JP2006190476A - Information recording medium, and device and method for recording information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record information in an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers at a proper recording speed. <P>SOLUTION: The information recording medium has a plurality of recording layers (L0 layer, and L1 layer) for recording information, wherein at least one of the plurality of recording layers (L0 layer and L1 layer) has a management information area for recording recording speed management information defining a highest recordable speed when information is recorded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technical field of an information recording medium such as a DVD and an information recording apparatus and method such as a DVD recorder.

  For example, in an information recording medium such as an optical disc, a maximum speed at which information can be recorded on a recording layer (hereinafter referred to as “recordable maximum speed” as appropriate) is defined according to the type. The information recording apparatus is configured to record information at a recording speed corresponding to the function of the information recording apparatus within the maximum recordable speed range.

  Here, as described in Patent Document 1, etc., an information recording medium such as a multilayer type, dual layer type, or multiple layer type optical disc in which a plurality of recording layers are stacked on the same substrate has been developed. The information recording apparatus performs recording on the recording layer positioned at the uppermost layer, for example, at the recording speed defined for such a multilayer information recording medium, and then positioned on the second layer. Recording is performed on the recording layer.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-23237

  However, in the case of the multi-layer information recording medium described above, there is a possibility that the maximum recording speed that can be physically recorded varies depending on the design factors. In a particularly strict sense, the maximum speeds of the recording layers should be different from each other more or less, mainly due to the sensitivity of each recording layer. Furthermore, there can be considered applications or specifications in which it is advantageous to positively make a difference in the maximum recordable speed between the upper recording layer and the lower recording layer. Thus, when there is a difference in the recordable maximum speed in each recording layer, if the recordable maximum speed is defined for each information recording medium as in the background art described above, the highest recordable speed is the lowest. In accordance with the recording layer, the maximum recordable speed is defined for the entire information recording medium. Therefore, in the other recording layer, although it is possible to record at a higher recording speed, it is actually necessary to perform recording at a lower recording speed. As described above, the recording speed in the other recording layer is limited by the recording speed in the recording layer having the lowest recordable maximum speed. There arises a technical problem that recording cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above-described conventional problems. For example, a multilayer information recording medium and an information recording apparatus that can record information at an appropriate recording speed for each recording layer. And providing a method.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information recording medium according to claim 1 of the present invention is an information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, and at least one of the plurality of recording layers. Has a management information area in which recording speed management information for defining a recordable maximum speed at the time of recording the information is recorded.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information recording apparatus according to claim 12 of the present invention is an information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, and at least one of the plurality of recording layers. Is an information recording apparatus that records information on an information recording medium having a management information area in which recording speed management information that defines a recordable maximum speed at the time of recording the information is recorded, from the management information area Reading means for reading recording speed management information, and recording corresponding to a recording target layer in which the information is to be recorded among the recordable maximum speeds for each of the plurality of recording layers defined by the read recording speed management information Recording speed setting means for setting a maximum recordable speed corresponding to the recording target layer within the range of the maximum possible speed, and the recording target layer at the set maximum recordable speed. And recording means for recording the information Te.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information recording method according to claim 16 of the present invention is an information recording medium including a plurality of recording layers for recording information, and at least one of the plurality of recording layers. Is an information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium having a management information area in which recording speed management information defining a recordable maximum speed at the time of recording the information is recorded. A reading step for reading recording speed management information, and a record corresponding to a recording target layer in which the information is to be recorded among the recordable maximum speeds for each of the plurality of recording layers defined by the read recording speed management information A recording speed setting step for setting a maximum recordable speed corresponding to the recording target layer within a range of the maximum possible speed, and the recording target layer at the set recording speed with respect to the recording target layer. And a recording step of recording the broadcast.

  The effect | action and gain of this invention are clarified from embodiment described below.

(Embodiment of information recording apparatus)
First, an information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention is an information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, wherein at least one of the plurality of recording layers is used for recording the information. It has a management information area in which recording speed management information for defining the recordable maximum speed is recorded.

  According to the information recording medium of the present invention, a plurality of recording layers stacked on one surface of the substrate, that is, constituting a multilayer type information recording medium such as a multilayer type, dual layer, or multiple layer type optical disc. At least one of them has a management information area in, for example, the lead-in area closer to the inner periphery or in the vicinity thereof. In this management information area, recording speed management information that defines the highest recordable speed for recording on the information recording medium for each of the plurality of recording layers is recorded. This recording speed management information may be recorded from the beginning of manufacture of the information recording medium, or may be recorded at the time of preformatting or formatting thereafter. Furthermore, after the information is actually recorded in the user data area or the like, the recording speed management information may be determined, changed or updated according to the situation such as the error rate at that time, or Before the information is recorded, the default value may be recorded in the legal area in the management information and then updated with a non-default value.

  The recording speed management information may be information directly indicating the maximum recordable speed (for example, “recording speed information” described later), or information indirectly indicating the maximum recordable speed (for example, “described later” Identification information ") may also be used.

  Since the recording speed management information is recorded in the management information area as described above, at the time of recording by an information recording apparatus such as an optical disc recorder, the recording speed management information is first read. Based on this recording speed management information, the maximum recordable speed can be obtained directly for each of a plurality of recording layers (for example, as “recording speed information” described later) or indirectly (for example, described later). ("Identification information"). In addition, a plurality of recordings of information (for example, “recording condition information” indicating the optimum recording condition described later) that can be acquired as information associated therewith, for example, specifying the optimum power or strategy of the recording laser, etc. You may acquire for every layer.

