JP4424433B2 - Recording / playback device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to a recording medium on which data as a program is recorded.

In recent years, media capable of recording and reproducing various audio data and video data (AV data) have been widely used.
Recently, the increase in capacity of various media has been promoted, and accordingly, the amount of data that can be recorded on one medium can be greatly increased.

  By the way, in the conventional general digital audio / video format, recording data is managed by a unit called a program. In other words, taking audio data as an example, since one program is normally handled as one piece of music, it is managed in units of music.

Here, taking a digital audio device as an example, a mini-disc recording / reproducing apparatus using a magneto-optical disc as a recording medium is known.
For example, in the case of a mini-disc, in order to manage the area where the user recorded on the disk (data recorded area) and the area where nothing has been recorded yet (data unrecorded area), Apart from main data such as music, management information called user TOC (hereinafter referred to as U-TOC) is recorded. The recording device discriminates an area for recording while referring to the U-TOC, and the reproducing device discriminates an area to be reproduced with reference to the U-TOC.

  That is, in the U-TOC, each recorded music or the like is managed in a data unit called a track, and its start address, end address, etc. are recorded. An unrecorded area (free area) where nothing is recorded has its start address, end address, etc. recorded as a data recordable area.

Further, by managing the area on the disc by such a U-TOC, the track division (one unit of recording data such as music) can be performed only by the rewriting process so as to update the U-TOC ( Editing processes such as divide, link (combine), move (move: change track number), and erase (erase) can be easily and quickly executed.
In the U-TOC, an area in which a song title (track name) or the like can be recorded as character information for each program such as the title (disc name) of the disc or a recorded song is also set. . For this reason, an editing operation such as inputting the disc name or the track name can be performed by a user operation.
In this specification, “program” is used to mean a unit of audio data such as music as main data recorded on the disc, and for example, audio data for one music is one program. Also, the term “track” is used in the same meaning as “program”.

Depending on the format of a conventionally known mini-disc system, the data recording capacity is 140 MB, and compressed audio data encoded by an audio data compression method called an ATRAC (Adaptve Transform Acoustic Coding) method is recorded. Can record about 74 minutes in terms of time.
In recent years, a new format has been developed for this mini-disc in order to greatly increase the recording density. In this new format, for example, a data recording capacity of 650 MB is realized by defining various disk formats and data formats. If recording is performed on such a large-capacity mini-disc by, for example, an audio data compression method called the ATRAC2 method, which has a higher data compression rate than the conventional ATRAC method, it takes about 10 hours in time. Can be recorded.

For example, in a conventional mini-disc with a data recording capacity of 140 MB, the number of tracks (number of songs) that can be recorded on one disc is normally about 10 to 20 songs. In other words, the number of songs is about one so-called album represented by a CD or the like.
On the other hand, as the above-mentioned mini-disc having a data recording capacity of 650 MB, when the recording density of the disc is increased and the audio data compression technology is advanced, tracks (musical pieces) that can be recorded on one disc are recorded. ) The number will increase considerably. For example, since a recording time of about 10 hours can be obtained as described above, it is possible to record the number of songs of about 150 songs, assuming that one song is about 4 minutes, for example. If converted into a CD having a performance time of 74 minutes, about 8 CDs can be recorded sufficiently.

  Here, considering the case where the capacity of the mini-disc increases as described above, and the number of tracks that can be recorded on the disc increases, for example, the user can select any arbitrary unit such as an album unit. Based on the concept, there is a demand for dividing a large number of tracks recorded on one disc into groups.

However, here, when a method in which management is performed only in units of tracks as in the above-described conventional U-TOC is adopted, the above-described division management by group is executed as processing by the device. Will not be feasible. Therefore, as a user, in order to divide a large number of songs for each group, it is necessary to write this on a label or rely on their own memory, so the management is cumbersome and uncertain. It becomes a thing.
In addition, for example, it is not possible to quickly select a group divided by the user as described above from a large number of music (tracks) recorded on the disc. As one of countermeasures for this, although a device that performs cueing every predetermined number of tracks such as every 10 songs (tracks) is known, in this case, the group unit divided by the user Cannot be found, and in this respect, the problem cannot be effectively solved.
Furthermore, even if it is desired to perform the above-described various edits in units of groups, the editing operations and the like for that purpose are in units of tracks, which makes it very complicated and troublesome.

The recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a recording means for performing a data recording operation on a storage medium for recording data and management information for managing the plurality of pieces of data as an aggregate, and a recording medium newly recorded on the storage medium The management information recorded on the storage medium is updated so that data is managed as data included in the aggregate, and the data newly recorded on the storage medium can be updated to any set as necessary. to manage as not included in the body data, a reproducing means for reproducing a control means for updating the management information recorded in the storage medium, the storage medium for recording the above data and the management information, the reproduction means on the basis of the above management information reproduced, sequential reproduction of each assembly units, and a reproduction control unit to execute the above reproducing means, said reproduction control means, During the sequential reproduction operation for each aggregate unit, when the reproduction means reproduces data not included in any of the aggregates, the sequential reproduction operation is performed in units of data not included in the aggregate. Let the playback means execute.

  As described above, according to the present invention, tracks (programs) can be managed collectively as a group (program aggregate) as management information for managing recording data recorded on a recording medium. Then, by referring to this management information, it is possible to execute various reproduction operations in units of groups.

For example, in a situation where a very large number of tracks are recorded on a large-capacity recording medium, it is a matter of course that a plurality of tracks are grouped based on a certain concept, and various playback operations are performed in units of this group. Comes up. However, in the past, since the management information was managed only in units of tracks, it was difficult to manage the data by such grouping, and therefore it was not possible to perform playback operations in units of groups. Is.
On the other hand, in the present invention, as described above, for example, since there is management information capable of managing a plurality of tracks as a group, various playback control processes in units of groups can be performed by referring to this management information. It is possible.

  For example, in one of the playback control processes, it is possible to perform a cue search in units of groups, which allows the user to play back while selecting the contents recorded on the disc in units of groups. This makes it possible to perform operations that are not present.

  In addition, as management information of the present invention, each track can be managed so that it is handled as a group free that does not belong to any group. For example, depending on the user, it may be preferable to provide a track that does not belong to any group for convenience, but if it is managed as a group free in this way, The user's request can be met, and the convenience is further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, at the time of recording, it is possible to record a newly recorded track in a state managed so as to belong to a certain required group.
Thus, even if the user does not dare to perform editing processing for grouping, newly recorded tracks are grouped and managed in an appropriate manner.
According to the present invention, as a form of group management at the time of recording as described above, one newly recorded track is managed as belonging to a new group. For one thing, a newly recorded track is managed so as to belong to a specific group set for already recorded data. If these record management methods can be selectively used according to the user's intention, for example, the convenience can be improved.

  In this embodiment, when one or more tracks that can be viewed as so-called album units are recorded on a recording medium, the tracks forming the album are managed and recorded as one group. . As a result, for example, when a source such as a CD is dubbed, the contents dubbed from the CD are automatically managed as one track, which also improves the convenience for the user. In particular, in practice, such an arrangement is very useful in practice because it is considered that there are relatively frequent opportunities for performing grouping settings in units of albums.

