HK1102863B - Apparatus for recording/reproducing data - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus for recording/reproducing data

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an optical disc, and more particularly, to an optical disc on which data can be rapidly recorded and an exclusive region (exclusive region) for a specific use can be selectively allocated on the outer circumference thereof, and a method and apparatus for recording data on the optical disc.

Background

Optical discs are used as data storage media for optical pick-up devices for contactless recording and reproducing of data. Two types of optical discs, a Compact Disc (CD) and a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), differ according to recording capacity. Some discs are recordable, such as 650MB CD-R, 650MB CD-RW, 4.7GB DVD + R/RW, 4.7GBDVD-RAM, and DVD-R/RW. Other discs are read-only, such as 650MB CD and 4.7 GBDVD-ROM. Further, next-generation DVDs having a recording capacity of more than 15GB are being developed.

Currently, the only type of conventional recordable DVD is a 4.7GB single layer disc. However, 8.5GB dual layer discs of DVD-ROM are emerging. To support these 8.5GB discs, 8.5GB readable DVDs are required. However, in this case, the recording time is roughly doubled, which is a disadvantage for the user. Although the recording speed can be theoretically improved, improvement in disc technology is required, and thus, a method of efficiently recording data at a conventional speed is required to immediately put 8.5GB recordable DVDs on the market.

Fig. 1A shows a structure of a conventional rewritable optical disc. Fig. 1B shows a structure of a conventional read-only optical disc. The structure of the lead-out area and the structure of the lead-in area of the rewritable optical disc shown in fig. 1A are almost the same.

Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate a conventional method of recording data on a dual recording layer disc. Fig. 2A shows a case where the recording direction is the opposite track path (OPT), and fig. 2B shows a case where the recording direction is the Parallel Track Path (PTP).

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, user data is recorded on the recording layer L1, and then the remaining user data is recorded on the recording layer L2. Pattern data (pattern data) having a lead-out attribute is recorded on an area where user data cannot be recorded in the recording layer L2. Generally, an area where data storage layers are connected to each other is referred to as a connection area to distinguish it from a lead-out area and a lead-in area. The recording method shown in fig. 2A and 2B is applicable to both read-only discs and rewritable discs.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate other conventional methods of recording data on a dual recording layer disc. Fig. 3A shows a case where the recording direction is the opposite track path (OPT), and fig. 3B shows a case where the recording direction is the Parallel Track Path (PTP). As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, if the total amount of data to be recorded is less than the total capacity of the two recording layers L1 and L2, in order to record an equal amount of data on each of the two recording layers L1 and L2, data is recorded at a specific position before the lead-out area on each recording layer, and then pattern data having a lead-out attribute is recorded on the remaining area. Specifically, pattern data having a lead-out attribute is recorded on the outermost periphery of the disc.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate other conventional methods of recording data on a dual recording layer disc. Fig. 4A shows a case where the recording direction is OPT, and fig. 4B shows a case where the recording direction is PTP. Like the recording method shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the data recording method shown in fig. 4A and 4B shows a case where: when the total amount of data to be recorded is less than the total capacity of the two recording layers L1 and L2, in order to record an equal amount of data on each of the two recording layers L1 and L2, data is recorded at a specific position before the lead-out area on each recording layer, and then pattern data having a lead-out attribute is recorded on the remaining area. However, unlike the recording method shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the recording method shown in fig. 3A and 3B records pattern data having a lead-out attribute on the outermost circumference of the disc, whereas the data recording method shown in fig. 4A and 4B simply records data as far as necessary without recording the data on the outermost circumference of the disc.

According to the conventional data recording method described above, additional data of a recording time is required to record pattern data having a lead-out attribute onto an area where user data cannot be recorded.

In the case of a recordable optical disc, a test area for recording data for a test is allocated to the optical disc so that actual data is recorded at an optimum recording power before the actual data is recorded to the optical disc. However, in the case of an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, when a test area for Optimum Power Control (OPC) is allocated to the optical disc, since recording characteristics vary according to the recording layer in which data is recorded first, the test area must be allocated in consideration of the recording characteristics. In particular, when the test zone is allocated to the outer circumferential area of the optical disc, the characteristics of the outer circumferential area must be considered. Further, since the recording characteristics of the outer peripheral area of the optical disc having a plurality of recording layers are inferior to those of the optical disc having a single recording layer, the process is complicated, and therefore. In addition, when the test zone and the area having another purpose are allocated to the outer peripheral area of the optical disc, the characteristics of the outer peripheral area must also be considered.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, to which data can be rapidly recorded and an exclusive area for a specific use can be selectively allocated in an outer area of the optical disc.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a data recording method and apparatus for quickly recording data on an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers and selectively allocating an exclusive area for a specific use to an outer area of the optical disc.

