JP2001052436A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain consecutive recording/reproducing operation of a series of recording signals by recording the recording signal in the manner of selecting a free area having capacity corresponded to a transfer rate among the free areas dotted over a disk. SOLUTION: In this recorder, positions and capacities of all free areas between the data areas are respectively detected by a system controller 3 based on control data recorded on the disk 1, and when the recording signal is recorded in the free area at the specified transfer rate, discrimination is made whether the series of the recording signals are consecutively recordable/ reproducible or not, based on the time required for seeking the data area, the capacity of a 1st track buffer 10, or the like. Then, the recording signals are recorded by selecting the free area judged as that the consecutive recording/ reproducing operations of the series of the recording signals are allowed. Thus, the series of the recording signals are made to be consecutively recordable and reproducible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus suitable for use in, for example, a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus (DVD: digital video disk or digital versatile disk) or an HDD apparatus (HDD: hard disk drive). When recording at a rate is possible, by detecting a vacant area where continuous recording / reproduction is possible at each transfer rate from among vacant areas scattered on a recording medium, and recording a recording signal, , A recording device capable of continuously recording and reproducing continuous information such as a movie.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a recording / reproducing apparatus which performs compression / expansion processing on predetermined information such as image information and audio information using MPEG technology and records / reproduces the information on a DVD (digital video disk or digital versatile disk), for example. Have been.

In this recording / reproducing apparatus, when one desired angle is selected from several types of angles, information corresponding to the selected angle intermittently recorded on the disc is jumped. A multi-angle function for intermittent playback is provided.

The recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with, for example, a high-quality recording mode, an intermediate-quality recording mode, and a normal-quality recording mode. Information can be recorded by selecting each of these recording modes. . Specifically, in the high-quality recording mode, for example, information of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps is
It is possible to record for a time, and in the intermediate image quality recording mode, for example, information of a transfer rate of 4 Mbps can be recorded for 4 hours. In the normal image quality recording mode,
Information of a transfer rate of 2 Mbps can be recorded for 8 hours.

A conventional recording / reproducing apparatus is provided with a memory of a predetermined bit (hereinafter referred to as a track buffer (TB)). By performing recording / reproducing of information via this track buffer, different transfer rates are provided. The multi-angle function and recording in each recording mode are realized by absorbing a difference in information transfer rate.

Specifically, for example, a 4 Mbyte DRAM is provided as the track buffer, and information of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps at a variable transfer rate can be stored for about 0.5 seconds. I have. However, the track buffer of 4 Mbytes is rarely used today, and is larger than this capacity, for example, 16 Mbytes.
It is common to use a byte or 64 Mbyte track buffer. A 16 Mbyte track buffer can store information of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps at a variable transfer rate for about 2 seconds, and a track buffer of 64 Mbytes stores information of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps at a variable transfer rate for about 8 seconds. You can do it.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-92158 discloses the relationship between the seek time required for a device and the capacity of a track buffer in order to maintain the continuity of the intermittently reproduced signal. I have.

[0008]

However, when the disc is a recordable disc, if an edit such as partially erasing the recorded data is performed, the free area and the recorded area become irregularly dotted. Therefore, there arises a problem that it is difficult to ensure the continuity of the information to be recorded / reproduced by the capacity of the track buffer.

That is, in the case of the track buffer of 4 Mbps, information of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps can be stored for 0.5 sec as described above. If the distance from the free area to the next free area is 0.5 sec or more, information cannot be continuously recorded and reproduced.

In the case where the distance from one free area to the next free area is 0.5 sec or more,
Even if a 64 MB track buffer capable of storing the information of the transfer rate of 8 Mbps for 8 seconds is provided, if the transfer rate of the input information is 8 Mbps and the transfer rate at the time of recording on the disc is 10 Mbps, Is
The ratio of the recording waiting time is (10−8) /10=0.2. That is, if a time corresponding to 20% is required for a seek during recording, even if the capacity of the track buffer is increased, it is still impossible to continuously record and reproduce the input information.

In order to continuously record and reproduce information as described above, the transfer rate of the input information, the capacity of the track buffer, the transfer rate of the information when recording on the medium, and the free space of the medium are required. The seek time for seeking an empty area or a recorded area of the medium has a great effect.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and enables predetermined information to be continuously recorded and reproduced even when empty areas are scattered on a medium due to editing or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording device capable of performing such operations.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus for temporarily storing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information during recording as a means for solving the above-mentioned problem. Means, position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least the recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded, and position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. And a vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area of the recording medium on which recording information is recorded.

In addition to these means, seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek from a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area; If the transfer rate of the recording information is “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage means is “C”, and the time required for the seek is “T”, and if “C / B> T” is satisfied, the free area is continuously Recordable free space detecting means for detecting as a free space capable of recording / reproducing typical record information, and a free space detected by the recordable free space detecting means, Recording means for performing recording.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a recording medium for recording. Position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least a recording position of the record information of the position information is recorded; and on a recording medium based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. A vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area in which recording information is recorded, and a seek operation from a recording area located before and after each vacant area detected by the vacant area detecting means to the vacant area. A seek time detecting means for detecting a required time.

In addition to these means, the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording is "A", the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", and the capacity of the free space detected by the free space detecting means. Is “m” and the time required for the seek is “T”, and “m> (A × B × T) / (A−
B) ", the recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and the empty area detected by the recordable empty area detecting means. Recording means for recording the record information in the area via the temporary storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a recording medium for recording. Position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least a recording position of the record information of the position information is recorded; and on a recording medium based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. A vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area in which recording information is recorded, and a seek operation from a recording area located before and after each vacant area detected by the vacant area detecting means to the vacant area. A seek time detecting means for detecting a required time.

