HK1124427B - Method for recording data on a write-once information storage medium - Google Patents

Description

Method of recording data on write-once information storage medium

This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application entitled "method and apparatus for recording data on or reproducing data from a write-once disc and write-once disc thereof", having an application date of 28/1/2005, application number 200580000279.2.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a write-once disc, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for recording data on a write-once disc to more quickly access information required to use the write-once disc, a method and apparatus for reproducing the write-once disc, and a write-once disc used with the above method and apparatus.

Background

New information can be repeatedly recorded on a rewritable disc on which information has been recorded. However, when new information is recorded on a write-once disc, since information that has been recorded may not be erased or recorded with overwriting, a new location must be allocated to update the information that has been recorded.

Usually, only the information that is finally updated is meaningful. Accordingly, in order to read the finally updated information, an update area is allocated to a data area of the disc, and the data recording and/or reproducing apparatus detects the finally updated information by searching the update area in which the updated information is recorded. When a large amount of information is recorded in the update area, it takes a large amount of time to detect desired information.

On a write-once disc for which defect management is performed by a data recording and/or reproducing apparatus, there are a plurality of areas in which information for managing defects generated while the write-once disc is being used and information indicating a recording state of the write-once disc are recorded. Unlike a rewritable disc, according to the characteristics of a write-once disc, since updated information cannot be repeatedly recorded at a position where original information has been recorded when it is necessary to update defect management information, the updated information must be recorded at a free position. Therefore, a relatively large update area is required.

Generally, the update area is allocated to a lead-in area or a lead-out area on the disc. However, sometimes, an update area may be allocated to the data area to increase a space available for the update count according to a user's instruction. When finally updated information required to use the write-once disc is recorded in an update area allocated to a data area, and when information indicating that the update area is allocated to the data area and information indicating a location of the update area are included in the finally updated information, the finally updated information or the location where the finally updated information is recorded cannot be detected even if the entire update area allocated to the lead-in area or the lead-out area is sought.

Furthermore, even if the data recording and/or reproducing apparatus detects that finally updated information is recorded in the update area allocated to the data area, if the size of the update area is very large, it takes a considerable amount of time to search for the finally updated information recorded in the update area.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the present invention provide a write-once disc having recorded thereon information having a data structure by which an access time for reading update information required to use the write-once disc can be reduced.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a data recording apparatus and method by which an access time for reading update information required to use a write-once disc can be reduced.

Aspects of the present invention also provide a data reproducing apparatus and method, by which an access time for reading update information required to use the write-once disc can be reduced.

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.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an access time for reading a predetermined kind of information required to use the write-once disc can be reduced. In particular, when there are a plurality of update areas for writing updated information required to use the write-once disc, the recording apparatus or the reproducing apparatus can quickly and easily determine an update area in which finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas.

Drawings

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A and 1B are structures of a write-once disc according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a detailed structure of a write-once disc having a single recording layer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3A and 3B are detailed structures of a write-once disc having dual recording layers according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4A and 4B are detailed structures of a write-once disc having dual recording layers according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5A and 5B illustrate processes of recording data in a user data area and a spare area, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a data structure of temporary disc management information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a data structure of a TDMA divided into sub AIAs and a plurality of sub-areas;

