JP2003323764A - Recording method, program and recording medium, information processor, information recording apparatus, and information recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording method to suppress consumption of a driving power source and also promote effective utilization of the driving power source. <P>SOLUTION: Information concerning the driving power source of a recorder which records information on an information recording medium is obtained responding to a request for processing accompanied by recording of dummy data on the information recording medium (step 409, 413). Then, on the basis of the information concerning the driving power source, permission or prohibition of processing accompanied by recording of the dummy data is decided (steps 411, 415 to 419). Therefore, when the capacity of the driving power source is limited for example, the vast consumption of the driving power source can be prevented by prohibiting the processing accompanied by recording of dummy data requiring huge amount of processing time. <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 a recording method, a program and a recording medium, an information processing apparatus, an information recording apparatus, and an information recording system, and more specifically, a recording method and information for recording information on an information recording medium. It includes a program used in a recording system, a recording medium in which the program is recorded, an information processing device that can access the information recording medium, an information recording device that records information in the information recording medium, and an information processing device and an information recording device. Information recording system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter,
(Hereinafter, simply referred to as a “personal computer”) has become capable of handling AV (Audio-Visual) information such as music and video as its functions have improved. Since the amount of AV information is very large, a CD-
RW (CD-rewritable) and DVD + RW (DVD + re
writable) and other optical discs have come to the fore,
Along with the price reduction, optical disk devices as information recording devices have become popular as one of the peripheral devices for personal computers.

In a rewritable optical disk such as a CD-RW or a DVD + RW, it is necessary to randomly access a spiral or concentric recording area at the time of recording and reproducing information, and as a file system, a universal disk. Format (Universal Disc F
Ormat (hereinafter referred to as "UDF") is adopted. In the following, the direction closer to the rotation center of the optical disc is referred to as the inner circumferential direction or the inner circumferential side, and the direction away from the rotation center of the optical disc is referred to as the outer circumferential direction or the outer circumferential side.

In the CD-RW, it is necessary to perform an initialization process of recording dummy data in advance on the entire recording area or a specified area before recording data, that is, so-called formatting.

In the case of DVD + RW, data can be recorded without initializing the recording area, but if there is an unrecorded portion in which no data is recorded, the recording area will be Recorded data cannot be reproduced by a DVD-ROM drive device or the like. Ie DVD
-Compatibility with ROM is lost. So DVD
-DVD if compatibility with ROM is required
Also in + RW, a format for recording dummy data in advance on the entire recording area or a designated area is required.

However, due to the dramatic increase in the storage capacity of the optical disk, it takes a lot of time to format it. That is, there is an inconvenience that the user cannot immediately record information even if he or she obtains the optical disc.

In order to improve such inconvenience, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-134799 discloses an information recording / reproducing apparatus capable of immediately recording and reproducing even an unformatted optical disc. In this information recording / reproducing apparatus, when there is a format request from the host device, after recording predetermined information in the lead-in area, the host device is notified of the recording and reproducing permission, and the formatting is started, When a recording or reproducing request is issued from the device, the formatting is interrupted and recording or reproducing is preferentially performed, and when the recording and reproducing are completed, the formatting is restarted.

[0008] As described above, the method of performing formatting by using the time when there is no recording and reproducing request from the host device is as follows.
It is called the background format method. This method is used for DVD + RW and Mount Rainie.
r) It is used in CD-RW, etc. that support specifications.

In the background format system, the optical disc can be ejected from the optical disc device even during the formatting. In this case,
Since the formatting is not completed, a so-called temporary lead out (hereinafter referred to as “TLO”) is predetermined before the ejection so that the ejected optical disk can be played back by a DVD-ROM drive device or the like. Is recorded at the position.

[0010]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention For example, DVD + RW
In the drive device, DVD + R in which TLO is recorded
When a user data write request is issued to W, the user data is recorded in the designated area. At this time, T
If there is an unrecorded area between the LO and the recording start address, after the user data is recorded, the format in the background format method described above (hereinafter,
(Also called "background format") is automatically restarted.

Recently, personal computers have been dramatically reduced in size and weight, so-called laptop computers that can be easily carried and sub-notebook computers that are even smaller than them (hereinafter collectively referred to as "notebook computers"). Is now on the market. One of the features of the notebook type personal computer is that the place of use is not limited, and for this reason, not only an AC power source but also a battery can be used as a driving power source. Therefore, in a notebook type personal computer having a built-in optical disc device, when the notebook type personal computer is driven by a battery, the optical disc device is also driven by the battery. At this time, for example, if the background format described above is automatically restarted, the power supply is cut off in the middle of the format, the battery is consumed more than the user expected, and the processing scheduled by the user cannot be performed. There was an inconvenience. In the worst case, the file information is not correctly recorded, and the file cannot be reproduced or additionally recorded.

The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and a first object thereof is to provide a recording method capable of suppressing the consumption of the driving power source and promoting the effective use of the driving power source. It is in.

A second object of the present invention is a program used in an information recording system, capable of suppressing the consumption of the driving power source and promoting effective utilization of the driving power source, and a recording in which the program is recorded. To provide the medium.

A third object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information recording apparatus capable of suppressing consumption of the driving power source and promoting effective utilization of the driving power source.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an information recording system capable of suppressing consumption of the driving power source and promoting effective utilization of the driving power source.

[0016]

The invention according to claim 1 is a recording method for recording information on an information recording medium,
A first step of obtaining information on a driving power supply of a recording apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium in response to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium; And a second step of determining whether to permit or prohibit the process involving recording the dummy data.

According to this, in response to the request for the process involving the recording of the dummy data on the information recording medium, the information about the driving power source of the recording device for recording the information on the information recording medium in the first step is obtained. Then, based on the information regarding the driving power source, the permission or prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined in the second step. Generally, the recording process in the recording device requires a larger power than the reproducing process. Further, generally, a process involving recording of dummy data requires a great amount of time as compared with other processes. That is, in the process involving recording the dummy data, the power consumption may be larger than expected. Therefore, for example, by prohibiting the process involving recording of dummy data when the capacity of the driving power supply of the recording device is limited,
It is possible to prevent sudden consumption of the driving power source and unexpected interruption of the driving power source. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source.

In this case, there are various kinds of information regarding the drive power source, but in the recording method according to claim 2, in the second step, when the drive power source is a battery, the dummy data is used. It may be decided to prohibit the processing accompanied by the record of. Alternatively, as in the recording method according to claim 3, in the second step, when the drive power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, a process involving recording the dummy data is performed. A ban can be decided.

In each of the recording methods described in claims 1 to 3, there are various processes as the process accompanied by the recording of the dummy data, but as in the recording method according to claim 4, the recording of the dummy data is performed. The processes involved in are: automatic start process of background format, temporary lead-out recording process with dummy data recording, lead-out recording process with dummy data recording, user data recording with dummy data recording It may be at least one of a process and an erasing process. In the erasing process, the data recorded in the recording area is erased by overwriting a kind of dummy data called a so-called erase pattern.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program used in an information processing apparatus that constitutes an information recording system together with an information recording apparatus, which is responsive to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. And a procedure for acquiring information about the driving power supply of the information recording system;
And a procedure for deciding whether to permit or prohibit a process involving recording of the dummy data based on the information on the driving power source.

