JPH1091356A - Recording medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to speedily read and write a data signal and also process a written data signal by a computer. SOLUTION: Management information is read out of an optical disk 50 where the data signal and the management information for managing this data signal are recorded in specific format, and saved in a buffer memory part 34 of a disk drive 30. The computer 10 reads and writes the data signal to and out of the optical disk 50 by utilizing the management information saved in the memory 34. For the signal reading, the management information in the memory 34 which relates to the recording position of the read data signal is updated to make it possible to overwrite a signal to the recording position of the signal. For the signal writing, the management information in the memory 34 is updated according to the writing of the data signal. The updated management information in the memory 34 is properly recorded on a recording medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a recording medium processing device. Specifically, management information for managing a data signal recorded on a randomly accessible recording medium is stored in a memory unit, and when the data signal is read from the recording medium, the management information stored in the memory unit is used. When the data signal is read out and the data signal is written, the management information stored in the memory unit is updated together with the writing of the data signal, and the management information of the recording medium is updated with the updated management information. This is to speed up access in reading and writing data signals. Also, the management information is updated at the time of reading the data signal, and the data signal can be recorded at the recording position of the read data signal, so that the data signal can be recorded endlessly.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional computer system, information is stored using a randomly accessible recording medium, for example, a disk-shaped recording medium such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk. In this case, an information management area is provided on the innermost side of the disk-shaped recording medium, and management information such as a file name and a recording position of a recorded data signal is recorded in the information management area. Here, when recording or reproducing a data signal, the head unit that reads and writes a signal on a disk-shaped recording medium is moved to a position of an information management area to read management information, and based on the management information, Data signals are read or written by moving the head unit.

[0003]

By the way, in a server for storing video and audio data signals using a disk-shaped recording medium, the server is moved to an information management area to read out management information, and a head section is moved based on the management information. If reading and writing of a video or audio data signal is performed by moving the image, there is a possibility that reading and writing take time and the video is interrupted.

[0004] Further, if a format is used that allows quick reading and writing of video and audio data signals without using management information, the management information is not recorded on a disk-shaped recording medium. Disc-shaped recording media cannot be handled by computer systems.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a recording medium processing apparatus capable of reading and writing data signals promptly and processing a data signal written on a recording medium by a computer. .

[0006]

In a recording medium processing apparatus according to the present invention, a data signal and management information for managing the data signal are recorded on a randomly accessible recording medium, and the recording medium is managed in a drive means. It has a memory unit for storing information.

In the present invention, the management information of the recording medium is stored in the memory section of the drive means before the processing of reading or writing the data signal to the recording medium is started. The drive unit is controlled by the control unit using the management information stored in the memory unit, so that the data signal can be read without reading the management information of the recording medium when reading the data signal.

Also, at the time of writing the data signal, the data signal can be written without reading the management information of the recording medium, and the management information stored in the memory unit is updated according to the writing of the data signal. Since the updated management information is recorded on the recording medium at the timing when the reading and writing of the data signal in the drive unit are stopped, it is possible to continuously read and write the data signal. Become.

In addition, the management information on the data signal read at the time of reading the data signal is updated, and the data signal can be overwritten at the recording position of the read data signal. By performing reading, a data signal can be recorded endlessly.

[0010]

Next, an embodiment of a recording medium processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a signal processing system using a recording medium processing apparatus according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a signal output device 20 such as a video tape recorder, a video camera, or a tuner is connected to the computer 10, and a video signal and an audio signal are supplied from the signal output device 20 to the computer 10.

In the computer 10, the video signal and the audio signal are converted into a digital signal and the data amount is compressed by an encoding process to generate a video or audio data signal. For example, a disk drive 30 using a recording medium that can be accessed randomly is connected to the computer 10 via an interface, and the generated video and audio data signals are recorded.

