U.S. patent application number 11/979723 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for information recording method and apparatus, information processing apparatus, information recording system and computer-readable storage medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ricoh Company, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Masaaki Nakagawa, Naoya Ohhashi.
Application Number | 20080080347 11/979723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29219477 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080080347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakagawa; Masaaki ; et
al. |
April 3, 2008 |
Information recording method and apparatus, information processing
apparatus, information recording system and computer-readable
storage medium
Abstract
An information recording method records information in an
information recording medium by acquiring driving power supply
information related to a driving power supply of an information
recording apparatus which records the information in the
information recording medium, in response to a request for a
process which accompanies recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium, and determining whether to permit or
prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the dummy data,
based on the driving power supply information.
Inventors: |
Nakagawa; Masaaki;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Ohhashi; Naoya; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1825 EYE STREET NW
Washington
DC
20006-5403
US
|
Assignee: |
Ricoh Company, Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
29219477 |
Appl. No.: |
11/979723 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10422913 |
Apr 25, 2003 |
7330410 |
|
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11979723 |
Nov 7, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
369/53.18 ;
G9B/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/053.18 |
International
Class: |
G11B 7/00 20060101
G11B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2002 |
JP |
2002-128028 |
Jun 25, 2002 |
JP |
2002-184008 |
Sep 20, 2002 |
JP |
2002-274639 |
Claims
1. An information recording method for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: a first step acquiring
driving power supply information which is related to a driving
power supply of an information recording apparatus which records
information in the information recording medium, in response to a
request for a process which accompanies recording of dummy data in
the information recording medium; and a second step determining
whether to permit or prohibit the process which accompanies
recording of the dummy data in the information recording medium,
based on the driving power supply information.
2. The information recording method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said second step determines to prohibit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data if the driving power supply
is a battery.
3. The information recording method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said second step determines to prohibit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data if the driving power supply
is a battery and a remaining amount of power of the battery is less
than or equal to a predetermined amount.
4. The information recording method as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the process which accompanies recording of the dummy data is at
least one of processes selected from a group consisting of a
process which automatically starts a background formatting, a
temporary lead-out recording process accompanying recording of the
dummy data, a lead-out recording process accompanying recording of
the dummy data, a user data recording process accompanying
recording of the dummy data, and an erase process.
5. An information recording apparatus for recording information in
an information recording medium, comprising: a communication
control section controlling a communication between the information
recording apparatus and an external apparatus; a power supply
information acquiring section acquiring driving power supply
information which is related to a driving power supply from the
external apparatus, in response to a request for a process which
accompanies recording of dummy data in the information recording
medium received from the external apparatus via the communication
control section; a determination section determining whether to
permit or prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the
dummy data, based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring section; and a
recording control section carrying out the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, only when the
determination section determines to permit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data.
6. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 5,
wherein said determination section determines to prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data if the
driving power supply is a battery.
7. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 5,
wherein said determination section determines to prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data if the
driving power supply is a battery and a remaining amount of power
of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.
8. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 5,
further comprising: an error notifying section notifying error
information to the external apparatus when the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data is prohibited.
9. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 5,
wherein the process which accompanies recording of the dummy data
is at least one of processes selected from a group consisting of a
process which automatically starts a background formatting, a
temporary lead-out recording process accompanying recording of the
dummy data, a lead-out recording process accompanying recording of
the dummy data, a user data recording process accompanying
recording of the dummy data, and an erase process.
10. An information processing apparatus accessible to an
information recording medium, comprising: a power supply
information acquiring section acquiring driving power supply
information which is related to a driving power supply, in response
to a request for a process which accompanies recording of dummy
data in the information recording medium; and a determination
section determining whether to permit or prohibit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, based on the driving power
supply information which is acquired by the power supply
information acquiring section.
11. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10,
wherein said determination section determines to prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data if the
driving power supply is a battery.
12. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10,
wherein said determination section determines to prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data if the
driving power supply is a battery and a remaining amount of power
of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.
13. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10,
further comprising: an output section outputting a determination
result of the determination section.
14. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13,
wherein the information recording medium is in conformance with
standards of DVD+RW or CD-RW having the Mount Rainier
specifications, and the output section outputs a Mode Select
Command which is added with a Time-Out and Protect Page having the
determination result of the determination section set in a
predetermined bit position.
15. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 14,
wherein said output section sets "1" in the predetermined bit
position when the determination section determines to prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data, and sets "0"
in the predetermined bit position when the determination section
determines to permit the process which accompanies recording of the
dummy data.
16. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 14,
wherein the predetermined bit position is a bit 3 of a byte 4 of
the Time-Out and Protect Page.
17. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 10,
further comprising: an invalidating section invalidating at least
one of a lead-out recording request and a temporary lead-out
recording request after the determination section determines to
prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data.
18. An information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: an information processing
apparatus comprising: a power supply information acquiring section
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, in response to a request for a process which
accompanies recording of dummy data in the information recording
medium; and a determination section determining whether to permit
or prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data, based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring section; and an
information recording apparatus recording the information in the
information recording medium in response to an instruction from the
information processing apparatus.
19. An information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: an information recording
apparatus comprising: a communication control section controlling a
communication between the information recording apparatus and an
external apparatus; a power supply information acquiring section
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply from the external apparatus, in response to a
request for a process which accompanies recording of dummy data in
the information recording medium received from the external
apparatus via the communication control section; a determination
section determining whether to permit or prohibit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, based on the driving power
supply information which is acquired by the power supply
information acquiring section; and a recording control section
carrying out the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data, only when the determination section determines to permit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data; and an
information processing apparatus controlling the information
recording apparatus.
20. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program which
causes a computer of an information processing apparatus to record
information in an information recording medium by forming an
information recording system together with an information recording
apparatus, said program comprising: a first procedure causing the
computer to acquire driving power supply information which is
related to a driving power supply of the information recording
systems, in response to a request for a process which accompanies
recording of dummy data in the information recording medium; and a
second procedure causing the computer to determine whether to
permit or prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the
dummy data in the information recording medium, based on the
driving power supply information.
21. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said program further comprises: a third procedure causing
the computer to notify a determination result of the second
procedure to the information recording apparatus.
22. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to make a
determination to prohibit the process which accompanies recording
of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a battery.
23. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to make a
determination to prohibit the process which accompanies recording
of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a battery and a
remaining amount of power of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount.
24. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 20,
wherein the process which accompanies recording of the dummy data
is at least one of processes selected from a group consisting of a
process which automatically starts a background formatting, a
temporary lead-out recording process accompanying recording of the
dummy data, a lead-out recording process accompanying recording of
the dummy data, a user data recording process accompanying
recording of the dummy data, and an erase process.
25. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program which
causes a computer of an information recording apparatus to record
information in an information recording medium by forming an
information recording system together with an information
processing apparatus, said program comprising: a first procedure
causing the computer to acquire driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply of the information
recording system from the information processing apparatus, in
response to a request for a process which accompanies recording of
dummy data in the information recording medium; a second procedure
causing the computer to determine whether to permit or prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data, based on the
driving power supply information; and a third procedure causing the
computer to carry out the process which accompanies recording of
the dummy data only when permitted as a result of the determination
made by the second procedure.
26. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 25,
wherein said program further comprises: a fourth procedure causing
the computer to notify error information to the information
processing apparatus when the process which accompanies recording
of the dummy data is prohibited.
27. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 25,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to make a
determination to prohibit the process which accompanies recording
of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a battery.
28. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 25,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to make a
determination to prohibit the process which accompanies recording
of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a battery and a
remaining amount of power of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount.
29. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 25,
wherein the process which accompanies recording of the dummy data
is at least one of processes selected from a group consisting of a
process which automatically starts a background formatting, a
temporary lead-out recording process accompanying recording of the
dummy data, a lead-out recording process accompanying recording of
the dummy data, a user data recording process accompanying
recording of the dummy data, and an erase process.
30. An information recording method for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: a first step acquiring
driving power supply information which is related to a driving
power supply, when recording of dummy data in the information
recording medium is started; and a second step determining whether
to continue or discontinue the recording of the dummy data, based
on the driving power supply information.
31. The information recording method as claimed in claim 30,
wherein said second step determines to discontinue the recording of
the dummy data if the driving power supply is a battery.
32. The information recording method as claimed in claim 30,
wherein said second step determines to discontinue the recording of
the dummy data if the driving power supply is a battery and a
remaining amount of power of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount.
33. The information recording method as claimed in claim 30,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
34. An information recording apparatus for recording information in
an information recording medium, comprising: a power supply
information acquiring section acquiring driving power supply
information which is related to a driving power supply, when
recording of dummy data in the information recording medium is
started; a determination section determining whether to continue or
discontinue the recording of the dummy data, based on the driving
power supply information which is acquired by the power supply
information acquiring section; and a recording control section
recording the dummy data in the information recording medium only
when the determination section determines to continue the recording
of the dummy data.
35. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 34,
wherein said determination section determines to discontinue the
recording of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a
battery and a remaining amount of power of the battery is less than
or equal to a predetermined amount.
36. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 34,
further comprising: a discontinuing section discontinuing the
recording of the dummy data in the information recording medium
when the determination section determines to discontinue the
recording of the dummy data.
37. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 36,
further comprising: a notifying section notifying discontinuance
complete information indicating completion of discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data to an external apparatus when the
discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data by the
discontinuing section is completed.
38. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 37,
wherein said notifying section sets a code indicating the
discontinuance complete information in a Media Event Code of a
Media Event Descriptor.
39. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 38,
wherein the code indicating the discontinuance complete information
is "7h".
40. The information recording apparatus as claimed in claim 34,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
41. An information processing apparatus accessible to an
information recording medium via an information recording
apparatus, comprising: a power supply information acquiring section
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, in response to a start of recording of dummy
data in the information recording medium; and a determination
section determining whether to continue or discontinue the
recording of the dummy data based on the driving power supply
information which is acquired by the power supply information
acquiring section.
42. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 41,
wherein said determination section determines to discontinue the
recording of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a
battery and a remaining amount of power of the battery is less than
or equal to a predetermined amount.
43. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 41,
further comprising: an issuing section issuing a command requesting
discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data when the
determination section determines to discontinue the recording of
the dummy data.
44. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 43,
wherein said issuing section issues a Start Stop Unit Command
having predetermined bit positions set with discontinue request
information which requests discontinuance of the recording of the
dummy data, as the command requesting discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data.
45. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 44,
wherein the predetermined bit positions are bits 0 and 1 of a byte
4 of a Descriptor Block, and "0" is set in the predetermined bit
positions as the discontinue request information.
46. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 43,
wherein said issuing section issues a Close Session/Track Command
having predetermined bit positions set with discontinue request
information which requests discontinuance of the recording of the
dummy data, as the command requesting discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data.
47. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 46,
wherein the predetermined bit positions are bits 0 and 1 of a byte
4 of a Descriptor Block, and "0" is set in the predetermined bit
positions as the discontinue request information.
48. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 43,
further comprising: a confirming section confirming the
discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data when the command
requesting discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data is
issued.
49. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 48,
wherein said confirming section periodically issues a Get
Event/Status Notification Command.
50. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 41,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
51. An information processing apparatus accessible to an
information recording medium via an information recording
apparatus, comprising: a power supply information acquiring section
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, in response to a request to record dummy data
in the information recording medium; a determination section
determining whether to permit or prohibit the recording of the
dummy data based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring section; and an
issuing section issuing a command requesting the recording of the
dummy data in the information recording medium only when the
recording of the dummy data is permitted as a result of a
determination made by the determination section.
52. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 51,
wherein said determination section determines to prohibit the
recording of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a
battery.
53. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 51,
wherein said determination section determines to prohibit the
recording of the dummy data if the driving power supply is a
battery and a remaining amount of power of the battery is less than
or equal to a predetermined amount.
54. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 51,
wherein the command requesting the recording of the dummy data is a
Format unit Command.
55. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 51,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
56. An information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: an information processing
apparatus including an issuing section periodically monitoring a
remaining amount of power of a battery which forms a driving power
supply during recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium, and issuing a command requesting discontinuance
of the recording of the dummy data when the remaining amount of
power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount; and an information recording apparatus including a
discontinuing section carrying a discontinuing process which
discontinues the recording of the dummy data when the command
requesting the discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data is
received during the recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium.
57. The information recording system as claimed in claim 56,
wherein said information processing apparatus further includes a
confirming section which confirms discontinuance of the recording
of the dummy data when the issuing section issues the command
requesting the discontinuance of the recording of the dummy
data.
58. The information recording system as claimed in claim 57,
wherein the confirming section periodically issues a Get
Event/Status Notification Command.
59. The information recording system as claimed in claim 56,
wherein said information recording apparatus further includes a
notifying section which notifies discontinuance complete
information indicating completion of the discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data when the discontinuing section
completes the discontinuing process.
60. The information recording system as claimed in claim 59,
wherein the notifying section notifies the discontinuance complete
information by setting a code which indicates the completion of the
discontinuing process in a Media Event Code of a Media Event
Descriptor.
61. The information recording system as claimed in claim 60,
wherein the code which indicates the completion of the
discontinuing process is "7h".
62. The information recording system as claimed in claim 56,
wherein the discontinuing section carries out the discontinuing
process after a predetermined amount of the dummy data is
recorded.
63. The information recording system as claimed in claim 62,
wherein the predetermined amount is 1 ECC block or 1 packet.
64. An information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: an information processing
apparatus comprising: a power supply information acquiring section
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, in response to a start of recording of dummy
data in the information recording medium; and a determination
section determining whether to continue or discontinue the
recording of the dummy data based on the driving power supply
information which is acquired by the power supply information
acquiring section; and an information recording apparatus recording
the information in the information recording medium in response to
an instruction from said information processing apparatus.
65. An information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising: an information recording
apparatus comprising: a power supply information acquiring section
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, when recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium is started; a determination section
determining whether to continue or discontinue the recording of the
dummy data, based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring section; and a
recording control section recording the dummy data in the
information recording medium only when the determination section
determines to continue the recording of the dummy data; and an
information processing apparatus controlling said information
recording apparatus.
66. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be
executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus which
forms an information recording system together with an information
recording apparatus, said program comprising: a first procedure
causing the computer to acquire driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply in response to a
notification from the information recording apparatus indicating a
start of a recording of dummy data in an information recording
medium; and a second procedure causing the computer to determine
whether to continue or discontinue the recording of the dummy data
based on the driving power supply information.
67. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 66,
wherein said program further comprises: a third procedure causing
the computer to issue a command requesting discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data to the information recording apparatus,
when said second procedure determines the discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data.
68. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 67,
wherein said program further comprises: a fourth procedure causing
the computer to confirm the discontinuance of the recording of the
dummy data when the command requesting the discontinuance of the
recording of the dummy data is issued.
69. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 66,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to determine the
discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data, when the driving
power supply is a battery and a remaining amount of power of the
battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.
70. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 66,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
71. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be
executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus which
forms an information recording system together with an information
recording apparatus, said program comprising: a first procedure
causing the computer to acquire driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply, in response to a
request to record dummy data in an information recording medium; a
second procedure causing the computer to determine whether to
permit or prohibit the recording of the dummy data based on the
driving power supply information; and a third procedure causing the
computer to issue a command requesting the recording of the dummy
data in the information recording medium only when the recording of
the dummy data is permitted as a result of a determination made by
the second procedure.
72. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 71,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to determine to
prohibit the recording of the dummy data if the driving power
supply is a battery.
73. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 71,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to determine to
prohibit the recording of the dummy data if the driving power
supply is a battery and a remaining amount of power of the battery
is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.
74. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 71,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
75. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be
executed by a computer of an information recording apparatus which
forms an information recording system together with an information
processing apparatus, said program comprising: a first procedure
causing the computer to acquire driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply during recording of
dummy data in an information recording medium; a second procedure
causing the computer to determine whether to continue or
discontinue the recording of the dummy data based on the driving
power supply information; and a third procedure causing the
computer to record the dummy data only when continuance of the
recording of the dummy data is determined as a result of a
determination made by said second procedure.
76. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 75,
wherein said second procedure causes the computer to discontinue
the recording of the dummy data when the driving power supply is a
battery and a remaining amount of power of the battery is less than
or equal to a predetermined amount.
77. The computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 75,
wherein the recording of the dummy data accompanies a process
selected from a group consisting of a background formatting by
automatic resuming, a background formatting by user instruction,
and a formatting by user instruction.
78-105. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Applications No. 2002-128028 filed Apr. 30, 2002, No. 2002-184008
filed Jun. 25, 2002 and No. 2002-274639 filed Sep. 20, 2002, in the
Japanese Patent Office, the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to information
recording methods and apparatuses, information processing
apparatuses, information recording systems and computer-readable
storage media, and more particularly to an information recording
method for recording information on an information recording
medium, an information recording apparatus for recording
information on an information recording medium using such an
information recording method, an information processing apparatus
which is capable of making access to such an information recording
medium, an information recording system which includes such
information processing apparatus and information recording
apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium which stores a
program for causing a computer to record information on an
information recording medium.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, functions of personal computers have improved,
thereby making it possible for the personal computers to treat
audio-visual information such as music and video. Since the amount
of information included in the audio-visual information is
extremely large, optical discs, such as Compact Disc-Rewritable
(CD-RW) and Digital Versatile Disc-Rewritable (DVD+RW), which have
an extremely large storage capacity and have become inexpensive,
are now regarded as suitable information recording media for
storing the audio-visual information. The DVD can store
approximately 7 times the amount of data storable in the CD having
the same diameter as the DVD. As a result, it has become popular to
use an optical disc drive as an information recording apparatus
which records information on the information recording medium and
forms a peripheral device of the personal computer.
[0006] The CD family optical discs include CD-ROM, CD-Recordable
(CD-R) and CD-RW. The DVD family optical discs include DVD-ROM,
DVD-RAM, DVD-Recordable (DVD-R), DVD-RW, DVD+Recordable (DVD+R) and
DVD+Rewritable (DVD+RW).
[0007] In the rewritable optical discs such as the CD-RW, DVD-RW
and DVD+RW, it is necessary to make a random access to a spiral or
concentric recording region of the optical disc when recording the
information on and reproducing the information from the optical
disc. The recording on the optical discs such as the CD-RW, DVD-RW
and DVD+RW is carried out according to respective standards or the
like.
[0008] For example, in the case of the CR-RW, the track is divided
into units called packets, and the information is recorded in
packets. Such a recording system is often referred to as a packet
write system. This packet write system can be categorized into two
kinds, namely, a fixed-length packet write system according to
which the amount of user data included in each packet is constant
(for example, 64 kbytes), and a variable-length packet write system
according to which the amount of user data included in each packet
is variable. A file system for the optical disc, which employs the
fixed-length packet write system, is called a Universal Disk Format
(UDF).
[0009] In the CD-RW which employs the UDF, it is necessary to carry
out the formatting before recording data on the CD-RW. The
formatting is an initializing process which records the dummy data
on an entire recording region or a specified recording region of
the CD-RW before recording the user data on the CD-RW.
[0010] In the case of the DVD+RW, the user data can be recorded on
the DVD+RW without carrying out the initializing process
(formatting) with respect to the recording region of the DVD+RW.
However, if an unrecorded portion having no data recorded therein
exists within the recording region of the DVD+RW, it is impossible
to reproduce the recorded data from the DVD+RW on a DVD-ROM drive,
for example. In other words, compatibility of the DVD+RW and the
DVD-ROM cannot be maintained if the unrecorded portion exists
within the recording region of the DVD+RW. In order to maintain the
compatibility of the DVD+RW and the DVD-ROM, it is also necessary
to carry out the formatting with respect to the DVD+RW so as to
record the dummy data on the entire recording region or a specified
recording region of the DVD+RW before recording the user data on
the DVD+RW.