  When recording on one of the plurality of recording layers, the recording speed is set in accordance with the recordable maximum speed V1 for the one recording layer acquired based on the recording speed management information. In addition, recording can be performed. In addition, when recording is performed on the other recording layer among the plurality of recording layers, the recordable maximum speed V2 (however, generally V2 is obtained for the other recording layer acquired based on the recording speed management information). Is different from or equal to V1), and recording can be performed after setting the recording speed. In any case, compared with the case where the maximum recordable speed is defined for each information recording medium as in the background art, without being limited by the recording speed in the recording layer where the other recordable maximum speed is low, Recording can be performed at the highest possible recording speed for each of the plurality of recording layers.

  As described above, even when the maximum recording speed that can be physically recorded differs between the recording layers due to design factors, etc. Even when designed differently, it is possible to perform recording at the highest possible recording speed for each of the plurality of recording layers without being limited by the recording speed in the other recording layers.

  In one aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers.

  According to this aspect, at the time of recording, first, the recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers, which is included in the recording speed management information, is read. Then, the information recording apparatus can directly acquire the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers. Therefore, depending on the maximum recordable speed and the function of the information recording apparatus, each of the plurality of recording layers can be recorded at the highest possible recording speed.

  In this aspect, the recording speed management information may further include recording condition information indicating optimum recording conditions for each of the plurality of recording layers in a form corresponding to the recording speed information.

  According to this configuration, at the time of recording, when the recording speed information is read, it is also possible to acquire recording condition information indicating the optimal recording conditions such as the optimal power and strategy of the recording laser. Therefore, the information recording apparatus can perform recording on each of the plurality of recording layers under optimum recording conditions.

  In this case, the recording speed management information may further include a table in which the recording speed information and the recording condition information are registered for each of the plurality of recording layers and each has an index.

  With this configuration, for example, in the table that is index P2 in the management information area, the recording speed information and the recording condition information are for × 1 (1 × speed), × 2 (2 × speed), and so on. Are registered as x1 (1 × speed), x2 (2 × speed), x4 (4 × speed),... Therefore, in the information recording apparatus, by referring to the table, the maximum recordable speed and the optimum recording conditions such as optimum laser power and strategy can be acquired reliably and quickly.

  Alternatively, in another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the information recording medium is recorded by an information recording apparatus in which recording condition information indicating optimum recording conditions for each of a plurality of recordable maximum speeds is registered. The recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers.

  According to this aspect, at the time of recording, first, the recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed is read for each of the plurality of recording layers. Then, in the information recording apparatus, pre-registered recording condition information is acquired as corresponding to the recording speed information read in this way. Accordingly, the recording speed and the optimum recording speed for each recording layer can be relatively easily determined based on the recording speed information acquired from the information recording medium side and the recording condition information acquired from the information recording apparatus side. Information can be recorded under various recording conditions.

  Alternatively, in another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the information recording medium includes the recording speed information indicating the maximum speed and the plurality of recordable information for each identification information for identifying a plurality of information recording media. Recording condition information indicating optimum recording conditions for each maximum speed is recorded by the registered information recording apparatus, and the recording speed management information includes identification information for identifying the information recording medium.

  According to this aspect, at the time of recording, first, identification information for identifying the information recording medium is read. Then, the information recording apparatus acquires pre-registered recording speed information and recording condition information as corresponding to the identification information read in this way. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to perform optimum recording for each recording layer based on the identification information acquired from the information recording medium side, the recording speed information acquired from the information recording apparatus side, and the recording condition information. Information can be recorded at a speed and under optimum recording conditions.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the recording speed management information is recorded at least partially from the beginning of manufacture of the information recording medium as pre-information in the information recording medium.

  According to this aspect, since the recordable maximum speed for each of the plurality of recording layers is determined experimentally and empirically at the beginning of manufacture, the recording speed management information for defining this is, for example, in an optical disc. It is recorded in advance as pre-information such as pre-pits such as land pre-pits and emboss pits. At the time of recording, the prerecorded information is read first, whereby the recordable maximum speed can be directly obtained for each of the plurality of recording layers. In this way, the recording speed management information can be reliably read as pre-information.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the recording speed management information is at least partially recorded or updated as rewritable or rewritable information on the information recording medium.

  According to this aspect, for example, the default maximum recordable speed is recorded in advance on the information recording medium or registered in advance in the information recording apparatus. After that, according to the function in the information recording apparatus such as an individual model optical disc recorder that records the information recording medium, or the error rate when the information recording apparatus performs experimental or actual recording, etc. A new recordable maximum speed is set according to the reproduction status. Then, the recording speed management information that defines the new recordable maximum speed is added or updated in the management information area of the information recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain the maximum recordable speed suitable for the actual use situation and environment after the additional recording or updating of the new recording speed management information.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the management information area is arranged closer to an inner periphery of the uppermost layer among the plurality of recording layers, and the recording speed management information is the plurality of recording speed management information. The recording layer of the recording layer is recorded together.

  According to this aspect, the management information area is arranged closer to the inner circumference of the uppermost layer, and the recording speed management information is collectively recorded for a plurality of recording layers in this portion. At the time of recording, if this portion is first read, the recording speed management information for all the recording layers can be obtained collectively, and thereby the maximum recordable speed for all the recording layers can be obtained directly or indirectly. And optimal recording conditions. Therefore, when recording is continued, even when the interlayer jump is performed once or repeatedly, the recording speed for the recording layer to be recorded after the interlayer jump can be set in advance or quickly before performing the interlayer jump. It is advantageous.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the management information area is provided for each of the plurality of recording layers.

