JP3170503B1 - Information recording medium, information recording method, information recording device, information reproducing method, and information reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An information recording medium that eliminates the need for complicated file search processing and shortens the data reproduction processing time. SOLUTION: The information recording medium is an information recording medium provided with a lead-in area and a volume space, and a limited VAT structure area is allocated to the volume space,
In the limited VAT structure area, a limited VAT for managing a correspondence relationship between a virtual address indicating an address in a virtual address space and a logical address indicating an address in a logical address space is recorded. The virtual address space is configured to be pre-divided into a plurality of subspaces respectively corresponding to a plurality of different applications, and one of the plurality of subspaces is associated with a specific application among a plurality of applications. Used to define a specific application structure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information recording medium, an information recording method for recording information on the information recording medium, an information recording apparatus, an information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium, and information. Regarding playback devices,
A lead-in area and an overrun prevention area having a chained volume management information area for recording the chained volume management information for acquiring the end position of the accessible area are allocated, and a specific virtual address is allocated to a specific file structure. Recording medium having a file structure to which information is assigned, an information recording method for recording information on the information recording medium, an information recording apparatus, an information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium, and an information reproducing apparatus Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of media have been used for recording digital data. Among them, DVD-R discs are attracting attention as inexpensive large-capacity recording optical discs. The operation of recording and reproducing data using this DVD-R disc will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, descriptors, pointers, and the like recorded on an information recording medium as a volume file structure are based on ISO / IEC unless otherwise specified.
13346 standard or UDF (Universal
It has a data structure defined in the Disc Format.

As a description procedure, first, a data structure diagram of the information recording medium shown in FIG. 13 and a block structure diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 15 will be described.

Further, a data structure diagram after the close processing shown in FIG. 18 will be described with reference to a flowchart of the close processing procedure shown in FIG.

Finally, the file reproducing operation will be described with reference to the block diagram of the information recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 15 and the flowchart of the reproduction processing procedure in the information reproducing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a conventional information recording medium 1300. The information recording medium 1300 is an information recording medium specified by, for example, the DVD-R physical standard (Version 1.0). For example, a volume defined by the DVD-R file system standard (Version 1.0)
Using the file structure, the file is stored in the information recording medium 1300.
Recorded above.

FIG. 14 shows a directory structure. Files managed by a directory structure as shown in FIG. 14 are recorded on the information recording medium 1300.

In FIG. 13, a lead-in area 108 including a physical format information area 1332 is allocated at the head of a data recording area of the information recording medium 1300. Following the lead-in area 108, the volume space 104 is allocated.

In the format processing, a volume structure area 118 in which a volume structure is recorded is headed in the volume space 104, and a file structure / file area 120 and a VAT (Virtual Alloc
ation Table) structure region 1322 is formed.

In the recording process of an AV file (AVfile) managed by the directory structure shown in FIG. 14, a file structure / file area 124 including the AV file (AVfile) and a VAT structure area 13
26 are formed.

[0011] Next, a closing process executed so that the information reproducing apparatus having no position detection capability from the unrecorded area can search for the latest volume file structure while preventing access to the unrecorded area. Now, the state determination area 1
A border-out area 1310 including 334 and a physical format information area 1332 in the lead-in area 108 which has been in an unrecorded state after the format processing are recorded in the data recording area 102. Details of the conventional closing processing procedure will be described later.

Further, a data file (Datafile) managed by the directory structure shown in FIG.
In the recording process, the data file (Datafile
e) a file structure / file area 128 containing
A T structure area 1330 is formed in the volume space 104.

Finally, by executing the close processing again, a border-out area 1312 including a state determination area 1336 in an unrecorded state, and a border-out area 131
0 and a border-in area 13 including a physical format information area 1335.
11 is recorded in the volume space 104.

Each time the close process is executed, a volume / file structure and a logical zone where a file is recorded are formed in the volume space 104 between the lead-in area 108 or the border-in area and the border-out area. .

The detailed data structure of the physical format information will be described below with reference to FIG. The physical format information includes, as management information of various areas allocated on the information recording medium 1300, address information of a logical zone and address information of a border-out area and a border-in area.

The physical format information area 1335
Since the corresponding border-in area 1311 is recorded from the head of the unrecorded area 138, the address information of the unrecorded area 138 is recorded as the address information of the border-in area.

The address information of the border-out area and the address information of the unrecorded area included in the physical format information are used by a reproduction-only apparatus having no position detection capability from the data unrecorded area to determine the position of the unrecorded area. It is used to prevent malfunction due to detection and erroneous access to an unrecorded area. Further, the address information of the logical zone is used to search for the latest VAT structure recorded at the end of the logical zone.

The VAT structure regions 1322, 1326
Alternatively, VATs 1363 and 136 recorded in 1330
9 or 1375 and VATICB 164, 170
Alternatively, 176 is a data structure defined by the UDF standard for the purpose of simplifying the process of updating the file structure in the write-once recording medium. Then, a recording position of a file structure such as a file entry is specified using a virtual address in the virtual address space, and the correspondence between the logical address in the logical address space, which is the recording position on the disk, and this virtual address is determined. It is held as VAT.
Further, the recording position of the VAT is specified by VATICB allocated to the last sector of the area where the data is recorded. The virtual addresses of each file management information registered in the VAT are generally assigned in ascending order according to the registration order in the VAT.

FIG. 15 shows a conventional information recording / reproducing apparatus 150.
0 is a block diagram of FIG. The information recording / reproducing device 1500 includes:
System control unit 201, memory circuit 202, I / O
It includes a bus 203, a magnetic disk device 204, and an optical disk drive device 205.

The system control unit 201 is realized by a microprocessor including a system control program and an operation memory. Specifically, the system control unit 201 includes a volume structure recording unit 211 that records a volume structure.
And a volume structure reproducing unit 2 for reproducing a volume structure
14 and a file structure recording unit 2 for recording a file structure
12 and a file structure reproducing unit 2 for reproducing a file structure
15 and a file recording unit 21 for recording file data
3 and a file reproducing unit 216 for reproducing file data
Processing unit 21 for instructing execution of the closing process
7 and a VAT structure recording unit 281 for recording the VAT structure
And a VAT structure reproducing unit 282 for reproducing the VAT structure.

The memory circuit 202 includes a volume memory, a file structure, a data memory 221 used for calculating and temporarily storing a file, and a VAT structure memory 283 used for calculating and temporarily storing a VAT structure.

The optical disk drive 205 includes a drive control unit 231, a memory circuit 232, and an internal bus 23.
3, a recording / reproducing unit 234, and an information recording medium 1300.

The drive control unit 231 is realized by a microprocessor including a drive control program and an operation memory. Specifically, the drive control unit 231 includes a border-out area recording unit 261, a physical format information reproducing unit 262, and a physical format information recording unit 263.
And a state determination area recording section 264, a border-in area recording section 265, and a state determination area reproducing section 267.

The memory circuit 232 includes a physical format information memory 266 used for calculating and temporarily storing physical format information, and a buffer memory 241 used for calculating and temporarily storing data transferred to the optical disk drive 205. Including.

The procedure of the closing process for a DVD-R disc will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

FIG. 16 is a data structure diagram of the information recording medium 1300 after the format processing. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the closing process. FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a data structure diagram of an information recording medium 1300 after a close process.