[0011] However, because the storage capacities of the optical discs
have increased considerably and the storage capacities of the
optical discs are extremely large compared to the storage
capacities of flexible discs, for example, it now takes more time
to carry out the formatting with respect to the optical disc.
Hence, even if the user obtains an optical disc, it is impossible
for the user to immediately start recording information on the
optical disc, and the user must first carry out the formatting with
respect to the optical disc.
[0012] For example, when formatting the entire recording region of
the CD-RW having a storage capacity of 650 MB, it takes 30 minutes
or more to carry out the formatting even in a two-times speed mode.
It takes a considerably longer time when formatting the DVD+RW
having approximately 7 times the storage capacity of the CD-RW.
[0013] Accordingly, an information recording and reproducing
apparatus which is capable of immediately carrying out the
recording and reproduction even with respect to an unformatted
optical disc has been proposed in a Japanese Laid-Open Patent
Application No. 11-134799, for example. According to this proposed
information recording and reproducing apparatus, predetermined
information is recorded in a lead-in region when a formatting
request is received from a host unit, and recording and
reproduction enable information is thereafter notified to the host
unit, so as to start the formatting. If a recording or reproducing
request is received from the host unit during the formatting, the
formatting is interrupted, and the recording or reproduction is
carried out with a priority over the formatting. The formatting is
resumed when the recording or reproduction ends.
[0014] Such a method of carrying out the formatting by utilizing
the time in which no recording or reproducing request is received
from the host unit is often referred to as a background formatting.
The background formatting is employed in various optical discs such
as the DVD+RW and the CD-RW having the Mount Rainier
specifications.
[0015] The background formatting enables the optical disc to be
ejected from the optical disc drive, even during the formatting.
When the optical disc is ejected from the optical disc drive during
the formatting, the formatting is not yet completed with respect to
the optical disc which is ejected. Hence, when ejecting the optical
disc such as the DVD+RW in this case, a so-called Temporary
Lead-Out (TLO) is recorded at a predetermined position of the
optical disc, so that the information can be reproduced from the
ejected optical disc on the DVD-ROM drive or the like, that is, so
that compatibility may be maintained between the DVD+RW and the
DVD-ROM.
[0016] For example, when the DVD+RW drive receives a write request
to write user data with respect to the DVD+RW which is recorded
with the TLO described above, the user data is recorded in the
specified recording region. However, if an unrecorded region exists
between the TLO and a recording start address, the background
formatting is automatically resumed after recording the user
data.
[0017] Recently, various portable information processing
apparatuses have been proposed, including lap-top (notebook type)
personal computers and palm-top (sub-notebook type) personal
computers, which are compact, light-weight and easy to carry. One
of the characterizing features of the portable information
processing apparatus is the ability to operate under various
operating conditions, and in order to do so, an AC power supply and
a battery can be used as a driving power supply of the portable
information processing apparatus.
[0018] When the portable personal computer having a built-in
optical disc drive is driven by the battery, the optical disc drive
is also driven by this battery. For this reason, when the
background formatting is automatically resumed as described above,
the power supply may be shut down during the background formatting
due to insufficient amount of power (capacity) remaining in the
battery. In addition, the automatically resumed background
formatting may consume a considerably larger amount of power of the
battery than expected, thereby making it impossible for the user to
carry out a desired process using the remaining amount of power of
the battery. In a worst case, the file information may not be
recorded correctly on the optical disc, and it may become
impossible to reproduce the file or additionally write to the
file.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention
to provide an information recording method, information recording
apparatus, information processing apparatus, information recording
system and computer-readable storage medium, in which the problems
described above are eliminated.
[0020] Another and more specific object of the present invention is
to provide an information recording method, an information
recording apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an
information recording system and a computer-readable storage
medium, which can suppress wear of a driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information recording method for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising a first step acquiring
driving power supply information related to a driving power supply
of an information recording apparatus which records information in
the information recording medium, in response to a request for a
process which accompanies recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium; and a second step determining whether
to permit or prohibit the process which accompanies recording of
the dummy data in the information recording medium, based on the
driving power supply information. According to the information
recording method of the present invention, it is possible to
suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a large power
consumption, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0022] Normally, the recording process of the information recording
apparatus consumes a larger power than the reproducing process. In
addition, the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data, in general, requires an extremely long processing time when
compared to other processes. In other words, in the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, the amount of power
consumption may become much larger than anticipated. In the present
invention, the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data is prohibited when the capacity of the driving power supply of
the information recording apparatus is finite or limited, for
example, so as to prevent the driving power supply from wearing out
suddenly or shutting down unexpectedly.
[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording apparatus for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising communication control
means for controlling a communication between the information
recording apparatus and an external apparatus; power supply
information acquiring means for acquiring driving power supply
information which is related to a driving power supply from the
external apparatus, in response to a request for a process which
accompanies recording of dummy data in the information recording
medium received from the external apparatus via the communication
control means; determination means for determining whether to
permit or prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the
dummy data, based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring means; and
recording control means for carrying out the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, only when the
determination means determines to permit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data. According to the
information recording apparatus of the present invention, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0024] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
information processing apparatus accessible to an information
recording medium, comprising power supply information acquiring
means for acquiring driving power supply information which is
related to a driving power supply, in response to a request for a
process which accompanies recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium; and determination means for
determining whether to permit or prohibit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, based on the driving power
supply information which is acquired by the power supply
information acquiring means. According to the information
processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to
suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a large power
consumption, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0025] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising an information processing
apparatus comprising power supply information acquiring means for
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, in response to a request for a process which
accompanies recording of dummy data in the information recording
medium, and determination means for determining whether to permit
or prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data, based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring means; and an
information recording apparatus recording the information in the
information recording medium in response to an instruction from the
information processing apparatus. According to the information
recording system of the present invention, it is possible to
suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a large power
consumption, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0026] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising an information recording
apparatus comprising communication control means for controlling a
communication between the information recording apparatus and an
external apparatus, power supply information acquiring means for
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply from the external apparatus, in response to a
request for a process which accompanies recording of dummy data in
the information recording medium received from the external
apparatus via the communication control means, determination means
for determining whether to permit or prohibit the process which
accompanies recording of the dummy data, based on the driving power
supply information which is acquired by the power supply
information acquiring means, and recording control means for
carrying out the process which accompanies recording of the dummy
data, only when the determination means determines to permit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data; and an
information processing apparatus controlling the information
recording apparatus. According to the information recording system
of the present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the
driving power supply due to a large power consumption, and to
promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
computer-readable storage medium storing a program which causes a
computer of an information processing apparatus to record
information in an information recording medium by forming an
information recording system together with an information recording
apparatus, the program comprising a first procedure causing the
computer to acquire driving power supply information related to a
driving power supply of the information recording systems, in
response to a request for a process which accompanies recording of
dummy data in the information recording medium; and a second
procedure causing the computer to determine whether to permit or
prohibit the process which accompanies recording of the dummy data
in the information recording medium, based on the driving power
supply information. According to the computer-readable storage
medium of the present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of
the driving power supply due to a large power consumption, and to
promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0028] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a computer-readable storage medium storing a program which causes a
computer of an information recording apparatus to record
information in an information recording medium by forming an
information recording system together with an information
processing apparatus, the program comprising a first procedure
causing the computer to acquire driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply of the information
recording system from the information processing apparatus, in
response to a request for a process which accompanies recording of
dummy data in the information recording medium; a second procedure
causing the computer to determine whether to permit or prohibit the
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data, based on the
driving power supply information; and a third procedure causing the
computer to carry out the process which accompanies recording of
the dummy data only when permitted as a result of the determination
made by the second procedure. According to the computer-readable
storage medium of the present invention, it is possible to suppress
wear of the driving power supply due to a large power consumption,
and to promote effective utilization of the driving power
supply.
[0029] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording method for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising a first step acquiring
driving power supply information which is related to a driving
power supply, when recording of dummy data in the information
recording medium is started; and a second step determining whether
to continue or discontinue the recording of the dummy data, based
on the driving power supply information. According to the
information recording method of the present invention, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0030] Normally, the recording process of the information recording
apparatus consumes a larger power than the reproducing process, and
the amount of power supplied to the light source increases in the
case of the recording process. In addition, the amount of power
consumption may become much larger than anticipated when recording
the dummy data, because the amount of dummy data is generally large
compared to the amount of user data which are recorded. In the
present invention, the recording of the dummy data is discontinued
when the capacity of the driving power supply of the information
recording apparatus is finite or limited, for example, so as to
prevent the driving power supply from wearing out suddenly or
shutting down unexpectedly.
[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording apparatus for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising power supply information
acquiring means for acquiring driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply, when recording of dummy
data in the information recording medium is started; determination
means for determining whether to continue or discontinue the
recording of the dummy data, based on the driving power supply
information which is acquired by the power supply information
acquiring means; and recording control means for recording the
dummy data in the information recording medium only when the
determination means determines to continue the recording of the
dummy data. According to the information recording apparatus of the
present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the driving
power supply due to a large power consumption, and to promote
effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0032] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information processing apparatus accessible to an information
recording medium via an information recording apparatus, comprising
power supply information acquiring means for acquiring driving
power supply information which is related to a driving power
supply, in response to a start of recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium; and determination means for
determining whether to continue or discontinue the recording of the
dummy data based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring means. According
to the information processing apparatus of the present invention,
it is possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to
a large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0033] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
information processing apparatus accessible to an information
recording medium via an information recording apparatus, comprising
power supply information acquiring means for acquiring driving
power supply information which is related to a driving power
supply, in response to a request to record dummy data in the
information recording medium; determination means for determining
whether to permit or prohibit the recording of the dummy data based
on the driving power supply information which is acquired by the
power supply information acquiring means; and issuing means for
issuing a command requesting the recording of the dummy data in the
information recording medium only when the recording of the dummy
data is permitted as a result of a determination made by the
determination means. According to the information processing
apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress wear
of the driving power supply due to a large power consumption, and
to promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0034] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising an information processing
apparatus including issuing means for periodically monitoring a
remaining amount of power of a battery which forms a driving power
supply during recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium, and issuing a command requesting discontinuance
of the recording of the dummy data when the remaining amount of
power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount; and an information recording apparatus including
discontinuing means for carrying a discontinuing process which
discontinues the recording of the dummy data when the command
requesting the discontinuance of the recording of the dummy data is
received during the recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium. According to the information recording system of
the present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the
driving power supply due to a large power consumption, and to
promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0035] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising an information processing
apparatus comprising power supply information acquiring means for
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, in response to a start of recording of dummy
data in the information recording medium; and determination means
for determining whether to continue or discontinue the recording of
the dummy data based on the driving power supply information which
is acquired by the power supply information acquiring means; and an
information recording apparatus recording the information in the
information recording medium in response to an instruction from the
information processing apparatus. According to the information
recording system of the present invention, it is possible to
suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a large power
consumption, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0036] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising an information recording
apparatus comprising power supply information acquiring means for
acquiring driving power supply information which is related to a
driving power supply, when recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium is started; determination means for
determining whether to continue or discontinue the recording of the
dummy data, based on the driving power supply information which is
acquired by the power supply information acquiring means; and
recording control means for recording the dummy data in the
information recording medium only when the determination means
determines to continue the recording of the dummy data; and an
information processing apparatus controlling the information
recording apparatus. According to the information recording system
of the present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the
driving power supply due to a large power consumption, and to
promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0037] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed
by a computer of an information processing apparatus which forms an
information recording system together with an information recording
apparatus, the program comprising a first procedure causing the
computer to acquire driving power supply information which is
related to a driving power supply in response to a notification
from the information recording apparatus indicating a start of a
recording of dummy data in an information recording medium; and a
second procedure causing the computer to determine whether to
continue or discontinue the recording of the dummy data based on
the driving power supply information. According to the
computer-readable storage medium of the present invention, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0038] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed
by a computer of an information processing apparatus which forms an
information recording system together with an information recording
apparatus, the program comprising a first procedure causing the
computer to acquire driving power supply information which is
related to a driving power supply, in response to a request to
record dummy data in an information recording medium; a second
procedure causing the computer to determine whether to permit or
prohibit the recording of the dummy data based on the driving power
supply information; and a third procedure causing the computer to
issue a command requesting the recording of the dummy data in the
information recording medium only when the recording of the dummy
data is permitted as a result of a determination made by the second
procedure. According to the computer-readable storage medium of the
present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the driving
power supply due to a large power consumption, and to promote
effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0039] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed
by a computer of an information recording apparatus which forms an
information recording system together with an information
processing apparatus, the program comprising a first procedure
causing the computer to acquire driving power supply information
which is related to a driving power supply during recording of
dummy data in an information recording medium; a second procedure
causing the computer to determine whether to continue or
discontinue the recording of the dummy data based on the driving
power supply information; and a third procedure causing the
computer to record the dummy data only when continuance of the
recording of the dummy data is determined as a result of a
determination made by the second procedure. According to the
computer-readable storage medium of the present invention, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0040] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information recording method for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising a first step selecting a
mode from a plurality of modes at least including a mode which
permits recording of dummy data in the information recording medium
and a mode which prohibits recording of the dummy data in the
information recording medium; and a second step carrying out a
process based on the selected mode, in response to a request for a
process which accompanies recording of the dummy data in the
information recording medium. According to the information
recording method of the present invention, it is possible to
suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a large power
consumption, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0041] Normally, the recording process of the information recording
apparatus consumes a larger power than the reproducing process, and
the amount of power supplied to the light source increases in the
case of the recording process. In addition, the amount of power
consumption may become much larger than anticipated when recording
the dummy data, because the amount of dummy data is generally large
compared to the amount of user data which are recorded. In the
present invention, a mode is provided to prohibit the recording of
the dummy data when the capacity of the driving power supply of the
information recording apparatus is finite or limited, for example,
so as to prevent the driving power supply from wearing out suddenly
or shutting down unexpectedly.
[0042] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording apparatus for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising mode selecting means for
selecting a mode from a plurality of modes at least including a
mode which permits recording of dummy data in the information
recording medium and a mode which prohibits recording of the dummy
data in the information recording medium; and processing means for
carrying out a process based on the selected mode, in response to a
request for a process which accompanies recording of the dummy data
in the information recording medium. According to the information
recording apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to
suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a large power
consumption, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0043] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
information recording system for recording information in an
information recording medium, comprising an information recording
apparatus comprising mode selecting means for selecting a mode from
a plurality of modes at least including a mode which permits
recording of dummy data in the information recording medium and a
mode which prohibits recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium; and processing means for carrying out a process
based on the selected mode, in response to a request for a process
which accompanies recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium; and an information processing apparatus
controlling the information recording apparatus. According to the
information recording system of the present invention, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0044] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a
computer of an information recording apparatus to record
information in an information recording medium, the program
comprising a first procedure causing the computer to select a mode
from a plurality of modes at least including a mode which permits
recording of dummy data in the information recording medium and a
mode which prohibits recording of the dummy data in the information
recording medium; and a second procedure causing the computer to
carry out a process based on the selected mode, in response to a
request for a process which accompanies recording of the dummy data
in the information recording medium. According to the
computer-readable storage medium of the present invention, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply due to a
large power consumption, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0045] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing an
information processing apparatus which forms an information
recording system together with an information recording apparatus
which records information in an information recording medium, the
program comprising a first procedure causing the computer to
display information related to a plurality of modes at least
including a mode which permits recording of dummy data in the
information recording medium and a mode which prohibits recording
of the dummy data in the information recording medium; and a second
procedure causing the computer to notify a mode selected from the
plurality of modes to the information recording apparatus.
According to the computer-readable storage medium of the present
invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the driving power
supply due to a large power consumption, and to promote effective
utilization of the driving power supply.
[0046] Other objects and further features of the present invention
will be apparent from the following detailed description when read
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a first embodiment
of an information recording system according to the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining a process of
permitting or prohibiting a process accompanying recording of dummy
data in the first embodiment of the information recording
system;
[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a format of a Time-Out
and Protect Page in the first embodiment of the information
recording system;
[0050] FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining a process of an
optical disc drive when a command requesting resuming of a
background formatting is received;
[0051] FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining details of the
background formatting;
[0052] FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining a process of a host
unit when an optical disc eject request is input;
[0053] FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when a command requesting a closure of a session
or disc is received;
[0054] FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when a command requesting recording of user data
is received;
[0055] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a process of
permitting or prohibiting a process accompanying the recording of
the dummy data in a second embodiment of the information recording
system according to the present invention;
[0056] FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the structure
of the recording region of the optical disc in conformance with the
DVD+RW standards;
[0057] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a Media Event Code;
[0058] FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining a process of a host
unit which determines whether to permit or prohibit formatting when
a blank optical disc is loaded into an optical disc drive in a
third embodiment of the information recording system according to
the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive which carries out a background formatting with
respect to the blank optical disc;
[0060] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive which records user data on an optical disc the
formatting of which has been discontinued during progress;
[0061] FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the host
unit which determines whether to continue or discontinue the
background formatting when the background formatting is
automatically resumed;
[0062] FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the host
unit which determines whether to continue or discontinue the
background formatting during the background formatting based on a
remaining amount of power of a battery;
[0063] FIG. 17 is a flow chart for explaining the background
formatting which is automatically resumed;
[0064] FIG. 18 is a flow chart for explaining a discontinue
confirmation process of the host unit after sending a formatting
discontinue request command;
[0065] FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when determining by the optical disc drive
whether to permit or prohibit automatic resuming of the background
formatting in a fourth embodiment of the information recording
system according to the present invention;
[0066] FIG. 20 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when determining by the optical disc drive
whether to continue or discontinue the formatting during the
background formatting based on the remaining amount of power of the
battery;
[0067] FIG. 21 is a system block diagram showing a fifth embodiment
of the information recording system according to the present
invention;
[0068] FIG. 22 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the host
unit when a mode select request is input by the user;
[0069] FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a format of a Time-Out
and Protect Page in the fifth embodiment of the information
recording system;
[0070] FIG. 24 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when a formatting request command is
received;
[0071] FIG. 25 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when a command requesting resuming of the
formatting is received;
[0072] FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when a recording request command is
received;
[0073] FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining an automatically
resumed background formatting;
[0074] FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a Type Dependent
Parameter added to the formatting request command; and
[0075] FIG. 29 is a flow chart for explaining a process of the
optical disc drive when the received formatting request command
includes setting information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0076] First, a description will be given of a first embodiment of
an information recording system according to the present invention,
by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8. This first embodiment of the
information recording system employs a first embodiment of an
information recording method according to the present invention, a
first embodiment of an information recording apparatus according to
the present invention, a first embodiment of an information
processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a
first embodiment of a computer-readable storage medium according to
the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing a general structure
of the first embodiment of the information recording system
according to the present invention. The information recording
system shown in FIG. 1 generally includes an optical disc drive 20
and a host unit 50. The optical disc drive 20 forms the first
embodiment of the information recording apparatus. The host unit 50
forms the first embodiment of the information processing apparatus
which controls the optical disc drive 20.
[0078] The optical disc drive 20 includes a spindle motor 22, an
optical pickup unit 23, a laser control circuit 24, an encoder 25,
a motor driver 27, a reproduced signal processing circuit 28, a
servo controller 33, a buffer RAM 34, a buffer manager 37, an
interface 38, a ROM 39, a CPU 40 and a RAM 41. An optical disc 15
is used as an information recording medium, and the spindle motor
22 rotates the optical disc 15.
