Information recording medium, information recording method, information recording apparatus, information reproduction method, and information reproduction apparatus Number:7,155,566 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent According to a recording method for a conventional rewritable disc, the latest data is recorded by rewriting data in an identical area. In the case of a disc of which the number of times of data rewrite is limited, this causes a problem that a defect block is easily generated. The present invention has an objective of providing an information recording medium, an information recording and reproduction method, and an information recording and reproduction system apparatus, by which data is recorded sequentially from an unallocated area after an entry sector number, and data recording is sequentially repeated from an inner portion to an outer portion.<H reproduction, information, Information, rec, 7155566.html, Patent, pto, 7155566

Title: Information recording medium, information recording method, information recording apparatus, information reproduction method, and information reproduction apparatus

Abstract: According to a recording method for a conventional rewritable disc, the latest data is recorded by rewriting data in an identical area. In the case of a disc of which the number of times of data rewrite is limited, this causes a problem that a defect block is easily generated. The present invention has an objective of providing an information recording medium, an information recording and reproduction method, and an information recording and reproduction system apparatus, by which data is recorded sequentially from an unallocated area after an entry sector number, and data recording is sequentially repeated from an inner portion to an outer portion.

Patent Number: 7,155,566 Issued on 12/26/2006 to Sasaki, et al.

Inventors: Sasaki; Miyuki (Osaka, JP), Gotoh; Yoshiho (Osaka, JP), Fukushima; Yoshihisa (osaka, JP)
Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Kadoma, JP)

Appl. No.: 11/066,838

Filed: February 25, 2005

Foreign Application Priority Data


Aug 02, 2001 [JP]			2001-234537
Aug 10, 2001 [JP]			2001-245088
Aug 30, 2001 [JP]			2001-262479
Sep 12, 2001 [JP]			2001-277306
Sep 25, 2001 [JP]			2001-292593
Nov 12, 2001 [JP]			2001-346779

Current U.S. Class: 711/112 ; 711/100; 711/170

Current International Class: G06F 12/00 (20060101); G06F 13/00 (20060101)

Field of Search: 711/100,112,154,170,171,172,173

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


200521	February 1878	Edison
6647479	November 2003	Laws
6839802	January 2005	Dimitri et al.

Foreign Patent Documents


04-120634 (A1)	Apr., 1992	JP
10-083330	Mar., 1998	JP
10-289524	Oct., 1998	JP
11-096690	Apr., 1999	JP
2000-003562	Jan., 2000	JP
2000-306362	Nov., 2000	JP
2001-084690	Mar., 2001	JP

Other References

International Search Report for corresponding Application No. PCT/JP02/07688 mailed Nov. 5, 2002. cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/333,662, filed Jan. 21, 2003, current claims, (copy provided). cited by other .
U.S. Appl. No. 10/343,542, filed Jan. 22, 2003, current claims, (copy provided). cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Thai; Tuan V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

Parent Case Text

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/333,662 filed on Jan. 21, 2003, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which is based on PCT International Application No. PCT/JP02/07688, filed on Jul. 29, 2002, which claims priority to Japan Patent Application Nos. 2001-234537, filed Aug. 2, 2001; 2001-245088, filed Aug. 10, 2001; 2001-262,479, filed Aug. 30, 2001; 2001-277306, filed Sep. 12, 2001; 2001-292593, filed Sep. 25, 2001; and 2001-346779, filed Nov. 12, 2001.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. An information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium comprising: an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; and a pointer information recording area for recording pointer information indicating a position of an area which has been allocated by a previous recording operation to the information recording area.

2. An information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording area includes an area for recording a file structure.

3. An information recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the information recording area includes an area for recording a space management structure for managing an unallocated area in the information recording area.

4. An information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium comprising: a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; a first pointer information recording area for recording first pointer information indicating a position of an area which has been allocated by a previous recording operation to the first information recording area, and a second pointer information recording area for recording second pointer information indicating a position of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the second information recording area, wherein the second pointer information recording area is provided in the first information recording area.

