JP2003281734A - Device and method for information recording, and optical recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information recording medium capable of recording data on the optical recording medium of the other type under restricted conditions when there are a plurality of different types of optical information media different from each other in usage, price, required reliability or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The information recording device for recording information on a rewritable optical recording medium is characterized by deciding whether an overwritable method or a method in which overwriting is practically impossible is used to record information on the rewritable optical recording medium. Since restricted compatibility is provided among a plurality of rewritable optical recording media, convenience is improved for a user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording device, and more particularly to an information recording device for recording data on an optical recording medium. The present invention also relates to an information recording method, and more particularly to an information recording method for an optical recording medium.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to an optical recording medium, and more particularly to an optical recording medium capable of recording data by a plurality of types of information recording devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, optical discs represented by CD and DVD have been widely used as recording media for recording digital data, and in recent years, optical discs having a higher data transfer rate have been actively developed. It is being appreciated. If data can be recorded on an optical disc at a high transfer rate, for example, not only can BS digital broadcasting be recorded using the optical disc, but also a recording tape of a photographing camera used in a broadcasting station or the like can be replaced. It is also possible. Optical discs are generally smaller and lighter than other recording media typified by recording tapes, etc., and are easy to handle. Therefore, optical discs capable of data recording at a high transfer rate have been put into practical use. Therefore, not only general consumers, but also businesses such as broadcasting stations will have great merits.

As described above, an optical disk capable of recording data at a high transfer rate is expected to be widely used not only by general consumers but also by businesses, but an optical disk for general consumers (for consumers). Is very important to be inexpensive, while the reliability of optical discs for business use (professional use) is more important than price. Therefore, for example, if a consumer optical disc can be used in a professional device, it may not be possible to ensure the reliability required by the professional device for the optical disc. It is not always appropriate to make a professional optical disc compatible.

Therefore, while consumer optical discs can be used in consumer devices, they cannot be used in professional devices in principle. Conversely, professional optical discs can be used in professional devices. It can be said that, in principle, it is not possible to use it in consumer devices, while it can be used in other devices.

[0005]

As described above, it is not always appropriate to provide compatibility between consumer optical discs and professional optical discs, but if both are completely incompatible, it is rather inconvenient for the user. There is a possibility. Therefore, for example, under the condition that the reliability can be ensured, if the limited compatibility such that the optical disc for the consumer can be used in the professional device, the convenience for the user is further improved. it is conceivable that.

In the above, the optical disc for consumer and the optical disc for professional have been described as an example.
It commonly occurs when there are a plurality of types of optical recording media having different uses, prices, required reliability, and the like.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is limited to other types of optical recording media when there are a plurality of types of optical recording media having different uses, prices, required reliability, etc. Another object of the present invention is to provide an information recording device capable of recording data under the above conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to use each other,
When there are multiple types of optical recording media that differ in price, required reliability, etc., one type of optical recording medium can be used in another type of device under limited predetermined conditions. It is to provide an information recording method.

Still another object of the present invention is an optical recording medium of a predetermined type, which can be used in a device for another type of optical recording medium under limited predetermined conditions. Is to provide.

[0010]

The object of the present invention is to:
An information recording device for recording information on a rewritable optical recording medium, wherein information is recorded on a rewritable optical recording medium which is a target of information recording by a method capable of overwriting. It is achieved by an information recording device characterized by deciding whether to record information by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of rewritable optical recording media can be provided with limited compatibility, it is possible to improve user convenience.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the determination is made based on the type of rewritable optical recording medium on which information is recorded.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the determination is made based on medium type information read from a rewritable optical recording medium which is an information recording target.

The above object of the present invention is also an information recording apparatus for recording information on a rewritable optical recording medium, wherein the type of the rewritable optical recording medium on which information is recorded is determined. If this is the first type optical recording medium, information is recorded by a method capable of overwriting, and if this is the second type optical recording medium different from the first type, the information is overwritten. Is achieved by an information recording apparatus characterized by recording information by a method which is substantially impossible.