  Also, during recording, it is possible to manage newly recorded tracks so that they are treated as group-free. Again, there are times when you want to provide tracks that do not belong to any group. This corresponds to the user's request.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, by performing rewriting on management information having a format that can be managed in units of groups, for example, various types of editing processes in units of groups can be executed as editing processes according to user operations. It is possible.
For example, when group-based editing is performed based on management information managed only by track units as in the past, the user needs to repeat the same operation for each track belonging to the group to be edited. The operation is very complicated and troublesome. However, according to the present invention, such a problem can be solved, and the operation can be made very simple and easy.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing corresponding to a mini-disc which is a magneto-optical disc is taken as an example.
The following description will be given in the following order.
1. Disk format 2. Recording / reproducing apparatus Operation unit 4. 4. Track management mode Cue search in group mode 6. Recording operation 6-1. In group mode 6-2. 6. In track mode Example of editing process in group mode 7-1. Movement 7-2. Connection 7-3. Dubbing record 8. Security group 9. Example of TOC structure 9-1. Data structure of disk 9-2. TOC # 0
9-3. TOC # 1
9-4. TOC # 2
9-5. TOC # 3

1. Disc Format The recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present embodiment is assumed to be compatible with a format called MD data which records / reproduces data corresponding to a mini-disc (magneto-optical disc). As this MD data format, two types of formats called MD-DATA1 and MD-DATA2 have been developed. In the present embodiment, the recording / reproducing apparatus can perform higher density recording than MD-DATA1. -Recording / playback is performed in accordance with the DATA2 format. First, the disk format of MD-DATA2 will be described.
As the MD-DATA2 format, various data can be recorded / reproduced in addition to the audio data. Here, for convenience of explanation, the audio / data is recorded / reproduced by the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment. The following explanation will be made on the assumption that it is only.

1 and 2 conceptually show an example of a track structure of a disk as MD-DATA2. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, showing an enlarged portion surrounded by a broken line A in FIG.
As shown in these figures, there are two types of grooves (grooves), a wobbled groove WG provided with wobble (meandering) and a non-wobbled groove NWG provided with no wobble in advance on the disk surface. It is formed. The wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG exist in a double spiral shape on the disk so as to form a land Ld therebetween.

In the MD-DATA2 format, the land Ld is used as a recording track (track on which data is recorded). However, since the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG are formed as described above, the recording is performed. As a track, the two tracks Tr · A, Tr · B are independently formed in a double spiral shape.
The track Tr · A is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the disk.
On the other hand, the track Tr · B is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is located on the inner circumference side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is located on the outer circumference side of the disk.
That is, it can be considered that the wobble is formed only on one side on the outer peripheral side of the disk with respect to the track Tr · A, and the wobble is formed only on one side on the inner peripheral side of the disk with respect to the track Tr · B. .
In this case, the track pitch is the distance between the centers of the adjacent tracks Tr · A and Tr · B, and the track pitch is 0.95 μm as shown in FIG.

Here, the wobble formed in the groove as the wobbled groove WG is formed based on a signal in which a physical address on the disk is encoded by FM modulation + biphase modulation. Therefore, it is possible to extract the physical address on the disc by demodulating the reproduction information obtained from the wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG at the time of recording and reproduction.
Further, the address information as the wobbled groove WG is valid for the tracks Tr · A and Tr · B in common. In other words, the track Tr · A located on the inner periphery across the wobbled groove WG and the track Tr · B located on the outer periphery share the address information by wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG. .
Such an addressing method is also called an interlace addressing method. By adopting this interlace addressing method, for example, it is possible to reduce the track pitch while suppressing crosstalk between adjacent wobbles. The method of recording addresses by forming wobbles on the groove is also referred to as the ADIP (Address In Pregroove) method.

Further, as described above, it is possible to identify which of the tracks Tr · A and Tr · B sharing the same address information is being traced as follows.
For example, when the 3-beam method is applied and the main beam is tracing the track (land Ld), the remaining two side beams trace the grooves located on both sides of the track being traced by the main beam. It is possible to make it.

FIG. 2B shows a state in which the main beam spot SPm is tracing the track Tr · A as a specific example. In this case, of the two side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2, the inner side side beam spot SPs1 traces the non-wobbled groove NWG, and the outer side side beam spot SPs2 traces the wobbled groove WG. become.
On the other hand, although not shown, if the main beam spot SPm is tracing the track Tr · B, the side beam spot SPs1 traces the wobbled groove WG and the side beam spot SPs2 is non-wobbled groove. NWG will be traced.
As described above, when the main beam spot SPm traces the track Tr · A and the track Tr · B, the groove to be traced by the side beam spots SPs1, SPs2 is necessarily a wobbled groove. The WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG are interchanged.

  As a detection signal obtained by the photodetector by reflection of the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2, different waveforms are obtained depending on which one of the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG is traced. Based on, for example, it is determined which of the current side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 is tracing the wobbled groove WG (or the non-wobbled groove NWG), so that the main beam is track Tr · A, Tr · Which of B is traced can be identified.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main specifications of the MD-DATA2 format having the track structure as described above in comparison with the MD-DATA1 format.
First, the MD-DATA1 format has a track pitch of 1.6 μm and a pit length of 0.59 μm / bit. The laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is 0.45.
As a recording method, a groove recording method is adopted. That is, the groove is used as a track for recording and reproduction.
As an addressing method, a single spiral groove (track) is formed, and a wobbled groove in which wobbles as address information are formed on both sides of the groove is used.

  An EFM (8-14 conversion) system is adopted as a recording data modulation system. As an error correction method, ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) is adopted, and a convolution type is adopted for data interleaving. For this reason, the data redundancy is 46.3%.

Further, in the MD-DATA1 format, CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) is adopted as a disk drive system, and the linear velocity of CLV is set to 1.2 m / s.
The standard data rate at the time of recording / playback is 133 kB / s, and the recording capacity is 140 MB.

  On the other hand, the MD-DATA2 format that can be supported by the video camera of this example is that the track pitch is 0.95 μm and the pit length is 0.39 μm / bit, both of which are shorter than the MD-DATA1 format. I understand. For example, in order to realize the above pit length, the laser spot λ = 650 nm and the aperture ratio NA = 0.52 of the optical head are used to narrow the beam spot diameter at the in-focus position and widen the band as the optical system. .

  As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the land recording method is adopted as the recording method, and the interlace addressing method is adopted as the address method. As a recording data modulation method, an RLL (1, 7) method (RLL: Run Length Limited) adapted to high-density recording is adopted, an error correction method is an RS-PC method, and data interleaving is used. Block complete type is adopted. As a result of adopting each of the above methods, the data redundancy can be suppressed to 19.7%.

Even in the MD-DATA2 format, CLV is adopted as the disk drive system, but the linear velocity is 2.0 m / s, and the standard data rate at the time of recording and reproduction is 589 kB / s. . As a recording capacity, 650 MB can be obtained, and when compared with the MD-DATA1 format, a recording density of more than four times is realized.
For example, when moving images are recorded in the MD-DATA2 format, when moving image data is compression-encoded by MPEG2, 15 minutes to 17 minutes in time depending on the bit rate of the encoded data. Can be recorded. Further, assuming that only audio signal data is recorded, when audio data is subjected to compression processing by ATRAC (Adaptve Transform Acoustic Coding) 2, recording can be performed for about 10 hours.

