MXPA01007603A - Optical recording medium and recording / reproduction method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical recording medium has a recording / reproduction conditions recording area for recording recording / reproduction conditions and recording / reproduction apparatus information identifying the recording / reproduction apparatus using the recording / reproduction conditions. When the optical recording medium is accessed in a recording / reproduction apparatus, the recording / reproduction conditions for the recording / reproduction apparatus are used. Therefore, recording or reproduction can be performed with use of optimum recording / reproduction apparatus appropriate for the optical recording medium and for the recording / reproduction apparatus. When the optical recording medium is used for the first time, test recording is performed by using a test recording region provided in the optical recording medium, and the obtained recording / reproduction conditions are recorded.

Description

OPTICAL RECORDING MEDIA AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING / REPRODUCTION THEREOF TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an optical recording medium, to a recording / reproducing method and to an apparatus, of recording / reproduction to record and reproduce information when using the radiation of a laser beam or the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An optical recording medium has attracted attention as a memory that has great capacity and high density. A rewritable optical recording medium called erasable type has been developed. One of the erasable optical recording means has a recording layer made of a thin film that changes the phase between the amorphous and crystalline states and the information is recorded and erased by thermal energy due to beam radiation; To be. An alloy film composed of Ge, Sb, Te, In, etc. as main components, for example, GeSbTe film, it is known as the phase change material for the recording layer. In many cases, the information is recorded by forming marks by partially changing the recording layers to an amorphous state while the information is erased by crystallization of the amorphous marks. The amorphous state is achieved by radiating a strong pulsed laser beam to heat the recording layer to a temperature no lower than the melting point thereof and then to cool it to a faster or predetermined ratio. On the other hand, crystallization is achieved by radiating a comparatively weak laser beam to heat the recording layer to a temperature between the crystallization temperature and the melting point. The information is recorded in a medium by means of PWM recording, in which the information is represented by sections of marks and sections of space (ie edge positions of the front and rear ends of the mark) when forming marks of different lengths with several sections Of space. However, in PWM recording, if a strong laser pulse is simply equivalent to the brand length, it radiates to form a large mark, the heat generated in the front portion of the mark improves the temperature increase in the posterior portion. Thus, the mark is distorted to have the narrow front portion and the broad rear portion thereof, to deteriorate the signal quality. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, it is more advantageous to form a mark by using a plurality of laser pulses including the first pulse corresponding to the front end of the mark, the intermediate pulses corresponding to the intermediate portion thereof. and the last impulses that correspond to the posterior end of it. However, even in this method, when an interval between the marks decreases as a result of an increased recording density, the heat generated in the formation of a mark affects the formation of the adjacent marks. This leads to a problem where the variation of the edge positions of the marks deteriorates the signal quality. The variation of the edge position due to thermal interference between the marks depends on the length of the marks to be engraved and the length of the sections of space before and after the mark. In order to solve this problem, the exposed publication of Japanese Patent 7-129,959 / 1995 proposes a recording compensation scheme adaptable to the signal model in which the duration of generation "a" and "b" of the impulses First and last in Figure 4 is changed according to the sections of length of the mark and length of the space before and after the mark. However, the optimum pulse conditions depend on a greater measure of the characteristics of the medium and the recording / reproduction apparatus. Similarly, the optimal servo conditions, such as focal positions and a gain to determine various servo operations in recording and playback and optimal playback signal processing conditions, such as the equalization characteristics and a binarization impulse level, also greatly depend on the characteristics of the medium and the recording / reproducing apparatus. Therefore, each time a recording / playback apparatus is activated to be recorded with an optical recording medium installed therein, the test recording is carried out while changing the recording / reproducing conditions, such as the conditions of recording. impulse, servo conditions and / or playback signal processing conditions. Then, the quality of the reproduced signals is compared with the measurement to determine the optimal recording / playback conditions and the recording of information is made based on the optimal recording / playback conditions. Then, it is a problem that the action called learning to determine the optimum recording / playback conditions is always required in the activation to make a longer waiting time. EP-AO 442 566 discloses an information reproduction device comprising storage means for storing in a memory an optimum determined installation together with identification data indicating which combination of the recording device and recording carrier setting data have been determined. US 5,631,887 discloses an optical pulse width modulation disc unit that calibrates the write and preheat pulse patterns generated by the laser to a particular medium and media conditions. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an objective of the present invention to provide a optical recording medium, a recording / reproduction method and a recording / reproducing apparatus thereof that can shorten the time required for learning and perform a short activation time. In an aspect of the invention, an optical recording medium for recording the information by forming a mark with laser pulses radiated thereon comprises an information recording area provided for recording the information and a recording area for the recording conditions / reproduction, to which it is possible to record by means of a recording / reproducing apparatus, provided for recording the recording / reproducing conditions that represent the installation values for the recording / reproducing apparatus for recording or reproducing the information. Preferably, the recording area of the recording / playback conditions has a sufficient capacity to record a plurality of sets of the recording / playback conditions. Preferably, the recording area of the recording / playback conditions is further used for the information of the recording apparatus to identify the recording / reproducing apparatus that uses the recording / playback conditions. Preferably, the optical recording medium further comprises a test recording area provided for the test recording of a specific signal for measuring a reproduced signal quality. The recording area of the recording / playback conditions and the test recording area is preferably interposed between the input area and a region for recording the information. In a second aspect of the invention of the recording / reproduction method for recording / reproducing information when using marks formed with the radiation of the laser pulses in an optical recording medium, wherein the lengths of the marks and those of the space sections before and after the marks represent the information, the recording / playback conditions are read from a recording area of recording / playback conditions in the medium, which can be recorded by a recording / playback device . Then, the information is recorded or reproduced based on the recording / reproduction conditions, wherein a plurality of pulses are radiated from a front end to a trailing end of a mark when the mark is formed. In a third aspect of the invention of a recording / reproducing method for recording / reproducing information, the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus for identifying a recording / reproducing apparatus using the recording / playback conditions are read from a recording area of the recording / playback conditions on the optical recording medium, together with the recording / reproduction conditions. Then, the information is recorded or reproduced based on the recording / reproducing conditions accompanying