JP2008217987A - Recording method, program, recording medium, information recording device, and information recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording method which can shorten latency to start recording. <P>SOLUTION: Upon request for format processing of an information recording medium from a host, termination information which indicates termination of this format processing is output (step 401) before start of the format processing, and the format processing is started at predetermined timing after output of the termination information (step 407). After output of the termination information, if recording to the information recording medium is requested (step 413), format processing is interrupted (step 417) and the recording of user data to the information recording medium is performed (Step 421) after the interruption. In this case, if format processing is requested. the recording to a blank disk can be started in a shorter time period than before since the host can be notified of the termination of the format processing before performing recording of management information to a lead in. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording method, a program, a recording medium, an information recording apparatus, and an information recording system, and more specifically, a recording method for recording information on an information recording medium, a program executed by a control computer of the information recording apparatus, The present invention relates to an information recording system including a recording medium on which the program is recorded, an information recording apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium, and an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium.

  In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “personal computers”) have become capable of handling AV (Audio-Visual) information such as music and video as their functions have improved. In addition, a personal computer with a receiving device for receiving a television broadcast or a radio broadcast has appeared, and an optical disc compliant with the DVD + R (DVD + recordable) standard as a recording medium for content distributed via the broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “for convenience” Optical discs with large recording capacities such as optical discs compliant with DVD + RW (DVD + rewritable) standards (hereinafter abbreviated as “DVD + RW” for the sake of convenience) have been attracting attention. At the same time, optical disk devices as information recording devices have become widespread. Furthermore, DVD + R and DVD + RW are also compatible with DVD-ROMs that are already widely used. That is, DVD + R and DVD + RW can be reproduced by a conventional DVD-ROM drive device.

  In particular, in DVD + RW, in order to maintain compatibility with DVD-ROM, a process of recording dummy data in advance on the entire recording area or in a designated area, so-called format, is necessary. However, since a long processing time is required until the formatting is completed, the DVD + RW is formatted by a so-called background formatting method. In response to a format request, only the predetermined management information is recorded (initialized) in a part of the lead-in area, the user is notified of the completion of formatting, and the user data can be recorded and reproduced. In this method, the remaining area is recorded as dummy data using a time when there is no access from the user. Further, the present applicant has proposed an optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus that interrupts initialization when a recording request or a reproduction request is made after the initialization is started (see, for example, Patent Document 1). As a result, it is possible to greatly shorten the time until a newly purchased optical disc (hereinafter referred to as “blank disc” for convenience) can be recorded.

JP 2001-43663 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, it takes time to record predetermined management information at least in the lead-in area after the blank disk is set in the optical disk device until user data can be recorded. For example, even if an attempt is made to record a program that is being broadcast on television on the spot, there is a disadvantage that waiting time occurs and a necessary part may not be recorded.

  In DVD + R, when user data is recorded, user data is recorded after predetermined management information is recorded in a part of the lead-in area. That is, at least a time for recording predetermined management information in the lead-in area is required from when recording is requested until recording is actually started. Therefore, similarly to the above DVD + RW, there is a problem in that even if an attempt is made to record, for example, a program being broadcast on a DVD + R on the spot, a waiting time occurs and a necessary part may not be recorded.

  The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and a first object thereof is to provide a recording method capable of shortening the waiting time until the start of recording.

  A second object of the present invention is to provide a program that can be used in an information recording apparatus and that can shorten the waiting time until recording starts, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  A third object of the present invention is to provide an information recording apparatus and an information recording system that can shorten the waiting time until the start of recording.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording method for recording on a rewritable information recording medium, wherein the formatting process is performed before the formatting process is started in response to a request for formatting the information recording medium. A step of outputting end information indicating the end of the information; a step of performing the formatting process after outputting the end information; and a step of outputting the end information when there is a recording request to the information recording medium. And a step of recording user data on the information recording medium after the interruption.