2. Recording / Reproducing Device Next, a configuration example of the recording / reproducing device of the present embodiment corresponding to the above-described MD-DATA2 format will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

Information (photocurrent obtained by detecting the laser reflected light by the photodetector) detected by the data reading operation of the optical head 53 with respect to the disk 51 is supplied to the RF amplifier 101 in the RF signal processing circuit 44.
The RF amplifier 101 generates a reproduction RF signal as a reproduction signal from the input detection information and supplies it to the binarization circuit 43. The binarization circuit 43 performs binarization on the input reproduction RF signal, thereby obtaining a reproduction RF signal (binarization RF signal) converted into a digital signal.
The binarized RF signal is first input to the AGC / clamp circuit 103 and subjected to gain adjustment, clamp processing, and the like, and then input to the equalizer / PLL circuit 104.
The equalizer / PLL circuit 104 performs equalizing processing on the input binarized RF signal and outputs the result to the Viterbi decoder 105. Further, by inputting the binarized RF signal after the equalizing process to the PLL circuit, the clock CLK synchronized with the binarized RF signal (RLL (1, 7) code string) is extracted.

  The frequency of the clock CLK corresponds to the current disk rotation speed. Therefore, the CLV processor 111 receives the clock CLK from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104 and obtains error information by comparing it with a reference value corresponding to a predetermined CLV speed (see FIG. 3). This is used as a signal component for generating the error signal SPE. The clock CLK is used as a clock for processing in a required signal processing circuit system including the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106, for example.

The Viterbi decoder 105 performs a decoding process according to a so-called Viterbi decoding method on the binarized RF signal input from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104. As a result, reproduction data as an RLL (1, 7) code string is obtained.
This reproduced data is input to the RLL (1, 7) demodulating circuit 106, where the data stream is subjected to RLL (1, 7) demodulation.

The data stream obtained by the demodulation processing in the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106 is written to the buffer memory 42 via the data bus 114 and developed on the buffer memory 42.
The data stream developed on the buffer memory 42 is first subjected to error correction processing in units of error correction blocks according to the RS-PC system by the ECC processing circuit 116, and further descramble / EDC. The decoding circuit 117 performs descrambling processing and EDC decoding processing (error detection processing).
The data that has been processed so far is used as reproduction data DATAp. The reproduced data DATAp is transferred from the descramble / EDC decode circuit 117 to the audio compression encoder / decoder 122, for example, at a transfer rate according to the transfer clock generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121.

  Here, the reproduction data DATAp described above is compressed audio data that has been compressed by the ATRAC2 method. The audio compression encoder / decoder 122 performs decompression processing on the input reproduction data DATAp in accordance with the ATRAC2 system, and converts it into digital audio data having a sampling frequency of 44.1 KHz and a quantization bit of 16 bits, for example. The digital audio data is transferred to the input / output processing unit 123.

The input / output processing unit 123 is a part that performs required signal processing and the like regarding input / output of audio signals. For example, the digital audio data transferred from the audio compression encoder / decoder 122 as a reproduction output to the input / output processing unit 123 can be output to the digital audio output terminal Dout in the same format. Note that a signal path and a terminal for outputting the digital audio data that has been subjected to compression processing to the outside may be provided.
Further, it can be converted into an analog audio signal by a D / A converter provided inside the input / output processing unit 123 and output from an analog audio output terminal Aout. Further, the analog audio signal converted by the D / A converter can be output from the headphone output terminal HPout by performing an amplification process suitable for outputting sound through headphones.

  The transfer clock generation circuit 121 is, for example, a circuit portion that generates a crystal clock, and supplies a clock having a frequency required between functional circuit units in the recording / reproducing apparatus.

Detection information (photocurrent) read from the disk 51 by the optical head 53 is also supplied to the matrix amplifier 107.
In the matrix amplifier 107, necessary detection processing is performed on the input detection information, whereby a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, and groove information (absolute address information recorded as a wobbled groove WG on the disk 51) GFM. Are extracted and supplied to the servo circuit 45. That is, the extracted tracking error signal TE and focus error signal FE are supplied to the servo processor 112, and the groove information GFM is supplied to the ADIP band pass filter 108.

The groove information GFM band-limited by the ADIP bandpass filter 108 is supplied to the A / B track detection circuit 109, the ADIP decoder 110, and the CLV processor 111.
In the A / B track detection circuit 109, for example, based on the method described with reference to FIG. 2B, the currently tracked track is selected from the track TR · A and TR · B based on the input groove information GFM. The track discrimination information is output to the driver controller 46. The ADIP decoder 110 decodes the input groove information GFM to extract an ADIP signal that is absolute address information on the disk and outputs the ADIP signal to the driver controller 46. The driver controller 46 executes necessary control processing based on the track discrimination information and the ADIP signal.

  The CLV processor 111 receives the clock CLK from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104 and the groove information GFM via the ADIP bandpass filter 108. The CLV processor 111 generates a spindle error signal SPE for CLV servo control based on, for example, an error signal obtained by integrating a phase error with the clock CLK with respect to the groove information GFM, and outputs the spindle error signal SPE to the servo processor 112. The required operation to be executed by the CLV processor 111 is controlled by the driver controller 46.

The servo processor 112 performs various servo control signals (tracking control) based on the tracking error signal TE, the focus error signal FE, the spindle error signal SPE, the track jump command from the driver controller 46, the access command, etc. input as described above. Signal, focus control signal, thread control signal, spindle control signal, etc.) are generated and output to the servo driver 113.
The servo driver 113 generates a required servo drive signal based on the servo control signal supplied from the servo processor 112. The servo drive signal here includes a biaxial drive signal for driving the biaxial mechanism (two types of focus direction and tracking direction), a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, and a spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 52. It becomes.
By supplying such a servo drive signal to the deck unit 5, focus control and tracking control for the disk 51 and CLV control for the spindle motor 52 are performed.

For example, digital audio data in a predetermined format can be input from the digital audio input terminal Din to the input / output processing unit 123 as a recording audio source, and an analog audio signal can be input to the analog audio input terminal. It can be input from Ain.
For example, if necessary, the digital audio data input to the input / output processing unit 123 is subjected to conversion of sampling frequency, quantization bit, and the like. Finally, the sampling frequency is 44.1 KHz and the quantization bit is converted. It is transferred to the audio compression encoder / decoder 122 as 16-bit digital audio data.
The input analog audio signal is converted into digital audio data by an A / D converter provided in the input / output processing unit 123 and transferred to the audio compression encoder / decoder 122. .

  The audio compression encoder / decoder 122 performs audio compression processing according to the ATRAC2 system on the digital audio data input from the input / output processing unit 123 to generate compressed audio data. The compressed audio data is transferred to the scramble / EDC encoding circuit 115 as recording data DATAAr. The user recording data DATAr is input in synchronization with a transfer clock (data transfer rate) generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example.

In the scramble / EDC encode circuit 115, for example, the recording data DATAAr is written and expanded in the buffer memory 42, and data scramble processing and EDC encoding processing (error detection code addition processing by a predetermined method) are performed. After this processing, for example, the ECC processing circuit 116 adds an RS-PC error correction code to the recording data DATAAr developed in the buffer memory 42.
The recording data DATAr that has been processed so far is read from the buffer memory 42 and supplied to the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 via the data bus 114.

  The RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 performs RLL (1, 7) modulation processing on the input recording data DATAAr, and outputs the recording data as the RLL (1, 7) code string to the magnetic head driving circuit 119. To do.

By the way, in the MD-DATA2 format, a so-called laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is adopted as a recording method for the disk. The laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is a recording method in which a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a disk recording surface, and laser light to be irradiated onto the disk is pulsed in synchronization with the recording data.
In such a laser strobe magnetic field modulation method, the formation process of the pit edge recorded on the disc does not depend on the transient characteristics such as the magnetic field reversal speed and is determined by the irradiation timing of the laser pulse.
Therefore, for example, compared with a simple magnetic field modulation method (a method in which a laser beam is constantly irradiated onto a disk and a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a disk recording surface), a laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is used. In this case, it is possible to easily reduce the jitter of the recording pit. That is, the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is an advantageous recording method for high density recording.

