JP4286894B2 - Recording method, recording apparatus, and information recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording method, a reproducing method, a recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a recording medium for a write-once information storage medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to a management information recording method, a reproducing method, a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus that indicate a recording state of a recording medium, and a recording medium having such management information.

  In recent years, information storage media represented by hard disks and optical disks have been increased in density and capacity. As density increases and capacity increases, it is important to ensure reliability.

  As a write-once optical disc, a CD-R disc is particularly popular. CD-R discs are characterized by low cost of media and versatility that most CD players can play them, and are widely used by users to create original CDs.

  DVD is rapidly spreading in the United States and Japan. DVD. Due to its large capacity, it is widely used for recording high-quality moving images.

  The DVD-R disc, which is a write-once type optical disc according to the DVD standard, is expected to be widely used in the future.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a recording surface of a DVD-R disc. A substantially continuous groove 101 is formed on the recording surface. The groove 101 meanders (wobbles) at a constant period, and the groove 101 is cut off at various places. This meandering period is called the wobble period, and the part where the groove 101 is cut is called LPP (Land Pre-Pit).

  When data is additionally recorded on a DVD-R disc, pits (not shown) are formed on the land 102 by causing the laser beam to emit light in a pulsed manner while following the groove 101 and the land 102 sandwiched between the grooves 101. .

  FIG. 2 shows the waveform of the tracking error signal of the light reflected from the DVD-R disc. The tracking error signal indicates a waveform obtained by adding a pulse at the LPP position to a sine wave having a wobble period. Both the wobble and LPP can be used as a synchronization signal recorded in advance on a DVD-R disc by cutting.

  By using this pre-recorded synchronization signal, it is possible to position the laser beam even on a new DVD-R disc in which no pits are formed on the land. Data is recorded on the DVD-R disc in the form of pits. This data is recorded in synchronization with the synchronization signal recorded in advance on the DVD-R disc (that is, in alignment with the wobble and LPP). Such synchronization is referred to as “pre-pit synchronization”.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the cutting information and additional recording information of a DVD-R disc. A waveform 301 represents a tracking error signal and has a wobble period. As shown in FIG. 3, eight wobble periods are equal to the frame period, and the LPP is located in the first three wobble periods of each frame period.

  For each frame period, 3-bit information can be represented by the presence or absence of LPP. This 3-bit information is called pre-pit information. A modulation rule is defined for the meaning indicated by the pre-pit information. For example, when the LPP is present is expressed as “1b”, and the case where there is no LPP is expressed as “0b”, “111b” indicates a delimiter of prepit information, “100b” indicates information 0, and “101b” indicates information 1. The pre-pit information stores position information on the disc.

  The data to be added to the DVD-R disc starts from the first frame of the pre-pit information. 26 frames are collected to form one sector, and 16 sectors are collected to form an ECC block. One sector includes 2048-byte user data, a synchronization mark (SY0, SY1, and SY5 in the figure), a sector ID for identifying the sector, an IED that is an error correction code for the sector ID, and an error correction code for user data. It is comprised from ECC which is.

  Each sector is allocated with an error correction code calculated in units of ECC blocks. Therefore, recording / reproduction with respect to a DVD-R disk needs to be executed in units of ECC blocks.

  In a write-once medium, once recorded information cannot be erased. Because of this property, instead of rewriting previously recorded information, new information is added (added) elsewhere. For this reason, the write-once medium has management information different from that of the rewritable medium. In a CD-R disc, data is managed in units of a track and a session. For example, in the case of a music CD, the track corresponds to one song. A collection of tracks that can be played by the player is called a session. Similarly, a DVD-R disc has the concept of an R zone and a border, which correspond to a track and a session of a CD-R disc, respectively.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows additional writing of information on the DVD-R disc. The recording area of the DVD-R disc is composed of an R information area 401 (denoted as R-Info.), A lead-in area 402 (Lead-In), and a data area 403 (Data) from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the DVD-R disc. Area) and lead-out area 404 (Lead-Out).

  R-Info. Is an area peculiar to the DVD-R disc, and is composed of a power calibration area 411 (Power Calibration Area, PCA) and a recording management area 412 (Recording Management Area, RMA).

  The data area 403 is an area where user data is recorded. The lead-in area 402 and the lead-out area 404 are buffer areas provided for an overrun of the recording / reproducing head when the data area 402 is accessed. A border-in area and a border-out area described later also function as buffer areas. Of the lead-in area 402, an area adjacent to the data area 403 is called an extra border zone 421 (Extra-Border zone), and has almost the same role as a border-in area (Border-In Area) described later.

  Of the data area 403, an area not explicitly reserved is referred to as an invisible R zone. In a new DVD-R disc, the entire data area 403 is an invisible RZone.

  When an area for storing content to be recorded (for example, one music piece, one video drama, one computer data file, etc.) is reserved, an RZone is formed at the head of the Invisible RZone. Content data can be recorded in order from the top of the RZone. If the size of the content is not known, it can be recorded in order from the beginning of the Invisible RZone.

  In order to make a DVD-R disc on which content has been recorded ready to be played back by a DVD player, it is necessary to record the area including the area to be played back and the buffer areas on both sides thereof. This is because the DVD player generally cannot read the cutting information of the DVD-R disc, and reproduces the recorded data using only the pit information recorded on the land as a clue. For this purpose, if an unrecorded area remains in the reserved RZone, it is recorded with zero padding data (this is called closing of the RZone), and the extra border zone ( Alternatively, predetermined data is recorded in the border-in area and the border-out area (this is called border closing).

  An area adjacent to the outside of the border-out area is left as a border-in area for user data to be recorded next. Therefore, the Invisible RZone starts from outside the border-in area. Here, the border-out area and border-in area adjacent to each other are collectively referred to as a border zone.

In addition, when adding content to a DVD-R disc, the Invisible
Content data is recorded in order from the top of the RZone. When all the contents have been recorded on the DVD-R disc, the lead-out area is recorded in addition to the border closing described above (this is called finalization). No more data can be added to the finalized DVD-R disc.

  A recording management area 412 (Recording Management Area, RMA) manages the transition of the recording state of the lead-in area, data area, and lead-out area described above. The RMA 412 includes an RMA lead-in indicating the beginning of the RMA 412 and recording management data (Recording Management Data, RMD). Immediately before the RMA, there is a linking loss area (Linking Loss Area, LLA), which serves as a run-up section used to establish PLL synchronization and frame synchronization necessary for data reproduction.

  In the case of a DVD-R disc, since the error correction code is calculated in units of ECC blocks, the size of each RMD is an ECC block. At the timing immediately before the DVD-R disc is ejected from the recording apparatus, the position of each border zone and the position of each RZone at that time are recorded as RMD on the DVD-R disc. When the recording management area RMA is updated for the first time, predetermined data is recorded in the LLA, RMA lead-in area, and RMD # 1 area. When the recording management area RMA is updated for the second time, predetermined data is recorded in the RMD # 2 area.

  Thus, RMD represents the recording state of the information recording medium at the time of recording user data in the data area.

