JP4145823B2 - Information recording medium, recording apparatus and recording method for information recording medium, reproducing apparatus and reproducing method for information recording medium, computer program for recording or reproduction control, and data structure including control signal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information recording medium, a recording apparatus and a recording method for recording the recording data on the information recording medium, a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method for reproducing the recording data recorded on the information recording medium, a computer program for recording or reproduction control, The present invention also relates to a technical field of a data structure including a control signal for recording or reproduction control.

  There is defect management as a technique for improving the reliability of recording and reading of recording data in a high-density recording medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a magneto-optical disk. That is, when there are scratches or dust existing on the recording medium, deterioration of the recording medium, or the like (collectively referred to as “defects”), data to be recorded or recorded data where the defect exists. Are recorded in another area on the recording medium (this is called a “spare area”). As described above, the reliability of recording and reading of the recording data can be improved by saving the recording data that may cause recording failure or reading failure due to the defect to the spare area (see Patent Document 1).

  In general, a defect list is created for defect management. In the defect list, address information indicating the position of the defect existing on the recording medium, data that should have been recorded in the place where the defect exists, or a location in a spare area in which the recorded data is saved (for example, a spare area). Address information indicating the recording position in the area) is recorded.

  In general, the defect list is created at the time of initializing a recording medium or initial logical format for recording file system data. The defect list is also created when recording data is recorded on the recording medium. For example, after recording the recording data in the data area, the defect is detected by verifying the recording data. When a defect is detected, the recording data is saved in the spare area, and a defect list is created or updated. The defect list may be created when the recorded data is reproduced from the recording medium. For example, when recording data is reproduced, if a predetermined number or more of data is subjected to error correction processing with respect to recording data in a predetermined unit (for example, sector unit or cluster unit), the recording data in the predetermined unit is a defect that cannot be corrected in the future. It is judged that it becomes and becomes the object of evacuation. As described above, the defect list is created or updated every time recording data is saved in the spare area.

  When recording the recording data on the recording medium, the defect list is referred to. Thereby, the recording data can be recorded on the recording medium while avoiding the place where the defect exists. On the other hand, the defect list is also referred to when reproducing the recording data recorded on the recording medium. As a result, the recording data recorded in the normal recording area and the recording data recorded in the spare area due to the presence of the defect can be reliably read based on the defect list.

  When the data recording apparatus itself manages the defect list, the defect list is generally recorded in a specific area of the recording medium for which the defect list is created or updated. The defect list is read from the recording medium the next time when the recording data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced, or when the recording data is rewritten or added to the recording medium, and is read by the reading device. Or at the time of reproduction work by the reproduction device.

JP-A-11-185390

  By the way, when the recording apparatus manages the defect list, the defect list is recorded in a specific area of the recording medium. For example, in a rewritable (rewritable) optical disc using a blue laser, the defect list is a predetermined area secured in the lead-in area or lead-out area on the disc (hereinafter referred to as “defect management area”). ) Is recorded. Then, the recording data that should be recorded in the place where the defect originally exists is also saved in a specific area “spare area” of the recording medium.

  As described above, the defect list is updated each time recording data is recorded / rewritten, and a defect area is found at that location, or recording data is saved to the spare area. Then, after the defect list is updated by recording / rewriting the recording data, it is overwritten or additionally written to the defect management area of the recording medium to be recorded / rewritten at an appropriate timing. In addition, the recording data that should be recorded in the place where the defect originally exists is overwritten or additionally written in the spare area of the recording medium.

  By the way, the defect list update recording can be realized by rewriting the defect list in this way only when the recording medium is rewritable. When the recording medium is a so-called write-once type information recording medium, for example, a write-once type optical disk, for example, after the defect list is updated, the updated defect list is not stored in the information recording medium at an appropriate timing. Added to a new area of the record.

  However, when the defect list is added, it is impossible to determine at which position the defect list is recorded in the recording medium at the time of reproduction, and within the area reserved for recording the defect list. It is necessary to search in detail. Further, even in a recording medium in which areas reserved for defect list recording are dispersed at a plurality of locations, it is necessary to search the plurality of areas in a similar manner.

  Such a situation has a technical problem that the time required to search for the latest defect list increases and the efficiency of the reproduction process or the recording process deteriorates particularly in a recording medium such as a large-capacity optical disk. ing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. For example, an information recording medium capable of efficiently searching an updated defect list, and recording data is recorded on the information recording medium. Recording apparatus and recording method, reproducing apparatus and reproducing method for reproducing recorded data recorded on the information recording medium, computer program used for the recording apparatus or reproducing apparatus, and data structure including control signals for recording or reproducing control It is an issue to provide.

  In order to solve the above problem, an information recording medium according to claim 1 temporarily records a data area for recording recording data and defect management information which is a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. And a plurality of temporary defect management areas for identifying the recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and at least A flag area for recording second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in one temporary defect management area.

  In order to solve the above problem, a recording apparatus according to claim 13 is provided with (i) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporary recording, and (iii) a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas A flag area for recording first identification information for recording and second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas; A recording apparatus for recording the recording data on an information recording medium comprising: the recording First recording means for recording data and the defect management information; and second recording for updating the first and second identification information in accordance with the recording states of the plurality of temporary defect management areas and recording them in the flag area Means.

  In order to solve the above problem, the recording method according to claim 14 includes: (i) a data area for recording recording data; and (ii) defect management information that is a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporary recording, and (iii) a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas A flag area for recording first identification information for recording and second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas; A recording method for recording the recording data on an information recording medium comprising: the recording A first recording step for recording data and the defect management information; and a second recording for updating the first and second identification information in accordance with the recording states of the plurality of temporary defect management areas and recording them in the flag area A process.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the reproducing apparatus according to claim 15 includes: (i) a data area for recording recording data; and (ii) defect management information serving as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporary recording, and (iii) a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas A flag area for recording first identification information for recording and second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas; A reproducing apparatus for reproducing the recorded data recorded on an information recording medium comprising: Selection means for selecting the recorded temporary defect management area and the recording area based on the first identification information and the second identification information, the selected recorded temporary defect management area, and the selected A reading unit that reads the latest defect management information based on a recording area, and a reproducing unit that reproduces the recorded data recorded in the data area based on the read latest defect management information.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the reproducing method according to claim 16 includes: (i) a data area for recording recording data; and (ii) defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporary recording; and (iii) a recorded temporary defect which is a temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas. For recording first identification information for identifying a general defect management area and second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas For reproducing the recorded data recorded on an information recording medium comprising an area And a selection means for selecting the recorded temporary defect management area and the recording area based on the first identification information and the second identification information, and the selected recorded temporary defect. A reading process of reading the latest defect management information based on the management area and the selected recording area, and reproducing the recording data recorded in the data area based on the read latest defect management information A regeneration step.

  In order to solve the above problem, a computer program according to claim 17 is a computer program for recording control for controlling a computer provided in the recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the computer is the first computer program. It functions as at least a part of the recording means and the second recording means.

  In order to solve the above problem, a computer program according to claim 18 is a computer program for reproduction control for controlling a computer provided in the reproduction apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the computer is selected as the selection means. , And function as at least a part of the reading unit and the reproducing unit.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the data structure according to claim 19 is for temporarily recording a data area for recording recording data and defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas, and first identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and at least It comprises a flag area for recording second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in one temporary defect management area.

  The operation and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below.

  Hereinafter, an information recording medium, a recording apparatus and method, a reproducing apparatus and method, a computer program, and a data structure according to an embodiment of the present invention as the best mode for carrying out the invention will be described.

(Embodiment of information recording medium)
An embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention includes a data area for recording recording data,
A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area, and the latest defect management information among the plurality of temporary defect management areas are recorded. First identification information for identifying the recorded temporary defect management area and second identification for identifying the recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas And a flag area for recording information.

  According to the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, recording data including a series of contents can be recorded in the data area.

  In the temporary defect management area, the defect management information of the data area is temporarily recorded. Here, the “defect management information” in the present invention is information used for defect management, and is originally recorded at the save source address that is the address of the defect location in the data area and the location where the defect exists. Or a save destination address that is an address of a recording location of save data that is recorded data that has been recorded. Defect management means that when a defect such as a scratch, dust or deterioration exists in or on the information recording medium according to the present embodiment, recording data is recorded while avoiding the location where the defect exists, and the defect is avoided. Thus, the save data is recorded in a spare area which is an area for recording the record data. Further, when reproducing the recording data recorded on the information recording medium, a process of recognizing the position where the defect exists and reading the saved data from the spare area is also performed as part of the defect management.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, a plurality of (that is, two or more) temporary defect management areas are provided, and the latest defect management information is recorded in any one of the areas. Here, the “latest defect management information” in the present invention is intended to indicate defect management information having information on defects detected in the data area at the time.

  In addition, first and second identification information is recorded in the flag area. At this time, each of the first and second identification information may be recorded as a pair (for example, these two pieces of identification information are recorded as one identification information set). Each of the first and second identification information includes the temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded, and the latest defect management information is at least one temporary defect management area ( For example, it indicates in which recording area (or recording position) the recorded temporary defect management area).

  Therefore, for example, when a reproducing apparatus described later reproduces recorded data, the recorded temporary defect management area is identified relatively easily and efficiently by referring to the first identification information recorded in the flag area. be able to. In addition, by referring to the second identification information recorded in the flag area, the recording area of the latest defect management information in the temporary defect management area can be identified relatively easily and efficiently. If such a flag area does not exist, the playback device described later needs to search for the latest defect management information by searching for a plurality of temporary defect management areas. However, according to the information recording medium according to the present embodiment, the latest defect management information can be efficiently searched by referring to the flag area without searching for a plurality of temporary defect management areas as described above. It becomes possible to do. As a result, it is possible to increase the speed of recording processing, reproduction processing, and the like.

  In particular, according to the present embodiment, since the first identification information and the second identification information are recorded in the flag area, for example, once referring to the flag area, the recording area in which the latest defect management information is recorded. Can be identified relatively easily. That is, since the latest defect management information (or the vicinity of the recording area in which the latest defect management information is recorded) can be accessed by referring to the identification information once, the latest defect management information is searched. Therefore, the time required for this can be further shortened.