(S1701) The system control unit 201
It instructs the optical disc drive 205 to execute the close process according to the control program stored in the close processing unit 217.

The drive control section 231 of the optical disk drive 205 records data in the border-out area according to a control program stored in the border-out area recording section 261.

In the recording operation in the border-out area, in the data structure diagram shown in FIG.
Dummy data is recorded in the border-out area 1312 excluding the area No. 6 and in the border-out area 1310 excluding the state determination area 1334 in the data structure diagram shown in FIG. For example, the dummy data is 00h.

(S1702) The drive control section 231
The data in the physical format information area 1332 allocated in the lead-in area 108 is reproduced according to a control program built in the physical format information reproducing unit 262.

The physical format information area 1332 included in the lead-in area 108 as shown in FIG.
Is not in the unrecorded state, the optical disk drive 20
Reference numeral 5 denotes a memory circuit 23 which stores the reproduced physical format information.
After the data is stored in the second physical format information memory 266, the steps (1703) and thereafter are executed.

On the other hand, when data cannot be reproduced from the specified physical format information area 1332 because it is in an unrecorded state as shown in FIG. 16, for example, the drive control unit 231 executes the steps from step (S1705). I do.

(S1703) The drive control section 231
For example, by recording 00h as dummy data in the state discrimination area 1334 in the unrecorded state in FIG. 18 according to the control program built in the state discrimination area recording unit 264, the recorded state as shown in FIG. A certain state determination area 1334 is formed.

(S1704) The drive control unit 231
Physical format information is created according to a control program incorporated in the border-in area recording unit 265, and a border-in area is recorded from the head of the unrecorded area 138 shown in FIG. 18, for example. By this recording operation, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a border-in area 1311 including a physical format information area 1335 is
It is recorded following.

(S1705) The drive control unit 231
Physical format information is created according to a control program built in the physical format information recording unit 263,
The data is recorded in the physical format information area 1332 in the lead-in area 108.

When the file recording process and the closing process as described above are performed on the information recording medium 1300 having the data structure after the format process shown in FIG. 16, the data structure as shown in FIG. It is formed on the information recording medium 1300. Note that the address information of the state determination area is managed using a recording management area (not shown) existing on the inner periphery of the lead-in area.

When a file recording process is performed on the information recording medium 1300 on which the data structure shown in FIG. 18 is recorded, a data file (Datafile) shown in FIG.
e) and the file structure are additionally recorded. Further, FIG.
When the close process is executed according to the procedure shown in FIG.
3 is formed on the information recording medium 1300.

The data structures of FIGS. 13 and 16 and FIG.
Referring to the block diagram of FIG.
The procedure of the reproduction process of le) will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

(S1901) Optical Disk Drive 2
When the drive control unit 231 detects that a disc has been inserted into the physical format information reproducing unit 262,
Recording / reproducing unit 2 according to a control program built in
34, and reproduces the data in the physical format information area 1332 of the lead-in area 108. Then, the reproduced physical format information of the physical format information area 1332 is transferred to the physical format information memory 266.

(S1902) The drive control section 231
According to the control program incorporated in the physical format information reproducing unit 262, the address information of the state determination area is obtained from the address information of the border-out area included in the physical format information obtained in step (S1901) or (S1904). Attempt to reproduce the data in the state determination area. In FIG. 13, the border-out area 1 recorded in the physical format information area 1332
The address information 1342 of 310 is the state determination area 1334
Of the physical format area 1335
The address information 1346 of the border-out area 1312 recorded in the.

If the state discrimination area specified in this step is in the recorded state, steps (S1903) and subsequent steps are executed. If the state determination area specified in this step is in an unrecorded state, the process proceeds to step (S190).
5) The subsequent steps are executed.

(S1903) The drive control section 231
According to the control program incorporated in the physical format information reproducing unit 262, the reproduction of the border-in area is executed according to the address information of the border-in area included in the physical format information acquired in step (S1901) or (S1904).

In FIG. 13, the physical format area 1
Address information 13 of the border-in area recorded in 332
Reference numeral 43 includes address information of the border-in area 1310.

(S1904) The drive control section 231
The physical format information reproduced in step (S1903) is transferred to the physical format information memory 266 of the memory circuit 232 according to the control program stored in the physical format information reproducing unit 262.

(S1905) The drive control unit 231
The latest physical format information stored in the physical format information memory 266 is referred to and the physical address of the end of the accessible area is obtained from the address information of the logical zone according to the control program built in the physical format information reproducing unit 262. I do. In FIG. 13, the second
Since the logical zone 116 is located at the end of the accessible area, the physical address of the end of the accessible area is acquired based on the address information 144 of the second logical zone 116 recorded in the physical format information area 1335.

(S1906) The system control unit 201
In accordance with a control program stored in the volume structure reproducing unit 214, the optical disc drive 205 is instructed to reproduce the volume structure area 118.

The optical disk drive 205 transfers the volume structure of the mounted information recording medium 1300 to the data memory 221 of the memory circuit 202. At this time, a volume structure as shown in FIG. 16 is read.

Next, the system control unit 201 acquires the address information and the partition start position 405 of the file set descriptor 161 from the read volume structure. Further, the system control unit 201 sets the partition reference number 0
-Type section map 407 and section reference number 1 registered in
VAT based on the virtual partition map 408 registered in
Recognize that the structure is recorded.

(S1907) The system control unit 201
In accordance with the control program stored in the VAT structure reproducing unit 282, the address information of the logical zone stored in the physical format information memory 266 of the optical disk drive 205 is obtained as the physical address at the end of the accessible area. The system control unit 201 converts a physical address into a logical address. Further, the system control unit 20
1 is VATICB recorded at the end of the accessible area.
The reproduction operation of 176 is instructed to the optical disk drive device 205.

The optical disk drive 205 has a VAT
The ICB 176 is read and transferred to the VAT structure memory 283.

Next, the system control unit 201 interprets the VAT address information included in the read VATICB 176 and reads the VAT recorded in the VAT structure area 1330.
The AT 1375 is read out and stored in the VAT structure memory 283.

(S1908) The system control unit 201
If the target file and its management information are managed using the virtual address in accordance with the control program built in the file structure reproducing unit 215, step (S19)
A VAT entry in which a file entry of a target file or directory is registered using the VAT acquired in step 07). Then, the system control unit 201 performs a conversion process from the virtual address to the logical address, and, starting from the file set descriptor 161, the root directory FE (file entry) 174, the root directory recorded therein, (AV-Di
r) FE (file entry) 167 and the directory (AV-Di) recorded in this file entry.
r) and the FE (file entry) 166 for the AV file (AVfile) are sequentially read. Then, the system control unit 201 acquires the recording position of the AV file.

(S1909) Finally, the system control unit 2
01 reads the file (AVfile) 165 in accordance with the control program incorporated in the file reproducing unit 216, and completes the reproduction of the file.

[0054]

However, an information reproducing apparatus which does not have the ability to detect a position from an unrecorded area can determine the end position of an accessible area from an information recording medium recorded by the method described above. At the time of acquisition, it is necessary to alternately execute the operation of reproducing information from the physical format information area and the operation of recording state determination in the state determination area. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing time for searching for the end position of the accessible area becomes long.

