JP4768794B2 - Defect information management method and information recording / reproducing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention uses a defect information management method for managing defect management information recorded in a defect management area and an information recording medium having a defect management area in an information recording medium such as an optical disc medium having a defect management area. The present invention relates to an information recording / reproducing apparatus.

  A certain type of optical disk medium includes a user area for storing user data and a reserved spare area, and a replacement process for replacing a defective area generated in the user area with a healthy area in the spare area. Is made to do. An area in which defect management information relating to this replacement process is recorded is called DMA (Defect Management Area). High reliability is required for DMA.

  Since replacement information is added every time this replacement occurs and the defect management information to be recorded in the DMA needs to be updated, the rewrite frequency of the DMA is relatively high. For example, in a DVD-RAM, DMA can be rewritten more than 100,000 times, and high reliability is ensured by recording DMAs having the same contents in four locations. On the other hand, for information recording media with low resistance to rewriting, measures as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below have been proposed.

  In Patent Document 1, a plurality of DMAs in which defect management information having the same contents is recorded as a set of DMA sets (DMA Set), and a defect management area in which a plurality of DMA sets can be recorded is prepared, and a DMA set in use Shows a method of ensuring the reliability of defect management information by using another DMA set in the defect management area when the defect deteriorates by rewriting and becomes a defect.

  In the information storage medium of the invention described in Patent Document 1, the defect management information stored in the DMA is newly stored when the DMA in use becomes weak in order to increase the fault tolerance of the DMA. It is defined to transition to DMA. When the DMA becomes weak, there is a possibility that the number of overwriting for this DMA approaches the allowable number of overwriting of the medium having this DMA, or there is a possibility that the number of defects on this DMA increases and error correction cannot be performed. This is the case.

  Each DMA has a size that is an integral multiple of an ECC block, which is a true recording unit in the drive. In DVD-RAM, one ECC block is composed of 16 sectors, and the size of one ECC block is 32 KB. PDL is a list for initial defect registration, and SDL is a list for secondary defect registration. In the PDL, defect management information related to a defect found in a certification executed when formatting a medium, that is, an initial defect is registered. On the other hand, in the SDL, defect management information related to a defect found during normal recording (for example, user data recording), that is, a secondary defect is registered. The defect management information includes a replacement source address and a replacement destination address. As the size of these lists increases, the number of defects that can be registered increases. DMA (0) to nth DMA (n) in the initial state are sequentially arranged and are used in order from the first DMA.

  A plurality of DMAs included in the DMA sequence are used in order from DMA (0) in the initial state. In the initial state, DMA (0) is used, and after the first DMA (1), it is unused. When the number of defects increases in the DMA (0) or the number of overwrites exceeds the specified number, the DMA (0) becomes a used area, and the defect management information stored in the DMA (0) is DMA (1). ) Is recorded in turn. Thereafter, the DMAs are sequentially used in the same manner, so that even if a defect or overwrite damage occurs in the DMA, the medium can be continuously used without causing the system to fail.

  In Patent Document 2, in addition to a defect management area in which a plurality of DMA sets can be recorded, a selection information area for recording selection information indicating a DMA set in which the latest defect management information in the defect management area is recorded is provided. A method for specifying a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded in time is shown.

  This selection information is called a DMA manager, and the DMA manager is recorded in the DMA manager area. Like the defect management information, the reliability of the selection information can be improved by using a plurality of DMA manager areas in which selection information of the same content is recorded as a set of DMA manager sets. Further, by configuring the selection information area so that a plurality of DMA manager sets can be recorded, it is possible to cope with deterioration due to rewriting of the DMA manager sets. This will be specifically described below.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an information storage medium having a rewritable area including a plurality of DMAs, a plurality of manager storage areas, and a user area. The same defect management information is stored in the plurality of DMAs, thereby improving fault tolerance against the DMAs.

  In the initial state, the current (latest) defect management information is stored in the first DMA reserved area included in each DMA. When the first DMA reserved area included in a certain DMA (for example, DMA1) corresponds to the defective area, the defect management information stored in the first DMA reserved area of all the DMAs (DMA1 to DMA4) is stored. The transition is made to the second DMA reserved area of all the DMAs (DMA1 to DMA4).

  As described above, on the information storage medium of the present invention, the currently reserved DMA reserved area transitions. Along with this, a DMA manager is introduced in order to search a DMA reserved area currently in use from a plurality of DMA reserved areas in a short time. That is, the information storage medium of the present invention includes a manager storage area for storing the DMA manager. The DMA manager manages the address of the DMA reserved area currently in use. In other words, the manager storage area is a position information area for storing position information of the DMA reserved area currently in use.

  Assuming that the information storage medium can be overwritten up to 1000 times, according to this information storage medium, if the DMA is changed every 1000 times, the transition is 10 times (= 10000/1000), and the calculation is 10,000. It can withstand registration of defect management information. That is, by making it possible to replace the DMA, it is possible to overcome the poor overwrite characteristics.

JP 2004-39076 A JP 2004-288285 A

  However, when a plurality of DMA manager sets are recorded, a processing procedure for selecting selection information to be used and a method for using the selected selection information have not been established.

  In addition, in a situation where there is no unused DMA set to replace the DMA set being used, it has not been possible to avoid a situation in which defect management information cannot be extracted because the used DMA set has deteriorated. .

  Further, when updating the contents of the DMA manager set being used, a criterion for making a transition to use another DMA manager set instead of the DMA manager set used has not been established.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to establish a processing procedure for selecting selection information to be used from a plurality of DMA manager sets when extracting defect management information from an information recording medium. The object is to provide a processing procedure for reliably extracting defect management information in time.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a processing procedure for maintaining the reliability of a DMA set in use in a situation where there is no DMA set that can replace the DMA set being used.

  Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a processing procedure for establishing a replacement reference for a DMA manager set and ensuring highly reliable selection information when updating data of the DMA manager set.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the defect information management method, information recording / reproducing apparatus, and information reproducing apparatus according to the present invention have the following configurations.

