JP4214886B2 - Recording apparatus, recording method, recording program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, a recording program, and a recording medium that enable real-time information such as video data and audio data to be recorded so as to be reproducible without interruption.

  As a recording medium for recording and reproducing digital audio data, a mini disk (MD), which is a magneto-optical disk having a diameter of 64 mm, housed in a cartridge is widely used. In the MD system, ATRAC (Adaptive TRansform Acoustic Coding) is used as a compression method of audio data. ATRAC compresses and encodes audio data captured in a predetermined time window using MDCT (Modified Discrete Cosine Transform). The music data is compressed to 1/5 to 1/10 by ATRAC.

  Further, a convolutional code called ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) is used as an error correction method, and EFM is used as a modulation method. ACIRC is a convolutional code that performs error correction coding twice in the C1 sequence (vertical direction) and the licking direction (C2 sequence), and is powerful error correction processing for sequential data such as audio data. Can be done. However, in the case of a convolutional code, a linking sector is required when data is rewritten. For the ACIRC method and EFM, basically the same as the conventional compact disc (CD) is adopted.

  For managing music data, U-TOC (User TOC (Table Of Contents)) is used. That is, an area called U-TOC is provided on the inner periphery of the recordable area of the disc. The U-TOC is management information that is rewritten according to the order of tracks (audio tracks / data tracks), recording, erasure, etc. in the current MD system, and the start position of each track (parts constituting the track). It manages the end position and mode.

  The MD system disk is small and inexpensive, and has excellent characteristics for recording and reproducing audio data. For this reason, MD systems have been widely used so far.

  According to the recognition of the present inventor, the MD system does not fully meet the market demands. This is because the MD system is not compatible with a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. Further, the conventional MD system uses a file management method different from the FAT (File Allocation Table) -based file system used in personal computers.

  That is, as personal computers and networks are generally used, audio data is increasingly distributed by personal computers connected to the network. In addition, using a personal computer as an audio server, a music file that the user likes is downloaded to a portable playback device to play music. According to the recognition of the present inventor, the conventional MD system is not sufficiently compatible with a personal computer. Therefore, it is desired to improve compatibility with a personal computer by introducing a general-purpose management system such as a FAT system.

  Incidentally, real-time information such as music data needs to be reproduced with temporal continuity maintained. In order to perform reproduction while maintaining continuity of real-time information on a rewritable recording medium such as the above-described MD, it is preferable to record data in a continuous area on the recording medium as much as possible.

  On the other hand, for example, when the FAT system is introduced into the MD system and the compatibility with the personal computer is improved, the personal computer side operates to find an appropriate space area on the recording medium and write data. For this reason, when recording music data on a recording medium, there is a possibility that a predetermined continuous area or more cannot be secured. In this case, there is a possibility that reading is delayed at a discontinuous portion during reproduction and the reproduced sound is interrupted.

That is, in a disk-shaped recording medium used in an MD system or the like, if data that should be written continuously is divided and recorded on the disk, the head is moved between the divided areas during reproduction. Read data by seeking. This seek operation is generally the most time consuming when performed between the innermost and outermost circumferences of the disk. If data is recorded without taking this seek time into consideration, there may be a case where reproduction cannot be performed while maintaining continuity of real-time information during reproduction. Patent Document 1 describes a recording apparatus that can minimize the seek operation.
International Publication No. 01/11626 Pamphlet

  As a method for solving this problem, for example, when the recording medium is a disk-shaped recording medium, a method of increasing the seek speed of the head can be considered. However, in order to increase the seek speed of the head, the voltage of the battery must be increased, and there are disadvantages such as an increase in the size of the recording / reproducing device, an increase in manufacturing cost, and an increase in battery power consumption. There was a point.

  In particular, when the recording / reproducing apparatus is configured so as to be portable, there is a problem that it is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of merchantability.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a recording method that record real-time information such as music data so as to be continuously reproducible without increasing the seek speed of the head during reproduction. It is to provide a program and a recording medium.

The present invention, in order to solve the problems described above, a recording means for writing real-time information on a recording medium in the first unit, when writing real-time information on a recording medium, the real-time information is written in the recording medium Continuous area calculation means for calculating the minimum size of the continuous area in which the first unit is continuous, and the minimum calculated by the continuous area calculation means, so that real-time information can be reproduced while maintaining temporal continuity. It is checked whether or not the continuous area of the size exists on the recording medium as many as the entire real-time information can be written, and when it is determined, the recording means writes the real-time information to the continuous area of the recording medium. have a recording control means for controlling, continuous area calculating means, at least, the maximum movement time required when the recording means is moved to access position from the first position on the recording medium to the second position, the actual Time information The minimum size of the continuous area is determined by using the data rate at the time of birth, the data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium by the recording means, and the zone switching time at the zone boundary based on the zone information recorded on the recording medium. This is a recording device for calculation .

Further, the present invention includes a recording step of writing the real-time information on a recording medium in the first unit, when writing real-time information on a recording medium, the real time information when the real-time information is written to the recording medium such a can play while maintaining continuity in time, a step of continuous area calculation first unit to calculate the minimum size of contiguous continuous area, the continuous area of the smallest size calculated in step contiguous area calculation Checks whether or not the entire real-time information exists on the recording medium so that the entire real-time information can be written, and if so, the recording step is controlled so that the real-time information is written in a continuous area of the recording medium. maximum possess a recording control step, the step of the continuous area calculation, at least, required when moving a first access position from the position to the second position on the recording medium in the recording step Moving time, data rate at the time of reproducing real-time information, data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium in the recording step, zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium, This is a recording method in which the minimum size of the continuous area is calculated using .

Further, the present invention includes a recording step of writing the real-time information on a recording medium in the first unit, when writing real-time information on a recording medium, the real time information when the real-time information is written to the recording medium such a can play while maintaining continuity in time, a step of continuous area calculation first unit to calculate the minimum size of contiguous continuous area, the continuous area of the smallest size calculated in step contiguous area calculation Checks whether or not the entire real-time information exists on the recording medium so that the entire real-time information can be written, and if so, the recording step is controlled so that the real-time information is written in a continuous area of the recording medium. maximum possess a recording control step, the step of the continuous area calculation, at least, required when moving a first access position from the position to the second position on the recording medium in the recording step Moving time, data rate at the time of reproducing real-time information, data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium in the recording step, zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium, Is a recording program for causing a computer apparatus to execute a recording method in which the minimum size of a continuous area is calculated using the .

Further, the present invention includes a recording step of writing the real-time information on a recording medium in the first unit, when writing real-time information on a recording medium, the real time information when the real-time information is written to the recording medium such a can play while maintaining continuity in time, a step of continuous area calculation first unit to calculate the minimum size of contiguous continuous area, the continuous area of the smallest size calculated in step contiguous area calculation Checks whether or not the entire real-time information exists on the recording medium so that the entire real-time information can be written, and if so, the recording step is controlled so that the real-time information is written in a continuous area of the recording medium. maximum possess a recording control step, the step of the continuous area calculation, at least, required when moving a first access position from the position to the second position on the recording medium in the recording step Moving time, data rate at the time of reproducing real-time information, data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium in the recording step, zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium, Is a recording medium readable by a computer device on which a recording program for causing a computer device to execute a recording method for calculating the minimum size of a continuous area using the .

As described above, according to the present invention, when real-time information is written to a recording medium in the first unit, the real-time information when the real-time information is written to the recording medium is reproduced while maintaining temporal continuity. Reproduction of real time information and the maximum movement time required to move the access position from the first position to the second position on the recording medium with the minimum size of the continuous area in which the first unit is continuous. Calculated using the data rate at the time, the data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium, and the zone switching time at the zone boundary based on the zone information recorded on the recording medium, Whether or not there is an area on the recording medium that can write the entire real-time information is checked, and when it is determined, the real-time information is written to a continuous area of the recording medium. , Without speeding and seek speed of the head, continuity upon playback of real-time information written on the recording medium is assured.

  According to the present invention, when writing real-time information to a recording medium, the minimum size of a continuous data writing area where the written real-time information can be reproduced with continuity is calculated. Then, it is determined whether or not the continuous data writing area of the size obtained as a result of the calculation exists on the recording medium as many times as necessary for writing the real time information. To write. Therefore, the written real-time information can be reproduced with continuity maintained without increasing the head seek speed.

  Further, since it is not necessary to increase the seek speed of the head, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the product, and to suppress the power consumption of the battery. For this reason, the recording apparatus to which the present invention is applied has the effect of improving the merchantability and reducing the price.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in accordance with the following seven sections.
1. 1. Overview of recording method 2. About discs Signal format 4. Configuration of recording / reproducing apparatus 5. Music data management method 6. Operation when connected to a personal computer Maintaining continuity of real-time information during playback

1. Overview of Recording System In the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention, a magneto-optical disk is used as a recording medium. The physical attributes of the disk, such as the form factor, are substantially the same as the disks used by so-called MD (Mini-Disc) systems. However, the data recorded on the disc and how the data is arranged on the disc is different from the conventional MD.

  More specifically, the apparatus according to the present invention uses a FAT (File Allocation Table) system as a file management system for recording and reproducing content data such as audio data. As a result, the apparatus can guarantee compatibility with the current personal computer.

  Here, the terms “FAT” or “FAT system” are used generically to refer to various PC-based file systems, and a specific FAT-based file system, Windows 95, used in DOS (Disk Operating System). It is not intended to indicate any of VFAT (Virtual FAT) used in / 98, FAT32 used in Windows 98 / ME / 2000, and NTFS (NT File System (also referred to as New Technology File System)). NTFS is a file system used in the Windows NT operating system or (optionally) Windows 2000, and records and retrieves files when reading / writing to / from a disk. Windows (Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT) is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

  In the present invention, the error correction method and the modulation method are improved with respect to the current MD system to increase the data recording capacity and improve the data reliability. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the content data is encrypted and illegal copying is prevented so that the copyright of the content data can be protected.

  As a recording / playback format, the specification of the next generation MD1 that uses a disk (that is, a physical medium) exactly the same as the disk used in the current MD system, and the disk used in the current MD system. The form factor and external shape are the same, but there is a next-generation MD2 specification that uses magnetic super-resolution (MSR) technology to increase the recording density in the linear recording direction and further increase the recording capacity. Developed by the present inventors.

  In the current MD system, a magneto-optical disk having a diameter of 64 mm housed in a cartridge is used as a recording medium. The disc has a thickness of 1.2 mm, and a center hole having a diameter of 11 mm is provided at the center thereof. The cartridge has a length of 68 mm, a width of 72 mm, and a thickness of 5 mm.

  The shape of the disc and the shape of the cartridge are all the same in the specifications of the next generation MD1 and the specification of the next generation MD2. Regarding the start position of the lead-in area, the next-generation MD1 specification and the next-generation MD2 specification disc start from 29 mm and are the same as the disc used in the current MD system.

  Regarding the track pitch, in the next generation MD2, it is considered to be 1.2 μm to 1.3 μm (for example, 1.25 μm). On the other hand, in the next generation MD1, which uses a disk of the current MD system, the track pitch is set to 1.6 μm. The next-generation MD1 is 0.44 μm / bit and the next-generation MD2 is 0.16 μm / bit. The redundancy is 20.50% for both the next generation MD1 and the next generation MD2.

  In the next-generation MD2 specification disk, the recording capacity in the linear density direction is improved by using a magnetic super-resolution technique. In the magnetic super-resolution technology, when a predetermined temperature is reached, the cut layer becomes magnetically neutral, and the magnetic wall transferred to the reproducing layer moves, so that a minute mark appears large in the beam spot. It is a thing using what becomes.