In addition to these means, the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording is "A", the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", the capacity of the temporary storage means is "C", “C / B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (A−), where“ m ”is the capacity of the empty area detected by the area detecting means, and“ T ”is the time required for the seek.
B) ", the recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and the empty area detected by the recordable empty area detecting means. Recording means for recording the record information in the area via the temporary storage means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus according to the present invention, wherein the vacant area having a capacity larger than a capacity corresponding to a transfer rate of a recording signal is used as the recordable empty area detecting means. A device for determining whether or not continuous recording information can be recorded / reproduced only in an area is provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a recording medium for recording. Position information reproducing means for reproducing the position information from a management area in which position information indicating at least a recording position of the record information of the position information is recorded; and on a recording medium based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means. A free area detecting means for detecting a free area with respect to a recording area in which the recording information is recorded, and an information amount detecting means for detecting an information amount of the recording information to be recorded on the recording medium.

In addition, in addition to these means, when the information amount of the record information detected by the information amount detecting means is equal to or less than the information amount corresponding to a predetermined transfer rate, the information amount of the record information is reduced to a predetermined amount. Dummy information forming means for forming dummy information for obtaining an information amount corresponding to a transfer rate, and adding the dummy information formed by the dummy information forming means to the recording information so that the information amount of the recording information is determined by a predetermined amount. Recording means for recording the information amount corresponding to the transfer rate in the empty area detected by the empty area detecting means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a capacity of the empty area corresponding to a transfer rate of the recording information and / or a transfer of the recording information are provided. Display means for displaying at least a substantial recordable time corresponding to the rate.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The recording apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus as shown in FIG. The DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a recording type DVD-R made of a phase change material.
Predetermined information such as video information and audio information is recorded and reproduced at a constant linear velocity (CLV) on a W disk 1 (DVD rewritable disk: hereinafter simply referred to as disk 1).

The amount of data for one round of the disk 1 is about 2 ECC blocks on the inner circumference of the disk (1 ECC block is composed of 16 sectors in error correction processing units).
The size is about 4 ECC blocks on the outer circumference of the disk. The rotation cycle of the disk 1 is 40
msec, and about 80 msec around the disk.

In such a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus, when a recording / reproducing operation is specified from an operation panel 2 such as an operation panel or a remote controller (remote controller), the system controller 3 detects this, and a driver 5 and a spindle The motor 9 is driven to rotate the disk 1 at a constant linear velocity, and the actuator of the optical pickup 6 is driven via the servo control circuit 4 and the driver 5 to control the movement of the optical pickup 6 to the designated recording track.

The optical pickup 6 forms a reproduction signal (RF signal), a tracking error signal, a focus error signal and control data based on the reflected light obtained by irradiating the disk 1 with a laser beam. The preamplifier 7 feeds back the tracking error signal, the focus error signal, and the control data to the servo control circuit 4. The servo control circuit 4 controls the movement of the pickup by driving the actuator based on the returned control data so as to reproduce the sector of the target track. In addition, the servo control circuit 4 performs the following based on the tracking error signal and the focus error signal.
The optical pickup 6 is controlled via the driver 5 so that the tracking error and the focus error become zero (feedback control).

The preamplifier 7 performs a predetermined equalizing process on the reproduced signal to optimize the frequency characteristics, and performs a phase control by a PLL circuit to supply the reproduced signal to the signal processing circuit 8. Further, the preamplifier 7 forms a jitter value by comparing the bit clock of the PLL circuit with the time axis of the reproduced signal by the jitter generation circuit, and supplies the jitter value to the system controller 3. The system controller 3 detects the jitter value and performs waveform correction control during recording based on the detected jitter value.

When the reproduced signal is data compressed and encoded at a variable transfer rate of MPEG, the signal processing circuit 8
The reproduction signal is temporarily stored in, for example, a 64 Mbyte first track buffer 10 (for example, DRAM) and read out, thereby absorbing a time variation of the variable transfer rate of the reproduction signal. Then, the reproduction signal read from the first track buffer 10 is digitized to perform synchronization detection, and the reproduction signal that is an EFM + signal (8-16 modulated signal) is converted into NRZ data (NRZ: Non Return to Zero). )
And performs error correction processing on the NRZ data, and supplies the result to the AV encoding / decoding unit 11.

The AV encoding / decoding section 11 controls the writing and reading of the reproduced signal supplied from the signal processing circuit 8 to, for example, a second track buffer 12 of 64 Mbytes while compressing the reproduced signal based on the MPEG technology. The reproduced signal in which the audio data and the video data are multiplexed is separated into compressed audio data and compressed video data, and each of them is subjected to decompression decoding processing based on the MPEG technology.

The decompressed and decoded audio data is converted into an analog signal and supplied to, for example, a speaker unit 13 of a television receiver. Thereby, an audio output corresponding to the audio data recorded on the disk 1 can be obtained. The AV encoding / decoding unit 11 supplies the video data subjected to the decompression decoding processing to the display control unit 14. The display control unit 14 converts this video data into, for example, N
The signal is converted into a TSC television signal and supplied to the display unit 15 of the television receiver. Thereby, a video output corresponding to the video data recorded on the disk 1 can be obtained.

As described above, although simple, the D
The overall operation of the VD recording / reproducing apparatus has been described.
The operation will be described separately for “operation at the time of recording” and “operation at the time of reproduction”.

First, the "operation at the time of recording" will be described. The DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment is capable of recording an image for 2 hours at a transfer rate of 8 Mbps when recording an image, for example. An image quality recording mode, an intermediate image quality recording mode capable of recording images for 4 hours at a transfer rate of 4 Mbps,
And a normal image quality recording mode capable of recording an image for 8 hours at a transfer rate of 2 Mbps, and the user selects a desired recording mode from the three recording modes. Is input by operating the operation unit 2.

When the system controller 3 detects the recording mode input by the user, it sets the transfer rate corresponding to the recording mode in the AV encoding / decoding section 11 and, via the servo control circuit 3 and the driver 5. By controlling the rotation of the spindle motor 9 at a constant linear velocity, the drive of the optical pickup 6 is controlled to irradiate a laser spot on the disk 1. Then, the optical pickup 6 is controlled to move to a target sector on the basis of the reproduced address signal recorded in the signal track in advance.

In this example, the disk 1 is controlled at a constant linear velocity (CLV). However, the disk 1 may be controlled at a constant angular velocity (CAV), a zone CAV, or the like. When the zone CAV is set, the angular velocity is set at each position while the system controller 3 manages the address position of the track even when the linear velocity of the inner circumference and the outer circumference changes to about 30 zones.