The video and audio data signals recorded on the recording medium are read out by the disk drive 30 and supplied to the computer 10 via the interface. The computer 10 decodes the read data signal and returns the data signal to a state before compression. The video data signal returned to the state before the compression is supplied to the display device 60, and the image recorded on the recording medium is displayed.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the recording medium processing apparatus. 2, the recording medium processing device includes a computer 10 and a disk drive 30.
The encoding / decoding processing unit 11 of the computer 10 performs encoding processing and decoding processing of video and audio data signals. The video and audio data signals encoded by the encode / decode processing unit 11 are sent to the buffer memory unit 12 or, for example, a SCSI (small computer system inte
rface) is supplied to the disk drive 30 via the standard interface unit 13. The disk drive 30
Are supplied to the encoding / decoding processing unit 11 via the interface unit 13 and the buffer memory unit 12, and are decoded.

The operation of the encoding / decoding processing section 11, the transmission processing of the encoded video and audio data signals, and the operation of the disk drive 30 are controlled by the control section 14 based on an operating system, application programs and the like. The disk drive 30
Is also performed via the interface unit 13, and the operation of the interface unit 13 is also controlled by the control unit 14.

In the disk drive 30, for example, an optical disk 50 capable of random access is used as a recording medium. An information management area is provided on the inner circumference side of the optical disc 50, and a recording area is provided on the outer circumference side of the information management area. In the recording area, video and audio data signals are recorded and recorded. Management information such as the file name and recording position of the data signal is recorded in the information management area.

Optical head fixing part 3 of disk drive 30
1a comprises a laser diode, a photodetector and the like, and the optical head movable portion 31b comprises a reflector, an objective lens and the like.

The optical path of the laser beam output from the laser diode of the optical head fixing section 31a is changed and condensed by the optical head movable section 31b.
It is irradiated to 0. The reflected light of the laser light from the optical disk 50 is supplied to the optical head fixing part 31a after the optical path is changed by the optical head movable part 31b. In the optical head fixing unit 31a, the reflected light is photoelectrically converted and the read signal R
S is generated. This read signal RS is supplied to the A / D converter 32
Is converted into a digital signal DM by the signal modulation / demodulation unit 33.
Supplied to

The signal modulator / demodulator 33 demodulates the signal DM. A signal obtained by demodulating the signal DM is supplied to the buffer memory unit 34 as a data signal DS.

In the buffer memory section 34, the data signal D
When S is a data signal of the information management area, the data signal DS is stored as a management data signal DC. When the data signal DS is a data signal of a recording area,
The data signal DS is supplied to the computer 10 via the buffer memory unit 34 as a reproduced data signal DR. The transmission of the data signal with the computer 10 is performed via the interface unit 35.

When the recording data signal DW is supplied from the host computer 10, it is supplied to the signal modulation / demodulation unit 33 via the interface unit 35 and the buffer memory unit 34.

Here, when the optical disk 50 is a magneto-optical disk and records a signal by an optical modulation method, the signal modulation / demodulation unit 33 modulates the recording data signal DW to generate a recording signal DWM, and generates a D / D signal. The magnetic head control signal MGC is generated and supplied to the magnetic head drive unit 40 while being supplied to the A conversion unit 38.

In the D / A converter 38, the recording signal DWM is converted into an analog recording signal WS, and the optical head fixing unit 31a
Supplied to In the optical head fixing unit 31a, the output of the laser beam is controlled based on the recording signal WS. Further, in the magnetic head driving unit 40, a head driving signal MGD is generated based on the supplied magnetic head control signal MGC and the magnetic head 41 is driven, so that a magnetic field is applied to the optical disk 50 and a signal is recorded on the optical disk 50. Is done.

The digital signal processing unit 36 generates a servo signal SVD for tracking and focusing for controlling the optical head movable unit 31b so that the irradiation position and the focal position of the laser beam are at desired positions on the optical disk 50. You. The servo signal SVD is converted into an analog servo signal SVA by the D / A converter 37 and supplied to the optical head movable section 31b.

The signal modulation / demodulation unit 33 and the digital signal processing unit 36 are connected to a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 43 via a bus (comprising an address bus, a data bus and a control bus) 42. CPU43
Is controlled based on the control signal CT from the controller.

The interface section 35 is connected to the bus 42.
And ROM (read only memory) 44 and RAM (ra
ndom access memory) 45 is connected, and based on instructions from the computer 10 supplied via the interface unit 35 and various program data recorded in the ROM 44 for controlling the operation of the disk drive 30. The processing in the CPU 43 is performed. The optical disk 50 is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed by a spindle motor 49.