the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus that matches the recording / reproducing apparatus to be used, wherein a plurality of pulses are radiated from a front end towards a trailing end of a mark when the mark is formed. Preferably, in the two aforementioned recording / reproducing methods, the test recording is performed to determine the optimum recording / playback conditions for a recording / reproducing apparatus by changing the recording / playback conditions and the obtained result is recorded in the recording region in the optical recording medium. Then, the recording or reproduction is made based on the recording / playback conditions read from the recording region. In a fourth aspect of the invention, an optical recording / reproducing apparatus records and reproduces the information with marks formed with laser pulse radiation in an optical recording medium, wherein the lengths of the marks and "those of the sections of space" before and after the marks represent the information In the apparatus, an axis motor rotates the optical recording medium An optical head radiates a laser pulse with a laser diode in the optical recording medium, an auxiliary circuit drives the optical head and a laser actuator drives the laser diode according to the pulse signals to record the information A pulse controller generates pulses to drive the laser driver, wherein a plurality of pulses are generated to radiate from a front end to a rear end of the mark to record the information, a compensator corrects the frequency characteristics of the reproduction signal and a binarization circuit converts the corrected playback signal to a binary signal. In addition, the apparatus comprises a storage device for storing the recording / playback conditions read from a recording area provided for storing the recording / reproducing conditions in the optical recording medium and at least one of the first installation means for installing the pulse conditions for the pulse controller according to the recording / reproduction conditions, the second installation means for installing the auxiliary conditions for the auxiliary circuit, the third installation means for installing the conditions for compensation of the reproduction signal for the compensator and the fourth installation means for installing a binarization impulse level for the binarization circuit. An advantage of the present invention is to shorten a time required for learning and performing a short activation time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. These and other objects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings and in which: Figure 1 is a diagram of a recording medium optical according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram of an optical recording medium according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagram of a recording / reproducing apparatus for an optical recording medium; Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining a form of a brand and driving conditions to form the brand; Figure 5 is a flowchart of a first recording / reproducing method for an optical recording medium according to the invention; Figure 6 is a flow diagram of learning; Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a second recording / reproduction method for an optical recording medium according to the invention; Figure 8 is a recording flow diagram; Figure 9 is a flow chart of a third recording / reproduction method for an optical recording medium according to the invention; Figure 10 is a flow diagram of a fourth recording / reproduction method for an optical recording medium according to the invention; Figure 11 is a flowchart of a fifth recording / reproduction method for an optical recording medium according to the invention; and Figure 12 is a flow diagram of a sixth recording / reproduction method for an optical recording medium according to the invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar or corresponding parts throughout the various views, the modalities of an optical recording medium and a recording / reproduction method and a recording / reproducing apparatus thereof according to the invention will be explained below. Figure 1 shows an optical recording medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The optical recording medium 1 has a central hole 2 for installation to a recording / reproducing apparatus. The substrate is formed with a guide groove (Figure 4) to track a laser beam in recording or playback. The recording medium 1 has a transparent substrate made of 0.6 mm thick polycarbonate and a recording layer formed therein. The recording layer is made from a GeSbTe alloy as a phase change recording material. By the radiation of a laser beam therein, the recording layer is partially converted to an amorphous state to thereby form a recording maraca. The marks of different lengths with sections of several spaces are formed according to the PWM recording scheme in which the information is represented by lengths of a mark and the adjacent space sections. The recording medium 1 has an input area 3 which records the identification information of the medium for a medium or the like with relief depressions (not shown) for the address information and the like only for reproduction. The recording medium 1 further comprises three recording areas 4-6 to which it is possible to record by the recording / playback apparatus. The recording area 4 of the recording / reproducing conditions is provided to record the recording / reproducing conditions, such as pulse conditions, auxiliary conditions, repetitive signal processing conditions and the like. The test recording area 5 is provided for the test recording of the specific data in order to measure the quality of the signal thereof. The information recording area 6 is used to record the information. The recording area 4 for the recording / playback conditions and the recording recording area 5 is preferably installed between the input area 3 and the information recording area 6. When the information is recorded on the recording medium according to to the invention, the input area 3 is first accessed. Then, the recording / playback conditions recorded in the recording area 4 are emitted and based on the recording / reproduction conditions, the conditions such as pulse conditions, conditions Auxiliary and reproduction signal processing conditions are established. If necessary, the test recording area 5 is used for the test recording. That is to say, the specified data is recorded as a test in it and the quality of the signals reproduced in the recorded data for the test is verified. The information is recorded in the information recording area 6. Because the areas 3-6 are installed in the manner described above, the distance covered by the optical head in the recording is minimized by a shorter access time. Any of the recording area 4 of the recording / reproduction conditions or the test recording area 5 can be installed on one side of the inner periphery. When a recording medium having the above described configuration is used for the first time, the test recording is conducted although changing the recording / playback conditions in a recording / playback apparatus and the measured quality of the signal reproduced from the same is compared to determine the optimal recording / reproduction conditions. The determined conditions are recorded in the recording area 4. When the recording medium 1 is used after this, the recording / playback conditions recorded in the recording area 4 can be read. Then, the learning to determine the optimum conditions of Recording / playback when accessing the medium, can be omitted or shortened. In this way, when the medium is installed and the recording / playback apparatus is activated, the waiting time can be shortened. Alternatively, in learning, a simple method can be employed. The test recording is conducted even if the recording / playback conditions are changed. A result of a measurement of the quality of the reproduced signal is compared to a predetermined condition and as soon as the result satisfies the predetermined condition, the recording / reproduction conditions obtained in the measurement are adopted as the optimum recording / reproduction conditions. It is preferable that the recording area 4 provided for the recording / playback conditions is composed of a plurality of sub-areas for recording the same information. Figure 2 shows an optical recording medium according to a second embodiment, which is similar to that of the first embodiment except in the recording area 4. The recording area 4 is composed of two sub-areas including a first sub-area. recording area 4a and a second 4b. The first and second sub-areas 4a and 4b are provided to record the same recording / reproduction conditions. In an example, when the recording / playback conditions are read, the sub-area 4a is first accessed and if the recording / playback conditions can not be broadcast, the second sub-area 4b is accessed. As a result, even when the information recorded in the first