Write-once optical disc, and method and apparatus for allocating spare area on write-once optical disc

Abstract

A write-once type optical disc and a method and apparatus for allocating a spare area on the write-once type optical disc are provided. The method includes allocating a data area on a recording medium of write-once type, and allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having a variable size, wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. P2003-009895 filed on Feb. 17, 2003, and No. 2003-023876 filed on Apr. 16, 2003, the entire contents of which are herein fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a write-once optical disc, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for allocating a spare area on a write-once optical disc such as a write-once blu-ray disc.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background Art

[0005] A new type of high density optical disc such as a Blu-ray Disc Rewritable (BD-RE) is being developed. A benefit of the BD-RE is that it has a rewritable capability where the quality video and audio data can be written, erased and rewritten thereon repeatedly.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a general optical disc device for writing/reproducing data to/from an optical disc such as a BD-RE. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disc device includes an optical pickup 11 for recording/reproducing a signal to/from a BD-RE 10, a video disc recorder (VDR) system 12 for processing a signal from the optical pickup 11 as a reproduced signal, or demodulating and processing an external data stream into a writable signal suitable for writing onto the BD-RE 10, and an encoder 13 for encoding an external analog signal and providing the encoded signal to the VDR system 12.

[0007] FIG. 2 shows a structure of a general BD-RE. Referring to FIG. 2, an LIA (lead-in area), a data area and an LOA (lead-out area) are allocated on the BD-RE. An ISA (inner spare area) and an OSA (outer spare area) are allocated separately to a front and a rear end of the data area. A user data area having an LSN (Logical Sector Number) is allocated between the ISA and the OSA of the data area.

[0008] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the VDR system 12 writes input data from an external source in a cluster unit corresponding ECC block having a predetermined recording capacity after encoding and converting the input data into a recording signal. The VDR system 12 also detects a defective area within the data area when recording the data.

[0009] When a defective area is detected, the VDR system 12 performs a replacement writing operation to write the cluster data from the defective area onto the ISA instead. After the data writing is finished, location information of the defective area and management information for reproducing the cluster data written on the spare area (replacement area) are written as a defect list onto the LIA.

[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a general structure of a BD-RE single layer and a BD-RE dual layer, respectively. As shown, a BD-RE may have a single recording layer (FIG. 3A) or two recording layers (FIG. 3B).

[0011] Referring to FIG. 3A, the recording capacity of the inner spare area ISA being allocated to the BD-RE single layer is 2048 clusters, and the recording capacity of the outer spare area OSA is N×256 (0=<N<=64) clusters with a maximum of 16384 clusters. The recording capacity of the data area of the BD-RE single layer is 355603 clusters. The recording capacity of the user data area of the BD-RE single layer is determined to be a difference between the recording capacity of the data area and the recording capacity of the spare areas. For example, when the recording capacity of the outer spare area is 16384 clusters (N=64), then the recording capacity of the user data area is 337171 clusters. As a result, the size of the inner and outer spare areas (18432=2048+16384) corresponds to 5.5% of the size of the user data area of the BD-RE single layer.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 3B, in the BD-RE dual layer, the recording capacity of the inner spare area (ISA0) of a first layer (Layer 0) is 2048 clusters. The recording capacity of the outer spare area (OSA0) of the first layer is N×256 clusters (0=<N<=32) with the 8192 maximum clusters (N=32). On the other hand, the recording capacity of the inner spare area (ISA1) of a second layer (Layer 1) is L×256 clusters (0=<L<=64) with the 16384 maximum clusters (L=64). The recording capacity of the outer spare area (OSA1) of the second layer is N×256 clusters (0=<N<=32) with the 8192 maximum clusters (N=32). As a result, the total recording capacity of the spare areas of the first and second layers is calculated to be 5.1% of the total recording capacity of the user data areas of the first and second layers.

[0013] A Blu-ray Disc Write-Once (BD-WO) is another type of high density optical disc that is being developed where a high quality of data can be recorded and reproduced to and from the disc. As the name may suggest, data can be written only once on the BD-WO and is not rewritable on the BD-WO. But the BD-WO can be read repeatedly. As a result, the BD-WO is useful where the rewritability of data on a recording medium is not desired.