The AV encoder / decoder 11 has an input terminal 16
The recording signal (video information, audio information, and the like) supplied via the second track buffer 12 is compressed and encoded in a predetermined recording unit using the MPEG technology while controlling writing and reading to and from the second track buffer 12, The signal processing circuit 8
To supply.

The system controller 3 detects the compression rate of the recording signal based on the control data. The signal processing circuit 8 controls the first track buffer 1 based on the compression rate detected by the system controller 3.
By setting the values of “FULL” and “EMPTY” to 0, respectively, and temporarily storing and reading out the recording signal that has been compression-encoded by the AV encoding / decoding unit 11 in the first track buffer 10, Absorbs the time variation of the variable transfer rate of the reproduction signal.

More specifically, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the transition of the occupation amount of the data in the storage area of the first track buffer 10 in the normal image quality recording mode (the recording mode in which the transfer rate is 2 Mbps). However, as can be seen from this figure, between time t1 and time t3, recording information is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 2 Mbps. As described above, while the recording information is being written into the first track buffer 10 (between time t1 and time t3), the optical pickup 6
It is controlled to a standby state.

In the case of a DVD-RW (RW: rewritable), the writing speed to the disc at 1 × speed is 1
The speed is 1.08 Mbps or 10.08 Mbps, but in this example, for simplicity of description, the description will be made assuming that the writing speed to the disc at 1 × speed is, for example, 10 Mbps.

In this case, the recording information written in the first track buffer 10 is “10 Mbps−2 Mbps” because the writing speed to the disk 1 is 10 Mbps.
s = 8 Mbps "and is read out between time t2 and time t4. The optical pickup 6 is controlled to be driven at the timing when the recording information is read from the first track buffer 10. Thus, the recording information is recorded on the disk 1.

Similarly, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the transition of the occupation amount of data in the storage area of the first track buffer 10 in the intermediate image quality recording mode (recording mode with a transfer rate of 4 Mbps). As can be seen from this figure, between time t1 and time t3, recording information is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 4 Mbps. Then, the first track buffer 1
The recording information written in “0” is “10 Mbps-4 Mbps”.
At the speed of “ps = 6 Mbps”, the data is read out and recorded on the disk 1 between the time t2 and the time t4.

Similarly, FIG. 2C is a diagram showing the transition of the occupation amount of data in the storage area of the first track buffer 10 in the high image quality recording mode (recording mode with a transfer rate of 8 Mbps). As can be seen from this figure, between time t1 and time t3, recording information is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 8 Mbps. Then, the first track buffer 1
The recording information written in “0” is “10 Mbps−8 Mbps”.
At the speed of “ps = 2 Mbps”, the data is read out and recorded on the disk 1 between the time t2 and the time t4.

As described above, in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, the transfer rate at the time of recording is set to 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps, which is lower than 10 Mbps at the time of recording / reproducing of the disk. Therefore, while controlling the optical pickup 6 at the time t1 or the time t3 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C in the standby state, it is possible to absorb the difference between the transfer rates and continuously. Recording information can be recorded.

Next, in the "operation at the time of reproduction", in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment, at the time of reproduction, the system controller 3 controls the movement of the optical pickup 6 to the position of the track designated for reproduction. At the same time, the compression rate at the time of recording is detected based on the control data recorded on the disk 1. The signal processing circuit 8 sets the values of “FULL” and “EMPTY” in the first track buffer 10 based on the compression rate detected by the system controller 3, and outputs the reproduction signal reproduced by the optical pickup 6. Write control is performed on the first track buffer 10.

The signal processing circuit 8 monitors the remaining amount of the storage area of the first track buffer 10, and by writing a reproduction signal to the first track buffer 10, At the timing when the amount exceeds “EMPTY”, reading of the reproduction signal written in the first track buffer 10 is started, and this is supplied to the AV encoding / decoding unit 11.

The AV encoding / decoding section 11 performs the decompression and decoding process on the reproduced signal using the MPEG technology while controlling the writing and reading of the reproduced signal to and from the second track buffer 12 as described above. The video signal is separated and supplied to the speaker unit 13 and the display unit 15, respectively.

While the reading of the reproduction signal is being performed, the writing of the reproduction signal to the first track buffer 10 is continued. However, the reading of the reproduction signal to the first track buffer 10 is performed as described below. Since the writing speed is faster than the reading speed of the reproduction signal, the reproduction signal is written to the first track buffer 10 more than the reading speed. Therefore, even when a reproduction signal is being read from the first track buffer 10, the remaining amount of the first track buffer 10 gradually decreases (the written reproduction signal is gradually accumulated). .

The system controller 3 controls the optical pickup 6 so that the reproduction is temporarily stopped at the timing when the remaining amount of the storage area of the first track buffer 10 becomes "FULL". At the same time, the signal processing circuit 8
Of the reproduction signal to the track buffer 10 is temporarily stopped. As a result, the reproduction signal written in the first track buffer 10 is only read out by the signal processing circuit 8, so that the remaining amount of the storage area of the first track buffer 10 gradually increases.

The system controller 3 controls the optical pickup 6 so as to restart the reproduction at the timing when the remaining amount of the storage area of the first track buffer 10 thus increased becomes “EMPTY”. At the same time, the signal processing circuit 8 restarts writing of the reproduction signal to the first track buffer 10.

Then, the signal processing circuit 8 determines that the remaining amount of the storage area of the first track buffer 10 is "FU" as described above.
Until "LL" is reached, the reproduction signal is written and controlled in the first track buffer 10.

More specifically, FIG. 3A shows the occupation of data in the storage area of the first track buffer 10 when reproducing a recording signal recorded in a normal image quality recording mode (a recording mode with a transfer rate of 2 Mbps). As can be seen from this figure, since the writing speed of the recording signal to the disk is 10 Mbps in this case, the first track buffer 10
T until the remaining capacity of the storage area becomes “EMPTY”
During 1, 10 Mbp is supplied to the first track buffer 10.
The reproduction signal is written at the transfer rate of s and the time t until the remaining amount changes from “EMPTY” to “FULL”.
2, between time t4 and time t6, "10Mbps-2M
The reproduction signal is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of “bps = 8 Mbps”.

