AU2004265840B2 - Recording medium, method of configuring control information thereof, recording and reproducing method using the same, and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Description

Recording Medium,

Method of Configuring Control Information Thereof,

Recording and Reproducing Method Using the Same, and

Apparatus Thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to recording media, and more particularly, to a method of

recording control information on a recordable optical disc including at least one recording

layer, in which write strategy information is included within the recorded control information,

and to method of recording data using the disc control information recorded in a specific area

of the recordable optical disc.

Background Art

A high density optical recording medium, known as HD-DVD, is widely used to record and

store high-definition video data and high-quality audio data. The Blu-ray disc represents next-

generation HD-DVD technology.

Technological specifications are now being established for the global standardization of the

Blu-ray disc, including standards are for the write-once Blu-ray disc (BD-WO). Meanwhile, a

rewritable Blu-ray disc, known as the lx-speed BD-RE and now being discussed, should be

compatible with BD-RE discs expected to have higher recording velocities, i.e., the 2x-speed

BD-RE and beyond. BD-WO specifications for high recording velocity are also in progress.

Efficient solutions for coping with the high recording velocity of a high-density optical disc are urgently needed, and the specifications established should ensure mutual compatibility.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a disc control information recording method

that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the

related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of recording disc control

information corresponding to high writing speed, by which write strategy information is

included within disc control information prerecorded on a recording medium and by which

recording on and reproducing from the recording medium can be performed based on

recorded disc information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a data structure for configuring disc

control information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of recording disc control

information which includes write strategy information for coping with high writing speeds, to

achieve compatibility between like-based recording media.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium, recording and

reproducing method, and apparatus suitable for use with the above disc control information

recording methods.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the

description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in

the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the

structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the

appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the

invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a data structure of a control information

for use with a recording medium having at least one recording layer, wherein the control

information including at least one information unit for a specific writing speed and recording

layer, characterized in that the information unit includes write strategy parameters for first

write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and recording layer, wherein the first write

strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy types applicable to the same writing speed

and recording layer.

In another aspect of the present invention, an optical recording medium includes the control

information by the data structure.

In another aspect of the present invention, a recording method includes the steps of reading at

least one control information, the control information including at least one information unit

for a specific writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the information unit

includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed

and recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy

types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer; and recording data on a

specific recording layer at a specific writing speed based on the at least one information unit.

In another aspect of the present invention, a recording method includes the steps of reading a

control information, the control information including first information unit for a specific writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the first information: unit includes

write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and

recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy

types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer, and second information unit

for the same writing speed and recording layer includes write strategy parameters for second

write strategy type different from the first write strategy type; and recording data on a specific

recording layer at a specific writing speed based on at least one information unit.

In another aspect of the present invention, a recording method includes the steps of reading a

control information, the control information including first information unit for a specific

writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the first information unit includes

write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and

recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy

types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer, and an additional information

unit for a higher writing speed and the same recording layer, and second information unit

including write strategy parameters for the same write strategy type or a different write

strategy type to be used for the higher writing speed and the same recording layer; and

recording data on a specific recording layer at a specific writing speed based on at least one

information unit.

In another aspect of the present invention, a recording apparatus includes a controller for

generating a recording command; and a recorder/reproducer for performing a recording, based

on the generated recording command, by reading a control information, the control

information including at least one information unit for a specific writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the information unit includes write strategy parameters for first

write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and recording layer, wherein the first write

strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy types applicable to the same writing speed

and recording layer.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed

description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to

provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Brief Description of Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the

invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate

embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the

principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a single-layer disc applicable to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a dual-layer disc applicable to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a management area where disc control information of the present

invention is recorded, illustrating a disc information recording format;

FIGS. 4A-4E are diagrams of a sample data structure of disc control information recorded

according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 A and 5B are diagrams of a sample data structure of disc control information recorded

according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6, FIGS. 7A & 7B, and FIG. 8 are diagrams of a sample data structure of disc control information recorded according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9A-9E are diagrams of t sample data structure of disc control information recorded

according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus according

to the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention,

examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same

reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. For

convenience of explanation, a Blu-ray disc (BD) is taken as an example of an optical disc

according to the present invention. Yet, it is apparent that the concept of the present invention,

which is characterized in an optical disc having its disc control information recorded thereon,

is applicable to DVD-RAM/-RW/+RW/-R/+R and the like for example in the same manner.

Besides, although terms used in the present invention are possibly selected from the currently

well-known ones, some terms are arbitrarily chosen by the applicant in some cases so that

their meanings are explained in detail in the following description. Hence, the present

invention should be understood with the intended meanings of the corresponding terms

chosen by the applicant instead of the simple names or meanings of the terms themselves.

First of all, 'disc control information' in the description of the present invention means an

area including various information for disc record playback or information for disc record

playback. And, the disc control information is commonly designated information provided to a prerecorded area within a disc or to an embossed area for a disc user by a disc manufacturer.

Yet, the disc control information is provided not only to the prerecorded area but also to a

recordable area. The disc information within the prerecorded or embossed area can be copied

to the recordable area as well. And, they are just exemplary.

For instance, the disc control information is called 'disc information' in BD or 'physical

format information' in DVD-RAM/-RW/+RW/-R/+R. Hence, it is apparent that the technical

background of the present invention is identically applicable to 'physical format information'

in DVD-RAM/-RW/+RW/-R/+R. For convenience of explanation, 'disc information

(hereinafter abbreviated Dl)' corresponding to a case of Blu-ray disc (BD) is taken as an

example.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are structural diagrams of optical discs according to the present invention,

in which a recordable optical disc is enough to be the optical disc applicable to the present

invention. Moreover, the recordable disc can be any one of a rewritable optical disc, a write-

once optical disc, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of a single-layer disc having one recording layer according to

the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a lead-in area is provided as a management area on an inner

circumference area of an optical disc, whereas a lead-out area is provided as a management

area on an outer circumference area of the optical disc. Specifically, a prerecorded area and a

rewritable or write-once area are separated from each other within the inner circumference

area of the disc.

The prerecorded area is an area (called 'embossed area') where data was already written in manufacturing the disc, whereby a user or system is unable to perform data writing on the

prerecorded area at all. In BD-RE/WO, the prerecorded area is named PIC (permanent

information and control data) area. And, the above-described disc information (hereinafter

called 'DF) as information required for disc recording is recorded in the PIC area.

In a data area, provided are a user data area where user's real data is recorded and spare areas

ISA and OSA to replace a generated defect area. Specifically, TDMA (temporary defect

management area) for recording information of defect and general managements is provided

to such a write-once optical disc as BD-WO. h case of the re-writable BD (BD-RE), TDMA

is unnecessary so that such an area is left as a reserved area.