[0014] Recently, standardizing the size of the BD-WO is being considered. But allocating the spare areas of the BD-WO as in the BD-RE would cause a problem of wasting precious recording space due to the characteristics of the BD-WO. For instance, in the BD-RE the recording capacity of the spare areas should be allocated large enough since the BD-RE re-records data repeatedly and as a result many defective areas can surface. In contrast, BD-WO is able to write once and thus relatively less defective areas may be present. Therefore, it is not necessary and is wasteful to allocate the same amount of spare area of the BD-RE onto the BD-WO.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for allocating a spare area of a write-once optical disc that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of a related art.

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a write-once optical disc and a method and apparatus for optimally allocating the spare area on the write-once optical disc in consideration of the characteristics of the optical disc.

[0017] 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.

[0018] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type according to an aspect of the invention includes allocating a data area on the recording medium; and allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having a variable size, wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, the recording medium including at least one recording layer, includes allocating a data area on the at least one recording layer of the recording medium; and allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having at least one replacement area, the at least one replacement area having a variable size and constituting a part of the at least one spare area or the entire at least one spare area, wherein a maximum ratio of a size of the at least one replacement area to a size of the user data area is less than about 5%.

[0020] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, includes a combination of elements for allocating a data area on the recording medium and for allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having a variable size, wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, the recording medium including at least one recording layer, includes a combination of elements for allocating a data area on the at least one recording layer of the recording medium and for allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having at least one replacement area, the at least one replacement area having a variable size and constituting a part of the at least one spare area or the entire at least one spare area, wherein a maximum ratio of a size of the at least one replacement area to a size of the user data area is less than about 5%.

[0022] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a recording medium of write-once type includes a data area allocated on the recording medium, the data area including a user data area and at least one spare area, the at least one spare area having a variable size, wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a recording medium of write-once type includes at least one recording layer; and a data area allocated on the at least one recording layer, the data area including a user data area and at least one spare area, the at least one spare area having at least one replacement area, the at least one replacement area having a variable size and constituting a part of the at least one spare area or the entire at least one spare area, wherein a maximum ratio of a size of the at least one replacement area to a size of the user data area is less than about 5%.

[0024] 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 THE DRAWINGS

[0025] 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 embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a general optical disc device schematically;

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a structure of a general BD-RE;

[0028] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a structure of a BD-RE single layer and a general BD-RE dual layer, respectively;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO single layer and a method of allocating a spare area on the BD-WO single layer according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO dual layer and a method of allocating a spare area on the BD-WO dual layer according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO single layer and a method of allocating a spare area on the BD-WO single layer according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO dual layer and a method of allocating a spare area on the BD-WO dual layer according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0033] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an optical disc recording/reproducing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] 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.

[0035] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the method of allocating a spare area on a write-once type optical disc such as BD-WO are explained in details according to the present invention in reference with drawings. The present method can be applied in the process of manufacturing a write-once BD-WO single layer and a write-once BD-WO dual layer. Considering the characteristics of data recording on the BD-WO, the maximum size of the spare area can be allocated which is smaller than the maximum size of the spare areas allocated to a BD-RE.

[0036] In the present invention, the recording capacity of the spare area(s)/replacement area(s) of a BD-WO is kept at less than about 5% of the recording capacity of the user data area. In the present application, the recording size of an area (assuming with no defects) means the size of the area. As such, these two terms are interchangeably used herein. As an example only, an embodiment of allocating the recording capacity of the spare area(s) to about 3% of the recording capacity of the user data area on the BD-WO will be now explained as follows.

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO single layer and a method of allocating a spare area thereon according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the BD-WO single layer includes a single recording layer allocated with an LIA, a data area and an LOA. The data area includes a user data area having a logical sector number (LSN), and an inner spare area and/or an outer spare area for writing data of defective areas (i.e., as a replacement area). The recording capacity of the inner spare area (ISA) is allocated to be of a predetermined fixed value (e.g., 2048 clusters), and the recording capacity of the outer spare area (OSA) is variable, e.g., N×256 clusters (0=<N<=32) with the maximum 8192 clusters (N=32).

[0039] The recording capacity of the data area of the BD-WO single layer is allocated to have 355603 clusters. The recording capacity of the user data area is obtained by subtracting the recording capacity of the spare areas (ISA and OSA) from the recording capacity of the data area. For example, when the recording capacity of the outer spare area OSA is at the maximum 8192 clusters (N=32), the recording capacity of the user data area is calculated to be 34563 (=355603−(2048+8192)) clusters. As a result, the recording capacity of the inner and outer spare areas (10240=2048+8192) of the BD-WO single layer according to this embodiment is about 3% of the recording capacity (size) of the user data area (34563 clusters) of the BD-WO single layer.