  According to this aspect, since the management information area is provided for each of the plurality of recording layers, the recording speed management information for all the recording layers is acquired at the time of recording, or the recording for the plurality of recording layers is recorded. It is also possible to acquire speed management information separately.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the plurality of recordable maximum speeds are defined so as to be higher at the upper layer side of the plurality of recording layers.

  According to this aspect, the maximum recordable speed is defined to be higher as the upper layer side of the plurality of recording layers is higher. For example, the sensitivity of the upper recording layer is set to the lower layer side. It is convenient to set the sensitivity relatively higher than the sensitivity of the recording layer. That is, the recording layer on the upper layer side is hardly or practically unaffected by the presence of the recording layer on the lower layer side. For this reason, by adopting a configuration with good sensitivity to the recording laser on the upper layer side, for example, The higher the position on the upper layer side, the higher the recordable speed. Furthermore, while actively increasing the maximum recordable speed in the upper recording layer, the upper recording layer is frequently used during recording (for example, recording starts from the upper layer side and the upper layer side is already recorded). This is also very advantageous when recording on the lower layer side is started).

(Embodiment of information recording apparatus)
Next, an information recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An embodiment according to the information recording apparatus of the present invention is an information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, wherein at least one of the plurality of recording layers is used for recording the information. An information recording apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium having a management information area in which recording speed management information for defining a recordable maximum speed is recorded, the reading means for reading the recording speed management information from the management information area; Of the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers defined by the read recording speed management information, within the range of the maximum recordable speed corresponding to the recording target layer to record the information, A recording speed setting unit configured to set a recording speed corresponding to the recording target layer; and a recording unit configured to record the information on the recording target layer at the set recording speed.

  According to the embodiment of the information recording apparatus of the present invention, during the operation, first, the recording speed management information recorded in the management information area of the information recording medium is read in advance for all of the plurality of layers by the reading means. Based on this recording speed management information, the maximum recordable speed can be obtained directly for each of a plurality of recording layers (for example, as the above-mentioned “recording speed information”) or indirectly (for example, the above-mentioned ("Identification information"). Further, information that can be acquired as information linked to this, for example, information that defines the optimum power or strategy of the recording laser (for example, “recording condition information” indicating the optimum recording condition described above) is also recorded in plural. You may acquire directly or indirectly for every layer.

  Next, the recording speed corresponding to the recording target layer is set within the range of the maximum recordable speed acquired for the recording target layer by the recording speed setting means, and the recording speed set in this way by the recording means Recording takes place at. Further, for example, jumping between layers is performed under a parallel method or an opposite method, and recording is performed between different recording layers.

  As described above, even when the maximum recording speed that can be physically recorded differs between the recording layers due to design factors, etc. Even when designed differently, it is possible to perform recording at the highest possible recording speed for each of the plurality of recording layers without being limited by the recording speed in the other recording layers.

  In one aspect of the embodiment of the information recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers, and further corresponds to the recording speed information. The recording speed setting means includes the recording speed information indicating optimum recording conditions for each of the plurality of recording layers, and the recording speed setting means reads the recording speed information read as at least a part of the recording speed management information and the recording conditions. Based on the information, the recording speed and recording conditions corresponding to the recording target layer are set.

  According to this aspect, since the recording speed information and the recording condition information are recorded on the information recording medium side, at the time of recording, the information recording apparatus side easily reads the information so that the recording speed and the recording condition information are read. Recording conditions can be set. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of recording in a storage means such as a memory in advance when manufacturing the information recording apparatus.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the recordable maximum speed for each of the plurality of recording layers, and each of the plurality of recordable maximum speeds. Storage means in which recording condition information indicating the optimum recording conditions is registered, the reading means reads the recording speed information as at least part of the recording speed management information, and the recording speed setting means includes: The recording speed and recording conditions are set based on the read recording speed information and information corresponding to the read recording speed information among the recording condition information registered in the storage means.

  According to this aspect, since the recording speed information is recorded on the information recording medium side and the recording condition information is recorded on the information recording apparatus side, when recording speed information is first read, Corresponding recording condition information can be extracted. Therefore, the recording speed and the recording conditions can be easily set on the information recording apparatus side.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording apparatus of the present invention, the recording speed management information includes identification information for identifying the information recording medium, and for each identification information for identifying a plurality of information recording media, And further comprising storage means for registering recording speed information indicating speed and recording condition information indicating optimum recording conditions for each of the plurality of recordable maximum speeds, wherein the reading means is at least part of the recording speed management information. The identification information is read, and the recording speed setting means is based on the recording speed information registered in the storage means and the recording condition information corresponding to the read identification information. Set the recording speed and recording conditions.

  According to this aspect, since the recording speed information and the recording condition information are recorded on the information recording apparatus side, the recording speed and the recording conditions corresponding to the identification information can be easily set by reading the identification information first. .

(Embodiment of information recording method)
Next, an information recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An embodiment according to the information recording method of the present invention is an information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, wherein at least one of the plurality of recording layers is used when recording the information. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium having a management information area in which recording speed management information for defining a recordable maximum speed is recorded, the reading step for reading the recording speed management information from the management information area; Of the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers defined by the read recording speed management information, within the range of the maximum recordable speed corresponding to the recording target layer to record the information, A recording speed setting step for setting a recording speed corresponding to the recording target layer; and a recording step for recording the information on the recording target layer at the set recording speed.