Next, an example of the logical format of the recording medium is shown in FIG. In this recording medium, a logical format is used in which a video and audio data signal and the like and a signal indicating management information for managing the data signal are recorded and the computer can read and write the data signal.

For example, FIG. 3A shows a FAT (File Allocatio).
n Table) is an example of the logical format in the case of providing. In FIG. 3A, the information management area includes a system area, a FAT area, and a directory management area, and video and audio data signals are recorded in the recording area. Information such as a sector size and a cluster size is recorded in a system area portion of the information management area. In the FAT area, information for managing the arrangement of file data on the recording medium in cluster units is recorded. The directory management area contains file names, attributes, starting cluster numbers,
Directory information composed of parameter data such as file capacity is recorded. The information in the FAT area and the directory management area is updated by recording a data signal in the recording area.

FIG. 3B shows a logical format in the case of a mini disc file system using a mini disc (MD) as a recording medium. In FIG. 3B, the information management area includes a system area section, a volume information section, a use area information section, a management table section, a directory management area section, and a range management area section. Information such as a sector size and a cluster size is recorded in a system area portion of the information management area. The volume information section records the name of the volume, and the used area information section records information for determining whether the recording area is used or unused. In the management table section, position information of the directory management area section and the range management area section is recorded. The directory management area records the root file name and directory name, and the range management area records link information of the directory management area.

Next, writing and reading operations of the data signal will be described. First, when, for example, the optical disk 50 is inserted into the disk drive 30, the disk drive 30 performs a caching process of reading a signal in the information management area recorded on the optical disk 50 and storing the signal in the buffer memory unit 34. Note that the computer 10 is supplied with a signal indicating that the recording medium has been inserted into the disk drive 30.

Here, the caching processing operation when the optical disk 50 is inserted into the disk drive 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
Is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 4, step ST
In step 1, reading of signals recorded on the optical disk 50 is started, the type of the optical disk 50 is determined based on information in the system area of the information management area, and the process proceeds to step ST2.

In step ST2, the management data signal DC indicating the information of the information management area read from the optical disk 50 is stored in the buffer memory unit 34, and the caching process ends.

Next, when reading a desired signal from the optical disk 50 inserted into the disk drive 30, the computer 10 performs a signal reading process as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, for example.

In FIG. 5, in step ST11, it is determined whether or not data signal read processing or data signal write processing has been performed for the first time since the optical disk 50 was inserted into the disk drive 30. Here, when the read process or the write process is not performed, and the read process is performed for the first time, the process proceeds to step ST12, and when the read process or the write process is already performed, the process proceeds to step ST13.

In step ST12, the disk drive 30 reads parameter information such as a sector size and a cluster size recorded in the system area of the information management area.

First, a command for reading parameter information is output from the computer 10. At this time, the disk drive 30 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 6, in step ST21, it is determined whether or not a data signal indicating information requested by the computer 10 is stored in the buffer memory unit 34. Here, if the data signal indicating the requested information is stored in the buffer memory unit 34, step ST
Proceeding to step ST22, if not stored in step ST2
Proceed to 3.

In step ST22, a data signal indicating the requested information is read from the buffer memory unit 34 and output to the computer 10, and the instruction processing ends. In step ST23, a data signal indicating the requested information is read from the optical disk 50 and supplied to the computer 10, and the instruction processing ends.

Here, the management data signal DC of the information management area is stored in the buffer memory section 34 by caching processing.
Therefore, when an instruction to read the parameter information of the system area is output from the computer 10, the process proceeds from step ST21 to step ST22, where the data signal indicating the parameter information of the system area is read from the buffer memory 34. And is supplied to the computer 10.

When the parameter information is read out in this manner, the computer 10 determines the type of the optical disk 50 and proceeds from step ST12 to step ST13.

In step ST13, a process is performed to determine whether or not the file name of the data signal to be read is recorded in the directory management area.