  According to this, in response to a request for formatting the rewritable information recording medium, end information indicating the end of the formatting process is output before the start, and after the end information is output, the formatting process is performed. Further, if there is a recording request to the information recording medium after the end information is output, the formatting process is interrupted, and after the interruption, user data is recorded on the information recording medium. Therefore, the waiting time until the start of recording can be shortened.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for use in an information recording apparatus for recording on a rewritable information recording medium, before the start of the formatting process in response to a request for formatting the information recording medium. A procedure for outputting end information indicating the end of the formatting process; a procedure for performing the formatting process after outputting the end information; and a recording request to the information recording medium after outputting the end information; A program for causing a control computer of the information recording apparatus to execute a procedure for interrupting the formatting process; and a procedure for recording user data on the information recording medium after the interruption.

  According to this, when the program of the present invention is loaded into the main memory and its start address is set in the program counter, the control computer of the information recording apparatus responds to the request for formatting the rewritable information recording medium. Thus, end information indicating the end of the format process is output before the start, and after the end information is output, the format process is performed. Further, if there is a recording request to the information recording medium after outputting the end information, the formatting process is interrupted, and after the interruption, user data is recorded on the information recording medium. That is, according to the program of the present invention, the control computer of the information recording apparatus can execute the recording method of the present invention. Therefore, recording can be started in a shorter time than conventional.

  From the third viewpoint, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded.

  According to this, since the program of the present invention is recorded, it is possible to shorten the waiting time until the recording is started by causing the computer to execute it.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording apparatus for recording on a rewritable information recording medium, wherein the format before the start of the formatting process in response to a request for formatting the information recording medium. End information output means for outputting end information indicating the end of processing; initialization means for performing the initialization after the output of the end information; and recording request to the information recording medium after the output of the end information And an initialization interruption means for interrupting the formatting process; and a user data recording means for recording user data on the information recording medium after the interruption.

  According to this, in response to the request for formatting the rewritable information recording medium, the end information output means outputs the end information indicating the end of the format process before the start of the format process, and the initialization means ends the process. A format process is performed after the information is output. Further, if there is a recording request to the information recording medium after the completion information is output by the initialization interruption means, the formatting process is interrupted, and after the interruption, the user data recording means records the user data on the information recording medium. Is done. Therefore, the waiting time until the start of recording can be shortened.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording system comprising an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a rewritable information recording medium and a host, wherein the host includes the information recording / reproducing apparatus. The information recording / reproducing apparatus, upon receiving the format processing request from the host, sends end information indicating the end of the formatting process before starting the formatting process. Output to the host and perform the formatting process after outputting the end information, and the information recording / reproducing apparatus interrupts the formatting process when there is a recording request from the host to the information recording medium after outputting the end information. And an information recording system for recording user data on the information recording medium.

  According to this, the information recording / reproducing apparatus outputs the end information indicating the end of the formatting process before starting the formatting process in response to the request for the formatting process of the rewritable information recording medium. Perform formatting. The information recording / reproducing apparatus interrupts the formatting process when there is a recording request to the information recording medium after outputting the end information, and records the user data on the information recording medium after the interruption. Therefore, the waiting time until the start of recording can be shortened.

<< First Embodiment >>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an optical disc apparatus as an information recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The optical disk apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 1 includes a spindle motor 22, an optical pickup apparatus 23, a laser control circuit 24, an encoder 25, a motor driver 27, a reproduction signal processing circuit 28, a servo controller 33, and the like. A buffer RAM 34, a buffer manager 37, an interface 38, a ROM 39, a CPU 40, a RAM 41, and the like are provided. Note that the arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of typical signals and information, and do not represent the entire connection relationship of each block. The optical disc apparatus 20 can access an information recording medium that conforms to the DVD + RW and DVD + R standards. In the first embodiment, an information recording medium that conforms to the DVD + RW standard is used for the optical disc 15 as an example. And

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

  The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 detects a wobble signal, an RF signal, and a servo signal (such as a focus error signal and a track error signal) based on the output signal of the optical pickup device 23. The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 extracts ADIP (Address In Pregroove) information, a synchronization signal, and the like from the wobble signal. The extracted ADIP information is output to the CPU 40, and the synchronization signal is output to the encoder 25. Further, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 performs demodulation processing, error correction processing, and the like on the RF signal, and then stores them in the buffer RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37. The focus error signal and the track error signal are output from the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 to the servo controller 33.

