JP2005044495A - Postscript type recording medium, recording method, recording apparatus, reproduction method, and reproduction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording apparatus of a postscript type recording medium which comprises a management information area for recording management information for managing a recorded state, and a user data area for recording user data. <P>SOLUTION: This recording apparatus is a recording apparatus of a postscript type recording medium, which comprises a management information area for recording management information for managing a recorded state, and a user data area for recording user data. The user data area is configured to contain at least one recording area. One session is configured to contain at least one of the recording area, and comprises, (a) a generation means for generating the management information which contains range information indicating a recording range of at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying the recording area located at a boundary of the session, and (b) a recording means for recording generated management information in the management information area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a write-once recording medium having a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state and a user data area for recording user data, and a recording method, recording apparatus, and reproducing method for the write-once recording medium And a playback apparatus.

  There is an optical disc as an information recording medium compatible with a plurality of apparatuses. Optical discs have been developed for high-quality video such as CDs that have been developed for music and have recently been widely used for data, DVDs that have been developed for digital video, and have begun to spread rapidly. It is a next-generation optical disc that is being promoted.

  These optical discs are roughly classified into three types: a read-only type, a write-once type, and a rewritable type, depending on the recording / reproducing method. A write-once optical disc uses a recording material that cannot erase recorded data, and can record data only once at the same location on the medium. For example, CD-R and DVD-R are recordable optical disks. In a rewritable optical disk, data can be recorded any number of times at the same location on the medium. For example, CD-RW and DVD-RAM are rewritable optical disks.

  In a write once optical disc, data cannot be rewritten due to the characteristics of the recording material, so it is necessary to manage the recorded area and the unrecorded area. In the CD-R, the recording start position and the final recording position are managed in units of music so that additional recording can be performed in units of music. The unit of the music is a track (hereinafter also referred to as “TRACK” to distinguish it from a track showing a groove shape). For CD-R, data is sequentially recorded in TRACK units from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the optical disc. Further, the plurality of recorded TRACKs are managed as a session including a plurality of recorded TRACKs (hereinafter also referred to as “SESSION”). An area for storing management information for managing the recording state is a program management area (hereinafter also referred to as “PMA”).

  Also for DVD-R, RZone (corresponding to CD TRACK), Border (corresponding to CD SESSION), and recording management area (hereinafter also referred to as “RMA”: corresponding to CD PMA) are defined. (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1).

  Furthermore, there is a technique of applying compatibility with a read-only DVD-ROM in a short time by applying a method for managing an area allocated to a DVD-R (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the data structure recorded on the RMA of the DVD-R, recording management data (hereinafter also referred to as “RMD”) is defined.

  FIG. 23 shows field 3 of the RMD. In the field 3 of the RMD, information indicating the positions of a maximum of 512 Borders (corresponding to the SESSION of the CD) is stored.

FIG. 24 shows RMD field 4 and FIG. 25 shows RMD fields 5-12. In the RMD field 4 and fields 5 to 12, information indicating the positions of a maximum of 2302 RZones (corresponding to CD TRACK) is stored.
JP 2001-148166 A Recording for DVD-R media in section 4.16 of the SFF 8090i standard “Mt. Fuji Command for Multimedia Devices”

  However, in the conventional recording area management method, the number of recording areas to be managed is already large, and if applied to a medium with a larger capacity in the future, the management information will be enlarged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a write-once recording medium having a larger capacity and a larger capacity write-once recording medium, and a recording method, recording apparatus, and reproduction of the write-once recording medium It is an object to provide a method and a playback device.

  The write-once recording medium of the present invention is a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area in which management information for managing a recording state is recorded, and a user data area in which user data is recorded. Is configured to include at least one recording area, one session is configured to include at least one of the at least one recording area, and the management information is , Including range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session, thereby achieving the above object.

  The identification information may be a flag assigned to the at least one recording area, and the flag may have one of a value “0” and a value “1”.

  The flag having the value “1” may be given corresponding to the recording area located at the head of the session.

  The value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting the session and the value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting another session adjacent to the session are reversed with respect to each other. Also good.

  Different numbers are assigned to the at least one recording area, and the identification information may be an array including a number assigned to the recording area located at the head of the session.

  The recording method of the present invention is a recording method for a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area in which management information for managing a recording state is recorded and a user data area in which user data is recorded, wherein the user data The area is configured to include at least one recording area, and one session is configured to include at least one of the at least one recording area, and the management information Includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session, (a) generating the management information; b) recording the generated management information in the management information area, thereby achieving the above object.

  Step (a) may include a step of generating the management information so that one recording area of the at least one recording area is divided into two.

  Step (a) may include a step of generating the management information so that recording is impossible.

  The recording method may further include a step of confirming whether or not the number of the at least one recording area is less than a predetermined value M before executing the step (a). M is an integer of 2 or more.

  The step (a) divides the outermost recording area into two with the recording end of the outermost recording area of the at least one recording area as a boundary, and the recording end of the outermost recording area A step of generating the management information may be included so as to make recording impossible.

  The step (a) further includes a step of confirming whether or not the recording area including the sector having the largest sector number among the at least one recording area is recorded when the session boundary is newly added. May be.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus of a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state and a user data area for recording user data, wherein the user data The area is configured to include at least one recording area, and one session is configured to include at least one of the at least one recording area, and the management information Includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session, (a) generating means for generating the management information; (B) recording means for recording the generated management information in the management information area, thereby achieving the object.

  The reproducing method of the present invention is a method for reproducing a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area in which management information for managing a recording state is recorded and a user data area in which user data is recorded, wherein the user data The area is configured to include at least one recording area, one session is configured from at least one of the at least one recording area, and the management information includes the at least one recording area (A) reading the management information from the management information area, and (b) reading the management information, and (b) reading the management information from the management information area. Recognizing information about the session based on the management information that has been issued, thereby achieving the above object.

  The step (b) includes (b-1) a step of obtaining the total number of sessions based on the read management information, and (b-2) a recording area located at the beginning of the last session among the sessions. And (b-3) obtaining a session to which a predetermined recording area belongs among the at least one recording area.

  The identification information is a flag assigned to the at least one recording area, and the flag has one of a value “0” and a value “1”, and the value “1”. Is assigned to the recording area located at the head of the session, and the step (b-1) is based on the total number of flags having the value “1”. The step (b-2) includes a step of obtaining a recording area located at the beginning of the last session based on the last flag among the flags having the value “1”. Different numbers are assigned to the sessions, and step (b-3) is assigned corresponding to the recording area from the recording area located at the head of the head session to the predetermined recording area. That value out of the flag based on the number of flag with "1", may include determining a number which the predetermined recording area is assigned to belong session.

  The identification information is a flag assigned to the at least one recording area, and the flag has one of a value “0” and a value “1”, and configures the session. The value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area and the value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting another session adjacent to the session are inverted, and the step (b -1) includes the step of obtaining the total number of sessions based on the number of inversions of the flag value, and the step (b-2) is based on the flag with the flag value last inverted, Including a step of obtaining a recording area located at the head of the last session, wherein the session is assigned a different number, and step (b-3) is performed at the head of the head session. Including a step of obtaining a number assigned to a session to which the predetermined recording area belongs, based on the number of inversions of a flag provided corresponding to the recording area from the recording area to be set to the predetermined recording area May be.

  Different numbers are assigned to the at least one recording area, and the identification information is an array including a number assigned to the recording area located at the head of the session, and the step (b-1) Includes the step of obtaining the total number of sessions based on the number of numbers included in the array, wherein the step (b-2) is based on the last number among the numbers included in the array. , Including a step of obtaining a recording area located at the beginning of the last session, wherein the session is assigned a different number, and the step (b-3) includes the number included in the array. A step of obtaining a number assigned to the session to which the predetermined recording area belongs based on the number of numbers smaller than the number assigned to the predetermined recording area may be included.