The present invention intends to provide a method of efficiently recording disc information

(Dl) as disc control information required for record playback of a disc in the prerecorded or

recordable area. It is apparent that a recording method in the prerecorded area is differently

applied to each kind of discs. In case of BD-RE/WO, the PIC area as the prerecorded area is

recorded by biphased high frequency modulated signals, the high frequency modulated

signals in the corresponding area are played back according to a specific playback method,

and information is acquired from the playback.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a dual-layer disc having dual recording layers, in which a recording

layer starting with a lead-in is named a first recording layer LayerO and a recording layer

ending with a lead-out is named a second recording layer Layerl.

In the dual-layer disc, the PIC area is provided to lead-in and lead-out areas of a disc inner

circumference area, and disc information (Dl) of the same contents is recorded in the PIC area.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a PIC area in the disc shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. As mentioned in the foregoing description, it means that information can be rearranged like the

structure of the PIC area in Fig. 3 when the entire information within the high frequency

modulated PIC area is acquired.

A method of configuring disc information (Dl) in the PIC area is explained in detail as

follows.

In BD-RE/WO, 'one cluster' represents a minimum record unit, five hundred forty-four

clusters gather to construct one fragment as one upper record unit, and total five fragments

gather to form the PIC area. Disc information is recorded in a front head cluster of a first

fragment IFO. The disc information is plurally recorded per recording layer and writing speed

permitted by the corresponding optical disc, and one disc information includes one hundred

twelve bytes. Specifically, disc information constructed with 112-bytes is called disc

information (Dl) frame. Moreover, the same contents of the disc information are repeatedly

recorded in each front head cluster of the rest of the fragments, thereby enabling to cope with

loss of the disc information.

Information representing the corresponding recording layer, information representing writing

speed, and write strategy information corresponding to the writing speed are recorded within

each disc information. Hence, such information is utilized in record playback of the

corresponding optical disc, thereby enabling to provide optimal write power per recording

layer and per writing speed.

Namely, the disc information (Dl) of the present invention is characterized in providing

specific writing speed information supported by the corresponding disc and associated write

strategy information, and more specifically, in providing specific writing speed supported for each recording layer and associated write strategy information via a specified method in case

that a plurality of recording layers exist in the corresponding disc.

And, the specific configuration of the disc information (Dl) relates to that of Blu-ray disc

(BD). It is also apparent that a DVD based disc may have a configuration different from the

above-explained structure. Specifically, if a size of disc information (Dl) corresponds to that

of BD, it is 112bytes equivalently for example. Yet, by regarding disc information (Dl) of the

same recording layer as one information to provide once without repeating common

information, it may be able to configure the write strategy differing per writing speed only in

addition.

Various embodiments for a method of configuring disc information and a method of

recording specific information and the like within disc information according to the present

invention are explained in detail by referring to the attached drawings as follows.

FIGs. 4 A to 4E are diagrams of recording disc information of an optical disc according to a

first embodiment of the present invention, in which one of a plurality of write strategy (WS)

types defined by a specification is recorded on a corresponding disc information.

FIG. 4A shows a concept of recording disc information of an optical disc according to a first

embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, a plurality of disc informations are recorded within a disc, a record

sequence of each disc information is decided by a sequence number, and the record sequence

is recorded by 1-byte. For instance, the corresponding information is recorded in 5^th byte

within the disc information, which is named 'Dl frame sequence number in Dl block' field

and is briefly indicated by 'OOh, Olh, 02h, 03h ... '. Namely, the information of the 5^th byte is defined in a following manner. First of all, if the

information of the 5^th byte is 'OOh', 'OOh' means 1^st disc information as well as disc

information of lx speed of a first recording layer LayerO. 'Olh' means 2^nd disc information as

well as disc information of lx speed of a second recording layer Layerl. '02h' means 3^rd disc

information as well as disc information of 2x speed of the first recording layer LayerO. And,

'03h' means 4^th disc information as well as disc information of 2x speed of the second

recording layer Layerl.

Hence, the disc information is preferentially arranged in a recording velocity order and is then

configured in a per recording layer order. Yet, this is just exemplary. On the contrary, the

recording layer order can be preferred to the recording velocity order in configuring disc

informations.

Moreover, write strategy (WS) interoperating with recording velocity meant by the

corresponding disc information is recorded in a specific area, e.g., area named 'Write Strategy

parameters' field as L^th~l ll^th bytes, within the disc information. And, identification

information enabling to identify a type or kind of the recorded write strategy (WS) recorded

in the L^th~lll^th bytes is recorded in another specific area, e.g., area named 'Write Strategy

type' field as N^th byte, within the disc information.

Considering the meaning of 'write strategy (WS)', a medium property of a recording layer is

generally modified by applying a laser beam to the recording layer within an optical disc via a

pickup ('i in FIG. 10) to perform a recording thereof. Hence, it should be decided a

strength (write power) of the laser beam, write pulse, a time of applying the write power

thereto, and the like. The above-decided various kinds of write strategies are named 'Write Strategy (WS)' in general and specific contents recorded within a specific 'Write Strategy

(WS)' are named 'Write Strategy (WS) parameters'.

Write strategy (WS) information used in the present invention means the entire information

associated with write strategy (WS). And, WS parameters means items and specific numeric

values configuring WS and is a sort of WS information. Hence, the WS information has an

inclusive concept of including the above-described 'WS Type', 'WS flag' that will be

explained later, and the like as well as the WS parameters.

And, the write strategy (WS) can be recorded in various ways. As a disc becomes to be highly

densified and to run at higher speed, a writing speed, i.e., disc RPM) as well as the medium

property of the recording layer is considerably affected. Hence, a more accurate system is

requested. And, the various write strategies (WS), i.e., WS types are explained as follows for

example.

First of all, there is a system having a number of recording pulse smaller by 1 than a recording

mark size (n) formed on a recording layer medium, which may be called '(n-1) WS'. For

example, if a mark has a length 7T, it requires 6 pluses to form the 7T according to the (n-

1)WS. hi that case, a time of each write pulse or a level of write power is defined by the write

strategy parameters recorded in the corresponding disc information. Secondly, there is a

system having a number of recording pulse having a size amounting to a half of the recording

mark size (n), which may be called 'n/2 WS'. For example, if a mark has a length 7T, it

requires 3 pluses to form the 7T according to the (n-l)WS. That is, a decimal fraction of the

result is discarded and the integer numbers of pluses are only available. In that case, a time of

each write pulse or a level of write power is defined by the write strategy parameters recorded in the corresponding disc information. The respective write strategy parameters for each write

strategy type may have different values each other. Besides, new write strategies (WS) keep

being developed. Regarding the different kinds of write strategy (WS), when there exist the

various systems of the write strategy (WS) exist as parameters applied to the write strategies

(WS) differ from each other, a disc manufacturer tests the write power according to the write

strategy (WS) and then records a result of the test in 'WS parameters' field of the L^th~lll^th

bytes within the disc information and WS type information in N^th byte.

