JP2005322309A - Recording device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device and method capable of reducing electric power consumption while improving high-speed responsiveness. <P>SOLUTION: The recording device is constituted so that a first amount of data consisting of the maximum amount of data recordable continuously on a disk-like recording medium without the occurrence of a thread movement during verification according to the position on the disk-like recording medium for recording the data assigned by external equipment is detected and that the continuous data for the component of the first amount of data is read out of a temporary storage means based on the result of the detection and the read data is recorded to the disk. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and method, and is particularly suitable for application to a recording apparatus that temporarily stores data transmitted from an external device in a cache memory and records the data on a disk.

  In recent years, various disc media such as CD (Compact Disc), MD (Mini Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and Blu-ray Disc (Blue-Ray Disc) have been developed, and audio data, video data, or other computer data. Are widely used as recording media.

  As a recording / playback apparatus corresponding to these disk media, for example, it is used as a single device, and is connected to a host device such as a personal computer as a computer peripheral device or a device that records and plays back audio data etc. with respect to a CD or MD. A storage device that records and reproduces various data in response to a command from a host device is known.

In recent years, a recording / reproducing apparatus that can be used alone or as a computer peripheral device has been developed by the present applicant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This recording / reproducing apparatus uses an MD as a recording medium, can be used alone as an MD player, and can also be used as a data storage device by connecting to a host device.
JP 2003-100018 A

  By the way, in the recording / reproducing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-100018, in a storage mode connected to a personal computer, data transferred together with a write request from the personal computer is stored in a cache memory provided therein. Temporarily store it, read it at a predetermined timing and write it to the disk medium, and temporarily store the data read from the disk medium in response to a read request from the personal computer in the cache memory and read it at a predetermined timing A method of transmitting to a computer is employed.

  In this case, in this recording / playback apparatus, if the data temporarily stored in the cache memory is not quickly written to the disk media, the cache memory will soon run out, and frequent data writing from the personal computer will occur. There is a problem that a request or a read request is made to wait, and the write request or the read request cannot be responded at high speed.

  Further, in this recording / reproducing apparatus, when data temporarily stored in the cache memory is written to the disk, power must be supplied to the spindle motor or the like. There is a problem that extra power is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a recording apparatus and method capable of reducing power consumption while improving high-speed response as a storage device.

  In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention, in the recording apparatus, in accordance with the position on the disk-shaped recording medium on which data designated by the external device is recorded, the thread movement is not generated at the time of verification, and continuous Detecting means for detecting the first data amount that is the maximum data amount that can be recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium, reading means for reading out the continuous data for the first data amount from the temporary storage means, and temporary storage means And recording means for recording data read from the disk on a disk.

  As a result, in this recording apparatus, when the verification is started after the recording of the data on the disk-shaped recording medium is started, the playback target is the track to be verified only by the track jump without causing the thread movement. The track can be moved, and the data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means can be recorded on the disc more quickly.

  Further, in the present invention, in the recording method, the disc-shaped recording is continuously performed without causing sled movement at the time of verification according to the position on the disc-shaped recording medium on which the data designated by the external device is recorded. A first step of detecting a first data amount that is the maximum data amount that can be recorded on the medium, and a second step of reading out continuous data for the first data amount from the temporary storage means based on the detection result A step and a third step of recording data read from the temporary storage means on the disc are provided.

  As a result, according to this recording method, when the verification is started after the recording of the data on the disk-shaped recording medium is completed, the playback target is reached up to the track where the verification should be started only by the track jump without causing the thread movement. Thus, the data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means can be recorded on the disk more quickly.

  According to the present invention, data transmitted from an external device is temporarily stored in a predetermined temporary storage unit, the temporarily stored data is read at a predetermined timing, recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium, and verification is performed after the recording. In the recording apparatus, the maximum recording that can be continuously recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium without causing thread movement during verification according to the position on the disk-shaped recording medium for recording the data designated by the external device. A detecting means for detecting a first data amount as a data amount, a reading means for reading out continuous data for the first data amount from the temporary storage means based on the detection result, and a reading from the temporary storage means. Recording means for recording the recorded data on the disk, the data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means can be more quickly stored on the disk. It can be recorded, thus possible to realize a recording apparatus capable of reducing power consumption while improving high speed response.

  According to the present invention, data transmitted from an external device is temporarily stored in a predetermined temporary storage unit, the temporarily stored data is read at a predetermined timing, recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium, and verification is performed after the recording. In the recording method to be performed, the maximum recording that can be continuously recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium without causing sled movement during verification according to the position on the disk-shaped recording medium for recording the data designated by the external device A first step of detecting a first data amount of the data amount, a second step of reading out continuous data for the first data amount from the temporary storage means based on the detection result, and temporary storage Data temporarily stored in the temporary storage means by providing a third step of recording data read from the means on the disk More rapidly it can be recorded on the disc, thus can realize a recording method capable of reducing power consumption while improving high speed response of the recording apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Recording / Reproducing Device According to the Present Embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a recording / reproducing device according to the present embodiment as a whole. It is made to be able to do. However, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 is not only a mini-disc for music use, but also a high-density disc (also referred to as a next-generation disc) that enables higher-density recording and can be used for storage of various data for computer use. ) Can be dealt with.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can function as an external storage device for the personal computer 2 by being connected to an external device (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 2 via a USB cable 3. Yes. Also, music and various data can be downloaded and stored in the disk 4 in the storage unit 12 by connecting to the network via the personal computer 2 or by installing a function that can be directly connected to the network. .

  On the other hand, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 functions as, for example, an audio device without being connected to the personal computer 2 or the like. For example, music data input from another audio device or the like can be recorded on the disc 4, and music data recorded on the disc 4 can be reproduced and output.

  That is, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that can be used as a general-purpose data storage device by being connected to the personal computer 2 or the like, and can be used as a single unit or as an audio recording / reproducing device.

  In the following description, the operation state in which data recording / playback is performed as a connected device of the personal computer 2 is referred to as “storage mode”, and the operation state in which audio recording / playback is performed independently without being connected to the personal computer 2 is referred to as “audio mode”. ".

  Here, prior to the description of the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an outline of a next-generation disk by magneto-optical recording, to which the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 corresponds, will be described.

  First, such next-generation discs use a FAT (File Allocation Table) system as a file management system to record and play back content data such as audio data so that it can be compatible with current personal computers. It is. In addition, the current MD system is improved by an error correction method, a modulation method, and the like, thereby increasing the data recording capacity and improving the data reliability.

  Two types of specifications are currently being developed as recording and playback formats for next-generation discs. For the sake of explanation, these will be referred to as a first next generation MD and a second next generation MD.

  The first next-generation MD is a specification that uses a disk that is exactly the same as the disk used in the current MD system, and the second next-generation MD is a disk that is used in the current MD system. The outer shape is the same, but by using magnetic super-resolution (MSR) technology, the recording density in the linear recording direction is increased and the recording capacity is further increased.

  In the current MD system (audio MD or MD-DATA), a magneto-optical disk having a diameter of 64 mm housed in a cartridge is used as a recording medium. The disc has a thickness of 1.2 mm, and a center hole having a diameter of 11 mm is provided at the center thereof. The cartridge has a length of 68 mm, a width of 72 mm, and a thickness of 5 mm.

