KR20080010826A - Method and apparatus for replaying data, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for recording/reproducing data, and a recording medium are provided to reduce time required for initial control in recording/reproducing of data by using gap error signal, and to prohibit copy or redistribution of contents in the recording medium by setting encryption key or region/country code. A method for recording/reproducing data comprises the steps of: reading an encryption key for authenticating data recording/reproducing authority from information pattern provided on the surface of a recording medium(S61); discriminating whether the encryption key matches with the password information of the recording/reproducing apparatus(S62); and deciding data recording/reproducing on the recording medium based on the result(S64).

Description

Data recording / reproducing method, data recording / reproducing apparatus, and recording medium {Method and apparatus for replaying data, and recording medium}

1 is a view showing an optical system of a conventional near field recording / reproducing apparatus;

2 is a view showing a recording medium of the present invention;

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the recording medium of FIG. 2;

4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention;

5 is a view showing the pickup of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a data reproducing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a diagram showing a data reproducing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

11: pickup 12: pickup transfer unit

13 control unit 14 signal detection unit

100: recording medium 101: substrate

102: data pit 103: transparent substrate

150: information pattern

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for recording / reproducing data using a near field recording (NFR), and a recording medium.

In general, an optical recording / reproducing apparatus is a device for reproducing data recorded on a disc such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD), or recording data on the disc. As consumer preferences require high quality video processing and video compression technology develops, high density recording media are required. One of the key technologies necessary for developing a high density recording medium is a technology related to an optical head.

In such a recording medium, the recording density depends on the spot diameter of the light used for recording and reproduction. That is, the smaller the spot size of the focused light irradiated onto the recording medium, the higher the recording density. The size of the spot of the focused light is largely determined by two factors. One is the Numerical Aperture (NA), which is the performance of the lens used for focusing, and the other is the wavelength of light focused to the lens. Therefore, short wavelength light is used as a method for increasing the recording density. However, in the case of a far field recorder head using a general lens, there is a limit in reducing the spot size because there is a diffraction limit of light. Accordingly, near field recording (NFR) devices using near field optics capable of storing or reading information in units smaller than the wavelength of light have been developed.

1 is a diagram showing an optical system of a conventional near field recording / reproducing apparatus. As shown in Fig. 1, the head of the near field recording / reproducing apparatus includes an objective lens 1 and a near field generating means 2, which is located in close proximity to the recording medium 3. As shown in FIG. Here, the near field generating means 2 includes a fine light output portion having a size smaller than the wavelength of light used, and the light output portion is located very close to the recording medium 3.

The light emitted from the light source is focused by the objective lens 1 and is converted into an evanescent wave by the near field generating means 2. The optical recording by the dissipation wave is called near field optical recording, and the size of the recording mark in the near field optical recording is not limited to the wavelength of light and is determined by the size of the light output unit. In addition, in the remote field, it is assumed that there is air having a refractive index of 1 between the light output unit and the focal point. However, in the case of near field optical recording, the lens and the recording medium 3 are brought close to each other as described above, so that the air refractive index between the optical output and the focus of the lens is ignored. In this case, since the spot size is determined by the refractive index of the lens, a small spot size can be obtained by increasing the refractive index of the lens.

In the conventional near field recording medium and recording / reproducing apparatus, various methods for preventing content duplication have been approached. However, there is no method in consideration of the characteristics of the near field. Therefore, although the seller's copyright on the contents stored in the recording medium should be protected, the contents are distributed without unauthorized copying or approval. In particular, even if the distribution of the contents in a specific region or a specific country should be restricted, the owner's copyright is not protected because it is rapidly distributed through various channels.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is a data recording / reproducing method and apparatus for preventing unauthorized copying / distribution of contents recorded on a recording medium, and a recording medium. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a data recording / reproducing method and apparatus, and a recording medium capable of reducing the time required for the initial control process required for recording / reproducing data.

A data recording / reproducing method of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises the steps of: reading recording medium information from an information pattern formed on a surface of a recording medium; Recording / reproducing data on the recording medium according to the read recording medium information.

Here, the recording medium information may include an encryption key for authenticating the recording / reproducing authority of data, an area / country code indicating a region / country where recording / reproducing of data is possible, and recording / reproducing of data is permitted / restricted. It includes at least one of the time information indicating the period.

In the step of reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium, reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed along a predetermined track on the transparent substrate of the recording medium, generated in the gap servo process The recording medium information is detected from the gap error signal.

A data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes: a pickup for reading recording medium information from an information pattern formed on a surface of the recording medium; And a controller for recording / reproducing data on the recording medium according to the read recording medium information.