sub-area or the second lb is difficult to reproduce due to contamination of the medium or the like, it can be obtained from another sub-area. Thus, the reliability of the recording / playback conditions recorded in the medium is improved. Preferably, the recording area 4 is used as an area for recording, along with the recording / reproducing conditions, the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus for identifying a recording / reproducing apparatus that uses the recording / playback conditions. In this example, the recording area 4 is assigned to have a sufficient capacity to record a plurality of set of recording / reproducing conditions accompanying each the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus. This configuration makes it possible to record a plurality of sets of recording / reproducing conditions in an optical recording medium and in the recording, the appropriate recording / reproduction conditions for the recording / reproducing apparatus used for recording are selected from among the plurality of sets of the recording / playback conditions. As a result, when a single medium is used for a plurality of recording / reproducing apparatuses, the difference in recording / playback characteristics between the devices can be compensated. Preferably, the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus has a hierarchy of a plurality of levels and has elaborate information identifying a manufacturer of a recording / reproducing apparatus, model information identifying the model of the recording / reproducing apparatus, number of series to identify the recording / playback device, etc. With this configuration, even if the recording / playback conditions determined by the recording / playback apparatus to be used for recording or playback are not recorded in the medium, recording / playback conditions can be adopted which are determined by a recording apparatus / reproduction having recording / reproduction characteristics similar to those of the recording / reproducing apparatus, such as a recording / reproduction apparatus of the same manufacturer or of the same model. Thus, the learning to determine the optimum recording / playback conditions can be omitted or shortened and the waiting time for installing the medium and for activating the recording / playback apparatus can be shortened. In addition, the recording area 4 of the recording / playback conditions can be used as an area for recording the time information indicating the date and time of recording of the recording / playback conditions in the medium, together with the conditions of recording. recording / playback and the recording / playback device information. In this case, the time comprised from the determination of the recording / reproduction conditions for the recording can be calculated by using the time information. If the time from the determination of the recording / reproduction conditions is not shorter than a predetermined length, therefore, a change in the recording / reproduction characteristics of the recording / reproducing device over time can be compensated for by determining again the optimal recording / playback conditions. In the above-described embodiment, a GeSbTe alloy is used as a phase change material for the recording layer. As an alternative, another material such as a magnetic-optical recording material or an organic pigment can be used. In addition, the recording layer may be of the one-time recorded type that can be recorded only once, instead of an erasable, rewritable type. The recording / playback conditions in the recording area 4 can be updated or added by re-recording them on the above information for the erasable type and recording them after the above information for the recorded type only once. Thus, for the one-shot type, a comparatively large capacity is required to provide the recording area 4 for the recording / playback conditions. In addition, the optimum recording / playback conditions can be recorded in the recording area 4 prior to the time of sending. In such case, the difference in the recording characteristics between the individual media can be compensated at the time of sending. Then, when the medium is installed or the recording / playback apparatus is activated, the learning to determine the optimum recording / reproduction conditions can be omitted or shortened, whereby the waiting time can be shortened. Next, an apparatus and method for recording / reproducing using the optical recording medium described above is set forth. Figure 3 is a block diagram of a recording / reproducing apparatus in which an optical recording medium 1 shown in Figure 1 or 2 is installed. In the recording / reproducing apparatus, a shaft motor 24 rotates the medium Optical recording 1 installed. A controller 7 controls the complete recording / playback apparatus. A storage unit 16 has a memory device that stores the recording / reproduction conditions including the pulse conditions, auxiliary conditions and reproduction signal processing conditions, the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus to identify the recording / reproducing apparatus that uses the recording / playback conditions and the time information indicating the date and time when determined the recording / reproduction conditions. A modulator 19 converts the recorded data into a recording signal. A pulse conditions setter 8 establishes the pulse conditions when the information is recorded. A pulse controller 9 controls the laser pulses according to the pulse conditions. A laser driver circuit 10 operates a laser diode according to the signals from the impulse controller 9 and an optical head 11 which includes the laser diode approaches of a laser beam in the medium to record the information or produce the reproduction signal to from the reflected light. A preamplifier 12 amplifies the reproduction signal. An auxiliary conditions setter 21 establishes the auxiliary conditions for an auxiliary circuit 20, which controls the focusing and tracking of the optical head 11 according to the auxiliary conditions based on the signal output of the preamplifier 12. A compensator 13 corrects the frequency characteristics of the reproduction signal. A compensation conditions setter 22 establishes the compensation conditions for the compensator 13 and a binary circuit 14 converts the corrected signal by the compensator 13 to a binary signal.

A binarization condition setter 23 establishes a level of binarization pulse towards the binary circuit 1. A demodulator 15 of recording / reproducing conditions demodulates, from the signal produced by the binarizing circuit 14, the data including recording / playback conditions recorded in the recording area of recording / reproducing conditions of medium 1, the information of the apparatus Recording / playback to identify the recording / playback device that uses the recording / playback conditions and the time information that indicates the date and time of the determination of the recording / playback conditions. A data demodulator 18 demodulates other data and a signal quality determiner 17 determines the quality of the recorded or reproduced signal as a test of the specified data in the medium test recording area. The information is recorded using the PWM recording scheme. As shown in Figure 4, a plurality of laser pulses in which a laser beam is segmented includes a first pulse corresponding to the front end of a mark, intermediate pulses corresponding to the intermediate portion of the corresponding mark and final pulse. to the back end of the brand. In Figure 4 wa ", uc" and "e" designate the duration, length and intensity of generation of the first impulse, respectively and "b", "d" and "f" designate the duration, length and intensity of generation of the last impulse respectively. In addition, "g" designates the intensity of the laser beam between the pulses and "h" designates the intensity of the laser beam in the portion of space. Next, the conditions for forming a laser pulse that includes the items "a" to "h" refer to the impulse conditions. When a mark is formed, the laser pulses are radiated, although changing the generation duration of "a" and "b" of the first and last pulses respectively, according to the length and space of the mark before and after the mark in correspondence to the mark to be recorded. By using the recording / reproducing apparatus according to this embodiment, a mark can be formed to have edges of the front and back ends thereof in predetermined positions. In addition, the information can be reproduced well from the recording mark. Next, a recording / reproduction method for the aforementioned recording medium shown in Figure 1 or 2 is set forth. This method of recording / reproducing and others that will be explained later is performed by the controller 7. Figure 5 is a Flow diagram of the recording / playback method. First, in step 401, the recording / reproduction apparatus is activated by the recording medium 1. The recording medium 1 is installed and rotated in the axis motor 24.