[0079] In FIG. 1, only typical connecting lines are shown to
indicate the flow of typical signals and information. In other
words, not all of the connecting lines are shown in FIG. 1 so as to
simplify the drawing. Moreover, it is assumed for the sake of
convenience that the optical disc 15, which is used as the
information recording medium, is in conformance with the DVD+RW
standards. Furthermore, it is assumed for the sake of convenience
that a driving power for the optical disc drive 20 is supplied from
the host unit 50. In other words, the optical disc drive 20 and the
host unit 50 are driven by the same driving power supply.
[0080] The optical pickup unit 23 has a known structure including a
semiconductor laser (not shown) which functions as a light source,
an optical system (not shown) which guides a light beam emitted
from the semiconductor laser on a recording surface of the optical
disc 15 and guides a reflected light beam from the recording
surface to a predetermined light receiving position, a light
receiving unit (not shown) which receives the reflected light beam,
and a driving system (not shown) which includes a focusing
actuator, a tracking actuator and a seek motor. A current (current
signal) depending on an amount of light received by the light
receiving unit is supplied to the reproduced signal processing
circuit 28 from the light receiving unit.
[0081] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 converts the
current signal output from the optical pickup unit 23 into a
voltage signal, and detects a wobble signal, an RF signal and servo
signals based on the voltage signal. The servo signals include a
focus error signal and a tracking error signal. The reproduced
signal processing circuit 28 extracts Address In Pre-groove (ADIP)
information and a synchronizing signal from the wobble signal. The
extracted ADIP information is supplied to the CPU 40, and the
extracted synchronizing signal is supplied to the encoder 25.
Furthermore, the reproduced signal processing circuit 28 carries
out an error correction process with respect to the RF signal,
before storing the RF signal in the buffer RAM via the buffer
manager 37. The reproduced signal processing circuit 27 also
supplies the focus error signal and the tracking error signal to
the servo controller 33.
[0082] The servo controller 33 generates a control signal for
controlling the focusing actuator of the optical pickup unit 23,
based on the focus error signal. In addition, the servo controller
33 generates a control signal for controlling the tracking actuator
of the optical pickup unit 23, based on the tracking error signal.
The control signals generated from the servo controller 33 are
supplied to the motor driver 27.
[0083] The buffer manager 37 manages input and output of data to
and from the buffer RAM 34. The buffer manager 37 notifies the CPU
40 when an amount of data stored in the buffer RAM 34 reaches a
predetermined amount.
[0084] The motor driver 27 drives the focusing actuator and the
tracking actuator of the optical pickup unit 23, based on the
control signals supplied from the servo controller 33. The motor
driver 27 also controls the spindle motor 22 so that the linear
velocity of the optical disc 15 becomes constant, based on an
instruction from the CPU 40. Further, the motor driver 27 drives
the seek motor of the optical pickup unit 23 based on an
instruction from the CPU 40, and controls a position of the optical
pickup unit 23 in a sledge direction, that is, a radial direction
of the optical disc 15.
[0085] The encoder 25 adds an error correction code to the data
read from the buffer RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37, based on an
instruction from the CPU 40, so as to create write data to the
written on the optical disc 15. Moreover, the encoder 25 supplies
the write data to the laser control circuit 24 in synchronism with
the synchronizing signal from the reproduced signal processing
circuit 28.
[0086] The laser control circuit 24 controls an output of the
semiconductor laser of the optical pickup unit 23, based on the
write data from the encoder 25 and an instruction from the CPU 40.
In addition, while the semiconductor laser emits light, the laser
control circuit 24 carries out a feedback control with respect to
the output of the semiconductor laser, based on an output signal of
a monitor (or light receiving unit, not shown) provided within the
optical pickup unit 23 indicating an amount of light emitted from
the semiconductor laser.
[0087] The interface 38 provides a bidirectional communication
interface between the host unit 50 and the optical disc drive 20.
The interface 38 is in conformance with a standard interface such
as the AT Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI) and the Small
Computer System Interface (SCSI).
[0088] The ROM 39 stores programs written in codes decodable by the
CPU 40, including a recording control program which is used
depending on a request for a process accompanying recording of
dummy data which will be described later. When the driving power
supply of the optical disc drive 20 is turned ON, the programs
including the recording control program are read from the ROM 39
and loaded into a main memory (not shown). The CPU 40 controls
operations of various parts within the optical disc drive 20 and
temporarily stores in the RAM 41 data and the like which are
necessary for this control, according to the recording control
program.
[0089] The host unit 50 includes a main control unit 52, an
interface 54, a Hard Disc Drive (HDD) 56, an input device 57, and a
display device 58. An AC power supply (not shown) and a battery
(not shown) may be used as the driving power supply of the host
unit 50. The user can thus select the AC power supply or the
battery as the driving power supply of the host unit 5b.
[0090] The main control unit 52 includes a microcomputer (not
shown) and a main memory (not shown), and controls the general
operation of the host unit 50.
[0091] The interface 54 provides a bidirectional communication
interface between the optical disc drive 20 and the host unit 50.
The interface 54 is in conformance with a standard interface such
as the ATAPI and the SCSI. The interface 54 is connected to the
interface 38 of the optical disc drive 20. The interfaces 54 and 38
may be connected by a cable connection using a communication line
such as a communication cable (for example, a SCSI cable) or, by a
wireless connection using an infrared ray.
[0092] One or a plurality of hard discs of the HDD 56 store
programs written in codes decodable by the microcomputer of the
main control unit 52, including a recording determination program
which is used depending on the request for the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data which will be described later. When
the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is turned ON, the
programs including the recording determination program are read
from the hard disc of the HDD 56 and loaded into the main memory of
the main control unit 52.
[0093] For example, the display device 58 includes a display
section (not shown) such as a CRT, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
and a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) for displaying various information
received from the main control unit 52.
[0094] The input device 57 includes at least one input medium (not
shown) which is selected from a keyboard, a mouse and a pointing
device, and is used by the user to input various information to the
main control unit 52. The information from the input medium may be
input by a wireless system. In addition, the display device 58 and
the input device 57 may be integrally provided, as in the case of a
CRT having a touch panel, for example.
[0095] The host unit 50 is operated by an Operating System (OS),
and all of the devices forming the host unit 50 are managed by the
OS. Hence, information related to the driving power supply of the
host unit 50, including information related to the kind of power
supply and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery,
is centrally managed by the OS.
[0096] In the information recording system having the structure
described above, when the optical disc 15 is loaded into a
predetermined position within the optical disc drive 20, the
optical disc drive 20 sets, in a Media Event Code, load information
which indicates that a new recording medium is loaded, and sends to
the host unit 50 a Get Event Status Notification Command which
notifies the event status.
[0097] A description will be given of a process of the host unit 50
which receives the load information from the optical disc drive 20,
by referring to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the
process of permitting or prohibiting a process accompanying
recording of dummy data in the first embodiment of the information
recording system. When the host unit 50 receives the load
information, a start address of a program corresponding to the flow
chart shown in FIG. 2 is set in a program counter of the
microcomputer of the main control unit 52, and algorithms
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2 are started. The
flow chart shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to a series of processing
algorithms executed by the microcomputer of the main control unit
52.
[0098] First, a step 401 shown in FIG. 2 sends to the optical disc
drive 20 a Read Disc Information Command which requests disc
information, in order to find out a formatting status of the
optical disc 15. When the optical disc drive 20 receives the Read
Disc Information Command from the host unit 50, the optical disc
drive 20 sets predetermined disc information in a Disc Information
block, and makes a response to the host unit 50.
[0099] A step 403 waits for a response from the optical disc drive
20. More particularly, the step 403 decides whether or not a
response is received from the optical disc drive 20 in response to
the Read Disc Information Command, and the process advances to a
step 405 if the decision result in the step 403 is YES.
[0100] The step 405 extracts format information, that is,
Background Format Status, from the received Disk Information Block.
A step 407 decides whether or not the formatting of the optical
disc 15 is still in progress (that is, not yet completed). If the
formatting of the optical disc 15 is still in progress and the
decision result in the step 407 is YES, the process advances to a
step 409.
[0101] The step 409 makes an inquiry to the OS to acquire driving
power supply information of the host unit 50, and obtains the kind
of driving power supply based on the driving power supply
information. A step 411 decides whether or not the driving power
supply is a battery. The process advances to a step 413 if the
decision result in the step 411 is YES.
[0102] The step 413 acquires a remaining amount of power (remaining
capacity) of the battery, based on the driving power supply
information. A step 415 decides whether or not the remaining amount
of power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount. The predetermined amount may be set and changed arbitrarily
by the user. The process advances to a step 417 if the decision
result in the step 415 is YES.
[0103] The step 417 sends to the optical disc drive 20 a command
prohibiting the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data. More particularly, the step 417 sets "1" to a fourth bit (bit
3) of a fifth byte (byte 4) of a Time-Out and Protect Page which is
one of Mode Pages added to a Mode Select Command shown in FIG. 3,
and sends the Mode Select Command to the optical disc drive 20.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a format of the Time-Out and
Protect Page in the first embodiment of the information recording
system. The process shown in FIG. 2 ends after the step 417.
[0104] The bit position corresponding to the fourth bit (bit 3) of
the fifth byte (byte 4) of the Time-Out and Protect Page is
conventionally a reserved region. Hence, in this first embodiment,
this bit position is newly defined as a Format Protect (FP) bit.
The process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is
prohibited when this FP bit is "1", and the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data is permitted when this FP bit is
"0". When the optical disc drive 20 receives the Mode Select
Command from the host unit 50, the optical disc drive 20 extracts
the FP bit and stores the FP bit in the RAM 41 as dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF.
[0105] If the decision result in the step 407 is NO, the process
advances to a step 419.
[0106] The step 419 sends to the optical disc drive 20 a command
permitting the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data. More particularly, the step 419 sets the FP bit to "0", and
sends the Mode Select Command. The process shown in FIG. 2 ends
after the step 419. When the optical disc drive 20 receives the
Mode Select Command from the host unit 50, the optical disc drive
20 extracts the FP bit and stores the FP bit in the RAM 41 as the
dummy recording prohibit/permit information DF.
[0107] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 411 is
NO, the process also advances to the step 419, and the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is permitted.
Furthermore, the process also advances to the step 419 if the
decision result in the step 415 is NO, and the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data is permitted.
[0108] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when a Format Unit Command requesting
resuming of the background formatting is received, by referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the process of
the optical disc drive 20 when the Format Unit Command requesting
the resuming of the background formatting is received, and FIG. 5
is a flow chart for explaining details of the background
formatting. When the optical disc drive 20 receives the Format Unit
Command, a start address of a program corresponding to the flow
chart shown in FIG. 4 is set in a program counter of the CPU 40,
and algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4 are
started. The flow charts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to a
series of processing algorithms executed by the microcomputer of
the CPU 40.
[0109] A step 451 shown in FIG. 4 reads the dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF stored in the RAM 41. A step 453
decides whether or not the process accompanying the recording of
the dummy data is prohibited, based on the dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF. If the dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF is "1", the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is prohibited, and the decision result
in the step 453 is YES. The process advances to a step 455 if the
decision result in the step 453 is YES.
[0110] The step 455 sends to the host unit 50 error information
which is set with an error code indicating that the background
formatting cannot be resumed. The process shown in FIG. 4 ends
after the step 455.
[0111] On the other hand, if the dummy recording prohibit/permit
information DF is "0" and the process accompanying the recording of
the dummy data is permitted, the decision result in the step 453 is
NO, and the process advances to a step 457.
[0112] The step 457 carries out a subroutine for resuming the
background formatting. In other words, a start address of a program
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 5 is set in the
program counter of the CPU 40, and algorithms corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 5 are started.
[0113] First, a step 501 shown in FIG. 5 refers to a Formatting
Disc Control Block (FDCB) recorded in a lead-in region of the
optical disc 15 and searches for the position of the TLO. The
address where the TLO is recorded is regarded as a start address of
the formatting. Then, a step 503 notifies the host unit 50 that the
optical disc drive 20 can accept a recording or reproducing
request.
[0114] A step 505 decides whether or not an optical disc eject
request requesting ejection of the optical disc 15 is received.
When a disc eject button (not shown) provided on the optical disc
drive 20 is pushed, the eject request is notified to the CPU 40 by
an interrupt process. The eject request may also be received from
the host unit 50, and in this case, the eject request is also
notified to the CPU 40 by an interrupt process. If no eject request
is received, the decision result in the step 505 is NO, and the
process advances to a step 507.
[0115] The step 507 decides whether or not the formatting is
completed. If the decision result in the step 507 is NO, a step 509
decides whether or not a recording/reproducing (recording or
reproducing) request is received from the host unit 50. If a Write
Command requesting the recording or a Read Command requesting the
reproduction is received from the host unit 50, the
recording/reproducing request is notified to the CPU 40 by an
interrupt process. If no recording/reproducing request is received
and the decision result in the step 509 is NO, the process advances
to a step 511.
[0116] The step 511 carries out the formatting of the optical disc
15. In other words, the step 511 records dummy data amounting to 16
sectors, for example, in an unrecorded portion of the user data
region. The process returns to the step 505 after the step 511,
that is, after the recording of the dummy data ends.
[0117] Hence, the steps 505, 507, 509 and 511 are repeated until
the decision result becomes YES in one of the steps 505, 507 and
509, and the formatting of the optical disc 15 progresses in this
manner.
[0118] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 509 is
YES, the process advances to a step 513. The step 513 decides
whether or the request from the host unit 50 is the recording
request. If the decision result in the step 513 is YES, a step 515
records the user data received from the host unit 50 in a specified
region. The details of the recording process of the optical disc
drive 20 will be described later in the specification. The process
returns to the step 505 after the step 515, that is, after the
recording of the user data ends.
[0119] On the other hand, if the reproducing request is received
from the host unit 50 and the decision result in the step 513 is
NO, a step 517 reproduces the user data recorded in a region
specified from the host unit 50, and transfers the reproduced user
data to the host unit 50. The details of the reproducing process of
the optical disc drive 20 will be described later in the
specification. The process returns to the step 505 after the step
517 ends, that is, after the reproduction of the user data
specified from the host unit 50 ends.
[0120] The formatting of the optical disc 15 is continued until the
decision result becomes YES in one of the steps 505, 507 and
509.
[0121] If the eject request is received and the decision result in
the step 505 is YES, the process advances to a step 521. The step
521 instructs a disc load/eject system (not shown) to eject the
optical disc 15, and the subroutine for resuming the background
formatting ends, thereby returning the process to the step 457
shown in FIG. 4. The Lead-Out or the TLO may be recorded at a
predetermined position of the optical disc 15 before instructing
the disc load/eject system to eject the optical disc 15.
[0122] When the formatting of the optical disc 15 is completed
before receiving the eject request, information indicating that the
formatting is completed is recorded at a predetermined position of
the recording region of the optical disc 15, and the background
formatting ends. In this case, the subroutine for resuming the
background formatting ends, thereby similarly returning the process
to the step 457 shown in FIG. 4.
[0123] After the process returns to the step 457 shown in FIG. 4
from the subroutine shown in FIG. 5, the process shown in FIG. 4
ends.
[0124] Next, a description will be given of the process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the recording request (Write Command) is
received from the host unit 50.
[0125] When the Write Command is received from the host unit 50,
the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a control signal for
controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based on a
specified recording speed. In addition, the CPU 40 notifies the
reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the Write Command was
received from the host unit 50. The CPU 40 also stores the user
data received from the host unit 50 into the buffer RAM 34 via the
buffer manager 37.
[0126] When the rotation of the optical disc 15 reaches a
predetermined linear velocity, the reproduced signal processing
circuit 28 detects the focus error signal and the tracking error
signal based on the output signal of the optical pickup unit 23,
and supplies the focus error signal and the tracking error signal
to the servo controller 33. Based on the focus error signal and the
tracking error signal from the reproduced signal processing circuit
28, the servo controller 33 drives the focusing actuator and the
tracking actuator of the optical pickup unit 23 via the motor
driver 27, and corrects the focus error and the tracking error.
[0127] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 acquires the
ADIP information based on the output signal of the optical pickup
unit 23, and notifies the ADIP information to the CPU 40. Based on
the ADIP information, the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a
signal which instructs a seek operation to the optical pickup unit
23 so that the optical pickup unit 23 is positioned to a specified
write start position.
[0128] When the CPU 40 is notified from the buffer manager 37 that
the amount of data stored in the buffer RAM 34 exceeded a
predetermined amount, the CPU 40 instructs the encoder 25 to create
write data. In addition, when the CPU 40 judges based on the ADIP
information that the optical pickup unit 23 is located at the write
start position, the CPU 40 notifies the encoder 25 that the optical
pickup unit 23 is at the write start position. The encoder 25
records the write data on the optical disc 15 via the laser control
circuit 24 and the optical pickup unit 23.
[0129] Next, a description will be given of the process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the reproducing request (Read Command)
is received from the host unit 50.
[0130] When the Read Command is received from the host unit 50, the
CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a control signal for
controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based on a
reproducing speed. In addition, the CPU 40 notifies the reproduced
signal processing circuit 28 that the Read Command was received
from the host unit 50.
[0131] Similarly as in the case of the process during the recording
described above, the reproduced signal processing circuit 28
notifies the ADIP information to the CPU 40, and corrects the focus
error and the tracking error.
[0132] Based on the ADIP information, the CPU 40 supplies to the
motor driver 27 a signal which instructs a seek operation to the
optical pickup unit 23 so that the optical pickup unit 23 is
positioned to a specified read start position. In addition, when
the CPU 40 judges based on the ADIP information that the optical
pickup unit 23 is located at the read start position, the CPU 40
notifies the reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the
optical pickup unit 23 is at the read start position.
[0133] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 detects an RF
signal based on the output signal of the optical pickup unit 23,
and after carrying out the error correction process and the like
with respect to the RF signal, stores the processed RF signal in
the buffer RAM 34 as reproduced data.
[0134] The buffer manager 37 transfers the reproduced data to the
host unit 50 via the interface 38 when the reproduced data stored
in the buffer RAM 34 amount to sector data.
[0135] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 detects the
focus error signal and the tracking error signal based on the
output of the optical pickup unit 23 as described above until the
recording process or the reproducing process ends. Hence, the
reproduced signal processing circuit 28 constantly corrects the
focus error and the tracking error via the servo controller 33 and
the motor driver 27.
[0136] Next, a description will be given of the process of the host
unit 50 when the optical disc eject request to eject the optical
disc 15 is input via the input device 57 in the information
recording system, by referring to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flow chart
for explaining the process of the host unit 50 when the eject
request is input. When the eject request is input via the input
device 57, a start address of a program corresponding to the flow
chart shown in FIG. 6 is set in the program counter of the
microcomputer of the main control unit 52, and algorithms
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 6 are started. The
flow chart shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to a series of algorithms
executed by the microcomputer of the main control unit 52.
[0137] A step 601 shown in FIG. 6 makes an inquiry to the OS, and
acquires the driving power supply information of the host unit 50.
This driving power supply information is used to obtain the kind of
driving power supply.
[0138] A step 603 decides whether or not the driving power supply
is a battery. The process advances to a step 605 if the decision
result in the step 603 is YES. The step 605 acquires a remaining
amount of power (capacity) of the battery, based on the driving
power supply information.
[0139] A step 607 decides whether or not the remaining amount of
power (capacity) of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount which is set in advance. The process advances
to a step 609 if the decision result in the step 607 is NO. The
step 609 sends a Close Session/Track Command which requests closure
of the session or disc to the optical disc drive 20. Further, a
step 611 sends a Start/Stop Unit Command which requests ejection of
the optical disc 15, that is, a command making the optical disc
ejection request, to the optical disc drive 20, and the process
shown in FIG. 6 ends.
[0140] If the decision result in the step 607 is YES, the process
advances to the step 611. Hence, the Close Session/Track Command
which requests closure of the session or disc is not sent in this
case.