A data recording / reproducing system of the present invention comprises: a recording / reproducing apparatus for reading recording medium information from an information pattern formed on a surface of a recording medium before recording or reproducing data; And a host for determining whether to record / reproduce the recording medium according to the read recording medium information. Here, the recording / reproducing apparatus reads the recording medium information from an information pattern of a size larger than the data pits formed on the recording layer of the recording medium.

The recording medium of the present invention includes: data pits for data recording formed on a substrate; A transparent substrate formed on the substrate and the data pits; And an information pattern formed on the transparent substrate to record recording medium information.

The information pattern is larger than the data pits and is formed on the transparent substrate along a predetermined track. The thickness of the information pattern is 20 nm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method comprising: reading an encryption key for authenticating a recording / reproducing right of data from an information pattern formed on a surface of a recording medium; Determining whether the encryption key matches encryption information of a recording / reproducing apparatus; Determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing method, comprising: reading one or more area codes indicating a geographical area allowed for recording / reproducing from an information pattern formed on a surface of a recording medium; Determining whether the geographical area indicated by the read area code coincides with the geographical area designated in the recording / reproducing apparatus; Determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result.

In a step of determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result, if the geographical area of the read area code and the geographical area of the recording / reproducing apparatus do not coincide, or display a warning message. Or, it is determined whether the data is to be recorded or reproduced according to a recording / reproducing limitation period of the recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording / reproducing apparatus, comprising: a pickup for reading an encryption key for authenticating a recording / reproducing authority of data from an information pattern formed on a surface of a recording medium; A memory for storing the assigned password information; And a controller for determining whether the read encryption key and the encryption information stored in the memory match, and determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result.

A recording / reproducing apparatus of another aspect of the present invention includes: a pickup for reading one or more area codes indicating a geographic area allowed for recording / reproducing from an information pattern formed on a surface of a recording medium; A memory for storing area information indicating a designated geographical area; And a controller for determining whether the read area code matches the area information stored in the memory, and determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 shows an example of a recording medium of the present invention. The recording medium 100 of the present invention is a recording medium capable of recording / reproducing data in a near field manner. In this case, the term "replay" refers to an operation of reading stored data, and includes meanings of executing a stored computer program, outputting and copying of stored data, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, an information pattern 150 is formed in a predetermined region on the transparent substrate (or cover layer) 103 of the recording medium 100. The information pattern 150 is formed along a predetermined track on the transparent substrate 103 and may include at least one of an encryption key, an area code or a country code, and time limit information. Here, the encryption key is information for limiting reproduction of data stored in the recording medium 100, and the area code or country code is information indicating an area or a country in which data stored in the recording medium 100 can be reproduced. The time limit information includes information indicating a period during which data is reproduced in a region or a country where data can be reproduced, a period during which data is restricted in a region or a country where data is not permitted to be reproduced. The encryption key may be set differently for each region or country.

3A illustrates a cross section of a recording medium area in which the information pattern 150 is not formed, and FIG. 3B illustrates a cross section of a recording medium area in which the information pattern 150 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a data pit 102 for data recording is formed on the substrate 101, and a transparent substrate is formed on the substrate 101 and the data pit 102. 103 is formed. Here, the data pits 102 and the transparent substrate 103 may be formed to have a thickness of about 30 nm and 3 um, respectively, in consideration of near field characteristics. However, it will be apparent that their thicknesses may vary depending on the characteristics of the recording / reproducing method and apparatus. The information pattern 150 is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate 103 with a thickness of about 20 nm. In order to distinguish the information read from the information pattern 150 from the data read from the data pit 102, the size / period of the information pattern 150 is different from the size or the period of the data pit 102. It is preferable. That is, the size or period of the information pattern 150 is larger than the size or period of the data pit 102.

Fig. 4 shows an example of the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention briefly, and shows only the components necessary to explain the technical gist of the present invention without omitting general elements. As shown in Fig. 4, the data recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a pick-up 11, a pick-up transfer unit (or actuator) 12, a control unit 13, a signal detector 14, and a memory. And (15).