When the information reproducing apparatus searches for a target file, it is necessary to search both the volume structure and the VAT structure. Therefore, the number of times of recording data in the same area is not limited, and the case where an information recording medium using a volume file structure without using an address translation mechanism such as VAT is compared with the case where the information recording medium 1300 is used. Then, when the information recording medium 1300 is used, a more complicated file search process is required, and there is a problem that the processing time becomes longer.

Further, the AV file can be used not only for a PC system having a large-capacity memory and a high-speed processor, but also for
It is conceivable that it is also used in consumer AV equipment that uses a processor with a limited memory capacity and a relatively low processing capacity. In this case, after a large number of data files used only by the PC system are recorded on the disc, A
When a V file is recorded, the size of the VAT increases in proportion to the total number of recorded files and the management information of the file, and the AV file is managed using a relatively large virtual address. . Therefore, there is a problem that a consumer AV device that intends to use such an AV file requires a larger memory capacity and a processor with higher processing capability.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. (1) It is possible to prevent an information reproducing apparatus from accessing an unrecorded area and to search for the end position of an accessible area at higher speed. Providing an information recording medium, an information recording method for recording information on the information recording medium, an information recording apparatus, an information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium, and an information reproducing apparatus; (2) V
An information recording medium capable of making a search operation of a file managed using an AT faster, and further reducing a load on a reproduction process of an AV file in a consumer AV device;
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording method and an information recording apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium, and an information reproducing method and an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium.

[0058]

An information recording medium according to the present invention.
Is an information recording medium having a data recording area,
The data recording area has a lead-in area and a volume
Are allocated in advance, and the volume space is
Indicates that a limited VAT structure area is allocated,
The constant VAT structure area contains addresses in the virtual address space.
Virtual address and the address in the logical address space
Limited V for managing the correspondence with the indicated logical address
AT information is recorded, and in the limited VAT,
Search for all files recorded on the information recording medium
Basic structure information that indicates the file structure essential for
Assigned to the limited VAT.
The AV file recorded on the information recording medium.
Specific application showing file structure essential for search
Structural information is assigned to a specific range of virtual addresses
The basic structure information and the specific application
The structure information is allocated within one sector from the head of the limited VAT.
Thus, the above object is achieved. Previous
The limited VAT structure area is located at the end of the accessible area.
May be placed. The information recording method of the present invention
Information recording for recording information on an information recording medium including a recording area
The method, wherein the data recording area includes a lead-in area.
Area and volume space are allocated in advance,
In the information recording method, the limited VAT structure area is stored in the volume
Allocating to the virtual address space.
Address in the virtual address space and the address in the logical address space.
To manage the correspondence with the logical address indicating the address
Step for recording the limited VAT in the limited VAT structure area
And the information recording in the limited VAT.
An essential file for searching all files recorded on the medium.
Basic structure information indicating the file structure is stored at a specific virtual address.
Assigned, and in the limited VAT, the information
Indispensable for searching for AV files recorded on the information recording medium
Specific application structure information indicating the file structure is special.
Assigned to a fixed range of virtual addresses,
Structure information and the specific application structure information,
It is located within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT .
Thereby, the above object is achieved. Information of the present invention
The recording device stores information on an information recording medium including a data recording area.
An information recording apparatus for recording information, wherein the data recording area
Is pre-allocated to the lead-in area and volume space
And the information recording device has a limited VAT structure area.
Means for allocating an area to the volume space;
Virtual address and logical address indicating an address in the address space.
The correspondence with the logical address indicating the address in the
Limited VAT for management in the limited VAT structure area
Means for recording the VAT.
Of all files recorded on the information recording medium.
Basic structure information that indicates the file structure essential for search is specified
Of the limited VAT
, An AV file recorded on the information recording medium
Specific applications that show the file structure essential for searching
Is allocated to a specific range of virtual addresses.
The basic structure information and the specific application.
Option structure information is within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT.
To achieve the above objective.
You. According to the information reproducing method of the present invention, information including a data recording area
Information reproduction method for reproducing the information recorded on the information recording medium
The data recording area has a lead-in area and a button.
Volume space is allocated in advance, and the volume
A limited VAT structure area is allocated to the
The limited VAT structure area has a virtual address space.
Address and the virtual address in the logical address space
Manages the correspondence with the logical address indicating the address.
Limited VAT information is recorded, and the limited VAT
In the above, all files recorded on the information recording medium are
Structure information that indicates the file structure essential for searching for files
Is assigned to a specific virtual address, and
In the VAT, the AV file recorded on the information recording medium is
Specific app showing file structure essential for file search
Application structure information is assigned to a specific range of virtual addresses.
The basic structure information and the specific application
Application structure information is one section from the top of the limited VAT.
And the information reproducing method is limited to the above-described method.
The end of the limited VAT recorded in the constant VAT structure area
Reading information within one sector from the head;
The basic structure information contained in the found information and the
Based on the specific application structure information, the reproducing operation
Performing the above-mentioned purpose.
Is achieved. The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention has a data recording area.
For reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium including the area
A playback device, wherein the data recording area has a read-in
Application area and volume space are allocated in advance,
Limited VAT structure area is allocated to the volume space
The limited VAT structure area includes a virtual address.
Virtual address and logical address indicating an address in the address space.
The correspondence with the logical address indicating the address in the
Limited VAT information for management is recorded,
In the limited VAT, the information recorded on the information recording medium is
A base that indicates the file structure essential for searching all files.
If this structure information is assigned to a specific virtual address,
In the limited VAT, the information is recorded on the information recording medium.
Shows the file structure essential for searching searched AV files
If the specific application structure information is
The basic structure information and the previous
The specific application structure information is the limited VAT
The information reproducing device is located within one sector from the head.
Is the limit recorded in the limited VAT structure area.
Means for reading information in one sector from the beginning of constant VAT
And the basic structure information included in the read information
And based on the specific application structure information,
Means for performing a reproducing operation.
Objective is achieved.

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[0062]

[0063]

[0064]

[0065]

[0066]

[0067]

[0068]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the information recording medium of the present invention, a chained volume management information area is allocated in a lead-in area and each overrun prevention area, and a subsequent logical zone and Chained volume management information including address information of the chained volume management information area is recorded.

Further, the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium can provide a lead-in area and a subsequent overrun prevention area until detecting an unrecorded state or chain type volume management information on which disk end information is recorded. , The latest chained volume management information is read, and the physical address of the end of the accessible area is obtained from the address information of the last logical zone. In such an access operation of the information reproducing apparatus, the determination of the recording state of the subsequent logical zone and the acquisition of the address information of the subsequent chained volume management information area are executed integrally, so that the acquisition of the physical address at the end of the accessible area is performed. And the subsequent read operation of the volume / file management information can be executed at high speed with a simpler processing procedure.

Further, the information recording medium of the present invention has a virtual structure having a specific small value as basic structural information indispensable for interpreting the volume file structure and specific application structure information for managing files used in consumer AV equipment. A VAT having an entry to which an address is assigned is recorded.