  In the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs, the shape of the disk and the shape of the cartridge are all the same. Regarding the start position of the lead-in area, the first and second next-generation MD disks start from a radial position of 29 mm and are the same as the disks used in the current MD system. That is, compatibility with the conventional MD system on the outer shape is ensured.

  The track pitch is set to 1.25 μm in the second next generation MD, and the track pitch is set to 1.6 μm in the first next generation MD that uses the disk of the current MD system. The bit length of the first next generation MD is 0.44 μm / bit, and the second next generation MD is 0.16 μm / bit. The redundancy is 20.50% for both the first and second next generation MDs.

  In the second generation MD specification disk, the recording capacity in the linear density direction is improved by using a magnetic super-resolution technique. In the magnetic super-resolution technology, when a predetermined temperature is reached, the cut layer becomes magnetically neutral, and the magnetic wall transferred to the recording layer is transferred, so that a minute mark can be seen in the beam spot. It is a thing using what becomes.

  Specifically, in the second generation MD disc, a magnetic layer serving as a recording layer for recording information, a cutting layer, and a magnetic layer for reproducing information are stacked on a transparent substrate. The cutting layer is an exchange coupling force adjusting layer. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the cut layer becomes magnetically neutral, and the domain wall transferred to the recording layer is transferred to the reproducing magnetic layer. As a result, minute marks can be seen in the beam spot. At the time of recording, a minute mark can be generated by using a laser pulse magnetic field modulation technique.

  In the second generation MD disc, the groove is deepened and the groove is sharpened to improve detrack margin, crosstalk from the land, crosstalk of the wobble signal, and focus leakage. Yes. That is, in the second next-generation MD specification disk, the groove depth is, for example, 160 nm to 180 nm, the groove inclination is, for example, 60 degrees to 70 degrees, and the groove width is, for example, 600 nm to 700 nm.

  Regarding the optical specification, in the specification of the first next generation MD, the laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the objective lens of the optical head is 0.45. Similarly, in the specifications of the second next generation MD, the laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is 0.45.

  As the recording system, the first next generation MD employs a groove recording system that uses a groove (groove on the disk surface of the disk) as a track for recording and reproduction, and the second next generation MD employs a groove recording system and domain wall motion. A detection (DWDD) method is employed.

  Furthermore, as an error correction coding system, convolutional codes based on ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) have been used in the current MD system, but in the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs, RS A block-complete code combining a Reed Solomon-Long Distance Code (LDC) and a Burst Indicator Subcode (BIS) is used. By employing this block completion type error correction code, a linking sector is not required. In an error correction method combining LDC and BIS, an error location can be detected by BIS when a burst error occurs. Using this error location, erasure correction can be performed by the LDC code.

  As an addressing method, a wobbled groove method is used in which a single spiral groove is formed and wobbles as address information are formed on both sides of the groove. Such an address system is called ADIP (Address in Pregroove).

  The specification of ADIP is the same as that of the current MD system. However, in the current MD system, a sector of 2352 bytes is used as an access unit for recording and reproduction, whereas the first and second next generation MDs are used. In the specification, 64 Kbytes are used as a recording / reproducing access unit (recording block).

  In the current MD system, a convolutional code called ACIRC is used as an error correction code, whereas in the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs, a block completion type combining LDC and BIS. Is used.

  Therefore, in the specification of the first next generation MD that uses the disk of the current MD system, the handling of the ADIP signal is made different from that in the current MD system. In the second next-generation MD, the specification of the ADIP signal is changed so as to match the specification of the second next-generation MD.

  As for the modulation method, EFM (8 to 14 Modulation) is used in the current MD system, whereas RLL (1, 7) PP (RLL) is used in the specifications of the first and second next generation MDs. Run Length Limited, PP; Parity Preserve / Prohibit rmtr (repeated minimum transition run length)) (hereinafter referred to as 1-7pp modulation). Further, the data detection method is Viterbi using partial response PR (1, 2, 1) ML in the first next generation MD and using partial response PR (1, -1) ML in the second next generation MD. It is a decoding method.

  The disk drive system is CLV (Constant Linear Velocity), and the linear velocity is 2.7 m / second in the first next generation MD specification, and 1.98 m in the second next generation MD specification. Per second. In the specification of the current MD system, it is 1.2 m / second for a 60-minute disk and 1.4 m / second for a 74-minute disk.

  In the specification of the first next-generation MD in which a disk used in the current MD system is used as it is, the total data recording capacity per disk is about 300 Mbytes (when an 80-minute disk is used). By changing the modulation method from EFM modulation to 1-7pp modulation, the window margin is changed from 0.5 to 0.666, and in this respect, a 1.33 times higher density can be realized.

  Further, since the error correction method is a combination of BIS and LDC from the ACIRC method, the data efficiency is improved, and in this respect, 1.48 times higher density can be realized. Overall, a data capacity of about twice that of the current MD system was realized using exactly the same disk.

  On the other hand, in the disc of the second next generation MD specification using magnetic super-resolution, the recording density is further increased in the linear density direction, and the total data recording capacity is about 1 Gbyte. The data rate is 4.4 Mbit / sec in the first next generation MD, and 9.8 Mbit / sec in the second next generation MD.

  FIG. 2A shows the configuration of the first next-generation MD disk. The first next-generation MD disc is a diverted version of the current MD system disc. That is, a dielectric film, a magnetic film, a dielectric film, and a reflective film are laminated on a transparent polycarbonate substrate. Further, a protective film is laminated thereon.

  In the first next-generation MD disk, as shown in FIG. 2A, a P-TOC (pre-mastered TOC (Table Of Contents)) area is provided in the lead-in area on the inner periphery of the disk. This is a pre-mastered area as a physical structure, and control information and the like are recorded as P-TOC information by embossed pits.

  The outer periphery of the lead-in area in which the P-TOC area is provided in this way is a recordable area (a magneto-optical recording area), which is a recordable / reproducible area in which a groove is formed as a guide groove for a recording track. ing. A U-TOC (user TOC) is provided on the inner periphery of the recordable area.

  The U-TOC in this case has the same configuration as the U-TOC used for recording disc management information in the current MD system. For confirmation, the U-TOC is management information that can be rewritten according to the order of tracks (audio tracks / data tracks), recording, erasing, etc. in the current MD system. The start position, end position, and mode are managed for the parts constituting the track.

  An alert track is provided on the outer periphery of the U-TOC. The alert track is a warning track on which a warning sound indicating that this disc is used in the first next generation MD system and cannot be reproduced by a player of the current MD system is recorded.

  FIG. 2B shows the configuration of the recordable area of the disc of the first next generation MD specification. As is clear from FIG. 2B, a U-TOC and an alert track are provided at the beginning (inner peripheral side) of the recordable area. In the area including the U-TOC and the alert track, the data is modulated by EFM and recorded so that it can be reproduced by a player of the current MD system.

  An area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation of the next generation MD1 system is provided on the outer periphery of the area where the data is modulated and recorded by the EFM modulation. The area where data is modulated and recorded by EFM modulation and the area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation are separated by a predetermined distance, and a guard band is provided. . Since such a guard band is provided, it is possible to prevent a malfunction from being caused by mounting the disc of the first next generation MD specification on the current MD player.