  That is, in the next-generation MD2 specification disk, a magnetic layer serving as a recording layer for recording information, a cutting layer, and a magnetic layer for reproducing information are stacked on a transparent substrate. The cutting layer is an exchange coupling force adjusting layer. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the cut layer becomes magnetically neutral, and the domain wall transferred to the recording layer is transferred to the reproducing magnetic layer. As a result, minute marks can be seen in the beam spot. At the time of recording, a minute mark can be generated by using a laser pulse magnetic field modulation technique.

  In addition, in the next-generation MD2 specification disc, the groove is made deeper than conventional MD discs to improve the detrack margin, crosstalk from the land, crosstalk of the wobble signal, and leakage of focus. It is sharp. In the disc of the next generation MD2 specification, the groove depth is, for example, 160 nm to 180 nm, the groove inclination is, for example, 60 degrees to 70 degrees, and the groove width is, for example, 600 nm to 700 nm.

  As for the optical specifications, the laser wavelength λ is 780 nm and the aperture ratio NA of the objective lens of the optical head is 0.45 in the next generation MD1 specification. Similarly, in the specification of the next generation MD2, the laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is 0.45.

  As a recording method, the groove recording method is adopted for both the next generation MD1 specification and the next generation MD2 specification. That is, the groove (groove on the disk surface of the disk) is used as a track for recording and reproduction.

  As an error correction coding method, convolutional codes based on ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) have been used in the current MD system. A block-complete code combining Solomon-Long Distance Code (BOS) and Burst Indicator Subcode (BIS) is used. By adopting a block completion type error correction code, a linking sector becomes unnecessary. In an error correction method combining LDC and BIS, an error location can be detected by BIS when a burst error occurs. Using this error location, erasure correction can be performed by the LDC code.

  As an addressing method, a wobbled groove method is used in which a single spiral groove is formed and wobbles as address information are formed on both sides of the groove. Such an address system is called ADIP (Address in Pregroove). The specifications of the current MD system and the next generation MD1 and the next generation MD2 have different line densities, and the current MD system uses a convolutional code called ACIRC as an error correction code. In the specifications of the generation MD1 and the next generation MD2, since a block completion type code combining LDC and BIS is used, the redundancy is different and the relative positional relationship between ADIP and data is changed. Therefore, in the specification of the next generation MD1, which uses a disk having the same physical structure as that of the current MD system, the handling of the ADIP signal is made different from that in the current MD system. In the next-generation MD2 specification, the specification of the ADIP signal is changed so as to match the specification of the next-generation MD2.

  Regarding the modulation method, EFM (8 to 14 Modulation) is used in the current MD system, whereas in the specifications of the next generation MD1 and the next generation MD2, RLL (1, 7) PP (RLL; Run Length Limited, PP; Parity Preserve / Prohibit rmtr (repeated minimum transition run length)) (hereinafter referred to as 1-7pp modulation) is employed. The data detection method is a Viterbi decoding method using a partial response PR (1, 2, 1) ML in the next generation MD1 and a partial response PR (1, -1) ML in the next generation MD2. .

  In addition, the disk drive system is CLV (Constant Linear Verocity) or ZCAV (Zone Constant Angular Verocity), and the standard linear velocity is 2.4 m / second in the next generation MD1 specification, and in the next generation MD2 specification, 1.98 m / sec. In the specification of the current MD system, it is 1.2 m / second for a 60-minute disk and 1.4 m / second for a 74-minute disk.

  In the specification of the next generation MD1, which uses the disk used in the current MD system as it is, the total data recording capacity per disk is about 300 Mbytes (when an 80-minute disk is used). By changing the modulation method from EFM to 1-7pp modulation, the window margin is changed from 0.5 to 0.666, and in this respect, a 1.33 times higher density can be realized. Further, since the error correction method is a combination of BIS and LDC from the ACIRC method, the data efficiency is improved, and in this respect, 1.48 times higher density can be realized. Overall, a data capacity of about twice that of the current MD system was realized using exactly the same disk.

  In the next-generation MD2 specification disk using magnetic super-resolution, the recording density is further increased in the linear density direction, and the total data recording capacity is about 1 Gbyte.

  The data rate is 4.4 Mbit / sec for the next generation MD1 and 9.8 Mbit / sec for the next generation MD2 at the standard linear velocity.

2. Disc FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a disc of the next generation MD1. The next-generation MD1 disc is a disc of the current MD system. That is, the disk is configured by laminating a dielectric film, a magnetic film, a dielectric film, and a reflective film on a transparent polycarbonate substrate. Further, a protective film is laminated thereon.

  In the disc of the next generation MD1, as shown in FIG. 1, the inner circumference of the disc (the innermost circumference of the recordable area of the disc (“innermost” indicates the innermost side in the direction extending radially from the center of the disc)) In the lead-in area, a P-TOC (pre-mastered TOC (Table Of Contents)) area is provided, which is a pre-mastered area as a physical structure. For example, it is recorded as P-TOC information.

  The outer periphery of the lead-in area in which the P-TOC area is provided (the outer periphery in the direction extending radially from the center of the disk) is a recordable area (a magneto-optical recording area), and a groove is formed as a guide groove for a recording track. It is a formed recordable / reproducible area. A U-TOC (user TOC) is provided on the inner periphery of the recordable area.

  The U-TOC has the same configuration as the U-TOC used for recording disc management information in the current MD system. The U-TOC is management information that is rewritten according to the order of tracks (audio tracks / data tracks), recording, erasure, etc. in the current MD system, and the start position of each track (parts constituting the track). It manages the end position and mode.

  An alert track is provided on the outer periphery of the U-TOC. This track records a warning sound that is activated (output) by the MD player when the disc is loaded into the current MD system. This warning sound indicates that the disc is used in the next generation MD1 system and cannot be reproduced by the current system. The remaining portion of the recordable area (shown in detail in FIG. 2) extends radially to the lead-out area.

  FIG. 2 shows the structure of the recordable area of the disc of the next generation MD1 specification shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a U-TOC and an alert track are provided at the beginning (inner circumference side) of the recordable area. In the area including the U-TOC and the alert track, the data is modulated by EFM and recorded so that it can be reproduced by a player of the current MD system. An area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation of the next generation MD1 system is provided on the outer periphery of the area where the data is modulated and recorded by EFM modulation. The area where data is modulated and recorded by EFM and the area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation are separated by a predetermined distance, and a “guard band” is provided. Yes. Since such a guard band is provided, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems by mounting a disc of the next generation MD1 specification on the current MD player.

  A DDT (Disc Description Table) area and a reserve track are provided at the head (inner circumference side) of an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. The DDT area is provided in order to perform a replacement process for a physically defective area. The UID is an identification code unique to each recording medium, and is based on a predetermined random number, for example. The reserve track stores information for protecting the content.

  Furthermore, a FAT (File Allocation Table) area is provided in an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7 pp modulation. The FAT area is an area for managing data in the FAT system. The FAT system performs data management conforming to the FAT system used in general-purpose personal computers. The FAT system performs file management by a FAT chain using a directory indicating entry points of files and directories at the root and a FAT table in which FAT cluster connection information is described. Note that the terminology of FAT is generally used to indicate various different file management methods used in the PC operating system as described above.

  In the disc of the next generation MD1 specification, information on the start position of the alert track and information on the start position of the area where the data is modulated by 1-7pp modulation are recorded in the U-TOC area.

  When the next-generation MD1 disc is loaded into the player of the current MD system, the U-TOC area is read, the position of the alert track is known from the U-TOC information, the alert track is accessed, and the alert track Playback starts. In the alert track, a warning sound is recorded indicating that this disc is used in the next generation MD1 system and cannot be reproduced by a player of the current MD system. This warning sound informs that this disc cannot be used with current MD system players.

  The warning sound may be a warning in a language such as “cannot be used with this player”. Of course, a simple beep, tone, or other warning signal may be used.

  When a next-generation MD1 disc is loaded into a player compliant with the next-generation MD1, the U-TOC area is read, and the start position of the area where data is recorded by 1-7pp modulation is determined from the U-TOC information. Okay, DDT, reserve track, FAT area is read. In the data area of 1-7pp modulation, data management is performed using the FAT system without using the U-TOC.

  FIG. 3 shows a next-generation MD2 disc. The disk is configured by laminating a dielectric film, a magnetic film, a dielectric film, and a reflective film on a transparent polycarbonate substrate. Further, a protective film is laminated thereon.

  In the next-generation MD2 disc, as shown in FIG. 3A, control information is recorded by an ADIP signal in the lead-in area on the inner circumference of the disc (the inner circumference in the direction extending radially from the center of the disc). . Next-generation MD2 discs are not provided with P-TOC by embossed pits in the lead-in area, and instead, control information by ADIP signals is used. The recordable area starts from the outer periphery of the lead-in area, and is a recordable / reproducible area in which a groove is formed as a guide groove for a recording track. In this recordable area, data is modulated and recorded by 1-7 pp modulation.

  In the disc of the next generation MD2 specification, as shown in FIG. 3B, a magnetic layer 101 serving as a recording layer for recording information, a cutting layer 102, and a magnetic layer 103 for reproducing information are stacked as magnetic films. Things are used. The cutting layer 102 is an exchange coupling force adjusting layer. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the cutting layer 102 becomes magnetically neutral, and the domain wall transferred to the recording layer 101 is transferred to the reproducing magnetic layer 103. As a result, a minute mark appears enlarged in the beam spot of the reproducing magnetic layer 103 on the recording layer 101.

  Whether it is the next generation MD1 or the next generation MD2 can be determined from, for example, lead-in information. That is, if a P-TOC due to an emboss pit is detected in the lead-in, it can be determined that the disc is a current MD or next-generation MD1 disc. If control information based on the ADIP signal is detected in the lead-in and P-TOC due to the emboss pit is not detected, it can be determined that the next generation MD2. The discrimination between the next generation MD1 and the next generation MD2 is not limited to such a method. It is also possible to discriminate from the phase of the tracking error signal between on-track and off-track. Of course, a disc identification detection hole or the like may be provided.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the recordable area of the disc of the next-generation MD2 specification. As shown in FIG. 4, in the recordable area, data is modulated and recorded with 1-7pp modulation, and DDT is recorded at the head (inner circumference side) of the area where data is modulated with 1-7pp modulation and recorded. An area and a reserve track are provided. The DDT area is provided for recording replacement area management data for managing a replacement area for a physically defective area.

  Specifically, the DDT area records a management table for managing an alternative area including a recordable area that replaces the physically defective area. This management table records the logical clusters determined to be defective, and also records the logical cluster (s) in the replacement area assigned as a replacement for the defective logical cluster. The reserve track stores information for protecting the content.

  Furthermore, a FAT area is provided in an area where data is modulated and recorded by 1-7pp modulation. The FAT area is an area for managing data in the FAT system. The FAT system performs data management conforming to the FAT system used in general-purpose personal computers.

  The U-TOC area is not provided in the next-generation MD2 disc. When a next-generation MD2 disc is loaded into a player compliant with the next-generation MD2, the DDT, reserve track, and FAT area at predetermined positions are read, and data management is performed using the FAT system.

  The next generation MD1 and next generation MD2 disks do not require time-consuming initialization work. In other words, the next generation MD1 and next generation MD2 specification discs require no initialization work other than the creation of minimum tables such as DDT, reserve track, and FAT table, and recordable areas can be recorded from unused discs. Reproduction can be performed directly.

