KR100792274B1 - Write once type recording medium, recording device and recording method for write once type recording medium, and reproduction device and reproduction method for write once type recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A data area for recording record data, a plurality of management areas, and a control information recording area for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area, wherein each of the plurality of management areas includes the recording. A plurality of types of management information for managing data and index information for indicating the latest management information can be recorded a plurality of times, and the indicator information recorded in each of the plurality of management areas, and All management information indicated by the latest indicator information is disposed in the same management area, and a recordable recording medium is provided in which the management area is disposed between the control information recording area and the data area.

Write-once recording medium, defect management area, setup area, index information, optical disc

Description

WRITE ONCE TYPE RECORDING MEDIUM, RECORDING DEVICE AND RECORDING METHOD FOR WRITE ONCE TYPE RECORDING MEDIUM, AND REPRODUCTION DEVICE AND REPRODUCTION METHOD FOR WRITE ONCE TYPE RECORDING MEDIUM}

1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a recordable recording medium of the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram showing a divided recording function of management information in the embodiment of a recordable recording medium.

3 is an explanatory diagram showing a divided recording function of management information in the embodiment of a recordable recording medium.

4 is an explanatory diagram showing a divided recording function of management information in the embodiment of a recordable recording medium.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing a divided recording function of management information in the embodiment of a recordable recording medium.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a setup function of management information in the embodiment of a recordable recording medium.

7 is an explanatory diagram showing a setup function of management information in the embodiment of a recordable recording medium.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect of recording management information in a comparative example of a recordable recording medium.

9 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

10 is a block diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

11 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a playback apparatus of the present invention.

12 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention.

14 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of management information related to the recordable recording medium of the present invention.

15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of defect management information which is one example of management information.

16 is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect of updating management information relating to the recordable recording medium of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a recording / reproducing apparatus which is an embodiment of the recording apparatus and reproducing apparatus of the present invention.

18 is a block diagram showing the structure of a disk drive.

19 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a backend.

20 is a flowchart showing an initial setting process of the recording / reproducing apparatus.

21 is a flowchart showing the recording process of the recording / reproducing apparatus.

22 is a flowchart following FIG. 19.

23 is a flowchart showing finalization processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus.

24 is a flowchart showing the reproduction processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus.

The present invention relates to a recordable recording medium, a recording apparatus and a recording method for recording record data on a recordable recording medium, and a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method for a recordable recording medium.

In order to record and read recording data in a high density recording medium such as an optical disc, a magnetic disc, a magneto-optical disc, or the like, various management information is recorded on the recording medium. As one example of this management information, for example, the defect management information is used for "defect management" which is a technique for improving the reliability of recording and reading of the record data on the recording medium. That is, when scratches, dust or deterioration of recording medium (collectively referred to as "defects") exist on the recording medium, the data to be recorded at the place where the defect is present or other area on the recording medium is recorded. (This is called a "spare area"). In this manner, by evacuating the recording data in which the recording or reading may be incomplete due to a defect in the spare area, the reliability of recording and reading of the recording data can be improved (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-185390). Publication).

Generally, a defect list is created in order to perform defect management. The defect list includes address information indicating the position of a defect existing on a recording medium, and a place of a spare area for retracting data or data which has already been recorded at a place where a defect exists (for example, in a spare area). Address information indicating the recording position) is recorded.

In general, the creation of a defect list is performed when the recording medium is initialized or formatted. The defect list is also created when the record data is recorded on the recording medium. When recording and rewriting of the recording data are performed several times, a defect list is created or updated each time recording and rewriting of the recording data is performed.

When recording the record data on the recording medium, the defect list is referred to. This makes it possible to record the record data onto the recording medium while avoiding the place where the defect is present. On the other hand, the defect list is also referred to when reproducing the record data recorded on the recording medium. Thereby, the recording data recorded in the normal recording area and the recording data recorded in the spare area due to the presence of the defect can be reliably read in accordance with the defect list.

The defect list is generally recorded in a specific area of the recording medium which is the object of creation or update of the defect list. The defect list is read from the recording medium the next time the reproduction data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced or when the recording data is rewritten or additionally recorded (or additionally recorded) on the recording medium. It is referred to at the time of the read operation by or the reproduction operation by the reproduction device.

By the way, the defect list is recorded in a specific area of the recording medium. For example, in a rewritable optical disc using a blue laser, a defect list is a predetermined area secured in a lead-in region or a lead-out region on the disc (hereinafter referred to as " (Also referred to as "defect management area").

As described above, the defect list is updated each time recording and rewriting of the recording data are performed. Each time the defect list is updated by recording and rewriting of the recording data, the defect list is overwritten in the defect management area of the recording medium which is the object of the recording and rewriting. That is, the defect list in the defect management area is rewritten every time the defect list is updated.

However, updating the defect list by rewriting the defect list in this manner is limited to the case where the recording medium can be rewritten. In the case where the recording medium is a so-called write-once type information recording medium capable of recording only once in each position, for example, a write once-type optical disc, after the defect list is updated, at an appropriate timing, The updated defect list is added to a new unrecorded area of the information recording medium.

However, in the recordable recording medium, when recording a plurality of new and old defect lists in the defect management area, it is not easy to efficiently specify the latest defect list among the plurality of defect lists.

Problems similar to those of updating the defect list and specifying the latest defect list actually occur for other management information. That is, each time the management information is updated, a plurality of old and new management information is recorded in the management area, so it is not easy to efficiently specify the latest management information among the new and old plurality of management information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems as exemplified above, and a problem of the present invention is that a recordable recording medium and recordable recording capable of efficiently recording management information and efficiently specifying the latest management information. A recording apparatus and recording method for a medium, and a reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method for a recordable recording medium.

In order to solve the above problems, the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention records a data area for recording record data, a plurality of management areas, and control information recording for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area. A plurality of types of management information for managing the record data, and index information for indicating the latest management information in each of the plurality of management areas; The indicator information, and all the management information indicated by the latest indicator information, recorded in each of the plurality of management areas, are disposed in the same management area, and the management area is disposed between the control information recording area and the data area. do.

Furthermore, the recording apparatus of the present invention further includes (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of management areas, and (iii) information for controlling recording and reading of the data area. A control information recording area, and (iv) each of the plurality of management areas can record a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data, and indicator information for indicating the latest management information a plurality of times. (V) a recording device for recording the recording data on a recordable recording medium having the management area disposed between the control information recording area and the data area, wherein the recording device writes the recording data to the data area. A first recording device for recording; And a second recording device which records, in each of the plurality of management areas, the management information indicated by the indicator information and the latest indicator information in the same management area.

The recording method of the present invention further includes (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data, and indicator information for indicating the latest management information. A plurality of management areas capable of recording twice, and (iii) a control information recording area for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area, wherein (iv) the management area is the control information recording area. And a recording method for recording the record data on a recordable recording medium disposed between the data area and the data area, the recording method comprising: a first recording step of recording the record data in the data area; A detection step of detecting the management area in which the latest indicator information is recorded; An updating step of updating the management information and the indicator information; A judging step of judging whether it is possible to record the indicator information and the management information updated by the update step in the management area detected by the detection step; And in the judging step, when it is determined that it is not possible to record updated indicator information and management information, the updated indicator information and all management information indicated by the updated indicator information are updated. And a second recording step of recording the information and all the management information indicated by the updated indicator information in another management area capable of recording.

Further, the reproducing apparatus of the present invention provides a control for recording (i) a data area for recording recorded data, (ii) a plurality of management areas, and (iii) information for controlling recording and reading of the data area. An information recording area, (iv) each of the plurality of management areas can record a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data, and indicator information for instructing the latest management information a plurality of times; (v) all of the management information indicated by each of the indicator information and the latest indicator information recorded in each of the plurality of management areas are arranged in the same management area, and (vi) the management area is the control information recording area. And a reproducing apparatus for reproducing the recorded data recorded on a recordable recording medium arranged between the data region and the data region, wherein the reproducing apparatus is the most out of the plurality of management regions. A detection device for detecting the management area in which the index information is recorded; An extraction device for extracting latest indicator information in the management area detected by the detection device; An acquisition device for acquiring all management information in the same management area indicated by the indicator information extracted by the extraction device; And a reproduction device for reproducing the record data based on the management information acquired by the acquisition device.