  A DDT (Disc Description Table) area and a secure track are provided at the beginning (inner circumference side) of an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. The DDT area is provided for performing a replacement sector process for a physically defective sector (recording block). A disc ID is further recorded in the DDT area. The disk ID is an identification code unique to each recording medium, and is based on a predetermined random number, for example.

  In addition, a bit map corresponding to a recorded cluster called “1” is recorded as a scratch pad area or SRB (Serial Recording Bitmap). The secure track stores information for protecting the content.

  Furthermore, a FAT (File Allocation Table) area is provided in an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. This FAT area is an area for managing data in the FAT system.

  The FAT system performs data management conforming to the FAT system used in general-purpose personal computers. The FAT system performs file management by a FAT chain using a directory indicating entry points of files and directories at the root and a FAT table in which FAT cluster connection information is described.

  In such a disc of the first next generation MD specification, in the above-mentioned U-TOC area, information on the start position of the alert track and the start position of the area where the data is modulated by 1-7pp modulation and recorded This information is recorded.

  Here, when a first next-generation MD disc having the above-described configuration is loaded into a player of the current MD system, the U-TOC area is read, and the position of the alert track is known from the U-TOC information. , The alert track is accessed and the playback of the alert track is started.

  In the alert track, a warning sound is recorded indicating that this disc is used in the first next generation MD system and cannot be reproduced by a player of the current MD system. This warning sound informs that this disc cannot be used with the current MD system player. Note that the warning sound in this case may be a warning in a language such as “cannot be used with this player”. Of course, a buzzer sound may be used.

  On the other hand, when the disc of the first next generation MD is mounted on the player compliant with the first next generation MD, the U-TOC area is read, and the data is 1-7pp modulated from the U-TOC information. The start position of the recorded area is known, and the above-described DDT, secure track, and FAT area are read. As described above, in the 1-7pp modulation data area, data management is performed by the FAT system, not by the U-TOC.

  FIG. 3A shows the configuration of a second next-generation MD disk. Also in this case, the disk is formed by laminating a dielectric film, a magnetic film, a dielectric film, a reflective film on a transparent polycarbonate substrate, and a protective film on the upper layer.

  In the case of the second next-generation MD disc, as shown in the figure, control information is recorded in the lead-in area on the inner periphery of the disc by an ADIP signal.

  In the second next-generation MD disc, the lead-in area is not provided with a P-TOC by embossed pits, and instead, control information by an ADIP signal is used. The recordable area starts from the outer periphery of the lead-in area, and is a recordable / reproducible area in which a groove is formed as a guide groove for a recording track. In this recordable area, data is modulated and recorded by the 1-7 pp modulation method.

  Whether a disc is the first next generation MD or the second next generation MD can be determined from the lead-in information. That is, if a P-TOC due to an embossed pit is detected in the lead-in, it can be determined that the disc is the current MD or the first next-generation MD. If control information based on the ADIP signal is detected in the lead-in and the P-TOC due to the embossed pit is not detected, it can be determined that the second next-generation MD.

  The discrimination between the first and second next generation MDs is not limited to such a method. It is also possible to discriminate from the phase of the tracking error signal between on-track and off-track. Of course, a detection hole for disc identification may be provided in the cartridge or the like.

  As the configuration of the recordable area of the disc of the second next generation MD specification, as shown in FIG. 3B, an area where data is modulated and recorded by the 1-7pp modulation method is formed. A DDT area and a secure track are provided at the head (inner circumference side) of an area where data is modulated and recorded by the 1-7pp modulation method.

  Also in this case, the above-mentioned DDT area is an area for performing a replacement sector process on a physically defective sector (recording block). In the DDT area, the above-mentioned disc ID is recorded. Further, the above-described scratch pad area and SRB are provided. Further, in this case, information for protecting the content is stored in the secure track.

  Further, a FAT area is also provided in an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. The FAT area is an area for managing data in the FAT system. The FAT system performs data management conforming to the FAT system used in general-purpose personal computers.

  In the second next-generation MD disc as described above, as is apparent from FIG. 3B, the U-TOC area is not provided. That is, the second next-generation MD disc is assumed to be used only by a player compliant with the next-generation MD.

  In a player compliant with the next-generation MD, when a second next-generation MD disc is loaded, the DDT area, secure track, and FAT area at a predetermined position are read, and data management is performed using the FAT system. It will be.

  Data managed by the FAT system and recorded in the data area of FIGS. 2B and 3B includes a data file, a track information file (TIF), a key information file, a MAC list file, and the like.

  The data file is a data file such as audio data or computer use data.

  The track information file (TIF) is a file in which various information for managing music data stored in an audio data file is described. The track information file includes a play order table that indicates the playback order of the music, a programmed play order table that manages the playback order specified by the user, a group information table that manages whether the music is in groups of albums, etc. ), A part information table for managing parts of each track, and a name table for managing character information added to each track.

  Furthermore, the key information file describes data indicating key version information in the encryption method. Further, the MAC list file describes the MAC value for tampering check.

  In order to deal with the next generation disc as described above, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of this example shown in FIG. 1 includes a storage unit 12 having the configuration shown in FIG.・ It is supposed to be played back.

  In FIG. 4, in the storage unit 12, the loaded disk 4 is rotationally driven by the spindle motor 20 by the CLV method. The disc 4 is irradiated with laser light from the optical head 21 during recording / reproduction.

  In this case, as the disc 4, there is a possibility that the disc of the current MD specification, the disc of the first next generation MD specification, and the disc of the second next generation MD specification may be mounted. Therefore, the linear velocity differs depending on these discs. For this reason, the spindle motor 20 is rotated corresponding to different linear velocities corresponding to the loaded disks 4.

  The optical head 21 performs a high level laser output for heating the recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and a relatively low level laser output for detecting data from reflected light by the magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction. .

  For this reason, although not shown, the optical head 21 is equipped with a laser diode as laser output means, an optical system including a polarizing beam splitter, an objective lens, and the like, and a detector for detecting reflected light. The objective lens provided in the optical head 21 is held so as to be displaceable in a disk radial direction and a direction in contact with and away from the disk, for example, by a biaxial mechanism.

  A magnetic head 22 is disposed at a position facing the optical head 21 with the disk 4 interposed therebetween. The magnetic head 22 performs an operation of applying a magnetic field modulated by the recording data to the disk 4.

  Although not shown, a sled motor and a sled mechanism are provided to move the entire optical head 21 and the magnetic head 22 in the disk radial direction.

  In the case of the second next-generation MD disk, the optical head 21 and the magnetic head 22 can form minute marks by performing pulse drive magnetic field modulation. In the case of the current MD disc or the first next-generation MD disc, the magnetic field modulation method is used.

  In addition to the recording / reproducing head system using the optical head 21 and the magnetic head 22 and the disk rotation driving system using the spindle motor 20, the storage unit 12 includes a recording processing system, a reproducing processing system, a servo system, and the like.

  In the recording processing system, in the case of the disc of the current MD system, when recording an audio track, error correction coding is performed by ACIRC, and data is recorded by being modulated by EFM, and the first or second next generation In the case of MD, there is provided a portion for performing error correction coding by a system combining BIS and LDC, and modulating and recording by 1-7pp modulation.