3. Next, the signal format of the next generation MD1 and next generation MD2 systems will be described. In the current MD system, ACIRC, which is a convolutional code, is used as an error correction method, and a sector of 2352 bytes corresponding to the data amount of a subcode block is used as an access unit for recording and reproduction. In the case of a convolutional code, since an error correction coding sequence spans a plurality of sectors, it is necessary to prepare a linking sector between adjacent sectors when data is rewritten. As an address method, ADIP, which is a wobbled groove method in which wobbling as address information is formed on both sides of a groove after forming a groove by a single spiral, is used. In the current MD system, ADIP signals are arranged so as to be optimal for accessing a sector of 2352 bytes.

  On the other hand, in the specifications of the next-generation MD1 and next-generation MD2 systems, a block-complete code combining LDC and BIS is used, and 64 Kbytes are used as a recording / reproduction access unit. In a block-complete code, no linking sector is required. Therefore, in the specification of the next generation MD1 system that uses the current MD system disk, the handling of the ADIP signal is changed so as to correspond to the new recording method. Further, in the specification of the next-generation MD2 system, the specification of the ADIP signal is changed so as to match the specification of the next-generation MD2.

  5, 6 and 7 are for explaining an error correction method used in the next generation MD1 and next generation MD2 systems. In the next-generation MD1 and next-generation MD2 systems, an error correction encoding method using LDC as shown in FIG. 5 and a BIS method as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are combined.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a coding block for error correction coding by LDC. As shown in FIG. 5, an error detection code EDC of 4 bytes is added to the data of each error correction coding sector, and the data is stored in an error correction coding block of 304 bytes in the horizontal direction and 216 bytes in the vertical direction. Are two-dimensionally arranged. Each error correction coding sector consists of 2K bytes of data. As shown in FIG. 5, an error correction coding block consisting of 304 bytes in the horizontal direction and 216 bytes in the vertical direction is arranged with 32 sectors of error correction coding sectors consisting of 2 Kbytes. Thus, 32-bit error correction is performed in the vertical direction for the data of the 32 error-correction coding sector error correction coding blocks that are two-dimensionally arranged in 304 bytes in the horizontal direction and 216 bytes in the vertical direction. The parity of Reed-Solomon code is added.

  6 and 7 show the structure of the BIS. As shown in FIG. 6, 1 byte of BIS is inserted for every 38 bytes of data, and (38 × 4 = 152 bytes) of data, 3 bytes of BIS data, and 2.5 bytes of frame sync. A total of 157.5 bytes is taken as one frame.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the BIS block is configured by collecting 496 frames configured as described above. BIS data (3 × 496 = 1488 bytes) includes 576 bytes of user control data, 144 bytes of address unit number, and 768 bytes of error correction code.

  As described above, since the 768-byte error correction code is added to the 1488-byte data in the BIS data, it is possible to perform error correction strongly. By embedding this BIS code every 38 bytes, an error location can be detected when a burst error occurs. Using this error location, erasure correction can be performed by the LDC code.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the ADIP signal is recorded by forming wobbles on both sides of the single spiral groove. That is, the ADIP signal has FM-modulated address data and is recorded by being formed as a groove wobble on the disk material.

  FIG. 9 shows the sector format of the ADIP signal in the case of the next generation MD1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, one sector (ADIP sector) of the ADIP signal includes a 4-bit sync, an upper bit of the 8-bit ADIP cluster number, a lower bit of the 8-bit ADIP cluster number, and an 8-bit ADIP. It consists of a sector number and a 14-bit error detection code CRC.

  The sync is a signal having a predetermined pattern for detecting the head of the ADIP sector. Since the conventional MD system uses a convolutional code, a linking sector is required. The sector number for linking is a sector number having a negative value and is a sector number of “FCh”, “FDh”, “FEh”, “FFh” (h indicates a hexadecimal number). In the next generation MD1, since the disc of the current MD system is used, the format of this ADIP sector is the same as that of the current MD system.

  In the next-generation MD1 system, as shown in FIG. 10, an ADIP cluster is composed of 36 sectors from ADIP sector numbers “FCh” to “FFh” and “0Fh” to “1Fh”. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, data of two recording blocks (64 Kbytes) are arranged in one ADIP cluster.

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the ADIP sector in the case of the next generation MD2. In the specification of the next generation MD2, the ADIP sector is composed of 16 sectors. Therefore, the sector number of ADIP can be expressed by 4 bits. In the next-generation MD, since a block-complete error correction code is used, a linking sector is unnecessary.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the next generation MD2 ADIP sector includes a 4-bit sync, an upper bit of the 4-bit ADIP cluster number, a middle bit of the 8-bit ADIP cluster number, and a 4-bit ADIP cluster number. Lower bits, a 4-bit ADIP sector number, and an 18-bit parity for error correction.

  The sync is a signal having a predetermined pattern for detecting the head of the ADIP sector. As the ADIP cluster number, 16 bits of upper 4 bits, middle 8 bits, and lower 4 bits are described. Since the ADIP cluster is composed of 16 ADIP sectors, the sector number of the ADIP sector is 4 bits. In the current MD system, it is a 14-bit error detection code, but it is an 18-bit parity for error correction. In the next generation MD2 specification, as shown in FIG. 12, one recording block (64 Kbytes) of data is arranged in one ADIP cluster.

  FIG. 13 shows the relationship between ADIP clusters and BIS frames in the case of the next generation MD1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the specification of the next generation MD1, 36 ADAD sectors “FC” to “FF” and ADIP sectors “00” to “1F” constitute one ADIP cluster. Two pieces of data of one recording block (64 Kbytes) serving as a recording / reproducing unit are arranged in one ADIP cluster.

  As shown in FIG. 13, one ADIP sector is divided into a first 18 sectors and a second 18 sectors.

  Data of one recording block as a recording / reproduction unit is arranged in a BIS block composed of 496 frames. A preamble of 10 frames (frame “0” to frame “9”) is added before the data frame (frame “10” to frame “505”) corresponding to the BIS block, and Then, a postamble frame of 6 frames (frame 506 to frame 511) is added after this data frame, and a total of 512 frames of data is an ADIP cluster of ADIP sector “FCh” to ADIP sector “0Dh”. And the second half of the ADIP cluster from ADIP sector “0Eh” to ADIP sector “1Fh”. The preamble frame before the data frame and the postamble frame after the data are used to protect the data when linking with the adjacent recording block. The preamble is also used for pulling in a data PLL, signal amplitude control, signal offset control, and the like.

  The physical address for recording / reproducing data of the recording block is specified by the ADIP cluster and the first half or the second half of the cluster. When a physical address is designated at the time of recording / reproduction, the ADIP sector is read from the ADIP signal, the ADIP cluster number and the ADIP sector number are read from the reproduction signal of the ADIP sector, and the first half and the second half of the ADIP cluster are discriminated.

  FIG. 14 shows the relationship between an ADIP cluster and a BIS frame in the case of the next-generation MD2 specification. As shown in FIG. 12, in the specification of the next generation MD2, there are 16 ADIP sectors and one ADIP cluster is configured. One recording block (64 Kbytes) of data is arranged in one ADIP cluster.

  As shown in FIG. 14, data of one recording block (64 Kbytes) serving as a recording / reproduction unit is arranged in a BIS block composed of 496 frames. A preamble of 10 frames (frame “0” to frame “9”) is added before the data frame (frame “10” to frame “505”) corresponding to the BIS block, and Then, a postamble frame of 6 frames (frame 506 to frame 511) is added after the frame of this data, and a total of 512 frames of data is ADIP consisting of ADIP sector “0h” to ADIP sector “Fh”. Placed in a cluster.

  The preamble frame before the data frame and the postamble frame after the data are used to protect the data when linking with the adjacent recording block. The preamble is also used for pulling in a data PLL, signal amplitude control, signal offset control, and the like.

  A physical address when recording / reproducing data of a recording block is designated by an ADIP cluster. When a physical address is designated at the time of recording / reproduction, the ADIP sector is read from the ADIP signal, and the ADIP cluster number is read from the reproduction signal of the ADIP sector.

  By the way, in such a disc, various control information is necessary to control the laser power and the like when recording / reproduction is started. As shown in FIG. 1, the next-generation MD1 disc has a P-TOC in the lead-in area, and various control information is acquired from the P-TOC.

  Next-generation MD2 specification discs are not provided with P-TOC by embossed pits, and control information is recorded by ADIP signals in the lead-in area. In addition, since the magnetic super-resolution technology is used in the next-generation MD2 specification disk, laser power control is important. In the disc of the next generation MD2 specification, calibration areas for power control adjustment are provided in the lead-in area and the lead-out area.

  That is, FIG. 15 shows a lead-in and lead-out configuration of a disc of the next generation MD2 specification. As shown in FIG. 15, in the lead-in and lead-out areas of the disc, a power calibration area is provided as a laser beam power control area.

  In the lead-in area, a control area in which control information by ADIP is recorded is provided. The recording of control information by ADIP describes the control information of the disc using the area allocated as the lower bits of the ADIP cluster number.

  That is, the ADIP cluster number starts from the start position of the recordable area and has a negative value in the lead-in area. As shown in FIG. 15, the ADIP sector of the next generation MD2 includes a 4-bit sync, an upper bit of the 8-bit ADIP cluster number, 8-bit control data (lower bits of the ADIP cluster number), 4-bit It consists of an ADIP sector number and an 18-bit error correction parity. As shown in FIG. 15, control information such as disk type, magnetic phase, intensity, and read power is described in 8 bits assigned as lower bits of the ADIP cluster number.

  Since the upper bits of the ADIP cluster are left as they are, the current position can be known with a certain degree of accuracy. Further, the ADIP sector “0” and the ADIP sector “8” can accurately know the ADIP cluster at a predetermined interval by leaving the lower 8 bits of the ADIP cluster number.

  The recording of the control information by the ADIP signal is described in detail in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-123535 previously proposed by the present applicant.

4). Configuration of Recording / Reproducing Device Next, a configuration of a disc drive device (recording / reproducing device) corresponding to a disc used for recording / reproducing in the next generation MD1 and next generation MD2 systems will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 shows that the disk drive device 1 can be connected to, for example, a personal computer 100.

  The disk drive device 1 includes a media drive unit 2, a memory transfer controller 3, a cluster buffer memory 4, an auxiliary memory 5, USB (Universal Serial Bus) interfaces 6 and 8, a USB hub 7, a system controller 9, and an audio processing unit 10. ing.

  The media drive unit 2 performs recording / reproduction with respect to the loaded disk 90. The disk 90 is a next-generation MD1 disk, a next-generation MD2 disk, or a current MD disk. The internal configuration of the media drive unit 2 will be described later with reference to FIG. The memory transfer controller 3 controls delivery of playback data from the media drive unit 2 and recording data supplied to the media drive unit 2. The cluster buffer memory 4 performs buffering of data read from the data track of the disk 90 by the media drive unit 2 in units of recording blocks based on the control of the memory transfer controller 3. The auxiliary memory 5 stores various management information and special information read from the disk 90 by the media drive unit 2 based on the control of the memory transfer controller 3.

  The system controller 9 performs overall control in the disk drive device 1 and communication control with the connected personal computer 100. That is, the system controller 9 can communicate with the personal computer 100 connected via the USB interface 8 and the USB hub 7, receives commands such as write requests and read requests, status information, and other necessary information. And so on.

  For example, the system controller 9 instructs the media drive unit 2 to read management information from the disk 90 when the disk 90 is loaded into the media drive unit 2, and the management information read by the memory transfer controller 3. Is stored in the auxiliary memory 5.