  The reproduction apparatus of the present invention is a reproduction apparatus for a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area in which management information for managing a recording state is recorded, and a user data area in which user data is recorded, wherein the user data The area is configured to include at least one recording area, one session is configured from at least one of the at least one recording area, and the management information includes the at least one recording area (A) a reading means for reading out the management information from the management information area; and (b) the information Recognizing means for recognizing information related to the session based on the read management information, thereby achieving the object.

  According to the write-once recording medium of the present invention, one session is composed of at least one of at least one recording area, and the management information includes a recording area located at the boundary of the session. Identification information for identification is included. Therefore, the session delimiter can be identified based only on the recording area located at the head of the session. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of information for identifying a session break.

  According to the write-once recording medium of the present invention, the amount of management information can be reduced by including in the management information information indicating which recording area is located at the beginning of the session. Therefore, if the size of the area where management information is additionally written is the same, the number of times that the user can additionally write management information can be increased. If the number of times that the user can additionally write management information is the same, the size of the area to which management information can be added can be reduced. As a result, the recordable capacity of user data can be increased.

  According to the recording method, recording apparatus, reproducing method, and reproducing apparatus of the present invention, management information can be recorded / reproduced on a write-once recording medium having a small area for recording / reproducing management information. The search time for management information can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from when the user mounts the write-once recording medium to the apparatus until the user data area of the write-once recording medium can be accessed.

  In the following (1. Write-once recording medium), (2-1. Recording device), (2-2. Recording method), (3-1. Playback device) and (3-2. Playback method) Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Write-once recording medium FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an optical disc 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The optical disk 1 has a disk shape. A spiral track groove 2 is formed on the optical disc 1. A plurality of blocks 3 are formed in the track groove 2. Block 3 is a unit for error correction, and is a minimum unit for recording information and reproducing information.

  The optical disc 1 has a lead-in area 4, a lead-out area 6, and a data area 5 in which user data is recorded. The data area 5 is configured to include at least one recording area. Data recording / reproduction is performed on the data area 5.

  The lead-in area 4 and the lead-out area 6 can follow the track groove 2 even when the optical head overruns from the data area 5 when the optical head (not shown) accesses the end of the data area 5. It plays a role as a nun.

  The lead-in area 4 has a management information area 7 in which management information 8 for managing the recording state is recorded. The plurality of management information 8 manages, for example, recorded areas and unrecorded areas. Each of the plurality of management information 8 is recorded in at least one block 3.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the data structure of the management information 8 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The management information 8 includes a management information header 9 for identifying one of the plurality of management information 8, an entry number array 10 of recordable record areas, and a plurality of record area entries 11. The entry number array 10 is information for identifying a recording area in which data can be recorded.

  Each of the plurality of recording area entries 11 includes identification information for identifying a recording area located at the boundary of the session, and range information indicating a recording range of at least one recording area.

  The identification information is, for example, a session start flag 12 indicating which recording area entry of the plurality of recording area entries 11 is a session boundary (for example, the head). The session start flag 12 is assigned corresponding to at least one recording area, and has one of a value “0” and a value “1”. For example, a flag having a value “1” is given corresponding to a recording area located at the boundary (for example, the head) of the session. In the plurality of recording area entries 11, the numbers (1 to N) following # indicate entry numbers. As described above, at least one recording area is given an entry number which is a different number. N is an integer of 1 or more. Note that one session is configured from at least one of at least one recording area.

  The range information is, for example, the start position 13 of the recording area and the recording end position 14 of the recording area.

  Thus, the recording area of the present invention corresponds to the CD-R TRACK and the DVD-R RZone, and the session of the present invention corresponds to the CD-R SESSION and the DVD-R Border. This session does not include any of the lead-in area 4, the lead-out area 6, the Border-In area (not shown), and the Border-Out area (not shown) (see FIG. 3 described later). Therefore, the entry number array 10 corresponds to information from Byte 0 to Byte 5 (see FIG. 24), and the plurality of recording area entries 11 are sessions to the information from Byte 16 onward (see FIG. 24) and Byte 0 to Byte 2047 (see FIG. 25). This corresponds to the information to which the start flag 12 is added.

  In the DVD-R (conventional write-once medium), 2048 bytes of management information is required to manage a maximum of 512 Borders (corresponding to the session of the present invention) (see FIG. 23). In the present invention, a session can be managed by assigning 1 bit of the recording area entry 11 as the session start flag 12.

  Hereinafter, session management according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 shows transitions of the unrecorded area, recorded area, and zero-padded recorded area of the optical disc 1. In FIG. 3, the unrecorded area of the optical disc 1 is shown with a white background color, the recorded area is shown with a black background color, and the zero-filled recorded area is shown with diagonal hatching.

  FIG. 4 shows the transition of the contents of the entry number array 10 and the recording area entry 11.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 4A show the state at the same point. FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B show the state at the same time point. Similarly, FIGS. 3 (c) to 3 (g) and FIGS. 4 (c) to 4 (g) corresponding to FIGS. 3 (c) to 3 (g) show states at the same time.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 4A show the initial state of the optical disc 1.

  The data area 5 is configured to include the recording area # 1, and the session # 1 is configured from the recording area # 1. Information is not yet recorded in the recording area # 1.

  In the entry number array 10, a number “1” indicating that the recording area # 1 can be additionally recorded is registered, and in addition to the recording area # 1, additional recording is possible in other locations of the entry number array 10. A number “0” indicating that there is no recording area is registered.

  In the recording area entry # 1, the value indicating that the session start flag 12 is “1”, the start position 13 of the recording area # 1 is at position P1, and the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 1 is not yet recorded. It is set to “0”. The position P1 indicates the beginning of the data area 5. In recording area entry # 2 and recording area entry # 3, in order to indicate that the corresponding recording area does not exist, session start flag 12 of recording area # 2 and recording area # 3, recording area # 2, and recording area # 3 The first position 13 of the recording area and the recording end position 14 of recording area # 2 and recording area # 3 are set to "0".

  FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B show a state after receiving a RESERVE TRACK command from the host controller. The RESERVE TRACK command is a command that indicates recording area reservation. Note that a command (for example, RESERVE TRACK command) from the host control device is defined by a general host command standard (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  Management is performed so that the recording area # 1 from the position P1 to the end of the data area 5 is divided into a recording area # 1 from the position P1 to the position P3 and a recording area # 2 from the position P3 to the end of the data area 5. Information 8 is generated (changed). Recording area # 1 and recording area # 2 belong to session # 1. P3 is a value obtained by adding the size specified by the RESERVE TRACK instruction to P1. There is no recorded area in the data area 5 yet.

  In the entry number array 10, a number “1” indicating that the recording area # 1 can be additionally recorded and a number “2” indicating that the recording area # 2 can be additionally recorded are registered. Here, the entry number array 10 is sorted in descending order of entry numbers. However, the sorting order of the entry number array 10 is not limited to the order of the entry numbers. Sorting may be performed in the reverse order or may not be performed.

  In the recording area entry # 2, the session start flag 12 of the recording area # 2 is set to the value “0”, and the head position 13 of the recording area # 2 is set to the position P3.

  Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, description of the content of management information that does not change is omitted.

  FIGS. 3C and 4C show a state after further receiving a RESERVE TRACK command from the host controller.

  Management is performed so that the recording area # 2 from the position P3 to the end of the data area 5 is divided into a recording area # 2 from the position P3 to the position P5 and a recording area # 3 from the position P5 to the end of the data area 5. Information 8 is generated (changed). Recording area # 1 does not change. Recording area # 1, recording area # 2, and recording area # 3 belong to session # 1. P5 is a value obtained by adding the size specified by the RESERVE TRACK instruction to P3. There is no recorded area in the data area 5 yet.

