HK1108208B - Optical information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

Optical information storage medium

This application is a divisional application of patent application No. 200480001608.0 entitled optical information storage medium, filed as 2004, month 1 and 30.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a reproduction-only information storage medium, an information recording/reproducing method, and a recording/reproducing apparatus, and more particularly, to an optical information storage medium including a transition area for transitioning between two adjacent areas among areas forming the storage medium, a method and apparatus of recording/reproducing data to/from the optical information storage medium.

Background

Optical information storage media such as optical discs are widely used in optical pickup apparatuses for recording/reproducing information in a non-contact manner. Optical discs are classified into Compact Discs (CDs) or Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) according to their information storage capacities. Examples of recordable optical discs are 650MB CD-R, CD-RW, 4.7GBDVD + RW, and the like. In addition, HD-DVDs having a recording capacity of 20GB or more are under study.

The compatibility of the above optical information storage media with each other increases user convenience. The storage medium has different standards for different types in consideration of economic efficiency and convenience of users. Storage media without a defined standard are being standardized. In order to achieve such standardization, storage media having a format capable of ensuring compatibility and consistency with existing storage media have been developed.

A conventional reproduction-only optical disc includes a Burst Cutting Area (BCA), a lead-in area, a user data area, and a lead-out area. The BCA stores information about a serial number of the optical disc, and the lead-in area stores disc-related information. Here, the serial number of the optical disc is recorded as a barcode.

The BCA, the lead-in area, the user data area, and the lead-out area are arranged consecutively without a transition area between adjacent areas. However, when the BCA, the lead-in area, and the user data area have different pit patterns, continuous data reproduction may not be correctly performed due to the absence of the transition area.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides an optical information storage medium including a plurality of areas and a transition area between two adjacent areas to achieve smooth data reproduction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproduction-only optical information storage medium including a plurality of areas and at least one transition area. Each transition zone is located between two adjacent zones.

Data may be recorded in the form of pits in the plurality of areas and the transition area.

The pit pattern of the transition area may be the same as the pit pattern of an area preceding the transition area or the pit pattern of an area following the transition area.

The transition area may be a mirror area.

The pits of the transition area may be formed in a straight pattern or a wobbling pattern.

The track pitch of the pits of the transition area may be the same as the track pitch of the pits in the adjacent area. Alternatively, the track pitch of pits in the transition area and the track pitch of pits in the adjacent area may be different. The track pitch of the pits formed in the transition area may gradually increase or decrease from the track pitch of the pits formed in the area before the transition area to the track pitch of the pits formed in the area after the transition area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproduction-only optical information storage medium, including: a Burst Cutting Area (BCA); a lead-in area; a user data area; a lead-out area; and a transition area located in at least one of an area between the BCA and the lead-in area, an area between the lead-in area and the user data area, and an area between the user data area and the lead-out area. The BCA, the lead-in area, the user data area, and the lead-out area are formed of pits.

A first transition area may be included between the BCA and the lead-in area, and each of the BCA, the lead-in area, and the first transition area may be formed of pits in one of a straight pattern or a wobbling pattern.

The second transition area may be included between the lead-in area and the user data area, and each of the lead-in area, the user data area, and the second transition area may be formed of pits in a straight pattern or a wobbling pattern.

When pits of the first or second transition area may be formed in a wobbling pattern, the amplitude of the wobbling may gradually decrease or increase.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reproduction-only optical information storage medium, including: a Burst Cutting Area (BCA); a lead-in area; a user data area; a lead-in area; and a transition zone. At least one of the BCA, the lead-in area, the user data area, and the lead-out area is divided into a plurality of sub-areas. The transition region is located between two adjacent sub-regions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of recording information on a reproduction-only optical information storage medium, including: forming a plurality of areas on a reproduction-only optical information storage medium; and forming at least one transition area on the reproduction-only optical storage medium. Each transition region is located between two adjacent regions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus for reproducing only an optical information storage medium, including: a recording unit for recording data on a reproduction-only optical information storage medium; and a controller that: controlling the recording unit to form a plurality of areas on the reproduction-only optical storage medium, and controlling the recording unit to form at least one transition area between two adjacent areas.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a physical structure of a reproduction-only optical information storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2A to 2E show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a Burst Cutting Area (BCA) and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention when pits of the BCA are formed in a single pattern and pits of the lead-in area are formed in a straight random pattern;

