U.S. patent application number 10/474670 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for optical disc, information recording/reproducing method and information recording/reproducin apparatus using the same.
Invention is credited to Fujiune, Kenji, Kuze, Yuichi, Watanabe, Katsuya, Yamada, Shinichi.
Application Number | 20040156294 10/474670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18968318 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040156294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe, Katsuya ; et
al. |
August 12, 2004 |
Optical disc, information recording/reproducing method and
information recording/reproducin apparatus using the same
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for
recording/reproducing information on/from an optical disc, wherein
the optical disc has a first to an n-th recording layers (n is an
integer of 2 or greater) laminated on a substrate, each of the
first to the n-th layers having data regions segmented into a first
to an m-th data zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or greater) along
a radial direction of the optical disc, each of the first to the
m-th data zone groups including at least one data zone, the method
comprising the steps of: a) recording/reproducing information
in/from data zone groups from a j-th data zone group of a first
recording layer to a j-th data zone group of an n-th recording
layer; and b) repeating step a) for j=1, 2, . . . , m.
Inventors: |
Watanabe, Katsuya; (Nara,
JP) ; Yamada, Shinichi; (Osaka, JP) ; Fujiune,
Kenji; (Osaka, JP) ; Kuze, Yuichi; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Neil A DuChez
Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar
19th Floor
1621 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
18968318 |
Appl. No.: |
10/474670 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
April 4, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP02/03406 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
369/94 ;
G9B/20.03; G9B/27.025; G9B/7.037; G9B/7.044; G9B/7.168 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 20/1889 20130101;
G11B 2220/20 20130101; G11B 2220/211 20130101; G11B 20/1883
20130101; G11B 27/19 20130101; G11B 2220/235 20130101; G11B 7/0079
20130101; G11B 7/0045 20130101; G11B 7/24038 20130101; G11B 20/1252
20130101; G11B 2007/0013 20130101; G11B 7/08511 20130101; G11B 7/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/094 |
International
Class: |
G11B 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 17, 2001 |
JP |
2001-117843 |
Claims
1. A method for recording/reproducing information on/from an
optical disc, wherein the optical disc has a first to an n-th
recording layers (n is an integer of 2 or greater) laminated on a
substrate, each of the first to the n-th recording layers having
data regions segmented into a first to an m-th data zone groups (m
is an integer of 2 or greater) along a radial direction of the
optical disc, each of the first to the m-th data zone groups
including at least one data zone, the method comprising the steps
of: a) recording/reproducing information in/from data zone groups
from a j-th data zone group of a first recording layer to a j-th
data zone group of an n-th recording layer; and b) repeating step
a) for j=1, 2, . . . , m.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=2, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the second recording layer are the same.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=2, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the second recording layer are opposite.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=3, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer, the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the
data zones of the second recording layer, and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the third
recording layer are the same.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=3, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the third recording layer are the same, and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the first recording layer and the incremental direction of the
physical addresses in the data zones of the second recording layer
are opposite.
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=4, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the third recording layer are the same, the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer and the incremental direction of the
physical addresses in the data zones of the fourth recording layer
are the same, and the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer are opposite.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=2, and the data zones
are allocated with physical addresses incremented along a
predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction of the
physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer
and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data
zones of the second recording layer are the same.
8. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=2, and the data zones
are allocated with physical addresses incremented along a
predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction of the
physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer
and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data
zones of the second recording layer are opposite.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=2, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the second recording layer are the same, and a
distance between the second recording layer and the substrate is
larger than a distance between the first recording layer and the
substrate.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein n=2, and each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups includes a single data zone, the
data zones being allocated with physical addresses incremented
along a predetermined direction, in which the incremental direction
of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording
layer and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the second recording layer are opposite, and a
distance between the second recording layer and the substrate is
larger than a distance between the first recording layer and the
substrate.
11. A method according to claim 1, wherein control information is
recorded on an optical disc surface, and the method further
comprising the step of reading the control information, the
information being recorded/reproduced based on the control
information in the step (a).
12. An apparatus for recording/reproducing information on/from an
optical disc, wherein the optical disc has a first to an n-th
recording layers (n is an integer of 2 or greater) laminated on a
substrate, each of the first to the n-th recording layers having
data regions segmented into a first to an m-th data zone groups (m
is an integer of 2 or greater) along a radial direction of the
optical disc, each of the first to the m-th data zone groups
including at least one data zone, the apparatus comprising: light
receiving means for receiving an optical beam reflected off the
optical disc; shift means for shifting a position of a focal point
of the optical beam along a direction of lamination of the first to
the n-th recording layers of the optical disc; and control means
for performing focus control by controlling the shift means in
accordance with the output from the light receiving means such that
a distance between the focal point of the optical beam and a
selected recording layer from the first to the n-th recording
layers is within a predetermined error range, the control means
releasing the focus control and controlling the shift means such
that the focal point of the optical beam jumps from a j-th data
zone group (j=1, 2, . . . , m) of the selected recording layer to a
j-th data zone group of the recording layer adjacent to the
selected recording layer.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control means
controls the shift means such that a distance between the focal
point of the optical beam and a predetermined region in a
predetermined recording layer of the first to the n-th recording
layers is within a predetermined error range, and then controls the
shift means such that the focal point of the optical beam jumps to
an arbitrary data zone group of an arbitrary recording layer of the
first to the n-th recording layers.
14. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control means
controls the shift means such that a distance between the focal
point of the optical beam and a j-th data zone group in a selected
recording layer from the first to the n-th recording layers is
within a predetermined error range, and then controls the shift
means such that the focal point of the optical beam jumps to a j-th
data zone group of the recording layer adjacent to the selected
recording layer from the first to the n-th recording layers.
15. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the control means
controls the shift means such that the position of the focal point
of the optical beam is corrected in accordance with an output from
the light receiving means.
16. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one of the first to
the n-th recording layers is always in a predetermined distance
from a surface of the optical disc.
17. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein focusing zone is
provided on a surface of a recording layer which is furthest from
the substrate among the first to the n-th recording layers, and the
control means controls the shift means such that a distance between
the focal point of the optical beam and the focusing zone is within
a predetermined error range and performs learning for optimizing
the focal point of the optical beam in the focusing zones.
18. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the selected
recording layer from the first to the n-th recording layers is the
recording layer furthest from the substrate.
19. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the optical disc
includes tracks in a spiral state or concentric circle forms, and
the control means controls the shift means such that the focal
point of the optical beam skips every other track or every other
circle of the tracks.
20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein AV information and
code information for PC are alternately recorded in every other
track or every other circle of the tracks.
21. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined
recording layer is the recording layer furthest from the substrate,
and the predetermined region is a control information zone in which
control information of the optical disc is stored.
22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control
information includes copyright information and registration
information.
23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein: the data zones are
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction; and the control means measures position error of
corresponding physical addresses between the first to the n-th
recording layers, the control means is controlled to add new
control information to the control information of the optical disc
based on the position error.
24. An optical disc comprising a substrate and a first to an n-th
recording layers (n is an integer of 2 or greater) laminated onto
the substrate, wherein each of the first to the n-th recording
layers include data regions separated into a first to an m-th data
zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or greater) along a radial
direction of the optical disc, each of the first to the m-th data
zone groups including at least one data zone, control information
being recorded on a surface of the optical disc.
25. An optical disc comprising a substrate and a first to an n-th
recording layers (n is an integer of 2 or greater) laminated onto
the substrate, wherein each of the first to the n-th recording
layers include data regions separated into a first to an m-th data
zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or greater) along a radial
direction of the optical disc, each of the first to the m-th data
zone groups including at least one data zone, ROM information for
reproduction of the optical disc being recorded on a surface of the
optical disc.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an optical information
recording/reproducing information medium formed by laminating
recording layers, and an information recording/reproducing method
and an information recording/reproducing apparatus using the same.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an optical disc
for optically recording/reproducing information, by using a light
source such as a laser, on/from a recording surface formed by
laminating recording layers, and an information
recording/reproducing method and an information
recording/reproducing apparatus using the same.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Typical conventional optical discs include CDs, DVDs, and
the like. Among others, a DVD-RAM, i.e., a rewritable optical disc,
includes a bar-code area (BCA) having a form of a bar code for
recording copyright protection information or a serial number on an
innermost periphery, a control track (LEAD-IN area) adjacent to the
BCA which is pre-cut with a concave-convex emboss, a gap area
adjacent to the LEAD-IN area which is formed by a mirror portion
formed all the way around, and data tracks adjacent to the gap area
which have a continuous trench-like structure called lands and
grooves. The data tracks are separated along a peripheral direction
into regions of every predetermined block, which are called
sectors, with preformatted address portions having zigzag mark
(pit) forms.
[0003] For compatible recording capacity and performance, the rate
of an optical disc is changed in a predetermined length of the
diameter. Herein, in order to achieve a substantially constant
linear velocity of an optical disc during driving, the optical disc
is divided into 35 regions (24 regions in Ver. 1.0) which are
called zones along the radial direction. On the innermost periphery
of the data track of the optical disc, a TEST zone for learning a
recording power or the like of the laser in accordance with the
optical disc is provided. Adjacent to the data tracks of innermost
periphery and the outermost periphery, DMAs (Disk Management Areas)
for managing defects are provided.
[0004] For actually recording information on a DVD-RAM disc, an
optical beam is moved to the emboss region to read control data and
to collect required data related to the disc or recording
conditions and so on. The recording power of the laser or the like
is learnt in the TEST zone. Then, information of the inner and the
outer DMAs are read and the information is updated for preparation.
Basically, when a predetermined request for writing data is issued,
recording is performed sequentially from an inner data track. Every
time an optical beam crosses a border of the zones, the rate is
reduced to maintain the linear velocity constant while the
recording is performed.
[0005] Regarding a read-only DVD-ROM, a double-layer disc, in which
an information surface having a pit shape is provided on a
substrate having a thickness of 0.6 mm is standarilized and two
such substrates are attached to each other in the same direction,
allowing information to be read from one side without reversing the
disc. The layout of the DVD-ROM disc is basically the same as that
of the DVD-RAM. Similar to the DVD-RAM described above, a DVD-ROM
has a BCA having a bar code shape in which copyright protection
information and a serial number are recorded on the innermost
periphery of the disc, and adjacent to the BCA, a control track
(LEAD-IN) which has a pre-cut embossed shape. A data portion which
has the same embossed shape is physically coupled to the control
track.
[0006] A recording layer L0 is closer to a source of an optical
beam (a light source) than a recording layer L1. An intermediate
layer between the recording layer L0 and the recording layer L1
generally has a thickness of 40-70 .mu.m. Movement between the
layers is realized by focus jumping, i.e., switching off tracking
control temporarily, releasing focus control, and applying a pulse
having a rectangular wave shape to a focus actuator. In general, a
direction for recording information on a disc is a direction from
the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the disc for both the
L0 and L1 (parallel paths). However, it may be a direction from the
inner periphery to the outer periphery for the L0 and vice versa
for the L1 (opposite paths). The opposite paths allow the shortest
focus jumping from L0 to L1 at the outer periphery of the disc even
when a reproduction time of video data becomes long. Thus, seamless
reproduction is possible.
