HK1128142B - Position determining method of a defect management area - Google Patents

Description

Method for determining position of defect management area

The present application is a divisional application of patent applications entitled "information recording medium, recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus, recording method, reproducing method, and defect management method" with application No. 02828675.8, application date being 12/24/2002.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an information recording medium, a recording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, a recording method, a reproducing method, and a defect management method, which provide improved information reliability.

Background

An optical disc such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) is known as an information recording medium of a large capacity. As the amount of information recorded on information recording media has increased, high-density recording technology and large-capacity technology have improved significantly. As these technologies improve, it has become more and more important to ensure reliability of recorded information.

Fig. 9 illustrates a logical structure of a conventional information recording medium 900.

The information recording medium 900 includes a data recording area 901, a first disc information area 902, and a second disc information area 903.

The data recording area 901 includes a user data area 904 in which user data is to be recorded and a spare (spare) area 905. When the user data area contains a defective area, user data to be recorded in the defective area is recorded in the spare area 905, instead of being recorded in a portion of the user data area 904 corresponding to the defective area.

The first disc information area 902 includes a first defect management information area 906 and a second management information area 907 both having defect management information for managing a defective area (e.g., a defective block) existing within the user data area 904 and a spare area 905 in which user data is recorded in place of the defective area.

The second disc information area 903 includes a third defect management information area 908 and a fourth defect management information area 909, both having defect management information for managing a defective area existing within the user data area 904 and a spare area 905 in which user data is recorded in place of the defective area, the same as the first disc management information area 902.

The defective area existing within the user data area 904 may be managed by a slipping algorithm or a linear replacement algorithm (see, for example, ECMA-272 "120 mm DVD rewritable disc (DVDV-RAM)"). In case of the sliding algorithm, the user data recorded in the defective area is skipped over the defective area and slid to a subsequent portion of the user data area 904. Thus, user data is recorded in a portion of the non-defective area within the user data area 904. In the case of the linear replacement algorithm, as shown in fig. 9, user data to be recorded in a defective area is recorded in a spare area 905 that replaces the defective area. In the case of the slipping algorithm and the linear replacement algorithm, defect management information for managing a defective area is recorded within each of the first defect management information area 906, the second defect management information area 907, the third defect management information area 908, and the fourth defect management information area 909.

As described above, since the defect management information is important information, the defect management information is multi-recorded (multiplexed-recorded) on the information recording medium. The reason for this is that: (i) the defect management information itself cannot be the target of defect management; and therefore, if the defect management information area in which the defect management information is to be recorded has a defective area, the defect management information recorded on the information recording medium cannot be reproduced; and (ii) if the defect management information is lost, the user data recorded on the information recording medium cannot be reproduced. The medium on which the defect management information is multiplexed enjoys improved reliability because the commonly reproduced defect management information can be used even if at least one of the plurality of units of defect management information is non-reproducible, so that user data can be reproduced without loss.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a conventional information recording medium 1001. The information recording medium 1001 includes a first defect management information area 1001 and a second defect management information area 1003, in each of which defect management information is to be recorded. The first defect management information area 1002 and the second defect management information area 1003 are located adjacent to each other. The information recording medium 1001 includes a defective area 1004. The defective area 1004 is, for example, a fingerprint, dust, or scratch. User data cannot be recorded in the defective area 1004. The user data recorded in the defective area 1004 cannot be reproduced.

As shown in fig. 10, a defective area 1004 exists on the first defect management information area 1002 and the second defect management information area 1003. The information recording medium 1001 may include two units of defect management information (i.e., defect management information recorded in the first defect management information area 1002 and defect management information recorded in the second defect management information area 1003), but either unit of defect management information cannot be recorded or reproduced due to one defect area 1004. In this case, the user data recorded in the user area cannot be reproduced, and thus reliability of the user data is reduced.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of another conventional information recording medium 1101. The information recording medium 1101 includes a first defect management information area 1102 and a second defect management information area 1103, and defect management information is to be recorded in each area. The first defect management information area 1102 and the second defect management information area 1103 are positioned to substantially face each other. The information recording medium 1101 includes a defective area 1104. Defective area 1104 is, for example, a fingerprint, dust, or scratch.

As shown in fig. 11, a defective area 1104 exists in the first defect management information area 1102. That is, information cannot be recorded in the first defect management information area 1102 or information cannot be reproduced from the area 1102. However, information may be generally recorded on the second defect management information area 1103 or reproduced from the area 1103. In such a case, the user data recorded in the user data area can be reproduced using the defect management information in the second defect management information area 1103, and thus the reliability of the user data is not deteriorated.

As described above with reference to fig. 10 and 11, by positioning the defect management information area in which the defect management information is to be recorded at a separate location within the information recording medium, the possibility of normally reproducing the defect management information is increased. In particular, it is desirable to locate the defect management information areas so as to face each other as shown in fig. 11.