5. An information recording medium according to claim 4, wherein: the second information recording area includes an AV file recording area for recording an AV file, and the first information recording area includes a management information area for recording management information for managing the AV file recording area.

6. An information recording medium according to claim 5, wherein a defect area in the management information area is managed in accordance with a first defect management method, and a defect area in the AV file recording area is managed in accordance with a second defect management method which is different from the first defect management method.

7. An information recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the first defect management method is based on recording with verify, and the second defect management method is based on recording without verify.

8. An information recording medium according to claim 4, wherein: the second information recording area includes an AV file recording area for recording an AV file, and the first information recording area includes a non-AV file recording area for recording a non-AV file.

9. An information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium comprising: a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; and a second information recording area, allocated to a part of the first information recording area, to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, wherein the information recording medium is structured so as to allow a position of the second information recording area to be moved in the first information recording area.

10. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium including an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a pointer information recording area, the information recording method comprising the steps of: performing a recording operation to the information recording area repeatedly; and recording, in the pointer information recording area, pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the information recording area.

11. An information recording method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of searching for an unallocated area in the information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the pointer information.

12. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium including a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a first pointer information recording area, and a second pointer information recording area, wherein the second pointer information recording area is provided in the first information recording area, the information recording method comprising the steps of: performing a recording operation to the first information recording area repeatedly; recording, in the first pointer information recording area, first pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the first information recording area; performing a recording operation to the second information recording area repeatedly; and recording, in the second pointer information recording area, second pointer information indicating a position of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the second information recording area.

13. An information recording method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: searching for an unallocated area in the first information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the first pointer information; and searching for an unallocated area in the second information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the second pointer information.

14. An information recording method for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium including a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, the information recording method comprising the steps of: allocating the second information recording area to a part of the first information recording area; and moving a position of the second information recording area, allocated to the part of the first information recording area, in the first information recording area.

15. An information recording apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium including an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a pointer information recording area, the information recording apparatus comprising: means for performing a recording operation to the information recording area repeatedly; and means for recording, in the pointer information recording area, pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the information recording area.

16. An information recording apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising means for searching for an unallocated area in the information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the pointer information.

17. An information recording apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium including a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a first pointer information recording area, and a second pointer information recording area, wherein the second pointer information recording area is provided in the first information recording area, the information recording apparatus comprising: means for performing a recording operation to the first information recording area repeatedly; means for recording, in the first pointer information recording area, first pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the first information recording area; means for performing a recording operation to the second information recording area repeatedly; and means for recording, in the second pointer information recording area, second pointer information indicating a position of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the second information recording area.

18. An information recording apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: means for searching for an unallocated area in the first information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the first pointer information; and means for searching for an unallocated area in the second information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the second pointer information.

19. An information recording apparatus for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, the information recording medium including a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, the information recording apparatus comprising: means for allocating the second information recording area to a part of the first information recording area; and means for moving a position of the second information recording area, allocated to the part of the first information recording area, in the first information recording area.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information recording medium, of which the number of times data can be rewritten in the same area is limited, a method and an apparatus for recording information on such an information recording medium, and a method and an apparatus for reproducing information recorded on such an information recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

One exemplary information recording medium having a sector structure is an optical disc. As the density and capacity of the optical disc have recently been increased and more and more information has been transferred by multimedia, video and audio data are now enjoyed interactively using a plurality of strings of data recorded on an optical disc. A disc, having interactive video data recorded thereon, has an AV file including a plurality of MPEG streams as well as a control file for controlling reproduction of AV data recorded thereon.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 8 illustrating a directory structure, the relationship of an AV directory structure and an AV file with a control file will be described. An AV directory at which video and audio data is recorded is located under a root directory. The AV directory has AV files (AVfile-a), (AVfile-c) and (AVfile-d) including the video and audio data itself, and a control file (Datafile) including information regarding the AV files. The control file (Datafile) includes, for example, names of titles of video and audio data recorded on the disc, the order of reproduction of data strings of each title, and positional information of I picture, P picture and the like which are necessary for special reproduction such slow reproduction, fast-forwarding and the like. In the case where one control file corresponds to one AV file, a plurality of control files may be recorded. The files are recorded under a predetermined directory with predetermined file names, such that the recording and reproduction apparatus can easily access an intended file.