Further, while the reproduction operation of the optical pickup 6 and the writing operation to the first track buffer 10 are each temporarily controlled, the remaining amount of the first track buffer 10 changes from “FULL” to “FULL”. During the time t3 and the time t5 until “EMPTY”, the reproduction signal is read from the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 2 Mbps.

Similarly, FIG. 3B shows the first track buffer 10 when reproducing a recording signal recorded in the intermediate image quality recording mode (recording mode with a transfer rate of 4 Mbps).
This is a diagram showing the transition of the occupation amount of data in the storage area of FIG.
Of the storage area of the track buffer 10 of "EMPT
During the time t1 until it becomes “Y”, a reproduction signal is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 10 Mbps, and the remaining amount is changed from “EMPTY” to “FUL”.
During the time t2, the time t4, and the time t6 until the signal becomes “L”, the reproduction signal is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of “10 Mbps−4 Mbps = 6 Mbps”.

Further, while the reproducing operation of the optical pickup 6 and the writing operation to the first track buffer 10 are each temporarily controlled, the remaining amount of the first track buffer 10 changes from “FULL” to “FULL”. During the time t3 and the time t5 until “EMPTY”, the reproduction signal is read from the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 4 Mbps.

Similarly, FIG. 3C shows the first track buffer 10 during reproduction of a recording signal recorded in a high-quality recording mode (a recording mode with a transfer rate of 8 Mbps).
This is a diagram showing the transition of the occupation amount of data in the storage area of FIG.
Of the storage area of the track buffer 10 of "EMPT
During the time t1 until it becomes “Y”, a reproduction signal is written to the first track buffer 10 at a transfer rate of 10 Mbps, and the remaining amount is changed from “EMPTY” to “FUL”.
During the time t2, the time t4, and the time t6 until the signal becomes “L”, the reproduction signal is written to the first track buffer 10 at the transfer rate of “10 Mbps−8 Mbps = 2 Mbps”.

Further, while the reproducing operation of the optical pickup 6 and the writing operation to the first track buffer 10 are each temporarily controlled, the remaining amount of the first track buffer 10 is changed from “FULL” to “FULL”. During the time t3 and the time t5 until “EMPTY”, the reproduction signal is read from the first track buffer 10 at the transfer rate of 8 Mbps.

As described above, in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment, the transfer rate at the time of reproduction is set to 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps, which is lower than 10 Mbps, which is the transfer rate at the time of recording and reproduction of the disk. Therefore, while controlling the optical pickup 6 at the time t3 or the time t5 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C in the standby state, it is possible to absorb the difference between the transfer rates and continuously. The recorded information can be reproduced.

That is, even during recording or reproduction, the time of the difference between the transfer rates is a time during which the recording signal is not recorded on the disk or a time during which reproduction is not performed. Can have. Therefore, even if the recording area or the reproduction area on the disc is interrupted once, the optical pickup is moved to the next recording area or the reproduction area within the non-recording time or the non-reproduction time. 6 can be moved, and moving images and the like can be continuously recorded or reproduced.

Next, the actual recording operation of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing recording signals (audio information, video information, etc.) on the disk recorded by the above-described recording operation. In this example, the control signal is followed by the recording signal. File 1 (File 1) to File 8 (File 8) are recorded on the disk 1, respectively. The side on which the control data is recorded is the inner circumference of the disk, and the side on which the file 8, which is one of the recording signals, is recorded is the outer circumference of the disk.

Here, when the user operates the operation unit 2, the file 2, the file 4, the file 6, and the file 8 are selected from all the files (file 1 to file 8) recorded on the disc 1. If you delete it,
As shown in (b), four divided free areas are formed on the disk 1.

The system controller 3 performs an operation described below, and divides and records a new recording signal into each free area based on the calculation result, thereby continuously transmitting a series of recording signals to each free area. , And each recording signal divided and recorded in each empty area can be continuously reproduced.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the recording control executed by the system controller 3. This flowchart starts when the main power supply of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus is turned on, and the system controller 3 starts execution of each routine from step S1 to step S7.

First, in step S1, the system controller 3 controls the optical pickup 6 to control the control data (FIG. 4) recorded on the inner circumference of the disk.
(See (a)), and temporarily stores it in the first track buffer 10, and then proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the system controller 3 determines the start address and end address of the data such as a video file recorded in the data area, which is recorded in the control data stored in the first track buffer 10. From the position of the address, the start address and the end address of a part or all of the free area on the disk 1 are detected, and the capacity of each free area is calculated, and step S
Proceed to 3.

In step S3, the system controller 3 calculates the size of each data area existing between the free area and the next free area, and detects the seek time, which is the time required for seeking each data area. And step S
Proceed to 4.

The seek time is calculated by calculating the address difference between the end address of the free area and the start address of the next free area because the disk 1 is under CLV control, and is stored in the ROM in the system controller 3. The number of track movements is determined by referring to the seek table that is present, and is calculated by performing a predetermined coefficient operation described later based on the number of track movements.

Next, in step S4, the system controller 3 determines, for example, an 8 Mbps predetermined as a standard from among the transfer rates of 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps.
Based on the transfer rate of bps, during the seek time of each data area, the first track buffer
It is determined for each free area whether or not it becomes “1” (whether or not the free area allows continuous recording and reproduction), and the process proceeds to step S5.

In this example, the operation of determining whether or not the empty area is suitable for continuous recording is performed based on the transfer rate of 8 Mbps. For example, when a transfer rate of 2 Mbps is selected as the transfer rate, the transfer rate is 4 Mbps based on the transfer rate of 2 Mbps.
Is selected, the system controller 3 performs the calculation based on the 4 Mbps transfer rate.

Next, in step S5, the system controller 3 determines a recording order based on each free area (a free area that enables continuous playback) excluding a free area that is not suitable for continuous playback. The determined available capacity is multiplied by the transfer rate to calculate the recordable time, which is displayed on the display unit 15 shown in FIG.
Proceed to.