According to the present invention, the first and second types of optical recording media are rewritable optical recording media, and the first type of optical recording medium is a rewritable optical recording medium. On the other hand, since the second type of optical recording medium is handled as a write-once type optical recording medium, it is possible to give limited compatibility to these optical recording media, which is convenient for the user. It becomes possible to improve.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first recording pulse train is used when the type of the rewritable optical recording medium on which information is recorded is the optical recording medium of the first type. A second recording pulse train different from the first recording pulse train when information is recorded and the type of the rewritable optical recording medium which is the information recording target is the second type optical recording medium. Use to record information.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, even if the type of the rewritable optical recording medium on which information is recorded is the second type of optical recording medium, under certain conditions, Information is recorded by a method that allows overwriting.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the information recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the condition is a condition relating to a recording linear velocity.

The above object of the present invention is also an information recording method for recording information on a rewritable optical recording medium, wherein the type of the rewritable optical recording medium on which information is recorded is determined. In the first step, if the discriminated type is the first type, the information is recorded by a method capable of overwriting, and the discriminated type is a second type different from the first type. In some cases, a second step of recording information in a way that overwrite is substantially impossible.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the determination in the first step is performed based on the content of the medium type information read from the rewritable optical recording medium which is the information recording target.

[0021] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the determination in the first step is performed based on whether or not the medium type information is read from the rewritable optical recording medium which is an information recording target. .

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the type determined in the second step is the first type.
Information is recorded using the first recording pulse train, and when the determined type is the second type, a second recording pulse train different from the first recording pulse train is recorded. Is used to record information.

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is also an optical recording medium having at least a rewritable recording layer, which can be overwritten when information is recorded by an information recording apparatus of the first type. When the information is recorded and the information is recorded by the second type of information recording apparatus different from the first type, the information should be recorded by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible. This is achieved by an optical recording medium having the medium type information shown.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the medium type information uses the first recording pulse train when the information recording apparatus of the first type records information, and the second type is used. It is indicated that when information is recorded by the information recording apparatus, the second recording pulse train different from the first recording pulse train should be used.

The above-mentioned object of the present invention is also an optical recording medium having at least a rewritable recording layer, wherein information can be recorded by a method capable of overwriting when information is recorded under the first condition. When the information is recorded under the second condition different from the first condition, the medium type information indicating that the information should be recorded by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible is provided. Is achieved by an optical recording medium.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least the recording linear velocity is different between the first condition and the second condition.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a consumer information recording apparatus for recording data on an optical recording medium for a consumer and a data recording apparatus for a professional optical recording medium. And a professional information recording device for performing the recording of the present invention, a method for enabling recording of data on an optical recording medium for a consumer using the professional information recording device under limited predetermined conditions. Will be described as an example. However, it goes without saying that the application of the present invention is not limited to this.

In order to enable the use of the consumer optical recording medium also in the professional information recording apparatus, the consumer optical recording medium and the professional optical recording medium have the same or substantially the same shape and structure. Must have
In this embodiment, the consumer optical recording medium and the professional optical recording medium have the same shape and structure, and are distinguished from each other in terms of reliability. Therefore, for example, a plurality of optical recording media are manufactured by the same process or almost the same process, and a product that has passed a stricter reliability test is set as a professional optical recording medium. An optical recording medium for a consumer may be passed.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing the structure of an optical recording medium according to this embodiment, and shows a structure common to both consumer optical recording media and professional optical recording media.

As shown in FIG. 1, an optical recording medium 10 according to this embodiment has a substrate 11, a reflective layer 12 provided on the substrate 11, and a second dielectric provided on the reflective layer 12. Layer 13 and recording layer 1 provided on the second dielectric layer 13
4 and the first dielectric layer 15 provided on the recording layer 14.
And a light transmission layer 16 provided on the first dielectric layer 15, and a hole 17 is formed in the central portion of the optical recording medium 10.
Is provided. Data recording / reproduction is performed on the optical recording medium 10 having such a structure by irradiating a laser beam from the light transmitting layer 16 side.

