JP2007184025A - Optical disk recording method and optical disk unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of securing an adjustment region other than a preset recording condition adjustment region and to provide an optical disk unit. <P>SOLUTION: An optical disk recording method for recoding information on an information recording medium including a data region provided with a buffer area and a user data recording/reproducing area and a system region wherein management information for managing the data region is recorded, includes: a user data recording step; an adjustment step; a securing step; and an adjustment signal recording step. The user data recording/reproducing area of the information recording medium is divided into a plurality of areas by the buffer area. The user data recording step records the user data in the user data recording/reproducing area. The adjustment step adjusts a recording condition when the user data are recorded. The securing step secures the recording condition adjusting region wherein an adjusting signal to be used in the adjustment step is recorded in the data region. The adjustment signal recording step records the adjusting signal in the recording condition adjusting region which is secured in the securing step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical disc recording method and an optical disc apparatus for recording information on an optical disc.

  An optical disc apparatus is an apparatus that records information on an optical disc and reads information recorded on the optical disc using an optical head. The optical disk apparatus is adjusted based on various parameters in order to perform good recording and reproduction. For example, the tilt angle (tilt) between the optical disk and the optical head is one of the parameters that greatly affects the performance of the optical disk apparatus.

  If the tilt between the optical disk and the optical head is adjusted to an optimum tilt, a good laser beam is applied to the information recording surface of the optical disk, and good recording / reproduction is performed. However, if the tilt between the optical disk and the optical head is not adjusted to an optimum tilt, the laser beam applied to the information recording surface of the optical disk generates aberration. For this reason, the recording / reproducing performance of the optical disc apparatus deteriorates. In particular, an apparatus for recording high-density information on an optical disk or reproducing information recorded at high density needs to further reduce aberration because the recording pattern of the optical disk is miniaturized. That is, in order to perform good recording / reproduction on the optical disc, it is necessary to adjust the tilt to an optimum value. An optical disc has some physical distortion in each medium. Therefore, the importance of adjusting the tilt for each optical disc is increasing.

  Several tilt adjustment methods have been considered so far. As an adjustment method for each optical disc, there is a method of adjusting the tilt by moving the optical head to a recording condition adjustment region set in advance on the inner circumference or outer circumference of the optical disc, and recording and reproducing an adjustment signal. Are known.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-199779 discloses a technique related to an optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus using an optical pickup provided with a tilt adjustment coil for adjusting the tilt of an objective lens. This optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus records the offset adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area while changing the level of the drive signal for offset detection supplied to the tilt adjustment coil. The recording condition adjustment area is provided on the inner circumference side of the disc. Thereafter, the optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus performs a reproduction operation of the offset adjustment signal, and detects the β value from the reproduced RF signal. The β value is a value represented by (A1 + A2) / (A1−A2) when the positive peak level of the reproduction RF signal is A1 and the negative peak level is A2. The level of the drive signal supplied to the tilt adjustment coil when the signal having the maximum detected β value is recorded is set as the offset value. The optical disc recording / reproducing apparatus performs tilt control by adding the offset value to a tilt signal for tilt control. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-192754 discloses a method that uses the peak level of the RF signal instead of the β value calculated from the RF signal.

  In any case, a tilt adjustment correction value is obtained by using a recording condition adjustment area set in advance on the inner or outer periphery of the optical disc. Recording and reproduction of the entire disk surface are performed using this correction value. Therefore, this correction value is not necessarily an optimal value for the tilt amount at the place where information is actually recorded / reproduced in the area where information is recorded / reproduced (user data area). In particular, when recording and reproducing high-density information on an optical disc, the margin of the tilt amount between the optical disc and the optical head that must be retained for good recording and reproduction is narrow. For this reason, the tilt amount at the actual recording / reproducing position in the user data area does not fall within the margin range even if it is corrected with the tilt correction value obtained by measuring at the inner circumference or outer circumference, and good recording / reproduction cannot be performed. A condition occurs. Therefore, tilt measurement is required in a region closer to the actual recording / reproducing location.

  For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-4952, it is conceivable to use a user data area. An information recording medium on which information is recorded includes a user data area for recording user data, and a test area used for test recording by the recording apparatus. According to this method, first, it is detected whether or not the test area is usable when performing test recording. When it is detected that the test area is usable, trial recording is performed in the test area, and when it is detected that the test area is unusable, trial recording is performed in the data recording area. Management information regarding trial recording performed in the data recording area is recorded in a predetermined area. However, it is not desirable to narrow the user data area for the measurement.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-216422 discloses a technique related to an optical recording / reproducing apparatus that uses a user data area as an additional area for laser power adjustment. The optical recording / reproducing apparatus records / reproduces information with respect to a write-once type optical recording medium, and includes an additional area securing unit, a laser power adjusting unit, and a management information recording unit. The additional area securing means secures an additional area for laser power adjustment in an area other than the laser power adjustment area pre-formatted on the optical recording medium. The laser power adjustment means adjusts the power of the laser beam from the state when predetermined information is recorded and reproduced in the laser power adjustment area or the additional area. The management information recording means generates management information for managing the recording address of the recording information file and records it on the recording medium. When the laser power adjustment is performed using the additional area, the management information recording unit logically deletes the additional area from the management file and generates management information.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-199779 JP 2004-192754 A JP-A-2005-4952 JP 2005-216422 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an optical disc recording method and an optical disc apparatus that secure a new adjustment area other than a preset recording condition adjustment area without narrowing a user area in an area closer to a place where recording and reproduction is actually performed. There is.