  RMD # 1 region, RMD # 2 region,. . . , RMD # 700 area is a plurality of continuous blocks for recording management information, each included in the recording management area RMA. However, in the following description, the RMD # 1 region, the RMD # 2 region,. . . , RMD # 700 area may be simply referred to as “RMD # 1, RMD # 2,..., RMD # 700”. “RMD” refers to data (management information) recorded in these blocks. Management information is recorded in order from the front of the RMA. That is, the latest management information is recorded in the last recorded block among the recorded blocks included in the RMA.

  FIG. 5 shows a linking operation for adding a new record to a recorded area. In FIG. 5A, recorded data is shown with hatching, and added data (additionally recorded) is shown without hatching. When recording of old data (data indicated by hatching in FIG. 5A) is stopped, a synchronization mark SY0 and a sector ID are set in a sector (called a connected sector) following the last sector of the last ECC block. Record and stop up to 16 bytes of data. When recording of new data (data shown in FIG. 5 (a) without hatching) is started, the 17th byte data, which is the continuation of the previous data, starts from the position of 16 bytes ± 1 byte from the synchronization mark of the connected sector. Start recording.

  FIG. 5B shows the state of the connected sector after the linking operation. The recording data is linked with a deviation of ± 1 byte in the middle of the first frame of the connected sector. If even one bit is shifted at the connection position, data is erroneously demodulated from the connection position to the next synchronization mark (SY5). However, erroneously demodulated data is finally restored by error correction.

  The RMD recorded in the recording management area RMA is important management information indicating the recording state of the DVD-R disc as described above. If the latest RMD cannot be correctly recorded in the recording management area RMA (that is, recorded in such a manner that it can be reliably reproduced), data cannot be additionally recorded on the DVD-R disc. As a result, it is impossible to take advantage of the feature of the DVD-R that has a large capacity. The greater the storage capacity of the disk, the greater the loss.

  For example, if the wobble signal quality is poor and the lock of the wobble PLL is unstable, the wobble and LPP positions previously cut on the DVD-R disk and the RMD recording position recorded on the DVD-R disk It may deviate significantly. In such a case, it may be impossible to read the RMD recorded in alignment with the wobble and LPP following the data.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a recording method and a recording apparatus capable of improving the reliability of data (RMD) representing recording management information written in a recording management area.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing method and a reproducing apparatus for reproducing data (RMD) representing recording management information recorded by using such a recording method and recording apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium with high reliability of data representing record management information.

The recording method of the present invention is a recording method for recording management information indicating a recording state of the information recording medium on a write-once information recording medium, the information recording medium having a management information area, and the management information Each area includes a plurality of continuous blocks for recording the management information, and the recording method includes: (a) recording for recording the management information in a predetermined one of the plurality of blocks A step of performing an operation; (b) a step of determining whether or not the recording operation in step (a) has been normally completed; and (c) a step in which the recording operation in step (a) is not normally terminated. A recording operation for recording the same management information in each of at least two consecutive blocks of the plurality of blocks. Among continuously at least two blocks are recorded in the flop (c), the front of the block is characterized by responsible for establishing synchronization, thereby the objective described above being achieved.
The step (c) may be performed without interrupting the recording operation.
The recording method may further include the step of (d) reproducing and verifying only the management information of the last recorded block among the management information recorded in the at least two consecutive blocks.
The recording apparatus of the present invention is a recording apparatus for recording management information indicating a recording state of the information recording medium on a write-once information recording medium, the information recording medium having a management information area, and the management information Each area includes a plurality of continuous blocks for recording the management information, and the recording apparatus performs a recording operation for recording the management information in a predetermined one of the plurality of blocks. A recording unit; and a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording operation has been normally completed. When the recording operation has not been normally completed, the recording unit includes: A recording operation for recording the same management information in each of at least two consecutive blocks is further performed. Here, among the at least two consecutive blocks recorded in the recording unit, Front blocks responsible for establishing synchronization, thereby the objective described above being achieved.
The recording operation to at least two consecutive blocks among the plurality of blocks may be performed without interrupting the recording operation.
The recording apparatus may further include a verification unit that reproduces and verifies only the management information of the last recorded block among the management information recorded in the at least two consecutive blocks.
The information recording medium of the present invention is a write-once information recording medium provided with a management information area, wherein the management information area includes a plurality of continuous blocks for recording the management information, Of these blocks, the same management information is recorded in at least two consecutive blocks following the block in which the recording operation has not been completed normally, whereby the above object is achieved.

  According to the recording method of the present invention, a recording operation for recording management information at a predetermined position of the information recording medium is performed based on the first synchronization signal. If this recording operation does not end normally, a recording operation for recording the management information at the predetermined position is performed based on the second synchronization signal. This increases the probability of successful recording and increases the reliability of the data representing the recorded management information.

  According to the recording method of the present invention, a recording operation for recording management information at a predetermined position of the information recording medium is performed based on the first synchronization signal. If this recording operation does not end normally, a recording operation for recording the management information at a position different from the predetermined position is performed. This increases the probability of successful recording and increases the reliability of the data representing the recorded management information.

  According to the recording method of the present invention, a recording operation on a predetermined block of the information recording medium is performed. If this recording operation does not end normally, a recording operation for recording the same management information in each of at least two consecutive blocks of the plurality of blocks is performed. Thereby, the reliability of the data showing management information becomes high.

  According to the reproducing method of the present invention, a recorded block in which a predetermined number or more of consecutive unrecorded sectors continues is specified as a block in which management information is recorded last. Thereby, even if the RMA includes an unrecorded block in the middle, the block in which the management information is recorded last can be correctly specified.

  According to the reproduction method of the present invention, reproduction is performed in which the management information recorded in the block is reproduced in order from the block located behind among the recorded blocks included in the plurality of blocks until the reproduction operation is normally completed. Operation is performed. Thereby, the newest management information can be reproduced as much as possible.

  According to the reproduction method of the present invention, at least one of the first management information is reproduced, and one of the plurality of areas is specified based on the reproduced at least one first management information. Next, the second management information recorded in a plurality of areas is reproduced in order from the specified one area toward the rear of the data area. Thereby, the latest management information can be acquired more rapidly.

  First, pre-pit synchronization and data synchronization used in the present invention will be described. As described above, data is usually recorded in the DVD-R by pre-pit synchronization. On the other hand, it is possible to extract a timing signal (synchronization signal) from data (pits) already recorded on the DVD-R and record the data based on the timing signal. Such synchronization is called data synchronization.

  With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, advantages and disadvantages of pre-pit synchronization in DVD-R will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining advantages of pre-pit synchronization. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the previous recording is stopped in the middle of the sector (previous sector) due to some trouble. In this case, since there is no data already recorded on the DVD-R disc, recording cannot be started by data synchronization. For example, when data is recorded for the first time on a new write-once optical disc, it is clear that data synchronization cannot be used no matter what interpolation method is used. Therefore, when data is recorded for the first time on a new write-once optical disc, recording is necessarily started by pre-pit synchronization. FIG. 6B shows the state of the sector after additional recording. According to pre-pit synchronization, an unrecorded section 801 exists on a DVD-R disc, but data can be additionally recorded from a connected sector.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the disadvantages of pre-pit synchronization. FIG. 7A shows the state of the sector before the additional recording, and the previously recorded data (data indicated by hatching in FIG. 7A) has shifted from the wobble cycle due to some failure. Shows the case. For example, such a recording occurs when the quality of the wobble signal is poor and the lock of the wobble PLL is unstable.