The magnetic head drive circuit 119 operates so that a magnetic field modulated by the input recording data is applied from the magnetic head 54 to the disk 51. Further, a clock synchronized with the recording data is output from the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 to the laser driver 120. Based on the input clock, the laser driver 120 drives the laser diode of the optical head 53 so that a laser pulse synchronized with recording data generated as a magnetic field by the magnetic head 54 is irradiated to the disk. . At this time, the laser pulse emitted and output from the laser diode has a required laser power suitable for recording. In this way, the recording operation as the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is enabled by the media drive unit 4 of the present embodiment.
Although not shown here, the recording / reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment adopts the MD-DATA1 format in order to provide compatibility so that recording / reproduction corresponding to a disk of the MD-DATA1 format can be performed. Corresponding functional circuit units may be provided.

The operation unit 124 includes various operators provided on the main body for operating the recording / reproducing apparatus. The operation unit 124 outputs operation information corresponding to an operation performed on the operation element to the system controller 46. The system controller 46 executes a required control process according to the input operation information, so that the operation of the recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to the operation can be obtained.
Although not shown here, as an operation means replacing the operation unit 124, a remote controller that wirelessly transmits operation information corresponding to the operation by infrared rays or radio waves is provided, and the main body side receives and decodes the transmission signal. It is also conceivable to provide a receiving unit for transferring to the system controller 46.

  Further, the display unit 125 is configured to include, for example, an LCD display device and the like, and necessary contents are appropriately displayed under the control of the system controller 46. For example, the content displayed on the display unit 125 is, if the playback operation is in progress, displays the track currently being played, the number and name of a group to be described later, the playback progress time, and the like. is there.

3. Operation Unit FIG. 5 illustrates a typical operation element as the operation unit 124 provided in the recording / reproducing apparatus.
In the operation unit 124 shown in this figure, an eject key 201 is used as an operator for ejecting a mini-disc loaded at a recordable / reproducible position and ejecting it from the main body.
Also, cue search keys 202 and 203 are operators for performing cueing in track units in the return direction and the feed direction, respectively.
The reproduction / pause key 204 can perform a reproduction start operation and a pause operation. A stop key 205 is an operator for stopping the recording / reproducing operation. The recording key 206 is operated when recording music data is started.
The editing key 207 is a key operated when performing various editing operations. As this editing operation, for example, in addition to moving, dividing, connecting, and erasing tracks (all songs can be erased), it is also possible to input and register a track name and a disk name.
In this embodiment, as will be described later, a set unit of tracks composed of a plurality of tracks is treated as a group, and recording data is managed by this group unit. As the above-described editing operation, movement, division, connection, deletion in group units, registration of group names, and the like can be performed.

A group mode key 208 is a key for switching between a group mode and a track mode. As used herein, the group mode refers to a mode in which operations related to reproduction and recording in units of groups described above are possible, and the track mode refers to reproduction in units of tracks, as in a conventional recording / reproduction device. A mode in which operations related to recording are executed.
For example, each time the group mode key 208 is pressed once, switching between the group mode and the track mode is performed. In addition, for example, when a so-called compound operation is performed in which another operation element is operated while operating the group mode key 208, it is possible to perform an operation as a group mode.
Further, as the group mode key, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, it is possible to use a group mode key 208a by a mechanical switch. In this case, the group mode key 208a is a slide switch, and the group mode is set by sliding the operation element as the slide switch to the right, and the track mode is set by sliding to the left. Yes.
In any case, in the present embodiment, it is only necessary to switch between the group mode and the track mode by a predetermined operation, and the operation means for this is limited to the contents described with reference to FIG. It is not something.

Further, in the operation unit 124 shown in this figure, group cue search keys 209 and 210 are shown. For example, each time the group cue search key 209 is pressed, a cue search can be performed in units of groups in the return direction. Also, each time the group cue search key 210 is pressed, a cue search can be performed in groups in the feed direction.
For example, as an operation mode, the group mode key 208 (208a) is operated to set the group mode, and the cue search keys 202 and 203 are operated to perform cue search in units of groups. In such an operation mode, the group cue search keys 209 and 210 may be omitted.

FIG. 5 also illustrates a display panel portion as the display unit 125.
In this figure, an example in which [G2-21 SONG1] is displayed on the display unit 125 is shown. This is because [G2-21] indicates that the group number is [2] and the track number is [[2]. 21], and [SONG1] indicates, for example, a track name or a group name.

4). Track Management Mode In this embodiment, one or more tracks can be divided into groups and managed for tracks recorded on the disc. This is shown in FIG. 6 by comparison with a conventional example.
FIG. 6B shows a recording data management mode in a conventional mini-disc system. In other words, as is well known, in the conventional mini-disc format, the recording data is managed only in track units by the U-TOC. For example, in a conventional mini-disc, if 10 tracks from tracks Tr1 to Tr10 are recorded on the disc, the U-TOC performs management in units of these tracks.
Therefore, for example, at the time of cue search, access is made to the address of the next track obtained by referring to the U-TOC. However, because the U-TOC performs management in units of tracks. As shown, the cue search is performed in units of tracks.
Further, as is well known, for example, data recording and editing operations are basically performed in units of tracks as long as the U-TOC adopts a format managed in units of tracks.

In the present embodiment, the data recorded on the disc can be managed as illustrated in FIG.
Here, a case where 40 tracks from tracks Tr1 to Tr40 are recorded is shown. In this case, a state is shown in which 20 tracks from tracks Tr1 to Tr20 are managed as a group Gr1 and belong to one group.
Further, the four tracks from the subsequent tracks Tr21 to Tr23 are managed as a group Gr2 that also belongs to one group. Then, the two tracks Tr24 and Tr25 are managed so as to belong to the group Gr3.

In the present embodiment, as described above, a plurality of tracks having consecutive track numbers can be managed as one group.
Such a group setting can be set, for example, by a predetermined editing operation by the user. Also, as will be described later, when performing dubbing recording in units of albums such as one CD, a plurality of songs (tracks) in units of albums are recorded on the mini disc side in a form managed as one group. By doing so, the group is automatically set.

However, even if a plurality of tracks can be managed by a group, for example, from the viewpoint of user convenience, it is not always necessary to make a track recorded on a disc belong to any group. Of course, it may be preferable to avoid the genus.
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to manage a track that does not need to belong to a group as a group-free track. Here, 15 tracks from track Tr26 to Tr40 are managed as group free Gr · F tracks.

The management of recording data including such group units is realized by the structure of management information (RTOC) recorded on the disc. The structure of this management information will be described later. Although not illustrated here, it is possible to manage one track as one group.
In this embodiment, recording data (tracks) can be managed in units of groups in this way, so that recording / reproducing operations in units of groups can be performed as described below. An editing operation can be performed.

5). Cue search in group mode FIG. 7 schematically shows an operation example of cue search in the group mode.
Also in this figure, the case where 40 tracks from track Tr1 to track Tr40 are recorded on the disc is shown, the tracks Tr1 to 20 belong to the group Gr1, the tracks Tr21 to Tr23 belong to the group Gr2, and the group Gr3 indicates a state to which tracks Tr24 and Tr25 belong. Tr26 to Tr40 are group free Gr · F.