  Hereinafter, means for solving the problem will be described using the numbers and symbols used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. These numbers and symbols are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. However, these numbers and symbols should not be used for the interpretation of the technical scope of the invention described in [Claims].

  In an aspect of the present invention, an optical disc recording method includes information on an information recording medium including a data area including a buffer area and a user data recording / playback area, and a system area in which management information for managing the data area is recorded. Is an optical disk recording method for recording a user data, and includes a user data recording step, an adjustment step, a securing step, and an adjustment signal recording step. The buffer area of the information recording medium cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host device. The user data recording / reproducing area of the information recording medium is divided into a plurality of areas by a buffer area and can be recorded / reproduced by a host device. In the user data recording step, user data is recorded in the user data recording / reproducing area. The adjustment step adjusts recording conditions when recording user data. The securing step secures a recording condition adjustment area in which the adjustment signal used in the adjustment step is recorded in the data area. In the adjustment signal recording step, the adjustment signal is recorded in the recording condition adjustment area secured in the securing step.

  The securing step of the present invention secures the recording condition adjustment area in the buffer area. When the recording condition adjustment area to be secured overlaps with a reserved area that has already been set as another adjustment area, the securing step may use only the area that does not overlap with the reserved area as the recording condition adjustment area. At that time, the recording condition adjustment area may be secured again in an area adjacent to the reserved area.

  The securing step of the present invention secures a recording condition adjustment area in the user data recording / reproducing area. At that time, the securing step registers the recording condition adjustment area in the system area as a defective block that cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host apparatus. In this case, the user data recording step records the user data to be recorded in the defective block in the replacement block of the replacement destination. In the user data recording step, user data may be recorded by skipping a defective block.

  In another aspect of the present invention, information is recorded on an information recording medium including a user data recording / playback area divided into a plurality of areas and a buffer area sandwiched between the user data recording / playback areas and not recordable / playback by a host device. The optical disk recording method for recording the recording medium includes a securing step and an adjustment signal recording step. The securing step secures a recording condition adjustment area in the buffer area. In the adjustment signal recording step, the adjustment signal is recorded in the recording condition adjustment area.

  In another aspect of the present invention, an alternative area for replacing a defective block in a user data recording / reproducing area is set in advance, and the alternative area is used for an information recording medium used by a higher-level device as an alternative to a defective block. An optical disc recording method for recording information includes a defective block registration step, a securing step, and an adjustment signal recording step. In the defective block registration step, a predetermined area of the user data recording / reproducing area is registered as a defective block. In the securing step, the defective block is secured as a recording condition adjustment area. In the adjustment signal recording step, the adjustment signal is recorded in the recording condition adjustment area.

  Further, from the viewpoint of the present invention, the optical disc device (10) includes a recording unit (12, 13, 15), a reproduction unit (12, 14, 15), an adjustment unit (16), and a control unit (17). And a storage unit (18). An information recording medium (20) on which information is recorded by the optical disk device (10) includes a data area having a buffer area and a user data recording / reproducing area, and a system area in which information for managing the data area is recorded. It has. The buffer area cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host device. The user data recording / reproducing area can be recorded / reproduced by a host device divided into a plurality of areas by a buffer area. The recording units (12, 13, 15) record data signals on the information recording medium (20). The reproduction unit (12, 14, 15) reproduces the data signal recorded on the information recording medium (20) and outputs a reproduction signal. The adjustment unit (16) adjusts recording conditions when recording on the information recording medium (20). The control unit (17) secures a recording condition adjustment area in which the adjustment signal used for adjusting the recording condition is recorded in the data area. The storage unit (18) stores adjustment area information including position information indicating the position of the reserved recording condition adjustment area and use information indicating that the reserved recording condition adjustment area can be used as the adjustment area. To do.

  The control unit (17) of the present invention secures a recording condition adjustment area in the buffer area. The recording unit (12, 13, 15) records the adjustment signal in the reserved recording condition adjustment area. The storage unit (18) can use the recording condition adjustment area when position information indicating the position of the recording condition adjustment area secured by the control unit (17) and a signal that can be used for adjustment can be recorded. Adjustment area information including usage information to be shown is stored. The adjustment unit (16) adjusts the recording condition using the usable adjustment region based on the adjustment region information stored in the storage unit (18). When the recording condition adjustment area partially overlaps the reserved area set to record other adjustment signals, the control unit (17) also sets the area excluding the reserved area as the recording condition adjustment area. Good. Further, the control unit (17) may reallocate the recording condition adjustment area in an area adjacent to the reserved area.