Then, a laser beam for reproducing the information is radiated by the optical head 11 in the medium 1. When entering the input area 3 in the medium 1, the identification information or the similar of the medium recorded in the input area is emitted. 3. In order to read the identification information or the like, the reproduction signal obtained by the optical head 11 as a beam of light reflected from the medium l, is amplified by the pre-amplifier 12 and the frequency characteristics are corrected by the compensator 13 according to the set of compensation conditions predetermined by the compensation condition setter 22. Then, the signal is binarized by the binarization circuit 14 with a predetermined binarization pulse level established by the binarization condition setter 23. The signal, thus binarized, is demodulated by the data demodulator 18 and sent to the controller 7. The auxiliary circuit 20 has been established for the auxiliary conditions predetermined by the auxiliary conditions setter 21 and controls the focusing and tracking of the optical head based on the signal output from the pre-amplifier 12 according to the auxiliary conditions. After, in step 402, the recording / reproduction conditions are read. In this step, the recording area 4 of recording / reproduction conditions is accessed in the medium 1 and the auxiliary conditions of the auxiliary circuit 20 are established by the setter of auxiliary conditions 21 according to the predetermined conditions or conditions designated by the information of identification of the medium. The focusing and tracking are controlled by the optical head 11 by the auxiliary circuit 20. The reproduction signal obtained by the optical head 11 from the laser beam reflected from the medium 1 is amplified by the preamplifier 12 and the frequency characteristics are they correct for the compensator 13 established by the setter of compensation conditions 22 for the predetermined conditions or compensation conditions designated by the medium identification information. Then, the reproduction signal is binarized by the binarization circuit 14 which has been set to a binarization pulse level predetermined by the binarization condition setter 23 or a binarization pulse level designated by the media identification information. The binarized signal thus is demodulated by the recording / reproducing conditions demodulator 15 to be supplied to the controller 7. Then, in step 403 it is decided whether or not to record or reproduce the recording conditions described above in the recording area 4 of the recording / playback conditions in the recording medium. If it is decided that the conditions are recorded (YES in step 403), the recording / playback conditions are stored in the storage unit 16 in step 404 and the information is recorded in step 405 in the recording area of 6 information in between, based on the recording / playback conditions. In step 405 the information is recorded in the following manner (with reference to Figure 8). According to a content stored in the storage unit 16, the pulse conditions setter 8 establishes the pulse conditions for the pulse controller 9. (step 4051), the auxiliary conditions setter 21 establishes the auxiliary conditions for the auxiliary circuit 20 (step 4052), the set-off conditions setter 22 establishes the compensation conditions for the compensator 13 (step 4053) and the conditions setter binarization 23 sets a binarization pulse level for the binarization circuit 14 (step 4054). The pulse conditions include, as described above with reference to Figure 4, the duration "a", "b", "c", "d" and "e", "f" intensities of pulse generation first and last respectively, intensity "g" of the laser between the pulses and laser intensity "h" in the space portions, which are determined respectively according to the length of the mark to be engraved and the lengths of the sections of space before and after the brand. The data supplied to the controller 7 is converted to a recording signal by the modulator 19 and the recording signal is converted by the pulse controller 9 to a laser drive signal that satisfies the pulse conditions established by the conditions setter. pulse 8 (step 4055). The laser drive circuit 10 operates the laser diode provided in the optical head 11 in accordance with the laser drive signal. The optical head 11 for which focusing and tracking is controlled by the auxiliary circuit 20, focuses the radiated light from the laser diode on the optical head and forms marks on the recording layer in the medium 1 to record the information. In step 406, learning is performed by determining the recording / playback conditions when it is decided that the recording / playback conditions are not recorded in the recording area 4 in the recording medium (NOT in step 403). The learning is done in the following way (with reference to Figure 6). First, according to the predetermined specific conditions or conditions designated by the identification information in the above described medium, the setter of the pulse conditions 8 establishes the pulse conditions for the impulse controller 9 (step 4061), the setter the auxiliary conditions 21 establishes the auxiliary conditions for the auxiliary circuit 20 (step 4062), the setter of the compensation conditions 22 establishes the compensation conditions for the compensator 13 (step 4063) and the setter of the binarization conditions 23 establishes the binarization pulse level for the binarization circuit 14 (step 4064). Then, the specified data produced from the controller 7 is converted to a recording signal by the modulator 19 and recorded as a test in the test recording area 5 in the medium 1 through the same procedure as in step 405 described above (step 4065). The reproduction signal of the recorded data as the test in the medium 1 in this way is amplified by the pre-amplifier 12 and after correcting the frequency characteristics by the compensator 13. A fluctuation value was measured (fluctuation of the position of the reproduced signal with respect to a reference clock) of the signal binarized by the binarization circuit 14, by the signal quality determiner 17 and compared to a predetermined criterion, to determine the signal quality (step 4066). If the fluctuation value satisfies the criterion, the learning is completed. On the other hand, if the fluctuation value fails to satisfy the criterion, the pulse conditions, the auxiliary conditions, the compensation conditions and the binarization pulse level are successfully changed and the specific data is recorded as a test and determined the signal quality of the recorded data. This is repeated until the fluctuation value satisfies the criterion. A) Yes, the optimum recording / reproduction conditions are determined. Then, in step 407, the recording / playback conditions obtained by the learning in step 406 are stored in the storage unit 16. Thus, in step 408, the recording / playback conditions are recorded in area 4 of recording / playback recording in medium 1 and in step 405, the information is recorded in the medium. By using the procedure described above, when a recording medium is used for the first time, the optimum pulse forming the conditions obtained by the recording / reproducing apparatus are recorded in the recording area 4 of the recording / playback conditions in the recording medium 1. In this way, when the recording medium 1 is used again, the recording / playback conditions recorded on the recording medium 1 are read and stored in the storage unit 16 in order to use them. As a result, learning to determine optimal recording / playback conditions is not necessarily done every time the medium is used, but learning can be omitted or shortened. Thus, the waiting time can be shortened to install the medium and to activate the recording / playback apparatus. Figure 7 is a flow diagram of another recording / reproduction method performed by the controller 7. The method is carried out in the same procedure as the recording / reproduction method shown in Figure 5 except for some exceptions. Thus, only a few points in Figure 7 that differ from the recording / reproducing method described with reference to Figure 5 will be discussed below. If it is decided in step 503 that the recording / playback conditions are recorded in the recording area. 4 in the recording medium 1, (YES in step 503.