Multilayer Storage Formatting with Radial Control Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current formatting methods for optical record carriers are inflexible and do not accommodate multilayer storage media, limiting their adaptability to various uses and not providing a specific way to format multilayer storage mediums.
Innovation Solution
A formatting system that positions control zones on multilayer storage media at equal radial positions, allowing for annular data zones to coincide spatially, reducing the need for radial movement of the scanning head and enabling efficient data recording and reading across layers, with the option to set a selected size for each layer based on the total format size and number of layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the known formatting method according to MMC-5 is used, then the storage medium can be formatted at maximum available capacity, but the method is inflexible and does not allow multilayer carriers to be adapted to any intended use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the formatting process into separate steps for each layer. The formatting means are arranged to format each recording layer independently by receiving individual format commands for each layer, allowing flexible adaptation of multilayer carriers to different intended uses while maintaining a relatively simple formatting method that builds upon the existing MMC-5 protocol.
2Speed
If control zones are positioned at different radial positions on different layers, then each layer can be formatted independently, but the scanning head must travel in radial direction when jumping to different layers, reducing recording and reading speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions control zones at substantially equal radial positions on all recording layers. This creates an equipotential arrangement where the scanning head operates at the same radial position across layers, eliminating the need for radial travel when jumping between layers and thereby maximizing data recording and reading speed.
3Quantity of substance
If the format size is smaller than maximum available size, then storage capacity is optimized for specific uses, but radial movement is required which reduces recording and reading speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the data zone size on each layer independently. The formatting means can be configured to create data zones of equal size or different sizes on different layers based on specific usage requirements, while maintaining control zones at equal radial positions to preserve fast access performance regardless of the chosen format size.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for recording information on a storage medium (11) is arranged for formatting the storage medium. The device has receives a format command according to a protocol (ATA/ ATAPI). The device has formatting means for formatting a multilayer storage medium according to the format command. The formatting includes recording, on each layer (L0, L1) of the multilayer storage medium, a first control zone (71, 72) at a first radial position on the layer and a second control zone (73, 74) at a second radial position on the layer for forming an annular data zone of a selected size between the control zones. If the format size is smaller than a maximum available size on the storage medium, the control zones are positioned on substantially equal radial positions for forming radially corresponding annular data zones (75, 76). The required format size equals the sum of the selected sizes of each annular data zone.