FIG. 8 illustrates a main AIA and a sub-AIA according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a sub-AIA according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a data structure of access information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a block diagram of a data recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a write-once disc including: a plurality of update areas in which predetermined kinds of update information are recorded; at least one main access information area in which main access information is recorded, the main access information indicating a final update area in which finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas; and at least one sub access information area in which sub access information is recorded, the sub access information indicating a location of finally updated information recorded in the final update area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a write-once disc including: a plurality of update areas in which predetermined kinds of update information are recorded; and at least one access information area in which access information is recorded, the access information indicating a final update area in which final updated information among the plurality of update areas is recorded, wherein the access information includes location information of the plurality of update areas, first flag information indicating the final update area in which the final updated information among the plurality of update areas is recorded, and second flag information indicating a location of the final updated information recorded in the final update area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a write-once disc including: a plurality of update areas used in a predetermined order and in which predetermined kinds of update information are recorded; and at least one access information area in which access information including location information of the plurality of update areas is recorded in units of recording blocks, wherein a final update area in which predetermined kinds of finally updated information are recorded among the plurality of update areas is indicated using the number of recording blocks in which the access information is recorded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data recording apparatus comprising: a write/read unit writing information on or reading information from the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the writing/reading unit to record final updated information of a predetermined kind in one of the plurality of update areas allocated to the write-once disc, to record main access information in at least one main access information area allocated to the write-once disc to indicate a final update area in which the final updated information is recorded, and to record sub access information in at least one sub access information area allocated to the write-once disc to indicate a location of the final updated information recorded in the final update area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data recording apparatus comprising: a write/read unit writing information on or reading information from the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the write/read unit to record final updated information of a predetermined kind in one of a plurality of update areas allocated to the write-once disc, and to record access information indicating a final update area in which the final updated information is recorded in at least one access information area allocated to the write-once disc, wherein the access information includes location information of the plurality of update areas, first flag information indicating the final update area, and second flag information indicating a location of the final updated information recorded in the final update area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for recording data on a write-once disc having a plurality of update areas used in a predetermined order and at least one access information area, the apparatus comprising: a write/read unit writing information on or reading information from the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the writing/reading unit to record a predetermined kind of update information in one of the plurality of update areas and to record access information including location information of the plurality of update areas in the access information area in units of recording blocks and to indicate a final update area in which a predetermined kind of finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas using the number of recording blocks in which the access information is recorded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for recording data on a write-once disc having a plurality of update areas used in a predetermined order and at least one access information area, the method including: recording a predetermined kind of finally updated information in one of the plurality of update areas; and a final update area in which predetermined kinds of finally updated information in the plurality of update areas are recorded using the number of recording blocks in which the access information is recorded, by recording the access information including location information of the plurality of update areas in the access information area in units of recording blocks.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data reproducing apparatus including: a reader reading data recorded on the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the reader to obtain information of a final update area in which a predetermined kind of finally updated information is recorded among a plurality of update areas included in the write-once disc from at least one main access information area allocated to the write-once disc, obtain location information of the final update area in which the predetermined kind of finally updated information is recorded from a sub access information area included in the final update area, and obtain the predetermined kind of finally updated information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data reproducing apparatus including: a reader reading data recorded on the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the reader to obtain finally updated access information from at least one access information area allocated to the write-once disc, obtain information of a final update area in which a predetermined kind of finally updated information is recorded among a plurality of update areas included in the write-once disc from the obtained access information, and obtain the predetermined kind of finally updated information based on the obtained information of the final update area, wherein the access information includes location information of the plurality of update areas, first flag information indicating the final update area, and second flag information indicating a location of the finally updated information recorded in the final update area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for reproducing a write-once disc having a plurality of update areas and at least one access information area used in a predetermined order, the apparatus comprising: a reader reading data recorded on the write-once disc; and a controller controlling the reader to read data by accessing the access information area, determining a number of recording blocks in which access information is recorded, determining a final update area in which predetermined kinds of finally updated information are recorded among the plurality of update areas based on the determined number of recording blocks, obtaining the finally updated access information from the recording blocks in which the access information in the access information area is finally recorded, obtaining location information of the final update area from the finally updated access information, and controlling the reader to read the predetermined kinds of finally updated information recorded in the final update area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of reproducing a write-once disc having a plurality of update areas and at least one access information area used in a predetermined order, the method including: accessing the access information area and determining a final update area in which a predetermined kind of finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas based on the number of recording blocks in which the access information is recorded; obtaining finally updated access information from a recording block in which the access information in the access information area is finally recorded; obtaining location information of a final update area from the finally updated access information; and obtaining final updated information of a predetermined kind recorded in the final update area.

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.

Fig. 1A and 1B are structures of a write-once disc according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A is a structure of a write-once disc having a single recording layer L0, and fig. 1B is a structure of a write-once disc having double recording layers (i.e., recording layers L0 and L1).