  The control unit (17) of the present invention may secure a recording condition adjustment area in the user data recording / reproducing area. The recording unit (12, 13, 15) records the adjustment signal in the reserved recording condition adjustment area. The storage unit (18) can use the recording condition adjustment area as the adjustment area when the position information indicating the position of the recording condition adjustment area secured by the control unit (17) and the signal that can be used for the adjustment can be recorded. The adjustment area information including the usage information indicating that is stored. The adjustment unit (16) adjusts the recording condition using the usable adjustment area based on the adjustment area information stored in the storage unit (18). At this time, the control unit (17) preferably registers the recording condition adjustment area in the system area as a defective block in which user data cannot be recorded / reproduced. Further, the control unit (17) records user data to be recorded in the defective block in the replacement block of the replacement destination. At this time, the control unit (17) may skip the defective block and record the user data.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the optical disc apparatus (10) records means for securing a buffer area as a recording condition adjustment area on the information recording medium (20) and an adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area. Means. The information recording medium (20) includes a user data recording / reproducing area divided into a plurality of areas, and a buffer area sandwiched between the user data recording / reproducing areas and which cannot be recorded / reproduced by a host device.

  Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention, the optical disc apparatus (10) includes means for registering, securing, and recording means for the information recording medium (20). In the information recording medium (20), an alternative area for replacing a defective block is set in advance. When a defective block is set in the user data recording / playback area, the host device uses the replacement area as a replacement for the defective block. The registering means registers a part of the user data recording / reproducing area as a defective block. The means for securing secures the defective block as a recording condition adjustment area. The recording means records the adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical disc recording method and an optical disc apparatus capable of securing a new adjustment area other than a preset recording condition adjustment area.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical disc apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The optical disk apparatus 10 includes a spindle drive system 11, an optical head 12, an LD drive system 13, an RF signal system 14, a data control controller 15, a system controller 17, a memory 18, and a servo controller 16.

  The spindle drive system 11 drives the optical disc 20. The optical head 12 includes a laser diode (LD), a beam splitter, an objective lens, and a light receiving unit, irradiates the optical disk 20 with laser light, and detects the reflected light. The detected input signal is output to the RF signal system 14. The LD drive system 13 drives a laser diode (LD) of the optical head 12. The RF signal system 14 performs processing such as filtering on the signal input from the optical head 12.

  The data controller 15 confirms the target position on the optical disk 20, demodulates the signal input from the RF signal system 14 and outputs it to the system controller 17, modulates the recording data input from the system controller 17, and drives the LD Output to system 13. The servo controller 16 generates a servo signal and controls the position and posture of the optical head 12. The servo controller 16 includes a tilt correction mechanism.

  The system controller 17 takes in demodulated data from the data controller 15 and outputs data to be recorded on the optical disk 20 to the data controller 15. The system controller 17 controls the spindle drive system 11 and the servo controller 16 to control the entire optical disc apparatus 10. The system controller 17 stores these control information and information about the optical disc 20 in the memory 18 and uses them for control.

  The optical disk 20 is a land / groove format medium having a pit pitch of 0.13 μm and a track pitch of 0.34 μm. The land / groove format is a format in which data is recorded in both the hill (groove) and the groove (land) as viewed from the incident light side of the guide groove. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical disc 20 is a zone format disc divided into a plurality of areas (zones). The zone format disc is controlled so that the disc rotation speed is constant in each zone. It is necessary to change the rotation speed when switching the zone, and a buffer area (guard area) accompanying the rotation speed change is provided at the zone boundary. This buffer area is set so that it cannot be used by the host device.

  FIG. 2 shows a disc area in which the user data area is divided into four zones. The user data area of the disk 20 is concentrically divided from the inner circumference side into an inner circumference user data area 22, an intermediate circumference user data area 24, an outer circumference user data area 26, and an outermost circumference user data area 28. Each region is separated by an inner peripheral zone boundary 23, an intermediate peripheral zone boundary 25, and an outer peripheral zone boundary 27. Further, although not shown, a lead-in area is set on the inner peripheral side of the inner peripheral user data area 22, and a lead-out area is set on the outer peripheral side of the outermost peripheral user data area 28.

  FIG. 3 shows an area configuration near the zone boundary between zone N and zone N + 1. In the user data area, the radial position is managed by concentric tracks. Each zone is a set of tracks, and zone N includes m tracks. Guard areas are set on both sides of the zone boundary. Here, two tracks in each of the adjacent zones are set as areas that cannot be used by the host device as guard areas. The inner circumference side of the zone boundary, that is, the tracks m and m−1 of the zone N, and the outer circumference side of the zone boundary, that is, the tracks 0 and 1 of the zone N + 1 are set as guard areas.