The substrate 11 plays a role as a base body for ensuring the mechanical strength required for the optical recording medium 10, and its thickness is preferably set to about 1.1 mm. The material of the substrate 11 is not particularly limited, and polycarbonate can be used.

The reflection layer 12 plays a role of reflecting the laser beam incident from the light transmission layer 16 side and emitting it again from the light transmission layer 16, and its thickness is 10 to 300 n.
It is preferably set to m, and particularly preferably set to 20 to 200 nm. The material of the reflective layer 12 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use an alloy containing silver as a main component.

The second dielectric layer 13 mainly serves as a protective layer for the recording layer 14 formed thereabove, and its thickness is preferably set to 2 to 50 nm. It is particularly preferable to set to -30 nm. The material of the second dielectric layer 13 is not particularly limited, and Al ₂ O ₃ , ZnS-SiO ₂ , CeO ₂ , Y ₂ O is used.
₃ or the like can be used.

The recording layer 14 is made of a phase change material, and data is recorded by utilizing the fact that the reflectance in the crystalline state is different from the reflectance in the amorphous state. In order to change the recording layer 14 in the crystalline state to the amorphous state, the laser beam emitted from the light transmitting layer 16 side has a pulse waveform having an amplitude from the recording power (Pw) to the base power (Pb). The recording layer 14 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point by
Quenching is performed by setting the power of the laser beam to the base power (Pb). As a result, the region melted by the recording power Pw changes to an amorphous state, which becomes a recording mark. On the other hand, in order to change the recording layer 14 in the amorphous state to the crystalline state, the power of the laser beam irradiated from the light transmitting layer 16 side is set to the erasing power (Pe) to set the crystallization temperature of the recording layer 14. Heat to the above temperature. As a result, the region heated to the temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature by the erasing power Pe is gradually cooled, so that the region changes to the crystalline state.

Here, the recording power Pw and the erasing power Pe
And the base power Pb are set to Pw> Pe ≧ Pb. Therefore, if the power of the laser beam is modulated in this way, not only the recording mark is formed in the unrecorded area of the recording layer 14, but also a recording mark different from this is directly overwritten in the area where the recording mark is already formed ( Direct overwriting) is possible.

Although the specific material of the recording layer 14 is not particularly limited, it is preferable to use a material containing SbTe as a main component. As the thickness of the recording layer 14,
It is preferable to set 5 to 30 nm, and 5 to 20 nm
It is particularly preferable to set to.

The first dielectric layer 15 is the second dielectric layer 1
Similar to 3, it mainly plays a role as a protective layer for the recording layer 14, and the thickness thereof is preferably set to 10 to 300 nm, and particularly preferably set to 10 to 200 nm. The material of the first dielectric layer 15 is not particularly limited, but ZnS—SiO ₂ is preferably used.

The light transmitting layer 16 constitutes a laser beam incident surface, and its thickness is preferably set to 10 to 300 μm, and particularly preferably set to 50 to 150 μm. The material of the light transmission layer 16 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use an ultraviolet curable resin.

Optical recording medium 10 having such a structure
Is a so-called rewritable optical recording medium, and as described above, it can be used as an optical recording medium for consumers and also as a professional optical recording medium.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of an inspection process for determining whether the manufactured optical recording medium 10 is a consumer optical recording medium or a professional optical recording medium.

