JP3747721B2 - Recording / reproducing apparatus and recording / reproducing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus andRecording / playback methodIn particular, for example, a solid-state recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information using a semiconductor memory, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-RW, a DVD-R (DVD write once (WO)), an optical disk such as a magneto-optical disk, etc. A suitable recording / reproducing apparatus provided in a disk recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information, or a magnetic recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information using a magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a floppy disk, and the likeRecording / playback methodIn particular, by reproducing the information recorded earlier during recording, when recording the recorded information retroactively during the recording of the previously recorded information, the information to be recorded / reproduced continuously A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing the reproduction process (hereinafter referred to as chase reproduction) after compensating forRecording / playback methodAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus that performs compression / decompression processing on predetermined data such as image data and audio data using MPEG technology and performs recording / reproduction on, for example, a DVD (digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is known. The DVD recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with, for example, a high image quality recording mode, an intermediate image quality recording mode, and a normal image quality recording mode, and data can be recorded by selecting each recording mode.
[0003]
Specifically, a memory (track buffer: TB) of a predetermined bit is provided, and recording / reproducing data through this track buffer absorbs differences in transfer rates of data with different transfer rates. Thus, recording / reproduction in each recording mode is realized.
[0004]
As the track buffer, for example, a 4 Mbit DRAM is provided, and data of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps at a variable transfer rate can be stored for about 0.5 seconds. However, today, this 4 Mbit track buffer is rarely used, and it is common to use a 16 Mbit or 64 Mbit track buffer larger than this capacity. The 16 Mbit track buffer can store data at a transfer rate of 8 Mbps at a variable transfer rate for about 2 seconds, and the 64 Mbit track buffer stores data at a transfer rate of 8 Mbps at a variable transfer rate for about 8 seconds. Be able to.
[0005]
Then, by recording data via this track buffer, in the high image quality recording mode, for example, data of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps is for 2 hours, and in the intermediate image quality recording mode, for example, data of a transfer rate of 4 Mbps is stored for 4 hours. In the normal image quality recording mode, data of a transfer rate of 2 Mbps can be recorded for 8 hours.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, in such a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus, for example, recording of desired data such as still images, moving images, audio, music, sub-pictures, etc. is performed by making a timer reservation, or a seat is temporarily removed during recording. In such a case, it is desired to provide a function for displaying the data by tracing back the portion of the data that has been recorded a little while ago (hereinafter referred to as chasing playback).
[0007]
In such a function, a predetermined amount of data once stored in the track buffer is read out and recorded in an empty area on the disk. After the predetermined amount of data is recorded, the recording is temporarily interrupted, and the recorded data is stored in the track buffer. The data is reproduced by moving the head to the area instructed by the input means, and the reproduced data is stored in the track buffer and read out for follow-up reproduction.
[0008]
However, such a chasing playback function ensures the continuity of data to be recorded / reproduced by making the transfer rate for recording / reproducing the disk sufficiently higher than the transfer rate of the data to be recorded. Although feasible, as described above, in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus, the transfer rate of data to be recorded can be selected. For this reason, if the difference between the transfer rate of the data to be recorded and the transfer rate at which recording / reproduction is performed on the disc is small, it is written into the track buffer while the head is moved to the next empty area, for example. Data that is not recorded on the disc is erased with newly input data, and a portion of the continuous data recorded on the disc is lost. There is a problem that it is difficult to realize chasing playback while ensuring continuity of data.
[0009]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of performing chasing reproduction of recorded information while ensuring continuity of information andRecording / playback methodThe purpose is to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present inventionIt consists of the means as described in 1) to 4) below.
1)  Temporary storage means in which recorded information is written and read, RollFeed rateBiFree space detecting means for detecting a free space on a recording medium capable of ensuring the continuity of information recorded in the recording medium, and the information before the recording mode.ReprintFeed rateBiIn the temporary storage means, the amount of information written in the temporary storage means isSatisfies the set valueInformation written to the temporary storage means at the timingBeforeTransfer rateBiFaster transfer ratesAAnd the amount of information recorded in the free space on the recording medium detected by the free space detection means and written in the temporary storage means isLower than the set valueRecording control means for stopping reading of information written in the temporary storage means and recording of information on the recording medium at a timing, and recording / reproducing mode for reproducing information already recorded during recording from the recording mode. Mode change means for generating a control signal for performing the operation of the recording / reproducing mode when the mode change is requested,According to the control signal output in the recording / reproducing mode,
  The vacant area detecting means starts the next recording from the time Tw required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the vacant area on the recording medium, and the reproduction stop of the information recorded in the vacant area on the recording medium. The time Tr required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system up to this point, and the amount of information Cw of the free area to be detected have a capacity satisfying the condition of Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi) Detect free space as free space that can ensure the continuity of the recorded and reproduced informationAnd a recording / reproducing apparatus.
2)  Mode control signal generating means for generating a first mode control signal in response to an instruction to start a recording operation and generating a second mode control signal in response to an instruction to start reproducing information already recorded during the recording operation; Information to be written and read, RollFeed rateBiFree space detecting means for detecting free space on the recording medium capable of ensuring the continuity of the information recorded in the recording medium, and the information in accordance with the first mode control signalReprintFeed rateBiIn the temporary storage means, the amount of information written in the temporary storage means isSatisfies the set valueAt the timing, the information written in the temporary storage means isSaidTransfer rateBiFaster transfer ratesAAnd the amount of information recorded in the free space on the recording medium detected by the free space detection means and written in the temporary storage means isLower than the set valueRecording control means for stopping reading of information written in the temporary storage means and recording of information on the recording medium at a timing;
  According to the second mode control signalThe free area detecting means starts the next recording from the time Tw required to move and control the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the free area on the recording medium, and the stop of the reproduction of the information recorded in the free area on the recording medium. As the time Tr required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system until the time, and the information amount Cw of the free area to be detected,
Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi)
A free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition is detected as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information.And a recording / reproducing apparatus.
3)  A step of writing information to the memory and reading it from the memory; a step of detecting a free area on the recording medium capable of ensuring the continuity of the information recorded at the transfer rate Bi; and the information in the recording mode. Is read into the memory at the transfer rate Bi, and the information written in the memory is read at a transfer rate A faster than the transfer rate Bi at a timing when the amount of information written in the memory satisfies a set value. Reading the information written in the memory at a timing when the information amount of the information recorded in the free area on the recording medium detected in the free area detection step and written in the memory is lower than a set value. A step of stopping the recording of information on the recording medium, and reproducing the information already recorded during the recording from the recording mode. When changing the mode of the recording and reproducing mode is requested, the mode generating a control signal for performing the operation of the recording mode, in response to a control signal output when the recording mode,
  The empty area detecting step starts the next recording from the time Tw required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the empty area on the recording medium and the stop of the reproduction of the information recorded in the empty area on the recording medium. Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi) where Cw is the time Tr required to move and control the recording / reproduction system until Cw, and the amount of information of the free area to be detected is Cw
Detecting a free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information.Recording and playback characterized byMethod.
4)  A mode control signal generating step for generating a first mode control signal in response to an instruction to start a recording operation and generating a second mode control signal in response to an instruction to start reproducing information already recorded during the recording operation; Writing information to the memory and reading from the memory;
  An empty area detecting step for detecting an empty area on a recording medium capable of ensuring continuity of information recorded at a transfer rate Bi; and the information is transferred to the memory at the transfer rate Bi according to the first mode control signal. At the timing when the amount of information written and written in the memory satisfies the set value, the information written in the memory is read at a transfer rate A faster than the transfer rate Bi and detected in the free space detection step When the amount of information recorded in the free space on the recording medium is reduced below a set value, reading of the information written in the memory and recording of information on the recording medium are stopped. And steps to
  In response to the second mode control signal, the empty area detecting step includes a time Tw required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the empty area on the recording medium, and information recorded in the empty area on the recording medium. As the time Tr required to move and control the recording / playback system from the stop of playback to the start of the next recording, the amount of information Cw of the free area to be detected
Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi)
And a step of detecting a free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[First embodiment]
(A) Configuration and overall operation of the first embodiment
First, the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus as shown in FIG. The DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a recording type DVD-RW1 (digital video disc or digital versatile disc: hereinafter simply referred to as disc 1) formed of a phase change material. For example, desired data such as still images, moving images, sounds, music, sub-pictures, and the like are recorded on and reproduced from these tracks.