  According to the embodiment of the information recording method of the present invention, as in the case of the information recording apparatus of the present invention described above, recording can be performed at the highest possible recording speed for each of the plurality of recording layers.

  Such an operation and other advantages of the present embodiment will be clarified from examples described below.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the substrate and the plurality of recording layers having the management information area in which the recording speed management information is recorded are provided. Therefore, recording at the highest recording speed that is potentially possible for each of the plurality of recording layers is possible. According to the embodiment of the information recording apparatus and method of the present invention, the information recording apparatus and method includes a reading unit and process, a recording speed setting unit and process, and a recording unit and process. Therefore, recording at the highest recording speed that is potentially possible for each of the plurality of recording layers is possible.

(Information recording medium)
(First embodiment)
Next, an optical disc according to the first embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, the basic structure of an optical disc according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of an optical disc according to the first embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, and the upper part is a schematic plan view of an optical disc having a plurality of recording areas, and the lower side associated therewith. The portion is a schematic conceptual view of the recording area structure in the radial direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an optical disc 100 is a lead according to the present embodiment, for example, on a recording surface on a disc body having a diameter of about 12 cm as in a DVD, from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side with the center hole 1 as the center. An in-area 101, a data zone 102, and a lead-out area 103 are provided. In each recording area, for example, tracks 10 such as a groove track and a land track are alternately provided in a spiral shape or a concentric shape around the center hole 1. On the track 10, data is divided and recorded in units of ECC blocks 11. The ECC block 11 is a data management unit based on a preformat address in which recorded information can be error-corrected.

  The present invention is not particularly limited to an optical disc having such three areas. For example, even if the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area 103 do not exist, the data structure described below can be constructed. Further, as will be described later, the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out 103 may be further subdivided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the optical disc 100 according to the first embodiment is configured as a two-layer type optical disc in which a plurality of data zones 102 and the like are formed in a laminated structure, for example. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the recording surface of the optical disc of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, in the first embodiment, the optical disc 100 is a phase change type constituting an information recording surface or an irreversible change recording type by heating or the like on a disc-like transparent substrate 106 (lower side in FIG. 2). A first recording layer 107 is laminated, and a transflective film 108 is further laminated thereon (on the lower side in FIG. 2). Groove tracks GT and land tracks LT are alternately formed on the information recording surface formed by the surface of the first recording layer 107. Incidentally, at the time of recording and reproduction of the optical disc 100, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the laser beam LB is irradiated onto the groove track GT through the transparent substrate. For example, at the time of recording, the laser beam LB is irradiated with the recording laser power, so that irreversible change recording by writing or heating by phase change to the first recording layer 107 is performed according to the recording data. On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, the recording data written to the first recording layer 107 is read by irradiating the laser beam LB with a reproduction laser power weaker than the recording laser power.

  In this embodiment, the groove track GT is oscillated with a constant amplitude and spatial frequency. That is, the groove track GT is wobbled, and the period of the wobble 109 is set to a predetermined value. On the land track LT, address pits called land prepits LP indicating preformat address information are formed. Information necessary for data recording such as disk rotation control during recording, generation of a recording clock, and recording address can be obtained by these two addressing (ie, wobble 109 and land prepit LP). The preformat address information may be recorded in advance by modulating the wobble 109 of the groove track GT by a predetermined modulation method such as frequency modulation or phase modulation.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the second recording layer 207 is formed on the transflective film 108 (lower side in FIG. 2), and the reflective film 208 is further formed thereon (lower side in FIG. 2). . The second recording layer 207 is irradiated with the laser beam LB through the transparent substrate 106, the first recording layer 107, and the semi-transmissive reflective film 108. It is configured to be able to perform irreversible change recording type recording and reproduction. The second recording layer 207 and the reflective film 208 may be formed on the transparent substrate 106 on which the first recording layer 107 and the semi-transmissive reflective film 108 are formed, or may be formed on another substrate. After film formation, this may be bonded to the transparent substrate 106. A transparent intermediate layer 205 made of a transparent adhesive or the like is provided between the transflective film 108 and the second recording layer 207 as appropriate according to the manufacturing method.

  At the time of recording / reproduction of such a two-layer optical disc 100, recording / reproduction is performed on the first recording layer 107 or the second recording layer depending on which recording layer the focusing position of the laser beam LB is adjusted to. Recording / reproduction at 207 is performed.

  The optical disc 100 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the two-layer single-sided, ie, dual layer, as shown in FIG. It may be a dual layer double side. Furthermore, as described above, the optical disk is not limited to an optical disk having two recording layers, and may be a multilayer optical disk having three or more layers.

(Parallel method)
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the data structure of the optical disc in the parallel system according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram conceptually showing an example of the data structure of the optical disc in the parallel system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical disc 100 according to the first embodiment includes an L0 layer and an L1 layer as the first and second recording layers shown in FIG.

  In the L0 layer, a lead-in area 101-0, a data zone 102-0, and a lead-out area 103-0 are provided from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side. The lead-in area 101-0 is provided with an OPC (Optimum Power Calibration) area (not shown).

  The L1 layer is also provided with a lead-in area 101-1, a data zone 102-1 and a lead-out area 103-1 from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side. The lead-in area 101-1 is also provided with an OPC area (not shown).