}., The recording / playback conditions are stored in step 504. In step 505, the specific data is recorded as a test in the recording area of test 5 in the middle 1. The test recording is conducted in the same procedure as the counter part, step 405 in Figure 5, except for the data to be recorded and the recording area in the middle, then in step 506 the reproduction signal of the test data recorded in the test recording area 5 in the medium 1 in step 505, are amplified by the pre-amplifier 12 and the frequency characteristics are corrected by the compensator 13. When the value fluc The evaluation of the signal binarized by the binarization circuit 14 (fluctuation of the position of the reproduced signal with respect to a reference clock) is measured by the signal quality determiner 17. The measurement data are compared with a predetermined criterion for determine the signal quality. If the fluctuation value satisfies the criterion (SI in step 506), in step 507, the information is recorded in the information recording area 6 in medium 1 in the same procedure as step 405. Moreover, if the fluctuation value fails to satisfy the criterion (NOT in step 506), learning is performed in step 508 in the same procedure as step 406 in Figure 5. Steps 501, 502, 509, 510 correspond to stages 401, 402, 407, 408 in Figure 5, respectively and are not explained here. The above-described method can compensate for the change in recording / playback characteristics of the recording / playback apparatus and the recording medium with a lapse of time from a point of time when the recording / playback conditions in the medium are recorded. to be used for recording. In addition, when the information is recorded on a recording / playback apparatus different from the recording / playback apparatus, of which the recording / playback conditions on the medium are recorded, a difference in the recording / reproduction characteristics between the appliances. Figure 9 is a flow chart of an additional recording / reproduction method according to the invention. The method is carried out in the same procedure as the recording / reproduction method shown in Figure 7 with some exceptions. A) Yes, some points in Figure 9 which differ from those of the recording / reproduction method shown in Figure 7 will be explained below. In the recording / reproducing method a recording medium is used in which the recording area 4 is also used to record together with the recording / playback conditions, the time information indicating the date and the time when the conditions of recording recording / playback are recorded in the middle. First, steps 601, 602 correspond to steps 501, 502 respectively in Figure 7 and will not be explained here. In step 603, the controller 7 determines whether the recording / playback conditions are recorded or not in the recording area 4 of recording / playback conditions in the medium 1. If the recording / playback conditions and time information, which represents the date and time when the recording / playback conditions were recorded in the medium, recording / playback conditions 4 are recorded in the recording area (SI in step 603), the recording / playback conditions and the Time information read in step 602 are stored in storage unit 16 in step 604. Then, in step 605, controller 7 compares the time information with the clock time in controller 7. If the difference between they are greater than a predetermined reference (YES in step 605), the test recording is conducted in step 606 in the same procedure as in step 505 in FIG. 7. On the other hand, if the If the frequency is shorter than the default reference (NO in step 605), the information is recorded in the information recording area 6 in medium 1 in step 608, in the same procedure as in step 405 in Figure 5. without the test recording. Step 607 corresponds to step 506 in Figure 7. If the determination in step 603 or step 607 is negative (NO), the process proceeds to steps 609 to 611. In step 609, the recording conditions / reproduction are determined by a learning similar to step 406 in Figure 5 and in step 610, the recording / reproduction conditions thus obtained are stored, along with the time when the recording / reproduction conditions (or information) are obtained. time), in the storage unit 16. In step 611 the recording / reproducion conditions obtained are recorded in the recording area 4 in the medium 1 together with the time information and then the flow proceeds to the step 608. In such a case, when the recording means are frequently replaced in a recording / playback apparatus, the waiting time for activation can be shortened by omitting the aforementioned test recording, by compensating for a change in n the recording / playback characteristics of the recording / playback device and the recording medium with the lapse of time from the point of time when the recording / playback conditions are recorded on the medium to be used. Figure 10 is a flow chart of a recording / reproduction method according to the invention. This method is carried out in the same procedure as the recording / reproduction method explained with reference to Figure 5 with some exceptions. Therefore, some points in Figure 10 different from those of the recording / reproduction method explained with reference to Figure 5, will be explained below. This method of recording / reproducing uses a recording medium in which the recording area 4 of recording / playback conditions in the medium, records together with a plurality of recording / playback conditions, the recording / playback apparatus information for identify the recording / playback apparatus using the recording / playback conditions. The information of the recording / reproducing apparatus is divided into a plurality of hierarchical levels and has information of the manufacturer to identify a manufacturer of the recording / reproducing apparatus., model information to identify a model of the recording / reproducing apparatus and a number to be used to identify a particular recording / reproduction apparatus. First, in step 701 an activation process similar to step 401 is executed in Figure 5. Then, in step 702 the recording / reproducing conditions and the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus to identify the recording apparatus / The reproduction using the recording / reproduction conditions is read from the recording area 4 of recording / reproduction conditions in the medium 1. Then, if it is determined in step 703 that the recording / reproduction conditions are recorded in the recording area 4 (SI in step 703), the controller 7 verifies in step 704 whether or not the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus is read from the recording area 4 which contains the information concomitant with the information of the apparatus of recording / playback of the recording / playback device. Yes - the information of the recording apparatus is coincident with the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus of the recording / reproducing apparatus at all points including the manufacturer's information, the model information and the serial number (YES in step 704) ), in step 705, the recording / playback conditions for which the recording / playback apparatus is used are specified by the recording / playback apparatus information matching the recording / playback apparatus, are stored in the recording / playback apparatus. storage 16 in step 706, information is recorded in recording area 6 in medium 1, in the same procedure as step 405 in figure 5, based on the recording / reproduction conditions. If the determination in step 703 is negative (NO), the flow proceeds to step 707. In step 704 if the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus read from the recording area 4 does not contain information matching the information of the recording device. recording / reproducing apparatus of the recording / reproducing apparatus in all its points including the manufacturer's information, the model information and the serial number (NOT in step 704), the recording / reproduction conditions are selected from the plurality of recording / playback conditions read from recording area 4 in step 710, in order of priority. The high priority is given to the matching recording / reproducing conditions in the manufacturer's information and the model number in the recording / playback apparatus information to identify the recording / reproducing apparatus using the recording / playback conditions, the following Priority is given to those coincident only with the information of the manufacturer and the low priority is given to those that do not match the information