JP2005339747A - Information recording and reproducing apparatus, method for record test, and program for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information recording and reproducing apparatus and a method for record test by which the deterioration of a laser part is known at an early stage since the result of a record test is recorded in an information recording medium as a history, and by which the precision of the record test is improved by carrying out the record test at a plurality of positions at the information recording medium. <P>SOLUTION: The information recording and reproducing apparatus comprises an area dividing means, a record test carry out means and a record test result storage means. The area dividing means divides the information recording means into a plurality of record test areas for carrying out the record test to be performed in advance of recording processing and a plurality of record test result storage areas for recording the result of the record test. The record test carry out means carries out the record test to a prescribed record test area. The record test result storage means records the result of the record test when carrying out the record test in a prescribed record test result storage area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus, a recording test method, and a program for executing the method, and more particularly, to a recording test technique performed prior to recording.

  Currently, there are WORM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, and the like as information recording media that are widely used. When an information recording / reproducing apparatus that optically writes information on these information recording media or reads information recorded on the information recording medium is used for a long period of time, for example, a semiconductor laser as a light source deteriorates. Therefore, there is a possibility that a failure such as a decrease in writing quality, a writing error, or a reading error occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to check the written data, that is, to perform a recording test for verifying whether the data can be read and read correctly. However, since this recording test takes time, the frequency of verification cannot be increased. For this reason, even if the writing process is normally completed, there arises a problem that data cannot be read after a long time. In addition, when there are many reproductions and there are few recordings, there are cases where the interval between the recording tests becomes long and the deterioration of the semiconductor laser cannot be detected early.

Thus, several proposals for solving these problems have been made. According to Patent Document 1 as one of them, when a recording error occurs due to a lack of laser power in a recording test performed prior to recording, recording is performed by lowering the recording speed and relatively increasing the laser power. In this case, information on the recording speed causing the recording error is stored on the optical disk, and the information is read when the recording test is performed again, so that the recording test is not performed at the recording speed at which the recording error has already occurred. A device has been proposed.
Patent No. 3,264,223

  However, in the method as described in Patent Document 1, even if the rotational speed is reduced and the trial writing is successful, it is not known whether the user data is normally written because the semiconductor laser is deteriorated after all. Generally, since data verification after writing is not performed on CDs and DVDs, there is a possibility that they cannot be read when trying to read them later. On the other hand, there may be a difference in the recording test result between the inner periphery and the outer periphery, and it is necessary to periodically perform the recording test. In addition, when there are many reproduction processes and few recording processes, the interval between the recording tests becomes long, and deterioration of the semiconductor laser may not be detected early. Further, when the semiconductor laser is used for a long time, the progress of the deterioration of the semiconductor laser is accelerated, and the deterioration of the semiconductor laser may not be detected early.

  The present invention is for solving these problems. Since the result of the recording test is recorded on the information recording medium as a history, the deterioration of the laser unit can be known at an early stage, and a plurality of positions on the information recording medium can be obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording / reproducing apparatus and a recording test method capable of improving the accuracy of the recording test since the recording test is performed.

  In order to solve the above problems, the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes an area dividing unit, a recording test execution unit, and a recording test result storage unit. The area dividing means divides the information recording medium into a plurality of recording test areas for executing a recording test performed prior to the recording process and a plurality of recording test result storage areas for recording the results of the recording test. The recording test execution means performs a recording test on a predetermined recording test area. The recording test result storage means records the recording test result when the recording test is performed in a predetermined recording test result storage area. Therefore, it is possible to know the deterioration of the laser part.

  The information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention also includes a comparison means for comparing the result of the current recording test with the previous recording test if there is a previous storage test result, and an information recording medium based on the comparison result of the comparison means. In order to record and reproduce information, there is a judgment means for detecting and judging the deterioration of the laser part that emits laser light or a sign of the deterioration. Therefore, the deterioration of the laser part or the sign of the deterioration can be known earlier.