  A recording condition adjustment area is secured at a predetermined position on the inner side of the zone boundary, that is, on the tracks m and m−1 which are the guard areas of the zone N. When a servo adjustment area is set in the tracks m and m-1, the recording condition adjustment area is secured by avoiding the servo adjustment area. FIG. 3 shows an area configuration in which two servo adjustment areas are avoided and a recording condition adjustment area is secured.

  FIG. 4A / B is a flowchart showing an operation example of the optical disc apparatus 10. Here, a procedure in which the optical disk apparatus 10 secures a new recording condition adjustment area will be described. This new recording condition adjustment area is used for adjusting the tilt which has a great influence among a plurality of parameters adjusted in order to perform good recording and reproduction. This recording condition adjustment area is newly secured in a part of the guard area on the inner circumference side of the inner, middle, and outer zone boundaries on the optical disc 20. At this time, if there is a preset adjustment area, for example, an area for servo adjustment, a recording condition adjustment area is secured by avoiding it.

  First, when the optical disk 20 is loaded into the optical disk apparatus 10, the drive start-up operation such as spindle-on, laser-on, and servo-on is started according to a predetermined procedure. The type of the optical disk is specified based on the distance from the optical disk surface recorded in the system area to the reflective film, the number of reflective films, and other information recorded on the optical disk 20 (step S41).

  If the loaded optical disk 20 is not a high-density land / groove / zone format disk (step S43-No), the area reservation is stopped (step S57) and the process ends.

  When the loaded optical disk 20 is a high-density land / groove / zone format disk (step S43—Yes), the system controller 17 sets the guard area on the inner circumference side from the inner zone zone boundary 23, and the zone boundary on the middle circumference. The guard area on the inner circumference side from 25 and the guard area on the inner circumference side from the zone boundary 27 on the outer circumference are secured as recording condition adjustment areas used for tilt adjustment, and position information indicating the positions is registered in the memory 18 ( Step S44). In order to record the tilt adjustment signal, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to a predetermined position in the inner peripheral side guard region of the inner peripheral zone boundary 23 via the servo controller 16 (step S45).

  When the optical head 12 moves to a predetermined position, a tilt adjustment signal is recorded in the recording condition adjustment area. At that time, if there is a preset adjustment area, for example, an area for servo adjustment, recording is performed while avoiding that area (step S46).

  When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment is recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S47-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating that it can be used as an adjustment area is registered in the memory 18 (step S48). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S47-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S49). The usage information is stored as adjustment area information in association with the previously registered position information, and by referring to the adjustment area information, it is possible to determine at which position the adjustment area can or cannot be used. it can.

  If the inner recording condition adjustment area has been processed (step S51-Yes), the process proceeds to the middle boundary zone processing. First, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to a predetermined position on the inner circumference side of the middle zone zone boundary 25 via the servo controller 16 (step S52). Thereafter, the process returns to step S46, and the processing of the recording condition adjustment area in the middle circumference is similarly performed until step S48. That is, the system controller 17 records the tilt adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area via the data controller 15 (step S46). At this time, if there is a preset adjustment area, for example, an area for servo adjustment, recording is performed while avoiding that area. When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment is recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S47-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating that it can be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S48). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S47-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S49).

  When the process of the recording condition adjustment area on the middle circumference is finished (step S53-Yes), the process proceeds to the process of the outer zone zone boundary. First, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to a predetermined position on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral zone boundary 27 via the servo controller 16 (step S54). Thereafter, the process returns to step S46, and the processing of the recording condition adjustment area on the outer periphery is similarly performed up to step 48. That is, the system controller 17 records the tilt adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area via the data controller 15 (step S46). At this time, if there is a preset adjustment area, for example, an area for servo adjustment, recording is performed while avoiding that area. When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment is recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S47-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating that it can be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S48). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S47-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S49).

  As described above, the optical disc apparatus 10 newly secures the recording condition adjustment area in which the adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment is recorded in the inner circumference, the middle circumference, and the outer circumference. Thereafter, the optical disc apparatus 10 reproduces the tilt adjustment signal recorded in the recording condition adjustment area based on the adjustment area information registered in the memory 18, and performs tilt adjustment (step S55). Since the recording condition adjustment area is secured in a guard area that cannot be used by the host device, it does not affect the recording of user data. Further, the recording condition adjustment area is not affected by the recording of user data. Accordingly, when the tilt adjustment becomes necessary again, it is possible to reproduce the tilt adjustment signal recorded based on the adjustment area information registered in the memory 18 and perform the tilt adjustment. It is not necessary to newly record a tilt adjustment signal on the optical disc 20, and the tilt adjustment can be easily performed.

  Although this recording condition adjustment area has been described here as recording a tilt adjustment signal and using it for tilt adjustment, it is used for adjustment by other parameters that are adjusted to perform good recording and reproduction. Also good. Further, the area may be secured by the same procedure for each parameter. Further, although the recording condition adjustment area is secured on the inner circumference, the middle circumference, and the outer circumference on the optical disc 20 here, it may be set as a guard area at another zone boundary.