[0141] Moreover, if the decision result in the step 603 is NO, the
process advances to the step 609. Hence, the Close Session/Track
Command which requests closure of the session or disc is sent prior
to sending the Start/Stop Unit Command which requests ejection of
the optical disc 15.
[0142] Next, a description will be given of the process of the
optical disc drive 20 which receives from the host unit 50 the
Close Session/Track Command which requests closure of the session
or disc, by referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for
explaining the process of the optical disc drive 20 when the Close
Session/Track Command is received. When the optical disc drive 20
receives the Close Session/Track Command from the host unit 50, a
start address of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown in
FIG. 7 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and algorithms
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 7 are started. The
flow chart shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the series of algorithms
executed by the CPU 40.
[0143] A step 651 shown in FIG. 7 reads the dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF stored in the RAM 41. A step 653
decides whether or not the dummy recording prohibit/permit
information DF is "1", that is, whether or not the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is prohibited.
[0144] If the decision result in the step 653 is YES, a step 655
sends to the host unit 50 error information set with an error code
which indicates that the session or disc cannot be closed, and the
process shown in FIG. 7 ends. When the host unit 50 receives the
error information, the host unit 50 may display an error message on
the display device 58.
[0145] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 653 is
NO, a step 657 carries out a process to close the session or disc,
and the process shown in FIG. 7 ends.
[0146] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the Write Command requesting the
recording of the user data is received from the host unit 50, by
referring to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the
process of the optical disc drive 20 when a command requesting the
recording of the user data, that is, the Write Command, is
received. When the optical disc drive 20 receives the Write
Command, a start address of a program corresponding to the flow
chart shown in FIG. 8 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40,
and algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 8 is
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to a series of
algorithms executed by the CPU 40.
[0147] A step 701 shown in FIG. 8 decides whether or not the
formatting of the optical disc 15 is still in progress (that is,
not yet completed). If the decision result in the step 701 is YES,
a step 703 refers to the FDCB recorded in the lead-in region of the
optical disc 15, so as to search for the position of the TLO. A
step 705 extracts the recording start address of the user data,
from the command requesting the recording, that is, from the Write
Command.
[0148] A step 707 decides whether or not the formatting of the
optical disc 15 is necessary. For example, the address at the
position where the TLO is recorded and the recording start address
of the user data are compared, and it is judged that the formatting
is necessary if an unrecorded region exists between the TLO and the
user data. If the decision result in the step 707 is YES, a step
709 reads the dummy recording prohibit/permit information DF which
is stored in the RAM 41.
[0149] A step 711 decides whether or not the dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF is "1", that is, whether or not the
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is prohibited.
If the decision result in the step 711 is YES, a step 713 notifies
the host unit 50 of error information set with an error code which
indicates that the user data cannot be recorded, and the process
shown in FIG. 8 ends. When the host unit 50 receives the error
information, the host unit 50 may display an error message on the
display device 58.
[0150] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 711 is
NO, a step 715 records the user data in the specified region in the
manner described above. In addition, a step 717 records the dummy
data in the unrecorded region between the recording regions of the
TLO and the user data, and the process shown in FIG. 8 ends. In
this case, the background formatting is automatically resumed.
[0151] If the decision result in the step 701 is NO, a step 719
records the user data in the specified region in the manner
described above, and the process shown in FIG. 8 ends. In this
case, the background formatting is not automatically resumed.
[0152] Further, if the decision result in the step 707 is NO, the
step 719 records the user data in the specified region in the
manner described above, and the process shown in FIG. 8 ends. In
this case, the background formatting is also not automatically
resumed.
[0153] Therefore, according to this first embodiment of the
information recording system, a power supply information acquiring
means (or section), a determination means (or section) and an
output means (or section) of the information processing apparatus
are realized by the microcomputer of the main control unit 52 and
the program executed by the microcomputer. In addition, a
communication control means (or section), a recording control means
(or section) and an error notifying means (or section) of the
information recording apparatus are realized by the CPU 40 and the
program executed by the CPU 40.
[0154] Of course, a part of or all of the processes carried out by
the microcomputer of the main control unit 52 according to the
program may be realized by hardware. Moreover, a part of or all of
the processes carried out by the CPU 40 according to the program
may be realized by hardware.
[0155] In this first embodiment, of the programs installed in one
or more hard discs of the HDD 56, the programs corresponding to the
flow charts shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 form the recording determination
program described above. Furthermore, of the programs installed in
the ROM 39, the programs corresponding to the flow charts shown in
FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8 form the recording control program described
above.
[0156] The steps 409 and 413 shown in FIG. 2 form a first step of
the recording method according to the present invention, and the
steps 411 and 415 through 419 shown in FIG. 2 form a second step of
the recording method according to the present invention.
[0157] In the first embodiment of the information recording system,
when the optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc drive 20,
the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a battery and the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or
equal to a predetermined amount, the host unit 50 notifies the
optical disc drive 20 of a prohibit command which prohibits a
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data. In addition,
the optical disc drive 20 prohibits the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data when the prohibit command is received
from the host unit 50. In other words, when the driving power
supply is the battery and the remaining amount of power (capacity)
of the battery is less than or equal to the predetermined amount,
it is possible to prevent excessive wear of the battery because the
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is prohibited.
Hence, it is possible to avoid a power shut down which cannot be
anticipated, and to prevent the reproduction of the data from
becoming incomplete or the additional writing of the data from
becoming impossible. That is, it is possible to suppress wear of
the driving power supply, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0158] In this first embodiment, even when the optical disc drive
20 receives from the host unit 50 a command requesting to resume
the background formatting, the optical disc drive 20 does not
resume the background formatting if the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is prohibited and instead notifies the
error information to the host unit 50. Accordingly, even in a case
where a plurality of application software are executed in the host
unit 50 by a multi-task operation and a certain application
software which is unaware that the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is prohibited sends the command
requesting to resume the background formatting, this certain
application software can recognize that the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data is prohibited based on the error
information (error code) received from the optical disc drive
20.
[0159] Furthermore, if the host unit 50 receives the eject request
with respect to the optical disc 15 in a state where the driving
power supply of the host unit 50 is a battery and the remaining
amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or equal to
a predetermined amount, the host unit 50 sends to the optical disc
drive 20 the eject request without sending a request to close the
session or disc. For this reason, the optical disc drive 20 does
not carry out a formatting with respect to the unrecorded portion
of the optical disc 15, thereby making it possible to extend the
serviceable life of the battery and to avoid the power supply from
being shut down unexpectedly.
[0160] In a case where the process accompanying the recording of
the dummy data is prohibited in this first embodiment, even if the
optical disc drive 20 receives a request to close the session or
disc, the optical disc drive 20 notifies the error information to
the host unit 50 without carrying out a process to close the
session or disc. Thus, the process to close the session or disc,
which requires an extremely long processing time, is not carried
out, thereby preventing excessive wear of the battery. Accordingly,
it is possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply, and to
promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0161] When the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a
battery and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery
is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, this first
embodiment prohibits the process accompanying the recording of the
dummy data. However, in a case where the full capacity of the
battery is small, for example, it is also possible to immediately
prohibit the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data,
regardless of the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the
battery, if the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is the
battery.
[0162] When the host unit 50 receives the eject request with
respect to the optical disc 15 in a state where the driving power
supply of the host unit 50 is a battery and the remaining amount of
power (capacity) of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount, this first embodiment sends a command
requesting the ejection of the optical disc 15 to the optical disc
drive 20 without requesting closure of the session or disc. But in
a case where the full capacity of the battery is small, for
example, it is also possible to send the eject request without
sending the request to close the session or disc, regardless of the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery, if the driving
power supply of the host unit 50 is the battery.
[0163] When the host unit 50 receives the eject request with
respect to the optical disc 15 via the input device 57, this first
embodiment acquires the driving power supply information and
carries out a process to determine whether or not to send to the
optical disc drive 20 a command requesting closure of the session
or disc. However, in a case where the process to determine whether
to permit or prohibit the process accompanying the recording of the
dummy data is being carried out when the optical disc 15 is loaded
into the optical disc drive 20, it is also possible to determine
whether or not to send the command requesting closure of the
session or disc to the optical disc drive 20 based on a result of
the process which determines whether to permit or prohibit the
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data.
[0164] In this first embodiment, the judgement to determine whether
or not to resume the background formatting is carried out in the
optical disc drive 20. However, this judgement may be made in the
host unit 50. For example, when a request from the user to resume
the background formatting is received, the host unit 50 judges
whether or not the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data is possible based on the driving power supply information, and
the sending of the command requesting resuming of the background
formatting to the optical disc drive 20 is discontinued if it is
judged that the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data is not possible. In addition, the host unit 50 may similarly
judge whether or not other processes accompanying the recording of
the dummy data are possible, and discontinue sending of the
commands requesting these other processes accompanying the
recording of the dummy data to the optical disc drive 20 if it is
judged that these processes are not possible.
[0165] Furthermore, this first embodiment sets a command permitting
or prohibiting the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data in the bit 3 of the byte 4 of the Time-Out and Protect Page,
but the command may be set using other Reserved bits. Moreover, the
command may be set using mode pages other than the Time-Out and
Protect Page. It is also possible to use a command other than the
Mode Select Command or, a newly defined command.
[0166] In this first embodiment, the recording prohibit/permit
determination program is recorded in one or more hard discs of the
HDD 56, however, the recording prohibit/permit determination
program may be recorded in other recording media such as CD-ROMs,
magneto-optical discs, flash memories and flexible discs. In this
case, a medium drive corresponding to the information recording
medium used is provided, and the recording prohibit/permit
determination program is installed into the host unit 50 from this
medium drive. Of course, the recording prohibit/permit
determination program may be transferred to the one or more hard
discs of the HDD 56 from other recording media. The recording
prohibit/permit determination program may also be transferred to
the one or more hard discs of the HDD 56 or to the main memory, via
one or more networks. All that is required is for the recording
prohibit/permit determination program to be loaded into the main
memory of the microcomputer of the host unit 50, so that the host
unit 50 can carry out the processes described above by executing
the recording prohibit/permit determination program.
[0167] In this first embodiment, the recording control program is
recorded in the ROM 39, however, the recording control program may
be recorded in other recording media such as CD-ROMs,
magneto-optical discs, flash memories and flexible discs. In this
case, a medium drive corresponding to the information recording
medium used is provided, and the recording control program is
installed into the optical disc drive 20 from this medium drive.
All that is required is for the recording control program to be
loaded into the main memory of the CPU 40 of the optical disc drive
20, so that the optical disc drive 20 can carry out the processes
described above by executing the recording control program.
[0168] Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of
the information recording system according to the present
invention, by referring to FIG. 9. This second embodiment of the
information recording system employs a second embodiment of the
information recording method according to the present invention, a
second embodiment of the information recording apparatus according
to the present invention, a second embodiment of the information
processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a
second embodiment of the computer-readable storage medium according
to the present invention.
[0169] This second embodiment is characterized in that, unlike the
first embodiment described above, the process which determines
whether the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is
to be permitted or prohibited is carried out in the optical disc
drive 20. In other words, only a portion of the programs stored in
the one or more hard discs of the HDD 56 and the ROM 39 differ from
that of the first embodiment, and other structures of this second
embodiment are the same as those corresponding structures of the
first embodiment. Hence, only the features of this second
embodiment which are different from those of the first embodiment
will be described in this specification. In the following
description, those parts which are the same as those corresponding
parts of the first embodiment will be designated by the same
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be simplified or
omitted.
[0170] In this second embodiment, the ROM 39 stores programs
written in codes decodable by the CPU 40, including a
prohibit/permit information determination program which will be
described later and determines whether to permit or prohibit a
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data. When the
power supply of the optical disc drive 20 is turned ON, the
programs including this prohibit/permit information determination
program are loaded into the main memory of the CPU 40.
[0171] A description will be given of the process of the optical
disc drive 20 when the optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical
disc drive 20, by referring to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flow chart for
explaining the process of permitting or prohibiting the process
accompanying recording of the dummy data in this second embodiment
of the information recording system according to the present
invention. When the optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc
drive 20, a start address of a program corresponding to the flow
chart shown in FIG. 9 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40,
and algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 9 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to a series of
algorithms executed by the CPU 40. It is assumed for the sake of
convenience that the preconditions with respect to the optical disc
15 are the same as those for the first embodiment described
above.
[0172] First, a step 801 shown in FIG. 9 acquires the format
information, that is, the Background Format Status, of the optical
disc 15. This format information (Background Format Status) is
recorded at a predetermined position in the recording region of the
optical disc 15. A step 803 decides whether or not the formatting
of the optical disc 15 is still in progress (that is, not yet
completed). If the formatting of the optical disc 15 is still in
progress and the decision result in the step 803 is YES, the
process advances to a step 805.
[0173] The step 805 sends a command requesting the driving power
supply information of the host unit 50, so as to acquire driving
power supply information of the host unit 50. The host unit 50
acquires the driving power supply information from the OS when the
command requesting the driving power supply information is received
from the optical disc drive 20, and responds to the optical disc
drive 20 by sending the driving power supply information. A step
807 waits for the response from the host unit 50 in response to the
command requesting the driving power supply information. The
process advances to a step 809 if the decision result in the step
807 is YES.
[0174] The step 809 extracts the kind of driving power supply of
the host unit 50, based on the driving power supply information
received from the host unit 50. A step 811 decides whether or not
the driving power supply is a battery. The process advances to a
step 813 if the decision result in the step 811 is YES.
[0175] The step 813 acquires a remaining amount of power (remaining
capacity) of the battery, based on the driving power supply
information. A step 815 decides whether or not the remaining amount
of power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount. The process advances to a step 817 if the decision result
in the step 815 is YES.
[0176] The step 817 determines that the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is to be prohibited, and stores
corresponding dummy recording prohibit/permit information DF in the
RAM 41. Then, a step 819 sends the dummy recording prohibit/permit
information DF to the host unit 50 to notify the host unit 50 that
the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is
prohibited, and the process shown in FIG. 9 ends.
[0177] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 803 is
NO, the process advances to a step 821. The step 821 determines
that the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is to
be permitted, and stores corresponding dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF in the RAM 41. Then, the step 819
sends the dummy recording prohibit/permit information DF to the
host unit 50 to notify the host unit 50 that the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is permitted, and the
process shown in FIG. 9 ends.
[0178] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 811 is
NO, the process also advances to the step 821, and the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is permitted.
Furthermore, the process also advances to the step 821 if the
decision result in the step 815 is NO, and the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data is permitted.
[0179] When the optical disc drive 20 receives a command requesting
resuming of the background formatting, a command requesting closure
of the session or disc or, a command requesting recording of the
user data, the optical disc drive 20 judges whether the command is
to be executed based on the dummy recording prohibit/permit
information DF, similarly as in the case of the first embodiment
described above.
[0180] Therefore, according to this second embodiment of the
information recording system, a communication control means (or
section), a power supply information acquiring means (or section),
a determination means (or section) and a recording control means
(or section) of the information recording apparatus are realized by
the CPU 40 and the program executed by the CPU 40.
[0181] Of course, a part of or all of the processes carried out by
the CPU 40 according to the program may be realized by
hardware.
[0182] In this second embodiment, of the programs installed in the
ROM 39, the program corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 9
forms the prohibit/permit information determination program
described above.
[0183] The steps 805 through 809 and 813 shown in FIG. 9 form a
first step of the recording method according to the present
invention, and the steps 815, 817 and 821 shown in FIG. 9 form a
second step of the recording method according to the present
invention.
[0184] In the second embodiment of the information recording
system, when the optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc
drive 20, and it is detected that the driving power supply of the
host unit 50 is a battery and the remaining amount of power
(capacity) of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount based on the driving power supply information received from
the host unit 50, the optical disc drive 20 determines that a
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is to be
prohibited. Hence, when the driving power supply of the host unit
50 and the optical disc drive 20 is the battery and the remaining
amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or equal to
the predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent excessive wear
of the battery because the process accompanying the recording of
the dummy data is prohibited. Consequently, it is possible to avoid
a power shut down which cannot be anticipated, and to prevent the
reproduction of the data from becoming incomplete or the additional
writing of the data from becoming impossible. That is, it is
possible to suppress wear of the driving power supply, and to
promote effective utilization of the driving power supply.
[0185] When the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a
battery and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery
is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, this second
embodiment prohibits the process accompanying the recording of the
dummy data. However, in a case where the full capacity of the
battery is small, for example, it is also possible to immediately
prohibit the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data,
regardless of the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the
battery, if the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is the
battery.
[0186] When the host unit 50 receives the eject request with
respect to the optical disc 15 via the input device 57, this second
embodiment may acquire the driving power supply information and
carry out a process to determine whether or not to send to the
optical disc drive 20 a command requesting closure of the session
or disc. Alternatively, this second embodiment may determine
whether or not to send the command requesting closure of the
session or disc to the optical disc drive 20 based on the dummy
recording prohibit/permit information DF from the optical disc
drive 20.
[0187] In this second embodiment, the judgement to determine
whether or not to resume the background formatting is carried out
in the optical disc drive 20. However, this judgement may be made
in the host unit 50. For example, when a request from the user to
resume the background formatting is received, the host unit 50
judges whether or not the process accompanying the recording of the
dummy data is possible based on the driving power supply
information, and the sending of the command requesting resuming of
the background formatting to the optical disc drive 20 is
discontinued if it is judged that the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is not possible. In addition, the host
unit 50 may similarly judge whether or not other processes
accompanying the recording of the dummy data are possible, and
discontinue sending of the commands requesting these other
processes accompanying the recording of the dummy data to the
optical disc drive 20 if it is judged that these processes are not
possible.
[0188] In this second embodiment, the prohibit/permit information
determination program is recorded in the ROM 39, however, the
prohibit/permit information determination program may be recorded
in other recording media such as CD-ROMs, magneto-optical discs,
flash memories and flexible discs. In this case, a medium drive
corresponding to the information recording medium used is provided,
and the prohibit/permit information determination program is
installed into the optical disc drive 20 from this medium drive.
All that is required is for the prohibit/permit information
determination program to be loaded into the main memory of the CPU
40, so that the optical disc drive 20 can carry out the processes
described above by executing the prohibit/permit information
determination program.
[0189] In each of the embodiments described above, the process
which closes the session or disc is not carried, out when the
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data is prohibited,
even when the optical disc drive 20 receives the command requesting
closure of the session or disc. However, it is of course possible
to carry out the process which closes the session or disc when the
amount of data of the dummy data to be recorded is less than or
equal to a predetermined amount, even if the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data is prohibited.
[0190] In addition, in each of the embodiments described above, the
process which determines whether to permit or prohibit the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is carried when the
optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc drive 20, but this
process may of course be carried out in response to a request from
the user.
[0191] In each of the embodiments described above, it is judged
whether or not the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data is prohibited, when the optical disc drive 20 receives a
command requesting closure of the session or disc. However, in a
case where the command requesting closure of the session or disc is
positively sent only when the process accompanying the recording of
the dummy data is permitted, the judgement to determine whether or
not the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data may be
omitted when the command requesting closure of the session or disc
is received.
[0192] The judgement to determine whether the process accompanying
the recording of the dummy data is to be permitted or prohibited is
carried out in each of the embodiments described above when the
optical disc drive 20 receives a command requesting resuming of the
background formatting, a command requesting closure of the session
or disc or, a command requesting recording of the user data.
However, the judgement to determine whether the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is to be permitted or
prohibited may be carried out when the optical disc drive 20
receives a command requesting erasure of data (erase process). In
other words, judgement to determine whether the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is to be permitted or
prohibited may be carried out based on the dummy recording
prohibit/permit information DF, as long as there is a command
requesting a process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data.