In this example, first, a stricter reliability test is performed on the manufactured optical recording medium 10 (step S1), and it is determined whether or not the reliability test is passed (step S2). As a result, the optical recording medium that has passed this is determined to be a professional optical recording medium (step S3). On the other hand, for the optical recording medium that has not passed, step S
A reliability test that is more gradual than the reliability test performed in 1 is performed (step S4), and it is determined whether the reliability test has been passed (step S5). As a result, the optical recording medium that passed this is determined to be an optical recording medium for consumers (step S6), and the optical recording medium that did not pass is determined to be a defective product (step S7). In this way, it is possible to determine whether each optical recording medium having the same structure should be a professional optical recording medium, a consumer optical recording medium, or a defective product.

Next, an information recording apparatus for recording data on the above-mentioned optical recording medium will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of an information recording apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a professional device for recording data on a professional optical recording medium. Is.

The information recording apparatus according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
2, a spindle motor 2 for rotating the optical recording medium 10, a head 3 for irradiating the optical recording medium 10 with a laser beam, a controller 4 for controlling the operation of the spindle motor 2 and the head 3, and a head A laser drive circuit 5 for supplying a laser drive signal to the head 3 and a lens drive circuit 6 for supplying a lens drive signal to the head 3 are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 4 includes a focus servo follow-up circuit 7, a tracking servo follow-up circuit 8 and a laser control circuit 9. When the focus servo follow-up circuit 7 is activated, the recording surface of the rotating optical recording medium 10 is focused, and the tracking servo follow-up circuit 8
Is activated, the spot of the laser beam automatically follows the eccentric signal track of the optical recording medium 10. The focus servo follow-up circuit 7 and the tracking servo follow-up circuit 8 are respectively provided with an automatic gain control function for automatically adjusting the focus gain and an automatic gain control function for automatically adjusting the tracking gain. The laser control circuit 9 is a circuit that generates a laser drive signal supplied from the laser drive circuit 5, and the optical recording medium 10
An appropriate laser drive signal is generated based on the medium type information recorded in the.

Here, the medium type information means the optical recording medium 1.
0 is information indicating whether it is a consumer optical recording medium or a professional optical recording medium, which may be recorded as wobbles or prepits, and is recorded in the recording layer 14 at the time of recording information. It does not matter even if it was done. However, the medium type information does not need to be information that can be read via the head 3, and for example, the optical recording medium 10 can be used.
The shape of the cartridge that accommodates the above may indicate this.

The focus servo follow-up circuit 7, the tracking servo follow-up circuit 8 and the laser control circuit 9 do not have to be circuits incorporated in the controller 4, and may be parts separate from the controller 4. Absent. Furthermore, these do not have to be physical circuits and may be software executed in the controller 4.

Although not particularly limited, an information recording apparatus suitable for recording data on the optical recording medium 10 has a laser beam wavelength of 450 nm or less,
In particular, the thickness is preferably 380 to 450 nm, and the NA (numerical aperture) of the objective lens that is a part of the head 3 and focuses the laser beam is preferably 0.7 or more. As a result, it is possible to realize a beam spot diameter extremely smaller than that of the conventional one. This makes it possible to realize an extremely high data transfer rate (for example, 35 Mbps or higher) when recording data on the optical recording medium 10 using such an information recording device.

Further, in recording data on the optical recording medium 10 according to the present embodiment using such an information recording apparatus, it is determined based on the medium type information recorded on the optical recording medium 10 as described above. A recording pulse train is used. An example of the recording pulse train will be described later.

Although not particularly limited, the above-mentioned information recording apparatus can use the (1,7) RLL modulation method. However, the information recording apparatus for recording the data on the optical recording medium 10 does not need to record the data by such a modulation method, but may record the data by another modulation method. I don't mind.

Next, a method of recording data on the optical recording medium 10 using the professional information recording apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information recording apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the optical recording medium 10 is inserted into the information recording device shown in FIG. 3 (step S
11) First, the controller 4 drives the spindle motor 2 to rotate the optical recording medium 10 and drives the head 3 by the laser driving circuit 5 to irradiate the recording surface of the optical recording medium 10 with a laser beam (step S12). ). After that, the controller 4 causes the lens driving circuit 5 to move the head 3 to the home position (step S1).
3).