5 illustrates an example of the pickup 11, the objective lens 111, the near field generating lens 112 positioned below the objective lens 111, and the objective lens 111 and the near field generating lens. The lens holder 113 is fixed to maintain the constant distance 112. The objective lens 111 receives a laser beam output from a light source through a light transmitting means such as an optical fiber, and condenses the laser beam to transmit to the near field generating lens 112. The near field generating lens 112 is configured to have a higher refractive index than the objective lens 111. The light passing through the objective lens 111 is refracted by the near field generating lens 112 to form a spot of focus on an inner bottom surface, and the formed spot diameter decreases in inverse proportion to the refractive index of the near field generating lens 112. do. As a result, a spot below the diffraction limit can be obtained, and the spot is propagated to the recording medium 100 in the form of dissipation wave to store high-density bit information. The near field generating lens 112 is a solid immersion lens (SIL) made of a material having a high refractive index such as glass, or a hemisphere or a super hemisphere having a conical bottom. In addition, a coil is further disposed around the near field generating lens 112. The coil is used to invert the magnetic field around the near field generating lens 112 to form a recording mark.

The pickup transporter 12 is used to adjust the distance between the pickup 11 and the recording medium 100 and to accurately perform tracking. Vertical vibration of the surface of the recording medium may occur due to distortion of the recording medium due to heat generated during manufacturing of the recording medium or eccentricity due to machining error of the center hole, and surface vibration due to the weight of the recording medium or the inclination of the recording / reproducing apparatus. This can happen. The servo technology is required in order to precisely adjust and track the gap between the pickup 11 and the recording medium 100 for these various factors. To this end, the pickup transport unit 12 may move the pickup 11 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

The signal detector 14 includes one or more photo detectors, and includes an RF signal, a gap error signal, and a tracking error signal based on light reflected from the recording medium 100. tracking error signal). Here, the RF signal indicates the amount of light incident on the recording medium 100, and the gap error signal indicates whether or not the light spot incident on the recording medium 100 is focused, and the pickup 11 and the recording medium ( 100). The tracking error signal indicates whether the pickup 11 is eccentric, that is, whether incident light is off the track. In particular, the signal detector 14 reads information from the information pattern 150 using the gap error signal in a gap servo process for detecting a gap error signal. The gap error signal generally includes only a DC level component since it is detected from light reflected from the transparent substrate 103. For this reason, the controller 13 may easily determine whether the gap error signal includes information read from the information pattern 150.

The memory 15 stores at least one of encryption information for comparing with the encryption key recorded on the recording medium 100 or for decrypting the encryption key, and area information indicating a designated area or country.

The controller 13 generates an interval between the head 11 and the recording medium 100, in particular, a near field of the head 11, based on the RF signal and the gap error signal detected by the signal detector 14. A gap servo (focus servo) for adjusting the distance between the lens 112 and the recording medium 100 is performed, and the head (a) along the track of the recording medium 100 is based on the detected tracking error signal. 11) Perform tracking servo to move. In addition, the controller 13 may determine whether the information pattern 150 exists in the recording medium 100 based on the gap error signal detected by the signal detector 14, The encryption key, the area / country code, the due date information, and the like can be obtained from 150. The controller 13 determines whether encryption information corresponding to the encryption key of the recording medium 100 exists in the memory 15 or the area information stored in the memory 15 and the recording medium 100. Compares the area code / country code of In addition, the controller 13 may determine whether the limited period / permitted period included in the period information of the recording medium 100 has expired. In this case, the controller 13 is a separate secured date / time instrument as a criterion for determining whether the corresponding time limit / permission period included in the time limit information read from the recording medium 100 has expired. clock). The date / time meter may not be set or changed by a user or an application program based on official time information loaded through a GPS signal or a broadcast signal. Since the user or the application program cannot change the date or time of the separate security clock, the controller 204 can correctly determine whether the corresponding time limit expires.

The recording / reproducing apparatus may be connected to a main controller such as a PC, a host, a server, or the like. In this case, the main controller, the host, or the server may perform a function of the controller 204.

First Example

6 is a flowchart showing a data reproducing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A data reproduction method according to the first embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 6.

When the recording medium 100 is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus or a reproducing command is input, the controller 13 determines a gap reference value (eg, 20 nm) between the pickup 11 and the recording medium 100. Set. Then, the control unit 13 makes the pickup 11 approach the recording medium 100 at a constant speed (for example, several mm / sec) while rotating the recording medium 100 at a constant rotational speed. Begin the first approach process. The first approach process is called an approach.

When a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined interval before reaching the gap reference value, the control unit 13 ends the first approach process, the pickup at a rate relatively slower than the approach speed of the first approach process The secondary access procedure of approaching (11) to the recording medium 100 is started. As such, the secondary approach procedure in which the head 11 approaches the gap reference is called hand-over or pull-in.

During the secondary access process, the signal detector 14 detects a gap error signal according to the command of the controller 13. In this case, the controller 13 determines whether the information pattern 150 is present on the surface of the recording medium 100 through the detected gap error signal. If there is an information pattern 150 on the surface of the recording medium 100, a gap error signal is detected along the information pattern 150.

