Method and apparatus for recording MPEG-compressed video data and compressed audio data on a disk

Abstract

Method and apparatus for recording MPEG-compressed video data end compressed audio data on an optical disk having a diameter leas than 140 mm and, a thickness of 1.2 mm±0.1 mm, with a plurality of record tracks having data recorded thereon as embossed pits representing information and exhibiting a track pitch in the range between 0.646 μm and 1.05 μm; with the tracks being divided into a lead-in area, a program area and a lead-out area. The data includes table of contents (TOC) information recorded in a plurality of sectors in at least one TOC track and user information recorded in a plurality of sectors in user tracks. The user information is comprised of MPEG-compressed video data, which may exhibit any one of difference MPEG formats, and compressed audio data, which likewise may exhibit an MPEG format, a PCM format or the like. The TOC information includes addresses of a start sectors recorded in the user track. The data is encoded in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of recording data on an optical disk having a diameter less than 140 mm, a thickness of 1.2 mm±0.1 mm and a recording area divided into a lead-in area, a program area and a lead-out area, said method comprising the steps of: providing user information including MPEG-compressed video data and compressed audio data for recording in a plurality of sectors in user tracks; providing table of contents (TOC) information for recording in a plurality of sectors in at least one TOC track, said TOC information including addresses of respective start sectors, each identifying a start sector of a respective user track; encoding both said user information including MPEG-compressed video data and compressed audio data and said TOC information in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols; modulating the encoded user and TOC information; recording the modulated, encoded TOC information as embossed pits in said at least one TOC track in said lead-in area; and recording the modulated, encoded user information as embossed pits in said user tracks in said program area with a track pitch in the range between 0.646 μm and 1.05 μm. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein each of said steps of recording is operative to record said embossed pits with a linear density in the range between 0.237 μm per bit and 0.378 μm per bit. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of recording at least one additional TOC region containing duplicate TOC information in said lead-in area. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of recording application table of contents (ATOC) information in an application TOC region in said program area identifying predetermined parameters of the MPEG-compressed video data and the compressed audio data recorded in respective user tracks. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the MPEG-compressed video data is provided in a selected one of plural video compression formats, and the compressed audio data is provided in a selected one of plural audio formats, and said step of recording ATOC information includes recording plural format identifier data for identifying the video compression and audio formats recorded in each user track. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  further comprising the steps of recording a parameter section in said application TOC region containing a plurality of parameter fields, each parameter field containing a format ID code identifying one of a video compression format or an audio format, and recording plural track sections in said application TOC region, each track section being associated with a respective user track and recording in each track section at least one parameter field pointer to designate the parameter field containing the format ID code which identifies the video compression format or audio format of user information recorded in the associated user track. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein plural parameter field pointers are recorded in at least one track section in said application TOC region to designate a corresponding number of parameter fields, thereby identifying the video compression format and the audio format of the user information recorded in the user track associated with said track section. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of recording application table of contents (ATOC) information in an application TOC region in said program area identifying as entry points particular sectors in each user track that contain a selected type of MPEG-compressed video data. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein said MPEG-compressed video data is selectively comprised of intraframe encoded picture data or predictively encoded picture data; and said ATOC information identifies entry point sectors in each user track containing intraframe encoded picture data. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of recording in an entry point section a plurality of entry point fields of said application TOC region, each entry point field having recorded therein a sector address representing a sector in a user track containing a beginning portion of intraframe encoded picture data, and recording plural track sections in said application TOC region, each being associated with a respective user track and each having recorded therein at least one entry point field pointer to identify the entry point field containing the sector address which represents the sector in which said beginning portion of intraframe encoded picture data is recorded. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of recording in said application TOC region data representing the number of entry point sectors recorded on said disk. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of recording said MPEG-compressed video data and said compressed audio data as chapters of user information; and recording a plurality of chapter sections in an application TOC region, having recorded therein information representing respective chapter identification, predetermined parameters of the MPEG-compressed video data and the compressed audio data recorded in said respective chapter, and entry point data identifying entry point sectors in said respective chapter in which selected MPEG-compressed video data are recorded. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising the steps of recording in said application TOC region a chapter name section containing a plurality of name fields; and recording in a chapter section, as information representing chapter identification, at least one name pointer to identify a name field in which the name of said respective chapter is recorded. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12  wherein said information in a chapter section representing chapter identification includes track number data for identifying the user track in which said respective chapter is recorded. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein said information in a chapter section representing chapter identification further includes chapter number data for identifying the number of said respective chapter. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12  wherein said information in a chapter section representing chapter identification includes category data for identifying a category type of said respective chapter. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1  wherein each sector in at least said user tracks includes a sector header at a leading portion thereof; and said step of recording user information includes recording in said sector header, a sector sync pattern, a sector address, an error detection code, and subcode data. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  wherein said subcode data in a given sector includes a subcode identifier and subcode information of a type identified by said subcode identifier. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein said subcode identifier is a subcode address. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18  wherein said user information is picture information representing a respective picture; and said step of recording comprises recording said picture information in at least one sector in said user tracks, and recording as subcode information first distance information representing the distance from said given sector to the sector in which picture information representing a next preceding picture is recorded and second distance information representing the distance from said given sector to the sector in which picture information representing a next following picture is recorded. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  wherein said step of encoding said user information comprises compressing a predetermined display sequence of picture data in accordance with a selected one of different compression-encoding techniques and said subcode information includes type identifying information for identifying the type of compression-encoding technique that is used to compress the data recorded in said given sector and sequence information for identifying the location in said display sequence of the picture represented by the compressed picture data that is recorded in said given sector. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 18  wherein said user information is variable over time, and said subcode information includes time code data representing time information at which said user information is recorded. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1  wherein said TOC information is representative of record/playback characteristics, diameter, recording capacity and number of record tracks of said optical disk. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of recording said TOC information includes the steps of recording TOC identification data for identifying a location of said at least one TOC track, recording a data configuration of said at least one TOC track, and recording a sector configuration of each of said plurality of sectors. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 1  wherein said TOC information includes data representative of disk size. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 1  wherein said TOC information includes data representative of a time code associated with said user information. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 1  wherein said user information is reproducible at a selected one of plural playback speeds; and said step of recording said TOC information includes the step of recording data representative of said selected playback speed. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of encoding information in said long distance error correction code is comprised of receiving said user and TOC information as input data; inserting C 2  and C 1  hold sections at predetermined locations in said input data and thereby forming preliminary C 1  words comprised of plural data symbols; generating C 2  parity symbols in response to a predetermined number of data symbols of the same number of preliminary C 1  words and replacing a C 2  hold section in a preliminary C 1  word with said C 2  parity symbols to form a precursory C 1  word, generating C 1  parity symbols in response to a precursory C 1  word and inserting said C 1  parity symbols into a C 1  hold section to form a C 1  code word, and using a pre-established number of said C 1  code words as said long distance error correction encoded data. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28  wherein said step of recording comprises recording the symbols of the C 1  code words in a symbol sequence different from the symbol sequence of said preliminary C 1  words. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29  wherein a preliminary C 1  code word is comprised of odd and even symbols and wherein said step of recording records the odd symbols together in an odd group and records the even symbols together in an even group. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30  wherein each C 1  code word is formed of m symbols including m-n C 1  parity symbols, where m and n are integers; and wherein: 
       