The information reproducing apparatus using such an information recording medium searches for the latest VAT using the VATICB recorded at the end of the accessible area, and searches for the latest VAT.
In T, a target file is read by interpreting basic structure information and specific application structure information registered using a specific virtual address. In such an access operation of the information reproducing apparatus, the access operation to the volume structure area is skipped, the VAT is read, and the VAT is searched for the position information where the file entry of the target file is recorded, so that the target operation can be performed at higher speed. The file can be read.

Further, like an AV file used by a consumer AV device, an information recording medium on which a VAT having an entry in which a specific small value is assigned to management information of an AV file used by a specific application is used. Even when the entire VAT has a relatively large size, the information reproducing apparatus reads and searches only a specific portion in which an entry having a specific virtual address is registered in the VAT. The VAT can be used to search for the target file.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As an embodiment of the present invention, an ISO / IEC disc such as a DVD-R disc or a DVD-RW disc is used.
13346 standard or UDF (Universal
Information recording medium in which a file managed by a data structure specified in the Disc Format standard is recorded in a volume space, an information recording method on the information recording medium, an information recording device on the information recording medium, and information recording on the information recording medium A medium information reproducing method and an information recording medium information reproducing apparatus will be described.

In the following description, the volume
Descriptors, pointers, and the like recorded on the information recording medium as a file structure are described in ISO / I / O unless otherwise specified.
EC13346 standard or UDF (Universa
It has a data structure defined in the “l Disk Format” standard. 1. Data structure of the information recording medium Figure 1 shows a data structure in the form of an information recording medium 100 of the present invention. The information recording medium 100 is, for example, a DV.
It is an information recording medium defined by the DR physical standard (Version 2.0). Further, for example, a file is recorded on the information recording medium 100 using a volume file structure defined by the DVD-R file system standard (Version 2.0).

The information recording medium 100 includes the lead-in area 1
08 and the volume space 104.

The lead-in area 108 is located at the head of the data recording area 102. Volume space 104
Is the information recording medium 10 adjacent to the lead-in area 108.
0 is arranged in the area on the outer peripheral side.

The lead-in area 108 includes a chain type volume management information area 132.

The volume space 104 includes an overrun prevention area 11 for preventing access to an unrecorded area.
0 is assigned. Overrun prevention area 110
Includes a chained volume management information area 134.

An overrun prevention area 112 is further allocated to the volume space 104. The overrun prevention area 112 is the linked volume management information area 1
36.

A first logical zone 114 for recording at least a volume / file structure is formed between the lead-in area 108 and the overrun prevention area 110. A second logical zone 116 for recording at least a volume file structure is formed between the overrun prevention area 110 and the overrun prevention area 112.

In the chained volume management information area 132, the address information 140 of the first logical zone 114 and the address information 142 of the chained volume management information area 134
And linked type volume management information including the following.

The chained volume management information area 134 has the address information 144 of the second logical zone 116 and the address information 146 of the chained volume management information area 136.
And linked type volume management information including the following.

The volume space 104 includes the unrecorded area 13
8 is included.

In the first logical zone 114, the volume structure area 118, the file structure / file area 120 and the limited VAT structure area 122
Are sequentially assigned. The details of the format processing procedure will be described later with reference to FIG.

The volume structure is recorded in the volume structure area 118.

In the file structure / file area 120,
A file set descriptor 161 and a file entry 162 for managing a root directory are recorded.

Limited VAT (Virtual Alloc)
ation Table) structure region 122 includes a limited V
AT 163 and VATICB 164 are recorded. The recording position of the limited VAT 163 is the VATIC B 16 assigned to the last sector of the area where the data is recorded.
Specified by 4.

The file structure / file area 124 and the limited VAT structure area 126 are sequentially allocated to the first logical zone 114 after the limited VAT structure area 122 by the file recording process. The details of the file recording process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the file structure / file area 124,
A file and various file entries are recorded.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, the file structure / file area 1
24, an AV file (AV file) 165 and A
An AV file FE (file entry) 166 for managing the V file 165 and a directory file (AV
-Dir) (AV-D)
An FE (file entry) 167 for ir) and an FE (file entry) 168 for root directory are recorded.

It is assumed that these directory file file entries also include directory files having a relatively small size from the viewpoint of simplifying the description.

In the limited VAT structure area 126, the limited VA
T169 and VATICB 170 are recorded.

The overrun prevention area 110 including the unrecorded chained volume management information area 134 is allocated to the volume space 104 by the close processing, following the limited VAT structure area 126. Then, a linked volume management information area 132 is recorded inside the lead-in area 108. The closing process is performed so that the information reproducing apparatus having no position detection capability from the unrecorded area can search for the latest volume file structure while preventing access to the unrecorded area.

The details of the closing procedure are described in FIG.
It will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, a file structure / file area 128 and a limited VAT structure area 130 are sequentially allocated to the second logical zone 116 following the overrun prevention area 110 by a further file recording process.

In the file structure / file area 128,
A file and various file entries are recorded.
In the example shown in FIG. 1, the file structure / file area 1
28, a data file (Datafile) 171
And an FE (file entry) 172 for the data file that manages the data file 171 and an FE (file entry) for the directory file (Data-Dir) that manages the directory file (Data-Dir)
173 and a root directory FE (file entry) 174 are recorded.

In the limited VAT structure area 130, the limited VA
T175 and VATICB176 are recorded.

In the volume space 104, by further closing processing, following the limited VAT structure area 130, the overrun prevention area 112 including the unrecorded chained volume management information area 136, and the inside of the overrun prevention area 110 A chained volume management information area 134 is allocated.

As described above, each time the file recording process and the close process are executed, the lead-in area 108
Alternatively, a logical zone is formed between the overrun prevention areas. A file structure / file area and a limited VAT structure area are allocated to the logical zone.

The overrun prevention area 112 is used by an information reproducing apparatus having no ability to detect a position from an unrecorded area by a VAT.
When accessing the ICB 176 or the chain type volume management information area 136, it is provided to prevent an overrun to the unrecorded area 138. The chained volume management information area 136 is an unrecorded area of about several tracks. A recorded area is provided before and after the chained volume management information area 136. Therefore, the information reproducing apparatus does not malfunction.

When the chained volume management information area is allocated to a specific position in the overrun prevention area, the address information of the overrun prevention area is easily derived from the address information of the chained volume management information area.

The address information of the chained volume management information may indicate the start address of the overrun prevention area (for example, the physical address of the start sector).

For example, chained volume management information area 1
36 is arranged at a fixed position in the overrun prevention area 112. Chained volume management information area 13
The address information of No. 6 indicates the first address of the overrun prevention area 112 (for example, the physical address of the first sector). The same applies to the chained volume management information area 134.

The limited VAT 175 has a VAT header 148
, Basic structure information 150, specific application structure information 152, and general-purpose application structure information 154.

The basic structure information 150 includes a basic structure common to a plurality of applications (for example, the file set descriptor 161 and the root directory file entry 16).
2, which is essential for the interpretation of the file structure).

The specific application structure information 152 includes:
A specific application structure related to a specific application among a plurality of applications (for example, consumer A
It is used for defining applications that are indispensable for searching for AV files used in V equipment.

The general-purpose application structure information 154 includes
It is used for general purpose file search mainly for PC use.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the limitation V
The ATs 163 and 169 each have the same data structure as the limited VAT 175.