The control unit 13 separates the information by the information pattern 150 from the detected gap error signal. Since the signal by the information pattern 150 is different from the signal by the DC component or the data pit 102, the signal by the information pattern 150 can be easily separated from the gap error signal. The control unit 13 obtains an encryption key from the separated signal and decodes the encryption key (S61).

Subsequently, the controller 13 determines whether encryption information corresponding to a cipher decoded from the encryption key exists in the memory 15 (S62). If encryption information corresponding to the decoded cipher does not exist in the memory 15, the controller 13 does not reproduce the data of the recording medium 100 and instead cannot execute a user's command. Notify displays a warning message (S63). On the contrary, if encryption information corresponding to the decoded encryption exists in the memory 15, the control unit 13 performs a series of processes for reproducing the data of the recording medium 100 (S64). For example, the controller 13 moves the pickup 11 closer to the recording medium 100 until the set gap reference value is reached, and then the controller 13 contacts the recording medium 100. Play the data.

Although the first embodiment describes a case of a gap servo composed of a first access process and a second access process, it is obvious that the recording / reproducing control method using the encryption key can be applied to other types of gap servo processes.

2nd Example

7 is a flowchart illustrating a data reproducing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The reproduction method according to the second embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 7.

When the recording medium 100 is loaded into the recording / reproducing apparatus or a reproducing command is input, the controller 13 performs a gap error even while performing a gap servo method similar to that of the first embodiment or another method. The signal determines whether the information pattern 150 is present on the surface of the recording medium 100. If there is an information pattern 150 on the surface of the recording medium 100, a gap error signal is detected along the information pattern 150.

The control unit 13 separates the information by the information pattern 150 from the detected gap error signal. Then, the control unit 13 detects an area code or country code, time limit information, etc. from the separated signal (S71).

Subsequently, the controller 13 compares the area / country code of the recording medium 100 with the area information stored in the memory 15 so that an area code matching the area / country designated in the data recording / reproducing apparatus is determined. It is determined whether or not present in the recording medium (100) (S72). If the area code corresponding to the recording medium 100 does not exist, the controller 13 does not reproduce the data of the recording medium 100 and displays a warning message instead (S75). On the contrary, if a matching area code exists in the recording medium 100, the control unit 13 performs reproduction according to the user's command (S73).

As an optional step, if there is no area code corresponding to the recording medium 100, the control unit 13 separates the time limit information indicating the time limit of the unauthorized region / country from the detected gap error signal. Determine if it is present in the signal. If the time limit information does not exist, the control unit 13 displays a warning message. If the time limit information exists on the recording medium 100, the controller 13 designates an area designated to the data recording / reproducing apparatus based on the time limit information. It is determined whether the time limit corresponding to the country has expired (S74). If the limit period has expired, even if a matching area code does not exist in the recording medium 100, the control unit 13 performs playback according to the user's command (S73), and if the limit period has not expired, The warning message is displayed (S75).

In the first and second embodiments, the case where the encryption key is read from the information pattern 150 and the case where the area / country code is read is described separately. However, the encryption key, the area / country code, the time limit information, etc. are described. Various uses, either individually or in combination, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In addition, the information recorded in the information pattern 150 is not limited to an encryption key, an English / country code, or an expiration date, and various information necessary for initial control of the recording medium 100, for example, a type of recording medium. May be recorded using the information pattern 150. Therefore, the data recording / reproducing apparatus can acquire the information necessary for the initial control beforehand without completing the gap servo or the tracking servo and reading the data recorded in the data pit 102.

In addition, the technical features of the present invention are not limited to those applied to the data reproduction process, but may also be applied to the process of recording data on the recording medium. For example, if the recording / reproducing apparatus or the host does not have encryption information that matches the encryption key of the recording medium, the recording / reproducing apparatus or the host cannot record data on the recording medium.

The rights of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, but are defined by the claims, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and adaptations within the scope of the claims. It is self-evident.

According to the present invention, by recording the information necessary for the initial control of the recording medium in the form of a separate information pattern on the surface of the transparent substrate of the recording medium, the information can be read using the gap error signal in the gap servo process. Therefore, information necessary for initial control can be easily obtained within a short time. In particular, an encryption key or an area / country code may be recorded in the information pattern to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of data.