or that do not have information of the recording / playback device. Then, in step 710, the recording / reproduction conditions are selected and in step 711 they are stored in the storage unit 16. Then, the flow proceeds to step 707. In step 707, the learning is performed with the recording / playback conditions as the initial conditions. In step 708, the recording / playback conditions obtained by learning are stored in the storage unit 16 and in step 709, the recording / playback conditions and the recording / playback apparatus information of the recording / reproducing apparatus. are recorded in the recording area 4. In step 706, the information based on the recording / playback condition is recorded in the information recording area 6 in the medium 1. In step 709, if several recording conditions / playback that accompany other recording / playback device information already recorded in recording area 4 has not reached a specific number, the information is maintained while new recording / playback conditions are recorded and the recording / playback device information is added. On the other hand, if the number of recording / playback conditions has reached the specified number, the new recording / playback conditions and the new recording / playback device information are recorded, while discarding the recording / playback conditions and the recording / playback condition. information of the previous recording / playback apparatus. The recording / reproduction described above makes it possible to record a plurality of recording / reproduction conditions on a medium and to select the appropriate recording / reproduction conditions for the proposed recording / reproducing apparatus to be used for recording between a plurality of recording conditions. reproduction issued from the middle. Therefore, when a medium is used for a plurality of recording / reproducing apparatuses, the difference in recording / reproducing characteristics between the apparatuses can be compensated. In addition, even for a medium in which the recording / reproduction conditions determined by the recording / playback device by itself proposed for recording, are not recorded, the learning is carried out using the recording conditions as initial conditions / reproduction determined by the recording / reproducing apparatus having a recording / playback characteristic similar to that of the recording / reproducing apparatus, such as the recording / reproducing apparatus of the same model or one made by the same manufacturer. In this way, learning can be shortened and the waiting time can be shortened by installing the medium and activating the recording / playback device. Furthermore, when it is determined again that the recording / playback conditions are recorded on the medium, if several of the recording / playback conditions already recorded have reached a specified number, the previous recording / playback conditions are discarded. In this way, the recording / playback conditions adapted for the recording / playback devices most likely to be used can always be kept in the middle. The operation of steps 710 and 711 may be omitted. In addition, the information of the recording / reproduction apparatus is not limited to the three hierarchical levels, but information other than the manufacturer's information, model information and serial number may be added or a part of the information may be omitted. Figure 11 is a flow chart of an additional still recording / reproducing method according to the invention. This method is carried out in the same procedure as the recording / reproducing method described with reference to Figure 10 with some exceptions. Therefore, some points differing from the recording / reproducing method of Figure 10 will be explained. Steps 801, 802 and 803 are similar to steps 701, 702 and 703 in Figure 10, respectively and will not be explained here. In step 804, the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus is read from the recording area 4 on the recording medium 1. If it contains the information of the recording apparatus coincident with the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus for the apparatus recording / reproduction at all points including the manufacturer's information, the model information and the serial number (YES, in step 804), in step 805, the recording / reproduction conditions, for which the Recording / reproducing apparatus are specified by the information of the recording / reproducing apparatus coincident with the particular recording / reproducing apparatus, it is stored in the storage unit 16. Then, in step 806, the test recording is performed. This test recording is carried out in the same procedure as in step 506 in Figure 7. Next, in step 812, the signal quality is determined in the same procedure as step 506 in Figure 7. If the signal quality satisfies a criterion (YES in step 812), the information is recorded in the recording area of information 6 in medium 1 in step 813. On the other hand, if the determination fails to satisfy the criteria (NOT in step 803, 804 or 812), the learning is performed in step 807 and the process proceeds to the stages 808, 809 and 813 in that order. Steps 807, 808, 809 correspond to steps 707, 708, 709 in Figure 10 respectively. In the recording / playback described above, the change can be compensated for in the recording / playback characteristics of the recording / playback apparatus and the recording medium with the time lapse from a point of time when the recording / playback conditions are recorded by the means to be used. Figure 12 is a flow chart of an additional still recording / reproducing method according to the invention. This method is carried out in the same procedure as the recording / reproduction method explained with reference to Figure 11 with some exceptions. Therefore, some points in Figure 12 that differ from the recording / reproduction method explained with reference to Figure 11 will be explained below. This recording / reproduction method uses a recording medium in which the recording area 4 in the medium 1 is used for recording time information indicating the date and time when the recording / playback conditions are recorded in the medium together with the recording / reproduction conditions and the information of the recording / playback apparatus to identify the recording / reproducing apparatus that uses the recording / playback conditions. Steps 901 to 905 correspond to steps 801 to 805 in Figure 11, respectively. In step 902, the time when the recording / playback conditions (time information) are obtained is read in addition to the recording / playback condition and the information of the recording / playback apparatus and stored in step 905. step 912 the time information accompanying the recording / playback conditions stored in the storage unit 16 is compared with the clock time in the controller 7. If the difference is larger than a predetermined reference (YES in step 912) , the test recording is carried out in step 913. On the other hand, if the difference is shorter than the predetermined reference (NOT in step 912), the information is recorded in the information recording area 6 in the medium 1 without the test recording. Steps 913, 914 and 906 correspond to steps 806, 812 and 813 in Figure 11, respectively. In addition, steps 907, 908 and 909 correspond to steps 807, 808 and 809 in Figure 11, respectively. In the recording / playback described above, a change in the recording characteristic of the recording / playback apparatus can be compensated with the time lapse from a point of time when the recording / playback conditions are recorded in the medium to be used, although shortening the waiting time for activation by omitting the test recording if the recording medium on the recording / playback apparatus is frequently replaced. According to the above-described embodiment, the jitter value of the reproduced signal is measured and compared with a reference value to determine the quality of the recorded test signal. As an alternative, the error rate of the data obtained by demodulating the reproduced signal is measured and compared with a reference value in order to determine the quality of the recorded test signal. In addition, in the learning in the above-described embodiment, the operation is repeated in that the recording / playback conditions are changed although driving the test recording to measure the quality of the recorded signal in a test and at the time point when the signal quality