If there exist N-types of write strategies (WS), the identification information allocates a

specific recognition value to each write strategy (WS) to define as follows. For instance,

'0000 0001b' means 1^st WS (Write Strategy-1 or WS-1). '0000 0010b' means 2^nd WS (Write

Strategy-2 or WS-2). 'XXXX XXXXb' means N^th WS (Write Strategy-N or WS-N).

In the present invention, 1^st WS (WS-1) is defined by the above-explained '(n-1) WS' and 2^nd

WS (WS-1) is defined by '(n/2) WS'.

Moreover, if the 'WS Type' field is set to '0000 0000b', it can be defined to mean that a

specific WS type fails to exist as well as WS parameters within disc information. Namely, the

'WS Type' field of the N^th byte can be utilized as information indicating that there exists no

WS parameters as well as information designating the WS type.

FIG. 4B shows an example of recording disc information for a specific write strategy (WS), in

which a disc manufacturer selects to record 1^st WS (WS-1) from various specifications in

recording a write strategy (WS) for lx speed within lx speed disc information of a first

recording layer.

Namely, if 'WS Type' field of N^th byte of disc information is '000 0001b' means 1^st WS (WS- 1), parameter values corresponding to the WS-1 are written in 'Write Strategy parameters'

field ofL^th~l 11^th bytes.

Hence, in case that a disc manufacturer selects to record 2^nd WS (WS-2), '0000 0010b' is

written in the 'Write Strategy Type' field and parameters fitting the 2^nd WS will be written in

the L^th~lll^th bytes. The parameters written in the L^th~lll^th bytes have different values from

each other according to the write strategy (WS) type. And, the corresponding write strategy

(WS) parameters are previously determined as specified information fitting the characteristics

of the disc and will be provided to a disc manufacturer or a system designer.

FIGs. 4C to 4E show specific embodiments for a method of recording the above-defined write

strategy (WS) within disc information. FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D show the method that the write

strategy (WS) is optionally selected to be recorded for the entire recording layers and

recording velocities on manufacturing a disc. And, FIG. 4E shows a method of recording a

previously determined write strategy (WS) in a mandatory manner in case of a specific

recording velocity.

For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a disc includes a dual layer and that lx

speed (IX) and 2x speed (2X) are applied to each recording layer.

FIG. 4C shows a case of enabling to optionally different record write strategies (WS) in the

entire recording layers and at the entire recording velocities. For instance, disc information of

lx speed of a first recording layer LayerO is recorded in 'OOh' as a disc information sequence

and 1^st WS (WS-1) is selected to be recorded as a write strategy (WS). Disc information of lx

speed of a second recording layer Layerl is recorded in 'Olh' and 2^nd WS (WS-2) is selected

to be recorded as a write strategy (WS). Disc information of 2x speed of the first recording layer LayerO is recorded in '02h' and 1^st WS (WS-1) is selected to be recorded as a write

strategy (WS). And, disc information of 2x speed of the second recording layer Layerl is

recorded in '03h' and N^th WS (WS-N) is selected to be recorded as a write strategy (WS). In

such a case, write strategy parameters for 1^st WS (WS-1), e.g., (n-1) write strategy type, to be

used for IX speed of a first recording layer (Layer 0) may have different values from that to

be used for 2X speed of the a first recording layer (Layer 0).

FIG. 4D shows another example of enabling to optionally record a write strategy (WS), in

which the same type of write strategy (WS) is applied to disc information of the entire

recording layers and recording velocities. In such a case, write strategy parameters for specific

recording layer and/or writing speed may have different values from that for other recording

layer and/or writing speed respectively.

Namely, since it is able to record a write strategy optionally, a disc manufacturer enables to

apply one most reliable write strategy (WS) to the entire disc infonnation identically. And,

FIG. 4D illustrates a case that 1^st WS (WS-1) is recorded in the entire disc information.

FIG. 4E shows a method of recording a write strategy (WS) previously determined in a

mandatory manner in case of a specific recording velocity or a write strategy (WS) optionally

in case of a rest recording velocity. Generally, write strategy (WS) for lx speed is the most

important write strategy of which specific method is previously decided by a specified

decision and a disc manufacturer enables to optionally record the rest recording velocities

except the lx speed. Yet, in case of a high-speed disc, it is apparent that the recording velocity

decided in a mandatory manner can be 2x speed, 3x speed, or the like as well as lx speed.

For instance, if a type of a write strategy (WS) mandatory for the lx speed is 1^st WS (WS-1), disc information for lx speed of a first recording layer is written in 'OOh' and 'Olh' as a disc

information sequence and the 1^st WS (WS-1) should be written as the write strategy (WS) in a

mandatory manner. Disc information for 2x speed of the first recording layer is written in

'02h' and '03h' and 2^nd WS (WS-2) is selected to be recorded as the write strategy (WS) that

can be optionally recorded. Hence, if the write strategy (WS) type mandatory for lx speed is

the 2^nd WS (WS-2), it is apparent that the 2^nd WS (WS-2) should be recorded in a mandatory

manner as well as 'OOh' and 'Olh' as the disc information sequence record the disc

information of lx speed therein.

In applying the case of FIG. 4E, one of a plurality of specified write strategies is uniformly

written as the lx speed write strategy (WS) in a mandatory manner, thereby enabling to

secure more disc recording characteristics. And, a disc manufacturer enables to optionally

record one of a plurality of the specified write strategies uniformly for the rest recording

velocities except the lx speed, whereby a disc manufacturing process time can be shortened.

Besides, in specific case of FIG. 4E, it is also able to record the mandatory write strategy

(WS) for lx speed as well as a disc manufacturer enables to optionally record other write

strategy (WS) for lx speed separately. In such a case, the disc information for lx speed can

include disc information including the specified mandatory write strategy (WS) and different

disc information including the optional write strategy (WS). This will be explained in the

description of a third embodiment of the present invention in detail later.

FIGs. 5A to 5C are diagrams of an another example of recording disc information according

to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which 'applicable writing speed

infonnation' and 'recording layer information existing within disc' are recorded within the corresponding disc information as well as one of a plurality types of write strategies (WS)

defined by a specification.

Referring to FIG. 5A, 'Dl frame sequence number in Dl block' is provided to 5^th byte of each

disc information to mean a sequence, which means that disc informations are configured in a

specific, sequence in the same manner of FIG. 4A. And, 'Write Strategy Type (WS)' field is

provided to a specific area (N^th byte) within disc information to record a type of WS applied

to the corresponding disc information.