fig. 3A to 3E show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a BCA and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention when pits of the BCA are formed in a specific pattern and pits of the lead-in area are formed in a straight random pattern;

fig. 4A to 4E show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a BCA and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention when pits of the BCA are formed in a random pattern and pits of the lead-in area are formed in a straight random pattern;

fig. 5A to 5E show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a BCA and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention when pits of the BCA are formed in a single pattern and pits of the lead-in area are formed in a wobbling random pattern;

fig. 6A to 6E show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a BCA and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention when pits of the BCA are formed in a specific pattern and pits of the lead-in area are formed in a wobbling random pattern;

fig. 7A to 7F show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a BCA and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a first embodiment of the present invention when pits of the BCA are formed in a random pattern and pits of the lead-in area are formed in a wobbling random pattern;

fig. 8A to 8F show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a lead-in area and a user data area of an optical information storage medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention when pits of the lead-in area are formed in a straight random pattern and pits of the user data area are formed in a straight random pattern;

fig. 9A to 9F show pit patterns of a transition area between a lead-in area and a user data area of an optical information storage medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention when pits of the lead-in area are formed in a wobbling random pattern and pits of the user data area are formed in a straight random pattern;

fig. 10A to 10F show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a lead-in area and a user data area of an optical information storage medium according to a second embodiment of the present invention when pits of the lead-in area are formed in a straight random pattern and pits of the user data area are formed in a wobbling random pattern;

FIG. 11 illustrates a physical structure of an optical information storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 12A to 12F show examples of pit patterns of a transition area between a BCA and a lead-in area of an optical information storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention when pits of a first area of the lead-in area are formed in a random pattern and pits of a second area of the lead-in area are formed in a wobbling random pattern;

fig. 13 is a block diagram of a recording and/or reproducing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

Optical information storage media according to various embodiments of the present invention are reproduction-only and the entire area thereof is formed of pits. Optical information storage media according to embodiments of the present invention are divided into a plurality of areas according to functions. As shown in fig. 1, an optical information storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a Burst Cutting Area (BCA) 10; a lead-in area 20; a user data area 30 for storing user data; and a lead-out area 40; the regions are sequentially formed from an inner boundary to an outer boundary of the optical information storage medium.

The BCA10 stores a serial number of an optical information storage medium such as an optical disc or data identifying the BCA. The lead-in area 20 stores disc-related information, copy protection information, and the like. Examples of the disc-related information are information on the type of information storage medium, such as a recordable disc, a write-once disc, or a reproduction-only disc, information on the number of recording layers, information on a recording speed, information on a disc size, and the like.

Referring to fig. 2A to 2F, the optical information storage medium according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20.

The BCA10 stores data recorded in a first straight pit pattern. The lead-in area 20 stores data that can be recorded in a second straight pit pattern different from the first straight pit pattern or in a wobbling pit pattern. Alternatively, the BCA10 stores data recorded in a first wobbling pit pattern, and the lead-in area 20 stores data that may be recorded in a second wobbling pit pattern different from the first wobbling pit pattern or in a straight pit pattern. The straight pit pattern indicates an arrangement of pits along a straight line, and the wobbling pit pattern indicates an arrangement of pits along a wavy line.

The first and second straight pit patterns and the first and second wobbling pit patterns may be divided into a single pattern, a specific pattern, or a random pattern. The single pattern means a pattern in which pits each having the same length (nT) are arranged at regular intervals. Here, n denotes a natural number, and T denotes a minimum length of the pit. For example, the straight single pit pattern means a pattern in which pits each having the same length are arranged in a straight line. The wobbling single pit pattern denotes a pattern in which pits each having the same length are arranged along a wavy line. The specific pattern represents a repetition of a pattern of pits having different lengths. For example, the pattern of 3T pits and 6T pits repeats. A straight specific pit pattern denotes a repetition of a pattern of pits having different lengths along a straight line. The wobbling specific pit pattern represents a repetition of a pattern of pits having different lengths along the wavy line. The random pattern indicates a random arrangement of pits having different lengths. For example, a straight random pit pattern means a random arrangement of pits having different lengths along a straight line. The wobbling random pit pattern represents a random arrangement of pits having different lengths along the wavy line.