Next, the controller 4 conducts a focus search to determine the focus position (step S14). In such a focus search, the head 3 is driven in the direction perpendicular to the recording surface of the optical recording medium 1 under the control of the lens drive circuit 6. afterwards,
The controller 4 sets the focus gain (step S15).

In this way, focus search (step S14) and focus gain setting (step S)
When 15) is completed, the controller 4 activates the focus servo tracking circuit 7. That is, the focus is turned on (step S16). As a result, the recording surface of the rotating optical recording medium 10 is in focus. When the focus servo tracking circuit 7 is activated, the focus gain is automatically adjusted by the auto gain control function.

Next, the controller 4 measures the tracking error signal amplitude (step S17), and further sets the tracking gain (step S1).
8). Setting of such tracking gain (step S1
In 8), an appropriate tracking gain is selected based on the tracking error signal amplitude obtained in step S17.

When the setting of the tracking gain (step S18) is completed in this way, the controller 4
The tracking servo follow-up circuit 8 is activated. That is, the tracking is turned on (step S19). As a result, the spot of the laser beam automatically follows the eccentric signal track. When the tracking servo follow-up circuit 8 is activated, the tracking gain is automatically adjusted by the auto gain control function.

When the activation of the focus servo follow-up circuit 7 and the tracking servo follow-up circuit 8 is completed as described above, the controller 4 detects the address, reads the file management information, and reads the medium type information described above. Is executed (step S20), and when this is completed, the standby state is set (step S2).
1). The standby state is a state of waiting for an instruction from the user. For example, when the user issues an instruction to record data on the optical recording medium 10 in this state, the standby state is started.

After that, when the user issues an instruction to record data on the optical recording medium 10 (step S22), the data is recorded using the recording pulse train based on the medium type information read in step S20 (step S22). S23).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recording pulse train when the medium type information read in step S20 indicates that it is a professional optical recording medium.
An example of a recording pulse train in the case of forming a 2T signal in the (1,7) RLL modulation method is shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, when forming a recording mark having a length corresponding to 2T on a professional optical recording medium, the pulse number of the laser beam is set to "1". The pulse number of the laser beam in this recording pulse train is defined by the number of times the power of the laser beam is increased to Pw1. More specifically, when the timing at which the laser beam is located at the start point of the recording mark is time ts1 and the timing at which the laser beam is located at the end point of the recording mark is time te1, the laser beam is between time ts1 and time te1. Power is once set to Pw1, then
The power is Pb1. Here, the power of the laser beam before time ts1 is set to Pe1, and the rise of the recording laser beam is started at time ts1. The power of the laser beam at time te1 is set to Pe1 or Pb1.

During the period when the power of the laser beam is set to Pe1, the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10 receives relatively high energy and is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature. By doing so, the already formed recording mark is erased. On the other hand, Tpul
In the period of se, the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10 receives higher energy and its temperature exceeds the melting point.
In the period of cl, the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10 is cooled rapidly. As a result, a recording mark having a length corresponding to 2T is formed on the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10 regardless of whether or not any recording mark is already formed in the area.

When forming recording marks of other lengths,
Similar to the case of forming a recording mark having a length corresponding to 2T, the power of the recording laser beam is set to Pw1, Pe1 or Pb1 and a recording mark having a desired length is formed by a predetermined number of pulses. It

Recording using such a recording pulse train makes it possible to perform direct overwriting on a professional optical recording medium. That is, the rewritable optical recording medium can be used normally without any limitation.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a recording pulse train in the case where the medium type information read in step S20 indicates that it is an optical recording medium for a consumer, and is of (1,7) RLL. An example of a recording pulse train for forming a 2T signal in the modulation method is shown.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the recording mark having a length corresponding to 2T is formed on the optical recording medium for the consumer, the pulse number of the laser beam is set to "1". The pulse number of the laser beam in the main recording pulse train is defined by the number of times the power of the laser beam is increased to Pw2. More specifically, when the timing at which the laser beam is positioned at the start point of the recording mark is time ts2 and the timing at which the laser beam is positioned at the end point of the recording mark is time te2, time ts2 to time te.
During the period up to 2, the power of the laser beam is once set to Pw2 and then to the power Pb2. Here, time ts2
The power of the laser beam before is set to Pb2, and the rise of the recording laser beam is started at time ts2. The power of the laser beam at time te2 is set to Pb2.