  The reproduction processing system uses EFM demodulation and error correction processing by ACIRC during reproduction of the current MD system disk, and partial response and Viterbi decoding during reproduction of the first or second next-generation MD system disk. A portion for performing 1-7pp demodulation based on data detection and error correction processing by BIS and LDC is provided.

  Further, a part for decoding an address based on an ADIP signal of the current MD system or the first next generation MD and a part for decoding an ADIP signal of the second next generation MD are provided.

  Information detected as reflected light by the laser irradiation of the optical head 21 on the disk 4 (photocurrent obtained by detecting the laser reflected light with a photodetector) is supplied to the RF amplifier 23.

  The RF amplifier 23 performs current-voltage conversion, amplification, matrix calculation, and the like on the input detection information, and reproduces a reproduction RF signal, a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, and groove information (track on the disk 4) as reproduction information. ADIP information recorded by wobbling) is extracted.

  When reproducing the disc of the current MD system, the reproduced RF signal obtained by the RF amplifier is processed by the EFM demodulator 24 and the ACIRC decoder 25. That is, the reproduced RF signal is binarized by the EFM demodulator 24 to be converted into an EFM signal sequence, EFM demodulated, and further subjected to error correction and deinterleave processing by the ACIRC decoder 25. That is, at this time, the ATRAC compressed data state is entered.

  At the time of reproducing the disk of the current MD system, the selector 26 is selected on the B contact side, and the demodulated ATRAC compressed data is output as reproduced data from the disk 40.

  On the other hand, when the first or second next-generation MD disc is reproduced, the reproduced RF signal obtained by the RF amplifier 23 is processed by the RLL (1-7) PP demodulator 27 and the RS-LDC decoder 28. .

  That is, the reproduction RF signal is detected by the RLL (1-7) PP demodulator 27 by detecting data using PR (1, 2, 1) ML or PR (1, -1) ML and Viterbi decoding. ) Reproduced data as a code string is obtained, and RLL (1-7) demodulation processing is performed on this RLL (1-7) code string. Further, the RS-LDC decoder 28 performs error correction and deinterleave processing.

  At the time of reproducing the first or second next-generation MD disc, the selector 26 is selected on the A contact side, and the demodulated data is output as reproduced data from the disc 4.

  The tracking error signal and focus error signal output from the RF amplifier 23 are supplied to the servo circuit 29, and the groove information is supplied to the ADIP demodulator 30.

  The ADIP demodulator 30 performs band limitation on the groove information by a bandpass filter to extract a wobble component, and then performs FM demodulation and biphase demodulation to demodulate the ADIP signal.

  The ADIP address as absolute address information on the disk demodulated in this way is supplied to the system controller 13 shown in FIG. The system controller 13 executes necessary control processing based on the ADIP address.

  The groove information is supplied to the servo circuit 31 for spindle servo control. The servo circuit 31 generates a spindle error signal for CLV servo control, for example, based on an error signal obtained by integrating a phase error with a reproduction clock (PLL clock at the time of decoding) with respect to the groove information.

  The servo circuit 31 also performs various servo control signals (tracking control signals) based on a spindle error signal, a tracking error signal supplied from the RF amplifier 23, a focus error signal, a track jump command, an access command, etc. from the system controller 13. , A focus control signal, a thread control signal, a spindle control signal, etc.) are generated and output to the motor driver 31. That is, various servo control signals are generated by performing necessary processing such as phase compensation processing, gain processing, and target value setting processing on the servo error signal and command.

  The motor driver 31 generates a required servo drive signal based on the servo control signal supplied from the servo circuit 29. The servo drive signal here includes a biaxial drive signal for driving the biaxial mechanism (two types of focus direction and tracking direction), a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, and a spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 29. It becomes.

  With such a servo drive signal, focus control and tracking control for the disk 4 and CLV control for the spindle motor 20 are performed.

  When recording audio data with the disc of the current MD system, the selector 32 is connected to the B contact, so that the ACIRC encoder 33 and the EFM modulator 34 function.

  In this case, the compressed data supplied from the cache memory 11 shown in FIG. 1 as recording data is subjected to interleaving and error correction code addition by the ACIRC encoder 33, and then EFM modulation is performed by the EFM modulation unit 34.

  The EFM modulation data is supplied to the magnetic head driver 35 via the selector 32, and the magnetic head 22 applies a magnetic field based on the EFM modulation data to the disk 4 to record an audio track.

  On the other hand, when data is recorded on the first next generation MD or the second next generation MD2 disc, the selector 32 is connected to the A contact, and the RS-LDC encoder 36 and the RLL (1-7) PP modulation unit 37 are connected. Will work. In this case, high-density data from the cache memory 11 is subjected to interleaving and RS-LDC error correction code addition by the RS-LDC encoder 36, and then RLL (1-7) PP modulation unit 37 performs RLL (1 -7) Modulation is performed.

  Then, recording data as an RLL (1-7) code string is supplied to the magnetic head driver 35 via the selector 32, and the magnetic head 22 applies a magnetic field to the disk 4 based on the modulation data, thereby data tracks. Is recorded.

  The laser driver / APC 38 causes the laser diode to perform a laser emission operation during reproduction and recording as described above, but also performs a so-called APC (Automatic Laser Power Control) operation.

  That is, although not shown, a detector for laser power monitoring is provided in the optical head 21, and the monitor signal is fed back to the laser driver / APC 38. The laser driver / APC 38 compares the current laser power obtained as the monitor signal with the set laser power and reflects the error in the laser drive signal, so that the laser power output from the laser diode can be reduced. , It is controlled to stabilize at the set value.

  As the laser power, values as reproduction laser power and recording laser power are set in a register in the laser driver / APC 38 by the system controller 13.

  Each of the above operations (access, various servo, data writing, and data reading operations) is executed based on an instruction from the system controller 13 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

  In FIG. 1, a USB interface 10 performs processing for data transmission when connected to a personal computer 2 connected as a host device with a USB cable 3.

  The cache memory 11 is composed of, for example, a D-RAM (Dynamic-RAM (Random Access Memory)), and data to be written to the disk 4 loaded in the storage unit 12 or data read from the disk 4 by the storage unit 12. Do buffering for.

  As described above, the storage unit 12 is a recording / reproducing unit corresponding to the current MD and the first and second next-generation MDs. In the recording mode, the EFM modulation method is applied to data transferred from the cache memory 11. Alternatively, the data is modulated by the 1-7 pp modulation method and written to the disk 4. In the reproduction mode, the storage unit 12 demodulates the data read from the disk 4 using the EFM demodulation method or the 1-7pp demodulation method and transfers the data to the cache memory 11.

  The system controller 13 receives various commands such as a write request and a read request from the personal computer 2 via the USB interface 10 and performs various control processes such as controlling the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 according to the commands. Execute.

  For example, when the system controller 13 receives a data write request specifying the address and data length transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the USB interface 10, the system controller 13 controls the USB interface 10 and the cache memory 11 accordingly. Thereafter, the data transmitted from the personal computer 13 is input to the cache memory 11 via the USB interface 10 and temporarily stored. The system controller 13 then controls the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 to transfer the data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12 and write it to the designated address position on the disk 4. Make it.

