Patent Abstract:
A sync pattern detection apparatus includes a sync pattern detection unit configured to detect a sync pattern from an input signal, a plurality of sync pattern protection units configured to protect the sync pattern detected by the sync pattern detection unit, a reliability evaluation unit configured to evaluate the reliabilities of a plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the plurality of sync pattern protection units, and a selection unit configured to select a sync pattern protected by a predetermined sync pattern protection unit, on the basis of the reliability evaluation of the plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the reliability evaluation unit.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-374519, filed Dec. 25, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a sync pattern detection apparatus and method which detect a sync pattern inserted into a digital signal sequence at a predetermined interval.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    An ID number and other data are added to a specific unit of digital data to form a data block. An error-detecting code, an error-correcting code, and the like are added to the data block to form a data block with error code. When the data block with error code is to be recorded on a recording medium or transmitted to a transmission path, a sync pattern is inserted into the data block with error code at a predetermined interval at the time of data modulation processing.  
           [0006]    In playback processing, a sync pattern is detected from a signal input to a playback processing apparatus. From the position of the sync pattern, the data is divided and demodulated for each symbol. In addition, data block arrangement information is obtained on the basis of order information from the sync pattern. Error-correcting processing and the like are executed to reconstruct a playback signal.  
           [0007]    As described above, sync pattern detection is the most important function in the playback system. It is no exaggeration to say that the sync pattern detection capability decides the playback capability.  
           [0008]    A sync pattern processing section detects a sync pattern, checks its reliability, and synchronizes the period counter (frame counter) of the sync pattern interval to the detection timing. Accordingly, a signal that controls data symbol division and demodulation of a digital signal stream and data block arrangement of demodulated data is generated. Functions that the sync pattern processing section is required of are as follows. The frame counter must be synchronized to the playback sync pattern. Even when a sync pattern is omitted due to a signal defect, playback control synchronization must be correctly established. The sync pattern processing section must not sense a pseudo sync pattern generated in modulated data. A read clock to be used to read a digital signal or sync pattern is generated from a playback signal stream by using a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit. If a signal stream is destroyed by some error, the period of the PLL varies, resulting in a change in number of clocks between sync patterns. The sync pattern processing section must be configured to execute proper synchronization processing even in such a case.  
           [0009]    To meet the requirements for sync detection protection, a synchronous circuit is proposed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKOKU Publication No. 5-74147.  
           [0010]    The sync pattern detection protection circuit disclosed in this prior art uses an asynchronous time limit control scheme to execute re-synchronization processing when it goes out of sync. This circuit is disadvantageous in that it has a plurality of combinations of frame counters and detection window generators because of its weak pseudo synchronization eliminating capability in the first re-synchronization, and it executes re-synchronization of the main frame counter only by a sync pattern that is confirmed in advance by the sub frame counter. In this sync pattern detection protection circuit, a synchronous state or an asynchronous state is detected on the basis of the length of the period without synchronization processing. That is, restoring from the asynchronous state to the synchronous state cannot be done in a short time.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sync pattern detection apparatus comprising a sync pattern detection unit configured to detect a sync pattern from an input signal, a plurality of sync pattern protection units configured to protect the sync pattern detected by the sync pattern detection unit, a reliability evaluation unit configured to evaluate reliabilities of a plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the plurality of sync pattern protection units, and a selection unit configured to select a sync pattern protected by a predetermined sync pattern protection unit, on the basis of reliability evaluation of the plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the reliability evaluation unit.  
           [0012]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sync pattern detection method applied to an apparatus comprising a sync pattern detection unit which detects a sync pattern from an input signal and a plurality of sync pattern protection units which protect the sync pattern detected by the sync pattern detection unit, comprising evaluating reliabilities of a plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the plurality of sync pattern protection units, and selecting a sync pattern protected by a predetermined sync pattern protection unit, on the basis of reliability evaluation of the plurality of sync pattern protection situations. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information playback apparatus which plays back information recorded on an optical disk;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the data structure of an ECC block recorded on a DVD;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a view showing a state wherein the arrangement of data contained in the ECC block shown in FIG. 2 is converted, and  16  recording sectors are generated from the ECC block;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a view showing the data structure of a physical sector which is generated, by adding sync patterns to a recording sector shown in FIG. 3, to actually record the recording sector;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a sync pattern detection apparatus;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 6;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the sync pattern detection apparatus;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 8;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 9;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 12;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a sync pattern detection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 19;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 20;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the circuit arrangement of a window generator in each sync pattern detection apparatus; and  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing operations when a SYNC is detected in the output of the window generator shown in FIG. 22 and when a SYNC is detected outside the window. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]    The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawing.  