The write-once disc having the single recording layer L0 shown in fig. 1A includes a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area arranged from an inner circumference to an outer circumference. By comparison, each of the first and second recording layers L0 and L1 of the write-once disc having a double recording layer as shown in fig. 1B includes a lead-in area in the inner area 1 and the inner area 2, a data area 1 and a data area 2, and a lead-out area in the outer area 1 and the outer area 2, respectively, which are arranged from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. However, it should be understood that additional recording layers may be used, and any such recording layer may be write-once, read-only, or rewritable and may have different recording densities.

Fig. 2 is a detailed structure of the write-once disc having a single recording layer as shown in fig. 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, the lead-in area includes: a first disc management area (DMA1), a second disc management area (DMA2), a first temporary disc management area (TDMA1), an Access Information Area (AIA), and a recording condition test area. The lead-out area includes a third disc management area (DMA3) and a fourth disc management area (DMA 4). Further, the lead-out area may further include at least one of a temporary defect management area, a recording condition test area, an AIA, or a combination thereof. That is, at least one of an AIA, a DMA, a TDMA, and a recording condition test area may be present in at least one of the lead-in area and/or the lead-out area.

The AIA is an area in which access information indicating a location where update information such as defect management information that a recording and/or reproducing apparatus should obtain to use a write-once disc is recorded. The access information and the AIA will be described later.

The data area includes a first spare area (spare area 1), a user data area, a second temporary disc management area (TDMA2), and a second spare area (spare area 2). The TDMA1 included in the lead-in area is assigned when manufactured based on the specifications of the write-once disc according to the present embodiment. However, the first spare area, the TDMA2, and the second spare area included in the data area are allocated to the data area by a user's selection during initialization of the write-once disc.

Fig. 3A and 3B are detailed structures of the write-once disc having dual recording layers shown in fig. 1B according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3A is a structure of the first recording layer L0, and fig. 3B is a structure of the second recording layer L1. The structure of the first recording layer L0 shown in fig. 3A is the same as that of the write-once disc having a single recording layer shown in fig. 2. The structure of the second recording layer L1 shown in fig. 3B is similar to that of the first recording layer L0. However, in the structure of the second recording layer L1, the AIA is not allocated to the second inner area (inner area 2), and two TDMAs (TDMA4 and TDMA5) are allocated to the second data area (data area 2).

The write once disc having dual recording layers includes five TDMAs: TDMA1 through TDMA 5. The positions and sizes of the TDMA1 and TDMA2 are well known to conventional recording devices and/or reproducing devices. However, when disc initialization is performed to use a write-once disc having a dual recording layer, the TDMA3, the TDMA4, and the TDMA5 need to be allocated to a data area by a user or a recording and/or reproducing apparatus. When a Temporary Disc Management Structure (TDMS) is recorded in the TDMA1, a Temporary Disc Definition Structure (TDDS) including the size and position of a plurality of TDMAs allocated to a data area is recorded in the TDMA 1.

Fig. 4A and 4B are detailed structures of a write-once disc having dual recording layers as shown in fig. 1B according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4A is a structure of the first recording layer L0, and fig. 4B is a structure of the second recording layer L1. The TDMA1, the TDMA2, and the TDMA5 are allocated to the write-once disc having a dual recording layer as shown in fig. 4A and 4B. That is, in addition to the well-known TDMAs 1 and 2, when disc initialization is performed to use a write-once disc having a dual recording layer, only the TDMA5 is allocated to the second data area (data area 2) by a user or a recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

An area such as a TDMA allocated to the write-once disc and a process of recording data in the area will now be described. The TDMA is an area where a TDMS for management of a write-once disc is recorded before finalization of the write-once disc. The finalization of a write-once disc is an operation to prevent the write-once disc from being recorded again. The write-once disc is finalized when data can no longer be recorded on the write-once disc by a user's selection, or when data cannot be additionally recorded on the write-once disc.