[0193] In each of the embodiments described above, the process of
resuming the background formatting, the process of closing the
session or disc, and the process of recording the user data are
prohibited when the driving power supply is a battery and the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or
equal to a predetermined amount. However, conditions for
prohibiting the process may be different depending on each process
or the amount of data of the dummy data to be recorded. For
example, in a case where the amount of data of the dummy data to be
recorded exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the determination
to permit or prohibit the process may be made solely based on the
kind of driving power supply, and in a case where the amount of
data of the dummy data to be recorded is less than or equal to the
predetermined threshold value, the determination to permit or
prohibit the process may be made based on the kind of driving power
supply and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the
battery.
[0194] In each of the embodiments described above, the
determination to permit or prohibit the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is made based on the kind of driving
power supply and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the
battery. However, the conditions for determining whether to permit
or prohibit the process accompanying the recording of the dummy
data are not limited to the above, and for example, the conditions
may include the kind of battery and a manufacturer of the battery,
because the characteristics of the battery differ depending on the
kind and/or manufacturer of the battery.
[0195] Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the
determination to permit or prohibit the process accompanying the
recording of the dummy data is made only when the background
formatting of the optical disc 15 is in progress (not yet
completed). But of course, the determination to permit or prohibit
the process accompanying the recording of the dummy data may be
made when no background formatting has been made with respect to
the optical disc 15, that is, the optical disc 15 is
non-formatted.
[0196] Each of the embodiments described above is described for a
case where the optical disc 15 is the DVD+RW, but the information
recording medium is not limited to the DVD+RW, and any suitable
information recording medium may be used as long as the process
accompanying the recording of the dummy data is carried out with
respect to the information recording medium. In such a case, a
medium drive adapted to the information recording medium must of
course be used in place of the optical disc drive 20.
[0197] The host unit 50 and the optical disc drive 20 may be
provided within a single housing or, provided within separate
housings, in each of the embodiments described above.
[0198] In each of the embodiments described above, it is assumed
for the sake of convenience that the medium drive (optical disc
drive) capable of recording and reproducing user data is used with
respect to the information recording medium which is in conformance
with the DVD+RW standards. However, the medium drive may be capable
of only recording the user data with respect to the information
recording medium.
[0199] Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of
the information recording system according to the present
invention, by referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 11 through 18. This
third embodiment of the information recording system employs a
third embodiment of the information recording method according to
the present invention, a third embodiment of the information
recording apparatus according to the present invention, a third
embodiment of the information processing apparatus according to the
present invention, and a third embodiment of the computer-readable
storage medium according to the present invention.
[0200] The basic structure of this third embodiment of the
information recording system is the same as that of the first
embodiment of the information recording system shown in FIG. 1, and
a description thereof will be omitted. But in this third
embodiment, one or more hard discs of the HDD 56 store programs
written in codes decodable by the microcomputer of the main control
unit 52 of the host unit 50, including a first determination
program which determines whether to continue or discontinue
recording of the dummy data, as will be described later. When the
driving power supply of the host unit 50 is turned ON, the programs
including the first determination program are loaded into the main
memory of the main control unit 52.
[0201] FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the structure
of the recording region of the optical disc 15 in conformance with
the DVD+RW standards.
[0202] In the following description, a direction towards a center
of rotation of the optical disc will be referred to as an inner
peripheral direction, and a direction away from the center of
rotation of the optical disc will be referred to as an outer
peripheral direction.
[0203] As shown in FIG. 10A, the recording region of the optical
disc 15 in conformance with the DVD+RW standards is divided into
three regions (or areas) in the outer peripheral direction from the
inner periphery to the outer periphery, namely, a Lead-In region
(area) LIA, a data region (area) DZA and a Lead-Out region (area)
LOA. The user data are recorded within the data region DZA. The
actual optical disc 15 has a spiral track, but in FIGS. 10A and
10B, the track is illustrated as being linear, with the left side
corresponding to the inner periphery and the right side
corresponding to the outer periphery of the optical disc 15.
[0204] When a communication state of the host unit 50 in the
information recording system is in a standby mode, the host unit 50
sends to the optical disc drive 20 a Get Event Status Notification
Command, which is an event status request command requesting the
event status, with an approximately constant period.
[0205] When the Get Event Status Notification Command is received,
the optical disc drive 20 sets a code corresponding to the event
status in a Media Event Code of the Media Event Descriptor as shown
in FIG. 11, and sends the Media Event Descriptor to the host unit
50. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the Media Event Code. In
the Media Event Code shown in FIG. 11, "0h" is set when there is no
change in the event, "1h" is set when an optical disc (medium)
eject request is received, "2h" is set when an optical disc 15 is
newly loaded into the optical disc drive 20, "3h" is set when the
optical disc 15 is ejected from the optical disc drive 20, "4h" is
set when the optical disc 15 is changed, "5h" is set when the
background formatting is completed, "6h" is set when the background
formatting is automatically resumed, and "7h" is set when the
discontinuance of the background formatting is completed. The code
"7h" is conventionally an unused code, but in this embodiment, this
code "7h" is defined as a code corresponding to an event status
indicating the completion of the discontinuance of the background
formatting.
[0206] When the optical disc 15 is loaded into the predetermined
position of the optical disc drive 20, the optical disc drive 20
sends to the host unit 50, a Media Event Descriptor having the code
"2h" which indicates that the optical disc 15 is newly loaded and
is set in the Media Event Code, as a response with respect to the
Get Event Status Notification Command.
[0207] Next, a description will be given of the process carried out
by the host unit 50 when the user inputs via the input device 57 a
formatting request requesting the formatting of the optical disc
15, by referring to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining
the process of the host unit 50 which determines whether to permit
or prohibit the formatting when a blank optical disc 15 is loaded
into the optical disc drive 20 in this third embodiment of the
information recording system according to the present invention.
When the formatting request is input, a start address of a program
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 12 is set in the
program counter of the microcomputer of the main control unit 52,
and algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 12 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to a series of
processing algorithms executed by the microcomputer of the main
control unit 52. It is assumed that the blank optical disc 15 is
loaded into the optical disc drive 20.
[0208] A step 1401 shown in FIG. 12 makes an inquiry to the OS and
acquires the driving power supply information of the host unit 50.
This driving power supply information is used to obtain the kind of
driving power supply.
[0209] A step 1403 decides whether or not the driving power supply
is a battery. The process advances to a step 1405 if the decision
result in the step 1403 is YES. The step 1405 acquires a remaining
amount of power (capacity) of the battery, based on the driving
power supply information.
[0210] A step 1407 decides whether or not the remaining amount of
power (capacity) of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount which is set in advance. If the decision
result in the step 1407 is YES, a step 1409 prohibits the
formatting, and the process shown in FIG. 12 ends. The
predetermined amount may be set and changed arbitrarily by the
user. After the step 1409 prohibits the formatting, the formatting
request with respect to the optical disc 15 received thereafter is
invalidated, and even when the formatting request is received from
the user, a Format Unit Command, which is a formatting request
command requesting the formatting, will not be sent to the optical
disc drive 20.
[0211] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 403 is
NO, the process advances to a step 1411. The process advances to
the step 1411 also if the decision result in the step 1407 is NO.
The step 1411 permits the formatting, and the Format Unit Command,
that is, the formatting request command, is sent to the optical
disc drive 20. The process shown in FIG. 12 ends after the step
1411.
[0212] Next, a description will be given of a process carried out
by the optical disc drive 20 when the Format Unit Command, that is,
the format request command, is received from the host unit 50, by
referring to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the
process of the optical disc drive 20 which carries out the
background formatting with respect to the blank optical disc 15.
When the Format Unit Command is input to the optical disc drive 20,
a start address of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown
in FIG. 13 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and
algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 13 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to a series of
processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.
[0213] First, a step 1501 shown in FIG. 13 carries out an
initializing process by setting "0" to an eject request flag which
is set with the existence of the eject request and to a reception
flag which is set with the existence of the recording or
reproducing request, and records predetermined information in a
portion of the Lead-In region LIA of the optical disc 15 shown in
FIG. 10A. The Formatting Disc Control Block (FDCB) is recorded in
this portion of the Lead-In region LIA, as shown in FIG. 10A. The
formatting status, the data recording status and the like are
recorded in the FDCB in a bit-map format. Then, a step 1503
notifies the host unit 50 that the optical disc drive 20 can accept
a recording or reproducing request.
[0214] A step 1505 decides whether or not an optical disc eject
request requesting ejection of the optical disc 15 is received.
When the eject request is received from the host unit 50, "1" is
set in the eject request flag by an interrupt process. If no eject
request is received, the decision result in the step 1505 is NO,
and the process advances to a step 1507.
[0215] The step 1507 decides whether or not the formatting is
completed. Whether or not the formatting is completed may be judged
based on the existence of an unrecorded region within the data
region DZA shown in FIG. 10A, and it is judged that the formatting
is incomplete if the unrecorded region exists. In this case, the
blank optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc drive 20, and
the decision result in the step 1507 is NO. Hence, a step 1509
decides whether or not a recording/reproducing (recording or
reproducing) request is received from the host unit 50. If a Write
Command (recording request command) requesting the recording or a
Read Command (reproducing request command) requesting the
reproduction is received from the host unit 50, "1" is set in the
reception flag by an interrupt process. If no recording/reproducing
request is received and the reception flag is not set to "1", the
decision result in the step 1509 is NO, and the process advances to
a step 1511.
[0216] The step 1511 carries out the formatting of the optical disc
15. In other words, the step 1511 records dummy data amounting to
16 sectors, for example, in the unrecorded portion of the data
region DZA. The process returns to the step 1505 after the step
1511, that is, after the recording of the dummy data ends.
[0217] Hence, the steps 1505, 1507, 1509 and 1511 are repeated
until the decision result becomes YES in one of the steps 1505,
1507 and 1509, and the formatting of the optical disc 15 progresses
in this manner.
[0218] On the other hand, if the reception flag is set to "1" and
the decision result in the step 1509 is YES, the process advances
to a step 1513. The step 1513 resets the reception flag to "0", and
discontinues the formatting. The step 1515 analyzes the received
command, and decides whether or the command from the host unit 50
is the recording request command. If the decision result in the
step 1515 is YES, a step 1517 records the user data received from
the host unit 50 in a specified region of the data region DZA. The
details of the recording process of the optical disc drive 20 will
be described later in the specification. The process returns to the
step 1505 after the step 1517, that is, after the recording of the
user data ends.
[0219] On the other hand, if the reproducing request is received
from the host unit 50 and the decision result in the step 1515 is
NO, a step 1519 reproduces the user data recorded in a region
specified from the host unit 50, and transfers the reproduced user
data to the host unit 50. The details of the reproducing process of
the optical disc drive 20 will be described later in the
specification. The process returns to the step 1505 after the step
1519 ends, that is, after the reproduction of the user data
specified from the host unit 50 ends.
[0220] If the eject request is received, that is, the eject request
flag is set to "1", the decision result in the step 1505 is YES,
and the process advances to a step 1521. The step 1521 resets the
eject request flag to "0", and discontinues the formatting. In
addition, if an unrecorded region exists between a Last Written
Address LWA of the data in the outermost periphery and a start
address of the data region DZA, of the dummy data and the user data
recorded within the data region DZA, the dummy data are recorded in
this unrecorded region. Furthermore, the FDCB within the lead-in
region LWA is updated, and the TLO is recorded following the LWA as
shown in FIG. 10B, for example. Hence, it is possible to maintain
compatibility with the DVD-ROM.
[0221] Then, a step 1523 instructs a disc load/eject system (not
shown) to eject the optical disc 15, and the process shown in FIG.
13 ends.
[0222] If the decision result in the step 1507 is YES, the FDCB
within the Lead-in Region LIA is updated, and the process shown in
FIG. 13 ends.
[0223] Next, a description will be given of the recording process
of the optical disc drive 20.
[0224] When the recording request command is received from the host
unit 50, the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a control
signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based
on a specified recording speed. In addition, the CPU 40 notifies
the reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the recording
request command was received from the host unit 50. The CPU 40 also
stores the user data received from the host unit 50 into the buffer
RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37.
[0225] When the rotation of the optical disc 15 reaches a
predetermined linear velocity, the reproduced signal processing
circuit 28 detects the focus error signal and the tracking error
signal based on the output signal of the optical pickup unit 23,
and supplies the focus error signal and the tracking error signal
to the servo controller 33. Based on the focus error signal and the
tracking error signal from the reproduced signal processing circuit
28, the servo controller 33 drives the focusing actuator and the
tracking actuator of the optical pickup unit 23 via the motor
driver 27, and corrects the focus error and the tracking error.
[0226] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 acquires the
ADIP information based on the output signal of the optical pickup
unit 23, and notifies the ADIP information to the CPU 40. Based on
the ADIP information, the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a
signal which instructs a seek operation to the optical pickup unit
23 so that the optical pickup unit 23 is positioned to a specified
write start position.
[0227] When the CPU 40 is notified from the buffer manager 37 that
the amount of data stored in the buffer RAM 34 exceeded a
predetermined amount, the CPU 40 instructs the encoder 25 to create
write data. In addition, when the CPU 40 judges based on the ADIP
information that the optical pickup unit 23 is located at the write
start position, the CPU 40 notifies the encoder 25 that the optical
pickup unit 23 is at the write start position. The encoder 25
records the write data on the optical disc 15 via the laser control
circuit 24 and the optical pickup unit 23.
[0228] Next, a description will be given of the reproducing process
of the optical disc drive 20.
[0229] When the reproducing request command is received from the
host unit 50, the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a control
signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based
on a reproducing speed. In addition, the CPU 40 notifies the
reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the reproducing
request command was received from the host unit 50.
[0230] Similarly as in the case of the process during the recording
described above, the reproduced signal processing circuit 28
notifies the ADIP information to the CPU 40, and corrects the focus
error and the tracking error.
[0231] Based on the ADIP information, the CPU 40 supplies to the
motor driver 27 a signal which instructs a seek operation to the
optical pickup unit 23 so that the optical pickup unit 23 is
positioned to a specified read start position. In addition, when
the CPU 40 judges based on the ADIP information that the optical
pickup unit 23 is located at the read start position, the CPU 40
notifies the reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the
optical pickup unit 23 is at the read start position.
[0232] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 detects an RF
signal based on the output signal of the optical pickup unit 23,
and after carrying out the error correction process and the like
with respect to the RF signal, stores the processed RF signal in
the buffer RAM 34 as reproduced data.
[0233] The buffer manager 37 transfers the reproduced data to the
host unit 50 via the interface 38 when the reproduced data stored
in the buffer RAM 34 amount to sector data.
[0234] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 detects the
focus error signal and the tracking error signal based on the
output of the optical pickup unit 23 as described above until the
recording process or the reproducing process ends. Hence, the
reproduced signal processing circuit 28 constantly corrects the
focus error and the tracking error via the servo controller 33 and
the motor driver 27.
[0235] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the optical disc 15 which was ejected
during the formatting is loaded again into the optical disc drive
20 and the recording request command is received from the host unit
50, by referring to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining
the process of the optical disc drive 20 which records user data on
the optical disc 15 the formatting of which has been discontinued
during progress. When the recording request command is received
from the host unit 50 in a state other than during the formatting,
a start address of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown
in FIG. 14 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and
algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 14 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to a series of
processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.
[0236] First, a step 1601 shown in FIG. 14 extracts a recording
start address of the user data from the recording request command.
A step 1603 records the user data from the host unit 50 at the
specified position within the data region DZA as described above.
The process advances to a step 1605 when the recording of the user
data is completed. The step 1605 refers to the FDCB recorded within
the Lead-In region LIA of the optical disc 15, so as to search for
the position of the TLO.
[0237] A step 607 decides whether or not the formatting is
necessary. For example, the address at the position where the TLO
is recorded and the recording start address of the user data are
compared, and it is judged that the formatting is necessary if an
unrecorded region exists between the TLO and the user data.
[0238] If the decision result in the step 1607 is YES, a step 1609
automatically resumes the background formatting. The details of the
background formatting will be given later in the specification. In
addition, the code "6h" which indicates that the background
formatting is automatically resumed is set in the Media Event Code,
and the Media Event Descriptor is sent to the host unit 50 as a
response with respect to the Get Event Status Notification Command
(event status request command). The process shown in FIG. 14 ends
when the background formatting ends.
[0239] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 1607
is NO, the process shown in FIG. 14 ends. In this case, the
background formatting will not be resumed automatically.
[0240] Next, a description will be given of a process of the host
unit 50 when the Media Event Code "6h" is received as a response
with respect to the Get Event Status Notification Command, by
referring to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the
process of the host unit 50 which determines whether to continue or
discontinue the background formatting when the background
formatting is automatically resumed. When the host unit 50 receives
the Media Event Code "6h", a start address of a program
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 15 is set in the
program counter of the microcomputer of the main control unit 52,
and algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 15 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 15 corresponds to a series of
algorithms executed by the microcomputer of the main control unit
52.
[0241] First, a step 1701 shown in FIG. 15 acquires the driving
power supply information of the host unit 50 by making an inquiry
to the OS. The kind of driving power supply is obtained based on
the driving power supply information. A step 1703 decides whether
or not the kind of driving power supply is a battery. The process
advances to a step 1705 if the decision result in the step 1703 is
YES.
[0242] The step 1705 obtains a remaining amount of power of the
battery based on the driving power supply information acquired by
the step 1701. Then, a step 1707 decides whether or not the
remaining amount of power of the battery is less than or equal to a
predetermined amount. For example, the predetermined amount is 30%
of the full capacity of the battery. The predetermined amount may
be set and changed arbitrarily by the user.
[0243] If the decision result in the step 1707 is YES, a step 1709
sends to the optical disc drive 20 a formatting discontinue request
command which requests the discontinuance of the formatting. In
this embodiment, a Start Stop Unit Command or a Close Session/Track
Command is used as the formatting discontinue request command. A
bit 0 (start bit) and a bit 1 (LoEj bit) of a byte 4 of the
Descriptor Block in the Start Stop Unit Command are set to "0" when
sending the Start Stop Unit Command as the formatting discontinue
request command. Alternatively, a bit 0 (track bit) and a bit 1
(session bit) of a byte 2 of the Descriptor Block in the Close
Session/Track Command are set to "0" when sending the Close
Session/Track Command as the formatting discontinue request
command. The process shown in FIG. 15 ends after the step 1709
issues the formatting discontinue request command.
[0244] Conventionally, when forcibly stopping the spindle motor
from the host unit when ending the access to save power or when
stopping the music reproduction in the case of the audio CD, the
bits 0 and 1 of the byte 4 of the Descriptor Block in the Start
Stop Unit Command were set to "0". In addition, when discontinuing
the background formatting without recording the TLO, the bits 0 and
1 of the byte 2 of the Descriptor Block in the Close Session/Track
Command were set to "0".
[0245] The process shown in FIG. 15 ends if the decision result in
the step 1703 is NO. Furthermore, the process shown in FIG. 15 ends
if the decision result in the step 1707 is NO. In other words, the
continuance of the background formatting is determined.
[0246] Next, a description will be given of a process of the host
unit 50 when the background formatting is carried out in the
optical disc drive 20, in a case where the kind of driving power
supply of the host unit 50 is a battery, the Media Event Code "6h"
is received, and the resuming of the background formatting is
permitted, by referring to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flow chart for
explaining the process of the host unit 50 which determines whether
to continue or discontinue the background formatting during the
background formatting based on the remaining amount of power of the
battery. When the background formatting is started in the optical
disc drive 20, a start address of a program corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 16 is set in the program counter of the
microcomputer of the main control unit 52, and algorithms
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 16 are started. The
flow chart shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to a series of algorithms
executed by the microcomputer of the main control unit 52.