With reference to FIG. 21, one exemplary data structure of a DVD-RAM disc, which is a rewritable disc, having the above-described files recorded thereon using a volume file structure defined in the ECMA167 Standards will be described. An upper portion of the figure corresponds to an inner area of the disc, and a lower portion of the figure corresponds to an outer area of the disc. Logical sector numbers are allocated from the leading end of the volume space in units of a sector. A volume structure area 101 has information recorded therein for logically handling the disc as a volume, and also has positional information of a space bit map 1021 and positional information of a file entry 1022 of a root directory. In general, each file is accessed using a logical block number, but in this example, each file is accessed using a logical sector number for simplicity of explanation.

A file structure area 1001 is an area in which a descriptor for defining a file structure is to be recorded. The space bit map 1021 is a bit map for managing, in units of a sector, an unallocated area of the volume space to which a file structure or data can be allocated. The space bit map 1021 has information indicating, in units of a logical sector, whether each area has information already recorded therein or unallocated. The file entry (root directory) 1022 has attribute information and recording position information of a root directory. A root directory 1023 has positional information of an file entry 1024 of an AV directory (AVDir) recorded under the root directory.

The file entry (AVDir) 1024 has attribute information and recording position information of an AV directory (AVDir) 1025. The AV directory (AVDir) 1025 has positional information of file entries 1026, 1027, 1028 and 1029 respectively of an AV file (AVfile-a), an AV file (AVfile-c), an AV file (AVfile-d) and a control file (Datafile).

These file entries of the AV files and the control file have attribute information and positional information of the AV file (AVfile-a), the AV file (AVfile-c), the AV file (AVfile-d) and the control file (Datafile) 1030 which are recorded in a file area 1002. The file area 1002 is an area in which data of the AV files and the control file is to be recorded.

A defect management area 1003 includes a DMA (Defect Management Area) 1004 for managing a defect and a spare area 1005 in which the content of the data which is to be recorded in the defect area is substitutively recorded. In the DMA, a spare entry for managing a defect area which is substituted for and an area for substituting for the defect area is registered. The spare entry has an address 1045 of the defect area and an address 1046 of the spare area.

Next, with reference to FIG. 22 illustrating a block diagram and FIG. 23 illustrating a flowchart, a process for writing new video and audio data over the AV file (AVfile-d) will be described. Here, the size of the video and audio data to be newly written is larger than the size of the video and audio data already recorded in the AV file (AVfile-d).

(S1201) A system control section 201 follows a control program built therein as file structure reproduction means 110 so as to acquire positional information of an unallocated area corresponding to the size that the AV file (AVfile-d) is short of, and necessary for, writing the new video and audio data from the space bit map 1021.

(S1202) The system control section 201 follows a control program built therein as file recording means 213 so as to overwrite the data in the AV file (AVfile-d), and instructs an optical disc drive device 205 to record data in the unallocated area acquired in step (S1201). The optical disc drive device 205 records the video and audio data transferred from a data memory 221 and writes the relevant control data over the data in the control file (Datafile). When a defect area is detected during the file recording processing, the optical disc drive device 205 substitutively records the content of the AV file, which is to be recorded in a defect area 1053, in the spare area 1005, and registers, in the DMA 1004, a spare entry 1051 which is information corresponding to an address 1045 of the defect area 1053 and an address 1046 of the spare area 1005. The optical disc drive device 205 notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S1203) The system control section 201 follows a control program built therein as file structure recording means 1101 so as to reflect the recording state of the unallocated area, used in step (S1202), in the space bit map 1021.

(S1204) The system control section 201 follows a control program built therein as the file structure recording means 1101 so as to instruct the optical disc drive device 205 to record in the file structure area 1001 the updated space bit map 1021, the file entry (Datafile) 1029 of the control file (Datafile) 1030, and the file entry (AVfile-d) 1028 of the recorded AV file. The optical disc drive device 205 writes such file structures transferred from a file structure memory 1103 over the data in the file structure area, and notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

In the above example of substituting for a defect area, the AV file is overwritten. The substituting is similarly performed for recording a data file such as a control file, a volume structure or a file structure.