The computer 10 issues a command to read information in the directory management area to the disk drive 30.
Is output to Also in this case, since the information of the directory management area is stored in the buffer memory 34 of the disk drive 30, a data signal indicating the information of the directory management area is read from the buffer memory 34 and transmitted to the computer 10. Supplied.

When the computer 10 determines that the file name is recorded in the directory management area based on the data signal read from the buffer memory section 34 of the disk drive 30, the FAT corresponding to the file name is determined. The positions of the area part or the used area information part and the information of the range management area part (hereinafter referred to as “used area information”) are detected, and the process proceeds to step ST14.

In step ST14, in step ST13
The use area information at the position detected in step (1) is read, and the position where the desired data signal is recorded is determined based on the read use area information, and the data signal is read.

From the computer 10, a step ST1 is executed.
A command to read out the used area information at the position detected in 3 is output to the disk drive 30. Since the data signal indicating the used area information is stored in the buffer memory section 34 of the disk drive 30, the data signal indicating the requested used area information is read out from the buffer memory section 34 and supplied to the computer 10. Is done. When the data amount of the data signal indicating the use area information is large,
A predetermined amount of data signal may be read.

In the computer 10, the recording position on the optical disk where the desired data signal is recorded is determined based on the read use area information, and the disk drive 30
The read instruction of the data signal is output to the CPU. At this time,
Since the requested desired data signal is not stored in the buffer memory unit 34 of the disk drive 30, the process proceeds from step ST21 shown in FIG. 6 to step ST23, where the desired data signal is read from the determined recording position. And supplied to the computer 10.

When the reading of the data signal is performed as described above and the process proceeds to step ST15, it is determined in step ST15 whether the reading of the desired data signal is completed. If all the desired data signals have not been read out, the process returns to step ST14, where the data signal indicating the used area information is read out from the buffer memory unit 34, and the desired data signal is read based on the used area information. Is read. When the reading of the data signal is completed, the reading process ends.

Next, when writing a data signal to the optical disk 50, the computer 10 performs a signal writing process, for example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 7, in step ST31, similarly to the above-described read processing, it is determined whether or not the read processing or the write processing of the data signal has been performed for the first time after the optical disk 50 is inserted. Here, when the reading process or the writing process is not performed and the writing process is performed for the first time, the process proceeds to step ST32, and when the reading process or the writing process is already performed, the process proceeds to step ST33.

In step ST32, the disk drive 30 reads parameter information such as a sector size and a cluster size recorded in the system area of the information management area.

Here, the computer 10 outputs a command for reading parameter information. At this time, the disk drive 30 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 in response to an instruction from the computer 10 during the signal writing processing.

Referring to FIG. 8, in step ST41, it is determined whether or not a data signal indicating information requested by the computer 10 is stored in the buffer memory unit 34. Here, the computer 10 is stored in the disk drive 30.
If the command supplied from is a read command or an update command for reading information in the information management area, and the data signal indicating the requested information is stored in the buffer memory unit 34, the process proceeds to step ST42, and the data signal is not stored. Sometimes, the process proceeds to step ST43.

In step ST42, the data signal indicating the requested information is read from the buffer memory unit 34, or the stored data signal is updated, and the instruction processing ends. In step ST43,
The recording data signal supplied from the computer 10 to the disk drive 30 is held in the buffer memory unit 34. The data signal and the recording data signal of the updated information management area stored in the buffer memory unit 34 are:
The instruction processing is completed by appropriately recording the information on the optical disk 50 using, for example, the idle time of the operation of the computer 10 or the disk drive 30.

Here, the management data signal DC of the information management area is stored in the buffer memory section 34 by caching processing.
When the command for reading the parameter information of the system area is output from the computer 10, the process proceeds from step ST41 to step ST42, where the data signal indicating the parameter information of the system area is read from the buffer memory 34. And is supplied to the computer 10.

When the parameter information is read out in this way, the computer 10 determines the type of the optical disk 50, and proceeds from step ST32 to step ST33.

In step ST33, a process is performed to determine whether or not the file name of the data signal to be read is recorded in the directory management area.