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

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

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

  The encoder 25 takes out the recording data from the buffer RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37 based on an instruction from the CPU 40, modulates the recording data, adds an error correction code, etc., and outputs a write signal to the optical disc 15. Generate. Then, a write signal is output to the laser control circuit 24 in synchronization with the synchronization signal from the reproduction signal processing circuit 28.

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

  The interface 38 is a bidirectional communication interface with a host (for example, a personal computer), and conforms to standard interfaces such as ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) and SCSI (Small Computer System Interface).

  The ROM 39 stores a program including a program described later (hereinafter referred to as “first recording control program”) written in a code readable by the CPU 40. When the power supply of the optical disk device 20 is turned on, the program stored in the ROM 39 is loaded into a main memory (not shown), and the CPU 40 controls the operation of each unit according to the program and is necessary for the control. Data and the like are temporarily stored in the RAM 41.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the recording area of the optical disc 15 compliant with the DVD + RW standard includes three areas (lead-in area LIA, data area DZA, and lead-out area) from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side. It is divided into area LOA). User data is recorded in the data area DZA. Although the actual track of the optical disk 15 is spiral, for convenience, the track is shown as a straight line in FIGS. 2A and 2B, with the left side of the paper being the inner peripheral side of the optical disk 15 and the right side of the paper being the optical disk. 15 on the outer peripheral side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lead-in area LIA is located at addresses 01D830 to 300000 and is composed of 12 zones. That is, the initial zone, the inner disc test zone, the inner drive test zone, the guard zone 1 and the reserved zone. Zone 1 (Reserved Zone 1), Reserved Zone 2 (Reserved Zone 2), Inner Disc Identification Zone (Reserved Zone 3), Reserved Zone 3 (Reserved Zone 3), Reference Code Zone (Reference Code Zone), Buffer Zone 1 (Buffer Zone 1), Control Data Zone (Control Data Zone), a buffer zone 2 (Buffer Zone 2). Here, in the inner disc identification zone, a formatting disc control block (hereinafter referred to as “FDCB”) in which a format state and a data recording state are described in a bitmap format. ) Is recorded. In the control data zone, physical format information including physical area start address information and end address information is recorded. The address is described in hexadecimal.

  FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the processing operation when the optical disk apparatus 20 configured as described above receives a command requesting the format of the optical disk 15 (format unit command, hereinafter also referred to as “format request command”) from the host. Will be described. When the format request command is received, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the process starts. Note that the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40. The optical disk 15 is assumed to be a blank disk.

  In the first step 401, format completion information indicating that the formatting is normally completed is transmitted to the host. As a result, recording and reproduction requests can be accepted. Also, a format interruption request flag in which presence / absence of a format interruption request is set, a discharge request flag in which presence / absence of a discharge request is set, a recording request flag in which presence / absence of a recording request is set, and playback in which presence / absence of a reproduction request is set Each request flag is set to “0” to initialize each flag. In this embodiment, communication with the host is performed by interrupt processing for both transmission and reception. Therefore, when a format interruption request command (Close Track / Session Command) is received from the host, “1” is set to the format interruption request flag in the interrupt processing, and a discharge request command (Start / Stop Unit Command) is received. Then, “1” is set to the discharge request flag in the interrupt process. When a command for requesting recording (Write Command, hereinafter also referred to as “recording request command”) is received, “1” is set in the recording request flag in the interrupt processing, and a command for requesting reproduction (Read Command, (Hereinafter also referred to as “reproduction request command”) from the host, the reproduction request flag is set to “1” in the interrupt process.

  In the next step 403, a recording request from the host is awaited. Here, the recording request flag is referred to. If “1” is set in the recording request flag, the determination in step 403 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 405.

  In this step 405, after the recording request flag is reset to “0”, the user data received from the host is recorded in the designated area in the data area DZA. Details of the recording process in the optical disc apparatus 20 will be described later. When the recording of user data ends, the process proceeds to step 407.

  In Step 407, as initialization of the optical disc 15 (hereinafter referred to as “disc initialization”), recording of predetermined management information in a partial area of the lead-in area LIA is started. Here, when management information for 16 sectors is recorded, the process proceeds to step 409. In DVD + RW disk initialization, addresses 02DC80 to 030000, that is, guard zone 1 (Guarded Zone 1), reserved zone 1 (Reserved Zone 1), reserved zone 2 (Reserved Zone 2), inner disk • Identification Zone (Inner Disc Identification Zone), Reserved Zone 3 (Reserved Zone 3), Reference Code Zone (Buffer Code 1), Buffer Zone 1 (Buffer Zone 1), Control Data Zone (Control Data Zone), predetermined management in Buffer Zone 2 (Buffer Zone 2) Broadcast is recorded (see FIG. 3).