(1) The latest selection information is selected from a plurality of selection information recorded in the selection information area, and the latest defect is determined from the plurality of defect management information recorded in the defect management area based on the selected selection information. Search for management information.

(2) If there is no area that satisfies the predefined condition among the areas that should be used in place of the area that is currently used to record the latest defect management information, Even when the area is to be replaced, the area for recording defect information is not replaced.

(3) When the latest defect management information is to be recorded, the other area cannot be used in place of the area in use, and information is recorded when the area in use does not satisfy a predetermined condition. Do not record on media.

(4) When the latest defect management information is to be recorded, the other area cannot be used in place of the area in use, and information is recorded when the area in use does not satisfy a predetermined condition. Do not record the defect management information on the medium.

(5) Recording identification information indicating that the recorded information is not the latest defect management information in an area where the recorded information is not the latest defect management information.

(6) Evaluating the area where defect management information is recorded and the area where selection information is recorded, and identification indicating that information cannot be normally stored in an area where it is determined that information cannot be normally stored Record information.

(7) The condition for determining that the selection information has been successfully updated is that at least two of the updated divided regions can be normally reproduced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when extracting defect management information from an information recording medium, it becomes possible to extract defect management information reliably in a short time.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the reliability of the DMA set in use in a situation where there is no unused DMA set replacing the DMA set being used.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure highly reliable selection information when updating data in the DMA manager set.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a data structure showing a first embodiment of an information recording medium used in the defect information management method according to the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this drawing.

  The information recording medium of the present embodiment is an optical disk medium that can be recorded and reproduced. This optical disk medium has a plurality of areas DMA12 and DMA34 (defect management areas) in which a plurality of defect management information can be recorded, and a plurality of selection information for selecting one set of defect management information in the areas DMA12 and DMA34. It includes areas MAN1 and MAN2 (selection information areas) that can be recorded. The selection information includes information indicating in which part of the areas DMA12 and DMA34 the latest defect management information is recorded when the selection information is recorded, and history information indicating that the selection information has been updated. Including. The history information is, for example, update count data that is counted every time selection information is updated.

  This will be described in more detail. Data on the optical disk medium is divided into blocks of 64 kbytes, ECC (Error Collection Code) or the like is added in a predetermined processing procedure, and is recorded for each block. During reproduction, the data is read every 64 kbytes while error correction is performed. This data block is called an ECC block.

  In this optical disk medium, the DMA manager set is composed of two DMA manager areas having the same contents. The DMA set is composed of four DMAs having the same contents. The region MAN1 and the region DMA12 are provided in the lead-in, and the region MAN2 and the region DMA34 are provided in the lead-out. One of the two DMA manager sets is provided in the area MAN1, and the other DMA manager area is provided in the area MAN2. The area DMA 12 is provided with two of the four DMA sets, and the area DMA 34 is provided with the remaining two DMAs.

  2 and 3 are tables showing the detailed arrangement of each region in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the area MAN1 and the area DMA12, and FIG. 3 shows the area MAN2 and the area DMA34. Hereinafter, description will be given based on these drawings.

  PSN (Physical sector number) = 2CE00h to 2D1BFh is area MAN1, PSN = 2D1C0h to 2F5BFh and PSN = 82CE00h to 82F4FF are area DMA12, PSN = 4ED740h to 4EDAFFh is area MAN2, PSN = 4EDB00h to 4EFFEh3PSF4EFEhh This is the area DMA34. One ECC block corresponds to 32 sectors. Therefore, each time one ECC block is advanced, the PSN advances by 20 h. In this optical disk medium, one ECC block is recorded in the DMA manager area, and two ECC blocks of an ECC block composed of data called DDS / PDL and an ECC block composed of data called SDL are recorded in the DMA. 10 DMA manager sets and 100 DMA sets can be recorded. The n-th DMA manager set #n includes a DMA manager 1-n and a DMA manager 2-n. Similarly, the mth DMA set #m is composed of DMA1-m, DMA2-m, DMA3-m, and DMA4-m.

  FIG. 4 is a chart showing a data structure of a 64-byte information unit constituting the DMA manager on the optical disk medium of FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this drawing.

  The DMA manager has a data structure in which a 64-byte DMA manager information unit is repeated 1024 times, and is recorded in the DMA manager area. The 64-byte DMA manager information unit includes an identifier (0010h) and four DMA start PSNs as position information of the DMA set being used, and further stores update count value data at byte positions 4 to 7 DMA manager update counter (update counter). The value (update count data) of the DMA manager update counter is initialized to 00h when the optical disk medium is initialized, and incremented (+1) every time the contents of the DMA manager are updated. Therefore, it can be determined that the DMA manager having the largest DMA manager update counter value is the latest.

  FIG. 5 is a chart showing a data structure of DDS / PDL data recorded in the DMA on the optical disk medium of FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this drawing.

  The DDS / PDL includes a DDS Identifier (0A0Ah), a PDL Identifier (0001h), a PDL entry group, a DDS / PDL update counter that is an area for storing update count value data, and the like. The value (update count data) of the DDS / PDL update counter is initialized to 00h when the optical disk medium is initialized, and incremented (+1) every time the contents of the DDS / PDL are updated. Defect position information is registered in the PDL and is used for slip replacement. DDS / PDL is changed only at initialization or re-initialization.

  FIG. 6 is a chart showing the data structure of SDL data recorded in the DMA on the optical disk medium of FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this drawing.

  The SDL is an SDL Identifier (0002h), an SDL entry group, a DDS / PDL counter that is an area for storing the number of DDS / PDL updates when recording the SDL, and an SDL update counter that is an area for storing the number of SDL updates. Etc. The value (update count data) of the SDL update counter is initialized to 00h when the optical disk medium is initialized, and incremented (+1) every time the contents of the SDL are updated. In the SDL, defect position information and replacement destination position information are registered and used for linear replacement. SDL is used to register defects found during normal use after initialization or re-initialization.