That is, the transfer rate of recording / reproducing to the disk 1 is A (Mbps), the transfer rate of the input signal after compression is B (Mbps), the capacity of the first track buffer 10 is C (Mb), The calculation operation in steps S2 to S5 will be described in further detail, where the seek time is T (msec), the recording time of a predetermined area is Tw (msec), and the recording capacity of the predetermined area is m (Mb). First, FIG. When the recording capacity of the first free area shown in (1) is m, the time required to record a recording signal in this first free area (recording time Tw)
Is “Tw = m / A”.

Here, in order to prevent the first track buffer 10 from being set to “Full” while seeking a recorded area, the capacity C of the first track buffer 10 is recorded at the transfer rate B of the input signal. Seek time T rather than time
Must be shortened (C / B> T). The seek time T is a time including a time for moving the truck and a rotation waiting time.

Next, in order to record a recording signal following the recording signal recorded in the first empty area shown in FIG. 6 in the second empty area, the capacity m1 of the second empty area is set as this empty area. While recording the area, the first track buffer 10
A capacity not less than a predetermined value such as to be in the vicinity of “PTY” is required. This is because if the capacity of the second free space is not larger than a predetermined value,
While the remaining storage capacity of the first track buffer 10 does not decrease, the first track buffer 10
Overflows.

In this case, the capacity that the second free space should have is “(AB) / A> T / (m / A + T)”, and “m> (A × B × T) / ( AB) ".

That is, the first value corresponding to the transfer rate difference
Must not exceed the capacity of the transfer buffer B at the seek time T. As described above, since the seek time T changes according to the transfer rate of the input signal, the capacity of the vacant area required for recording varies depending on the transfer rate B at the time of actual recording.

Specifically, for example, if the maximum seek time T from the outer circumference to the inner circumference is 3 sec, the transfer rate B of the input signal after compression is 2 Mbps, and the transfer rate A of recording and reproduction on the disk 1 is 10 Mbps, The capacity of the free space m is required to be 7.5 MB or more, the seek time T is 3 sec, and the transfer rate B of the input signal after compression is 8 M.
bps, transfer rate A for recording / reproducing to disk 1 is 10
Mbps, the capacity of the free space m is 120M
B or more is required.

If the value of "Full" is set to the upper limit of the capacity of the first track buffer 10, if overflow occurs during seek, continuous data may be lost. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, in the first track buffer 10, "Ful" is set as a value of, for example, approximately 2/3 of the capacity of the first track buffer 10.
l2 "is set, and" Full1 "is set to a value approximately 1/3 lower than the value of" Full2 ". The value of “Full1” is the normal work area of the first track buffer 10, and the value of “Full1” is changed to “Full1”.
The capacity up to "2" is the capacity C of the first track buffer 10 which is ensured so as not to cause overflow at the time of seek, and is a storage capacity for a margin.

Specifically, for example, the standard maximum seek time T is 3 seconds, and the standard transfer rate B during reproduction is 8M.
In the case of bps, the data amount of data to be written to the first track buffer 10 during this maximum seek time T is 24 Mb. For this reason, the “Full1”
Up to 24 Mb, the capacity of the first track buffer 10 is 48
Mb is required. If 18 Mb is used for the error correction processing and the work area of the system, the capacity of the entire first track buffer 10 is required to be 64 Mb. A DRAM having a capacity of 64 Mb is currently available at low cost and is optimal as a temporary storage memory. Therefore,
By using this 64 Mb DRAM, the DV
The D recording / reproducing apparatus can be manufactured at low cost, and can be provided to the user at low cost.

The above-described calculation of the seek time and the calculation of the capacity of the empty area may be simplified as appropriate. Alternatively, for example, a calculation result calculated in advance may be stored in a ROM in a table, and a seek time, a capacity of an empty area, and the like may be obtained by referring to the table at the time of recording and reproduction.

When the system controller 3 detects the capacities of all free areas by such calculation, the system controller 3 calculates the recordable time by multiplying the capacity of each free area by a transfer rate (8 Mbps in this case). The display unit 15 controls the display unit 15 to display the capacity of the entire free area on the disk 1 and the recordable time and effective free capacity in the case of a transfer rate of 8 Mbps. In this case, since the transfer rate serving as the reference for the calculation was set to 8 Mbps, the display time of the recordable time and the effective free space in the case of the transfer rate of 8 Mbps was controlled on the display unit 15, but this was determined by the user. 4Mb
When the transfer rate of 2 Mbps or the transfer rate of 2 Mbps is selected, the recordable time and the effective free space in the case of the transfer rate of 4 Mbps or 2 Mbps are displayed on the display unit 1.
5, the display is controlled.

Next, in step S6 shown in FIG. 5, the system controller 3 detects the presence or absence of a recording start instruction from the user. Then, the step S6 is repeated until a recording start instruction is issued from the user, and the apparatus enters a recording standby state, and proceeds to step S7 at the timing when the recording start instruction is issued.

In step S7, the system controller 3 controls the recording of the recording signal supplied via the input terminal 16 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the recording order determined in step S5. Then, the execution of all the routines shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends at the timing when the recording stop is designated by the user.

When the recording of the recording signal is completed, the system controller 3 controls the writing of the recorded recording signal and the information on the recording position into the control area (see FIG. 4A) of the disk 1 as a control signal. .

The specific recording form of the recording signal is shown in FIG.
(C) to (e). FIG. 4C shows a recording form when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, and FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a recording format when the transfer rate is 4 Mbps, and FIG.
(E) shows a recording form when the transfer rate is 8 Mbps.

First, in the example shown in FIG. 4C when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, the capacity of each free area formed by erasing the recording signals of file 2, file 4, file 6, and file 8 is reduced. (File 2 <file 4 <file 6 <file 8), the total distance of file 5 is shorter than that of file 3, and
The total distance of file 7 is shorter than that of file 5. The fact that the total distance of file 5 is shorter than that of file 3 means that the seek time of file 5 is shorter than the seek time of file 3 (seek time: file 3> file 5). Further, the fact that the total distance of the file 7 is shorter than that of the file 5 means that the seek time of the file 7 is shorter than the seek time of the file 5 (seek time: file 5> file 7).