The TDMS includes: a temporary disc defect list (TDFL), a TDDS, and a Space Bit Map (SBM). The TDFL includes information indicating an area in which a defect is generated and information indicating a corresponding replacement area in the spare area. The TDDS managing the TDFL includes: a location pointer indicating a location where the TDFL is recorded, a location pointer indicating a location where the SBM is recorded, information indicating a location and size of a spare area allocated to the data area, and information indicating locations and sizes of the TDMAs allocated to the data area. The SBM displays a data recording state of a write-once disc with a bitmap by allocating different bit values to a cluster in which data is recorded and a cluster in which data is not recorded in a cluster unit that is a data recording unit.

When a write-once disc is loaded in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus such as that shown in fig. 11, a TDDS needs to be quickly read and reproduced from a finally updated TDMS of the write-once disc to use the write-once disc in the apparatus.

Generally, when a write-once disc is loaded into a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus determines how to manage the write-once disc and how to record or reproduce data by reading information from a lead-in area and/or a lead-out area. If the amount of information recorded in the lead-in area and/or the lead-out area is large, it takes more time to prepare to record or reproduce data after the write-once disc is loaded. Therefore, the concept of a TDMS is used, and a TDMS generated when data is recorded on or reproduced from a write once disc is recorded in a TDMA separate from a defect management area and allocated to a lead-in area and/or a lead-out area.

When the write-once disc is finalized, since it is possible to quickly use information access of the write-once disc by recording final meaningful information among the TDFL and TDDS, which are updated and recorded only several times, in the DMA and by allowing the recording or reproducing apparatus to read only meaningful information from the defect management area, the TDMS recorded in the TDMA, i.e., the TDFL and TDDS, is finally recorded in the DMA.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate a process of recording data in a user data area and a spare area, which is applicable to both single-layer and dual-layer write-once discs, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5A shows a user data area and fig. 5B shows a spare area. A method of recording user data in the user data area includes a continuous recording mode and/or a random recording mode. User data is continuously and sequentially recorded in a continuous recording mode and randomly recorded in a random recording mode. Areas 501 to 507 indicate units in which verification after recording is performed according to verify-after-write operation.

The recording apparatus writes user data in the area 501 and verifies whether the user data has been normally written or whether a defect has been generated in the area 501. If a portion in which a defect has been generated is found, the portion is designated as a defective area (i.e., defect #1), and the recording apparatus rewrites the user data, which has been written in defect #1, in the spare area shown in fig. 5B. The portion in which the user data that has been written in defect #1 is rewritten is referred to as replacement # 1. The recording apparatus writes user data in the area 502 and verifies whether the user data has been normally written or whether a defect has been generated in the area 502. If the portion where the defect is generated is found, the portion is designated as a defective area (i.e., defect # 2). Also, replacement #2 corresponding to defect #2 is generated. Further, in the region 503, defect #3 and replacement #3 are generated. In the region 504, since a portion in which a defect has been generated is not found, a defective area does not exist.

If the end of the recording operation #1 is predicted after the user data is written and verified, i.e., if the user pushes the eject button or if the recording of the user data assigned to the recording operation is completed, the recording apparatus writes information related to the defective areas defect #1, defect #2, and defect #3 generated in the areas 501 to 504 as TDFL #1 in the TDMA. Further, a management structure for managing the TDFL #1 is written in the TDMA as TDDS # 1.

The recording operation is a unit of work determined by the user's intention or desired recording workload. In the present embodiment, the recording operation indicates a period from when the write-once disc is loaded and a recording work of predetermined information is performed to when the write-once disc is unloaded from the recording apparatus. However, it should be understood that the work units may be defined in different ways, such as by time periods.

When the write-once disc is loaded again, the recording operation #2 starts, the recording conditions in the recording condition test area are tested, and user data is written based on the test result. That is, in the recording operation #2, user data is written in the areas 505 to 507 in the same manner as in the recording operation #1, and defect #4, defect #5, replacement #4, and replacement #5 are generated. When the recording operation #2 ends, the recording apparatus writes information about defect #4 and defect #5 as TDFL #2 in the TDMA. Further, a management structure for managing the TDFL #2 is written in the TDMA as TDDS # 2.