[0040] Accordingly, when the recording capacity of the inner and outer spare areas allocated to the BD-WO single layer is adjusted to be about 3% of the recording capacity of the user data area by varying the maximum recording capacity of the outer spare area, the spare areas of the BD-WO are prevented from being wasted and are efficiently allocated.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO dual layer and a method of allocating a spare area thereon according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the BD-WO dual layer includes a first recording layer (Layer 0) and a second recording layer (Layer 1). The first recording layer (Layer 0) includes a LIA, a data area 32a, and an outer zone area (Outer Zone 0). The data area 32a includes an inner spare area (ISA0), a user data area 33a, and an outer spare area (OSA0). The second recording layer (Layer 1) includes a LOA, a data area 32b, and an outer zone area (Outer Zone 1). The data area 32b of the second layer includes an inner spare area (ISA1), a user data area 33b, and an outer spare area (OSA1). A data writing operation occurs generally in the direction shown with the dotted arrow A.

[0043] The inner spare area (ISA0) on the first layer has a predermined fixed size, e.g., 2048 clusters. The recording capacity of the outer spare area (OSA0) on the first layer is variable and is N×256 clusters (0=<N<=16) with the maximum 4096 clusters (N=16). The recording capacity of the inner spare area (ISA1) on the second layer is variable and is L×256 clusters (0=<N<=16) with the maximum 8192 clusters (L=32). The recording capacity of the outer spare area (OSA1) on the second layer is variable and is N×256 clusters (0=<L<=32) with the maximum 4096 clusters (N=16). The total recording capacity of the first and second data areas 32a and 32b is 711206 (=355603×2) clusters.

[0044] The total recording capacity of the user data areas on the first and second layers is calculated by subtracting the total recording capacity of the spare areas from the total recording capacity of the data areas of the first and second layers. For example, if both recording capacities of the first and second outer areas (OSA0 and OSA1) are at maximum 4096 clusters (N=16) and the recording capacity of the inner spare area (OSA1) of the second layer is at maximum 8192 clusters (L=32), then the total recording capacity of the user data areas of the first and second layers becomes 692774 clusters (=(355603×2)−(2048+4096+4096+8192)). As a result, the total capacity of the spare areas of the first and second layers (2048+4096+4096+8192 clusters) corresponds to about 3% of the total recording capacity of the user data areas on the first and second layers.

[0045] Accordingly, the total recording capacity of the first and second inner and outer spare areas allocated to the BD-WO dual layer becomes about 3% of the total recording capacity of the user data areas by adjusting the maximum recording capacity of the first and second outer spare areas (OSA0, OSA1) and the maximum recording capacity of the second inner spare area (ISA1). Therefore, the spare areas are prevented from being wasted and are efficiently allocated in accordance with the data recording characteristics of the BD-WO.

[0046] In the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the entire spare areas (e.g., inner spare areas and outer spare areas) are used as replacement areas for storing data of defective areas according to a linear replacement scheme. For instance, if a cluster area of a user data area is found to be defective, then the data stored in that defective cluster area is also written onto a spare area functioning as a replacement area for the defective cluster area.

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a structure a BD-WO single layer and a method for assigning a spare area on the BD-WO single layer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The BD-WO single layer shown in FIG. 6 includes a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area. The data area has a fixed size, e.g., 355603 clusters.

[0048] The lead-in area includes first and second defect management areas DMA1 and DMA2, and a temporary defect management area TDMA. TDMA is an area to temporarily record and manage defect management information of the BD-WO until the BD-WO is finalized. For instance, if during a writing operation of the user data area, if data in a defective cluster area of the user data area is written onto a part (replacement area) of a spare area according to a linear replacement scheme, then information (e.g., location information, size, etc.) of the defective cluster area and the corresponding replacement area within the spare area is temporarily stored in the TDMA as TDMA information. Then if the BD-WO is to be finalized (e.g., upon completion of the data writing onto the user data area), then the TDMA information stored in the TDMA is transferred to one or each of the DMAs allocated on the BD-WO. In this example, the TDMA provided in the lead-in area has a fixed size, for example, 2048 clusters.