  When there is a request to read a FAT sector from the personal computer 100, the system controller 9 causes the media drive unit 2 to read a recording block including the FAT sector. The read recording block data is written into the cluster buffer memory 4 by the memory transfer controller 3.

  The system controller 9 performs control to read out the requested FAT sector data from the recording block data written in the cluster buffer memory 4 and transmit it to the personal computer 100 via the USB interface 6 and the USB hub 7. .

  When there is a write request for a certain FAT sector from the personal computer 100, the system controller 9 first causes the media drive unit 2 to read the recording block including the FAT sector. The read recording block is written into the cluster buffer memory 4 by the memory transfer controller 3.

  The system controller 9 supplies the FAT sector data (record data) from the personal computer 100 to the memory transfer controller 3 via the USB interface 6 and rewrites the data of the corresponding FAT sector on the cluster buffer memory 4. Let

  The system controller 9 instructs the memory transfer controller 3 to transfer the recording block data stored in the cluster buffer memory 4 with the necessary FAT sector being rewritten to the media drive unit 2 as recording data. In the media drive unit 2, the recording data of the recording block is modulated and written to the disk 90.

  A switch 50 is connected to the system controller 9. The switch 50 sets the operation mode of the disk drive device 1 to either the next generation MD1 system or the current MD system. In other words, the disk drive apparatus 1 can record audio data on the disk 90 of the current MD system in both the current MD system format and the next-generation MD1 system format. The switch 50 can explicitly indicate the operation mode of the disk drive device 1 main body to the user. Although a mechanical switch is shown, a switch utilizing electricity or magnetism, or a hybrid type switch may be used.

  For the disk drive device 1, a display 51 made of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided. The display 51 can display text data, simple icons, and the like, and displays information related to the state of the disk drive device 1 and a message to the user based on a display control signal supplied from the system controller 9.

  The audio processing unit 10 includes an analog audio signal input unit such as a line input circuit / microphone input circuit, an A / D converter, and a digital audio data input unit as an input system. The audio processing unit 10 includes an ATRAC compression encoder / decoder and a buffer memory for compressed data. Furthermore, the audio processing unit 10 includes an analog audio signal output unit such as a digital audio data output unit and a D / A converter and a line output circuit / headphone output circuit as an output system.

  When the disc 90 is a current MD disc, digital audio data (or an analog audio signal) is input to the audio processing unit 10 when an audio track is recorded on the disc 90. The input linear PCM digital audio data or the linear PCM audio data obtained by converting the analog audio signal and converting it by the A / D converter is subjected to ATRAC compression encoding and stored in the buffer memory. Then, the data is read from the buffer memory at a predetermined timing (data unit corresponding to the ADIP cluster) and transferred to the media drive unit 2. In the media drive unit 2, the transferred compressed data is modulated by EFM and written on the disk 90 as an audio track.

  When the disc 90 is a disc of the current MD system, when the audio track of the disc 90 is reproduced, the media drive unit 2 demodulates the reproduction data into the ATRAC compressed data state and transmits the audio via the memory transfer controller 3. Transfer to the processing unit 10. The audio processing unit 10 performs ATRAC compression decoding to obtain linear PCM audio data, which is output from the digital audio data output unit. Alternatively, line output / headphone output is performed as an analog audio signal by a D / A converter.

  The connection with the personal computer 100 is not USB, and other external interfaces such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 may be used.

  Recording / reproduction data management is performed using a FAT system, and conversion between recording blocks and FAT sectors is described in detail in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-289380 previously proposed by the present applicant. .

  FIG. 17 shows the configuration of the media drive unit 2. The media drive unit 2 has a turntable on which a current MD system disc, a next generation MD1 disc, and a next generation MD2 disc are loaded. In the media drive unit 2, the turntable is loaded on the turntable. The disk 90 is rotated by the spindle motor 29 in the CLV method. The disc 90 is irradiated with laser light from the optical head 19 during recording / reproduction.

  The optical head 19 performs a high level laser output for heating the recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and a relatively low level laser output for detecting data from reflected light by the magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction. . For this reason, the optical head 19 is mounted with a laser diode as a laser output means, an optical system composed of a polarizing beam splitter, an objective lens, etc., and a detector for detecting reflected light, although detailed illustration is omitted here. Yes. The objective lens provided in the optical head 19 is held so as to be displaceable in a radial direction of the disk and a direction in which it is in contact with or separated from the disk, for example, by a biaxial mechanism.

  A magnetic head 18 is disposed at a position facing the optical head 19 with the disk 90 interposed therebetween. The magnetic head 18 performs an operation of applying a magnetic field modulated by the recording data to the disk 90. Although not shown, a sled motor and a sled mechanism are provided to move the entire optical head 19 and the magnetic head 18 in the disk radial direction.

  In the case of the next-generation MD2 disk, the optical head 19 and the magnetic head 18 can form minute marks by performing pulse drive magnetic field modulation. In the case of a current MD disc or a next-generation MD1 disc, a DC light-emission magnetic field modulation method is used.

  In the media drive unit 2, a recording processing system, a playback processing system, a servo system, and the like are provided in addition to the recording / reproducing head system using the optical head 19 and the magnetic head 18 and the disk rotation driving system using the spindle motor 29.

  As the disk 90, there is a possibility that a current MD specification disk, a next generation MD1 specification disk, and a next generation MD2 specification disk may be mounted. These disks have different linear velocities. The spindle motor 29 can be rotated at a rotational speed corresponding to a plurality of types of disks having different linear velocities. The disc 90 loaded on the turntable is rotated according to the linear velocity of the current MD specification disc, the linear velocity of the next generation MD1 specification disc, and the linear velocity of the next generation MD2 specification disc. The

  In the recording processing system, in the case of a disc of the current MD system, at the time of recording an audio track, error correction coding is performed by ACIRC, data is recorded by being modulated by EFM, and the next generation MD1 or next generation MD2 is recorded. In some cases, a part for performing error correction coding by a combination of BIS and LDC and modulating and recording with 1-7pp modulation is provided.

  The playback processing system uses EFM demodulation and ACIRC error correction processing during playback of current MD system discs, and data detection using partial response and Viterbi decoding during playback of next-generation MD1 or next-generation MD2 system discs. A portion for performing 1-7 demodulation based on the above and error correction processing by BIS and LDC is provided.

  Further, there are provided a part for decoding an address based on an ADIP signal of the current MD system or the next generation MD1, and a part for decoding an ADIP signal of the next generation MD2.

  Information (photocurrent obtained by detecting the laser reflected light by the photodetector) detected as reflected light by the laser irradiation of the optical head 19 on the disk 90 is supplied to the RF amplifier 21.

  The RF amplifier 21 performs current-voltage conversion, amplification, matrix calculation, and the like on the input detection information, and performs reproduction RF signal, tracking error signal TE, focus error signal FE, groove information (track on the disk 90) as reproduction information. ADIP information recorded by wobbling) is extracted.

  When reproducing the disc of the current MD system, the reproduced RF signal obtained by the RF amplifier is processed by the EFM demodulator 24 and the ACIRC decoder 25. That is, the reproduced RF signal is binarized by the EFM demodulator 24 to be converted into an EFM signal sequence, EFM demodulated, and further subjected to error correction and deinterleave processing by the ACIRC decoder 25. That is, at this time, the state becomes ATRAC compressed data.

  At the time of reproducing the disk of the current MD system, the selector 26 is selected on the B contact side, and the demodulated ATRAC compressed data is output as reproduced data from the disk 90.

  On the other hand, when reproducing the next-generation MD1 or next-generation MD2 disc, the reproduced RF signal obtained by the RF amplifier is processed by the RLL (1-7) PP demodulator 22 and the RS-LDC decoder 23. That is, the reproduced RF signal is detected by the RLL (1-7) PP demodulator 22 by means of data detection using PR (1, 2, 1) ML or PR (1, -1) ML and Viterbi decoding. ) Reproduced data as a code string is obtained, and RLL (1-7) demodulation processing is performed on this RLL (1-7) code string. Further, the RS-LDC decoder 23 performs error correction and deinterleave processing.

  When reproducing the next-generation MD1 or next-generation MD2 disc, the selector 26 is selected on the A contact side, and the demodulated data is output as reproduction data from the disc 90.

  The tracking error signal TE and the focus error signal FE output from the RF amplifier 21 are supplied to the servo circuit 27, and the groove information is supplied to the ADIP demodulator 30.

  The ADIP demodulator 30 performs band limitation on the groove information by a bandpass filter to extract a wobble component, and then performs FM demodulation and biphase demodulation to demodulate the ADIP signal. The demodulated ADIP signal is supplied to the address decoder 32 and the address decoder 33.

  In the disk of the current MD system or the disk of the next generation MD1, the ADIP sector number is 8 bits as shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the next-generation MD2 system disk, as shown in FIG. 11, the ADIP sector number is 4 bits. The address decoder 32 decodes the ADIP address of the current MD or the next generation MD1. The address decoder 33 decodes the address of the next generation MD2.

  The ADIP address decoded by the address decoders 32 and 33 is supplied to the drive controller 31. The drive controller 31 executes a required control process based on the ADIP address. The groove information is supplied to the servo circuit 27 for spindle servo control.

  The servo circuit 27 generates a spindle error signal for CLV or CAV servo control, for example, based on an error signal obtained by integrating a phase error with a reproduction clock (PLL clock at the time of decoding) with respect to groove information. .

  Further, the servo circuit 27 performs various servo control signals (tracking control signals) based on a spindle error signal, a tracking error signal supplied from the RF amplifier 21, a focus error signal, a track jump command, an access command, etc. from the drive controller 31. , A focus control signal, a thread control signal, a spindle control signal, etc.) are generated and output to the motor driver 28. That is, various servo control signals are generated by performing necessary processing such as phase compensation processing, gain processing, and target value setting processing on the servo error signal and command.

  The motor driver 28 generates a required servo drive signal based on the servo control signal supplied from the servo circuit 27. The servo drive signal here includes a biaxial drive signal for driving the biaxial mechanism (two types of focus direction and tracking direction), a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, and a spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 29. It becomes. By such servo drive signals, focus control and tracking control for the disk 90 and CLV or CAV control for the spindle motor 29 are performed.

  When recording audio data on the disc of the current MD system, the selector 16 is connected to the B contact, so that the ACIRC encoder 14 and the EFM modulator 15 function. In this case, the compressed data from the audio processing unit 10 is subjected to interleaving and error correction code addition by the ACIRC encoder 14 and then EFM modulation by the EFM modulation unit 15.

  The EFM modulation data is supplied to the magnetic head driver 17 via the selector 16, and the magnetic head 18 applies a magnetic field to the disk 90 based on the EFM modulation data, thereby recording an audio track.

  When data is recorded on the next-generation MD1 or next-generation MD2 disc, the selector 16 is connected to the A contact, so that the RS-LDC encoder 12 and the RLL (1-7) PP modulation unit 13 function. In this case, the high-density data from the memory transfer controller 3 is subjected to interleaving and RS-LDC error correction code addition by the RS-LDC encoder 12, and then RLL (1-7) PP modulation unit 13 performs RLL (1 -7) Modulation is performed.

  Then, recording data as an RLL (1-7) code string is supplied to the magnetic head driver 17 via the selector 16, and the magnetic head 18 applies a magnetic field to the disk 90 based on the modulation data, so that the data track is recorded. Recording is performed.

  The laser driver / APC 20 causes the laser diode to perform a laser emission operation during reproduction and recording as described above, but also performs a so-called APC (Automatic Laser Power Control) operation.