According to this, the information regarding the driving power source of the information recording system is obtained in response to the request for the process involving the recording of the dummy data on the information recording medium, and the information recording is performed based on the information regarding the driving power source. The permission or prohibition of the process involving recording the dummy data in the device is determined. Usually, the recording process in the information recording device requires a larger power than the reproducing process. Further, generally, a process involving recording of dummy data requires a great amount of time as compared with other processes. That is, when the information recording apparatus performs a process involving recording dummy data, the power consumption may be larger than expected. Therefore, for example, when the capacity of the driving power supply of the information recording system is finite, by prohibiting the processing involving the recording of the dummy data in the information recording device, it is possible to prevent the driving power supply from being abruptly consumed and unexpectedly cut off. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source.

In this case, the control computer of the information processing apparatus is further caused to execute the procedure of notifying the information recording device of the determination result of the determining procedure as in the program according to claim 6. be able to.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program used in an information recording device which constitutes an information recording system together with an information processing device, wherein the program responds to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. And a step of obtaining information on the driving power supply of the information recording system from the information processing apparatus; a step of deciding whether to permit or prohibit a process involving recording of the dummy data based on the information on the driving power supply; And a program for causing the control computer of the information recording apparatus to execute a procedure for performing the process involving the recording of the dummy data only when the process involving the recording of the dummy data is permitted as a result of the determination.

According to this, the information regarding the driving power supply of the information recording system is acquired from the information processing device in response to the request for the process involving the recording of the dummy data on the information recording medium. Then, based on the information about the driving power source, whether to permit or prohibit the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined, and the process involving the recording of the dummy data is performed only when the process involving the recording of the dummy data is permitted. Be seen. Usually, the recording process in the information recording device requires a larger power than the reproducing process. Further, generally, a process involving recording of dummy data requires a great amount of time as compared with other processes. That is, when the information recording apparatus performs a process involving recording dummy data, the power consumption may be larger than expected. Therefore, for example, when the capacity of the driving power supply of the information recording system is finite, by prohibiting the processing involving the recording of the dummy data in the information recording device, it is possible to prevent the driving power supply from being abruptly consumed and unexpectedly cut off. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source.

In this case, when a process involving recording of the dummy data is prohibited as in the program according to claim 8, a procedure for notifying the information processing device of error information is controlled by the information recording device. It can be further executed by the computer for use.

In each of the programs described in claims 5 to 8, there are various kinds of information as the information about the driving power source. However, as in the program according to claim 9, in the determining procedure, the driving power source is In the case of a battery, it may be decided to prohibit the process involving recording the dummy data. Alternatively, as in the program according to claim 10, in the determining procedure, when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the process involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited. Can be determined. In such a case, even if the information recording system is used in a place where the power source other than the battery cannot be used, such as outdoors or in a car, it is possible to prevent the battery from being rapidly consumed.

In each of the above-mentioned programs according to claims 5 to 10, there are various processes as the process involving recording of the dummy data, but like the program according to claim 11, it involves recording of the dummy data. The process includes automatic background format start processing, temporary lead-out recording processing with dummy data recording, lead-out recording processing with dummy data recording, and user data recording processing with dummy data recording. It may be at least one of the erasing processes.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claims 5 to 1.
A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to any one of 1 is recorded.

According to this, since the program according to any one of claims 5 to 11 is recorded, by causing the computer to execute, the consumption of the drive power supply is suppressed and the drive power supply is effectively used. It becomes possible to promote the use.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device capable of accessing an information recording medium, wherein information on a driving power source is provided in response to a request for processing involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. An information processing apparatus comprising: a power supply information acquisition unit for acquiring; and a determination unit for determining permission or prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data based on the information about the driving power supply acquired by the power supply information acquisition unit. is there.

According to this, in response to a request for a process involving recording of dummy data on the information recording medium, the power supply information acquisition means acquires the information about the driving power supply, and the determining means based on the information about the driving power supply. By this, permission or prohibition of the processing involving recording of the dummy data is determined.
Generally, a process involving recording of dummy data requires a lot of time as compared with other processes,
When a process involving recording of dummy data is performed, power may be consumed more than expected. Therefore, for example, when the capacity of the driving power supply of the information processing apparatus is finite, by prohibiting the process involving recording of the dummy data, it is possible to prevent sudden consumption of the driving power supply and unexpected interruption of the driving power supply. . Therefore, while suppressing the consumption of the driving power source,
It is possible to promote the effective use of the driving power supply.

In this case, although there are various kinds of information as the information regarding the driving power source, as in the information processing apparatus according to claim 14, the determining means determines the dummy data of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery. It may be decided to prohibit the processing involving recording. Alternatively, as in the information processing apparatus according to claim 15, the determining unit prohibits a process involving recording of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Can be determined.

The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 may further include output means for outputting the determination result of the determining means, as in the information processing apparatus according to claim 16. it can.

In this case, the information recording medium is a DVD + RW as in the information processing apparatus according to claim 17.
And a mode select command to which a timeout and protect page is added, in which the output means sets the determination result of the determining means at a predetermined bit position, in accordance with any one of the CD-RW standards of Mount Renia specifications. Can be output.

In this case, as in the information processing apparatus according to claim 18, the output means sets the predetermined bit position to the predetermined bit position when the determination means determines that the processing involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited. 1 may be set, and 0 may be set in the predetermined bit position when the decision unit decides to permit the process involving the recording of the dummy data.

In each of the information processing devices described in claims 17 and 18, various positions can be considered as the predetermined bit position. However, as in the information processing device described in claim 19, the predetermined bit position is defined. Can be bit 3 of byte 4 of the timeout and protect page.

In each of the information processing apparatuses according to claims 13 to 19, when the determination means determines that the processing involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited, as in the information processing apparatus according to claim 20, Further, invalidation means for invalidating at least one of the subsequent lead-out recording request and the temporary lead-out recording request can be further provided.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording device for recording information on an information recording medium, comprising communication control means for controlling communication with an external device; and an external device via the communication control means. A power supply information acquisition unit for acquiring information about a drive power supply from an external device in response to a request for processing involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium; and information about a drive power supply acquired by the power supply information acquisition unit. Determination means for deciding whether to permit or prohibit the processing involving the recording of the dummy data based on the above; only when the determination means determines the permission for the processing involving the recording of the dummy data. An information recording device including: a recording control unit that performs a process involving recording.

According to this, the communication control means controls the communication with the external device, and the power supply information is transmitted in response to the processing request from the external device via the communication control means accompanied by the recording of the dummy data on the information recording medium. The acquisition unit acquires information about the driving power supply from the external device. Then, based on the information about the driving power source acquired by the power source information acquiring unit, the determining unit determines whether to permit or prohibit the process involving the recording of the dummy data, and the determining unit permits the process including the recording of the dummy data. Only when is determined, the recording control means performs a process involving recording dummy data. Usually, the recording process in the information recording device requires a larger power than the reproducing process. Further, generally, a process involving recording of dummy data requires a great amount of time as compared with other processes. That is, when the information recording apparatus performs a process involving recording dummy data, the power consumption may be larger than expected. Therefore, for example, when the capacity of the driving power supply of the information recording apparatus is finite, by prohibiting the processing involving the recording of the dummy data in the information recording apparatus, it is possible to prevent the driving power supply from being abruptly consumed and unexpectedly cut off. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source.

