NL9000571A - Information recording-reading device - uses skip table to indicate recordings not for reproduction so that recordings can be omitted during both reproduction and recording - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for combined recording and reading of information, comprises feeding means (21) for feeding edit data denoting passages of information recorded on a record carrier (1) of which reproduction is undesirable as a result, for example, of possibly erroneously effected recordings. These edit data are recorded as a Skip Table, so that the device can read the table prior to reading the recorded information. During recording, the passages indicated by the Skip Table are omitted.

Description

Information recording device as well as an information reading device.

The invention relates to an information recording device comprising an input for receiving information signals to be recorded, and recording means for recording the received information signals on a record carrier.

The invention further relates to an information reading device provided with means for reading out information signals recorded on record carriers and means for outputting the read out information signals.

Such an information recording device and information reading device are known, inter alia, from EP-A-325330 (PHN 12.399).

There, a combined optical information recording and reading device is described for recording standard CD signals on an optical recordable disc of, for example, a non-recordable type. A feature inherent in recording on non-overwritable record carriers is that any mistakes a user makes when recording cannot be corrected. This has the drawback that the user has to be very careful when recording to avoid that the reproduction of the recorded information is not disturbed disturbingly as a result of the recording of mistakes made.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means by which this drawback is met.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the device is provided with input means for inputting revision data which indicate for which passages of the recorded information signals reproduction is undesirable, and control means for effecting the recording of control information representing the input revision data.

This gives the user the option of indicating the incorrectly recorded passages in the recorded information signals on the record carrier after recording. When the record carrier is read out, it can then be determined for which passages of the recorded information the reproduction must be prevented before the control data is read out. In this way it is prevented that possibly incorrect recordings are reproduced on the record carrier.

In an information reading device according to the invention this is achieved in that the device is provided with control means for effecting the reading of control information indicating for which passages of the recorded information signals reproduction is undesirable, which device is provided with reading means for reading the recorded control information, prior to the readout of the information signals, and of means for preventing the output of the information signals indicated by these control data.

A further embodiment of the information read-out device is characterized in that the device is provided with signal suppression means for gradually increasing or gradually decreasing the output signal, the control means being coupled to the signal suppression means for effecting a gradual action on the basis of the control information increase to a normal level of the signal level when outputting an information signal portion immediately following a passage indicated by the control information, and, based on the control information, also effecting a gradual decrease to the zero level when outputting an information signal portion immediately preceding the passage indicated by the control data. This prevents abrupt transitions in the reproduction of the output information signals, which are generally perceived as annoying by the user.

An embodiment of the information recording device is characterized in that the control means are arranged for effecting the recording of a table of contents, which indicates the places where the various information signals are recorded on the record carrier, and wherein the control means are further arranged for recording the control information. in the table of contents.

Including the control data in the table of contents has the advantage that the space occupied by the control data can be limited.

A further embodiment of the information recording device is characterized in that the device is provided with address generating means for adding address information to the information signals prior to recording, the control information comprising addresses indicating start and end points of the passages for which reproduction is undesirable.

This embodiment makes it possible to very accurately indicate an arbitrary undesired passage in an information signal.

A further embodiment of the information recording device is characterized in that the control means are arranged for recording control information which indicates for which information signals reproduction as a whole is undesirable.

This embodiment has the advantage that in the event that reproduction of the information signal as a whole is undesirable, the space on the record carrier required to indicate this can remain particularly small.

It is to be noted that the invention is ideally suited for use with record carriers of a non-overwriteable type. However, the invention can also be advantageously applied to record carriers of a transferable type. After all, the recovery of erroneous recordings by overwriting the erroneously recorded part can be time consuming compared to recording the control data with the recording device according to the invention.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 11, in which Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the information recording device and information reading device according to the invention, Figures 2, 9, 10 and 11 show flow diagrams of programs which are control device in the devices according to the invention, figure 3 shows an embodiment of a skipping table, figure 4 shows an embodiment of a table of contents, figure 5 shows the locations where the various signals are recorded on the record carrier, figure 6 shows the format of the subcode Q-frames of a standard CD signal, figure 7 shows a combined table of contents and skip table in a form suitable for recording in the lead-in track (LEAD IN) of the record carrier, and figure 8 shows a combined provisional table of contents and provisional skip table in a suitable form for recording.