[0247] First, a step 1801 shown in FIG. 16 sends to the optical
disc drive 20 a Read Disc Information Command, which is a disc
information request command requesting disc information, in order
to know the formatting status of the optical disc 15. When the
optical disc drive 20 receives the Read Disc information Command
from the host unit 50, the optical disc drive 20 sets predetermined
disc information in a Disc Information Block and responds to the
host unit 50. A step 1803 decides whether or not the response is
received from the optical disc drive 20. If the decision result in
the step 1803 is YES, a step 1805 extracts a Background Format
Status, that is, formatting information, from the received Disc
Information Block.
[0248] A step 1807 decides whether or not the formatting is in
progress, based on the Background Format Status. If the decision
result in the step 1807 is YES, a step 1809 acquires the driving
power supply information of the host unit 50 by making an inquiry
to the OS. A step 1813 obtains a remaining amount of power of the
battery, based on the driving power supply information.
[0249] A step 1815 decides whether or not the remaining amount of
power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount. For example, the predetermined amount is 30% of the full
capacity of the battery. The predetermined amount may be set and
changed arbitrarily by the user.
[0250] If the decision result in the step 1815 is YES, a step 1817
sends to the optical disc drive 20 a formatting discontinue request
command which requests the discontinuance of the formatting. As
described above, the Start Stop Unit Command or the Close
Session/Track Command may used as the formatting discontinue
request command. The bit 0 (start bit) and the bit 1 (LoEj bit) of
the byte 4 of the Descriptor Block in the Start Stop Unit Command
are set to "0" when sending the Start Stop Unit Command as the
formatting discontinue request command. Alternatively, the bit 0
(track bit) and the bit 1 (session bit) of the byte 2 of the
Descriptor Block in the Close Session/Track Command are set to "0"
when sending the Close Session/Track Command as the formatting
discontinue request command. The process shown in FIG. 16 ends
after the step 1817 issues the formatting discontinue request
command.
[0251] The process shown in FIG. 16 ends if the decision result in
the step 1807 is NO. In this case, the continuance of the
background formatting is determined.
[0252] The process returns to the step 1801 if the decision result
in the step 1815 is NO.
[0253] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20, which automatically resumes the background
formatting and corresponds to the step 1609 shown in FIG. 14, by
referring to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a flow chart for explaining the
background formatting which is automatically resumed. A start
address of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG.
17 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40 in response to a
request to automatically resume the background formatting, and
algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 17 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 17 corresponds to a series of
algorithms executed by the CPU 40.
[0254] First, a step 1651 shown in FIG. 17 carries out an
initializing process by setting "0" to various flags including an
eject request flag which is set with the existence of the eject
request, a reception flag which is set with the existence of the
recording or reproducing request, a formatting discontinue request
flag which is set with the existence of the formatting discontinue
request and the formatting flag which indicates the formatting
status, and refers to the FDCB recorded within the Lead-In region
LIA, so as to search for the position of the TLO. Then, a step 1653
notifies the host unit 50 that the optical disc drive 20 can accept
a recording or reproducing request.
[0255] A step 1655 decides whether or not the formatting
discontinue request command is received from the host unit 50. When
the formatting discontinue request command is received from the
host unit 50, "1" is set in the formatting discontinue request flag
by an interrupt process. Hence if the formatting discontinue
request flag is "1", the decision result in the step 1655 is NO,
and the process advances to a step 1657.
[0256] The step 1657 decides whether or not an optical disc eject
request requesting ejection of the optical disc 15 is received.
When the eject request is received from the host unit 50, "1" is
set in the eject request flag by an interrupt process. If no eject
request is received, the decision result in the step 1657 is NO,
and the process advances to a step 1659.
[0257] The step 1659 decides whether or not the formatting is
completed, similarly to the step 1507 described above in
conjunction with FIG. 13. If the decision result in the step 1659
is NO, a step 1661 decides whether or not a recording/reproducing
(recording or reproducing) request is received from the host unit
50, based on the reception flag. If no recording/reproducing
request is received and the reception flag is not set to "1", the
decision result in the step 1661 is NO, and the process advances to
a step 1663.
[0258] The step 1663 sets "1" in the formatting flag to indicate
that the formatting is in progress. Then, a step 1665 carries out
the formatting of the optical disc 15. When the Get Event Status
Notification Command (event status request command) is received
from the host unit 50 during the formatting, a reference is made to
the formatting flag and the Media Event Code "0h" shown in FIG. 11
is set to indicate that there is no change in the event (that is,
the formatting is in progress), and the Media Event Descriptor is
sent to the host unit 50 by an interrupt process as a response with
respect to the Get Event Status Notification Command. Hence, even
after the formatting discontinue request command is sent, for
example, the host unit 50 can recognize that the discontinuance of
the background formatting is not completed. After the recording of
the dummy data amounting to 16 sectors (1 ECC block) is completed,
for example, the process returns to the step 1655.
[0259] Thereafter, the steps 1655 through 1665 are repeated until
the decision result becomes YES in one of the steps 1655, 1657,
1659 and 1661, and the formatting of the optical disc 15 progresses
in this manner.
[0260] On the other hand, if the reception flag is set to "1" and
the decision result in the step 1661 is YES, the process advances
to a step 1667. The step 1667 resets the reception flag to "0", and
discontinues the formatting. A step 1669 analyzes the received
command, and decides whether or the command from the host unit 50
is the recording request command. If the decision result in the
step 1669 is YES, a step 1671 records the user data received from
the host unit 50 in a specified region of the data region DZA, and
the process returns to the step 1655.
[0261] On the other hand, if the reproducing request is received
from the host unit 50 and the decision result in the step 1669 is
NO, a step 1673 reproduces the user data recorded in a region
specified from the host unit 50, and transfers the reproduced user
data to the host unit 50. The process returns to the step 1655
after the step 1673 ends.
[0262] If the formatting discontinue request flag is set to "1" and
the decision result in the step 1655 is YES, the formatting
discontinue request flag is reset to "0", and the process advances
to a step 1675. The step 1675 sets "2" in the formatting flag to
indicate that the discontinuance of the formatting is completed.
When the Get Event Status Notification Command is received from the
host unit 50, a reference is made to the formatting flag, and the
code "7h" shown in FIG. 11 which indicates that the discontinuance
of the background formatting is completed is set in the Media Event
Code. Moreover, the Media Event Descriptor is sent to the host unit
50 by an interrupt process, as a response with respect to the Get
Event Status Notification Command. Hence, the host unit 50 can
recognize that the discontinuance of the background formatting is
completed.
[0263] If the eject request is received, that is, the eject request
flag is set to "1", the decision result in the step 1657 is YES,
and the process advances to a step 1677. The step 1677 resets the
eject request flag to "0", and discontinues the formatting,
similarly to the step 1521 shown in FIG. 13 described above. A step
1679 instructs the disc load/eject system (not shown) to eject the
optical disc 15, similarly to the step 1523 shown in FIG. 13
described above, and the process shown in FIG. 17 ends.
[0264] If the decision result in the step 1659 is YES, the process
shown in FIG. 17 ends.
[0265] Next, a description will be given of a process of the host
unit after sending the formatting discontinue request command to
the optical disc drive 20, by referring to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a
flow chart for explaining a discontinue confirmation process of the
host unit 50 after sending the formatting discontinue request
command. When the host unit 50 sends the formatting discontinue
request command, a start address of a program corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 18 is set in the program counter of the
Notification Command. Hence, the host unit 50 can recognize that
the discontinuance of the background formatting is completed.
[0266] If the eject request is received, that is, the eject request
flag is set to "1", the decision result in the step 1657 is YES,
and the process advances to a step 1677. The step 1677 resets the
eject request flag to "0", and discontinues the formatting,
similarly to the step 1521 shown in FIG. 13 described above. A step
1679 instructs the disc load/eject system (not shown) to eject the
optical disc 15, similarly to the step 1523 shown in FIG. 13
described above, and the process shown in FIG. 17 ends.
[0267] If the decision result in the step 1659 is YES, the process
shown in FIG. 17 ends.
[0268] Next, a description will be given of a process of the host
unit after sending the formatting discontinue request command to
the optical disc drive 20, by referring to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a
flow chart for explaining a discontinue confirmation process of the
host unit 50 after sending the formatting discontinue request
command. When the host unit 50 sends the formatting discontinue
request command, a start address of a program corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 18 is set in the program counter of the
microcomputer of the main control unit 52, and algorithms
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 18 are started. The
flow chart shown in FIG. 18 corresponds to a series of algorithms
executed by the microcomputer of the main control unit 52.
[0269] First, a step 1901 shown in FIG. 18 carries out an
initializing process to set "0" in a timer counter t. This timer
counter t is incremented by +1 by a timer interrupt process which
is started for every predetermined time of 5 msec, for example. A
step 1923 decides whether or not the value of the timer counter t
is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, to determine
whether or not a predetermined time of 1 to 2 sec has elapsed, for
example. If the decision result in the step 1903 is YES, the
process advances to a step 1905.
[0270] The step 1905 sends the Get Event Status Notification
Command, that is, the event status request command, to the optical
disc drive 20. A step 1907 decides whether or not a response is
received from the optical disc drive 20. If the decision result in
the step 1907 is YES, the process advances to a step 1909. When the
optical disc drive 20 receives the Get Event Status Notification
Command, the optical disc drive 20 sets a code corresponding to the
event status in the Media Event Code as shown in FIG. 11, and sends
the Media Event Descriptor to the host unit 50.
[0271] The step 1909 decides whether or not the discontinuance of
the background formatting is completed. In other words, the step
1909 extracts the Media Event Code from the received Media Event
Descriptor, and decides whether or not the Media Event Code is
"7h". If the Media Event Code is not "7h" and the decision result
in the step 1909 is NO, the process returns to the step 1901. On
the other hand, if the Media Event Code is "7h" and the decision
result in the step 1909 is YES, the process shown in FIG. 18
ends.
[0272] Therefore, according to this third embodiment of the
information recording system, a power supply information acquiring
means (or section), a determination means (or section), an issuing
means (or section) and a confirming means (or section) of the
information processing apparatus are realized by the microcomputer
of the main control unit 52 and the program executed by the
microcomputer. In addition, a discontinuing means (or section) and
a notifying means (or section) of the information recording
apparatus are realized by the CPU 40 and the program executed by
the CPU 40.
[0273] Of course, a part of or all of the processes carried out by
the microcomputer of the main control unit 52 according to the
program may be realized by hardware. Moreover, a part of or all of
the processes carried out by the CPU 40 according to the program
may be realized by hardware.
[0274] In this third embodiment, of the programs installed in one
or more hard discs of the HDD 56, the programs corresponding to the
flow charts shown in FIGS. 12, 15, 16 and 18 form the first
determination program described above.
[0275] In the process carried out by the host unit 50 when the
formatting request is input, the step 1401 shown in FIG. 12 forms a
first step of the recording method according to the present
invention, and the steps 1403 and 1407 shown in FIG. 12 form a
second step of the recording method according to the present
invention. In the process carried out by the host unit 50 when the
Media Event Code "6h" shown in FIG. 11 is received, the step 1701
shown in FIG. 15 forms the first step of the information recording
method, and the steps 1703 and 1707 shown in FIG. 15 form the
second step of the information recording method. Further, in the
process carried out by the host unit 50 during the background
formatting shown in FIG. 16, the step 1809 shown in FIG. 16 forms
the first step of the information recording method, and the step
1815 shown in FIG. 16 forms the second step of the information
recording method.
[0276] In the third embodiment of the information recording system,
when the optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc drive 20,
the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a battery and the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or
equal to a predetermined amount, the host unit 50 prohibits the
formatting and prohibits issuance of the formatting request command
even when the formatting request is input from the user. In other
words, when the driving power supply is the battery and the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or
equal to the predetermined amount, it is possible to prevent
excessive wear of the battery because the formatting is prohibited.
Hence, it is possible to avoid a power shut down which cannot be
anticipated, and to prevent the reproduction of the data from
becoming incomplete or the additional writing of the data from
becoming impossible. That is, it is possible to suppress wear of
the driving power supply, and to promote effective utilization of
the driving power supply.
[0277] In this third embodiment, when the background formatting is
automatically resumed in the optical disc drive 20, the host unit
50 determines discontinuance of the background formatting if the
driving power supply is a battery and the remaining amount of power
of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount.
Accordingly, even in a case where the background formatting is
automatically resumed, the background formatting is discontinued if
the driving power supply is the battery and the remaining amount of
power of the battery is less than or equal to the predetermined
amount, thereby preventing excessive wear of the battery.
[0278] Furthermore, if the driving power supply is a battery and
the background formatting is in progress, the host unit 50
periodically checks the remaining amount of power of the battery.
The host unit 50 determines the discontinuance of the background
formatting if the remaining amount of power of the battery is less
than or equal to the predetermined amount, and sends a formatting
discontinue request command. In other words, even if the background
formatting is permitted, the background formatting is discontinued
when the remaining amount of power of the battery becomes less than
or equal to the predetermined amount during the background
formatting, so as to prevent excessive wear of the battery.
[0279] Even when the optical disc drive 20 receives the formatting
discontinue request command during the recording of the dummy data
when carrying out the background formatting, the formatting is not
discontinued until the dummy data amounting to a predetermined
amount (for example, 16 sectors) is recorded. Hence, it is possible
to positively record the predetermined amount of dummy data, and to
prevent the reproduction of the data from becoming incomplete.
After the predetermined amount of dummy data is recorded, the
optical disc drive 20 sends a Media Event Descriptor set with a
Media Event Code "7h". For this reason, the host unit 50 can detect
a timing at which the discontinuance of the formatting is
completed, approximately in real-time, and it is possible to
smoothly advance to a next process after the formatting is
discontinued, for example.
[0280] When the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a
battery and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery
is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, this third
embodiment prohibits the formatting as shown in FIG. 12. However,
in a case where the full capacity of the battery is small, for
example, it is also possible to immediately prohibit the
formatting, regardless of the remaining amount of power (capacity)
of the battery, if the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is
the battery. In other words, the steps 1405 and 1407 shown in FIG.
12 may be omitted.
[0281] When the background formatting is automatically resumed, if
the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a battery and the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or
equal to a predetermined amount, the host unit 50 of this third
embodiment determines the discontinuance of the background
formatting as shown in FIG. 15. But in a case where the full
capacity of the battery is small, for example, it is also possible
to immediately determine the discontinuance of the background
formatting, regardless of the remaining amount of power (capacity)
of the battery, if the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is
the battery. In other words, the steps 1705 and 1707 shown in FIG.
15 may be omitted.
[0282] This third embodiment uses the Start Stop Unit Command or
the Close Session/Track Command as the formatting discontinue
request command. However, the formatting discontinue request
command is not limited to such commands. Moreover, the bit
positions which instruct the formatting discontinue request are
also not limited to those of this third embodiment.
[0283] As shown in FIG. 18, the host unit 50 of this third
embodiment periodically sends the Get Event Status Notification
Command to the optical disc drive 20 as the event status request
command. However, it is of course possible to use other commands
such as a Test Unit Ready Command, as the event status request
command. Since the Test Unit Ready Command is a polling command,
the optical disc drive 20 notifies the event status to the host
unit 50 when the event status changes in response to the polling
command.
[0284] In this third embodiment, the host unit 50 determines
whether to continue or discontinue the formatting, during the
background formatting which is automatically resumed. However, the
host unit 50 may of course determine whether to continue or
discontinue the formatting during the formatting (including the
background formatting) which is carried out in response to a
formatting request command which is issued from the host unit 50
responsive to a request input from the user.
[0285] When the discontinuance of the background formatting is
completed, the optical disc drive 20 of this third embodiment sends
a Media Event Descriptor which is set with a Media Event Code "7h"
as the discontinuance complete information. However, the
discontinuance complete information is of course not limited to
such a code.
[0286] In this third embodiment, the first determination program is
recorded in one or more hard discs of the HDD 56, however, the
first determination program may be recorded in other recording
media such as CD-ROMs, magneto-optical discs, flash memories and
flexible discs. In this case, a medium drive corresponding to the
information recording medium used is provided, and the first
determination program is installed into the host unit 50 from this
medium drive. Of course, the first determination program may be
transferred to the one or more hard discs of the HDD 56 from other
recording media. The first determination program may also be
transferred to the one or more hard discs of the HDD 56 or to the
main memory, via one or more networks. All that is required is for
the first determination program to be loaded into the main memory
of the microcomputer of the host unit 50, so that the host unit 50
can carry out the processes described above by executing the first
determination program.
[0287] Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of
the information recording system according to the present
invention, by referring to FIGS. 19 and 20. This fourth embodiment
of the information recording system employs a fourth embodiment of
the information recording method according to the present
invention, a fourth embodiment of the information recording
apparatus according to the present invention, a fourth embodiment
of the information processing apparatus according to the present
invention, and a fourth embodiment of the computer-readable storage
medium according to the present invention.
[0288] This fourth embodiment is characterized in that, unlike the
third embodiment described above, the process which determines
whether the formatting is to be continued or discontinued
(permitted or prohibited) is carried out in the optical disc drive
20. In other words, only a portion of the programs stored in the
one or more hard discs of the HDD 56 and the ROM 39 differ from
that of the third embodiment, and other structures of this fourth
embodiment are the same as those corresponding structures of the
third embodiment. Hence, only the features of this fourth
embodiment which are different from those of the third embodiment
will be described in this specification. In the following
description, those parts which are the same as those corresponding
parts of the third embodiment will be designated by the same
reference numerals, and a description thereof will be simplified or
omitted.
[0289] In this fourth embodiment, the ROM 39 stores programs
written in codes decodable by the CPU 40, including a second
determination program which determines whether to continue or
discontinue (permit or prohibit) the formatting. When the power
supply of the optical disc 20 is turned ON, the programs including
the second determination program are read from the ROM 39 and
loaded into the main memory.
[0290] A description will be given of a process of the optical disc
drive 20 when the optical disc 15 ejected during the formatting is
again loaded into the optical disc drive 20 and a Write Command
(recording request command) is received from the host unit 50, by
referring to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a flow chart for explaining the
process of the optical disc drive 20 when determining by the
optical disc drive 20 whether to permit or prohibit automatic
resuming of the background formatting in this fourth embodiment of
the information recording system according to the present
invention. When the Write Command is received from the host unit 50
in a state other than during the formatting, a start address of a
program corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 19 is set in
the program counter of the CPU 40, and algorithms corresponding to
the flow chart shown in FIG. 19 are started. The flow chart shown
in FIG. 19 corresponds to a series of algorithms executed by the
CPU 40. It is assumed in this fourth embodiment that the
preconditions related to the optical disc 15 are the same as those
of the third embodiment described above.
[0291] Steps 1921 through 1925 shown in FIG. 19 carry out processes
similar to those of the steps 1601 through 1605 of the third
embodiment shown in FIG. 14.
[0292] A step 1927 shown in FIG. 19 decides whether or not the
formatting is necessary, similarly to the step 1607 shown in FIG.
14. If the decision result in the step 1927 is YES, the process
advances to a step 1929.
[0293] The step 1929 sends to the host unit 50 a driving power
supply information request command which requests the driving power
supply information, in order to acquire the driving power supply
information. When the host unit 50 receives the driving power
supply information request command, the host unit 50 acquires the
driving power supply information from the OS and responds to the
optical disc drive 20.
[0294] A step 1931 waits for a response from the host unit 50 and
decides whether or not a response is received from the host unit
50. If the decision result in the step 1931 is YES, a step 1933
obtains the kind of driving power supply based on the driving power
supply information received from the host unit 50.
[0295] A step 1935 decides whether or not the kind of driving power
supply is a battery. If the decision result in the step 1935 is
YES, a step 1937 obtains a remaining amount of power of the batter
based on the driving power supply information received from the
host unit 50.
[0296] A step 1939 decides whether or not the remaining amount of
power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount. For example, the predetermined amount is 30% of the full
capacity of the battery. If the decision result in the step 1939 is
NO, a step 1941 permits the background formatting and automatically
resumes the background formatting. The process shown in FIG. 19
ends when the resumed background formatting ends.