  7 to 14 are explanatory views showing a first embodiment of the defect information management method according to the present invention. FIG. 7 shows the state of the DMA set and DMA manager set immediately after the initialization of the optical disk medium of FIG. FIG. 8 shows the state (part 1) of the DMA set and the DMA manager set during use of the optical disk medium of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the state (part 2) of the DMA set and the DMA manager set during use of the optical disk medium of FIG. FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA manager set in which the latest selection information to be used is recorded and extracting the latest selection information. FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA set in which the latest defect management information to be used is recorded. FIG. 12 shows a processing procedure for extracting defect management information from the selected DMA set in which the latest defect management information to be used is recorded. FIG. 13 shows a processing procedure for updating DMA data, and FIG. 14 shows a processing procedure for updating data in the DMA manager area. Hereinafter, description will be given based on these drawings. It should be noted that the DMA set and the DMA manager set are used starting from the smallest number.

  First, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, a method of using the DMA and the DMA manager area in the optical disk medium will be described by showing the state of the medium.

  If the DMA set # 1 and the DMA manager set # 1 are usable, the usage status of the DMA and DMA manager areas immediately after the initialization of the unused optical disk medium is as shown in FIG. Data indicating the DMA set # 1 is recorded in the DMA manager set # 1. DMA sets # 2 to # 100 and DMA manager sets # 2 to # 10 are unused.

  The unused DMA set and DMA manager set are filled with a special data structure or special byte data, for example, FFh, in order to clearly indicate that they are unused.

  Further, the DMA set or the DMA manager set may be evaluated at the time of initialization to determine whether or not it is eligible to store information. A DMA set or DMA manager set that is determined not to be eligible to store information may be padded with a special data structure or special byte data, such as AAh, to clearly indicate that it is ineligible.

  Data in the DMA or DMA manager area even when a part of the user area is found to be defective when the user area is used and replacement processing is performed, or when the medium is initialized or reinitialized. Need to be updated.

  In the state shown in FIG. 7, when the defect management information is changed due to the occurrence of replacement and the contents of DMA set # 1 need to be rewritten, it is determined that DMA set # 1 cannot be updated normally. A new DMA set is required to replace # 1. When the DMA set # 2 can be normally used, the data of the DMA manager set # 1 is rewritten to indicate the DMA set # 2. When the data of the DMA manager set # 1 can be normally updated, the selection information recorded in the DMA manager set # 1 indicates the DMA set # 2 as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, in the state of FIG. 8, when DMA set # 2 cannot be updated normally, it is assumed that DMA set # 3 can be normally used instead of DMA set # 2. At this time, it is necessary to rewrite the data of the DMA manager set # 1 again to indicate the DMA set # 3. At that time, if the DMA manager set # 1 cannot be updated normally and instead the DMA manager set # 2 can be used normally, the DMA manager set # 2 is pointed to the DMA manager set # 2 as shown in FIG. Record data and start using DMA set # 3.

  Next, a processing procedure for obtaining the latest defect management information to be used in this optical disc medium will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The processing procedure for obtaining the latest defect management information includes the processing procedure for searching for the latest selection information, the processing procedure for searching for the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded, and the defect management from the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded. This is realized by combining processing procedures for extracting information.

  The defect management information is necessary when the information recording / reproducing apparatus records / reproduces the optical disk medium, and is executed when the information recording / reproducing apparatus recognizes the optical disk medium.

  First, FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure for searching for the latest selection information.

(1-1) Step A1
From DMA manager set # 1 to # 10, an unused DMA manager set is sequentially searched (steps S101 and S102). The latest selection information is the latest DMA manager set among the DMA manager sets including the effective DMA manager area ahead of the first unused DMA manager set # (M + 1) that is sequentially searched from the front. Is selected as a DMA manager set in which is recorded (step S104).

  The fact that at least one of the ECC blocks constituting the DMA manager set is error-correctable and that the error-correctable ECC block is filled with byte data FFh indicating that it is unused means that the DMA manager set is not used. It is assumed that there is a condition for determining that there is.

  A condition for determining that the DMA manager area is valid is that the ECC block recorded in the DMA manager area is error-correctable and the error-correctable ECC block has a valid configuration as selection information.

  When it is determined that the DMA manager set # 1 is unused, it is determined that the DMA manager sets # 1 to # 10 have not been used in the past and selection information has not been found. When an unused DMA manager set is not found, it is determined that all DMA manager sets # 1 to # 10 have been used in the past, and the last DMA among the DMA manager sets including a valid DMA manager area. The manager set is selected as the DMA manager set in which the latest selection information is recorded (step S103).

  If there is no valid DMA manager area in the sequentially searched range, it is determined that selection information has not been found (step S105).

(1-2) Step A2
When the DMA manager set in which the latest selection information is recorded can be selected in step A1, the state of the DMA manager set is checked (step S106). When the two DMA manager areas constituting the DMA manager set are both valid and the selection information recorded in the two DMA manager areas matches, the selection information is selected as the latest selection information (step S107).

  If the two DMA manager areas constituting the DMA manager set are both valid, but the selection information recorded in the two DMA manager areas does not match, the selection information recorded in the two DMA manager areas. Among them, the selection information having the largest DMA manager update counter value is selected as the latest selection information (step S108). Since DMA sets are used sequentially from the front, the latest selection information can be determined by comparing the positions of the DMA sets indicated by the selection information without using the value of the DMA manager update counter. .

  When only one of the two DMA manager areas constituting the DMA manager set is valid, selection information recorded in the valid DMA manager area is selected as the latest selection information (step S109).

  The DMA set indicated by the selection information selected as the latest selection information is used as the starting point for the subsequent sequential search of the DMA set. If the DMA set indicated by the selected selection information is a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded, it is possible to select a DMA set without performing sequential search for the DMA set. Since no DMA set search is performed, the time required to obtain defect management information can be shortened. However, it is desirable to perform a DMA set search in order to reliably select a DMA set including the latest defect management information.

  Next, a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded is searched from the DMA set group. FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded.

(2-1) Step B1
It is determined whether or not the starting point of the DMA set search is obtained in steps A1 and A2 (step S111). If the starting DMA set has been selected, an unused DMA set is sequentially searched from the starting DMA set #L to the DMA set # 100 (steps S112 and S113).