  Further, the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a recording time measuring means for measuring the recording time of user data, a recording time storing means for storing the recorded recording time, and a recording when the total recording time exceeds a predetermined time. Notification means for notifying the user that the test is to be performed. Therefore, a recording test can be performed periodically, and deterioration of the laser unit can be known earlier.

  Further, the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a laser unit lighting time timing unit for measuring a laser unit lighting time, a laser unit lighting time storage unit for storing the measured laser unit lighting time, and a laser unit lighting time. Notification means for notifying the user that a recording test is to be performed when the total of the above has exceeded a predetermined time. Therefore, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the laser portion at an early stage even when the recording process is not performed.

  Further, the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention is a recording test when the judging means detects and judges the deterioration of the laser part or signs of deterioration, or when the total recording time or the total lighting time of the laser part exceeds a predetermined time. Recording test execution interval shortening means for shortening the interval of performing the recording test. Therefore, the execution interval of the recording test varies depending on the use situation, and the execution interval of the recording test can be shortened depending on the deterioration of the laser portion, so that rapid deterioration of the laser portion can be detected at an early stage.

  The area dividing means also includes a recording test area group including a plurality of recording test areas for executing a recording test performed prior to the recording process on the information recording medium, and a plurality of recording test result storage area groups for recording a result of each recording test. It is preferable to divide into two.

  Further, the area dividing means divides the information recording medium so as to provide a recording test result storage area for recording the result of the recording test in the recording test area immediately after the recording test area for executing the recording test. Therefore, it becomes easy to acquire the result of the previous recording test when the next recording test is performed.

  The area dividing means divides the recording test area groups so as to provide a plurality of recording test area groups respectively provided in the plurality of areas of the information recording medium, and performs the test for each predetermined recording test area in each recording test area group. The information recording medium is divided so as to provide a recording test result storage area group having a plurality of recording test result storage areas for storing all the recording test results. Therefore, the accuracy of the recording test can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the recording test method as another invention, a plurality of recording test areas for executing a recording test performed prior to the recording process on the information recording medium, and a plurality of recording test result storage areas for recording the results of the recording test, Divide into Then, a recording test is performed on a predetermined recording test area, and a recording test result when the recording test is performed is recorded in a predetermined recording test result storage area. Therefore, it is possible to know the deterioration of the laser part.

  In addition, if there is a previous storage test result, the result of the current recording test is compared with the previous recording test, and the laser part deterioration or deterioration sign is detected and determined based on the comparison result. The signs of deterioration can be known earlier.

  Further, the recording time of the user data is counted, the recorded recording time is stored, and the recording test is periodically performed by notifying the user that the recording test is performed when the total recording time exceeds a predetermined time. It is possible to know the deterioration of the laser part earlier.

  In addition, the lighting time of the laser unit is counted, the measured lighting time of the laser unit is stored, and the recording is performed by notifying the user that the recording test is performed when the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time. Even when processing is not performed, deterioration of the laser portion can be detected at an early stage.

  Further, when detecting or judging the deterioration of the laser part or signs of deterioration, or when the total recording time or the total lighting time of the laser part exceeds a predetermined time, the laser unit is shortened by shortening the recording test interval. The recording test execution interval can be shortened depending on the degree of deterioration, and rapid deterioration of the laser part can be detected at an early stage.

  According to the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a recording test can be performed periodically, the deterioration of the laser unit can be known at an early stage, and the accuracy of the recording test can be improved. Even when the recording process is not performed, the recording test execution interval changes depending on the usage situation, and the recording test execution interval can be shortened depending on the deterioration of the laser unit, so that rapid deterioration of the laser unit can be detected at an early stage. .