In this case, there are various kinds of information regarding the driving power source, but as in the information recording apparatus according to the twenty-second aspect, the determining means determines the dummy data of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery. It may be decided to prohibit the processing involving recording. Alternatively, as in the information recording apparatus according to claim 23, the determining unit prohibits a process involving recording of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Can be determined.

In each of the information recording devices described in claims 21 to 23, when the processing accompanied by the recording of the dummy data is prohibited as in the information recording device described in claim 24, the error information is externally output. An error notification means for notifying the device can be further provided.

In each of the information recording devices described in claims 21 to 24, there are various processes as the process accompanied by the recording of the dummy data. However, as in the information recording device according to claim 25, the dummy data is recorded. The process of recording the data includes the automatic start process of the background format, the process of recording the temporary lead-out that records the dummy data, the process of recording the lead-out that records the dummy data, and the user data that records the dummy data. It is possible to be at least one of the recording process and the erasing process.

The invention described in Item 26 is an information recording system for recording information on an information recording medium, and
21. An information recording system, comprising: the information processing apparatus according to any one of 3 to 20; and an information recording apparatus that records information on the information recording medium according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus.

According to this, since the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 20 is used, it is possible to suppress consumption of the driving power source and promote effective utilization of the driving power source. Becomes

The invention described in Item 27 is an information recording system for recording information on an information recording medium, and
An information recording system comprising: the information recording device according to any one of 1 to 25; and an information processing device that controls the information recording device.

According to this, since the information recording apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 25 is used, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source. Becomes

[0047]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION << First Embodiment >> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information recording system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The information recording system shown in FIG.
An optical disc device 20 as an information recording device, and a host 5 as an information processing device for controlling the optical disc device 20.
It is configured to include 0 and.

The optical disk device 20 includes a spindle motor 22, an optical pickup device 23, a laser control circuit 24, an encoder 25, and a motor driver 2 for rotationally driving an optical disk 15 as an information recording medium.
7, reproduction signal processing circuit 28, servo controller 33,
Buffer RAM 34, buffer manager 37, interface 38, ROM 39, CPU 40 and RAM 4
1 and so on. Note that the connection lines in FIG. 1 represent typical signal and information flows, and do not represent all the connection relationships of each block. In the first embodiment, as an example, an information recording medium compliant with the DVD + RW standard is used for the optical disc 15. The drive power of the optical disk device 20 is supplied from the host 50.

The optical pickup device 23 guides a semiconductor laser as a light source, a light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser to a recording surface of the optical disk 15, and a return light beam reflected on the recording surface to a predetermined light receiving position. The optical system, a light receiver arranged at the light receiving position for receiving the return light flux, and a drive system (focusing actuator, tracking actuator, seek motor, etc.) (all not shown) are configured. Then, a current (current signal) corresponding to the amount of received light is output from the light receiver to the reproduction signal processing circuit 28.

The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 converts a current signal, which is an output signal of the optical pickup device 23, into a voltage signal, and based on the voltage signal, a wobble signal, an RF signal and a servo signal (focus error signal or track error). Signal). The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 extracts ADIP (Address In Pre-groove) information and a synchronization signal from the wobble signal. AD extracted here
The IP information is output to the CPU 40, and the synchronization signal is output to the encoder 25. Furthermore, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28
Stores the data in the buffer RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37 after performing error correction processing on the RF signal. The focus error signal and the track error signal are output from the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 to the servo controller 33.

The servo controller 33 generates a control signal for controlling the focusing actuator of the optical pickup device 23 based on the focus error signal, and a control signal for controlling the tracking actuator of the optical pickup device 23 based on the track error signal. To generate. Each control signal is output from the servo controller 33 to the motor driver 27.

The buffer manager 37 manages the input / output of data to / from the buffer RAM 34 and notifies the CPU 40 when the accumulated data amount reaches a predetermined value.

The motor driver 27 drives the focusing actuator and the tracking actuator of the optical pickup device 23 based on the control signal from the servo controller 33. Further, the motor driver 27, based on the instruction of the CPU 40,
The spindle motor 22 is controlled so that the linear velocity is constant. Further, the motor driver 27 drives the seek motor of the optical pickup device 23 based on the instruction of the CPU 40 to control the position of the optical pickup device 23 in the sledge direction (radial direction of the optical disk 15).

The encoder 25 adds an error correction code to the data fetched from the buffer RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37 based on an instruction from the CPU 40 to create write data to the optical disc 15 and The write data is output to the laser control circuit 24 in synchronization with the synchronization signal from the reproduction signal processing circuit 28.

The laser control circuit 24 controls the output of the semiconductor laser of the optical pickup device 23 based on the write data from the encoder 25 and the instruction from the CPU 40.

The interface 38 is a host 50.
A two-way communication interface with ATAPI
(AT Attachment Packet Interface) and SCSI (Sm
It complies with standard interfaces such as allComputer System Interface).

The ROM 39 stores a program (hereinafter referred to as a "recording control program") used in response to a request for a process involving recording of dummy data described below, which is written in a code readable by the CPU 40. ing. When the power of the optical disk device 20 is turned on, the program is loaded into a main memory (not shown), and the CPU 40 controls the operation of each of the above parts according to the program, and temporarily stores data necessary for the control. It is saved in the RAM 41.

The host 50 comprises a main controller 52, an interface 54, a hard disk (HDD) 56, an input device 57, a display device 58 and the like. In addition,
As the drive power source for the host 50, both an AC power source and a battery (both not shown) can be used, and the user selects either one.

The main controller 52 includes a microcomputer, a main memory (neither is shown), etc., and controls the host 50 as a whole.

The interface 54 is a bidirectional communication interface with the optical disk device 20.
It conforms to standard interfaces such as TAPI and SCSI. The interface 54 is the optical disk device 20.
Is connected to the interface 38. The connection form between the interfaces may be not only a cable connection using a communication line such as a communication cable (for example, a SCSI cable) but also a wireless connection using infrared rays or the like.

The main controller 52 is provided on the hard disk 56.
A program (hereinafter referred to as "recordability determination program") used in response to a request for processing accompanied by recording of dummy data described below, which is written in a code readable by the microcomputer, is stored. In addition, host 5
When the driving power source of 0 is turned on, the above program is loaded into the main memory of the main controller 52.

The display device 58 is provided with a display unit (not shown) such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a plasma display panel (PDP), and displays various information from the main controller 52.

The input device 57 is, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse and a pointing device.
It is provided with one input medium (not shown), and notifies the main controller 52 of various information input by the user. The information from the input medium may be input in a wireless manner. Further, as an integrated device of the display device 58 and the input device 57, there is, for example, a CRT with a touch panel.