Since the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 have different pit patterns, a first transition area 15 is included between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 to prevent incorrect consecutive reproduction of data. The first transition area 15 stores data identifying the transition area.

Fig. 2A to 2E show examples of pit patterns of the first transition area 15 when the BCA10 is formed of pits in a straight single pattern and the lead-in area 20 is formed of pits in a straight random pattern. As shown in fig. 2A, data is recorded in the BCA10 in the form of a straight single pattern of pits, data is recorded in the lead-in area 20 in the form of a straight random pattern of pits, and a first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 is formed of a straight single pattern of pits. Although not shown, the first transition area 15 may be formed of a wobbling single pattern of pits.

As shown in fig. 2B, data is recorded in the BCA10 in the form of a straight single pattern of pits, data is recorded in the lead-in area 20 in the form of a straight random pattern of pits, and a first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 is formed of a straight random pattern of pits. Although not shown, the first transition area 15 may be formed of a dither random pattern.

As shown in fig. 2C, data is recorded in the BCA10 in the form of a straight single pattern of pits, data is recorded in the lead-in area 20 in the form of a straight random pattern of pits, and the first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 is a mirror area (mirrorarea).

As shown in fig. 2D, data is recorded in the BCA10 in the form of a straight single pattern of pits, data is recorded in the lead-in area 20 in the form of a straight random pattern of pits, and a first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 is formed of a straight specific pattern of pits.

Alternatively, the first transition area 15 may be formed of a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling random pattern of pits, or a wobbling specific pattern of pits. In fig. 2E, the first transition area 15 is formed of a wobbling random pattern of pits.

Although fig. 2A to 2E show the BCA10 formed of a straight single pattern of pits, the BCA10 may be formed of a wobbling single pattern of pits.

Fig. 3A to 3E show examples of pit patterns of the first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 when the BCA10 is formed of a straight specific pattern of pits and the lead-in area 20 is formed of a straight random pattern of pits. Referring to fig. 3A, the first transition area 15 is formed of a straight single pattern of pits. Referring to fig. 3B, the first transition area 15 is formed of a straight random pattern of pits. Referring to fig. 3C, the first transition area 15 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 3D, the first transition area 15 is formed of a straight specific pattern of pits. Referring to fig. 3E, the first transition area 15 is formed of a wobbling random pattern of pits. In addition, the first transition area 15 may be formed of a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling random pattern of pits, or a wobbling specific pattern of pits.

Fig. 4A to 4E show examples of pit patterns formed in the first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 when pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight random pattern and pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 4A, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight single pattern, and referring to fig. 4B, pits are formed in the first transition area in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 4C, the first transition area 15 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 4D, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the first transition area 15 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. Referring to fig. 4E, the first transition area 15 is formed of a wobbling random pattern of pits. Although not shown, pits may be formed in the BCA10 in a wobbling random pattern instead of a straight random pattern.

As described above, when pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight random pattern or in a wobbling random pattern, information containing contents such as 00h or BCA can be recorded in the BCA 10.

Although only the case where pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight pattern has been described above, the BCA10 may be formed of a wobbling pattern of pits. For example, pits may be formed in the BCA10 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling specific pattern, or a wobbling random pattern.

Pits may be formed in the BCA10 in a straight pattern or a wobbling pattern, and pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in a wobbling pattern.

Fig. 5A to 5E show examples of pit patterns formed in the first transition area 15 between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 when pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight single pattern and pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in a wobbling random pattern. Referring to fig. 5A, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 5B, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 5C, the first transition area 15 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 5D, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the first transition area 15 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. Referring to fig. 5E, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a wobbling random pattern. Although fig. 5A to 5E show the BCA10 in which pits are formed in a straight single pattern, pits may be formed in the BCA10 in a wobbling single pattern.