On a conventional information recording medium, the arrangement of the positions of the defect management information areas is determined according to the recording density of the information recording medium. Therefore, it is necessary to change the defect management method according to the recording density. In an information recording medium having a fixed-position arrangement of defect management information areas regardless of recording density, there is no need to change the defect management method, but there is a risk that the defect management information areas are close to each other.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable information recording medium having defect management information areas positioned to face each other regardless of recording density and allowing defects thereof to be managed by a fixed defect management method, an apparatus and method for recording information on such an information recording medium, an apparatus and method for reproducing information from such an information recording medium, and a defect management method for managing defects of such an information recording medium.

Disclosure of Invention

The information recording medium according to the present invention may be used for the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including the first recording density D1 and the second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes: a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to satisfy the relationship of θ 1 of 150 ° ≦ 210 ° and θ 2 of 150 ° ≦ 210 °.

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area. N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium. Thus, the above-described object is achieved.

The first recording density D1 may be 75 millimeters per block (mm/block), the second recording density D2 may be 80 millimeters per block, and the radial distance r may be 60 millimeters.

An absolute value of a ratio of the difference between the first recording density D1 and the second recording density D2 with respect to the first recording density D1 may be 0.05 to 0.1.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium. The information is recorded at a first recording density D1 or a second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including a first recording density D1 and a second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes: a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to satisfy the relationship of θ 1 of 150 ° ≦ 210 ° and θ 2 of 150 ° ≦ 210 °.

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area. N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium. The apparatus comprises: a head section for recording and reproducing information on and from an information recording medium; and a control section for controlling an operation of the head section. The control section controls an operation of the head section so that the head section reproduces the first defect management information from the first defect management information area, moves the number of blocks N from a start block of the first defect management information area, and reproduces the second defect management information from the second defect management information area. The control section specifies defect management information to be used among the first defect management information and the second defect management information, and controls an operation of the head section so that the head section records user data in the user data area based on the specified defect management information. Thus, the above-described object is achieved.

The control section may determine whether there is another defective area within the user data area; when it is determined that there is another defective area, the control section may update the defect management information and control the operation of the head section so that the head section records the user data in a portion of the user data area different from the another defective area based on the updated defect management information.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium. Information is recorded at a first recording density D1 or a second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including a first recording density D1 and a second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes: a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to satisfy the relationship of θ 1 of 150 ° ≦ 210 ° and θ 2 of 150 ° ≦ 210 °.

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area. N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium. The apparatus comprises: a head section for reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium; and a control section for controlling an operation of the head section. The control section controls an operation of the head section so that the head section reproduces the first defect management information from the first defect management information area, moves the number of blocks N from a start block of the first defect management information area, and reproduces the second defect management information from the second defect management information area. The control section specifies defect management information to be used in the first defect management information and the second defect management information, and controls the operation of the head section so that the head section reproduces user data from the user data area based on the specified defect management information. Thus, the above-described object is achieved.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for recording information on an information recording medium. Information is recorded at a first recording density D1 or a second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including a first recording density D1 and a second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes: a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to satisfy the relationship of θ 1 of 150 ° ≦ 210 ° and θ 2 of 150 ° ≦ 210 °.

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area. N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium. The method comprises the following steps: reproducing the first defect management information from the first defect management information area; moving the head part by a number of blocks N from a start block of the first defect management information area to record and reproduce information on and from the information recording medium; reproducing the second defect management information from the second defect management information area; specifying defect management information to be used among the first defect management information and the second defect management information; and recording user data in the user data area according to the specified defect management information. Thus, the above-described object is achieved.

The recording step may include the steps of: determining whether there is another defective area within the user data area; updating the defect management information when it is determined that there is another defective area; and recording user data in a portion of the user data area different from another defective area according to the updated defect management information.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium. Information is recorded at a first recording density D1 or a second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including a first recording density D1 and a second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes: a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to satisfy the relationship of θ 1 of 150 ° ≦ 210 ° and θ 2 of 150 ° ≦ 210 °.

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area. N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium. The method comprises the following steps: reproducing the first defect management information from the first defect management information area; moving the head part by a number of blocks N from a start block of the first defect management information area to reproduce information recorded on the information recording medium; reproducing the second defect management information from the second defect management information area; specifying defect management information to be used among the first defect management information and the second defect management information; and reproducing the user data from the user data area according to the prescribed defect management information. Thus, the above-described object is achieved.

There is provided a defect management method for managing a defective area existing on an information recording medium according to the present invention. The information recording medium may be used for a first recording density D1 or a second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including a first recording density D1 and a second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes: a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to satisfy the relationship of θ 1 of 150 ° ≦ 210 ° and θ 2 of 150 ° ≦ 210 °.