[0007] However, regarding the above-mentioned recordable DVD-RAM
disc, a double-layer disc or a multi-layer disc having two or more
layers with information surfaces laminated does not exist.
Conventional DVD-ROM double-layer discs include a parallel path
type disc in which data is recorded in the same direction, from the
inner periphery to the outer periphery, for both the L0 and L1, and
an opposite path type disc in which data is recorded from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery for the L0, and vice versa for the
L1. If a multi-layer recordable disc is assumed based on this
conventional technique, regarding a DVD-RAM disc, similar to a
DVD-ROM double-layer disc, there may be a parallel path type
structure in which recording surfaces are laminated in a simple
manner with spiral directions thereof aligned, and an opposite path
type structure in which recording surfaces are laminated with their
spiral directions reversed.
[0008] In the case where a long-duration content is recorded on a
parallel path type disc, when the recording is performed and
reaches the outermost periphery of a recording layer closer to a
light source (L0), an optical beam must go back to the innermost
periphery of a recording layer further from the light source (L1).
In addition to focus jump for moving between the L0 and L1, a seek
of a full length stroke occurs. During the movement between the
layers, data cannot be recorded and must be stored in a buffer
memory. Thus, a large quantity of memory is required. However, when
a large number of small-size files are recorded or reproduced at
random, since they can be recorded closely to each other from the
inner periphery. Thus, a latent time for motor rotation response
becomes shorter every time the optical beam crosses borders between
the zones. The reproduction performance is less effected by the
motor response. In the case of the opposite path type disc,
recording is performed until it reaches the outermost periphery of
the L0 layer, and then it is resumed from the outermost periphery
of the L1 layer. Thus, an ability to allow a random access is lower
than that of the parallel path type disc in which recording is
performed in the direction from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery for both the L0 and L1.
[0009] The present invention is provided for solving the
above-described problem. An objective of the present invention is
to provide an optical disc which enables an efficient
recording/reproduction regardless of a capacity of a file and
allows both seamless data and a random access to data, and an
information recording/reproducing method and information
recording/reproduction apparatus using the same.
[0010] In order to improve a density (capacity) and further secure
SN of a reproduction signal, generally, track pitches are made
closer to each other and depths of grooves are made shallower. This
results in reduction in an amplification of a push-pull tracking
error signal. Further, due to an influence of light reflected off
adjacent tracks having different reflectances while data is
recorded, an offset is generated in a tracking error signal.
[0011] A conventional optical disc has a one-spiral structure. When
data is continuously recorded in this track, recording proceeds
sequentially from, for example, track 1 of the inner periphery, to
adjacent tracks along the spiral. When the continuous recording is
performed as such, relative to a current position of a beam spot
performing recording, the inner adjacent track has been recorded
and the outer adjacent track remains unrecorded. The inner and the
outer adjacent track shave different reflections. Conventionally,
in a scheme where a track deviation is detected using intensities
of first-order diffracted light at track groove portions, such as,
a push-pull tracking, such an influence of a difference in
reflectances between adjacent tracks have been small. As the
density becomes higher and track pitches become smaller, a relative
diameter of a spot of an optical beam with respect to a track on
the disc becomes large. Thus, due to an influence caused by a
difference in reflectances of adjacent tracks, an offset is
generated in a tracking signal. The tracking tends to go off
easily. Accordingly, a skip of sounds and a block noise may
undesirably occur when the beginning of a music piece or video is
being searched or when the reproduction thereof comes to an
end.
[0012] The present invention is provided for solving the
above-described second problem. An objective of the present
invention is to provide an apparatus having a high reliability by
recording information on every other track to reduce an influence
caused by a difference in reflectances due to recorded/unrecorded
states of adjacent tracks and implement a stable track control.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is to implement a
partial ROM disc more easily by locating a ROM region on the layer
furthest from the light source to provide a high performance
apparatus which is capable of record and reproduce with fast
switching between a ROM region and a RAM region and implementing a
fast-speed recording of additional data or recording a program
different to the one being viewed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a method for
recording/reproducing information on/from an optical disc, wherein
the optical disc has a first to an n-th recording layers (n is an
integer of 2 or greater) laminated on a substrate, each of the
first to the n-th recording layers having data regions segmented
into a first to an m-th data zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or
greater) along a radial direction of the optical disc, each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups including at least one data
zone, the method comprising the steps of: a) recording/reproducing
information in/from data zone groups from a j-th data zone group of
a first recording layer to a j-th data zone group of an n-th
recording layer; and b) repeating step a) for j=1, 2, . . . , m,
thereby achieving the above-described objectives.
[0015] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=2, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer are the same.
[0016] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=2, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer are opposite.
[0017] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=3, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer, the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer, and the incremental direction of the
physical addresses in the data zones of the third recording layer
are the same.
[0018] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=3, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the third recording layer are the same, and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first
recording layer and the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the second recording layer are
opposite.
[0019] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=4, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the third recording layer are the same, the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer and the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the fourth recording layer are the
same, and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the first recording layer and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer are opposite.
[0020] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=2, and the data zones are allocated with
physical addresses incremented along a predetermined direction, in
which the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the
data zones of the first recording layer and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer are the same.
[0021] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=2, and the data zones are allocated with
physical addresses incremented along a predetermined direction, in
which the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the
data zones of the first recording layer and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer are opposite.
[0022] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=2, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer are the same, and a distance between
the second recording layer and the substrate is larger than a
distance between the first recording layer and the substrate.
[0023] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein n=2, and each of the first to the m-th
data zone groups includes a single data zone, the data zones being
allocated with physical addresses incremented along a predetermined
direction, in which the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer are opposite, and a distance between
the second recording layer and the substrate is larger than a
distance between the first recording layer and the substrate.
[0024] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein control information is recorded on an
optical disc surface, and the method further comprising the step of
reading the control information, the information being
recorded/reproduced based on the control information in the step
(a).
[0025] The present invention provides an apparatus for
recording/reproducing information on/from an optical disc, wherein
the optical disc has a first to an n-th recording layers (n is an
integer of 2 or greater) laminated on a substrate, each of the
first to the n-th recording layers having data regions segmented
into a first to an m-th data zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or
greater) along a radial direction of the optical disc, each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups including at least one data
zone, the apparatus comprising: light receiving means for receiving
an optical beam reflected off the optical disc; shift means for
shifting a position of a focal point of the optical beam a long a
direction of lamination of the first to the n-th recording layers
of the optical disc; and control means for performing focus control
by controlling the shift means in accordance with the output from
the light receiving means such that a distance between the focal
point of the optical beam and a selected recording layer from the
first to the n-th recording layers is within a predetermined error
range, the control means releasing the focus control and
controlling the shift means such that the focal point of the
optical beam jumps from a j-th data zone group (j=1, 2, . . . , m)
of the selected recording layer to a j-th data zone group of the
recording layer adjacent to the selected recording layer, thereby
achieving the above-described objectives.
[0026] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the control means controls the shift means
such that a distance between the focal point of the optical beam
and a predetermined region in a predetermined recording layer of
the first to the n-th recording layers is within a predetermined
error range, and then controls the shift means such that the focal
point of the optical beam jumps to an arbitrary data zone group of
an arbitrary recording layer of the first to the n-th recording
layers.
[0027] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the control means controls the shift means
such that a distance between the focal point of the optical beam
and a j-th data zone group in a selected recording layer from the
first to the n-th recording layers is within a predetermined error
range, and then controls the shift means such that the focal point
of the optical beam jumps to a j-th data zone group of the
recording layer adjacent to the selected recording layer from the
first to the n-th recording layers.
[0028] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the control means controls the shift means
such that the position of the focal point of the optical beam is
corrected in accordance with an output from the light receiving
means.
[0029] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein one of the first to the n-th recording
layers is always in a predetermined distance from a surface of the
optical disc.
[0030] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein focusing zone is provided on a surface of
a recording layer which is furthest from the substrate among the
first to the n-th recording layers, and the control means controls
the shift means such that a distance between the focal point of the
optical beam and the focusing zone is within a predetermined error
range and performs learning for optimizing the focal point of the
optical beam in the focusing zones.
[0031] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the selected recording layer from the
first to the n-th recording layers is the recording layer furthest
from the substrate.
[0032] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the optical disc includes tracks in a
spiral state or concentric circle forms, and the control means
controls the shift means such that the focal point of the optical
beam skips every other track or every other circle of the
tracks.
[0033] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein AV information and code information for PC
are alternately recorded in every other track or every other circle
of the tracks.
[0034] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the predetermined recording layer is the
recording layer furthest from the substrate, and the predetermined
region is a control information zone in which control information
of the optical disc is stored.
[0035] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein the control information includes copyright
information and registration information.
[0036] One embodiment of the present invention is a method
described above, wherein: the data zones are allocated with
physical addresses incremented along a predetermined direction; and
the control means measures position error of corresponding physical
addresses between the first to the n-th recording layers, the
control means is controlled to add new control information to the
control information of the optical disc based on the position
error.
[0037] The present invention provides an optical disc comprising a
substrate and a first to an n-th recording layers (n is an integer
of 2 or greater) laminated onto the substrate, wherein each of the
first to the n-th recording layers include data regions separated
into a first to an m-th data zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or
greater) along a radial direction of the optical disc, each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups including at least one data
zone, control information being recorded on a surface of the
optical disc, thereby achieving the above-described objectives.