[0012]
Specifically, the optical head 2 (PU) uses a semiconductor laser as a light source, forms a laser spot on the disk 1 with a collimator lens, an objective lens, and the like, and records and reproduces data on the disk 1. . The data to be recorded / reproduced constitutes one sector with 26 sync frames. One sector is composed of a total of 2064 bytes of 2048 bytes of data and corresponding address data. One ECC block (ECC: error correction) is composed of 16 sectors.
[0013]
The semiconductor laser provided in the optical head 2 is driven by a laser drive circuit provided in the driver 3 (DRIVER). When recording data, the waveform correction is performed by the waveform correction circuit. Data is supplied to the driver 3, and the laser driving circuit drives the semiconductor laser based on the recording data.
[0014]
For example, the operation unit 4 (KEY) such as a remote controller issues a recording / reproduction command in response to a user operation. The system controller 5 (SYSTEMCONT) determines a command from the operation unit 4 and controls the signal processing unit 6, the servo processor 7 (SERVO), and the switch (SW) 12.
[0015]
The preamplifier 8 (PAMP) generates a reproduction signal and a servo signal based on the reproduction output read by the optical head 2. The servo processor 7 generates a focusing signal and a tracking signal based on the servo signal formed by the preamplifier 8 and supplies it to the driver 3. The driver 3 controls the focusing and tracking by driving the actuator of the optical head 2 based on the focusing signal and the tracking signal.
[0016]
The focusing and tracking of the optical head 2 are servo-controlled by the flow of signals of the optical head 2 → the preamplifier 8 → the servo processor 7 → the driver 3 → the optical head 2.
[0017]
The spindle motor 12 (M) is provided with a hall element (not shown), and a rotational position signal from the hall element is fed back to the servo processor 7 via the driver 3. The servo processor 7 controls the spindle motor 12 (M) to a constant rotational speed via the driver 3 based on the speed signal generated from this rotational position signal.
[0018]
The preamplifier 8 optimizes the frequency characteristic of the reproduction signal with an equalizer and pulls in the PLL circuit. The preamplifier 8 has a jitter generation circuit that generates a jitter value based on a comparison between the bit clock of the PLL circuit and the time axis of the data. The system controller 5 is configured to take the jitter value generated by the jitter generation circuit by A / D conversion and change the correction amount of the waveform correction circuit at the time of recording based on the jitter value.
[0019]
Further, the preamplifier 8 supplies the disk speed signal generated by the PLL circuit to the servo processor 7, and controls the rotation of the disk 1 at a constant linear speed (CLV) via the spindle motor 12 (M) by this speed signal. ing.
[0020]
The signal processing circuit 6 converts the reproduction signal output from the preamplifier 8 into a digital signal, detects the synchronization of the digital signal, and records the reproduction output when recorded on the disk 1. Decoding from the EFM + form to the NRZI form, error correction processing is performed in units of the 1 ECC block, and the address signal and data signal of each sector are obtained. The address signal and the data signal are signals compressed at a variable transfer rate. For this reason, the track buffer 9 (TB), which is, for example, a 64 Mbit DRAM connected to the signal processing circuit 6 stores the address signal and the data signal, and absorbs the time axis of the variable transfer rate of the video signal.
[0021]
The signal read from the track buffer 9 is supplied to the encoder / decoder 10 (AV-ENDEC). The AV-ENDEC 10 temporarily stores this signal in the buffer memory 11 which is, for example, a 64 Mbit DRAM and reads it out as appropriate, and the recording mode (described later) in which the signal is recorded is recorded on the disk 1. Detection is performed based on the control data, and the speed at which the signal is expanded is determined in accordance with the detected recording mode. Then, in accordance with the decompression speed, 1 GOP (group of picture) MPEG2 data composed of a plurality of ECC blocks is decompressed into an audio signal and a video signal, separated into an audio signal and a video signal, and D / A (not shown), respectively. It is converted to analog by a converter and output.
[0022]
The audio signal (A) output from the AV-ENDEC 10 is input to the audio amplifier 13 via the switch (SW) 12 (terminal A1 thereof), amplified to a predetermined signal level, and then reproduced by the speaker 14. On the other hand, the video signal (V) output from the AV-ENDEC 10 is input to the NTSC encoder 15 via the switch (SW) 12 (terminal A2 thereof), and the signal is converted in accordance with the NTSC standard television signal and converted to the television. It is supplied to and displayed on a John receiver (TV) 16.
[0023]
The broadcast wave signal received by the antenna 17 is supplied to one input terminal of the AV input switching unit 19 while the audio signal / video signal received by the TV tuner 18 is connected to the Internet or the cable TV network 20. The audio signal / video signal selectively received by the cable converter (modem) 21 is supplied to the other input terminal of the AV input switching unit 19. In the AV input switching unit 19, a signal (audio signal / video signal) from the TV tuner 18 and a signal (audio signal / video signal) from the cable converter (modem) 21 are selected and switched, and the terminals of the switch 12 ( In addition to being supplied to the terminal B1, the terminal B2), it is also supplied to the AV-ENDEC 10.
[0024]
Note that the switch (SW) 12 is configured to be selectively switched by a control signal supplied from the system controller 5, and at the time of reproducing an audio signal / video signal reproduced by the DISC 1 during normal reproduction or chasing reproduction. Are selectively switched to terminals A1 and A2, and are switched to terminals B1 and B2 when a broadcast wave signal received by the antenna 17 or an Internet or cable TV network signal is viewed.
[0025]
(B) Recording operation
In the above-described DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a high image quality mode capable of recording a signal with a transfer rate of 8 Mbps for 2 hours, and an intermediate image quality mode capable of recording a signal with a transfer rate of 4 Mbps for 4 hours. In addition, it is possible to record at three different transfer rates in the normal image quality mode in which a signal with a transfer rate of 2 Mbps can be recorded for 8 hours.
[0026]
For this reason, the system controller 5 indicates the recordable area and non-recordable area on the disk 1 corresponding to each recording mode (each transfer rate) prior to the recording control in order to indicate the selection material of the recording mode to the user. The recording time and / or capacity in each recording mode is displayed. Based on this display, data is recorded in the recordable area corresponding to the recording mode selected by the user.
[0027]
Specifically, when displaying the recording time and / or capacity in each recording mode, the system controller 5 starts and ends the data area (recorded area) recorded in the management area of the disc 1. The address is read and controlled to the track buffer 9, the start address and end address of the free area are specified from the interval between the start address and the end address of this data area (= the capacity of the free area), and the capacity of each free area is calculated. Remember with position. This is repeated and the capacities of all free areas are calculated and stored together with the position information.
[0028]
Next, in the case of three types of transfer rates of 2, 4, and 8 Mbps to be recorded, whether the capacity of each independent free area can be continuously recorded or reproduced at each transfer rate is described below. It calculates based on one set of.
[0029]
Regarding the seek time, since the disk is CLV controlled, the address difference between addresses is calculated, and the number of track movements based on the address difference is obtained by referring to the seek table stored in the ROM of the system controller 5. The seek time is calculated by performing a predetermined coefficient operation on this. Alternatively, the seek time may be calculated as a predetermined constant value by the device.
[0030]
Specifically, this series of calculations is
Transfer rate of recording / playback to media A Mbps
Input signal transfer rate B Mbps
Predetermined seek time T msec
When the minimum recording capacity m Mb of the recording area is used, it is sufficient that the free area satisfies the minimum recording capacity m of the recording area.
[0031]
For this reason, the prerequisite is
m> A * B * T / (A-B) ......... 1 set
It is.
[0032]
That is, the capacity of the transfer rate B during the seek time T must not exceed the capacity corresponding to the difference in the transfer rate of the track buffer 9. The required value of this seek time varies depending on the input transfer rate, which is a variable. Therefore, the recordable area varies greatly depending on the transfer rate B when recording is actually performed.
[0033]
This set of formulas may be simplified as appropriate when created by software or hardware. For example, the calculation results are stored in a table in a ROM, and the results are obtained by referring to them. Also good.
[0034]
When such a calculation is performed, the system controller 5 performs a record with a total free area capacity, a recording time (or capacity) corresponding to a recordable area in each recording mode (transfer rate), and efficiency. The ratio of the total free area capacity to the area is displayed on the display unit in a display form as shown in FIG.