  In the entry number array 10, a number “3” indicating that the recording area # 3 can be additionally written is additionally registered to indicate that the recording area # 3 has been added.

  In the recording area entry # 3, the session start flag 12 of the recording area # 3 is set to the value “0”, and the head position 13 of the recording area # 3 is set to the position P5.

  FIG. 3D and FIG. 4D show a state after receiving a WRITE command from the host controller. The WRITE command is a command for recording data in the recording area # 1 and the recording area # 2.

  The recording end position 14 of the recording area # 1 is changed to the position (P2-1) by recording data in the recording area # 1, and the recording end position of the recording area # 2 is recorded by recording data in the recording area # 2. 14 changes to a position (P4-1).

  Since the recording end position 14 is defined as the position of the recorded block 3, the recording end position 14 is a position obtained by subtracting 1 from the position P2 and a position obtained by subtracting 1 from the position P4. However, for example, if the recording end position 14 is defined as the position of the next recorded block 3, it is not necessary to subtract 1 from it. For convenience of explanation, the session management according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below by defining the recording end position 14 as the position of the recorded block 3.

  In the recording area entry # 1, the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 1 is set to the position (P2-1), and in the recording area entry # 2, the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 2 is set to the position (P4-1). Set to

  FIGS. 3E and 4E show a state after receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of TRACK designation (recording area # 1 designation) from the host controller. The CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of TRACK designation (recording area # 1 designation) is an instruction indicating that it is no longer necessary to record information in the recording area # 1.

  The zero-filled data is recorded in the unrecorded area (area from position P2 to position P3) in the recording area # 1, and the recording area # 1 is closed. In order to indicate that the recording area # 1 cannot be additionally written, the number “1” is removed from the entry number array 10.

  FIG. 3 (f) and FIG. 4 (f) show a state after further receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of TRACK designation (recording area # 2 designation) from the host controller. The CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command with TRACK designation (recording area # 2 designation) is an instruction indicating that it is no longer necessary to record information in the recording area # 2.

  The zero-filled data is recorded in the unrecorded area (area from position P4 to position P5) in the recording area # 2, and the recording area # 2 is closed. In order to indicate that the recording area # 2 cannot be additionally written, the number “2” is removed from the entry number array 10.

  FIGS. 3 (g) and 4 (g) show a state after receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of SESSION designation (session # 1 designation) from the host controller.

  The closed recording area # 1 and the closed recording area # 2 belong to the session # 1, and the recording area # 3 in which no information is recorded yet belongs to the session # 2.

  In the recording area entry # 3, the session start flag 12 is set to the value “1”. As described above, the session start flag 12 is assigned corresponding to a plurality of recording areas, and has one of a value “0” and a value “1”. The flag having the value “1” is given corresponding to the recording area located at the head of the session.

  FIG. 5 shows the transition of the unrecorded area, recorded area, and zero-filled recorded area of the optical disc 1. In FIG. 5, the unrecorded area of the optical disc 1 is shown with a white background color, the recorded area is shown with a black background color, and the zero-filled recorded area is shown with diagonal hatching.

  FIG. 6 shows the transition of the contents of the entry number array 10 and the recording area entry 11.

  FIG. 5 shows a continuation of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 shows a continuation of FIG.

  FIG. 5 (g ′) and FIG. 6 (g ′) show the state of the simultaneous point. FIG. 5 (h) and FIG. 6 (h) show the state at the same time point. Similarly, FIG. 5 (i) to FIG. 5 (l) and FIG. 6 (i) to FIG. 6 (l) corresponding to FIG. 5 (i) to FIG. 5 (g ′) shows the same state as FIG. 3 (g), and FIG. 6 (g ′) shows the same state as FIG. 4 (g). ) And FIG. 6 (g ′) are not described.

  FIG. 5 (h) and FIG. 6 (h) show a state after receiving a RESERVE TRACK command from the host controller.

  Management information so that the recording area # 3 from the position P5 to the end of the data area 5 is divided into a recording area # 3 from the position P5 to the position P6 and a recording area # 4 from the position P6 to the end of the data area 5. 8 is generated (changed). The recording area # 1 and the recording area # 2 are not changed. The recording area # 1 and the recording area # 2 belong to the session # 1, and the recording area # 3 and the recording area # 4 belong to the session # 2. P6 is a value obtained by adding the size specified by the RESERVE TRACK instruction to P5.

  In the entry number array 10, a number “4” indicating that the recording area # 4 can be additionally written is additionally registered to indicate that the recording area # 4 has been added.

  In the recording area entry # 4, the session start flag 12 of the recording area # 4 is set to the value “0”, and the head position 13 of the recording area # 4 is set to the position P6.

  FIGS. 5 (i) and 6 (i) show a state after receiving a WRITE command from the host controller. The WRITE command is a command for recording data in the recording area # 3 and the recording area # 4.

  By recording data in the recording area # 3, the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 3 is changed to the position (P7-1), and by recording data in the recording area # 4, the recording end position of the recording area # 4 is recorded. 14 changes to a position (P8-1).

  In the recording area entry # 3, the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 3 is set to the position (P7-1), and in the recording area entry # 4, the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 4 is set to the position (P8-1). Set to

  FIGS. 5 (j) and 6 (j) show a state after receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of TRACK designation (recording area # 3 designation) from the host controller. A CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command with TRACK designation (recording area # 3 designation) is an instruction indicating that it is no longer necessary to record information in the recording area # 3.

  The zero-filled data is recorded in the unrecorded area (area from position P7 to position P6) in the recording area # 3, and the recording area # 3 is closed. In order to indicate that the recording area # 3 cannot be additionally written, the number “3” is removed from the entry number array 10.

  FIG. 5 (k) and FIG. 6 (k) show a state after further receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of TRACK designation (recording area # 4 designation) from the host controller. The CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of TRACK designation (recording area # 4 designation) is an instruction indicating that it is no longer necessary to record information in the recording area # 4.

  The recording area # 4 from the position P6 to the end of the data area 5 was the outermost recording area. Therefore, the recording area # 4 from the position P6 to the end of the data area 5 is divided into a recording area # 4 from the position P6 to the position P8 and a recording area # 5 from the position P8 to the end of the data area 5. Management information 8 is generated (changed). Recording area # 4 is closed. Recording area # 1, recording area # 2, and recording area # 3 are not changed.

  In order to indicate that the recording area # 4 cannot be additionally recorded, the number “4” is removed from the entry number array 10 and the recording area # 5 can be additionally recorded to indicate that the recording area # 5 has been added. The number “5” indicating that is additionally registered.

  FIG. 5 (l) and FIG. 6 (l) show a state after receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of SESSION designation (session # 2 designation) from the host controller.

  The closed recording area # 3 and the closed recording area # 4 belong to the session # 2, and the recording area # 5 in which no information is recorded yet belongs to the session # 3.

  In the recording area entry # 5, the session start flag 12 is set to the value “1”.

  Thereafter, until all desired user data is recorded, the same processing as that described with reference to FIGS. 5 (g ′) to 5 (l) and 6 (g ′) to 6 (l) is performed. Repeated.

  The READ DISC INFORMATION instruction and the READ TRACK INFORMATION instruction are instructions for inquiring about the SESSION state and the TRACK state from the host controller (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1). In order to be compatible with the conventional CD-R and DVD-R, it is sufficient to report to these commands that one TRACK exists in each of a plurality of recorded areas.

  Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 5 (h) and FIG. 6 (h), SESSION # 1 has TRACK # 1 and TRACK # 2, and SESSION # 2 has TRACK # 3 and TRACK. # 4.

  5 (l) and 6 (l), SESSION # 1 has TRACK # 1 and TRACK # 2, and SESSION # 2 has TRACK # 3 and TRACK # 4. SESSION # 3 reports that it has TRACK # 5.