According to the present embodiment, the first and second identification information are recorded as the types of combination patterns of the areas that have been recorded according to a predetermined rule and the areas that have been left unrecorded in the flag area. You may comprise. Here, the “recorded state” in the present invention means a state in which some record data is written in the flag unit area regardless of whether or not the written record data has a predetermined meaning. is there. On the other hand, the “unrecorded state” in the present invention means a state in which no recorded data is written. With this configuration, each time the recorded temporary defect management area changes, or whenever the recording area in which the latest defect management information is recorded in the temporary defect management area changes, a new first Alternatively, it is not necessary to write the second identification information in a new flag area. That is, even in the write-once type, an unrecorded area in the flag area allocated from the beginning according to the number of temporary defect management areas etc. can be changed to a recorded state by writing some information. For example, each of the first and second identification information can be written as a combination pattern of a recorded state and an unrecorded state in the flag area. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the flag area or the first and second identification information in order to write the first and second identification information having the remarkable effects as described above. Space on the medium can be saved. Therefore, the present invention is very advantageous particularly in a write-once information recording medium.
As a result, according to the information recording medium of the present embodiment, it is possible to search for the latest defect management information more efficiently. As a result, it is possible to improve the efficiency (for example, increase the speed and simplify the operation) of the recording data recording or reproducing operation while performing defect management.

  In one aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the first identification information and the second identification information are recorded adjacent to each other in the flag area.

  According to this aspect, since the first and second identification information can be reliably referred to by one access to the flag area, the latest defect management information can be searched more efficiently and once. The latest defect management information can be acquired with certainty.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, when the information recording medium includes n (where n is an integer of 2 or more) temporary defect management areas, the flag area includes: n-1 first flag unit areas are included, and each of the n-1 first flag unit areas is in a recorded state, so that the n-1 first flags The first identification information is shown as a whole unit area.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to distinguish n temporary defect management areas using n−1 first flag unit areas. Here, the “flag unit area” in the present invention is intended to indicate a recording area having a predetermined size included in the flag area. That is, the above-described first identification information is indicated by a combination of n-1 first flag unit areas. Further, if it has n-1 first flag unit areas, for example, even a write-once information recording medium capable of recording the recording data only once, the latest information from the n temporary defect management areas. It is possible to search a recorded temporary defect management area in which the defect management information is recorded.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, when the at least one temporary defect management area includes m (where m is an integer of 2 or more) divided areas, the flag area is , M−1 second flag unit areas, and each of the m−1 second flag unit areas is in a state of being recorded or not. The second identification information is shown as the entire flag unit area.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to distinguish a plurality of divided areas in the temporary defect management area using the m−1 second flag unit areas. That is, the above-described second identification information is indicated by a combination of m-1 second flag unit areas. In particular, when the size of the temporary defect management area is relatively large, the temporary defect management area is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and in which divided area the latest defect management information is recorded. Can be recognized. In other words, the latest defect management information can be accessed by searching a recording area having a data size of approximately 1 / m compared to the case where the second identification information is not provided. That is, the time required for searching for the latest defect management information can be reduced to approximately 1 / m. Therefore, by referring to the second identification information, it is possible to retrieve the latest defect management information relatively easily and efficiently as compared with the operation of searching in the temporary defect management area. .

  In particular, in an information recording medium having a flag unit area, the latest defect management information is stored in any temporary defect management area and in any recording area as the above-described “n” and “m” take larger values. It is difficult to specify whether it is recorded. This is because, for example, more search processing is required to search all the temporary defect management areas all at once. However, according to the information recording medium of the present embodiment, if the flag area is referred to, the latest defect management information is efficiently used regardless of the number of temporary defect management areas or the data size of the temporary defect management area. Search is possible.

  Further, in the write-once information recording medium, once the flag unit area is recorded, it is difficult or impossible to make the flag unit area unrecorded. However, as long as it has the flag unit area as described above, the first information can be appropriately selected according to the type of combination pattern configured by combining the recorded state and the unrecorded state, even in a write-once information recording medium. And it becomes possible to record as 2nd identification information.

  As described above, in the aspect of the information recording medium in which the first flag unit area is recorded or not, at least one first flag in the recorded state among the n-1 first flag unit areas. In the flag unit area, backup data corresponding to the recording data may be recorded.

  Further, in the aspect of the information recording medium in which the second flag unit area is recorded or not, at least one second flag unit in the recorded state among the m−1 second flag unit areas. In the area, backup data corresponding to the recording data may be recorded.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform the function as a backup area at the same time as the flag area. Thereby, two functions can be given to the first or second flag unit area of the flag area, and it is possible to receive the benefits of the information recording medium according to the present embodiment.

  As described above, in the aspect of the information recording medium having n−1 flag unit areas, each of the n−1 first flag unit areas is configured to correspond to the minimum recording area of the information recording medium. May be.

  Further, in the aspect of the information recording medium having m−1 flag unit areas as described above, each of the n−1 second flag unit areas corresponds to the minimum recording area of the information recording medium. It may be configured.

  With this configuration, it is possible to further reduce the recording capacity for securing the flag area. Therefore, it is possible to search for the latest defect management information using the flag area while suppressing the recording capacity required for the flag area.

  In addition, by setting the minimum recording area of the information recording medium, recording to the flag area is possible as a part of a normal recording operation in a recording apparatus described later, and as a part of a normal reproducing operation in a reproducing apparatus described later. Reading from the flag area can be performed.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the flag area is provided on the inner peripheral side of the information recording medium.

  According to this aspect, for example, access to the flag area is facilitated. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the processing load required to search for the latest defect management information.

  In another aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the information recording medium further comprises a control information recording area for recording information for controlling at least one of recording and reading to the data area, and the flag area Is provided in the control information recording area.

  According to this aspect, it becomes possible to refer to the identification information included in the flag area simultaneously with the access to the control information during reproduction or recording. Accordingly, for example, at the time of initial setting of the information recording medium, the identification information can be referred to as a series of operations accompanying the normal operations. As a result, the latest defect management information can be retrieved more efficiently.

  In the aspect of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the flag area is provided in one temporary defect management area among the plurality of temporary defect management areas.

  According to this aspect, the first and second identification information can be recorded without being mixed with recording data including audio data and video data.

  Further, for example, in a recording device or a reproducing device described later, for example, if a temporary defect management area to be accessed first is determined by default, a flag area is provided in the temporary defect management area to be accessed first. Preferably it is. As a result, the latest defect management information can be retrieved more efficiently.

  As described above, in the aspect of the information recording medium in which the flag area is provided in one temporary defect management area, the flag area is provided in the head portion or the end portion of the one temporary defect management area. It may be configured.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to facilitate access to the flag area, for example, in a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus described later.

  The start address, size, etc. of the temporary defect management area are provided in the above-described control information area, so that it can be known relatively easily.

(Embodiment of recording apparatus and method)
An embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention is for temporarily recording (i) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) defect management information that is a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas, and (iii) first identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas. And a flag area for recording the second identification information for identifying the recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas. A recording apparatus for recording the recording data, the recording data and the diff First recording means for recording the project management information, and second recording means for updating the first and second identification information according to the recording states of the plurality of temporary defect management areas and recording them in the flag area. Prepare.

  According to the embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to record the recording data appropriately in the above-described embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention using the first recording means.

  On the other hand, in the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, defect management information including, for example, a defect list indicating the position of the defect existing on the information recording medium is created. Then, the first recording means records the defect management information thus created in the temporary defect management area of the information recording medium.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, after the defect management information is recorded by the first recording means, the second recording means records or updates each identification information according to the recording states of the plurality of temporary defect management areas. That is, for example, when the recorded temporary defect management area is changed from one temporary defect management area to another temporary defect management area among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, the second recording means To that effect, for example, it is recorded in the flag area as first identification information. Alternatively, when the recording area in which the latest defect management information is recorded in the temporary defect management area is changed, the second recording means records the fact to the flag area as second identification information, for example. Specifically, the second recording means may be configured to change the combination pattern by setting an area remaining in an unrecorded state in the flag area to a recorded state. Thereby, the first or second identification information can be appropriately recorded and updated in the flag area.

  As a result, according to the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, recording data can be appropriately recorded on the information recording medium according to the above-described embodiment, and various benefits of the information recording medium can be enjoyed.

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

  An embodiment according to the recording method of the present invention is for temporarily recording (i) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas, and (iii) first identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas. And a flag area for recording the second identification information for identifying the recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas. A recording method for recording the recording data, the recording data and the diff A first recording step for recording the project management information, and a second recording step for updating the first and second identification information according to the recording states of the plurality of temporary defect management areas and recording them in the flag area. Prepare.

  According to the embodiment relating to the recording method of the present invention, as with the recording apparatus of the present invention described above, the information recording medium according to the present invention is appropriately recorded on the embodiment (including various aspects thereof). Data can be recorded.

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the recording apparatus (or information recording medium) of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the recording method of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

(Embodiment of playback apparatus and method)
The embodiment of the playback apparatus of the present invention is for temporarily recording (i) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. A plurality of temporary defect management areas, and (iii) first identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas. And a flag area for recording the second identification information for identifying the recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one of the temporary defect management areas. A reproduction device for reproducing the recorded data recorded, wherein the first identification information and Based on the recorded temporary defect management area and the recording area based on the second identification information, on the basis of the selected recorded temporary defect management area and the selected recording area, Reading means for reading the latest defect management information, and reproducing means for playing back the recorded data recorded in the data area based on the read latest defect management information.

  According to the embodiment of the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the recording data recorded in the above-described embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention can be appropriately reproduced by the operation of the reproducing means.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, the selection means reads the flag area and identifies the types of combination patterns that are identified according to, for example, the state of whether a predetermined area in the flag area has been recorded. The second identification information is read. Then, a temporary defect management area (that is, a recorded temporary defect management area) in which the latest defect management information is recorded is selected from the recorded contents of the first identification information. In addition, a recording area in which the latest defect management information is recorded in at least one temporary defect management area (for example, a recorded temporary defect management area) is selected from the recorded contents of the second identification information. Thereafter, the reading means reads the latest defect management information from the recorded temporary defect management area selected by the selection means based on the recording area selected by the selection means.