  When the system controller 13 receives a data read request specifying the address and data length transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the USB interface 10, the system controller 13 controls the storage unit 12 and the cache memory 11 accordingly. The designated data is read from the disk 4 and transferred to the cache memory 11 and temporarily stored in the cache memory 11. The system controller 13 then controls the cache memory 11 and the USB interface 10 to transmit data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 to the personal computer 2 via the USB interface 10.

  The input / output processing unit 14 performs processing for input / output of recording / playback data, for example, when the recording / playback apparatus 1 functions alone as an audio device.

  The input / output processing unit 14 includes, for example, an analog audio signal input unit such as a line input circuit / microphone input circuit, an analog / digital converter, a digital audio data input unit, and an ATRAC compression encoder / decoder as an input system. The ATRAC compression encoder / decoder is a circuit for executing compression / decompression processing of audio data by the ATRAC system. Of course, the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment may adopt a configuration capable of recording / reproducing compressed audio data in another format such as MP3. In this case, these compressed audio data may be used. An encoder / decoder corresponding to the data format may be provided.

  In the present embodiment, video data is not limited to a format that can be recorded / reproduced. For example, MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) 4 can be considered. As the input / output processing unit 14, an encoder / decoder corresponding to such a format may be provided.

  Further, the input / output processing unit 14 includes an analog audio signal output unit such as a digital audio data output unit, a digital / analog converter, and a line output circuit / headphone output circuit as an output system.

  In this case, an encryption processing unit (not shown) is provided in the input / output processing unit 14. In the encryption processing unit, for example, the AV data to be recorded on the disk is encrypted by a predetermined algorithm. For example, when the AV data read from the disk is encrypted, a decryption process for decryption is executed as necessary.

  Audio data is recorded on the disc as processing via the input / output processing unit 14 when, for example, digital audio data (or an analog audio signal) is input to the input / output processing unit 14 as an input TIN. The input linear PCM digital audio data or the linear PCM audio data obtained by converting the analog audio signal and converting it by the analog / digital converter is subjected to ATRAC compression encoding as necessary and stored in the cache memory 11. . Then, the data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the storage unit 12 at a predetermined timing (data unit corresponding to an ADIP cluster). In the storage unit 12, the transferred compressed data is modulated by a predetermined modulation method and written to the disk 4.

  When mini-disc type audio data is reproduced from the disk, the storage unit 12 demodulates the reproduced data into the ATRAC compressed data state and transfers the data to the cache memory 11. The data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the input / output processing unit 14. The input / output processing unit 14 performs ATRAC compression decoding on the supplied compressed audio data to obtain linear PCM audio data, which is output from the digital audio data output unit. Alternatively, line output / headphone output is performed as an analog audio signal by a digital / analog converter.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 15A stores an operation program of the system controller 13, fixed parameters, and the like. The RAM 15B is used as a work area by the system controller 13 and is a storage area for various necessary information. For example, various management information and special information read from the disk 4 by the storage unit 12, such as the above-described P-TOC data, U-TOC data, FAT data, etc., are stored in the cache memory 11. In the storage mode, the data is then transferred to the personal computer. However, the system controller 13 takes necessary information out of the management information into the RAM 15B for processing.

  The cache management memory 16 is composed of, for example, an S-RAM (Static-RAM), and stores information for managing the state of the cache memory 11. The system controller 13 controls data cache processing while referring to the cache management memory 16.

  The display unit 17 displays various information to be presented to the user based on the control of the system controller 13. For example, character data such as operation state, mode state, name of music, track number, time information, and other information are displayed.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the disk 4 is a next-generation disk, it is assumed that image data is stored in association with the music data on the disk 4, but the display unit 17 It is also conceivable to display the image data correlated in this way based on the control of the system controller 13 when the disk 4 is loaded or played back.

  Various operation buttons, a jog dial, and the like are formed in the operation unit 18 as various operators for user operations. The user gives a required operation instruction to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 by operating the operation unit 18. The system controller 13 performs predetermined control processing based on the operation information input by the operation unit 18.

  Note that the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 described so far is merely an example, and for example, the input / output processing unit 14 may be provided with an input / output processing system corresponding to not only audio data but also video data. Further, the connection with the personal computer 2 is not USB, but other external interfaces such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 may be used. Further, as the operation unit 18, it is possible to provide an operation element similar to that exemplified above on the remote controller.

(2) Disc writing control processing procedure (2-1) Processing of system controller 13 during disc writing Next, in this recording / reproducing apparatus 1, data from the personal computer 2 temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 is stored in the disc 4 The contents of the control process of the system controller 13 at the time of writing will be described.

  When the system controller 13 transfers the data from the personal computer 2 temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12 and writes the data to the disk 4, the system controller 13 follows the disk write control processing procedure RT shown in FIG. Data reading and data writing to the disk 4 are controlled.

  That is, the system controller 13 starts the disk write control processing procedure RT at step SP0 when the data from the personal computer 2 temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 is to be written to the disk 4, and at the subsequent step SP1, the verify is performed. It is determined whether or not the setting is performed.

  Here, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, in the storage mode, after the data from the personal computer 2 is written to the disk 4, the data written to the disk 4 is checked from the disk 4 as to whether or not the writing has been performed correctly. It is a specification to perform so-called verifying by reading and verifying. However, this verification can be set not to be performed by a user operation using the personal computer 2.

  Therefore, after starting the disk write control processing procedure RT, the system controller 13 determines in step SP1 whether it is necessary to perform verification after writing the data to the disk 4, and if a negative result is obtained, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP2. By controlling the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 in the first disk write control mode, the data write speed to the disk 4 set at that time (for example, 1 × speed, 2 × speed or 4 × speed) is set. Data is sequentially written to the disk 4 in units of data.

On the other hand, if the system controller 13 obtains an affirmative result in step SP1, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP3, and whether the cache memory 11 has free caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n for holding data transferred from the personal computer 2 or not. Judge whether or not.

If the system controller 13 obtains a negative result in step SP3, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP4 and controls the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 in the second disk write control mode to cache the cache memory 11 as quickly as possible. At this time, the data held in the cache memory 11 is transferred to the storage unit in units of 1 to 4 recording blocks and sequentially written to the disk 4 so that the memories 11 _{0 to} 11 _n are made free.

  On the other hand, when the system controller 13 obtains a positive result in step SP3, the system controller 13 proceeds to step SP5 and controls the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 in the third disk write control mode, thereby The data is sequentially written to the disk 4 with a data length corresponding to the address position on the disk 4 where the data is to be written so that the time until the verification of the data is completed is shortest after the start of writing.

In this way, the system controller 13 writes the data held in the cache memory 11 to the disk 4 in accordance with the presence / absence of verification or the availability of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache memory 11. The control method for reading data from the cache memory 11 is changed.

(2-2) Control of System Controller 13 in First Disk Write Control Mode Next, specific control contents of the controller 13 in the first disk write control mode will be described.

  In this recording / reproducing apparatus 1, data write requests from the personal computer 2 are made in units of sectors, whereas data read / write to the disk 4 is made in units of clusters. This is because, as described above, in the specifications of the first and second next-generation MDs, 64 Kbytes, which is the data amount for one cluster, is used as a recording / reproducing access unit (one recording block). Therefore, the exchange of data between the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 and the data management unit in the cache memory 11 are also performed in this cluster unit.