  FIG. 7B shows the state of the sector after new data is additionally written using pre-pit synchronization in this state. A doubly recorded area 951 is formed near the start position of additional recording. Depending on the direction of deviation of previously recorded data, an unrecorded area may be formed near the start position of additional recording. The size of this area is more than 1 byte. Further, when such a double recording area or an unrecorded area is formed, the frame period of recorded data becomes incorrect. In a sector having an illegal frame period, the frame synchronization mark interval (the interval between SY0 and SY5) is different from the predetermined interval. As a result, the frame synchronization mark SY5 and subsequent frame synchronization marks cannot be detected, and as a result, data cannot be reproduced.

  Hereinafter, a recording method, a recording apparatus, and a write-once information storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In this specification, when there are an area A and an area B along the recording area of the information recording medium, when the area A is recorded or reproduced after the area B, the area A is “ It is said to be behind. In this case, the region B is said to be “front” of the region A. However, being in “rear” and “front” is not limited to two regions being adjacent to each other. When the region A is behind the region B and the region A is adjacent to the region B, the region A is said to be a region following the region B.

  In a DVD-R disc, “rear” corresponds to the outer peripheral side (outside) of the disc. However, the principle of the present invention is not limited to the case where “rear” corresponds to “outer”. Even when “rear” and “inner side (inner side)” correspond to each other, the principle of the present invention is similarly established. In the following description, “back” corresponds to “outside”.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a system 700 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The system 700 includes a host device 1, an optical disc device 2 (recording device), and an optical disc 3. The host device 1 instructs the optical disc device 2 to record or reproduce the optical disc 3. The host device 1 is, for example, a personal computer.

  The host device 1 and the optical disk device 2 may be housed in the same housing. Such a form is employed, for example, in an optical disc player or an optical disc recorder. The optical disc 3 is mounted on the optical disc apparatus 2.

  The optical disk apparatus 2 includes a microcomputer 4 that controls the entire apparatus, a recording / reproducing circuit 5 that performs recording and reproduction access to the optical disk 3, a program memory 6 that stores a control program for the microcomputer 4, and recording and recording on the optical disk 3. It comprises a DRAM 7 that temporarily holds data to be reproduced and an internal bus 8 that connects these components.

  The recording / reproducing circuit 5 functions as a recording unit that records management information on the optical disk 3 (information recording medium).

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the timing generation of the recording / reproducing circuit 5 of the optical disc apparatus 2. The wobble signal 1001 extracted from the tracking error signal is input to the wobble PLL 1021. The wobble PLL 1021 extracts the frequency of the wobble signal 1001 and outputs a wobble clock 1004. The LPP signal 1002 extracted from the tracking error signal is input to the prepit synchronization mark detection unit 1022. When the prepit synchronization mark detection unit 1022 detects a synchronization pattern from the input tracking error signal, it outputs a prepit synchronization detection signal 1005. The wobble counter 1026 increments the counter value by 1 with the wobble clock 1004, sets the counter value to 0 with the pre-pit synchronization detection signal 1005, and outputs a timing signal 1009 when the counter value reaches a predetermined value.

  An RF signal 1003 that is the total amount of light reflected from the optical disk is input to the data PLL 1023 and the binarization unit 1024. The data PLL 1023 extracts the frequency of the RF signal 1003 and outputs a data clock 1006. The binarization unit 1024 slices the amplitude of the RF signal 1003 and outputs a binarized RF 1007. The data synchronization mark detection unit 1025 samples the binarized RF 1007 with the data clock 1006. The data synchronization mark detection unit 1025 outputs a data synchronization detection signal 1008 when detecting the synchronization mark. The data counter 1027 increases the counter value by 1 in response to the data clock 1006 and sets the counter value to 0 in response to the data synchronization detection signal 1008. The data counter 1027 outputs a timing signal 1010 when the counter value reaches a predetermined value. A selection signal 1011 set by the microcomputer 4 is input to the selector 1028. The selector 1028 outputs either the timing signal 1009 or the timing signal 1010 as the selection timing signal 1012 in accordance with the selection signal 1011.

  A synchronization method using a timing signal 1009 (second synchronization signal) obtained from information (wobble and LPP) previously cut on the optical disc 3 (FIG. 8) corresponds to pre-pit synchronization, and information (data) recorded on the optical disc The synchronization method using the timing signal 1010 (first synchronization signal) obtained from the above corresponds to data synchronization. Thus, it can be said that the data recorded on the optical disc 3 (information recording medium) includes the first synchronization signal. Further, it can be said that the second synchronization signal is previously formed on the optical disc 3 by cutting.

  In the optical disc apparatus 2 (FIG. 8) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the synchronization condition (pre-pit synchronization or data synchronization) for additional recording is dynamically switched according to the state of the previously recorded sector. This switching is performed by a selection signal 1011 generated by the microcomputer 4. Specifically, if the area immediately before the position where data additional writing is to be started has been recorded, data recording is performed, and the previous recording is not recorded, or data recording additional recording has already failed. If there is, add it in sync with the pre-pit. Furthermore, when neither of the synchronization methods can be additionally written, the place is skipped and added to another place. In this way, the optical disc apparatus 2 can cope with a case where recording cannot be started by either pre-pit synchronization or data synchronization. However, there is a limit to the number of consecutive skips. As a result, it is possible to perform a process for searching for a recording end point, which will be described later in Embodiment 3, with respect to the optical disk 3 recorded using the optical disk device 2.

  A situation in which recording cannot be started by either pre-pit synchronization or data synchronization can occur, for example, when a sector immediately before a location where additional recording is to be started is contaminated or scratched. In such a case, when the light spot passes through the sector, the tracking servo may be disengaged. As a result, data recording cannot be started in the sector, or data recorded in the sector is reproduced. I can't.

  FIG. 10 shows a procedure of RMA update processing in the optical disc apparatus 2 (FIG. 8) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The RMA update process shown in FIG. 10 is executed by the optical disc apparatus 2. In FIG. 10, the processing for the LLA at the beginning of the RMA (FIG. 4) and the RMA lead-in area (FIG. 4) is omitted because the flowchart becomes complicated. Hereinafter, each step of the RMA recording process will be described.

  Step 1101: Recording end search processing is performed. The recording end search process will be described later in the third embodiment. The recording end refers to a boundary between a recorded block and an unrecorded block.

  Step 1102: The RMD skip number is initialized to zero. The number of RMD skips being 0 indicates that the number of skipped blocks in which RMD is additionally written is 0.

  Step 1103: It is determined whether or not the recording end searched in Step 1101 is the head of the RMA. That the end of recording is the head of RMA indicates that no RMD is recorded in RMA. If the result of the determination in step 1103 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step 1104. If the result of the determination in step 1103 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1105.

  Step 1104: Pre-pit synchronization is selected. This is performed by the microcomputer 4 (FIG. 8) issuing a selection signal 1011 (FIG. 9) so that the selector 1028 (FIG. 9) selects the timing signal 1009.

  Step 1105: Data synchronization is selected. This is performed by the microcomputer 4 issuing a selection signal 1011 so that the selector 1028 selects the timing signal 1010.

  Step 1106: The next block at the end of the current recording is determined as the target for recording a new RMD.