  Then, by an optical pickup of the information recording / reproducing apparatus, which will be described later, the laser light is emitted from the side of the substrate (not shown), that is, from the lower side to the upper side in FIG. The moving distance and direction in the radial direction of the optical disc are controlled. As a result, data is recorded in each recording layer, and the recorded data is reproduced when functioning as an information reproducing apparatus.

  There are two types of data recording or reproducing methods from the viewpoint of the moving direction in the radial direction of the optical disk by the optical pickup, the parallel method and the opposite method, and the parallel method is adopted in the first embodiment.

  Here, the parallel system means that in the L0 layer, the optical pickup of the information recording / reproducing apparatus is moved from the inner circumference side toward the outer circumference side, that is, in the right direction of the arrow in FIG. Also in the L1 layer, the optical pickup is moved from the inner circumference side toward the outer circumference side, that is, in the right direction of the arrow in FIG.

  In this parallel system, when recording or reproduction in the L0 layer is completed, when recording or reproduction in the L1 layer is started, the optical pickup at the outermost periphery of the optical disc needs to move again toward the innermost periphery. Therefore, it takes time to switch from the L0 layer to the L1 layer.

  The other opposite method will be described in the second embodiment with reference to FIG. 9 described later.

  Next, referring to FIG. 4 to FIG. 8, the type of land prepit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer and the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment adopting the parallel method, the land prepit In the lead-in area, the principle of discriminating the maximum recordable speed and the optimum recording condition by the land pre-pit will be described. For convenience of explanation, first, the L1 layer having the highest recordable speed of 1 × speed will be described, and then the L0 layer having the highest recordable speed of 4 × speed will be described.

  First, the types of land pre-pit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a table showing the classification of land prepit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment. This table shows a field identification number (Field ID), information to be recorded (Content), and a recording location (Location) from the left column.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the land prepit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L1 layer is classified into ID # 0 to ID # 5 according to the field identification number.

  ECC (Error Correcting Code) block address information is recorded in the land pre-pits identified by ID # 0. The land prepits are arranged in the entire recording area of the optical disc. Here, the ECC block address is position information based on a recording unit capable of error correction, that is, an ECC block.

  In the land pre-pit identified by ID # 1, information such as extended information constituting an example of an index according to the present invention described later is recorded. The land prepits are arranged in the lead-in area of the optical disc.

  In the land pre-pits identified by ID # 2 and ID # 5, 1 × speed strategy information that constitutes an example of recording speed information and recording condition information according to the present invention is recorded. These land prepits are arranged in the lead-in area of the optical disc.

  In the land pre-pits identified by ID # 3 and ID # 4, information of manufacturing identification numbers constituting an example of identification information according to the present invention is recorded. These land prepits are arranged in the lead-in area of the optical disc.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the arrangement of land prepits in the lead-in area in the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment employing the parallel method will be described. FIG. 5 is a table showing the land pre-pit arrangement and ECC block addresses in the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment employing the parallel method. This table shows a field identification number, a recording location, and an ECC block address from the left column.

  As shown in FIG. 5, land prepits identified by field identification numbers from ID # 1 to ID # 5 or ID # 0 are periodically recorded in the lead-in area of the L1 layer. These land prepits are arranged at ECC block addresses from “FFDD05” to “FFCFFF”, for example.

  Next, the types of land pre-pit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a table showing the classification of land prepit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment. Note that the structure of this table diagram is the same as that of FIG. 4 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the land pre-pit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer is classified into ID # 0 to ID # 13 by a field identification number (Field ID).

  In the land prepits identified by ID # 0 to ID # 5, data similar to the land prepits recorded in the lead-in area of the L1 layer described above with reference to FIG. 4 is recorded.

  In the land prepits identified by ID # 6 and ID # 7, double speed strategy information constituting an example of recording speed information and recording condition information according to the present invention is recorded. These land prepits are arranged in the lead-in area of the optical disc.

  In the land pre-pits identified by ID # 8 to ID # 13, strategy information for 4 × speed constituting an example of recording speed information and recording condition information according to the present invention is recorded. These land prepits are arranged in the lead-in area of the optical disc.

  Next, the land pre-pit arrangement in the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment employing the parallel method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a table showing the land pre-pit arrangement and ECC block addresses in the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment employing the parallel method. The structure of this table diagram is the same as that of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, land prepits identified by field identification numbers from ID # 1 to ID # 13 or ID # 0 are periodically recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer. These land prepits are arranged at ECC block addresses from “FFDD05” to “FFCFFF”, for example.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, the maximum recordable speed and the optimum recording condition are identified by the land pre-pits recorded in the lead-in areas of the L0 layer and the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment adopting the parallel method. The principle will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a table showing the detailed structure of the land prepit data whose field identification number is ID # 1 recorded in the lead-in areas of the L0 layer and the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment. Etc.

  As shown in FIG. 8, ID # 1 records data represented by a binary bit string of a matrix of 16 rows × 13 columns. The bit in the first column is a SYNC bit, that is, a bit for synchronization. Bits in the second to fifth columns are bit sequences in which the data type is recorded. The actual data is recorded in the 6th to 13th bits.

  Specifically, data with a data type of “0000” to “0010” means a relative block address, data with a data type of “0011” to “0101” means parity, and data The latter half of the data whose type is “1100”, that is, the data in the 10th column to the 13th column means extended information constituting an example of the index according to the present invention.