[0035]
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the total free capacity is 2 GB, but when the transfer rate of 8 Mbps is selected, the effective free capacity is 1.0 GB, and when the transfer rate of 4 Mbps is selected, the effective free capacity. When a transfer rate with a capacity of 1.5 GB and 2 Mbps is selected, the effective free capacity is 2.0 GB and the effective free capacity is different, but this is an empty area (waste that cannot be used for recording depending on each transfer rate). This is because a free area whose capacity is equal to or smaller than the minimum recording capacity m of the above-mentioned formula 1) occurs.
[0036]
The relationship between the effective free capacity and the total free capacity at each transfer rate is shown to the user as, for example, 50%, 70%, 100%, etc. as shown in FIG. It is possible to provide a judgment material when selecting the.
[0037]
Since the user can recognize the waste area and the recordable time in each recording mode (transfer rate) from the information displayed in this way, the video to be recorded, the desired resolution, the recording time, and the free space In addition, the recording mode is selected by operating the operation unit 4 in consideration of the waste area.
[0038]
When the user gives an instruction to start recording without setting the transfer rate, for example, a predetermined rate such as the maximum transfer rate may be automatically selected and recorded.
[0039]
Next, the type of signal to be recorded is selected in this way, the recording mode (transfer rate) is set, and when the recording start is instructed, the system controller 5 sets the recording mode (transfer) set by the user. Rate) is set to AV-ENDEC10. Further, the laser spot is controlled to be irradiated onto the disk 1 through the optical head 2, and an address signal detected by an address reproducing circuit in the optical head 2 is captured. Based on this address signal, the system controller 5 controls the movement of the optical head 2 to a sector for recording via the servo processor 7 and the driver 3, and controls the optical head 2 to a standby state at this address.
[0040]
The AV-ENDEC 10 performs MPEG compression processing of video signals (and audio signals) to be recorded in units of GOPs while controlling writing / reading with respect to the buffer memory 11, and performs track buffering according to the transfer rate set by the system controller 5. The values of “FULL” and “EMPTY” of 9 are set. The values “FULL” and “EMPTY” are values respectively indicating the upper limit value and the lower limit value of data written to the track buffer 9.
[0041]
The signal processing circuit 6 controls to write the data compressed by the AV-ENDEC 10 to the track buffer 9 for each predetermined recording unit, and the data amount of the data written to the track buffer 9 becomes the value of “FULL”. At the timing, reading of the data written in the track buffer 9 is started, and a sector address, a sync signal, and an error correction code are added to form ECC block unit data. Then, this data is transferred to the optical head 2 at a transfer rate of “25 Mbps”, for example.
[0042]
The optical head 2 is controlled to a standby state (waiting for kick) on the track to be recorded until the data read from the track buffer 9 is supplied. The standby state is released, and data is recorded on the target recording track.
[0043]
Next, in the track buffer 9, data is written from the AV-ENDEC 10 while data is being read. The transfer rate of the written data is, for example, 8 Mbps. The transfer rate of the read data is the 25 Mbps. For this reason, since the reading speed is faster than the writing speed to the track buffer 9, the amount of data stored in the track buffer 9 gradually decreases even when the writing is performed, and the “EMPTY” Value.
[0044]
When the data amount of the data written in the track buffer 9 reaches the value “EMPTY”, the system controller 5 controls to stop reading the data from the track buffer 9 and the optical head 2 should also record next. Control to the standby state (waiting for kick) on the track. Then, the data writing is performed in a state where the reading is not performed, so that the data reading is resumed at the timing when the data amount of the track buffer 9 becomes the value “EMPTY”. The system controller 5 controls the recording of data while performing such writing and reading control on the track buffer 9, so that the continuity of the input data is recorded while intermittently recording on the disk 1. Recording is performed after ensuring.
[0045]
(C) Playback operation
In the reproduction mode, the system controller 5 records the data recorded intermittently based on the start address and end address of the data area (recorded area) recorded in the management area on the disc 1. And the optical head 2 is controlled to move and reproduce so as to reproduce each in turn.
[0046]
Further, the system controller 5 detects the compression rate recorded in the control data of the video signal among the reproduction signals, and the data is recorded. The values “FULL” and “EMPTY” are set for the track buffer 9 respectively.
[0047]
Data reproduced from the disk 1 is transferred and written to the track buffer 9 at the transfer rate of 25 Mbps. The system controller 5 monitors the remaining capacity of the storage capacity of the track buffer 9, and the data written in the track buffer 9 at the timing when the remaining capacity becomes “EMPTY” is transferred at the transfer rate at the time of recording the data. Read control is performed and this is supplied to the AV-ENDEC 10.
[0048]
In addition, at the timing when the remaining amount becomes “FULL”, the optical head 2 is controlled to be in a standby state (a state of waiting for kick), and only data read control from the track buffer 9 is performed. Then, by only reading data from the track buffer 9, the optical head 2 is controlled to be reproduced so that the reproduction of data is resumed at the timing when the remaining amount becomes “EMPTY”. As a result, the data reproduced from the track buffer 9 can be reproduced continuously while intermittently reproducing the data from the disk 1, and the reproduction can be performed while ensuring the continuity of the data.
[0049]
The AV-ENDEC 10 separates and forms video data and audio data by performing MPEG decompression processing or the like while performing read / write control on the data read from the track buffer 9 with respect to the buffer memory 11, and these are not shown. Output via a D / A converter. As a result, continuous video and audio recorded on the disc 1 can be viewed via, for example, the television receiver 16.
[0050]
(D) Chasing playback function 1
Next, the above-described DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a “chasing reproduction function” for reproducing data recorded a little before from a position designated by the user while performing recording.
[0051]
First, FIG. 3A shows the area of the address C which is the management area on the disk 1, FIG. 3B shows the address of the A area which is the data area, and FIG. 3C shows the data area. The address of area B is shown. It is assumed that no data is recorded in the addresses of the A area and the B area shown in FIGS.
[0052]
In the management area shown in FIG. 3A, the start address and end address of the data file recorded on the disc 1, the transfer rate of the data, title information, copyright information, etc. are recorded after the recording is completed. It has become.
[0053]
During reproduction, the system controller 5 retrieves which file data is recorded at which address from the contents of the management area, and performs reproduction processing by controlling the movement of the optical head 2 to that address by the user's input. . Further, at the time of recording, it is determined from the contents of this management area which area is an empty area and which of these empty areas can be recorded according to the transfer rate selected by the user. .
[0054]
Transfer rate of recording / playback to media A
First signal transfer rate Bi
Second signal transfer rate Bo
Minimum TB capacity C
Capacity of first signal Cw
Capacity of second signal Cr
Seek time Tw from first to second position
The seek time Tr from the second position to the first position
Then, when simultaneous recording and reproduction processing is performed, the sum of the transfer rate “Bi” of the first signal and the transfer rate “Bo” of the second signal as shown in the following two equations is The condition is that the recording / reproduction transfer rate “A” for 1 is not exceeded.
[0055]
A> Bi + Bo ………………………………………… 2 sets
The seek time referred to here is the time during which reproduction or recording is stopped at the first position and the optical head 2 moves from the first position to the second position, and the optical head 2 moves to the second position. The time until the address on the target track is confirmed later, the preparation work for reproduction or recording is completed, and the data can be reproduced or recorded is shown.
[0056]
Considering the seek time during which the optical head 2 moves from the first position to the second position, the track buffer is loaded from the disk 1 between the time during which one signal is recorded or reproduced and the seek times Tr and Tw. Data amount Cw, Cr corresponding to the time recorded on the disk 9 or the time recorded on the disk 1 from the track buffer 9, or Cr indicating the capacity of the continuous reproduction area of the disk 1 during reproduction, The relationship of Cw indicating the capacity of continuous recordable free areas is as follows.
[0057]
That means
Recording or playback time of first signal capacity Rw
Second signal capacity recording or reproduction time Rr
Then,
Rw = Cw / A …………………………………………… 3 formulas
Rr = Cr / A …………………………………………… 4 formulas
And
The ratio of the disc transfer rate to the disc transfer rate and the difference between the recording and playback signal transfer rate is
A / (A-Bi-Bo) ………………………………
It becomes.