  Step 1107: Using the synchronization method selected in step 1104 or step 1105, the RMD is recorded on the object determined in step 1106.

  Step 1108: It is determined whether or not the RMD recording has succeeded (whether or not the RMD recording operation has ended normally). The case where the RMD recording operation does not end normally includes the case where the RMD recording operation cannot be started (for example, when positioning for starting recording cannot be performed). In addition, when the RMD recording operation does not end normally, the RMD recording operation could be started, but for some reason (for example, a servo error of the recording head, a wobble PLL out of synchronization, etc.) This includes the case where the recording operation is interrupted.

  The determination in step 1108 is performed by the microcomputer 4 (FIG. 8). In step 1108, the microcomputer 4 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording operation has ended normally.

  If the result of determination in step 1108 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step 1109. If the result of the determination in step S1108 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1114.

  Step 1109: The position of the end of recording is advanced by the number of blocks that have been successfully recorded.

  Step 1110: The RMD skip number is reset to zero.

  Step 1111: A block in which RMD is recorded is verified (reproduction verification).

  Step 1112: It is determined whether or not the verification result is normal (the recorded RMD is correctly reproduced). If the result of determination in step 1112 is “Yes”, the process ends (normal end). If the result of the determination at step 1112 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1113.

  Step 1113: It is determined whether or not the RMA is used up. If the result of determination in step 1113 is “Yes”, the process ends (abnormally ends) (RMD recording fails). If the result of determination in step 1113 is “No”, the process returns to step 1105 (data synchronization is selected and RMD recording is retried).

  Step 1114: It is determined whether or not the retry has been completed. “Retry completed” means that the RMD recording operation that failed in step 1108 (not completed normally) is not the first recording operation. If the result of determination in step 1114 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 1115. If the result of determination in step 1114 is “No”, the process returns to step 1104 (prepit synchronization is set and retry is performed in the same block).

  Step 1115: It is determined whether the RMA has been used up. If the result of determination in step 1115 is “Yes”, the process ends (abnormally ends) (RMD recording fails). If the result of the determination at step 1115 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1116.

  Step 1116: The recording end is advanced by one block. As a result, blocks that failed to be recorded in step 1108 are skipped.

  Step 1117: Increase the RMD skip number indicating the number of skipped blocks by one.

  Step 1118: It is determined whether the number of RMD skips is greater than an upper limit value. The number of RMD skips indicates the size of the area (number of blocks) left unrecorded continuously. If the result of determination in step 1118 is “Yes”, the process ends (abnormally ends) (RMD recording fails). If the determination result of step 1118 is “No”, the process returns to step 1104 (select pre-pit synchronization and retry to the next block).

  11, 12 and 13 show specific examples of processing for recording the RMA according to the flowchart of FIG. In FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, a rectangle surrounded by a thick line indicates a recorded block.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of updating the RMA when the recording continues to be successful. RMA update means recording (adding) a new RMD in the RMA. The state (a) shows a state before the first RMD is recorded in the RMA. In the state (a), the recording operation is performed in the pre-synchronization with the 3 ECC blocks of LLA, RMA lead-in area and RMD # 1.

  The state (b) is a retry when the verification of RMD # 1 fails (step 1111 in FIG. 10), or when it is determined that RMD # 1 has been recorded in the recording end search (ie, step 1101 in FIG. 10). The first try (recording operation) of RMD # 1 and RMD # 2 (when it is determined that the end of recording is obtained) is shown. In the state (b), the recording operation is to be performed in the data synchronization with one ECC block of RMD # 2.

  The state (c) indicates a retry when the verification of RMD # 2 fails or the first try when it is determined that RMD # 2 has been recorded in the recording end search. In the state (c), the recording operation is to be performed in data synchronization with one ECC block of RMD # 3.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of updating the RMA when recording fails near the head of the RMA. The state (a) shows a recording operation for recording the RMD for the first time in the RMA. In the state (a), the recording operation is to be performed in the pre-pit synchronization in the 3 ECC blocks of the LLA, the RMA lead-in area, and the RMD # 1.

  The state (b) shows an operation when the LLA cannot be recorded in pre-pit synchronization. In the state (b), the block (LLA) is skipped, and the recording operation is performed in pre-pit synchronization on the two ECC blocks of the RMA lead-in area and RMD # 1.

  The state (c) shows the operation when the RMA lead-in area cannot be recorded in the prepit synchronization. In the state (c), the block (RMA lead-in area) is skipped, and the recording operation is to be performed in pre-synchronization with one ECC block of RMD # 1.

  The state (d) shows the operation when RMD # 1 cannot be recorded in pre-pit synchronization. In the state (d), the block is skipped, and the recording operation is to be performed on the 1 ECC block of RMD # 2 with pre-pit synchronization. Assuming that the upper limit value of RMD skip is 3 ECC blocks, RMD update fails (determination in step 1118 in FIG. 10 is “Yes”) and ends abnormally if recording to RMD # 2 in pre-pit synchronization is not possible. It becomes. Usually, since there are few discs that cannot be recorded so far, the update of the RMD is normally completed in any of the states (b) to (d).

  As described above, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (recording means) performs the recording operation for recording in the predetermined position RMD # 1 of the optical disc 3 in the state (c), and if the recording operation is not normally completed, the microcomputer 4 ( In the state (d), a recording operation for recording at a position RMD # 2 different from the predetermined position RMD # 1 of the optical disk 3 is performed.

  Furthermore, in the states (c) to (d), the recording / reproducing circuit 5 manages the management information for different positions on the optical disc 3 until the recording operation is normally completed or the recording operation is repeated a predetermined number of times. The recording operation is performed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of updating the RMA when recording fails in the middle of the RMA. The state (a) indicates an operation in which the content indicating the latest recording state is recorded in RMD # 3, which has already been normally recorded in the RMA up to RMD # 2. In state (a), the recording operation is to be performed in data synchronization with one ECC block of RMD # 3.

  The state (b) shows the operation when RMD # 3 cannot be recorded with data synchronization (when the determination in step 1108 of FIG. 10 is “No”). In the state (b), the recording operation is being performed on the RMD # 3 in synchronization with the pre-pits.

  In this way, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (recording means) records the management information at the predetermined position RMD # 3 in the state (a) with data synchronization (that is, based on the first synchronization signal). Perform the recording operation. If it is determined by the microcomputer 4 (determination means) that the recording operation has not ended normally, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (recording means) is in prepit synchronization (that is, in the second state) in the state (b). Based on the synchronization signal), a recording operation for recording the management information at the predetermined position RMD # 3 is performed.

  The state (c) shows the operation when RMD # 3 cannot be recorded even in the pre-pit synchronization. In state (c), the data to be recorded in RMD # 3 is to be recorded in RMD # 4 with pre-pit synchronization.

  As described above, when it is determined that the recording of the management information at the predetermined position RMD # 3 in the pre-pit synchronization is not normally finished, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (recording unit) in the state (c) In pre-pit synchronization (that is, based on the second synchronization signal), a recording operation for recording management information at a position RMD # 4 different from RMD # 3 is performed.

  State (d) shows the operation when RMD # 4 cannot be recorded in pre-pit synchronization. In state (d), the content to be recorded in RMD # 3 is recorded in RMD # 5 in prepit synchronization.