  In the next step 409, it is determined whether or not there is a format interruption request from the host. Here, the format interruption request flag is referred to, and if “1” is not set in the format interruption request flag, the determination in step 409 is denied and the process proceeds to step 411.

  In step 411, it is determined whether or not there is a request for discharging the optical disk 15 with reference to the discharge request flag. Here, if the discharge request flag remains “0”, the determination in step 411 is denied and the routine proceeds to step 413.

  In step 413, it is determined whether there is a recording request or a reproduction request from the host. Here, with reference to the recording request flag and the reproduction request flag, if “0” is set in any of the flags, the determination in step 413 is denied and the process proceeds to step 415.

  In this step 415, the disk initialization is continued. When management information for 16 sectors is recorded, the process proceeds to step 427.

  In this step 427, it is determined whether or not the disk initialization is completed. That is, it is checked whether or not predetermined management information is recorded in the addresses 02DC80 to 030000. Here, since only the information for 32 sectors has been recorded, the determination in step 427 is denied and the processing returns to step 409.

  Thereafter, the processes and determinations in steps 409 → 411 → 413 → 415 → 427 are repeated until the determinations in step 409, step 411, step 413, and step 427 are affirmed. Thereby, disk initialization proceeds.

  On the other hand, if “1” is set in the format interruption request flag at step 409, the determination at step 409 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 431.

  In step 431, the disk initialization is completed. That is, unrecorded management information is recorded at a predetermined address. When the disk initialization is completed, the process proceeds to step 433.

  In step 433, format interruption processing is performed. That is, there is an unrecorded area between the last address of the data at the outermost periphery among the user data recorded in the data area DZA (hereinafter referred to as “LWA”) and the start address of the data area DZA. If it exists, dummy data is recorded in the unrecorded area. Further, the FDCB in the lead-in area LIA is updated, and as shown in FIG. 2B as an example, a TLO (Temporary Lead-out) is recorded following the LWA. Thereby, compatibility with the DVD-ROM can be maintained. When the format interruption process is completed, the process when the format request command is received from the host is terminated.

  In step 411, if “1” is set in the discharge request flag, the determination in step 411 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 435.

  In step 435, after the ejection request flag is reset to “0”, error information is notified to the host in order to urge the issuance of a format interruption request. Then, the process returns to step 409.

  Furthermore, if “1” is set in the recording request flag or the reproduction request flag in step 413, the determination in step 413 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 417.

  In step 417, disk initialization is interrupted.

  In the next step 419, the recording request flag is referred to. If “1” is set in the recording request flag, the determination in step 419 is affirmed, and the routine proceeds to step 421.

  In this step 421, after the recording request flag is reset to “0”, the user data received from the host is recorded in the designated area in the data area DZA. When the recording of user data ends, the process proceeds to step 423.

  On the other hand, if “1” is not set in the recording request flag at step 419, the determination at step 419 is denied and the routine proceeds to step 425.

  In this step 425, after the reproduction request flag is reset to “0”, the user data recorded in the area designated by the host is reproduced and transferred to the host. Details of the reproduction process in the optical disc apparatus 20 will be described later. When the reproduction of user data designated by the host is completed, the process proceeds to step 423.

  In step 423, resumption of initialization is instructed.

  If the disk initialization is completed in the next step 427, the determination in step 427 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 451 in FIG.

  In step 451, it is determined whether or not there is a format interruption request from the host. Here, the format interruption request flag is referred to. If “1” is not set in the format interruption request flag, the determination in step 451 is denied and the process proceeds to step 453.

  In this step 453, it is determined whether or not there is a discharge request for the optical disk 15 by referring to the discharge request flag. Here, if the discharge request flag remains “0”, the determination in step 453 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 455.

  In this step 455, it is determined whether or not the formatting is completed. Whether or not formatting is completed is determined based on whether or not there is an unrecorded area in the data area DZA. If there is an unrecorded area, it is determined that formatting is not completed. Here, since the optical disk 15 is a blank disk, the determination in step 455 is denied and the process proceeds to step 457.