Advantageous effects

According to the embodiments of the present invention, an exclusive area for a specific use can be selectively allocated to quickly record data and to enable data to be reliably recorded onto an outer area of an optical disc.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A shows a structure of a conventional rewritable optical disc;

FIG. 1B illustrates a structure of a conventional read-only optical disc;

fig. 2A and 2B illustrate a conventional method of recording data on a dual record layer disc;

fig. 3A and 3B illustrate other conventional methods of recording data on a dual record layer disc;

fig. 4A and 4B illustrate other conventional methods of recording data on a dual record layer disc;

fig. 5 illustrates a structure of an optical disc according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 illustrates an area of the recording layer L1 affected by a light beam focused on the recording layer L2 of the optical disc of fig. 5;

fig. 7 is a block diagram of a data recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Best mode for carrying out the invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, each recording layer including a data area, a connection area, and a remaining area. The data area, the connection area, and the remaining area are respectively arranged in a direction from an inner circumference to an outer circumference of the optical disc. The outer boundary of each of the data areas is determined according to the amount of data to be recorded. The positions of the connection region and the remaining region are determined according to the determination of the outer boundary of each of the data regions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for recording/reproducing data, including: a write/read unit converting data with respect to an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers; and a controller determining an outer boundary of the data area of each recording layer according to an amount of data to be recorded and determining respective positions of the connection area and the remaining area of each recording layer according to the determination of the outer boundary of each of the data areas.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of recording data on a plurality of recording layers, the method comprising: determining an outer boundary of the data area of each recording layer according to an amount of data to be recorded; the positions of the connection area and the remaining area of each recording layer are determined according to the determination of the outer boundary of each of the data areas.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer readable program of a method for recording data on a plurality of recording layers, the method comprising: determining an outer boundary of the data area of each recording layer according to an amount of data to be recorded; the positions of the connection area and the remaining area of each recording layer are determined according to the determination of the outer boundary of each of the data areas.

Additional and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Modes for carrying out the invention

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

Fig. 5 illustrates a structure of an optical disc according to an embodiment of the present invention. The optical disk shown in fig. 5 is a dual-layer rewritable optical disk having two recording layers L1 and L2. The recording layer L1 includes a lead-in area 110, a first data area 120, a first connection area 130, a first non-use area 140, a first buffer area 150, a first exclusive area 160, and a first non-recording area 170. The second recording layer L2 includes a lead-out area 210, a second data area 220, a second connection area 230, a second exclusive area 240, a second buffer area 250, a second non-use area 260, and a second non-recording area 270.

The structure shown in fig. 1 is a non-limiting example of the detailed structure of the lead-in area 110. The structure of the lead-out area 210 is similar to that of the lead-in area 110. However, it should be understood that other configurations may be used.

The first data area 120 and the second data area 220 are areas for recording user data. Data having a specific pattern (pattern) for indicating the end of the first data area 110 or the second data area 120 is recorded on the first connection area 130 and the second connection area 230, respectively. The data recording/reproducing apparatus (shown in fig. 7) recognizes the respective first or second connection areas 130 or 230 following the first or second data area 120 or 220 by reading data having a specific pattern. Generally, data having a lead-out attribute is recorded as data having a specific pattern.

The first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are used for a specific purpose by the data recording/reproducing apparatus. For example, the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are test areas for Optimum Power Control (OPC). OPC means that the optimum recording power is determined in a data recording/reproducing apparatus through preliminary tests before user data is recorded to a rewritable disc. However, the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 may be used for at least another purpose. For example, the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 may be used to record data indicating the time of recording and the type of data recording/reproducing apparatus. The data recording/reproducing apparatus determines the sizes of the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 and whether the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are allocated.