Figure 1 shows, by way of example, an embodiment of a combined information recording device and information reading device 24 according to the invention. The device shown is one in which information can be recorded and read optically on an optical record carrier 1 of a writable type. Such a record carrier may be, for example, of a kind described in detail in EP-A-0 325 330, the application of which is hereby incorporated by reference in the description. The record carrier 1 is rotated in a conventional manner about an axis 2 driven by a drive motor 3. A conventional optical read / write head 4 is arranged opposite the rotary record carrier 4, which is movable in radial direction relative to the record carrier 1 by means of a positioning system 5 Information signals Vi, for example audio or video signal, to be recorded can be applied to an input 6. The information signals Vi supplied are encoded and modulated by an input stage 6, for example in a manner prescribed by a CD standard. In addition, subcode information is added to the information signal to be recorded via an input 8 of the input stage 7. The signal Vs thus coded, modulated and provided with subcode information is applied to a control circuit 9 for the optical read / write head 4. The control circuit 9 converts in a usual manner the signal Vs into a control signal Vk for the read / write head 4, which in response to this control signal, an information pattern corresponding to the signal Vs is applied to the record carrier 1. The applied information pattern can be read by placing the read / write head 4 in the read mode via a control input 10 of the control circuit 9 and then the read / write head 4 opposite the part of the record carrier on which the information pattern is arranged. A signal Vs' corresponding to the information pattern, which corresponds to the information pattern which is thereby scanned by the read / write head 4, is removable at an output of the read / write head 4. The signal Vs' is applied to an output stage 11 containing the signal Vs' which modulates and decodes. In addition, the subcode information is separated again. The demodulated, decoded and information code Vi 'stripped of the subcode information is removable at an output 12 of the output stage 11, while the subcode information is removable at an output 13 of the output stage 11. The information signal Vi' is switched on via a controllable signal suppression circuit 14. an output 15 of the recording and reading device is passed through. The signal suppression circuit 14 is one of a conventional type which, depending on a control signal on a control input 16, may or may not suppress the passage of the signal Vi 'to the output 15.

For the purpose of controlling the recording device and the reading device, the device is provided with a control unit 17, which comprises, for example, a microcomputer, which is coupled to the control inputs 8 and 16, a control input 18 of the positioning system 5, the output 12 of the output stage 11 and an output 19 of an address detection circuit 20 for detecting the addresses of the scanned parts of the record carriers on the basis of an output signal of the read / write head 4. When using the record carrier 1 as described in EP-A-0 325 already mentioned 330 may be the detection circuit of a type described in detail in this application. However, other usual address detection circuits can also be used.

The device is further provided with a control panel 21 for entering the data required for the control by the user. The input data can be supplied in a usual manner via a bus 22 to the control unit 17. The recording of the information signals is controlled in a usual manner by the control unit 17. The control of the recording is not an object of the present invention and will therefore not be described in detail. According to the invention, the control device 17 is arranged, after recording the information signals, to record control information on the record carrier indicating passages of the information signal, the reproduction of which is undesired. (further on, this control information is briefly referred to as “skip” information.) Such passages may, for example, consist of incorrectly or undesirably recorded passages. Revision data (edit-data) indicating these passages in the information signal can be entered via control panel 21 by the user For the purpose of inputting the revision data and controlling the recording of "skip" information derived therefrom, the control unit is loaded with a suitable program, which is called, for example, in response to the pressing of a dedicated key on the control panel 21.