  Then, the reproducing means grasps the position of the defect existing in the data area based on the defect management information read by the reading means (that is, the latest defect management information) and is recorded so as to avoid the defect. The recording data recorded in the data area or the saved data recorded in the spare area can be appropriately reproduced by recognizing the recording location of the recorded data.

  As a result, according to the embodiment of the reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the latest defect management information can be efficiently searched, and the above-described embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention can be reproduced appropriately. It becomes.

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the playback apparatus of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

  The embodiment according to the reproducing method of the present invention is for temporarily recording (i) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) defect management information as a basis for defect management for the defect in the data area. And (iii) a recorded temporary defect management area that is a temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas. An information recording comprising: a flag area for recording first identification information to be recorded; second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in at least one temporary defect management area; A reproduction method for reproducing the recording data recorded on a medium, Selection means for selecting the recorded temporary defect management area and the recording area based on the first identification information and the second identification information, the selected recorded temporary defect management area, and the selected A reading process for reading the latest defect management information based on the recording area, and a reproducing process for reproducing the recording data recorded in the data area based on the read latest defect management information.

  According to the embodiment of the reproducing method of the present invention, the embodiment (including various aspects thereof) of the information recording medium of the present invention can be appropriately reproduced in the same manner as the reproducing apparatus of the present invention described above. It becomes possible.

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the reproducing apparatus of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the reproducing method of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

(Embodiment of computer program)
The embodiment of the computer program for recording control of the present invention is a recording control for controlling a computer in the recording apparatus provided in the above-described embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention (including various aspects thereof). The computer program in the recording apparatus functions as at least a part of the first recording unit and the second recording unit.

  According to the embodiment of the computer program for recording control of the present invention, the computer program is downloaded from an information recording medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a hard disk for storing the computer program, for example, firmware of the recording apparatus. As described above, or when the computer program is downloaded to the recording apparatus via communication means and then executed, the above-described embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention can be realized relatively easily.

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the computer program for recording control of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

  The embodiment of the computer program for playback control of the present invention is for playback control for controlling a computer in the playback device provided in the above-described embodiment of the playback apparatus of the present invention (including various aspects thereof). The computer program causes the computer to function as at least part of the selection unit, the reading unit, and the reproduction unit.

  According to the embodiment of the computer program for playback control of the present invention, the computer program is stored in, for example, a playback device from an information recording medium such as a ROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or hard disk that stores the computer program. If the computer program is read and executed, or if the computer program is downloaded to the computer via communication means and then executed, the above-described embodiment of the playback device of the present invention can be realized relatively easily. .

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the computer program for playback control of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

(Embodiment related to data structure including control signal)
An embodiment of the data structure including a control signal according to the present invention includes a data area for recording recording data and a plurality of defect management information for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area. At least one of the plurality of temporary defect management areas, first identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded, among the plurality of temporary defect management areas It comprises a flag area for recording second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in the temporary defect management area.

  According to the embodiment relating to the data structure including the control signal of the present invention, the latest defect management information (defect list) is efficiently retrieved as in the case of the embodiment relating to the information recording medium of the present invention described above. It becomes possible.

  Incidentally, in response to the various aspects of the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention described above, the embodiment of the data structure including the control signal of the present invention can also adopt various aspects.

  Such an operation and other gains in this embodiment will be further clarified from examples described below.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention, the data area, the temporary defect management area, and the flag area are provided. 2 Identification information is recorded. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently search and use the latest defect management information.

  In addition, according to the embodiment of the recording apparatus and method of the present invention, the first recording means and the second recording means, or the first recording process and the second recording process are provided. Therefore, the recording data can be appropriately recorded in the embodiment according to the information recording medium of the present invention. Further, according to the embodiment of the reproducing apparatus and method of the present invention, the first selecting means, the second selecting means, the reading means and the reproducing means, or the first selecting step, the second selecting step, the reading step and the reproducing step are performed. I have. Therefore, the latest defect management information can be efficiently searched, and the recorded data can be reproduced more appropriately than the embodiment of the information recording medium of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples in which the information recording medium of the present invention is applied to a write-once optical disc, and the recording device and the playback device of the present invention are applied to this write-once optical disc recording / playback device.

(Example of information recording medium)
First, a recording structure of a write-once optical disc according to an embodiment of the present invention and information and data recorded on the optical disc will be described. FIG. 1 shows a recording structure of a write-once optical disc that is an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the left side in FIG. 1 is the inner peripheral side of the write-once optical disc 100, and the right side in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a lead-in area 101 exists on the recording surface of a write-once optical disc 100, and a temporary defect management area 104 is arranged in the lead-in area 101. . Then, a spare area 109, a user data area 108, a spare area 110, and a lead-out area 103 are arranged toward the outer periphery, and a temporary defect management area 105 is arranged in the spare area 110.

  In the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area 103, control information and management information for controlling and managing information recording / reading on the optical disc 100 are recorded. A definite defect management area 106 is provided in the lead-in area 101. A definite defect management area 107 is also provided in the lead-out area 103. Defect management information 120 (see FIG. 2) is recorded in the definite defect management areas 106 and 107, respectively.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, a flag area 111 is provided in the temporary defect management area 104 arranged in the lead-in area 101. In the flag area 111, the latest defect management information 120 that is effective in which of the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 is recorded (that is, which of the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 is in use or First identification information for identifying whether recording is in progress is recorded. Further, in the flag area 111, second identification information for identifying in which recording area (or recording position) the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 is recorded. . Details of the flag area 111 and each identification information will be described later (see FIG. 8 and the like).

  In this embodiment, the flag area 111 is provided in the temporary defect management area 104 in the lead-in area 101. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the flag area 111 may be provided in the temporary defect management area 105. In addition, it may be configured to be provided in the lead-in area 101 or the lead-out area 103 which is a specific example of the “control information recording area” in the present invention, or may be configured to be provided in other areas. . Such a position of the flag area 111 may be configured to be indicated by various information recorded in setting information 121 described later or in the lead-in area 101 or the like.

  In the user data area 108, recording data such as image data, audio data, content data, and the like are recorded. Spare areas 109 and 110 are alternative recording areas for saving recording data from defects in the user data area 108. That is, when a defect exists in the user data area 108, the recording data that should have been recorded at the location where the defect exists or the recording data recorded at the location (hereinafter, such recording data is referred to as “ (Referred to as “evacuated data”) is alternatively recorded in the spare area 109 or 110.

  In the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105, defect management information 120 is temporarily recorded, respectively. The defect management information 120 is also recorded in the definite defect management areas 106 and 107. The difference between the definite defect management areas 106 and 107 and the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 will be described later.

  Next, the defect management information 120 will be described. The defect management information 120 is information used for defect management performed by the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 (see FIG. 13). The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs defect management when recording data on the optical disc 100 or reproducing recorded data from the optical disc 100. In the present embodiment, defect management mainly records recording data while avoiding a place where the defect exists when a defect such as a scratch, dust or deterioration exists on the user data area 108 of the optical disc 100. For example, the save data is recorded in the spare area 109 or 110. Further, when reproducing the recording data recorded in the user data area 108, the position where the defect exists is recognized, and the recording data that should have been recorded or recorded at the position where the defect exists is Processing such as reading from the spare area 109 or 110 is also performed as part of the defect management. In order to perform such defect management, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 needs to recognize the position of the defect in the user data area 108 and the like. The defect management information 120 is mainly used for the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 to recognize the existence position of the defect.

  FIG. 2 shows the contents of the defect management information 120. As shown in FIG. 2, the defect management information 120 includes setting information 121 and a defect list 122.

  In the setting information 121, as shown in FIG. 2, the start address of the user data area 108, the end address of the user data area 108, the size of the spare area 109 on the inner periphery side, the size of the spare area 110 on the outer periphery side, Contains information.

  FIG. 3 shows the contents of the defect list 122. As shown in FIG. 3, in the defect list 122, an address indicating a position where a defect exists in the user data area 108 (hereinafter referred to as “defect address”) and a spare area 109 or 110 for saved data. An address indicating the recording position (hereinafter referred to as “alternative recording address”) and other information are recorded. When there are a plurality of defects in the user data area 108, a plurality of defect addresses corresponding to these defects and a plurality of alternative recording addresses are recorded in the defect list 122.

  The defect management can be performed not only on the user data area 108 of the optical disc 100 but also on the entire recording surface of the optical disc 100.

  Next, the recording mode of the defect management information 120 will be described. The temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 and the definite defect management areas 106 and 107 of the optical disc 100 are both areas for recording the defect management information 120, but the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105, The definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are arranged at different positions, have different sizes, and have different purposes of use. Hereinafter, the difference between the two will be specifically described.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a state in which the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105. Temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 are areas for temporarily recording defect management information 120 until the optical disc 100 is finalized. The defect management information 120 is information necessary for defect management. Since the presence / absence / position of the defect differs for each optical disc, the defect management information must be recorded and held on each optical disc. In this embodiment, the defect management information 120 is recorded and held in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100 before the finalization.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the defect management information 120 is preferably recorded twice in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 (note that FIG. 4 shows the defect management information 120). In other words, a total of four defect management information 120 are drawn). As a result, the defect management information 120 can be reliably recorded and reproduced reliably. However, even if the recording is not performed twice, the defect management information 120 and the saved data can be appropriately recorded and reproduced even if the recording is performed once or recorded three times or more.

  Until the optical disc 100 is finalized, the defect management information 120 may be updated several times. For example, when dirt is attached to the optical disc 100 between the first recording and the second recording (additional recording), the defect (dirt) is detected during the second recording, and based on this. The defect list 122 is updated. When the defect list 122 is updated, the defect management information 120 including the updated defect list 122 is added to the temporary defect management area 104 or 105. Since the optical disc 100 is a write-once recording medium, the updated defect management information 120 cannot be recorded over the existing defect management information 120. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the updated defect management information 120 is continuously recorded after the existing defect management information 120. Therefore, the “latest defect management information 120” described above indicates the defect management information 120 added for the second time.

  In order to realize such repetitive and parallel recording of the defect management information 120, the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 are wider than the definite defect management areas 106 and 107.