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is a motor 101 for rotating an information recording medium 200, a rotation control unit 102 for controlling the driving of the motor 101, and information recording / reproducing on the information recording medium 200 An optical pickup 103 having a laser unit (not shown) for irradiating laser light to the optical pickup 103, an actuator control unit 104 for controlling the optical pickup 103, a signal control unit 105 for controlling a signal from the optical pickup 103, and an information recording / reproducing apparatus 100 A drive controller 106 that performs overall control, a non-volatile memory 107 that stores user data recording time or a laser unit lighting time, a laser drive circuit 108 that drives the laser unit of the optical pickup 103, a host device 300, commands, data, and the like Host interface 109 for sending and receiving, recording test Execution, is configured to include a recording test unit 110 for controlling.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the recording test unit 110 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording test unit 110 divides the information recording medium 200 into a plurality of recording test areas, a plurality of recording test result storage areas described later, or a plurality of blocks including these areas. A recording test execution unit 112 for supplying an instruction control signal for executing the recording test process to the drive controller 106; a recording test for storing a result of the recording test in a predetermined recording test result storage area provided in the information recording medium 200 Result storage means 113, comparison means 114 for comparing the current recording test result with the previous recording test result, notification for prompting the user to perform the recording test, and notification that the laser unit is deteriorated or there is a sign of deterioration Based on the comparison result by the notification means 115 and the comparison means 114, there is a deterioration of the laser part or a sign of deterioration (for example, recording) And a recording test control means 118 for controlling the recording test process. Has been. The host device 300 is a personal computer or the like that controls the information recording / reproducing device 100.

Next, processing of the recording test method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3 showing a recording test processing flow.
First, before performing a recording test, an information recording medium for a recording test is created as follows. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of area division in the information recording medium with respect to the loaded information recording medium 200 in accordance with an instruction from the recording test control means 118 in the recording test unit 110 in FIG. An information recording medium 200 loaded via the drive controller 106 so as to divide the area into N (N is a positive integer) number of recording test areas 1 to N and N number of recording test result storage areas 1 to N. Is divided into regions, and an information recording medium for a recording test is created. Next, the recording test execution means 112 performs a recording test on one area of the created recording test information recording medium 200, for example, the recording test area 1 (step S101), and the recording test result storage means 113 performs the recording test. The recording test result 1 for the area 1 is recorded in one recording test result storage area of the information recording medium 200, for example, the recording test result storage area 1 (step S102). Here, the recording test results are measurement results of recording power and recording quality (for example, error rate) measured for recording. Then, it is determined whether the number of recording tests is two or more (step S103), that is, whether there is a previous recording test result, and if there is a previous recording test result (step S103; YES). The comparison unit 114 of FIG. 2 compares the current recording test result with the previous recording test result (step S104). As a result of the comparison, if the laser part is deteriorated or there is an indication of deterioration (step S105; YES), it is determined by the determination means 116 that the laser part is deteriorated or there is an indication of deterioration, and the laser part is deteriorated or deteriorated. Is notified to the user by the notification means 115 (step S106), and the interval until the next recording test is set short (step S107).

  Here, in the recording test method of the first embodiment, the recording test areas 1 to N and the recording test result storage areas 1 to N are provided in different recording areas as shown in FIG. For example, immediately after the recording test area 1, the recording test result storage area 1 is provided immediately after the recording test area 1, the recording test area 2 is provided immediately thereafter, and the recording test result recording area 2 is provided immediately thereafter. A recording test result storage area corresponding to the recording test area may be provided. In this case, the next recording test is performed by storing the recording test result after the recording test and the previous recording test result together in the recording test result recording area, that is, by storing the cumulative recording test result. When performing, it is possible to easily obtain all the previous results, and it is possible to accurately perform the deterioration diagnosis of the laser unit based on the history of the recording test.

  Next, the operation of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 5 showing the recording test process flow in the second embodiment. .