Claims (32)

Reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium; Recording / reproducing data on the recording medium in accordance with the read recording medium information. The method of claim 1, The recording medium information, At least one of an encryption key for authenticating the right to record / play data, an area / country code indicating a region / country where data can be recorded / played back, and time limit information indicating a period during which data is recorded / played back / restricted Data recording / reproducing method comprising a. The method of claim 1, In the step of reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium, And reading the recording medium information from an information pattern formed along a predetermined track on the transparent substrate of the recording medium. The method of claim 1, In the step of reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium, And detecting the recording medium information from a gap error signal generated in a gap servo process. A pickup for reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium; And a controller for recording / reproducing data on the recording medium in accordance with the read recording medium information. The method of claim 5, wherein The recording medium information, At least one of an encryption key for authenticating the right to record / play data, an area / country code indicating a region / country where data can be recorded / played back, and time limit information indicating a period during which data is recorded / played back / restricted Data recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 5, wherein The pickup, And recording information of the recording medium from an information pattern formed along a predetermined track on the transparent substrate of the recording medium. The method of claim 5, wherein The control unit, And the recording medium information is detected from a gap error signal generated in a gap servo process. A recording / reproducing apparatus for reading the recording medium information from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium before recording or reproducing the data; And a host for determining whether to record / reproduce the recording medium according to the read recording medium information. The method of claim 9, The recording / reproducing apparatus, And recording information of the recording medium from an information pattern of a size larger than the data pits formed on the recording layer of the recording medium. Data pits for data recording formed on the substrate; A transparent substrate formed on the substrate and the data pits; And an information pattern formed on the transparent substrate to record the recording medium information. The method of claim 11, And the information pattern is larger than the data pit. The method of claim 11, And the thickness of the information pattern is 20 nm. The method of claim 11, And the information pattern is formed on the transparent substrate along a predetermined track. The method of claim 11, The recording medium information, At least one of an encryption key for authenticating the right to record / play data, an area / country code indicating a region / country where data can be recorded / played back, and time limit information indicating a period during which data is recorded / played back Record medium comprising a. Reading an encryption key for authenticating the recording / reproducing authority of the data from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium; Determining whether the encryption key matches encryption information of a recording / reproducing apparatus; And determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result. The method of claim 16, In reading the encryption key from the information pattern, And detecting the encryption key from a gap error signal generated in a gap servo process. The method of claim 16, In reading the encryption key from the information pattern, And reading the encryption key from an information pattern of a larger size than the data pits formed on the recording layer of the recording medium. The method of claim 16, In reading the encryption key from the information pattern, And reading the encryption key from the information pattern formed on the cover layer of the recording medium along a predetermined track. Reading one or more area codes representing a geographical area allowed for recording / reproducing from an information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium; Determining whether the geographical area indicated by the read area code coincides with the geographical area designated in the recording / reproducing apparatus; And determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result. The method of claim 20, In reading the area code, And detecting the area code from a gap error signal generated in a gap servo process. The method of claim 20, In reading the area code, And reading the area code from the information pattern formed on the cover layer of the recording medium along a predetermined track. The method of claim 20, Determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result; And when the geographical area of the read area code does not coincide with the geographical area of the recording / reproducing apparatus, displaying a warning message without recording / reproducing data on the recording medium. The method of claim 20, Determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result; If the geographical area of the read area code does not coincide with the geographical area of the recording / reproducing apparatus, data recording / reproducing is determined according to the recording / reproducing limitation period of the recording medium. How to play. A pickup for reading an encryption key for authenticating the recording / reproducing authority of data from the information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium; A memory for storing the assigned password information; And a controller for determining whether the read encryption key and the encryption information stored in the memory match, and determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result. The method of claim 25, The pickup, And the encryption key is detected from a gap error signal generated in a gap servo process. The method of claim 25, The pickup, And the encryption key is read from the information pattern formed on the cover layer of the recording medium along a predetermined track. A pickup for reading one or more area codes indicating a geographical area allowed for recording / reproducing from an information pattern formed on the surface of the recording medium; A memory for storing area information indicating a designated geographical area; And a controller for determining whether the read area code matches the area information stored in the memory, and determining whether to record / reproduce data on the recording medium according to the determination result. The method of claim 28, The pickup, And the area code is detected from a gap error signal generated in a gap servo process. The method of claim 28, The pickup, And the area code is read from the information pattern formed on the cover layer of the recording medium along a predetermined track. The method of claim 28, The control unit, And when the geographical area of the read area code does not coincide with the geographical area of the area information, displaying a warning message without recording / reproducing data on the recording medium. The method of claim 28, The control unit, When the geographical area of the read area code and the geographical area of the area information do not coincide, whether to record or reproduce the data is determined according to a recording / reproducing limitation period of the recording medium. Device.

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