         
           k=m×i+2×j−m, when j<m/2  
         
       
       
         
           k=m×i+2×j−(m−1), when j>m/2,  
         
       
       where i is the sequential order of the preliminary C 1  words of input data, j is the sequential order of the m symbols in each preliminary C 1  code word, and k is the order in which the m symbols are recorded on the disk. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of encoding comprises encoding said user and TOC information in a convolution code. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 1  wherein said step of modulating comprises supplying said TOC and user information as n-bit bytes, reading from a selected one of plural storage tables a 2n-bit symbol in response to a supplied n-bit byte, and selecting said one storage table as a function of the preceding 2n-bit symbol that had been read. 
     
     
       34. The method of  claim 33 , wherein successive 2n-bit symbols are run length limited. 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34  wherein different 2n-bit symbols are stored respectively in at least two of said storage tables for the same n-bit byte. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35  wherein the 2n-bit symbols stored in a first of said two storage tables exhibit positive digital sum value (DSV) and the 2n-bit symbols stored in a second of said two storage tables exhibit negative DSV. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 36  wherein the step of selecting said one storage table is determined as a function of the number of “0” bits in which the preceding 2n-bit symbol terminates and accumulated DSV of a predetermined number of preceding 2n-bit symbols. 
     
     
       38. Apparatus for recording data on an optical disk having a diameter less than 140 mm, a thickness of 1.2 mm±0.1 mm and a recording area divided into a lead-in area, a program area and a lead-out area, said apparatus comprising: input means for providing user information including MPEG-compressed video data and compressed audio data for recording in a plurality of sectors in user tracks and table of contents (TOC) information for recording in a plurality of sectors in at least one TOC track, said TOC information including addresses of respective start sectors, each identifying a start sector of a respective user track; encoding means for encoding both said user information including MPEG-compressed video data and compressed audio data and said TOC information in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols; modulator means for modulating the encoded user and TOC information; and recording means for recording the modulated, encoded TOC information as embossed pits in said at least one TOC track in said lead-in area and for recording the modulated, encoded user information as embossed pits in said user tracks in said program area with a track pitch in the range between 0.646 μm and 1.05 μm. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said recording means is operative to record said embossed pits with a linear density in the range between 0.237 μm per bit and 0.378 μm per bit. 
     
     
       40. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said recording means is operative to record at least one additional TOC region containing duplicate TOC information in said lead-in area. 
     
     
       41. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said input means further provides application table of contents (ATOC) information identifying predetermined parameters of the MPEG-compressed video data and the compressed audio data recorded in respective user tracks, and said recording means is further operative to record said ATOC information in an application TOC region in said program area. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the MPEG-compressed video data is provided in a selected one of plural video compression formats, and the compressed audio data is provided in a selected one of plural audio formats, and said ATOC information provided by said input means includes plural format identifier data for identifying the video compression and audio formats recorded in each user track. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein said recording means is operative to record a parameter section in said application TOC region containing a plurality of parameter fields, each parameter field containing a format ID code identifying one of a video compression format or an audio format, and said input means further provides plural track sections for recording by said recording means in said application TOC region, each track section being associated with a respective user track and each track section containing at least one parameter field pointer to designate the parameter field containing the format ID code which identifies the video compression format or audio format of the user information recorded in the associated user track. 
     
     
       44. The apparatus of  claim 43  wherein said recording means records plural parameter field pointers in at least one track section in said application TOC region to designate a corresponding member of parameter fields, thereby identifying the video compression format and the audio format of the user information recorded in the user track associated with said track section. 
     
     
       45. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said input means further provides application table of contents (ATOC) information identifying as entry points particular sectors in each user track that contain a selected type of MPEG-compressed video data, and said recording means is further operative to record said ATOC information in an application TOC region in said program area. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus of  claim 45  wherein said MPEG-compressed video data is selectively comprised of intraframe encoded picture data or predictively encoded picture data; and said ATOC information identifies entry point sectors in each user track containing intraframe encoded picture data. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein said recording means is further operative to record a plurality of entry point fields in an entry point section of said application TOC region, and to record plural track sections in said application TOC region, each track section being associated with a respective user track, and said input means is operative to provide each entry point field with a sector address representing a sector in a user track containing a beginning portion of intraframe encoded picture data, and to provide at least one entry point field pointer for recording in a track section to identify the entry point field containing the sector address which represents the sector in which said beginning portion of intraframe encoded picture data is recorded. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 47  wherein said input means further provides data representing the number of entry point sectors recorded on said disk and said recording means is operative to record said data in said application TOC region. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said recording means records said MPEG-compressed video data and said compressed audio data as chapters of user information and is operative to record a plurality of chapter sections in an application TOC region; and said input means provides for recording in said application TOC region information representing respective chapter identification, predetermined parameters of the MPEG-compressed video data and the compressed audio data recorded in said respective chapter, and entry point data identifying entry point sectors in said respective chapter in which selected MPEG-compressed video data are recorded. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said recording means is further operative to record in said application TOC region a chapter name section containing a plurality of name fields; and said input means is operative to provide for recording in a chapter section, as information representing chapter identification, at least one name pointer to identify a name field in which the name of said respective chapter is recorded. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said input means further provides, as said information representing chapter identification, track number data for identifying the user track in which said respective chapter is recorded. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus of  claim 51  wherein said input means further provides chapter number data for identifying the number of said respective chapter. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said input means provides, as said information representing chapter identification, category data for identifying a category type of said respective chapter. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein each sector in at least said user tracks includes a sector header at a leading portion thereof; and said recording means is operative to record in said sector header, a sector sync pattern, a sector address, an error detection code, and subcode data. 
     