[0038] The present invention provides an optical disc comprising a
substrate and a first to an n-th recording layers (n is an integer
of 2 or greater) laminated onto the substrate, wherein each of the
first to the n-th recording layers include data regions separated
into a first to an m-th data zone groups (m is an integer of 2 or
greater) along a radial direction of the optical disc, each of the
first to the m-th data zone groups including at least one data
zone, ROM information for reproduction of the optical disc being
recorded on a surface of the optical disc, thereby achieving the
above-described objectives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a concept of a
multi-layer type optical disc according to the present
invention;
[0040] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optional
disc having a double-layer structure according to Embodiment 1;
[0041] FIG. 2(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of FIG. 2(a);
[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of an
apparatus for recording/reproducing information on/from the optical
disc according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical
disc having a three-layer structure according to embodiment 2;
[0044] FIG. 4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a
method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of FIG. 4(a);
[0045] FIG. 5(a) shows a focus-jumping pulse having a wave-height
value and a pulse width appropriate for a movement for every
layer;
[0046] FIG. 5(b) shows a focus-jumping pulse having a wave-height
value and a pulse width appropriate for a movement for every layer
when the high-speed movement is required;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
method for recording/reproducing information to/from the layer
closest to a substrate (L1 layer) in a double-layer disc
(parallel-path type);
[0048] FIG. 7(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical
disc having a double-layer structure according to Embodiment 3;
[0049] FIG. 7(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of FIG. 7(a);
[0050] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from an optical disc when information is
continuously recorded across two or more data zones;
[0051] FIG. 9(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an
embodiment of a three-layer disc having three recording layers
laminated;
[0052] FIG. 9(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a
method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of FIG. 9(a);
[0053] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an
embodiment of a four-layer disc having four recording layers
laminated;
[0054] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a
method for recording/reproducing information on/from the layer
closest to a substrate (L1 layer) in a double-layer disc
(opposite-path type);
[0055] FIG. 12(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical
disc having a double-layer structure (parallel-path type) according
to Embodiment 6;
[0056] FIG. 12(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating
a method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of FIG. 12(a);
[0057] FIG. 13(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical
disc having a double-layer structure (opposite-path type) according
to Embodiment 6;
[0058] FIG. 13(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating
a method (a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of FIG. 13(a);
[0059] FIG. 14(a) is a plan view schematically showing a structure
of an optical disc;
[0060] FIG. 14(b) shows a partial enlarged view of tracks of an
optical disc being recorded according to a conventional technique
and waveforms of a tracking error signal (TE) and total reflection
signal (AS) in such a case;
[0061] FIG. 14(c) shows a partial enlarged view of tracks of an
optical disc according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention and
waveforms of a tracking error signal (TE) and AS in such a
case;
[0062] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another structure of an
apparatus for recording/reproducing information on/from the optical
disc of the present invention;
[0063] FIG. 16(a) is a plan view of an optical disc being
recorded;
[0064] FIG. 16(b) shows a partial enlarged view of tracks when
recording is performed in every other track and a TE waveform and a
jumping waveform;
[0065] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a concept of the optical disc
of Embodiment 5 of the present invention;
[0066] FIG. 18 shows an example of a structure of a partial
double-layer ROM;
[0067] FIG. 19 is a timing chart for illustrating a copyright
protection process; and
[0068] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for illustrating a copyright
protection process.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0069] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a concept of a
multi-layer type optical disc 1000 according to the present
invention. The optical disc 1000 includes a substrate 100 and a
first to an n-th recording layers laminated onto the substrate 100
(n is an integer which is equal to 2 or greater). Each of the first
to the n-th recording layers has a data region segmented along a
radial direction of the optical disc 1000 into a first to an m-th
of data zone groups (m is an integer which is equal to 2 or
greater). Each of the first to the m-th data zone groups includes
at least one data zone (in an example shown in FIG. 1, a data zone
group includes three data zones). Each of the first to the n-th
recording layers may include regions other than the data
region.
[0070] For recording/reproducing information on/from the optical
disc 1000, (a) information is recorded/reproduced in a region from
the j-th data zone group of the first recording layer to the j-th
data zone group of the n-th recording layer, and (b) the step (a)
is repeated for j=1, 2, . . . , m. Such a recording/reproducing
method using the multi-layer type optical disc according to the
present invention is characterized in that each data zone groups
forms a continuous information stream.
[0071] In FIG. 1, recording layers are sequentially numbered 1, 2,
3, . . . n from the recording layer furthest from the substrate
100. However, the recording layers may be numbered 1, 2, 3, . . . n
from the recording layer closest to the substrate 100. The data
zone groups are numbered 1, 2, 3, . . . m from the inside to
outside of the optical disc 1000, but they may be numbered 1, 2, 3,
. . . m from the outside to inside of the optical disc 1000.
[0072] Furthermore, one of the first to the n-th recording layers
maybe always at a predetermined distance from a surface of the
disc.
[0073] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
[0074] Embodiment 1
[0075] FIG. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical
disc having a double-layer structure according to Embodiment 1.
FIG. 2(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a method
(a direction and an order) for recording/reproducing information
on/from the optical disc. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a
structure of an apparatus for recording/reproducing information
on/from the optical disc according to the present invention.
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
2(a), 2(b), and 3.
[0076] As shown in FIG. 2(a), the optical disc of the present
embodiment is formed of a resin or glass substrate 4 and two
recordable recording layers (an L1 layer 5 and an L0 layer 6)
laminated thereto via an adhesive layer 7. Information surfaces of
both the L0 layer 6 and the L1 layer 5 are on the sides further
from the substrate. The L0 layer 6 is set to be about 70 to 85
.mu.m and the adhesive layer is set to be about 30 .mu.m. A
distance between the disc surface and the information surface of
the L1 layer is about 100-115 .mu.m. In the L0 layer and the L1
layer of the optical disc of the present embodiment, from clamp
areas 3 on the innermost periphery, bar code areas (system areas)
11 and 12, lead-in areas 21 and 22, gap areas 31 and 32, test areas
41 and 42, replacement information areas 51 and 52, replacement
areas 61 and 62 are respectively located in inner system areas 120
and 121. Replacement areas 71 and 72, replacement information areas
81 and 82, lead out areas 91 and 92 are respectively located in
outer system areas 124 and 125. Data areas 122 and 123 are
respectively between the system areas 120 and 121 and the system
areas 124 and 125.
[0077] The data areas 122 and 123 to and from which user data is
recorded/reproduced are separated at predetermined positions along
in a radial direction of the disc. The L0 layer includes data zones
101 to 109 and the L1 layer includes data zones 201 to 209 (in the
present embodiment, there are nine zones for convenience of the
explanation. However, the present invention is not limited to this,
and any number of data zones is possible). The rate is switched for
each zone. Data is recorded with a substantially stable linear
speed (or linear density). The information thus recorded is
reproduced.
[0078] An objective and a role of each area will be described. Bar
codes are generated on surfaces of the bar code areas 11 and 12 by
removing a part of a reflection film on a recording surface after
the disc is formed using a laser cutting or the like, or by
printing or applying an ink. The information of the bar codes
includes key information for protecting copyrights, a serial number
for managing support or the like, or information regarding kinds,
the number of layers, the types (rewritable, write-once, read-only)
or the like of the disc. Thus, information provided with basic
characteristics is pre-recorded in the bar code areas 11 and
12.
[0079] The lead-in areas 21 and 22 are adjacent to the bar code
areas 11 and 12. In the lead-in areas 21 and 22, the number of
recording layers and capacities thereof, the type of the disc
(read-only ROM disc, recordable RAM disc, or the like), physical
information such as recording conditions in the case where the disc
is of the recordable type, copyright information to be combined
with bar codes or the like are pre-recorded as control data by
emboss pit when the disc is formed. The gap areas 31 and 32 are
adjacent to the lead-in areas 21 and 22. The gap areas 31 and 32
are in the border between the ROM regions usually formed with an
emboss and RAM regions having a guiding track and a sector
structure. The gap areas 31 and 32 usually serve as a mirror
portion having high reflectances (they also serve as margin regions
when lead-in regions are generated).
[0080] The test areas 41 and 42 are adjacent to the gap areas 31
and 32. The test areas 41 and 42 are test regions for being
irradiated with laser at a recording power to learn an optimum
value of laser power or the like, or for learning a target position
of the focus control. The replacement information area 51 and 52
are adjacent to the test areas. The replacement information area 51
and 52 are regions for registering an address of a sector or a
block which cannot be used because of defects or the like. The
replacement areas 61 and 62 are adjacent to the replacement
information areas 51 and 52. The replacement areas 61 and 62 are
alternate regions corresponding to sectors or blocks which cannot
be actually used.
[0081] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the recording/reproducing
apparatus according to the present invention will be described in
detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus for
recording/reproducing information on/from the optical disc
according to the present invention. The apparatus includes light
receiving means for receiving an optical beam reflected off an
optical disc, a shift means for shifting a position of a focal
point of the optical beam along a direction of a lamination of
recording layers in the optical disc, and control means for
performing focus control such that a distance between the focal
point of the optical beam and a recording layer selected from the
first to the n-th recording layers is within a predetermined error
range by controlling the shift means in accordance with output of
the light receiving means. In FIG. 3, the light receiving means
corresponds to a photodetector 511; the shift means corresponds to
a tracking control element 509, a focus control element 510 and a
2-channel drive circuit 533; the control means corresponds to a DSP
513. The DSP 513 may control focusing and tracking so as to correct
the position of the focal point of the optical beam in accordance
with an output from the photodetector 511.
[0082] An optical beam is emitted from a light source 503 such as a
semiconductor laser. The optical beam is collimated with a coupling
lens 504. Then, via a polarizing element 505, the optical beam is
applied to the disc 501 as a focal point of the optical beam (an
optical beam spot) 507 with a converging lens 506. The reflected
light passes through the polarizing element 505, and is received at
the photodetector 511 divided into four sections and converted into
an electric signal. Then, a matrix operator 512 generates a focus
error (FE) signal, a tracking error (TE) signal, and an RF signal
by astigmatism. Various types of methods can be used for signal
generation. Typical methods include a focus error detection by
astigmatism using a differential between sums of opposite diagonal
sections of four sections arranged in a square, a tracking error
detection by push-pull using a differential of two divided section
in the disc radial direction and using a difference in intensities
in .+-. first order diffraction light of the track, and RF
generation by addition of the all four sections arranged in a
square, and the like.
[0083] The focus error (hereinafter, referred to as FE) generated
in the matrix operator 512 is digitalized in an AD converter 514
incorporated in the DSP 513. Operations for phase compensation and
gain compensation are performed in an internal operational core
517. The FE is analog-converted by an incorporated DA converter 520
and amplified by the drive circuit 533 of two channels. Then, the
FE is output to the focus control element 510. Thus, the optical
beam is focused on the information surface of the disc 501 as a
spot and controlled to have a predetermined converged state.
Similarly, the tracking error (hereinafter, referred to as TE)
generated in the matrix operator 512 is digitalized in an AD
converter 515 incorporated in the DSP 513. Operations for phase
compensation and gain compensation are performed in the internal
operational core 517. The TE is analog-converted by an incorporated
DA converter 519 and amplified by the drive circuit 533 of two
channels. Then, the TE is output to the tracking control element
509. Thus, the optical beam spot is controlled so as to correctly
scan tracks on the disc 501.
[0084] Similarly, the AS signal generated in the matrix operator
512 is also digitalized in an AD converter 516 incorporated in the
DSP 513. Dividing operations of the TE and FE (AGC) are performed
in the internal operational core 517. Thus, a gain of a servo loop
can be maintained constant even when a semiconductor laser reaches
a recording power or an input amplification of an input of FE or TE
is varied by a change in the reflectance of the disc due to
recording.