As shown in fig. 2, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, when a plurality of TDMAs and spare areas are allocated to the write-once disc, the plurality of TDMAs and spare areas are used in a predetermined order. For example, when the data writing path applied to the write-once disc having a dual recording layer shown in fig. 3A and 3B is an opposite track path. In the opposite track path, data is recorded from a first inner area of the first recording layer L0 to a first outer area of the first recording layer L0 and from a second inner area of the second recording layer L1 to a second outer area of the second recording layer L1. Further, data is recorded in the plurality of spare areas starting from the first spare area of the first recording layer L0. When the first spare area is full, the second spare area, the third spare area, and the fourth spare area are used in this sequential order.

Also, the TDMS is recorded in a plurality of TDMAs starting from the TDMA1 of the first recording layer L0. When the TDMA1 is full, the updated TDMS is recorded in the TDMA2 allocated to the second inner area of the second recording layer L1. When the TDMA2 is full, the most recently updated TDMS is recorded in the TDMA3 allocated to the first data area of the first recording layer L0. In the illustrated embodiment, the TDMAs 1 and 2 allocated to the inner areas of the recording layers are necessary for the write-once disc. However, the TDMA allocated to the data area may or may not be allocated according to a user's selection. Accordingly, the TDMS is recorded in a plurality of TDMAs allocated to the inner areas of the recording layers. When the TDMAs allocated to the inner area of the recording layer are full, the TDMAs allocated to the data area are used. However, it should be understood that the TDMA allocated to the inner area may not be necessary in other aspects of the present invention.

The write-once disc is generally unloaded when a finally updated TDMS is written in the TDMA allocated to the data area. When the write-once disc is reloaded into the recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus must obtain a finally updated TDMS to use the write-once disc. However, when the TDMS is recorded in the TDMA allocated to the data area, the apparatus cannot recognize that the TDMS is recorded in the TDMA allocated to the data area until the recording and/or reproducing apparatus accesses the TDDS included in the TDMS. Furthermore, even if the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that the finally updated TDMS is recorded in the TDMA allocated to the data area, it may take a considerable amount of time to search for the finally updated TDMS recorded in the TDMA if the size of the TDMA is large.

In order to improve the search time, three exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below. In these three embodiments, the Access Information (AI) indicates a location where update information such as a TDMS, more specifically, a TDDS, is recorded. Further, the update information indicates information that the recording and/or reproducing apparatus should recognize and read to use the write-once disc during an initial period when the write-once disc is loaded in the recording and/or reproducing apparatus. Further, an area in which update information is recorded is referred to as an update area. In these three embodiments, the update information is TDDS and the update area is TDMA.

In the first embodiment, at least one main AIA for recording a main AI is allocated to a lead-in area or an inner area of a write-once disc, and a sub AIA is allocated to a TDMA. When the write-once disc is loaded, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus first obtains a main AI by accessing the main AIA. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes a TDMA in which a finally updated TDDS is recorded from the main AI, and then obtains the sub AI by accessing the sub AIA of the TDMA. Since the recording and/or reproducing apparatus can recognize the position in the TDMA where the finally updated TDDS is recorded from the sub AI, the time required to search for the finally updated TDDS in the TDMA can be reduced.

According to the first embodiment, the AIA allocated to the write-once disc shown in fig. 2, 3A, and 4A is a main AIA. Although not necessary, the size of the main AIA is preferably limited by minimizing the amount of main AIs recorded in the main AIA and the main AI update count because it takes a long time to obtain the main AI if the size of the main AIA is large or a plurality of main AIAs are allocated. In order to minimize the main AI update count, when the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded is changed, the main AI is recorded in one recording unit block of the main AIA.

Fig. 6 is a data structure of a TDDS according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a data structure of a separate main AI is not defined, and the TDDS is used as the main AI. As described above, the TDDS includes location information of the TDMA allocated to the write-once disc. As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, when the TDMAs 1 through 5 are allocated to the write-once disc, the TDDS includes position information of the TDMAs 1 through 5.

In the first embodiment, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus may recognize the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded from the number of recording unit blocks in the main AIA in which TDDSs are recorded.