The computer 10 issues a command to read information in the directory management area to the disk drive 30.
Is output to Also in this case, since the information of the directory management area is stored in the buffer memory 34 of the disk drive 30, a data signal indicating the information of the directory management area is read from the buffer memory 34 and transmitted to the computer 10. Supplied.

When the computer 10 determines that the file name is recorded in the directory management area based on the data signal read from the buffer memory section 34 of the disk drive 30, the use corresponding to this file name is performed. The position of the area information is detected and step ST34 is performed.
Proceed to.

In step ST34, the use area information is read out, and the data signal is written based on the use area information at the position detected in step ST33 and the read use area information.

The computer 10 outputs to the disk drive 30 a command to read the used area information. The buffer memory unit 34 of the disk drive 30 includes
Since the data signal indicating the use area information is stored,
A data signal indicating the requested use area information is read from the buffer memory unit 34 and supplied to the computer 10.

In the computer 10, the data signal from the position of the recording area indicated by the use area information of the position detected in step ST33 based on the read use area information is transferred to an area of the recording area where no data signal is recorded. Is recorded. At this time, in the disk drive 30,
Since the write instruction of the data signal is supplied, the process proceeds from step ST41 to step ST43 in FIG. 8, and the data signal to be recorded in the buffer memory unit 34 is held.

The computer 10 outputs an instruction to update the used area information together with the writing of the data signal.
At this time, since the disk drive 30 updates the data signal stored in the buffer memory unit 34, the process proceeds from step ST41 to step ST42 in FIG. 8, and the management data indicating the used area information stored in the buffer memory unit 34 The signal is updated. This buffer memory unit 34
The updated data signal and the data signal stored in the optical disk 50 are appropriately recorded on the optical disk 50 as described above.

The data signal is written and the management data signal is updated.
In step ST35, it is determined whether or not the writing of the data signal is completed. If not, the process returns to step ST34 to write the data signal and update the management data signal. When the writing of the data signal is completed, the writing process ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the data signal DR read from the optical disk 50 and the data signal DW to be recorded are held in the buffer memory unit 34, but only the management data signal DC is stored in the buffer memory unit 34. The reading process and the writing process can be performed while being held. In this case, since the data signals DR and DW are not processed via the buffer memory unit 34, it is necessary to control the operations of the computer 10 and the disk drive 30 in synchronization.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment,
The management data signal DC indicating the management information of the data signal in the recording area is stored in the buffer memory unit, and the data signal is read or written by using the stored management data signal DC. The data signal can be processed at high speed without causing useless access time such as reading management information from the optical disk 10 during the reading or writing of data.

Since the optical disk 50 uses a logical format that can be handled by a computer system or the like, a data signal recorded on the optical disk 50 can be handled on a computer.

By the way, in the recording medium processing apparatus as shown in the above embodiment, since the data signal in the information management area is held in the buffer memory section 34, the optical head is in the middle of reading or writing the data signal. Movable part 31
There is no need to move b to the inner circumference side of the optical disk 50 to read the data signal in the information management area, and it is possible to continuously read and write the data signal to the optical disk 50.

Here, the buffer memory unit 12 of the computer 10 and the buffer memory unit 3 of the disk drive 30
The transfer rate of the data signal between the four (for example, 10 Mbytes / sec in the SCSI-2 standard interface) depends on the transfer rate between the encode / decode processing unit 11 and the buffer memory unit 12 of the computer 10 and the transfer rate of the optical disk 50 and the disk drive 30. Since the transfer rate between the buffer memory unit 34 is higher than the transfer rate between the encode / decode processing unit 11 and the buffer memory unit 12 of the computer 10 (for example, about 1 to 2 Mbytes / sec), By setting the transfer rate RTd between the buffer memory units 34 of the disk drive 30 to be large, for example, twice or more (2 Mbytes to 4 Mbytes / sec), data signals can be read and written continuously.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the computer 10 encodes / decodes each channel so that the computer 10 can process video signals and audio signals of a plurality of channels (for example, three channels in FIG. 9). 1
1a to 11c and buffer memory sections 12a to 12c are provided. When the video and audio data signals are transmitted to and from the disk drive 30 via the interface section 13, the transfer between the computer 10 and the optical disk 50 indicated by a broken line 1 is performed. The rate RT1, the data transfer rate RT2 of the command between the computer 10 and the drive 30 indicated by the broken line 2 and the management data signal of the information management area held in the buffer memory unit 34, and the encoding / decoding processing units 11a to 11c of the computer 10 If the transfer rate RT3 of the video and audio data signals between the buffer memory units 11a and 11c and the buffer memory units 12a to 12c satisfies the relationship of Expression (1),
Images and sounds of a plurality of channels can be continuously recorded and reproduced. RT3 × the number of channels ≦ RT1 + RT2 (1)