When data is recorded on an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers, if the amount of user data to be recorded is less than the total recordable capacity of the optical disc, and if the amount of user data to be recorded is known in advance to the data recording/reproducing apparatus, the data recording/reproducing apparatus determines the size of each of the data recording areas 120 and 220 to record the same amount of user data on each of the plurality of recording layers.

Since the start positions of the data areas 120 and 220 are specific, if the size of each of the data areas 120 and 220 is determined, the end positions of the data areas 120 and 220 are also determined. If the locations of the data areas 120 and 220 are determined, the locations of the connection areas 130 and 230 having a specific size are also determined. Finally, it is determined whether the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are allocated. The size of each of the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 is later determined by the data recording/reproducing apparatus according to the frequency of use of the exclusive area 160 or 240. Since the start positions of the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are specific, if the size of each of the exclusive areas 160 and 240 is determined, the end positions of the exclusive areas 160 and 240 are also determined.

Various methods may be used to determine whether to allocate the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240. For example, if the sizes of the first data area 120 and the second data area 220 are determined, then the positions of the connection areas 130 and 230 having a specific size are determined. If the positions of the connected regions 130 and 230 are determined, the size of each of the remaining regions from the outer boundaries of the connected regions 130 and 230 to the outermost circumference is calculated. When the size of each of the remaining areas is greater than a certain standard value, the data recording/reproducing apparatus allocates the first exclusive area 160 or the second exclusive area 240 to the optical disc. As a non-limiting example, 3% of the total amount of data that can be recorded on one recording layer L1 or L2 can be used as the specific standard value. However, it should be understood that other amounts may be used.

When the first exclusive area 160 or the second exclusive area 240 is allocated, data indicating the situation is recorded on a specific area, such as the lead-in area 110.

The directions of the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are opposite to each other, and the direction of each exclusive area 160 or 240 is opposite to the direction of the data area 120 or 220 in the recording layer L1 or L2 having the exclusive area 160 or 240. Referring to fig. 5, the first data area 120 in the recording layer L1 is directed outward, and the first exclusive area 160 is directed inward. On the other hand, the second data area 220 in the recording layer L2 is oriented inward, and the second exclusive area 240 is oriented outward.

The first and second non-use areas 140 and 260 are not used at all. In an optical disc having a plurality of rewritable recording layers, recording characteristics vary depending on the recording layer to be recorded first. Specifically, the outer area of the optical disc has poorer recording characteristics than the inner area. Accordingly, data is not recorded here by designating an area of the recording layer L2, which is located at the same position as the first exclusive area 160, as the second non-use area 260. Similarly, data is not recorded by designating an area of the recording layer L1, which is located at the same position as the second exclusive area 240, as the first non-use area 140.

The first buffer area 150 and the second buffer area 250 are prepared in consideration of the eccentricity of the optical disc and the influence of the light beam focused on another recording layer. Data is not recorded on the first and second buffer areas 150 and 250, similar to the first and second non-use areas 140 and 260.

Fig. 6 shows an area of the recording layer L1 affected by a light beam focused on the recording layer L2. Referring to fig. 6, when the light beam 400 is focused to a specific position of the recording layer L2 by the objective lens 300 of the data recording/reproducing apparatus, an area of the recording layer L1 corresponding to the radius y is affected by the light beam 400. The first buffer area 150 and the second buffer area 250 are allocated with appropriate sizes in consideration of the influence of the light beam 400 irradiated to record data on another recording layer and the eccentricity of the optical disc.

The first and second non-recording areas 170 and 270 are located at the outermost circumference of the disc and are designated as areas on which data is not recorded to compensate for poor recording characteristics. However, the first non-recorded area 170 and the second non-recorded area 270 may not be allocated.

An exemplary optical disc having dual recording layers has been described above. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In fact, it is expected that the present invention can be applied to an optical disc having more than two recording layers.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a data recording/reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 7, the apparatus includes a write/read unit 1, a controller 2, and a memory 3. The optical disc 100 has a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 5.

The write/read unit 1 records data on the optical disc 100 or reads the recorded data under the control of the controller 2. User data to be recorded on the optical disc 100 is temporarily stored in the memory 3 under the control of the controller 2. Further, data read from the optical disc 100 or various control data generated during recording or reproduction are stored in the memory 3.

Referring to fig. 5 and 7, the controller 2 determines the size and position of each area of the optical disc 100 described above. Specifically, the controller 2 determines the allocation and location of the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240.