Besides, writing speed information applicable by a corresponding disc is recorded within a

specific area (M byte) within disc information, which is named 'Writing speed flag' field.

For instance, whether a specific writing speed of eight kinds of writing speeds is applicable by

the corresponding disc is represented by 1-bit each in the same area having 1-byte allocated

thereto. Namely, it can be defined that the corresponding writing speed is not applicable

(supported) if a bit value is 'Ob' in entire bits or that the corresponding writing speed is

applicable (supported) if the bit value is 'lb'. Hence, each of the bits b0~b7 within 1-byte

becomes flag information indicating presence or non-presence of applicability of a specific

writing speed.

For instance, if lx speed is applicable by a corresponding disc only, '0000 0001' is written in

N^th byte. If all of the eight kinds of writing speeds are applicable, '1111 1111' is written in the

N^th byte.

In the above explanation, lx and 2x speeds utilized by every disc almost are previously

decided to be adopted. Yet, writing speeds decided by specification can be used as the rest

writing speeds from 3^rd writing speed. For instance, it is possible to set 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th writing speeds (3^rd X, 4^th X, 5^th X, 6^th X, 7^th X, 8^th X) to 5x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 14x, and 16x

speeds, respectively.

Meanwhile, recording layer information indicating the number of recording layer(s) existing

within the corresponding disc is recorded in another specific area (L^th byte) within the disc

information, which is named 'Number of Recording Layer' field. For instance, a value

meaning the number of the recording layer(s) can be represented by a binary number in the

same area having 1-byte allocated thereto. In case that the recording layer is the single layer in fh

FIG. 1, '0000 0001 ' is written in the L byte. In case that the recording layer is the dual layer

in FIG. 2, '0000 0010' is written in the L^th byte. In case that four recording layers exist, '0000

0100' is written in the L^th byte.

Since limitation is put on the number of the currently considered recording layer(s), which is

currently two recording layers, 4-bits within the L^th byte are enough to represent total fifteen

recording layers (in case of ' 1111 '). hi such a case, it is apparent that other valid information f can be written in the rest area (4-bits) of the L byte.

Moreover, a specific 'Write Strategy (WS) parameters' field interoperating with a 'Write

Strategy (WS) Type' field value of the N^th byte is provided to another specific area (P^th~lll^th

bytes) to record associated information therein. fh

Thus, from the above-recorded 'writing speed information' in the M byte and the 'recording

layer information' in the L^th byte, a record playback apparatus (FIG. 9) recognizes how many

disc informations exist within the corresponding disc. Namely, the number of the existing disc

informations is found by multiplying an applicable writing speed number by the number of

recording layers. As the present invention applies one write strategy (WS) to a specific writing speed and a

specific recording layer, the kind (type) and number of the write strategy (WS) may not be

taken into consideration in deciding the number of disc information(s). Yet, in a third

embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 6-FIG. 8), it will be described that a plurality of

write strategies (WS) can exist for a specific writing speed and a specific recording layer. In

such a case, the total number of the existing disc informations is not always found by

multiplying an applicable writing speed number by the number of recording layers. This will

be explained in detail later in FIG. 6.

Hence, a sequence of a plurality of the above-decided disc informations is decided by the

sequence numbers, which is written in the 5^th byte in the foregoing description, and each of

the disc informations designates the previously decided writing speed and recording layer by

the sequence.

For example, by knowing that four writing speeds applicable by a disc exist if the N^th byte is

'0000 1111' and that two recording layers exist within the disc if the L^th byte is '0000 0010',

total eight disc informations are needed so that the sequence will be '00h~07h'. And, it is

previously decided that disc informations of 'OOh', 'Olh', '02h', '03h', '04h', '05h', '06h',

and '07h' relate to 'lx speed, 1^st recording layer', 'lx speed, 2^nd recording layer', '2x speed,

1^st recording layer', '2x speed, 2^nd recording layer', '3^rd writing speed, 1^st recording layer',

'3^rd writing speed, 2^nd recording layer', '4^th writing speed, 1^st recording layer', and '4^th writing

speed, 2^nd recording layer' .

Hence, in order to acquire the disc information for a specific target writing speed and a

specific target recording layer, the record playback apparatus (FIG. 10) is facilitated to check which disc information is related to the specific target writing speed and recording layer from

'writing speed information' of the N^th byte and 'recording layer information' of the L^th byte

commonly recorded within the respective disc informations instead of playing back to check

the entire disc informations.

FIG. 5B shows an example of recording disc information according to the second

embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 5 A. It can be known that there are two (IX, 2X)

applicable writing speeds from M^th byte ('0000 0011b') commonly recorded in the entire disc

informations and that two recording layers exist within a disc from L^th byte ('0000 0010b').

Hence, in the example of FIG. 5B, total four disc informations (two recording layers * two

writing speeds) exist and a sequence of the disc informations becomes 'OOh' (1X,L0) -_» 'Olh'

(1X,L1) ^■> '02h' (2X,L0) -» '03h' (2X,L1). This is done by a specified content according to

a predetermined sequence. Thus, the entire disc informations should be configured according

to the above manner to enable reciprocal compatibility for utilization.

An intrinsic write strategy (WS) is recorded within each disc information. Specifically,

information of a type of a write strategy (WS) written in P^th~l l l^th bytes within the

corresponding disc information is recorded in N^th byte. Namely, informations in the N^th and

P^th~lll^th bytes can differ in each disc information, which means that a disc manufacturer

enables to optionally record one of a plurality of WSs.

In the example in FIG. 5B, 'OOh' (1X,L0) and 'Olh' (1X,L1) relate to the application of a first

type write strategy (WS-1) and '02h' (2X,L0) and '03h' (2X,L1) relate to the application of a

second type write strategy (WS-2).

FIG. 5C shows another example of recording disc information according to the second embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 5 A. It can be known that there are eight (IX, 2X,

..., 16X) applicable writing speeds from M^th byte ('1111 1111b') commonly recorded in the

entire disc informations and that four recording layers exist within a disc from L^th byte ('0000

0100b').

Hence, in the another example of FIG. 5C, total thirty-two disc informations (four recording

layers * eight writing speeds) exist and a sequence of the disc informations becomes 'OOh'

(1X,L0) ^ 'Olh' (1X,L1) - '02h' (1X,L2) -» '03h' (1X,L4) - '04h' (2X,L0) - ... ->

'3 lh' (16X,L4). This is done by a specified content according to a predetermined sequence.

Thus, the entire disc informations should be configured according to the above manner to

enable reciprocal compatibility for utilization.