     
       55. The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein said subcode data in a given sector includes a subcode identifier and subcode information of a type identified by said subcode identifier. 
     
     
       56. The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein said subcode identifier is a subcode address. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein said user information is picture information representing a respective picture; and said recording means is operative to record said picture information in at least one sector in said user tracks, and to record as subcode information first distance information representing the distance from said given sector to the sector in which picture information representing a next preceding picture is recorded and second distance information representing the distance from said given sector to the sector in which picture information representing a next following picture is recorded. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein said encoding means comprises means for compressing a predetermined display sequence of picture data in accordance with a selected one of different compression-encoding techniques, and said subcode information includes type identifying information for identifying the type of compression-encoding technique that is used to compress the data recorded in said given sector and sequence information for identifying the location in said display sequence of the picture represented by the compressed picture data that is recorded in said given sector. 
     
     
       59. The apparatus of  claim 55  wherein said user information is variable over time, and said subcode information includes time code data representing time information at which said user information is recorded. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said TOC information is representative of record/playback characteristics, diameter, recording capacity and number of record tracks of said optical disk. 
     
     
       61. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said TOC information includes TOC identification data for identifying a location of said at least one TOC track and configuration data for identifying a data configuration of said at least one TOC track and a sector configuration of each of said plurality of sectors. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said TOC information includes data representative of disk size. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said TOC information includes data representative of a time code associated with said user information. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said user information is reproducible at a selected one of plural playback speeds; and said TOC information includes data representative of said selected playback speed. 
     
     
       65. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said encoding means is comprised of means for receiving said user and TOC information as input data; means for inserting C 2  and C 1  hold sections at predetermined locations in said input data to thereby form preliminary C 1  words comprised of plural data symbols; means for generating C 2  parity symbols in response to a predetermined number of data symbols of the same number of preliminary C 1  words; means for replacing a C 2  hold section in a preliminary C 1  word with said C 2  parity symbols to form a precursory C 1  word; means for generating C 1  parity symbols in response to a precursory C 1  word; and means for inserting said C 1  parity symbols into a C 1  hold section to form a C 1  code word, with a pre-established number of said C 1  code words constituting said long distance error correction encoded data. 
     
     
       66. The apparatus of  claim 65  wherein said recording means further includes means for recording the symbols of the C 1  code words in a symbol sequence different from the symbol sequence of said preliminary C 1  words. 
     
     
       67. The apparatus of  claim 66  wherein a preliminary C 1  code word is comprised of odd and even symbols and wherein said means for recording is operative to record the odd symbols together in an odd group and the even symbols together in an even group. 
     
     
       68. The apparatus of  claim 67  wherein each C 1  code word is formed of m symbols including m-n C 1  parity symbols, where m and n are integers; and wherein: 
       
         
           k=m×i+2×j−m, when j<m/2  
         
       
       
         
           k=m×i+2×j−(m−1), when j>m/2,  
         
       
       where i is the sequential order of the preliminary C 1  words of input data, j is the sequential order of the m symbols in each preliminary C 1  code word, and k is the order in which the m symbols are recorded on the disk. 
     