  Further, in this embodiment, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment, the reserved recording condition adjustment area is left as it is and the following is performed. Moved to processing. At this time, a guard area on the inner circumference side from a zone boundary within a certain range before and after the secured recording condition adjustment area may be newly set as a recording condition adjustment area necessary for tilt adjustment.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  An alternative area for replacing a defective block may be set in advance in a high-density land / groove / zone format disk. When a defective block is set in the user data area, the host device uses the replacement area instead of the user data area (recording / reproducing area) by replacing the defective block. The substitution area is preliminarily assigned a certain recording capacity and is not used for normal user data recording. In the case of an optical disc in which such a defective block can be set, if a part of the user data area is handled as a defective block, access to the area from the host device is lost. Therefore, the area treated as the defective block may be used as a recording condition adjustment area. In other words, by setting an area to be secured as a recording condition adjustment area as a defective block, the upper apparatus accesses the replacement area instead of the defective block, and the capacity of the user data area that can be used by the upper apparatus is reduced. The recording condition adjustment area is ensured without doing so.

  A method for replacing defective blocks is described in, for example, the standard document of 130 mm rewritable optical disk cartridge of JIS X 6271. When data is sequentially recorded on the optical disc and an uncorrectable defective block is found on the optical disc, the data to be recorded in the defective block is recorded in a block in the alternative area. The next data is recorded continuously from the block next to the defective block. That is, seek to the alternative area occurs before and after the defective block. Further, it is described that when a defective block is detected in advance and its position is known, recording is performed by skipping the defective block.

  The operation of the optical disc apparatus 10 for setting the recording condition adjustment area in the defective block will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A / B and 6A / B. The configuration of the optical disc apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 and has already been described, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Here, for example, the optical disk apparatus 10 sets a defective block in a part of the user data area on the inner circumference, the middle circumference, and the outer circumference of the optical disc 20 in which an alternative area is set, and the defective block is used for tilt adjustment. The recording condition adjustment area is secured. The defective block is prohibited from being used by the host device, and the data of the block is recorded in the alternative area. Note that the recording condition adjustment area may be used to adjust other parameters that are adjusted in order to perform good recording and reproduction.

  When the optical disc 20 is loaded in the optical disc apparatus 10, the drive start-up operation such as spindle-on, laser-on, and servo-on is performed according to a predetermined procedure. At this time, the type of the optical disk 20 is specified based on the distance from the disk surface to the reflective film, the number of reflective films, information recorded on the optical disk 20, and the like (step S61).

  If the loaded optical disk 20 is not a high-density land / groove / zone format disk (step S63-No), the reservation of the recording condition adjustment area is stopped (step S79), and the process ends.

  When the loaded optical disk 20 is a high-density land / groove / zone format disk (step S63-Yes), the format state of the optical disk 20 is confirmed (step S64). When the management area for registering and managing the defective block and the replacement area for replacing the defective block are preset (step S64-Yes), the formatted disk is processed (step S64). S80). The processing of this formatted disc will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the loaded optical disc 20 is unformatted (step S64-No), as shown below, it is used for tilt adjustment using slip alternation in the inner, middle, and outer user data areas of the optical disc 20, as shown below. The recording condition adjustment area is secured.

  First, the system controller 17 sets recording condition adjustment areas used for tilt adjustment in user data areas on the inner circumference, middle circumference, and outer circumference of the optical disc 20, and position information indicating the positions is registered in the memory 18 ( Step S66).

  Next, the system controller 17 registers the set recording condition adjustment area as a defective block (step S67). After being registered as a defective block, the higher-level device can no longer access the set area, and the registered defective block is secured as a recording condition adjustment area.

  Thereafter, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to the position of the area secured as the recording condition adjustment area of the inner user data area via the servo controller 16 (step S68).

  When the optical head 12 moves to a predetermined position, the system controller 17 records an adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment in the recording condition adjustment area via the data controller 15 (step S70).

  When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S71-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating the availability is registered in the memory 18 (step S72). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S71-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S73). The usage information is stored as adjustment area information in association with the previously registered position information, and by referring to the adjustment area information, it is possible to determine at which position the adjustment area can or cannot be used. it can.

  If the inner recording condition adjustment area is being processed (step S74-Yes), the process proceeds to the middle recording condition adjustment area. First, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to the position of the area secured as the recording condition adjustment area of the middle user data area (step S75). Thereafter, the process returns to step S70, and the processing of the recording condition adjustment area in the middle circumference is similarly performed until step S72.

  That is, the system controller 17 records an adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment in the recording condition adjustment area via the data controller 15 (step S70). When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S71-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating the availability is registered in the memory 18 (step S72). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S71-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S73).