In the another example of FIG. 5C, if a record playback unit (FIG. 10) intends to search disc

information related to 2x speed (2X,L0) of a first recording layer to perform recording by

applying a write strategy (WS) within the corresponding disc information, it can be known

from the informations in the M^th and L^th bytes commonly recorded in the entire disc

informations that total thirty-two disc informations (four recording layers * eight writing

speeds) exist in the corresponding disc according to the sequence of the disc informations

such as 'OOh' (1X,L0) -> 'Olh' (1X,L1) -> '02h' (1X,L2) - '03h' (1X,L4) -> '04h' (2X,L0)

- ... - '31h' (16X,L4). Hence, the record playback apparatus (FIG. 9) enables to recognize

that the disc information related to the 2x speed (2X,L0) of the first recording layer to be

searched is '04h' and that the corresponding disc information ('04h') is recorded as the first

type write strategy (WS-1) from the write strategy (WS) type identification information

('0000 0001b') recorded in the N^th byte within the corresponding information ('04h'), thereby reading out parameter values of the first type write strategy (WS-1) via the P^th~l 11^th bytes to

utilize in the recording.

Likewise, if intending to search disc information related to 16x speed (16X,L3) of a fourth

recording layer to perform recording by applying a write strategy (WS) within the

corresponding disc information, the record playback unit (FIG. 9) recognizes that the

corresponding disc information is '31h' via the same process and that the write strategy type

(WS) is the second type (WS-2), thereby enabling to utilize them in the recording.

FIGs. 6 to 8 shows a method of recording disc information of an optical disc according to a

third embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention

is characterized in that at least one write strategy (WS) is configured for a same writing

speed/recording layer. Namely, a plurality of disc informations associated with the same

writing speed/recording layer can exist to be classified by WS types, respectively.

FIG. 6 shows a concept of the method of recording disc information of the optical disc

according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a sequence for disc information each is decided by a sequence number

and is recorded by 1-byte.

For instance, the information is recorded in 5^th byte within disc information, is named 'Dl

frame sequence number in Dl block', and is briefly represented by 'OOh, Olh, 02h, ...'.

Namely, if the information of the 5^th byte is 'OOh', it means 1^st disc information. If the

information of the 5^th byte is '07h', it means 8^th disc information.

In configuring disc information, the present invention is characterized in that disc information

is separately provided per writing speed, per recording layer, and per write strategy (WS) and that a configuration sequence of a plurality of the separately provided disc informations is

uniformly decided according to a predetermined manner.

For instance, if a corresponding optical disc includes a pair of recoding layers and a plurality

of WS types exist, disc informations can be configured in a following manner.

'OOh' of 1^st disc information is related to lx speed, 1^st recording layer LO, and WSl. 'Olh' of

2^nd disc information is related to lx speed, 1^st recording layer LO, and WS2. '02h' of 3^rd disc

information is related to lx speed, 2^nd recording layer LI, and WSl. '03h' of 4^th disc

information is related to lx speed, 2^nd recording layer LI, and WS2. '04h' of 5^th disc

information is related to 2x speed, 1^st recording layer LO, and WSl. '05h' of 6^th disc

information is related to 2x speed and 1^st recording layer LO, and WS3. '06h' of 7^th disc

information is related to 2x speed, 2^nd recording layer LI, and WSl. And, '07h' of 8^th disc

information is related to 2x speed, 2^nd recording layer LI, and WS3.

Namely, in configuring disc informations, the third embodiment according to the present

invention is characterized in that at least one disc information is configured per writing speed,

the respective per writing speed disc informations are reconfigured per recording layer, and at

least one WS type is provided to each recording layer.

Hence, in configuring disc informations for the same writing speed/recording layer, it is able

to configure a plurality of disc informations according to WS types.

FIG. 7A exemplarily shows a method of configuring disc information according the third

embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7A, 'Dl frame sequence number in Dl block' is provided to 5^th byte of each

disc information to mean a sequence, which means that disc infonnations are configured in a specific order (writing speed -_» recording layer - WS type) of priority in FIG. 6.

And, 'Write Strategy (WS) Type' field (N^th byte), 'Writing speed flag' field (M^th byte), fh

'Number of Recording Layer' field (L byte), and 'Write Strategy (WS) parameters' field

(P^th~lll^th bytes) are recorded in N^th, M^th, L^th, and P^th~lll^th bytes, respectively. Meaning of

each information recorded in the fields is the same of that of the second embodiment (FIG.

5A).

In FIG. 7A, 'Writing speed flag = 0000 0111b' of M^th byte means that three kinds of writing

speeds are applicable. And, 'Number of Recording layer = 0000 0010b' of L^th byte means two

recording layers exist.

Moreover, information informing a write strategy (WS) type applicable by a corresponding

disc via specification is recorded in another specific area (K^th byte) within disc information,

which is named 'Write Strategy (WS) flag' field. For instance, whether a specific write

strategy (WS) of eight kinds of write strategy (WS) types is applicable by the corresponding

disc is represented by 1-bit each in the same area having 1-byte allocated thereto. Namely, it

can be defined that the corresponding write strategy (WS) is not applicable (supported) if a bit

value is 'Ob' in entire bits or that the corresponding write strategy (WS) is applicable

(supported) if the bit value is 'lb'. Hence, each of the bits b0~b7 within 1-byte becomes flag

information indicating presence or non-presence of applicability of a specific write strategy

(WS) type. For instance, if 1^st to 3^rd write strategy (WS) types WSl to WS3 are applicable by

a corresponding disc only, '0000 011 lb' is written in L^th byte. If all of the eight kinds of write

strategy (WS) types WSl to WS8 are applicable, '1111 1111b' is written in the L^th byte, hi

FIG. 7A, '0000 111 lb' is written in the K^h byte to allow four write strategy (WS) types WSl to WS4.

By writing the M^th, L^th, and K^th byte informations recorded within the disc information by the

same values in common to the entire disc informations, respectively, the record playback

apparatus (FIG. 10) is facilitated to acquire the informations of the writing speed applicable

by the corresponding disc, the write strategy (WS) type, and the number of the recording

layers despite playing back any disc information.

Specifically, it may be able to record all kinds of the write strategy (WS) types applicable by

specifications in configuring the disc informations. Yet, in such a case, the number of the

recorded disc informations excessively increases. Moreover, a disc manufacturer should test

the entire write strategy (WS) types and record the test results within the disc information,

whereby it becomes a burden.

Therefore, in the embodiment according to the present invention, write strategies (WS) of

which number (m) is smaller than that (n) of the maximum applicable write strategy types are

recordable per writing speed within disc information and a disc manufacturer further enables

to optionally record a specific one of a plurality of write strategies (WS), whereby disc

manufacturer's convenience is secured as well as an efficient recording of disc information is

enabled.

