, a plurality of (for example, about 30 areas) from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the optical disc 1 is provided for each radius.
The linear velocity may be controlled to be constant in each divided area while the address of the track is managed by the system controller. And it goes without saying that various changes can be made according to the design and the like within a range not departing from the technical idea according to the present invention.

[0204]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus for compressing an input signal at a plurality of compression rates of at least two or more, and a temporary storage for temporarily storing each compressed data separately. By having storage means and decompression means for decompressing temporarily stored compressed data, switching of recording time and recording quality can be realized, and for example, when there are several compression rates, It is possible to easily confirm the signal quality by the compression at the compression rate of.

The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a management unit for managing the storage amount of the temporary storage unit, and a control unit for controlling writing / reading of the temporary storage unit. The compressed data is sequentially stored in the temporary storage means, and when the management means detects that the storage amount has reached a predetermined value, the writing is stopped, and the temporarily stored compressed data is selectively read. Accordingly, it is possible to easily evaluate the signal quality due to compression at each compression rate.

The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a recording / reproducing apparatus for managing the storage amount of a temporary storage unit, a recording unit for recording compressed data, and a writing / writing unit for a temporary storage unit. Control means for controlling recording / reproduction of the reading and recording means. The control means sequentially stores the compressed data in the temporary storage means, and when the management means detects that the storage amount has reached a predetermined value, By recording each compressed data temporarily stored in the recording means and selectively reproducing each compressed data recorded in the recording means, the signal quality by each compression / decompression and recording / reproduction can be easily achieved. It is possible to evaluate.

The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention according to the fourth aspect of the present invention provides an optical information recording / reproducing apparatus by recording / reproducing temporarily stored compressed data on an optical information recording medium capable of optically recording / reproducing. For example, when an optical disk is used as an information recording medium, switching of recording time and recording quality can be realized, and when there are several recording modes, image quality and sound quality in each recording mode can be easily checked. It is possible to Further, it is possible to easily evaluate the signal quality of each compression / decompression and recording / reproduction over a long period of time.

The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention according to the fifth aspect of the present invention records an optical information recording medium by recording compressed data at a recording rate higher than the maximum rate among a plurality of compression rates. For example, when an optical disc or the like is used, the recording time can be switched without changing the linear velocity during rotation of the optical disc, and the recording quality can be switched.

[0209] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the recordable free area detection means sets the transfer rate of the recording information to "B", sets the capacity of the temporary storage means to "C", and Assuming that the time required for seeking is “T”, “C / B
Since a free area having a capacity greater than or equal to> T ”is detected as a free area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, a free area corresponding to the transfer rate of the recording information can be detected. For this reason, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to continuously record and reproduce according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the recordable empty area detecting means sets the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording to “A” and sets the transfer rate of the recording information to “B”. When the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detecting means is “m” and the time required for seeking the recording area is “T”, “m> (A × B × T) /
In order to detect a free area having a capacity equal to or more than the capacity of (A-B) as a free area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, it is possible to detect a free area corresponding to the transfer rate of the recording information. it can. For this reason, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to continuously record and reproduce according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

[0211] In a recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, the recordable free area detecting means sets the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording and reproduction to "A" and the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium. Assuming that “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage means is “C”, the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detection means is “m”, and the time required for seeking the recording area is “T”, B> T ”and“ m>
(A × B × T) / (A−B) ”is detected as a free area in which continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced. The empty space that has been left can be detected more accurately. Therefore, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to reliably perform continuous recording and reproduction according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, comprising the steps of compressing an input signal at a plurality of compression rates of at least two or more; temporarily storing compressed data separately; Decompressing each of the described compressed data, it is possible to realize switching of recording time and recording quality, and for example, when there are several compression rates, compression at each compression rate is possible. Can easily check the signal quality.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", the capacity of the temporary storage means is "C", and the time required for seeking the recording area is "T". In order to detect a free area having a capacity equal to or larger than the capacity of “C / B> T” as a free area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, a free area corresponding to the transfer rate of the recording information is detected. can do. For this reason, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to continuously record and reproduce according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

In the recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording is "A", the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", and the empty area detecting means detects the transfer rate. The free space having a capacity equal to or larger than the capacity of “m> (A × B × T) / (A−B)”, where “m” is the capacity of the free area thus obtained and “T” is the time required for seeking the recording area. Since the area is detected as a free area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, a free area corresponding to the transfer rate of the recording information can be detected. For this reason, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to continuously record and reproduce according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the recording / reproducing method according to the present invention, the recordable free area detecting means sets the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording and reproduction to "A", and Assuming that “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage means is “C”, the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detection means is “m”, and the time required for seeking the recording area is “T”, B> T ”and“ m>
(A × B × T) / (A−B) ”is detected as a free area in which continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced. The empty space that has been left can be detected more accurately. Therefore, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to reliably perform continuous recording and reproduction according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an optical disc device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a CLV disk.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing a state of buffer control when writing / reading data compressed at 2 Mbps to a track buffer during recording.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing a state of buffer control when writing / reading data compressed at 4 Mbps to / from a track buffer during recording.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing buffer control when writing / reading data compressed at 8 Mbps to / from a track buffer during recording.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing buffer control when writing / reading data compressed at 2 Mbps to / from a track buffer during reproduction.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing buffer control when writing / reading data compressed at 4 Mbps to / from a track buffer during reproduction.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing buffer control when writing / reading data compressed at 8 Mbps to / from a track buffer during reproduction.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing each divided storage area of a track buffer in which compressed data of 8, 4, 2 Mbps is stored.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing a change in buffer capacity when writing compressed data of 8, 4, 2 Mbps to each divided storage area of a track buffer.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a disc for explaining vacant areas scattered on an optical disc and recording positions of recording signals recorded in each vacant area according to each transfer rate;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of the optical disc device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a recordable time and the like calculated and displayed for each transfer rate.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Optical disk, 2 ... Spindle motor, 3 ... Optical head, 4 ... Amplifier part, 5 ... Signal processing part, 6 ... AV encoding / decoding part, 7 ... 64 Mbit track buffer, 8 ... 1
6 Mbit track buffer, 9 system controller, 10 key input unit, 11 input / output terminals for audio and video signals, 12 input terminals for control data