A flow chart of a suitable program is shown in Figure 2a. The program comprises a step S1 in which the control unit 17 reads a starting address BAD entered by the user via the control panel 21 from a passage of a recorded information signal for which reproduction is undesired. In step S2, the end veins EAD of this passage is read by the control unit 17. The start address BAD and end address EAD to be entered by the user can be predetermined by the user during the reproduction of the recorded information signals, also including the addresses of the reproduced information signal is displayed on an address display device on the control panel 21. In step S3, the entered start BAD and end address EAD are stored in a skip table in an internal memory 23 of the control unit 17. In step S4, it is tested whether the user, for example by pressing the appropriate button on the control panel, even more want to enter revision data. If so, the program continues to perform step S1. If not, then step S5 is performed. In step S5, under the control of the control unit 17, the read / write head 4 is positioned in a usual manner opposite a predetermined part of the record carrier which is intended for recording the "skip" information. Once this part has been reached, the "skip" information is recorded in a usual manner on the record carrier 1 under the control of the control unit 17. In order to prevent the passages indicated by the "skip" information from being reproduced when the record carrier 1 is read out, the control unit 17 with a suitable program which causes the "skip" information to be read, and which then activates the signal interrupt circuit 14 by means of an appropriate control signal as soon as a passage of the information signal indicated by the "skip" information is recorded. A flow chart of a suitable program is shown by way of example in Figure 2b. This program is called before the readout of the recorded information signals is started. The program remains active during the reading of the information signal. The first step of the program is marked S10. In the execution of the step S10, under the control of the control unit 17, the predetermined part is searched on the record carrier in which the "skip" information is stored. As soon as this part is reached, in the execution of step S11, the "skip" information is read and stored in the internal memory 23 of the control unit 17. Then, in the execution of step S12, the readout of the recorded information signals is released and the readout of the recorded information can commence. The reading of the recorded information signals is not an object of the present invention and therefore will not be described in detail. After the release of the readout, step S13 is performed in which the address of the currently read out information signal is determined. In step S14, it is determined whether the address of the read out information signal is within the bounds of passages of the address ranges indicated by the "skip" information. If so, a control signal is applied by the control unit 17 to the input 16 of the signal suppression circuit, whereby the signal interrupt circuit 14 is activated. As a result, the throughput of the read out signal Vi 'at the output of the output stage 11 to the output 15 is blocked, and thus the reproduction of the read out signal Vi' is prevented. If, during the execution of step S14, it appears that the read address is outside the limits indicated by the control data, then step S16 is performed. In the execution of step S16, the control unit 17 deactivates the signal suppression circuit 14 so that the information information signal Vi 'is passed on to the output 15. The "skip" information can be arranged in a variety of ways. By way of example, Figure 3 shows a skip table for use in recording a standard CD signal. Here, the addresses EAD and BAD are indicated by means of an absolute time code, expressed in minutes, seconds and frames. The numbers in the first column indicate the row numbers in the table. In the event that reproduction of a recorded information signal, also referred to as "track", must be prevented in its entirety in a CD signal, this can be indicated in the skip table for the associated track numbers, for example 02-05 as shown in figure. 3.

These track numbers refer to the "tracks" in the so-called "Table of contents" which are recorded with a CD signal on the record carrier. For illustrative purposes, Figure 4 shows the data contained in the "Table of contents" (TOC). The first column, designated POINTER, contains track numbers 1-6 with the code A2 indicating the start of the so-called lead-out track. In the column "STRTAD" the starting addresses of the "tracks" are indicated in minutes, seconds, frames. Furthermore, in the "Table of contents", the sequence number of the first "track" is indicated by "FT", and the last track is indicated by "LT". The layout of the record carrier associated with figures 3 and 4 is shown in figure 5. The record carrier is divided into successively - a section PMA intended for the recording of a temporary table of contents, as will be described in detail later, - a section LI (LEAD-IN) intended for recording the "Table of contents "and a final skip table, - a section PA which is intended to record the information signals in the example shown are the" tracks "indicated by a serial number; - a section LO in which the so-called "Lead out" track is recorded.