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area. N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium. The defect management method includes the steps of: updating the defect management information; recording the updated defect management information as first defect management information in the first defect management information area; moving the head part by a number of blocks N from a start block of the first defect management information area to record and reproduce information on and from the information recording medium; and recording the updated defect management information as second defect management information in the second defect management information area. Thus, the above-described object is achieved.

The first recording density D1 may be 75 mm/block, the second recording density D2 may be 80 mm/block, and the radial distance r may be 60 mm.

An absolute value of a ratio of the difference between the first recording density D1 and the second recording density D2 with respect to the first recording density D1 may be 0.05 to 0.1.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a logical structure and schematic diagrams of a first information recording medium 101 and a second information recording medium 102 according to a first example of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the number of blocks N, θ 1, and θ 2 according to the first example of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a recording and reproducing apparatus 300 according to a first example of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a regeneration processing routine according to a first example of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a recording processing procedure according to a first example of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a defect management handling procedure according to a first example of the invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates a logical structure and schematic diagrams of a first information recording medium 701, a second information recording medium 702, and a third information recording medium 703 according to a second example of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the number of blocks N and θ 1, θ 2, θ 3 according to the second example of the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates a logical structure of a conventional information recording medium 900.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a conventional information recording medium 1001.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of another conventional information recording medium 1101.

Detailed Description

In the following, the invention will be described by way of illustrative examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(example 1)

(1) Information recording medium

Fig. 1 illustrates a logical structure and schematic diagrams of a first information recording medium 101 and a second information recording medium 102 according to a first example of the present invention.

The first information recording medium 101 is an exemplary medium usable for the first recording density D1 among a plurality of recording densities. The second recording medium 102 is an exemplary medium usable for the second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities. D1 and D2 are different from each other. The first recording density D1 and the second recording density D2 preferably have a relationship such that the absolute value of the ratio of the difference between the first recording density D1 and the second recording density D2 to the first recording density D1 is 0.05 to 0.1. The first information recording medium 101 and the second information recording medium 102 each have a sector structure. In this specification, the minimum unit of recording/reproduction is one sector or several sectors. Hereinafter, the minimum unit of recording/reproduction will be referred to as "block", and the number assigned to each block in ascending order in the recording/reproduction direction will be referred to as "block number".

Both the first information recording medium 101 and the second information recording medium 102 include a data recording area 103, a first disc information area 104, and a second disc information area 105.

The data recording area 103 includes a user data area 106 in which user data is to be recorded and a spare area 107. When the user data area 106 contains a defective area, user data to be recorded in the defective area is recorded in the spare area 107 instead of a portion of the user data area 106 corresponding to the defective area.

The second disc information area 105 includes a first defect management information area 108 having first defect management information and a second defect management information area 109 having second defect management information, both for managing a defective area (e.g., a defective block) existing within the user data area 106 and a spare area 107 having user data recorded therein in place of the defective area. When defect management is normally performed, the contents within the first defect management information and the contents within the second defect management information are the same.

As shown in fig. 1, in the first information recording medium 101 usable for the first recording density D1, the position of the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the position of the start block of the second defect management information area 109 substantially face each other with respect to the center of the first information recording medium 101.

Similarly, in the second information recording medium 102 usable for the second recording density D2, the position of the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the position of the start block of the second defect management information area 109 substantially face each other with respect to the center of the second information recording medium 102.

In this specification, the expression "substantially faces" covers a case where the angle θ formed by the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is 180 °, and a case where such an angle θ is not 180 ° but information can be recorded to and reproduced from the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 despite the occurrence of one defect. This condition is satisfied when the angle theta is in the range of 150 DEG theta to 210 deg.

When the block number of the start block of the first defect management information area 108 of the first information recording medium 101 is S1, the block number of the start block of the second defect management information area 109 of the first information recording medium 101 is E1, the block number of the start block of the first defect management information area 108 of the second information recording medium 102 is S2, and the block number of the start block of the second defect management information area 109 of the second information recording medium 102 is E2, E1-S1-E2-S2-N (N is a constant natural number).

The principle on which the above-described relationship is satisfied in the information recording medium usable for the first recording density D1 among the plurality of recording densities and the information recording medium usable for the second recording density D2 will be described.

In the first information recording medium 101 usable for the first recording density D1 (mm/block), where the angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is θ 1(°), the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is N (natural number), and the radial distance of the first defect management information area 108 from the center of the first information recording medium 101 is r (mm), the following relationship is valid:

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

similarly, in the second information recording medium 102 usable for the second recording density D2 (mm/block), where the angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 is θ 2(°), the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is N (natural number), and the radial distance of the first defect management information area 108 from the center of the second information recording medium 102 is r (mm), the following relationship is valid:

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

in order to position the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 so as to substantially face each other regardless of whether the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 is used, the number N of blocks satisfying the relationships 150 DEG & lttheta 1 & lt 210 DEG and 150 DEG & lttheta 2 & lt 210 deg is found. Thus, regardless of whether the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 is used, the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 are positioned such that the former start block is distant from the latter start block N block.