Here, it is assumed that the search operation in the feed direction as the group mode is performed while the track Tr3 in the group Gr1 is being reproduced.
Then, in this case, as indicated by an arrow 1, the playback starts by accessing the start position of the track Tr21 which is the first track of the group Gr2 following the group Gr1. If the search operation is further performed here, as shown by the arrow 2, the start position of the first track Tr24 of the next group Gr3 is accessed. In this case, the group Gr3 is the last group in the disk.
Then, if the cue search operation is further performed from this point, in this case, as indicated by the arrow 3, the start position of the track Tr26 which is assumed to be the head among the tracks belonging to the group free is accessed. To be.
Then, for example, when a cue search in the feed direction as a group mode is performed during playback of a track within the group free as described above, the first is shown as indicated by the solid arrow 4 The start position of the first track Tr1 of the group Gr1 is accessed.

  In the group mode, the cue search operation is performed while the group / free Gr / F track is being played back. However, the group / free track may be any group for user convenience. Therefore, even in the group mode, the next track in the group free Gr · F is accessed as shown by the broken arrow 4 in the figure. It is also possible to do.

Further, FIG. 8 shows an operation when a cueing operation in the return direction in the group mode is performed. The track and group management form recorded on the disc shown in this figure is the same as in the case of FIG.
Also here, assume that a search operation in the return direction is performed during reproduction of the track Tr3 in the group Gr1. In this case, first, as indicated by an arrow 1 in the figure, the start position of the first track Tr1 of the same group Gr1 is accessed.
Assuming that the head search operation in the return direction is further performed from this state, the start position of the first track Tr26 in the group free Gr · F is accessed as indicated by an arrow 2. .
If a search operation in the return direction is further performed from here, the start position of the first track Tr24 of the group Gr3 which is the last group is accessed. Then, each time a head search operation in the return direction is performed, the start position of the first track Tr21 of the group Gr2 and the start position of the first track Tr1 of the group Gr1 are sequentially accessed.

In this case as well, when a search search operation in the return direction is performed during playback of the first track Tr1 of the first group Gr1, for example, the start position of the last track in the group free is accessed, After this, every time a cueing search operation is performed during playback of a track in the group free, it may be considered to sequentially access the start position of the immediately preceding track.
In any case, there are various ways of handling group free when a cue search is performed under the group mode, and operations other than the access operation described above may be used. .

  In this way, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform a cue search for each group unit grouped according to some concept intended by the user. For example, as in the case of the present embodiment, audio data compressed by a method with high compression efficiency can be recorded on a large-capacity medium, so that an enormous number of tracks can be recorded. It will be more useful. In other words, when cueing in units of tracks, searching for the first track for each group determined by the user is easy if the user does not write down or remember the relationship between groups and tracks, for example. Although it is difficult and troublesome to search for the head of the group, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily access the head of the group sequentially by an ordinary search operation. It is what is done.

  In addition, as an example of the reproduction operation based on the group unit, the operation corresponding to the above-described cueing search operation is mentioned, but this is also conceivable. For example, disc playback devices generally allow special playback such as repeat playback and shuffle playback. For example, repeat playback is performed only for one group, or shuffle playback is performed for tracks within one group. Can be considered. In addition, so-called program playback that allows the user to arbitrarily select the track playback order is also possible. As this program playback function, for example, the user can set the playback order in units of groups. It is possible.

6). Recording operation 6-1. In the group mode Further, in the present embodiment, the management of tracks recorded in the group mode and the track mode is made different. This point will be explained.
FIG. 9 shows an example of recording in the group mode.
Here, it is assumed that there is a disc on which tracks Tr1 to Tr10 are recorded as shown in FIG. In this disk, tracks Tr1 to Tr5 are managed as belonging to group Gr1, tracks Tr6 to Tr8 as belonging to group Gr2, and tracks 9 and Tr10 as managed as group Gr3.

Then, it is assumed that recording is performed so that three tracks are added to the disc in a state where the group mode is set.
In this case, these three additionally recorded tracks are managed as tracks Tr11, Tr12, Tr13 following the track Tr10 as shown in FIG. 9B. These tracks Tr11, Tr12, Tr13 are also managed as belonging to the new group Gr4.
That is, when a new track is additionally recorded in the group mode, this track is managed as belonging to the new group.

6-2. In Track Mode Next, a case where additional recording of a track is performed in a state where the track mode is set will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10A shows a disc on which the same track as that of FIG. 9A is recorded and in the same group management state. In this case, three tracks are additionally recorded.
Also in this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the newly added three tracks are managed and recorded as tracks Tr11, Tr12, Tr13 following the track Tr10. In this case, these newly added tracks Tr11, Tr12, Tr13 are managed as belonging to the last group Gr3. That is, in this case, the tracks Tr11, Tr12, and Tr13 are included in the group Gr3 formed so that the tracks Tr9 and Tr10 belong before recording.

  Similarly, when three tracks of tracks Tr11, Tr12, and Tr13 are additionally recorded on the disc shown in FIG. 10A, management is performed as shown in FIG. 10C. Is also possible. That is, the tracks Tr11, Tr12, Tr13 are managed as group-free tracks.

7). Example of editing process in group mode 7-1. Movement In this embodiment, playback and recording operations are performed in the group mode as exemplified in FIGS. 7 to 9, but editing is performed under the group mode as described below. By performing the operation, editing can be performed in units of groups.

FIG. 11 shows an example of moving editing in the group mode.
Here, it is assumed that there is a disc on which tracks are recorded and groups are managed as shown in FIG. In the disc shown in FIG. 11A, tracks Tr1 to Tr15 are recorded, tracks Tr1 to Tr5 belong to group Gr1, tracks Tr6 to Tr8 belong to group Gr2, Tr9 and Tr10 are managed so as to belong to group Gr3, and tracks Tr11 to Tr15 belong to group Gr4.

Under the group mode, movement in groups can be performed. For example, the user designates a group to be moved from among the groups set in the disc shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the group Gr2 to which the three tracks Tr6 to Tr8 belong is specified. Then, it is assumed that after the group Gr4 is designated as the movement destination and this is confirmed, an operation for execution is performed.
As a result, the management state on the disk is changed as shown in FIG. 10 (a) to FIG. 10 (b). In FIG. 10 (b), the parenthesis indicates the original track number or group number before moving editing.
That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the tracks Tr6, Tr7, and Tr8 that were originally the group Gr2 become tracks Tr13, Tr14, and Tr15 that are the last three tracks. The group composed of the tracks Tr13, Tr14, Tr15 is newly treated as the last group Gr4.
As the movement is performed in this way, the tracks originally managed as the tracks Tr9 to Tr15 are managed so that the track numbers are incremented as the tracks Tr6 to Tr12. .
Further, as a group unit, the group Gr3 originally composed of the tracks Tr9 and Tr10 is managed as a group Gr2 composed of the tracks Tr6 and Tr7. Further, the group Gr4 originally composed of the tracks Tr11 to Tr15 is managed as a group Gr3 composed of the tracks Tr8 to Tr12.

For example, assuming that there is no moving editing function for such a group and there is only a moving editing function in units of tracks, when trying to obtain an editing result similar to that shown in FIG. For the tracks Tr6, Tr7, Tr8 shown in FIG. 10 (a), it is necessary to perform the moving editing operation one by one to make the tracks Tr13, Tr14, Tr15 as shown in FIG. 10 (b). The operation is very troublesome. This problem becomes more prominent as the number of tracks belonging to one group increases.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since a plurality of tracks can be moved collectively in units of groups as described above, the above-described problems are solved.