  The plurality of temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 are preferably used continuously. That is, for example, it is preferable to use another temporary defect management area 105 after the temporary defect management area 104 has run out of free space. And it is preferable that the order of use is also determined in advance. This information may be recorded, for example, in the lead-in area 101 or the like, may be recorded as the setting information 121, or may be recorded in other areas.

  The defect management information 120 is preferably recorded continuously (sequentially) in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the order in which the defect management information 120 is recorded is determined in advance for the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105. However, even if the defect management information 120 is not sequentially recorded, the defect management in this embodiment can be performed.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, when the defect management information 120 is updated, the identification information of the flag area 111 (that is, at least one of the first identification information and the second identification information) is updated as necessary. That is, for example, when there is no free space in the temporary defect management area 104 and subsequent defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 105, the first identification information in the flag area 111 is updated. Therefore, the identification information at this time (specifically, the first identification information) indicates that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 105. Furthermore, when the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 is recorded changes, the second identification information in the flag area 111 is updated as necessary. The specific configuration and update of these identification information will be described in detail later (see FIG. 8 and the like).

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows an example of a state in which the defect management information 120 is recorded in the definite defect management area 106 or 107. The definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are areas for definite recording of the defect management information 120 when the optical disc 100 is finalized. That is, in the stage before finalization, the definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are in an unrecorded state. When finalized, the defect management information 120 is recorded in the definite defect management areas 106 and 107, and the recording state continues thereafter.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the defect management information 120 is preferably recorded twice in the definite defect management area 106 or 107. As a result, the defect management information 120 can be reliably recorded and reproduced reliably. However, even if the recording is not performed twice, the defect management information 120 can be appropriately recorded and reproduced even if the recording is performed once or recorded three times or more.

  According to the optical disc 100 of the present embodiment, the temporary defect management area 104 is arranged on the innermost peripheral side of the spare area 109 (that is, the side adjacent to the lead-in area 101), and the temporary defect management area 105 is set as a spare area. Since it is arranged on the outermost peripheral side of 110 (that is, the side adjacent to the lead-out area 103), compatibility can be achieved between the write-once optical disc 100 and a general rewritable optical disc. This is because in order to realize compatibility with a general rewritable optical disc, there are a lead-in area, a spare area, a user data area, a spare area, and a lead-out area, and the order, arrangement, and size of these areas. This is because the basic recording structure such as (width) needs to be maintained, but the basic recording structure is maintained in the optical disc 100 even though the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 are provided. . That is, if the temporary defect management area 104 is arranged in the lead-in area 101, the temporary defect management area 104 is relatively large as described above, and thus the size of the lead-in area 101 must be expanded. The inconvenience arises. However, in this embodiment, since the temporary defect management area 104 is arranged outside the lead-in area 101, such inconvenience does not occur. If the temporary defect management area 104 is provided in the user data area 108, the defect management information 120 having the property of control information enters the user data area 108, which is an area where recording data is to be recorded, and is controlled. There arises a disadvantage that information having different properties such as information and recorded data is mixed in the user data area 108. In this embodiment, since the temporary defect management area 104 is arranged outside the user data area 108, such inconvenience does not occur. The same applies to the defect management area 105.

  The start address and end address of the user data area 108, the start address of the spare area 109, and the start address of the spare area 110 (or the sizes of the user data area 108 and the spare areas 109 and 110, etc.) are stored in the defect management information 120. It is included in the setting information 121 (see FIG. 2). The setting information 121 can be set by the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. That is, the start address and end address of the user data area 108, the size of the spare area 109, and the size of 110 are allowed to be changed if this is specified as the setting information 121. Compatibility with a general rewritable recording medium can be maintained. Therefore, if the start address of the user data area 108 is shifted backward (outer peripheral side), a space can be secured between the lead-in area 101 and the user data area 108, and the temporary defect management area 104 is set in the space. Can be arranged. Furthermore, a relatively wide (large size) temporary defect management area 104 can be secured depending on how the start address of the user data area 108 is set. The same applies to the temporary defect management area 105.

  Further, according to the optical disc 100 of the present embodiment, since the definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are arranged in the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area 103, respectively, the write-once optical disc 100 and a general rewritable optical disc are arranged. Compatibility can be taken between. That is, in a general rewritable optical disk, areas where defect management information is to be recorded are arranged in the lead-in area and the lead-out area, respectively. In the optical disc 100, definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are arranged in the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area 103, respectively. In this respect, the recording structures of both are the same. Therefore, it is possible to achieve compatibility during reproduction between the write-once optical disc 100 and a general rewritable optical disc.

  In the above-described embodiments, the case where the information recording medium of the present invention is applied to a single optical disk has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an optical disk having two or more layers. 6 and 7 show examples in which the information recording medium of the present invention is applied to a two-layer optical disc. A lead-in area 151 is present on the innermost circumferential side of the first layer (upper stage in FIG. 6) of the dual-layer optical disk 150a in FIG. A target defect management area 154 is arranged. Then, a spare area 159, a user data area 158, a spare area 160, and a lead-out area 153 are arranged toward the outer periphery, and a temporary defect management area 155 is arranged in the spare area 160. . A flag area 161 is provided in the temporary defect management area 154 arranged in the lead-in area 151. Similarly to the optical disc 100, the second layer has a lead-in area 171 on the innermost peripheral side, and a temporary defect management area 174 is arranged in the lead-in area 171. Then, a spare area 179, a user data area 178, a spare area 180, and a lead-out area 173 are arranged toward the outer periphery, and a temporary defect management area 175b is provided in the spare area 179. A temporary defect management area 175a is arranged inside.

  The description relating to the optical disk having two or more layers in FIG. 6 shows an example of parallel track paths in which the recording directions of the first layer and the second layer are the same. However, as shown in FIG. An opposite track path may be used in which the recording direction of the layers is reversed. The parallel track path optical disc 150b shown in FIG. 7 has a data structure substantially similar to that of the opposite track path optical disc 150a shown in FIG. Specifically, for the first layer, a lead-in area 151 exists on the innermost circumference side, and a temporary defect management area 154 is arranged in the lead-in area 151. Then, a spare area 159, a user data area 158, a spare area 160, and a middle area 162 are arranged toward the outer periphery, and a temporary defect management area 155 is arranged in the spare area 160. As for the second layer, a lead-out area 173 exists on the innermost peripheral side, and a temporary defect management area 175 a is arranged in the lead-out area 173. Then, a spare area 180, a user data area 178, a spare area 179, and a middle area 182 are arranged toward the outer periphery. In the spare area 180, a temporary defect management area 175b and a spare area 179 are provided. Is provided with a temporary defect management area 174.

  Next, the data structure of the flag area will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 shows a more detailed data structure of the flag area 111 in the single-layer optical disc 100 shown in FIG. 1 and a more detailed data structure of the flag area 161 in the double-layer optical disc 150b shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram showing the data structure of the flag area 161 in more detail while showing the relationship between the lead-in area 151 and the temporary defect management area 154.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the flag area 111, there are three flag unit areas (113a, 114a, 114b). The size of each of the three flag unit areas corresponds to the size of an ECC cluster area that is a data recording unit (or a minimum recording area) on the optical disc 100. However, the size of an arbitrary region may be the size of the flag unit region in the flag area 111 without being limited to the size of the ECC cluster region. The size of each of these three flag unit areas may be the same or different.

  In particular, the first identification information is recorded according to the data recording state in the flag unit area 113a, and the second identification information is recorded according to the data recording state in each of the flag unit areas 114a and 114b. In other words, information corresponding to the first identification information is recorded in the entire flag unit area 113a depending on whether the flag unit area 113a is in a recorded state or in an unrecorded state, and the flag unit areas 114a and 114b Information corresponding to the second identification information is recorded in the entire flag unit areas 114a and 114b depending on whether each is in a recorded state or an unrecorded state.

  Specifically, since the optical disc 100 shown in FIG. 1 has two temporary defect management areas 104 and 105, in order to record the first identification information, at least as shown in FIG. One flag unit area is sufficient. That is, if the flag unit area 113a is in an unrecorded state, the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104, while if the flag unit area 113a is in a recorded state, the latest defect management information 120 is recorded. The first identification information may be recorded to indicate that the information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 105.

  The second identification information for identifying the recording area of the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 is composed of two flag unit areas 114a and 114b. Therefore, for example, when one temporary defect management area is divided into three divided areas, it is identified based on the second identification information in which of the three divided areas the latest defect management information 120 is recorded. be able to.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, there are nine flag unit areas (163a, 163b, 163c, 163d, 164a, 164b, 164c, 164d, 164e) in the flag area 161. Similarly to the case shown in FIG. 8A, the first identification information is recorded according to the data recording state in the flag unit areas 163a to 163d, and the second identification information is recorded according to the data recording state in each of the flag unit areas 164a to 164e. Identification information is recorded.

  Specifically, since the optical disc 150b shown in FIG. 7 has five temporary defect management areas 154, 155, 174, 175a and 175b, in order to record the first identification information, FIG. It is sufficient if there are at least four flag unit areas as shown in FIG. The second identification information for identifying the recording position of the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management areas 154, 155, 174, 175a or 175b is composed of five flag unit areas 164a to 164e. . Therefore, for example, when one temporary defect management area is divided into six divided areas, it is identified based on the second identification information in which of the six divided areas the latest defect management information 120 is recorded. be able to.

  In summary, the number of flag unit areas for recording the first identification information is preferably one less than the number of temporary defect management areas included in the optical disc. That is, if there are n (where n is an integer of 2 or more) temporary defect management areas included in the optical disc, the number of flag unit areas for recording the first identification information is n-1. It is preferable. For example, in the case of the optical disc 100 shown in FIG. 1, since there are two temporary defect management areas, one flag unit area is sufficient. Further, for example, in the case of the optical disc 150a shown in FIG. 6 and the optical disc 150b shown in FIG. 7, there are five temporary defect management areas, so there are four flag unit areas as shown in FIG. 8B. It is preferable that

  Further, the number of flag unit areas for recording the second identification information is the number of the temporary defect management area or the combination of a plurality of temporary defect management areas virtually divided into a plurality of divided areas. The number is preferably one smaller than the number of divided areas. That is, if one or a plurality of temporary defect management areas are virtually divided into m (where m is an integer of 2 or more) divided areas, the number of flag unit areas for recording the second identification information is as follows. It is preferable that it is m-1.