  If the starting DMA set has not been selected, L = 1 is set, and an unused DMA set is sequentially searched from DMA set # 1 to DMA set # 100 (steps S114 and S113).

(2-2) Step B2
When sequentially searching for unused DMA sets toward DMA set # 100, at least one ECC block constituting the DMA set can be error-corrected, and error-correctable ECC blocks are unused. Is filled with byte data FFh indicating that the DMA set is unused.

  When the DMA set #L that has started the search is unused and L = 1 (step S115), it is determined that a DMA set in which defect management information is recorded cannot be obtained (step S116), and this medium is normally It is determined that the medium needs to be initialized prior to recording / reproduction.

  When the DMA set #L that has started the search is unused and L> 1, it can be determined that the DMA set including the latest defect information is ahead of the DMA set #L. In order to sequentially search for unused DMA sets from the DMA set # (L-1) to the DMA set # 1, the process proceeds to the following step B3. When the DMA set #L is not unused, it can be determined that the DMA set in which the latest defect information is recorded is behind the DMA set #L (step S117). An unused DMA set is sequentially searched from the DMA set # (L + 1) to the DMA set # 100 (step S113), and the first unused DMA set found is the DMA set # (N + 1). To do.

  When the DMA set # (N + 1) is unused, the DMA set #N is selected as a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded (step S117). In addition, among the DMA sets in which the defect management information can be reproduced before the DMA set #N, the rearmost DMA set can be selected as the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded.

  The DMA set # (L + 1) is sequentially searched for an unused DMA set from the DMA set # 100 (step S113), and when an unused DMA set cannot be found, the DMA set # 100 is updated. Is selected as a DMA set in which the defect management information is recorded (step S118).

  Similarly, the DMA set at the rearmost among the DMA sets in which defect management information can be reproduced before DMA set # 100 can be selected as the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded.

(2-3) Step B3
A DMA set that is not unused is sequentially searched from the DMA set # (L-1) toward the DMA set # 1 (step S119). Here, it is assumed that the first unused DMA set found is DMA set #N. When the DMA set #N is not unused, the DMA set #N is selected as a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded (step S120). If an unused DMA set cannot be found, it is determined that a DMA set in which defect management information is recorded cannot be obtained (step S121), and this medium needs to be initialized prior to normal recording / reproduction. The medium is determined.

  In the above step B3, it is possible to search for a DMA set that is not unused and can reproduce defect management information. In this case, assuming that the DMA set #N is the first unused DMA set that can be reproduced and the defect information can be reproduced, select the DMA set #N as the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded. become. Further, when a DMA set that is not unused and in which defect management information can be reproduced cannot be found, it is determined that this medium is a medium that needs to be initialized prior to normal recording and reproduction.

  FIG. 12 shows a processing procedure for extracting defect management information from the DMA set in which the latest selected defect management information is recorded.

(3-1) Step C1
It is checked whether the defect management information can be extracted from the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded (step S131). For example, from DDS / PDL / ECC block and SDL / ECC block recorded in DMA set,
(A) The ECC block can be error-corrected,
(B) The DDS Identifier is 0A0Ah,
(C) It is determined that defect management information can be extracted from the DMA set when at least one DDS / PDL / ECC block and SDL / ECC block pair having the same DDS / PDL update counter value is obtained. Condition.

  When it is determined that the defect management information can be extracted from the DMA set, the defect management information has been successfully extracted from the DMA set, and thus the processing procedure for extracting the latest defect management information from the DMA set is completed. You can also. However, in this embodiment, processing is added to maintain high reliability of the defect management information. Proceed to the following step C2.

  When it is determined that the defect management information cannot be extracted from the DMA set, it is determined that the defect management information cannot be obtained. This medium is determined to be a medium that needs to be initialized prior to normal recording and reproduction.

  When there is no alternative DMA set that can be used behind the currently used DMA set, when the used DMA set deteriorates, there is no alternative DMA set, and the defect management information may be lost. . In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to maintain high reliability of data recorded in the final DMA set in which there is no alternative DMA set that can be used later.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, it is investigated whether there is an alternative DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability behind the DMA set in use.

  When there is an alternative DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability, it is unlikely that the defect management information is lost by substituting it even if the DMA set in use deteriorates.

  If there is no alternative DMA set that can record the defect management information with high reliability, there is no guarantee that the defect management information can be retained with high reliability even if the replacement is made. . Therefore, the DMA set in use becomes the final DMA set.

  If the final DMA set is used, the reliability of the final DMA set is tested. Further, when the reliability of the final DMA set is low, the subsequent recording operation to the information storage medium is restricted. By this processing procedure, it is possible to avoid at least deterioration of the DMA set in use by recording.

(3-2) Step C2
It is determined whether or not there is a DMA set that can record the defect management information with high reliability behind the DMA set #N in which the latest defect management information is recorded (step S132).

  Here, a condition for determining that the DMA set is a DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability is set, for example, in at least three areas in which DDS / PDL is to be recorded. It is assumed that the ECC block recorded in the area can be error-corrected in at least three of the areas to be recorded.

  Area where SDL is to be recorded in at least one of the areas where DDS / PDL is to be recorded as a condition for determining that the DMA set is a DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability In at least one of the areas, the ECC block recorded in the area can be corrected and relaxed.

  When there is a DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability, the latest defect management information can be extracted, and recording / reproduction to / from the optical disk medium becomes possible (step S135). When the DMA set #N deteriorates, the next DMA set is used instead.

  When there is no DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability, the DMA set is not replaced. The DMA set #N is determined as the final DMA set, and the process proceeds to the following step C3.

(3-3) Step C3
It is determined whether or not the final DMA set #N satisfies the quality determination condition (step S133). For example, from DDS / PDL / ECC block and SDL / ECC block recorded in DMA set,
(A) The ECC block can be error-corrected,
(B) The DDS Identifier is 0A0Ah,
(C) The quality judgment condition is that at least three pairs of DDS / PDL • ECC block and SDL • ECC block having the same DDS / PDL update counter value are obtained.