[0085] The RF signal is made to have a constant amplification by a
dedicated AGC circuit 521. Then, an equalizer 522 formed of a
high-order equal ripple filter enhances a signal band. Then, the
signal is converted into a binary data by a binary circuit 523. The
binary data is input to an address extraction circuit 524 and a
data extraction circuit 525, respectively. The address obtained by
the address extraction circuit 524 is input to a controller 528. A
difference in addresses of a region, in which desired data
requested by a host 527 via an interface 526 is stored, is
calculated. An instruction in accordance with the calculated
difference is sent to the operational core 517. The optical beam
spot 507 is shifted in a radial direction of the disc by a traverse
motor 532 and to an information surface of the desired layer by a
pulse generation section 529 and a switch 530 to search a
predetermined region.
[0086] After searching a predetermined region, data is retrieved by
the data extraction circuit 525. Error correction or decoding (not
shown) is performed. Then, data is sent to a host or the like via
the interface circuit 526. For recording a signal, similarly, an
initial address of a position to be recorded is input to a
controller by an instruction command by the host. Based on a
difference in addresses between the initial address and the present
address obtained by the address extraction circuit 524, the optical
beam is moved to the desired position. A recording pulse modulated
in accordance with a recording data encoded by an encode circuit
(not shown) is recorded by the semiconductor laser 503.
[0087] A process flow for starting up the apparatus of the present
embodiment and recording/reproducing information on/from an optical
disc will be described in detail.
[0088] First, a start-up procedure and a method thereof will be
described. When the apparatus is powered,the operational core 517
drives the traverse motor 532 via a DA converter 518 and a drive
circuit 531. Thus, the optical beam is shifted near the inner
periphery of the disc 501. The disc 501 is rotated with a
predetermined rate by a spindle motor. Further, focus control
element 510 is moved to become closer or further to the disc 501 to
detect a focus error. The optical beam is focused on the layer L0
closer to the converging lens 506. Then, the tracking control
element 509 is driven to perform tracking control. Thus, it is
possible to detect an RF signal stably. Address information on a
track is extracted by the address extraction circuit 524 to
recognize the track currently being scanned by the optical
beam.
[0089] Next, a predetermined track of the lead-in areas 21 or 22 in
which the type of the disc or control information on book type is
written is accessed. The track being scanned and the track of the
lead-in area may have different physical shapes and thus, the
tracking error detection method may be switched. In this case, the
optical beam is first shifted to a head track of the gap area,
i.e., a border, and then shifted again from the head track to the
predetermined track of the lead-in area. The tracking detection
scheme is switched, for example, from a phase-difference method to
a push-pull method, immediately before or after the shift.
[0090] When the optical beam is shifted to the predetermined track
of the lead-in area 21 and required information is obtained in the
portion, the detection scheme of the tracking error is switched
back. The optical beam spot is shifted to the test area 41 to
perform learning of the laser power or the recording pulse width
and so on for improving quality of a recording or reproduction
signal, or learning of a target position of the focus control. When
the learning has finished, the optical beam spot is then shifted to
replacement information area 51. Information on the
presence/absence of a portion which cannot be recorded due to a
defect of the disc and so on and the position thereof, and the
presence/absence of a replacing portion and the position thereof
are read and stored in a memory of a system controller. The process
will be performed with reference to this information when the
recording/reproducing command is issued thereafter.
[0091] When the double-layer (or multi-layer) disc is used, a focus
jumping is performed to move from the L0 layer to the L1 layer. The
similar process will be repeated for the test area 42 and the
replacement information area 52 of the L1 layer (basically, in the
case of the multi-layer disc, this process may be repeated). When
necessary information is obtained for all necessary layers, the
start-up process is finished in principle. In this case, if the
optical beam spot stands by the start address of the L0 layer, it
is easy to proceed to the next process. In the case where the
information cannot be read from the lead-in of the L0 layer (the
layer closer to the surface), the focus jumping is performed from
that position. A lead-in of the layer which can be read is
accessed. Accordingly, the lead-in area 22 of the L1 layer stores
control information shared in the disc. In FIG. 2(a), focus
positions of the optical beam spot 207 on the L0 layer and the L1
layer are respectively shown in a solid line and a dotted line.
[0092] Next, a procedure and a method for recording a desirable
data in data areas 122 and 123 of an optical disc will be described
with reference to FIG. 2(b). For better understanding, continuous
recording of long-duration motion pictures will be described. FIG.
2(b) shows a movement of an optical beam while a long-duration
motion picture is being continuously recorded on an optical disc by
a recording/reproduction apparatus according to the present
embodiment. When the start-up of the apparatus is finished in
accordance with the above-mentioned start up procedure, an optical
beam spot 207 is located at a substantial head portion, track S of
the data area 101. When recording is performed for the first time,
the recording is started from this head track 101S. Tracks
basically form a spiral structure, and as the optical beam spot
scans a track, the information is sequentially recorded from track
S to track E. When recording reaches a substantial end track E of
the data zone 101, it is temporarily switched to a reproduction
mode, and focus jump is performed. The optical beam spot 207 is
moved to a data zone 201 of an L1 layer and then seeks the
substantial starting track S of the data zone 201 to resume
recording.
[0093] A method of focus jump is performed as follows. When a
command is received by the operational core 517 from the host 527
or the controller 528 similarly to an instruction for search, i.e.,
when an optical beam reaches the last address of the data zone by a
spiral operation, the switch 530 is switched from connection of A
and C to connection of B and C. The focus control is released. A
predetermined acceleration pulse and a deceleration pulse are
applied to the focus control element 510 via the switch 530, the DA
converter 520, and the 2-channel driving circuit 533 from the pulse
generation section 529. Thus, the focus jump is performed. Specific
control methods, such as generation of the
acceleration/deceleration pulse, or timing is not directly related
to the present invention, and can be structured similarly as in the
conventional technique (Japanese Laid-Open Publication No.
9-326123). Thus, the detailed explanation is omitted herein.
[0094] Similar to the tracks on the L0 layer, tracks on the L1
layer which is positioned just above the L0 layer basically form a
spiral structure running from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery. As the optical beam spot scans the track, information is
sequentially recorded from track S to track E. When the recording
reaches the substantial end track E of the data zone 201, it is
temporarily switched to the reproduction mode, and focus jump is
performed in a reverse direction (downward direction in FIG. 2(b))
to move to start track S of a data zone 102 adjacent to the data
zone 101 of the L0 layer. Then, the recording is resumed from the
substantial start track S of the data zone 102. A similar process
is continued until the recording of the data to be recorded is
finished. Data is sequentially recorded from the data zones 101,
201, 102, 202, 103, . . . , 209.
[0095] When the recording is completed in the middle of the disc, a
start finish address of one volume including finish position
information, a capacity, and the like is registered in a logical
management region are provided in a predetermined region. For
performing recording next time with increment, with reference to
the information, the start address is accessed. The start address
is different forth is recording, but sequence of movements between
layers and zones are similar as in the above-described case. When
data of a PC or the like is recorded instead of motion pictures,
the procedures for recoding are basically the same. The
above-mentioned management region is used as a replacement
information region regarding a defect region of the disc and a
replacement region to enhance reliability of the data.
[0096] Next, a procedure and a method for reproducing a desired
data will be described. A movement of optical spot for reproduction
is basically the same as that for recording. If long-duration
motion pictures are recorded across almost the entire surface, the
optical beam spot is moved from track S of the data zone 101 of an
initial position to a head address of a desired chapter or a head
address of a desired data in accordance with navigation information
in the management region, or a request from a host PC, a remote
control or the like. Then, the optical beam spot moves between
zones and layers, similarly. For example, when a recorded movie is
reproduced from the beginning, reproduction starts from the head
track 101S. Tracks basically form a spiral structure. Thus, as the
optical beam spot scans a track, data are sequentially reproduced
from track S to track E. When the reproduction reaches the
substantial end track E of the data zone 101, focus jumping is
performed. The optical beam spot is moved to the data zone 201 of
the layer L1 and seek for the substantial start track S of the data
zone 201 is performed to resume reproduction.
[0097] Similar to the tracks on the L0 layer, tracks on the L1
layer basically form a spiral structure running from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery. When the optical beam spot scans
the track, the data is sequentially reproduced from track S to
track E. When the reproduction reaches the substantial end track E
of the data zone 201, focus jumping is performed in a reverse
direction to move the optical beam spot to the initial track S of
the data zone 102 adjacent to the data zone 101 of the L0 layer.
Then, the reproduction is resumed from the substantial start track
S of the data zone 102 until the reproduction is finished. Data is
sequentially reproduced from the from the data zones 101, 201, 102,
202, 103, . . . , 209.
[0098] Physical addresses are allocated in the data zones such that
they are incremented along a predetermined direction. It is
preferable that an incremental direction of the physical addresses
in the data zones of the first recording layer (L0 layer) and in
that of the second recording layer (L1 layer) are the same. If they
are not the same, a head address of each zone may be stored and
managed by a system. If physical addresses are simply allocated,
for example, from the inner periphery to the outer periphery (or
from the outer periphery to the inner periphery) in an ascending
order from L0 for each layer, so as to match an order and a
direction of zones to which physical addresses are recorded
including a replacement process for defect or the like, a structure
of a disc can be simplified. The present embodiment has been
described with respect to the operation where both the L0 layer and
the L1 layer are parallel path spirals from the inner periphery to
the outer periphery. However, the present invention is not limited
to this, and the L0 layer and L1 layer may be parallel spirals from
the outer periphery to the inner periphery.
[0099] Embodiment 2
[0100] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical
disc having a three-layer structure according to embodiment 2. FIG.
4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method (a
direction and an order) for recording/reproducing information
on/from the optical disc. Regions in the same radial directions of
the L0, L1, and L2 layers of the three-layer optical disc basically
have similar roles as regions of regions of L0 and L1 of the
double-layer disc in FIG. 1.
[0101] Data areas 100, 200, and 300 of the three-layer disc are all
parallel paths having the same spiral directions. In other words,
data zones of each data area are allocated with physical addresses
incremented in a predetermined direction, and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the first
recording layer, the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the second recording layer, and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the third recording layer are the same. In the present
embodiment, the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
each of the recording layers is from the inner periphery to the
outer periphery of the disc.
[0102] Next, a procedure and a method for recording in these data
areas will be described with reference to FIG. 4(b). For better
understanding, continuous recording of long-duration motion
pictures will be described. An optical beam spot 107 is located at
track 101S, which is a substantial head portion of the data area
101 of the L0 layer of the disc 201. When recording is performed
for the first time, the recording is started from this head track
101S. Tracks basically form a spiral structure, and as the optical
beam spot scans a track, the information is sequentially recorded
from track S to track E. When the recording reaches a substantial
end track 101E of the zone 101, it is temporarily switched to a
reproduction mode, and focus jump is performed. The optical beam
spot 207 is moved to a zone 201 of an L1 layer and then seeks the
substantial start track 201S of the zone 201 to resume
recording.