Claims (12)

[Claims] A compression means for compressing an input signal at a plurality of compression rates of at least two; a temporary storage means for temporarily and separately storing compressed data compressed at each of the compression rates; and a temporary storage means. And a decompression means for decompressing the compressed data compressed at each of the compression rates stored in the storage device. 2. A management unit for managing a storage amount of the temporary storage unit, and a control unit for controlling writing / reading of the temporary storage unit, wherein the control unit transmits compressed data from the compression unit to the storage unit. When the compressed data stored in the temporary storage unit is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit, the writing to the temporary storage unit is stopped when the management unit detects that the storage amount has reached a predetermined value, and the compressed data stored in the temporary storage unit is deleted. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is selectively read and sent to the decompression means. 3. A management unit for managing a storage amount of the temporary storage unit; a recording unit for recording the compressed data; and a control for controlling writing / reading of the temporary storage unit and recording / reproduction of the recording unit. The control means causes the compressed data from the compression means to be sequentially stored in the temporary storage means, and when the management means detects that the storage amount has reached a predetermined value, the temporary storage means 2. The recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the compressed data stored in the recording means is recorded in the recording means, and each of the compressed data recorded in the recording means is selectively reproduced. 4. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said recording means records / reproduces a digital signal on / from an optical information recording medium capable of optically recording / reproducing. 5. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit records the compressed data at a recording rate higher than a maximum rate among the plurality of compression rates. . 6. A position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least a recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and a position reproduced by the position information reproducing means. Based on the information, a free area detecting means for detecting a free area with respect to a recording area where the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means. A seek time detecting means for detecting a time required for seeking to the empty area; a transfer rate of recording information as "B"; a capacity of the temporary storage means as "C"; and a time required for the seek as "T". ,
When "C / B>T" is satisfied, a recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and a recordable empty area detecting means. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a recording unit configured to record recording information in the designated empty area via the temporary storage unit. . 7. A position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least a recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and a position reproduced by the position information reproducing means. Based on the information, a free area detecting means for detecting a free area with respect to a recording area where the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means. A seek time detecting means for detecting a time required for seeking to the empty area; "A" for a transfer rate of recording information to a recording medium at the time of recording, "B" for a transfer rate of recording information, Assuming that the capacity of the vacant area detected in step (m) is “m” and the time required for the seek is “T”, “m> (A × B ×
T) / (A−B) ”, a recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced; 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording unit that records recording information via the temporary storage unit in a vacant area detected by the unit. Recording and playback device. 8. A position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least a recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and a position reproduced by the position information reproducing means. Based on the information, a free area detecting means for detecting a free area with respect to a recording area where the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means. A seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek to the empty area; a transfer rate of recording information to a recording medium at the time of recording being "A"; a transfer rate of recording information being "B"; “C / B> T” and “m”, where “C” is the capacity, “m” is the capacity of the free space detected by the free space detection means, and “T” is the time required for the seek. (A × B × T) / (AB) ”, a recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording unit configured to record the recording information via the temporary storage unit with respect to the empty region detected by the recordable empty region detection unit. 2. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. A method of compressing an input signal at least at a plurality of compression rates of at least two, a step of temporarily storing compressed data compressed at each of the compression rates, and a step of separately storing the compressed data at each of the compression rates. Decompressing each of the compressed data compressed at the compression rate. 10. A step of absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording by temporary storage means having a predetermined capacity, and recording at least position information indicating a recording position of the recording information on the recording medium. Reproducing the position information from the management area where the recording information is recorded; and, based on the reproduced position information, detecting a free area for a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded. Detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each empty area to the empty area; setting the transfer rate of the recording information to "B"; the capacity of the temporary storage means to "C"; The time required for "T"
When “C / B> T” is satisfied, the vacant area is detected as a vacant area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and the temporary storage unit is stored in the detected vacant area. Recording the recording information through the recording and reproducing method. 11. A step of absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording by temporary storage means having a predetermined capacity, and recording at least position information indicating recording position of the recording information on the recording medium. Reproducing the position information from the management area where the recording information is recorded; and, based on the reproduced position information, detecting a free area for a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded. Detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each empty area to the empty area; and setting the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording to “A” and the transfer rate of the recording information to “A”. B ”, the capacity of the free space detected by the free space detecting means is“ m ”, and the time required for the seek is“ T ”, and“ m> (A × B ×
T) / (A−B) ”, the vacant area is detected as a vacant area in which recording and reproduction of continuous recording information can be performed.
Recording the recording information via the temporary storage means. 12. A step of absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording by temporary storage means having a predetermined capacity, and recording at least position information indicating recording position of the recording information on the recording medium. Reproducing the position information from the management area where the recording information is recorded; and, based on the reproduced position information, detecting a free area for a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded. Detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each free area to the free area, setting the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording to “A”, and setting the transfer rate of the recording information to “A”. B ", the capacity of the temporary storage means is" C ", the capacity of the free space detected by the free space detection means is" m ", and the seek is required. If the time is “T” and “C / B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (A−B)” are satisfied, the empty area is recorded as continuous recording information. Recording the recorded information in the detected free area via the temporary storage means, and detecting the information as a free area that can be reproduced.