Here, the power level of Pw2 does not have to coincide with Pw1, but it is required to be at least the level required to heat the recording layer 14 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point. The power needs to exceed Pe1. Similarly, the power level of Pb2 does not have to match with Pb1, but it is required to be at a low level so that the recording layer 14 is not heated above the crystallization temperature. Need to be

Even when such a recording pulse train is used, during the period of Tpulse, the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10 receives high energy, its temperature exceeds the melting point, and then it is rapidly cooled. 2T
A recording mark having a length corresponding to is formed.

When forming recording marks of other lengths,
As in the case of forming a recording mark having a length corresponding to 2T, the power of the recording laser beam is Pw2 or Pb.
It is set to 2, and a recording mark having a desired length is formed by a predetermined number of pulses.

However, in the main recording pulse train, the power of the laser beam is the recording power Pw2 and the base power Pb2.
Since it does not include the erasing power necessary to erase the already formed recording mark, the recording layer 14
The recording mark can be formed only in the unrecorded area. That is, direct overwrite cannot be performed on an optical recording medium for a consumer, and CD-
It can be used as a so-called write-once medium typified by R and DVD-R.

Generally, in an optical recording medium in which the recording layer is made of a phase change material, the condition for overwriting new data over the data once recorded is more than the condition for newly writing data in the unrecorded area. It's tougher. Therefore, even if it is an optical recording medium for a consumer, it is possible to sufficiently secure the reliability required by a professional device for recording new data in an unrecorded area, and an optical recording medium for a consumer. There is virtually no problem when the is used in professional equipment.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the professional optical recording medium is used in the information recording apparatus which is the professional device, the rewritable optical recording medium is particularly limited. If the optical recording medium for consumers is used in an information recording device that is a professional device, it can be used as a write-once optical recording medium that cannot overwrite data. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user while ensuring the reliability.

In the information recording apparatus, which is a consumer device, a recording pulse train capable of direct overwriting may be used for both the consumer optical recording medium and the professional optical recording medium. However, when a professional optical recording medium is used in an information recording device which is a consumer device so as not to have excessive compatibility, the data is overwritten by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. It doesn't matter if it is impossible.

Next, another preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The present embodiment is particularly limited as a rewritable type optical recording medium under predetermined conditions even when the consumer optical recording medium is used in an information recording apparatus which is a professional device. However, it is different from the above-described embodiment in that it can be used normally. Here, as the predetermined condition, it is possible to set conditions such as the number of times of rewriting and the time elapsed after recording the data.

For example, when the number of times of rewriting is set as a condition, the optical recording medium for the consumer can be rewritten by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. 5 until the overwrite operation is performed a predetermined number of times. The optical recording medium can be used without any particular limitation, and after performing a predetermined number of overwrite operations, the recording pulse train shown in FIG. It can be used as an optical recording medium. For the number of overwrites,
It is possible to count by recording this on the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10.

Generally, in an optical recording medium having a recording layer made of a phase change material, direct overwrite tends to be more difficult as the number of overwrites increases.
In other words, even if it is an optical recording medium for a consumer, if the number of overwrites is small, it is considered possible to secure the reliability required by a professional device. Therefore, if the number of rewritable times is set within the limit that can secure the reliability required by the professional device for the optical recording medium, the problem of using the optical recording medium for the consumer in the professional device is reduced. It is possible to further improve the convenience of the user without substantially causing it.

It is also effective to individually set the number of rewritable times for each piece of data to be overwritten. Further, when the time elapsed after recording the data is set as a condition, the data is recorded first. Until the predetermined time elapses after the recording, the optical recording medium for the consumer can be used as a rewritable optical recording medium without any limitation by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the data was first recorded, by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. 6, the optical recording medium for the consumer can be used as the write-once optical recording medium. be able to. In this case, the data regarding the date and time when the data was first recorded is recorded in the recording layer 14 of the optical recording medium 10.
It is effective to record in.

Generally, in an optical recording medium in which the recording layer is made of a phase change material, it tends to be more difficult to erase the data when a long time has passed after recording. That is, it is considered that even an optical recording medium for a consumer can ensure the reliability required by a professional device at an early stage. Therefore, if the rewritable time is set within the limit that can secure the reliability required by the professional device for the optical recording medium, the problem of using the optical recording medium for the consumer in the professional device is reduced. It is possible to further improve the convenience of the user without substantially causing it.

It is also effective to individually set the rewritable time for each data to be overwritten.

Further, in the case of recording data at the first recording linear velocity V1, by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. 5, the optical recording medium for a consumer is particularly limited as a rewritable optical recording medium. When the data is recorded at the second recording linear velocity V2 (> V1), the optical recording medium for the consumer is a write-once type by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. It can be used as an optical recording medium.

Generally, in an optical recording medium having a recording layer made of a phase change material, direct overwrite tends to be more difficult as the recording linear velocity becomes higher. In other words, it is considered that even an optical recording medium for a consumer can ensure the reliability required by a professional device when recording at a low recording linear velocity. Therefore, if the recording linear velocity is set within the limit that can sufficiently secure the reliability required for the optical recording medium by the professional equipment, there is a problem in using the optical recording medium for the consumer in the professional equipment. It is possible to further improve the convenience of the user without substantially causing the above.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the optical recording medium for consumers can be used as a rewritable optical recording medium in professional equipment without any particular limitation under predetermined conditions. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to further improve the convenience of the user.

The conditions under which the consumer optical recording medium can be used as a rewritable type optical recording medium in professional equipment are not only the number of times of rewriting and the time elapsed after recording data, but also rewriting. The amount of data or the like may be used as a condition.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is a thing.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the structure shown in FIG. 1 is mentioned as a specific structure of the optical recording medium 10 in the above-mentioned embodiment, but the structure of the optical recording medium according to the present invention is not limited thereto. There is no such thing.

Further, in the above embodiment, when data is recorded on the optical recording medium for the consumer by using the professional equipment, the data cannot be overwritten by using the recording pulse train shown in FIG. However, the method of using the rewritable optical recording medium as a write-once type medium is not limited to this. For example, when the information recording device side instructs to overwrite data, It may be possible not to overwrite the data by rejecting. Furthermore,
Data may not be overwritten by recording such that the recording layer itself is destroyed by a method such as increasing the power of the laser beam at the time of recording.

Further, in the above embodiment, the medium type information is stored in the optical recording medium 10 so that it can be discriminated whether the optical recording medium is a consumer optical recording medium or a professional optical recording medium. It is not necessary to store different medium type information in the consumer optical recording medium and the professional optical recording medium, and the medium type information is stored only in one of them (for example, the professional optical recording medium). The type of the optical recording medium may be determined depending on whether the medium type information is read in the initial setting (step S20) shown in FIG. According to this method, the other optical recording medium (for example, an optical recording medium for consumers)
Does not need to store medium type information.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if there are a plurality of types of optical recording media having different uses, prices, required reliability, etc., and information recording devices for the respective types of optical recording media, there should be limited compatibility. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing the structure of an optical recording medium according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an inspection process for determining whether the manufactured optical recording medium 10 is a consumer optical recording medium or a professional optical recording medium.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of an information recording device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information recording device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recording pulse train when the medium type information read in step S20 indicates that it is a professional optical recording medium.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a recording pulse train in the case where the medium type information read in step S20 indicates that it is an optical recording medium for a consumer.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 spindle motor 3 heads 4 controller 5 Laser drive circuit 6 lens drive circuit 7 Focus servo tracking circuit 8 Tracking servo tracking circuit 9 Laser control circuit 10 Optical recording medium 11 board 12 Reflective layer 13 Second dielectric layer 14 Recording layer 15 First Dielectric Layer 16 Light transmission layer 17 holes