7-2. Linked FIG. 12 shows an example in which linked editing is performed as editing under the group mode.
In FIG. 12 (a), a disc having the same recording form as in FIG. 11 is shown. In this example, it is assumed that the user designates two groups Gr3 and Gr4 that are consecutive in the group number among the groups Gr1 to Gr4 in FIG. 12A and performs an operation for editing.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 12B, the groups Gr3 and Gr4 in FIG. 12A are managed as one group. In this case, the group number is managed as being included in the young group Gr3. Therefore, the disk obtained by this concatenation editing has three groups of group Gr1 [Tr1 to Tr5], group Gr2 [Tr6 to Tr7], and group Gr3 [Tr9 to Tr15].

  As has been known so far, the editing function for each track includes erasure, division, etc. in addition to movement and connection. In the present embodiment, editing such as erasure, division, etc. Can also be performed in groups. In other words, although the description with reference to the drawing is omitted, by specifying a group to be erased, it is possible to erase a plurality of tracks in batches by the designated group unit. As for the division, for example, a track or an arbitrary position in the track is designated as a division position and an execution operation is performed. Thus, the group is divided into two at the designated division position.

In the conventional mini-disc system, names can be registered in units of discs and tracks. That is, it is possible to register a disc name and a track name and display the disc name when the disc is loaded, for example, or to display the track name when a track is designated.
In this embodiment, corresponding to the fact that a plurality of tracks can be grouped and managed, a group name can be registered for each group by performing a predetermined editing operation. It is also. For example, when a group is designated by a predetermined operation or a certain group is being played back, the group name can be displayed on the display unit 125.

7-3. In this embodiment, for example, when audio data recorded on a CD is recorded on a mini-disc by dubbing, the data recorded on the mini-disc is managed as follows. Is possible.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 13A, assuming that there is a mini-disc on which five tracks Tr1 to Tr5 are recorded, the CD shown in FIG. The recorded contents of dubbing are recorded. In the CD shown in FIG. 13B, seven tracks from tracks Tr1 to Tr7 are recorded. Here, it is assumed that all of the tracks Tr1 to Tr7 are dubbed onto a mini disk.

The recorded contents of the mini-disc that has been dubbed are as shown in FIG.
As shown in this figure, the tracks Tr1 to Tr7 recorded on the CD are recorded on the mini disc in a state managed as tracks Tr6 to Tr12 following the track Tr5. In this embodiment, these tracks Tr6 to Tr12 are managed as belonging to the new group Gr2.
For example, when a recorded content such as a CD is dubbed, the dubbed tracks are automatically managed as one group as described above. For example, the user can perform an editing operation later. Thus, the trouble of grouping tracks dubbed from a CD together can be saved.
Since the content recorded on the CD is, for example, the content of a so-called album unit, it is considered that there are many cases where the user wants to manage by grouping, so data management is performed as described above during dubbing recording. By executing the above, usability is further improved for the user.

8). Security Group In the present embodiment, security can be applied in units of groups. An example of this is shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 (a) shows a disc having the same recording content as that of FIG. 11 (a), for example. However, here, the group Gr2 is set as a “security group”. This security group setting can be set / released by a predetermined operation of the user, for example, and the setting content is managed by management information (RTOC) as described later.

  For tracks that belong to a security group that is set to be secured in this way, for example, if the user does not input a password by a predetermined operation, the reproduction is canceled. Yes.

Further, for example, in FIG. 14A, it is assumed that the track Tr3 belonging to the group Gr1 that is not a security group is moved as a track Tr7 in the group Gr2 that is a security group by a move editing operation under the track mode.
In this case, the group Gr1 includes four tracks Tr1 to Tr4 as shown in FIG. 14B from the state where the five tracks Tr1 to Tr5 belong as shown in FIG. Changed to belong. Here, the tracks Tr3 and tr4 are originally the tracks Tr4 and Tr5.
Further, in the group Gr2, which is a security group, as shown in FIG. 14A, three tracks of tracks Tr6, Tr7, Tr8 originally belonged, whereas in FIG. As shown, four tracks of tracks Tr5, Tr6, Tr7, Tr8 are managed as belonging. Here, of the tracks Tr5, Tr6, Tr7, Tr8 shown in FIG. 14B, the tracks Tr5, Tr6 were originally the tracks Tr6, Tr7.

  For example, when a certain track is moved into the security group as described above, security is automatically applied to the moved track without any user setting operation. It will be impossible to play without entering the password.

9. Example of TOC structure 9-1. Data structure of disc In the disc of this embodiment, recording areas for PTOC and RTOC are secured as management information. When performing recording / reproducing operation on the disc, the PTOC and RTOC are read out, and the address of the area to be recorded on the disc and the information to be reproduced are reproduced based on the contents of the read management information. The address of the area is identified.

  For example, when the disc is loaded, the system controller 46 performs a reproduction operation on the innermost circumference side of the disc, thereby managing information (PTOC, RTOC) recorded in a predetermined area on the innermost circumference side of the disc. Is written and written in the buffer memory 42 and stored. Then, the program can be referred to when recording / reproducing / editing the program on the disc.

  The RTOC is rewritten in accordance with recording of program data and various editing processes. However, the system controller 11 performs an RTOC update process on the RTOC stored in the buffer memory 42 at every recording / editing operation. The RTOC area of the disc is also rewritten at a predetermined opportunity and timing.

Then, in realizing the recording / reproduction and editing based on the grouping unit described so far, the required information contents in the above RTOC are referred to, and the predetermined information is rewritten. It is to be realized.
Therefore, hereinafter, an example of the structure of management information capable of realizing group management as the present embodiment will be described.

Prior to the description of the management information structure of the present embodiment, an example of the structure of data recorded on the disk of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15A conceptually shows the structure of the entire disk of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, PTOC and RTOC are recorded as TOC on the disc.
In the PTOC, necessary management information is recorded in a pit form in the lead-in area on the innermost periphery of the disc. The contents of this PTOC cannot be rewritten.
The RTOC records basic information necessary for managing data recorded on the disc as will be described later. This RTOC follows the lead-in area and is recorded in the RTOC area secured on the innermost side of the recordable area where data can be rewritten. The contents of the RTOC are sequentially rewritten in accordance with, for example, data recording results to the disc so far and various editing processing results for tracks (files).
In the recordable area, user data (DATA) is recorded in a recordable data area following the RTOC area, for example, in a form managed in file units. In the present embodiment, user data is managed in units of tracks corresponding to music units, for example. These tracks can be managed as a group.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (b), the RTOC of the present embodiment includes at least four tables TOC # 0, TOC # 1, TOC # 2, and TOC # 3. Is done. In actuality, more tables may be provided to enable various management. However, for convenience of explanation, only the tables of TOC # 0 to # 3 are defined here. It shall be. Hereinafter, the structure of each of the TOCs # 0 to # 3 will be described.

9-2. TOC # 0
FIG. 16 shows a structural example of TOC # 0.
The TOC # 0 stores management information mainly on tracks (programs) such as music pieces recorded by the user and free areas in which new tracks can be recorded.
For example, when recording a certain piece of music on the disc, the system controller 11 searches the free area on the disc from TOC # 0 and records the audio data therein. Further, at the time of reproduction, the area where the music to be reproduced is recorded is discriminated from TOC # 0, and the reproduction operation is performed by accessing the area.