Further, the reproduction method of the present invention provides a control for recording (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of management areas, and (iii) information for controlling recording and reading of the data area. An information recording area, (iv) each of the plurality of management areas can record a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data, and indicator information for instructing the latest management information a plurality of times; (v) all of the management information indicated by each of the indicator information and the latest indicator information recorded in each of the plurality of management areas are arranged in the same management area, and (vi) the management area is the control information recording area. And a reproduction method for reproducing the recorded data recorded on a recordable recording medium disposed between the data area and the data area, wherein the reproduction method is one of the plurality of management areas. Detecting step of detecting the management area in the divine index information is recorded; An extraction step of extracting latest indicator information in the management area detected by the detection step; An acquisition step of acquiring all management information in the same management area indicated by the indicator information extracted by the extraction step; And a reproduction step of reproducing the record data based on the management information acquired by the acquisition step.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, each Example is described with reference to drawings for the best form for implementing this invention.

(Example of recordable recording medium)

An embodiment of a recordable recording medium of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Indeed, the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described for the purpose of illustrating the technical idea of the recording medium, the recording device, and the reproducing device of the present invention, and the shape and size of each component and the like. , Positions, connection relationships, and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

1 shows a recording structure of a recordable recording medium which is an embodiment of the present invention. The recordable recording medium 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a disc shaped recording medium. The left side in FIG. 1 is the inner circumferential side of the recordable recording medium 10, and the right side is the outer circumferential side of the recordable recording medium 10. Incidentally, the shape of the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention is not limited to the disc shape. The present invention can also be applied to recording media of other shapes, such as, for example, card-type recording media. The recording method of the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention is not limited. The present invention can be applied to a recording medium using, for example, light, magnetism, magneto-optical light, phase change, polarization direction of dielectric or near-field light.

The recording medium 10 is a write once type recording medium capable of recording data or information only once at each position.

The recording medium 10 includes a data area 11 and management areas 14A, 14B, 14C as shown in FIG.

The data area 11 is an area for recording record data. Recorded data is mainly data to be reproduced or executed, and includes, for example, image data, audio data, document data, content data, or a computer program.

The management areas 14A, 14B and 14C are areas for recording at least a plurality of types of management information 21A to 21D and index information 23. Three management areas 14A, 14B, 14C exist on the recording surface of the recording medium 10. The management areas 14A, 14B, 14C are arranged in a distributed manner on the recording surface. The number of management areas is not limited. Moreover, arrangement | positioning and arrangement | positioning aspect of a management area are not limited, either.

The management information is information used for management of recording data recorded on the recording medium 10. As a specific example of this management information, for example, the defect management information 21A (hereinafter referred to as "management information 21A") used for defect management and the distribution of the recording data recorded on the recording medium 10 are shown. Space bitmap information 21B (hereinafter referred to as " management information 21B ") indicated, and a sequential distribution state of recording data on a recording track provided in the recording medium 10 (e.g., whether recording data has been recorded) Or sequential recording management information 21C (hereinafter referred to as "management information 21C") indicating whether or not it has been recorded, and other various management information 21D (hereinafter referred to as "management information 21D"). Can be mentioned.

Here, the defect management, which is an example of data management, will be described in detail. When the defect management exists in the recording medium 10 or on the recording medium 10, defects such as scratches, dust, deterioration, etc. The recording data is recorded while avoiding the place where the defect exists, and at the same time, the recording data which should be recorded at the place where the defect exists or the recording data already recorded at the place is recorded in a spare area (not shown). Also, when reproducing the recording data recorded on the recording medium 10, a process of recognizing the position of the defect and reading out the recording data which should be originally recorded or recorded in the position where the defect exists from a spare area (not shown) Is also performed as part of defect management.

The defect management information 21A includes a defect list. In the defect list, information indicating a position where a defect in the data area 11 exists (hereinafter referred to as "defect position information"), and record data to be recorded in a place where the defect exists or recorded in the place Information indicating a position in the spare area in which recorded record data has been recorded (hereinafter referred to as "alternative recording position information") is recorded. For example, the defect position information is address information indicating a defect position, and the replacement recording position information is address information indicating a recording position in the spare area. By referring to the defect list, it becomes possible to recognize the position where the defect is present, and it becomes possible to read the record data which should be originally recorded or recorded at the position where the defect is present from the spare area.

The defect list may be divided into a plurality of partial defect lists. In this case, the spare area may also be divided into a plurality of partial spare areas. The indicator information 23 is information for specifying management information which is minimum required for assembling the latest management information. Here, " latest management information " is a concept indicating the entirety of the latest management information for each type of management information among management information which is updated as necessary. For example, information including management information 21A recorded last, management information 21B recorded last, management information 21C recorded last, and management information 21D recorded last indicate the latest management information.

The indicator information 23 is preferably recorded continuously to the last management information arranged among the plurality of management information 21A to 21D recorded in a continuous line in one management area. This makes it possible to efficiently read the latest management information. For example, in FIG. 1, management information 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D are continuously recorded side by side in the management area 14A, and management information 21D is disposed last. In this case, it is preferable that the indicator information 23 is recorded following the management information 21D. Hereinafter, the management information recorded last in the individual management area is referred to as "final management information".

The content of the indicator information 23 can be any information as long as it is information that can specify the management information that is minimum required for assembling the latest management information. For example, when an identifier is assigned to each of the management information, information indicating the content of the identifier given to the management information which is minimum required for assembling the latest management information may be used as the indicator information 23.

Each management area may include information other than the management information 21A to 21D and the indicator information 23. In this embodiment, definition information 22 is recorded in each management area. The definition information 22 is, for example, information regarding the arrangement or the size of the data area or the like. In the present embodiment, the index information 23 also includes information for specifying the definition information 22.

And the management information block is comprised including this latest management information 21 and the indicator information 23. As shown in FIG. Of course, the management information block may be configured to include the definition information 22.

In the defect management areas 14A, 14B, and 14C, all the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information, and the indicator information 23 indicating the latest management information ( In other words, setup areas 24A, 24B and 24C for recording the management information block) are provided, respectively. It is preferable to arrange the setup areas 24A, 24B, and 24C at the head of the management areas 14A, 14B, and 14C, or in the vicinity of the head. The "head" here is preferably the head with reference to the direction in which the record data is recorded. In addition, the "near part of a head part" here means the area | region which can be regarded as the head part of each management area | region, or can be identified with the head part, More specifically, it is the minimum to assemble the latest management information in the area | region. When the required management information 21A to 21D is recorded, it means an area in which the efficiency of the management information reading process is improved to the same extent as when the management information 21A to 21D is recorded at the head. Thereby, the management area can be used sequentially, and the efficiency of the read processing of each management information 21A to 21D (or latest management information) is improved. However, the arrangement of the setup areas 24A, 24B, and 24C is not limited. In each management area, the arrangement of the setup areas is not necessarily determined in advance, and may be determined in accordance with the convenience of the recording process. Moreover, in each management area, you may arrange | position a setup area separately for every management information 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information. Incidentally, the functions of the setup areas 24A, 24B, and 24C will be revealed by the description of FIGS. 6 and 7 described later.

The recordable recording medium 10 has a division recording function of management information and a setup function of management information.

First, the division recording function of management information will be described. The division recording function of management information is a function of dividing each management information 21A to 21D into one management area (that is, separately for each management information) and recording them. That is, it is a function of recording only management information updated in each management information 21A to 21D in the management area, and it is not necessary to record all management information 21A to 21D in the management area. 2 to 5 show a state where the management information is divided and recorded according to the division recording function of the management information.

First, when a user mounts an unrecorded recording medium 10 in the recording apparatus and inputs an instruction to initialize (format) the recording medium 10, the recording medium 10 is initialized or formatted by the recording apparatus. . At this time, a plurality of management information is created. Specifically, management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and definition information 22 are generated. Further, the indicator information 23 to be recorded following the management information 21D is generated.

The generated management information 21A to 21D is recorded at the head of the management area 14A of the recording medium 10 by the recording apparatus as shown in FIG. Then, following the management information 21D which is final management information, the generated indicator information 23 is recorded. There is no restriction on the order of the management areas 14A, 14B and 14C used for recording the management information 21A to 21D. In the present embodiment, the management information 21A to 21D is first recorded from the head of the management area 14A, and when the management area 14A is full, the management information 21A to 21D is next recorded from the head of the management area 14B and the management area ( When 14B) is full, a method of recording from the beginning of the management area 14C is adopted next.