has met a criterion, the operation is completed and the recording / playback conditions at that time are determined as the optimum recording / playback conditions. As an alternative, the test recording is performed and the quality of the signal recorded in the test is verified while the recording / playback conditions are changed in a predetermined range. This operation is repeated. Then, the recording / playback conditions included in the predetermined range representing the best quality of the signal recorded in the test, is determined as the optimum recording / playback condition. All the items in the recording / playback conditions may not necessarily be recorded in the medium, but only one item or items specified in the recording / playback conditions can be used for learning. In addition, as specified for the recording / playback information in which the recording / playback apparatus is used, the information recorded in the recording area in the medium may be setup conditions or code information that satisfies the conditions of recording. recording / playback, instead of the recording / playback conditions. For example, as for the pulse conditions, the set value of the laser drive circuit to produce the laser intensity or the code information indicating the set value, can be recorded as the recording / playback conditions, instead of the laser intensity, in the recording area in the middle as the recording / playback conditions. When the medium shown in Figure 2 is used, in steps 402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902 in Figures 5, 7 and 9 to 12, the first recording / playback recording area 4a is played in the Figure 2 and then if the recording / playback conditions can not be read, the second recording / playback recording area 4b is played. In addition, in steps 408, 510, 611, 709, 809, 909 in Figures 5, 7 and 9 to 12, recording / reproducing conditions are recorded in both the first and second recording areas 4a and 4b. This improves the reliability of the recording / playback conditions recorded in the medium in view of the fact that even when the information recorded in one of the first and second recording areas 4a and 4b can not be reproduced due to contamination of the medium or similar, the information can be obtained from the other recording area. As described above, in an optical recording medium according to the invention, a recording / reproducing apparatus and a recording / reproducing method according to the invention, it is advantageous that the optimum recording / reproducing conditions, which are determined for a given recording medium and recorded in the medium, can be read and used in subsequent operations. This eliminates or shortens the learning to determine the recording / playback conditions which may otherwise be required to be measured at all times. Thus, the waiting time for installing the recording medium or activating the recording medium in the recording / playback apparatus may be shortened. In addition, the recording / playback conditions and information of the recording / playback apparatus for identifying the recording / playback apparatus using the recording / playback conditions are recorded and at the time of activation, the recording / playback conditions adapted for the recording / playback apparatus to be used for recording are selected to be used between the recording / playback conditions read from the medium. Even when a specific recording medium is used for a plurality of recording / reproducing apparatuses, the operation of determining the optimal recording / reproduction conditions is eliminated or shortened, making it possible to shorten the waiting time for installing the medium and activate the recording / playback device. Although the present invention has been described in its entirety in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be noted that several changes and modifications are apparent to those experts in the field. Such changes and modifications will be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless departing from them.

Claims (21)

1. - CLAIMS 1. A rewritable type optical recording medium for recording information comprising: an information recording area for recording information; and a recording / playback condition recording area for recording at least one recording / playback condition for use in a recording / playback apparatus and at least one set of apparatus information for identifying a recording / playback apparatus that uses the less a recording / reproducing condition, characterized by a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions and a plurality of information sets of the apparatus, each of the plurality of information sets of the apparatus corresponding to one of the plurality of recording conditions / Playback can be recorded on the optical recording medium type rewritable and overwritten on the rewritable type optical recording medium. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second recording / playback condition recording area for recording the same recorded information in the recording area of the recording / playback conditions. - - 3. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 1, further comprising a test recording area for use in determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for a recording / reproducing apparatus. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one recording / reproducing condition comprises at least one of a pulse condition to determine a shape of a laser pulse to record the information, an auxiliary condition to determine the auxiliary operation for at least one of the recording information and reproduction information and a reproduction signal processing condition. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 4, wherein the pulse condition comprises at least one of a timing of generation of a first pulse corresponding to a front end of a mark to be engraved, a length of the first impulse, an intensity of a laser beam of the first pulse, a synchronization of generation of a last pulse corresponding to a trailing end of the mark, a length of the last pulse, an intensity of a laser beam of the last pulse, an intensity of a laser beam between pulses and an intensity of a laser beam in a portion of space. 6. The rewritable type optical recording medium for recording the information comprising: an information recording area for recording the information; and a recording / playback condition recording area for recording at least one recording / playback condition for use in a recording / playback apparatus and at least one set of manufacturer information for identifying a manufacturer of a recording / reproduction apparatus. which uses at least one recording / reproducing condition, characterized by a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions and a plurality of manufacturer information sets, each of the plurality of manufacturer information sets corresponding to one of the plurality of conditions Recording / playback may be recorded on the rewritable type optical recording medium and overwritten on the rewritable type optical recording medium. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 6, further comprising a second recording / playback condition recording area for recording the same recorded information in the recording / playback condition recording area. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 6, further comprising a test recording area for use in determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for a manufacturer of a recording / reproducing apparatus. 9. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one recording / reproducing condition comprises at least one of a pulse condition for determining a shape of a laser pulse to record the information, an auxiliary condition for determining the auxiliary operation for at least one of the recording information and the reproduction information and a reproduction signal processing condition. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 9, wherein the pulse condition comprises at least one of a timing of generation of a first pulse corresponding to a front end of a mark to be recorded, a length of the first impulse, an intensity of a laser beam of the first impulse, a synchronization of generation of a last impulse corresponding to a rear end of the mark, a length of the last impulse, an intensity of a laser beam of the last impulse, an intensity of a laser beam between pulses and an intensity of a laser beam in a portion of space. 