As long as the information recording medium is usable with the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities, the defect management information areas in such information recording medium face each other regardless of whether the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 is used; and it is not necessary to change the defect management method according to the recording density. Due to such a structure, an information recording medium which is very reliable and can be handled by a convenient defect management method is provided.

(specific example 1)

Next, an information recording medium according to a first example will be described using a specific example.

The first recording density D1 was 75 mm/block, the second recording density D2 was 80 mm/block, and the radial distance r was 60 mm. In this case, the above-mentioned expressions (1) and (2) are as follows:

θ1＝(75×N)/(2π×60)×360(mod360)........(1′)

θ2＝(80×N)/(2π×60)×360(mod360)........(2′)

θ 1 and θ 2 are obtained from expressions (1 ') and (2') in the range of N from 1 to 100.

Fig. 2 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the number of blocks N and θ 1 and θ 2 according to the first example. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates θ 1 (. diamond-solid.) satisfying 90 ° ≦ θ 1 ≦ 270 ° and θ 2 satisfying 90 ° ≦ θ 2 ≦ 270 ° plotted when N is in the range of 1 to 100 (□). According to FIG. 2, when the number N of blocks is 68, 73 and 78, it is found that the relationships of 150 DEG & ltoreq. theta.1 & ltoreq 210 DEG and 150 DEG & ltoreq. theta.2 & ltoreq 210 DEG are satisfied.

Therefore, when the number of blocks N existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is 68, 73, or 78, the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 substantially face each other regardless of whether the first recording density (D1-75 mm/block) or the second recording density (D2-80 mm/block) is used.

In this specific example 1, N is in the range of 1 to 100, but N is not limited to this range. Even when N exceeds 100, the number N of blocks satisfying the relationships of 150 DEG & ltoreq theta 1 & ltoreq 210 DEG and 150 DEG & ltoreq theta 2 & ltoreq 210 DEG (N > 100) can be obtained by finding theta 1 and theta 2 in a similar manner.

In the first example, a linear replacement algorithm is described, by which, when a defective area exists in the user data area 106, user data to be recorded in the defective area is recorded in the spare area 107 instead of the portion of the user data area 106 corresponding to the defective area. The invention is not limited thereto. In the case where the spare area 107 is not provided in the information recording medium, a sliding algorithm may also be used. In this case, the defect management information manages only a defective area existing within the user data area 106.

(2) Reproduction/recording/defect management

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a recording and reproducing apparatus 300 according to a first example of the present invention. The recording and reproducing apparatus 300 records information on the information recording medium 301 according to the first example and/or reproduces information recorded on the information recording medium 301.

The recording and reproducing apparatus 300 includes a control section 302 and a head section 303.

The control section 302 includes a firmware program storage section 304, a central processing unit 305, a storage section 306, and a recording and reproduction control section 307. The firmware program storage section 304 stores an operation program for the central processing unit 305. The central processing unit 305 interprets and executes the operation program stored in the firmware program storage section 304. The storage portion 306 stores information to be recorded on the information recording medium 301 and/or stores information to be reproduced from the information recording medium 301. The storage section 306 may be, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM). The recording and reproducing control portion 307 reads information to be recorded on the information recording medium 301 from the storage portion 306 and/or writes information reproduced from the information recording medium 301 in the storage portion 306.

The head section 303 includes a magnetic head 308. The magnetic head 308 emits laser light to write information as a signal on the information recording medium 301 and/or to read information written on the information recording medium 301 as a signal.

< regeneration >

Next, the reproducing operation of the recording and reproducing apparatus 300 will be described.

The central processing unit 305 interprets and executes a program related to a reproduction operation among the operation programs stored in the firmware program storage section 304. According to the program, the central processing unit 305 instructs the recording and reproduction control section 307 to reproduce the first and second defect management information from the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 of the information recording medium 301.

The recording and reproducing control section 307 instructs the magnetic head 308 of the magnetic head section 303 to reproduce the first management information from the first defect management information area 108 of the information recording medium 301. The magnetic head 308 reproduces the first defect management information, and then the recording and reproducing control section 307 stores the reproduced first defect management information in the storage section 306.

The number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is N. Accordingly, the recording and reproducing control section 307 moves the magnetic head 308 by N blocks from the start block of the first defect management information area 108 in the direction in which the block number is incremented.

The recording and reproducing control section 307 instructs the magnetic head 308 to reproduce the second management information from the second defect management information area 109. The magnetic head 308 reproduces the second defect management information, and then the recording and reproducing control section 307 stores the reproduced second defect management information in the storage section 306.