  If the transition shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 can be managed, the end user can write recording software called CD Burning (for example, Disc-At-Once, Track-At-Once, and Session-At-Once records). User data can be recorded using an application compatible with.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, an example has been described in which zero padded data is recorded in an unrecorded area of a target recording area when a TRACK-designated CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command is received. The data of Further, for example, in terms of management, it is not necessary to actually record anything in the unrecorded area of the recording area as arbitrary data is recorded in the unrecorded area of the recording area.

  Further, the order of arrangement of the session start flag 12, the head position 13, and the recording end position 14 included in the recording area entry 11 is not limited to this order.

  In addition, as long as it is possible to recognize whether or not the predetermined recording area is the beginning of the session, the recording end position of the recording area is set in place of the starting position 13 of the recording area in order to recognize the beginning of the session. You may refer to it. Alternatively, the size of the recording area may be referred to instead of the start position or the recording end position of the recording area.

  The management information header 9 includes, for example, the number of recording area entries registered in the entry number array 10 (that is, the total number of recordable areas that can be additionally written) and the number of entries registered in the recording area entry 11 (that is, the recording area). And the number of session start flags 12 having the value “1” (that is, the total number of sessions) may be included.

  As described above, according to the write-once recording medium of the present invention, one session is composed of at least one of at least one recording area, and the management information is located at the boundary of the session. Identification information for identifying a recording area to be recorded is included. Therefore, the session delimiter can be identified based only on the recording area located at the head of the session. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of information for identifying a session break.

  Furthermore, according to the write-once recording medium of the present invention, the amount of management information can be reduced by including information indicating which recording area is located at the head of the session in the management information. Therefore, if the size of the area where management information is additionally written is the same, the number of times that the user can additionally write management information can be increased. If the number of times that the user can additionally write management information is the same, the size of the area to which management information can be added can be reduced. As a result, the recordable capacity of user data can be increased.

  The write-once recording medium according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS.

  For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the information management area 7 corresponds to “a management information area in which management information for managing the recording state is recorded” and the data area 5 is “user data is recorded. Each of sessions # 1 to # 3 corresponds to “at least one of at least one recording area”, corresponding to a user data area that is configured to include at least one recording area. The session start flag 12 corresponds to “identification information for identifying the recording area located at the boundary of the session” and indicates the head position 13 of the recording area. The information and the information indicating the recording end position 14 of the recording area correspond to “range information indicating the recording range of at least one recording area”.

  However, the write-once recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIGS. The write-once recording medium is configured to include at least one recording area, which is the above-described “management information area in which management information for managing the recording state is recorded” and “user data area in which user data is recorded. The information to be recorded on the write-once recording medium has “the area configured to be” and “the session configured to include at least one of at least one recording area”. As long as it is “identification information for identifying the recording area located at the boundary of the session” and “range information indicating the recording range of at least one recording area”, it can have any configuration.

  The identification information is, for example, a session toggle flag (see FIG. 7). Further, the identification information may be an entry number array of the recording area at the head of the session (see FIG. 9).

  FIG. 7 shows another example of the data structure of the management information 8 according to the embodiment of this invention. 7, the same information as the information included in the management information 8 shown in FIG. 2 is assigned the same reference numeral, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The difference between the management information 8 shown in FIG. 2 and the management information 8 shown in FIG. 7 is that the session start flag 12 included in the management information 8 shown in FIG. 2 is included in the management information 8 shown in FIG. The session toggle flag 15 is substituted. The session toggle flag 15 is assigned corresponding to at least one recording area and has one of a value “0” and a value “1”. The value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting the session and the value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting the session adjacent to this session are inverted.

  FIG. 8 shows the transition of the contents of the entry number array 10 and the recording area entry 11. FIG. 5 (l) and FIG. 8 (l) show the state at the same time point.

  FIGS. 5 (l) and 8 (l) show a state after receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of SESSION designation (session # 2 designation) from the host control device.

  Closed recording area # 1 and closed recording area # 2 belong to session # 1, closed recording area # 3 and closed recording area # 4 belong to session # 2, and information is still recorded. Recording area # 5 that has not been assigned belongs to session # 3. The only recordable area is the record area # 5.

  In the recording area entry # 1 and the recording area entry # 2, the session toggle flag 15 is set to the value “1”. In the recording area entry # 3 and the recording area entry # 4, the session toggle flag 15 is set to the value “0”. In the recording area entry # 5, the session toggle flag 15 is set to the value “1”.

  Here, the initial value of the session toggle flag 15 is not limited to the value “1”. When the initial value of the session toggle flag 15 is “0”, the session toggle flag 15 is set to the value “0” in the recording area entry # 1 and the recording area entry # 2, and the recording area entry # 3 and In the recording area entry # 4, the session toggle flag 15 is set to the value “1”, and in the recording area entry # 5, the session toggle flag 15 is set to the value “0”.

  As described above, according to another example of the write-once recording medium of the present invention, the amount of management information can be reduced by including information indicating which recording area is located at the head of the session in the management information. . Therefore, if the size of the area where management information is additionally written is the same, the number of times that the user can additionally write management information can be increased. If the number of times that the user can additionally write management information is the same, the size of the area to which management information can be added can be reduced. As a result, the recordable capacity of user data can be increased.

  FIG. 9 shows still another example of the data structure of the management information 8 according to the embodiment of this invention. 9, the same information as the information included in the management information 8 shown in FIG. 2 is assigned the same reference numeral, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The difference between the management information 8 shown in FIG. 2 and the management information 8 shown in FIG. 9 is that the session start flag 12 included in the management information 8 shown in FIG. 2 is included in the management information 8 shown in FIG. The entry number array 16 in the recording area at the beginning of the session is substituted. The entry number array 16 is an array composed of entry numbers of recording areas located at the head of the session. For example, in the entry number array 16, the top number of the entry number array 16 is the entry number of the recording area # 1 located at the top of the session # 1 (that is, the number “1”). Is the entry number (that is, number “3”) of the recording area # 3 located at the head of the session # 2, and is arranged in ascending order of the session numbers. Thus, the entry number array 16 stores the entry number of the recording area at the head of each session, and stores the number “0” when there is no session.

  FIG. 10 shows the transition of the contents of the entry number array 10 and the recording area entry 11. FIG. 5 (l) and FIG. 10 (l) show the state of the simultaneous point.

  FIG. 5 (l) and FIG. 10 (l) show a state after receiving a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command of SESSION designation (session # 2 designation) from the host controller.

  Closed recording area # 1 and closed recording area # 2 belong to session # 1, closed recording area # 3 and closed recording area # 4 belong to session # 2, and information is still recorded. Recording area # 5 not yet belongs to session # 3. The only recordable area is the record area # 5.

  Accordingly, the entry number array 16 includes the entry number “1” of the recording area # 1, the entry number “3” of the recording area # 3, the entry number “5” of the recording area # 5, and the number “0”. .

  As described above, according to yet another example of the write-once recording medium of the present invention, the amount of management information can be reduced by including information indicating which recording area is located at the head of the session in the management information. it can. Therefore, if the size of the area where management information is additionally written is the same, the number of times that the user can additionally write management information can be increased. If the number of times that the user can additionally write management information is the same, the size of the area to which management information can be added can be reduced. As a result, the recordable capacity of user data can be increased.

  For example, in the past, 4 bytes are required to indicate a session delimiter, but in another example of the write-once recording medium of the present invention, 1 byte or 1 byte is used to indicate a session delimiter. Only 2 bytes are needed.

  In another example of the write-once recording medium of the present invention (see FIGS. 9 and 10), the calculation of the total number of sessions is simpler than that of the write-once recording medium of the present invention (see FIGS. 3 to 6). Furthermore, the calculation for obtaining the session number to which each recording area belongs becomes faster. As a result, the READ DISC INFORMATION instruction and the READ TRACK INFORMATION instruction (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1) can be processed at high speed.