  First, before performing a recording test, an information recording medium for a recording test is created as follows. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of another area division in the information recording medium with respect to the loaded information recording medium 200 in accordance with an instruction from the recording test control means 118 in the recording test unit 110 in FIG. Are divided into M (M is a positive integer) recording test blocks 1 to M, each recording test block is divided into N recording test areas, and each recording test block 1 to M is divided. The information loaded via the drive controller 106 so as to divide the recording test result storage areas 1 to N for recording the results of the recording test performed on the same area, i.e., N recording test results. The recording medium 200 is divided into regions, and an information recording medium for recording test is created. Next, the recording test execution means 112 records, for example, all the recording test areas 1 of the blocks 1 to M with respect to one area for each of the blocks 1 to M of the information recording medium 200 created for the recording test. A test is performed (step S201, step S202; YES), and the recording test result storage means 113 stores each recording test result 1 for each recording test area 1, for example, in one recording test result storage area of the information recording medium 200, for example, blocks 1 to Recording is performed in the M recording test result storage area 1 (step S203). Then, it is determined whether the number of recording tests is two or more (step S204), that is, whether there is a previous recording test result, and if there is a previous recording test result (step S204; YES). The comparison unit 114 of FIG. 2 compares the current recording test result with the previous recording test result (step S205). As a result of the comparison, if the laser part is deteriorated or there is a sign of deterioration (step S206; YES), it is judged by the judging means 116 that the laser part is deteriorated or there is a sign of deterioration, and The notification means 115 notifies the user that there is a sign of deterioration or prompts the user to perform a recording test (step S207), and shortens the recording test interval (step S208).

  Next, the recording test execution management operation of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7 showing the recording test execution management operation flow.

  First, after the recording test of each embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is executed, the time measuring unit 117 in FIG. 2 starts measuring the recording time of the user data (steps S301 and S302). Here, the measured recording time of the user data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 107 in FIG. 1 via the drive controller 106. Then, monitoring is performed until the total recording time of the user data exceeds a predetermined time (step S303; NO). When the total recording time of the user data exceeds the predetermined time (step S303; YES), it is necessary to perform a recording test. Is notified to the user by the notification means 115 (step S304). Therefore, the user who has been notified that the recording test is to be performed can start the recording test periodically with the information recording medium for the recording test, and early detection of deterioration of the laser unit can be performed.

  Next, another recording test execution management operation of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8 showing the recording test execution management operation flow.

  First, after execution of the recording test of each embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the timing of the laser unit is started by the time measuring unit 117 of FIG. 2 (steps S401 and S402). Here, the measured lighting time of the laser unit is stored in the nonvolatile memory 107 in FIG. 1 via the drive controller 106. Then, monitoring is performed until the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time (step S403; NO), and when the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds the predetermined time (step S403; YES), it is necessary to perform a recording test. The user is notified of the prompt by the notification means 115 (step S404). Therefore, the user who is notified that the recording test is performed can start the recording test periodically with the information recording medium for the recording test even when the recording operation of the user data is hardly performed. Can be detected early.

  Next, another recording test execution management operation of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 showing the recording test execution management operation flow.

  First, after execution of the recording test of each embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, measurement of user data recording time and measurement of laser unit lighting time are started by the time measuring means 117 of FIG. S501, S502). Here, the measured recording time of the user data and the lighting time of the laser unit are stored in the nonvolatile memory 107 in FIG. 1 via the drive controller 106. Then, it is monitored whether the total recording time of the user data or the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time (step S503), and the total recording time of the user data or the total lighting time of the laser unit is predetermined. When the time is exceeded (step S503; YES), the interval until the next recording test is set short (step S504). Thereafter, the user is notified that it is necessary to execute a recording test after this time has elapsed. Therefore, the deterioration of the laser part can be detected early.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a specific apparatus configuration for starting a program for executing each embodiment of the recording test method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. That is, this figure shows hardware constructed from a microprocessor or the like that executes software according to the recording test method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus in the above embodiment. In the figure, the recording test system of the information recording / reproducing apparatus includes an interface (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) 11, a CPU 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a display device 15, a hard disk 16, a keyboard 17 and a CD-ROM drive 18. ing. A general-purpose processor is prepared, and a readable recording medium 19 such as a CD-ROM stores a program for executing the recording test method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention. Further, a control signal is input from an external device via the I / F 11, and an instruction from the operator or the program of the present invention is automatically activated by the keyboard 17. Then, the CPU 12 performs control processing according to the recording test method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the program, stores the processing result in a storage device such as the RAM 14 or the hard disk 16, and outputs it to the display device 15 or the like as necessary. As described above, by using the recording medium recorded with the program for executing the recording test method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention, a control system can be constructed universally without changing the existing system.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions are possible as long as they are described within the scope of the claims.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording test unit in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the recording test method based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the area division in an information recording medium. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the recording test method based on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of another area division in an information recording medium. It is a flowchart which shows the recording test execution management operation | movement of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another recording test execution management operation | movement of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another recording test execution management operation | movement of the recording test process in the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the specific apparatus for starting the program which performs each Example of the recording test method of the information recording / reproducing apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100; Information recording / reproducing apparatus 101; Motor;
102; rotation control unit; 103; optical pickup;
104; Actuator control unit; 105; Signal control unit;
106; drive controller, 107; non-volatile memory,
108; laser drive circuit; 109; host interface;
110; recording test unit; 111; area dividing means;
112; recording test execution means; 113; recording test result storage means;
114; comparison means; 115; notification means; 116; judgment means;
117; timing means; 118; recording test control means;
200; information recording medium; 300; host device.