The central processing unit 305 reads the first defect management information and the second defect management information stored in the storage section 306 and specifies which unit of defect management information is defect management information to be used. The defect management information to be used may be specified, for example, by referring to a value of a first update counter included in the first defect management information and a value of a second update counter included in the second defect management information. When the value of the first update counter matches the value of the second update counter, then any defect management information may be used. When the value of the first update counter does not match the value of the second update counter, defect management information including the update counter having a larger value is employed. The above-described method for specifying defect management information is merely exemplary.

The central processing unit 305 instructs the recording and reproducing control section 307 to reproduce the user data from the information recording medium 301 according to the specified defect management information. The recording and reproduction control portion 307 instructs the magnetic head 308 to reproduce the user data from the user data area 106 and, when the user data area 106 includes a defective area, also to reproduce the user data from the spare area 107. The recording and reproduction control portion 307 stores the user data reproduced in this manner in the storage portion 306.

Next, a processing procedure of reproducing information recorded on an information recording medium according to the first example will be described.

Fig. 4 illustrates a regeneration processing routine according to a first example. The regeneration process is executed by the control section 302. Hereinafter, the regeneration processing procedure will be described step by step.

Step S401: the first defect management information is reproduced from the first defect management information area 108. The reproduced first defect management information is stored in the storage section 306.

Step S402: the head 308 moves N blocks from the start block of the first defect management information area 108 in the block number increasing direction to reproduce the second defect management information. According to the first example, the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is N regardless of whether the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 is used. Therefore, the magnetic head 308 can accurately direct the laser light to the start block of the second defect management information area 109 and thus does not scan an error area like the second defect management information area 109.

Step S403: the second defect management information is reproduced from the second defect management information area 109. The reproduced second defect management information is stored in the storage section 306.

Step S404: the defect management information to be used is specified by the central processing unit 305 from the reproduced first defect management information and the reproduced second defect management information. The update counter may be used as described above to specify the defect management information to be used.

Step S405: the user data is reproduced according to the specified defect management information. More specifically, the head 308 reproduces the user data area 106 based on the specified defect management information, and also reproduces from the spare area 107 when the user data area 106 includes a defective area.

In a first example, a linear replacement algorithm is described by which, when a defective area exists within the user data area 106, user data to be recorded within the defective area is recorded within a spare area 107 that replaces the portion of the user data area 106 corresponding to the defective area. The invention is not limited thereto. In the case where the spare area 107 is not provided in the information recording medium, a sliding algorithm may also be used. In this case, in step S405, the head 308 reproduces the user data from the user data area 106 according to the specified defect management information.

< record >

Next, returning to fig. 3, the recording operation of the recording and reproducing apparatus 300 will be described.

The central processing unit 305 interprets and executes a program related to the recording operation among the operation programs stored in the firmware program storage section 304. According to the program, the central processing unit 305 instructs the recording and reproduction control section 307 to reproduce information in the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 of the information recording medium 301. The operations of reproducing the first and second defect management information and specifying the defect management information to be used are the same as the reproducing operation and will not be described below.

Based on the specified defect management information, the central processing unit 305 instructs the recording and reproducing control section 307 to record the information to be recorded to be stored in the storage section 306 on the information recording medium 301. The recording and reproducing control portion 307 reads information to be recorded from the storage portion 306 and instructs the magnetic head 308 to record the read information in the user data area 106.

While the magnetic head 308 records information in the user data area 106, the central processing unit 305 determines whether there is another defective area in the user data area 106.

When the central processing unit 305 determines that there is another defective area within the user data area 106, the central processing unit 305 updates the defect management information stored in the storage section 306. Next, based on the updated defect management information, the central processing unit 305 instructs the recording and reproducing control section 307 to record the user data on the information recording medium 301. Based on the updated defect management information, the recording and reproducing control section 307 instructs the magnetic head 308 to record information to be recorded in the defective area in the spare area 107.

When the central processing unit 305 determines that there is no other defective area in the user data area 106, the recording process is ended. The above-described determination as to whether there is another defective area is performed by comparing a signal reproduced immediately after recording of user data with a signal indicating user data to be recorded. When these signals match each other, it is determined that the user data has been normally recorded in the user data area 106. When the signals do not match each other, it is determined that user data has not been normally recorded in the user data area 106 and another defective area exists in the user data area 106. Such determination is performed on a block-by-block basis.

Next, a processing procedure of recording information on an information recording medium according to the first example will be described.

Fig. 5 illustrates a recording processing procedure according to the first example. The recording process is executed by the control section 302. Hereinafter, the recording processing procedure will be described step by step.

Steps S501 to S504 are the same as steps S401 to S404 in fig. 4, and will not be described below.

Step S505: user data is recorded on the information recording medium 301 based on the specified defect management information.