In such a situation of the empty area, if the first track buffer 10 does not become Full while seeking the data file located at the preceding stage of the empty area, the recording signal is recorded in the empty area. However, continuous reproduction is possible. Therefore, when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, first, as shown in FIG. 4C, the data area of the file 1 is jumped by seeking and the file 2 is erased in the empty area formed by erasing the file 2. 11
Is recorded, the data area of the file 3 is jumped by seeking, and the recording signal of the file 12 is recorded in a free area formed by erasing the file 4. Further, the recording signal of the file 13 is recorded in the empty area formed by seeking the data area of the file 5 and erasing the file 6, and is formed by erasing the file 8 by seeking the data area of the file 7. The recording signal of the file 14 is recorded in the empty area thus set.

Next, in the case where the state of the empty area is the same as the state shown in FIG. 4C, when the transfer rate is 4 Mbps, the time that can be stored in the first track buffer 10 is shorter than when the transfer rate is 2 Mbps. Becomes shorter, for example, while the data area of the file 1 is jumping by seeking, the first track buffer 10
If it becomes 1, as shown in FIG.
The empty area formed by erasing the file 2 is determined to be inappropriate and is not used for recording a recording signal.

Then, a recording signal of the file 21 is recorded in a free area formed by erasing the file 4 by jumping the data area of the file 3 by seeking, and
Similarly, the data areas of file 5 and file 7 are jumped by seeking to delete file 6 and file 8 so that the free areas formed by file 22 and file 2
3 are recorded respectively.

Next, in the case where the state of the empty area is the same as the state shown in FIG. 4C, when the transfer rate is 8 Mbps, the time that can be stored in the first track buffer 10 is shorter than when the transfer rate is 4 Mbps. If the first track buffer 10 becomes Full while the data areas of the file 1 and the file 3 are jumped by seeking, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (e), the empty area formed by erasing the file 2 and the empty area formed by erasing the file 4 are determined to be inappropriate and are not used for recording the recording signal.

Then, the recording signal of the file 31 is recorded in a free area formed by jumping the data area of the file 5 by seeking and erasing the file 6, and
The recording signal of the file 32 is recorded in the free area formed by erasing the file 8 by jumping the data area of the file 7 by seeking.

As is clear from the above description, the first
In the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, the transfer rate of the input signal after compression is B (Mbps), the capacity of the first track buffer 10 is C (Mb), and the predetermined seek time is T (msec). If “C / B> T”, the vacant area is determined to be a vacant area where continuous signal recording and reproduction can be performed, and the recording signal is recorded.

The transfer rate for recording / reproducing to the disk 1 is A (Mbps), the transfer rate after compressing the input signal is B (Mbps), and the recording capacity of a predetermined area is m (Mb) and the predetermined seek time is When “m> (A × B × T) / (A−B)” as T (msec), the empty area is determined as an empty area where continuous signal recording and reproduction can be performed, and the recording signal is recorded. Record.

Thus, even when the disk 1 is in a state where empty areas are scattered due to editing or the like, continuous signals such as moving images can be recorded and reproduced without a break.

Further, by displaying the capacity of the entire free area and the recordable time (and the effective free capacity) at a predetermined transfer rate (in this case, 8 Mbps), the available space of the disk 1 is displayed to the user. It is possible to provide information for determining the use. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the free area of the disk 1 that is wasted by recording.

In the description of the first embodiment,
“C / B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (A−
B)), the vacant area is determined to be a vacant area where continuous signal recording and reproduction can be performed. This is because “C / B> T” or “m> ( A × B ×
T) / (A−B) ”.

Next, the DVD according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The recording / reproducing device will be described. In the first embodiment described above, a search is made for a free area that enables continuous recording and reproduction based on a predetermined transfer rate (for example, 8 Mbps), and the recordable time and the like are displayed on the display unit 15. , This second embodiment uses 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps
A search is made for a vacant area enabling continuous recording and reproduction based on each transfer rate of bps, and the recordable time and the like for each transfer rate are displayed on the display unit 15.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the recording control executed by the system controller 3 of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the same steps as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same step numbers as those in the first embodiment, and the same description will be omitted. Omitted.

That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the system controller 3 of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment executes the routines of steps S1 to S3 to obtain the total free area on the disk 1,
When the seek time of the data area between the free areas is calculated as described above, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the system controller 3 detects a vacant area in which continuous recording and reproduction can be performed at each transfer rate (each recording mode) at 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps, and determines the recording order for each transfer rate. Is determined, and based on the result, the recordable time and the effective free space for each transfer rate are calculated, and step S12 is performed.
Proceed to.

In step S12, the system controller 3 controls the display unit 15 to display the capacity of the entire free area on the disk 1 and the recordable time (and the effective free capacity) for each transfer rate as shown in FIG. Then, the process proceeds to step S13. By displaying the recordable time (and effective free space) for each transfer rate on the display unit 15 in this manner, the user can select a desired transfer rate. The selection of the transfer rate is performed via the operation unit 2 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, the capacity of the free space is 1.0 GB, while the capacity of the whole free space is 2 GB.
However, as described later, this is determined to be appropriate for recording without using a vacant area determined to be inappropriate for recording (a vacant area with insufficient capacity) as described later. This is because recording information is recorded by using only the empty area.

In step S13, the system controller 3 determines whether or not a desired transfer rate has been selected by the user. If the desired transfer rate has not been selected (if No), the process waits for the input of the transfer rate, and the step S13 is repeatedly executed. If the desired transfer rate is selected (Yes).
If (s), the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the system controller 3 detects a vacant area capable of continuous recording and reproduction corresponding to the transfer rate selected by the user, determines the recording order, and proceeds to step S15. Step S1
At 5, the system controller 3 determines whether or not a recording signal to be recorded has been input via the input terminal 16 shown in FIG. 1, and if no recording signal has been input (N
In the case of o), the routine of step S15 is repeatedly executed until a recording signal is input, and if a recording signal is input, the process proceeds to step S7. Then, in step S7, the recording signals are sequentially recorded in the vacant area where continuous recording and reproduction can be performed as described above, and all the routines in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 are ended.