The case where the TDMAs 1 through 5 are allocated to the write-once disc and used in the order of the TDMA1, TDMA2, TDMA3, TDMA4, and TDMA5 will now be described in detail. If the main AI (i.e., TDDS) is not recorded in the main AIA at all, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that the final TDDS is recorded in the first TDMA (i.e., TDMA 1).

If the TDDS is recorded in only the first block of the main AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that the final TDDS is recorded in the second TDMA, i.e., the TDMA 2. If a plurality of TDDSs are recorded in the first and second blocks of the main AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that a final TDDS is recorded in a third TDMA, i.e., the TDMA 3. Also, if a plurality of TDDSs are recorded in the first to third blocks of the main AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that a final TDDS is recorded in the fourth TDMA, i.e., the TDMA4, and if a plurality of TDDSs are recorded in the first to fourth blocks of the main AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that a final TDDS is recorded in the fifth TDMA, i.e., the TDMA 5.

As described above, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus identifies the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded from the number of recording unit blocks in which the TDDS in the main AIA is recorded, and reproduces the TDDS finally recorded in the main AIA. Accordingly, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus can recognize the location information of the TDMA from the TDDS.

The size of the main AIA depends on the number of TDMAs allocated to the write-once disc. That is, if N TDMAs exist in the write-once disc, the main AIA includes at least (N-1) recording unit blocks, where N is a positive natural number.

The sub AIA and the sub AI will now be described with reference to fig. 7. The sub AIA is allocated from the first block of each TDMA, and the size of the sub AIA depends on how many sub-areas the TDMA including the sub AIA is divided into.

Fig. 7 is a data structure of a TDMA divided into a sub AIA and a plurality of sub-areas. Similar to the main AIA shown in fig. 6, the TDDS is used as the sub-AI, and the recording and/or reproducing apparatus identifies a sub-TDMA area in the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded, from the number of recording unit blocks in the sub-AIA in which the TDDS is recorded.

As shown in fig. 7, the TDMA is divided into first to M-th sub-TDMAs, and when the sub-areas are sequentially used in a direction from the first to M-th sub-TDMAs, if the TDDS is not recorded in the sub-AIA at all, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that the final TDDS is recorded in the first sub-TDMA, i.e., the sub-TDMA 1.

If the TDDS is recorded only in the first block of the sub AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that the final TDDS is recorded in the second sub TDMA, i.e., the sub TDMA 2. If a plurality of TDDSs are recorded in the first and second blocks of the sub-AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that a final TDDS is recorded in the third sub-TDMA, i.e., the sub-TDMA 3. According to the first embodiment, the size of the sub AIA allocated to each TDMA depends on the number of sub-areas allocated to each TDMA. That is, if M sub-areas exist in the TDMA, the sub-AIA should include at least (M-1) recording unit blocks, where M is a positive natural number.

Fig. 8 illustrates a main AIA and a sub AIA according to an embodiment of the present invention. The write-once disc according to the first embodiment is a disc in which: when initialization using the disc is performed as shown in fig. 4A and 4B, only the TDMA5 is allocated to the data area. The main AIA includes 4 recording unit blocks. In the present embodiment, the TDMA5 includes 35,000 blocks, divided into units of 4,000 blocks. That is, the TDMA5 includes 9 sub-areas (i.e., 8 sub-areas of 4000 blocks each and 1 sub-area of 3000 blocks). Therefore, as described above, the sub-AIA includes 8 recording unit blocks (i.e., M-1, where M is 9). However, it should be understood that other numbers of TDMAs, recording unit blocks, and sub-areas may be used.

When the write-once disc is initialized, or when the TDMA1 is used, the main AI is not recorded in the main AIA. If the position where the final TDDS is recorded becomes the TDMA2, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus indicates that the final TDDS is recorded in the TDMA2 by recording the TDDS in the first block of the main AIA. If the position where the final TDDS is recorded becomes the TDMA5, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus indicates that the final TDDS is recorded in the first sub-area of the TDMA5 by recording TDDSs in the second, third, and fourth blocks of the main AIA.