  If the final DMA set #N does not satisfy the quality determination condition, the subsequent recording operation on the optical disk medium is prohibited (step S136).

  Further, instead of prohibiting the recording operation on the optical disk medium, the defect management information may not be updated and recorded even when a defect is newly detected on the medium.

  By applying the processing procedure for obtaining the defect management information described above, the latest defect management information can be reliably identified in a short time, and the reliability of the defect management information can be maintained. By using the latest selection information to limit the search range of the DMA set, the time required to obtain defect management information can be greatly shortened. If the search range of the DMA set is not limited, in the example described so far, there are 100 DMA sets, each of which consists of four DMAs, so that the sequential search takes too much time and is not practical.

  Also, the DMA set indicated by the selection information is regarded as the starting point of the search for the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded, and the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded is reliably obtained by searching for the DMA set. Can be selected.

  Furthermore, by setting quality judgment conditions when evaluating the final DMA set and restricting the recording operation when the conditions are not satisfied, high reliability of defect management information data recorded in the final DMA set is guaranteed. It is possible to avoid a situation in which defect management information cannot be obtained.

  Next, a processing procedure for updating DMA and DMA manager area data in the optical disk medium will be described with reference to FIGS. Updating the data in the DMA or DMA manager area first involves executing a processing procedure for updating the DMA data, and changing the DMA set used in the process requires changing the contents of the DMA manager. This is realized by executing a processing procedure for updating data in the DMA manager area.

  FIG. 13 shows a processing procedure for updating DMA data. Before updating the DMA data, it is necessary to determine whether or not the DMA set #n in use can be updated and recorded. That is, if it is not the final DMA set, or if it is the final DMA set, update recording is possible if the quality judgment condition is satisfied.

  A process procedure for extracting defect management information immediately after an optical disk medium is inserted into an optical disk apparatus is used to determine whether it is a final DMA set or whether a quality determination condition is satisfied when it is a final DMA set. It is possible to omit the result that is executed in association with the processing procedure for updating the contents of the DMA set, including when the optical disc medium is initialized, in the optical disc apparatus.

(4-1) Step D1
In order to change the defect management information, the data of the currently used DMA set #n is updated (step S140).

(4-2) Step D2
The state after data update of DMA set #n is checked (step S141). When the medium is initialized or reinitialized, it is necessary to change the DDS / PDL / ECC block and the SDL / ECC block. At this time, at least two DDS / PDL / ECC blocks recorded in the DMA set and at least two SDL / ECC blocks can be error-corrected, and the DDS / PDL / ECC block and SDL If the ECC block matches the recorded data, it is determined that the DMA set has been successfully updated.

  When adding information for replacing a defect detected during use, it is necessary to change only the SDL / ECC block. At this time, it is confirmed that at least one SDL / ECC block recorded in the DMA set can be error-corrected and that the SDL / ECC block recorded in the DMA set matches the recorded data. As a condition for determining that the data has been successfully updated.

  When it is determined that the data update of the DMA set #n has been successfully performed, the data update of the DMA set has been successful, and the processing procedure for updating the data can also be completed (steps S146 and S149). However, in the present embodiment, the process proceeds to the following step D5 for adding processing for maintaining the reliability of the defect management information.

  If it is determined that the DMA set #n cannot be updated normally due to deterioration of rewriting or the like, the process proceeds to the following step D3 in order to sequentially search for DMA sets that can normally update the data after the (n + 1) th.

(4-3) Step D3
It is determined whether n is 100 (step S143). When n is less than 100, in order to start using the DMA set to be used immediately after DMA set #n, the process proceeds to the following step D4. In this case, since the DMA set to be used is changed, it is necessary to update data in the DMA manager area.

  When n is 100, it is determined that 100 DMA sets have been used up and there are no more usable DMA sets. The update of the DMA data fails (step S145), and this optical disk medium becomes unusable.

  At this time, the defect management information that is not the latest or at least a fragment of the defect management information that is not the latest remains in the DMA set #n. A special data structure or special byte data can be added to the defect management information of the DMA set #n and recorded in the DMA set #n. For example, in a DDS / PDL / ECC block or SDL / ECC block, a special data structure or a special data is used for a portion that is not used, such as a portion in which a location information list is reserved but location information is not registered. Byte data such as AAh may be embedded and recorded. By adding this processing procedure, it becomes possible to identify whether or not the defect management information recorded in the DMA set is the latest.

(4-4) Step D4
n is incremented (step S144).

  In step D5 and subsequent steps, processing for maintaining the reliability of the defect management information is performed. When there is no alternative DMA set that can be used behind DMA set #n, if DMA set #n deteriorates, there is no alternative DMA set, and defect management information may not be obtained. In order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to maintain high reliability of data recorded in the final DMA set in which there is no alternative DMA set that can be used later. For this reason, in this embodiment, when data is updated in the final DMA set, a quality determination condition is defined, and if the final DMA set cannot satisfy the quality determination condition, subsequent recording operations on the medium are limited. The quality determination conditions used here are the same as the conditions used in step C3.

(4-5) Step D5
It is determined whether or not there is a DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability behind DMA set #n (step S146). When there is a DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability, the DMA data is successfully updated, and the update processing procedure is completed (step S149).

  When there is no DMA set that can record defect management information with high reliability, the DMA set #n is determined to be the final DMA set, and the process proceeds to the following step D6.

(4-6) Step D6
It is determined whether or not the final DMA set #n satisfies the quality determination condition (step S147).

  When the final DMA set #n satisfies the quality determination condition, the DMA data is successfully updated and the update processing procedure is completed (step S150). When the final DMA set #n does not satisfy the quality determination conditions, the DMA data has been successfully updated, but the subsequent recording operation on the optical disk medium is prohibited (step S148).