[0297] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 1939
is YES, the process shown in FIG. 19 ends. That is, the automatic
resuming of the background formatting is prohibited.
[0298] If the decision result in the step 1935 is NO, the process
advances to the step 1941. In other words, the automatic resuming
of the background formatting is permitted.
[0299] If the decision result in the step 1927 is NO, the process
shown in FIG. 19 ends. In this case, the background formatting will
not be automatically resumed.
[0300] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20, which automatically resumes the background
formatting and corresponds to the step 1941 shown in FIG. 19, by
referring to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a flow chart for explaining the
background formatting which is automatically resumed, that is, the
process of the optical disc drive 20 when determining by the
optical disc drive 20 whether to continue or discontinue the
formatting during the background formatting based on the remaining
amount of power of the battery. A start address of a program
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 20 is set in the
program counter of the CPU 40 when the automatic resuming of the
background formatting is permitted, and algorithms corresponding to
the flow chart shown in FIG. 20 are started. The flow chart shown
in FIG. 20 corresponds to a series of algorithms executed by the
CPU 40.
[0301] Steps 1951 and 1953 shown in FIG. 20 carry out processes
similar to those of the steps 1651 and 1653 of the third embodiment
shown in FIG. 17.
[0302] A step 1955 decides whether or not the remaining amount of
power of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined
amount. For example, the predetermined amount is 30% of the full
capacity of the battery. If the decision result in the step 1955 is
NO, the process advances to a step 1957, and the continuance of the
background formatting is determined. During the background
formatting, the CPU 40 periodically sends the driving power supply
information request command to the host unit 50 by a timer
interrupt, for example, and obtains the remaining amount of power
of the battery based on the driving power supply information which
is received from the host unit 50 as a response.
[0303] The step 1957 decides whether or not the eject request
exists, similarly to the step 1657 of the third embodiment shown in
FIG. 17. If the decision result in the step 1957 is NO, the process
advances to a step 1959.
[0304] Steps 1959 through 1973 carry out processes similar to those
of the steps 1659 through 1673 of the third embodiment shown in
FIG. 17.
[0305] On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 1955
is YES, the process advances to a step 1975 and the discontinuance
of the background formatting is determined.
[0306] The step 1975 sets "2" in the formatting flag to indicate
that the discontinuance of the formatting is completed, similarly
to the step 1675 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 17. When the
Get Event Status Notification Command is received from the host
unit 50, a reference is made to the formatting flag, and the code
"7h" shown in FIG. 11 which indicates that the discontinuance of
the background formatting is completed is set in the Media Event
Code. Moreover, the Media Event Descriptor is sent to the host unit
50 by an interrupt process, as a response with respect to the Get
Event Status Notification Command. Hence, the host unit 50 can
recognize that the discontinuance of the background formatting is
completed.
[0307] If the decision result in the step 1957 is YES, the process
advances to a step 1977. Steps 1977 and 1979 carry out processes
similar to those of the steps 1677 and 1679 of the third embodiment
shown in FIG. 17, and the process shown in FIG. 20 ends.
[0308] Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment of the
information recording system, a power supply information acquiring
means (or section), a determination means (or section) and a
recording control means (or section) of the information recording
apparatus are realized by the CPU 40 and the program executed by
the CPU 40. But of course, a part of or all of the processes
carried out by the CPU 40 according to the program may be realized
by hardware.
[0309] In this fourth embodiment, of the programs stored in the ROM
39, the programs corresponding to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 19
and 20 form the second determination program described above.
[0310] In the process shown in FIG. 19 carried out by the CPU 40
when the Write Command (recording request command) is received, the
step 1929 shown in FIG. 19 forms a first step of the recording
method according to the present invention, and the steps 1935 and
1939 shown in FIG. 19 form a second step of the recording method
according to the present invention. In the process shown in FIG. 20
carried out by the CPU 40 after the background formatting is
automatically resumed, an interrupt process (not shown) forms the
first step of the information recording method, and the step 1955
shown in FIG. 20 forms the second step of the information recording
method.
[0311] In the fourth embodiment of the information recording
system, the optical disc drive 20 acquires the driving power supply
information from the host unit 50 in response to the request to
automatically resume the background formatting. In addition, when
the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is a battery and the
remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less than or
equal to a predetermined amount, the CPU 40 prohibits the automatic
resuming of the background formatting. Accordingly, when the host
unit 50 and the optical disc drive 20 are driven by a battery and
the remaining amount of power (capacity) of the battery is less
than or equal to the predetermined amount, it is possible to
prevent excessive wear of the battery because the automatic
resuming of the background formatting is prohibited. Hence, it is
possible to avoid a power shut down which cannot be anticipated,
and to prevent the reproduction of the data from becoming
incomplete or the additional writing of the data from becoming
impossible. That is, it is possible to suppress wear of the driving
power supply, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0312] In this fourth embodiment, when the driving power supply is
a battery and the background formatting is in progress, the optical
disc drive 20 periodically checks the remaining amount of power of
the battery, and determines to discontinue the background
formatting if the remaining amount of power of the battery is less
than or equal to a predetermined amount. Thus, even in a case where
the background formatting is permitted, the background formatting
is discontinued if the remaining amount of power of the battery is
less than or equal to the predetermined amount, thereby preventing
excessive wear of the battery.
[0313] When the driving power supply of the information recording
system is a battery and the remaining amount of power (capacity) of
the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined amount, this
fourth embodiment prohibits automatic resuming of the background
formatting as shown in FIG. 19. However, in a case where the full
capacity of the battery is small, for example, it is also possible
to immediately prohibit the automatic resuming of the background
formatting, regardless of the remaining amount of power (capacity)
of the battery, if the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is
the battery. In other words, the steps 1937 and 1939 shown in FIG.
19 may be omitted.
[0314] In this fourth embodiment, the optical disc drive 20
determines whether to continue or discontinue the background
formatting, during the background formatting which is automatically
resumed. However, the optical disc drive 20 may of course determine
whether to continue or discontinue the formatting during the
formatting (including the background formatting) which is carried
out in response to a formatting request command which is issued
from the host unit 50 responsive to a request input from the
user.
[0315] In this fourth embodiment, the second determination program
is recorded in the ROM 39, however, the second determination
program may be recorded in other recording media such as CD-ROMs,
magneto-optical discs, flash memories and flexible discs. In this
case, a medium drive corresponding to the information recording
medium used is provided, and the second determination program is
installed into the optical disc drive 20 from this medium drive.
All that is required is for the second determination program to be
loaded into the main memory of the CPU 40, so that the CPU 40 can
carry out the processes described above by executing the second
determination program.
[0316] In the third and fourth embodiments described above, the
determination to continue or discontinue (permit or prohibit) the
formatting, including the background formatting, is made based on
the kind of driving power supply and the remaining amount of power
of the battery. However, the conditions for determining whether to
continue or discontinue (permit or prohibit) the formatting are not
limited to the above, and for example, the conditions may include
the kind of battery and a manufacturer of the battery, because the
characteristics of the battery differ depending on the kind and/or
manufacturer of the battery.
[0317] Further, in a case where the driving power supply is
switched from a battery to an AC power supply in each of the third
and fourth embodiments, the formatting discontinue request command
is not sent.
[0318] In the third and fourth embodiments, the background
formatting is carried out as a process accompanying the recording
of the dummy data, but the present invention is of course similarly
applicable to processes other than the formatting as long as the
process accompanies the recording of the dummy data.
[0319] The optical disc 15 is DVD+RW in each of the third and
fourth embodiments. However, the present invention is similarly
applicable to any suitable information recording medium which is
subjected to a process which accompanies the recording of the dummy
data. In this case, a medium drive corresponding to the information
recording medium used is provided.
[0320] The host unit 50 and the optical disc drive 20 may be
provided within a single housing or, provided within separate
housings, in each of the third and fourth embodiments described
above.
[0321] In each of the third and fourth embodiments described above,
it is assumed for the sake of convenience that the medium drive
(optical disc drive) capable of recording and reproducing user data
is used with respect to the information recording medium. However,
the medium drive may be capable of only recording the user data
with respect to the information recording medium.
[0322] Next, a description will be given of a fifth embodiment of
the information recording system according to the present
invention, by referring to FIGS. 21 through 27. This fifth
embodiment of the information recording system employs a fifth
embodiment of the information recording method according to the
present invention, a fifth embodiment of the information recording
apparatus according to the present invention, a fifth embodiment of
the information processing apparatus according to the present
invention, and a fifth embodiment of the computer-readable storage
medium according to the present invention.
[0323] FIG. 21 is a system block diagram showing the fifth
embodiment of the information recording system according to the
present invention. In FIG. 21, those parts which are the same as
those corresponding parts of the first embodiment of the
information recording system shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the
same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be
omitted.
[0324] In FIG. 21, the ROM 39 stores programs written in codes
decodable by the CPU 40, including a recording control program
which will be described later. When the driving power supply of the
optical disc drive 20 is turned ON, the programs including the
recording control program are read from the ROM 39 and loaded into
the main memory of the CPU 40. The CPU 40 controls operations of
various parts within the optical disc drive 20 and temporarily
stores in the RAM 41 data and the like which are necessary for this
control, according to the recording control program.
[0325] A flash memory 43 is connected to the CPU 40, and stores
mode information related to a plurality of modes at least including
a mode which permits the recording of the dummy data on the optical
disc 15 and a mode which prohibits the recording of the dummy data
on the optical disc 15. A mode flag which indicates one of the
plurality of modes which is presently selected, is also stored in
the flash memory 43. The information stored in the flash memory 43
will not be erased even when the power supply thereto is stopped.
In other words, the flash memory 43 is non-volatile.
[0326] One or more hard discs of the HDD 56 store programs written
in codes decodable by the microcomputer of the main control unit
52, including a mode select program which will be described later.
When the driving power supply of the host unit 50 is turned ON, the
programs including the mode select program are loaded into the main
memory of the main control unit 52.
[0327] Next, a description will be given of a process of the host
unit 50 when the user inputs a mode select request requesting
selection of a mode in the optical disc drive 20 via the input
device 57, by referring to FIG. 22. FIG. 22 is a flow chart for
explaining the process of the host unit 50 when the mode select
request is input by the user. When the mode select request is
input, a start address of a program corresponding to the flow chart
shown in FIG. 22 is set in the program counter of the microcomputer
of the main control unit 52, and algorithms corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 22 are started. The flow chart shown in
FIG. 22 corresponds to a series of algorithms executed by the
microcomputer of the main control unit 52.
[0328] First, a step 2301 shown in FIG. 22 displays on the display
device 58 information related to a plurality of modes at least
including a mode which permits recording of the dummy data on the
optical disc 15 and a mode which prohibits recording of the dummy
data on the optical disc 15. Then, a step 2303 waits for the user
to select one of the plurality of modes, and decides whether a mode
is selected. When a mode selection is input via the input device
and the decision result in the step 2303 is YES, the process
advances to a step 2305.
[0329] The step 2305 issues a mode select command which is set with
mode select information related to the selected mode. In this fifth
embodiment, a Mode Select Command is used as the mode select
command. In addition, the mode select information is set in 5 bits
from a bit 3 to a bit 7 of a byte 4 of a Time-Out and Protect Page
which is one of Mode Pages added to the Mode Select Command as
shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a format of
the Time-Out and Protect Page in the fifth embodiment of the
information recording system.
[0330] In other words, the mode select information is converted
into a numerical value from 0 to 31, and is notified to the optical
disc drive 20. For example, the mode select information indicates a
mode which permits recording of the dummy data when "0", indicates
a mode which prohibits recording of the dummy data when "1",
indicates a mode which prohibits recording of the dummy data but
permits initializing when "2", and indicates a mode which prohibits
resuming of the formatting when "3". The bit positions
corresponding to the bits 3 to 7 of the byte 4 of the Time-Out and
Protect Page are conventionally reserved regions, but this
embodiment newly defines these bit positions as bits INIT1 to INIT5
indicating the mode select information.
[0331] When the optical disc drive 20 receives the mode select
command, the CPU 40 extracts the mode select information set in the
5 bits from the bit 3 to the bit 7 of the byte 4 of the Time-Out
and Protect Page. Further, the CPU 40 sets the mode select
information in the mode flag, and stores the mode flag in the flash
memory 43. The CPU 40 also issues a response command including the
extracted mode select information.
[0332] A step 2307 waits for the response command from the optical
disc drive 20, and decides whether or not the response command is
received. If the decision result in the step 2307 is YES, the
process advances to a step 2309 which extracts the mode select
information included in the response command and displays the
corresponding mode information on the display device 58. Hence, the
user can recognize the mode selected in the optical disc drive 20,
so as to prevent a selection error. The process shown in FIG. 22
ends after the step 2309.
[0333] Then, when a formatting request with respect to the optical
disc 15 is input from the user via the input device 57, the main
control unit 52 issues a Format Unit Command which is a formatting
request command requesting the formatting of the optical disc
15.
[0334] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the formatting request command is
received from the host unit 50, by referring to FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is
a flow chart for explaining the process of the optical disc drive
20 when the formatting request command is received. A start address
of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 24 is
set in the program counter of the CPU 40 when the formatting
request command is received, and algorithms corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 24 are started. The flow chart shown in
FIG. 24 corresponds to a series of algorithms executed by the CPU
40. It is assumed for the sake of convenience that the optical disc
15 is a blank optical disc.
[0335] First, a step 2401 shown in FIG. 24 reads the mode flag
stored in the flash memory 43, and decides whether or not the mode
flag indicates a mode which prohibits the recording of the dummy
data. For example, if the mode flag is "2" and the mode which
prohibits the recording of the dummy data but permits the
initializing of the information recording medium is selected, the
decision result in the step 2401 is YES, and the process advances
to a step 2403.
[0336] The step 2403 records predetermined initial information in a
portion of the Lead-In region LIA of the information recording
medium shown in FIG. 10A. This predetermined initial information
includes the Formatting Disc Control Block (FDCB) which is written
with the formatting status and the data recording status in the
bit-map format. A step 2405 notifies the host unit 50 of error
information which indicates that the recording of the dummy data is
prohibited, and the process shown in FIG. 24 ends. In other words,
the recording of the predetermined initial information in the
Lead-In region LIA is carried out, but the recording of the dummy
data in the data region DAZ is not carried out.
[0337] On the other hand, if the mode flag is "0", for example, and
the mode which permits the recording of the dummy data is selected,
the decision result in the step 2401 is NO and a step 2409 records
predetermined information in a portion of the Lead-In region LIA,
similarly to the step 2403 described above.
[0338] A step 1422 initializes the eject request flag which
indicates the existence of the eject request and the reception flag
which indicates the existence of the recording request or the
reproducing request, by setting "0" to the eject request flag and
the reception flag, and notifies the host unit 50 that the
formatting is normally ended. As a result, the optical disc drive
20 can accept the recording request and the reproducing
request.
[0339] In this fifth embodiment, the communications between the
optical disc drive 20 and the host unit 50, that is, the
transmission and reception of the optical disc drive 20 are carried
out by an interrupt process. When the optical disc drive 20
receives the recording request command (Write Command) or the
reproducing request command (Read Command) from the host unit 50,
the reception flag is set to "1" by an interrupt process. Moreover,
when the eject request command (Start/Stop Unit Command) is
received from the host unit 50, the optical disc drive 20 sets the
eject request flag to "1" by an interrupt process.
[0340] A step 2413 decides whether or not an optical disc eject
request requesting ejection of the optical disc 15 is received.
When the eject request is received from the host unit 50, "1" is
set in the eject request flag by an interrupt process. If no eject
request is received and the eject request flag is "0", the decision
result in the step 2413 is NO, and the process advances to a step
2415.
[0341] The step 2415 decides whether or not the formatting is
completed. Whether or not the formatting is completed may be judged
based on the existence of an unrecorded region within the data
region DZA shown in FIG. 10A, and it is judged that the formatting
is incomplete if the unrecorded region exists. In this case, the
blank optical disc 15 is loaded into the optical disc drive 20, and
the decision result in the step 2415 is NO. Hence, a step 2417
decides whether or not a recording/reproducing (recording or
reproducing) request is received from the host unit 50. If a Write
Command (recording request command) requesting the recording or a
Read Command (reproducing request command) requesting the
reproduction is received from the host unit 50, "1" is set in the
reception flag by an interrupt process. If no recording/reproducing
request is received and the reception flag is "0", the decision
result in the step 2417 is NO, and the process advances to a step
2419.
[0342] The step 2419 carries out the formatting of the optical disc
15. In other words, the step 2419 records dummy data amounting to
16 sectors, for example, in the unrecorded portion of the data
region DZA. The process returns to the step 2413 after the step
2419, that is, after the recording of the dummy data ends.
[0343] Hence, the steps 2413, 2415, 2417 and 2419 are repeated
until the decision result becomes YES in one of the steps 2413,
2415 and 2417, and the formatting of the optical disc 15 progresses
in this manner.
[0344] On the other hand, if the reception flag is set to "1" and
the decision result in the step 2417 is YES, the process advances
to a step 2421. The step 2421 resets the reception flag to "0", and
discontinues the formatting. The step 2423 analyzes the received
command, and decides whether or the command from the host unit 50
is the recording request command. If the decision result in the
step 2423 is YES, a step 2425 records the user data received from
the host unit 50 in a specified region of the data region DZA. The
details of the recording process of the optical disc drive 20 will
be described later in the specification. The process returns to the
step 2413 after the step 2425, that is, after the recording of the
user data ends.
[0345] On the other hand, if the reproducing request is received
from the host unit 50 and the decision result in the step 2423 is
NO, a step 2427 reproduces the user data recorded in a region
specified from the host unit 50, and transfers the reproduced user
data to the host unit 50. The details of the reproducing process of
the optical disc drive 20 will be described later in the
specification. The process returns to the step 2413 after the step
2427 ends, that is, after the reproduction of the user data
specified from the host unit 50 ends.
[0346] If the eject request is received, that is, the eject request
flag is set to "1", the decision result in the step 2413 is YES,
and the process advances to a step 2431. The step 2431 resets the
eject request flag to "0", and discontinues the formatting. In
addition, if an unrecorded region exists between a Last Written
Address LWA of the data in the outermost periphery and a start
address of the data region DZA, of the dummy data and the user data
recorded within the data region DZA, the dummy data are recorded in
this unrecorded region. Furthermore, the FDCB within the lead-in
region LWA is updated, and the TLO is recorded following the LWA as
shown in FIG. 10B, for example. Hence, it is possible to maintain
compatibility with the DVD-ROM.
[0347] Then, a step 2433 instructs a disc load/eject system (not
shown) to eject the optical disc 15, and the process shown in FIG.
24 ends.
[0348] If the decision result in the step 2415 is YES, the FDCB
within the Lead-in Region LIA is updated, and the process shown in
FIG. 24 ends.
[0349] Next, a description will be given of the recording process
of the optical disc drive 20.
[0350] When the recording request command is received from the host
unit 50, the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a control
signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based
on a specified recording speed. In addition, the CPU 40 notifies
the reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the recording
request command was received from the host unit 50. The CPU 40 also
stores the user data received from the host unit 50 into the buffer
RAM 34 via the buffer manager 37.
[0351] When the rotation of the optical disc 15 reaches a
predetermined linear velocity, the reproduced signal processing
circuit 28 detects the focus error signal and the tracking error
signal based on the output signal of the monitor (or light
receiving unit) within the optical pickup unit 23, and supplies the
focus error signal and the tracking error signal to the servo
controller 33. Based on the focus error signal and the tracking
error signal from the reproduced signal processing circuit 28, the
servo controller 33 drives the focusing actuator and the tracking
actuator of the optical pickup unit 23 via the motor driver 27, and
corrects the focus error and the tracking error.