  As the TOC # 0, first, a header having a predetermined data size is arranged at the beginning, and various necessary information including, for example, a synchronization pattern, an address of the TOC # 0, and the like are stored in the header. .

Subsequently to the header, a pointer part and a parts table part are arranged.
In this case, in order to identify the area (free music area) of the track (music etc.) recorded by the user by associating it with the parts table part described later, the pointer part includes various pointers ( (P-DFA, P-EMPTY, P-FRA, P-TN1 to P-TNn) are recorded.

A predetermined number of parts tables (01h) to (xxh) are provided as table parts to be associated with the pointers (P-DFA to P-TNn). Each part table has a starting point for a certain part. Start address, end address to be terminated, and mode information (track mode) of the part are recorded. In addition, since the parts shown in each part table may be connected to other parts in succession, link information indicating the part table in which the start address and end address of the connected part are recorded can be recorded. Has been.
A part refers to a track portion in which temporally continuous data is physically continuously recorded in one track.

  The addresses indicated as the start address and the end address are addresses indicating one or more parts constituting one musical piece (track).

  In this type of recording / reproducing apparatus, the reproduction operation is performed by reproducing the data of one musical piece (program / track) physically discontinuously, that is, while accessing the data even if the data is recorded over a plurality of parts. Therefore, music recorded by the user may be recorded in a plurality of parts for the purpose of efficient use of the recordable area.

For this reason, link information is provided, and the part tables can be connected by specifying the part tables to be connected by, for example, the numbers (01h) to (xxh) given to the respective part tables.
That is, in the parts table part in TOC # 0, one part table represents one part. For example, for a music composed of three parts connected, three parts tables connected by link information are used. The position of the part is managed.

  Each part table from (01h) to (xxh) in the table part of TOC # 0 is as follows depending on the pointers (P-DFA, P-EMPTY, P-FRA, P-TN1 to P-TNn) in the pointer part. The contents of the parts are shown as follows.

  The pointer P-DFA indicates the defective area on the magneto-optical disk, and the first part in one part table or multiple part tables showing the track part (= part) that becomes the defective area due to scratches or the like. A table is specified. In other words, if there is a defective part, any of (01h) to (xxh) is recorded in the pointer P-DFA, and the defective part is indicated by the start and end addresses in the corresponding parts table. . When there are other defective parts, other part tables are designated as link information in the parts table, and the defective parts are also indicated in the parts table. If there is no other defective part, the link information is, for example, “(00h)”, and there is no link thereafter.

The pointer P-EMPTY indicates the head part table of one or more unused part tables in the management table section. If there is an unused part table, the pointer P-EMPTY is (01h) to Any one of (xxh) is recorded.
When there are multiple unused part tables, the part tables are specified sequentially by the link information from the part table specified by the pointer P-EMPTY, and all unused part tables are linked on the management table section. The

  The pointer P-FRA indicates the free area (including the erase area) in which data can be written on the magneto-optical disk, and in one or more parts tables indicating the track portion (= part) to be the free area. The first part table of is specified. In other words, if there is a free area, any of (01h) to (xxh) is recorded in the pointer P-FRA, and the part table corresponding to it is indicated by the start and end addresses. Has been. Further, when there are a plurality of such parts, that is, there are a plurality of parts tables, the part information in which the link information is “(00h)” is sequentially designated by the link information.

  FIG. 20 schematically shows the management state of parts that are free areas in TOC # 0. This is the part table (03h) (18h) (1Fh) (2Bh) when the part (03h) (18h) (1Fh) (2Bh) (E3h) is in the free area. The state expressed by the link (E3h) is shown. The management form of the above-described defective area and unused parts table is the same as this.

Returning to FIG.
In the pointer portion, it is defined that pointers P-TN1 to P-TNn and pointers P-TN1-GR to P-TNn-GR exist. Here, for example, the pointer P-TN1-GR is arranged after the pointer P-TN1, and further, the pointer P-TN2-GR is arranged after the pointer P-TN2. The pointer P-TNx having the same number x and the pointer P-TNx-GR form one set.
The pointer P-TNx indicates a track such as a song recorded by the user on the magneto-optical disk. For example, the pointer P-TN1 is temporally selected from one or more parts in which data of the track Tr1 is recorded. A parts table showing the first part is specified.
For example, if a track Tr1 (first program) is recorded on a disc without the track being divided, that is, recorded as one part, the recording area of the track Tr1 is the part indicated by the pointer P-TN1. Recorded as start and end addresses in the table.

Also, for example, when a music piece designated as the track Tr2 (second program) is discretely recorded on a plurality of parts on the disc, each part is designated according to a temporal order to indicate the recording position of the track Tr2. Is done. In other words, from the part table specified by the pointer P-TN2, other part tables are sequentially specified in accordance with the time order according to the link information, and the part table whose link information is “(00h)” is connected ( The same form as FIG. 20).
In this way, for example, all parts in which the data constituting the second music is recorded are sequentially designated and recorded, so that the TOC # 0 data is used to play the second music or the area of the second music. When overwriting recording is performed, the optical head 3 and the magnetic head 6a are accessed to take out continuous music information from discrete parts, or to record using the recording area efficiently.

The pointer P-TNx-GR indicates a group number to which tracks having the same number x, that is, tracks having the track number x belong. Here, for example, if a value indicating “1” in decimal notation is stored in the pointer P-TN1-GR following the pointer P-TN1, the track Tr1 belongs to the group Gr1. Will show.
When the track is set as group free, for example, ALL'0 '(00h) may be stored in the corresponding pointer P-TNx-GR.

  With this structure, recording / playback management in units of tracks is realized by referring to TOC # 0. In addition, it is possible to identify to which group a track belongs or if it is treated as group free. For example, such group-related information can also be used when displaying on the display unit 125 which group the currently reproduced track belongs to.

9-3. TOC # 1
Next, FIG. 17 shows a structural example of TOC # 1. This TOC # 1 is a data area for recording character information input as a track name when a track name is registered for each recorded track.

Also in TOC # 1, a header is arranged at the head, followed by a pointer part and a parts table part.
In TOC # 1, a predetermined number of pointers P-TNA1 to P-TNAn are prepared as pointer portions corresponding to each recorded track, and a slot portion designated by the pointers P-TNA1 to P-TNAn. 1 unit is 8 bytes, and a predetermined number of slots (01h) to (xxh) are prepared, and character data is managed in the same form as TOC # 0 described above.

In the slots (01h) to (xxh), character information as track names is recorded in ASCII code.
For example, characters input by the user corresponding to the track Tr1 are recorded in the slot designated by the pointer P-TNA1. In addition, since the slots are linked by the link information, the character input corresponding to one track can be handled even if it is larger than 7 bytes (7 characters).
The pointer P-EMPTY manages unused slots even in this TOC # 1

9-4. TOC # 2
Next, FIG. 18 shows an example of the structure of TOC # 2.
In the previous TOC # 0, basically, the recording data is managed on a track unit basis, and if the group to which each track belongs or if the track is set as group free, it is a table indicating this. It was.
The TOC # 2 is a table for managing parts on the disk in units of groups in the same management form as the pointer P-TNx in the previous TOC # 1.

Also in the overall structure of TOC # 2, a pointer portion and a parts table portion are arranged following a header of a predetermined size.
In this pointer portion, an area for recording P-EMPTY, P-GN1 to P-GNn) is prepared as a pointer for designating a parts table.