  Further, instead of prohibiting the recording operation on the optical disk medium, the defect management information may not be updated and recorded even when a defect is newly detected on the medium. In the procedure for updating the DMA data, it is confirmed that there is an alternative usable DMA set behind the DMA set being used, and the final DMA set having no other alternative usable DMA set is determined. The reliability of DMA data is ensured by preventing deterioration due to rewriting of the final DMA set when in use.

  When the DMA set to be used is changed in the DMA data update processing procedure, it is necessary to update the data of the currently used DMA manager set #m in order to change the location information of the DMA set.

  Next, FIG. 14 shows a processing procedure for updating data in the DMA manager area.

(5-1) Step E1
In order to change the location information of the DMA set, the data of the currently used DMA manager set #m is updated (step S161).

(5-2) Step E2
The state after the data update of the DMA manager set #m is checked (step S162).

  It should be noted that both ECC blocks recorded in the two DMA manager areas constituting the DMA manager set are error-correctable, and that the data recorded in the DMA manager area matches the recorded data. This is a condition for determining that the manager set has been successfully updated.

  When it is determined that the DMA manager set #m has been successfully updated, the update processing procedure is completed (step S165).

  If it is determined that the DMA manager set #m cannot be updated normally due to rewriting degradation or the like, the process proceeds to the following step E3 in order to sequentially search for the (m + 1) th and subsequent DMA manager sets that can be updated normally.

(5-3) Step E3
It is determined whether m is 10 (step S163).

  When n is less than 10, in order to start using the DMA manager set to be used immediately after the DMA manager set #m, the process proceeds to the following step E4.

  When n is 10, it is determined that 10 DMA manager sets have been used up and there are no more usable DMA sets (step S166). The update of the DMA manager data has failed.

(5-4) Step E4
m is incremented (step S164).

  In this way, when the final DMA set data is updated, the defect management recorded in the final DMA set is prohibited by prohibiting the recording operation or restricting the DMA set data update when the quality judgment condition is not satisfied. High reliability of the information data can be ensured, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which defect management information cannot be obtained.

  In addition, when both of the data in the two DMA manager areas constituting the DMA manager set are valid, a criterion for determining whether or not the DMA manager set has been successfully updated is used. In addition, the possibility that legitimate data can be obtained from at least one of the DMA manager areas of the DMA manager set is increased, and the reliability of the selection information extracted from the DMA manager set can be increased.

  In the information recording / reproducing apparatus or information reproducing apparatus that does not update the DMA and the DMA manager area, only the processing procedure for obtaining the latest defect management information to be used is used.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be given based on this drawing.

  The information recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is an optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 10 that records user data or reproduces recorded user data on the optical disk medium 11 according to the present invention shown in FIG. The optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes an optical head 12, a positioning control circuit 13, a recording control circuit 14, a modulation circuit 15, a signal processing circuit 16, a demodulation circuit 17, and a main control circuit (drive controller) 18. Further, the optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus 10 also executes a replacement process for replacing a defective area generated in the user area in the optical disk medium 11 with a healthy area in the spare area as necessary.

  First, data recording by the optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus 10 will be described. The recording data is divided into blocks of 64 kbytes by the modulation circuit 15, ECC is added by a predetermined processing procedure, and the data is modulated into a channel bit string. The recording control circuit 14 controls the optical head 12 and records data corresponding to the channel bit string on the optical disk medium 11. The laser beam emitted from the optical head 12 is condensed and positioned at a desired position on the recording surface of the optical disk medium 11 by the positioning control circuit 13. The positioning control circuit 13, the modulation circuit 15, and the recording control circuit 14 operate based on instructions from the main control circuit 18.

  Next, data reproduction by the optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus 10 will be described. As the reproduction data, the signal output from the optical head 12 is converted into a channel bit string by the signal processing circuit 16, and the demodulating circuit 17 performs error correction and the like every 64 kbytes by a predetermined processing procedure, and is output. The laser beam emitted from the optical head 12 is condensed and positioned at a desired position on the recording surface of the optical disk medium 11 by the positioning control circuit 13. The positioning control circuit 13, the signal processing circuit 16, and the demodulation circuit 17 operate based on instructions from the main control circuit 18.

  The main control circuit 18 first reproduces the defect management area. When the user data is to be recorded or reproduced, the DMA set to be used is specified based on the above-described defect information management method according to the present invention, and information about the position to be recorded or reproduced is obtained. If a defect is found, the DMA set and the DMA manager set are updated based on the defect information management method according to the present invention described above.

  In the information reproducing apparatus that does not have the recording control circuit 14 and the modulation circuit 15, only the operation of specifying the DMA set including the latest defect management information to be used is performed. Further, even in the information recording / reproducing apparatus, in the apparatus that does not update the DMA and the DMA manager area, only the operation for obtaining the latest defect management information to be used is performed.

  16 to 20 are explanatory views showing a second embodiment of the defect information management method according to the present invention. FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA manager set in which the latest selection information to be used is recorded. FIG. 17 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA set in which the latest defect management information to be used is recorded. FIG. 18 shows another procedure in which the procedure for searching for a DMA set in which the latest defect management information to be used shown in FIG. 17 is recorded is modified. FIG. 19 shows a processing procedure for updating DMA data. FIG. 20 shows a processing procedure for updating data in the DMA manager area. Hereinafter, description will be given based on these drawings.

  First, FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA manager set in which the latest selection information is recorded.

(6-1) Step F1
The DMA manager set is searched from # 1 to # 10 (step S170). The DMA manager set # 1 is read and the read data is held (step S171).

(6-2) Step F2
The read data is evaluated (step S172).

(6-3) Step F3
It is determined whether or not the read DMA manager set is unused (step S173). If not unused, the process proceeds to the following Step F4. If not used, the process proceeds to the following step F6.

  For example, at least one of the ECC blocks constituting the DMA manager set can be error-corrected, and the error-correctable ECC block is filled with byte data FFh indicating that it is unused. The condition is determined to be use.

(6-4) Step F4
It is determined whether or not the read DMA manager set is DMA manager set # 10 (step S174). If it is not the DMA manager set # 10, the process proceeds to the following step F5. If it is the DMA manager set # 10, the process proceeds to the following step F6.