In a lead-in area of the DVD-RAM disc, four data structure area DMAs (Defect Management Areas) for defect management performed in a sector in the volume space are provided. All such DMAs are rewritten at the corresponding position each time a defect occurs.

For simplicity of explanation, the spare area is located in the lead-in area in the above example. In an actual DVD-RAM disc, however, a spare area is provided between the lead-in area and the volume space. In the case where there is a shortage of the spare area due to frequent occurrence of substitution, an additional spare area is provided in an area external to the volume space.

In the case of a rewritable disc in which data can be rewritten in the same sector 100,000 times, no problem occurs even if data is concentratedly rewritten in the same sector. In the case of a rewritable disc to which the number of times data can be rewritten is limited to about 100 to 1000 times, however, the following problems occur when the user newly creates, rewrites, or deletes a file: since data is frequently written in the same area, defects easily occur as a result of which important data, such as a file structure or a control file, is destroyed, or data cannot be recorded on the medium.

The present invention for solving the above-described problems has an objective of sequentially moving an AV file area and a basic file structure area from an inner portion to an outer portion of a disc to which the number of times of data rewrite is limited, so as to avoid concentration of data rewrite in the same area and thus prevent occurrence of a defect.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An information recording medium, according to the present invention, of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited includes an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; and a pointer information recording area for recording pointer information indicating a position of an end of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording area may include an AV file recording area for recording an AV file.

The information recording area may include an area for recording a space management structure for managing an unallocated area in the information recording area.

An information recording medium, according to the present invention, of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited includes an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; and a pointer information recording area for recording pointer information indicating a position of an area which has been allocated by a previous recording operation to the information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording area may include an area for recording a file structure.

The information recording area may include an area for recording a space management structure for managing an unallocated area in the information recording area.

An information recording medium, according to the present invention, of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, includes a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; a first pointer information recording area for recording first pointer information indicating a position of an area which has been allocated by a previous recording operation to the first information recording area, and a second pointer information recording area for recording second pointer information indicating a position of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the second information recording area. The second pointer information recording area is provided in the first information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The second information recording area may include an AV file recording area for recording an AV file. The first information recording area may include a management information area for recording management information for managing the AV file recording area.

A defect area in the management information area may be managed in accordance with a first defect management method. A defect area in the AV file recording area may be managed in accordance with a second defect management method which is different from the first defect management method.

The first defect management method may be based on recording with verify, and the second defect management method is based on recording without verify.

The second information recording area may include an AV file recording area for recording an AV file. The first information recording area may include a non-AV file recording area for recording a non-AV file.

An information recording medium, according to the present invention, of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited, includes a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed; and a second information recording area, allocated to a part of the first information recording area, to which sequential loop recording is to be performed. The information recording medium is structured so as to allow a position of the second information recording area to be moved in the first information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

An information recording method, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a pointer information recording area. The information recording method includes the steps of performing a recording operation to the information recording area repeatedly; and recording, in the pointer information recording area, pointer information indicating a position of an end of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording method may further include the step of searching for an unallocated area in the information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the pointer information.

An information recording method, according to the present invention for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provides. The information recording medium includes an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a pointer information recording area. The information recording method includes performing a recording operation to the information recording area repeatedly; and recording, in the pointer information recording area, pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording method may further include the step of searching for an unallocated area in the information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the pointer information.

An information recording method, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a first pointer information recording area, and a second pointer information recording area, wherein the second pointer information recording area is provided in the first information recording area. The information recording method includes the steps of performing a recording operation to the first information recording area repeatedly; recording, in the first pointer information recording area, first pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the first information recording area; performing a recording operation to the second information recording area repeatedly; and recording, in the second pointer information recording area, second pointer information indicating a position of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the second information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording method may further include the steps of searching for an unallocated area in the first information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the first pointer information; and searching for an unallocated area in the second information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the second pointer information.