  When the extended information recorded in the land pre-pit having the field identification number ID # 1 is read by an information recording / reproducing apparatus described later, the recordable maximum speed and the optimum recording condition in the L0 layer and the L1 layer are set. Can be selected.

  Specifically, the extended information shown in the lower part of FIG. 8 includes a code and a maximum field identification number. More specifically, when the extension information code is “0000”, the maximum field identification number is “ID # 5”, and when the extension information code is “0010”, the maximum field identification number. Becomes “ID # 13”, and when the code of the extension information is “0011”, the maximum field identification number is “ID # 18”.

  Here, when the extended information recorded in the land pre-pit whose field identification number of the L1 layer is ID # 1 is set to “0000”, the extended information is read by the information recording / reproducing apparatus, so that the maximum The field identification number is “ID # 5”, and the strategy information for 1 × speed can be selected as described with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, when the extended information recorded in the land pre-pit whose field identification number of the L0 layer is ID # 1 is set to “0010”, the extended information is read by the information recording / reproducing apparatus, so that the maximum field The identification number is “ID # 13”, and the strategy information for 1 × speed, 2 × speed, or 4 × speed can be selected as described with reference to FIGS.

(Second Example-Opposite Method-)
Next, referring to FIG. 8 described above in addition to FIGS. 9 to 11 as appropriate, the data structure of the optical disc according to the second embodiment adopting the opposite method, the land prepits recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer. The data type, the arrangement of the land pre-pits in the lead-in area, and the identification principle of the maximum recordable speed and the optimum recording conditions by the land pre-pits will be described.

  First, the data structure of the optical disc according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram conceptually showing an example of the data structure of the optical disc in the second example.

  The basic physical characteristics and structure of the optical disc according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the optical disc according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the optical disc 100 according to the second embodiment includes a substrate (not shown) and two recording layers stacked on the substrate, that is, an L0 layer and an L1 layer.

  In the L0 layer, a lead-in area 101-0, a data zone 102-0, and a middle area 104-0 are provided from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side.

  Further, in the L1 layer, a lead-in / out 103-1, a data zone 102-1 and a middle area 104-1 are provided from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side.

  In particular, in the optical disc according to the second embodiment, the opposite method is employed in the data recording or reproducing method. Here, the opposite method means that the optical pickup is moved from the inner circumference side toward the outer circumference side in the L0 layer by the information recording / reproducing apparatus, that is, in the right direction of the arrow in FIG. In the L1 layer, the optical pickup is moved from the outer peripheral side toward the inner peripheral side, that is, to the left of the arrow in FIG.

  In this opposite method, when recording or reproduction in the L0 layer is completed, when recording or reproduction in the L1 layer is started, the optical pickup on the outermost circumference of the optical disc needs to move again toward the innermost circumference. However, since only the focal length from the L0 layer to the L1 layer needs to be switched, the switching time from the L0 layer to the L1 layer is shorter than that of the parallel system.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the kind of land pre-pit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a table showing the classification of land pre-pit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the second embodiment. Note that the structure of this table diagram is the same as that of FIG. 4 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the land pre-pit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer is classified into ID # 0 to ID # 18 by a field identification number (Field ID).

  For the land prepits identified by ID # 0 to ID # 5, the land prepit data recorded in the lead-in area of the L1 layer described with reference to FIG. It is the same.

  In the land pre-pit identified by ID # 6, other information is recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc.

  In the land pre-pits identified by ID # 7 and ID # 10, the 1 × -speed strategy information for the L0 layer constituting an example of the recording speed information and the recording condition information according to the present invention is read from the L0 layer of the optical disc. Recorded in the in-area.

  In the land pre-pits identified by ID # 8 and ID # 9, the manufacturing identification number information constituting an example of the identification information according to the present invention is recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc.

  In the land prepits identified by ID # 11 and ID # 12, the double speed strategy information for the L0 layer, which constitutes an example of the recording speed information and the recording condition information according to the present invention, is read from the L0 layer of the optical disc. Recorded in the in-area.

  In the land prepits identified by ID # 13 to ID # 18, the strategy information for the quadruple speed for the L0 layer constituting an example of the recording speed information and the recording condition information according to the present invention is read from the L0 layer of the optical disc. Recorded in the in-area.

  Next, the land pre-pit arrangement in the L0 layer of the optical disc in the second embodiment employing the opposite method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a table showing the land pre-pit arrangement and ECC block addresses in the L0 layer of the optical disc in the second embodiment employing the opposite method. The structure of this table diagram is the same as that of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment described above.

  As shown in FIG. 11, land prepits identified by field identification numbers from ID # 1 to ID # 18 or ID # 0 are periodically recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer. These land prepits are arranged at ECC block addresses from “FFDD05” to “FFCFFF”, for example.

  Next, referring to FIG. 8, the maximum recordable speed and the optimum recording condition are identified by the land pre-pits recorded in the lead-in area of the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the second embodiment adopting the opposite method. The principle will be described.

  The extension information recorded in the land pre-pit whose field identification number is ID # 1 shown in FIG. 8 is read by the information recording / reproducing apparatus described later, so that the recordable maximum speed and the optimum in the L0 layer and the L1 layer are obtained. Recording conditions can be selected.

  Specifically, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8 described above, when the extended information recorded in the land prepit whose field identification number of the L0 layer is ID # 1 is set to “0011”, this When the extended information is read by the information recording / reproducing apparatus, the maximum field identification number becomes “ID # 18”. As described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the 1 × speed strategy is applied to the L1 layer. At the same time that information is selected, strategy information for 1 × speed, 2 × speed, or 4 × speed can be selected for the L0 layer.