  That is, although not shown, a detector for laser power monitoring is provided in the optical head 19 and the monitor signal is fed back to the laser driver / APC 20. The laser driver / APC 20 compares the current laser power obtained as the monitor signal with the set laser power and reflects the error in the laser drive signal, so that the laser power output from the laser diode is , It is controlled to stabilize at the set value.

  As the laser power, values as reproduction laser power and recording laser power are set in a register in the laser driver / APC 20 by the drive controller 31.

  Based on an instruction from the system controller 9, the drive controller 31 performs control so that the above operations (access, various servos, data writing, and data reading operations) are executed.

  In FIG. 17, the A part and the B part surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line can be configured as a circuit part of one chip, for example.

5. As described above, in the next-generation MD1 and next-generation MD2 systems to which the present invention is applied, data is managed by the FAT system. The audio data to be recorded is compressed by a desired compression method and encrypted to protect the rights of the author. As a method for compressing audio data, for example, it is considered to use ATRAC3, ATRAC5, or the like. Of course, other compression methods such as MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer-3) and AAC (MPEG2 Advanced Audio Coding) can be used. Further, not only audio data but also still image data and moving image data can be handled. Of course, since the FAT system is used, general-purpose data can be recorded and reproduced. In addition, computer readable and executable instructions can be encoded on the disk, thus MD1 or MD2 can also contain executable files.

  A management method for recording / reproducing audio data on / from a disc having the specifications of the next generation MD1 and the next generation MD2 will be described.

  In the next-generation MD1 system and the next-generation MD2 system, music data with high sound quality can be played back for a long time, so the number of music pieces managed on one disc is enormous. Moreover, the compatibility with a computer is achieved by managing using a FAT system. According to the recognition of the inventor of the present application, there is a merit that the usability can be improved, but the music data is illegally copied and there is a possibility that the copyright holder cannot be protected. In the management system to which the present invention is applied, consideration is given to such points.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of an audio data management method. As shown in FIG. 18, in this management method, a track index file and an audio data file are generated on the disc. The track index file and the audio data file are files managed by the FAT system.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the audio data file is a file in which a plurality of music data is stored as one file. When the audio data file is viewed with the FAT system, it looks like a huge file. The audio data file is partitioned as parts, and the audio data is handled as a set of parts.

  The track index file is a file in which various information for managing music data stored in the audio data file is described. As shown in FIG. 20, the track index file includes a play order table, a programmed play order table, a group information table, a track information table, a parts information table, and a name table.

  The play order table is a table indicating the playback order defined by default. As shown in FIG. 21, the play order table stores information TINF1, TINF2,... Indicating the link destination to the track descriptor (FIG. 24) of the track information table for each track number (song number). The track number is a continuous number starting from “1”, for example.

  The programmed play order table is a table in which each user defines a playback procedure. In the programmed play order table, as shown in FIG. 22, information track information PINF1, PINF2,... Linked to the track descriptor for each track number is described.

  In the group information table, information about groups is described as shown in FIG. A group is a set of one or more tracks having a continuous track number, or a set of one or more tracks having a continuous programmed track number. The group information table is described by the group descriptor of each group as shown in FIG. 23A. In the group descriptor, as shown in FIG. 23B, a track number at which the group starts, an end track number, a group name, and a flag are described.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the track information table describes information about each song. As shown in FIG. 24A, the track information table is composed of track descriptors for each track (each song). As shown in FIG. 24B, each track descriptor includes an encoding method, copyright management information, content decryption key information, pointer information to a part number as an entry at which the music starts, artist name, title name, original Song order information, recording time information, etc. are described. The artist name and title name describe pointer information to the name table, not the name itself. The encoding method indicates a codec method and becomes decoding information.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the part information table describes a pointer for accessing the actual music position from the part number. As shown in FIG. 25A, the part information table is made up of part descriptors for each part. Parts are all parts of one track (music) or each part obtained by dividing one track. FIG. 25B shows an entry of a part descriptor in the part information table. As shown in FIG. 25B, each part descriptor describes the start address of the part in the audio data file, the end address of the part, and the link destination to the part that follows the part.

  The addresses used as part number pointer information, name table pointer information, and pointer information indicating the position of the audio file include the byte offset of the file, the part descriptor number, the FAT cluster number, and the physical of the disk used as the recording medium. An address or the like can be used. File byte offset is a specific embodiment of the offset method that can be implemented in the present invention. Here, the part pointer information is an offset value from the start of the audio file, and the value is expressed in a predetermined unit (for example, a block of bytes, bits, and n bits).

  The name table is a table for representing characters that are names of names. As shown in FIG. 26A, the name table includes a plurality of name slots. Each name slot is called by being linked from each pointer indicating a name. The pointer for calling the name includes the artist name and title name of the track information table, the group name of the group information table, and the like. Each name slot can be called from a plurality. As shown in FIG. 26B, each name slot includes name data that is character information, a name type that is an attribute of the character information, and a link destination. A long name that does not fit in one name slot can be described by being divided into a plurality of name slots. If one name slot does not fit, the link destination to the name slot in which the subsequent name is described is described.

  In the example of the audio data management system in the system to which the present invention is applied, as shown in FIG. 27, when the track number to be reproduced is designated by the play order table (FIG. 21), the link destination of the track information table is specified. The track descriptor (FIG. 24) is read out, and from this track descriptor, the encoding method, copyright management information, content decryption key information, pointer information to the part number where the music starts, pointers for the artist name and title name The original music order information, the recording time information, etc. are read out.

  The part number information read from the track information table is linked to the part information table (FIG. 25). From this part information table, the audio data file of the part position corresponding to the start position of the track (song) is obtained. Accessed. When the data of the part at the position specified in the part information table of the audio data file is accessed, the reproduction of the audio data is started from that position. At this time, decoding is performed based on the encoding method read from the track descriptor of the track information table. If the audio data is encrypted, the key information read from the track descriptor is used.

  When there is a part that follows the part, a part descriptor is described as the link destination of the part, and the part descriptor is sequentially read according to the link destination. By following the link destination of this part descriptor and playing the audio data of the part at the position specified by the part descriptor on the audio data file, the audio data of the desired track (song) is recorded. Can be played.

  Also, the name table name slot (FIG. 26) at the position (name pointer information) pointed to by the artist name or title name pointer read from the track information table is called, and from the name slot at that position, Name data is read. The name pointer information may be, for example, a name slot number, a cluster number in the FAT system, or a physical address of the recording medium.

  As described above, a plurality of name slots in the name table can be referred to. For example, there may be a case where a plurality of music pieces of the same artist are recorded. In this case, as shown in FIG. 28, the same name table is referred to as an artist name from a plurality of track information tables. In the example of FIG. 28, the track descriptor “1”, the track descriptor “2”, and the track descriptor “4” are all music pieces of the same artist “DEF BAND”, and refer to the same name slot as the artist name. . Also, the track descriptor “3”, the track descriptor “5”, and the track descriptor “6” are all the music of the artist “GHQ GIRLS” at the same position, and refer to the same name slot as the artist name. Thus, if the name slot of the name table can be referred to from a plurality of pointers, the capacity of the name table can be saved.

  Along with this, for example, a link to this name table can be used to display information of the same artist name. For example, when it is desired to display a list of songs whose artist name is “DEF BAND”, the track descriptor referring to the address of the name slot of “DEF BAND” is traced. In this example, the track descriptor “1”, the track descriptor “2”, and the track descriptor “4” are obtained by tracing the track descriptor referring to the address of the name slot “DEF BAND”. This makes it possible to display a list of songs whose artist name is “DEF BAND” among the songs stored on the disc. Since a plurality of name tables can be referred to, no link is provided to reversely follow the track information table from the name table.

  In the case of newly recording audio data, a FAT table provides an unused area that is continuous with a desired number of recording blocks or more, for example, four recording blocks or more. The reason why a continuous area of a desired recording block or more is ensured is that there is no waste in access if audio data is recorded in a continuous area as much as possible. Details of securing a continuous area on the disc equal to or more than the desired number of recording blocks will be described later.

  When an area for recording audio data is prepared, one new track descriptor is allocated on the track information table, and a content key for encrypting the audio data is generated. Then, the input audio data is encrypted, and the encrypted audio data is recorded in the prepared unused area. The area where the audio data is recorded is connected to the end of the audio data file on the FAT file system.

  As new audio data is linked to the audio data file, the linked position information is created, and the newly created audio data position information is recorded in the newly reserved parts description. The Then, key information and part numbers are described in the newly secured track descriptor. Further, if necessary, an artist name, a title name, and the like are described in the name slot, and a pointer linked to the artist name and the title name is described in the name slot in the track descriptor. Then, the number of the track descriptor is registered in the play order table. Also, copyright management information is updated.

  When reproducing audio data, information corresponding to the designated track number is obtained from the play order table, and the track descriptor of the track to be reproduced is obtained.

  Key information is acquired from the track descriptor in the track information table, and a part description indicating an area in which entry data is stored is acquired. From the part description, the position on the first audio data file of the part in which the desired audio data is stored is acquired, and the data stored at the position is extracted. Then, the data reproduced from that position is decrypted using the acquired key information, and the audio data is reproduced. If there is a link in the part description, it is specified and linked to the part, and the same procedure is repeated.

  When a song having a track number “n” on the play order table is changed to a track number “n + m”, the track information in which the track information is described is recorded from the track information TINFn in the play order table. A scripter Dn is obtained. All the values (track descriptor number) of the track information TINFn + 1 to TINFn + m are moved to the previous one. The number of the track descriptor Dn is stored in the track information TINFn + m.

  When deleting the music piece having the track number “n” in the play order table, the track descriptor Dn in which the information of the track is described is obtained from the track information TINFn in the play order table. All valid track descriptor numbers after the track information entry TINFn + 1 in the play order table are moved to the previous one. Further, since the track “n” is to be deleted, all the track information entries after the track “n” are moved forward by one in the play order table. A part descriptor indicating an area in which an encoding method and a decryption key corresponding to the track are acquired from the track descriptor Dn acquired when the track is erased, and the head music data is stored. The number of Pn is acquired. The audio block in the range specified by the part descriptor Pn is separated from the audio data file on the FAT file system. Further, the track descriptor Dn of the track in the track information table is deleted. Then, the part descriptor is deleted from the part information table, and the part description is released by the file system.

  For example, in FIG. 29A, parts A, B, and C have been connected so far, and part B is deleted from them. Suppose that part A and part B share the same audio block (and share the same FAT cluster), and the FAT chain is continuous. The part C is located immediately after the part B in the audio data file, but when the FAT table is examined, it is assumed that the part C is actually located at a distance.

  In the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 29B, when part B is deleted, it can be actually removed from the FAT chain (returned to a free area), but does not share a cluster with the current part. There are two FAT clusters. That is, the audio data file is shortened to 4 audio blocks. The numbers of the audio blocks recorded in part C and the parts after it are all reduced by 4.

  It should be noted that the deletion can be performed on a part of the track instead of the entire track. When a part of the track is deleted, the remaining track information can be decrypted by using the encoding method and decryption key corresponding to the track acquired from the part descriptor Pn in the track information table. It is.

  When connecting the track n and the track n + 1 on the play order table, the track descriptor number Dn describing the information of the track is obtained from the track information TINFn in the play order table. Further, the track descriptor number Dm describing the information of the track is obtained from the track information TINFn + 1 in the play order table. All valid TINF values (track descriptor numbers) after TINFn + 1 in the play order table are moved to the previous TINF. By searching the programmed play order table, all the tracks referring to the track descriptor Dm are deleted. A new encryption key is generated, a part descriptor list is extracted from the track descriptor Dn, and the part descriptor list extracted from the track descriptor Dm is connected to the tail of the part descriptor list.