  The state (e) shows the operation when RMD # 5 cannot be recorded in pre-pit synchronization. In state (e), the contents to be recorded in RMD # 3 are to be recorded in RMD # 6 with pre-pit synchronization. Assuming that the upper limit of RMD skip is 3 ECC blocks, if RMD # 6 cannot be recorded in pre-pit synchronization, the RMD update fails and ends abnormally (the determination in step 1118 of FIG. 10 is “Yes”). Will be. Usually, since there are almost no discs that can be recorded so far, the update of the RMD is normally completed in any of the states (b) to (e).

  As described above, when it is determined that the recording of the management information to the RMD # 4 in the pre-pit synchronization is not normally finished, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (recording unit) is in the states (d) to (e). The management information recording operation is performed for different positions on the optical disc 3 until the recording operation ends normally or the number of repetitions of the recording operation reaches a predetermined number.

  As a result, in the optical disc 3 recorded by the above recording method, the additionally recorded data (latest management information) is connected to the old data (RMD) by data synchronization or prepit synchronization. When a new RMD is connected to an old RMD using data synchronization, at least one of the blocks included in the RMA is based on the data (old RMD) recorded in the adjacent block ahead Thus, the positioned data (new RMD) is recorded. Thereby, the probability that RMD (data representing management information) is correctly read increases, and the reliability of the data increases.

  If there is an area that cannot be recorded due to some trouble, the area is left unrecorded, and the latest management information is recorded in the subsequent area. As a result, at least one block following the unrecorded block is already recorded among the plurality of blocks included in the RMA.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, even when there is a place where recording is difficult in the area for recording management information of the write-once information storage medium, as a synchronization method when starting recording, By selecting dynamically suitable conditions, the probability of successful recording increases. If there is a place where recording cannot be started under any of the synchronization conditions, the latest management information can be recorded on the disc in the subsequent area even if the place is left unrecorded.

  Although the case of the recording management area (RMA) has been described, predetermined data other than the user data is recorded in an area other than the area where the user data is recorded (for example, user data is recorded for closing the RZone). Data synchronization and pre-pit synchronization are also dynamically selected in the case of recording zero-filled data in an area adjacent to the area, repeatedly recording the same data such as a lead-out area and a lead-in area, etc. The principles of the present invention can be applied.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, a recording method, a recording apparatus, and a write-once information storage medium according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the optical disk apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the optical disk apparatus 2 described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the recording / reproducing circuit is the same as that of the recording / reproducing circuit 5 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows the procedure of RMA update processing in the optical disc apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment, when the RMA update is retried, the same content is recorded in a plurality of RMDs at once (in consecutive blocks). In FIG. 14, the same steps as those shown in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  Step 1501: It is determined whether or not the RMD recording to be performed in Step 1107 is a retry. “RMD recording is a retry” means that a recording operation for recording an RMD having the same content at any position in the RMA area has already been attempted. If the result of determination in step 1501 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 1503. If the determination result in step 1501 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1502.

  Step 1502: The number of RMD repetitions is set to “1”.

  Step 1503: The number of RMD repetitions is set to “3”.

  The RMD repetition number set in step 1502 or step 1503 is used in step 1107. In step 1107, the same RMD (management information) is recorded in consecutive blocks of the number of RMD repetitions.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of RMA update according to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 15, a rectangle surrounded by a thick line indicates a recorded block. The state (a) indicates a state in which the management information has been normally recorded up to RMD # 2. In state (a), the contents indicating the latest recording state are to be recorded in RMD # 3. A recording operation is performed in data synchronization on one ECC block of RMD # 3 of RMD # 3.

  The state (b) indicates that when the recording start of RMD # 3 fails, the recording operation is performed from the continuation of the failed part. In state (b), the contents to be recorded in RMD # 3 are recorded in RMD # 3, RMD # 4, and RMD # 5 in pre-pit synchronization.

  As described above, when the recording operation in the state (a) does not end normally, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (recording means) records the same management information in each of at least two consecutive blocks of RMA. The recording operation is performed.

  Among RMD # 3, RMD # 4, and RMD # 5, the minimum ECC block that must be verified (verified) in step 1111 in FIG. 14 is recorded in one ECC block of RMD # 5. Only RMD (the last recorded management information). RMD # 4 and RMD # 3 ECC blocks may not be reproducible or may not be retried.

  State (c) shows the operation when RMD # 3 could not be recorded even in pre-pit synchronization, and the contents to be recorded in RMD # 3 are recorded in RMD # 4, RMD # 5 and RMD # 6 in pre-pit synchronization. To do. In this case, the minimum ECC block that must be verified to be playable is one ECC block of RMD # 6.

  As described above, when the same management information (RMD) is recorded in a plurality of consecutive blocks, at least only the management information recorded last is reproduced and verified.

  In step 1111 (FIG. 12), the recording / reproducing circuit 5 functions as a verification unit that reproduces and verifies only the management information recorded last among the management information recorded in a plurality of consecutive blocks.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of RMA repair (recovery) according to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 16, a region surrounded by a thick line indicates a recorded region. The state (a) indicates a state where the management information has already been normally recorded up to RMD # 1. In state (a), the contents indicating the latest recording state are to be recorded in RMD # 2. A recording operation is performed in synchronization with data in one ECC block of RMD # 2.

  The state (b) indicates an operation of repairing the RMA by performing the recording operation from the continuation of the failed part when the recording of RMD # 2 fails (interrupts) in the middle. The contents to be recorded in RMD # 2 in the state (b) are to be recorded in RMD # 2, RMD # 3, and RMD # 4 in pre-pit synchronization. In this case, the minimum ECC block that must be verified (verified) that it can be reproduced is one ECC block of RMD # 4. Even if one ECC block of RMD # 3 cannot be reproduced, it does not have to be a retry target.

  The state (c) shows the state of the RMA repaired by retry.

  As a result, in the write-once information storage medium recorded by the above recording method, the same management information is recorded in at least two consecutive blocks among a plurality of blocks included in the RMA (FIG. 16). RMD # 3 and RMD # 4 shown in state (c). It is preferable that the recording operation to the continuous blocks is performed without interrupting the recording operation. This is because by performing the recording operation to at least two consecutive blocks without interrupting the recording operation, a connection point associated with data linking does not occur at the boundary between the blocks.

  According to the RMA restoration method described with reference to FIG. 16, the contents of RMD are always recorded in the area (block) that should have the contents as RMD. This is advantageous in that there is no reading error by the reproducing apparatus as compared with filling specific data (for example, “0”) behind the position where the recording is interrupted. According to the restoration method in which “0” is filled behind the position where the recording is interrupted, there is a possibility that a reproduction device made according to the standard interprets “0” as RMD.

  In addition, when the recording operation is performed on a plurality of continuous blocks without interrupting the recording operation, the last recorded RMD (RMD recorded in RMD # 4 in the figure) is not linked. To be recorded. For this reason, the bit shift of the first frame of RMD does not occur, and the error correction capability is not wasted by such a bit shift. Thereby, the reliability of the data (RMD) recorded on the optical disk 3 can be improved.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, a reproducing method and reproducing apparatus for a write-once information storage medium according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the optical disk apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the optical disk apparatus 2 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a block diagram for explaining a function used in the recording / reproducing circuit 5 shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the same components as those shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. In FIG. 17, components different from those shown in FIG. 9 are indicated by hatching.