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate sub AIAs of a dual layer write-once disc according to the first embodiment, in which a TDMA3, a TDMA4, and a TDMA5 are allocated to a data area when initialization is performed to use the disc as illustrated in fig. 3A and 3B. Therefore, as described above, since 5 TDMAs are allocated, the main AIA includes 4 recording unit blocks. Each of the TDMA3 and TDMA4 includes 16,000 blocks, and as shown in fig. 8, the TDMA5 includes 35,000 blocks.

Fig. 9A is a data structure of the TDMA3, and fig. 9B is a data structure of the TDMA 4. The TDMA3 includes 4 sub-areas of 4000 blocks each. Accordingly, the sub AIA included in the TDMA3 includes 3 recording unit blocks. Since the TDMA4 is the same as the TDMA3, the sub AIA included in the TDMA4 also includes 3 recording unit blocks.

The TDMA5 is divided into units of 4,000 recording unit blocks, including 9 sub-areas. Therefore, as described above, the sub AIA included in the TDMA5 includes 8 recording unit blocks. It should be understood that other recording blocks of cells may be used instead of 4,000.

As described above with reference to fig. 6 to 9, according to the first embodiment, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus can more quickly access a location where the final TDDS is recorded by recording the main AI in the main AIA and recording the sub AI in the sub AIA.

The operation when the recording and/or reproducing apparatus accesses the location where the final TDDS is recorded from the main AI and the sub AI will now be described in more detail. According to the first embodiment, when a write-once disc in which a main AI and a sub AI are recorded is loaded in a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus accesses the main AIA. If information is not recorded in the main AIA at all, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus determines that a final TDDS is recorded in the TDMA1 or that the write-once disc is an empty disc, and accesses the TDMA 1. If no data is recorded in the TDMA1, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes that the write-once disc is an empty disc and starts initialization to use the write-once disc. If data is recorded in the TDMA1, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus obtains a final TDDS from the TDMA 1.

If data is recorded in the main AIA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus reproduces the TDDS by accessing a block in which the data is finally recorded. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus recognizes which block is a block in which data is finally recorded and recognizes in which TDMA a final TDDS is recorded. Further, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus may recognize the size of the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded from the reproduced TDDS and whether the sub-AIA is allocated to the TDMA from the size information, and if the sub-AIA is allocated to the TDMA, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus may recognize the size of the sub-AIA. If the sub-AIA is not allocated to the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus searches for the final TDDS from the TDMA.

However, if the sub AIA is allocated to the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus accesses the sub AIA, identifies a block in which data is recorded, and identifies a corresponding sub-area of the TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded.

Unlike the first embodiment shown in fig. 6 to 9, in the second embodiment shown in fig. 10, sub AIAs are not allocated, and at least one AIA for recording AI is allocated to a lead-in area or an inner area of a write-once disc.

Fig. 10 is a data structure of Access Information (AI) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The data structure of the AI shown in fig. 10 is the same as that of the TDDS. However, a flag indicating a TDMA in which a final TDDS is recorded is also included in the TDDS.

In the second embodiment shown in fig. 10, the flag includes first flag information indicating a TDMA in which the final TDDS is recorded and second flag information indicating in which portion of the TDMA indicated by the first flag information the final TDDS is recorded. As shown, the first flag information has 4 bits: b4 to b 7. For example, it can be defined as follows: the final TDDS is recorded in the TDMA1 when b4 to b7 are "0000 b", in the TDMA2 when b4 to b7 are "0001 b", in the TDMA2 when b4 to b7 are "0010 b", in the TDMA3 when b4 to b7 are "0100 b", in the TDMA4 when b4 to b7 are "1000 b", and in the TDMA 5.

The second flag information has 4 bits: b0 to b 3. The second flag information in the case where the first flag information indicates the TDMA5 divided into 5 sub-areas will now be described as an example. Can be defined as follows: when b0 through b3 are "0000 b", the final TDDS is recorded in the first sub-area, when b0 through b3 are "0001 b", the final TDDS is recorded in the second sub-area, when b0 through b3 are "0010 b", the final TDDS is recorded in the third sub-area, when b0 through b3 are "0100 b", the final TDDS is recorded in the fourth sub-area, and when b0 through b3 are "1000 b", the final TDDS is recorded in the fifth sub-area. It should be understood that other bit values may be defined by the user or the disk manufacturer.