Fig. 6A to 6E show examples of pit patterns formed in the transition area 15 when pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight specific pattern and pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in a wobbling random pattern. Referring to fig. 6A, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 6B, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 6C, the first transition area 15 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 6D, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the first transition area 15 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. For example, fig. 6E shows the first transition area 15 in which pits are formed in a wobbling random pattern. Although fig. 6A to 6E show the BCA10 in which pits are formed in a straight specific pattern, pits may be formed in the BCA10 in a wobbling specific pattern.

Fig. 7A to 7F show examples of pit patterns formed in the first transition area 15 when pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight random pattern and pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in a wobbling random pattern. Referring to fig. 7A, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 7B, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 7C, the first transition area 15 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 7D, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the first transition area 15 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. For example, fig. 7E shows the first transition area 15 in which pits are formed in a wobbling random pattern. Although fig. 7A to 7E show the BCA10 formed therein in a straight random pattern, pits may be formed in the BCA10 in a wobbling random pattern. When pits are formed in the BCA10 in a straight random pattern or a wobbling random pattern as described above, information containing contents such as 00h or a BCA can be recorded in the BCA 10.

When pits are formed in the BCA10, the first transition area 15, or the lead-in area 20 in a wobbling pattern, they are formed such that the amplitude of the wobble gradually increases or decreases. As shown in fig. 7F, pits are formed in the first transition area 15 in a wobbling pattern so that the amplitude of the wobble may gradually increase.

The BCA10, the first transition area 15, and the lead-in area 20 may have the same track pitch or different track pitches. For example, the BCA10 and the first transition area 15 have the same track pitch, and only the lead-in area 20 has a different track pitch. Alternatively, the first transition area 15 and the lead-in area 20 may have the same track pitch, and only the BCA10 has a different track pitch. When the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 have different track pitches, the first transition area 15 is formable so that the track pitch thereof may gradually increase or decrease. For example, when the track pitch of the BCA10 is "a" and the track pitch of the lead-in area 20 is "b" (b > a), the first transition area 15 is formed such that its track pitch may gradually increase from "a" to "b".

The optical information storage medium according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the BCA10, the lead-in area 20, the user data area 30, and the lead-out area 40. A second transition area 25 is also included between the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30.

Hereinafter, a pit pattern formed in each of the lead-in area 20, the second transition area 25, and the user data area 30 will be described with reference to fig. 8A to 10F. When pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in the third straight pattern and pits are formed in the user data area 30 in the fourth straight pattern, the second transition area 25 may be formed of a straight single pattern of pits, a straight specific pattern of pits, a straight random pattern of pits, a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling specific pattern of pits, or a wobbling random pattern of pits. In addition, the second transition area 25 may be a mirror area.

Each of the third and fourth straight line patterns may be one of a straight line single pattern, a straight line specific pattern, and a straight line random pattern.

Fig. 8A to 8F show examples of pit patterns formed in the second transition area 25 when pits are formed in the lead-in area 20 in a straight random pattern and pits are formed in the user data area 30 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 8A, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 8B, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 8C, the second transition area 25 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 8D, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the second transition area 25 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. For example, fig. 8E shows the second transition area 25 in which pits are formed in a wobbling random pattern.

When pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a wobbling pattern, they are formable so that the amplitude of the wobbles may gradually decrease as shown in fig. 8F.

A pit pattern formed in the second transition area 25 when the lead-in area 25 is formed of a wobbling pattern of pits and the user data area 30 is formed of a straight pattern of pits will now be described. To be more specific, pits may be formed in the lead-in area 20 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling specific pattern, or a wobbling random pattern, and pits may be formed in the user data area 30 in a straight single pattern, a straight specific pattern, or a straight random pattern.

Fig. 9A to 9F show examples of pit patterns formed in the second transition area 25 when the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30 are formed of pits to have a wobbling random pattern and a straight random pattern, respectively. Referring to fig. 9A, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 9B, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 9C, the second transition area 25 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 9D, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the second transition area 25 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. For example, fig. 9E shows the second transition area 25 in which pits are formed in a wobbling random pattern.

When pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a wobbling pattern, they are formable so that the amplitude of the wobbles may gradually decrease as shown in fig. 9F.

An example of a pit pattern formed in the second transition area 25 when the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30 are formed of a straight pattern of pits and a wobbling pattern of pits, respectively, will now be described. To be more specific, pits may be formed in the lead-in area 20 in a straight single pattern, a straight specific pattern, or a straight random pattern, and pits may be formed in the user data area 30 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling specific pattern, or a wobbling random pattern.

Fig. 10A to 10F show examples of pit patterns formed in the second transition area 25 when the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30 are formed of pits to have a straight random pattern and a wobbling random pattern, respectively. Referring to fig. 10A, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 10B, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 10C, the second transition area 25 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 10D, pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the second transition area 25 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. For example, fig. 10E shows the second transition area 25 in which pits are formed in a wobbling random pattern.

When pits are formed in the second transition area 25 in a wobbling pattern, they are formable so that the amplitude of the wobbling can be gradually increased as shown in fig. 10F.

When the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30 are formed of pits to have a wobbling pattern, the second transition area 25 included therebetween may be formed of a straight single pattern of pits, a straight specific pattern of pits, a straight random pattern of pits, a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling specific pattern of pits, or a wobbling random pattern of pits. Alternatively, the second transition area 25 may be a mirror area.

When pits are formed in the lead-in area 20, the second transition area 25, or the user data area 30 in a wobbling pattern, they are formable so that the amplitude of the wobble gradually increases or decreases.

The lead-in area 20, the second transition area 25, and the user data area 30 may have the same track interval or different track intervals. For example, the lead-in area 20 and the second transition area 25 have the same track pitch, and only the user data area 30 has a different track pitch. Alternatively, the second transition area 25 and the user data area 30 may have the same track pitch, and only the lead-in area 20 has a different track pitch. When the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30 have different track pitches, the second transition area 25 may be formed such that the track pitch thereof may gradually increase or decrease. For example, when the track pitch of the lead-in area 20 is "c" and the track pitch of the user data area 30 is "d" (d > c), the second transition area 25 is formed such that the track pitch thereof may gradually increase from "c" to "d".

An optical information storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention is divided into a plurality of areas according to functions, and at least one of the areas is divided into a plurality of sub-areas. A third transition region is comprised between two adjacent sub-regions. Referring to fig. 11, an optical information storage medium according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes a BCA10, a lead-in area 20, a user data area 30, and a lead-out area 40. The lead-in area 20 includes first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b, respectively.

Transition areas may be included between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20 and between the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30. The principles of the first and second transition regions of the first and second embodiments are equally applied to these transition regions.

A third transition area 27 is included between the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b of the lead-in area 20. Hereinafter, the pit pattern formed in each of the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b and the third transition area 27 will be described in detail. The first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b are formed of pits in a straight pattern and a wobbling pattern, respectively. The straight pattern may be a straight single pattern, a straight specific pattern, or a straight random pattern, and the wobble pattern may be a wobble single pattern, a wobble specific pattern, or a wobble random pattern.

The third transition area 27 formed between the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b when the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b are formed of pits to have a straight pattern and a wobbling pattern, respectively, will now be described.

Fig. 12A to 12F show examples of pit patterns of the third transition area 27 when the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b are formed of pits to have a straight random pattern and a wobbling random pattern, respectively. Referring to fig. 12A, pits are formed in the third transition area 27 in a straight single pattern. Referring to fig. 12B, pits are formed in the third transition area 27 in a straight random pattern. Referring to fig. 12C, the third transition area 27 is a mirror area. Referring to fig. 12D, pits are formed in the third transition area 27 in a straight specific pattern. Alternatively, pits may be formed in the third transition area 27 in a wobbling single pattern, a wobbling random pattern, or a wobbling specific pattern. For example, fig. 12E shows the third transition area 27 in which pits are formed in a wobbling random pattern. When pits are formed in the third transition area 27 in a wobbling pattern, they may be formed so that the amplitude of the wobbling may gradually increase or decrease. For example, the third transition area 27 may be formed of a wobbling random pattern of pits such that the amplitude of the wobbles may gradually increase as shown in fig. 12F.