  The RF signal 1003 is input to the envelope detector 1821. The envelope detector 1821 outputs an envelope 1801 that is a change in the amplitude of the input signal. The level comparator 1822 samples the envelope 1801 at the period of the wobble clock 1004, and outputs an envelope detection 1802 when the envelope 1801 exceeds a predetermined value.

  The envelope counter 1823 increases the counter value by 1 in response to the envelope detection signal 1802 and sets the counter value to 0 in response to the pre-pit synchronization detection signal 1005. The counter value of the envelope counter 1823 is output as an envelope counter value 1803.

  The synchronization mark counter 1824 increases the counter value by 1 in response to the data synchronization detection signal 1008, and sets the counter value to 0 in response to the prepit synchronization detection signal 1005. The counter value of the sync mark counter 1824 is output as the sync mark counter value 1804.

  The microcomputer 4 (FIG. 8) uses the envelope counter value 1803 and / or the sync mark counter value 1804 to determine whether the optical disk 3 has been recorded or not recorded in the prepit synchronization period (ie, sector period). can do.

  In the recording device of Embodiments 1 and 2, the playback device of Embodiment 3 is the last recorded location (the state shown in FIG. 13) even when an unrecorded location is included in the middle of RMA. c) to (e)) are used to search appropriately. Such a search is performed in step 1101 of FIG. 10 (Embodiment 1) and FIG. 14 (Embodiment 2).

  The method described in the third embodiment includes two processes: a process of narrowing down an area including the end of recording (rough search process) and a process of detecting the end of recording from the narrowed down area in units of sectors (fine search process). Includes stages.

  As described in the first and second embodiments, in the optical disc apparatus 2 of the present invention, an unrecorded block may be interposed between a recorded block and a recorded block. Therefore, when reproducing the latest RMD, the recording end must be searched in consideration of such a case. The number of consecutive unrecorded blocks between recorded blocks and recorded blocks does not exceed the upper limit used in step 1118 (FIGS. 10 and 14). Consecutive unrecorded blocks below this upper limit value should be “ignored” in the recording end point search process.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a rough search process for narrowing down an area including the end of recording.

  Step 1901: A search range (a range in which the end of recording is searched) is divided (grouped) into units. Here, the unit includes a predetermined number of sectors. The number of sectors constituting the unit is set to the number of sectors corresponding to the number of blocks obtained by adding 1 to the number of unrecorded blocks to be ignored.

  Step 1902: The search head unit number and the search end unit number are initialized to the unit numbers of the head of the search range and the end of the search range, respectively. This means that the search range is the entire RMA.

  Step 1903: It is determined whether the search head unit number is equal to the search end unit number. If the result of determination in step 1903 is “Yes”, the process ends. If the result of determination in step 1903 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 1904.

  Step 1904: The unrecorded inspection unit number is set to a value obtained by adding the search head unit number and the search end unit number and dividing by two. The unrecorded inspection unit number indicates a unit number for inspecting whether it is unrecorded or recorded. In this operation, the decimal part is rounded down to an integer.

  Step 1905: An unrecorded inspection unit is inspected. In step 1905, using the circuit shown in FIG. 17, it is inspected whether all sectors constituting the unrecorded inspection unit have been recorded.

  Step 1906: It is determined whether or not all sectors constituting the inspected unit are unrecorded. If the result of determination in step 1906 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 1908. If the result of determination in step 1906 is “No”, processing proceeds to step 1907.

  Step 1907: The search head unit number is set to a value obtained by adding 1 to the unrecorded inspection unit number.

  Step 1908: The search end unit number is set to the unrecorded inspection unit number.

  The process shown in FIG. 18 is executed by the microcomputer 4 (FIG. 8). The microcomputer 4 functions as a specifying unit that specifies the block in which the management information is recorded last in the RMA by executing the processing shown in FIG. This specifying means specifies a recorded block in which a predetermined number or more of consecutive unrecorded sectors continue as a block in which management information is recorded last.

  The management information recorded in the block thus identified is reproduced by a recording / reproducing circuit (reproducing means).

  The processing of Steps 1903 to 1908 shown in FIG. 18 generally defines the boundary between a unit in which all sectors included in the unit are unrecorded and a unit in which at least one sector included in the unit is recorded. This corresponds to the step obtained by binary tree search.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a dense search process for detecting the end of recording from the narrowed area in units of sectors.

  Step 2001: The search range is set to the head unit obtained by the coarse search and the sector of the unit immediately preceding it.

  Step 2002: Using the circuit shown in FIG. 17, it is checked whether all sectors in the search range have been recorded.

  Step 2003: From the inspection result of each sector, a sector that has already been recorded and has a continuous unrecorded area equal to or greater than the number of sectors constituting the unit (sequential number of sectors equal to or greater than the number of sectors constituting the unit). A recorded sector followed by an unrecorded sector) is defined as a recording end sector.

  The process shown in FIG. 19 is executed by the microcomputer 4 (FIG. 8). As described above, the microcomputer 4 (specifying means) determines whether or not all sectors included in two adjacent units across the boundary between the recorded unit and the unrecorded unit have been recorded. .

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an operation of performing a search for the recording management area (RMA) according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 18 and 19. In the state shown in FIG. 20, the recording management area has been updated up to RMD # 12, but RMD # 8 and RMD # 9 are skipped without being recorded. The number of sectors or blocks constituting the unit is equal to the upper limit value of RMD skip. The unit number starts from 0.

  The first unit number is initialized to 0, the end unit number is initialized to 233 indicating the end unit, and the first search is performed (FIG. 20A). Each time the search is repeated, the terminal unit number changes. The end unit number is 116 (= 233/2) before the second search, 58 before the third search, 29 before the fourth search, and before the fifth search. 14 and 7 before the sixth search (FIG. 20B). During the sixth search, some sectors of the unit to be inspected (unit number 3) have been recorded. Therefore, before the seventh search, the head unit number is 4 and the terminal unit number is 7 (FIG. 20C). At the time of the seventh search, the unit number to be inspected is 5, and all sectors of the unit to be inspected (unit number 5) are unrecorded. Therefore, the head unit number is 4 and the terminal unit number is 5 before the eighth search (FIG. 20D). At the time of the eighth search, the unit number to be inspected is 4, and some sectors of the unit to be inspected (unit number 4) have been recorded. Therefore, before the 9th search, both the head unit number and the end unit number become 5, and the rough search ends (FIG. 20 (e)).

  Next, the range of the dense search is a sector constituting the head unit (unit number 5) and the unit immediately before (unit number 4). A sector that has already been recorded and has a continuous unrecorded area equal to or more than the number of sectors constituting the unit is determined to be the last sector of RMD # 12.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reading a newer RMD. The flowchart shown in FIG. 21 is executed after the above-mentioned RMA recording end point is obtained.

  Step 2201: The block to be reproduced is set as the last recorded (most rearmost) ECC block.

  Step 2202: The block specified in Step 2201 is reproduced.

  In Step 2201 and Step 2202, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 functions as a reproducing unit that reproduces the management information recorded in the most rearward block among the plurality of RMA blocks.

  Step 2203: It is determined whether or not the data has been successfully reproduced. If the result of determination in step 2203 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 2204. If the result of the determination at step 2203 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 2205.