Here, assuming that one cluster is 16 sectors, the data structure in the cache memory 11 is as shown in FIG. The data transmitted from the personal computer 2 by specifying the address (sector) and data length on the disk 4 in units of sectors is the data corresponding to 16 sectors in the cache memory 11 associated with the cluster to which the sector belongs at that time. Is stored in an address location associated with the sector in the storage area (hereinafter referred to as a cache) 11 _{0 to} 11 _n .

For example, in the case a state in which data of a sector already in the cache 11 ₀ associated with number "0" of the cluster on the cache memory 11 disk number "0" is held, then from the personal computer 2 " When a write request is given to the sector “5”, the sector “0” and the sector “5” belong to the same “0” cluster. It will be stored in the "5" th sector and the associated address location in the cache 11 ₀ associated with.

When the data is written to the cache memory 11, the data is read from the cache memory 11 in units of one recording block (that is, in units of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n ) and stored in the storage unit. 12 and recorded in the corresponding cluster on the disk 4.

In this case, the process of writing the data from the personal computer 2 held in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache memory 11 from the personal computer 2 to the disk 4 is performed independently for each of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n. Then, each time the storage unit 12 accesses the optical head 21 and the magnetic head 22 to the corresponding address position on the disk 4, processing is performed.

  The time required for this access is about 300 ms on average, while the time required to write data for one recording block to the disk 4 is about 240 ms, and quick data writing to the disk 4 is required. It also contributes to the inhibition.

  Therefore, in the case of this recording / reproducing apparatus 1, when the cache memory 11 holds data to be written in each of a plurality of continuous clusters on the disk 4, the system controller 13 stores these data in one recording block. Data reading from the cache memory 11 is controlled so that data is written to the disk 4 continuously in units.

On the other hand, while the data is read from the cache memory 11 and transferred to the storage unit 12 in this way, the system controller 13 prevents halfway overwritten data from being written to the disk 4. , not accept consecutive write request data to either cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n which holds the data to be written to the disk 4 includes a cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n to which the data is being read (Hereinafter, this is referred to as a lock), the write permission for the write request is not transmitted to the personal computer 2.

  However, after sending a write request to the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, the personal computer 2 times out when a write permission is not transmitted within a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as 5 seconds), and the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 has some trouble. As a countermeasure when it occurs, the system controller 13 is configured to control the rotation of the disk 4 to be forcibly stopped.

  Therefore, when such a timeout occurs in the personal computer 2, the time until the rotation of the disk 4 is resumed in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 and the rotation is stabilized before the data can be written to the disk 4 again. Therefore, there is a problem that data from the personal computer 2 cannot be written to the disk 4 quickly.

Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, when the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n holding the data to be continuously written on the disk 4 are locked as described above, the locked time is timed out in the personal computer 2. The data from the cache memory 11 is limited so that the number of recording blocks of data to be continuously written is limited to the number corresponding to the data writing speed to the disk 4 set at that time so as not to exceed 5 seconds when Is read out.

  Specifically, the system controller 13 holds a table (hereinafter referred to as a first maximum recording block number defining table) 40 as shown in FIG. 7 in the ROM 15A (FIG. 1). In the first maximum recording block number definition table, the maximum number of recording blocks that can be continuously written without causing a timeout in the personal computer 2 in correspondence with the settable writing speeds. (Hereinafter referred to as the first maximum number of recording blocks). Incidentally, each numerical value in the maximum recording block number defining table 40 is simply a double of the numerical value obtained by the later-described equations (4) and (5).

  When the system controller 13 transfers the data stored in the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12 and writes it to the disk 4 in the first disk write control mode, the system controller 13 stores the first maximum recording block number definition table 40. By referring, the first maximum number of recording blocks corresponding to the data writing speed to the disk 4 set at that time is confirmed.

  Further, based on this confirmation result, the system controller 13 can continuously write the data stored in the cache memory 11 to the disk 4 within the range equal to or less than the first maximum number of recording blocks. The recording unit is continuously transferred to the storage unit 12, and these are continuously written on the disk 4 in the storage unit 12 at a stretch.

  In this manner, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, in the first disc write control mode, data that can be continuously written to the disc 4 among the data stored in the cache memory 11 is within a range in which the personal computer 2 is not timed out. Thus, data can be written on the disk 4 continuously at once, whereby data can be written to the disk 4 quickly.

(2-3) Control whereas the system controller 13 in the second disk writing control mode, in the recording and reproducing apparatus 1, the cache 11 _0-11 in the cache memory 11 capable of storing data transferred from the personal computer 2 Even when there is no space left in _n , a write request for data given from the personal computer 2 is waited for as described above, and if this exceeds 5 seconds, a timeout occurs and the disk is controlled under the control of the personal computer 2. The rotation of 4 is forcibly stopped.

Therefore, the system controller 13 is set to be verified in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, and the free space of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n in the cache memory 11 is equivalent to 8 recording blocks (8 caches). ) In the second disk write control mode, the data is read from the cache memory 11 in units of 4 recording blocks in order to make the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n free in the cache memory 11 as quickly as possible. sequentially while controlling the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 so as to perform verification on after written to the disk 4, the cache 11 ₀ in the cache memory 11 that has been immediately hold the data until it if there is no problem - so as to release the lock of the 11 _n It is.

In this case, as in the first disc write control mode described above, the system controller 11 continuously writes the data for the four recording blocks when the data for the four recording blocks can be continuously written to the disc 4. Thus, the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 are controlled so as to write to the disk 4 at once, so that the free space of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n can be created in the cache memory 11 more quickly. ing.

(2-4) Control of the system controller 13 in the third disk writing control mode As described above, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, the data written in the cache memory 11 is set when the verification is not performed. Of these, data written in each of the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n respectively associated with successive clusters on the disk 4 are written to the disk 4 continuously in a time that does not cause the personal computer 2 to time out. Thus, the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 are controlled. Then, by performing such control, every time data for one recording block is written to the disk 4, the trouble of moving the optical head 21 and the magnetic head 22 to the corresponding address is omitted, and the data is held in the cache memory 11. It is possible to quickly write the data to the disk 4.

  Therefore, even when the setting for verifying is performed, it is considered that the data held in the cache memory 11 can be quickly written to the disk 4 by the system controller 13 performing the same control processing.

  However, when verifying, if the amount of data written to the disk 4 continuously is too large, the writing time is delayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when an experiment was performed in which 24 Mbytes of data was divided and written to the disk 4, the time required to complete the writing was between 20 and 13 divisions, and the actual measurement value exceeded the expected value. However, the actual measurement value was almost the same as the theoretical value in the range of 12 to 9 divisions, whereas the actual measurement value greatly exceeded the theoretical value in the range of 8 to 3 divisions.

  That is, it can be seen from this experiment that the measured value becomes larger than the theoretical value when the amount of data written at one time exceeds 2.7 to 3 Mbytes. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis indicates the number of divisions of 24 Mbytes of data, and the vertical axis indicates the time required from the start of writing of 24 Mbytes of data to the disk to completion.