FIG. 2A shows a detailed data structure of the limited VAT 163. The limited VAT 163 is recorded in the limited VAT structure area 122 in the format processing.

The basic structure area of the limited VAT 163 includes a VAT entry 0 to which a virtual address 0 is assigned, and a VAT entry 1 to which a virtual address 1 is assigned. The VAT entry 0 records the logical address of the file set descriptor. The VAT entry 1 records the logical address of the root directory file entry.

As described above, the VAT entry 0 is used for assigning the logical address of the file set descriptor to the virtual address 0, and the VAT entry 1 is used for assigning the logical address of the root directory file entry to the virtual address 1. Used for

Note that VAT entry 0 and VAT entry 1 generally follow a VAT header having a length of 152 bytes.

The specific application structure information of the limited VAT 163 includes VAT entry 2 to VAT entry 255
including. In the limited VAT 163, VAT entries 2 to V
Each of the AT entries 255 is unused. That is, the value FFFFFFFFh is set in each of the VAT entry 2 to the VAT entry 255.

The general-purpose application structure information of the limited VAT 163 includes VAT entries 256 to 4
73. In the limited VAT 163, VAT entry 2
Each of the 56 to VAT entries 473 is unused. That is, the value FFFFFFFFh is set in each of the VAT entries 256 to 473.

FIG. 2B shows the detailed data structure of the limited VAT 169. The limited VAT 169 is recorded in the limited VAT structure area 126 in the recording process of the AV file (AV file).

In the limited VAT 169, the VAT entry 2
Contains a directory (AV-Di) for managing AV files.
The logical address of the file entry for r) is recorded, and the logical address of the file entry for the AV file is recorded in the VAT entry 3.

As described above, the logical address of the directory (AV-Dir) file entry for managing the AV file is assigned to the virtual address 2, and the logical address of the AV file file entry is assigned to the virtual address 3.

The other VAs in the limited VAT 169
The contents of the T entry are the same as the contents of the corresponding VAT entry in the limited VAT 163.

FIG. 2C shows the detailed data structure of the limited VAT 175. The limited VAT 175 is used in the process of recording a data file (Datafile).
Recorded in the structure area 130.

In the limited VAT 175, the VAT entry 2
56 is a directory for managing data files (Da
The logical address of the file entry for (ta-Dir) is recorded, and the logical address of the file entry for the data file is recorded in the VAT entry 257.

As described above, the directory (Data-Di) for managing the data file is stored in the virtual address 256.
The logical address of the file entry for r) is assigned, and the logical address of the file entry for data file is assigned to the virtual address 257.

The other VAs in the limited VAT 175
The contents of the T entry are the same as the contents of the corresponding VAT entry in the limited VAT 169.

Each of the limited VATs 163 shown in FIG.
FFFFs 169 and 175 are logical addresses that do not exist in the logical address space in unused VAT entries.
FFFFh is registered, and is recorded using one sector having a length of 2048 bytes.

In the present embodiment, a virtual address space is allocated to specific application structure information that is indispensable for retrieving AV files used in consumer AV equipment.
However, a similar virtual address space can be assigned to a plurality of types of specific application structure information.
For example, virtual addresses 3 to 127 may be assigned to a file structure required for searching a video file, and virtual addresses 128 to 255 may be assigned to a file structure required for searching an audio file. Good.

When a large number of general-purpose files and directories are registered and the data size of the limited VAT of the general-purpose application structure information is larger than 2048 bytes, the limited VAT is recorded by being divided into a plurality of sectors.

However, as described above, even in the case of a limited VAT divided and recorded in a plurality of sectors, the virtual address is limited in the basic structure information and the specific application structure information for searching for an AV file. It is always recorded in one sector from the head of the limited VAT structure area.

Therefore, in a consumer AV device having a limited memory capacity and using a processor having a relatively low processing capacity, the total number of general-purpose files and directories registered in the volume space increases and the limited VAT size increases. Even in the case that the limited VAT is recorded, the high speed A is always achieved by using only the first sector of the area where the limited VAT is recorded.
The V file can be read. 2. Information block diagram 3 of the recording and reproducing apparatus, the embodiment of the information recording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention 300
Is shown.

The information recording / reproducing device 300 functions as an information recording device that records information on the information recording medium 100 when the format process, the file recording process, and the close process are performed. The information recording / reproducing device 30
0 functions as an information reproducing device that reproduces information recorded on the information recording medium 100 when the file reproducing process is executed.

[0129] The information reproducing apparatus 300 includes the system control unit 2
01, a memory circuit 202, an I / O bus 203, a magnetic disk device 204, and an optical disk drive device 20.
5 is included.

The system control unit 201 is realized by a microprocessor including a system control program and an operation memory. Specifically, the system control unit 201 includes a volume structure recording unit 211 and a file structure recording unit 21.
2, a file recording unit 213, and a limited VAT structure recording unit 271. Further, the system control unit 201 includes a file structure reproducing unit 215, a file reproducing unit 216,
And a limited VAT structure reproducing unit 272. Further, the system control unit 201 includes a close processing unit 217 and a lead-out processing unit 218.

The memory circuit 202 comprises the data memory 22
1 and a limited VAT structure memory 273.

The data memory 221 is used for calculating and temporarily storing the volume structure, the file structure, and the file. The limited VAT structure memory 273 stores the limited VA
Used for calculation and temporary storage of T structure.

The optical disk drive device 205 includes a drive control unit 231, a memory circuit 232, and an internal bus 23.
3, the recording / reproducing unit 234, and the information recording medium 100.

The drive control unit 231 is realized by a microprocessor including a drive control program and an operation memory. Specifically, the drive control unit 231 includes a chained volume management information recording unit 251, an overrun prevention area recording unit 252, a chained volume management information reproduction unit 254, and a lead-out area recording unit 255.

The memory circuit 232 includes a chain type volume management information memory 253 and a buffer memory 241.

Chain type volume management information memory 253
Is used for calculating and temporarily storing chained volume management information. The buffer memory 241 is used for calculating and temporarily storing data transferred to the optical disk drive 205. 3. Formatting Figure 4 shows a procedure of a formatting process. Hereinafter, the procedure of the format processing will be described step by step.

(S401) The system control unit 201 creates a volume structure to be recorded in the volume structure area 118 in the data memory 221 of the memory circuit 202 according to a control program built in the volume structure recording unit 211. This volume structure is based on ISO / I
The volume space 104 conforms to the EC 13346 standard.
And descriptors 401 to 412 that hold various management information items. The detailed data structure of the volume structure area 118 will be described later.

The system control unit 201 instructs the optical disk drive 205 to perform a recording operation of the volume structure created in the data memory 221.

The optical disk drive 205 records the volume structure transferred from the data memory 221 in the volume structure area 118. When the recording operation of the volume structure ends, the optical disk drive device 205 notifies the system control unit 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S 402) The system control unit 201 stores a file set descriptor 161, a root directory, and a file entry 162 for managing the root directory in accordance with a control program stored in the file structure recording unit 212. It is created in the memory 221.
The system control unit 201 instructs the optical disc drive 205 to perform an operation of recording these file structures created in the data memory 221.