  The determination in step 2203 is performed by the microcomputer 4 (FIG. 8). In step 2203, the microcomputer 4 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the reproduction process has been completed normally.

  Step 2204: It is determined whether or not the reproduced data is RMD. This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether or not an identifier indicating RMD exists in the reproduction data. For example, if it is zero padded data, it is determined that the content is not RMD content. If the result of determination in step 2204 is “Yes”, the process ends (normal end). If the determination result of step 2204 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 2205.

  Step 2205: It is determined whether there is an RMD ECC block on the inner periphery of the block currently being processed. If the result of determination in step 2205 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 2206. If the result of the determination in step 2205 is “No”, the process ends (abnormally ends) (RMD reproduction fails).

  Step 2206: The blocks to be reproduced are set as ECC blocks on the inner circumference by one ECC block.

  In Step 2202 to Step 2206, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (reproducing means) sequentially changes the blocks in the order from the block located at the back among the recorded blocks included in the plurality of RMA blocks until the reproducing operation is normally completed. A reproduction operation for reproducing the recorded management information is performed.

  FIG. 22 shows an example in which RMD playback is attempted in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 22 shows an example (a) in which RMA restoration is performed with zero padding data when RMD # 2 recording is interrupted, and RMA restoration when RMD # 2 recording is interrupted. The example (b) performed by the method described with reference to FIG. 16 of the second embodiment is shown.

  In FIG. 22A, the first reproduction (step 2202 in FIG. 21) is performed on RMD # 4. When the reproduction of RMD # 4 has failed (the result of determination in step 2203 is “No”), the second reproduction is performed on RMD # 3.

  The ECC block of RMD # 3 is zero-filled for repair. Since the ECC block data is determined not to be the contents of the RMD (the result of the determination in Step 2204 is “No”), the third reproduction is performed on the RMD # 2.

  Since RMD # 2 is broken in the middle, reproduction is not successful (the result of the determination in step 2203 is “No”). Therefore, the fourth reproduction is performed on RMD # 1.

  If reproduction of RMD # 1 fails (result of determination in step 2203 is “No”), it is determined that there is no more RMD in the inner circumference (result of determination in step 2205 is “No”). End (RMD playback failure).

  In FIG. 22B, the first reproduction (step 2202 in FIG. 21) is performed on RMD # 4. When the reproduction of RMD # 4 has failed (the result of determination in step 2203 is “No”), the second reproduction is performed on RMD # 3.

  RMD # 3 is an ECC block having the same contents as RMD # 4. When the reproduction of RMD # 3 has failed (the determination result in step 2203 is “No”), the third reproduction is performed on RMD # 2.

  Since RMD # 2 is broken in the middle, reproduction is not successful (the result of the determination in step 2203 is “No”). Therefore, the fourth reproduction is performed on RMD # 1.

  If reproduction of RMD # 1 fails (result of determination in step 2203 is “No”), it is determined that there is no more RMD in the inner circumference (result of determination in step 2205 is “No”). End (RMD playback failure).

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention, as can be seen from FIG. 22 (a) and FIG. 22 (b), either the RMA repaired by the zero padding data or the RMA repaired according to the second embodiment of the present invention, New RMDs can be played as much as possible.

  Comparing FIG. 22 (a) and FIG. 22 (b), RMA repaired according to the repair method of the second embodiment of the present invention is RMD compared to RMA repaired according to the repair method with zero padding data. It can be expected that the correct RMD (latest management information) can be reproduced from # 3. Therefore, it can be seen that the RMA repaired according to the repair method of the second embodiment of the present invention has a high probability that a newer RMD can be reproduced.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in the boundary search between the recorded area and the unrecorded area, the boundary having the unrecorded area continuous for a predetermined amount or more can be obtained. For example, in the first embodiment, the recording location of the latest management information may be found even in the disc in which the recording-unrecordable area (RMA) is skipped in the non-recordable portion and the latest management information is recorded in the subsequent area. it can.

(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, a reproducing method and reproducing apparatus for a write-once information storage medium according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The configuration of the optical disk apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the optical disk apparatus 2 described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the second management information recorded on the write-once information storage medium. Second management information is recorded in the extra border zone and the border-in area. Update physical format information (Updated Physical Format Information) can be exemplified as the second management information.

  The updated physical format information is recorded after the bordered area (Bordered area) sandwiched between the extra border zone or border-in area and the border-out area has been recorded. This updated physical format information describes the position of the last user data recorded in the bordered area, the position of the border-out area of the current border, and the scheduled position of the border-in area of the next border. As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of border-in areas are areas distributed in the data area. “Dispersed” means that a plurality of regions exist in a form that is not adjacent to each other.

  User data is recorded in the bordered area. The updated physical format information is recorded in a buffer area (border zone) that is completed by sandwiching both sides of the bordered area from both sides. Therefore, it can be said that the updated physical format information is information indicating the recording state of the optical disc 3 recorded on the optical disc 3 in association with the user data.

  Even with a playback device that does not have the function of playing RMA, the updated physical format information is read and traced toward the outer border-in area starting from the extra border zone, thereby reducing the range of user data. Can be recognized.

  If the playback device has a function of playing RMA, it is not necessary to read this updated physical format information as long as the latest RMD can be played. This is because the contents described in the updated physical format information can be obtained from the contents of the latest RMD. However, the latest RMD cannot always be reproduced. The updated physical format information is useful when the latest RMD cannot be reproduced for some reason (for example, dirt on the surface of the optical disk).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the second management information reproduction process according to the management information reproduction state. Here, the management information (first management information) indicates RMD, and the second management information indicates updated physical format information. It can be said that both the RMD and the updated physical format information are information indicating the recording state of the optical disc (information recording medium).

  In FIG. 24, the updated physical format information is abbreviated as UpPhyFmtInfo.

  Step 2501: It is determined whether any RMD has been acquired. If the result of determination in step 2501 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 2503. If the result of determination in step 2501 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 2502.

  Acquisition (reproduction) of RMD (first management information) is performed by a recording / reproduction circuit (reproduction means) shown in FIG.

  Step 2502: The updated physical format information of the extra border zone is set as a reproduction target.

  Step 2503: The updated physical format information of the outermost border-in area among the closed borders described in the RMD is set as the target.

  In step 2503, based on the reproduced RMD, it is specified from which of the plurality of regions (the border-in region of the closed border included in the data area) the updated physical format information is to be read. Therefore, in step 2502 and step 2503, the microcomputer 4 functions as a specifying unit that specifies one of the plurality of areas.

  Step 2504: The updated physical format information to be reproduced is reproduced.

  Step 2505: It is determined whether the reproduction is successful. If the result of determination in step 2505 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 2507. If the determination result of step 2505 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 2506.

  Step 2506: It is determined whether or not the updated physical format information has been successfully reproduced at least once. If the result of determination in step 2506 is “Yes”, the process ends (normal end). If the result of determination in step 2506 is “No”, the process ends (abnormally ends).

  Step 2507: It is determined whether or not the position of the border-in area of the next border is described in the updated physical format information that has been successfully reproduced. If the result of determination in step 2507 is “Yes”, processing proceeds to step 2508. If the result of the determination in step 2507 is “No”, the process ends (normal end).