[0049] The data area includes an inner spare area ISA, a user data area 34, and an outer spare area OSA. In this example, the entire inner spare area ISA is used as an area for linear replacement (i.e., as a replacement area). In other words, an area for temporary defect management is not allocated to the inner spare area ISA. Generally, the ISA has a fixed size (e.g., 2048 clusters) and the OSA has a variable size.

[0050] The outer spare area OSA includes an interim defect management area (IDMA) and a replacement area 40 for linear replacement. In one example, the IDMA is allocated adjacent to the replacement area 40. The size of the IDMA is allocated variably depending on the size of the outer spare area OSA. Since the outer spare area OSA has a variable size, the IDMA also has a variable size.

[0051] Here, the IDMA is distinguished from the TDMA having a fixed size in the lead-in area in that it has a variable size and may differ from the TDMA depending on a usage manner in recorded timing. However, the TDMA and the IDMA can store the same contents despite the difference between the terms. This will be described later.

[0052] In one example, the IDMA having a variable size is allocated within the outer spare area OSA depending on whether or not the outer spare area OSA is allocated. For instance, if the outer spare area OSA is allocated, then the IDMA is allocated therein as discussed herein. But if the outer spare area OSA is not allocated, then the IDMA may not be allocated and only the TDMA having a fixed size may be allocated as discussed herein. In another variation, the outer spare area OSA may be allocated without the allocation of the IDMA therein. However, if the outer spare area OSA is allocated, it is preferable to allocate the IDMA therein.

[0053] The size of the IDMA positioned at the outer track of the disc depends on the variable size of the outer spare area OSA. In one example, the size of the outer spare area OSA is N&ugr;256 clusters (0≦N≦64). In this case, the size of the IDMA can be P&ugr;256 clusters, where P is an integer determined to be P=N/4. That is, a method wherein the size of the IDMA is allocated to be a quarter of the size of the outer spare area OSA can be used in determining the size of the IDMA. For example, if N=64 is used, then the size of the outer spare area OSA is allocated to be 16384 clusters (16384=64×256) and P=N/4=16. As a result, the size of the IDMA according to the present invention is allocated to be 4096 clusters (4096=16×256).

[0054] Similarly, the size of the IDMA may be varied depending on the size of the outer spare area OSA considering that when the replacement area for linear replacement is allocated in the OSA, the size of the replacement area, the size of the DMA, and the size of the spare area(s) depend on one another. In contrast, the size of the disk inner track area (especially the size of the TDMA positioned in the lead-in area) has a fixed value.

[0055] FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a BD-WO dual layer and a method of allocating a spare area on the BD-WO dual layer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, the BD-WO dual layer includes a first layer (Layer 0) and a second layer (Layer 1). The first layer (Layer 0) includes a lead-in area, a data area 35a and an outer zone area Outer Zone 0. The second layer (Layer 1) includes a lead-out area, a data area 35b and an outer zone area Outer Zone 1.

[0057] In each of the lead-in area and lead-out area, a TDMA of the present invention is provided as first and second TDMAs 37a and 37b, and a plurality of DMAs are provided. A plurality of DMAs are also provided in each of the Outer Zones 0 and 1. Each TDMA provided in the lead-in area and the lead-out area has a fixed size, for example, 2048 clusters.

[0058] The first data area 35a of the first layer (Layer 0) includes an inner spare area ISA0, a user data area 36a, and an outer spare area OSA0. The inner spare area ISA0 has a fixed size (e.g., 2048 clusters) and the outer spare area OSA0 has a variable size. Here, the entire ISA0 is used as a replacement area for linear replacement. The OSA0 includes a replacement area 38d for linear replacement and a first IDMA 38a for storing therein IDMA information for defect management. That is, an area for temporary defect management is not allocated to the inner spare area ISA0 of the first layer (Layer 0).

[0059] The second data area 35b of the second layer (Layer 1) includes an inner spare area ISA1, a user data area 36b, and an outer spare area OSA1. Each of the inner and outer spare areas ISA1 and OSA1 has a variable size. Each of the inner and outer spare areas ISA1 and OSA1 includes a replacement area 38f or 38g for linear replacement and an IDMA 38b or 38c for storing therein IDMA information for defect management. In one example, the IDMAs 38a-38c are each allocated to a portion adjacent to the corresponding replacement area for linear replacement. The size of the IDMAs is allocated depending on the size of the spare areas ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1 where the spare areas ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1 have a variable size.