2-1. Recording apparatus will be described below recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the optical disc apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The optical disc apparatus 100 functions as a recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention when information is recorded.

  The optical disk device 100 is connected to an I / O bus 170, and the I / O bus 170 is connected to a host control device (not shown). The host control device is typically a host computer.

  The optical disc apparatus 100 is configured to be able to mount the optical disc 1. The optical disk device 100 includes a command processing unit 110 that processes commands from the host controller, a recording control unit 120 that controls recording on the optical disc 1, a playback control unit 130 that controls playback from the optical disc 1, and management information 8 includes a management information storage buffer 140 for storing 8, a data buffer 150 for temporarily storing recording data, and a recording management processing unit 160 for processing management information.

  The recording management processing unit 160 includes a management information reading unit 161, a management information writing unit 163 that writes the management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 in the management information area 7, and management information in accordance with instructions from the host controller. A management information update unit 162 that updates the management information 8 stored in the storage buffer 140 and a management information position memory 164 that stores the position of the latest management information 8 are included.

  The management information reading unit 161 searches the management information 8 recorded last in the management information 8 recorded in the management information area 7 and stores the management information 8 recorded last in the management information area 7. Read to buffer 140.

2-2. Recording Method Hereinafter, a recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 12 shows a recording processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The recording processing procedure is executed by the recording management processing unit 160. The record management processing unit 160 executes Step 201 to Step 208. The management information reading unit 161 executes a management information reading process (step 201), the management information writing unit 163 executes a management information writing process (step 207), and the management information updating unit 162 performs the remaining processes. (Step 202 to Step 206 and Step 208) are executed.

  Hereinafter, the recording processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described step by step with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. Hereinafter, an example in which the management information 8 including the session start flag is recorded on the write-once recording medium will be described.

  Step 201: When the optical disc 1 is loaded into the optical disc apparatus 100, the management information reading unit 161 reads the latest management information 8, and stores the read latest management information 8 in the management information storage buffer 140.

  In step 201, when the latest management information 8 is read, it may be confirmed whether or not the number of recording areas is less than a predetermined value M. Here, M is an integer of 2 or more.

  Step 202: The optical disc apparatus 100 receives a command for the optical disc 1 from the host controller until the optical disc 1 is ejected or the power is turned off.

  If the command for the optical disc 1 is a RESERVE TRACK command, the process proceeds to step 203. If the command for the optical disc 1 is a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command, the process proceeds to step 204. If the command for the optical disc 1 is a WRITE command, the process proceeds to step 208.

  The RESERVE TRACK command is a command for requesting recording area reservation from the host controller, the CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command is a command for requesting release of the recording area from the host controller, and the WRITE command is a data recording from the host controller. Is an instruction requesting.

  Step 203: Upon receipt of the RESERVE TRACK command, the management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 is generated (changed) so as to add a recording area.

  For example, referring to FIG. 5 (h) and FIG. 6 (h), the recording area # 3 from the position P5 to the end of the data area 5 is changed to the recording area # 3 from the position P5 to the position P6 and the data from the position P6 to the data. Management information 8 is generated (changed) so as to be divided into recording area # 4 up to the end of area 5. In the entry number array 10, a number “4” indicating that the recording area # 4 can be additionally written is additionally registered to indicate that the recording area # 4 has been added. In the recording area entry # 4, the session start flag 12 of the recording area # 4 is set to the value “0”, and the head position 13 of the recording area # 4 is set to the position P6.

  When the generation (change) is completed, the process proceeds to step 207.

  Step 204: When a CLOSE TRACK / SESSION command is received, it is determined whether the target of cancellation is TRACK or SESSION. If it is determined that the cancellation target is TRACK, the process proceeds to step 205. If it is determined that the cancellation target is SESSION, the process proceeds to step 206.

  Step 205: Generate (change) management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 so as to close the recording area (TRACK).

  For example, referring to FIG. 5 (j) and FIG. 6 (j), zero padding data is recorded in an unrecorded area (area from position P7 to position P6) in the recording area # 3, and the recording area # 3 is closed. In order to indicate that the recording area # 3 cannot be additionally written, the number “3” is removed from the entry number array 10.

  When the generation (change) is completed, the process proceeds to step 207.

  Step 206: Generate (change) the management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 so as to close the recording area belonging to the outermost session.

  For example, referring to FIG. 5 (l) and FIG. 6 (l), a closed recording area # 3 and a closed recording area # 4 belong to session # 2, and no recording information is recorded yet. # 5 belongs to session # 3. In the recording area entry # 5, the session start flag 12 is set to the value “1”.

  When the generation (change) is completed, the process proceeds to step 207.

  Step 207: When the management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 is changed, the latest management information 8 is added to the additionally recordable area of the management information area 7.

  Step 208: Upon receipt of the WRITE command, it is confirmed that the designated recording start position matches any of the additionally recordable positions, and the sent data is recorded on the optical disc 1. The additionally recordable position can be obtained based on the recording end position 14 of the recording area entry 11 registered in the entry number array 10. Based on the recorded position, the value of the recording end position 14 of the management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 is generated (changed).

  For example, referring to FIG. 5 (i) and FIG. 6 (i), the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 3 is changed to the position (P7-1) by recording data in the recording area # 3. By recording data in the area # 4, the recording end position 14 of the recording area # 4 is changed to the position (P8-1).

  Generally, when the position is indicated by the sector number, the value indicating the additionally writable position is a value obtained by adding 1 to the value indicating the recording end position 14. However, when the recording end position 14 is not registered (value 0), the value indicating the additionally writable position is the same as the value indicating the head position 13 of the recording area.

  When the ECC (error correction code) is composed of 16 sectors as in a DVD, the actual additionally recordable position is a multiple of 16. Therefore, in order to obtain the value indicating the additionally writable position, the additional writable position can be obtained on the basis of the recording end position 14 or the head position 13 with some four arithmetic operations.

  FIG. 13 shows the details of the management information read processing procedure.

  The details of the management information reading process procedure (see step 201 and FIG. 12) will be described step by step with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

  Step 301: The reproduction control unit 130 searches the position of the management information 8 recorded last in the management information area 7. Position information indicating the position is stored in the management information position memory 164.

  Step 302: The reproduction controller 130 refers to the position information stored in the management information position memory 164, reproduces the management information 8, and stores the reproduced management information 8 in the management information storage buffer 140. However, when the management information 8 is not recorded in the management information area 7 (for example, when a new optical disc 1 is mounted on the optical disc apparatus 100), the management information 8 is initialized (FIG. 4A). reference).

  Step 303: The reproduction control unit 130 searches the end of the recorded area from the recording end position 14 to obtain the actual recording end position 14, and stores information indicating the actual recording end position 14 as management information. Reflected in the management information 8 stored in the buffer 140. Thereafter, the process ends.

  The recording end position 14 of each recording area reproduced from the management information 8 may be different from the actual recording end position, and there is a slight error in the recording end position 14 of each recording area reproduced from the management information 8. Is included. This is because, if the recording end position 14 of the management information 8 is updated at every WRITE command, a very large amount of the management information area 7 is required. Therefore, the management information 8 is updated only when the recording area is added or released. This is because it is assumed that information is added to the area 7 (see FIG. 12). Therefore, the reproduction control unit 130 obtains the actual recording end position 14 by searching the end of the recorded area from the recording end position 14 as a starting point.

  When the optical disc 1 is ejected or when the optical disc apparatus 100 is turned off on the assumption that the optical disc apparatus 100 has a backup power source, the latest contents of the management information storage buffer 140 are reflected in the management information 8 in the management information area 7. Step 303 may be omitted if it is guaranteed.