  Step 2508: It is determined whether or not the latest RMD has been acquired (whether or not the latest RMD has been successfully reproduced). If the result of determination in step 2508 is “Yes”, the updated physical format is read from the outermost border-in area, and the process ends (normal end). If the result of the determination at step 2508 is “No”, the process proceeds to step 2509.

  Step 2509: The updated physical format of the border-in area of the next border is set as the reproduction target. The position of the next border is described in the updated physical format information.

  It goes without saying that the order of the processes shown in FIG. 24 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the determination in step 2508 may be performed before the determination in step 2501.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the playback order of the updated physical format area according to the flowchart of FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 25, the three borders of the optical disc are closed. In FIG. 25, steps corresponding to the steps shown in FIG. 24 are shown with the same reference numerals.

  A portion 2601 shows a procedure for selecting a position of updated physical format information to be accessed first. If the latest RMD has been reproduced (the result of determination in step 2508 is “Yes”), it can be seen from the contents of the RMD that the latest updated physical format information is in the border-in area of the third border.

  Even if the latest RMD cannot be played back (the result of the determination in step 2508 is “No”), if the old RMD can be played back (the result of the determination in step 2501 is “Yes”), the border ( In this example, the updated physical format information in the border-in area of the second border) is accessed (reproduced).

  A portion 2602 indicates a process of tracing the updated physical format information from the inner border to the outer border (that is, from the front border to the rear border).

  If the old RMD can be reproduced and the RMD indicates that the second border has been closed, the updated physical format information of the second border is reproduced, and then the updated physical format information of the third border. And attempt to reproduce the updated physical format information of the fourth border. Since the fourth border has not yet been closed, the updated physical format information of the third border is recognized as the latest. As a result, the playback device can play back all user data of the third border. In this way, the recording / reproducing circuit 5 (FIG. 8) updates the data recorded in the plurality of border-in areas in the order from the area (border-in area) described in the acquired RMD toward the rear of the data area. The physical format information (second management information) is reproduced.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the updated physical format information is traced from the beginning (starting with the updated physical format information of the extra border zone) according to the reproduced RMD. The latest updated physical format information can be acquired with a small number of times. Therefore, the latest updated physical format information can be acquired more quickly. Even when the latest RMD cannot be acquired, user data in all closed borders can be reproduced.

  In the fourth embodiment, the updated physical format information is given as an example of the second management information. However, the second management information is not limited to this. As the second management information, any management information recorded in a distributed area in the data area of the optical disc 3 (write-once information storage medium) can be used. For example, in the case of a DVD-R disc, the second management information may be a copy of RMD recorded in each border-out area.

A diagram schematically showing the recording surface of a DVD-R disc The figure which shows the waveform of the tracking error signal of the light reflected from the DVD-R disk The figure which shows the relationship between the cutting information of DVD-R disc, and postscript information The figure which shows typically the additional recording of the information in a DVD-R disc Diagram showing the linking operation to add a new record to the recorded area Diagram explaining the advantages of pre-pit synchronization Illustration explaining the disadvantages of pre-pit synchronization Configuration diagram of system 700 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Block diagram for explaining the timing generation of the recording / reproducing circuit 5 of the optical disc apparatus 2 Flowchart showing the procedure of RMA update processing in the optical disc apparatus 2 (FIG. 8) according to the first embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the example of the update of RMA at the time of continuing recording succeeding The figure which shows the example of the update of RMA when recording fails near the head of RMA The figure which shows the example of the update of RMA when recording fails in the middle of RMA 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of RMA update processing in the optical disc apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the update of RMA according to the flowchart of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the repair (recovery) of RMA according to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining a function used in the recording / reproducing circuit 5 shown in FIG. Flow chart showing the procedure of a rough search process for narrowing down the area including the end of recording Flowchart showing the procedure of a dense search process for detecting the end of recording from the narrowed area in units of sectors The figure explaining the operation | movement which searches with respect to a recording management area | region (RMA) by the flowchart of FIG. 18 and FIG. A flowchart showing a procedure for reading a newer RMD The figure which shows the example which tries reproduction | regeneration of RMD according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The figure explaining the 2nd management information recorded on a write-once type information storage medium The flowchart which shows the procedure of the reproduction | regeneration processing of the 2nd management information according to the reproduction | regeneration state of management information. The figure which shows the reproduction | regeneration order of an update physical format area | region according to the flowchart of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 High-order apparatus 2 Optical disk apparatus 3 Optical disk 4 Microcomputer 5 Recording / reproducing circuit 6 Program memory 7 DRAM
8 Internal bus 1001 Wobble signal 1002 LPP signal 1003 RF signal 1004 Wobble clock 1005 Pre-pit synchronization signal 1006 Data clock 1007 Binary RF
1008 Data synchronization signal 1009, 1010 Timing signal 1011 Selection signal 1012 Selection timing signal 1021 Wobble PLL
1022 Pre-pit synchronization mark detection unit 1023 Data PLL
1024 Binarization unit 1025 Data synchronization mark detection unit 1026 Wobble counter 1027 Data counter 1028 Selector 1801 Envelope 1802 Envelope detection signal 1803 Envelope counter value 1804 Synchronization mark counter value 1821 Envelope detection unit 1822 Level comparator 1823 Envelope counter 1824 Synchronization mark counter

Claims (7)

A recording method for recording management information indicating a recording state of the information recording medium on a write-once information recording medium, wherein the information recording medium has a management information area, and each of the management information areas is the management information area. Including a plurality of consecutive blocks for recording information;
The recording method is:
(A) performing a recording operation for recording the management information in a predetermined one of the plurality of blocks;
(B) determining whether or not the recording operation in step (a) has ended normally;
(C) If the recording operation in step (a) does not end normally, a recording operation for recording the same management information in each of at least two consecutive blocks of the plurality of blocks It includes a step of performing,
Here , the recording method is characterized in that, among the consecutive two blocks recorded in the step (c), the preceding block plays a role of establishing synchronization . The recording method according to claim 1 , wherein step (c) is performed without interrupting a recording operation. (D) of the continuous management information recorded in at least two blocks, further comprising the step of only reproduction verification management information of the last recorded block, according to claim 1 recording method. A recording apparatus for recording management information indicating a recording state of the information recording medium on a write-once information recording medium, wherein the information recording medium has a management information area, and each of the management information areas is the management information area. Including a plurality of consecutive blocks for recording information;
The recording device comprises:
Recording means for performing a recording operation for recording the management information in a predetermined one of the plurality of blocks;
Determination means for determining whether or not the recording operation has ended normally,
Said recording unit, when the recording operation is not completed normally, continuous recording operation further row physician for recording the same management information in each of at least two blocks of said plurality of blocks ,
Here, in a succession of at least two blocks being recorded in said recording means, in front of the block cormorants responsible functions to establish synchronization, the recording device. The recording apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the recording operation to at least two consecutive blocks among the plurality of blocks is performed without interrupting the recording operation. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a verification unit that reproduces and verifies only management information of a block recorded last among management information recorded in the at least two consecutive blocks. A write-once information recording medium having a management information area,
The management information area includes a plurality of consecutive blocks each for recording the management information, and at least two consecutive blocks following the block in which the recording operation did not end normally among the plurality of blocks. An information recording medium in which the same management information is recorded in a block.

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