The host 50 has an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") installed therein. Then, it is assumed that all devices constituting the host 50 are managed by the OS. Therefore,
The OS collectively manages information about the drive power supply of the host 50 (type of power supply, remaining battery level, etc.).

In the information recording system configured as described above, when the optical disc 15 is loaded at a predetermined position of the optical disc device 20, the optical disc device 20 displays information indicating that a new medium has been loaded (hereinafter, "load"). Information ”is a media event code (Media Even)
t Code) and sends a command (Get Event Status Notification Command) for notifying the event status to the host 50.

Now, the processing operation in the host 50 when receiving the load information from the optical disk device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Host 5
When 0 receives the load information, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 2 is set in the program counter of the microcomputer of main controller 52, and the algorithm corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 2 starts. The flowchart of FIG. 2 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the microcomputer of main controller 52.

First, in step 401, the optical disk 1
In order to know the format state of No. 5, a command (Read Disc Information Command) requesting disc information is transmitted to the optical disc device 20. When the optical disc device 20 receives a command requesting disc information from the host 50, it sets predetermined disc information in the disc information block, and the host 5
Reply to 0.

At the next step 403, a response from the optical disk device 20 is waited for, and if there is a response, the process proceeds to step 405.

In this step 405, the format information (Background For
mat Status) is extracted.

At the next step 407, it is judged based on the format information whether or not the formatting is in progress. If it is in the middle of formatting, the determination in step 407 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 409.

In step 409, the OS is inquired to obtain the driving power supply information of the host 50. And
The type of drive power source is obtained based on the drive power source information.

At the next step 411, it is determined whether or not the driving power source is a battery. If the driving power source is a battery, the determination here is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 413.

In step 413, the remaining battery level is acquired based on the driving power source information.

At the next step 415, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is less than or equal to a preset predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of the battery is less than or equal to the preset predetermined amount, the determination here is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 417. The predetermined amount can be arbitrarily set and changed by the user.

In this step 417, an instruction to prohibit the processing involving the recording of dummy data is transmitted to the optical disk device 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a time-out and protect page (Time-out and Protect page), which is one of the mode pages added to the mode select command.
1 is set in the 4th bit (bit 3) of the 5th byte (byte 4) of Page) and transmitted to the optical disk device 20.
Then, the process when the load information is received ends.
The above bit position has been set as a reserved area so far, and in the present invention, this bit position is newly format-protected (Format Protect, hereinafter referred to as “FP”).
Defined as a bit. That is, if the FP bit is 1, processing that involves recording dummy data is prohibited, and if the FP bit is 0, processing that involves recording dummy data is permitted.
When the optical disk device 20 receives the mode select command from the host 50, it extracts the FP bit,
It is stored in the RAM 41 as dummy recording enable / disable information.

If it is determined in step 407 that the optical disk 15 is not being formatted, step 407 is performed.
Is denied, the process moves to step 419.

At this step 419, an instruction for permitting the process accompanied by the recording of the dummy data is transmitted to the optical disc device 20. Specifically, set the FP bit to 0,
Send the mode select command. Then, the process when the load information is received ends. When receiving the mode select command from the host 50, the optical disk device 20 extracts the FP bit and stores it in the RAM 41 as dummy recording enable / disable information.

If the driving power source is not the battery in step 411, the determination in step 411 is denied and the process proceeds to step 419. In addition, step 4
If the remaining amount of the battery is not less than or equal to the preset predetermined amount in 15, the determination in step 415 is denied and the process proceeds to step 419. That is, the processing that involves recording the dummy data is permitted.

Next, the optical disk device 20 is replaced by the host 50.
The processing operation when the command (Format Unit Command) requesting the restart of the background format is received from will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. When the optical disk device 20 receives the command requesting the restart of the background format, the CPU 40
4, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 4 is set, and the algorithm corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 4 starts. The flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.

At the first step 451, the dummy recording enable / disable information DF stored in the RAM 41 is read.

At the next step 453, it is determined based on the dummy recording enable / disable information DF whether or not the process involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited. If the dummy record enable / disable information DF is 1, it means that the process involving the recording of dummy data is prohibited, the determination in step 453 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 455.

At step 455, the error information in which the error code indicating that the background format cannot be restarted is set is transmitted to the host 50. Then, the process when the command requesting the restart of the background format is received is ended.

On the other hand, if the dummy recording enable / disable information DF is not 1 in step 453, it means that the process involving the recording of dummy data is permitted, and step 453 is performed.
The determination at 1 is denied, and the routine goes to Step 457.

At step 457, the process shifts to a subroutine for restarting the background format. That is, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the algorithm corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 5 starts.

First, in step 501, the formatting disc control block (Formatting Disc Control Bloc) recorded in the lead-in area is recorded.
k, hereinafter referred to as “FDCB”), and searches for the TLO position. Then, the address where TLO is recorded is used as the start address of the format.

At the next step 503,
Notify that recording and playback requests can be accepted.

In the next step 505, the optical disk 15
Judge whether or not there is a discharge request. This emission request is
When an unillustrated disk attachment / detachment button provided in the optical disk device 20 is pressed, the CPU 4 performs interrupt processing.
0 will be notified. Also, the emission request is
It may be received from the host 50, and the CPU 40 is notified by interrupt processing. here,
If the discharge request is not notified, the determination in step 505 is negative and the process proceeds to step 507.

In this step 507, it is checked whether or not the formatting is completed. If the formatting has not been completed, the determination in step 507 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 509.

In this step 509, it is judged whether or not there is a recording request or reproduction request from the host 50. Host 50
When a command requesting recording (Write Command) or a command requesting playback (Read Command) is received from
The CPU 40 is notified by interrupt processing. Here, if neither command is received, the determination in step 509 is denied and step 511
Move to.

In step 511, formatting is performed. That is, for example, dummy data for 16 sectors is recorded in the unrecorded portion of the user data area. When the recording of the dummy data is completed, the process returns to step 505.

Hereinafter, until the determination at any of step 505, step 507, and step 509 becomes affirmative, the processing of steps 505 → 507 → 509 → 511,
Repeat judgment. As a result, formatting proceeds.

On the other hand, in step 509, the host 5
If there is a recording request or reproduction request from 0, step 50
The determination in 9 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 513.

In step 513, it is determined whether the request from the host is a recording request or a reproduction request. Here, if the request from the host is a recording request, the determination in step 513 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 515.

In step 515, the user data received from the host 50 is recorded in the designated area. The details of the recording processing operation in the optical disk device 20 will be described later. When user data recording is complete,
Return to step 505.

On the other hand, in step 513, the host 5
If the request from 0 is a reproduction request, the determination in step 513 is denied and the process proceeds to step 517.

At step 517, the user data recorded in the area designated by the host is reproduced and transferred to the host 50. The details of the reproduction processing operation in the optical disk device 20 will be described later. When the reproduction of the user data designated by the host is completed, the process returns to step 505.

Thereafter, the formatting is continued until the judgment at any of step 505, step 507 and step 509 becomes affirmative.

If it is determined in step 505 that the optical disk 15 is ejected, the determination in step 505 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 521.