  A specific relationship between the recording state of each flag unit area in the flag area 111 (or 161) and the first and second identification information will be described in detail later (see FIG. 10 and the like).

  The “recorded state” in the present embodiment is intended to indicate a state in which pits (or marks or the like) are formed in the flag unit area, and the pits or the like indicate predetermined recording data. It may or may not be shown. For example, it may be configured to record backup data such as video data in the flag unit area, may be configured to record video data or the like, or other uses (for example, for example, Various data used for recording control, reproduction control, etc.) may be recorded, or for example, “00h” data that is not used for any purpose may be recorded. On the other hand, the “unrecorded state” in the present embodiment is intended to indicate a state in which no pit or the like is formed in the flag unit area and a recording layer corresponding to a mirror-like plane is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the flag area 161 is provided in the temporary defect management area 154 in the lead-in area 151. In particular, it is preferable that the flag area 161 is provided at the head portion of the temporary defect management area 154 (that is, the innermost peripheral side or the address value is smaller). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first nine clusters in the temporary defect management area 154 composed of 2048 clusters (that is, ECC clusters) may be allocated as the flag area 161. Of course, other areas may be reserved for the flag area 161, for example, as a reserved area, or the end portion of the temporary defect management area 154 (that is, the outermost side or the address value is more It may be recorded on the larger side) or may be recorded on the other part.

  As described above, by providing the flag area 161 at the head of the temporary defect management area 154 in the lead-in area 154, after the optical disk 150b or the like is loaded on the recording / reproducing apparatus to be described later, in a relatively initial operation stage. The flag area 161 can be accessed. In addition, the movement of the optical pickup after loading the optical disk 150b can be minimized. Therefore, there is a great advantage that the flag area 161 can be accessed more efficiently.

  Subsequently, referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, a specific example of the recording state related to the flag area 161 shown in FIG. 8B and the latest defect management information 120 on the optical disc 150b at that time are shown. The relationship with the recording area will be described. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing a specific example of the recording mode of the flag unit areas 163a to 163d that changes according to the temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are data structure diagrams showing a division mode of the temporary defect management area corresponding to the recording mode of the flag unit areas 164a to 164e. FIG. 13 shows the latest defect management information 120 recorded therein. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing one specific example of recording modes of flag unit areas 164a to 164e that change in accordance with a recording area to be recorded.

  First, a mode of recording the first identification information will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when all of the flag unit areas 163a, 163b, 163c, and 163d are in an unrecorded state, for example, the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 154. It has been shown. That is, it indicates that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 154.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, when the flag unit area 163a is in a recorded state and the flag unit areas 163b, 163c and 163d are in an unrecorded state, for example, the latest in the temporary defect management area 155 The defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, when the flag unit areas 163a and 163b are in a recorded state and the flag unit areas 163c and 163d are in an unrecorded state, for example, the latest in the temporary defect management area 174 The defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 10D, when the flag unit areas 163a, 163b and 163c are in a recorded state and the flag unit area 163d is in an unrecorded state, for example, the latest in the temporary defect management area 175a. The defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 10E, when all of the flag unit areas 163a, 163b, 163c, and 163d are in a recorded state, for example, the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 175b. It has been shown.

  Therefore, for example, when the optical disc 150b is reproduced by using a recording / reproducing apparatus described later, it is possible to relatively easily search the temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded. Therefore, the time required for searching the defect management information 120 can be reduced, and as a result, the reproduction operation can be speeded up.

  For example, when each of the temporary defect management areas 155 and 174 does not exist on the optical disc 150b (that is, when there are only three temporary defect management areas), the first identification information is recorded accordingly. Therefore, the flag unit area may be made smaller (that is, the number of clusters is reduced). Alternatively, the first identification information may be recorded without reducing the flag unit area as in the flag unit area recording mode shown in FIG. That is, according to the transition of the temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded, the flag unit area is recorded as shown in FIGS. 10 (a), 10 (b) and 10 (e). By changing the pattern (that is, omitting the recording pattern shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D), the temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded is efficiently searched. can do.

  Next, the second identification information will be described. As a premise for explaining the second identification information, the division area of the temporary defect area described above will be explained. 11 and 12, for convenience of explanation, a part of the data structure (that is, area) is extracted from the data structure described above in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the temporary defect management areas 155 and 174 are relatively large (for example, several tens GB) due to the expansion of the data size of the spare areas 160 and 179, for example. 11), the data is divided into a plurality of (six in FIG. 11) divisions for the area where temporary defect management areas 155 and 174 are paired as shown in FIG. 11 (b). You may comprise so that it may divide | segment into an area. That is, it may be configured to be divided into first to sixth divided areas.

  The temporary defect management area may be divided as a fixed-length divided area having a predetermined size. For example, if the predetermined size is 4 GB, it may be divided for each divided area having a data size of 4 GB. Alternatively, the temporary defect management area may be divided so that a predetermined number of divided areas are formed. In other words, the temporary defect management area may be divided so as to be divided into divided areas having different data sizes (so-called variable-length divided areas). For example, a temporary defect management area having a data size of 20 GB, for example, has two divided areas (that is, two divided areas each having a data size of 10 GB), and has four divided areas (that is, data sizes of 5 GB, respectively) You may divide into four division areas), for example, into five division areas (that is, five division areas each having a data size of 2 GB).

  In order to specify the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in a narrower range, it is preferable to relatively reduce the size of the divided area. On the other hand, when it is desired to further reduce the data size of the flag area 161, it is preferable to relatively increase the size of the divided area.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the temporary defect management area 175b has a relatively large data size due to the expansion of the data size of the spare area 180, As shown in FIG. 12B, the temporary defect management area 175b may be divided into a plurality of (six in FIG. 12B) divided areas.

  Of course, it is not necessary to actually divide the temporary defect management area in this way, and it is sufficient to virtually divide the temporary defect management area in order to record the second identification information. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the example of division shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and the temporary defect management area may be divided in other division modes.

  When the second identification information is recorded corresponding to the six divided areas shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, for example, a recording mode as shown in FIG. 13 can be given as one specific example.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when all of the flag unit areas 164a, 164b, 164c, 164d, and 163e are in an unrecorded state, for example, the latest defect management information 120 is stored in the first divided area. It is recorded. In other words, it indicates that the defect management information is currently recorded using the recording area corresponding to the first divided area in the temporary defect management area.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, when the flag unit area 164a is in a recorded state and the flag unit areas 164b, 164c, 164d, and 163e are in an unrecorded state, for example, in the second divided area. It shows that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 13C, when the flag unit areas 164a and 164b are in a recorded state and the flag unit areas 164c, 164d and 164e are in an unrecorded state, for example, in the third divided area. It shows that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 13D, when the flag unit areas 164a, 164b, and 164c are in a recorded state and the flag unit areas 164d and 164e are in an unrecorded state, for example, in the fourth divided area. It shows that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 13E, when the flag unit areas 164a, 164b, 164c and 164d are in a recorded state and the flag unit area 164e is in an unrecorded state, for example, in the fifth divided area. It shows that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 13F, when all of the flag unit areas 164a, 164b, 164c, 164d, and 164e are in a recorded state, the latest defect management information 120 is, for example, in the sixth divided area. It is recorded.

  Therefore, for example, when the optical disc 150b is reproduced by using a recording / reproducing apparatus described later, it is possible to relatively easily search the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area. . In particular, when the temporary defect management area has a relatively large data size (for example, a data size such as several tens of GB), the temporary defect management information 120 recorded with the first identification information is temporarily stored. Even if the target defect management information can be searched, it takes time to search for the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area. However, in this embodiment, based on the second identification information, it can be identified relatively easily in which recording area of the temporary defect management area the latest defect management information 120 is recorded. For example, it can be identified that the latest defect management information 120 is recorded near the beginning of the temporary defect management area, near the center, or near the end. Specifically, for example, instead of searching for the latest defect management information 120 from the head portion of the temporary defect management area, it is possible to search from the head portion of the third divided area, for example. Therefore, even in a temporary defect management area having a relatively large data size, by referring to the second identification information, an area having a relatively small data size (for example, a data size such as several GB or several hundred MB). Searching from is enough. As a result, the latest defect management information 120 can be retrieved more efficiently.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, in particular, the first identification information and the second identification information are paired and recorded as one identification information, so that once these identification information is accessed, immediately thereafter It is possible to access the latest defect management information 120 (or a neighboring area where the latest defect management information 120 is recorded). That is, there is a great advantage that the time required to access the latest defect management information 120 can be shortened as much as possible and more efficient access can be realized.

  Therefore, by using the first and second identification information, the time required for searching for the latest defect management information 120 can be reduced, and as a result, the speed of the reproduction operation and the like can be increased.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second defect information corresponding to the divided temporary defect management area is recorded by dividing the temporary defect management area having a relatively large data size into a plurality of divided areas. However, the second identification information corresponding to each temporary defect management area may be recorded regardless of the data size of the temporary defect area. For example, since the optical disks 150a and 150b shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 have five temporary defect management areas, five pieces of second identification information are recorded corresponding to the respective temporary defect management areas. You may comprise as follows.

  Further, even if the optical disk 150b or the like is a write-once type, the flag area 161 allocated from the beginning according to the number of temporary defect management areas and according to the number of divisions when the temporary defect areas are virtually divided. If the flag unit area in the unrecorded state is changed to the recorded state by writing some information, the identification information is written as a combination pattern of the recorded state and the unrecorded state in the flag area 161 Is possible. By setting the flag unit area in the recorded state in this way, it is possible to appropriately record the identification information as a recording pattern without recording the identification information again.

  However, the recording state of the flag unit area, the temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information 120 indicated by the recording state is recorded, and the recording area of the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area. The association is not limited to the specific example described above, but a temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded, and a recording area of the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area. As long as it can be identified, any recording state may be used.