(Information recording / reproducing device)
Next, the configuration and operation of the information recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In particular, the present embodiment is an example in which the information recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the information recording / reproducing apparatus for an optical disc described above.

  First, the configuration of an information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 has a function of recording record data on the optical disc 100 and a function of reproducing the record data recorded on the optical disc 100.

  The internal configuration of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 is an apparatus that records information on the optical disc 100 and reads information recorded on the optical disc 100 under the control of the processor 354.

  The information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 includes an optical disc 100, a spindle motor 351, an optical pickup 352, a signal recording / reproducing means 353, a processor (drive control means) 354, a memory 355, a data input / output control means 306, an operation button 310, a display panel 311, And a bus 357.

  The spindle motor 351 rotates and stops the optical disc 100, and operates when accessing the optical disc. More specifically, the spindle motor 351 is configured to rotate and stop the optical disc 100 at a predetermined speed while receiving spindle servo from a not-shown servo unit or the like.

  The optical pickup 352 performs recording / reproduction with respect to the optical disc 100, and includes a laser device and a lens. More specifically, the optical pickup 352 irradiates the optical disc 100 with a light beam such as a laser beam at a first power as reading light during reproduction, and modulates with a second power as writing light at the time of recording. Irradiate.

  The signal recording / reproducing means 353 performs recording / reproduction with respect to the optical disc 100 by controlling the spindle motor 351 and the optical pickup 352.

  The memory 355 is used in general data processing in the disk drive 300, such as a buffer area for recording / reproducing data and an area used as an intermediate buffer for conversion to data usable by the signal recording / reproducing means 353. The memory 355 includes a ROM area in which a program for performing operations as these recorder devices is stored, a buffer used for compressing / decompressing video data, and a RAM area in which variables necessary for the program operation are stored. .

  In particular, in this embodiment, the memory 355 constitutes an example of a storage unit according to the present invention. In this memory 355, in addition to or instead of the L0 layer, the recordable maximum speed and the optimum laser power, strategy, etc. The optimum recording condition is acquired.

  The processor (drive control means) 354 is connected to the signal recording / reproducing means 353 and the memory 355 via the bus 357, and controls the entire information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 by giving an instruction to each control means. Usually, software for operating the processor 354 is stored in the memory 355.

  The data input / output control unit 306 controls data input / output from the outside to the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300, and stores and retrieves data from / in the data buffer on the memory 355. When the data input / output is a video signal, the data received from the outside is compressed (encoded) into the MPEG format at the time of data input, and then output to the memory 355. At the time of data output, the MPEG format received from the memory 355 is output. Data is decompressed (decoded) and then output to the outside.

  The operation control unit 307 receives and displays an operation instruction for the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300. The operation control unit 307 transmits an instruction by the operation button 310 such as recording or reproduction to the processor 354, and the operation state of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 such as recording or reproduction Is output to a display panel 311 such as a fluorescent tube.

  As described above, the household device, which is an example of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300, is a recorder device that records and reproduces video. This recorder device is a device that records a video signal from a broadcast receiving tuner or an external connection terminal on a disc, and outputs the video signal reproduced from the disc to an external display device such as a television. The program stored in the memory 355 is executed by the processor 354, thereby operating as a recorder device.

(Flow of recording operation by information recording device)
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the flow of recording operation by the optical disk information recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an optical disk recording operation by the information recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13, in the case of the parallel system, the extension information constituting an example of the index according to the present invention is read in the lead-in areas of the L0 layer and the L1 layer described above by the optical pickup of the information recording apparatus. And acquired (step S101). On the other hand, in the opposite method, as described above, for example, the extension information in the lead-in area of the L0 layer is read and acquired.

  Therefore, in addition to or instead of the L0 layer, the maximum recordable speed in the L1 layer and the optimum recording conditions such as optimum laser power and strategy are acquired in the memory of the information recording apparatus. Here, it is assumed that an optical disk according to an embodiment of the present invention is inserted.

  Next, the optical pickup of the information recording apparatus is moved to the target recording layer (step S102).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the target recording layer is the L0 layer (step S103). Here, when the target recording layer is the L0 layer (step S103: Yes), the optimum recording conditions such as the maximum recordable speed and the optimum laser power and strategy in the L0 layer are selected (step S104).

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S103, if the target recording layer is the L1 layer (step S103: No), the optimum recording conditions such as the maximum recordable speed in the L1 layer and the optimum laser power and strategy are selected ( Step S105).

  Subsequently, the target recording layer is irradiated with a recording laser under the selected optimum recording condition, and actual recording is performed (step S106).

  In the above-described embodiment, the parallel method and the opposite method have been described. However, the present invention can be applied to other methods in which, for example, the interlayer jump is frequently performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and information recording accompanying such changes is possible. A medium, an information recording apparatus, and a method are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The information recording medium, information recording apparatus, and method according to the present invention can be used for an information recording medium such as a DVD, and an information recording apparatus and method such as a DVD recorder.