[0058]
This is the seek time and recording / playback time relative to the seek time.
(Rw + Rr + Tr + Tw) / (Tr + Tw) ………… 6 formula
If the relationship between the formulas 5 and 6 is equal,
A / (A−Bi−Bo) = (Rw + Rr + Tr + Tw) / (Tr + Tw)...
And when this is transformed,
(Rw + Rr) = (Bi + Bo) * (Tr + Tw) / (A-Bi-Bo) ......... 8 formulas
It becomes.
[0059]
Substituting the above formulas 3 and 4 into this,
(Cr + Cw) = A * (Bi + Bo) * (Tw + Tr) / (A-Bi-Bo) ...... 9 formulas
It becomes.
[0060]
Here, the transfer rate A (25 Mbps in this example) for recording / reproduction to / from the disk 1 is fixed, and the transfer rate Bi of the first signal and the transfer rate Bo of the second signal are determined by user settings and the like. Since the seek time Tw from the first to the second position and the seek time Tr from the second to the first position are determined by the address on the disk 1 on which recording / reproduction is performed, the specification of the apparatus, etc., this relationship is stabilized. In order to satisfy the above, the first signal capacity Cw and the second signal capacity Cr, which are the minimum capacity for continuous recording and reproduction, have a capacity satisfying the following 10-12 formulas. Is required. (Cr + Cw) ≧ A * (Bi + Bo) * (Tw + Tr) / (A−Bi−Bo) …… 10 formulas
Cr ≧ A * Bo * (Tw + Tr) / (A−Bi−Bo) ……………………
Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−Bi−Bo) …………………… 12 formula
[0061]
That is, the transfer rate A for recording / reproducing with respect to the disc 1, the transfer rate Bo for the first signal of the expanded reproduction signal or the compressed signal to be recorded, the transfer rate Bi for the second signal, and reproducing or recording these two signals. When the seek times Tr and Tw for moving between the area positions on the disk 1 to be determined are determined, the recording times Rr and Rw determined by the relationship between the minimum recording unit capacity Cr and Cw or the transfer rate are 10 to 10 times. Unless Expression 12 is satisfied, continuity of data to be recorded or reproduced cannot be ensured.
[0062]
In order to ensure the continuity of the data to be reproduced, when reproducing the first signal, the data of the capacity Cw of the minimum recording unit is read to the track buffer 9 at a time, and the reproduction process is performed. Is reproduced at a time by reading the data of the capacity Cr of the minimum recording unit to the track buffer 9 at a time. Further, in order to ensure the continuity of data to be recorded, when the first signal is recorded, the data of the capacity Cw of the minimum recording unit is transferred from the track buffer 9 to the optical head 2 at a time for recording processing. When the second signal is recorded, the data of the minimum recording unit capacity Cr is transferred from the track buffer 9 to the optical head 2 at a time to perform the recording process. As a result, signals of each transfer rate can be recorded and reproduced simultaneously and continuously.
[0063]
In other words, in order to be able to continuously reproduce the first and second signals simultaneously on a recorded reproduction-only disc, the transfer rate of reproduction to the disc in a device that reproduces data from that disc. In consideration of the relationship between the recording time and the seek time, continuous reproduction is compensated by recording data by setting the capacity of the minimum recording unit based on the equations 10-12. Further, according to the formulas 10 to 12, “FULL” of the track buffer 9 for the first and second signals at the recording / reproduction of each transfer rate as well as the capacity of the minimum recording area and the maximum size of the track buffer 9 Each value of “EMPTY” is determined.
[0064]
Next, when the recorded data is reproduced during recording, the transfer rate of the data being recorded and the data to be reproduced is generally the same transfer rate (Bi = Bo), and the minimum reproduction is performed. Since the unit amount is the same (Cw = Cr), the relationship between the data amount corresponding to the writing time to the track buffer 9 or the capacity Cw of the free space in the smallest unit of the disk 1 is as follows.
The transfer rate of recording / playback to the disc is A,
Transfer rate Bi (Bo) of the first signal of the decompressed reproduction signal or the compressed signal to be recorded,
When the seek time Tw and the standby time Tr for moving the first signal between the area positions on the disk to be reproduced or recorded are as follows:
Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi) ……………… 13 formula
Thus, if the minimum recording unit capacity Cw is not set so as to satisfy the equation (13), the continuity of a signal reproduced during recording cannot be ensured.
[0065]
The seek time Tw referred to here is the time when the optical head 2 is moved from the first position where recording is stopped to the second position where recording is started, after the recording is stopped at the first recording position. The time from when the optical head 2 is moved to the position 2 to confirm the address on the target track, the preparation work for reproduction is finished, and the reproduction of data is started is shown.
[0066]
The reproduction-to-recording standby time Tr indicates the time from the start of reproduction from the second position to the stop of reproduction at the first position until the start of the next recording.
[0067]
Such calculation may be performed by the system controller 5 every time recording / reproduction is performed, but the calculation results are tabulated in advance in the program ROM of the system controller 5, and the results are obtained by referring to this table. You may do it.
[0068]
In order to ensure the continuity of the signal reproduced during recording, when the first signal is recorded, the capacity Cw of the minimum recording unit is transferred from the track buffer 9 to the optical head 2 at a time, and recording processing is performed. When the first signal is reproduced, the capacity Cw of the minimum recording unit is written into the track buffer 9 at a time and reproduction processing is performed, so that signals of the respective transfer rates can be reproduced continuously during recording.
[0069]
In other words, when the first signal of the minimum recording unit Cw is reproduced in units of Cw at the transfer rate Bi, when recording the first signal of the transfer rate Bi, the first of the transfer rate Bi is used. Must be recorded in the minimum recording unit Cw. For this reason, as a free area on the disc 1, a free area having a capacity of at least the minimum recording unit Cw is required.
[0070]
The system controller 5 detects the free area based on the address information recorded in the management area on the disk 1 and performs the calculation of the above formula 13, so that the capacity of each free area exceeds the value of Cw. If it exceeds, it is determined as a valid free area. Based on the calculation result, the total free area capacity, the recording time (or capacity) corresponding to the recordable area at each transfer rate, and the ratio of the total free area capacity to the recordable area A certain efficiency is displayed on the display unit in a display form as shown in FIG. 4 to notify the user.
[0071]
Further, when the value obtained by doubling the transfer rate Bi of the input signal exceeds the transfer rate A = 25 Mbps for recording on the disk 1 in this embodiment, it is impossible to reproduce the input signal while recording it. This is also notified to the user. For example, when the transfer rate Bi of the input signal is 13 Mbps, a value obtained by doubling this becomes 26 Mbps, which exceeds the transfer rate A of recording to the disc 1 = 25 Mbps. As shown in FIG. 4, “Not recordable” is displayed to notify the user. As a result, the user can recognize the display content, thereby preventing an erroneous selection of the transfer rate and making it possible to select the transfer rate more efficiently.
[0072]
FIG. 4 shows recording time, recording capacity, and efficiency when only one signal is normally recorded, and recording availability, recording time, recording capacity, and efficiency when the chasing playback function is selected. However, as this display form, the calculation results when signals of all transfer rates are reproduced may be displayed, or only the recording availability, recording time, recording capacity, and efficiency of the chasing reproduction function may be displayed. (The result of normal recording need not be displayed.) However, in the case of recording and reproducing two signals as compared with the case of normal recording, there is a possibility that the efficiency at the time of recording a free area may be lowered, so it is desirable to inform the user of this.
[0073]
Next, after recognizing the waste area and time at each transfer rate based on the information displayed on the display unit, the user considers the video information and audio information to be recorded, the free space and the waste area, A desired transfer rate is selected by operating the operation unit 4. When recording and reproduction with the chasing reproduction function is started without setting the transfer rate, recording and reproduction may be automatically started at a predetermined value such as the maximum transfer rate.
[0074]
Next, a series of recording / reproducing operations in the chasing reproduction function will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6. FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of recording / reproducing operations at the time of chasing reproduction, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing transition of the remaining amount of the storage area of the track buffer and timing of recording, seeking and reproducing at the time of chasing reproduction. is there.