Next, when an instruction is input by the user to perform the first recording of the recording data on the recording medium 10 mounted in the recording apparatus, the first recording of the recording data on the recording medium 10 is started. Verification processing or the like is performed together with recording of the record data. As a result of the verification process, when incomplete recording of the record data (that is, defect occurrence) is found, the record data is recorded in the spare area.

When the recording data is recorded in the spare area, defect position information indicating the defect position at that time and replacement recording position information are acquired, and management information 21A (that is, defect management information) stored in the memory of the recording apparatus. (21A)). As a result, the management information 21A is updated.

After the recording of the series of recording data is completed, the indicator information 23 recorded subsequent to the updated management information 21A stored in the memory of the recording apparatus is generated. The indicator information 23 is information for specifying the management information 21A to 21D and the definition information 22 required for assembling the latest management information.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, only the updated management information 21A is added to the management area 14A of the recording medium 10 together with the indicator information 23. In the management area 14A, the management information 21A is recorded continuously after the indicator information 23 already recorded. At this time, the management information 21B, 21C, 21D and definition information 22 stored in the memory of the recording apparatus are not added to the recording medium 10.

Later, when the user mounts the recording medium 10 back to the recording apparatus in order to perform the second recording of the recording data on the recording medium 10, the preparation processing is performed by the recording apparatus. In the preparation process, the latest management information recorded in the management area 14A of the recording medium 10 is read. At this point in time, the latest management information recorded on the recording medium 10 includes the definition information 22, the management information 21B, 21C, 21D, and the final management recorded in the management area 14A, as shown in FIG. It assembles with information 21A. In FIG. 3, the final management information 21A, that is, the management information 21A disposed last in the management area 14A, is management information 21A located on the right side in FIG. 3.

In order to read out the latest management information, first, the indicator information 23 recorded following the last management information 21A is referred to. Based on the indicator information 23, the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D constituting the definition information 22 and the latest management information are specified. That is, the definition information 22 and each management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3 are read. The latest management information is then assembled by the read definition information 22 and management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, and stored in the memory of the recording apparatus. This completes the preparation work.

Incidentally, the indicator information 23 may be configured such that the indicator information 23 does not have information indicating management information that is subsequently recorded. That is, in the case of FIG. 3, you may comprise so that it may not have information which instruct | indicates the last management information 21A. Even if it is comprised in this way, it is sufficient if it is judged that the management information (for example, last management information 21A of FIG. 3) to which the said indicator information 23 is subsequently recorded is management information which assembles the latest management information. . Then, in the indicator information 23 in this case, management information necessary for assembling the latest management information among the management information other than the management information in which the indicator information 23 is subsequently recorded (for example, management in FIG. 3). It is sufficient to have information indicating information (21B, 21C, 21D).

Subsequently, when an instruction to perform the second recording of the recording data on the recording medium 10 is input by the user, the second recording of the recording data on the recording medium 10 is started. For example, if a fingerprint or the like remains on the recording surface of the recording medium 10 between the first recording and the second recording, there is a possibility that incomplete recording of the recording data is caused by the left fingerprint. As a result of the verification process, when incomplete recording of the recording data is found, the recording data is recorded in the spare area.

As a result, the management information 21A (that is, defect management information 21A) is updated as in the case of the first recording. Then, the indicator information 23 recorded subsequent to the updated management information 21A stored in the memory of the recording device is generated. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, only the updated management information 21A is added to the management area 14A of the recording medium 10 together with the indicator information 23.

If recording data is recorded several times on the recording medium 10, and the recording data is sequentially recorded in the spare area due to a defect newly formed on the recording medium 10, the management information 21A is also updated accordingly. do. When the recording data is recorded several times on the recording medium 10 and the distribution form of the recording data on the recording medium 10 is changed, the management information 21B is also updated accordingly. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of management information 21A, the plurality of management information 21B, and the plurality of indicator information 23 are added to the management area 14A. Of course, in this case, when the different management information 21C, 21D is updated, a plurality of different management information 21C, 21D is also recorded.

In FIG. 5, the indicator information 23 recorded subsequent to the final management information 21B is used to specify management information 21A to 21D which is minimum required for assembling the latest management information at this stage. Information and information for specifying the definition information 22. Specifically, it is information for specifying the definition information 22 and the management information 21C, 21D, 21A, 21B indicated by the arrow in FIG. When recording the record data on the recording medium 10 in the next time, in the preparation process, the index information 23 recorded following the final management information 21B is referred to. Then, the definition information 22 and management information 21C, 21D, 21A, 21B indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 are read, and the latest management information is assembled using these.

As described above, according to the divided recording function of the management information of the recordable recording medium 10, since only the updated management information is added to any of the management areas 14A, 14B, and 14C, the management areas 14A and 14B. , 14C) can be reduced. Therefore, the size of the data area 11 can be increased. Therefore, the recording capacity of the recording data can be increased while improving the recording and reading reliability of the recording data by the defect management, or appropriately managing the recording data using other management information.

In addition, by recording the indicator information 23 following the final management information, the indicator information 23 can be promptly designated by, for example, an RF search or the like. That is, the recording position of the indicator information 23 in the individual management area can be easily detected by recognizing the boundary between the portion where the indicator information 23 is recorded and the subsequent unrecorded portion. Then, if the indicator information 23 recorded subsequent to the last management information can be specified, each management information 21A to 21D which is minimum required to assemble the latest management information based on the indicator information 23. ) Can be specified quickly. Therefore, the latest management information can be easily and quickly read.

Next, a setup function of management information will be described. The setup function of the management information includes all the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information when the management area used for recording the management information 21A to 21D is changed to a new management area. ) And definition information 22 (in addition, the indicator information 23) are recorded in the setup area of the new management area. 6 and 7 show a state in which management information is recorded in the management areas 14A, 14B and 14C according to the setup function of the management information.

When recording data is recorded several times on the recording medium 10, and each of the management information 21A to 21D is sequentially recorded in the management area 14A, the management area 14A is finally filled up. In this embodiment, when the management area 14A becomes full, the management area used for recording management information is changed from the management area 14A to the management area 14B. At this time, as shown in Fig. 6, all the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and the definition information 22 (in addition, the indicator information 23) which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information are managed. It is recorded in the setup area 24B of the area 14B. All the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and definition information 22 which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information are the indicator information 23 recorded following the final management information of the management area 14A. It can be specified by. If all of the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, definition information 22, etc., which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information are already stored in the memory of the recording apparatus, they are stored in the management area 14B. It is recorded in the setup area 24B. If all the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and the definition information 22 which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information are not stored in the memory of the recording apparatus, the indicator information 23 is based on the indicator information 23. These information are read by the recording apparatus and recorded in the setup area 24B of the management area 14B.

Similarly, when the management area 14B is full, as shown in Fig. 7, all management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D and definition information (minimum required for assembling the latest management information at that time) are defined. 22 (in addition, the indicator information 23) is recorded in the setup area 24C of the next management area 14C.

Thus, according to the setup function of the management information in the recordable recording medium 10, all the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information in one management area, and Since the definition information 22 (in addition, the indicator information 23) is recorded, the latest management information can be read out quickly. That is, in order to acquire each management information 21A-21D etc. which are necessary for assembling the latest management information, it is sufficient to search one management area | region, and it is not necessary to search several management areas. Therefore, the seek time of the pickup can be shortened and the readout can be performed quickly.

If a setup area is not provided, such as a recordable recording medium according to the comparative example shown in Fig. 8, in order to read out all the management information 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information. However, it is necessary to explore multiple management areas. In the extreme, it is necessary to search both the management area provided on the inner circumferential side and the management area provided on the outer circumferential side, which increases the seek time of the pickup. By adopting the same configuration as the write-once-type recording medium according to the present embodiment, the seek time of the pickup can be shortened, so that such a problem can be solved, and as a result, the latest management information can be read quickly. It has a big advantage.