  When connecting tracks, compare both track descriptors to confirm that there is no problem with copyright management, obtain a parts descriptor from the track descriptor, and if both tracks are connected, there is a provision for fragments. It is necessary to confirm whether it is satisfied with the FAT table. Further, it is necessary to update the pointer to the name table as necessary.

  When the track n is divided into the track n and the track n + 1, the track descriptor number Dn in which the information of the track is described is acquired from the TINFn in the play order table. From the track information TINFn + 1 in the play order table, the track descriptor number Dm describing the information of the track is acquired. Then, all valid track information TINF values (track descriptor numbers) after TINFn + 1 in the play order table are moved to the next one. A new key is generated for the track descriptor Dn. A list of parts descriptors is extracted from the track descriptor Dn. A new part descriptor is assigned, and the contents of the part descriptor before division are copied there. The part descriptor including the dividing point is shortened immediately before the dividing point. In addition, the link of the part descriptor after the dividing point is cut off. A new part descriptor is set immediately after the dividing point.

  As described above, according to the music data management system according to this embodiment, even when music data is divided, it is only necessary to rewrite the track index file, and it is necessary to recreate a music data file. No.

6). Operation at the time of connection with a personal computer The next generation MD1 and the next generation MD2 employ a FAT system as a data management system in order to have compatibility with a personal computer. Therefore, the next-generation MD1 and next-generation MD2 discs support not only audio data but also data reading and writing generally handled by personal computers.

  Here, in the disk drive device 1, the audio data is reproduced while being read from the disk 90. Therefore, in consideration of the accessibility of the portable disk drive device 1 in particular, it is preferable that a series of audio data is continuously recorded on the disk. On the other hand, general data writing by a personal computer is performed by appropriately allocating free areas on the disk without considering such continuity.

  Therefore, in the recording / reproducing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, when the personal computer 100 and the disk drive apparatus 1 are connected by the USB hub 7 and writing is performed from the personal computer 100 to the disk 90 attached to the disk drive apparatus 1. The general data writing is performed under the management of the file system on the personal computer side, and the audio data writing is performed under the management of the file system on the disk drive apparatus 1 side.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining that the management authority is moved according to the type of data to be written in a state where the personal computer 100 and the disk drive device 1 are connected by the USB hub 7 (not shown). FIG. 30A shows an example in which general data is transferred from the personal computer 100 to the disk drive apparatus 1 and recorded on the disk 90 mounted on the disk drive apparatus 1. In this case, FAT management on the disk 90 is performed by the file system on the personal computer 100 side.

  It is assumed that the disk 90 is a disk formatted by either the next generation MD1 or the next generation MD2.

  That is, on the personal computer 100 side, the connected disk drive device 1 looks like a single removable disk managed by the personal computer 100. Therefore, for example, data can be read from and written to the disk 90 mounted on the disk drive device 1 so that the personal computer 100 reads and writes data from and to the flexible disk.

  Such a file system on the personal computer 100 side can be provided as a function of an OS (Operating System) that is basic software installed in the personal computer 100. As is well known, the OS is recorded as a predetermined program file, for example, in a hard disk drive of the personal computer 100. The program file is read when the personal computer 100 is started and is executed in a predetermined manner, so that each function as an OS can be provided.

  FIG. 30B shows an example in which audio data is transferred from the personal computer 100 to the disk drive device 1 and recorded on the disk 90 attached to the disk drive device 1. For example, in the personal computer 100, audio data is recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) included in the personal computer 100.

  The personal computer 100 requests ATRAC compression encoding of the audio data and also writes the audio data to the loaded disk 90 and deletes the audio data recorded on the disk 90 from the disk drive device 1. It is assumed that software for controlling the disk drive device is installed. This disk drive device control software further has a function of browsing track information recorded on the disk 90 by referring to the track index file of the disk 90 loaded in the disk drive device 1.

  The disk drive device control software is provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), read from the recording medium, and stored as a program file in the HDD of the personal computer 100. The However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the disk drive control software may be supplied to the personal computer 100 via a network.

  As an example, a case where audio data recorded on a recording medium of the personal computer 100 is recorded on a disk 90 attached to the disk drive device 1 will be described. It is assumed that the above-described disk drive device control software has been activated in advance.

  First, the user operates the personal computer 100 to record predetermined audio data (referred to as audio data A) recorded on the HDD onto the disk 90 mounted on the disk drive device 1. Based on this operation, a write request command for requesting recording of the audio data A on the disk 90 is output by the disk drive device control software. The write request command is transmitted from the personal computer 100 to the disk drive device 1.

  Subsequently, audio data A is read from the HDD of the personal computer 100. The read audio data A is subjected to ATRAC compression encoding processing by the above-described disk drive device control software installed in the personal computer 100, and converted into ATRAC compressed data. The audio data A converted into the ATRAC compressed data is transferred from the personal computer 100 to the disk drive device 1.

  On the disk drive device 1 side, when the write request command transmitted from the personal computer is received, the audio data A converted into the ATRAC compressed data is transferred from the personal computer 100, and the transferred data is audio. It is recognized that data is recorded on the disk 90 as data.

  In the disk drive device 1, the audio data A transmitted from the personal computer 100 is received from the USB hub 7 and sent to the media drive unit 2 via the USB interface 6 and the memory transfer controller 3. The system controller 9 controls the audio data A to be written to the disk 90 based on the FAT management method of the disk drive device 1 when the audio data A is sent to the media drive unit 2. That is, the audio data A is continuously written in units of recording blocks based on the FAT system of the disk drive device 1 with 4 recording blocks, that is, 64 kbytes × 4 as the minimum recording length.

  Until data writing to the disk 90 is completed, data, status, and commands are exchanged between the personal computer 100 and the disk drive apparatus 1 using a predetermined protocol. As a result, for example, the data transfer speed is controlled so that the overflow or underflow of the cluster buffer 4 does not occur on the disk drive device 1 side.

  Examples of commands that can be used on the personal computer 100 side include a delete request command in addition to the write request command described above. This deletion request command is a command for requesting the disk drive apparatus 1 to delete the audio data recorded on the disk 90 mounted on the disk drive apparatus 1.

  For example, when the personal computer 100 and the disk drive device 1 are connected and the disk 90 is loaded into the disk drive device 1, the track index file on the disk 90 is read and read by the above-described disk drive device control software. The outputted data is transmitted from the disk drive device 1 to the personal computer 100. In the personal computer, based on this data, for example, a list of titles of audio data recorded on the disc 90 can be displayed.

  When the personal computer 100 tries to delete certain audio data (referred to as audio data B) based on the displayed title list, information indicating the audio data B to be deleted is transmitted to the disk drive device 1 together with the delete request command. Is done. When the disk drive apparatus 1 receives this deletion request command, the requested audio data B is deleted from the disk 90 based on the control of the disk drive apparatus 1 itself.

  Since deletion of audio data is performed by control based on the FAT system of the disk drive device 1 itself, for example, as described with reference to FIGS. 29A and 29B, in a huge file in which a plurality of audio data is collected as one file It is also possible to perform processing such as deleting audio data with a certain size.

  Further, when audio data is written to the disk 90 via the OS of the personal computer 100, there is no guarantee that four recording blocks will be written continuously. In addition, even if 4 recording blocks can be written continuously by some method, if the cluster size on the FAT by the OS of the personal computer 100 is 32 kbytes or the like, the defragmentation that is the process of defragmentation is performed. If you do, continuity may break down. By performing processing such as writing of audio data based on the FAT system of the disk drive device 1 itself, these points are solved.

7). Retention of real-time information continuity during reproduction As shown in FIG. 30A described above, the personal computer 100 uses the file system on the personal computer 100 side to perform FAT management on the disc 90, and the personal computer 100 uses the file 90 on the disc 90. When data is written or deleted repeatedly, the recordable area on the disk 90 may be divided. Not only this, but also when the recording of music data on the disk 90 and the deletion of the music data from the disk 90 are repeated based on the control of the disk drive device 1 itself, the segmentation of the area may proceed. There is. Further, the area may be divided by the replacement process due to the physical defect of the disk 90.

  As described above, since the recording area of the disc 90 may be divided, when new music data is written to the disc 90, for example, the continuity of real-time information such as the music data is reproduced during reproduction. It is necessary to consider so that it can be kept. The real time information is data reproduced in correspondence with a real time time series such as music data and moving image data.

There are the following four points to consider so that the continuity of real-time information can be maintained.
(A) Head movement speed (maximum seek speed)
(A) Zone (c) Replacement area (d) Recording area after replacement processing

  Further, as described above, in the music data management system applied to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 19, a plurality of music data is stored as one file, and audio data is stored in the FAT system. Looking at the file, it looks like a huge file (sometimes called a huge audio file). This huge audio data file needs to be guaranteed for each music data in terms of temporal continuity during reproduction. On the other hand, the continuity of the track index file may not be guaranteed.

“Guaranteed continuity” in a huge audio file is defined by:
(A) The maximum seek time is considered.
(B) The reading speed and the bit rate of the reproduction data when each music data in the huge audio file is reproduced are considered.
(C) A safety margin is provided.
(D) When the disk drive system is ZCAV, the time required for zone switching is considered.
(E) It is considered whether or not replacement processing is performed.

  It should be noted that the zone switching and replacement processes (d) and (e) can actually be included in [maximum seek time + safety margin].

  First, consider the moving speed of the head, that is, the maximum seek time. As an example, using a device that has a reading speed of 128 kbps (Kilo bit per second) and requires a maximum seek time of 2 s (seconds), and reproduces real-time information with a playback bit rate of 64 kbps while maintaining continuity. This is considered with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 31A, FIG. 31B, FIG. 31C, and FIG. 31D are examples in which the continuous areas are 64K bits, 128k bits (64k bits × 2), 192k bits (64k bits × 3), and 256k bits (64k bits × 4), respectively. is there. In the example where the continuous area shown in FIG. 31A is 64 kbits, the real-time information is read at 128 kbps, so the first 64 kbits are read out at 0.5 s, and reproduced at a reproduction bit rate of 64 kbps with a reproduction time of 0.5 s. . A reproduction time of 0.5 s during reproduction of the read data is a margin for the next reading. Here, it is necessary to seek to the next area. However, if 2s of the maximum seek time is spent at this time, a margin of 0.5 s is erased by the seek time of 2s.

  Similarly, when the continuous area is 128 kbits, as shown in FIG. 31B, the first 128 kbits (two blocks of 64 kbits) are read in 1 s and reproduced at a reproduction bit rate of 64 kbps. The playback time is 2s. Since the reading is performed in 1 s for the reproduction time of 2 s, there is a margin of 1 s for the next reading, but the 2 s seek is performed, so that the margin of 1 s is erased. Similarly, in the example in which the continuous area shown in FIG. 31C is 192 kbit, the first 192 kbit is read in 1.5 s, and there is a margin of 1.5 s for the next reading, but the maximum seek time 2 s occurs. Then, the margin for 1.5 s is erased.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 31D, when the continuous area is 256 kbit, the first 256 kbit is read at 2 s because it is read at 128 kbps, and is reproduced at a reproduction bit rate of 64 kbps. The reproduction time at this time is 4 s. Since reading is performed in 2 s for a reproduction time of 4 s, there is a margin of 2 s for the next reading. Therefore, even if the maximum seek time 2s is spent when seeking to the next area, the data of the next area is read in time.