Depending on the pointers P-GN1 to P-GNn, a part table that indicates a temporally leading part among parts supposed to form one group is designated as data recorded on the disc.
For example, if the data of all tracks that are to form the group Gr1 are recorded on one part without being discrete on the disc, the recording area of the group Gr1 is the part indicated by the pointer P-GN1. It will be recorded as the start and end addresses in the table. As a specific example in this case, for example, if the pointer P-GN1 designates “01h”, the parts table “01h” includes the start address of the first track to form the group Gr1 and the group The end address of the last track supposed to form Gr1 will be indicated.

For example, when the group Gr1 is in a state of being discretely recorded on a plurality of parts on the disc, each part to form the group Gr1 is designated according to a temporal order. In other words, from the part table specified by the pointer P-GN1, another part table is specified according to the link information in the order of time and linked to the part table where the link information is “(00h)”. become.
The pointer P-EMPTY manages the parts table that is not used.

The access for the cue search in units of groups described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 can be easily made by referring to this TOC # 2.
For example, as shown by the arrow 1 in FIG. 7, when an operation for searching for a head in the feed direction is performed once during reproduction of the track Tr3 in the group Gr1, the system controller 46 displays the current buffer memory. Referring to TOC # 2 held in 42, the part table indicated by the pointer P-GN2 is referred to. Here, for example, if the pointer P-GN2 = 02h, the parts table 02h is referred to. Then, the start address shown in the parts table 02h is read, and control for accessing the read address is executed. In this case, since the start address of the parts table 02h stores the same start address as the start address of the part Gr2 in FIG. 7, that is, the start address of the track Tr21, the system controller 46 Then, the start position of the track Tr21 is accessed. That is, it is possible to access the start position of the group Gr2, and as a result, a cue search is performed in units of groups.

  In TOC # 2, a group mode area is provided in each part table. In the group mode area, necessary information regarding each group is stored. In particular, in the present embodiment, this group mode can indicate whether or not the group to which the part indicated by the part table belongs is a security group.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when a security group is set, a value indicating a security group is stored for a predetermined bit position in the group mode in the parts table indicated by the pointer P-GN2. It will be. Then, the system controller 46 identifies the group set as the security group by referring to this group mode, and realizes the restriction operation as shown in FIG.
For example, as shown in the figure, the password is provided at a predetermined byte position in the margin area between the pointer portion and the parts table portion, and the password set by the user performing character input or the like by operation is Stored in this area.
When the password for releasing the security is input, the system controller 46 compares the input password with the password stored in the TOC # 2, and if a match determination result is obtained. The security is released, and the reproduction is started in response to the reproduction request of the security group. On the other hand, if a match determination result is not obtained, even if a reproduction request is made for the security group, the control process for reproduction is not executed.

9-5. TOC # 3
FIG. 19 shows a structural example of TOC # 3.
When TOC # 3 is given a group name, which is a name for a set group, or a disc name which is information such as the name of the disc itself, in the same management form as the previous TOC # 1, It is a data area for recording the input character information.

Also in TOC # 3, a header is arranged at the head, followed by a pointer part and a parts table part.
In this TOC # 3, a predetermined number of pointers P-GNA1 to P-GNAn are prepared as pointer portions corresponding to each recorded track, and a slot portion designated by the pointers P-GNA1 to P-GNAn. 1 unit is 8 bytes, and a predetermined number of slots (00h) to (xxh) are prepared.

In the slots (01h) to (xxh), character information as a disc name or track name is recorded in ASCII code.
For example, characters input by the user corresponding to the track Tr1 are recorded in the slot designated by the pointer P-GNA1. Also in this case, the slots are linked by the link information, so that the character input corresponding to one track can be handled even if it becomes larger than 7 bytes (7 characters).
Note that 8 bytes as the slot (00h) is a dedicated area for recording the disc name, and is not designated by the pointer P-TNA (x).
Even in this TOC # 3, the pointer P-EMPTY manages unused slots.

  In this embodiment, the above-described RTOC (TOC # 0, # 1, # 2, # 3) enables management in units of groups in addition to management in units of tracks as in the prior art. For example, when data recording as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and FIG. 13 is performed, according to the recording result of the track under the mode (track mode / group mode) at that time, By appropriately updating the required contents in the RTOC, management of recording data in units of groups as shown in each figure is realized. Similarly, various editing processes in units of groups illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 can be realized by updating required contents in the RTOC in accordance with the editing operation.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration described as the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, as an RTOC structure for managing recording data in the form of grouped tracks, a folder under a directory structure using a file system, for example, in addition to the forms shown in FIGS. It is also possible to adopt the concept of
In the above-described embodiment, the management is based on two layers, that is, a track and a group composed of a set of the tracks. However, a hierarchical structure higher than this may be considered. That is, for example, a higher group is formed by a set of group units.
Further, the device applied to the present invention is not limited to the recording / reproducing device corresponding to the mini-disc, and may be other disc media, for example. Furthermore, media other than disk media, such as media employing flash memory, may be used.
The recording data targeted by the present invention is not limited to digital audio data, and may be video data obtained by converting a video signal into data, for example.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the track structure of the disk corresponding to embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the track part of the disk corresponding to this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specification of the disk corresponding to this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the recording / reproducing apparatus as this Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the media drive unit of the video camera of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the management form of the recording data by RTOC of this Embodiment compared with a prior art example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the search search of the feed direction in group mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation example of the search search of the return direction in group mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of management of the track recorded by group mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of management of the track recorded by the track mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a movement edit process by the group unit in group mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a connection edit process by the group unit in group mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of management of the track | truck at the time of carrying out dubbing recording of the source of CD. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the concept about a security group. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure in a disc, and the example of a structure of RTOC. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of TOC # 0 in RTOC. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of TOC # 1 in RTOC. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of TOC # 2 in RTOC. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of TOC # 3 in RTOC. It is explanatory drawing of the link form in TOC # 0.

Explanation of symbols

  42 buffer memory, 43 binarization circuit, 51 disk, 52 spindle motor, 53 optical head, 54 magnetic head, 55 thread motor, 101 RF amplifier, 103 AGC / clamp circuit, 104 equalizer / PLL circuit, 105 Viterbi decoder, 106 RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit, 107 matrix amplifier, 108 ADIP bandpass filter, 109 A / B track detection circuit, 110 ADIP decoder, 111 CLV processor, 112 servo processor, 113 servo driver, 114 data bus, 115 scramble / EDC encoding circuit, 116 ECC processing circuit, 117 descrambling / EDC decoding circuit, 118 RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit, 119 magnetic head driving circuit, 120 laser diode Driver, 121 Transfer clock generation circuit, 122 Audio compression processing encoder / decoder, 123 Input / output processing unit, 124 Operation unit, 125 Display unit

Claims (1)

A recording means for performing a data recording operation on a storage medium for recording data and management information for managing a plurality of the data as an aggregate;
The management information recorded in the storage medium is updated so that the data newly recorded in the storage medium is managed as data included in the aggregate, and the storage medium is newly updated as necessary. Control means for updating the management information recorded in the storage medium so as to manage the recorded data as data not included in any aggregate;
Reproducing means for reproducing the storage medium for recording the above data and the management information,
Replay control means for causing the replay means to perform a sequential replay operation for each aggregate unit based on the management information replayed by the replay means ,
When the reproduction control unit causes the reproduction unit to reproduce data that is not included in any of the aggregates during the sequential reproduction operation for each aggregate unit, the reproduction control unit may perform data units that are not included in the aggregate. Have the playback means execute sequential playback operations
Recording / playback device .

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