The optical disk drive 205 records the file structure transferred from the data memory 221 in the file structure area 120. When the recording operation of the file structure is completed, the optical disk drive device 205 notifies the system control unit 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S 403) The system control unit 201 makes the limited VAT 163 and VATICB 1 according to the control program stored in the limited VAT structure recording unit 271.
64 is created in the data memory 221.

Further, the system control unit 201 instructs the optical disc drive 205 to perform a recording operation of the limited VAT structure created in the data memory 221.

The optical disk drive 205 changes the limited VAT structure transferred from the data memory 221 to the limited VAT structure.
It is recorded in the AT structure area 122. When the recording operation of the limited VAT structure ends, the optical disk drive device 205 notifies the system control unit 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

In the data recording operation of the DVD-R disk, a linking area having dummy data of a predetermined capacity may be formed before and after the data recording unit every time the data recording operation is interrupted. However, from the viewpoint of simplifying the description of the data structure and the data recording operation, the description is omitted in the following description.

FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the information recording medium after the format processing. By performing the above-described format processing on the “empty” information recording medium, FIG.
An information recording medium having the data structure shown in FIG. 4. File Recording Process FIG. 6 shows the procedure of the file recording process. Hereinafter, the procedure of the file recording process will be described step by step.

In the file recording process, the AV file (AV file) stored in the magnetic disk device 204 is used.
file) is recorded according to the directory structure shown in FIG.

(S 601) The system control unit 201 reads an AV file (AV file) from the magnetic disk device 204 according to the control program stored in the file recording unit 213 and transfers it to the data memory 221 of the memory circuit 202. .

Next, the system control unit 201 sends an AV file (AVfile) 165, a directory file (AV-Dir), and an AV file for managing these files.
A file FE (file entry) 166, a directory file (AV-Dir) FE (file entry) 167, and a root directory file entry 168 obtained by updating the contents of the root directory are created.

When the directory file and the file entry related to the AV file (AVfile) are stored in the data memory 221, the system control unit 201 is built in the file structure recording unit 212 and the file recording unit 213. In accordance with the control program, the data recording operation is instructed to the optical disk drive device 205.

The optical disk drive 205 records the file structure / file including the file entry and directory file transferred from the data memory 221 and the AV file (AV file) in the file structure / file area 124. It is assumed that these directory file file entries also include directory files having a relatively small size from the viewpoint of simplifying the description. File structure / File area 1
When the recording operation on the recording operation ends, the optical disk drive device 205 notifies the system control unit 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

The directory file (AV-Di)
r) is embedded and recorded in the file entry 167 for managing this directory. Therefore, the directory file itself is not shown.

(S 602) The system control unit 201 makes the limited VAT 169 and VATICB 1 according to the control program stored in the limited VAT structure recording unit 271.
70 is updated and created in the data memory 221.

Further, the system control unit 201 instructs the optical disc drive 205 to perform a recording operation of the limited VAT structure created in the data memory 221. The optical disk drive 205 records the limited VAT structure transferred from the data memory 221 in the limited VAT structure area 126. When the recording operation of the limited VAT structure ends, the optical disk drive device 205 notifies the system control unit 201 of the completion of the recording operation. 5. Closing Process FIG. 7 shows the procedure of the closing process. Hereinafter, the procedure of the closing process will be described step by step.

(S 701) The system control unit 201 instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to execute the close processing according to the control program stored in the close processing unit 217.

The drive control section 231 of the optical disk drive device 205 allocates the overrun prevention area to the volume space 104 according to the control program stored in the overrun prevention area recording section 252, and records dummy data in the overrun prevention area.

Thus, the lead-in area 108
A logical zone for recording at least a volume file structure is formed between the overrun prevention area and the overrun prevention area.

(S 702) The drive control section 231 creates chained volume management information according to the control program built in the chained volume management information recording section 251 and prevents the created chained volume management information from being overrun. It is recorded in the linked volume management information area included in the area.

The chained volume management information created in this recording operation includes the address information of the subsequent logical zone and the unrecorded chained volume management assigned to the overrun prevention area newly recorded in the closing process. Contains the address information of the information area.

FIG. 8 shows the data structure of the information recording medium after the close processing.

By executing the recording process and the closing process of the AV file on the information recording medium having the data structure shown in FIG. 5, an information recording medium having the data structure shown in FIG. 8 is obtained.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the overrun prevention area 110 excluding the chain volume management information area 134
In the data structure diagram of FIG. 1, dummy data is recorded in the overrun prevention area 112 except for the chained volume management information area 136. For example, the dummy data is 00h.

The chained volume management information is stored in the chained volume management information area 132 in the data structure diagram of FIG.
In the data structure diagram of FIG. 1, the data is recorded in the linked volume management information area 134, respectively.

Further, by executing a data file recording process and a closing process on the information recording medium 100 having the data structure shown in FIG. 8, the information recording medium 100 having the data structure shown in FIG. can get.

When prohibiting additional recording of a file on the information recording medium 100 on which the data structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 is recorded, a lead-out area is recorded in the unrecorded area 138.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the lead-out area is recorded in the unrecorded area 138 of the data structure shown in FIG.

The system control unit 201 operates according to a control program stored in the readout processing unit 218.
The optical disk drive 205 is instructed to execute a lead-out process.

The drive control section 231 of the optical disk drive 205 stores the lead-out area 140 in which the dummy data has been recorded in the data recording area 102 in accordance with the control program stored in the lead-out area recording section 255.
Assign to Further, the drive control unit 231 indicates that there is no new subsequent chained volume management area according to the control program built in the lead-out area recording unit 255. At 136, the dummy data is recorded. For example, the dummy data is 00h. 6. File Playback Process FIG. 10 shows the procedure of the file playback process. Hereinafter, the procedure of the file reproduction process will be described step by step. In addition,
The following describes an example of the reproduction process of the AV file (AVfile) shown in FIG.

(S1001) Optical Disk Drive 2
When the drive control unit 231 detects that a disk has been inserted into the
The recording / reproducing unit 234 is started in accordance with the control program incorporated in the, and the reproduction of the chained volume management information is executed from the chained volume management information area 132 in the lead-in area. Then, the chained volume management information reproduced from the chained volume management information area 132 is transferred to the chained volume management information memory 253.

(S1002) The drive control section 231
In accordance with the control program incorporated in the chained volume management information reproducing unit 254, the chained volume management information area 134 contained in the chained volume management information acquired in step (S1001) is used to generate the chained volume management information area 134. Attempt to reproduce the volume management information area.

In FIG. 1, the address information 142 of the chained volume management information area recorded in the chained volume management information area 132 includes the position information of the chained volume management information area 134. The address information 146 of the linked volume management information area recorded in the linked volume management information area 134 includes the position information of the linked volume management information area 136.

If the chained volume management information area designated by this reproduction operation is recorded and the chained volume management information can be reproduced, the steps after step S1003 are executed. If the chained volume management information area designated in this reproduction operation is not recorded and the reproduction of the chained volume management information is impossible, the steps after step S1004 are executed.

(S1003) The drive control section 231
The chained volume management information reproduced in step (S1002) is transferred to the chained volume management information memory 253 according to the control program incorporated in the chained volume management information reproducing unit 254.