Step S506: it is determined whether there is another defective area within the user data area 106. When it is determined that another defective area exists within the user data area 106, the process proceeds to step S507. When it is determined that no other defective area exists within the user data area 106, the user data is normally recorded in the user data area 106, and the recording process is ended.

Step S507: when it is determined that there is another defective area in the user data area 106, the defect management information specified in step S504 is updated. The updating of the defect management information is performed, for example, by re-recording information related to a defective area within the user data area 106 and information (e.g., a spare list) related to a spare area 107 in which information is recorded in place of another defective area. The information relating to defective areas within the user data area 106 and the information relating to the spare area 107 may be, for example, block location information.

Step S508: user data to be recorded in another defective area is recorded in the spare area based on the updated defect management information.

In the first example, a linear replacement algorithm is described, by which, when a defective area exists within the user data area 106, user data to be recorded within the defective area is recorded within a spare area 107, the spare area 107 replacing a portion of the user data area 106 corresponding to the defective area. The invention is not limited thereto. In the case where the spare area 107 is not provided in the information recording medium, a sliding algorithm may also be used. In this case, the defect management information is updated in step S507 by re-recording information related to a defective area within the user data area 106 and information (e.g., a sliding list) related to a portion of the user data area 106 in which information is recorded that will replace another defective area.

< Defect management >

Next, returning again to fig. 3, the defect management operation of the recording and reproducing apparatus 300 will be described. When it is determined in step S507 in fig. 5 that there is another defective area in the user data area 106, a defect management operation is performed. Up to the position where the defect management information is updated, the defect management operation is the same as the recording operation described with reference to fig. 3.

When the defect management information is updated, the central processing unit 305 instructs the recording and reproducing control section 307 to record the updated defect management information on the information recording medium 301.

The recording and reproducing control section 307 instructs the magnetic head 308 of the magnetic head section 303 to record the updated defect management information as the first defect management information in the first defect management information area 108 of the information recording medium 301. The magnetic head 308 records the updated defect management information as first defect management information in the first defect management information area 108.

According to a first example, the number of blocks present between the start block of the first defect management information area 108 and the start block of the second defect management information area 109 is N. Accordingly, the recording and reproducing control section 307 moves the magnetic head 308 by N blocks from the start block of the first defect management information area 108 in the direction in which the block number is incremented. Therefore, the magnetic head 308 can correctly direct the laser light to the start block of the second defect management information area 109 and thus does not record the updated defect management information in an error area such as the second defect management information area 109.

The recording and reproducing control section 307 instructs the magnetic head 308 to record the updated defect management information as the second defect management information in the second management information area 109.

Next, a defect management processing procedure according to the first example will be described.

Fig. 6 illustrates a defect management processing procedure according to a first example. The defect management processing is performed by the control section 302. Hereinafter, the defect management processing procedure will be described step by step.

Step S601 is the same as step S507 in fig. 5, and will not be described below.

Step S602: the updated defect management information is recorded as first defect management information in the first defect management information area 108.

Step S603: the head 308 moves N blocks from the start block of the first defect management information area 108 in the direction of increasing block number to record updated defect management information in the second defect management information area 109.

Step S604: the updated defect management information is recorded as second defect management information in the second defect management information area 109.

According to a first example, the first defect management information area 108 and the second defect management information area 109 are positioned such that their start blocks are spaced apart from each other by N blocks regardless of whether the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 is used. Therefore, the same recording method, reproducing method, and defect management method can be used for an information recording medium usable for the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities.

(example 2)

In the first example, the information recording medium usable for the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities has been described. The invention is not limited thereto. In a second example of the present invention, an information recording medium usable for one of three or more recording densities will be described.

Fig. 7 illustrates a logical structure and schematic diagrams of a first information recording medium 701, a second information recording medium 702, and a third information recording medium 703 according to a second example of the present invention. For simplicity, FIG. 7 illustrates a recording medium that can be used for three different recording densities.

The first information recording medium 701 is an exemplary medium that can be used for the first recording density D1 among three recording densities. The second recording medium 702 is an exemplary medium that can be used for the second recording density D2 among the three recording densities. The third recording medium 703 is an exemplary medium that can be used for the third recording density D3 among the three recording densities. D1, D2 and D3 are different from each other. As in the first example, the first information recording medium 701, the second information recording medium 702, and the third information recording medium 703 each have a sector structure. In this specification, as described above, the minimum unit of recording/reproduction is one sector or several sectors. Hereinafter, the minimum unit of recording/reproduction will be referred to as "block", and the number assigned to each block in ascending order in the recording/reproduction direction will be referred to as "block number".

The first information recording medium 701, the second information recording medium 702, and the third information recording medium 703 each include a data recording area 704, a first disc information area 705, and a second disc information area 706.