In FIG. 7A, recording is performed at lx speed (IX) using 1^st and 2^nd type write strategies

WSl and WS2, at 2x speed (2X) using 2^nd and 3^rd type write strategies WS2 and WS3, or at

3^rd writing speed (3X) using 3^rd and 4^th type write strategies WS3 and WS4.

Namely, it is able to record disc information using write strategy (WS) types (two types) less

than total applicable write strategy (WS) types (four types) per writing speed. And, it is able to confirm or verify the intrinsic write strategy (WS) applied to each disc information via

'Write Strategy (WSO Type' field (N^th byte) and 'Write Strategy (WS) parameters' field

(Pth~^π 1^th bytes).

FIG. 7B shows another example of recording disc information according to the third

embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 6. Like FIG. 7A, three kinds of applicable fh writing speeds exist and '0000 0111b' is written in M byte. Four applicable write strategy

types exist and '0000 1111b' is written in K^th byte. And, two recording layers exist within a

disc and '0000 0010b' is written in L^th byte.

Referring to FIG. 7B, in configuring disc informations using one of a plurality of applicable

write strategies (WS), at least one disc information is configured per the same writing speed

and recording layer. In doing so, the most preferentially provided disc information is defined

as a preferred WS provided by a disc manufacturer and another disc information following the

preferred WS is defined as an alternative WS.

Namely, both disc information 'OOh' and disc information 'Olh' relate to lx speed (IX) and

1^st recording layer (L0). Yet, the WSl type recorded in 'OOh' as preferentially provided disc

information becomes the preferred WS and the WSl type information recorded in 'Olh' as a

next provided one becomes the alternative WS.

And, disc information '04h', disc information '05h', and disc information '06h' relate to 2x

speed (2X) and 1^st recording layer (L0). Yet, the WS2 type information recorded in '04h' as

preferentially provided disc information becomes the preferred WS, and the WSl type

information recorded in '05h' and the WS3 type information recorded in '06h' as next

provided ones become the alternative WSs, respectively. Namely, they can be applied to at least three disc informations of the same writing speed/recording layer.

Moreover, disc information '10h' relates to 3^rd speed (3^rd X) and 1^st recording layer (LO) and

disc information 'l lh' relates to 3^rd speed (3^rd X) and 2^nd recording layer (LO). In case that

only one WS type information is provided to the same writing speed/recording layer, the

provided WS becomes the preferred WS.

Namely, when a disc manufacturer provides disc information within a disc according to the

previously determined specification, an optical record playback apparatus (FIG. 9) reads out

the disc information in a specific order (writing speed -> recording layer). If a plurality of

disc informations exist on the same writing speed/recording layer, the optical record playback

apparatus (FIG. 10) recognizes the preferentially provided WS within the disc information as

the preferred WS and the next WS as the alternative WS additionally provided by a disc

manufacturer, thereby enabling record playback using disc information efficiently.

Even if both of the preferred WS and the alternative WS are Optional WS' a disc

manufacturer enables to select optionally, it may be possible to render the preferred WS into

'mandatory WS' and the alternative WS into Optional WS' only.

FIG. 8 shows another example of recording disc information according to the third

embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 6, in which a disc manufacturer directly provides

information of a most preferred write strategy (WS) type at a specific writing speed.

Referring to FIG. 8, 'Write Strategy (WS) Type' field (N^th byte), 'Writing speed flag' field

(M^th byte), 'Write Strategy (WS) flag' field (K^th byte), 'Number of Recording Layer' field

(L^th byte), and 'Write Strategy (WS) parameters' field (P^th~l ll^th bytes) are recorded in N^th,

M^th, K^th, L^th, and P^th~l 1 I^th bytes, respectively. Meaning of each information recorded in the fields is the same of that of the second embodiment (FIG. 7B).

And, 'Best WS flag in Writing speed' field is provided to another specific area (Q byte)

within disc information, whereby a disc manufacturer provides information of a WS

indicating a best quality among a plurality of write strategies (WS) existing per same writing

speed. For example, FIG. 8 shows that 2^nd WS (WS2) is the 'Best WS' of eight applicable

WSs at a specific writing speed.

In case that a plurality of WSs enable to exist for the same writing speed/recording layer like

FIG. 7 A, an optical record playback apparatus (FIG. 10) is unable to distinguish which is the

most appropriate WS for a corresponding writing speed. Hence, the optical record play back

apparatus computes the optimal WS by applying the entire WSs provided to the disc

information. Yet, by providing the 'Best WS flag in Writing speed' field to the Q^th byte, it is

able to apply to utilize the WS recorded in the Q^th byte preferentially.

In case that a plurality of WSs exist for the same writing speed/recording layer like FIG. 7B,

it is able to recognize the WS recorded in 1^st disc information as the preferred WS by a

previously specified decided method. Yet, by providing the 'Best WS flag in Writing speed'

field to the Q^th byte, it is able to reconfirm the prefeπed WS as well. Moreover, in case that

the preferred WS recorded in the 1^st disc information for the same writing speed/recording

layer is different from the 'Best WS flag in Writing speed' information of the Q^th byte, e.g., if

the preferred WS is 'mandatory WS' decided in a mandatory manner, a priority is given to the

information of the Q^th byte provided by a disc manufacturer, thereby enabling to provide the

information more efficiently in deciding the optimal WS at the same writing speed.

FIG. 9A to 9E are a diagram of recording control information according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The recording control information is dependent on a

recording method, e.g., CLV mode or CAV mode, in which information for identifying a type

of disc information, e.g., CLV mode or CAV mode is recorded within disc information with

another information enabling to identify a type of write strategy (WS) finally used.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the information enabling to identify a write strategy (WS) type is to

identify which one of a plurality of specified write strategies (WS) was selected to be used by

a disc manufacturer, whereas the information for identifying a disc information type enables

to identify whether corresponding disc information is in CLV mode or CAV mode. For

instance, as mentioned in the foregoing description, various write strategy types, which can

exist such as (n-1) WS, n/2 WS, etc., are defined as 1^st WS WS-1, 2^nd WS WS-2, and K^th WS

WS-K. And, the information identifying the write strategy type (named 'WS Type') selected

by a disc manufacturer is recorded within disc information.

FIG. 9B is a diagram of recording a write strategy within control information according to the

fourth embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9C is a diagram of another

example of recording a write strategy within control information according to the fourth

embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 9 A.

FIG. 9B shows that a disc manufacturer optionally records a specific write strategy (WS) for

entire writing speeds in recording one of a plurality of write strategies (WS).