[0103] A method of focus jump is performed as follows. When a
command is received by the operational core 517 from the host 527
or the controller 528 similarly to an instruction for search, i.e.,
when an optical beam reaches the last address of the data zone by a
spiral operation, the switch 530 is switched from connection of A
and C to connection of B and C. The focus control is released. A
predetermined acceleration pulse and a deceleration pulse are
applied to the focus control element 510 via the switch 530, the DA
converter 520, and the 2-channel driving circuit 533 from the pulse
generation section 529. Thus, the focus jump is performed. Specific
control methods, such as generation of the
acceleration/deceleration pulse, or timing is not directly related
to the present invention, and can be structured similarly as in the
conventional technique. Thus, the detailed explanation is omitted
herein.
[0104] Similar to the tracks on the L0 layer, tracks on the L1
layer which positioned just above the L0 layer basically has a
spiral structure running from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery. As the optical beam spot scans the track, information is
sequentially recorded from track 201S to track 201E. When the
recording reaches the substantial end track 201E of the zone 201,
it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode. The optical
beam spot 107 is moved to a zone 301 of the L2 layer which locates
further above. A seek for the substantial start track 301S of the
zone 301 is performed and then the recording is resumed.
[0105] Similar to the L0 layer and the L1 layer, tracks of the L2
layer located above basically form a spiral structure running from
the inner periphery to the outer periphery. As the optical beam
spot scans the tracks, data is sequentially recorded from the track
301S and the track 301E.
[0106] When the recording reaches the substantial end track 301E of
the zone 301, it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode.
Focus jump is performed in a reverse direction (downward direction
in FIG. 4(b)) to move the optical beam from the L2 layer to the L0
layer, passing through the L1 layer. Then the optical beam spot is
moved to a start track 102 S of a data zone 102. Then, the
recording is resumed from the substantial start track 102 S of the
zone 102. A similar process is continued until the recording of the
data to be recorded is finished. Data is sequentially recorded from
the zones 101, 201, 301, 102, 202, 302, 103, 203 . . . , 309.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 5(a), for the focus jumping in a
multi-layer disc across the L2 layer to the L0 layer, a focus
jumping pulse having a wave-height value and a pulse width
appropriate for a movement for every layer is output to the focus
control element 510. The optical beam is focused onto every layer,
from L2, L1, to L0, before outputting a next focus jumping. Thus,
the optical beam can be stably moved. On the other hand, when a
fast movement is required, as shown in FIG. 5(b), a focus jumping
pulse having a wave-height value and a pulse width in accordance
with the number of layers across which the optical beam moves,
i.e., movement distance is output to the focus control element 510.
Further, zero-cross or the like of FE or binary signal is detected
and counted to reach a data area of a desirable layer.
[0108] Next, a procedure and a method for reproducing a desired
data in a three-layer disc will be described. A movement of optical
beam spot for reproduction is basically the same as that for
recording. If long-duration motion pictures are recorded across
almost entire surface, the optical beam spot is moved from track
101S of the zone 101 of an initial position to a head address of a
desired chapter or a head address of a desired data in accordance
with navigation information in the management area, or a request
from a host PC, a remote control or the like. Then, the optical
beam spot moves between zones and layers, similarly. For example,
when a recorded movie is reproduced from the beginning,
reproduction starts from the head track 101S. Tracks basically form
a spiral structure. Thus, as the optical beam spot scans a track,
data are sequentially reproduced from track 101S to track 101E.
When the reproduction reaches the substantial end track 101E of the
data zone 101, focus jumping is performed. The optical beam spot is
moved to the zone 201 of the layer L1 and a seek for the
substantial start track 201S of the zone 201 is performed to resume
reproduction. Similar to the tracks on the L0 layer, tracks on the
L1 layer basically form a spiral structure running from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery. When the optical beam spot scans
the track, the data is sequentially reproduced from track 201S to
track 201E. When the reproduction is finished at the substantial
end track 201E of the zone 201, similar in the case of the L1
layer, focus jumping of the optical beam spot to the zone 301 of
the L2 layer located above is performed. Tracks of the L2 layer
also basically form a spiral structure running from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery. As the optical beam spot scans
the track, data are sequentially reproduced from the track 301S to
the track 301E.
[0109] When the reproduction is finished at the substantial end
track 301E of the zone 301, the focus jumping is performed in a
reverse direction (downward direction in FIG. 4(b)) to move the
optical beam from the L2 layer to the L0 layer, passing through the
L1 layer. Then, the optical beam spot is moved to the initial track
102S of the data zone 102. Then, the reproduction is resumed from
the substantial start track 102S of the zone 102. Then, similar
process is continued until the reproduction of the data to be
reproduced is finished. Data is sequentially reproduced from the
zones 101, 201, 301, 102, 202, 302, 103, 203 . . . 309.
[0110] Similar to the double-layer disc, it is preferable that the
physical addresses for access are incremented in a direction same
as the orders of the zones across which the optical beam spot
moves. If they are not the same, a head address of each zone may be
stored and managed by a system. If physical addresses are simply
allocated, for example, from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery (or from the outer periphery to the inner periphery) in
an ascending order for each layer, so as to match an order and a
direction of zones to which physical addresses are recorded
including a replacement process for defect or the like, a structure
of a disc can be simplified. The present embodiment has been
described with respect to the operation where both L0 layer, L1
layer, and the L2 layer have spiral structure from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery. However, the present invention is
not limited to this. The L0 layer and the L2 layer may have the
spiral structure running from the outer periphery to the inner
periphery while the L1 layer may have a spiral structure running
from the inner periphery to the outer periphery. The present
embodiment is structured such that recording/reproduction is
performed from the outermost (the furthest from the substrate) zone
101 of the L0 layer. However, the recording/reproduction may be
started from the head zone of the data area located in the
innermost (the closest to the substrate) layer. As an example, FIG.
6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a method for
recording/reproducing information on/from the layer closest to the
substrate (L1 layer) in a double-layer disc.
[0111] Embodiment 3
[0112] FIG. 7(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a structure
of an optical disc according to Embodiment 3. FIG. 7(b) is a
schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a method (a direction
and an order) for recording/reproducing information on/from the
optical disc. The present embodiment can be implemented with a
structure similar to that shown in FIG. 3 by only alternating .mu.
codes of the DSP 513 and the host 527 or a sequence process of
software. Embodiment 3 is an opposite path type where the spiral
direction of the L0 layer is opposite to that of the L1 layer. A
procedure and a method for recording desired data in a data area of
a disc in this case will be described.
[0113] For better understanding of the present invention, similar
to Embodiment 1, continuous recording of long-duration motion
pictures will be described. When starting up is finished in
accordance with the above-mentioned start-up procedure, an optical
beam spot is located at track S, which is a substantial head
portion of a data zone 101 of an optical disc. When recording is
performed for the first time, the recording is started from this
head track 101S. Tracks basically form a spiral structure, and as
the optical beam spot scans a track, the information is
sequentially recorded from track S to track E. When recording
reaches a substantial end track E of the zone 101, it is
temporarily switched to a reproduction mode, and focus jumping is
performed. The optical beam spot is moved to a data zone 201 of an
L1 layer and then seeks the substantial starting track S of the
data zone 201 to resume recording. A method for controlling focus
jumping is not directly related to the present invention, and can
be structured similarly as in the conventional technique. Thus, the
detailed explanation is omitted herein.
[0114] Opposite to the tracks on the L0 layer, tracks on the L1
layer basically form a spiral structure running from the outer
periphery to the inner periphery. As the optical beam spot scans
the track, information is sequentially recorded from track S to
track E from the outer periphery side. When the recording reaches
the substantial end track E of the data zone 201, it is temporarily
switched to the reproduction mode, and focus jump is performed in a
reverse direction (downward direction in FIG. 7(b)) to move to
start track S of a data zone 102 adjacent to the data zone 101 of
the L0 layer. Then, the recording is resumed from the substantial
start track S of the data zone 102. A similar process is continued
until the recording of the data to be recorded is finished. Data is
sequentially recorded from the data zones 101, 201, 102, 202, 103,
. . . , 209.
[0115] When the recording is completed in the middle of the disc, a
start finish address of one volume including finish position
information, a capacity, and the like is registered in a logical
management region provided in a predetermined region. For
performing recording next time with increment, with reference to
the information, the start address is accessed. The start address
for this recording is different from that of the previous
recording, but sequence of movements between layers and zones are
similar as in the above-described case. When data of a PC or the
like is recorded instead of motion pictures, the procedures for
recoding are basically the same. The above-mentioned management
region is used as a replacement information region regarding a
defect area of the disc and a replacement area to enhance a
reliability of the data. In FIG. 7(a), focus positions of the
optical beam spot 207 on the L0 layer and the L1 layer are
respectively shown in a solid line and a dotted line.
[0116] Next, a procedure and a method for reproducing a desired
data will be described. A movement of optical beam spot for
reproduction is basically the same as that for recording. If
long-duration motion pictures are recorded across almost the entire
surface, the optical beam spot is moved from track S of the data
zone 101 of an initial position to a head address of a desired
chapter or a head address of a desired data in accordance with
navigation information in the management region, or a request from
a host PC, a remote control or the like. Then, the optical beam
spot moves between zones and layers, similarly. For example, when a
recorded movie is reproduced from the beginning, reproduction
starts from the head track 101S. Tracks basically form a spiral
structure. Thus, as the optical beam spot scans a track, data are
sequentially reproduced from track S to track E. When the
reproduction reaches the substantial end track E of the data zone
101, focus jumping is performed. The optical beam spot is moved to
the data zone 201 of the layer L1 and seek for the substantial
start track S of the data zone 201 is performed to resume
reproduction. Opposite to the tracks of the L0 layer of the data
zone 101, tracks on the L1 layer basically form a spiral structure
running from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. When the
optical beam spot scans the track, the data is sequentially
reproduced from track S to track E from the outer periphery side of
the disc. When the reproduction reaches the substantial end track E
of the data zone 201, focus jumping is performed in a reverse
direction (downward direction in FIG. 7(b)) to move the optical
beam spot to the initial track S of the data zone 102 adjacent to
the data zone 101 of the L0 layer. Then, the reproduction is
resumed from the substantial start track S of the data zone 102,
and the similar process is continued until the reproduction of the
data to be reproduced is finished. Data is sequentially reproduced
from the data zones 101, 201, 102, 202, 103, . . . , 209.
[0117] The movement of optical beam spot as described above is
indicated by an arrow in FIG. 7(b). One of the major
characteristics of Embodiment 3 is that a seamless reproduction can
be implemented with less buffer. This point will be further
described.