  10 to 13 have been described using the two-layer optical disk 150b shown in FIG. 7, but the single-layer optical disk 100 shown in FIG. 1 or other optical disks (for example, the optical disk 150a shown in FIG. 6) and various types. Even if the recording medium is a recording medium having two or more temporary defect management areas, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the optical disk according to the present embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the write-once type optical disc has been described. Of course, even with a rewritable optical disc, it is possible to enjoy the above-described various benefits by adopting the above configuration. .

(Example of recording / reproducing apparatus)
Next, the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 shows a recording / reproducing apparatus 200 that is an embodiment of the present invention. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 has a function of recording record data on the optical disc 100 and a function of reproducing the record data recorded on the optical disc 100.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 includes a disk drive 300 and a back end 400.

  FIG. 15 shows the internal configuration of the disk drive 300. The disc drive 300 is a device that records information on the optical disc 100 and reads information recorded on the optical disc 100.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the disk drive 300 includes a spindle motor 351, an optical pickup 352, an RF amplifier 353, and a servo circuit 354.

  The spindle motor 351 is a motor that rotates the optical disc 100.

  The optical pickup 352 records recording data or the like on the recording surface by irradiating the recording surface of the optical disc 100 with the light beam, and records data recorded on the recording surface by receiving the reflected light of the light beam. It is a device that reads etc. The optical pickup 352 outputs an RF signal corresponding to the reflected light of the light beam.

  The RF amplifier 353 amplifies the RF signal output from the optical pickup 352 and outputs the RF signal to the modulation / demodulation unit 355. Further, the RF amplifier 353 generates a wobble frequency signal WF, a track error signal TE, and a focus error signal FE from the RF signal, and outputs them.

  The servo circuit 354 is a servo control circuit that controls driving of the optical pickup 352 and the spindle motor 351 based on the track error signal TE, the focus error signal FE, and other servo control signals.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the disk drive 300 includes a modulation / demodulation unit 355, a buffer 356, an interface 357, and a light beam driving unit 358.

  The modulation / demodulation unit 355 is a circuit having a function of performing error correction on the recording data at the time of reading and a function of adding an error correction code to the recording data at the time of recording and modulating it. Specifically, at the time of reading, the modulation / demodulation unit 355 demodulates the RF signal output from the RF amplifier 353, performs error correction on the RF signal, and outputs this to the buffer 356. Furthermore, the modulation / demodulation unit 355 performs error correction on the demodulated RF signal, and as a result, when error correction is impossible or the number of codes subjected to error correction exceeds a certain reference value, An error signal indicating this is generated and output to the defect detection unit 359. Further, at the time of recording, the modulation / demodulation unit 355 adds an error correction code to the recording data output from the buffer 356, and then modulates this so that the code matches the optical characteristics of the optical disc 100. The modulated recording data is output to the light beam driving unit 358.

  The buffer 356 is a storage circuit that temporarily stores recording data.

  The interface 357 is a circuit that performs input / output control or communication control of recording data and the like between the disk drive 300 and the back end 400. Specifically, the interface 357 outputs the recording data output from the buffer 356 (that is, the recording data read from the optical disc 100) to the back end 400 in response to a request command from the back end 400 during reproduction. To do. Further, the interface 357 receives recording data input from the back end 400 to the disk drive 300 during recording, and outputs this to the buffer 356. Further, the interface 357 outputs all or part of the defect list held in the defect management information creation unit 360 to the back end 400 in response to a request command from the back end 400.

  The light beam drive unit 358 generates a light beam drive signal corresponding to the recording data output from the modulation / demodulation unit 355 during recording, and outputs this to the optical pickup 352. The optical pickup 352 modulates the light beam based on the light beam drive signal and irradiates the recording surface of the optical disc 100. As a result, recording data and the like are recorded on the recording surface.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the disk drive 300 includes a defect detection unit 359 and a defect management information creation unit 360.

  The defect detection unit 359 is a circuit that detects a defect on the optical disc 100. Then, the defect detection unit 359 generates a defect detection signal indicating the presence / absence of the defect and outputs it. The defect detection unit 359 performs defect detection based on the result of error correction of recorded data at the time of reading information (verification or reproduction). As described above, the modulation / demodulation unit 355 performs error correction on the demodulated RF signal, and as a result, error correction is impossible or the number of codes subjected to error correction exceeds a certain reference value. If an error signal is detected, an error signal substantially indicating that is generated and output to the defect detection unit 359. When receiving the error signal, the defect detection unit 359 outputs a defect detection signal indicating that a defect exists.

  The defect management information creation unit 360 is a circuit that creates or updates the defect management information 120 based on the defect detection signal output from the defect detection unit 359. The defect management information 120 is stored in a rewritable state in a storage circuit provided in the defect management information creation unit 360. Further, the defect management information creation unit 360 outputs the defect management information 120 to the back end 400 via the interface 357 in response to a request command from the back end 400.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the disk drive 300 has a CPU 361. The CPU 361 controls the overall control of the disk drive 300 and the exchange of information between the elements in the disk drive 300 described above. Further, the CPU 361 controls the recording operation and the reading operation of the recording data and the defect management information 120. Further, the CPU 361 controls data exchange between the disk drive 300 and the back end 400 in accordance with a control command or a request command sent from the back end 400.

  Next, FIG. 16 shows an example of the internal configuration of the back end 400. The back end 400 performs a reproduction process on the recording data read from the optical disc 100 by the disc drive 300, receives the recording data supplied from the outside for the purpose of recording on the optical disc 100, encodes it, and encodes the disc drive. It is a device that sends out to 300.

  The back end 400 includes a drive control unit 471, a video decoder 472, an audio decoder 473, a video encoder 474, an audio encoder 475, a system control unit 476, and a defect management unit 477.

  The drive control unit 471 is a circuit that controls reading processing and recording processing of the disk drive 300. The back end 400 and the disk drive 300 cooperate with each other to read the recorded data from the optical disk 100 and reproduce it, and to receive the recorded data from the outside and record it on the optical disk 100. The drive control unit 471 realizes cooperation between the back end 400 and the disk drive 300 by controlling reading processing and recording processing of the disk drive 300. Specifically, the drive control unit 471 outputs a request command regarding reading, recording, output of recording data from the buffer 356, output of the defect management information 120 from the defect management information creation unit 360, and the like to the disk drive 300. To do. Further, the drive control unit 371 performs input / output control for controlling input / output of recording data, defect management information 120 and other various information.

  Each of the video decoder 472 and the audio decoder 473 demodulates the recording data read from the optical disc 100 by the disc drive 300 and supplied via the drive control unit 471 so that the recording data can be reproduced by a display, a speaker, or the like. It is a circuit to convert.

  Each of the video encoder 474 and the audio encoder 475 receives a video signal, an audio signal, and the like input from the outside for the purpose of recording on the optical disc 100, encodes them by, for example, an MPEG compression method, and the like, and outputs them to the drive control unit 471. The circuit is supplied to the disk drive 300 via the.

  The system control unit 476 is a circuit that controls the drive control unit 471, the video decoder 472, the audio decoder 473, and the defect management unit 477 during reproduction, and performs reproduction processing of recorded data in cooperation with them. At the time of recording, the system control unit 476 controls the drive control unit 471, the video encoder 474, the audio encoder 475, and the defect management unit 477, and performs recording processing of recording data in cooperation with these. Further, the system control unit 476 controls the disk drive 300 together with the drive control 471 (for example, generation / reception of various request commands) in order to realize cooperation between the disk drive 300 and the back end 400 during reproduction and recording. Transmission, reception of response signals, etc.).

  The defect management unit 477 has a storage circuit therein, and receives all or a part of the defect management information 120 created / updated by the defect management information creation unit 360 of the disk drive 300, and holds this. It has. Then, the defect management unit 477 performs defect management together with the system control unit 476.

  Next, an initial setting operation in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 17 shows an initial setting operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs initial setting after the optical disc 100 is mounted on the drive unit 300 until recording or reproduction of recording data is performed. The initial setting is a process for preparing for recording or reproduction of recorded data, and includes various processes. Of these processes, initialization of the optical disc 100, creation of defect management information 120, and The transmission of the defect management information 120 to the back end will be described. These processes are mainly performed under the control of the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the optical disc 100 is loaded in the drive unit 300, the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300 determines whether or not the optical disc 100 is an unrecorded disc (blank disc) (step S11).

  When the optical disc 100 is an unrecorded disc (step S11: YES), the CPU 361 performs an initialization process on the optical disc 100 (step S12). In this initialization process, the defect management information creation unit 360 creates the defect management information 120 (step S13). Specifically, the start address and end address of the user data area 108 and the sizes of the spare areas 109 and 110 set in the initialization process are acquired, and setting information 121 is created. Further, the defect list 122 is created. It should be noted that the defect list 122 created here is only an outer frame and is not solid. That is, no defect address is recorded, and no specific alternative recording address is recorded. Only the header, identification information, etc. are recorded. The created defect management information 120 is stored and held in the defect management information creation unit 360.

  Subsequently, the CPU 361 sends the defect management information 120 stored in the defect management information creation unit 360 to the back end 400 (step S14). The defect management information 120 is stored in the defect management unit 477 of the back end 400.

  Subsequently, the CPU 361 repeatedly records the defect management information 120 stored in the defect management information creation unit 360 in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100 twice (step S15). In this case, it is preferable to designate a temporary defect management area in which the defect management information 120 is first recorded by default in advance. At this time, when it is necessary to change the recording state of each flag unit area in the flag area 111, the recording state is changed as appropriate.

  On the other hand, when the optical disc 100 is not an unrecorded disc (step S11: NO), the CPU 361 subsequently determines whether or not the optical disc 100 has been finalized (step S16). Finalization is a process for adjusting the recording format so that the optical disc 100 can be played back by a playback device for a general rewritable optical disc or a playback device for a general playback-only optical disc. Whether or not the optical disc 100 has been finalized can be known by referring to control information recorded in the lead-in area 101 of the optical disc 100 or the like.

  If the optical disc 100 has not been finalized (step S16: NO), the CPU 361 selects the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (that is, in use) (step S16). S17). That is, the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 including the latest (that is, latest) defect management information 120 is selected.