In this step 521, a disc loading / unloading system (not shown) is instructed to eject the optical disc 15. Then, the process returns from the subroutine for restarting the background format. In some cases, the lead-out or TLO is recorded at a predetermined position before instructing ejection.

When the formatting is completed before the ejection request is received, the completion of the formatting is recorded at a predetermined position in the recording area, and the background formatting is completed. Then, the process returns from the subroutine for restarting the background format.

In step 457 of FIG. 4, when returning from the subroutine for restarting the background format, the process when the command requesting the restart of the background format is received is ended.

Here, the processing operation in the optical disk device 20 when a command (Write Command) requesting recording from the host 50 is received will be described.

When the CPU 40 receives the recording request command, the CPU 40 outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 to the motor driver 27 based on the specified recording speed and requests the recording from the host 50. That the received command has been received, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28
To notify. Further, the CPU 40 accumulates the user data received from the host 50 in the buffer RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37.

The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 is used for the optical disk 15
When the rotation reaches a predetermined linear velocity, the focus error signal and the track error signal are detected based on the output signal from the optical pickup device 23, and the servo controller 3
Output to 3. The servo controller 33 drives the focusing actuator and the tracking actuator of the optical pickup device 23 via the motor driver 27 based on the focus error signal and the track error signal from the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 to correct the focus deviation and the track deviation. To do.

Further, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 acquires ADIP information based on the output signal from the optical pickup device 23, and notifies the CPU 40 of the ADIP information. And the CPU 40
Outputs to the motor driver 27 a signal instructing the seek operation of the optical pickup device 23 so that the optical pickup device 23 is located at the writing start point designated based on the ADIP information.

When the CPU 40 receives a notification from the buffer manager 37 that the amount of data stored in the buffer RAM 34 exceeds a predetermined value, it instructs the encoder 25 to create write data. Further, the CPU 40 is
When it is determined that the position of the optical pickup device 23 is the writing start point based on the DIP information, the encoder 25
To notify. Then, the encoder 25, via the laser control circuit 24 and the optical pickup device 23,
The write data is recorded on the optical disc 15.

Next, the processing operation in the optical disk device 20 when a command (Read Command) requesting reproduction from the host 50 is received will be described.

When the CPU 40 receives the command requesting the reproduction, the spindle motor 22 based on the reproduction speed.
Control signal for controlling the rotation of the motor driver 27
And the fact that the command requesting reproduction has been received is notified to the reproduction signal processing circuit 28.

The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 notifies the CPU 40 of the ADIP information and corrects the focus deviation and the track deviation, as in the case of the recording.

The CPU 40 outputs to the motor driver 27 a signal instructing the seek operation so that the optical pickup device 23 is located at the reading start point designated based on the ADIP information. When the CPU 40 determines that the position of the optical pickup device 23 is the reading start point based on the ADIP information, it notifies the reproduction signal processing circuit 28.

Then, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 detects the RF signal based on the output signal of the optical pickup device 23, performs error correction processing, etc., and then stores it in the buffer RAM 34.

The buffer manager 37 uses the buffer RA
When the reproduction data accumulated in M34 is prepared as sector data, the host 50 is connected via the interface 38.
Transfer to.

The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 detects the focus error signal and the track error signal based on the output signal from the optical pickup device 23 as described above until the recording processing and the reproduction processing are completed, and the servo controller The focus deviation and the track deviation are corrected at any time via 33 and the motor driver 27.

Next, in the information recording system, the processing operation in the host 50 when a discharge request for the optical disk 15 is input through the input device 57 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a request for ejecting the optical disk 15 is input through the input device 57, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is set in the program counter of the microcomputer of the main controller 52, which corresponds to the flowchart of FIG. The algorithm starts. The flowchart of FIG. 6 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the microcomputer of the main controller 52.

In the first step 601, the OS is queried to acquire the drive power information of the host 50. Then, the type of drive power supply is obtained based on the drive power supply information.

In the next step 603, it is determined whether or not the driving power source is a battery. If the driving power source is a battery, the determination here is affirmative, and the routine goes to Step 605.

In step 605, the remaining battery level is acquired based on the driving power source information.

In the next step 607, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is less than or equal to a preset predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of the battery exceeds the preset predetermined amount, the determination here is denied, and the routine goes to Step 609.

At this step 609, a command (Close Tr
ack / Session Command).

In the next step 611, the optical disk 15
For requesting the discharge of (Start / Stop Unit Comman
Send d). Then, the processing when the ejection request for the optical disc 15 is input is completed.

If the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than the preset predetermined amount in step 607, the determination in step 607 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 611. That is, the command requesting to close the session or the disc is not transmitted.

If it is determined in step 603 that the driving power source is not the battery, the determination in step 603 is denied and the process proceeds to step 609. That is, prior to the command requesting the ejection of the optical disk 15, the command requesting the session or the closing of the disk is transmitted.

Next, the processing operation in the optical disk device 20 when a command (Close Track / Session Command) requesting to close a session or a disk is received from the host 50 in the information recording system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do. When the optical disk device 20 receives a session or a command requesting to close the disk, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 7 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the algorithm corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 7 starts. The flowchart of FIG. 7 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.

At the first step 651, the dummy recording enable / disable information DF stored in the RAM 41 is read.

In the next step 653, it is determined based on the dummy recording enable / disable information DF whether or not the processing involving recording of dummy data is prohibited. If the dummy recording enable / disable information DF is 1, the process involving recording of dummy data is prohibited, and therefore the determination at step 653 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 655.

In this step 655, the error information in which the error code indicating that the session or the disc cannot be closed is set is transmitted to the host 50. Then, the process when the command requesting to close the session or the disc is received is ended. The host 50 may display an error message on the display device 58 upon receiving the error information.

On the other hand, if the dummy recording enable / disable information DF is not 1 in step 653, the process involving recording of dummy data is permitted, and therefore the determination in step 653 is denied and the process proceeds to step 657.

At this step 657, according to the command requesting the session or disc close,
Performs session or disk close processing. Then, the process when the command requesting to close the session or the disc is received is ended.

Next, the processing operation in the optical disk device 20 when a command (Write Command) requesting recording of user data is received from the host 50 while not in the background format will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do. When the optical disk device 20 receives a command requesting recording, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the algorithm corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 8 starts. The flowchart of FIG. 8 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.

First, in step 701, the optical disc 1
It is determined whether or not 5 is in the process of formatting. If the formatting is not completed, the determination in step 701 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 703.

In this step 703, the optical disk 15
Of the FDCB recorded in the lead-in area of
Search for TLO location.

At the next step 705, the recording start address of the user data is extracted from the recording request command.

At the next step 707, it is judged whether or not the format is necessary. For example, the address of the position where the TLO is recorded is compared with the recording start address of the user data, and if there is an unrecorded area between the TLO and the user data, formatting is required.
If the format is required, the determination here is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 709.

In this step 709, the dummy recording enable / disable information DF stored in the RAM 41 is read.

In the next step 711, it is determined based on the dummy recording enable / disable information DF whether or not the process involving the recording of dummy data is prohibited. If the dummy recording enable / disable information DF is 1, the process involving recording of dummy data is prohibited, and therefore the determination in step 711 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step 713.