11. The rewritable type optical recording medium for recording information comprising: an information recording area for recording the information; and a recording / playback condition recording area for recording at least one recording / playback condition for use in a recording / playback apparatus and time information representing a date on which at least one recording condition was recorded / reproduction, characterized by a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions and a plurality of time information, each of the plurality of time information corresponding to one of the plurality of recording / reproducing conditions, can be recorded on the optical recording medium type rewritable and overwritten in the optical recording medium type rewritable. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 11, further comprising a second recording / playback condition recording area for recording the same information recorded in the recording / playback condition recording area. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 11, further comprising a test recording area for use in determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for a recording / reproducing apparatus. 14. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one recording / reproducing condition comprises at least one of a pulse condition to determine a shape of a laser pulse to record the information, an auxiliary condition for determining the auxiliary operation by at least one of the recording information and the reproduction information and a reproduction signal processing condition. The rewritable type optical recording medium claimed in claim 14, wherein the pulse condition comprises at least one of a generation timing of a first pulse corresponding to a front end of a mark to be recorded, a length of the first impulse, an intensity of a laser beam of the first impulse, a synchronization of generation of a last impulse corresponding to a rear end of the mark, a length of the last impulse, an intensity of a laser beam of the last impulse, an intensity of a laser beam between pulses and an intensity of a laser beam in a portion of space. 16. The recording / reproducing method for recording information and reproducing the information from a rewritable type optical recording medium in which a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions can be recorded together with the device information, the recording method / reproduction comprises: determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for a recording / reproducing apparatus which uses at least one of the recording information and the playback information when driving a test recording; and recording the optimum recording / reproducing condition in the rewritable type optical recording medium wherein when several recording / playback conditions recorded on the optical recording medium are a predetermined number, a previous recording / reproducing condition of the recording medium is canceled. optical rewritable type recording and the optimum recording / playback condition is recorded on the rewritable type optical recording medium. 17. The recording / reproducing apparatus for recording information and reproducing the information from a rewritable type optical recording medium in which a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions can be recorded together with the apparatus information, the recording method / reproduction comprises: an operable controller for determining an optimum recording / playback condition for a recording / playback apparatus that is used for at least one recording information and playback information when driving a test recording and also operable to record - the optimum recording / reproducing condition in the rewritable type optical recording medium, wherein when several recording / playback conditions recorded in the rewritable type optical recording medium is a predetermined number, a previous recording / reproduction condition of the medium is canceled Recording type optical recording and the optimum recording / playback condition is recorded on the optical recording medium. 18. The recording / reproducing method for recording information and reproducing the information from a rewritable type optical recording medium in which a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions can be recorded together with the manufacturer's information, the recording method / reproduction comprises: determining an optimum recording / reproduction condition for a manufacturer of a recording / reproducing apparatus which uses at least one of the recording information and the playback information when driving a test recording; and recording the optimum recording / reproducing condition in the rewritable-type optical recording medium wherein when several recording / playback conditions recorded in the optical recording medium is a predetermined number, a previous recording / reproducing condition of the recording medium is canceled. optical recording type - rewritable and the optimum recording / playback condition is recorded in the optical recording medium type rewritable. 19. The recording / reproducing apparatus for recording information and reproducing the information from a rewritable type optical recording medium in which a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions can be recorded together with the manufacturer's information, the recording / reproducing apparatus comprising: an operable controller for determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for a manufacturer of a recording / reproducing apparatus that is used for at least one of the recording information and the playback information when driving a test recording and further operable to record the optimum recording / reproduction condition on the rewritable type optical recording medium, wherein when several recording / playback conditions recorded on the rewritable type optical recording medium are a predetermined number, it is canceled a prior recording / reproducing condition of the rewritable type optical recording medium and the optimum recording / reproducing condition is recorded on the optical recording medium. 20. The recording / reproducing method for recording information and reproducing the information from a rewritable type optical recording medium in which a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions can be recorded together with a plurality of time information representing dates in which recorded the plurality of recording / reproducing conditions, the recording / reproducing method comprising: determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for - a recording / reproducing apparatus in which at least one of the recording information is used and of the playback information when driving a test recording; and recording the optimum recording / playback condition and the corresponding time information in the rewritable type optical recording medium where when several recording / playback conditions and time information recorded on the optical recording medium is a predetermined number, it is canceled a previous recording / reproducing condition and the corresponding time information of the rewritable type optical recording medium and the optimum recording / reproducing condition and the corresponding time information is recorded in the rewritable type optical recording medium. 21. The recording / reproducing apparatus for recording information and reproducing the information from a rewritable type optical recording medium in which a plurality of recording / reproducing conditions can be recorded together with the time information, the recording apparatus / reproduction comprises: an operable controller for determining an optimum recording / reproducing condition for a recording / reproducing apparatus which is used for at least one of the recording information and playback information when driving a test recording and further operable to recording the optimum recording / playback condition and corresponding time information in the rewritable type optical recording medium, wherein when various recording / playback conditions and time information recorded in the rewritable type optical recording medium is a predetermined number , a recording condition is canceled / previous reproduction and time information of the rewritable type optical recording medium and the optimum recording / playback condition and the corresponding time information is recorded on the optical recording medium.