The data recording area 704 includes a user data area 707 in which user data is to be recorded and a spare area 708. When the user data area 707 has a defective area, user data to be recorded in the defective area is recorded in the spare area 708, instead of being recorded in a portion of the user data area 707 corresponding to the defective area.

The second disc information area 706 includes a first defect management information area 709 having first defect management information and a second defect management information area 710 having second defect management information, both of which are used to manage a defective area (e.g., a defective block) existing within the user data area 707 and a spare area 708 in which user data is recorded, in place of the defective area. When defect management is normally performed, the contents within the first defect management information and the contents within the second defect management information are the same.

As shown in fig. 7, in the first information recording medium 701 usable for the first recording density D1, the position of the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the position of the start block of the second defect management information area 710 are substantially opposite to each other with respect to the center of the first information recording medium 701.

Similarly, in the second information recording medium 702 usable for the second recording density D2, the position of the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the position of the start block of the second defect management information area 710 substantially face each other with respect to the center of the second information recording medium 702.

Also similarly, in the third information recording medium 703 available for the third recording density D3, the position of the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the position of the start block of the second defect management information area 710 substantially face each other with respect to the center of the third information recording medium 703.

In this specification, as described above, the expression "substantially faces" covers a case where the angle θ formed by the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the start block of the second defect management information area 710 is 180 °, and a case where such an angle θ is not 180 ° but information can be recorded to and reproduced from the first defect management information area 709 and the second defect management information area 710 despite the occurrence of one defect. This condition is satisfied when the angle theta is in the range of 150 DEG theta to 210 DEG inclusive.

When the block number of the start block of the first defect management information area 709 of the first information recording medium 701 is S1, the block number of the start block of the second defect management information area 710 of the first information recording medium 701 is E1, the block number of the start block of the first defect management information area 709 of the second information recording medium 702 is S2, the block number of the start block of the second defect management information area 710 of the second information recording medium 702 is E2, the block number of the start block of the first defect management information area 709 of the third information recording medium 703 is S3, and the block number of the start block of the second defect management information area 710 of the third information recording medium 703 is E3, E1-S1-E2-S2-E3-S3-N (N is a constant natural number).

The principle on which the above relationship is satisfied in an arbitrary information recording medium that can be used for any n (n.gtoreq.3, n being a natural number) recording densities among a plurality of recording densities will be described.

In the first information recording medium 701 usable for the first recording density D1 (mm/block), where the angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the second defect management information area 710 is θ 1(°), the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the start block of the second defect management information area 710 is N (natural number), and the radial distance of the first defect management information area 709 from the center of the first information recording medium 701 is r (mm), the following relationship is valid:

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

similarly, in the second information recording medium 702 usable for the second recording density D2 (mm/block), where the angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the second defect management information area 710 is θ 2(°), the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the start block of the second defect management information area 710 is N (natural number), and the radial distance of the first defect management information area 709 from the center of the second information recording medium 702 is r (mm), the following relationship is valid:

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

also similarly, in the nth information recording medium usable for the nth recording density Dn (mm/block), the following relationship is valid:

θ3＝(D3×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(3)

θk＝(Dk×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(k)

θn＝(Dn×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(n)

here, k is a natural number satisfying 1. ltoreq. k.ltoreq.n (n.gtoreq.3, n is a natural number).

In order to locate the first defect management information area 709 and the second defect management information area 710 so as to substantially face each other regardless of which of the first to nth recording densities is used, the number of blocks satisfying the relationship of 150 ° ≦ θ 1, θ 2, …, θ k, …, θ n ≦ 210 ° is found. Thus, regardless of which of the first to nth recording densities is used, the first defect management information area 709 and the second defect management information area 710 are located such that the former start block is distant from the latter start block by N blocks.

As long as the information recording medium is usable for any one of the first to nth recording densities, the defect management information areas within such information recording medium face each other regardless of which of the first to nth recording densities is used; and it is not necessary to change the defect management method according to the recording density. Due to such a structure, an information recording medium which is very reliable and can be handled by a convenient defect management method is provided.

(specific example 2)

Next, an information recording medium according to a second example will be described by way of a specific example with reference to fig. 7. In this specific example 2, n is 3.

The first recording density D1 was 66.4 mm/block, the second recording density D2 was 72.7 mm/block, the third recording density D3 was 77.0 mm/block, and the radial distance r was 58 mm.

In this case, the above-mentioned expressions (1), (2), and (3) are as follows:

θ1＝(66.4×N)/(2π×58)×360(mod360)........(1″)

θ2＝(71.7×N)/(2π×58)×360(mod360)........(2″)

θ3＝(77.0×N)/(2π×58)×360(mod360)........(3″)

θ 1, θ 2, and θ 3 are obtained from expressions (1 "), (2"), and (3 "), and N ranges from 1 to 200.