Claims (14)

In an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing information on an information recording medium by laser light from a laser unit,
Area dividing means for dividing the information recording medium into a plurality of recording test areas for executing a recording test performed prior to the recording process and a plurality of recording test result storage areas for recording the results of the recording test;
A recording test execution means for performing a recording test on the predetermined recording test area;
An information recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: a recording test result storage means for recording a recording test result when performing a recording test in a predetermined recording test result storage area.   Comparing means for comparing the result of the current recording test with the previous recording test if there is a previous storage test result, and determining means for detecting and judging deterioration of the laser part or a sign of deterioration based on the comparison result by the comparing means The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   Recording time timing means for measuring the recording time of user data, recording time storage means for storing the measured recording time, and notification means for notifying the user that a recording test is performed when the total recording time exceeds a predetermined time The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   Laser unit lighting time measuring means for measuring the lighting time of the laser unit, laser unit lighting time storage means for storing the measured lighting time of the laser unit, and a recording test when the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a user of performing the operation.   Recording test execution to shorten the interval of performing the recording test when the determination means detects or judges the deterioration of the laser unit or the signs of deterioration, or when the total recording time or the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interval shortening unit.   The area dividing means includes a recording test area group including a plurality of recording test areas for executing a recording test performed on the information recording medium prior to the recording process, and a plurality of recording test result storage areas for recording the results of the recording tests. 6. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information recording / reproducing apparatus is divided.   7. The information recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the area dividing unit divides the information recording medium so as to provide a recording test result storage area for recording a result of the recording test in the recording test area immediately after the recording test area for executing the recording test. Information recording / reproducing apparatus.   The area dividing means divides the information recording medium so as to provide a plurality of recording test area groups respectively provided in a plurality of areas of the information recording medium, and performs for each predetermined recording test area in each recording test area group. 6. The information recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is divided so as to provide the recording test result storage area group having a plurality of recording test result storage areas for storing all the recording test results. In an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing information on an information recording medium by laser light from a laser unit, in a recording test method for performing a recording test prior to recording user data,
The information recording medium is divided into a plurality of recording test areas for executing a recording test performed prior to the recording process and a plurality of recording test result storage areas for recording a result of the recording test, and recording is performed on the predetermined recording test area. A recording test method comprising: performing a test and recording a recording test result when the recording test is performed in a predetermined recording test result storage area.   10. The recording test method according to claim 9, wherein if there is a previous storage test result, the result of the current recording test is compared with the previous recording test, and the deterioration or sign of deterioration of the laser unit is detected based on the comparison result.   The recording test method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the recording time of the user data is counted, the recorded recording time is stored, and the user is notified that the recording test is performed when the total recording time exceeds a predetermined time.   12. The lighting time of the laser unit is counted, the measured lighting time of the laser unit is stored, and the user is notified that the recording test is performed when the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time. The recording test method according to any one of the above.   The interval of performing the recording test is shortened when the laser unit is deteriorated or a sign of deterioration is detected or when the total recording time or the total lighting time of the laser unit exceeds a predetermined time. Recording test method according to the above. The program for performing the recording test method in any one of Claims 9-13 by computer.

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