When the number of management areas provided on the recordable recording medium 10 is n (where n is an integer of 2 or more), at least n-1 setup areas are preferably provided. For example, in the case of the write-once-type recording medium 10 shown in Fig. 1, if the at least two setup areas are provided in the management areas 14B and 14C, for example, the above-described various benefits can be obtained.

(Various Aspects of Examples of Recordable Recording Media)

Various aspects of the embodiment of the recordable recording medium of the present invention will be described. In the recordable recording medium of the present invention, the arrangement of the management areas is not limited. However, if the arrangement of the management areas is set as follows, compatibility between the recordable recording medium and the general rewritable recording medium can be provided.

First, in a case where there is a control information recording area for recording information for controlling the recording and reading into the data area on the recording medium, at least one management area of the plurality of management areas may be arranged in the control information recording area. do. The control information recording area is, for example, a lead-in area or a lead-out area.

In a general rewritable recording medium, a control information recording area is provided, and a management area is arranged in the control information recording area. Therefore, if the management area is also arranged in the control information recording area of the recordable recording medium, a common structure can be realized between the recordable recording medium and the general rewritable recording medium with respect to the arrangement of the management area. Therefore, compatibility with a recordable recording medium and a general rewritable recording medium can be provided.

In the case of the recordable recording medium, whenever the management information is updated, it is necessary to add the updated management information to the management area, and cannot be overwritten as in the rewritable recording medium. As a result, the management area of the recordable recording medium becomes larger than the management area of the rewritable recording medium. Therefore, when all the management areas are arranged in the control information recording area on the recordable recording medium, the control information recording area must be expanded. By extending the control information recording area, it is difficult or impossible to provide compatibility of the recordable recording medium and the general rewritable recording medium. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a plurality of management areas, and arrange one or two of them in the control information recording area.

Further, at least one of the plurality of management areas may be arranged between the control information recording area and the data area.

As described above, when all the management areas are arranged in the control information recording area, it is necessary to expand the control information recording area, which makes it difficult to provide compatibility between the recordable recording medium and the general rewritable recording medium. Make it impossible. On the other hand, it is not preferable to arrange the defect management area in the data area. The reason is that management information, which is a different kind of information from the record data, is mixed in the place where the record data should be recorded, the information management becomes complicated. Therefore, such a problem can be solved by disposing the management area between the control information recording area and the data area. For example, it is preferable to provide a plurality of management areas, one or two of which are arranged in the control information recording area, and record the remaining management area between the control information recording area and the data area.

(Example of recording device)

An embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. 9 shows an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention. The recording apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 9 can record recording data only once, and (i) a data area for recording the recording data, and (ii) a plurality of management information and a plurality of managements for managing the recording data. An apparatus for recording record data on a recordable recording medium including a plurality of management areas for recording indicator information for indicating the latest management information among the information. For example, the recording device 50 is very suitable as an apparatus for recording record data on the write-once-type recording medium 10 described above.

As shown in FIG. 9, the recording apparatus 50 uses the first recording device 51, the update device 52, the detection device 53, the second recording device 54, and the third recording device 55. It is included.

The first recording device 51 is a device that records recording data in the data area. When the recording medium is an optical disc, the first recording device 51 can be realized by an optical pickup, a controller for controlling the optical pickup, or the like. The specific hardware structure of the first recording device can be selected according to the recording method (optical, magnetic, magneto-optical, phase change, polarization direction of the dielectric or near-field light, etc.) employed by the recording medium as needed. Magnetic heads or probes are also possible.

The update device 52 is a device that updates at least one of the plurality of management information. For example, defect management information is recorded by recording in the defect list information (for example, address information) indicating a position where a detected defect exists and a position in a spare area in which recording data to be recorded at a place where the defect exists. The device to update. Other management information (e.g., space bitmap information, sequential recording management information, etc.) can be updated in the same manner.

The detection device 53 includes at least one management information and an indicator which are updated by the updating device in one management area (specifically, one management area used for recording management information at this time) among a plurality of management areas. It is a device for detecting whether there is a free area required for recording information.

The second recording device 54 is a device that records the management information updated by the update device 52 in one management area among the plurality of management areas. In particular, when it is detected by the detection device 53 that there is a free area, the device records at least one management information to be updated in one management area.

The third recording device 55 instructs the latest management information and the latest management information (specifically, each of all the management information required for assembling the latest management information among the plurality of management information minimum). The device records the indicator information in another management area among the plurality of management areas. In particular, when the detection device 53 detects that there is no free area, the latest management information and indicator information including at least one management information to be updated are different from one management area (specifically, Is a device for recording to another management area used after one management area).

In addition, although the hardware which comprises the 1st thru | or 3rd recording devices 51, 54, 55 may be provided separately in multiple sets each, normally, one set is enough. For example, one optical pickup and one controller are provided, and three pieces of software for controlling the controller are provided corresponding to each recording device.

The operation of the recording device 50 will be described below. In recording the record data on the recordable recording medium, the user mounts the recording medium in the recording apparatus 50. When management information is recorded in the management area of the recording medium, the recording device 50 reads this information. At this time, the management information to be read may be held, for example, in a memory or the like. When the recording medium is not initialized or formatted, the recording device 50 initializes or formats the recording medium, and generates management information at that time. The recording device 50 records the generated management information in the management area of the recording medium. Also at this time, the generated management information may be held, for example, in a memory or the like.

Subsequently, the first recording device 51 records the record data in the data area of the recording medium. The recording data is verified at the time of recording the recording data. The update device 52 updates at least one management information of a plurality of management information as needed. For example, when a defect is detected on the recording medium, the update device 52 indicates a position where the defect exists and a position in the spare area in which recording data to be recorded at the position where the defect exists is recorded. Information is generated, thereby updating management information (specifically, defect management information 21A described above). Or, for example, in the case where recording data is recorded several times on the recording medium and the distribution form of the recording data on the recording medium is changed, together with the recording, management information (specifically, the above-described space bitmap information ( 21B)) is updated. Other management information is similarly updated as necessary.

Here, recording of recording data is performed several times for the recording medium, and management information is recorded in one management area in turn. As a result, when the management area becomes full, the management area used for recording management information is not changed. You must. In order to determine whether or not to change this management area, for example, when the recording of the recording data by the first recording device 51 ends, the detection device 53 is updated by the updating device 52. It is detected whether or not there is an empty area for recording at least one management information and indicator information in one management area. In other words, by recording at least one management information, a management information block including the latest management information and indicator information (also defined definition information) indicating the latest management information is spread over two or more management areas. Whether or not it is recorded is detected.

Based on the detection result by this detection device 53, when it is determined that there is an empty area (that is, the management information block is not recorded over two or more management areas), the second recording device 54 is updated. At least one management information updated by the device 52 is recorded in one management area.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no blank area (i.e., the latest management information block is recorded over two or more management areas), the third recording device 55 has all the management information required to at least assemble the latest management information. And a management information block including index information indicating the latest management information in the next new management area (i.e., another management area).

As described above, according to the recording apparatus 50, since only the updated management information is selected and the configuration is recorded in the management area, the amount of information recorded in the management area can be reduced. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a wide management area in the recording medium. As described above, the recording capacity of the recording data can be increased.

Moreover, in changing the defect management area used for recording defect management information, it is set as the structure which records all the management information minimum required for assembling the latest management information in the management area to be used next. In the management area, there is always all the management information which is minimum required for assembling the latest management information. In other words, it is possible to avoid a state in which the latest management information is recorded over a plurality of management areas. Therefore, if only one management area in use is searched for, it is possible to read out management information that is minimally required for assembling the latest management information. Therefore, the latest management information can be obtained quickly.

(Various Aspects of Examples of Recording Apparatus)

Various aspects of the embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention will be described. 10 shows various aspects of an embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention.

Like the recording apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 10, the acquisition device 61 may be provided in addition to the components of the recording apparatus 50. The acquisition device 61 specifies, according to the indicator information, all the management information required for assembling the latest management information from among the plurality of management information recorded in any one of the plurality of management areas according to the indicator information. It is a device which reads out management information, combines these read management information, and acquires the latest management information.

According to the acquisition device 61, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, even when management information that is not necessary to configure the latest management information exists in the management area by updating the management information several times, The management information necessary for constructing the latest management information can be reliably selected, and the latest management information can be assembled by combining the selected management information.