  FIG. 14 shows the details of the management information write processing procedure.

  The details of the management information write processing procedure (see step 207 and FIG. 12) will be described step by step with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

  Step 401: The recording control unit 120 adds the management information 8 stored in the management information storage buffer 140 to the management information area 7 with reference to the position information stored in the management information position memory 164.

  Step 402: Reflecting the added area, the position information stored in the management information position memory 164 is changed to information indicating the additionally writable position in the management information area 7. Thereafter, the process ends.

  FIG. 15 shows details of the recording area addition processing procedure.

  The details of the recording area addition processing procedure (see step 203 and FIG. 12) will be described step by step with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

  Step 501: Whether or not the entry number array 10 and the recording area entry 11 are empty (that is, whether the field of the entry number array 10 and the field of the recording area entry 11 include the value “0”). Or whether the number of used fields out of the fields of the entry number array 10 and the recording area entry 11 is less than the maximum number).

  If it is confirmed that there is an empty space, the process proceeds to step 502 in order to pass the entry number #m of the recording area corresponding to the empty entry number array 10 or the recording area entry 11 to the next process. If it is confirmed that there is no space, the process proceeds to step 503.

  Step 502: Check whether or not an area larger than the size (S) requested by the host controller can be secured (that is, whether or not the area size from the appendable position to the end of the data area 5 is larger than S). To do. The additionally recordable position can be obtained based on the start position 13 of the recording area # (m−1) and the recording end position 14 of the recording area # (m−1).

  If it can be confirmed that it can be secured, the process proceeds to step 504. If it is confirmed that it cannot be secured, the process proceeds to step 503.

  Step 503: Information indicating the content of the error is reported to the host controller, and the process ends.

  Step 504: A value obtained by adding the size S to the additionally recordable position of the recording area # (m−1) is set as the head position 13 of the recording area entry #m, and the process proceeds to Step 505.

  For example, when the recording area # (m−1) is not recorded at all (the recording end position 14 is 0), the value obtained by adding the size S to the head position 13 of the recording area # (m−1) is recorded. It is set as the start position 13 of the area #m.

  Step 505: The value m is added to the entry number array 10, and the process ends.

  FIG. 16 shows details of the recording area closing processing procedure.

  The details of the recording area closing process procedure (see step 205 and FIG. 12) will be described step by step with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

  Step 601: It is confirmed whether or not the recording area entry number (TRACK number) designated by the host controller corresponds to the recording area entry number constituting the entry number array 10.

  If it is confirmed that this is the case, the process proceeds to step 602 in order to pass the entry number #m of the recording area to the next process. If it is confirmed that this is not the case, the process proceeds to step 603.

  Step 602: It is confirmed whether or not the corresponding recording area #m is the outermost recording area. For example, when the head position 13 of the recording area entry # (m + 1) is 0, it can be determined that the recording area #m is the outermost recording area.

  If it is confirmed that the recording area is the outermost area (Yes), the process proceeds to step 604. If it is confirmed that the recording area is not the outermost recording area (No), the process proceeds to step 606.

  Step 603: Information indicating the content of the error is reported to the host controller, and the process ends.

Step 604: The start position 13 of the recording area entry # (m + 1) is set as a writable position, and the process proceeds to Step 605. The additionally recordable position is obtained from the head position 13 and the recording end position 14 of the recording area entry #m. (See FIG. 5 (k) and FIG. 6 (k))
Step 605: The value (m + 1) is added to the entry number array 10, and the process proceeds to Step 607.

  Step 606: The zero padding data is recorded in the area from the additionally recordable position to the start position 13 of the recording area entry # (m + 1), and the process proceeds to Step 607.

  In this step, the data to be recorded is not necessarily zero padded data. Further, this step itself may be omitted.

  Step 607: The value m is changed to 0 in the entry number array 10.

  FIG. 17 shows the details of the session closing processing procedure.

  The details of the session closing process procedure (see step 206 and FIG. 12) will be described step by step with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG.

  Step 701: It is confirmed whether or not only one value indicating the outermost recording area is registered in the entry number array 10.

  If it is confirmed that only one value indicating the outermost recording area is registered (Yes), the process proceeds to step 702. If it is not confirmed that only one value indicating the outermost recording area is registered (No), the process proceeds to step 703.

  In general, a CD-R or DVD-R write-once recording medium is required to be closed as TRACK in order to be closed as SESSION. For example, a state (see FIGS. 4 (f) and 6 (k)) in which all the recording areas cannot be recorded except for the outermost recording area where no recording is performed satisfies this condition. Therefore, step 701 is executed to confirm whether or not this condition is satisfied.

  Step 702: It is confirmed whether or not the recording end position 14 of the outermost recording area entry is the value “0”.

  If it is confirmed that the value is “0” (Yes), the process proceeds to step 704. If it is confirmed that the value is not “0” (No), the process proceeds to step 703.

  Step 703: Information indicating the content of the error is reported to the host controller, and the process ends.

  Step 704: The value of the session start flag 12 assigned corresponding to the outermost recording area entry is set to the value “1”, and the process ends.

  Step 702 in the session closing processing procedure (steps 701 to 704) is performed when a recording area including a sector having the largest sector number is recorded in at least one recording area when a session boundary is newly added. It is an example of confirming whether or not it is completed.

  Thus, according to the recording method and recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to record management information on the write-once recording medium of the present invention. As described above, since the management information can be recorded on the write-once recording medium having a small area for recording the management information, the time for searching for the latest management information can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from when the user mounts the write-once recording medium to the apparatus until the user data area of the write-once recording medium can be accessed.

  The recording method according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS.

  For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, step 203, step 205, step 206 and step 208 are “identifying the range information indicating the recording range of at least one recording area and the recording area located at the session boundary. Corresponds to “a step of generating management information including identification information for use”, and step 207 corresponds to “a step of recording the generated management information in the management information area”.

  However, the recording method of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. Each step included in the recording method generates management information including the above-described “range information indicating the recording range of at least one recording area and identification information for identifying the recording area located at the boundary of the session” As long as each function of “step” and “step of recording the generated management information in the management information area” is provided, an arbitrary procedure can be included.

  For example, when the management information 8 including the session toggle flag is recorded on the write-once recording medium (see FIGS. 7 and 8), it is accompanied by a step (step 504 in FIG. 15) of executing a recording area addition process. The step of setting the session toggle flag 15 of the recording area #m to the same value as the session toggle flag 15 of the immediately preceding recording area (that is, recording area # (m−1)) is executed. Further, instead of the step of executing the session closing process (step 704 in FIG. 17), a step of inverting the session toggle flag 15 with the immediately preceding value is executed.

  For example, when the management information 8 including the entry number array of the recording area at the beginning of the session is recorded on the write-once recording medium (see FIGS. 9 and 10), the step of executing the session closing process (see FIG. 17). Instead of step 704), the step of registering the entry number of the outermost recording area in the entry number array 16 is executed.

3-1. Reproduction apparatus Hereinafter, a reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of the configuration of the optical disc apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The optical disc device 200 functions as a playback device according to the embodiment of the present invention during information playback.

  The optical disk device 200 is connected to an I / O bus 270, and the I / O bus 270 is connected to a host control device (not shown). The host control device is typically a host computer.

  The optical disk device 200 is configured to be able to mount the optical disk 1. The optical disk device 200 includes a command processing unit 210 that processes commands from the host controller, a playback control unit 230 that controls playback from the optical disc 1, a management information storage buffer 240 that stores management information 8, and playback data. A data buffer 250 for temporarily storing and a recording management processing unit 260 for processing management information are provided.

  The recording management processing unit 260 includes a management information reading unit 261 and a management information recognition unit 265.

  The management information reading unit 261 searches the management information 8 recorded last in the management information 8 recorded in the management information area 7 and stores the management information 8 recorded last in the management information area 7. Read to buffer 240.