SK1, SK2, SK3 and SK 4 indicate the passages for which reproduction is undesirable. These passages refer to complete "tracks" 02 and 05, the beginning of track 04 and the end of track 06.

Furthermore, in figure 5, the line value 50 indicates the address value (ATIP or PTIME) of the parts in which this information is arranged, expressed in minutes, seconds and frames. The recording of the "skip" information from the skip table can be performed in a variety of ways on the record carrier. Preferably, the "skip" information is recorded as subcode information. Especially suitable for recording CD signals in the subcode Q channel. The information in the subcode Q channel is divided into subcode frames having a format shown in Figure 6. Each frame includes 98 bit positions, the first 2 bit positions of which S0, S1 are used for synchronization purposes. The remaining 96 bit positions are divided over a dozen bit groups as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows by way of example how the data of the skip table and the "Table of contents" can be arranged in the subcode Q signal recorded in the section LI. In Figure 7, the column FRN0 indicates the subcode frame numbers. The other columns indicate the content of the various bit groups. In the arrangement shown in Figure 7, the contents of each frame are repeated three times. The frames containing information from the "Table of contents" are marked by the value 01 in bit group ADR. The frames containing information from the skip table are marked by the value 05 in the bit group ADR. Groups of frames that alternate with information from the "Table of contents" or with groups of frames with information from the skip table. For groups of information of the “Table of contents”, the value of the bit group POINT indicates the sequence number of tracks 01-99. The value A2 indicates the “Lead Out Track”. The corresponding values of the bit groups PMIN, PSEC, PFRAME indicate the starting address of the indicated “track.” The value AO in the bit group POINT indicates that in the corresponding bit group PMIN, the sequence number of the first track on the record carrier is indicated. The value A1 similarly indicates that the bit group PMIN contains the sequence number of the last "track" on the record carrier The bit group POINT of the frames containing information of the skip table indicates by the value AO that the bit group PMIN contains the number of follower lines of the skip table (in this example, this number equals three) The value A1 indicates that the bit groups MIN, SEC, FRAME, PMIN, PSEC and PFRAME may contain track numbers for which reproduction is undesirable as a whole. 99, it is indicated that the corresponding composition of bit groups PMIN, PSEC and PFRAME and the composition of bit groups MIN, SEC and FRAME indicate respectively the start address and the end address of a passage for which reproduction is undesirable.

Figure 7 shows the contents of the frames in which all information about the skip table and "Table of Contents" is included once. This information is repeated until the end of section LI. The recording of the "Table of contents" is only carried out after the user has decided that no further information signals need to be recorded. After all, the format of the "Table of contents" prescribed by CD standard is such that it can only be composed after all address data of the recorded signals are known. As long as it has not yet been determined whether further information signals need to be recorded, the address information about the recorded recordings can be in the area PMA, as described in detail in Dutch Application No. 8902931 (PHN 13.148), which application is hereby deemed to be by reference. are included in the description. This temporary table of contents is preferably always adapted shortly before the record carrier, after recording one or more information signals, is retrieved from the recording device 24. This is also an appropriate time for the user to enter revision information. The revision data may be included in the temporary table of contents included in the subcode signal recorded in the PMA area. A suitable format is shown in figure 8. The column FRNO again indicates the sequence number of the subcode Q-frames in the area PMA, the other columns indicate the value of the various bit groups within each subcode frame. In principle, the contents of each line of the table are repeated ten times. The bit group POINT indicates the track number, where the bit group combination PMIN, PSEC, PFRAME indicates the start address and where the bit group combination MIN, SEC and FRAME indicates the end address of the "track". However, the bit combination AB in the bit group "POINT" indicates that the bit groups MIN, SEC, FRAME contain a record carrier identification. The value 71 of the bit group combination CONTROL & ADR indicates that the reproduction of the entire track between the corresponding start and end addresses is undesirable. If the reproduction of a passage, not being an entire "track", is undesirable, this can be indicated by stating the information about the starting address and the ending address of the "track" for a specific track not ten times but a smaller number of times, for example five times. to repeat. In the space thus made available, the start addresses and end addresses of the passages of which reproduction is not desired can be indicated.