[0075]
First, in FIG. 5, this flowchart describes a normal recording operation. First, when a desired transfer rate of the input signal is selected and an instruction to start recording is given, the operation is started and the process proceeds to step S1. When the user selects a desired transfer rate, the system controller 5 sets the values of “FULL” and “EMPTY” corresponding to the selected transfer rate as described above, respectively, as shown in FIGS. As shown in b), the track buffer 9 is set. In FIG. 1, the switch 12 terminals B1 and B2 are selected as input signals for a TV tuner or the like, and a video signal is output to the TV 16 via the NTSC encoder 15 and input to the AV-ENDEC 10.
[0076]
Next, as described above, when this recording is started, the system controller 5 makes a free area (minimum recording unit satisfying the equation 13) that allows continuous data recording and reproduction at each transfer rate. (Free space of capacity Cw) is searched. For this reason, the system controller 5, as shown in FIG. 6 (e), starts the first free area (recording start position = recording position) that enables continuous data recording / reproduction at the transfer rate selected by the user in step S1. The optical head 2 is controlled to move to a position such as a1 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D (= seeking: see symbol S in FIG. 6E). Then, it is determined whether or not the optical head 2 has moved to the recording start position (a1) (step S1). If No, the routine of step S1 is repeatedly executed until the optical head 2 has moved to the recording start position. If yes, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0077]
While the movement of the optical head 2 is controlled in this way, the input signal to be recorded is encoded by the AV-ENDEC 10 and written to the track buffer 9. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the amount of recording data written to the track buffer 9 gradually increases. The system controller 5 monitors the data amount of the track buffer 9 and, as shown in FIG. 6B, in step S2, the data amount of the track buffer 9 becomes “FULL” at the timing when the data amount of the track buffer 9 becomes “FULL”. Reading of the recording data written on the recording medium is started, transferred to the optical head 2, recording control of the recording data is performed on the disk 1, and the process proceeds to step S3 (see symbol W in FIG. 6D).
[0078]
Next, as described above, in the case of this embodiment, the transfer rate of the recording data read from the track buffer 9 is a transfer rate (25 Mbps) that is at least twice the transfer rate of the recording data written to the track buffer 9. As the recording data is read out from the track buffer 9, the data amount of the recording data stored in the track buffer 9 gradually decreases as shown in FIG. 6B. The system controller 5 monitors the amount of data in the track buffer 9. In step S3, the system controller 5 determines whether or not the amount of data in the track buffer 9 is “EMPTY”. If No, the process returns to step S2. Recording control is continued. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S4.
[0079]
In step S4, since the data amount of the track buffer 9 has become “EMPTY”, the system controller 5 temporarily stops recording here and proceeds to step S5. At this time, the area where the recording is completed is an area from a1 etc. (recording start position) to a4 etc. shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D.
[0080]
Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not chasing playback is selected by the user. Here, if no follow-up playback request is input, it is monitored in step S6 that the data amount in the track buffer 9 becomes “FULL” in order to continue normal recording processing. If it does not become “FULL”, N. , S6 is repeated, and when “FULL” is reached, the process returns to S1 and recording is performed at the position a4 to be recorded next. Usually, this process is repeated and recording is performed continuously.
[0081]
If the user wants to take a temporary recording while recording and wants to watch a video recorded some time ago, for example, if there is a chasing playback request input, the user inputs the requested location information, and the process proceeds to step S7. . In step S7, in order to reproduce the recording data at the requested position (here, the position of a1), the system controller 5 starts from the recording stop position of a4 as indicated by symbol TW in FIG. The optical head 2 is controlled to move to the recording start position a1, and the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the system controller 5 determines whether or not the optical head 2 has reached the recording start position a1 by controlling the movement of the optical head 2 in this way. The routines of steps S7 and S8 are repeatedly executed until the recording start position a1 is reached, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S9.
[0082]
In step S9, since the optical head 2 has reached the recording start position a1, the recording data recorded in the recording areas a1 to a4 is controlled to be reproduced as indicated by symbol R in FIG. The data is transferred at high speed to the track buffer 9 at a transfer rate of 25 Mbps, and the process proceeds to step S10. As a result, the reproduction data reproduced from the recording areas a1 to a4 of the disk 1 is written to the track buffer 9, and the reproduction data written to the track buffer 9 is gradually accumulated as shown in FIG. It will be. The reproduced data written in the track buffer 9 is read out at a recording transfer rate that is a transfer rate equal to or less than ½ of the 25 Mbps transfer rate, decoded by the AV-ENDEC 10 and output. At this time, the switch 12 in FIG. 1 is switched to the A1 and A2 sides, so that the previously recorded data can be reproduced later and followed up.
[0083]
The position A4 on the disk 1 is the position where the previous recording was stopped. When the next recording is performed, the recording is resumed from the position A4. Therefore, when the system controller 5 finishes reproducing the recording data recorded in the recording areas A1 to A4, the position of A4, which is the reproduction end position in this case, as indicated by the symbol Tr in FIG. Thus, the optical head 2 is controlled to a standby state.
[0084]
Next, while the reproduction control is performed in this way, the data to be recorded is controlled to be written to the track buffer 9. During this reproduction, the recorded data is recorded from the track buffer 9 to the disk 1. Therefore, the recording data written in the track buffer 9 is gradually accumulated as shown in FIG. 6 (b). The system controller 9 monitors the data amount of the track buffer 9 and determines whether or not the data amount of the recording data stored in the track buffer 9 has a value of “FULL” in step S10. If YES, the process returns to step S9 to continue reading the reproduction data from the track buffer 9. If YES, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0085]
In step S11, since the data amount of the recording data stored in the track buffer 9 has reached the value “FULL” as shown in FIG. 6B, the reproduction data read control from the track buffer 9 is temporarily stopped. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.
[0086]
In step S12, the system controller 5 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of the chasing playback. When the end is designated (YES), all the routines in the flowchart shown in FIG. If NO is instructed (NO), the process returns to step S1.
[0087]
As described above, when the reproduction of the recording data recorded in the recording areas a1 to a4 is completed, the optical head 2 is controlled in a standby state at the position a4 that is the reproduction end position. Therefore, when returning to step S1, the system controller 5 checks whether or not the optical head 2 has moved to the position a4. In step S2, the recording data having the value of “FULL” is recorded in the track buffer 9. And recording is restarted from the position a4 as shown in FIG.
[0088]
When the data amount of the recording data accumulated in the track buffer 9 becomes “EMPTY” by this recording, the system controller 5 controls to stop the recording in step S4. In the example shown in FIG. 6D, the recording is performed from the position a4 to the position a7 from when the recording is resumed until the stop control is performed.
[0089]
Next, when the recording stop control is performed at the position a7, the system controller 5 controls the movement of the optical head 2 from the position a7 to the position a4 as shown in FIG. 6E in step S7. As shown in FIG. 6C, the recorded data from the position a4 to the position a7 recorded previously is reproduced.
[0090]
When it is detected in step S10 that the amount of recording data written in the track buffer 9 has reached the value "FULL", playback is controlled to stop in step S11, and the process returns to step S1 to stop the previous recording. Recording is resumed from the controlled position a7.
[0091]
As is clear from the above description, in the follow-up reproduction provided in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, before recording, an empty area of the capacity Cw, which is the minimum recording unit that satisfies the above-described equation 13, is obtained. Search is performed for each transfer rate of the input signal, and the efficiency for each transfer rate is displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to recognize the recordable time for each transfer rate, so that a more efficient transfer rate can be selected, and the recording capacity is insufficient during recording. Etc. can be prevented.
[0092]
Further, when there is no free space on the disc 1 that allows continuous recording / reproduction in accordance with the transfer rate of the input signal, the characters “recording impossible” are displayed on the display unit. Therefore, even if data cannot be reproduced continuously, a recording error occurs such that recording is performed without knowing this, and data is not continuously reproduced after recording is completed. Can be prevented.
[0093]
In particular, since an optical disc called a write-once (WO) can be recorded only once, if recording is performed without knowing that data cannot be continuously reproduced, recording cannot be performed again. The disc itself may be wasted, but by informing the user in advance that continuous recording / reproduction is not possible as in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, such inconvenience is caused. Can be prevented.