Based on the above concept, the following equation (1) is derived. In this formula (1), (actual reading speed [bps] × continuous reading time [s]) = continuous writing size [bit] holds.
Real time information [bps] <((Real reading speed [bps] x Continuous reading time [s]) / (Maximum seek time [s] + Continuous reading time [s])) (1)

Incorporating a safety margin into the above equation (1) and further generalizing, the following equation (2) is obtained.
Minimum continuous write size [bit] ≥ (((maximum seek time [s] + safety margin [s]) x real-time information [bps]) / (actual reading speed [bps]-real-time information [bps]))) × Actual reading speed [bps] (2)

Substituting the above-mentioned conditions into this equation (2) (assuming that the safety margin is not taken into account), equation (2) becomes as follows, and it is understood that a continuous area of at least 256 k bits is required. .
Minimum continuous writing area size [bit] ≧ ((2 [s] × 64 × 10 ³ [bps]) / (128 × 10 ³ [bps] −64 × 10 ³ [bps])) × 128 × 10 ³ [bps ] = 256 × 10 ³ [bit]

Here, it is considered to apply, for example, the next-generation MD1 system in this embodiment to this equation (2). Here, it is assumed that the reproduction bit rate by ATRAC is 256 kbps, the maximum seek time of the disk drive device 1 is 3 s, and the safety margin is 3 s. Further, as described above, it is assumed that the data reading speed is 4.4 Mbps in the next generation MD1. Substituting these values into equation (2) gives
Minimum continuous writing size [bit] ≧ (((3 [s] +3 [s]) × 256 × 10 ³ [bps]) / (4.4 × 10 6 [bps] −256 × 10 ³ [bps])) × 4.4 × 10 ⁶ [bps] = 203.86 [kB]
It looks like this.

  As already described in the section “3. Signal Format”, in the next-generation MD1 and next-generation MD2 systems, one recording block = 64 kbytes is used as an access unit for recording and reproduction. From the substitution result of the equation (2), the 4 recording blocks which are the minimum recording length of the audio data writing described in “6. Operation when connected to personal computer” are derived.

  It is also possible to vary the size of the necessary continuous area for each bit rate of the music data. However, in this case, even if the music data has the same file size, data that can be written and data that cannot be written are generated, which is difficult for the user to understand. Therefore, in this embodiment, the necessary continuous area size is fixed to 4 recording blocks.

  However, for PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio data, the necessary continuous area is used as 24 recording blocks. In this case, the PCM audio data handles only a sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz, a quantization bit number of 16 bits, and 2-channel stereo.

  In practice, the time from reading data from the disk 90 to storing the read data in the cluster buffer memory 4 should be considered. This time corresponds to the time from when playback is instructed until playback is actually started, and does not affect the size of the continuous area on the disk 90. However, for example, even in a system in which the actual reading speed from the disk 90 is 128 kbps, if the time lag such as 1 s is entered in some form every time 128 kbps data is read, the substantial reading speed is 64 kbps. End up. In the description of this embodiment, it is assumed that the actual reading speed does not include this time lag.

  Next, consider zone (a). The zone is a trigger for changing the seek mode of the head in a certain mode. For example, in the disk 90, when reading is performed at 1 × speed on the inner periphery side from the radius A from the center and reading is performed at 2 × speed on the outer periphery side from the radius A, two zones on the disk 90 are provided. And its boundary is a radius A. In the disk 90, three or more zones can be formed.

At the zone boundaries, the read process often needs to be stopped. When the reading process is stopped at the boundary of the zone, it is necessary to adopt the concept of the maximum seek time described in (a) above. By substituting the maximum seek time term in Equation (1) for the maximum seek time with the zone change time as shown in Equation (3) below, the minimum required continuous area size when considering the zone change time is obtained. Can be sought.
Real time information [bps] <((real reading speed [bps] x continuous reading time [s]) / (zone switching time [s] + continuous reading time [s]) (3)

Incorporating a safety margin into equation (3) and further generalizing it yields equation (4) below.
Minimum continuous write size [bit] ≥ (((zone switching time [s] + safety margin [s]) x real-time information [bps]) / (actual reading speed [bps]-real-time information [bps]))) × Actual reading speed [bps] (4)

  In this embodiment, a zone between the replacement area and the replacement area is a zone. The reading speed is controlled so as not to change depending on the zone.

  The case where the reading speed changes for each zone can be dealt with by changing the value of the actual reading speed for each zone in the equations (3) and (4). Alternatively, the actual reading speed value may be set in accordance with the minimum reading speed of all zones.

  Next, the alternate areas (c) and (d) will be considered. The spare area is an area that can be used as an alternative area when a part of the recording medium cannot be physically read or written. In many types of recording media including hard disk drives and the like, this replacement area is prepared, but this replacement area may cause continuity of the recording area. Also, in the normal recording area, when the replacement process is actually performed using the replacement area, the continuity of the recording area is lost at the position where the address is moved to the replacement area. For this reason, if real-time information such as music data is written across a replacement area or an area where a replacement process is performed in a normal recording area, there is a possibility that continuity cannot be maintained during reproduction.

  In order to solve this, for example, when writing real-time information to the recording medium, the drive is inquired in advance about the position of the replacement area or the position where the substitution process has been performed in the normal recording area. For example, in the next generation MD1 system and the next generation MD2 system used in this embodiment, since the management information of the replacement area is recorded in the DDT area, the DDT area is accessed when writing the real time information. Get the position of.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium may be checked directly each time, and the real-time information may be written by searching for an area that does not cross these areas and can secure the minimum continuous writing size. .

  Next, an implementation example of the above-described method for obtaining the minimum continuous writing area will be described. FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram for conceptually explaining processing for acquiring the lowest continuous writing area. In FIG. 32, a medium 203 is a recording medium. The device 202 writes data to the medium 203 and reads data from the medium 203. In this embodiment, the media 203 and the device 202 correspond to the disc 90 and the disc drive apparatus 1, respectively, and the device 202 particularly corresponds to the media drive unit 2.

  The writing module 200 controls the device 202 to write data to the medium 203 and read data from the medium 203. The real time information handling module 201 acquires information related to the real time information 204. In this embodiment, the writing module 200 and the real-time information handling module 201 are functions that the system controller 9 of the disk drive device 1 has. Not limited to this, the writing module 200 and the real-time information handling module 201 may each be realized by software on the personal computer 100 connected to the disk drive device 1. In this case, these modules 200 and 201 are, for example, the above-described disk drive device control software on the personal computer 100.

  At the time of recording, the real time information 204 is subjected to predetermined processing and passed to the writing module 200. The writing module 200 determines whether or not the minimum continuous writing size for recording the real-time information 204 on the medium 203 can be secured based on the information included in the system and the information obtained from the device 202 and the medium 203. If possible, the device 202 is controlled to write the real time information 204 to the media 203.

In order to ensure the above-mentioned minimum continuous writing size, the following five pieces of information are necessary.
(A) Maximum seek time (or time equivalent to the maximum seek time)
(B) Zone information (C) Location and usage status of replacement area on medium 203 (D) Real reading speed (E) Data rate of real time information

  The maximum seek time of (A) is often determined by the device 202 or a combination of the device 202 and the medium 203, and is generally a fixed value in the system. In this embodiment, since the maximum seek time is defined as a standard for the next generation MD1 system and the next generation MD2 system, the value can be used. It may be stored in advance in a ROM (not shown) of the system controller 9 of the disk drive device 1 and read out by the writing module 200 or used in advance in a program constituting the writing module 200 or the real time information handling module 201. It may be incorporated as a constant.

  It is also possible that the maximum seek time is not fixed. At this time, for example, the device 202 may be provided with a mechanism for measuring the maximum seek time, and the writing module 200 may acquire the maximum seek time each time using the mechanism when writing. .

  The zone information (B) depends on the system or media 203. The zone information used in the system is generally defined by the system specifications and the format of the media 203, and is a fixed value. Therefore, the writing module 200 can use a fixed value for each system or each medium 203. When the medium 203 does not have a zone, this zone information can be omitted.

  The position and usage status of the replacement area in (C) vary depending on the individual media 203. The writing module 200 accesses the medium 203 via the device 202 and investigates the location and usage status of the replacement area. When the device 202 has a function of acquiring information on the replacement area, the writing module 200 inquires of the device 202 about the position and usage status of the replacement area. In the next generation MD1 or the next generation MD2 applicable to this embodiment, information on the replacement area is managed in the DDT area. By accessing this DDT area by the writing module 200 or the device 202, the position and usage status of the replacement area can be acquired. If the medium 203 is in an ideal state (no physical defect occurs at all), information regarding the location and usage status of the replacement area can be omitted.

  As for the actual reading speed of (D), here, it is assumed that the minimum reading speed is defined by the system specifications and a fixed value is used. In this case, the writing module 200 only needs to use information on the minimum reading speed defined by the specification. Further, when a plurality of zones are provided on the medium 203, the actual reading speed may be different for each zone. Even in this case, the writing module 200 can obtain information on the actual reading speed for each zone from the system.

  The data rate of the real-time information 204 in (E) is the data rate of the real-time information 204 that is just written to the medium 203 by the writing module 200. Real time information 204 is supplied to the real time handling module 201. The writing module 200 receives the data rate of the real time information 204 supplied to the real time handling module 201 from the real time handling module 201. Alternatively, the writing module 200 may inquire the data rate of the supplied real time information 204 to the real time handling module 201. Further, when the real time information 204 is transferred from the real time handling module 201 to the writing module 200, the writing module 200 may check the data rate of the real time information 204.

  The data rate of the real time information 204 includes a variable data rate in which the data rate is variable according to the reproduction time, and a fixed data rate in which the data rate is fixed with respect to the reproduction time. In the case of a fixed data rate, the minimum continuous writing area size is obtained using the data rate as it is. The variable data rate can be dealt with by acquiring the data rate change position and the data rate after the data rate change. That is, in the case of a variable data rate, the continuous write area size is recalculated for each portion where the data rate changes, and the portion is locally handled as real-time information 204 at a fixed data rate. For the entire real time information 204, a change value of the data rate and a data rate after the change may be acquired in advance. As an example, when the data rate is varied in units of blocks, each block is examined in advance to obtain the data rate for each block. For example, the real time handling module 201 performs processing such as detection of a change portion of the data rate and recalculation of a continuous writing area for each change portion.

  33, 34, and 35 are flowcharts showing an example of processing for acquiring the continuous writing area and writing the real time information 204 to the medium 203. FIG.

  FIG. 33 shows an example of processing when the real-time information 204 is a fixed data rate. First, when writing of real time information 204 to the medium 203 is instructed, in steps S10, S11, S12, S13, and S14, (A) maximum seek time, (B) zone information, (C) position of replacement area and The writing module 200 obtains the usage status, (D) the actual reading speed information, and (E) the data rate of the real time information 204. At this time, for information in which a fixed value is used, for example, a value stored in advance in a ROM or the like included in the system can be used. In the next step S15, the size of the minimum continuous writing area is calculated using each value obtained in steps S10 to S14.

  In step S16, the writing module 200 checks the free area of the medium 203 via the device 202, and determines whether or not the necessary number of continuous free areas of the size obtained in step S15 exist on the medium 203. The That is, in this step S 16, for example, if the total size of the real-time information 204 is 1M (Mega) bits and the minimum continuous writing area size is 256 kbits, then a continuous free area of 256 kbits is 4 on the medium 203. It is determined whether or not there are pieces.

  For example, when a next-generation MD1 system or next-generation MD2 system disk according to this embodiment is used, information on a free area can be known by examining the FAT area.