     
       69. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said encoding comprises a convolution code encoder. 
     
     
       70. The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said modulator means comprises an n-to-2n modulator in which said TOC and user information are supplied as n-bit bytes, including plural storage tables, each for storing 2n-bit symbols corresponding to respective n-bit bytes; means for reading from a selected one storage table a 2n-bit symbol in response to a supplied n-bit byte; and means for selecting said storage table as a function of the preceding 2n-bit symbol that had been read. 
     
     
       71. The apparatus of  claim 70 , wherein successive 2n-bit symbols are run length limited. 
     
     
       72. The apparatus of  claim 71  wherein at least two of said storage tables store different 2n-bit symbols for the same n-bit byte. 
     
     
       73. The apparatus of  claim 72  wherein the 2n-bit symbols stored in a first of said two storage tables exhibit positive digital sum value (DSV) and the 2n-bit symbols stored in a second of said two storage tables exhibit negative DSV. 
     
     
       74. The apparatus of  claim 73  wherein said means for selecting said one storage table includes means for sensing the number of “0” bits in which the preceding 2n-bit symbol terminates, means for determining the accumulated DSV of a predetermined number of preceding 2n-bit symbols and means for selecting the storage table as a function of the sensed number of “0” bits and the accumulated DSV. 
     
     
       75. A method of recording data on an optical disk having a diameter less than  140  mm and a recording area divided into a lead- in area, a program area and a lead - out area, said method comprising the steps of: providing user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data for recording in a plurality of sectors in user tracks; providing control information for recording in a plurality of sectors in at least one control information region, said control information including addresses of respective start sectors, each identifying a start sector of a respective user track; encoding both said user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data and said control information in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols; modulating the encoded user and control information; recording the modulated, encoded control information in said at least one control information region in either said lead - in area or said program area; and recording the modulated, encoded user information in said user tracks in said program area with a track pitch in the range between  0 . 646  μm and  1 . 05  μm.   
     
     
       76. Apparatus for recording data on an optical disk having a diameter less than  140  mm and a recording area divided into a lead- in area, a program area and a lead - out area, said apparatus comprising: input means for providing user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data for recording in a plurality of sectors in user tracks and control information for recording in a plurality of sectors in at least one control information region, said control information including addresses of respective start sectors, each identifying a start sector of a respective user track of application content data; encoding means for encoding both said user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data and said control information in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols; modulator means for modulating the encoded user and control information; and recording means for recording the modulated, encoded control information in said at least one control information region in either said lead - in area or said program area and for recording the modulated, encoded user information in said user tracks in said program area with a track pitch in the range between  0 . 646  μm an  1 . 05  μm.   
     
     
       77. A method of recording data on an optical disk having a diameter less than  140  mm and a recording area divided into a lead- in area, a program area and a lead - out area, said method comprising the steps of: providing user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data for recording in a plurality of sectors in user tracks; providing control information for recording in a plurality of sectors in at least one control information region; encoding both said user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data and said control information in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols; modulating the encoded user and control information; recording the modulated, encoded control information in said at least one control information region in either said lead - in area or said program area; and recording the modulated, encoded user information in said user tracks in said program area with a track pitch in the range between  0 . 7  μm and  0 . 9  μm.   
     
     
       78. Apparatus for recording data on an optical disk having a diameter less than  140  mm and a recording area divided into a lead- in area, a program area and a lead - out area, said apparatus comprising: input means for providing user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data for recording in a plurality of sectors in user tracks and control information for recording in a plurality of sectors in at least one control information region; encoding means for encoding both said user information including MPEG - compressed video data and compressed audio data and said control information in a long distance error correction code having at least eight parity symbols; modulator means for modulating the encoded user and control information; and recording means for recording the modulated, encoded control information in said at least one control information region in either said lead - in area or said program area and for recording the modulated, encoded user information in said user tracks in said program area with a track pitch in the range between  0 . 7  μm and  0 . 9  μm.