  Particularly in the present embodiment, when the temporary defect management area in use in step S17 is selected, the temporary defect management information 120 including the latest defect management information 120 by referring to the flag area 111 (particularly, the first identification information) is included. The effective defect management area is efficiently searched and selected. This operation will be described later in detail (see FIG. 18).

  Further, when a plurality of defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 selected in step S17 (see FIG. 4), the CPU 361 displays the latest defect management information 120 from among them. The recording area (or the recording position) on which it is recorded is selected (step S18). That is, in the stage before finalization, the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 every time it is updated. The plurality of defect management information 120 is continuously arranged in the updated order. Therefore, the defect management information 120 arranged last in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 is the latest defect management information.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the latest defect management information 120 is selected in step S18, by referring to the flag area 111 (particularly, the second identification information), the temporary defect management area 104 selected in step S17 or The recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 in 105 is recorded can be recognized. As a result, the latest defect management information 120 can be efficiently searched. This search operation will be described in detail later (see FIG. 19).

  Subsequently, the CPU 361 searches for and acquires the latest defect management information 120 from the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 selected in step S17 in accordance with the recording area selected in step S18 (step S19). ).

  Subsequently, the CPU 361 stores the acquired last defect management information 120 in the defect management information creation unit 360 and sends it to the back end 400 (step S20). The latest defect management information 120 is stored in the defect management unit 477 of the back end 400.

  On the other hand, when the optical disc 100 is not an unrecorded disc and has been finalized (step S16: YES), the CPU 361 reads the defect management information 120 from the definite defect management area 106 or 107 (step S21). Is sent to the back end 400 (step S22). The defect management information 120 is stored in the defect management unit 477 of the back end 400.

  From the above, the defect management information 120 is created, or the defect management information 120 is selectively read from the temporary defect management area 104 or 105, or the defect management information 120 is read from the definite defect management area 106 or 107, It is stored in the defect management information creation unit 360 and also stored in the defect management unit 477 of the back end 400. Thereby, the preparation for defect management is completed, and the initial setting is completed.

  Next, details of the “selection of temporary defect management area in use” operation in step S17 of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the selection operation. In the description here, for convenience of explanation, a description will be given using a two-layer optical disc 150b shown in FIG. In addition, the following description will be made on the assumption that the identification information of the flag area 161 and the temporary defect management area in use indicated by the identification information are the same as those shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the CPU 361 reads the flag area 161 of the optical disc 150b, and refers to the recording state of the flag unit area (see FIG. 10) in which the first identification information included in the flag area 161 is recorded (Step 10). S171).

  Thereafter, it is first determined by the operation of the CPU 361 whether or not the flag unit area 163a is in an unrecorded state (step S172).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163a is in an unrecorded state (step S172: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the temporary defect management area 154 as the temporary defect management area in use (step S173). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the temporary defect management area 154.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163a is not in an unrecorded state (step S172: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 163b is in an unrecorded state (step S174).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163b is in an unrecorded state (step S174: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the temporary defect management area 155 as the temporary defect management area in use (step S175).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163b is not in an unrecorded state (step S174: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 163c is in an unrecorded state (step S176).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163c is in an unrecorded state (step S176: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the temporary defect management area 174 as the temporary defect management area in use (step S177).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163c is not in an unrecorded state (step S176: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 163d is in an unrecorded state (step S178).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163d is in an unrecorded state (step S178: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the temporary defect management area 175a as the temporary defect management area in use (step S179).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 163d is not in an unrecorded state (step S178: No), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the temporary defect management area 175b as the temporary defect management area in use (step S180).

  Next, details of the “selecting the recording area of the latest defect management information 120” operation in step S18 of FIG. 17 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the selection operation. Note that the description in FIG. 19 is also made using a two-layer optical disk 150b shown in FIG. 7 instead of the optical disk 100 for the sake of convenience of explanation, similarly to the description in FIG. In addition, the correspondence between the identification information of the flag area 161 and the recording area (that is, the divided area) of the latest defect management information indicated by the identification information is assumed to be the same as that shown in FIGS. Proceed with the following explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the CPU 361 reads the flag area 161 of the optical disc 150b, and refers to the recording state of the flag unit area (see FIG. 13) in which the second identification information included in the flag area 161 is recorded (step 13). S181).

  Thereafter, it is first determined by the operation of the CPU 361 whether or not the flag unit area 164a is in an unrecorded state (step S182).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164a is in an unrecorded state (step S182: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 361 selects the first divided area in FIGS. 11 and 12 as a recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (step S183). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the first divided area. In other words, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired by performing a search (search) from the beginning of the first divided area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164a is not in an unrecorded state (step S182: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 164b is in an unrecorded state (step S184).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164b is in an unrecorded state (step S184: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 361 selects the second divided area in FIGS. 11 and 12 as the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (step S185). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the second divided area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164b is not in an unrecorded state (step S184: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 164c is in an unrecorded state (step S186).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164c is in an unrecorded state (step S186: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 361 selects the third divided area in FIGS. 11 and 12 as a recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (step S187). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the third divided area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164c is not in an unrecorded state (step S186: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 164d is in an unrecorded state (step S188).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164d is in an unrecorded state (step S188: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the fourth divided area in FIGS. 11 and 12 as a recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (step S189). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the fourth divided area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164d is not in an unrecorded state (step S188: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the flag unit area 164e is in an unrecorded state (step S190).

  As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164e is in an unrecorded state (step S190: Yes), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 361 selects the fifth divided area in FIGS. 11 and 12 as the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (step S191). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the fifth divided area.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag unit area 164e is not in an unrecorded state (step S190: No), the flag area 161 indicates the recording state shown in FIG. Accordingly, the CPU 361 selects the sixth divided area in FIGS. 11 and 12 as the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded (step S192). That is, the latest defect management information 120 is acquired from the sixth divided area.

  As described above, by referring to the flag area 161, the latest defect management information 120 can be retrieved relatively easily and efficiently. That is, conventionally, for example, it has been necessary to access all the temporary defect management areas and search for the temporary defect management areas in use in a thorough manner. Since it is not necessary to search exhaustively, for example, it is possible to speed up the initial operation (or reproduction operation or recording operation) at the time of disk loading.

  In particular, since the flag area 161 is provided in the temporary defect management area 154 included in the lead-in area 151, when the optical disc 150b is loaded, the temporary defect in use is used as part of the initial operation. It is possible to select a management area and select a recording area for the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area in use.

  Next, the recording operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 20 mainly shows the recording operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs a recording operation for recording the recording data in the user data area 108 of the optical disc 100. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs a recording operation while performing defect management. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs a verify process during the recording operation, and updates the defect list 122 based on the result of the verify process. The recording operation is realized by the cooperation of the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300 and the system control unit 476 of the back end 400.

  As shown in FIG. 20, when the user inputs an instruction to start recording (step S33: YES), the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 records recording data accordingly (step S34). Recording of recording data is performed for each predetermined block. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 refers to the defect management information 120 stored in the defect management unit 477 of the back end 400, and records the recording data while performing defect management based on the defect management information 120.

  The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs verification every time one block is recorded or every time a series of writing sequences is completed (step S35), and the defect management information 120 is updated based on the verification result. The defect management information 120 updated here is the defect management information stored in the defect management information creation unit 360 of the drive unit 300. Specifically, when it is recognized as a result of the verification that the recording of the recording data has failed (step S36: YES), the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300 records the recording data that has failed in the recording in the spare area 109 or 110. (Step S37). Subsequently, the CPU 361 estimates that there is a defect at the location where the recording data should have been recorded, and records the defect address indicating the location and the corresponding alternative recording address in the defect list 122 (step S38).

  When the processing of steps S34 to S38 is completed for a series of blocks of recording data to be recorded this time (step S39: Yes), the CPU 361 sends the updated defect management information 120 to the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100. Are repeatedly recorded twice (step S40).

  Here, since the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area in use, the recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 is recorded changes. When the change of the recording area extends over the above-described divided areas, the flag unit area of the flag area 111 (particularly, the flag unit area for recording the second identification information) is simultaneously rewritten (for example, the recording state is changed). ). If there is no free area in the recording capacity of the temporary defect management area in use, recording is performed in another temporary defect management area. In addition, at that time, the flag unit area of the flag area 111 (particularly, the flag unit area for recording the first identification information) is rewritten at the same time. This recording operation will be described in detail later (see FIG. 21).

  Here, the defect management information 120 recorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 is the defect management information stored in the defect management information creation unit 360. This completes the recording operation.

  Next, the details of the operation for adding to the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 in step S40 of FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of adding the defect management information 120 to the temporary defect management area 104 or 105.

  As shown in FIG. 15, first, it is determined by the operation of the CPU 361 whether or not there is a free area in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 for which the defect management information 120 is to be recorded (step S401). In other words, in the area indicated by the flag area 111 (in particular, the flag unit area indicating the first identification information) as the temporary defect management area in use, there is a free area for further recording the defect management information 120. It is determined whether or not it exists.

  If it is determined as a result of this determination that a free area exists (step S401: Yes), the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area currently in use (step S404).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no free area (step S401: No), the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area to be used next (step S402). For example, in the optical disc 100 (see FIG. 1), when the temporary defect management area 104 is in use, the temporary defect management area 105 is selected as the temporary defect management area to be used next, and the defect is detected. Management information 120 is recorded. Alternatively, in the optical discs 150a and 150b (see FIGS. 6 and 7), when the temporary defect management area 154 is in use, another temporary defect management area is used as a temporary defect management area to be used next. One of the areas 155, 174, and 175 is selected. The temporary defect management area to be used next may be determined in advance, or may be configured to be selected by, for example, the CPU 361 at the time of step S402.

  The CPU 361 further records data in the flag area 111 (or 161). In particular, data is recorded in the flag unit area indicating the first identification information (step S403). That is, at least one recording state in the flag unit area indicating the first identification information is rewritten to a recorded state. For example, assume that the temporary defect management area 154 is in use on the optical disc 150b, and the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 155 by the operation of step S402. In this case, data is recorded so that the flag unit area 163a of the flag area 161 is in a recorded state.