[0094]
In the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, the recording data written in the track buffer 9 after the user selects a desired transfer rate of the input signal and searches for an empty area that enables continuous recording / reproduction. Recording is performed until the accumulated amount of the recording data written in the track buffer 9 becomes “EMPTY”, and the recording is stopped and controlled until the accumulated amount becomes “EMPTY”. The recorded data recorded during the period from “FULL” to “EMPTY” is played back, followed by playback, and the recording is stopped and the recording is resumed at the timing when the accumulated amount becomes “FULL”. The operation is repeatedly executed until an instruction to end the mode is detected in step S10. As a result, the recorded information can be chased and reproduced while ensuring the continuity of the information to be recorded. In addition, when the recording / reproducing relationship cannot be maintained due to a problem such as a sudden increase in the transfer rate of the recording signal during the recording / reproducing operation alternately, the recording operation is given priority. By temporarily interrupting the reproduction operation, the temporary reproduction is disturbed, but the recording signal can maintain the continuity, and the subsequent reproduction processing can be continuously reproduced.
[0095]
(E) Chasing playback function 2
Next, in the above-described DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, in response to a user input instruction, recording is started at that point, and this recording is continued while responding to a user input instruction again. In addition, a second “chase playback function” for reproducing the data recorded from the designated position is provided.
[0096]
When performing this second “chase playback function”, the system controller 5 detects a free area based on the address information recorded in the management area on the disc 1 and performs the calculation of equation (13). It is determined whether the capacity of each free area exceeds the value of the capacity Cw of the minimum recording unit that compensates for the continuity of recording and reproduction. As described with reference to FIG. 4, the total free area capacity, the recording time (or capacity) corresponding to the recordable area at each transfer rate, and the total free area capacity for the recordable area. The efficiency that is the ratio of the above is displayed on the display unit and notified to the user.
[0097]
Further, when the value obtained by doubling the transfer rate Bi of the input signal exceeds the transfer rate A = 25 Mbps for recording on the disk 1 in this embodiment, it is impossible to reproduce the input signal while recording it. This is also notified to the user. For example, when the transfer rate Bi of the input signal is 13 Mbps, a value obtained by doubling this becomes 26 Mbps, which exceeds the transfer rate A of recording to the disc 1 = 25 Mbps. As shown in FIG. 4, “Not recordable” is displayed and the user is notified to prevent a transfer rate selection error.
[0098]
Next, when a desired transfer rate is set by the user based on this display and the start of the chasing playback function 2 is instructed (for example, input of a pause switch), the system controller 5 displays each of the flowcharts shown in FIG. The chasing playback function 2 is executed by executing the routine. In the description of the flowchart of FIG. 7, steps showing the same operations as those in the chasing playback 1 described above are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description will be simplified.
[0099]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 starts when a desired transfer rate of the input signal is determined and the chasing playback instruction is input. In step S100, it is determined whether the chasing playback instruction is input. If there is no input, the monitoring is continued, and if it is input, the process proceeds to step S101, and encoding of the recording information input at that time is started. Next, the process proceeds to step S1. When the user selects a desired transfer rate, the system controller 5 sets the values of “FULL” and “EMPTY” corresponding to the selected transfer rate as described above, respectively, as shown in FIGS. Set in the track buffer 9 as shown in b). At this time, in FIG. 1, the switch 12 terminals B1 and B2 are selected as input signals for the TV tuner or the like, and a video signal is output via the NTSC encoder 15 at 16:22 on TV.
[0100]
In step S1, the system controller 5 controls the movement of the optical head 2 to the head (recording start position) of the first empty area among the empty areas of the capacity Cw searched in advance by performing the calculation of equation (13). Then, when the optical head 2 stores the recording start position and detects that the movement control is performed at this position, the process proceeds to step S2, and the recording data stored in the track buffer 9 is transferred to the optical head 2 to transfer the disk. Record in 1. This recording is continued until it is determined in step S3 that the amount of recording data stored in the track buffer 9 is “EMPTY”. If it is determined that “EMPTY” is determined in step S3, the process proceeds to step S4 and recording is performed. Once stopped, control is performed.
[0101]
In step S4, since the data amount of the track buffer 9 has become “EMPTY”, the system controller 5 temporarily stops recording here and proceeds to step S5.
[0102]
Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the user has selected the second input that is a follow-up reproduction request. Here, if no follow-up playback request is input, it is monitored in step S6 that the data amount in the track buffer 9 becomes “FULL” in order to continue the above recording process, and if it does not become “FULL”, N. , S6 is repeated, and when “FULL” is reached, the process returns to S1 and recording is performed at the position a4 to be recorded next. Usually, this process is repeated and recording is performed continuously. If the user removes a temporary seat during recording and wants to view a video recorded a while ago, and there is an input of a chasing playback request (for example, input of the same pause switch as described above), the recording stored in step S1 is started. The position is read, and the process proceeds to step S102.
[0103]
When stopping the recording, the system controller 5 controls the movement of the optical head 2 to the head position of the recording area where the recording data is recorded at step S102, and at the timing when the head position is detected at step S8, at step S9. Then, control is performed to reproduce the recorded data.
[0104]
The reproduction data is transferred at high speed to the track buffer 9 at a transfer rate of 25 Mbps, and the process proceeds to step S10. As a result, the reproduction data reproduced from the recording area is written into the track buffer 9, and the reproduction data written into the track buffer 9 is gradually accumulated. The reproduction data written in the track buffer 9 is read out at a recording transfer rate that is a transfer rate equal to or less than ½ of the 25 Mbps transfer rate, decoded by the AV-ENDEC 10, and output. At this time, the switch 12 shown in FIG. 1 is switched to the terminals A1 and A2, so that the previously recorded data can be reproduced and followed up.
[0105]
Next, while the reproduction control is performed in this way, the data to be recorded is controlled to be written to the track buffer 9. During this reproduction, the recorded data is recorded from the track buffer 9 to the disk 1. Therefore, the recording data written in the track buffer 9 is gradually accumulated as shown in FIG. 6 (b). The system controller 9 monitors the data amount of the track buffer 9 and determines whether or not the data amount of the recording data stored in the track buffer 9 has a value of “FULL” in step S8. If YES, the process returns to step S9 to continue reading the reproduction data from the track buffer 9. If YES, the process proceeds to step S11.
[0106]
In step S11, since the data amount of the recording data stored in the track buffer 9 has a value of “FULL”, the reproduction data read control from the track buffer 9 is temporarily stopped and the process proceeds to step S12.
[0107]
In step S12, the system controller 5 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of the chasing playback. When the end is instructed (YES), the routine of the flowchart shown in FIG. If NO is instructed (NO), the process returns to step S1.
[0108]
As is clear from the above description, in the follow-up reproduction provided in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, before recording, an empty area of the capacity Cw which is the minimum recording unit satisfying the above-mentioned equation (13) Are searched for each transfer rate of the input signal, and the efficiency for each transfer rate is displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to recognize the recordable time for each transfer rate, so that a more efficient transfer rate can be selected, and the recording capacity is insufficient during recording. Etc. can be prevented.
[0109]
Further, when there is no free space on the disc 1 that allows continuous recording / reproduction in accordance with the transfer rate of the input signal, the characters “recording impossible” are displayed on the display unit. Therefore, even if data cannot be reproduced continuously, a recording error occurs such that recording is performed without knowing this, and data is not continuously reproduced after recording is completed. Can be prevented.
[0110]
In particular, since an optical disc called a write-once (WO) can be recorded only once, if recording is performed without knowing that data cannot be continuously reproduced, recording cannot be performed again. The disc itself may be wasted, but by informing the user in advance that continuous recording / reproduction is not possible as in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, such inconvenience is caused. Can be prevented.
[0111]
In the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, a desired transfer rate of the input signal is selected by the user, and after searching for an empty area that enables continuous recording / reproducing, the data is written in the track buffer 9. Recording is performed until the storage amount of the recording data reaches the value “FULL” to “EMPTY”, and the recording is stopped at the timing when the storage amount of the recording data written in the track buffer 9 becomes “EMPTY”. Recording data recorded during the period from when the accumulation amount becomes “FULL” to “EMPTY” is reproduced, followed by reproduction, and recording is stopped at the timing when the accumulation amount becomes “FULL”. The restarting operation is repeatedly executed until an end instruction for chasing playback is detected in step S12.
[0112]
Accordingly, it is possible to perform chasing reproduction while ensuring the continuity of information to be recorded. In addition, when the recording / reproducing relationship cannot be maintained due to a problem such as a sudden increase in the transfer rate of the recording signal during the recording / reproducing operation alternately, the recording operation is given priority. By temporarily interrupting the reproduction operation, the temporary reproduction is disturbed, but the recording signal can maintain the continuity, and the subsequent reproduction processing can be continuously reproduced.