In figure 8 these start and end addresses are included in the frames marked by the value S1 in the bit group combination Control & ADR of the frame.

Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a program executed for controlling the temporary table of contents recording in the PMA section and for controlling the "Table of contents" recording in the area LI. The program is called immediately after a record carrier is inserted into the recording device. The first step of the program being executed is step S90. Here, the read / write head 4 is brought opposite the area PMA. As soon as the read / write head 4 has reached this area, this area is read during the execution of step S91. From the read out subcode information which is presented to the control unit 17 via output 13 of the output stage, the addresses of the already recorded information signals and the "skip" information are derived and stored in the memory 23. Then, in the execution of step S92, the recording of a new information signal on the record carrier. After recording, in step S93, the start and end addresses of this newly recorded information signal are loaded into memory 17. In step S94, it is tested whether the recording of a subsequent information signal is desired. If so, step S92 is performed again. If not, it is tested in step S95 whether the user still wants to enter revision data. If so, in step S96, a user-entered end address of a passage or a track number is read by the control unit 17. In step S97, it is tested whether the user wants to enter any further revision data. If so, the program jumps back to step S96. Step S98 is performed if it is determined in step S97 or step S95 that no further revision data needs to be read. In step S98 it is tested whether it is still desirable in future to record further information signals on the record carrier. If so, step S99 is performed. In this step, from the start and end addresses of the newly recorded information signals and the newly entered revision data, the information to be added to the temporary table of contents in the area PMA is derived, according to those rules explained according to Figure 8. In step S100, the read / write head 4 is placed opposite the area PMA.

As soon as the end of the temporary content table recorded in the area PMA is reached, in step S10, the addition determined in step S99 and the temporary content table are recorded by putting the read / write head 4 into the write mode and then the information of the input to be added 8 of the input stage 17.

After step S101, step S102 is performed, in which the record carrier is ejected from the recording device (Eng. Eject). If, during the execution of step S98, it is determined that no recording of further information signals is desired, step S103 is continued. In the execution of this step, the "Table of contents" and the Index Table are composed of the data of the temporary table of contents read in step S91, and "skip" data the start and end addresses of newly recorded information signals and the newly entered revision data. This information is aggregated according to the formatting rules explained in Figure 7. In step S104, the read / write head 4 is then placed opposite the portion L1. Once the read / write head 4 has reached that portion, step S105 is performed. In this step, the information composed in step S103 is recorded by putting the read / write head 4 in the write mode and supplying the information to be recorded to the input 8 of input stage 7. The recording of the data is repeated until the end of the portion LI is reached after which recording is ended. Then, in the execution of step S102, the record carrier is ejected by the device 24.