(S1004) The drive control section 231
The latest linked volume management information stored in the linked volume management information memory 253 is referred to according to the control program incorporated in the linked volume management information reproducing unit 254, and the accessible area end is determined from the address information of the logical zone. Get the physical address of

In FIG. 1, the physical address at the end of the accessible area is obtained based on the address information 144 of the second logical zone 116 recorded in the linked volume management information area 134.

(S1005) The system control unit 201
The address information 144 of the second logical zone 116 stored in the chain volume management information memory 253 of the optical disk drive 205 is used as the physical address of the end of the accessible area in accordance with the control program incorporated in the limited VAT structure reproducing unit 272. get.

Next, the system control unit 201 instructs the optical disc drive unit 205 to reproduce the VATICB 176 recorded at the end of the accessible area using the physical address. Optical disk drive 205
Reads VATICB 176 and transfers it to limited VAT structure memory 273. Note that the system control unit 201
Since the VATICB is recorded at the end of the accessible area, it is possible to recognize that the VAT structure is recorded without reading the volume structure.

Then, the system control unit 201 acquires a logical address indicating the recording position of the VATICB 176 from the read tag position information 177. Further, the system control unit 201 converts the physical address at the end of the accessible area, which is obtained in advance, into a logical sector number. The logical sector number at the partition start position to which the logical address 0 is assigned is calculated by subtracting the logical address read from the tag position information from the logical sector number at the end of the accessible area. Therefore, there is no need to obtain the partition start position from the volume structure.

Further, the system control unit 201 operates the limited VAT 175 included in the read VATIC B 176.
, The limited VAT 175 is read out, and stored in the limited VAT structure memory 273. In addition,
When the limited VAT is recorded using a plurality of sectors,
Only the first sector necessary for reproducing the AV file (AVfile) is read.

(S1006) The system control unit 201
The logical address of the file set descriptor registered in the VAT entry 0 is read from the limited VAT 175 acquired in step (S1005) according to the control program incorporated in the file structure reproducing unit 215, and the partition included in this logical address is read. The file set descriptor 161 is read using the reference number and the logical block address.
Then, the system control unit 201 reads the FE (file entry) 174 for the root directory registered in the VAT entry 1 while performing the conversion process from the virtual address to the logical address in the same manner as the file set descriptor. The management information of the directory (AV-Dir) is searched from the root directory recorded as a part of the entry.

Next, the directory (AV-Dir) FE (file entry) registered in the VAT entry 2
167 is read out, and management information of the AV file (AVfile) is searched from the directory (AV-Dir) recorded as a part of the file entry. further,
The AV file (AVf) registered in the VAT entry 17
ile) FE (file entry) 166 is read to obtain the recording position of the target AV file (AVfile).

(S1007) Finally, the system control unit 2
01 reads the file (AVfile) 165 and completes the reproduction of the file in accordance with the control program incorporated in the file reproducing unit 216.

According to the processing procedure described above, the information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 retrieves / reproduces an AV file (AV file) at high speed while preventing access to an unrecorded area. In the above step (S1006), after searching the management information of the directory (AV-Dir) using the file set descriptor and the root directory, the file entry for the AV file (AVfile) is read, and the target AV file is read. File (AVfil
e) was read.

However, the directory (AV-Di
r) file entry and AV file (AVfile
If a specific virtual address is assigned to the file entry for e) as well as the file set descriptor and the root directory, the directory (AV-file) can be accessed without accessing the file set descriptor and the root directory.
Dir) file entry can be directly searched, and an AV file (AVfile) can be searched and reproduced at higher speed.

In the information recording medium of the present invention, the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area include the address information of the subsequent logical zone and the address information of the linked volume management information area allocated in the overrun prevention area. Chain type volume management information is recorded.

The information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium accesses an unrecorded area by sequentially accessing only the linked volume management information area in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area. , It is possible to search for the physical address at the end of the accessible area. As described with reference to FIG. 19, the access frequency is reduced by half compared to the conventional information recording / reproducing apparatus which searches for the physical address at the end of the accessible area while alternately accessing the physical format information area and the state determination area. Processing time is significantly reduced.

In the information recording medium of the present invention, a limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to a file set descriptor or a file entry for a root directory as basic structure information is recorded in a limited VAT structure area.

In the information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium, when executing a file reproducing process, a file set descriptor to which a specific virtual address is assigned without searching for a volume structure at all. And the file entry for the root directory can be searched directly, thereby shortening the access time.

Further, the information recording medium of the present invention has a directory (AV-D) as specific application structure information.
ir) file entry or AV file (AVfil)
The limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to the file entry for e) is recorded in the limited VAT structure area.

When the information reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium executes a reproducing process of an AV file (AV file), it does not search any basic structure information such as a file set descriptor or a root directory. Without this, it is possible to directly search for a directory (AV-Dir) file entry or an AV file (AVfile) file entry to which a specific virtual address is assigned, further shortening the access time. In such an AV file (AVfile) reproduction process, the VAT recorded in the head sector of the limited VAT is used.
Since only entries are used, even a consumer AV device using a processor with a relatively small processing capacity and a limited memory capacity can read an AV file (AV file) at a high speed according to a simple processing procedure. Become.

In the embodiment, the chain-type volume management information is recorded in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area, and the limited VAT is recorded in the limited VAT structure area, and the information is recorded on the information recording medium. The information recording method and the information recording apparatus, and the information reproducing method and the information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information recorded on the information recording medium have been described.

Note that chained volume management information is recorded in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area, and a limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to a file set descriptor or a root directory file entry as basic structure information is limited. An information recording medium not recorded in the VAT structure area, an information recording method and an information recording apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium, an information reproducing method and an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium are also provided by the present invention. Is within the range. In this case, by sequentially accessing the linked volume management information area in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area, it is possible to search for the physical address at the end of the accessible area while preventing access to the unrecorded area. The access frequency is halved, and the processing time is greatly reduced.

FIG. 11 shows that chained volume management information is recorded in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area.
This indicates an information recording medium in which a limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to a file set descriptor or a root directory file entry as basic structure information is not recorded in a limited VAT structure area.

In the chained volume management information area 132 of the information recording medium shown in FIG. 11, in addition to the physical address information 140 of the first logical zone and the physical address information 142 of the chained volume management information area, The physical address information 1202 of the border-in area is recorded, and the overrun prevention area 110 of the information recording medium shown in FIG.
, A border-in area 1204 may be arranged.

[0195] The border-in area 1204 includes a physical format information area 1206. The physical format information area 1206 contains the physical address information 1 of the second logical zone.
44, physical address information 1346 of the linked volume management information area, and physical address information 1347 of the unrecorded area 138 are recorded. FIG. 12 shows an information recording medium 1200 having such a data structure.

As described above, with the information recording medium 1200, information can be reproduced using the conventional information recording / reproducing apparatus 1500.

The limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to the file set descriptor or the file entry for the root directory as the basic structure information is the limited VAT.
An information recording medium that is recorded in a structure area and does not record chained volume management information in a lead-in area and an overrun prevention area, an information recording method and an information recording apparatus for recording information on the information recording medium, and recording on the information recording medium An information reproducing method and an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the reproduced information are also within the scope of the present invention. In this case, when executing the file playback processing, it is possible to directly search for a file set descriptor or a root directory file entry to which a specific virtual address is assigned without searching for the volume structure at all, and the access time is reduced. Is shortened.