  The management information recognition unit 265 generates data to be reported based on the contents of the management information storage buffer 240 in accordance with a command from the host control device.

3-2. Reproduction Method FIG. 19 shows a reproduction processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the reproduction processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described step by step with reference to FIGS.

  Step 1201: When the optical disc 1 is loaded in the optical disc apparatus 200, the management information reading unit 261 reads the latest management information 8, and stores the read latest management information 8 in the management information storage buffer 240.

  Step 1202: The optical disk device 200 receives a command for the optical disk 1 from the host controller until the optical disk 1 is ejected or the power is turned off.

  If the instruction for the optical disc 1 is a READ DISC INFORMATION instruction, the process proceeds to step 1203. If the command for the optical disc 1 is a READ TRACK INFORMATION command, the process proceeds to step 1206. If the command for the optical disc 1 is another command, the process proceeds to step 1210.

  The READ DISC INFORMATION instruction is an instruction for requesting a report of disk information from the host controller, and the READ TRACK INFORMATION instruction is an instruction for requesting a report of track information from the host controller.

  Step 1203: Calculate (determine) the total number of sessions based on the read management information 8.

  Step 1204: A recording area located at the beginning of the last session among the sessions is calculated (obtained).

  Step 1205: Calculate other information (for example, the first recording area of the optical disc 1 (always the number “1”), the final recording area of the last session (equal to the final recording area of the optical disc 1)). After the calculation, the process proceeds to step 1211.

  Step 1206: When a READ TRACK INFORMATION instruction is received from the host controller, it is determined whether or not the TRACK is designated (recording area designation).

  If it is determined that the recording area is designated (Yes), the processing proceeds to step 1208. If it is determined that the recording area is not designated (No), the processing proceeds to step 1207.

  Step 1207: The recording area to which the designated logical sector number belongs is calculated.

  Step 1208: A session to which a predetermined recording area (a specified recording area or a recording area to which a specified logical sector number belongs) belongs is calculated (obtained).

  Step 1209: Other information (for example, the start position of the recording area (equal to the start position 13), the user data end position (equal to the recording end position 14), the number of free blocks) is calculated, and the process proceeds to step 1211. Note that the number of free blocks can be obtained by performing four arithmetic operations based on at least one of the head position 13 and the recording end position 14.

  Step 1210: When another command is received from the host controller, the process according to the command content is executed, and the process proceeds to Step 1211.

  Step 1211: Transfer the data to the host controller.

  FIG. 20 shows an example of a calculation processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This calculation processing procedure is realized by the management information recognition unit 265 according to the management information 8 including the session start flag (see FIGS. 2 to 6). This calculation processing procedure includes calculation of the total number of sessions (step 1203 in FIG. 19), calculation of the recording area located at the beginning of the last session (step 1204 in FIG. 19), and calculation of the session to which the predetermined recording area belongs ( Step 1208) of FIG. 19 is realized.

  In the calculation of the total number of sessions (step 1203 in FIG. 19) and the calculation of the recording area located at the beginning of the last session (step 1204 in FIG. 19), the total number of recording areas is designated as Tspec. In the calculation of a session to which a predetermined recording area belongs (step 1208 in FIG. 19), a desired recording area number is designated as Tspec.

  Hereinafter, an example of the calculation processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

  Step 1301: The recording area number T is initialized to the number “1”, and the session number S is initialized to the number “0”.

  Step 1302: It is determined whether the recording area number T is equal to or less than the designated recording area number Tspec.

  If it is determined that the number is less than or equal to the designated recording area number Tspec (Yes), the process proceeds to step 1303. If it is determined that the number is larger than the designated recording area number Tspec (No), the process ends.

  Step 1303: The value of the session start flag 12 assigned corresponding to the recording area #T is substituted for F (F = the value of the session start flag 12 assigned corresponding to the recording area #T).

  Step 1304: It is determined whether or not the value of F is equal to the value “1”.

  If it is determined that the value of F is equal to the value “1”, the process proceeds to step 1305. If it is determined that the value of F is not equal to the value “1”, the process proceeds to step 1307.

  Step 1305: “1” is added to the session number S. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 1306.

  Step 1306: T is substituted into Tfirst (the number of the recording area located at the head of the session).

  Step 1307: 1 is added to the recording area number T so as to proceed to the next recording area.

  If the total number of recording areas is substituted (designated) in Tspec, the total number of sessions is stored in S, and the number of the recording area located at the beginning of the last session is stored in Tfirst.

  If the number of the desired recording area is substituted (designated) in Tspec, the session number to which the recording area belongs is stored in S, and the number of the recording area located at the head of the session is stored in Tfirst.

  FIG. 21 shows another example of the calculation processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This calculation processing procedure is realized by the management information recognition unit 265 according to the management information 8 including the session toggle flag (see FIGS. 7 and 8). This calculation processing procedure includes calculation of the total number of sessions (step 1203 in FIG. 19), calculation of the recording area located at the beginning of the last session (step 1204 in FIG. 19), and calculation of the session to which the predetermined recording area belongs ( Step 1208) of FIG. 19 is realized.

  The method of specifying Tspec, and the value meaning S and the value meaning Tfirst after the calculation are the same as those described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 21, steps that are the same as the steps in the processing procedure illustrated in FIG. 20 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, another example of the calculation processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

  Step 1401: Before executing Step 1302, the previous flag value Fpre is initialized to the value “0”.

  Step 1402: Instead of executing Step 1304 (see FIG. 20), it is determined whether or not the current flag value F and the previous flag value Fpre are inverted.

  If it is determined that the direction has been reversed (Yes), the processing proceeds to step 1305. If it is determined that the image has not been reversed (No), the process proceeds to step 1403.

  Step 1403: Before proceeding to the next recording area (before executing Step 1307), the previous flag value Fpre is set as the current flag value F (Fpre = F).

  FIG. 22 shows still another example of the calculation processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This calculation processing procedure is realized by the management information recognition unit 265 according to the management information 8 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) including the entry number array of the recording area at the head of the session. This calculation processing procedure includes calculation of the total number of sessions (step 1203 in FIG. 19), calculation of the recording area located at the head of the last session (step 1204 in FIG. 19), and calculation of the session to which the predetermined recording area belongs ( Step 1208) of FIG. 19 is realized.

  The method of specifying Tspec, and the value meaning S and the value meaning Tfirst after the calculation are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  Hereinafter, another example of the calculation processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described step by step with reference to FIG.

  Step 1501: A session number S is initialized to a number “1”.

  Step 1502: Initialize Tfirst to the number of the recording area located at the head of session #S.

  Step 1503: Tnext is set to the number of the recording area located at the head of the next session # (S + 1).

  Step 1504: It is determined whether or not Tnext exists.

  If it is determined that Tnext exists (Yes: Tnext ≠ 0), the process proceeds to step 1505. If it is determined that Tnext does not exist (No: Tnext = 0), the process ends.

  Step 1505: It is determined whether Tnext is equal to or less than the designated recording area number Tspec.

  If it is determined that the number is less than or equal to the designated recording area number Tspec (Yes), the processing proceeds to step 1506. If it is determined that it is larger than the designated recording area number Tspec (No), the process ends.

  Step 1506: Tfirst is set as Tnext.

  Step 1507: 1 is added to the session number S so as to proceed to the next session.

  Thus, according to the reproducing method and the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the management information can be reproduced with respect to the write-once recording medium of the present invention. As described above, since the management information can be reproduced with respect to the write-once recording medium having a small area for reproducing the management information, the time for searching for the latest management information can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time from when the user mounts the write-once recording medium to the apparatus until the user data area of the write-once recording medium can be accessed.

  The playback method according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS.