An information recording method, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed. The information recording method includes the steps of allocating the second information recording area to a part of the first information recording area; and moving a position of the second information recording area, allocated to the part of the first information recording area, in the first information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

An information recording apparatus, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a pointer information recording area. The information recording apparatus includes means for performing a recording operation to the information recording area repeatedly; and means for recording, in the pointer information recording area, pointer information indicating a position of an end of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording apparatus may further include means for searching for an unallocated area in the information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the pointer information.

An information recording apparatus, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes an information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a pointer information recording area. The information recording apparatus includes means for performing a recording operation to the information recording area repeatedly; and means for recording, in the pointer information recording area, pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording apparatus may further include means for searching for an unallocated area in the information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the pointer information.

An information recording apparatus, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, a first pointer information recording area, and a second pointer information recording area, wherein the second pointer information recording area is provided in the first information recording area. The information recording apparatus includes means for performing a recording operation to the first information recording area repeatedly; means for recording, in the first pointer information recording area, first pointer information indicating a position of an area allocated by a previous recording operation to the first information recording area; means for performing a recording operation to the second information recording area repeatedly; and means for recording, in the second pointer information recording area, second pointer information indicating a position of an area in which data has been recorded by a previous recording operation to the second information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

The information recording apparatus may further include means for searching for an unallocated area in the first information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the first pointer information; and means for searching for an unallocated area in the second information recording area in a certain direction from a position subsequent to the position indicated by the second pointer information.

An information recording apparatus, according to the present invention, for recording information on an information recording medium of which the number of times of data rewrite to an identical area is limited is provided. The information recording medium includes a first information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed, and a second information recording area to which sequential loop recording is to be performed. The information recording apparatus includes means for allocating the second information recording area to a part of the first information recording area; and means for moving a position of the second information recording area, allocated to the part of the first information recording area, in the first information recording area. Thus, the above-described objectives are achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a data structure of an information recording medium according to Example 1.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an information recording and reproduction apparatus according to Example 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of formatting processing in Example 1.

FIG. 4 shows a data structure of an information recording medium after the formatting processing is performed in Example 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file recording processing in Example 1.

FIG. 6 shows a data structure of an information recording medium after the file recording is performed in Example 1.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file reproduction processing in Example 1.

FIG. 8 shows a directory structure for managing a file recorded on a disc.

FIG. 9 shows a data structure of a recording information zone in Example 1.

FIG. 10 shows a data structure of an information recording medium having a plurality of entry sector numbers in Example 1.

FIG. 11 shows a data structure of an information recording medium according to Example 2.

FIG. 12 shows a data structure of an information recording medium after substitution processing to a unit is performed in Example 2.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file recording processing in Example 2.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file reproduction processing in Example 2.

FIG. 15 shows a data structure of an information recording medium according to Example 3.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file recording processing in Example 3.

FIG. 17 shows a data structure of an information recording medium according to Example 4.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of file recording processing in Example 4.

FIG. 19 shows a data structure of an information recording medium according to Example 5.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of update processing of an entry sector number in Example 5.

FIG. 21 shows a data structure of a conventional DVD-RAM disc.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an information recording and reproduction apparatus using a conventional DVD-RAM disc.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of conventional file recording processing.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Definition of Terms)

The terms used in this specification will be defined as follows.

(1) "Sequential loop recording" refers to searching for unallocated areas in a predetermined recording area, allocating the areas based on the search result, and recording data in the allocated areas. Searching for unallocated areas in the predetermined recording area is achieved by searching for an unallocated area in a certain direction from a predetermined position and, in the case where the search reaches the trailing end of the predetermined recording area, searching for the next unallocated area from the leading end of the predetermined recording area. In this specification, "sequential loop recording" is also referred to as "loop recording in a certain direction". These terms are synonymous.

(2) "AV data" refers to data indicating at least one of video data and audio data.

(3) An "AV file" refers to a file including AV data.

1. EXAMPLE 1

In Example 1, an information recording medium, of which the number of times data can be rewritten in the same area is limited, a method and an apparatus for recording information on such an information recording medium, and a method and an apparatus for reproducing information recorded on such an information recording medium will be described.

This example assumes an information recording medium to which the number of times data can be rewritten is limited to about 100 to 1000 times. The present invention is also applicable to an information recording medium to which the number of times data can be rewritten is limited to a smaller number of times or a larger number of times. The information recording medium may be, for example, any type of information recording medium (for example, an optical disc, a magnetic disc, or a magneto-optical disc) In this example, the information recording medium is an optical disc.

In this example, information to be recorded on the information recording medium or information to be reproduced from the information recording medium is a file managed using a file structure based on the UDF (Universal Disk Format) conforming to the ECMA167 Standards.

In the following description, a descriptor, a pointer and the like which are recorded on the information recording medium as a volume file structure have a data structure defined by the ECMA167 or UDF (Universal Disk Format) Standards unless otherwise described in detail.

1.1 Data Structure of an Optical Disc

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary data structure of an optical disc.

The optical disc has a lead-in area, a volume space, and a lead-out area formed thereon. The lead-in area is provided in an inner portion of the optical disc. The lead-out area is provided in an outer portion of the optical disc. The volume space is interposed between the lead-in area and the lead-out area.

The lead-in area has a recording information zone 111 allocated thereto. The recording information zone 111 includes a count unit and a plurality of registration units.

The volume space has a volume structure area 101, a latest file structure area 131, and AV file areas 102, 103 and 105 allocated thereto. Unallocated areas 121, 122, 124 and 125 are areas having no valid data allocated thereto.

The lead-out area has an extended recording information zone 112 allocated thereto.

1.2 Structure of an Information Recording and Reproduction Apparatus

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary information recording and reproduction apparatus.

The information recording and reproduction apparatus includes a system control section 201, a memory circuit 202, a magnetic disc device 204, and an optical disc drive device 205. These elements are connected to each other via an I/O bus 203.

The system control section 201 includes volume structure recording means 211 for recording a volume structure, volume structure reproduction means 214 for reproducing the volume structure, VAT structure recording means 212 for recording a VAT structure, VAT structure reproduction means 215 for reproducing the VAT structure, space management structure recording means 251 for recording a space management structure, space management structure reproduction means 252 for reproducing the space management structure, basic file structure recording means 261 for recording a basic file structure, basic file structure reproduction means 262 for reproducing the basic file structure, file recording means 213 for recording file data, file reproduction means 216 for reproducing the file data, and defect area management means 217. The system control section 201 is implemented by, for example, a microprocessor including a control program and an arithmetic memory.

The memory circuit 202 includes a data memory 221 for temporarily storing a file, a VAT structure memory 222 used for arithmetic or temporary storage of the VAT structure, a space management structure memory 253 used for arithmetic or temporary storage of the space management structure, a basic file structure memory 263 used for arithmetic or temporary storage of the basic file, a volume structure memory 223 used for arithmetic or temporary storage of the volume structure, and a defect list memory 224.

The optical disc drive device 205 includes a drive control section 231, a memory circuit 232, and recording and reproduction means 234. These elements are connected to each other via an internal bus 233.

The drive control section 231 includes recording information zone recording means 271 for recording information in the recording information zone, and recording information zone reproduction means 272 for reproducing information recorded in the recording information zone.

The memory circuit 232 includes a recording information zone memory 273 used for arithmetic or temporary storage of the information to be recorded in the recording information zone, and a buffer memory 241.

The recording and reproduction means 234 records information on an optical disc 235 or reproduces information recorded on the optical disc 235.

The information recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 2 has both a function of recording information on the optical disc 235 and a function of reproducing information recorded on the optical disc 235. Accordingly, the information recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 2 can be regarded as an "information recording apparatus" for recording information on the optical disc 235. In this case, the elements which are not relevant to the function of recording information on the optical disc 235 may be omitted. Alternatively, the information recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 2 can be regarded as an "information reproduction apparatus" for reproducing information recorded on the optical disc 235. In this case, the elements which are not relevant to the function of reproducing information recorded on the optical disc 235 may be omitted.

1.3 Formatting Processing

FIG. 3 shows a procedure of formatting processing for formatting the optical disc 235. The formatting processing is performed by the information recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the steps shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail.

(S301) The system control section 201 creates a volume structure including pre-designated parameters such as a volume name, and stores the volume structure in the volume structure memory 223 of the memory circuit 202. The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the volume structure, stored in the volume structure memory 223, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the volume structure recording means 211. The optical disc drive device 205 records the volume structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S302) The system control section 201 creates a basic file structure, and stores the basic file structure in the basic file structure memory 263 of the memory circuit 202. The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the basic file structure, stored in the basic file structure memory 263, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the basic file structure recording means 261. The optical disc drive device 205 records the basic file structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S303) The system control section 201 creates a space management structure, and stores the space management structure in the space management structure memory 253 of the memory circuit 202. At this point, positional information of an unallocated area 422 is registered in a space entry 453 in consideration of the capacity of the VAT structure area allocated in step (S304). The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the space management structure, stored in the space management structure memory 253, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the space management structure recording means 251. The optical disc drive device 205 records the space management structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S304) The system control section 201 creates a VAT structure, and stores the VAT structure in the VAT structure memory 222 of the memory circuit 202. The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the VAT structure, stored in the VAT structure memory 222, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the VAT structure recording means 212. The optical disc drive device 205 records the VAT structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S305) The system control section 201 instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record data in the recording information zone. The drive control section 231 creates a first registration block 176 including an entry sector number (pointer information) indicating the position of the trailing end of the latest file structure area and a version number (version information) for identifying a valid registration block, stores the first registration block 176 in the recording information zone memory 273 of the memory circuit 232, and records the first registration block 176 at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235. For example, the drive control section 231 records the first registration block 176 in a first registration unit 142, and records, at the leading end of the count unit, the count block having the identification number of the registration unit in which data has been recorded. The above-described operations of the drive control section 231 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the drive control section 231 as the recording information zone recording means 271. When the recording operation is completed, the optical disc drive device 205 notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

In this example, the recording operation of the registration block and the recording operation of the count block are performed separately, but these recording operations may be performed concurrently.

FIG. 4 shows a structure of data recorded on the optical disc 235 after the formatting processing is performed.

The volume structure area 101 has the volume structure recorded therein. The volume structure includes a volume recognition sequence 441 having recognition information of a volume, a primary volume descriptor 442 having attribute information of the volume, a processing system descriptor 443 having information for the processing system, a partition descriptor 444 having partition information, a logical volume descriptor 445 having recognition information of a logical volume, an unallocated space descriptor 446 having information of an unallocated area in the volume space, an terminating descriptor 447 indicating a trailing end of a basic descriptor sequence, a logical volume integrity descriptor 448 having information of an integrity state of the logical volume, and an anchor volume descriptor pointer 449 having information on access start to the volume. The information recorded in the volume structure area is not limited to the above-described order or types.

In a basic file structure area 432 of a latest file structure area 431, the basic file structure is recorded. The basic file structure includes a file set descriptor 450, a root directory 451, and a file entry (root directory) 452.

In a space management structure area 421 of the latest file structure area 431, the space management structure is recorded. The space management structure includes the unallocated space entry 453.

In a VAT structure area 401 of the latest file structure area 431, the VAT structure is recorded. The VAT structure includes a VAT 454 and a VATICB 455. The VAT 454 and the VATICB 455 are data structures defined by the UDF Standards. A recording position of data on an optical disc is indicated using a virtual address in a virtual address space and a logical address in a logical address space. The VAT 454 retains the correspondence between virtual addresses and logical addresses. The VATICB 455 indicates the recording position of the VAT 454. The VATICB 455 is allocated to a sector at the trailing end of the area in which the data is recorded.

The recording information zone 111 includes a count unit 141 for designating the number of a valid registration unit, and a plurality of registration units including the first registration unit 142 and a second registration unit 143. In the count unit 141, only a first count block 171 indicating the identification number of the first registration unit 142 is recorded. In the first registration unit 142, the first registration block 176 having an entry sector number 464 indicating the positional information of the latest file structure area 431 is recorded.

Data is not recorded in the second count block et seq. in the count unit 141. Data is not recorded in the second count block et seq. in the first registration unit 142. Data is not recorded in the second registration unit 143 et seq.

1.4 File Recording Processing

FIG. 5 shows a procedure of file recording processing for recording a file on the optical disc 235. The file recording processing is performed by the information recording and reproduction apparatus shown in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the steps shown in FIG. 5 will be described in detail. In the following example, the AV file (AVfile-a), the AV file (AVfile-b), and a control file thereof are recorded on the optical disc 235 having the data structure shown in FIG. 4.

(S501) The system control section 201 acquires positional information 467 of an unallocated area from the unallocated space entry 453 which has been read to the space management structure memory 253. The above-described operation of the system control section 201 is achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the space management structure recording means 251.

(S502) The system control section 201 allocates the unallocated area based on the positional information of the unallocated area acquired in step (S501), and instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record data of an AV file (AVfile-a) 641 in the allocated area. The system control section 201 further creates a file entry (AVfile-a) 642 of the AV file (AVfile-a) 641, stores the file entry in the data memory 221, and instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the file entry in an area continuous from the area in which the data of the AV file (AVfile-a) 641 has been recorded. Similarly, the system control section 201 instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record data of an AV file (AVfile-b) 643 and a file entry (AV file-b) 644 thereof in the continuous areas. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the file recording means 213. The optical disc drive device 205 records the above-mentioned data at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S503) The system control section 201 creates a basic file structure, and stores the basic file structure in the basic file structure memory 263 of the memory circuit 202. The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the basic file structure, stored in the basic file structure memory 263, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the basic file structure recording means 261. The optical disc drive device 205 records the basic file structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S504) The system control section 201 creates a space management structure, and stores the space management structure in the space management structure memory 253 of the memory circuit 202. At this point, positional information 666 of an unallocated area #1 (623) and positional information 667 of an unallocated area #2 (621) are registered in an unallocated space entry 652 in consideration of the capacity of a VAT structure area 602 allocated in step (S505). The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the space management structure, stored in the space management structure memory 253, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the space management structure recording means 251. The optical disc drive device 205 records the space management structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S505) The system control section 201 creates a VAT structure, and stores the VAT structure in the VAT structure memory 222 of the memory circuit 202. The system control section 201 further instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record the VAT structure, stored in the VAT structure memory 222, on the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the system control section 201 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the system control section 201 as the VAT structure recording means 212. The optical disc drive device 205 records the VAT structure at a predetermined position of the optical disc 235, and when the recording operation is completed, notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

(S506) The system control section 201 instructs the optical disc drive device 205 to record data in the recording information zone. The drive control section 231 creates a second registration block 177 including an entry sector number (pointer information) indicating the position of the trailing end of the latest file structure area and a version number (version information) for identifying a valid registration block, stores the second registration block 177 in the recording information zone memory 273 of the memory circuit 232, and records the second registration block 177 at a predetermined position (an area continuous from the area in which the first registration block 176 has been recorded) of the optical disc 235. The above-described operations of the drive control section 231 are achieved by, for example, executing a control program built in the drive control section 231 as the recording information zone recording means 271. When the recording operation is completed, the optical disc drive device 205 notifies the system control section 201 of the completion of the recording operation.

FIG. 6 shows a structure of data recorded on the optical disc 235 after the file recording processing is performed.

The volume structure area 101 has the volume structure recorded therein. The detail of the volume structure is as described with reference to FIG. 4.

An AV file area 601 has the AV file (AVfile-a) 641, a file entry (AVfile-a) 642 thereof, the AV file (AVfile-b) 643, and a file entry (AVfile-b) 644 thereof recorded therein.

In a basic file structure area 632 of a latest file structure area 631, the basic file structure is recorded. The basic file structure includes a control file (Datafile) 645 having information relevant to the AV fi