[0113]
In the description of the above-described embodiment, the empty area of the capacity Cw of the minimum recording unit is calculated using the above equation 13 assuming that the recording data has a fixed transfer rate. If the transfer rate is variable, the transfer rate of the recording data at the previous recording may be different from the transfer rate of the recording data at the current recording. If the transfer rate of the recording data at the previous recording is different from the transfer rate of the recording data at the current recording, the transfer rate of the reproduced recording data and the next recording are executed when the chasing playback described above is executed. It is conceivable that the transfer rate of the recording data for performing is different.
[0114]
In this case, the transfer rate of the previously recorded recording data is left in the track buffer 9 until the previously recorded recording data is reproduced, and the transfer rate is set to “Cr” and processed using the above equation (10). Thus, it is possible to cope with a variable transfer rate.
[0115]
Also, when recording or reproducing one signal normally, the track buffer 9 uses the entire storage area (the entire 64 Mb) as one memory, but if the transfer rate of the recording data changes midway, The storage area of the track buffer 9 may be divided and used according to the ratio of each transfer rate. In this case, the data in the track buffer 9 is confirmed when a recording or reproduction instruction is given, and the storage area is divided when it is confirmed that there is no data being recorded or reproduced.
[0116]
When the transfer rate is changed during recording or reproduction, the data in the track buffer 9 is confirmed at the time of this change, and it is confirmed that there is no data being recorded or reproduced. To divide the storage area.
[0117]
As a result, the storage area in the track buffer 9 can be divided in real time according to the data transfer rate, and the storage capacity can be properly used, and the margin of the storage capacity of the track buffer 9 is optimized according to the data transfer rate can do. Further, it is possible to improve playability such as retry (re-recording or re-playing) during normal recording or playback.
[0118]
(F)ApplyExample
  Next, the present inventionApplyDescribe an example information transmission system. NaThisApplyIn the description of the examples, the same reference numerals are given to the portions showing the same operations as those in the first embodiment described above, and the duplicate description will be omitted.
[0119]
(G)ApplyExample configuration
  In other words, the first embodiment described above is a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces video signals, audio signals, and the like by compressing / decompressing them.ApplyAs shown in FIG. 8, the information transmission system of the example includes a recording / reproducing apparatus 20 that does not have a compression / decompression processing block (AV-ENDEC 10), and a compression / decompression processing apparatus 21 provided as a separate device from the recording / reproducing apparatus 20. Are connected by an ATAPI interface 22 (I / F).
[0120]
The recording / reproducing apparatus 20 includes an optical head 2 (PU), a driver 3 (DRIVER), a system controller 5 (SYSTEMCONT), a signal processing unit 6, a servo processor 7 (SERVER), a preamplifier 8 (PAMP), and a track buffer 9 (TB). , A spindle motor 12 (M).
[0121]
The compression / decompression processor 21 includes an AV-ENDEC 10, a buffer memory 11 (BF), a host computer 23 (host CP), a switch (SW) 12, an audio amplifier 13, a speaker 14, an NTSC encoder 15, and a television receiver (TV). 16, an antenna 17, a TV tuner 18, an AV input switching unit 19, the Internet, a cable TV network 20, and a cable converter (modem) 21.
[0122]
That is, the I / F block provided in the signal processing unit 6 of the recording / reproducing device 20 and the I / F block provided in the AV-ENDEC 10 of the compression / decompression processing device 21 are mutually connected via the ATAPI interface 22. The information transmission system is configured by connecting to.
[0123]
(H)ApplyExample behavior
  thisApplyThe information transmission system of the example performs recording / reproducing control of the recording / reproducing unit 20 based on a command system of Mount Fuji (Mt. Fuji: for example, Mount Fuji 3) of an industry group that prescribes commands for a computer peripheral disk storage device. It is like that.
[0124]
  That is, for the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, thisApplyIn the case of the information transmission system of the example, the compression / decompression processing device 21 does not have a key input unit such as the operation unit 4 or a control data decoding unit of the disk 1 such as the AV-ENDEC 10.
[0125]
For this reason, at the time of recording, a signal to be recorded is transmitted from the host CP 23 of the compression / decompression processing device 21 to the recording / reproducing device 20 via the interface 22.
[0126]
Specifically, when the user operates the host CP 23 of the compression / decompression processing device 21 or the follow-up reproduction of the signal to be recorded is set based on the instruction of the host CP 23, the host CP 23 is set to this setting. In accordance with the chasing playback operation, information such as a recording command and a recording start address is added and transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 side via the ATAPI interface 22. Then, following this command, the host CP 23 transmits the recording data encoded by the AV-ENDEC 10 and the buffer memory 11 to the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 side via the ATAPI interface 22.
[0127]
The recording / reproducing apparatus 20 recognizes a transfer rate of recording data to be transmitted from now on the basis of a command relating to chasing reproduction transmitted prior to transmission of recording data, and when the recording data is transmitted, The recording data is recorded on the disc as in the first embodiment.
[0128]
Next, the operation during reproduction will be described. When the user operates the host CP 23 and designates reproduction, the host CP 23 forms a reproduction command based on the command system of the mount Fuji 3 and transmits it to the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 side via the ATAPI interface 22.
[0129]
When this playback command is supplied, the recording / playback device 20 plays back the data recorded on the disc 1 by a predetermined amount of data, and transmits this playback data to the compression / decompression processing device 21 via the ATAPI interface 22. The host CP 23 of the compression / decompression processing device 21 detects the transfer rate of the reproduction data based on the reproduction data transmitted from the recording / reproduction device 20. Then, a transfer rate flag indicating this transfer rate is transmitted to the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 side via the ATAPI interface 22.
[0130]
The recording / reproducing device 20 recognizes the transfer rate of the data to be reproduced based on the transfer rate supplied from the compression / decompression processing device 21 side, reproduces the data from the disk 1 based on the transfer rate, and performs compression / decompression processing. Transmit to the device 21 side.
[0131]
The compression / decompression processing device 21 decodes the reproduced data by the AV-ENDEC 10 and the buffer memory 11 and outputs the decoded data.
[0132]
  As is clear from the above description, the present inventionApplyAn information transmission system as an example connects a recording / reproducing apparatus 20 that performs data recording / reproduction and a compression / decompression processing apparatus 21 that performs data compression / decompression processing via an ATAPI interface 22, and performs a recording / reproduction instruction command, Data recording / reproduction is performed while transmitting / receiving the data to be recorded / reproduced and the transfer rate of the data to be recorded / reproduced between both devices. As a result, similar to the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment described above, the recorded data can be chased and reproduced, and the same effect as the first embodiment described above can be obtained.
[0133]
In addition, since the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 does not have to be provided with the compression / decompression processing block (AV-ENDEC 10), the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 can be simplified.
[0134]
  Note that the above-mentionedApplyIn the description of the example, the ATAPI interface 22 is used for communication. However, for example, communication may be performed via an interface conforming to a standard such as IEEE1394. In addition to a wired communication mode using a cable, for example, a wireless communication mode using radio waves or light may be used.
[0135]
This is a general-purpose example of such an information transmission system. As the compression / decompression processing device 21, a computer device possessed by a user can be considered. Software corresponding to the compression / decompression processing block (AV-ENDEC 10 and buffer memory 11) is installed in this computer apparatus.
[0136]
On the other hand, the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 is a small DVD recording / reproducing apparatus such as a portable CD player. When the user has a computer device, the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 and the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 The compression / decompression processing software and the ATAPI interface code for connection are purchased. As described above, since it is not necessary to provide a compression / decompression processing block on the recording / reproducing apparatus 20 side, it can be manufactured in a small size and light weight, and can be provided to the user at a low cost.
[0137]
As a method of use, a computer device and a DVD recording / reproducing device are connected with an ATAPI interface code, an image taken into the computer device is encoded, transmitted to the DVD recording / reproducing device side, recorded, and reproduced by the DVD recording / reproducing device side. Or the like is transmitted to the computer device and reproduced. Such a data recording / reproducing form is a new data recording / reproducing form, which will be widely used in the future.