  This phenomenon occurs when the amount of data written at one time is too large, after the data transferred from the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12 has been written to the disk 4, the track on which verification is started (that is, This is because the so-called thread movement in which the optical head 21 moves in the radial direction of the disk 4 occurs when the reproduction target track is moved to the track on which the data writing has started. Confirmed by.

  That is, in any of the current MD and the first and second next generation MDs, data is recorded in a spiral shape from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the disk 4 as shown in FIG. Then, when verifying is started after data writing, if the distance L in the radial direction of the disk 4 to the track on which verification is started is short with respect to the track where data writing has been completed, the optical head 21 itself is moved. The track to be reproduced is moved by so-called track jump by moving the objective lens in the radial direction of the disk 4 by the biaxial mechanism in the optical head 21 without moving in the radial direction of the disk 4.

  On the other hand, when verifying after data writing, if the distance L in the radial direction of the disk 4 to the track at which verification is started is long with respect to the track position where data writing has been completed, track jumping is performed. Thread movement occurs just in time. This thread movement requires a time of, for example, about 2000 ms (2 seconds) depending on the distance, while the track jump is performed in about 200 ms, for example. Accordingly, when a thread movement occurs as compared with the case where the track movement is performed only by the track jump, more time is consumed for the verification.

  For example, when data for 20 recording blocks is read / written from / to the disk at a rate of 60 ms per record block, when data for 10 recording blocks is written continuously, thread movement does not occur, but 20 recording blocks continuously It is assumed that thread movement occurs when writing the minute data.

At this time, it is assumed that the time T ₁ required to divide the data of 20 recording blocks into 10 recording blocks and write the data to the disc while performing the verification is as follows.

On the other hand, the time T ₂ required to perform verification after writing 20 recording blocks of data to the disc at once is assumed that the thread movement takes 2000 ms.

Obviously, the latter (time T ₂ ) is larger.

  Therefore, in the case of the setting for verifying, the distance L in the radial direction of the disk 4 from the track where data writing is started to the track where the writing is completed is a distance that can be dealt with only by a track jump without causing thread movement. It can be seen that rapid data writing to the disk 4 can be achieved by adjusting the amount of data written to the disk 4 continuously at a time so that the distance is within (for example, a distance of 80 tracks).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the track diameters are different between the inner and outer peripheral sides of the disk, so that the total track length that can be moved only by track jumping without causing thread movement is closer to the outer peripheral side. growing. In addition, the current MD and the first next generation MD adopt the CLV method as the recording / reproducing method, and the second next generation MD adopts the zone CLV method. Can write. Therefore, it can be seen that the amount of data that can be written within a range in which track movement can be performed only by track jumping without causing thread movement differs depending on the position of the track on the disk 4 and increases toward the outer periphery.

  In practice, as shown in FIG. 11, the track when returning to the address position at the time of verification when the vertical axis indicates the address on the disk 4 and the horizontal axis indicates the write data length with the address as the start address. As a result of examining the distribution of the jump number, it was confirmed that the number of recording blocks that can be continuously written increases without moving the thread as it goes to the outer peripheral side (the side where the address becomes larger).

  Also, from FIG. 11, if continuous writing is performed with 80 recording blocks on the inner circumference side and 144 recording blocks on the outer circumference side, track movement exceeding 80 tracks where thread movement occurs does not occur, and each part in between If it is on the straight line represented by the symbol k in FIG. 11, it can be confirmed that no track movement exceeding 80 tracks in which thread movement occurs occurs when verification after data writing is started.

  Therefore, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, the system controller 13 uses the following formula determined with reference to the straight line k in FIG.

By executing the calculation given in (2), the maximum number of recording blocks (hereinafter referred to as the second maximum number of recording blocks) y that can be continuously written without causing thread movement during verification is calculated in advance. Thereafter, the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 are controlled so that the data stored in the cache memory 11 is written to the disk 4 as continuously as possible within a range not exceeding the second maximum number of recording blocks. Has been made.

  However, even in this case, as in the first disk writing control mode, the personal computer is not continuously timed out while the data stored in the cache memory 11 is being written to the disk 4. It is necessary to consider the number of recording blocks written to the disc.

Here, if the first maximum number of recording blocks that does not cause a timeout in the personal computer 2 is calculated, the optical head 21 or the like in the storage unit 12 can cope with the data on the disk 4 when the data writing speed to the disk 4 is 1 × speed. The average access time required to access the address position to be read is 300 ms, the time required to read / write data for one recording block to / from the disk 4 is 240 ms, and the number of recording blocks to be continuously written to the disk 4 is WRB _1, and have assuming sequentially unlock the corresponding eight cache 11 ₀ to 11 _n in the cache memory 11 each time finish verification 8 recording block of data, a margin of time to wait for the personal computer 2 4 When seconds are

The maximum number of recording blocks WRB ₁ satisfying the above is the first maximum number of recording blocks obtained at this time. This value is “6”.

Further, when the writing speed of data to the disk 4 is double speed, if the number of recording blocks continuously written to the disk 4 is WRB ₂ ,

The maximum number of recording blocks WRB ₂ that satisfies the above is the first maximum number of recording blocks obtained at this time, and this value is “20”.

  Similarly, when the writing speed of data to the disk 4 is 4 ×, 8 ×, 16 ×,..., The first maximum number of recording blocks is “48”, “105”, “218”,. Become.

  Therefore, in the case of the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the system controller 13 does not cause a timeout in the personal computer 2 calculated in advance as described above, corresponding to each of the settable writing speeds. A table (hereinafter referred to as a second maximum recording block number defining table) 41 in which the first maximum recording block number, which is the maximum number of recording blocks that can be continuously written, is described is referred to as ROM 15A (FIG. 1). ).

  When the system controller 13 transfers the data stored in the cache memory 11 to the storage unit 12 and writes the data to the disk 4 in the third disk write control mode, the system controller 13 stores the second maximum recording block number definition table 41. By referring to this, while recognizing the first maximum number of recording blocks that can be transferred to the storage unit 12 at that time, the second maximum number calculated using the first maximum number of recording blocks and the above equation (1) is used. The smaller value of the maximum number of recording blocks is determined as the maximum number of recording blocks at that time (hereinafter referred to as the third maximum number of recording blocks).

  Based on the determination result, the system controller 13 determines that the data stored in the cache memory 11 at that time can be continuously written to the disk 4 within a range not exceeding the third maximum number of recording blocks. In FIG. 5, the data is written on the disk 4 by transferring the data sequentially to the storage unit 12 in units of recording blocks.

  In this manner, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, in the third disk write control mode, data that can be continuously written to the disk 4 out of the data stored in the cache memory 11 does not cause thread movement during verification. In addition, data is continuously written on the disk 4 within a range in which the personal computer 2 does not time out, whereby data can be quickly written on the disk 4.

(3) Operation and effect of the present embodiment In the configuration described above, the system controller 13 has a free space in the caches 11 _{0 to} 11 _n of the cache memory 11 and performs verification after writing data to the disk 4. In the third disk write control mode, the cache memory 11 is written so that the data stored in the cache memory 11 is continuously written to the disk 4 within a range in which no thread movement occurs during verification and the personal computer 2 does not time out. And the storage unit 12 is controlled.

  Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus 1, when the verification is started after the data writing to the disk 4 is completed, the target to be reproduced is the track to be verified only by the track jump without causing the thread movement. Since the track can be moved, the data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 can be recorded on the disk 4 more quickly.