The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment described above with reference to fig. 6 to 9. However, unlike the first embodiment, in the third embodiment, the sub-AIAs are not recorded in the write-once disc, and therefore, in the third embodiment, the sub-AIAs are not allocated to the TDMA, and the main AI and the main AIA described above with reference to the first embodiment are denoted as AI and AIA, respectively.

The recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which the write-once disc according to the third embodiment is loaded records user data in the data area and a TDDS in one of the TDMAs. If the latest updated TDDS cannot be recorded in the TDMA due to fullness of the TDMA in which the previous TDDS is recorded, the latest updated TDDS is recorded in one of the TDMAs based on a predetermined order of use. Further, the latest updated TDDS is recorded as AI in one recording block of the AIA.

The reproducing apparatus, in which the write-once disc according to the third embodiment is loaded, accesses the AIA and determines a final TDMA in which the TDDS finally updated among the TDMAs is recorded, based on the number of recording blocks in which the AI is recorded. Then, the reproducing apparatus obtains the finally updated AI from the recording block, which is finally recorded in the final TDMA. The reproducing apparatus obtains the position information of the final TDMA in which the finally updated TDDS is recorded from the finally updated AI. Finally, the reproducing apparatus obtains a finally updated TDDS from the final TDMA. Since the TDDS recorded as an AI in the AIA is recorded in the AIA only in the case where the TDMA in which the updated TDDS is recorded is changed, the TDDS may be different from the finally updated TDDS.

Fig. 11 is a block diagram of a data recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 11, the data recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: a write/read unit 1, a controller 2 and a memory 3. The write/read unit 1 writes data on the write-once disc 100 and reads data recorded on the write-once disc 100 under the control of the controller 2. The write-once disc 100 is a write-once disc according to the first, second, or third embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 1 to 10.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the controller 2 controls the write/read unit 1 to write the main AI, the sub AI, and/or the AI on the write-once disc 100. Further, when reproducing the write-once disc 100, when the write-once disc 100 is loaded, according to the first to third embodiments described above, the data recording and/or reproducing apparatus obtains a finally updated TDDS on the write-once disc 100 from information recorded in the main AIA, the sub AIA, and/or the AIA.

The reproducing operation of the write-once disc 100 according to aspects of the present invention will now be described by a reproduction-only apparatus. Even though not shown, the structure of the reproducing apparatus according to the present invention is similar to that of the recording and reproducing apparatus shown in fig. 11. However, since it is a reproduction-only device, a reader is included instead of the writing/reading unit 1. The read unit of the reproduction-only apparatus reads data recorded on the write-once disc 100 under the control of the controller of the reproduction apparatus. The write-once disc 100 is a write-once disc according to the first, second, or third embodiment described above with reference to fig. 1 to 10.

When the write-once disc is loaded in the reproducing apparatus, the controller of the reproducing apparatus obtains a finally updated TDDS on the write-once disc 100 from information recorded in the above-described main AIA, sub AIA, and/or AIA.

A person skilled in the art will readily understand the operation of the recording and reproducing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus from the description of the above-described embodiments. Further, it should be understood that all or portions of the methods and/or controllers can be implemented as computer software encoded on a computer-readable medium for use by a general and/or special purpose computer. Further, while described in terms of a write-once disc, it should be understood that aspects of the invention may be implemented using rewritable media, particularly when a write-once partition or zone is implemented.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims (2)

1. A method of recording data on a write-once information storage medium including a plurality of update areas and at least one access information area used in a predetermined order, the method comprising:

recording a predetermined type of update information in one of the plurality of update areas;

recording access information including location information of the plurality of update areas in an access information area in units of recording blocks, the access information area including a plurality of recording blocks,

wherein the location information indicates a final update area in which predetermined types of finally updated information among the plurality of update areas are recorded using the number of recording blocks in which the access information is recorded.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the update information is a temporary disc definition structure, and the temporary disc definition structure is recorded as the access information in the access information area.