In step 713, the host 50 is notified of error information in which an error code indicating that user data cannot be recorded is set. Then, the process when the command requesting recording is received is ended. The host 50 may display an error message on the display device 58 upon receiving the error information.

On the other hand, if the dummy recording permission / inhibition information DF is not 1 in step 711, the determination in step 711 is denied because the process involving recording of dummy data is permitted, and the process proceeds to the next step 715. To do.

At step 715, as described above,
Record user data in the specified area.

In the next step 717, dummy data is recorded in the unrecorded area between the TLO and the user data recording area. Then, the process when the command requesting recording is received is ended. After that, the background format is automatically restarted.

If it is determined in step 701 that the optical disc 15 is not being formatted, step 701 is performed.
Is denied, the process moves to step 719.

At step 719, the user data is recorded in the designated area as described above. Then, the process when the command requesting recording is received is ended. In this case, the background format is not restarted automatically.

Further, in step 707, if the format is unnecessary, the determination in step 707 is denied and the process proceeds to step 719. Also in this case, the background format is not automatically restarted.

As is clear from the above description, in the information recording system according to the first embodiment, the main controller 52
The microcomputer and the program executed by the microcomputer realize the power supply information acquisition means, the determination means, and the output means of the information processing apparatus. Further, the CPU 40 and the program executed by the CPU 40 realize a communication control unit, a recording control unit, and an error notification unit of the information recording apparatus.

However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the above-described first embodiment is merely an example, and at least a part of each component realized by the processing according to the program of the microcomputer of the main controller 52 may be configured by hardware, or all of them may be configured. The constituent parts of the above may be configured by hardware. Further, at least a part of each constituent part realized by the processing according to the program by the CPU 40 may be configured by hardware, or all the constituent parts may be configured by hardware.

In the first embodiment, among the programs installed on the hard disk 56,
The recording propriety determination program is constituted by a program corresponding to the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Further, among the programs installed in the ROM 39, the recording control program is constituted by the programs corresponding to the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first step of the recording method according to the present invention is executed by the processing of step 409 and step 413 of FIG. 2, and step 411 and step 415 to step 419 of FIG. The second step is performed by the processes up to.

As described above, according to the information recording system of the first embodiment, when the optical disk 15 is loaded into the optical disk device 20, the host 50 uses the battery as the driving power source and the remaining battery. When the amount is equal to or smaller than the predetermined amount, the optical disc apparatus 20 is notified of a prohibition instruction for prohibiting the process involving the recording of the dummy data. Then, in the optical disc device 20, according to the prohibition command from the host 50, the process involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited. That is, when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining battery amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, a process involving recording of dummy data is not performed, so that the battery can be prevented from being greatly consumed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an unexpected power-off, and it is possible to prevent data reproduction failure and non-writeable data. That is, it is possible to suppress consumption of the driving power source and promote effective use of the driving power source.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the optical disc device 20 receives the command requesting the restart of the background format from the host 50, the process involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited. Notifies the host 50 of error information without restarting the background format. As a result, for example, when a plurality of application software is executed in the host 50 by multitasking, the application software that does not know that the processing accompanied by the recording of the dummy data is prohibited requests the background format restart. Even if the command is transmitted, it can be understood from the error information (error code) that the process involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited.

Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, in the host 50, when a request for ejecting the optical disk 15 is input, the drive power source of the host 50 is a battery, and the remaining battery amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount. In this case, the eject request is transmitted to the optical disc device 20 without transmitting the session or disc close request. As a result, in the optical disc device 20, since the unrecorded portion is not formatted, the life of the battery can be extended and unexpected power interruption can be avoided.

Further, according to the first embodiment, even if the optical disc apparatus 20 receives a session or disc close request, if the process involving the recording of dummy data is prohibited, the session or disc The error information is notified to the host 50 without performing the closing process. As a result, a process that requires a long processing time is not performed, and it is possible to prevent a large amount of battery consumption. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source.

In the first embodiment, the host 5
In 0, the case where the prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined when the driving power source of the host 50 is the battery and the remaining battery amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount has been described. When the battery capacity is small, regardless of the remaining battery capacity, the host 50
If the driving power source is a battery, the prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data may be immediately determined.

In the first embodiment, the host 5
In 0, when a request for ejecting the optical disk 15 is input, if the drive power source of the host 50 is a battery and the remaining battery amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, a command requesting session closing or disk closing is not transmitted. , The case of transmitting a command for requesting discharge is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and if the drive power of the host 50 is a battery regardless of the remaining battery amount, for example, when the battery capacity is small, the session Alternatively, the command for ejecting may be transmitted without transmitting the command for closing the disc.

Further, in the first embodiment, when a request for ejecting the optical disk 15 is input through the input device 57, the drive power source information is acquired and a command for requesting session or disk closing is issued. Two
The case of performing the process of determining whether to transmit to 0 has been described. However, when the optical disc 15 is loaded in the optical disc device 20, the process of determining whether to permit or prohibit the process involving recording of dummy data is performed. If
The processing result may be used to determine whether to send a command requesting the closing of the session or the disc to the optical disc device 20.

In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the background format is restarted is determined by the optical disk device 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the host 50 may be used. For example, when a background format restart request is input from the user, it is determined based on the drive power information whether processing involving recording of dummy data is possible. The transmission of the command requesting the restart of the grand format to the optical disc device 20 is stopped.
Similarly, regarding the processing involving recording of other dummy data, the host 50 also determines whether or not the processing is possible. If it is determined that the processing is not possible, the command requesting the processing is executed. The transmission to the optical disk device 20 may be stopped.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, the case of setting the instruction for permitting or prohibiting the processing accompanied by the recording of the dummy data in the bit 3 of the byte 4 of the timeout and protect page has been described. Not limited to this, other unused (Reserved) bits may be used. Also, a mode page other than the timeout and protect page may be used. Further, a command other than the mode select command or a newly defined command may be used.

In the first embodiment, the recording propriety determination program is recorded in the hard disk 56, but another recording medium (CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk,
It may be recorded in a flash memory, a flexible disk, etc.). In this case, a drive device corresponding to each recording medium is added, and the recordability determination program is loaded from each drive device. Alternatively, the data may be transferred to the hard disk 56 from another recording medium. Further, it may be transferred to the hard disk 56 or the main memory via a network. In short, the recording permission / prohibition determining program may be loaded into the main memory of the microcomputer.

Further, although the recording control program is recorded in the ROM 39 in the first embodiment, it is recorded in another recording medium (CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, flash memory, flexible disk, etc.). May be. In this case, a drive device corresponding to each recording medium is added, and the recording control program is installed from each drive device. In short, the recording control program may be loaded into the main memory of the CPU 40.

<< Second Embodiment >> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The second embodiment is characterized in that, unlike the above-described first embodiment, the optical disc apparatus performs the process of determining whether to permit or prohibit the process involving the recording of dummy data. That is, only a part of the programs stored in the hard disk 56 and the ROM 39 is different, and the other configuration of the information recording system is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. Therefore, in the following description, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described first embodiment to simplify the description. It shall be omitted.