Figure 10 shows a flow chart of the program executed by the controller to prevent the passages indicated in the skipping table from being reproduced. This program is called up, for example immediately after the first read command is given after insertion of the record carrier into the reading device. The first step to be performed is step S110 in which the read / write head 4 is positioned opposite the area L1. After reaching this area, this area is read in step S111 and the "skip" information from the subcode signal which is presented to the control unit 17 via output 13 of output stage 11 is separated and stored in the memory 23. Then, in step S112 the readout of the readout of the information signals released. In step S113, the address of the read out information is determined. In step 5114 it is tested whether this address lies between the start and end address of the passages indicated in the skipping table. If so, in step 5115, the throughput of the read out information signal Vi 'to the output 15 is blocked. Then, in step S116, the read / write head 4 is brought, for example by performing a track jump, to the portion of the record carrier indicated by the end address of the unwanted passage. Then, the program continues to execute step S114. Step S117 is performed if it was determined in step S114 that the read address was not within the limits of the passages indicated in the skipping table. In step S117, the track number of the currently read information is determined. In step S118, it is tested whether the track number of the currently read track is indicated as unwanted in the skip table. If not, then the program goes to step S118 in which the signal suppression circuit 14 is set to a state in which the read out information signal Vi 'is fed to the output 15. Then, the program proceeds to step S114 again. Step S120 is performed if it is determined in step S118 that reproduction of the information with the determined track number is not desired. In this step, the signal suppression circuit 17 is set to the state where the throughput of the read signal Vi to the output 15 is blocked. Then, in step S121, the read / write head 4 is moved to the end of the track. Then, the program continues with step S114. In the execution of the program shown in Figure 10, the reproduced information signal exhibits abrupt transitions from states in which the read signal is blocked to states in which the read signal is passed and vice versa. This is often perceived as a nuisance by the user. It is therefore preferable to allow these transitions to take place more gradually, that is to say that the output signal is gradually generated during a transition. (Eng: Fade In) or gradually weakening (Eng: Fade Out). This can be achieved by using an adjustable gain amplifier for the signal suppression circuit which can be set by the control unit 17. The program steps S120 and S121 and steps S115 and S116 can then be replaced by the three steps shown in Figure 11a. Herein, step S130 is a step in which the output information signal gradually drops. In the execution of step S131, the signal gradually reappears. The step S130 can for instance consist of a number of sub-steps S140, S141, S142 as indicated in figure 11b. In step S140, the gain of the signal suppression circuit 14 is decreased by a fraction ΔΚ. Then, in step S141, it is waited for the start of a next frame to be detected. In step S142, it is tested whether the gain has decreased to zero. If so, the program is continued with step S120 (S116). If not, the gain is further increased in step S140. Step S131 may consist of a number of sub-steps S150, S151, S152. In step S150, the gain factor K is increased by a fraction ΔΚ by a fraction ΔΚ. Then, in step S151, it is waited for the start of a next frame to be detected. In step S152, it is tested whether the gain factor K has reached the value 1. If so, proceed to step S114 (see Figure 10). If not, the amplification factor is again increased by the fraction ΔΚ in step S150.

The invention has been illustrated above for an optical recording and reading device. However, the invention is not limited to use with optical recording and reading devices. It is also applicable for magnetic recording and reading devices such as, for example, a magnetic DAT recorder / player.

Claims (6)

Information recording device comprising an input for receiving information signals to be recorded, and recording means for recording the received information signals on a record carrier, characterized in that the device is provided with input means for inputting revision data indicating for which passages of the recorded information signals reproduction is undesirable, and of control means for effecting the recording of control information representing the input revision data. Information recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means are arranged for effecting the recording of a table of contents which indicates the places where the various information signals are recorded on the record carrier, and wherein the control means are further arranged for including the control information in the table of contents. Information recording device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the device is provided with address generation means, for adding address information to the information signals before recording, the control information comprising addresses indicating starting points and end points of the passages for which reproduction is undesirable. Information recording device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control means are arranged for recording control information indicating for which information signals reproduction is undesirable in its entirety. 5. Information reading device provided with means for reading out record carriers and with means for outputting the read out information signals, characterized in that the device is provided with control means for effecting the reading out of control information indicate for which passages of the recorded information signals reproduction is undesirable, which device is provided with reading means for reading the recorded control information, prior to the reading of the information signals, and for means for preventing the output of the passages of the information signals indicated by these control data. Information recording device according to claim 5, characterized in that the device is provided with signal suppression means for gradually increasing or gradually decreasing the output signal, the control means being coupled to the signal suppression means for effecting on the basis of the control information from a gradual increase to a normal level of the signal level upon delivery of an information signal portion immediately following a passage indicated by the control information, and also effecting a gradual decrease to the zero level of the signal level upon output of a control signal based on the control information information signal portion immediately preceding the passage indicated by the control data.