  In this step 457, it is determined whether or not there is a recording request or a reproduction request from the host. Here, referring to the recording request flag and the reproduction request flag, if “0” is set in any of the flags, the determination in step 457 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 459.

  In step 459, formatting is performed. That is, for example, 16 sectors of dummy data are recorded in an unrecorded portion in the data area DZA. Then, the process returns to step 451.

  Thereafter, the processes and determinations in steps 451 → 453 → 455 → 457 → 459 are repeated until the determination in any of step 451, step 453, step 455, and step 457 is affirmed. Thereby, formatting proceeds.

  On the other hand, if “1” is set in the format interruption request flag at step 451, the determination at step 451 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 471.

  In step 471, format interruption processing is performed. That is, if an unrecorded area exists between the LWA and the head address of the data area DZA, dummy data is recorded in the unrecorded area. In addition, the FDCB in the lead-in area LIA is updated, and the TLO is recorded following the LWA. Thereby, compatibility with the DVD-ROM can be maintained. When the format interruption process is completed, the process when the format request command is received from the host is terminated.

  In step 453, if “1” is set in the discharge request flag, the determination in step 453 is affirmed, and the routine proceeds to step 473.

  In step 473, after the ejection request flag is reset to “0”, error information is notified to the host in order to urge the issuance of a format interruption request. Then, the process returns to step 451.

  If the formatting is completed in step 455, the determination in step 455 is affirmed, and the initial zone (Initial Zone) and inner disc test zone (Inner Disc Test Zone) in the lead-in area LIA are affirmed. ) And the inner drive test zone (Inner Drive Test Zone), and after updating the FDCB, the processing when the format request command is received is terminated.

  Furthermore, if “1” is set in the recording request flag or the reproduction request flag in step 457, the determination in step 457 is affirmed, and the routine proceeds to step 461.

  In step 461, the recording request flag is referred to. If “1” is set in the recording request flag, the determination in step 461 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 463.

  In this step 463, after the recording request flag is reset to “0”, the user data received from the host is recorded in the designated area in the data area DZA. When the recording of the user data is completed, the process returns to step 451.

  On the other hand, if “1” is not set in the recording request flag in step 461, the determination in step 461 is denied and the process proceeds to step 465.

  In this step 465, after the reproduction request flag is reset to “0”, the user data recorded in the area designated by the host is reproduced and transferred to the host. When the reproduction of the user data designated by the host is completed, the process returns to step 451.

  Next, a processing operation in the optical disc apparatus 20 when a command requesting FDCB information of the optical disc 15 (hereinafter also referred to as “FDCB request command”) is received from the host will be described with reference to FIG. When the FDCB request command is received, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the process starts. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 6 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.

  In the first step 481, it is determined whether or not the disk initialization is completed. That is, it is checked whether or not predetermined management information is recorded in the addresses 02DC80 to 030000. Here, if there is an unrecorded area at addresses 02DC80 to 030000, it is determined that the disk initialization has not been completed, and the determination in step 481 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 483.

  In this step 483, FDCB information for transmission to the host is created.

  In the next step 485, the FDCB information (here, the created FDCB information) is notified to the host. Then, the process when the FDCB request command is received is terminated.

  On the other hand, if predetermined management information is recorded in the addresses 02DC80 to 030000 in step 481, the disk initialization is completed and the determination in step 481 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 487.

  In this step 487, FDCB information is read from the lead-in area of the optical disc 15. Then, the process proceeds to step 485.

  In this step 485, FDCB information (here, FDCB information read from the lead-in area) is notified to the host. Then, the process when the FDCB request command is received is terminated.

  Here, the recording process in the optical disc apparatus 20 will be described.

  The CPU 40 outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based on the designated recording speed to the motor driver 27 and notifies the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 that the recording request command has been received from the host 49. To do. Further, the CPU 40 instructs the buffer manager 37 to store the user data received from the host 49 in the buffer RAM 34.