Referring to FIG. 9B, N^th byte of disc information indicates a disc information type, P^th byte

of disc information indicates a write strategy (WS) type, and parameters associated with one

write strategy (WS) decided by interworking with the N^th and P ^h bytes are recorded in

L^th~l 1^th bytes. For instance, disc information for lx speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in 'OOh' as a disc

information sequence, a disc information type means a CAV mode, a write strategy (WS) type

means 1^st WS WS-1, and a write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CAV WS-1 is

selected to be recorded. Disc information for 2x speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in

'Olh', a disc information type means a CLV mode, a write strategy (WS) type means 1^st WS

WS-1, and a write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CLV WS-1 is selected to be

recorded. Disc information for 4x speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in '02h', a disc

information type means a CLV mode, a write strategy (WS) type means 2^nd WS WS-2, and a

write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CLV WS-2 is selected to be recorded.

Disc information for 8x speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in '03h', a disc information

type means a CAV mode, a write strategy (WS) type means 2^nd WS WS-2, and a write

strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CAV WS-2 is selected to be recorded.

FIG. 9C shows that one of a plurality of write strategies (WS) is recorded within disc

information, in which a mandatory write strategy (WS) type is recorded for a specific

specified writing speed (e.g., lx speed) but a disc manufacturer optionally records a specific

write strategy (WS) for the rest writing speeds.

Hence, the method in FIG. 9C differs from the method in FIG. 9B in that a write strategy

(WS) type is decided in a mandatory manner by putting limitation on disc manufacturer's

options for a specific writing speed (lx speed). This enables a manufacturer of a disc

recording/reproducing apparatus (FIG. 10) to design to manufacture inexpensive products

coping with one write strategy (WS) type only.

For instance, disc information for lx speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in 'OOh' as a disc information sequence, a disc infonnation type means a CAV mode, a write strategy (WS) type

means 1^st WS WS-1, and a write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CAV WS-1 is

selected in a mandatory manner to be recorded. Disc information for 2x speed of 1^st recording

layer is recorded in 'Olh', a disc information type means a CLV mode, a write strategy (WS)

type means 1^st WS WS-1, and a write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CLV WS-

1 is selected to be recorded. Disc information for 4x speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in

'02h', a disc information type means a CLV mode, a write strategy (WS) type means 2^nd WS

WS-2, and a write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CLV WS-2 is selected to be

recorded. Disc information for 8x speed of 1^st recording layer is recorded in '03h', a disc

information type means a CAV mode, a write strategy (WS) type means 2^nd WS WS-2, and a

write strategy (WS) interworks with them so that a CAV WS-2 is selected to be recorded.

FIG. 9D shows another example of recording control information according to the fourth

embodiment of the present invention, in which specific identification for CAV mode is

subdivided to be applied to 'Dl Type' field written in N^th byte within disc information and in

which infonnation designating a write strategy (WS) type is recorded as well.

Refening to FIG. 9D, in case that conesponding disc information means CAV mode, this is

subdivided to identify how many velocities are provided by a write strategy (WS). Hence, 'Dl

Type' field can be defined as follows. If 'Dl Type' field recorded in N^th byte is '0000 0001b',

it means CAV mode and a write strategy (WS) recorded in L^th~l l l^th bytes is recorded to

conespond to one kind of velocity only. If 'Dl Type' field recorded in N^th byte is '0000

0010b', it means CAV mode and a write strategy (WS) recorded in L^th~l 11^th bytes is recorded

to conespond to two kinds of velocities. If 'Dl Type' field recorded in N^th byte is '0000 001 lb', it means CAV mode and a write strategy (WS) recorded in L^th~l 11^th bytes is recorded

to conespond to three kinds of velocities.

Moreover, 'Write Strategy (WS) Type' field is added to P^th byte within disc information so

that L^th~l 11^th write strategy (WS) is recorded by interworking with a disc information type in

N^th byte and a write strategy (WS) type in P^th byte. Namely, it can be defined as follows. If

'0000 0000b' is written in P^th byte, it means 1^st WS WS-1. If '0000 0010b' is written in P^th

byte, it means 2^nd WS WS-2. And, if 'XXXX XXXXb' is written in P^th byte, it means K^th WS

WS-K.

FIG. 9E is a diagram of recording a write strategy within control information comparable to

FIG. 9D.

Referring to FIG. 9E, '0000 0000b' is written in 'Dl Type' field of N^th byte to mean CLV

mode. '0000 0001b' is written in 'Write Strategy (WS) Type' field of P^th byte to mean 1^st WS

WS-1. 5^l byte is 'OOh' to mean lx speed disc information of 1^st recording layer. And, a

specific write strategy (WS) interworking with the N^th and P^th bytes is written in Lth~l 11^th

bytes within a disc.

As it is a CLV mode, a write strategy (WS) for one kind of velocity is recorded. As it is 1^st

WS WS-1, parameters by '(n-1) WS' type are defined for example. Accordingly, a disc

manufacturer records an optimal value in a conesponding disc.

If 'Dl Type' field (N^th byte) is set to '0000 0001b' to mean a CAV mode, or if 'Write Strategy

(WS) Type' field is set to '0000 0010b' to mean 2^nd WS WS-2, it is apparent that write

strategy (WS) parameters written in L^th~lll^th bytes should be recorded as new contents

different from the parameters specified in FIG. 9E or the values of the conesponding parameters.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an optical disc record playback according to the present

invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a record playback apparatus according to the present invention includes

a record playback unit 10 canying out record playback on an optical disc and a control unit 20

controlling the record playback unit 10.

Industrial Applicability

The control unit 20 gives a record or playback command for a specific area, and the record

playback unit 10 caries out the record/playback for the specific area according to the

command of the control unit 20. Specifically, the record playback unit 10 includes an

interface unit 12 performing communications with an external device, a pickup unit 11

directly recording data on the optical disc or playing back the data, a data processor 13

receiving a playback signal from the pickup unit 11 to restore into a necessary signal value or

modulating to deliver a signal to be recorded into a signal to be recorded on the optical disc, a

servo unit 14 reading out a signal from the optical disc conectly or controlling the pickup unit

11 to record a signal on the optical disc conectly, a memory 15 temporarily storing disc

control information including disc control information, and a microcomputer 16 responsible

for controlling the above-described elements within the record playback unit 10.

A recording process of an optical disc according to the present invention is explained in detail

as follows.

First of all, once an optical disc is loaded in the optical record playback apparatus, the entire disc management information within the disc is read out to be temporarily stored in the

memory 15 of the record playback unit 10. Also, a specific disc management information only

can be read from the optical disc. And, various kinds of the disc management information are

utilized for the record/playback of the optical disc. Specifically, the management information

stored in the memory 15 includes disc control information of the present invention. Hence, the

recording layer information, writing speed information, and write strategy fitting the

conesponding writing speed recorded within the disc information are read out to be stored in

the memory.