         [0038]    An ID number and other data are added to a specific unit of digital data to form a data block. An error-detecting code, an error-correcting code, and the like are added to the data block to form a data block with error code. When the data block with error code is to be recorded on a recording medium or transmitted to a transmission path, a sync pattern is inserted into the data block with error code at a predetermined interval at the time of data modulation processing. For playback of this signal, sync pattern detection protection function is important. The present invention has been made to obtain a sync pattern detection protection scheme with advanced performance. A detailed description will be done below by using, as an example, a DVD scheme that is rapidly becoming popular.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 1 shows the process steps of a DVD playback apparatus as functional units.  
         [0040]    An optical pickup P 3  reads out a signal from a DVD medium P 1  whose rotation is controlled by a disk motor P 2 . The readout signal is converted into a “1”—or “0”—level signal by a binarization unit P 4 . The converted signal is converted into a channel bit stream signal by a read clock (PLCK) generated by a read clock generating PLL circuit. A sync separation unit P 5  detects a sync pattern from the channel bit stream signal. A counter (to be referred to as a frame counter or a 1/N-frequency divider hereinafter) that counts the number of revolutions is synchronized to the period of the detected sync pattern. On the basis of the signal output from the synchronized counter, the channel bit stream signal is divided into symbol data sequentially from the sync pattern, sent to a demodulation unit P 6 , and demodulated into the original data. Error data in the demodulated data is corrected by an error-correcting code decoding unit P 7 . The data is packetized into a format corresponding to each sector by a sector processing unit P 8 . A descrambling unit P 9  cancels the scrambling of the data to reconstruct the original data and supplies it to an I/O interface P 10 . The I/O interface P 10  outputs the supplied data to the outside. Data recorded on a DVD is scrambled to prevent identical data from continuing. This is because if identical data continue, the servo in the DVD playback apparatus becomes unstable.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 shows the structure of an ECC block on a DVD. A data block is constructed by columns each having 172 bytes and 192 rows. That is, a data block is constituted by 172×192 bytes. A 16-byte error-correcting outer code “PO” is added in the column direction of the data block. A 10-byte error-correcting inner code “PI” is added in the row direction. Thus, an ECC block having 182 bytes×208 bytes is formed.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 3 shows a state wherein the arrangement of data contained in the ECC block shown in FIG. 2 is converted, and 16 recording sectors are generated from the ECC block. Each of the 16 rows of the PO shown in FIG. 2 is extracted and inserted every 12th row of the 192 rows. This processing will be referred to as row interleave. With this processing, recording sectors each having (12+1) rows are formed.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 4 is a view showing a physical sector which is generated, by adding sync patterns to a recording sector shown in FIG. 3, to actually record the recording sector. There are eight sync patterns SY 0  to SY 7  (each sync pattern “SY*” actually has four patterns to, e.g., suppress the DC component of a recording signal). Each sync pattern is constituted by 32 channel bits. A data region following a sync pattern is obtained by dividing a row having (172+10=182) bytes in FIG. 3 into two parts and converting each byte into 16 channel bits. That is, (172+10)/2=91 bytes, and 91×16=1456 channel bits. As a result, one row is constituted by two SYNC frames. The row arrangement can be determined on the basis of the combination of sync patterns in each row.  
         [0044]    A signal converted into such a physical sector is recorded on a medium. In playback processing by the system shown in FIG. 1. the signal is read out as channel bits and divided into symbols each having 16 channel bits sequentially from the sync pattern. With this processing, demodulated data can be obtained for every byte by the demodulator. If the starting point of sync pattern detection shifts by one channel bit, the entire SYNC frame becomes error data. A sync pattern detected from an input signal may be used, but the sync pattern may be destroyed by a defect or the like. In addition, the data region may change to the same pattern as the sync pattern. Hence, the detected sync pattern cannot be directly used.  
         [0045]    In a general method, playback synchronization processing is executed on the basis of the output signal from a frame counter that rotates in accordance with the distance of a SYNC frame, and the frame counter is synchronized to the detected sync pattern, as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.  
