Patent ID: 7330412
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method for searching for at least one recordable area in which real time data can be recorded from at least one empty area included in an information recording medium, wherein: an unused area is an area on the information recording medium which is not used for recording of the real time data, due to the at least one unused area including at least one ECC block that includes a defect sector or a sector having data already recorded therein; the method comprising: predetermining an unused area condition, the unused area condition comprising possible sizes of unused areas for a section having a prescribed length, and a corresponding number of unused areas that are permitted in the section for each possible size of unused areas, wherein each possible size and corresponding number of unused areas that will be permitted are predetermined to realize uninterrupted real time data reproduction when the real time data is recorded in the at least one empty area; setting at least one of a starting end and a terminating end of the section so as to match at least one of a starting end and a terminating end of the at least one empty area, and determining whether or not the section fulfills the unused area condition by determining whether a number of unused areas within the section is within the number that will be permitted according to the predetermined unused area condition based on the size of the unused area within the section; and determining at least one empty area, included in an area on the information recording medium including at least one section fulfilling the unused area condition, as a recordable area in which real time data can be recorded.