The operation of the controller 2 will now be described in more detail. When the amount of user data to be recorded on the optical disc 100 is less than the total recordable capacity of the optical disc 100, the controller 2 controls the sizes of the first data area 120 and the second data area 220 to record the same amount of user data on each of the plurality of recording layers.

Since the start (i.e., start) positions of the data areas 120 and 220 are specific, if the size of each of the data areas 120 and 220 is determined, the end positions of the data areas 120 and 220 are determined. If the positions of the data areas 120 and 220 are determined, the positions of the connection areas 130 and 230 having a specific size are automatically determined.

The controller 2 determines whether to allocate the exclusive areas 160 and 240 of the recording layers L1 and L2 according to a certain criterion. For example, if the sizes of the first data area 120 and the second data area 220 are determined, and if the positions of the connection areas 130 and 230 having a specific size are determined, the controller 2 can calculate the size of each of the remaining areas from the outer boundaries of the connection areas 130 and 230 to the outermost circumference. When the size of each of the remaining areas is greater than a certain standard value, the controller 2 allocates the first exclusive area 160 or the second exclusive area 240 to the optical disc 100. As a non-limiting example, 3% of the total amount of data that can be recorded on one recording layer L1 or L2 can be used as a specific standard value.

When the first exclusive area 160 or the second exclusive area 240 is allocated, the controller 2 controls the write/read unit 1 to record data indicating that the first exclusive area 160 or the second exclusive area 240 has been allocated to a specific area, such as the lead-in area 110.

As described above, the directions of the first exclusive area 160 and the second exclusive area 240 are opposite to each other, and the direction of each exclusive area 160 or 240 is opposite to the direction of the data area 120 or 220 in the recording layer L1 or L2 having the exclusive area 160 or 240.

In an optical disc having a plurality of rewritable recording layers, recording characteristics vary depending on the recording layer to be recorded first, and the recording characteristics of the outer region of the optical disc are inferior to those of the inner region. Accordingly, the controller 2 designates an area of the recording layer L2, which is located at the same position as the first exclusive area 160, as the second non-use area 260. Similarly, the controller 2 designates an area of the recording layer L1, which is located at the same position as the second exclusive area 240, as the first non-use area 140.

The controller 2 allocates the first buffer area 150 and the second buffer area 250 in consideration of the eccentricity of the optical disc and the influence of the light beam focused on another recording layer. Although described in terms of a recording/reproducing apparatus, it should be understood that the apparatus does not necessarily perform both recording and reproduction.

Aspects of the present invention may be implemented in a general-purpose or special-purpose computer by executing a program from a computer-readable medium, including but not limited to storage media such as magnetic storage media (ROM, RAM, floppy disks, magnetic tapes, etc.), optically readable media (CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.), and carrier waves (transmission through the internet). The present invention may be implemented as a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a number of computer systems coupled via a network to effect distributed processing.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Rather, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (9)

1. An apparatus for recording/reproducing data, comprising:

a write/read unit converting data with respect to an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers;

a controller determining an outer boundary of a data area of each recording layer according to an amount of data to be recorded, and determining respective positions of a connection area and a remaining area of each recording layer according to the determination of the outer boundary of each of the data areas,

wherein an amount of data to be recorded is less than a total recordable capacity of the optical disc, wherein the connection area is used to record data having a specific pattern that allows the apparatus to recognize the connection area.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller allocates an exclusive area for a specific use in the remaining area of each recording layer when the size of the remaining area is greater than a specific size.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the write/read unit to record data indicating that the exclusive area has been allocated on a specific area of the optical disc.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller utilizes the exclusive area from a start position of the exclusive area and determines an end position of the exclusive area according to a size of the exclusive area, wherein the size of the exclusive area is determined by the apparatus for recording/reproducing data according to a frequency of use of the exclusive area.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when data is recorded on the exclusive area allocated for two adjacent recording layers among the plurality of recording layers, the recording directions are opposite to each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each recording layer includes a non-use area located at a position corresponding to a position of an exclusive area allocated for an adjacent recording layer.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the remaining area of each recording layer includes a buffer area to compensate for an eccentricity of the optical disc and an influence of a beam focused on another recording layer.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the use directions of the data area and the exclusive area allocated for each recording layer such that the use directions are opposite to each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the exclusive area is a test area that can be used to determine an optimal recording condition.