  When the rotation of the optical disk 15 reaches a predetermined linear velocity, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 detects the focus error signal and the track error signal based on the output signal from the light receiver of the optical pickup device 23 and outputs it to the servo controller 33. To do. The servo controller 33 drives the focusing actuator and tracking actuator of the optical pickup device 23 via the motor driver 27 based on the focus error signal and the track error signal from the reproduction signal processing circuit 28, and corrects the focus deviation and the track deviation. To do. Further, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 acquires ADIP information based on the output signal from the light receiver of the optical pickup device 23 and notifies the CPU 40 of it.

  The CPU 40 outputs a signal for controlling the seek motor of the optical pickup device 23 to the motor driver 27 so that the optical pickup device 23 is positioned at the write start point based on the ADIP information. When the CPU 40 receives a notification from the buffer manager 37 that the amount of user data accumulated in the buffer RAM 34 has exceeded a predetermined value, the CPU 40 instructs the encoder 25 to generate a write signal. Further, when the CPU 40 determines that the position of the optical pickup device 23 is the writing start point based on the ADIP information, the CPU 40 notifies the encoder 25. As a result, user data is recorded on the optical disc 15 via the encoder 25, the laser control circuit 24, and the optical pickup device 23.

  Next, playback processing in the optical disc apparatus 20 will be described.

  The CPU 40 outputs a control signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based on the reproduction speed to the motor driver 27 and notifies the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 that the reproduction request command has been received. The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 corrects the focus shift and the track shift and notifies the CPU 40 of the ADIP information as in the case of the recording process.

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

  Then, the reproduction signal processing circuit 28 detects the RF signal based on the output signal from the light receiver of the optical pickup device 23, performs demodulation processing, error correction processing, and the like, and then stores them in the buffer RAM 34. The buffer manager 37 transfers the reproduction data stored in the buffer RAM 34 to the host via the interface 38 when the reproduction data is prepared as sector data.

  The reproduction signal processing circuit 28 detects the focus error signal and the track error signal based on the output signal from the light receiver of the optical pickup device 23 as described above until the recording process and the reproduction process are completed, and the servo controller The focus shift and the track shift are corrected as needed via the motor driver 27 and the motor driver 27.

  As is apparent from the above description, in the optical disc apparatus according to the first embodiment, the end information output means, the initialization means, the initialization interruption means, and the user data recording are performed by the CPU 40 and the program executed by the CPU 40. Means and initialization restart means are realized. That is, the end information output means is obtained by the process of step 401 in FIG. 4, the initialization means is obtained by the process of step 407, the initialization interruption means is obtained by the process of step 417, and the user data recording means is obtained by the process of step 405. The initialization restarting means is realized by the above processing. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the first embodiment is merely an example, and at least a part of each component realized by processing according to the program by the CPU 40 may be configured by hardware, or all the components may be configured by hardware. It is good also as comprising.

  In the first embodiment, among the programs installed in the ROM 39, the first recording control program is configured by a program corresponding to the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. Yes.

  As described above, according to the optical disc apparatus and the recording method according to the first embodiment, when the optical disc 15 is DVD + RW, when the format request command is received, the completion of formatting is immediately notified to the host. Thereby, even if the optical disk is a blank disk, user data can be recorded immediately after loading into the optical disk apparatus. That is, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until the start of recording.

  Also, according to the first embodiment, when a recording request command is received from the host while executing disk initialization, the disk initialization is interrupted and the process proceeds to recording processing. Data can be recorded. That is, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until the start of recording.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, since the disk initialization is performed using the time when there is no recording request from the host, the disk initialization can be performed efficiently.

  Also, according to the first embodiment, when disk initialization is not completed when an FDCB request command is received, FDCB information is created and the FDCB information is notified to the host. As a result, even if the disk initialization is performed in the background, the correct disk information can always be notified to the host.

  Also, according to the first embodiment, if a format interruption request command is received from the host before completion of disk initialization, the disk initialization is completed and then the process is shifted to the format interruption process. Disk initialization can be performed reliably.

  In the first embodiment, when a discharge request command is received from the host before the completion of formatting, error information is notified to the host in order to prompt a format interruption instruction, but this is attached to the optical disc apparatus. In the case of a discharge request via the eject switch, the same process as the process that received the format interruption request command may be performed.