The ROM 39 stores a program (hereinafter referred to as "possibility information determination program") for determining permission or prohibition of a process involving recording of dummy data, which will be described later, written in a code readable by the CPU 40. ing. When the power of the optical disc device 20 is turned on, the program is loaded into a main memory (not shown).

The processing operation when the optical disk 15 is loaded in the optical disk device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the optical disc 15 is loaded, the program counter of the CPU 40 is set with the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 9, and the algorithm corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 9 is started. The flowchart of FIG. 9 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40. The prerequisites for the optical disc 15 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

First, in step 801, the optical disk 1
The format information of No. 5 is acquired. The format information is recorded at a predetermined position in the recording area of the optical disc 15.

At the next step 803, it is judged whether or not the formatting is in progress. If formatting is in progress, the determination at step 803 is affirmative and step 805.
Move to.

In step 805, a command for requesting drive power supply information is transmitted in order to obtain drive power supply information of the host 50. When the host 50 receives the command requesting the driving power supply information, it acquires the driving power supply information from the OS and responds to the optical disk device 20.

At the next step 807, a response from the host 50 is awaited, and if there is a response, the process proceeds to step 809.

In this step 809, the type of drive power source is obtained based on the drive power source information from the host 50.

In the next step 811, it is determined whether or not the driving power source is a battery. If the driving power source is a battery, the determination here is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 813.

At step 813, the remaining battery level is acquired based on the driving power source information.

At the next step 815, it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is less than or equal to a preset predetermined amount. If the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than the preset predetermined amount, the determination here is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 817.

At step 817, the prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined and stored in the RAM 41 as the dummy recording enable / disable information.

At step 819, the host 50 is notified of the dummy recording enable / disable information. And the optical disk 15
Ends the process when is loaded.

If it is determined in step 803 that the optical disc 15 is not being formatted, step 803 is performed.
The determination in step 1 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 821.

In step 821, the permission of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined and stored in the RAM 41 as the dummy recording enable / disable information. Then, the process proceeds to step 819.

If it is determined in step 811 that the driving power source is not the battery, the determination in step 811 is denied and the process proceeds to step 821. In addition, step 8
If the remaining amount of the battery is not less than or equal to the preset predetermined amount in 15, the determination in step 815 is denied and the process proceeds to step 821. That is, the processing that involves recording the dummy data is permitted.

In the optical disk device 20, a command requesting restart of background format, a command requesting close of session or disk,
When receiving the command for requesting the recording of the user data, it is determined whether or not each command is executed based on the dummy recording enable / disable information, as in the first embodiment.

As is clear from the above description, in the information recording system according to the second embodiment, the CPU 40 and the program executed by the CPU 40
The communication control means, the power source information acquisition means, the determination means, and the recording control means of the information recording device are realized.

However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the second embodiment is merely an example, and at least a part of each component realized by the processing according to the program by the CPU 40 may be configured by hardware, or all the components may be configured by hardware. It may be configured by.

Further, in the second embodiment, the ROM 39
The permission / inhibition information determination program is configured by a program corresponding to the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Further, in the second embodiment, the first step of the recording method according to the present invention is executed by the processing of steps 805 to 809 and step 813 of FIG.
The second process is executed by the processing of Step 811, Steps 815 and 817, and Step 821 of FIG.

As described above, according to the information recording system of the second embodiment, the optical disk device 20
When the optical disk 15 is loaded, based on the drive power information from the host 50, if the drive power of the host 50 is a battery and the remaining battery amount is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the optical disk device 20 It has been decided to prohibit processing that involves recording dummy data. This allows host 5
0 and the optical disk device 20 are driven by a battery and the remaining battery level is low, the process involving the recording of dummy data is prohibited, so that the battery can be prevented from being greatly consumed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid an unexpected power-off, and it is possible to prevent data reproduction failure and non-writeable data. That is, it is possible to suppress consumption of the driving power source and promote effective use of the driving power source.

In the second embodiment, the host 5
The case where the prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined when the driving power source of 0 is the battery and the remaining battery amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the case where is small, regardless of the remaining battery amount, if the drive power source of the host 50 is a battery, the prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data may be immediately determined.

Further, in the second embodiment, the host 5
When a request for ejecting the optical disk 15 is input through the input device 57, 0 acquires drive power source information and determines whether to send a command requesting session or disk closing to the optical disk device 20. But you can
Based on the dummy recording enable / disable information from the optical disk device 20, it may be determined whether or not a command requesting the closing of the session or the disk is transmitted to the optical disk device 20.

In the above-described second embodiment, the case where the background format is restarted is determined by the optical disk device 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the host 50 may be used. For example, when a background format restart request is input from the user, it is determined whether or not a process involving recording of dummy data is possible based on the dummy recording enable / disable information. The transmission of the command requesting the restart of the background format to the optical disk device 20 is stopped. Similarly, regarding the processing involving recording of other dummy data, the host 50 also determines whether or not the processing is possible. If it is determined that the processing is not possible, the command requesting the processing is executed. The transmission to the optical disk device 20 may be stopped.

Further, in the second embodiment, the permission / prohibition information determination program is recorded in the ROM 39, but is recorded in another recording medium (CD-ROM, magneto-optical disk, flash memory, flexible disk, etc.). It may be. In this case, a drive device corresponding to each recording medium is added and the availability information determination program is installed from each drive device. In short, the permission / inhibition information determination program may be loaded into the main memory of the CPU 40.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, even if the optical disc apparatus 20 receives a command requesting to close the session or the disc, if the process involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited, Although the case where the close process is not performed has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the process involving recording of the dummy data is prohibited, if the data amount of the dummy data to be recorded is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the session or A disc closing process may be performed.

In each of the above embodiments, the optical disc 1
The case where the process of determining whether to permit or prohibit the process involving the recording of the dummy data is performed when No. 5 is loaded in the optical disc device 20 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the process may be performed in response to a user's request, for example. good.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the optical disc apparatus 20 receives the command requesting the closing of the session or the disc and checks whether or not the process accompanied by the recording of the dummy data is prohibited. However, not limited to this, for example, if it is certain that the command requesting the session or disc to be closed will be sent only when the process involving the recording of the dummy data is permitted, the session or disc is closed. The process of checking whether or not the process involving the recording of dummy data is prohibited when the requested command is received may be omitted.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the optical disk device 20 receives the command requesting the restart of the background format, the command requesting the closing of the session or the disk, and the command requesting the recording of the user data will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a case where a command requesting erasure of data is received, for example. In short, a command requesting a process involving recording of dummy data can permit or prohibit the process based on the dummy recording enable / disable information.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, when the driving power source is the battery and the remaining amount of the battery is less than or equal to the predetermined amount, the background format restart process, the session or disc close process, and the user data recording process are performed. However, the prohibition condition may be different for each process or according to the amount of dummy data to be recorded. For example, if the amount of dummy data to be recorded exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the permission or prohibition is determined only by the type of drive power source, and if the amount of dummy data to be recorded is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold value, the drive power source You may decide whether to allow or forbid depending on the type and remaining amount.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the permission or prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined based on the type of the driving power source and the remaining battery amount has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not something. For example, the type of battery and the manufacturer name of the battery may be used as the determination condition. This is because the characteristics of the battery may differ.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the process of determining the permission or prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is performed only when the optical disc 15 is in the process of being formatted is not limited to this. It may be in the format.