[0198]

According to the information recording medium of the present invention, in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area, the concatenated volume management information area allocated to the address information of the subsequent logical zone and the immediately following overrun prevention area And the chained volume management information including the address information of the above.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium sequentially accesses only the chained volume management information area in the lead-in area and the overrun prevention area, thereby preventing access to the unrecorded area. It is possible to search for the physical address at the end of the accessible area while preventing it, and search for the physical address at the end of the accessible area while alternately accessing the physical format information area and the state determination area as described with reference to FIG. As compared with the conventional information reproducing apparatus, the access frequency is halved, and the processing time is greatly reduced.

In the information recording medium of the present invention, a limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to a file set descriptor or a root directory file entry as a basic structure information is recorded in a limited VAT structure area.

The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium, when executing a file reproducing process,
It is possible to directly search for a file set descriptor or a root directory file entry to which a specific virtual address is assigned without searching for a volume structure at all, thereby reducing access time.

Further, according to the information recording medium of the present invention, the directory (AV-D
ir) file entry or AV file (AVfil)
The limited VAT in which a specific virtual address is assigned to the file entry for e) is recorded in the limited VAT structure area.

[0203] The information reproducing apparatus of the present invention using such an information recording medium, when executing the reproducing process of an AV file (AVfile), does not search any basic structure information such as a file set descriptor or a root directory. Without this, it is possible to directly search for a directory (AV-Dir) file entry or an AV file (AVfile) file entry to which a specific virtual address is assigned, further shortening the access time. In such an AV file (AVfile) reproduction process, the VAT recorded in the head sector of the limited VAT is used.
Since only entries are used, even a consumer AV device using a processor with a relatively small processing capacity and a limited memory capacity can read an AV file (AV file) at a high speed according to a simple processing procedure. Become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is a diagram illustrating a detailed data structure of a limited VAT 163, FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a detailed data structure of a limited VAT 169, and FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating a detailed data structure of the limited VAT 175; Figure

FIG. 3 is an information recording / reproducing apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Diagram showing the configuration of

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a format process;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium after a format process;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a file recording process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a closing process;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium after a close process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium when a lead-out area is recorded in an unrecorded area.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a file reproduction process.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a data structure of a conventional information recording medium.

FIG. 14 shows a directory structure for managing files recorded on a disc.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional information recording / reproducing apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium on which a conventional format process has been performed;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a conventional closing process.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a data structure of an information recording medium on which a conventional closing process has been performed;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a conventional file reproduction process.

[Explanation of symbols]

102 Data recording area 104 Volume space 106 Accessible area 108 Lead-in area 110, 112 Overrun prevention area 114, 116 Logical zone 122, 126, 130 Limited VAT structure area 132, 134, 136 Chain type volume management information area

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2000-13732 (JP, A) JP-A-7-65540 (JP, A) Miyuki Sasaki, 2 others, "DVD file system", Matsushita Technical Journal, Heisei Vol. 45, No. 6, p. 130-137 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G11B 20/12 G06F 12/00 G11B 7/0045 H04N 5/92

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information recording medium having a data recording area.
The data recording area includes a lead-in area and a volume.
Space is allocated in advance , and a limited VAT structure area is allocated to the volume space.
The limited VAT structure area has an address in the virtual address space.
Address in the virtual address space and the address in the logical address space.
To manage the correspondence with the logical address indicating the address
Limited VAT information is recorded, and the limited VAT is recorded on the information recording medium.
Shows the essential file structure for searching all files
Basic structure information is assigned to a specific virtual address.
And the limited VAT is recorded on the information recording medium.
Special file structure that is indispensable for searching AV files
Virtual address in a specific range where the constant application structure information is
The basic structure information and the specific application structure
The information is located within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT.
Information recording media. 2. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said limited VAT structure area is located at an end of an accessible area. 3. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium including a data recording area, wherein a lead-in area and a volume space are assigned to the data recording area in advance. Allocating a limited VAT structure area to the volume space; and defining a limited VAT for managing a correspondence relationship between a virtual address indicating an address in a virtual address space and a logical address indicating an address in a logical address space. Recording on the information recording medium in the limited VAT.
Shows the essential file structure for searching all files
Basic structure information is assigned to a specific virtual address.
And the limited VAT is recorded on the information recording medium.
Special file structure that is indispensable for searching AV files
Virtual address in a specific range where the constant application structure information is
The basic structure information and the specific application structure
The information is located within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT.
It is to have, information recording method. 4. An information recording apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium including a data recording area, wherein a lead-in area and a volume space are assigned to the data recording area in advance. Means for allocating a limited VAT structure area to the volume space, and a limited VAT for managing a correspondence relationship between a virtual address indicating an address in a virtual address space and a logical address indicating an address in a logical address space. Means for recording information in a VAT structure area, and in the limited VAT, information recorded on the information recording medium is provided.
Shows the essential file structure for searching all files
Basic structure information is assigned to a specific virtual address.
And the limited VAT is recorded on the information recording medium.
Special file structure that is indispensable for searching AV files
Virtual address in a specific range where the constant application structure information is
The basic structure information and the specific application structure
The information is located within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT.
It is to have, the information recording apparatus. 5. An information reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium including a data recording area, wherein a lead-in area and a volume space are assigned to the data recording area in advance. A limited VAT structure area is allocated to the volume space, and the limited VAT structure area manages a correspondence relationship between a virtual address indicating an address in the virtual address space and a logical address indicating an address in the logical address space. VAT information is recorded in the limited VAT.
Of all files recorded on the information recording medium.
Basic structure information that indicates the file structure essential for search is specified
Of the limited VAT
, An AV file recorded on the information recording medium
Specific applications that show the file structure essential for searching
Is allocated to a specific range of virtual addresses.
The basic structure information and the specific application.
Option structure information is within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT.
And the information reproducing method includes the step of limiting the limited VA recorded in the limited VAT structure area.
Reading information within one sector from the beginning of T ; and reading the basic structure information and the basic structure information contained in the read information.
Based on the fine the specific application structure information includes a step of performing a reproducing operation, the information reproducing method. 6. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium including a data recording area, wherein a lead-in area and a volume space are assigned to the data recording area in advance. A limited VAT structure area is allocated to the volume space, and the limited VAT structure area manages a correspondence relationship between a virtual address indicating an address in the virtual address space and a logical address indicating an address in the logical address space. VAT information is recorded in the limited VAT.
Of all files recorded on the information recording medium.
Basic structure information that indicates the file structure essential for search is specified
Of the limited VAT
, An AV file recorded on the information recording medium
Specific applications that show the file structure essential for searching
Is allocated to a specific range of virtual addresses.
The basic structure information and the specific application.
Option structure information is within one sector from the beginning of the limited VAT.
And the information reproducing apparatus, the limited VA recorded in the limited VAT structure area
Means for reading information in one sector from the beginning of T, the basic structure information and the basic structure information contained in the read information.
Based on the fine the specific application structure information, and means for reproducing operation, the information reproducing apparatus.