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

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

  The second embodiment is characterized in that an information recording medium compliant with the DVD + R standard is used. That is, the configuration of the optical disc apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, but a second recording control program described later is stored in the ROM 39 instead of the first recording control program. Therefore, in the following, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent components as in the first embodiment described above, and the description is simplified or Shall be omitted.

  Like the DVD + RW, the lead-in area LIA is located at addresses 01D830 to 300000 and is composed of 12 zones (see FIG. 3). That is, the initial zone, the inner disc test zone, the inner drive test zone, the guard zone 1 and the reserved zone. Zone 1 (Reserved Zone 1), Reserved Zone 2 (Reserved Zone 2), Inner Disc Identification Zone (Reserved Zone 3), Reserved Zone 3 (Reserved Zone 3), Reference Code Zone (Reference Code Zone), Buffer Zone 1 (Buffer Zone 1), Control Data Zone (Control Data Zone), a buffer zone 2 (Buffer Zone 2).

  DVD + R employs a multi-session and multi-track recording system, and management of data recording status in DVD + R is performed in units of tracks. Therefore, a session disc control block (hereinafter referred to as “SDCB”) representing information of each track in the session is recorded in the inner disc identification zone.

  In addition, since data cannot be overwritten on DVD + R, each time a track is added, SDCB including the added track information is additionally recorded in the inner disk identification zone. Since the inner disc identification zone has an area for recording 16 SDCBs, a maximum of 16 tracks can be recorded in the session.

  Also, in the control data zone, physical format information (Physical Format Information) including start address information, end address information, etc. of the data area is recorded as in the DVD + RW.

  A processing operation when the recording request command is received from the host in the optical disc apparatus described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the recording request command is received, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 7 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the processing when the recording request command is received starts. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 7 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.

  In the first step 601, recording of user data received from the host to a designated area in the data area is started.

  In the next step 602, it is determined whether or not the recording of user data has been completed. Here, if the recording of user data is not completed, the determination in step 602 is denied and the process returns to step 601. On the other hand, if the recording of the user data has been completed, the determination at step 602 is affirmed, and the routine proceeds to step 603.

  In step 603, it is determined whether or not the recording of management information in the lead-in area is complete. That is, it is determined whether or not predetermined management information is recorded in a part of the reserved zone 2 and the inner disk identification zone. Here, if the management information has not been recorded, the determination in step 603 is denied and the process proceeds to step 605.

  In step 605, predetermined management information is recorded in the reserved zone 2 and a part of the inner disk identification zone. When the recording of the management information is completed, the process when the recording request command is received is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the recording of the management information has already been completed in step 603, the determination in step 603 is affirmed, and the processing when the recording request command is received is terminated.

  The remaining management information in the lead-in area is recorded in a predetermined recording format when a session close request is received from the user.

  Next, a processing operation in the optical disc apparatus when a command requesting SDCB information of the optical disc 15 (hereinafter also referred to as “SDCB request command”) is received from the host will be described with reference to FIG. When the SDCB request command is received, the start address of the program corresponding to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and the process starts. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 8 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.

  In the first step 651, it is determined whether or not the recording of the latest management information has been completed. Here, if the recording of the latest management information is not completed, the determination in step 651 is denied, and the process proceeds to step 653.

  In this step 653, SDCB information for transmission to the host is created.

  In the next step 655, the SDCB information (here, the created SDCB information) is notified to the host. Then, the process when the SDCB request command is received is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the recording of the latest management information is completed in step 651, the determination in step 651 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 657.

  In this step 657, SDCB information is read from the lead-in area of the optical disc 15. Then, the process proceeds to step 655.

  In step 655, SDCB information (here, SDCB information read from the lead-in area) is notified to the host. Then, the process when the SDCB request command is received is terminated.

  In the optical disc apparatus according to the second embodiment, recording processing and reproduction processing are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. The second embodiment is merely an example, and at least a part of each component realized by processing according to the program by the CPU 40 may be configured by hardware, or all components may be configured by hardware. It is good also as comprising.

  In the second embodiment, among the programs installed in the ROM 39, the second recording control program is configured by a program corresponding to the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

  As described above, according to the optical disc apparatus and the recording method according to the second embodiment, when the optical disc 15 is a DVD + R, when a recording request command is received, the recording process is immediately started. Thereby, user data can be recorded immediately after loading into the optical disk apparatus. That is, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until the start of recording.