[0060] Here, the IDMAs 38a-38c are allocated within the spare areas depending on whether or not the corresponding spare areas area allocated. For instance, if a spare area is allocated to the BD-WO, then the corresponding IDMA may be allocated therein. But if a spare area is not allocated, then the corresponding IDMA may not be allocated therein and only the TDMA(s) having a fixed size may be allocated. In one example, if the BD-WO has been allocated with the ISA0 and not with the ISA1, the OSA0 and/or the OSA1, then only the first TDMA 37a may be allocated and the second TDMA 37b and the IDMAs 38a-38c may not be allocated to the BD-WO. In another example, if the ISA0 and ISA1 (and not the OSA0 and OSA1) are allocated to the BD-WO, then the TDMAs 37a and 37b and the IDMA 38b (not the IDMAs 38a and 38c) may be allocated. In still another example, the IDMA may not be allocated within the corresponding spare area even if the corresponding spare area is allocated to the BD-WO. For instance, even if the ISA0, OSA0 and OSA1 are allocated to the BD-WO, the corresponding IDMAs 38a and 38c may not be allocated therein. It should be noted that one or more of the ISA0, the OSA0 (with or without the IDMA 38a), the OSA1 (with or without the IDMA 38c), and the ISA1 (with or without the IDMA 38b) may be allocated to the BD-WO with one or more of the TDMAs.

[0061] The size of the IDMAs may depend on the size of the spare areas ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1. For example, the size of each of the outer spare areas OSA0 and OSA1 is allocated to be N&ugr;256 clusters (0≦N≦32), and the size of the inner spare area ISA1 is allocated to be L&ugr;256 clusters (0≦L≦64). Then the size of each of the IDMAs 38a and 38c is allocated to be P&ugr;256 clusters and the size of the IDMA 38b is allocated to be Q&ugr;256 clusters, where P and Q are integers determined to be P=N/4 and Q=L/4. Here a method wherein the size of the IDMA having a variable size is allocated to be a quarter of the size of the corresponding outer/inner spare area can be used.

[0062] As an example, if N=32 (max), then the size of the outer spare areas OSA0 and OSA1 in total is 16384 clusters and P=N/4=8. As a result, the size of the IDMAs 38a and 38c in total is 4096 clusters. And if L=64 (max), the size of the inner spare area ISA1 is 16384 clusters and Q=L/4=16. As a result, the size of the IDMA 38b is allocated to be 4096 clusters. According to this example, the total maximum size of the data areas (35a and 35b) of the BD-WO dual layer is 711206 clusters, the total maximum size of the spare areas (ISA 0, ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1) of the BD-WO dual layer is 34816 clusters, the total maximum size of the IDMAs (38a-38c) is 8192 clusters, the total maximum size of the replacement areas (ISA0, 38d, 38f and 38g) within the spare areas is 26624 clusters, and the total size of the user data areas (36a and 36b) is 676390 clusters. As a result, the total capacity (size) of the replacement areas (ISA0, 38d, 38f and 38g) in the spare areas of the BD-WO dual layer corresponds to about 4% of the total recording capacity of the user data areas of the BD-WO dual layer.

[0063] Here, the size of the IDMAs may vary depending on the size of the spare areas ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1 considering that when a replacement area for linear replacement is allocated in the corresponding spare area, the size of the replacement area, the size of the IDMA(s) and the size of the spare area depend on one another. In contrast, the size of the inner track area (especially the TDMA positioned at each of the lead-in area and the lead-out area) has a fixed value.

[0064] The arrows depicted in each of the areas shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples of a data recording direction.

[0065] According to the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, if a defective area within the user data area is detected during a data writing operation of the BD-WO, the data written or to be written to the defective area is written to a replacement area of a spare area according to the linear replacement. Information pertaining to the defective area and the replacement area and any other information is written onto the TDMA(s) and IDMA(s) allocated on specific areas of the disc. The same defect management information may be written to each of the TDMA(s) and IDMA(s). In the alternative, if the TDMA of a layer is full, then the IDMA(s) of the same or different layer may be used, or if an IDMA of a layer is full, then the IDMA(s) of the same or different layer or the TDMA(s) of the same or different layer may be used.

[0066] According to the second embodiment, in the BD-WO single layer, the entire ISA may be used as the area for linear replacement, whereas a portion of the OSA may be used as the IDMA and the remaining portion (or another portion) of the OSA may be used as the area for linear replacement. In the BD-WO dual layer, the entire ISA0 may be used as the area for linear replacement, whereas portions of the ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1 may be used as the IDMA(s) and the remaining portions (or other portions) of the ISA1, OSA0 and OSA1 may be used as the area for linear replacement.