  For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, step 1201 corresponds to “a step of reading management information from the management information area”, and steps 1203, 1204 and 1208 are “based on the read management information, This corresponds to the step of recognizing information about the session.

  However, the reproduction method of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. As long as each step included in the reproduction method has the functions of the above-mentioned “step of reading management information from the management information area” and “step of recognizing information about the session based on the read management information” Can have any procedure.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIGS.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the layout of the area of the write-once recording medium is an example. For example, the management information area 7 is not limited to being assigned to the lead-in area 4. The management information area 7 may be allocated to an area other than the lead-in area 4. For example, the management information area 7 may be allocated to the lead-out area 6 or the data area 5.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the order of use of information for each region is an example. For example, the management information 8 is not limited to being additionally written in order from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side of the optical disc 1 in the management information area 7. The management information 8 may be additionally written in order from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the optical disc 1 in the management information area 7.

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been illustrated using preferable embodiment of this invention, this invention should not be limited and limited to this embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only by the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can implement an equivalent range from the description of specific preferred embodiments of the present invention based on the description of the present invention and common general technical knowledge. Patents, patent applications, and references cited herein should be incorporated by reference in their entirety as if the contents themselves were specifically described herein. Understood.

  In a large-capacity optical disc that can be recorded / reproduced by a short wavelength laser (for example, a blue laser) and a device that can record / reproduce to the optical disc, management is performed from the viewpoint of the available capacity of the optical disc and the memory capacity of the device. Information size reduction is useful.

  Furthermore, the recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the write-once recording medium, and can be applied to, for example, a case where a rewritable recording medium is virtually used as a write-once recording medium.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the optical disk 1 of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the management information 8 of embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transitions between an unrecorded area, a recorded area, and a zero-filled recorded area of the optical disc 1. It is a figure which shows the transition of the content of the entry number arrangement | sequence 10 and the recording area entry 11. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transitions between an unrecorded area, a recorded area, and a zero-filled recorded area of the optical disc 1. It is a figure which shows the transition of the content of the entry number arrangement | sequence 10 and the recording area entry 11. FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the data structure of the management information 8 of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transition of the content of the entry number arrangement | sequence 10 and the recording area entry 11. FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the data structure of the management information 8 of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transition of the content of the entry number arrangement | sequence 10 and the recording area entry 11. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the optical disk apparatus 100 of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the recording processing procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the read-in procedure of management information. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the write-in procedure of management information. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the additional process procedure of a recording area. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the close process procedure of a recording area. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the closing process procedure of a session. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the optical disk apparatus 200 of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration processing procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the calculation processing procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the calculation processing procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the calculation processing procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the field 3 of RMD. It is a figure which shows the field 4 of RMD. It is a figure which shows the fields 5-12 of RMD.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Optical disk apparatus 110 Command processing part 120 Recording control part 130 Playback control part 140 Management information storage buffer 150 Data buffer 160 Recording management processing part 161 Management information reading part 162 Management information update part 163 Management information writing part 164 Management information position memory 170 I / O bus

Claims (18)

A write-once recording medium comprising a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state, and a user data area for recording user data,
The user data area is configured to include at least one recording area,
One session is composed of at least one of the at least one recording area,
The write-once recording medium, wherein the management information includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session. The identification information is a flag given corresponding to the at least one recording area,
The write-once recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the flag has one of a value “0” and a value “1”. The write-once recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the flag having the value “1” is given in correspondence with a recording area located at the head of the session. The value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting the session and the value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting another session adjacent to the session are reversed with respect to each other. The write-once recording medium according to claim 2. Different numbers are assigned to the at least one recording area,
The write-once recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is an array including a number assigned to a recording area located at a head of the session. A recording method for a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state and a user data area for recording user data,
The user data area is configured to include at least one recording area,
One session is composed of at least one of the at least one recording area,
The management information includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session,
(A) generating the management information;
(B) recording the generated management information in the management information area. The recording method according to claim 6, wherein step (a) includes the step of generating the management information so that one recording area of the at least one recording area is divided into two. The recording method according to claim 6, wherein step (a) includes a step of generating the management information so that recording is impossible. The recording method further includes a step of confirming whether or not the number of the at least one recording area is less than a predetermined value M before executing the step (a),
The recording method according to claim 6, wherein M is an integer of 2 or more. The step (a) divides the outermost recording area into two with the recording end of the outermost recording area of the at least one recording area as a boundary, and the recording end of the outermost recording area The recording method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of generating the management information so as to make recording up to impossible. The step (a) further includes a step of confirming whether or not the recording area including the sector having the largest sector number among the at least one recording area is recorded when the session boundary is newly added. The recording method according to claim 6. A write-once recording medium recording device comprising a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state and a user data area for recording user data,
The user data area is configured to include at least one recording area,
One session is composed of at least one of the at least one recording area,
The management information includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session,
(A) generating means for generating the management information;
(B) A recording device comprising: recording means for recording the generated management information in the management information area. A method of reproducing a write-once recording medium comprising a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state and a user data area for recording user data,
The user data area is configured to include at least one recording area,
One session is composed of at least one of the at least one recording area,
The management information includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session,
(A) reading the management information from the management information area;
(B) recognizing information related to the session based on the read management information. The step (b)
(B-1) obtaining a total number of the sessions based on the read management information;
(B-2) obtaining a recording area located at the beginning of the last session of the sessions;
The playback method according to claim 13, further comprising: (b-3) obtaining a session to which a predetermined recording area belongs among the at least one recording area. The identification information is a flag given corresponding to the at least one recording area,
The flag has one of a value “0” and a value “1”,
The flag having the value “1” is given corresponding to the recording area located at the head of the session,
The step (b-1) includes the step of determining the total number of sessions based on the total number of flags having the value “1”;
The step (b-2) includes a step of obtaining a recording area located at the beginning of the last session based on the last flag among the flags having the value “1”.
The sessions are given different numbers,
The step (b-3) is based on the number of flags having the value “1” among the flags assigned corresponding to the recording area from the recording area located at the beginning of the beginning session to the predetermined recording area. The reproduction method according to claim 14, further comprising: obtaining a number assigned to a session to which the predetermined recording area belongs. The identification information is a flag given corresponding to the at least one recording area,
The flag has one of a value “0” and a value “1”,
The value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting the session and the value of the flag assigned corresponding to the recording area constituting another session adjacent to the session are reversed with respect to each other. ,
The step (b-1) includes a step of obtaining the total number of the sessions based on the number of inversions of the flag value,
The step (b-2) includes a step of obtaining a recording area located at the beginning of the last session based on a flag having the flag value inverted last.
The sessions are given different numbers,
In the step (b-3), the predetermined recording is performed based on the number of inversions of the flag among the flags provided corresponding to the recording area from the recording area located at the head of the head session to the predetermined recording area. The reproducing method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of obtaining a number assigned to a session to which the area belongs. Different numbers are assigned to the at least one recording area,
The identification information is an array including a number assigned to a recording area located at the beginning of the session,
The step (b-1) includes a step of determining the total number of the sessions based on the number of numbers included in the array,
The step (b-2) includes a step of obtaining a recording area located at the beginning of the last session based on the last number among the numbers included in the array,
The sessions are given different numbers,
In step (b-3), the number assigned to the session to which the predetermined recording area belongs based on the number of numbers included in the array that is smaller than the number assigned to the predetermined recording area The reproduction method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: A write-once recording medium playback apparatus comprising a management information area for recording management information for managing a recording state and a user data area for recording user data,
The user data area is configured to include at least one recording area,
One session is composed of at least one of the at least one recording area,
The management information includes range information indicating a recording range of the at least one recording area, and identification information for identifying a recording area located at a boundary of the session,
(A) reading means for reading out the management information from the management information area;
(B) A playback device comprising: recognition means for recognizing information related to the session based on the read management information.

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