  As a result, even if the temporary defect management area used during the recording operation is changed, the flag area 111 (161) having identification information (particularly, first identification information) reflecting the contents is realized. It becomes possible to do.

  When the flag unit area 163a or the like is in a recorded state, pits may be formed by writing arbitrary data, but predetermined recording data may be written. For example, the flag unit area may be recorded by recording backup data of important files.

  Subsequently, the CPU 361 determines whether or not the recording of the defect management information 120 in step S402 or S404 has been performed beyond the divided areas illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 (that is, straddling) (step S405). . Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not the recording area in which the defect management information 120 is recorded has changed from, for example, the first divided area to another different divided area.

  As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the recording is performed without exceeding the divided area (step S405: No), the additional recording operation to the temporary defect management area is ended.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the data is recorded beyond the divided area (step S405: Yes), data is recorded in the flag area 111 (or 161). In particular, data is recorded in the flag unit area indicating the second identification information (step S406). That is, at least one recording state in the flag unit area indicating the second identification information is rewritten to a recorded state. For example, in the optical disc 150b, it is assumed that the recording area in which the defect management information is recorded has changed from the first divided area to the second divided area by the operation of step S402 or S404. In this case, data is recorded so that the flag unit area 164a of the flag area 161 is in a recorded state.

  Thus, even if the recording area of the latest defect management information 120 is changed during the recording operation, the flag area 111 (161) having identification information (particularly second identification information) reflecting the contents is realized. It becomes possible to do.

  Next, the finalizing process in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 22 shows the finalizing process. For example, when the user inputs an instruction to perform finalization processing (step S31 in FIG. 20: YES), the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 confirms that the optical disc has not been finalized (step S51: YES), and then the optical disc. 100 is finalized (step S52). During the finalizing process, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 repeatedly records the defect management information 120 twice in the definite defect management area 106 or 107 of the optical disc 100 (step S53). However, the recording may be performed once, or may be performed three or more times. Here, the defect management information 120 recorded in the definite defect management area 106 or 107 is the defect management information 120 stored in the defect management information creation unit 360. Thus, the finalizing process is completed.

  Next, the reproducing operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. FIG. 23 shows the reproducing operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200.

  When the user inputs an instruction to start playback (step S32 in FIG. 20: YES), the recording / playback apparatus 200 confirms that the optical disc 100 is not an unrecorded disc (step S71: NO), and then the user of the optical disc 100 The recorded data recorded in the data area 108 is reproduced (step S72). The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 reproduces recorded data while performing defect management based on the defect management information 120 stored in the defect management 477 of the back end 400.

  As described above, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 of this embodiment, before finalizing the optical disc 100, the defect management information 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100, and the optical disc 100 is finalized. The defect management information 120 is recorded in the definite defect management area 106 or 107 of the optical disc 100. Alternatively, the defect management information 120 is read from the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100 for the unfinalized optical disc 100, and the defect management information 120 is determined for the optical disc 100 for the finalized optical disc 100. From the general defect management area 106 or 107. As a result, recording or reproduction of recording data can be realized while performing appropriate defect management on both the optical disc 100 before finalization and the finalized optical disc 100.

  In particular, by providing the flag area 111 (161), the temporary defect management area in use among the plurality of temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 (or 154, 155, 174 and 175) can be relatively easily and It becomes possible to select efficiently. In addition, it is possible to relatively easily and efficiently select (or identify) a recording area in which the latest defect management information 120 in the temporary defect management area in use is recorded. That is, the latest defect management information 120 can be read relatively easily and efficiently. Thereby, for example, the processing load on the CPU 361 at the time of disk loading or reproduction / recording processing can be reduced.

  Further, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, the defect management information 120 is recorded in the definite defect management area 106 or 107 of the optical disc 100 at the time of finalizing processing. It is possible to establish compatibility with other rewritable optical discs.

  The drawings used to describe the embodiments of the present invention embody the components of the recording medium, the recording apparatus, or the reproducing apparatus of the present invention as long as the technical idea is described. The shape, size, position, connection relationship, etc. are not limited to this.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the optical disc 100 as an example of the recording medium and the recorder or player related to the optical disc 100 as an example of the playback / recording apparatus have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the optical disc and the recorder or player. In addition, the present invention can be applied to other various information recording media corresponding to high-density recording or high transfer rate, and its recorder or player.

  Further, the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and an information recording medium, a recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording that involve such a change. A method, a reproducing method, and a computer program for realizing these functions are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the Example of the information recording medium of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the content of the defect management information in an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the defect list | wrist in an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the recording content of the temporary defect management area in an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the recording content of the definite defect management area in an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other Example of the information recording medium of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other Example of the information recording medium of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the data structure of the flag area in an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the recording aspect of the flag area in an Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows notionally the recording state of the flag unit area | region which shows 1st identification information among the flag areas in an Example. It is a data structure figure which shows the one aspect | mode of the division | segmentation of the temporary defect management area corresponding to the recording aspect of the flag unit area | region which shows the 2nd identification information in an Example. It is a data structure figure which shows the other aspect of the division | segmentation of the temporary defect management area corresponding to the recording aspect of the flag unit area | region which shows the 2nd identification information in an Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows notionally the recording state of the flag unit area | region which shows 2nd identification information among the flag areas in an Example. 1 is a block diagram showing a recording / reproducing apparatus as an embodiment of a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the disk drive of the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a block diagram which shows the back end of the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the initial setting operation | movement in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the selection operation | movement of the temporary defect management area in use in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the selection operation | movement of the recording area of the newest defect management information in the temporary defect management area in use in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the recording operation | movement etc. in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the recording operation | movement of the defect management information in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example, and the recording operation to a flag area. It is a flowchart which shows the finalize process in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows the reproduction | regeneration operation | movement in the recording / reproducing apparatus of an Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Optical disc 101 Lead-in area 103 Lead-out area 104, 105 Temporary defect management area 108 User data area 111, 161 Flag area 120 Defect management information 122 Defect list 163, 164 Flag unit area 200 Recording / reproducing apparatus 360 Defect management information creation part 361 CPU
477 Defect Management Department

Claims (19)

A data area for recording recorded data;
A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area;
First identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and the at least one temporary defect management area. An information recording medium comprising: second identification information for identifying a recording area in which defect management information is recorded; and a flag area for recording.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the first identification information and the second identification information are recorded in the flag area adjacent to each other. When the information recording medium includes n (where n is an integer of 2 or more) temporary defect management areas, the flag area includes n-1 first flag unit areas,
The n-1 first flag unit areas indicate the first identification information as the whole of the n-1 first flag unit areas when each of the n-1 first flag unit areas is in a recorded state. The information recording medium according to claim 1 or 2. When the at least one temporary defect management area is composed of m (where m is an integer of 2 or more) divided areas, the flag area includes m-1 second flag unit areas,
Each of the m-1 second flag unit areas is in a state of being recorded or not, and the second identification information is indicated as the whole of the m-1 second flag unit areas. The information recording medium according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   4. The backup data corresponding to the recording data is recorded in at least one first flag unit area in the recorded state among the n-1 first flag unit areas. The information recording medium described in 1.   6. The information recording medium according to claim 3, wherein each of the n−1 first flag unit areas corresponds to a minimum recording area of the information recording medium.   5. The backup data corresponding to the recording data is recorded in at least one second flag unit area in the recorded state among the m-1 second flag unit areas. The information recording medium described in 1.   The information recording medium according to claim 4 or 7, wherein each of the m-1 second flag unit areas corresponds to a minimum recording area of the information recording medium.   The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the flag area is provided on an inner peripheral side of the information recording medium. A control information recording area for recording information for controlling at least one of recording and reading in the data area;
The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the flag area is provided in the control information recording area.   11. The information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the flag area is provided in one temporary defect management area among the plurality of temporary defect management areas.   12. The information recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the flag area is provided at a head portion or a terminal portion of the one temporary defect management area. (I) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area; iii) First identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and at least one temporary defect management area A recording apparatus for recording the recording data on an information recording medium comprising: a second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded; and a flag area for recording Because
First recording means for recording the recording data and the defect management information;
A recording apparatus comprising: a second recording unit configured to update the first and second identification information according to a recording state of the plurality of temporary defect management areas and record the updated information in the flag area. (I) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area; iii) First identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and at least one temporary defect management area Recording method for recording the recording data on an information recording medium comprising: a second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded; and a flag area for recording Because
A first recording step for recording the recording data and the defect management information;
And a second recording step of updating the first and second identification information according to the recording states of the plurality of temporary defect management areas and recording the updated information in the flag area. (I) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area; iii) First identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and at least one temporary defect management area A second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded, and a flag area for recording, for reproducing the recording data recorded on the information recording medium A playback device,
Selection means for selecting the recorded temporary defect management area and the recording area based on the first identification information and the second identification information;
Reading means for reading the latest defect management information based on the selected recorded temporary defect management area and the selected recording area;
A reproducing apparatus comprising: reproducing means for reproducing the recorded data recorded in the data area based on the read latest defect management information. (I) a data area for recording recording data, and (ii) a plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area; iii) first identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area that is a temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas; Reproducing the recording data recorded on an information recording medium comprising a flag area for recording second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded in a temporary defect management area A playback method for
Selection means for selecting the recorded temporary defect management area and the recording area based on the first identification information and the second identification information;
A reading step of reading the latest defect management information based on the selected recorded temporary defect management area and the selected recording area;
And a reproducing step of reproducing the recorded data recorded in the data area based on the read latest defect management information.   14. A computer program for recording control for controlling a computer provided in the recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the computer functions as at least part of the first recording means and the second recording means. A computer program characterized by the above.   16. A computer program for reproduction control for controlling a computer provided in the reproduction apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the computer is caused to function as at least part of the selection unit, the reading unit, and the reproduction unit. A computer program characterized by the above. A data area for recording recorded data;
A plurality of temporary defect management areas for temporarily recording defect management information as a basis for defect management for defects in the data area;
First identification information for identifying a recorded temporary defect management area in which the latest defect management information is recorded among the plurality of temporary defect management areas, and at least one of the temporary defect management areas A data structure comprising: a flag area for recording second identification information for identifying a recording area in which the defect management information is recorded.

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