[0067] FIG. 8 is an example of a block diagram of an optical disc recording/reproducing device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The optical disc recording/reproducing device 20 includes an optical pickup 22 for writing/reading data to/from an optical recording medium 21, a servo unit 23 for controlling the pickup 22 to maintain a distance between an objective lens of the pickup 22 and the recording medium 21 and for tracking relevant tracks on the recording medium 21, a data processor 24 for processing and supplying input data to the pickup 22 for writing, and for processing data read from the recording medium 21, an interface 25 for exchanging data and/or commands with any external host 30, a memory or storage 27 for storing information and data therein including defect management data (e.g., TDMA information, IDMA information, DMA information, etc.) associated with the recording medium 21, and a microprocessor or controller 26 for controlling the operations and elements of the recording/reproducing device 20. Data to be written/read to/from the recording medium 21 may also be stored in the memory 27. All the components of the recording/reproducing device 20 are operatively coupled. The recording medium 21 is a recording medium of write-once type such as a BD-WO.

[0068] The methods of allocating spare areas, IDMA(s) and TDMA(s) on the BD-WO according to the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by the recording/reproducing device 20 of FIG. 8 or any other suitable device/system. For instance, the microcomputer 26 can control allocating the size of the spare area(s), the IDMA(s), TDMA(s), etc. according to the above discussed embodiments. It can control varying the size of the spare area(s) as replacement writing operations are performed. It can control the process of writing replacement data to replacement areas of the spare areas in a replacement writing operation, and the process of writing defect management information to the IDMA(s), TDMA(s), and DMA(s). The process of allocating the spare area(s), IDMA(s), TDMA(s), etc. may occur as needed while the disc is being manufactured, or during or prior to data writing and/or replacement writing operations using the recording/reproducing device 20 or some other suitable device/system.

[0069] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. 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

1. A method for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, the method comprising:

allocating a data area on the recording medium; and

allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having a variable size,

wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a write-once blu-ray disc (BD-WO) and the rewritable optical disc is a rewritable blu-ray disc (BD-RE).

3. A method for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, the recording medium including at least one recording layer, the method comprising:

allocating a data area on the at least one recording layer of the recording medium; and

allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having at least one replacement area, the at least one replacement area having a variable size and constituting a part of the at least one spare area or the entire at least one spare area,

wherein a maximum ratio of a size of the at least one replacement area to a size of the user data area is less than about 5%.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one recording layer is a single recording layer, the recording layer including the user data area, an inner spare area, and an outer spare area, and

the inner spare area is allocated to have a predetermined fixed size and the outer spare area is allocated to have a size of N×256 clusters.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein N is greater than zero and ≦32.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of the inner and outer spare areas to the size of the user data area is about 3%.

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein N is greater than zero and ≦64.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of the replacement area of the inner and outer spare areas to the size of the user data area is about 4%.

9. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the outer spare area includes a replacement area and an interim defect management area for temporarily storing defect management information therein.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a size of the interim defect management area is about a quarter of a size of the outer spare area.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

allocating a lead-in area on the single recording layer of the recording medium, the lead-in area including a temporary defect management area for temporarily storing defect management information therein.

12. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one recording layer includes first and second recording layers, the first recording layer including a first user data area, a first inner spare area and a first outer spare area, the second recording layer including a second user data area, a second inner spare area, and a second outer spare area, and

the first inner spare area is allocated to have a predetermined fixed size and the second inner spare area is allocated to have a size of L×256 clusters where L is equal to or greater than zero.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the first and second outer spare areas is allocated to a size of N×256 clusters where N is greater than zero.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the second inner spare area, the first outer spare area and the second outer spare area includes an interim defect management area for storing defect management information therein.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein a size of the interim defect management area is about a quarter of a size of the corresponding inner spare area or outer spare area.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

allocating a lead-in area on the first recording layer and a lead-out area on the second recording layer, at least one of the lead-in and lead-out areas including a temporary defect management area for storing defect management information therein.

17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein 0<N≦16 and 0<L≦32.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of the inner and outer spare areas to a total size of the user data areas is about 3%.

19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein 0<N≦32 and 0<L≦64.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of replacement areas of the inner and outer spare areas to a total size of the user data area is about 4%.

21. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the recording medium is a write-once blu-ray disc (BD-WO).

22. An apparatus for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, the apparatus comprising:

means for allocating a data area on the recording medium; and

means for allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having a variable size,

wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

23. An apparatus for allocating a spare area on a recording medium of write-once type, the recording medium including at least one recording layer, the apparatus comprising:

means for allocating a data area on the at least one recording layer of the recording medium; and

means for allocating a user data area and at least one spare area within the data area on the recording medium, the at least one spare area having at least one replacement area, the at least one replacement area having a variable size and constituting a part of the at least one spare area or the entire at least one spare area,

wherein a maximum ratio of a size of the at least one replacement area to a size of the user data area is less than about 5%.

24. A recording medium of write-once type, the recording medium comprising:

a data area allocated on the recording medium, the data area including a user data area and at least one spare area, the at least one spare area having a variable size,

wherein a maximum recording capacity of the at least one spare area on the recording medium is less than a maximum recording capacity of at least one variable spare area on a rewritable type optical disc.

25. The recording medium as claimed in claim 24, wherein the recording medium is a write-once blu-ray disc (BD-WO) and the rewritable optical disc is a rewritable blu-ray disc (BD-RE).

26. A recording medium of write-once type, the recording medium comprising:

at least one recording layer; and

a data area allocated on the at least one recording layer, the data area including a user data area and at least one spare area, the at least one spare area having at least one replacement area, the at least one replacement area having a variable size and constituting a part of the at least one spare area or the entire at least one spare area,

wherein a maximum ratio of a size of the at least one replacement area to a size of the user data area is less than about 5%.

27. The recording medium as claimed in claim 26, wherein the at least one recording layer is a single recording layer, the recording layer including the user data area, an inner spare area, and an outer spare area, and

the inner spare area is allocated to have a predetermined fixed size and the outer spare area is allocated to have a size of N×256 clusters.

28. The recording medium as claimed in claim 27, wherein N is greater than zero and ≦32.

29. The recording medium as claimed in claim 28, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of the inner and outer spare areas to the size of the user data area is about 3%.

30. The recording medium as claimed in claim 27, wherein N is greater than zero and ≦64.

31. The recording medium as claimed in claim 30, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of the replacement area of the inner and outer spare areas to the size of the user data area is about 4%.

32. The recording medium as claimed in claim 27, wherein the outer spare area includes a replacement area and an interim defect management area for temporarily storing defect management information therein.

33. The recording medium as claimed in claim 32, wherein a size of the interim defect management area is about a quarter of a size of the outer spare area.

34. The recording medium as claimed in claim 32, further comprising:

allocating a lead-in area on the single recording layer of the recording medium, the lead-in area including a temporary defect management area for temporarily storing defect management information therein.

35. The recording medium as claimed in claim 26, wherein the at least one recording layer includes first and second recording layers, the first recording layer including a first user data area, a first inner spare area and a first outer spare area, the second recording layer including a second user data area, a second inner spare area, and a second outer spare area, and

the first inner spare area is allocated to have a predetermined fixed size and the second inner spare area is allocated to have a size of L×256 clusters where L is equal to or greater than zero.

36. The recording medium as claimed in claim 35, wherein each of the first and second outer spare areas is allocated to a size of N×256 clusters where N is greater than zero.

37. The recording medium as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one of the second inner spare area, the first outer spare area and the second outer spare area includes an interim defect management area for storing defect management information therein.

38. The recording medium as claimed in claim 37, wherein a size of the interim defect management area is about a quarter of a size of the corresponding inner spare area or outer spare area.

39. The recording medium as claimed in claim 37, further comprising:

allocating a lead-in area on the first recording layer and a lead-out area on the second recording layer, at least one of the lead-in and lead-out areas including a temporary defect management area for storing defect management information therein.

40. The recording medium as claimed in claim 36, wherein 0<N≦16 and 0<L≦32.

41. The recording medium as claimed in claim 40, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of the inner and outer spare areas to a total size of the user data areas is about 3%.

42. The recording medium as claimed in claim 36, wherein 0<N≦32 and 0<L≦64.

43. The recording medium as claimed in claim 42, wherein a maximum ratio of a total size of replacement areas of the inner and outer spare areas to a total size of the user data area is about 4%.

44. The recording medium as claimed in claim 26, wherein the recording medium is a write-once blu-ray disc (BD-WO).