(Example of the playback device)

An embodiment of a reproduction device of the present invention will be described. 11 shows an embodiment of a playback apparatus of the present invention. The reproducing apparatus 70 shown in FIG. 11 can record recording data only once, and (i) a data area for recording the recording data, and (ii) a plurality of management information and a plurality of managements for managing the recording data. An apparatus for reproducing recorded data recorded on a recordable recording medium including a plurality of management areas for recording indicator information for indicating the latest management information among the information. For example, the reproducing apparatus 70 is an apparatus for reproducing the recording data recorded on the write-once-type recording medium 10 described above.

The reproduction device 70 includes an acquisition device 71 and a reproduction device 72 as shown in FIG.

The acquisition device 71 is all the management information required to at least assembling the latest management information from among the plurality of management information (ie, the plurality of management information 21A to 21D described above) recorded in any one of the plurality of management areas. Is a device for specifying on the basis of the indicator information, reading out a plurality of the specified management information, combining the read plurality of the management information, and assembling the latest management information. In the above-described recording apparatus 60, Is substantially the same as the acquisition device 61.

The reproduction device 72 is a device that reproduces the recording data recorded in the data area based on the latest management information assembled by the acquisition device 71. The reproduction device 72 includes, for example, a decoder for converting the image data into an image signal that can be reproduced on a display when the recording data is image data.

As described above, according to the reproduction device 70, all the management information required for assembling the latest management information among the plurality of management information recorded in the management area of the recording medium is read out, and the latest management information is read using the read management information. It is possible to assemble management information. Then, on the basis of the latest management information, various data management, such as defect management, for example, can be performed, and the recorded data can be reproduced. Therefore, the reproduction reliability of the recorded data can be improved.

Incidentally, the above embodiments may be implemented in a form of integrally integrated with hardware as a dedicated device, or may be realized by having a computer read a program.

(Example of recording method)

An embodiment of the recording method of the present invention will be described. This recording method is capable of recording the record data only once, and includes (i) a data area for recording the record data, and (ii) a plurality of management information and a plurality of management information for managing the record data. A method of recording record data on a recordable recording medium including a plurality of management areas for recording indicator information for indicating a symbol.

The recording method includes a first recording step of recording record data in a data area, an update step of updating at least one management information among a plurality of management information, and at least one updated management area in one of the plurality of management areas. A detection step for detecting whether there is a blank area required for recording one piece of management information, and at least one management information updated when there is a blank area based on a detection result in the detection step, among one of the plurality of management areas. A second recording step of recording in the management area of the controller; and a third recording step of recording the management information block in another management area among the plurality of management areas when there is no free area based on the detection result in the detection step. .

According to this recording method, since only the updated management information is added, the amount of information recorded in the management area can be reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a wide management area in the recording medium, and as described above, the recording capacity of the recording data can be increased.

According to this recording method, when there is no empty area in one management area, all management information required for assembling the latest management information in the management area to be used next and the index indicating the latest management information are indicated. Since the management information block containing the information is recorded, the next time the management information is read out, it is possible to read the management information required for assembling the latest management information by searching only one management area. It is possible to obtain the latest management information quickly.

(Example of the playback method)

An embodiment of the reproduction method of the present invention will be described. This reproducing method is capable of recording the record data only once, and includes (i) a data area for recording the record data, and (ii) a plurality of management information and a plurality of management information for managing the record data. A method of reproducing recorded data recorded on a recordable recording medium including a plurality of management areas for recording each of the indicator information for indicating a.

This reproducing method specifies, from among a plurality of management information recorded in any one of a plurality of management areas, all management information required to at least assembling the latest management information based on the indicator information, and the plurality of specified managements. An acquisition step of reading the information, combining the plurality of read management information, and acquiring the latest management information; And a reproduction step of reproducing the recording data recorded in the data area based on the latest management information assembled in the acquisition step.

According to this reproduction method, it is possible to read out management information necessary for assembling the latest management information among a plurality of management information recorded in the management area of the recording medium, and to assemble the latest management information using the read management information. Do. Then, the recorded data can be reproduced while managing various data such as defect management based on the latest management information. Therefore, the reproduction reliability of the recording data can be improved.

(Example)

(First embodiment of recordable recording medium)

A first embodiment of the recordable recording medium of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment is an example in which the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention is applied to a write-once optical disc of one layer. 12 shows the recording structure of the recordable optical disc 100. FIG. The upper left side in FIG. 12 is the inner circumferential side of the optical disc 100, and the lower right side is the outer circumferential side of the optical disc 100.

As shown in FIG. 12, the optical disc 100 includes a user data area 101, a lead-in area 104, a lead-out area 105, and management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C.

The user data area 101 is a main area for recording record data. The data zone 108 is formed from the user data area 101.

The lead-in area 104 and lead-out area 105 are areas for recording control information. The lead-in area 104 is disposed on the innermost circumferential side of the optical disc 100. The lead-out area 105 is disposed on the outermost circumferential side of the optical disc 100.

The management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C are areas for recording various management information described later. Three management areas exist on the optical disc 100. The first management area 107A is disposed in the lead-in area 104. The second management area 107B is disposed between the lead-in area 104 and the data zone 108. The third management area 107C is disposed between the data zone 108 and the lead out area 105.

Each of the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C is provided with setup areas 109A, 109B, and 109C. When the use of the management area 107A for recording management information is started, all the management information and setting information (also, indicator information) which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information at that time are set up in the setup area 109A. Is written on. When the use of the management area 107B is started to record management information, all the management information and setting information (also, indicator information) which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information at that point in time are set up in the setup area 109B. Is written on. When the use of the management area 107C is started to record management information, all the management information and setting information (also, indicator information) which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information at that point in time are stored in the setup area 109C. Is recorded.

As described above, according to the optical disc 100, the management area 107B is disposed between the lead-in area 104 and the data zone 108, and the management area 107C is disposed between the data zone 108 and the lead-out area 105. By arranging the space between them, it is possible to provide a management area of a relatively large size while providing compatibility between the optical disc 100 and a general rewritable recording medium. Thereby, the updateable number of times of management information can be increased. Of course, various arrangements described in the present embodiment can be taken without being arranged as described above.

In addition, by dividing the management area into three management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C and distributing them on the optical disc 100, a relatively large size can be achieved without greatly changing the existing recording structure for the optical disc. It is possible to set up a management area. Thereby, the updateable number of times of management information can be increased.

Each of the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C is provided with setup areas 109A, 109B, and 109C. Therefore, when the use of each of the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C is started, all the management information and setting information (in addition, the indicator information) which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information are set up, respectively, in the setup area 109A, By recording to 109B and 109C, the latest management information and setting information can be read out from the optical disc 100 quickly.

(Second embodiment of the recordable recording medium)

A second embodiment of the recordable recording medium of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which the write-once-type recording medium of the present invention is applied to a write-once optical disc of two layers. 13 shows a recording structure of the recordable optical disc 120. FIG. The left side in FIG. 13 is the inner circumferential side of the optical disc 120, and the right side is the outer circumferential side of the optical disc 120.

As shown in FIG. 13, the user data area 121, the lead-in area 124, the lead-out area 125, and the management areas 127A and 127B are formed in the first layer of the optical disc 120. The data zone 128 is formed from the user data area 121. In the second layer of the optical disc 120, a user data area 131, a lead-in area 134, a lead-out area 135, and management areas 137A, 137B, and 137C are formed. The data zone 138 is formed from the user data area 131. Although not shown, similar to the optical disc 100, a setup area is prepared in each management area.

The optical disk 120 having such a structure can also produce the same operational effects as the optical disk 100.

In particular, in an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers of two or more layers, when the latest management information is recorded over a plurality of management areas, in order to read the latest management information, it is necessary to switch the recording layer to be read ( That is, it is necessary to perform an interlayer jump process), so that the latest management information is more difficult to read than in the case of an optical disc having a recording layer of one layer. Therefore, if the same structure as that of the optical disc according to the present embodiment is adopted, there is a great advantage that it is possible to read the latest management information quickly.

(Example of management information)

An embodiment of a plurality of types of management information (or indicator information and setting information indicating the latest management information in each type of management information) recorded in the management area in the recordable recording medium of the present invention will be described. . 14 shows management information for the optical disc 100.