  When the processing of the recording condition adjustment area on the middle circumference is completed (step S76-Yes), the processing shifts to the processing of the recording condition adjustment area on the outer circumference. First, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to a position secured as a recording condition adjustment area in the outer user data area (step S77). Thereafter, the process returns to step S70, and the processing of the recording condition adjustment area in the outer periphery is similarly performed up to step S72.

  That is, the system controller 17 records an adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment in the recording condition adjustment area via the data controller 15 (step S70). When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S71-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating the availability is registered in the memory 18 (step S72). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S71-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S73). When the process for securing the outer recording condition adjustment area is completed, the process for securing the recording condition adjustment area used for tilt adjustment for the optical disc 20 in the user data area is completed.

  Thereafter, the optical disc apparatus 10 records the recording condition adjustment area based on the adjustment area information including the position information indicating the position of the recording condition adjustment area registered in the memory 18 and the usage information indicating that the area is usable. The tilt adjustment signal recorded in the above is reproduced and tilt adjustment is performed (step S78). Since this recording condition adjustment area is secured in a defective block that cannot be used by the host device, it does not affect the recording of user data. Further, the recording condition adjustment area is not affected by the recording of user data. Therefore, when the tilt adjustment is required again, based on the adjustment area information including the position information indicating the position of the recording condition adjustment area registered in the memory 18 and the usage information indicating that the area is usable. The tilt adjustment signal can be reproduced by reproducing the recorded tilt adjustment signal. It is not necessary to newly record a tilt adjustment signal on the optical disc 20, and the tilt adjustment can be easily performed.

  The defect information registered in the management information is processed as a defect that already exists on the optical disc when a predetermined format process is executed after the process of securing the recording condition adjustment area, and is used for slip replacement. Used as information.

  On the other hand, when the loaded optical disk 20 has been formatted, a recording condition adjustment area necessary for tilt adjustment is ensured by using linear replacement for the inner, middle, and outer user data areas of the optical disk 20. This procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the loaded optical disk 20 is a disk in which a management area for registering and managing defective blocks and an alternative area for replacing defective blocks are preset, and defect information can be registered. The In the case of a disc in which defect information cannot be registered (step S81-No), the recording condition adjustment area securing process is stopped (step S97).

  When the loaded optical disk 20 is a disk in which defect information can be registered (step S81-Yes), first, the system controller 17 performs tilt adjustment on the inner, middle, and outer user data areas of the optical disk 20. A recording condition adjustment area to be used is set, and position information indicating the position is registered in the memory 18 (step S83).

  Next, the system controller 17 registers the set recording condition adjustment area as a defective block (step S84). After being registered as a defective block, the higher-level device can no longer access the set area, and the registered defective block is secured as a recording condition adjustment area.

  Thereafter, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to the position of the area secured as the recording condition adjustment area of the inner user data area via the servo controller 16 (step S85).

  When the optical head 12 moves to a predetermined position, the system controller 17 moves the recorded information already recorded in the setting area secured as the recording condition adjustment area to the replacement area for the defective block (step S86).

  Thereafter, the system controller 17 records a tilt adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment through the data controller 15 in the recording condition adjustment area in which the tilt adjustment signal is secured (step S88).

  When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S89-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating that it can be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S90). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S89-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S91).

  When the process for securing the recording condition adjustment area on the inner circumference has been performed (step S92-Yes), the process proceeds to the process for the recording condition adjustment area on the middle circumference. First, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to the position of the area secured as the recording condition adjustment area of the middle user data area (step S93). Thereafter, the process returns to step S86, and the processing of the recording condition adjustment area in the middle circumference is similarly performed until step S90.

  That is, the system controller 17 moves the recorded information already recorded in the setting area secured as the recording condition adjustment area to the replacement area of the defective block (step S86). Thereafter, the system controller 17 records a tilt adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment through the data controller 15 in the recording condition adjustment area in which the tilt adjustment signal is secured (step S88). When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S89-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating that it can be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S90). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S89-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S91).

  When the processing of the recording condition adjustment area on the middle circumference is completed (step S94-Yes), the processing shifts to the processing of the recording condition adjustment area on the outer circumference. First, the system controller 17 moves the optical head 12 to a position secured as a recording condition adjustment area in the outer user data area (step S95). Thereafter, the process returns to step S86, and the processing of the recording condition adjustment area on the outer periphery is similarly performed until step S90.

  That is, the system controller 17 moves the recorded information already recorded in the setting area secured as the recording condition adjustment area to the replacement area of the defective block (step S86). Thereafter, the system controller 17 records a tilt adjustment signal used for tilt adjustment through the data controller 15 in the recording condition adjustment area in which the tilt adjustment signal is secured (step S88). When a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S89-Yes), the reserved recording condition adjustment area is an adjustment area that can be used for tilt adjustment. It is determined that there is, and usage information indicating that it can be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S90). On the other hand, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment (step S89-No), the recording condition adjustment area cannot be used for tilt adjustment. Since it is a large adjustment area, usage information indicating that it cannot be used is registered in the memory 18 (step S91). When the process for securing the outer recording condition adjustment area is completed, the process for securing the recording condition adjustment area used for tilt adjustment for the optical disc 20 in the user data area is completed.