(6-5) Step F5
Next, the DMA manager set to be used is read, and the read data is stored (step S177). Thereafter, the process returns to step F2.

(6-6) Step F6
It is determined whether selection information that can be used in the search so far is obtained (step S175). If usable selection information is obtained, the process proceeds to the following step F7. If not obtained, the process proceeds to the following Step F8.

(6-7) Step F7
Among the DMA manager sets for which usable selection information is obtained, the DMA manager set located at the back is selected as the DMA manager set in which the latest selection information is stored, and the selection information stored in the DMA manager set is selected. The latest selection information is selected (step S176). This completes the processing procedure (step S179).

(6-8) Step F8
The DMA manager set # 1 is selected as the DMA manager set that should store the latest selection information (step S178). However, it is determined that selection information has not been obtained. This completes the processing procedure (step S179).

  With the processing procedure shown in FIG. 16, a DMA manager set storing the latest selection information can be selected, and a starting DMA set for searching for a DMA set storing the latest defect management information can be obtained. .

  Next, FIG. 17 shows a processing procedure for searching for a DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded.

(7-1) Step G1
When the latest selection information is obtained, the DMA set indicated by the selection information is set as the search starting point, and when it is not obtained, DMA set # 1 is set as the search starting point. The DMA set is read and the read data is evaluated (step S181).

(7-2) Step G2
It is determined whether or not the DMA set that is the starting point of the search is unused (step S182). When it is not unused, the process proceeds to the following step G3. When it is not used, the process proceeds to the following step G9.

(7-3) Step G3
Search is started toward DMA set # 100 (step S183). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the following step G4.

(7-4) Step G4
It is determined whether an unused DMA set has been found (step S184). When an unused DMA set is found, the process proceeds to the following step G5, and when it is not found, the process proceeds to the following step G8.

(7-5) Step G5
The search is stopped (step S185). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step G6 below.

(7-6) Step G6
In the search process, it is determined whether there is an already used DMA set (step S186). For example, a condition for determining that at least one DDS / PDL / ECC block and at least one SDL / ECC block constituting the DMA set are ECC correctable and not unused is used.

  When there is an already used DMA set, the process proceeds to the following step G7. If it does not exist, it is determined that the DMA set in which the defect management information is recorded cannot be found and the defect management information is not obtained, and the processing procedure is completed here (step S194).

(7-7) Step G7
Among the DMA sets already used in the searched range, the DMA set located at the rearmost is selected as the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is stored, and the defect management information stored in the DMA set is selected as the latest defect management information. It selects as management information (step S187). This completes the processing procedure (step S193).

(7-8) Step G8
The DMA set # 100 is selected as the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is stored, and the defect management information stored in the DMA set is selected as the latest defect management information (step S188). This completes the processing procedure (step S193).

  Instead of selecting the DMA set # 100 as the DMA set in which the latest defect management information is stored, the DMA set located at the rearmost among the used DMA sets is the latest defect management information. It can also be selected as a stored DMA set.

(7-9) Step G9
It is determined whether or not the DMA set serving as the search starting point is DMA set # 1 (step S189). If it is not DMA set # 1, the process proceeds to the following step G10. If it is DMA set # 1, it is determined that the DMA set in which the defect management information is recorded cannot be found, and the defect management information is not obtained, and the processing procedure is completed here (step S194).

(7-10) Step G10
Going to DMA set # 1, searching backwards (step S190), the process proceeds to the following step G11.

(7-11) Step G11
It is determined whether or not a used DMA set has been found during the search process (step S191). If found, the process proceeds to step G12 below. If it is not found, it is determined that the DMA set in which the defect management information is recorded cannot be found and the defect management information is not obtained. Here, the processing procedure is completed (step S194).

(7-12) Step G12
The used DMA set first discovered in the process of the backward search starting from step G10 is selected as the DMA set storing the latest defect management information, and the defect management information stored in the DMA set is updated to the latest. It selects as defect management information (step S192). This completes the processing procedure (step S193).

  The DMA set in which the latest defect management information is recorded can be selected by the processing procedure shown in FIG. Combining the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 16 to 17 makes it possible to reliably obtain the latest defect management information in a short time.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when an unused DMA set is not found in step G4, the process may proceed to step G6 instead of proceeding to step G8. In this case, step G8 is deleted. Instead of the procedure of FIG. 17, the procedure of FIG. 18 may be combined with the procedure of FIG.

  Next, FIG. 19 shows a processing procedure for updating DMA data.

(8-1) Step H1
It is determined whether or not updating of data in the currently used DMA set is prohibited (step S201). When it is not prohibited, the process proceeds to the following step H2. When it is prohibited, the update of the DMA set fails, and the processing procedure is completed here (step S210).

(8-2) Step H2
Data of the DMA set currently in use is updated and recorded (step S202). Then, the process proceeds to the following step H3.

(8-3) Step H3
The updated data is read from the currently used DMA set (step S203). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the following step H4.

(8-4) Step H4
It is determined whether or not the currently used DMA set is usable (step S204). For example, the condition for determining that it can be used is defined by the number of reproducible DDS / PDL blocks and SDL blocks among the ECC blocks constituting the DMA set and the ECC correction status. When it is usable, the process proceeds to the following step H5. When it is not usable, the process proceeds to the following step H7.

(8-5) Step H5
Data read from the currently used DMA set is evaluated (step S205). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step H6.

(8-6) Step H6
Based on the data read from the DMA set in use, it is determined whether or not the DMA set has been successfully updated (step S206). When the data can be updated normally, the processing procedure is completed here (step S209). If the data could not be updated normally, the process returns to step H2.

(8-7) Step H7
It is determined whether there is a usable DMA set behind the currently used DMA set (step S207). When it exists, it progresses to the following step H8. When it does not exist, the data update of the DMA set fails, and the processing procedure is completed here (step S210).

(8-8) Step H8
Instead of the DMA set being used, the next DMA set to be used is used instead (step S208), and the process returns to step H1.

  In this manner, DMA data can be updated by the processing procedure shown in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 20 shows a processing procedure for updating data in the DMA manager area.