In each of the above embodiments, the optical disc 1
The case where 5 is a DVD + RW has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any information recording medium can be used as long as it is capable of performing a process involving recording dummy data. In that case, an optical disk device corresponding to the information recording medium used will be used.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the host 50
The optical disk device 20 and the optical disk device 20 may be arranged in the same housing, or may be arranged in separate housings.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, DVD + RW
The case where an optical disc device capable of recording and reproducing user data is used for an information recording medium compliant with the above standard has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical disc device that only records user data may be used. good.

[0197]

As described above, according to the recording method of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective use of the driving power source.

Further, the program and recording medium according to the present invention are used in an information recording system, and are effective in suppressing consumption of the driving power source and promoting effective use of the driving power source.

Further, according to the information processing apparatus and the information recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective utilization of the driving power source.

Further, according to the information recording system of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the consumption of the driving power source and promote the effective utilization of the driving power source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information recording system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a process of determining permission or prohibition of a process involving recording of dummy data according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a timeout according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure for demonstrating the format of an AND protect page.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation in the optical disc device when a command requesting restart of the background format is received.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining details of a background format.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation in the host when an optical disc ejection request is input.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation in the optical disc apparatus when a command requesting session or disc closing is received.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation in the optical disc device when a command requesting recording is received.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a process of determining permission or prohibition of a process involving recording of dummy data according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

15 ... Optical disc (information recording medium), 20 ... Optical disc device (information recording device), 40 ... CPU (communication control means,
Recording control means, power supply information acquisition means, determination means, error notification means), 50 ... Host (information processing device), 52 ... Main control device (power supply information acquisition means, determination means, output means).

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A recording method for recording information on an information recording medium, comprising: a recording device for recording information on the information recording medium in response to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. A recording method including: a first step of obtaining information about a driving power source; and a second step of determining whether to permit or prohibit a process involving recording of the dummy data based on the information about the driving power source. 2. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data is determined when the drive power source is a battery. 3. In the second step, when the drive power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the prohibition of the process involving the recording of the dummy data is determined. The recording method according to claim 1. 4. The process involving recording of the dummy data,
Background format automatic start processing, temporary lead-out recording processing with dummy data recording, lead-out recording processing with dummy data recording, user data recording processing and erasing processing with dummy data recording 4. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the recording method is at least one of them. 5. A program used in an information processing apparatus that constitutes an information recording system together with an information recording apparatus, wherein the program of the information recording system is provided in response to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. A program for causing a control computer of the information processing apparatus to execute a procedure of obtaining information about a driving power supply; a procedure of determining permission or prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data based on the information about the driving power supply. . 6. The program according to claim 5, further comprising causing a control computer of the information processing apparatus to further execute a procedure of notifying the information recording device of the determination result of the determination procedure. 7. A program used in an information recording apparatus that constitutes an information recording system together with an information processing apparatus, wherein the program of the information recording system is provided in response to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. A procedure for obtaining information about a driving power source from the information processing apparatus; a step for deciding whether to permit or prohibit a process involving recording of the dummy data based on the information about the driving power source; And a program for causing the control computer of the information recording apparatus to execute a procedure of performing a process involving recording of the dummy data only when the process involving recording of is permitted. 8. The control computer of the information recording device is further caused to execute a procedure of notifying the information processing device of error information when a process involving recording of the dummy data is prohibited. The program according to item 7. 9. The method according to claim 5, wherein in the determining step, when the drive power source is a battery, the prohibition of the process accompanied by the recording of the dummy data is determined. The listed program. 10. The procedure of determining, when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, determines to prohibit the process involving recording of the dummy data. The program according to any one of claims 5 to 8. 11. The process involving the recording of the dummy data includes a background format automatic start process, a temporary lead-out recording process involving the dummy data recording, a lead-out recording process involving the dummy data recording, The program according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the program is at least one of a recording process and a erasing process of user data accompanied by recording of dummy data. 12. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to any one of claims 5 to 11 is recorded. 13. An information processing apparatus capable of accessing an information recording medium, comprising: a power supply information acquiring unit for acquiring information on a driving power supply in response to a request for a process involving recording dummy data on the information recording medium. Deciding means for deciding whether to permit or prohibit the process involving recording of the dummy data, based on the information about the driving power source acquired by the power source information acquiring means;
An information processing apparatus including. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the determining unit determines prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data when the driving power supply is a battery. 15. The deciding means decides prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Item 13. The information processing device according to item 13. 16. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising output means for outputting a result of the determination made by the determining means.
5. The information processing device according to any one of 5. 17. The information recording medium complies with any one of the standards of DVD + RW and CD-RW of Mount Rainier specification, and the output means sets the result of the determination by the determining means to a predetermined bit position and time-out. The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the information processing apparatus outputs a mode select command to which an and protect page is added. 18. The output means sets 1 to the predetermined bit position when the decision means decides to prohibit the process involving the recording of the dummy data, and the decision means records the dummy data. 18. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein 0 is set in the predetermined bit position when the permission of the process involving is determined. 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined bit position is bit 3 of byte 4 of a timeout and protect page. 20. When the determination unit determines that the processing involving the recording of the dummy data is prohibited, at least one of the subsequent lead-out recording request and the temporary lead-out recording request is invalidated. 20. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means. 21. An information recording device for recording information on an information recording medium, comprising: communication control means for controlling communication with an external device; and an external device via the communication control means to the information recording medium. A power supply information acquisition unit that acquires information about a drive power supply from an external device in response to a request for processing accompanied by recording of dummy data; and the dummy data based on the information about the drive power supply acquired by the power supply information acquisition unit. Determination means for deciding whether to permit or prohibit the processing accompanied by the recording; and the recording for performing the processing accompanied by the recording of the dummy data only when the deciding means determines the permission for the processing accompanied by the recording of the dummy data. An information recording device comprising: control means; 22. The information recording apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the determining means determines prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery. 23. The determining means determines prohibition of a process involving recording of the dummy data when the driving power source is a battery and the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. Item 21. The information recording device according to item 21. 24. An error notification means for notifying error information to an external device when a process involving recording of the dummy data is prohibited, further comprising: The information recording device described in. 25. The process involving the recording of the dummy data includes a background format automatic start process, a temporary lead-out recording process involving the dummy data recording, a lead-out recording process involving the dummy data recording, The information recording apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24, which is at least one of a user data recording process and a erasing process accompanied by recording of dummy data. 26. An information recording system for recording information on an information recording medium, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 20, and the information according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus. An information recording system comprising: an information recording device for recording information on a recording medium. 27. An information recording system for recording information on an information recording medium, the information recording device according to any one of claims 21 to 25; and an information processing device for controlling the information recording device; An information recording system including.