  Thereafter, the optical disc apparatus 10 reproduces the tilt adjustment signal recorded in the recording condition adjustment area based on the information indicating the position and use of the recording condition adjustment area registered in the memory 18 and performs tilt adjustment. This is performed (step S96). Since this recording condition adjustment area is secured in a defective block that cannot be used by the host device, it does not affect the recording of user data. Further, the recording condition adjustment area is not affected by the recording of user data. Therefore, when the tilt adjustment is required again, based on the adjustment area information including the position information indicating the position of the recording condition adjustment area registered in the memory 18 and the usage information indicating that the area is usable. The tilt adjustment signal can be reproduced by reproducing the recorded tilt adjustment signal. It is not necessary to newly record a tilt adjustment signal on the optical disc 20, and the tilt adjustment can be easily performed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the recording condition adjustment area can be secured in the desired user data area without reducing the recording capacity from the host device by the replacement function of the defective block. When the optical disc 20 is a high-density land / groove / zone format disc in a state where the predetermined management information is already recorded in the management area for managing the defective block and the defective block can be replaced, the linear replacement is performed. An alternative function is used. Therefore, when the optical disc 20 is loaded into the optical disc apparatus 10, the recording condition adjustment area necessary for tilt adjustment is registered in the management information as a defective block. Thereafter, the registered defective block can be secured as the recording condition adjustment area by moving the recorded information in the recording condition adjustment area to the replacement area.

  If the optical disk 20 is an unformatted high-density land / groove / zone format disk in which predetermined management information is not recorded in the management area for managing defective blocks, an alternative function by slip replacement is provided. Used. Therefore, when the optical disc 20 is loaded into the optical disc apparatus 10, the registered defect block is secured as the recording condition adjustment region by registering the recording condition adjustment region necessary for tilt adjustment at a desired position in the management information as a defective block. it can.

  In the second embodiment, the operation of newly securing a recording condition adjustment area has been described using the tilt as an example of a parameter to be adjusted for the optical disc apparatus 10 to perform good recording and reproduction. In accordance with this procedure, a recording condition adjustment area used when adjusting parameters other than tilt may be newly secured. Moreover, although the recording condition adjustment area has been described as being secured at three locations on the inner periphery, the middle periphery, and the outer periphery of the optical disc 20, it is not limited to three locations.

  Also, here, when an unformatted optical disc 20 is loaded, an area necessary for tilt adjustment is registered as a defective block to secure the area, and then a tilt adjustment signal is recorded. In the case of the unformatted optical disc 20, the tilt adjustment signal may be recorded in a desired area without registering the defective block. In this case, when the user data is recorded in the area where the tilt adjustment signal is recorded, the recording condition adjustment area securing process may be performed again. Until the user data is recorded in the area, the area can be used as a recording condition adjustment area without being registered as a defective track. When the user data is recorded in the area, the process for reserving the recording condition adjustment area is performed again, and the recording condition adjustment area is secured using the alternative area in the same manner as when the area is secured on the formatted optical disc 20. Is done.

  Further, in the second embodiment, when the inserted optical disk is unformatted, a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment can be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment. Regardless of whether or not the recording condition adjustment area registered in the management information as a defective block remains registered in the management information, that is, remains as a defective block, but is managed as a defective block after the tilt adjustment is completed. The recording condition adjustment area registered in the information may be deleted. When the registration of the defective block is deleted, the area can be accessed from the host device and user data may be recorded. Therefore, when deleting the registration of the defective block, the process for reserving the recording condition adjustment area may be performed again when the tilt adjustment is performed thereafter.

  In the second embodiment, when the inserted optical disk has been formatted, the area at the position to be secured as the recording condition adjustment area is registered as a defective block, and the recorded information in the registered area is replaced with the replacement destination. The recording condition adjustment area was secured by moving to the alternative area. After the tilt adjustment is completed, the defective block set in the recording condition adjustment area may be eliminated. That is, the recorded information moved to the replacement area may be written back to the replacement source area, and the management information in which the recording condition adjustment area is registered as a defective block may be deleted. When the tilt adjustment is necessary again, it is preferable that the process for reserving the recording condition adjustment area is performed again.