  Also, according to the second embodiment, when the SDCB request command is received, if the recording of the latest management information is not completed, the SDCB information is created and the SDCB information is notified to the host. Yes. As a result, even when the management information is recorded in the background, the correct disk information can always be notified to the host.

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

  In each of the above embodiments, the optical disc apparatus capable of recording and reproducing information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any optical disc apparatus capable of recording at least one of recording, reproducing and erasing information may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where DVD + RW and DVD + R are used as the information recording medium has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information recording medium that requires management information recording may be used. It ’s fine.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where each request command is issued by the host has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and at least one of each request command is issued by the request unit inside the information recording apparatus. Also good. For example, in a so-called DVD recorder that records video information and the like, each request command may be issued by a control device inside the DVD recorder without using a host.

  As described above, the recording method of the present invention is suitable for shortening the waiting time until the start of recording. The program and the recording medium of the present invention are suitable for shortening the waiting time until recording is started in the information recording apparatus. The information recording apparatus and information recording system of the present invention are suitable for shortening the waiting time until recording starts.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical disc apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the recording area of DVD + RW, respectively. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the lead-in area | region in DVD + RW. It is a flowchart (the 1) for demonstrating a process when the format request command is received in the optical disc apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart (No. 2) for explaining a process when a format request command is received in the optical disc apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a request command for FDCB information is received in the optical disc apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a process when the recording request command is received in the optical disk apparatus based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a process when the request command of SDCB information is received in the optical disk device based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Optical disk (information recording medium), 20 ... Optical disk apparatus (information recording device, information recording / reproducing apparatus), 39 ... ROM (recording medium), 40 ... CPU (end information output means, initialization means, initialization interruption means, User data recording means, initialization restarting means).

Claims (13)

A recording method for recording on a rewritable information recording medium,
Outputting the end information indicating the end of the format process before the start of the format process in response to the format process request of the information recording medium;
Performing the formatting process after outputting the end information;
A step of interrupting the formatting process when there is a recording request to the information recording medium after outputting the end information;
Recording the user data on the information recording medium after the interruption.   The recording method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of restarting the formatting process after the recording of user data on the information recording medium is completed.   The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the information recording medium is an information recording medium conforming to a DVD + RW standard. There is a program used in an information recording apparatus for recording on a rewritable information recording medium,
A procedure for outputting end information indicating the end of the format process before the start of the format process in response to a request for the format process of the information recording medium;
A procedure for performing the formatting process after outputting the end information;
A procedure for interrupting the formatting process when there is a recording request to the information recording medium after outputting the end information;
A program for causing a control computer of the information recording apparatus to execute a procedure for recording user data on the information recording medium after the interruption.   5. The program according to claim 4, further comprising causing the control computer of the information recording apparatus to further execute a procedure for restarting the formatting process when the recording of user data on the information recording medium is completed.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 4 or 5 is recorded. An information recording apparatus for recording on a rewritable information recording medium,
An end information output means for outputting end information indicating the end of the format process before the start of the format process in response to a request for the format process of the information recording medium;
Initialization means for performing the initialization after outputting the end information;
An initialization interruption means for interrupting the formatting process when there is a recording request to the information recording medium after outputting the end information;
An information recording apparatus comprising: user data recording means for recording user data on the information recording medium after the interruption.   8. The information recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the format processing request is a request from an external device.   The information recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording request is a request from an external apparatus.   The information recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an initialization restarting unit that restarts the formatting process after the user data recording by the user data recording unit is completed. An information recording system comprising an information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording data on a rewritable information recording medium and a host,
The host requests the information recording / reproducing apparatus to format the information recording medium;
When receiving the format processing request from the host, the information recording / reproducing apparatus outputs end information indicating the end of the format process to the host before the start of the format process, and the format process after the end information is output And
The information recording / reproducing apparatus interrupts the formatting process and records user data on the information recording medium when there is a recording request from the host to the information recording medium after outputting the end information. .   12. The information recording system according to claim 11, wherein the information recording / reproducing apparatus resumes the formatting process when the recording of user data on the information recording medium is completed.   The information recording system according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the information recording medium is an information recording medium conforming to a DVD + RW standard.

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