If intending to perform a recording on a specific area within the optical disc, the control unit

20 renders such an intent into a writing command and then delivers it to the record playback

unit 10 together with data for writing location information to be recorded. After receiving the

writing command, the microcomputer 16 decides or selects the conesponding writing speed

to be applied to an intended recording layer within the optical disc from the management

informations stored in the memory 15 and then performs the writing command using a (pre-

)determined or selected write strategy type and the write strategy parameters applicable to the

decided or selected writing speed.

Specifically, in case that the recording is performed on the optical disc by the present

invention, the disc information as management information is provided in a specific order and

the microcomputer 16 recognizes which WS is the prefened WS of the disc manufacturer in

the same writing speed/recording layer. Therefore, it is more facilitated to perform the

recording on a specific recoding layer within an optical disc at a specific writing speed.

Accordingly, the present invention provides various methods of providing disc control information coping with higher writing speed in a high-density optical disc, thereby enabling

to uniformly apply the standardized disc control information to efficiently cope with the

record/playback of the optical disc.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be

made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the

modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the

appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (37)

Claims

1. A data structure of a control information for use with a recording medium having at least one recording layer, wherein the control information including at least one information unit for a writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the information unit includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer.

2. The data structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data structure is to record on the recording medium, to record data on the recording medium based on the control information recorded as the data structure in the recording medium, or recorded on the recording medium.

3. The data structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the recording medium is

writable blu-ray disc.

4. The data structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the information unit includes an identification infonnation identifying the first write strategy type.

5. The data structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the identification information identifies one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

6. The data structure of claim 2, wherein the control information includes

alternative information unit, the alternative information unit for the same writing

speed and recording layer includes write strategy parameters for second write strategy

type different from the first write strategy type.

7. The data structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second write strategy

type is an n-1 type or an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each type

represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

8. The data structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first write strategy type is

an n-1 type or an n/2 type, and the second write strategy type is an n-1 type or an n/2

type which can be different from the first write strategy type, where n is a length of

mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

9. The data structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the identification information

identifies one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each

type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

10. The data structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein each information unit

includes an identification information identifying the conesponding write strategy

type.

11. The data structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the information unit includes

applicable type information identifying an applicable write strategy type.

12. The data structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the information unit includes

best type information identifying a best write strategy type at a specific writing speed.

13. The data structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the information unit includes a recording layer number information and applicable writing speed information of the conesponding information unit.

14. The data structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control information includes an additional infonnation unit for a higher writing speed and the same recording layer, the additional information unit includes write strategy parameters for the same write strategy type or a different write strategy type to be used for the higher writing speed and the same recording layer.

15. The data structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the write strategy parameters for the higher writing speed and the same recording layer are different from the write strategy parameters for the writing speed even if the same write strategy type is used.

16. The data structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the additional information unit includes an identification information identifying the write strategy type.

17. The data structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the identification

information identifies one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark

and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

18. The data structure as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control information

includes alternative information unit, the alternative information unit for the higher

writing speed and the conesponding recording layer includes write strategy

parameters for alternative write strategy type different from the write strategy type to

be used for the additional information unit.

19. The data structure as claimed in claim 18, wherein the alternative write

strategy type is an n-1 type or an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each type

represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

20. The data structure as claimed in claim 18, wherein the write strategy type for

the higher writing speed and the recording layer is one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type,

and the alternative write strategy type is one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type, which is

different from the previous write strategy type, where n is a length of mark and each

type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

21. A recording method comprising steps of:

reading at least one control information, the control information including at least one information unit for a writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the information

unit includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing

speed and recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write

strategy types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer; and recording data on a specific recording layer at a specific writing speed based on the at

least one information unit.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

identifying the information unit based on an identification information identifying the first

write strategy type; and

recording data using write strategy parameters included in the identified information unit.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the identification information identifies one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

24. A recording method comprising steps of:

reading a control information, the control information including first information unit for a

writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the first information unit includes

write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed and

recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy

types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer, and second information unit

for the same writing speed and recording layer includes write strategy parameters for second write strategy type different from the first write strategy type; and

recording data on a specific recording layer at a specific writing speed based on at least one

information unit.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising:

identifying at least one of first and second information units based on an identification

information identifying a specific write strategy type; and

recording data on the specific recording layer at the specific writing speed based on at least

one information unit.

26. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the identifying step identifies the at least one of first and second information units stored in a memory from the reading step.

27. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first write strategy type is an n-1 type or an n/2 type, and the second write strategy type is an n-1 type or an n/2 type which can be different from the first write strategy type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

28. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein each information unit includes

type information identifying an applicable write strategy type.

29. A recording method comprising steps of: reading a control information, the control information including first information unit for a

lower writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the first information unit

includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed

and recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy

types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer, and second information unit

for a higher writing speed and the same recording layer, and the second information unit

including write strategy parameters for second write strategy type to be used for the higher

writing speed and the same recording layer, the second write strategy type is same as the first

type or different than the first type ; and recording data on a specific recording layer at a specific writing speed based on at

least one information unit.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

identifying one of first and second information units based on an identification information

identifying a specific write strategy type and/or a speed information indicating a specific

writing speed; and

recording data on the specific recording layer at the specific writing speed based on at least

one information unit

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the identification information identifies one of an n-1 type and an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

32. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the write strategy parameters for the

higher writing speed are different from the write strategy parameters for the specific

writing speed even if the same write strategy type is used.

33. The method as claimed in claim 29, further comprising:

determining a writing speed and recording layer; and

selecting at least one of the fist and second information units from the read control

information based on the determining step.

34. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the confrol information further

includes alternative information unit, the alternative information unit for the higher

writing speed and the recording layer includes write strategy parameters for alternative

write strategy type different from the second write strategy type to be used for the

second information unit.

35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the alternative write strategy type

is an n-1 type or an n/2 type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a

number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

36. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein the second write sfrategy type for

the higher recording speed and the recording layer is one of the n-1 type and n/2 type,

and the alternative write strategy type is one of the n-1 type and n/2 type, which is

different from the second write strategy type, where n is a length of mark and each type represents a number of write pulse to form a conesponding mark.

37. A recording apparatus comprising:

a controller for generating a recording command; and

a recorder/reproducer for performing a recording, based on the generated recording command,

by reading a control information, the control infonnation including at least one information

unit for a specific writing speed and recording layer, characterized in that the information unit

includes write strategy parameters for first write strategy type to be used for the writing speed

and recording layer, wherein the first write strategy type is one of a plurality of write strategy

types applicable to the same writing speed and recording layer.