[0138]
  Finally, the aboveThe fruitIn the description of the embodiments, video information is mainly described as an example of information to be recorded and reproduced. However, this may be music information, audio information, sub-pictures, or information that combines these.
[0139]
In addition, continuous information such as video signals and audio signals is recorded and reproduced, but this is related to, for example, regularly updated still images, pseudo sounds related to still images, audio, and video signals. Information such as sub-pictures such as subtitles, video, audio, music, etc., which is shorter than the unit time for recording / playback, information that corresponds to the transfer rate within a predetermined range on average is recorded / played back You may make it do. If the transfer rate of such a signal is unknown, the above calculation process may be performed assuming that the transfer rate is the maximum value. Further, the recording / playback procedure and display contents are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.
[0140]
Further, although video information has been described as an example of information to ensure continuity, this may be computer data that does not make sense unless it is processed within a predetermined time. That is, it is a concept that generally includes a variable transfer rate and a fixed transfer rate that change every moment depending on image quality on the time axis.
[0141]
  In addition, the aboveThe fruitIn the description of the embodiments, the present invention is applied to a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus (and an information transmission system using a DVD). This is because a solid-state memory recording / reproducing apparatus using a semiconductor memory, a DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R (DVD Write Once (WO)), DVD + RW and other DVD related, MMVF, magneto-optical MD2, ASMO, gigamo and other optical recording / reproducing devices, or magnetic disk drive (HDD) Even if it is applied to magnetic recording or the like of a floppy disk drive (FDD) or the like, the same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0142]
  In addition, the aboveThe fruitExample DVD recording / reproducing apparatus andApplication exampleInformation transmission system using DVDToThe provided optical head 2 generally shows one optical pickup, but a plurality of them may be provided. Further, not only recording / reproducing with respect to one disc but also recording / reproducing with respect to a plurality of discs may be performed.
[0143]
  In addition, the aboveThe fruitIn the description of the embodiment, the track buffer 9 is used as the temporary storage means. However, the buffer memory 11 connected to the AV-ENDEC 10 may be used as the temporary storage means. In other words, the temporary storage means compensates for continuity by using the difference between the transfer rate for recording and reproducing signals between the medium and the temporary store, and the transfer rate of the temporarily stored signal and the actual compressed signal such as MPEG. As long as it is possible, any optical disk (CD-RW, DVD-RW, etc.), magnetic disk (FD, HDD, etc.) may be used.
[0144]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment described as an example, and according to the design, etc., as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated from other embodiments. Of course, various modifications are possible.
[0145]
【The invention's effect】
  In the present inventionAccording toThe vacant area detecting means detects the vacant area on the recording medium that can ensure the continuity of the information to be recorded / reproduced, and performs recording / reproduction on the vacant area, thereby continuously continuing the recording operation. However, the chasing playback of the information recorded a while ago is executed. As a result, it is possible to follow up and reproduce the recorded information while ensuring the continuity of the information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an effective free space on the recording medium detected by the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recording form on a recording medium on which information is recorded / reproduced by the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example when a free area having a capacity corresponding to a transfer rate of input information is not detected in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the chasing playback function 1 in the DVD recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transition of the occupation amount of data in a track buffer and a recording / reproducing timing at the time of chasing reproduction.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the chasing playback function 2 in the DVD recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[Fig. 8] of the present inventionApplyIt is a block diagram of an example information transmission system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... disc,
2 ... Optical head,
3 ... Driver,
4 ... operation part,
5 ... System controller,
6 ... Signal processing unit,
7 ... Servo processor,
8 ... Preamp,
9 ... Track buffer,
10: Encoder / decoder (AV-ENDEC),
11: Buffer memory,
20 ... Recording / reproducing apparatus,
21 ... Compression / decompression processing device,
22 ... Interface (ATAPI),

Claims (4)

Information to be recorded is written, a temporary storage means is read, and free space detecting means for detecting a free area on the recording medium capable of ensuring the continuity of the information recorded in the transfer rate Bi, during recording mode the information written to the temporary storage unit in front Kiten transmission rate Bi, said at the timing when the information amount of the written information is satisfied the set value in the temporary storage means, before the written in the temporary storage means information Reading at a transfer rate A faster than the transfer rate Bi , recording in the free area on the recording medium detected by the free area detection means, and the amount of information written in the temporary storage means is lower than the set value in the timing, a recording control means for stopping the recording of the information for the read and recording medium of the written in the temporary storage means information, from the recording mode, already during recording When changing the mode of the recording and reproducing mode for reproducing the recorded information is requested, a mode changing means for generating a control signal for operation of the recording mode, when the recording mode in response to a control signal output,
The vacant area detecting means starts the next recording from the time Tw required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the vacant area on the recording medium and the stop of reproduction of the information recorded in the vacant area on the recording medium. As the time Tr required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system up to and the amount of information Cw of the free area to be detected, Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi)
A recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition is detected as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information . Mode control signal generating means for generating a first mode control signal in response to an instruction to start a recording operation, and generating a second mode control signal in response to an instruction to start reproducing information already recorded during the recording operation; the information is written to, and a temporary storage means is read, and free space detecting means for detecting a free area on the recording medium capable of ensuring the continuity of the information recorded in the transfer rate Bi, the first mode control writing in the temporary storage unit in front Kiten transmission rate Bi said information in response to the signal, the information amount of said written into temporary storage means information at a timing satisfying a set value, written in the temporary storage means information, the read transfer rate Bi faster transfer rate than a, the recording of the detected free space on the recording medium was in free space detecting means, written in the temporary storage means At the timing when the information amount of broadcast drops below the set value, a recording control means for stopping the recording of the information for the read and recording medium of the written in the temporary storage means information,
In response to the second mode control signal, the vacant area detecting means detects the time Tw required to move and control the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the vacant area on the recording medium, and information recorded in the vacant area on the recording medium. The time Tr required to move and control the recording / playback system from the stop of playback to the start of the next recording, and the information amount Cw of the free area to be detected
Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi)
A recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein a free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition is detected as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information . A step of writing information to the memory and reading it from the memory; a step of detecting a free area on the recording medium capable of ensuring the continuity of the information recorded at the transfer rate Bi; and the information in the recording mode. Is read into the memory at the transfer rate Bi, and the information written in the memory is read at a transfer rate A faster than the transfer rate Bi at a timing when the amount of information written in the memory satisfies a set value. Reading the information written in the memory at a timing when the information amount of the information recorded in the free area on the recording medium detected in the free area detection step and written in the memory is lower than a set value. A step of stopping the recording of information on the recording medium, and reproducing the information already recorded during the recording from the recording mode. When changing the mode of the recording and reproducing mode is requested, the mode generating a control signal for performing the operation of the recording mode, in response to a control signal output when the recording mode,
The empty area detecting step starts the next recording from the time Tw required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the empty area on the recording medium and the stop of the reproduction of the information recorded in the empty area on the recording medium. Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi) where Cw is the time Tr required to move and control the recording / reproduction system until Cw, and the amount of information of the free area to be detected is Cw
And a step of detecting a free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information . A mode control signal generating step for generating a first mode control signal in response to an instruction to start a recording operation and generating a second mode control signal in response to an instruction to start reproducing information already recorded during the recording operation; Writing information to the memory and reading from the memory;
An empty area detecting step for detecting an empty area on a recording medium capable of ensuring continuity of information recorded at a transfer rate Bi; and the information is transferred to the memory at the transfer rate Bi according to the first mode control signal. At the timing when the amount of information written and written in the memory satisfies the set value, the information written in the memory is read at a transfer rate A faster than the transfer rate Bi and detected in the free space detection step When the amount of information recorded in the free space on the recording medium is reduced below a set value, reading of the information written in the memory and recording of information on the recording medium are stopped. And steps to
In response to the second mode control signal, the empty area detecting step includes a time Tw required to control the movement of the recording / reproducing system to the beginning of the empty area on the recording medium, and information recorded in the empty area on the recording medium. As the time Tr required to move and control the recording / playback system from the stop of playback to the start of the next recording, the amount of information Cw of the free area to be detected,
Cw ≧ A * Bi * (Tw + Tr) / (A−2 * Bi)
And a step of detecting a free area having a capacity satisfying the above condition as a free area capable of ensuring the continuity of the recorded / reproduced information.

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