  As a result, in this recording / reproducing apparatus 1, it is difficult for the cache memory 11 to run out of data and to wait for a data write request or read request from the personal computer 2, and always responds to such a write request or read request. It can respond at high speed. In addition, since data can be written to the disk 4 quickly, the time for supplying power to the spindle motor 20 (FIG. 4) or the like can be reduced as compared with the prior art.

  Further, in this recording / reproducing apparatus 1, since it is difficult for such a situation that a data write request or a read request from the personal computer 2 is made to wait, data continuity can be ensured. Thus, it is possible to effectively and beforehand prevent a situation in which a reproduction request or video is interrupted due to a read request being waited for when reading from 4 or the like.

  According to the above configuration, in the third disk write control mode, the data stored in the cache memory 11 is continuously stored in the disk 4 within a range in which no thread movement occurs during verification and the personal computer 2 does not time out. By controlling the cache memory 11 and the storage unit 12 so as to write to the data, the data temporarily stored in the cache memory 11 can be recorded on the disk 4 more quickly, thus ensuring high-speed responsiveness. A recording / reproducing apparatus that can reduce power consumption can be realized.

(4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the current MD and the recording / reproducing apparatus 1 compatible with the first and second next generation MDs has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In short, the data transmitted from the external device is temporarily stored in a predetermined temporary storage means, and the temporarily stored data is read at a predetermined timing and recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium. The present invention can be widely applied to various other recording apparatuses that perform verification after the recording.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the third disk write control mode, the maximum number of recording blocks (the maximum number of recording blocks that the system controller 13 can write continuously without generating thread movement at the time of verification using equation (3)) Although the case where y is calculated (referred to as the second maximum recording block number) has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second maximum recording block number is stored according to the address position on the disk 4. The table may be stored in the ROM 15A in advance, and the system controller 13 may detect the second maximum number of recording blocks based on this table.

  On the contrary, in the above-described embodiment, the first and second maximum recording block number defining tables 40 and 41 described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 12 are stored in the ROM 15A in advance. When the system controller 13 detects the first or third maximum recording block number based on the first or second maximum recording block number definition tables 40 and 41 in the third disc writing control mode As described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first or third maximum number of recording blocks may be obtained by calculation each time.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the cache memory 11 as temporary storage means for temporarily storing data transmitted from the external device is configured by the D-RAM has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, other memory or other storage means other than the memory may be applied.

  The present invention can be widely applied not only to a recording apparatus using a magneto-optical disk as a recording medium but also to recording apparatuses using various other disk media as recording media.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the recording / reproducing apparatus by this Embodiment. It is the top view and conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the disk structure and data format of 1st next generation MD. It is the top view and conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the disk structure and data format of 2nd next generation MD. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a storage part. It is a flowchart which shows a disk writing control processing procedure. It is a conceptual diagram with which it uses for description of the data management unit in a cache memory. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the 1st maximum recording block number prescription | regulation table. It is a graph with which it uses for description of the write completion time at the time of dividing 24 Mbytes of data and writing to a disk. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the distance between a data writing start track | truck and a data writing completion track | truck. It is a basic diagram with which it uses for description of the difference in the track length by the position of a track. FIG. 10 is a distribution diagram for explaining the number of access tracks at the time of verification. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the 2nd maximum recording block number prescription | regulation table.

Explanation of symbols

1 ...... recording and reproducing apparatus, 2 ...... personal computer, 4 ...... disk, 11 ...... cache _memory, 11 0 to 11 _n ...... cache, 12 ...... storage unit, 13 ...... system controller 21 ...... optical head , 22... Magnetic head, 40... First maximum recording block number definition table, 41... Second maximum recording block number definition table, RT.

Claims (8)

In a recording apparatus that temporarily stores data transmitted from an external device in a predetermined temporary storage unit, reads the temporarily stored data at a predetermined timing, records it on a disk-shaped recording medium, and performs verification after the recording,
According to the position on the disk-shaped recording medium for recording the data designated by the external device, the maximum that can be continuously recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium without causing thread movement during the verification. Detecting means for detecting a first data amount of the data amount;
Based on the detection result, reading means for reading out the continuous data for the first data amount from the temporary storage means;
A recording device comprising: recording means for recording the data read from the temporary storage means on the disk. When the data is being read from the temporary storage means, writing of the data from the external device to a storage unit of a predetermined unit in which the data is written in the temporary storage means is prohibited,
The detecting means is
Second data having a maximum amount of data that can be continuously recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium within a range in which the writing of the data from the external device is prohibited within a predetermined time. Detect the quantity,
The reading means is
2. The data according to claim 1, wherein when the second data amount is smaller than the first data amount, the continuous data corresponding to the second data amount is read from the temporary storage unit. Recording device. Comprising free space detecting means for detecting free space in the storage area in the temporary storage means;
The reading means is
Based on the detection result of the free space detection means, when the free space is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, the data corresponding to a predetermined third data amount that is smaller than the first data amount is stored in the temporary storage. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus reads out from the means. When the data is being read from the temporary storage means, writing of the data from the external device to a storage unit of a predetermined unit in which the data is written in the temporary storage means is prohibited,
The detecting means is
Second data having a maximum amount of data that can be continuously recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium within a range in which the writing of the data from the external device is prohibited within a predetermined time. Detect the quantity,
The reading means is
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the verification is not performed, the continuous data corresponding to the second data amount is read from the temporary storage unit. In a recording method in which data transmitted from an external device is temporarily stored in a predetermined temporary storage unit, the temporarily stored data is read out at a predetermined timing, recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium, and verification is performed after the recording.
According to the position on the disc-shaped recording medium where the data specified by the external device is recorded, the maximum possible recording on the disc-shaped recording medium continuously without causing thread movement during the verification. A first step of detecting a first data amount consisting of:
A second step of reading from the temporary storage means the continuous data for the first data amount based on the detection result;
And a third step of recording the data read from the temporary storage means on the disc. When the data is being read from the temporary storage means, writing of the data from the external device to a storage unit of a predetermined unit in which the data is written in the temporary storage means is prohibited,
In the first step,
Second data having a maximum amount of data that can be continuously recorded on the disc-shaped recording medium within a range in which the writing of the data from the external device is prohibited within a predetermined time. Detect the quantity,
In the second step,
6. The data storage device according to claim 5, wherein when the second data amount is smaller than the first data amount, the continuous data corresponding to the second data amount is read from the temporary storage means. Recording method. In the first step,
Detecting the free space of the storage area in the temporary storage means,
In the second step,
6. The data according to claim 5, wherein when the free space is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the data corresponding to a predetermined third data amount that is smaller than the first data amount is read from the temporary storage unit. The recording method described. When the data is being read from the temporary storage means, writing of the data from the external device to a storage unit of a predetermined unit in which the data is written in the temporary storage means is prohibited,
In the first step,
Second data having a maximum amount of data that can be continuously recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium within a range in which the writing of the data from the external device is prohibited within a predetermined time. Detect the quantity,
In the third step,
6. The recording method according to claim 5, wherein when the verification is not performed, the continuous data corresponding to the second data amount is read from the temporary storage unit.

Images