  If it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S17, a warning that the writing fails is issued by the writing module 200, and writing of the real-time information 204 to the medium 203 is stopped. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the real-time information 204 may be written to the medium 203 even when it is determined in step S16 that it does not exist. If the seek between written areas does not require the maximum seek time, there is a possibility that playback can be performed while maintaining continuity.

  If it is determined in step S <b> 16 that the process exists, the process proceeds to step S <b> 18, and real-time information 204 is written on the medium 203. At this time, the real-time information 204 is written in a predetermined unit for each continuous free area larger than the minimum continuous writing area size based on the free area information of the medium 203 acquired in step S16. When the writing process to the medium 203 is performed for the entire length of the real-time information 204, the process proceeds to step S19, and the writing process is terminated.

  When writing real-time information, in the next generation MD1 system or the next generation MD2 system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the audio data compressed and encoded by ATRAC3 plus with improved ATRAC has a data rate of 352 kbps. It is assumed that it is written. For example, when writing audio data compressed and encoded at a data rate of 64 kbps according to the ATRAC3 plus method, the data rate is assumed to be 352 kbps.

  FIG. 34 shows a first example process when the real-time information 204 is a variable data rate. In this first example, the minimum continuous writing area size is calculated while acquiring the data rate of the real-time information 204 in real time.

  First, when writing of the real time information 204 to the medium 203 is instructed, in steps S20, the processing from steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 33 described above is performed, and (A) maximum seek time, (B) zone information, (C) The location and usage status of the replacement area, and (D) actual reading speed information are acquired.

  In the next step S21, for example, the real time information handling module 201 acquires (E) the data rate for a part of the real time information 204, and the minimum continuous writing area size for the acquired data rate is the data rate. And each information acquired in step S20. In step S22, the writing module 200 checks the free area of the medium 203 via the device 202, and whether or not the necessary number of continuous free areas of the size obtained in step S21 exists on the medium 203. Is judged. If it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S23, and a warning that writing fails is issued.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24, and a part of the real-time information 204 targeted for data rate acquisition in step S21 is available in the medium 203 acquired in step S22. Written to the area.

  When a part of the writing process of the real time information 204 is completed in step S24, the process proceeds to step S25, and it is determined whether or not there is data to be written for the real time information 204. If the writing process to the medium 203 is performed over the entire length of the real-time information 204 and it is determined that there is no portion to be written, the process proceeds to step S26, and the series of writing processes is ended.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the writing process has not been completed over the entire length of the real-time information 204 and data to be written remains, the process returns to step S21, and the next part of the real-time information 204 That is, the data rate is acquired for the next part that is temporally continuous with the part for which the data rate was acquired in the previous step S21, and the minimum continuous writing area size for the acquired data rate is the step corresponding to the data rate. It is calculated based on each information acquired in S20.

  FIG. 35 shows a second example process when the real-time information 204 is a variable data rate. In this second example, the data rate of each part is acquired in advance over the entire length of the real-time information 204, and the minimum continuous writing area size is calculated based on the acquired data rate of each part.

  First, when an instruction to write the real time information 204 to the medium 203 is given, in steps S30, the processing from steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 33 described above is performed, and the maximum seek time, zone information, the location and use of the replacement area are performed. The situation and the actual reading speed information are respectively acquired.

  In the next step S31, for example, the real-time information handling module 201 acquires the data rate of each part for the entire real-time information 204, and the minimum continuous write area size is determined by the data rate and each of the data acquired in step S30. Calculated based on information. In step S32, the writing module 200 checks the free area of the medium 203 via the device 202, and whether or not the necessary number of continuous free areas of the size obtained in step S31 exists on the medium 203. To be judged. If it is determined that it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S33, and a warning that writing fails is issued.

  If it is determined in step S32 that the process exists, the process proceeds to step S34, and the real time information 204 is written to the medium 203 based on the free space information of the medium 203 acquired in step S31. When the writing process on the medium 203 is performed over the entire length of the real-time information 204, the process proceeds to step S35, and a series of writing is completed.

  In the above description, the media 203 is described as a disc according to the specifications of the next generation MD1 system or the next generation MD2 system, but this is not limited to this example. The medium 203 may be any other type as long as it is a randomly accessible recording medium. For example, a recordable type CD (Compact Disc) such as CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) or CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable) or a recordable type DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is applied to the media 203 can do. Of course, a recording medium such as a Blu-ray disc that enables recording of a larger capacity can also be applied to the medium 203. Further, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory can be applied to the medium 203. Further, a hard disk drive can be applied to the medium 203.

  In the above description, a fixed value is used as the actual reading speed of (D). However, when the medium 203 is a CD-R, CD-RW, recordable DVD, or the like, the reading speed is the playback device (device 202). ) May be different for each. In such a case, it is possible to cope similarly by considering the reading speed as, for example, 1 × speed defined in the medium 203.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the real-time information is described as music data or moving image data, but this is not limited to this example. Another example of real-time information is data for device operation simulation. As an example of the operation simulation data, data used for a drop / impact test, a humidity / temperature test, an electrostatic test, a user operation simulation, an apparatus operation simulation of a computer, a protocol simulation, and the like can be considered.

It is a figure used for description of the disk of the specification of the next generation MD1 system. It is a figure used for description of the recording area of the disc of the specification of the next generation MD1 system. It is a figure used for description of the disk of the specification of the next generation MD2 system. It is a figure used for description of the recording area of the disc of the specification of the next generation MD2 system. It is a figure used for description of error correction coding processing of next generation MD1 and next generation MD2. It is a figure used for description of error correction coding processing of next generation MD1 and next generation MD2. It is a figure used for description of error correction coding processing of next generation MD1 and next generation MD2. It is a perspective view used for description of generation of an address signal using wobble. It is a figure used for description of the ADIP signal of the current MD system and the next generation MD1 system. It is a figure used for description of the ADIP signal of the current MD system and the next generation MD1 system. It is a figure used for description of the ADIP signal of a next generation MD2 system. It is a figure used for description of the ADIP signal of a next generation MD2 system. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ADIP signal and frame in the current MD system and the next generation MD1 system. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the ADIP signal and frame in the next generation MD1 system. It is a figure used for description of the control signal in the next generation MD2 system. It is a block diagram of a disk drive device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a media drive part. It is a figure used for description of an example of the management system of audio data. It is a figure used for description of an audio data file. It is a figure used for description of a track index file. It is a figure used for description of a play order table. It is a figure used for description of a programmed play order table. It is a figure used for description of a group information table. It is a figure used for description of a track information table. It is a figure used for description of a parts information table. It is a figure used for description of a name table. It is a figure for demonstrating the process of an example of the management system of audio data. It is a figure for demonstrating that two or more name slots of a name table can be referred. It is a figure used for description of the process which deletes parts from an audio data file. It is a figure for demonstrating shifting management authority with the kind of data to write in the state in which the personal computer and the disk drive apparatus were connected. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between continuous reproduction | regeneration of the maximum seek time and real-time information. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating notionally the process which acquires the lowest continuous write area. It is a flowchart which shows an example write-in process when real-time information is a fixed data rate. It is a flowchart which shows the write-in process by the 1st example when real-time information is a variable data rate. It is a flowchart which shows the write-in process by the 2nd example in case real time information is a variable data rate.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Disk drive apparatus 2 Media drive part 3 Memory transfer controller 4 Cluster buffer memory 9 System controller 90 Disk 100 Personal computer 200 Writing module 201 Real time information handling module 202 Device 203 Media 204 Real time information

Claims (9)

Recording means for writing real- time information to the recording medium in a first unit;
When the real time information is written to the recording medium, the first unit can reproduce the real time information when the real time information is written to the recording medium while maintaining temporal continuity. A continuous area calculation means for calculating a minimum size of continuous areas,
It is determined whether or not the continuous area of the minimum size calculated by the continuous area calculation means exists on the recording medium in a number that allows writing of the entire real-time information. real-time information have a recording control means for controlling said recording means to write to the continuous area of the recording medium,
The continuous region calculation means is
at least,
A maximum movement time required for the recording means to move the access position from the first position to the second position on the recording medium;
The data rate at the time of reproduction of the above real-time information,
A data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium by the recording means;
Zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium
A recording apparatus in which the minimum size of the continuous area is calculated using The upper Symbol continuous area calculation means,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the minimum size of the continuous area is calculated by further using the position of the replacement area of the recording medium and the usage status information of the replacement area. Upper Symbol data rate, recording apparatus according to claim 1 which takes a variable value with respect to the time series of the real-time information. Upper Symbol continuous area calculating means, the recording apparatus according to claim 3 which is adapted to calculate the minimum size of the continuous area while acquiring the data rate in real time. Upper Symbol continuous area calculating means, the recording apparatus according to claim 3, the data rate was set to calculate the minimum size of the previously acquired and the continuous region from the whole of the real-time information. A first management means for managing the recording medium on SL first unit,
A connection unit that connects another device including a second management unit that manages the recording medium in a second unit that is smaller in size than the first unit;
When the other apparatus is connected via the connection means, the recording medium is managed by the second management means included in the other apparatus, and the real time is transmitted from the other apparatus via the connection means. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the information is supplied, the recording medium is managed by the first management unit. A recording step of writing real- time information to the recording medium in a first unit;
When the real time information is written to the recording medium, the first unit can reproduce the real time information when the real time information is written to the recording medium while maintaining temporal continuity. A continuous region calculation step for calculating the minimum size of the continuous region,
It is determined whether the continuous area of the minimum size calculated in the step of calculating the continuous area exists on the recording medium in a number that can write the entire real-time information. the real-time information have a steps of recording control for controlling the recording step to write in the continuous area of the recording medium,
The steps for calculating the continuous area are as follows:
at least,
A maximum movement time required to move the access position from the first position to the second position on the recording medium in the recording step;
The data rate at the time of reproduction of the above real-time information,
A data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium in the recording step;
Zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium
A recording method in which the minimum size of the continuous area is calculated using the. A recording step of writing real- time information to the recording medium in a first unit;
When the real time information is written to the recording medium, the first unit can reproduce the real time information when the real time information is written to the recording medium while maintaining temporal continuity. A continuous region calculation step for calculating the minimum size of the continuous region,
It is determined whether the continuous area of the minimum size calculated in the step of calculating the continuous area exists on the recording medium in a number that can write the entire real-time information. the real-time information have a steps of recording control for controlling the recording step to write in the continuous area of the recording medium,
The steps for calculating the continuous area are as follows:
at least,
A maximum movement time required to move the access position from the first position to the second position on the recording medium in the recording step;
The data rate at the time of reproduction of the above real-time information,
A data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium in the recording step;
Zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium
A recording program for causing a computer apparatus to execute a recording method in which the minimum size of the continuous area is calculated using a computer . A recording step of writing real- time information to the recording medium in a first unit;
When the real time information is written to the recording medium, the first unit can reproduce the real time information when the real time information is written to the recording medium while maintaining temporal continuity. A continuous region calculation step for calculating the minimum size of the continuous region,
It is determined whether the continuous area of the minimum size calculated in the step of calculating the continuous area exists on the recording medium in a number that can write the entire real-time information. the real-time information have a steps of recording control for controlling the recording step to write in the continuous area of the recording medium,
The steps for calculating the continuous area are as follows:
at least,
A maximum movement time required to move the access position from the first position to the second position on the recording medium in the recording step;
The data rate at the time of reproduction of the above real-time information,
A data reading speed when reading data from the recording medium in the recording step;
Zone switching time at the zone boundary based on zone information recorded on the recording medium
A computer-readable recording medium on which a recording program for causing a computer device to execute a recording method for calculating the minimum size of the continuous area using the computer is recorded .

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