Fig. 8 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the number of blocks N and θ 1, θ 2, and θ 3 according to the second example. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates θ 1 (. diamond-solid.) satisfying 90. ltoreq. θ 1. ltoreq.270, θ 2(■) satisfying 90. ltoreq. θ 2. ltoreq.270, and θ 3 (. tangle-solidup.) satisfying 90. ltoreq. θ 3. ltoreq.270, plotted when N is in the range of 1 to 200. According to FIG. 8, it is found that the relationships of 150 DEG.ltoreq.theta.1.ltoreq.210 DEG, 150 DEG.ltoreq.theta.2.ltoreq.210 DEG, and 150 DEG.ltoreq.theta.3.ltoreq.210 DEG are satisfied when the number of blocks N is 69 and 140.

Therefore, when the number of blocks N existing between the start block of the first defect management information area 709 and the start block of the second defect management information area 710 is 69 or 140, the first defect management information area 709 and the second defect management information area 710 substantially face each other regardless of whether the first recording density (D1 ═ 66.4 mm/block), the second recording density (D2 ═ 71.7 mm/block), or the third recording density (D3 ═ 77.0 mm/block) is used.

In this specific example 2, the range of N is 1 to 200, but N is not limited to this range. Even when N exceeds 200, the number N of blocks satisfying the relationships of 150 DEG.ltoreq.theta.1.ltoreq.210 DEG, 150 DEG.ltoreq.theta.2.ltoreq.210 DEG and 150 DEG.ltoreq.theta.3.ltoreq.210 DEG (N > 200) can be obtained by searching for theta 1, theta 2 and theta 3 in a similar manner.

The recording and reproducing apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium and/or reproducing information recorded on the information recording medium according to the second example is the same as the recording and reproducing apparatus 300 described in the first example with reference to fig. 3, and will not be described below. The reproduction processing program, recording processing program, and defect management program for the information recording medium in the second example are also the same as those described in the first example with reference to fig. 4, 5, and 6, and will not be described below.

Industrial applicability

The information recording medium according to the present invention may be used for the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 among a plurality of recording densities including the first recording density D1 and the second recording density D2. The information recording medium includes a user data area in which user data is to be recorded; a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information. The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned to satisfy the relationships of 150 ° ≦ θ 1 ≦ 210 ° and 150 ° ≦ θ 2 ≦ 210 ° regardless of whether the first recording density D1 or the second recording density D2 is used.

In this case, the amount of the solvent to be used,

θ1＝(D1×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(1)

θ2＝(D2×N)/(2π×r)×360(mod360)........(2)

θ 1 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1. θ 2 is an angle formed by the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2. N is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area, and N is a natural number. r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium.

The first defect management information area and the second defect management information area are positioned so as to face each other within the information recording medium. Therefore, even when the information recording medium has a defective area, information can be normally recorded in or reproduced from at least one defect management information area. This improves the reliability of the information recorded in the user data area. Since the defect management information area is located at a fixed position regardless of the recording density, it is not necessary to change the defect management method according to the recording density. This facilitates the defect management process.

Claims (3)

1. A method for determining a location of a defect management area of an information recording medium, wherein the information recording medium comprises:

a user data area in which user data is to be recorded;

a first defect management information area in which first defect management information for managing a defective area existing in the user data area is to be recorded; and

a second defect management information area in which second defect management information is to be recorded, the second defect management information having the same contents as the first defect management information;

wherein:

θ1＝(D1*N)/(2*π*r)*360(Mod 360)，

θ2＝(D2*N)/(2*π*r)*360(Mod 360)，

θ 1 is an angle formed by the head of the start block of the first defect management information area and the head of the start block of the second defect management information area with respect to the center of the first information recording medium when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the first recording density D1;

θ 2 is an angle formed by the head of the start block of the first defect management information area and the head of the start block of the second defect management information area with respect to the center of the second information recording medium when the user data is recorded in the user data area at the second recording density D2;

n is the number of blocks existing between the start block of the first defect management information area and the start block of the second defect management information area, and is a natural number,

r is a radial distance of the first defect management information area from the center of the information recording medium,

n recorded in the first information recording medium at a first recording density D1 and N recorded in the second information recording medium at a second recording density D2 are the same value, and

the positions of the first defect management information area and the second defect management information area in the first information recording medium and the second information recording medium are determined after N satisfying the relationships of 150 DEG & lttheta 1 & lt 210 DEG and 150 DEG & lttheta 2 & lt 210 deg is found.

2. A method for reproducing an information recording medium, wherein the location of the defect management area is determined by the determination method as set forth in claim 1, the method comprising:

the first defect management information is reproduced from the first defect management area or the second defect management information is reproduced from the second defect management area.

3. A method for recording on an information recording medium, wherein the location of the defect management area is determined by the determination method as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising:

recording the first defect management information in the first defect management area or recording the second defect management information in the second defect management area.