[0118] Basic operations are as described above. The optical beam
spot is moved in spiral from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery for the zones of the L0 layer, from the outer periphery
to the inner periphery for the zones of the L1 layer so as to
record/reproduce data. The end track E of the data zone 101 of the
L0 layer and the start track S of the data zone 201 of the L1 layer
are positioned to be almost perpendicular with respect to each
other. When focus jumping from the L0 layer to the L1 layer is
performed, the optical beam spot reaches at a position near the
next start track. Thus, a time for resuming the recording or the
reproduction can be significantly reduced. As shown in FIG. 8, for
continuously recording motion picture data across two or more data
zones (in this case, a plurality of data zones may be referred to
as a data zone group), if a length of a file or motion picture data
to be recorded has been already known because it is a timer-set
recording or from a supplementary program data and so on, a little
over more than half the data may be recorded in the data zone group
of the L0 layer, and then the focus jumping may be performed to
record the remaining data in the data zone group of the L1
layer.
[0119] In the case where the recording is started by suddenly
pressing the record button, the recording/reproduction is performed
without a pause if the disc is structured such that the above basic
operation is performed and a transfer rate for recording is
temporarily reduced during the time-consuming zone switching from
the L1 layer to the L0 layer and then after stabilization of the
transfer rate the data are recorded with original transfer rate.
Thus, volume management of each of data or a file to be recorded
can be performed. As shown in FIG. 8, recording/reproduction may be
implemented with the number of tracks (the number of data zones) to
be continuously recorded in each of the layers being switched and
managed in accordance with their sizes, Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume
3, and Volume 4.
[0120] In the present embodiment, similarly to Embodiment 1,
physical addresses are allocated in the data zones such that they
are incremented along a predetermined direction. It is preferable
that an incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data
zones of the first recording layer (L0 layer) and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer (L1 layer) are the same. If they are not the same,
a head address of each zone may be stored and managed by a system.
If physical addresses are simply allocated, for example, from the
inner periphery to the outer periphery for the L0 layer and vice
versa for the L1 layer in an ascending order, so as to match an
order and a direction of zones to which physical addresses are
recorded including a replacement process for defect or the like, a
structure of a disc can be simplified. In the above description of
Embodiment 3, the physical addresses are allocated from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery for the L0 layer and vice versa
for the L1 layer in an ascending order. In an opposite manner, the
physical addresses may be allocated from the outer periphery to the
inner periphery for the L0 layer and vice versa for the L1 layer in
an ascending order.
[0121] Embodiment 4
[0122] FIG. 9(a) shows an embodiment of a three-layer disc having
three recording layers laminated. FIG. 9(b) is a schematic
cross-sectional view showing a method for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc. Regions in the same radial
directions of the L0, L1, and L2 layers of the three-layer optical
disc basically have similar roles as regions of L0 and L1 of the
double-layer disc of FIG. 2.
[0123] In the three-layer disc, each data zone is allocated with
physical addresses incremented along a predetermined direction, and
the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data
zones of the first recording layer and the incremental direction of
the physical addresses in the data zones of the third recording
layer are the same, and the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer and the
incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data zones
of the second recording layer are opposite. In other words, in data
areas 100, 200, and 300, spiral directions are alternately opposite
in each layer. In the present embodiment, the data area 100 of the
L0 layer has a spiral direction from the inner periphery to the
outer periphery, the data area 200 of the L1 layer has a spiral
direction from the outer periphery to the inner periphery, and the
data area 300 of the L2 layer has a spiral direction from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery.
[0124] Next, a procedure and a method for recording data in these
data areas will be described with reference to FIG. 9(b). For
better understanding, continuous recording of long-duration motion
pictures will be described. An optical beam spot is located at
track 101S, which is a substantial head portion of the data area
zone 101 of the L0 layer of the optical disc. When recording is
performed for the first time, the recording is started from this
head track 101S. Tracks basically form a spiral structure, and as
the optical beam spot scans a track, the information is
sequentially recorded from track S to track E, from the inner
periphery toward the outer periphery of the disc. When the
recording reaches a substantial end track E of the zone 101, it is
temporarily switched to a reproduction mode, and focus jump is
performed. The optical beam spot is moved to a zone 201 of an L1
layer and then seeks the substantial start track 201S of the zone
201 to resume recording.
[0125] A method of focus jump is performed as follows. When a
command is received by the operational core 517 from the host 527
or the controller 528 similarly to an instruction for search, i.e.,
when an optical beam reaches the last address of the data zone by a
spiral operation, the switch 530 is switched from connection of A
and C to connection of B and C. The focus control is released. A
predetermined acceleration pulse and a deceleration pulse are
applied to the focus control element via the switch 530, the DA
converter 520, and the 2-channel driving circuit 533 from the pulse
generation section 529. Thus, the focus jump is performed. Specific
control methods, such as generation of the
acceleration/deceleration pulse, or timing is not directly related
to the present invention, and can be structured similarly as in the
conventional technique. Thus, the detailed explanation is omitted
herein.
[0126] Opposite to the L0 layer, tracks of the zone 201 of the L1
layer which positions above the L0 layer basically has a spiral
structure running from the outer periphery to the inner periphery.
As the optical beam spot scans the track, information is
sequentially recorded from track 201S on the outside of the disc to
track 201E.
[0127] When the recording reaches the substantial end track 201E of
the zone 201, it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode.
The optical beam spot is moved to a zone 301 of the L2 layer which
locates further above. Similar to the L0 layer, the L2 layer has a
spiral structure running from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery. A seek for the substantial start track 301S of the zone
301 is performed and then the recording is resumed.
[0128] In zone 301, similar to the zone 101 of the L0 layer, tracks
form a spiral structure running from the inner periphery to the
outer periphery. As the optical beam spot scans the tracks, data
are sequentially recorded from the track 301S of the inside of the
disc to the track 301E.
[0129] When the recording reaches the substantial end track 301E of
the zone 301, it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode.
Focus jump is performed in a reverse direction (downward direction
in FIG. 9(b)) to move the optical beam from the L2 layer to the L0
layer, passing through the L1 layer. Then the optical beam spot is
moved to start track 102S of a zone 102 located in substantially
the same radius. Then, the recording is resumed from the
substantial start track 102S of the zone 102. A similar process is
continued until the recording of the data to be recorded is
finished. Data is sequentially recorded from the zones 101, 201,
301, 102, 202, 302, 103, 203 . . . , 309.
[0130] The focus jumping in a multi-layer disc across the L2 layer
to the L0 layer can be applied similarly to the example shown in
FIG. 5.
[0131] A procedure and a method for reproducing a desired data in a
three-layer disc are substantially equivalent to those for
recording. Thus, a detailed description is omitted.
[0132] Embodiment 5
[0133] Now, a disc having further increased number of recording
layers, for example, a four-layer disc as shown in FIG. 10, will be
described.
[0134] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a four-layer disc having four
recording layers laminated. In the four-layer disc, each data zone
is allocated with physical addresses incremented along a
predetermined direction, and the incremental direction of the
physical addresses in the data zones of the first recording layer
and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in the data
zones of the third recording layer are the same, the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer and the incremental direction of the physical
addresses in the data zones of the fourth recording layer are the
same, and the incremental direction of the physical addresses in
the data zones of the first recording layer and the incremental
direction of the physical addresses in the data zones of the second
recording layer are opposite. In other words, in data areas 100,
200, 300, and 400, spiral directions are alternately opposite in
each layer. In the present embodiment, the data area 100 of the L0
layer and the data area 300 of the L2 layer has a spiral direction
from the inner periphery to the outer periphery, and data area 200
of the L1 layer the data area 400 of the L3 layer has a spiral
direction from the outer periphery to the inner periphery.
[0135] For better understanding, regarding a procedure and a method
for recording data in these data areas, continuous recording of
long-duration motion pictures will be described. In FIG. 10, an
optical beam spot is located at track 101S, which is a substantial
head portion of the data area 101 of the L0 layer of the optical
disc. When recording is performed for the first time, the recording
is started from this head track 101S. Tracks basically form a
spiral structure, and as the optical beam spot scans a track, the
information is sequentially recorded from track S to track E, from
the inner periphery toward the outer periphery of the disc. When
the recording reaches a substantial end track E of the zone 101, it
is temporarily switched to a reproduction mode, and focus jump is
performed. The optical beam spot is moved to a zone 201 of an L1
layer and then seeks the substantial start track 201S of the zone
201 to resume recording.
[0136] A method of focus jump is performed as follows. When a
command is received by the operational core 517 from the host 527
or the controller 528 similarly to an instruction for search, i.e.,
when an optical beam reaches the last address of the data zone by a
spiral operation, the switch 530 is switched from connection of A
and C to connection of B and C. The focus control is released. A
predetermined acceleration pulse and a deceleration pulse are
applied to the focus control element via the switch 530, the DA
converter 520, and the 2-channel driving circuit 533 from the pulse
generation section 529. Thus, the focus jump is performed. Specific
control methods, such as generation of the
acceleration/deceleration pulse, or timing is not directly related
to the present invention, and can be structured similarly as in the
conventional technique. Thus, the detailed explanation is omitted
herein.
[0137] Opposite to the L0 layer, tracks of the L1 layer which
position above the L0 layer form a spiral structure running from
the outer periphery to the inner periphery. As the optical beam
spot scans the track, information is sequentially recorded from
track 201S on the outside of the disc to track 201E.
[0138] When the recording reaches the substantial end track 201E of
the zone 201, it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode.
The optical beam spot is moved to a zone 301 of the L2 layer which
locates further above. Similar to the L0 layer, the L2 layer has a
spiral structure running from the inner periphery to the outer
periphery. A seek for the substantial start track 301S of the zone
301 is performed and then the recording is resumed. As the optical
beam spot scans the tracks, data are sequentially recorded from the
track 301S of the inside of the disc to the track 301E.
[0139] When the recording reaches the substantial end track 301E of
the zone 301, it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode.
The optical beam spot is moved to the zone 401 of the L3 layer
positioned further above. Similar to the L1 layer, the L3 layer has
a spiral structure running from the outer periphery to the inner
periphery. A seek for the substantial start track 401S of the zone
401 is performed and then the recording is resumed. As the optical
beam spot scans the tracks, data are sequentially recorded from the
track 401S of the outside of the disc to the track 401E.
[0140] When the recording reaches the substantial end track 401B of
the zone 401, it is temporarily switched to the reproduction mode.
Focus jumping is performed in a reverse direction (downward
direction in FIG. 10) to move the optical beam from the L3 layer to
the L0 layer, passing through the L2 and L1 layers. Then the
optical beam spot is moved to start track 102S of a zone 102
located in substantially the same radius. Then, the recording is
resumed from the substantial start track 102S of the zone 102. A
similar process is continued until the recording of the data to be
recorded is finished. Data is sequentially recorded from the zones
101, 201, 301, 401, 102, 202, 302, 402, 103, 203 . . . , 409.
[0141] The focus jumping in a multi-layer disc across the L3 layer
to the L0 layer can be performed similarly as in the example shown
in FIG. 5.
[0142] A procedure and a method for reproducing a desired data in
this four-layer disc are substantially equivalent to those for
recording when reproduction is performed continuously. Thus, a
detailed description is omitted.
[0143] Embodiment 5 has been described with respect to an operation
in the case where the directions of spirals are: from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery in the L0 layer; from the outer
periphery to the inner periphery in the L1 layer; from the inner
periphery to the outer periphery in the L2 layer; and the outer
periphery to the inner periphery in the L3 layer, respectively.
However, the directions of spirals maybe: from the outer periphery
to the inner periphery in the L0 layer; from the inner periphery to
the outer periphery in the L1 layer; from the outer periphery to
the inner periphery in the L2 layer; and the inner periphery to the
outer periphery in the L3 layer, respectively. Further, the present
embodiment is structured such that recording/reproduction is
started from the outermost (the furthest from the substrate) zone
101 of the L0 layer. However, the present invention is not limited
to this. The recording/reproduction may be started from the head
zone of the data area located in the innermost (the closest to the
substrate) layer, i.e., the L1 in the double-layer disc as shown in
FIG. 11, the L2 in the three-layer disc, and the L3 in fourth-layer
disc.
[0144] Embodiment 6
[0145] FIG. 12(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a
structure of an optical disc according to Embodiment 6. FIG. 12(b)
is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a method (a
direction and an order) for recording/reproducing information
on/from the optical disc. Embodiment 6 can be implemented with a
structure similar to that shown in FIG. 3 by only alternating .mu.
codes of the DSP 513 and the host 527 or a sequence process of
software. In Embodiment 6, the spiral directions of the L0 layer
and the L1 layer are the same (from the inner periphery to the
outer periphery of the disc). A procedure and a method for
recording desired data in a data area of a disc in this case will
be described. For better understanding of the present invention,
similar to the above embodiments, continuous recording of
long-duration motion pictures will be described.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 12(a), an optical disc according to
Embodiment 6 comprises an L0 layer and an L1 layer. The layouts of
the L0 layer and the L1 layer are slightly different from each
other. An objective, a function, and a role of each of the areas
are basically the same.
[0147] A disc of the present embodiment has a substrate 4 of a
resin and/or a glass and two recording layers, i.e., an L1 layer 5
and an L0 layer 6, laminated thereto via an adhesive layer 7. Both
the L0 layer 6 and the L1 layer 5 have information surfaces on the
sides further from the substrate. The L0 layer 6 is set to be about
80 .mu.m and the adhesive layer 7 is set to be about 20 .mu.m.
Thus, a distance between a disc surface and the information surface
of the L1 layer is about 100 .mu.m. If the disc has three or four
recording layers, an information surface of an L2 layer locates at
a distance of about 120 .mu.m from the disc surface, and an
information surface of an L3 layer is located at a distance about
140 .mu.m from the disc surface. In the present embodiment, the
number of the layers is not a defining feature. Thus, an example of
a double-layer disc will be described.
[0148] In the L0 layer and the L1 layer, there are clamp areas 3 in
the innermost periphery. Next to the clamp areas 3, bar code areas
(system areas) 11 and 12, lead-in areas 21 and 22, gap areas 31 and
32, test areas 41 and 42, replacement information areas 51 and 52,
replacement areas 61 and 62 are respectively located in inner
system areas 120 and 121. Replacement areas 71 and 72, replacement
information areas 81 and 82, lead-out areas 91 and 92 are
respectively located in outer system areas 124 and 125. Data areas
122 and 123 are respectively between the inner system areas 120 and
121 and the outer system areas 124 and 125.
[0149] The data areas 122 and 123 to and from which user data is
recorded/reproduced are separated in predetermined periods in a
radial direction. The L0 layer includes data zones 102 to 108 and
the L1 layer includes data zones 201 to 209 (in the present
embodiment, the L0 layer has seven zones and the L1 layer has nine
zones, for convenience of the explanation. However, the present
invention is not limited to this, and any number of data zones is
possible). The rate is switched for each zone. The data is recorded
with substantially stable linear speed (or linear density).
[0150] In particular, the L0 layer has the same thickness as the
recording layer of a single-layer disc (i.e., a distance from a
surface is the same). The L0 layer is allocated with focusing zones
151 and 152 for performing focus control during starting up in the
inner and the outer peripheries. Thus, the L0 layer has seven zones
in total. The L1 layer does not have a focusing zone. Portions
corresponding to the positions thereof are data areas (zone 201 and
209). Apart from these portions, the structure of the L1 layer is
the same as the L0 layer. Data areas for recording/reproducing data
are separated into zones with a predetermined interval in a radial
direction. The rate is switched for each zone. The data is recorded
with substantially stable linear speed (or linear density).
[0151] In Embodiment 6, when an apparatus is powered on, an optical
beam moves to the inner periphery side focusing zone 151 or the
outer periphery side focusing zone 152 by a traverse motor 532. The
disc is rotated with a predetermined rate by a spindle motor. A
focus control element 510 is moved to become closer or further to
the disc and a focus error is detected. The optical beam is focused
on the L0 layer which is closer to a convergence lens. If the
spherical aberration of the optical beam is corrected to match the
thickness of the L0 layer, i.e., 85 .mu.m, qualities of the focus
error signal and the tracking error signal is secured because the
L0 layer has the same thickness, i.e., 80 .mu.m, in any of
single-layer, double-layer, and multi-layer discs at least in an
initial state. Thus, it is possible to perform focus control and
track control stably. Even if focusing fails due to an external
vibration or shock, the optical disc 501 and the converging lens
506 collides, and a disc surface receives a scratch, it does not
cause a problem because the focusing area has only address data and
control codes or user data is not recorded therein. After the
tracking control is performed, if a required learning of off-set or
gain or the like is performed by recording a dummy RF signal or the
like for adjustment, an RF signal can be detected stably. Thus, an
address extraction circuit 524 extracts address information on
tracks and recognizes a track currently being scanned by the
optical beam. Then, a predetermined track of lead-in areas 21 or 22
in which control information on the type of the disc or book type
is stored is accessed. When the predetermined lead-in information
is obtained, it becomes a stand-by state in which
recording/reproduction of actual information can be started and
starting up is completed. As described above, by using the focusing
zone as the learning zone, a stable start-up can be secured. If a
disc having the focusing zone is fabricated and examined as a
standard with respect to variations in film or substrate
thicknesses or tilts, optimal learning can be performed with this
specific portion as a center. Thus, a recording/reproduction margin
can be expanded.
[0152] In the above description, tracking control is turned on in a
focusing zone, address information is obtained in the focusing zone
and a desirable track is accessed. Alternatively, after focusing
control, a traverse motor 532 may be driven without performing
tracking control, the move to a region near the zone where a
desired track is located. The tracking control may be turned on to
obtain address information to access a near desirable track.
[0153] In Embodiment 6, data is continuously recorded for every two
zones (or a data zone group including a predetermined number of
data zones set before recording) in one layer. Thus, the number of
times to perform focus jumping in continuous recording is small.
Thus, the probability of collision of the objective lens to the
disc can be reduced. This operation is described with reference to
FIG. 12(b). The recording of information is performed for each data
zone group in an order, such as, zones 201 to 202, zones 102 to
103, zones 203 to 204, and so on. For example, for recording a big
motion-picture file, the optical beam is first moved to a head
track S of the zone 201 of the L1 layer. Then, the optical beam
scans a track along a spiral direction toward the end track E of
the zone 201 with sequentially recording data. When recording of
data of an amount corresponding to one zone is completed, recoding
is continued in the adjacent zone 202 in the same L1 layer across
the border of the zones. When it reaches the end track E of the
zone 202 and recording of the data of an amount corresponding to
two zones is completed, the optical beam spot is moved from the L1
layer to the L0 layer by focus jumping, and accesses to the head
track S of the zone 102.
[0154] Similarly, the optical beam scans a track along a spiral
direction toward the end track E of the zone 102 to record data
sequentially. As in the L1 layer, when recording of the data of an
amount corresponding to one zone is completed, recording is
continued in the zone 103 in the same L0 layer, across the border
of the zone. When the optical beam reaches the end track E of the
zone 103 and the recording of the data of an amount corresponding
to two zones is completed, the optical beam spot is moved from the
L0 layer to the L1 layer by focus jumping again. The head track S
of the zone 203 is accessed, and data is sequentially recorded
similarly. The above procedure is repeated until the recording of a
designated file size is completed. In FIG. 12(b), the
above-described movements of the optical beam spot is indicated by
an arrow.
[0155] It is desirable that, regarding the physical address for
access, an order of the zones to which the optical beam move
matches the incremental direction of the physical addresses. If
they do not match, a head address of each zone maybe stored and
managed by a system. If physical addresses are simply allocated,
for example, from the inner periphery to the outer periphery (or
from the outer periphery to the inner periphery) in an ascending
order from L0 for each layer, so as to match an order and a
direction of zones to which physical addresses are recorded
including a replacement process for defects or the like, a
structure of a disc can be simplified. Further, an arrangement of
the physical addresses is switched in accordance of the utility. If
the information regarding this is recorded in a management region
which forms a part of a replacement area, recording can be
performed efficiently for various utilities.
[0156] As described above, in a disc according to Embodiment 6,
focusing zones are located in the inner periphery and the outer
periphery of the L0 layer. During starting up or restarting, the
optical beam spot is moved to the focusing zone, and focusing is
performed. Since data is not recorded in these regions, even if
focusing fails, the lens collides into an optical disc, and the L0
layer is damaged, recording/reproduction of information of the L1
layer which resides further inside the disc are secured.
[0157] In the above description of Embodiment 6, data is recorded
in a data zone group unit into two continuous zones of the L0 layer
and the L1 layer. However, the present embodiment can be applied to
the case where zones are continuously switched within a permissible
range of responsibility of rotation switching of a spindle motor
and recordability free of jitter (for example, every three zones or
every four zones). The probability of data damage due to focusing
or focus jumping can be significantly reduced.
[0158] As shown in FIG. 13(a), Embodiment 6 can be applied to an
opposite path type disc having the L0 layer and the L1 layer of
opposite directions, such as a spiral direction from the outer
periphery to the inner periphery of the disc for the L0 layer, and
a spiral direction from the inner periphery to the outer periphery
for the L1 layer. As shown in FIG. 13(b) with an arrow, for
recording/reproducing desired data on/from a data area of the disc,
access including a spiral operation across a plurality of zones
(data zone group) in the same layer and focus jumping is
performed.
[0159] Embodiment 7
[0160] FIG. 14(a) is a plan view schematically showing a structure
of an optical disc. FIG. 14(b) shows a partial enlarged view of
tracks of an optical disc being recorded according to a
conventional technique and waveforms of a tracking error signal
(TE) and total reflection signal (AS) in such a case. FIG. 14(c)
shows a partial enlarged view of tracks of an optical disc
according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention and waveforms of
a tracking error signal (TE) and AS in such a case.
[0161] The tracks of the conventional optical disc have one spiral.
When the data is continuously recorded in these tracks, For
example, recording sequentially proceeds along the spiral to the
adjacent tracks, for example, from track 1 on the inner periphery
side to tracks 1, 2, 3, and so on. When continuous recording is
performed in such a structure, the adjacent track of the inner
periphery side relative to the position of the beam spot is
recorded and the adjacent track of the outer periphery side is
unrecorded. Thus, the amounts of reflected light are different from
each other. Conventionally, in a method for detecting a tracking
deviation from intensities of primary diffraction light of track
grooves, such as push-pull tracking, an influence of a difference
in reflectances between the adjacent tracks on both sides was
small. As a density becomes higher and a track pitch becomes
smaller, a relative spot diameter of an optical beam with respect
to tracks on the disc becomes larger. Thus, the influence due to a
difference in reflectances of both adjacent tracks is caused. As
shown in FIG. 14(b), when the optical beam is scanning the border
between recorded and unrecorded regions, the left side of the
optical beam is a recorded side and the right side of the optical
beam is an unrecorded side. Thus, offset (TS range indicated by
arrow in the figure of TE waveform in FIG. 14(b)) is generated in
one-sided tracking signal. Thus, tracking tends to be out of
control during recording and sounds tend to skip when the beginning
of a music piece is being searched or when the reproduction of a
music piece comes to the end.
[0162] Embodiment 7 can be implemented with a structure similar to
that shown in FIG. 3 by only alternating .mu. codes of the DSP 513
and the host 527 or a sequence process of software. FIG. 15 is a
block diagram showing structure of an information
recording/reproduction apparatus. In Embodiment 7, both the
single-layer disc and the multi-layer disc having two or more
layers can be applied. For better understanding, the case using the
single-layer disc will be described.
[0163] When data of a predetermined file size is recorded in an
unrecorded disc, laser is pulse-modulated with a recording power.
The generated heat causes a phase change in a recording layer,
thereby forming a mark. Usually, recording layer is in a crystal
state when it is unrecorded. When a laser of a recording power is
applied to the recording layer, a phase change occurs in the
recording layer in a crystal state, and the recording layer is
transformed into an amorphous state, and thus a mark is formed. The
mark is reproduced by applying a laser at a reproducing power to
the mark and detecting a change in a reflectance. Since an
unrecorded track and a recorded track (dot meshed portion in FIG.
14(b)) have different average amounts of reflection, as shown in
FIG. 14(b), amplifications of a tracking error signal (TE) and
total reflection signal (AS) of a servo band are changed in the
portion corresponding to the recorded tracks. In the track 5, i.e.,
a border of recorded and unrecorded portions, symmetry of TE is
badly affected by a difference in reflectances of the both adjacent
tracks. Specifically, midpoint S of the waveform of a TE signal
shown in FIG. 14(b) should be at the center of track, but,
actually, point T is tracked and a tracking range of one side
becomes smaller.
[0164] For performing continuous recording in Embodiment 7, when a
conventional one-spiral disc is used, a position after one rotation
is detected in a zero sector or a Z phase of FG of a spindle, and
track jumping is performed for every other track in synchronization
with the detected signal to record data in every other track. When
a disc having concentric circle tracks as shown in FIG. 14(a) is
used, a position after one rotation is also detected in a zero
sector or a Z phase of FG of a spindle, and track jumping is
performed for every other track in synchronization with the
detected signal to record data in every other track. The operation
will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG.
15. From the address extraction circuit 524, a timing of jumping is
generated at a controller 518. A jumping pulse generated at a track
jump pulse generation section 540 is output to a tracking control
element 509 via a switch 539, a DA 519, and a 2-channel driving
circuit 533. After data is recorded in one track, one adjacent
track is skipped and an operation of resuming recording is
performed. FIG. 16(a) is a plan view of an optical disc being
recorded. FIG. 16(b) shows a partial enlarged view of tracks when
recording is performed in every other track and a TE waveform and a
jumping waveform.
[0165] When tracks having two spirals which are independent from
each other as in a land-groove recording type disc are used, data
is recorded in first one spiral track A by spiral scanning. Next,
data is recorded in other spiral track B by spiral scanning. As
described above, if data are separately recorded in two tracks,
when recording of an unrecorded disc is performed, both adjacent
tracks are always unrecorded at recording of the spiral track A,
and both adjacent tracks are always recorded at recording of the
spiral track B. Thus, there is no difference in reflectances
between the adjacent tracks at the inner and the outer sides of the
beam spot. Thus, the offset variation of a tracking signal can be
prevented. Similarly, for reproducing data, adjacent tracks are in
the same state. Thus, stable recording and reproducing operations
can be implemented.
[0166] Furthermore, using the advantage of recording in every other
track, for example, audio or video information is recorded in
even-numbered tracks (or odd-numbered tracks), and code data for PC
is recorded in odd-numbered tracks (or even-numbered tracks),
management of file and data can be facilitated and capacity or the
like of a program can be reduced.
[0167] Embodiment 8
[0168] FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a concept of an optical disc
according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Embodiment 8
shows an example of an optimal disc layout in each layer of an
optical disc having a multi-layer structure. As shown FIG. 17, disc
individual information (control information which is not required
to be rewritten or added, such as, number of layers, capacity,
track pitch, types of ROM/RAM) may be recorded in a lead-in area of
the first layer or in a black bar code (hereinafter, referred to as
BBC) on a disc surface. Alternatively, the information may be
recorded by making a specific region of a recording film
transparent intentionally and peeling an aluminum film under the
recording layer by a burst-like laser (hereinafter, referred to as
BCA). During the initial starting up, optical beam is focused on a
disc surface or the lowest L0 layer (the closest layer to a light
source). The disc individual information is read,
recording/reproduction conditions and servo conditions are decided.
Then, a predetermined starting up process proceeds so that the disc
is in a recordable/reproducible state. Also, an address of a defect
portion found during the recording and/or location pattern of
physical information is located in the L0 layer.
[0169] Areas for record learning and learning areas for focus
positions having different properties for each disc are provided on
each of the layers. Thus, lead-in areas and replacement area can be
omitted from the recording layers other than the L0 layer to
increase the total user capacity of the disc.
[0170] FIG. 18 shows an example of a structure of a partial
double-layer ROM. In FIG. 18, the second layer from the light
source of the optical beam (further layer) is a read-only ROM layer
formed by emboss-pitting an aluminum film or a write-once (R) layer
having a high reflectance and the first layer is a recordable RAM
layer. Software which is a source of a game or application is
recorded in the second layer, a ROM layer or an R layer, and
distributed while the update information or user information is
recorded in the first layer, a RAM layer. By making the second
layer (further layer) a ROM layer, the reflectance of the first
layer, the RAM layer, increases, and thus, SIN can be readily
maintained. Further, for performing pre-write operation, an
apparatus and a head portion managed in a fabrication and
examination process of a disc is used. Thus, it is preferable to
make the second layer the ROM layer from an aspect of a
reliability.
[0171] In the case of a multi-layer disc, there is a limit in an
accuracy in adhering the recording layers. Thus, address portions
or zone boundaries between the first layer and the second layer
cannot be accurately matched. This may be used for implementing a
system which can protect the copyright and prevent pirated
copies.
[0172] FIG. 19 is a timing chart for illustrating a copyright
protection process. In FIG. 19, address positions and address
information signals of the L0 layer and the L1 layer are shown. As
shown in FIG. 19, focus control is performed to the first layer (L0
layer). Having positions of the address portions of the first layer
(L0 layer) obtained by synchronizing with PLL as a standard,
positions T of address portions of the second layer (L1 layer)
which can be read by inter-layer cross-talk are measured by a read
clock or a timer. The measured values are written into the BCA.
[0173] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for illustrating copyright protection
process. When the start-up of the apparatus is performed, focusing
to a disc surface is turned on (step 1). Next, BBC (or BCA) on a
disc surface is read (step 2). Copyright information of a loaded
disc is determined (step 3). When a copy is prevented by a
copyright, registered protection information (clock information or
time information) from the address position of the first layer (L0
layer) to the address position of the second layer (L1 layer),
i.e., the registered information to be protected, is read (step 4).
Next, focusing and tracking to the first layer (L0 layer) is
actually performed (step 5). At a state where the actual address of
the first layer (L0 layer) becomes able to be reproduced, the
cross-talk address of the second layer (L1 layer) is recognized and
the clock difference (or time difference) of the position is
measured (step 6). The measured value in step 6 is compared with
the registered information read from the BBC (step 7). If the
comparison result is within a predetermined range, the contents are
made available for reproduction (step 8). If not, the reproduction
is judged to be inappropriate and stopped (step 9).
[0174] Even if a stamper or a cutting can be copied from the disc
substrate, it is quite difficult or impossible to match the
adhesion positions in a few clock units. Thus, even if the BBC (or
BCA) is imitated, the registered information and the actual measure
information are different. Accordingly, the contents cannot be
reproduced. With the above-described method, protection of
copyrights and appropriate reproduction can be readily
performed.
[0175] The structure of the optical disc in the present embodiment
can be applied to a multi-layer disc having an arbitrary number of
layers.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0176] According to the present invention, it is possible to
perform efficient recording/reproduction regardless of a capacity
of a file, and also record/reproduce data in a seamless manner
while maintaining an ability to allow a random access.
[0177] Furthermore, by recording information in every other track,
an influence caused by a difference between reflectances due to
recorded/unrecorded states of adjacent tracks can be reduced. As a
result, it becomes possible to implement a stable tracking control
and to provide an apparatus of a high reliability.
[0178] Further, by locating a ROM region in the furthest layer from
a light-source, it becomes possible to implement a partial ROM disc
more easily and to provide a high-performance apparatus which is
capable of performing recording and reproduction with ROM region
and RAM region switched at a high-speed to easily implement
high-speed writing of additional data and recording of a program
different to the one being viewed.
[0179] According to the optical disc, and a method and an apparatus
for recording/reproducing information on/from the optical disc of
the present invention, the disc is less subject to rotation
variation during recording, and the number of focus jumps can be
reduced as much as possible. Thus, the probability of collision of
the lens and the disc can be reduced. Furthermore, the optical
disc, and a method and an apparatus for recording/reproducing
information on/from the optical disc of the present invention can
be applied to a wide variety of utilities and provides a disc
format which can readily protect copyrights and allows applications
to be made. Accordingly, the present invention can be applied to a
record/reproduction apparatus of a large capacity using a laser of
a shortwave, which is assumed to be used in the future, and the
effect thereof is significant.
* * * * *