[0352] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 acquires the
ADIP information based on the output signal of the monitor within
the optical pickup unit 23, and notifies the ADIP information to
the CPU 40. Based on the ADIP information, the CPU 40 supplies to
the motor driver 27 a signal which instructs a seek operation to
the optical pickup unit 23, that is, controls a seek motor (not
shown) of the optical pickup unit 23, so that the optical pickup
unit 23 is positioned to a specified write start position.
[0353] When the CPU 40 is notified from the buffer manager 37 that
the amount of data stored in the buffer RAM 34 exceeded a
predetermined amount, the CPU 40 instructs the encoder 25 to create
write data. In addition, when the CPU 40 judges based on the ADIP
information that the optical pickup unit 23 is located at the write
start position, the CPU 40 notifies the encoder 25 that the optical
pickup unit 23 is at the write start position. The encoder 25
records the write data on the optical disc 15 via the laser control
circuit 24 and the optical pickup unit 23.
[0354] Next, a description will be given of the reproducing process
of the optical disc drive 20.
[0355] When the reproducing request command is received from the
host unit 50, the CPU 40 supplies to the motor driver 27 a control
signal for controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 22 based
on a reproducing speed. In addition, the CPU 40 notifies the
reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the reproducing
request command was received from the host unit 50.
[0356] Similarly as in the case of the process during the recording
described above, the reproduced signal processing circuit 28
notifies the ADIP information to the CPU 40, and corrects the focus
error and the tracking error.
[0357] Based on the ADIP information, the CPU 40 supplies to the
motor driver 27 a signal which instructs a seek operation to the
optical pickup unit 23, that is, controls the seek motor of the
optical pickup unit 23, so that the optical pickup unit 23 is
positioned to a specified read start position. In addition, when
the CPU 40 judges based on the ADIP information that the optical
pickup unit 23 is located at the read start position, the CPU 40
notifies the reproduced signal processing circuit 28 that the
optical pickup unit 23 is at the read start position.
[0358] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 detects an RF
signal based on the output signal of the optical pickup unit 23,
and after carrying out the error correction process and the like
with respect to the RF signal, stores the processed RF signal in
the buffer RAM 34 as reproduced data.
[0359] The buffer manager 37 transfers the reproduced data to the
host unit 50 via the interface 38 when the reproduced data stored
in the buffer RAM 34 amount to sector data.
[0360] The reproduced signal processing circuit 28 detects the
focus error signal and the tracking error signal based on the
output of the optical pickup unit 23 as described above until the
recording process or the reproducing process ends. Hence, the
reproduced signal processing circuit 28 constantly corrects the
focus error and the tracking error via the servo controller 33 and
the motor driver 27.
[0361] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the optical disc 15 which was ejected
during the formatting is loaded again into the optical disc drive
20 and a command requesting resuming of the formatting (hereinafter
referred to as a formatting resume request command) is received
from the host unit 50, by referring to FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a flow
chart for explaining the process of the optical disc drive 20 when
the formatting resume request command requesting resuming of the
formatting is received. When the formatting resume request command
is received from the host unit 50, a start address of a program
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 25 is set in the
program counter of the CPU 40, and algorithms corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 25 are started. The flow chart shown in
FIG. 25 corresponds to a series of processing algorithms executed
by the CPU 40.
[0362] First, a step 2501 shown in FIG. 25 refers to the mode flag
stored in the flash memory 43, and decides whether or not the
resuming of the formatting is prohibited. If the mode flag is "3"
and the mode which prohibits the resuming of the formatting is
selected, the decision result in the step 2501 is YES, and the
process advances to a step 2505.
[0363] The step 2505 notifies the host unit 50 of the information
indicating that the formatting is in a discontinued state, as
reception indicating that the formatting resume request command is
received, and the process shown in FIG. 25 ends. Instead of
notifying the information indicating that the formatting is in the
discontinued state, it is of course possible to notify to the host
unit 50 information indicating that the formatting is in progress
or information indicating that the formatting is ended.
[0364] On the other hand, if the mode flag is "0" and the mode
which permits the recording of the dummy data is selected, the
decision result in the step 2501 is NO, and the process advances to
a step 2511.
[0365] Steps 2511 through 2533 carry out processes similar to those
carried out by the steps 2411 through 2433 shown in FIG. 24
described above. In other words, the formatting is resumed. When
the formatting ends or, the optical disc 15 is ejected from the
optical disc drive 20 in response to the eject request, the process
shown in FIG. 25 ends.
[0366] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the optical disc 15 ejected during the
formatting is again loaded into the optical disc drive 20 and a
recording request command is received from the host unit 50, by
referring to FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining the
process of the optical disc drive 20 when the recording request
command is received. When the recording request command is received
from the host unit 50 in a state other than during the formatting,
a start address of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown
in FIG. 26 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40, and
algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 26 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 26 corresponds to a series of
processing algorithms executed by the CPU 40.
[0367] First, a step 2601 shown in FIG. 26 extracts a recording
start address of the user data from the recording request command.
A step 2605 refers to the FDCB recorded within the Lead-In region
LIA of the optical disc 15, so as to search for the position of the
TLO. A step 2607 decides whether or not the formatting is
necessary. If the address at the position where the TLO is recorded
and the recording start address of the user address are compared
and the recording start address is requested after the TLO, it is
necessary to automatically resume the formatting and the decision
result in the step 2607 is YES. The process advances to a step 2609
if the decision result in the step 2607 is YES.
[0368] The step 2609 refers to the mode flag stored in the flash
memory 43, and decides whether or not the resuming of the
formatting is prohibited. If the mode flag is "3" and the mode
which prohibits the resuming of the formatting is selected, the
decision result in the step 2609 is YES, and the process advances
to a step 2611.
[0369] The step 2611 records the dummy data at the position where
the TLO is recorded. That is, the TLO is erased. Further, a step
2613 records the user data from the host unit 50 at a specified
position within the data region DZA as described above. When the
recording of the user data is completed, the process shown in FIG.
26 ends. In this case, the background formatting will not be
automatically resumed.
[0370] On the other hand, if the mode flag is "0" and the mode
which permits the recording of the dummy data is selected, the
decision result in the step 2609 is NO, and the process advances to
a step 2614. The step 2614 records the user data from the host unit
50 at a specified position within the data region DZA. When the
recording of the user data is completed, the process advances to a
step 2615. The step 2615 resumes the background formatting. In
other words, the background formatting is automatically resumed, as
will be described later in more detail. When the background
formatting ends, the process shown in FIG. 26 ends.
[0371] If the recording start address is requested before the TLO,
the automatic resuming of the formatting is unnecessary, and the
decision result in the step 2607 is NO. If the decision result in
the step 2607 is NO, a step 2617 records the user data from the
host unit 50 at a specified position within the data region DZA as
described above. When the recording of the user data is completed,
the process shown in FIG. 26 ends. In this case, the background
formatting will not be automatically resumed.
[0372] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 after the background formatting is
automatically resumed, by referring to FIG. 27. FIG. 27 is a flow
chart for explaining an automatically resumed background
formatting, and corresponds to the step 2615 shown in FIG. 26. A
start address of a program corresponding to the flow chart shown in
FIG. 27 is set in the program counter of the CPU 40 in response to
a request to automatically resume the background formatting, and
algorithms corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 27 are
started. The flow chart shown in FIG. 27 corresponds to a series of
algorithms executed by the CPU 40.
[0373] First, a step 2701 shown in FIG. 27 refers to the FDCB
recorded within the Lead-In region LIA, so as to search for the
position of the TLO. The address at the position where the TLO is
recorded is regarded as the start address of the formatting. In
other words, the TLO is overwritten by the dummy data.
[0374] Steps S2713 through 2733 carry out processes similar to
those carried out by the steps 2413 through 2433 shown in FIG. 24,
and the dummy data are recorded in the unrecorded region within the
data region DZA.
[0375] Therefore, according to this fifth embodiment of the
information recording system, a mode selecting means (or section)
and a processing means (or section) of the information recording
apparatus are realized by the CPU 40 and the program executed by
the CPU 40. But of course, a part of or all of the processes
carried out by the CPU 40 according to the program may be realized
by hardware.
[0376] In this fifth embodiment, of the programs stored in the ROM
39, the programs corresponding to the flow charts shown in FIGS.
24, 25 and 26 form the recording control program described above.
Moreover, of the programs installed in one or more hard discs of
the HDD 56, a program corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG.
22 forms the mode select program described above.
[0377] In the process carried out by the CPU 40 when the formatting
request is received, the process shown in FIG. 24 forms the second
step of the information recording method. In the process carried
out by the CPU 40 when the formatting resume request is received,
the process shown in FIG. 25 forms the second step of the
information recording method. Furthermore, in the process carried
out by the CPU 40 when the recording request is received, the
processes shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 form the second step of the
information recording method.
[0378] According to this fifth embodiment, when the user selects
one of the plurality of modes at least including the mode which
permits the recording of the dummy data on the optical disc 15 and
the mode which prohibits the recording of the dummy data on the
optical disc 15, the host unit 50 notifies the selected mode to the
optical disc drive 20. The optical disc drive 20 carries out a
process based on the mode selected by the user. Normally, the power
required for the recording process of the optical disc drive 20 is
large compared to that required for the reproducing process.
Further, in general, the process which accompanies the recording of
the dummy data requires an extremely long processing time compared
to other processes. In other words, in the process which
accompanies the recording of the dummy data, the amount of power
consumption may become larger than anticipated. But in a case where
the capacity of the driving power supply of the optical disc drive
20 is finite or limited, the user in this fifth embodiment selects
the mode which prohibits the recording of the dummy data. Hence, it
is possible to avoid a power shut down which cannot be anticipated,
and to prevent the reproduction of the data from becoming
incomplete or the additional writing of the data from becoming
impossible. That is, it is possible to suppress wear of the driving
power supply, and to promote effective utilization of the driving
power supply.
[0379] In addition, when the formatting request command is received
in this fifth embodiment, a reference is made to the mode flag
stored in the flash memory 43, and the formatting is carried out
only when the selected mode permits the recording of the dummy
data. Hence, in a case where the capacity of the driving power
supply is limited as in the case of a battery, the mode which
prohibits the recording of the dummy data may be selected in
advance, so that the formatting will not be carried out even when
the formatting request command is received, to thereby prevent
excessive wear of the driving power supply. As a result, it is
possible to avoid a power shut down which cannot be anticipated,
and to prevent the reproduction of the data from becoming
incomplete or the additional writing of the data from becoming
impossible. In other words, it is possible to suppress wear of the
driving power supply, and to promote effective utilization of the
driving power supply.
[0380] Furthermore, when the format request command is received in
this fifth embodiment, a reference is made to the mode flag stored
in the flash memory 43. If the selected mode prohibits the
recording of the dummy data but permits the initializing, the
predetermined initial information is recorded in the Lead-In
region, so that the user data can be recorded when the recording
request command is received thereafter.
[0381] When the formatting resume request command is received in
this fifth embodiment, a reference is made to the mode flag stored
in the flash memory 43. If the selected mode prohibits the resuming
of the formatting, the formatting is not resumed. For example, in a
case where the capacity of the driving power supply is limited as
in the case of a battery, for example, the mode which prohibits the
resuming of the formatting may be selected in advance, so that the
formatting will not be resumed and the excessive wear of the
driving power supply can be prevented. Accordingly, it is possible
to avoid a power shut down which cannot be anticipated, and to
prevent the reproduction of the data from becoming incomplete or
the additional writing of the data from becoming impossible.
[0382] Moreover, when the recording request command is received in
this fifth embodiment, a check is made to determine whether or not
the formatting is necessary. If the formatting is necessary, a
reference is made to the mode flag stored in the flash memory 43.
If the selected mode prohibits the resuming of the formatting, the
TLO is overwritten by the dummy data before recording the user
data, and the background formatting is not automatically resumed.
For example, in a case where the capacity of the driving power
supply is limited as in the case of a battery, for example, the
mode which prohibits the resuming of the formatting may be selected
in advance, so that the formatting will not be automatically
resumed and the excessive wear of the driving power supply can be
prevented. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a power shut down
which cannot be anticipated, and to prevent the reproduction of the
data from becoming incomplete or the additional writing of the data
from becoming impossible.
[0383] In this fifth embodiment, the mode is selected in response
to the mode select command from the host unit 50. For example, if
two power supplies, that is, the A.C. power supply and the battery,
may be used as the driving power supply of the host unit 50, the
recording of the dummy data may easily be permitted when using the
A.C. power supply as the driving power supply in a case where the
host unit 50 is used at the user's home, for example. On the other
hand, the recording of the dummy data may easily be prohibited when
using the battery as the driving power supply in a case where the
host unit 50 is used outside the user's home, for example. In other
words, the mode, and thus, the process, can be suitably selected
depending on the environment in which the host unit 50 is used.
[0384] When the resuming of the formatting is prohibited, this
fifth embodiment notifies the host unit 50 of the information
indicating the discontinuance of the formatting, the formatting in
progress or the end of the formatting. Hence, the host unit 50 can
judge from the notified information that the formatting resume
request is received normally by the optical disc drive 20, and
immediately go on to the next process.
[0385] Since this fifth embodiment stores the mode flag in the
flash memory 43, it is unnecessary to select the mode every time
the host unit 50 is turned ON.
[0386] In this fifth embodiment, the response command with respect
to the mode select command is notified to the host unit 50. Hence,
the user can recognize the mode selected by the optical disc drive
20, and a selection error can be prevented. Of course, it is
possible to set a command requesting the mode selected by the
optical disc drive 20. As a result, the user can always recognize
the mode selected by the optical disc drive 20.
[0387] Furthermore, this fifth embodiment sets the mode select
information in the bits 3 to 7 of the byte 4 of the Time-Out and
Protect Page, but the mode select information may be set using
other Reserved bits. Moreover, the mode select information may be
set using mode pages other than the Time-Out and Protect Page. It
is also possible to use a command other than the Mode Select
Command or, a newly defined command.
[0388] As shown in FIG. 28, setting information which permits or
prohibits the recording of the dummy data may be set in the bit 1
of the byte 2 of a Type Independent Parameter which is added to the
formatting request command. FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining the
Type Dependent Parameter added to the formatting request command.
The bit position of the bit 1 of the byte 2 of the Type Independent
Parameter is conventionally a reserved region, and this bit
position may be newly defined as a bit INIT indicating the setting
information. For example, the recording of the dummy data is
prohibited when the bit INIT is "1", and the recording of the dummy
data is permitted when the bit INIT is "0".
[0389] Next, a description will be given of a process of the
optical disc drive 20 when the formatting request command including
the setting information described above is received from the host
unit 50, by referring to FIG. 29. FIG. 29 is a flow chart for
explaining the process of the optical disc drive 20 when the
received formatting request command includes the setting
information. When the formatting request command including the
setting information is received, a start address of the program
corresponding to the flow chart shown in FIG. 29 is set in the
program counter of the CPU 40, and algorithms corresponding to the
flow chart shown in FIG. 29 are started. The flow chart shown in
FIG. 29 corresponds to a series of algorithms executed by the CPU
40. It is assumed for the sake of convenience that the optical disc
15 is a blank optical disc.
[0390] First, a step 2801 shown in FIG. 29 extracts the bit INIT of
the Type Independent Parameter which is added to the formatting
request command. A step 2803 refers to the extracted bit INIT, and
decides whether or not the setting information prohibits the
recording of the dummy data. If the bit INIT is "1" and the
recording of the dummy data is prohibited, the decision result in
the step 2803 is YES, and the process advances to a step 2805.
[0391] The step 2805 records predetermined information in a portion
of the Lead-In region LIA, similarly to the step 2403 shown in FIG.
24. A step 2807 notifies to the host unit 50 error information
indicating that the recording of the dummy data is prohibited, and
the process shown in FIG. 29 ends. In other words, the
predetermined information is recorded in the Lead-In region LIA,
but the dummy data are not recorded in the data region DZA.
[0392] On the other hand, if the bit INIT is "0" and the recording
of the dummy data is permitted, the decision result in the step
2803 is NO, and the process advances to a step 2809. Steps S2809
through 2833 carry out processes similar to those carried out by
the steps 2409 through 2433 shown in FIG. 24.
[0393] Therefore, when carrying out the formatting, it is possible
to easily permit the recording of the dummy data when the A.C.
power supply is used as the driving power supply, and to easily
prohibit the recording of the dummy data when the battery is used
as the driving power supply. In other words, it is possible to
carry out a process depending on the environment in which the host
unit 50 is used.
[0394] The mode select program of the host unit 50 may be added to
an application software (writer software) which is used by the host
unit 50 to record information on the optical disc 15. In this case,
it is unnecessary to constantly provide a power supply monitoring
software in the main memory of the host unit 50 for monitoring the
power supply information such as the remaining amount of power of
the battery, and the memory utilization efficiency is improved. In
addition, it is possible to prevent the writer software from
carrying out an erroneous operation due to the effects of the power
supply monitoring software, to thereby prevent the data recording
from failing and the data from becoming lost.
[0395] Four modes are used in this fifth embodiment, but the number
of modes if of course not limited to four.
[0396] In this fifth embodiment, the recording control program is
recorded in the ROM 39, however, the recording control program may
be recorded in other recording media such as CD-ROMs,
magneto-optical discs, flash memories and flexible discs. In this
case, a medium drive corresponding to the information recording
medium used is provided, and the recording control program is
installed into the optical disc drive 20 from this medium drive.
All that is required is for the recording control program to be
loaded into the main memory of the CPU 40, so that the CPU 40 can
carry out the processes described above by executing the recording
control program.
[0397] Similarly, in this fifth embodiment, the mode select program
is recorded in one or more hard discs of the HDD 56, but the mode
select program may be recorded in other recording media such as
CD-ROMs, magneto-optical discs, flash memories and flexible discs.
In this case, a medium drive corresponding to the information
recording medium used is provided, and the mode select program is
installed into the host unit 50 from this medium drive. Of course,
the mode select program may be transferred to the one or more hard
discs of the HDD 56 from other recording media. The mode select
program may also be transferred to the one or more hard discs of
the HDD 56 or to the main memory of the microcomputer of the main
control unit 52, via one or more networks. All that is required is
for the mode select program to be loaded into the main memory of
the microcomputer of the host unit 50, so that the host unit 50 can
carry out the processes described above by executing the mode
select program.
[0398] The optical disc 15 is DVD+RW in the fifth embodiment.
However, the present invention is similarly applicable to any
suitable information recording medium which is subjected to a
process which accompanies the recording of the dummy data. In this
case, a medium drive corresponding to the information recording
medium used is provided.
[0399] The host unit 50 and the optical disc drive 20 may be
provided within a single housing or, provided within separate
housings, in the fifth embodiment described above.
[0400] In the fifth embodiment described above, it is assumed for
the sake of convenience that the medium drive (optical disc drive)
capable of recording and reproducing user data is used with respect
to the information recording medium. However, the medium drive may
be capable of only recording the user data with respect to the
information recording medium.
[0401] In the fifth embodiment, the formatting is carried out as a
process accompanying the recording of the dummy data, but the
present invention is of course similarly applicable to processes
other than the formatting as long as the process accompanies the
recording of the dummy data.
[0402] Of course, the computer-readable storage medium according to
the present invention which stores a program for causing a computer
to carry out any of the processes of the information recording
system, including the processes shown in the flow charts, may be
realized by any suitable recording media capable of storing one or
more programs in a computer-readable manner. The suitable recording
media include magnetic, optical and magneto-optical recording
media, and semiconductor memory devices. Moreover, the program may
be obtained via communication media such as cable networks,
wireless networks, and/or the Internet.
[0403] Further, the present invention is not limited to these
embodiments, but various variations may be made without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *