Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING AND/OR REPRODUCING DATA
ON/FROM WRITE-ONCE DISC, AND WRITE-ONCE DISC THEREFOR
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus recording
and/or reproducing data on or from a write-once disc, and more particularly,
to a
method and apparatus recording access information on the write-once disc to
access more quickly information required to use the write-once disc and a
write-
once disc used with the above method and apparatus.
Background Art
[0002] New information can be repeatedly recorded on a rewritable disc on
which information has already been recorded. However, when new information is
recorded on a write-once disc, since information that has already been
recorded can
be neither erased nor repeatedly recorded in a location in which the
information
was recorded, a new location must be allocated in order to update the
information
already recorded.
[0003] Generally, only information which has finally been updated is
meaningful. Therefore, to read the information which has finally been updated,
an
update area is allocated to a data area, and a disc drive detects the
information
which has finally been updated by searching for the update area in which
updated
information is recorded. When much information is recorded in the updated
area, it
takes a lot of time to detect desired information.
[0004] On a write-once disc for which defect management by a drive is
performed, areas to record information for managing defects generated while
the
write-once disc is being used and information indicating a recording status of
the
write-once disc exist. Unlike a rewritable disc, according to a characteristic
of the
write-once disc, since updated information cannot be repeatedly recorded in a
location in which existing information has been recorded when an update of the
defect management information is required, the updated information must be
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recorded in an empty location. Accordingly, a relatively wide update area is
necessary. In general, the update area is allocated to a lead-in area or a
lead-out
area. However, sometimes, the update area may be allocated to a data area in
order to increase an update count according to a user's designation.
[0005] When final updated information required to use the write-once disc
is
recorded in the update area allocated to the data area, and when information
indicating that the update area is allocated to the data area and information
indicating a location of the update area are included in the final updated
information, the final updated information or a location in which the final
updated
information is recorded cannot be detected, even if the entire update area
allocated
to the lead-in area or the lead-out area is sought.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Solution
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
write-once disc having recorded thereon information having a data structure by
which an access time for reading updated information required to use the write-
once disc can be reduced.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
also
provided a data recording method and apparatus by which an access time for
reading updated information required to use a write-once disc can be reduced.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
a data reproducing method and apparatus by which an access time for reading
updated information required to use a write-once disc can be reduced.
Advantageous Effects
[0009] According to the present invention, an access time for reading
updated information can be reduced when a write-once disc on which
predetermined information is updated and recorded in a new location is used.
Also,
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when a plurality of update areas for writing updated information required to
use the
write-once disc exist, a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus can
quickly
and easily determine an update area in which finally updated information is
recorded among the plurality of update areas.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0010] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of which:
[0011] FIGS. 1 A and 1B are structures of a write-once disc according to
an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a detailed structure of a write-once disc having a
single
recording layer according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 3 A and 3B are detailed structures of a write-once disc
having a
double recording layer according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B are detailed structures of a write-once disc
having a
double recording layer according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a process of recording data in a user data area
and a
spare area according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a data structure of access information according to a
first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a data structure of access information according to a
second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a data structure of access information according to a
third
embodiment of the present invention;
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[0019] FIG. 9 is a data structure of access information according to a
fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a data structure obtained by dividing an entire TDMA
into a
plurality of virtual TDMAs;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to
an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a recording method according
to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode
[0023] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
write-once disc having at least one recording layer, the disc including: a
plurality of
update areas in which predetermined updated information is recorded; and at
least
one access information area in which access information is recorded, the
access
information indicating an update area in which final updated information is
recorded.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
a method of recording data on a write-once disc, the method including:
recording
predetermined updated information in one of a plurality of update areas
allocated to
the write-once disc; and recording access information indicating an update
area in
which final updated information is recorded in at least one access information
area
allocated to the write- once disc.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
an apparatus for recording data on a write-once disc, the apparatus including:
a
write/read unit writing or reading information on or from the write-once disc;
and a
controller controlling the write/read unit to record predetermined updated
information in one of a plurality of update areas allocated to the write-once
disc and
record access information indicating an update area in which final updated
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information is recorded in at least one access information area allocated to
the
write-once disc.
[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
a method of reproducing a write-once disc, the method including: obtaining
final
updated access information from at least one access information area allocated
to
the write-once disc; and obtaining information indicating an update area in
which
the final updated access information is recorded among a plurality of update
areas
allocated to the write-once disc from the final updated access information.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided
an apparatus for reproducing a write-once disc, the apparatus including: a
reader
reading data recorded on the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the
reader to obtain final updated access information from at least one access
information area allocated to the write-once disc and obtaining information
indicating an update area in which the final updated access information is
recorded
among a plurality of update areas allocated to the write-once disc frcm the
final
updated access information.
[0028] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set
forth
in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from
the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Detailed Description of Example Embodiments
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings,
wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The
embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring
to
the figures.
[0030] FIGS. 1 A and 1B are structures of a write-once disc according to
an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 A is a structure of a write-once
disc
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having a single recording layer, and FIG. 1B is a structure of a write-once
disc
having a double recording layer.
[0031] The write-once disc having a single recording layer includes a lead-
in
area, a data area, and a lead-out area arranged from the inner circumference
to the
outer circumference.
[0032] Each of a first recording layer LO and a second recording layer Li
of
the write-once disc having a double recording layer includes a lead-in area, a
data
area, and a lead-out area arranged from the inner circumference to the outer
circumference.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a detailed structure of the write-once disc having a
single
recording layer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring
to
FIG. 2, the lead-in area includes a first disc management area (DMA1), a
second
disc management area (DMA2), a first temporary disc management area (TDMA1),
an access information area (AIA), and a recording condition test area. The
lead-out
area includes a third disc management area (DMA3) and a fourth disc management
area (DMA4). Also, the lead-out area may further include at least one of a
temporary defect management area, a recording condition test area, and an AIA.
That is, there may be at least one of the AIA, the DMA, the TDMA, and the
recording condition test area in at least one of the lead-in areas and/or the
lead-out
areas.
[0034] FIGS. 3 A and 3B are detailed structures of the write-once disc
having
a double recording layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG.
3 A is a structure of a first recording layer LO, and FIG. 3B is a structure
of a
second recording layer L1. The structure of the first recording layer LO shown
in
FIG. 3 A is identical to the structure of the write-once disc having a single
recording
layer shown in FIG. 2. The structure of the second recording layer LI shown in
FIG.
3B is similar to the structure of the first recording layer LO. However, in
the
structure of the second recording layer LI, the AIA is not allocated to a
second inner
area, and two TDMAs are allocated to a second data area.
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[0035] The write-once disc having a double recording layer includes five
TDMAs, a TDMA1 through a TDMA5. Locations and sizes of the TDMA1 and TDMA2
are well known to recording apparatuses and/or reproducing apparatuses.
However,
a TDMA3, a TDMA4, and the TDMA5 are allocated to data areas by a user or a
recording apparatus and/or a reproducing apparatus when a disc initialization
is
performed to use the write-once disc having a double recording layer. When a
temporary disc management structure (TDMS) is recorded from the TDMA1, a
temporary disc defect structure (TDDS) including sizes and locations of TDMAs
allocated to the data areas is recorded in the TDMA1.
[0036] FIGs. 4A and 4B are detailed structures of the write-once disc
having a
double recording layer according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 4A is a structure of a first recording layer LO, and FIG. 4B is a
structure of a
second recording layer LI. A TDMA1, a TDMA2, and a TDMA5 are allocated to the
write- once disc having a double recording layer shown in FTGs. 4A and 4B.
That is,
besides the well known TDMA1 and TDMA2, only the TDMA5 is allocated to a
second
data area by a user or a recording apparatus and/or a reproducing apparatus
when
a disc initialization is performed to use the write-once disc having a double
recording layer.
[0037] Areas, such as TDMAs allocated to a write-once disc, and a process
of
recording data in the areas will now be described.
[0038] A TDMA is an area where TDMS for management of the write-once disc
is recorded before a finalization of the write-once disc. The finalization of
the write-
once disc is an operation preventing the write-once disc from being recorded
again.
When data cannot be recorded on the write-once disc any more by a selection of
a
user, or when data cannot additionally be recorded on the write-once disc, the
write-once disc is finalized.
[0039] The TDMS includes a temporary defect list (TDFL), a TDDS, and a
space bit map (SBM). The TDFL includes information indicating an area in which
a
defect is generated and information indicating a substitute area. The TDDS
manages the TDFL and includes a location pointer indicating a location in
which the
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TDFL is recorded, a location pointer indicating a location in which the SBM is
recorded, information indicating locations and sizes of spare areas allocated
to data
areas, and information indicating locations and sizes of TDMAs allocated to
the data
areas. The SBM shows a data recording status of the write-once disc with a bit
map
by allocating different bit values to clusters in which data is recorded in
cluster
units, which are data recording units, and clusters in which data is not
recorded.
[0040] When the write-once disc is loaded into the recording apparatus
and/or the reproducing apparatus, a finally updated TDMS, in particular, the
TDDS
is quickly required to use the write-once disc in the apparatus.
[0041] Commonly, when the write-once disc is loaded into the recording
apparatus and/or the reproducing apparatus, the recording apparatus and/or the
reproducing apparatus determines how to manage the write-once disc and how to
record or reproduce data by reading information from the lead-in area and/or
the
lead-out area. If an amount of information recorded in the lead-in area and/or
the
lead-out area is large, more time is taken to prepare recording or reproducing
after
the write-once disc is loaded. Therefore, the TDMS is used, and the TDMS
generated while data is recorded on or reproduced from the write-once disc is
recorded in the TDMA, which is separated from a defect management area, and
allocated to the lead-in area and/or the lead-out area.
[0042] When the write-once disc is finalized, the TDMS, i.e., the TDFL
and the
TDDS, recorded in the TDMA is finally recorded in a DMA since an information
access to quickly use the write-once disc is possible by allowing the
recording or
reproducing apparatus to read only meaningful information from the defect
management area by storing only final meaningful information among TDFLs and
TDDs, which are updated and recorded several times, in the DMA.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a process of recording data in a user data area
and a
spare area according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 5, A indicates the user data area, and B
indicates the
spare area. A method of recording user data in the user data area includes a
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continuous recording mode and a random recording mode. The user data is
recorded continuously and sequentially in the continuous recording mode and
randomly in the random recording mode. Zones 0 through C) indicate units in
which verification after recording is performed.
[0045] A recording apparatus writes the user data in zone 2 and verifies
whether the user data has normally been written or a defect has been generated
in
zone I. If a portion in which the defect has been generated is found, the
portion is
designated as a defect area, i.e., defect #1. Also, the recording apparatus
rewrites
the user data, which has been written in the defect #1, in the spare area. A
portion
in which the user data that has been written in the defect #1 is rewritten is
called a
substitute #1. The recording apparatus writes the user data in the zone and
verifies whether the user data has normally been written or a defect has been
generated in zone 2. If a portion in which the defect is generated is found,
the
portion is designated as a defect area, i.e., defect #2. Likewise, a
substitute #2
corresponding to the defect #2 is generated. Also, in zone C), a defect #3 and
a
substitute #3 are generated. In zone CD, a defect area does not exist since a
portion
in which a defect has been generated is not found.
[0046] If an end of a recording operation #1 is predicted after the user
data is
written and verified, that is, if a user pushes an eject button, or if
recording of the
user data allocated to a recording operation is finished, the recording
apparatus
writes information related to the defect #1, and the defect #2, and the defect
#3,
which are defect areas generated in the zones CD through ED, in the TDMA as a
TDFL
#1. Also, a management structure to manage the TDFL #1 is written in the TDMA
as a TDDS #1. The recording operation is a work unit determined by an
intention of
the user or a desired recording work. In the present embodiment, the recording
operation indicates a period from when the write-once disc is loaded and a
recording work of predetermined information is performed to when the write-
once
disc is unloaded from the recording apparatus.
[0047] When the write-once disc is loaded again, a recording operation #2
starts, a recording condition in the recording condition test area is tested,
and the
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user data is written on the basis of the test result. That is, in the
recording
operation #2, the user data is written in zones through 0 in the same manner
as
recording operation #1, and a defect #4, a defect #5, a substitute #4, and a
substitute #5 are generated. When the recording operation #2 ends, the
recording
apparatus writes information related to the defect #4 and the defect #5 in the
TDMA as a TDFL #2. Also, a management structure to manage the TDFL #2 is
written in the TDMA as a TDDS #2.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, when a plurality of TDMAs and spare
areas are allocated to the write-once disc, the TDMAs and spare areas are used
in a
predetermined order. For example, when a data write path applied to the write-
once disc having a double recording layer shown in FIG. 3 is an opposite track
path,
i.e., a path where data is recorded from a first inner area of the first
recording layer
LO to a first outer area of the first recording layer LO and a second inner
area of the
second recording layer LI to a second outer area of the second recording layer
LI,
data in the spare areas is recorded from a first spare area of the first
recording
layer LO. When the first spare area is full, a second spare area, a third
spare area,
and a fourth spare area are used in this order.
[0049] Likewise, the TDMS is recorded from the TDMA1 of the first
recording
layer LO. When the TDMA1 is full, an updated TDMS is recorded in the TDMA2
allocated to the second inner area of the second recording layer LI. When the
TDMA2 is full, a newly updated TDMS is recorded in the TDMA3 allocated to a
first
data area of the first recording layer LO. In the present embodiment, the
TDMA1
and the TDMA2 allocated to the inner areas of the recording layers are
preferred for
the write-once disc. However, the TDMA(s) allocated to the data areas may be
or
may not be allocated by a selection of the user. Therefore, when the TDMAs
allocated to the inner areas of the recording layers are full, the TDMAs
allocated to
the data areas are used.
[0050] When a final updated TDMS is written in a TDMA allocated to a data
area, a write- once disc is unloaded, and the write-once disc is reloaded into
a
recording apparatus, The recording apparatus must obtain the final updated
TDMS
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to use the write-once disc. However, the TDMS is recorded in the TDMA
allocated to
the data area, and a disc drive cannot recognize the fact that the TDMS is
recorded
in the TDMA allocated to the data area until the disc drive accesses the TDDS
included in the TDMS.
[0051] To solve this problem, an AIA is separately allocated to a
predetermined location of the write-once disc in the present invention. Access
information (Al) is recorded in the AIA. The Al indicates a location where
update
information such as the TDMS is recorded.
[0052] Also, the update information indicates information that a recording
and/or reproducing apparatus must recognize to use a write-once disc in an
initial
period when the write-once disc is loaded into the recording and/or
reproducing
apparatus. Also, an area in which the update information is recorded is called
an
update area. In the present embodiment, a representative update information is
the TDM and a representative update area is the TDMA.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the AIA is preferably, but not
necessarily, allocated to a predetermined location of the leadin area or an
inner
area. Also, the size of the AIA is preferably, but not necessarily, limited by
minimizing an amount of Al recorded in the AIA and an Al update count since it
takes longer to obtain the Al if the size of the AIA is larger or a plurality
of AIAs are
allocated.
[0054] FIG. 6 is a data structure of access information (Al) according to
a first
embodiment of the present invention. The Al shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the
TDMSs
as update information, TDMAs as update areas, and the Al in the write-once
disc
having a double recording layer shown in FIG. 3.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, an Al header includes an Al identifier
indicating
that the following data is the Al and an AI update count showing an update
count of
the AI.
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[0056] The AT includes a total number of TDMAs allocated to a write-once
disc, information indicating a TDMA in which a final TDDS is recorded, and
information indicating locations of the TDMAs. Each TDMA location information
may
include information indicating a beginning position and an ending position of
each
TDMA or information indicating a beginning or ending position and the size of
each
TDMA. Since the TDDS includes a pointer indicating a location of a
corresponding
TDFL, the Al includes information indicating the TDMA in which the final TDDS
is
recorded.
[0057] When a write-once disc according to the present invention is
loaded
into a disc drive, the disc drive can recognize a TDMA in which a final TDDS
is
recorded by accessing an AIA in an already known location and obtaining final
updated Al and obtain a final TDDS from the TDMA. To minimize an access time
to
obtain the final Al recorded in the AIA, it is preferable, but not necessary,
that Al is
continuously recorded in the AIA at the continuous recording mode and the Al
update count is minimized.
[0058] According to an embodiment of the present invention, to minimize
the
Al update count, the Al is updated whenever the TDMA in which the final TDDS
is
recorded is changed. Also, when information indicating the number of TDMAs
allocated to the write-once disc and information indicating locations of the
TDMAs
are included in the Al, the Al is also updated when a new TDMA is allocated or
the
information indicating locations of the TDMAs is changed. Also, it is
preferable, but
not necessary, that the same Al is repeatedly recorded to prepare for when an
error is generated in the recorded Al.
[0059] Since Alto be updated is continuously recorded after previous Al,
even if information indicating a detailed address at which a final TDDS is
recorded is
not included in the Al, a recording apparatus and/or a reproducing apparatus
can
quickly seek a location in which the final TDDS is recorded by recognizing a
border
between a data recorded area and a data non-recorded area using a track jump
method since a difference exists between an RF signal obtained from the data
recorded area and an RF signal obtained from the data non-recorded area.
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[0060] FIG. 7 is a data structure of Al according to a second embodiment
of
the present invention. The AT shown in FIG. 6 includes information indicating
locations of all TDMAs and information indicating a TDMA in which a final TDDS
is
recorded. However, the Al shown in FIG. 7 includes information indicating a
location of a TDMA in which a final TDDS is recorded. The information
indicating the
location of the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded can be represented as
an
address of a first physical sector of a first cluster of the TDMA and an
address of a
first physical sector of a last cluster of the TDMA. However, it will be
understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the method of
representing
the information indicating the location of the TDMA in which the final TDDS is
recorded may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the
present invention.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a data structure of AT according to a third embodiment
of the
present invention. The data structure of the Al shown in FIG. 8 is identical
to a data
structure of a TDDS. That is, the TDDS is used as the Al without defining a
separate
data structure of the Al. To use the TDDS as the AT, an information field
indicating
a location of a TDMA in which a final TDDS is recorded must be added to the
TDDS.
[0062] FIG. 9 is a data structure of Al according to a fourth embodiment
of
the present invention. The data structure of the Al shown in FIG. 9 is
identical to a
data structure of a TDDS as described in the third embodiment. However, unlike
the third embodiment, a flag indicating a location of a TDMA in which a final
TDDS
is recorded is further included in the TDDS. In the present embodiment, the
flag is
made up of 8 bits, 5 bits, b0 through b4, indicating the TDMA in which the
final
TDDS is recorded and 3 bits, b5 through b7, being reserved bits. For example,
it
can be defined that the final TDDS is recorded in the TDMAI when b0 through b4
are '00001b1, the TDMA2 when b0 trough b4 are '00010b', the TDMA3 when b0
trough b4 are '00100b', the TDMA4 when b0 trough b4 are '01000b', and the
TDMA5 when b0 trough b4 are '10000b'.
[0063] The plurality of TDMAs allocated to the write-once disc according
to
the present embodiments are continuously used on the basis of a data recording
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direction. Therefore, considering physically plural TDMAs as one consecutive
TDMA,
the one consecutive TDMA can be divided into a plurality of virtual TDMAs.
[0064] FIG. 10 is a data structure obtained by dividing an entire TDMA
into a
plurality of virtual TDMAs. For example, in the write-once disc having a
double
recording layer, when the TDMAs are used in the order of the TDMAI, the TDMA2,
the TDMA3, the TDMA4, and the TDMA5, and if each of the TDMAI and the TDMA2
includes 2048 clusters, each of the TDMA3 and the TDMA4 includes 4096
clusters,
and the TDMA5 includes 8192 clusters, the entire TDMA includes 20480 clusters.
If
the entire TDMA is divided into 512-cluster units, 1024-cluster units, or 2048-
cluster units, the entire TDMA can be divided into 40, 20, or 10 virtual
TDMAs.
[0065] If the size of the TDMA3 among the TDMA1 through the TDMA5
allocated to the write-once disc is very large, and if a final TDDS is
recorded in the
TDMA3, a recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes the fact that the
final
TDDS is recorded in the TDMA3 from Al and obtains the final TDDS by seeking
the
TDMA3. However, when the size of the TDMA3 is very large, it can take a long
time
to seek the TDMA3 in order to obtain the final TDDS. Therefore, to solve this
problem, a concept of the virtual TDMAs described above is used. The size of
each
virtual TDMA can be the same as shown in FIG. 10. However, the size of each
virtual TDMA is not limited to the present embodiment.
[0066] The recording and/or reproducing apparatus divides the entire TDMA
into the plurality of virtual TDMAs and updates the Al when a virtual TDMA in
which
the final TDDS is recorded is changed. Each of the data structures according
to the
first through fourth embodiments can be used as the data structure of the Al
according to the present embodiment. However, the Al of the present embodiment
includes information indicating a virtual TDMA in which the final TDDS is
recorded
or information indicating a location of the virtual TDMA in which the final
TDDS is
recorded.
[0067] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a recording apparatus according to
an
embodiment of the present invention.
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[0068] Referring to FIG. 11, the recording apparatus includes a
write/read
unit 1, a controller 2, and a memory 3. The write/read unit 1 writes data on a
write-once disc 100 and reads the recorded data to verify whether a defect
exists in
the recorded data. An AIA according to the present invention is allocated to
the
write-once disc 100.
[0069] To manage the defect, the controller 2 uses a verify after write
method
of detecting a portion in which a defect is generated by writing data in
predetermined units and verifying the recorded data. The controller 2 checks
where
defects are generated by writing and verifying user data in each recording
operation unit, generates a defect list indicating where defect areas exist as
the
checking results, stores the generated defect list in the memory 3, gathers a
plurality of defect lists, stores the plurality of defect lists in an update
area allocated
to the write-once disc 100, i.e., a TDMA, as a TDFL, and further writes a TDDS
for
managing the recorded TDFL in the TDMA. During one recording operation, a
verify
after write work is performed at least once, and commonly, several times. A
defect
list obtained by performing the verify after write work is temporarily stored
in the
memory 3 as a TDFL. When the recording operation finishes, the controller 2
reads
the TDFL stored in the memory 3, provides the TDFL to the write/read unit 1,
and
commands the write/read unit 1 to write the TDFL in the TDMA allocated to the
write-once disc 100.
[0070] When data cannot be recorded on the write-once disc 100 any more,
or when a user does not desire to write data in a data area any more (when the
write-once disc 100 is finalized), the controller 2 writes the TDFL and the
TDDS
recorded in the TDMA in a DMA allocated to the write-once disc 100.
[0071] The controller 2 controls the write/read unit 1 to write data
having a
data structure according to the present invention. That is, the controller 2
controls
the write/read unit 1 to write predetermined update information, i.e., a TDMS
including a TDFL or a TDDS, in one of a plurality of update areas allocated to
the
write-once disc 100 and write update AT in an AIA allocated to the write-once
disc
100 when it is necessary to update the AT.
CA 02767483 2012-02-03
[0072] A method of recording Al according to an aspect of the present
invention will now be described in detail on the basis of the structure of the
recording apparatus described above.
[0073] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a recording method according
to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0074] When the write-once disc 100 is loaded into the recording
apparatus,
the controller 2 controls the write/read unit 1 to write predetermined user
data on
the write-once disc 100 in operation 71.
[0075] It is determined whether information to be updated is generated as
a
result of performing a verify after write work, which is performed at least
once
during one recording operation in operation 73. In the present embodiment, the
information to be updated indicates a TDMS. When the TDMS is generated, the
TDMS is temporarily stored in the memory 3, and when the recording operation
is
finished, the controller 2 reads a TDFL stored in the memory 3 and provides
the
TDFL to the write/read unit 1, and the write/read unit 1 writes the TDFL in
one of a
plurality of update areas allocated to the write-once disc 100 in operation
75. In the
present embodiment, the update area indicates a TDMA.
[0076] The controller 2 determines whether another recording operation
exists in operation 77, and if another recording operation exists, operations
71
through 77 are repeated.
[0077] If another recording operation does not exist, the controller 2
determines whether it is necessary to update Al in operation 79. In the
present
embodiment, when a TDMA in which a final TDMS, and in particular a final TDDS
is
recorded is changed, when a new TDMA is allocated, or when information
indicating
a location of an existing TDMA is changed, the AT is updated.
[0078] The controller 2 controls the write/read unit 1 to write the Al
indicating
an update area in which final updated information is recorded among a
plurality of
update areas in an AIA at least one of which is allocated to the write-once
disc 100
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CA 02767483 2014-01-28
in operation 81. It is preferable, but not necessary, that the same Al is
repeatedly
recorded in the event an error is generated in the recorded Al.
[0079] As described above, if Al indicating a location in which a final
TDMS is
recorded is recorded in an AIA of the write-once disc 100, when the write-once
disc
100 is loaded into a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus again, the
recording apparatus or the reproducing apparatus can access a final TDDS more
quickly and easily.
[0080] An apparatus (not shown) for reproducing the write-once disc 100
including an AIA in which Al according to the present invention is recorded
has a
similar structure to the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 11. However, since
it is a
reproducing apparatus, a reader is included instead of the write/read unit 1.
When
the write-once disc 100 including the AIA in which the Al is recorded, is
loaded into
the reproducing apparatus, the reproducing apparatus determines whether the
write-once disc 100 is finalized by accessing a DMA and determining whether
data
is recorded in the DMA. If the write-once disc 100 is not finalized, the
reproducing
apparatus accesses the AIA and obtains final Al. The recording apparatus or
the
reproducing apparatus recognizes the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded
from the final AI. Operations of the reproducing apparatus according to the
present
invention can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the
description
of the write-once disc 100 including the AIA and the recording apparatus
therefor.
[0081] If the write-once disc 100 is a blank disc which is not
initialized, data is
not recorded in the AIA at all. The recording apparatus performs
initialization to use
the write-once disc 100. When the write-once disc 100 is initialized, first Al
having
a data structure according to various embodiments as described above is
recorded
in a first recording cluster of the AIA
[0082] Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles
of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their
equivalents.
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