When the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b are formed of pits to have a wobbling pattern and a straight pattern, respectively, the third transition area 27 including therebetween may be formed of a straight single pattern of pits, a straight specific pattern of pits, a straight random pattern of pits, a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling specific pattern of pits, or a wobbling random pattern of pits. Alternatively, the third transition area 27 may be a mirror area.

When both the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b are formed of pits to have a straight pattern, the third transition area 27 included therebetween may be formed of a straight single pattern of pits, a straight specific pattern of pits, a straight random pattern of pits, a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling specific pattern of pits, or a wobbling random pattern of pits. Alternatively, the third transition area 27 may be a mirror area.

When both the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b are formed of pits to have a wobbling pattern, the third transition area 27 included therebetween may be formed of a straight single pattern of pits, a straight specific pattern of pits, a straight random pattern of pits, a wobbling single pattern of pits, a wobbling specific pattern of pits, or a wobbling random pattern of pits. Alternatively, the third transition area 27 may be a mirror area.

When pits are formed in the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b and the third transition area 27 in a wobbling pattern, they may be formed such that the amplitude of the wobbles gradually increases or decreases.

The case where only the lead-in area 20 is divided into two sub-areas has been described above. However, the BCA10, the user data area 30, or the lead-out area 40 may also be divided into a plurality of sub-areas. In this case, the transition region may be formed between two adjacent sub-regions.

The first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b and the third transition area 27 may have the same track pitch or different track pitches. For example, the first sub-area 20a and the third transition area 27 have the same track pitch, only the second sub-area 20b has a different track pitch. Alternatively, the third transition area 27 and the second sub-area 20b have the same track pitch, only the first sub-area 20a having a different track pitch. When the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20b have different track pitches, the third transition area 27 may be formed such that the track pitch thereof may gradually increase or decrease. For example, when the track pitch of the first sub-area 20a is "e" and the track pitch of the second sub-area 20b is "f" (f > e), the third transition area 27 is formed so that the track pitch thereof can be gradually increased from "e" to "f".

Referring to fig. 13, a block diagram of a recording/reproducing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus includes a recording/reading unit 100 and a controller 200. The recording/reading unit 100 writes/reproduces data to/from the write-once recording medium 300 as an information storage medium.

As described above, the optical information storage medium according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of areas, and the transition area is included in at least one of the boundary areas formed by the areas. For example, the transition area is included in at least one of an area between the BCA10 and the lead-in area 20, an area between the lead-in area 20 and the user data area 30, and an area between the first and second sub-areas 20a and 20 b. The pit pattern formed in the transition area may be the same as the pit pattern formed in an area before or after the transition area. The area preceding the transition area represents an area closer to the center of the storage medium than the transition area. The area behind the transition area means an area further outside than the transition area in the radial direction of the storage medium.

The optical information storage medium according to the embodiments of the present invention may be composed of a single layer or multiple layers.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the optical information storage medium according to the embodiments of the present invention is divided into a plurality of areas according to functions or purposes, and a transition area is included between two adjacent areas. Therefore, data is smoothly reproduced with a low error occurrence rate. In addition, since the optical information storage medium according to the present invention provides a standard for the transition area, it is compatible with the existing optical information storage medium.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in this embodiment without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (3)

1. An apparatus for reproducing information from a reproduction-only optical information storage medium having a lead-in area and a user data area, wherein the lead-in area includes: a first region having a first track pitch; a second region having a second track pitch smaller than the first track pitch; and a transition area connecting the first area and the second area, the user data area having a second track pitch, the apparatus comprising:

a reading unit for reproducing data from the reproduction-only optical information storage medium;

a controller controlling the reading unit to read disc-related information from the lead-in area, the disc-related information including at least one of information on a type of a reproduction-only optical information storage medium, information on a number of recording layers, and information on a disc size.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user data area is adjacent to the second area.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the reading unit to read information from at least one of the first area and the user data area.