  In the second embodiment, when a signal that can be used for tilt adjustment cannot be recorded in an area of a size required for tilt adjustment, the adjustment area that cannot be used for tilt adjustment is used as an adjustment area that cannot be used for tilt adjustment. The reserved recording condition adjustment area is left as it is, and the next processing is started. In the management information, a part of the user data area within a certain range before and after the recording condition adjustment area where the signal that can be used for tilt adjustment could not be recorded in the area of the size required for the tilt adjustment as a defective block It may be registered to newly secure another recording condition adjustment area.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical disc device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the zone structure of an optical disk. It is a figure explaining the structure of the adjustment area | region which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a flowchart (1) showing an operation of the optical disc apparatus. It is a flowchart (2) which shows operation | movement of the optical disk apparatus. It is a flowchart (1) which shows operation | movement of the optical disk apparatus based on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart (2) which shows operation | movement of the optical disk apparatus. It is a flowchart (3) which shows operation | movement of the optical disk apparatus. It is a flowchart (4) which shows operation | movement of the optical disk apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Optical disk apparatus 11 Spindle drive system 12 Optical head 13 LD drive part 14 RF signal system 15 Data controller 16 Servo controller 17 System controller 20 Optical disk 22 Inner circumference user data area 23 Inner circumference zone boundary 24 Middle circumference user data area 25 Middle circumference Zone boundary 26 Outer periphery user data area 27 Outer periphery zone boundary 28 Re-outer periphery user data area

Claims (13)

A buffer area that cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host device;
A data area comprising: a user data recording / reproducing area divided into a plurality of areas by the buffer area and recordable / reproducible by the host device;
An optical disk recording method for recording information on an information recording medium comprising a system area in which management information for managing the data area is recorded,
An optical disc recording method comprising a securing step of securing a recording condition adjustment area used for adjusting a recording condition when recording user data in the user data recording / reproducing area in the data area. Further, an adjustment step for adjusting a recording condition when recording the user data;
The optical disc recording according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjustment signal recording step of recording an adjustment signal used for adjusting the recording condition in the adjustment step in the recording condition adjustment area secured in the securing step. Method. The optical disk recording method according to claim 1, wherein the securing step includes a step of securing the recording condition adjustment area in the buffer area. The optical disk recording method according to claim 1, wherein the securing step includes a step of setting the recording condition adjustment area in the user data recording / reproducing area. The optical disc recording method according to claim 4, wherein the securing step includes a step of registering the recording condition adjustment area in the system area as a defective block that cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host device. User data recording / playback area divided into a plurality of areas,
An optical disc recording method for recording information on an information recording medium including a buffer area sandwiched between the user data recording / reproducing areas and not recordable / reproducible by a host device,
A securing step of securing a recording condition adjustment area in the buffer area;
An optical disc recording method comprising: an adjustment signal recording step of recording an adjustment signal in the adjustment area. An optical disc recording method in which a replacement area for replacing a defective block in a user data recording / playback area is set in advance, and information is recorded on an information recording medium in which the replacement area is used by a host device as a replacement for the defective block There,
A defective block registration step of registering a part of the user data recording / reproducing area as a defective block;
A securing step of securing an area registered as the defective block as a recording condition adjustment area;
An optical disc recording method comprising: an adjustment signal recording step of recording an adjustment signal in the adjustment area. A buffer area that cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host device;
A data area comprising: a user data recording / reproducing area capable of recording / reproducing by a host device divided into a plurality of areas by the buffer area;
A recording section for recording a data signal on an information recording medium comprising: a system area in which information for managing the data area is recorded;
A reproducing unit for reproducing a data signal recorded on the information recording medium and outputting a reproduction signal;
An adjustment unit for adjusting a recording condition when recording on the information recording medium;
A control unit for ensuring a recording condition adjustment area in the data area in which an adjustment signal used for adjusting the recording condition is recorded;
A storage unit for storing adjustment area information including position information indicating the position of the reserved recording condition adjustment area and use information indicating that the reserved recording condition adjustment area can be used as an adjustment area; An optical disc device provided. The control unit secures the recording condition adjustment area in the buffer area,
The recording unit records the adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area secured;
The storage unit stores the adjustment area information of the secured recording condition adjustment area,
The optical disc apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the recording condition using an adjustment region that can be used based on the adjustment region information stored in the storage unit. The control unit secures the recording condition adjustment area in the user data recording / playback area,
The recording unit records the adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area secured;
The storage unit stores the adjustment area information of the secured recording condition adjustment area,
The optical disc apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the recording condition using an adjustment region that can be used based on the adjustment region information stored in the storage unit. The optical disc apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit registers the recording condition adjustment area in the system area as a defective block that cannot be recorded / reproduced by the host apparatus. User data recording / playback area divided into a plurality of areas,
For an information recording medium comprising a buffer area sandwiched between the user data recording / reproducing areas and not recordable / reproducible by a host device,
Means for securing the buffer area as a recording condition adjustment area;
An optical disk apparatus comprising: means for recording an adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area. For an information recording medium in which a replacement area for replacing a defective block is preset and the replacement area is used as a replacement for the defective block set in the user data recording / playback area by the host device.
Means for registering a part of the user data recording / reproducing area as the defective block;
Means for securing an area registered as the defective block as a recording condition adjustment area;
An optical disk apparatus comprising: means for recording an adjustment signal in the recording condition adjustment area.

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