As shown in Fig. 14, the information recorded in the management area includes setting information 141, a plurality of types of individual management information 142A to 142C, and indicator information 143 indicating the latest management information (e.g., And TDDS: Temporary Disc Definition Structure (TDDS). As individual management information, specifically, defect management information (TDFL: Temporary Defect List) 142A (hereinafter referred to as "management information 142A") and space bit map information (SBM: Space Bit Map information) 142B (Hereinafter referred to as "management information 142B") and sequential recording range information (SRRI) 142C (hereinafter referred to as "management information 142C"). Of course, other information may be included as individual management information. The setting information 141 includes the start address of the user data area 101 and the end address of the user data area 101. Alternatively, the size of the spare area used for defect management and other information may be included.

The position and size of the user data area 101 on the optical disc 100 are determined based on the setting information 141. The setting information 141 may be generated by the recording / reproducing apparatus at the time of initializing the optical disc 100 and recorded on the optical disc 100. Therefore, the position and size of the data zone 108 can be arbitrarily set by the recording / reproducing apparatus. For example, if the start address and the like of the user data area 101 are adjusted, an area can be formed between the lead-in area 104 and the data zone 108, and the area can be used as the management area 107B. have.

In the defect management information 142A, as shown in FIG. 15, an address indicating a position of a defect in the user data area 101 (hereinafter referred to as a "defect address") and a position of the defect should be recorded. The address indicating the recording position in the spare area of the recording data or the recording data already recorded at the position (hereinafter referred to as " alternative recording address ") and other information are recorded.

In the space bitmap information 142B, information indicating a distribution form of recording data on the optical disc 100 is recorded.

In the sequential recording management information 142C, information indicating the form of the sequential distribution of the recording data on recording tracks (for example, groove tracks and land tracks, etc.) provided on the optical disc 100 is recorded. That is, the sequential recording management information 142C is mainly used for the management of recording tracks.

Incidentally, each management information 142A to 142C may be given an identifier for specifying each of these management information as a header, for example.

The indicator information 143 includes information indicating the content of the identifier of each management information 142A to 142C. In addition, the indicator information 143 includes information (for example, an identifier or an address value) for specifying the setting information 141. This indicator information 143 is recorded after the management information (manage information 142C in FIG. 14) corresponding to the final management information among the management information generated at the time of initializing the optical disc 100, and then updated. Subsequently recorded in the management information (see FIGS. 3 to 5).

Update of these management information is demonstrated concretely with reference to FIG.

As shown in Fig. 16A, for example, each of the management information 142A to 142C, the setting information 141, and the indicator information 143 generated at the time of initialization of the optical disc 100, etc. is one management area ( For example, it is recorded in the management area 107A.

Then, when the management information 142A is updated due to a defect generated on the optical disc 100, as shown in Fig. 16B, the updated management information 142A and the latest management information are instructed. New indicator information (TDDS) 143 is recorded in one management area.

When the management information 142A is updated due to a new defect generated on the optical disc 100, as shown in Fig. 16C, the updated management information 142A and the latest management information are instructed. New indicator information (TDDS) 143 is recorded in one management area.

Then, when the management information 142C is updated due to a change in the distribution form of the recording data on the optical disc 100, as shown in Fig. 16D, the updated management information 142C and the latest one are updated. New indicator information (TDDS) 143 indicating management information is recorded in one management area.

This operation (i.e., split recording operation of management information) is repeated so that when there is no more blank area for recording updated management information in one management area, management required to be assembling the latest management information is minimal. Management area (for example, management) in which the information 142A to 142C, the setting information 141, and the indicator information 143 specifying the management information 142A to 142C which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information are different. In the setup area of the area 107B). That is, the setup operation of management information is performed. After that, the above-described divisional recording operation is repeated.

And each of these management information 142A-142C, the setting information 141, and the indicator information 143 may be recorded in multiple numbers in one ECC cluster, if the quantity of each of these information is small, for example. Alternatively, if the amount of each of these pieces of information is large, it may be recorded over several ECC clusters.

As described above, according to the optical disc of the present embodiment, it is possible to update and record the management information 142A to 142C, respectively. That is, when only the management information 142A of the management information is updated, it is necessary to record only the management information 142A in any management area, and any of the management information 142B, 142C that is not updated is recorded. It is not necessary to record in the management area. As a result, the amount of information recorded in the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C can be reduced, and the size of the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C can be reduced.

In addition, by recording the indicator information 143 continuously to the final management information, all the individual management information 142A to 142C which is minimum required for assembling the latest management information is quickly identified based on the indicator information 143. It becomes possible to read.

(Examples of recording device and playback device)

Embodiments of the recording apparatus and the reproduction apparatus of the present invention will be described. 17 shows an embodiment of the recording apparatus and the reproducing apparatus of the present invention. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 17 includes a function as a recording apparatus for recording record data on the optical disc 100 and a function as a reproducing apparatus for reproducing the record data recorded on the optical disc 100.

First, the configuration of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. The recording / playback device 200 includes a disk drive 300 and a backend 400 as shown in FIG.

18 shows the internal structure of the disk drive 300. The disc drive 300 is a device that records information on the optical disc 100 while reading information on the optical disc 100.

The disk drive 300 includes a spindle motor 351, an optical pickup 352, an RF amplifier 353, and a servo circuit 354, as shown in FIG. 18.

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

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

The RF amplifier 353 amplifies the RF signal output from the optical pickup 352 and outputs the RF signal to the coder / decoder unit (CODEC) 355. The RF amplifier 353 also generates and outputs the wobble frequency signal WF, the track error signal TE, and the focus error signal FE from the RF signal.

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

In addition, the disk drive 300 includes a coder / decoder section 355, a buffer 356, an interface 357, and a light beam driver 358 as shown in FIG. 18.

The coder / decoder section 355 is a circuit having a function of performing error correction on the recording data at the time of reading, and a function of modulating the recording data by adding an error correction code to the recording data at the time of writing. Specifically, the coder / decoder unit 355 demodulates and decodes an RF signal output from the RF amplifier 353 at the time of reading, performs error correction on the decoded RF signal, and then stores the result in the buffer 356. Output The coder / decoder 355 generates an error correction impossible signal indicating that error correction is impossible when error correction is impossible as a result of performing error correction on the demodulated RF signal. 359). In addition, the coder / decoder unit 355 adds an error correction code to the recording data output from the buffer 356 at the time of recording, and modulates the data to be a code suitable for the optical characteristics of the optical disc 100 or the like. After that, the encoded record data is output to the light beam driver 358.

The buffer 356 is a memory circuit for temporarily storing write data.

The interface 357 is a circuit which performs input / output control or communication control such as write data between the disk drive 300 and the back end 400. Specifically, at the time of reproduction, the interface 357, in response to a request command from the back end 400, outputs the recording data (that is, the recording data read from the optical disc 100) output from the buffer 356 to the back end 400. ) In the recording, the interface 357 receives the recording data input to the disk drive 300 from the back end 400 and outputs it to the buffer 356. In addition, the interface 357 responds to the request command from the back end 400, and each of the management information 142A to 142C held in the management information generating unit 360 (that is, each management information 142A to 142C). ), All or part of the setting information 141, the indicator information 143, etc.) are output to the back end 400.

At the time of recording, the light beam driver 358 generates a light beam drive signal corresponding to the record data or the like output from the coder / decoder 355 and outputs the signal to the optical pickup 352. The optical pickup 352 modulates the light beam according to the light beam driving signal, and irradiates the recording surface of the optical disc 100. As a result, recording data and the like are recorded on the recording surface.

In addition, the disk drive 300 includes a defect detector 359 and a management information generator 360 as shown in FIG. 18.

The defect detector 359 is a circuit for detecting a defect of the optical disc 100. Then, the defect detector 359 generates a defect detection signal indicating whether a defect is present and outputs it. The defect detection unit 359 performs defect detection based on the result of error correction of the recording data at the time of reading (verification or reproduction) of the information. As described above, when error correction is impossible as a result of performing error correction on the decoded RF signal, the coder / decoder unit 355 generates an error correction impossible signal and outputs it to the defect detection unit 359. When receiving the error correction impossible signal, the defect detection unit 359 outputs a defect detection signal indicating that a defect exists.

The management information generation unit 360 is a circuit for generating or updating the above-described management information 142A to 142C. For example, it may be configured to generate or update management information 142A (ie, defect management information 142A) based on the defect detection signal output from the defect detection unit 359. Alternatively, under the control of the CPU 361 described later, the management information 142B (i.e., the space bitmap information 142B) or the management information 142C (i.e., the sequential recording management information 142C) are generated or updated. It may be configured to. In addition, the management information generation unit 360 is preferably configured to generate the above-described setting information 141, the indicator information 143, and the like. The management information 142A to 142C and the like are stored in a rewritable state in a memory circuit provided in the management information generation unit 360. In addition, the management information generation unit 360 outputs the management information 140 to the back end 400 through the interface 357 according to a request command from the back end 400.

As shown in FIG. 18, the disk drive 300 has a CPU 361. The CPU 361 controls the overall control of the disk drive 300 and the exchange of information between the respective components in the disk drive 300 described above. The CPU 361 also controls the recording operation and the reading operation of the recording data and the respective management information 142A to 142C. The CPU 361 also controls the exchange of data between the disk drive 300 and the back end 400 in response to a control command or a request command sent from the back end 400.

Next, FIG. 19 shows the internal structure of the back end 400. As shown in FIG. The back end 400 performs the reproduction process on the recording data read from the optical disc 100 by the disc drive 300, and receives the recording data supplied from the outside for the purpose of recording on the optical disc 100, and compresses this. It is a device which (encodes) and transmits to the disk drive 30.

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

The drive control unit 471 is a circuit that controls the read process and the write process of the disk drive 300. The operation of reading the recorded data from the optical disc 100 and reproducing it and the operation of receiving the recorded data from the outside and recording it on the optical disc 100 are performed by the back end 400 and the disc drive 300 in cooperation. The drive controller 471 controls the read processing and the write processing of the disk drive 300 to realize the cooperation of the back end 400 and the disk drive 300. Specifically, the drive control unit 471 reads, writes, outputs record data from the buffer 356, and outputs management information 142A to 142C from the management information generation unit 360 with respect to the disk drive 300. Output a request command for such a command. The drive control unit 471 also performs input / output control for controlling the input and output of recording data, respective management information 142A to 142C, and other various information.

The video decoder 472 and the audio decoder 473 are respectively read from the optical disc 100 by the disc drive 300, decode the record data supplied through the drive control unit 471, and display the record data and the speaker. It is a circuit which converts to a state which can be reproduced by the etc.

The video encoder 474 and the audio encoder 475 respectively receive video signals, audio signals, and the like input from the outside for the purpose of recording on the optical disc 100, respectively, and compress and encode them by, for example, MPEG compression. The circuit is supplied to the disk drive 300 via the drive control unit 471.

The system control unit 476 controls the drive control unit 471, the video decoder 472, the audio decoder 473, and the management information management unit 477 at the time of reproduction, and cooperates with them to perform the reproduction data processing. to be. In recording, the system control unit 476 controls the drive control unit 471, the video encoder 474, the audio encoder 475, and the management information management unit 477 to record the record data through cooperation with them. The process is performed. In addition, the system control unit 476, together with the drive control unit 471, controls the disk drive 300 in order to realize cooperation between the disk drive 300 and the back end 400 during reproduction and recording. (E.g., control of generation and transmission of various request commands, reception of response signals, etc.).

The management information management unit 477 has a memory circuit therein and receives all or part of the management information 142A to 142C and the like generated and updated by the management information generation unit 360 of the disk drive 300. It includes the ability to maintain. The management information management unit 477 performs defect management or other various data management with the system control unit 476.

Next, the initial setting processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. 20 shows initial setting processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. As shown in FIG. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs initial setting processing from the time when the optical disc 100 is mounted to the drive unit 300 and before recording or reproducing the recording data (preparation step for recording and reproducing). Do it. The initial setting process is a process for preparing recording or reproducing of the recording data, and includes various processes. Hereinafter, among these processes, initialization and recording of the optical disc 100, management information 142A to 142C, and the like are performed. To the backend such as management information 142A to 142C will be described. These processes are mainly performed under the control of the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300.

As shown in Fig. 20, when the optical disc 100 is mounted in the drive unit 300, the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300 determines whether the optical disc 100 is an unrecorded disc (empty disc) ( Step S11).

If it is determined that the optical disc 100 is an unrecorded disc (step S11: Yes), the CPU 361 performs initialization processing on the optical disc 100 (step S12). In this initialization process, the management information generation unit 360 generates management information 142A to 142C (step S13). The management information 142A generated at this time is only an outline and has no content. In other words, no defective address is recorded, and no specific replacement recording address is recorded. Further, in each management information 142A to 142C, an identifier for identifying itself is recorded as a header. The generated management information 142A to 142C is stored and held in the management information generation unit 360.

At this time, the management information generation unit 360 preferably obtains the start address and the end address of the user data area 101 set during the initialization process, and generates the setting information 141. Also in the setting information 141, an identifier for identifying itself is preferably recorded as a header. In addition, the management information generation unit 360 preferably generates the indicator information 143 indicating the management information 142A to 142C and the setting information 141.

Next, the management information generation unit 360 creates the indicator information 143 (step S14). When the index information 143 created here is later recorded on the optical disc 100, it is recorded after the final management information (specifically, management information 142C as shown in FIG. 14, for example).

Subsequently, the CPU 361 sends the management information 142A to 142C and the like stored in the management information generation unit 360 to the back end 400 (step S15). The management information 142A to 142C and the like are stored in the management information management unit 477 of the back end 400.

The CPU 361 then records the management information 142A to 142C and the like stored in the management information generation unit 360 in the management area 107A of the optical disc 100 (step S16).

On the other hand, when the optical disc 100 is not an unrecorded disc (step S11: NO), the CPU 361 reads the latest management information from any of the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C of the optical disc 100. (Step S18).

That is, when the optical disc 100 is not an unrecorded disc, the management information 142A to 142C previously generated in the past, that is, one or several setting information 141 and several management information 142A to 142C are stored. It is recorded in part or all of the management areas 107A, 107B, and 107C. Thus, the CPU 361 selects one management area currently used for recording management information, and specifies the indicator information 143 recorded last in the management area. Next, the CPU 361 refers to the specified indicator information 143 and specifies the management information 142A to 142C and the setting information 141 which are minimum required for assembling the latest management information. Then, the CPU 361 reads these latest management information and setting information 141.

Subsequently, the CPU 361 stores these latest management information and setting information 141 in the management information generation unit 360, and also sends them to the back end 400 (step S19). In the back end 400, the latest management information and the like are stored in the management information management unit 477. FIG.

By the above initial setting process, the latest management information is stored in the management information generation unit 360 of the disk drive 300 and also in the management information management unit 477 of the back end 400. Thereby, the management information generation part 360 completes the preparation of the update process of the latest management information. On the other hand, in the management information management unit 477, preparation for various data management is completed.

Next, the recording process of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. 21 mainly shows the recording process of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs a recording process of recording the recording data in the user data area 101 of the optical disc 100. The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 performs verification processing during the recording process, and updates the management information 142A or other management information 142B, 142C or the like in accordance with the result of this verification processing. The recording process is realized by cooperation of the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300 and the system control unit 476 of the back end 400.

As shown in Fig. 21, when the user inputs an instruction to start recording (step S33: YES), the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 responds to this instruction and records the recording data (step S34). Recording of the record data is performed for each predetermined block.

The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 verifies each time recording of one block (step S35), and according to the verification result, it is determined whether or not the management information 142A stored in the management information generating unit 360 is updated. Determine. In contrast, it is determined whether or not the other management information 142B, 142C is updated (step S36).

Specifically, when recognizing that the recording of the recording data has failed as a result of the verification, the CPU 361 records the recording data that failed to be recorded in the spare area. Subsequently, the CPU 361 assumes that a defect exists in a place where the record data is to be recorded, and records a defect address indicating the place and a replacement write address corresponding thereto in the management information 142A. On the other hand, if it is determined that the distribution form of the record data on the optical disc 100 is changing by performing the recording operation, the CPU 361 updates the management information 142B to reflect the distribution form of the record data. do. On the other hand, if it is determined that the distribution form of the record data on the recording track formed in the optical disc 100 is changed by performing the recording operation, the CPU 361 manages to reflect the distribution form of the record data. The information 142C is updated.