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tatsuya Kato             1-13-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             -In DC Inc. F term (reference) 5D029 JB45 JB48                 5D090 AA01 BB04 BB05 CC01 DD01                       DD05 FF31 GG21 GG32 KK01

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An information recording apparatus for recording information on a rewritable optical recording medium, wherein information is recorded on a rewritable optical recording medium, which is an object of information recording, by a method capable of overwriting. An information recording apparatus characterized by determining whether to record or to record information by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible. 2. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination is performed based on a type of a rewritable optical recording medium that is a recording target of information. 3. The information recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination is made based on medium type information read from a rewritable type optical recording medium which is an information recording target. 4. An information recording apparatus for recording information on a rewritable type optical recording medium, wherein the type of the rewritable type optical recording medium as a target of information recording is determined, and this is the first type. In the case of the optical recording medium of No. 2, information is recorded by a method capable of overwriting, and when this is an optical recording medium of the second type different from the first type, the overwriting is substantially impossible. Recording apparatus for recording information by various methods. 5. When the type of the rewritable optical recording medium which is an information recording target is the optical recording medium of the first type, information recording is performed using a first recording pulse train, When the type of the rewritable optical recording medium that is the recording target is the second type optical recording medium, information is recorded using a second recording pulse train different from the first recording pulse train. The information recording apparatus according to claim 4, which is performed. 6. Even if the type of the rewritable optical recording medium which is the target of information recording is the second type optical recording medium, the information can be overwritten by a method capable of overwriting under a predetermined condition. The information recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information is recorded. 7. The information recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the condition is a condition relating to a recording linear velocity. 8. An information recording method for recording information on a rewritable optical recording medium, the first discriminating method being a type of the rewritable optical recording medium on which information is recorded.
And the case where the determined type is the first type, the information is recorded by a method capable of overwriting, and the determined type is the second type different from the first type. And a second step of recording information by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the determination according to the first step is performed based on the content of the medium type information read from the rewritable optical recording medium which is a recording target of information. Information recording method described. 10. The determination according to the first step is performed based on whether or not the medium type information is read from a rewritable optical recording medium which is an information recording target. Information recording method described in. 11. The second step records information using a first recording pulse train when the determined type is the first type, and the determined type is the second type.
11. The information recording is performed using a second recording pulse train different from the first recording pulse train in the case of the above type. Information recording method. 12. An optical recording medium having at least a rewritable recording layer, wherein when information is recorded by an information recording apparatus of the first type, information is recorded by a method capable of overwriting, When information is recorded by an information recording apparatus of a second type different from the first type, the medium type information indicating that the information should be recorded by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible is provided. An optical recording medium characterized in that 13. The medium type information uses a first recording pulse train when the information is recorded by the information recording device of the first type, and the information of the information recording device of the second type is used. 13. The optical recording medium according to claim 12, which indicates that a second recording pulse train different from the first recording pulse train should be used when recording is performed. 14. An optical recording medium having at least a rewritable recording layer, wherein when the information is recorded under the first condition, the information is recorded by a method capable of overwriting. When the information is recorded under the second condition different from the above condition, it has medium type information indicating that the information should be recorded by a method in which overwriting is substantially impossible. And an optical recording medium. 15. The optical recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the first condition and the second condition are different from each other in at least a recording linear velocity.