As is clear from the above description, the second
The DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment searches for a vacant area where continuous recording / reproducing can be performed for each transfer rate, and displays the recordable time and the like for each transfer rate on the display unit 15 to provide the user with the information. Transfer rate (recording mode)
Can be provided, and the occurrence of useless free space can be reduced, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Next, the DVD according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The recording / reproducing device will be described. In the above-described second embodiment, a search is made for a vacant area in which continuous recording and reproduction can be performed for each transfer rate. However, in the third embodiment, the minimum vacant area in which continuous recording and reproduction can be performed is determined. The capacity is determined in advance for each transfer rate, and the free area having a capacity equal to or less than the minimum capacity is omitted in the calculation of the capacity detection, so that the search time of the free area capable of continuous recording and reproduction for each transfer rate is reduced. This is for shortening.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the recording control executed by the system controller 3 of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment. In the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, the same step numbers as those in the flowchart shown in FIG. Omitted.

That is, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, in the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the third embodiment, the system controller 3 determines the position and capacity of each free area on the disk in steps S1 and S2 as described above. If detected, the process proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, the system controller 3 calculates the capacity of each free area, and among the free areas, determines that the free area whose capacity is equal to or less than the predetermined capacity is not recordable, and proceeds to step S22.

More specifically, the system controller 3
If the transfer rate is 8 Mbps, it is determined that an empty area with a capacity of 8 MB or less cannot be recorded. If the transfer rate is 4 Mbps, it is determined that an empty area with a capacity of 4 MB or less cannot be recorded. If the transfer rate is 2 Mbps, 2 MB. It is determined that recording is not possible in an empty area having the following capacity. Alternatively, irrespective of the transfer rate, an empty area having a capacity of 8 MB or less may be determined to be unrecordable.

Next, in step S22, the system controller 3 calculates the seek time between the empty areas determined to be recordable in step S21, and also determines the transfer rate in each recording mode and the transfer rate of the first track buffer 10. Based on the capacity and the calculated seek time, a vacant area where continuous recording and reproduction can be performed for each transfer rate is detected. Then, the recording order for the vacant area where continuous recording and reproduction can be performed is determined, and the recordable time for each transfer rate is calculated, and the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the system controller 3 controls the display unit 15 to display the recordable time and the like for each transfer rate, as well as the capacity of all free areas on the disk, as described with reference to FIG. Then, step S13
In steps S15 and S7, the recording signal is recorded at the transfer rate selected by the user, and the entire routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends.

As is clear from the above description, the third
In the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, the minimum capacity of the vacant area capable of continuous recording and reproduction is determined in advance for each transfer rate, and the vacant area having a capacity equal to or less than the minimum capacity is calculated by the capacity detection. By omitting, it is possible to shorten the time required to search for a vacant area where continuous recording and reproduction can be performed for each transfer rate, and it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described second embodiment.

Next, the DVD according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The recording / reproducing device will be described. In each of the above embodiments,
The data amount of the recording signal to be recorded is not limited, and it is determined for each free area whether or not the recording signal has a recordable capacity. In the fourth embodiment, recording is performed. By setting the data amount of the recording signal to be equal to or larger than the predetermined data amount, the capacity of the free area formed when data is deleted is also set to be equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity, and recording is performed without calculating the capacity of the free area. This enables signal recording.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of recording control executed by the system controller 3 of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the fourth embodiment fetches control data recorded on the disk 1 in step S30, and proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the system controller 3
However, based on the fetched control data, the position and the capacity of each free area are detected by detecting the capacity between the data areas, and the process proceeds to step S32.

As will be described below, in the fourth embodiment, the capacity of the free area detected in step S32 is
The recording capacity is such that continuous recording and reproduction can be performed regardless of the recording rate of the recording signal at any transfer rate.

In step S32, the system controller 3 determines whether or not the recording has been designated by the user. If the recording has not been designated (No), the system controller 3 determines whether the recording has been designated. The routine enters a standby state in which the routine of S32 is repeatedly executed, and proceeds to step S33 at the timing when recording is designated.

In step S33, the system controller 3 records a recording signal in each free area as described with reference to FIGS.
Proceed to. However, in this case, the system controller 3
Recording is performed such that the recording signal is at least 8 MB, for example. If the recording signal to be recorded is less than 8 Mb, the total data amount is 8 MB by adding the dummy data formed in step S36 described below to the recording signal.
Record as

In step S34, the system controller 3 determines whether or not the recording of all the recording signals has been completed. If No, the process returns to step S33 to continue recording the recording signals. Proceed to S35.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not the system controller 3 has recorded a recording signal corresponding to the capacity of the empty area with respect to the empty area, in other words, by recording the recording signal, all the empty areas are recorded. It is determined whether or not the recording signal has been filled, and in the case of Yes, the entire routine of the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S36.

In step S36, since the empty area is not completely filled with the recording signal, dummy data (for example, null data) for filling an area other than the area where the recording signal of the empty area is recorded is sent to the signal processing circuit 8 Is formed, and the process returns to step S33. In step S33, the system controller 3 performs recording with the data capacity of the recording signal being 8 Mb by adding dummy data to the recording signal as described above.

After the end of recording, the system controller 3 records the end position including the dummy data as control data corresponding to the recorded recording signal.

As is clear from the above description, the fourth
In the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus of the embodiment, the minimum capacity of a recording signal to be recorded is determined (in this example, 8M).
B). Therefore, even when the recording signal is deleted by editing or the like, the capacity of the free area is at least 8 MB or more. Therefore, it is possible to record a recording signal at any of the transfer rates of 2 Mbps, 4 Mbps, and 8 Mbps. Therefore, the detection of the capacity of the empty area can be omitted, the time required for recording the recording signal can be greatly reduced, and the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments can be obtained.

Finally, the above description of each embodiment is an example of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, each of the above-described embodiments is an example in which the present invention is applied to a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus that performs recording / reproducing on a DVD, but the present invention is applied to another recording medium such as a so-called hard disk (HDD). Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a device that performs recording and reproduction. Also, the first track buffer 10 of a 64 Mbyte DRAM is used as the temporary storage means.
A recording device such as a DD may be used. It goes without saying that various modifications can be made according to the design and the like other than the above-described embodiments as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated.