The verification process may be performed every time a plurality of blocks are recorded, even if the verification process is not performed every time one block is recorded, or, for example, the verification process may be performed every fixed time. . Moreover, the update processing of the management information 142B and the management information 142C may be configured to be appropriately performed during the recording operation without necessarily performing together with the verification processing.

When the processing of the above steps S34 to S38 ends for the series of blocks of recording data to be recorded this time (step S39: YES), the CPU 361 is then present to record the management information 142A to 142C or the like. In one management area to be used, updated management information 142A to 142C, latest management information including updated management information 142A to 142C, and indicator information 143 indicating the setting information 141 are stored. It is checked whether or not there is an empty area for recording (step S41).

When there is an empty area in one management area currently used (step S41: YES), the CPU 361 generates the indicator information 143 indicating the latest management information and setting information 141 (step S42). The updated management information 142A to 142C is added to one management area currently used (step S43). At this time, the indicator information 143 is added to one management area currently used, following at least one of the updated management information 142A to 142C.

On the other hand, when there is no free area in one management area currently used (step S41: NO), the CPU 361 checks whether there is an unused management area on the optical disc 100 (step S44).

When an unused management area exists on the optical disc 10 (step S44: Yes), the CPU 361 designates the unused management area as one management area to be used next. When there are a plurality of unused management areas on the optical disc 100, the CPU 361 designates one of them as one management area to be used next. The CPU 361 then records the latest management information in the setup area of one designated management area (step S45). Specifically, since the latest management information is stored in the management information generation unit 360, the CPU 361 stores each management information 142A to 142C and setting information 141 stored in the management information generation unit 360. ) And a set of management information blocks 140 composed of the indicator information 143 indicating the management information 142A to 142C and the setting information 141 to the setup area of the next management area to be used. Record (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

On the other hand, when there is no unused management area on the optical disc 10 (step S44: No), the CPU 361 performs error processing such as displaying an error message on the display panel of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. (Step S46). This completes the recording process.

Next, finalizing processing in the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. 23 shows the finalization process of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200. For example, if the user inputs an instruction to perform the finalizing process (step S31 in FIG. 21: YES), the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 causes the optical disc 100 not yet to be finalized. After confirming that (step S51: YES), the finalizing process is performed on the optical disc 100 (step S52). In the finalizing process, the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 preferably records the management information 142A stored in the management information generating unit 360 in the definite defect management area (not shown) of the optical disc 100. This completes the finalization process.

Next, the reproduction processing of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200 will be described. 24 shows a reproduction process of the recording / reproducing apparatus 200.

When the user inputs an instruction to start playback (step S32 in Fig. 19: Yes), the recording / playback apparatus 200 confirms that the optical disk 100 is not an unrecorded disk (step S61: No), and then the optical disk 100 Recording data recorded in the user data area 101 is reproduced (step S62). The recording / reproducing apparatus 200 reproduces the recording data while performing various data management (for example, defect management, etc.) based on the latest management information stored in the management information management 477 of the back end 400. Do it.

As described above, according to the recording / reproducing apparatus 200, since only the updated management information is selected and the configuration is recorded in the management area, the amount of information recorded in the management area can be reduced. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a wide management area in the recording medium, and the recording capacity of the recording data can be increased.

In addition, when changing the management area used for recording the management information 142A to 142C, etc., the setting information 141, all the management information 142A to 142C required to assemble the latest management information, and the indicator information ( 143) is configured to record the management area (especially its setup area) to be used next, so that at least one management area in use is always required to assemble the setting information 141 and the latest management information. All management information 142A to 142C and indicator information 143 are present. Therefore, when reading the latest management information and setting information 141 next time, if only one management area is searched for, the management information 142A to 142C and setting information 141 constituting the latest management information are retrieved. Can be read. Therefore, the latest management information can be obtained quickly.

The present invention can be changed without departing from the spirit or spirit of the invention, which can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and the write-once-type recording medium, recording apparatus, recording method, and reproducing apparatus according to such a change. And a computer program for realizing the reproduction method and the recording apparatus and the reproduction apparatus are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

The recordable recording medium, the recording apparatus and recording method for the recordable recording medium, the reproducing apparatus and the reproducing method for the recordable recording medium, and the computer program according to the present invention are, for example, an optical disc, a magnetic disc, a magneto-optical disc. It can be used for high-density recording media such as this, and can also be used for recorders for high-density recording media. Moreover, it can be used also for the information recording apparatus etc. which are mounted in the various computer apparatuses for individual users or business use, or can be connected to various computer apparatuses, for example.

According to the present invention, when the management area is disposed between the control information recording area and the data area, the recording data and the management information are prevented from being mixed in the place where the recording data should be recorded, so that the management of the information becomes easy and the recording is performed. The recording capacity of the data can be increased.

Claims (7)

In the recordable recording medium, A data area for recording record data; A plurality of management areas; And A control information recording area for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area Including; In each of the plurality of management areas, a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data and index information for indicating the latest management information can be recorded a plurality of times, The indicator information, and all the management information indicated by the latest indicator information, recorded in each of the plurality of management areas are arranged in the same management area, The management area is disposed between the control information recording area and the data area, Write-once recording medium. The method of claim 1, All the management information indicated by the latest indicator information is arranged at the head position of one of the management areas or in the vicinity of the head position. The method of claim 1, And the indicator information is arranged at the end of the plurality of types of management information. (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of management areas, and (iii) a control information recording area for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area, (iv) In each of the plurality of management areas, a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data and indicator information for indicating the latest management information can be recorded a plurality of times. Write-once recording medium disposed between the control information recording area and the data area A recording apparatus for recording the record data in The recording device, A first recording device for recording the record data in the data area; And A second recording device for recording, in each of the plurality of management areas, all management information indicated by the indicator information and the latest indicator information in the same management area. Recording device comprising a. A plurality of management areas capable of recording (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data, and indicator information for indicating the latest management information a plurality of times. And (iii) a control information recording area for recording information for controlling the recording and reading of the data area, and (iv) an additional weight of the management area disposed between the control information recording area and the data area. Deformed recording media A recording method for recording the record data in The recording method is A first recording step of recording the record data in the data area; A detection step of detecting the management area in which the latest indicator information is recorded; An updating step of updating the management information and the indicator information; A judging step of judging whether it is possible to record the indicator information and the management information updated by the update step in the management area detected by the detection step; And In the determining step, when it is determined that it is not possible to record the updated indicator information and the management information, the updated indicator information and all the management information indicated by the updated indicator information are replaced with the updated indicator information and A second recording step of recording all management information indicated by this updated indicator information in another management area capable of recording Recording method comprising a. (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of management areas, and (iii) a control information recording area for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area, (iv) In each of the plurality of management areas, a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data and indicator information for indicating the latest management information can be recorded a plurality of times, and (v) the plurality of management areas. The indicator information, and all the management information indicated by the latest indicator information, are recorded in each of the same management area, and (vi) the management area is disposed between the control information recording area and the data area. Deformed recording media A reproducing apparatus for reproducing the record data recorded at The playback device, A detection device for detecting the management area in which latest indicator information is recorded among the plurality of management areas; An extraction device for extracting latest indicator information in the management area detected by the detection device; An acquisition device for acquiring all management information in the same management area indicated by the indicator information extracted by the extraction device; And A reproduction device for reproducing the recording data based on the management information acquired by the acquisition device; Playback device comprising a. (i) a data area for recording record data, (ii) a plurality of management areas, and (iii) a control information recording area for recording information for controlling recording and reading of the data area, (iv) In each of the plurality of management areas, a plurality of types of management information for managing the record data and indicator information for indicating the latest management information can be recorded a plurality of times, and (v) the plurality of management areas. The indicator information, and all the management information indicated by the latest indicator information, are recorded in each of the same management area, and (vi) the management area is disposed between the control information recording area and the data area. Deformed recording media A reproduction method for reproducing the recorded data recorded in the The playback method, A detection step of detecting the management area in which the latest indicator information is recorded among the plurality of management areas; An extraction step of extracting latest indicator information in the management area detected by the detection step; An acquisition step of acquiring all management information in the same management area indicated by the indicator information extracted by the extraction step; And A reproducing step of reproducing the recorded data based on the management information acquired by the acquiring step Play method comprising a.

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