In the above embodiment, when the data signal is read out, the buffer memory unit 3
4, the recording area from which the data signal has been read can be changed to a data signal recordable area only by updating the use area information stored in the data signal. it can.

In the above embodiment, signals are recorded by a light modulation method using a magneto-optical disk. However, a magnetic field modulation method may be used. In addition, not only a magneto-optical disk but also other optical disks may be used, and any recording medium that can be randomly accessed is not limited to an optical disk, and for example, a magnetic disk can be used.

[0072]

According to the present invention, management information for managing data signals recorded on a recording medium is stored in a memory section of a drive means, and a computer is used by using the management information stored in the memory section. The drive means can be controlled by such control means. Further, since the drive unit is controlled using the management information of the memory unit to read and write the data signal, it is not necessary to read the management information from the recording medium each time, and access when reading or writing the data signal is not required. Can be faster,
Since high-speed access is possible, multi-channel video and audio data signals can also be recorded.

When writing a data signal, the management information stored in the memory unit is updated, and the updated management information is appropriately recorded on a recording medium, so that reading and writing of the data signal are performed continuously. For example, the video can be prevented from being interrupted.

Further, when the data signal is read, the management information relating to the read data signal is updated, and
An area where a data signal can be recorded is automatically secured, and for example, a data signal can be recorded endlessly, and a recording medium can be used effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system using a recording medium processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording medium processing device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a logical format.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a caching process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a signal reading process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the disk drive at the time of signal reading.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a signal writing process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of the disk drive when writing a signal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing video / audio signal processing of a plurality of channels.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 10: computer, 11: encoding / decoding processing unit, 12, 34: buffer memory unit, 1
3, 35 ... interface unit, 14 ... control unit,
Reference numeral 20: signal output device, 30: disk drive, 50: optical disk, 60: display device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium processing apparatus comprising: a drive unit for performing a read process or a write process of a data signal using a randomly accessible recording medium; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the drive unit. A recording medium processing device, wherein a data signal and management information for managing the data signal are recorded on a medium, and the drive means has a memory unit for storing the management information of the recording medium. 2. The memory unit of the drive unit stores management information of the recording medium before a process of reading or writing a data signal to the recording medium is started. The recording medium processing device according to claim 1. 3. The control unit controls the drive unit using management information of the recording medium stored in a memory unit of the drive unit, and reads a data signal recorded on the recording medium. 3. The recording medium processing device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The management information includes information indicating a recording position of a data signal on a recording medium, and the control means, when reading out the data signal recorded on the recording medium, stores the data signal in a memory of the drive means. 4. The recording method according to claim 3, wherein the management information of the recording medium stored in the storage unit is updated, and the data signal can be recorded at a position of the recording medium where the read data signal is recorded. Media processing device. 5. The control means controls the drive means using management information of the recording medium stored in a memory unit of the drive means, and writes a data signal to the recording medium and writes the data signal. The management information stored in the memory unit of the drive unit is updated according to the timing at which the read processing and the write processing of the data signal are stopped. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording medium is recorded on the recording medium. 6. The drive unit has a first buffer memory unit for holding a data signal read from the recording medium or a data signal to be recorded on the recording medium. A data amount control unit that compresses and expands the data amount of the data signal output from or the data signal supplied to the drive unit;
A second buffer memory unit for holding a data signal transmitted between the control unit and the drive unit; a transfer speed of the data signal between the recording medium and the first buffer memory unit in the drive unit; 3. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data transmission rate is higher than a data signal transfer speed between the data amount control unit and the second buffer memory unit in the control unit.