[0122]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus according to the present invention, the recordable free area detecting means sets the transfer rate of the record information to "B", the capacity of the temporary storage means to "C", and Assuming that the time required for seeking an area is “T”, “C / B
Since a free area having a capacity greater than or equal to> T ”is detected as a free area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, a free area corresponding to the transfer rate of the recording information can be detected. For this reason, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to continuously record and reproduce according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the recordable free area detecting means sets the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording to “A” and sets the transfer rate of the recording information to “B”. When the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detecting means is “m” and the time required for seeking the recording area is “T”, “m> (A × B × T) /
In order to detect a free area having a capacity equal to or more than the capacity of (A-B) as a free area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, it is possible to detect a free area corresponding to the transfer rate of the recording information. it can. For this reason, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to continuously record and reproduce according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the recordable empty area detecting means sets the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium at the time of recording and reproduction to "A" and the transfer rate of the recording information to the recording medium. Assuming that “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage means is “C”, the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detection means is “m”, and the time required for seeking the recording area is “T”, B> T ”and“ m>
(A × B × T) / (A−B) ”is detected as a free area in which continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced. The empty space that has been left can be detected more accurately. Therefore, by selectively recording and reproducing the recording information in the empty area, it is possible to reliably perform continuous recording and reproduction according to the transfer rate of the recording information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the recordable empty area detecting means performs continuous recording only on an empty area having a capacity equal to or larger than a capacity corresponding to a transfer rate of a recording signal. Since it is determined whether or not information can be recorded / reproduced, the corresponding free area can be searched at a higher speed than in the case where this determination is made for all free areas. The required time can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the information amount of the recording information is equal to or less than the information amount corresponding to the predetermined transfer rate, the dummy information formed by the dummy information forming means is deleted. By adding to the recording information, the information amount of the recording information is set to the information amount corresponding to a predetermined transfer rate, and then recorded on the recording medium. For this reason,
When the recording information is deleted, a free area with a capacity of the information amount corresponding to the predetermined transfer rate is formed. Therefore, it is possible to record the record information without detecting the capacity of the empty area, and it is possible to reduce the time required for recording the record information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording apparatus, the display means includes a capacity of the empty area corresponding to a transfer rate of the record information, and / or a substantial amount corresponding to a transfer rate of the record information. By displaying at least the recordable time, it is possible to provide the user with information for determining the recording of the record information. For this reason, the user
By appropriately selecting the transfer rate of the recording information, the free space on the recording medium can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment to which a recording apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transition of an occupation amount of a storage area of a first track buffer for each transfer rate during recording by the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a transition of an occupation amount of a storage area of a first track buffer for each transfer rate during reproduction of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a disk for explaining empty areas scattered on the disk and recording positions of recording signals recorded in each empty area according to each transfer rate.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a transition of an occupation amount of a storage area of the first track buffer and a recording timing of a recording signal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a recordable time and the like calculated and displayed for each transfer rate.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of the DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of a DVD recording / reproducing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Disc, 2 ... Operation part, 3 ... System controller, 4 ... Servo control circuit, 5 ... Driver, 6 ... Optical pickup, 7 ... Preamplifier, 8 ... Signal processing circuit, 9 ... Spindle motor, 10 ... First track Buffer, 11
... AV encoding / decoding section, 12 second track buffer, 13 speaker section, 14 display control section, 15 display section, 16 input terminal for recording signal

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a management area where at least position information indicating a recording position of the recording information on a recording medium is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means, a vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded; Seek time detecting means for detecting the time required to seek from the recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area; Assuming that the capacity of the storage means is "C" and the time required for the seek is "T"
When "C / B>T" is satisfied, a recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced, and a recordable empty area detecting means. A recording unit for recording the recording information in the designated empty area via the temporary storage unit. 2. A temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a management area in which at least position information indicating the recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means, a vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded; Seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek from a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area; and a transfer rate of recording information to a recording medium during recording. "A", the transfer rate of the recording information is "B", the capacity of the free area detected by the free area detection means is "m", and the seek is required. Between the "T", "m> (A × B ×
T) / (A−B) ”, a recordable empty area detecting means for detecting the empty area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded and reproduced; Recording means for recording recording information via the temporary storage means in the free space detected by the means. 3. A temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a management area in which at least recording position information of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means, a vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded; Seek time detecting means for detecting a time required to seek from a recording area located before and after each free area detected by the free area detecting means to the free area; and a transfer rate of recording information to a recording medium during recording. “A”, the transfer rate of the record information is “B”, the capacity of the temporary storage means is “C”, and the free space detected by the free space detection means is When the amount is “m” and the time required for the seek is “T”, when “C / B> T” and “m> (A × B × T) / (A−B)” are satisfied, A recordable empty area detecting means for detecting an area as an empty area where continuous recording information can be recorded / reproduced; and an empty area detected by the recordable empty area detecting means, via the temporary storage means. A recording unit for recording the recording information by using the recording device. 4. The recordable free area detecting means determines whether continuous recording information can be continuously recorded and reproduced only in a free area having a capacity equal to or larger than a capacity corresponding to a transfer rate of a recording signal. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The recording apparatus according to claim 3. 5. A temporary storage means for absorbing at least a difference in a transfer rate of recording information at the time of recording, and a management area where at least position information indicating a recording position of the recording information on the recording medium is recorded. Position information reproducing means for reproducing, based on the position information reproduced by the position information reproducing means, a vacant area detecting means for detecting a vacant area with respect to a recording area where recording information on a recording medium is recorded; Information amount detecting means for detecting the information amount of the recording information to be recorded on the recording medium; and if the information amount of the recording information detected by the information amount detecting means is equal to or less than the information amount corresponding to a predetermined transfer rate, Dummy information forming means for forming dummy information for setting the information amount of the recorded information to an information amount corresponding to a predetermined transfer rate; and a dummy information formed by the dummy information forming means. Recording means for adding the information to the recording information to record the information amount of the recording information as an information amount corresponding to a predetermined transfer rate in the empty area detected by the empty area detecting means. Recording device. 6. A display device for displaying at least a capacity of the free space corresponding to a transfer rate of recording information and / or a substantial recordable time corresponding to a transfer rate of recording information. The recording device according to claim 1.