1 shows the basic structure of an optical disc according to a first embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, wherein the upper portion is a schematic plan view of an optical disc having a plurality of recording areas, and the lower portion associated therewith is the radial direction thereof. 2 is a schematic conceptual diagram of a recording area structure in FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a recording surface of an optical disc according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a data structure figure which shows notionally the example of the data structure of the optical disk in the case of the parallel system based on 1st Example of this invention. It is a table figure which showed the classification | category of the land prepit data recorded on the lead-in area of L1 layer of the optical disk based on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a table showing the land pre-pit arrangement and ECC block addresses in the L1 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a table figure which showed the classification | category of the land prepit data recorded on the lead-in area of L0 layer of the optical disk based on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 6 is a table showing the land pre-pit arrangement and ECC block addresses in the L0 layer of the optical disc according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a table showing the detailed structure of land pre-pit data whose field identification number is ID # 1 recorded in the L0 layer and L1 layer lead-in areas of the optical disc according to the first embodiment of the present invention. . It is a data structure figure which shows notionally the example of the data structure of the optical disk in the case of the opposite system based on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a table figure which showed the classification | category of the land prepit data recorded on the lead-in area of L0 layer of the optical disk based on 2nd Example of this invention. It is the table figure which showed arrangement | positioning in the lead-in area of the land prepit in the L0 layer of the optical disk based on 2nd Example of this invention, and an ECC block address. It is a block diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 based on the Example of this invention. It is the flowchart figure which showed the recording operation of the optical disk by the information recording device which relates to the execution example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 center hole 10 track 11 ECC block 100 optical disc 101 lead-in area 102 data zone 103 lead-out area 106 transparent substrate 107 first recording layer 109 wobble 108 transflective film 205 intermediate layer 207 second recording layer 208 reflective film 300 information recording Reproduction device 306 Data input / output control means 307 Operation control means 310 Operation button 311 Display panel 351 Spindle motor 352 Optical pickup 353 Signal recording / reproduction means 354 Processor (drive control means)
355 Memory GT Groove Track LT Land Track LB Laser Light LP Land Prepit

Claims (16)

An information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information,
At least one of the plurality of recording layers has a management information area in which recording speed management information that defines a recordable maximum speed when the information is recorded is recorded.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers.   The information recording medium according to claim 2, wherein the recording speed management information further includes recording condition information indicating an optimum recording condition for each of the plurality of recording layers in a form corresponding to the recording speed information.   4. The information recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the recording speed management information includes a table in which the recording speed information and the recording condition information are registered for each of the plurality of recording layers and each has an index. The information recording medium is recorded by an information recording apparatus in which recording condition information indicating optimum recording conditions for each of a plurality of recordable maximum speeds is registered,
The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers. In the information recording medium, recording speed information indicating the maximum speed and recording condition information indicating an optimal recording condition for each of the plurality of recordable maximum speeds are registered for each identification information for identifying a plurality of information recording media. Recorded by an information recording device,
The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording speed management information includes identification information for identifying the information recording medium.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording speed management information is recorded at least partly as pre-information in the information recording medium from the beginning of manufacture of the information recording medium.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the recording speed management information is recorded or updated at least partially as information that can be additionally written or rewritten on the information recording medium.   The management information area includes a portion where the plurality of recording layers are arranged closer to the inner periphery of the uppermost layer and the recording speed management information is recorded together for the plurality of recording layers. The information recording medium according to claim 1.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the management information area is provided for each of the plurality of recording layers.   2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recordable maximum speeds are defined so as to be higher at a higher layer side of the plurality of recording layers. An information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, wherein at least one of the plurality of recording layers has recording speed management information that defines a recordable maximum speed when recording the information. An information recording apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium having a management information area to be recorded,
Reading means for reading the recording speed management information from the management information area;
Of the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers defined by the read recording speed management information, the recording is performed within the range of the maximum recordable speed corresponding to the recording target layer to record the information. A recording speed setting means for setting a recording speed corresponding to the target layer;
An information recording apparatus comprising: recording means for recording the information on the recording target layer at the set recording speed. The recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers, and further, an optimum recording condition is set for each of the plurality of recording layers in a form corresponding to the recording speed information. Including recording condition information to indicate
The recording speed setting means sets the recording speed and the recording condition corresponding to the recording target layer based on the recording speed information and the recording condition information read as at least a part of the recording speed management information. The information recording apparatus according to claim 12. The recording speed management information includes recording speed information indicating the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers,
It further comprises storage means in which recording condition information indicating the optimum recording condition for each of a plurality of recordable maximum speeds is registered,
The reading means reads the recording speed information as at least a part of the recording speed management information,
The recording speed setting means is based on the read recording speed information and the recording condition information registered in the storage means and corresponding to the read recording speed information. The information recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a condition is set. The recording speed management information includes identification information for identifying the information recording medium,
Storage means for registering recording speed information indicating the maximum speed and recording condition information indicating optimal recording conditions for each of the plurality of recordable maximum speeds is further provided for each identification information for identifying a plurality of information recording media. ,
The reading means reads the identification information as at least a part of the recording speed management information,
The recording speed setting means sets the recording speed and recording condition based on information corresponding to the read identification information among the recording speed information and the recording condition information registered in the storage means. The information recording apparatus according to claim 12. An information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers for recording information, wherein at least one of the plurality of recording layers has recording speed management information that defines a recordable maximum speed when recording the information. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium having a management information area to be recorded,
A reading step of reading the recording speed management information from the management information area;
Of the maximum recordable speed for each of the plurality of recording layers defined by the read recording speed management information, the recording is performed within the range of the maximum recordable speed corresponding to the recording target layer to record the information. A recording speed setting step for setting a recording speed corresponding to the target layer;
A recording step of recording the information on the recording target layer at the set recording speed.

Images