(9-1) Step J1
The data of the DMA manager set currently in use is updated and recorded (step S221). Then, it progresses to the following step J2.

(9-2) Step J2
The updated data is read from the currently used DMA manager set (step S222). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step J3 below.

(9-3) Step J3
It is determined whether or not the currently used DMA manager set is usable (step S223). For example, the condition for determining that it can be used is defined by the number of reproducible blocks of the ECC blocks constituting the DMA manager set and the ECC correction status. When it is usable, the process proceeds to the following step J4. When it is not usable, the process proceeds to the following step J6.

(9-4) Step J4
Data read from the DMA manager set in use is evaluated (step S224). Thereafter, the process proceeds to Step J5.

(9-5) Step J5
It is determined whether the data read from the DMA manager set being used matches the updated data (step S225). When the data matches the updated data, the processing procedure is completed here (step S228). If they do not match, the process returns to step J1.

(9-6) Step J6
It is determined whether there is a usable DMA manager set behind the DMA manager set being used (step S226). When it exists, it progresses to the following step J7. When it does not exist, the data update of the DMA manager set fails, and the processing procedure is completed here (step S229).

(9-7) Step J7
Instead of the DMA manager set being used, the next DMA manager set to be used is used instead (step S227), and the process returns to step J1.

  Thus, the data in the DMA manager area can be updated by the processing procedure shown in FIG. Further, by combining the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, defect management information and selection information can be safely updated and recorded.

  The present invention can be applied to an information recording medium including a defect management area where a plurality of defect management information can be recorded and a selection information area where a plurality of selection information indicating the defect management information currently in use can be recorded. The defect management information to be selected can be selected in a short time with high reliability.

It is the schematic of the data structure which shows 1st embodiment of the information recording medium used for the defect information management method concerning this invention. It is a graph which shows the structure of area | region MAN1 and area | region DMA12 in 1st embodiment of the information recording medium used for the defect information management method concerning this invention. It is a graph which shows the structure of area | region MAN2 and area | region DMA34 in 1st embodiment of the information recording medium used for the defect information management method concerning this invention. It is a graph which shows the data structure of the information unit of 64 bytes which comprises a DMA manager in 1st embodiment of the information recording medium used for the defect information management method concerning this invention. It is a graph which shows the data structure of the DDS / PDL data in 1st embodiment of the information recording medium used for the defect information management method concerning this invention. It is a graph which shows the data structure of SDL data in 1st embodiment of the information recording medium used for the defect information management method concerning this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the state of the DMA set and DMA manager set immediately after initialization of an information recording medium. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the state (the 1) of the DMA set and DMA manager set in use of an information recording medium. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the state (the 2) of the DMA set and DMA manager set in use of an information recording medium. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method concerning this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which searches the DMA manager set which recorded the newest selection information which should be used, and extracts the newest selection information. is there. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which searches the DMA set which recorded the newest defect management information which should be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which extracts defect management information from the DMA set which recorded the newest defect management information which should be used selected. . It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which updates the data of DMA. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1st embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which updates the data of a DMA manager area | region. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an information recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which searches the DMA manager set which recorded the newest selection information which should be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which searches the DMA set which recorded the newest defect management information which should be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which searches the DMA set which recorded the newest defect management information which should be used. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which updates the data of DMA. It is explanatory drawing which shows 2nd embodiment of the defect information management method which concerns on this invention, and is a figure which shows the process sequence which updates the data of a DMA manager area | region.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical disk recording / reproducing apparatus 11 Optical disk medium 12 Optical head 13 Positioning control circuit 14 Recording control circuit 15 Modulation circuit 16 Signal processing circuit 17 Demodulation circuit 18 Main control circuit

Claims (2)

The defect management information a plurality, includes a defect management area that can be recorded, when the space in use to record the defect management information of the latest can no longer be successfully stored defect management information, the other region In the defect information management method for managing the defect management information stored in the information recording medium using the information recording medium that substitutes
If there is no area that satisfies the predefined conditions in the area that should be used instead of the area that is currently used to record the latest defect management information, the area that is being used is replaced. Even when it should be, it does not replace the area where defect information is recorded ,
Whether or not there is any area that satisfies a predetermined condition among the areas that should be used instead of the area that is currently used to record the latest defect management information, is the information recording medium. Accompanying the process of reading the defect management information recorded in
In the defect information management method, the defect management area includes a plurality of divided areas each recording defect management information, and at least three divided areas form one set, and the same defect management is performed for each divided area belonging to the same set. Performed using an information recording medium for recording information,
Of the group of divided areas that should be used instead of the group of divided areas in use in which the latest defect management information is to be recorded, at least three of the divided areas belonging to the same group are normally When there is no set of divided areas that can be used, even when the set of divided areas in use is in a state to be replaced, the set of divided areas for recording defect information should not be replaced. Feature defect information management method. A defect management area capable of recording a plurality of defect management information,
An information recording / reproducing apparatus for recording / reproducing information on / from an information recording medium that substitutes for another area when the area in use where the latest defect management information should be recorded cannot store defect management information normally There,
If there is no area that satisfies a predetermined condition among the areas that should be used in place of the area that is used to record the latest defect management information, the area that is in use Even when it should be replaced, it does not replace the area for recording defect management information .
In the information recording medium, whether or not there is any area that satisfies a predetermined condition among the areas that should be used instead of the area that is currently used to record the latest defect management information. Accompanying the process of reading the recorded defect management information, judgment,
The defect management area includes a plurality of divided areas each recording defect management information,
An information recording / reproducing apparatus that records and reproduces information with respect to an information recording medium in which at least three divided areas form one set and the same defect management information is recorded in each divided area belonging to the same set,
Of the group of divided areas that should be used instead of the group of divided areas in use in which the latest defect management information is to be recorded, at least three of the divided areas belonging to the same group are normally When there is no set of divided areas that can be used, even when the set of divided areas in use is in a state to be replaced, the set of divided areas for recording defect information should not be replaced. A characteristic information recording / reproducing apparatus.

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