         [0046]    A sync pattern detection protection scheme as shown in FIG. 6 can cope with various problems described above. In this scheme, an asynchronous state when the system goes out of sync is detected on the basis of the number of frames without synchronization. Hence, a long time is taken for detection.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a sync pattern detection apparatus.  
         [0048]    A clock  2  bit-synchronized to an input signal  1  is supplied to a sync pattern detector  3  and 1/N-frequency divider  5 . The 1/N-frequency divider  5  outputs, as an output signal  9 , a sync control signal to be used for system control. As the basic operation, the output signal from the 1/N-frequency divider  5  is supplied to a window generator  6 . A window signal having a predetermined width on both sides of the position of the frame interval (frame distance) is generated from the timing synchronized by a precedingly detected sync pattern. The window signal is supplied to a gate  4  through a selector  8 . An SYC is sent to the 1/N-frequency divider  5  by turning on the switch for the output (SYC) signal from the sync pattern detector  3 , thereby executing synchronization processing. Even when the SYC is detected at a point other than the window signal as the output from the window generator  6 , the SYC is not supplied to the 1/N-frequency divider  5 . For this reason, even when a pseudo SYC is detected, the 1/N-frequency divider  5  does not execute any erroneous synchronization processing. However, if the window clock  2  is generated at a specific portion by an incorrect frequency, the window signal shifts from the correct SYC generation position. To prevent this, the output signal from the output signal  9  is counted by a counter  7 . That no SYC is supplied to the 1/N-frequency divider  5  between a designated number of frames is detected. Until the SYC is supplied to the 1/N-frequency divider  5 , the output from the counter  7  is passed through the selector  8  to turn on the switch of the gate  4 . When the SYC that has passed through the gate is supplied, the counter  7  is cleared. In this operation, if the 1/N-frequency divider  5  goes out of sync, re-synchronization is forcibly executed in accordance with the output signal from the counter.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0050]    A sync pattern detector D 1 , 1/N-frequency divider (frame counter) C 1 , window generator WG 1 , counter (no sync counter) C 3 , AND-gate A 1 , and OR-gate O 1  are connected as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, a window signal G 1  is generated from a position separated from an SYC detection position by a predetermined length of time. An SYC is detected in the window signal so that the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is synchronized.  
         [0051]    The window signal G 1  is detected again from a position separated from the next SYC detection position by a predetermined length of time. The 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is a cycle counter. Hence, if an SYC is omitted, the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  repeats the count operation from the position where the SYC should be detected. When an SYC is detected again in the window signal, the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is synchronized by the SYC. In this operation, if a defect occurs and disturbs the clock (PLCK), the timing between the window signal and the SYC shifts. In this case, the counter C 3  counts the number of asynchronous frames. When the count value reaches a designated value, a signal is generated from the OUT of the counter C 3  to supply the SYC to the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  without any window limitation. If the SYC used for the first re-synchronization is a pseudo SYC, the counter counts the designated number of asynchronous frames again. Synchronization is executed again in accordance with the SYC. As described above, in the scheme shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and  7 , if a pseudo SYC is generated at the first re-synchronization, a long time is required until synchronization is properly established. Hence, data divided into symbols cannot be correctly read. To solve this problem, a sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is proposed.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the sync pattern detection apparatus. This sync pattern detection apparatus is different from that shown in FIG. 5 in that a 1/N-frequency divider  11  and window generator  12  are arranged in addition to the 1/N-frequency divider  5  and window generator  6 . Also, only one of the window signals from the window generators  6  and  12  is used as the switch signal to supply an SYC to the 1/N-frequency divider  5 .  
         [0053]    The output signal from the counter  7  is used as a signal to select the window generator  6  or  12 . More specifically, when synchronization is not executed during a predetermined period, a gate  10  for synchronization of the 1/N-frequency divider  11  is forcibly turned on to synchronize the auxiliary 1/N-frequency divider. Since the gate  4  is turned on by the window signal generated by the window generator  12  at that time, a pseudo SYC is hardly supplied to the 1/N-frequency divider  5 . FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9.  
         [0054]    As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the components shown in FIG. 6, a 1/N-frequency divider (frame counter) C 2 , window generator WG 2 , AND-gates A 2  and A 3 , and OR-gate  02  are added. An SYC is first sent to the 1/N-frequency divider C 2  in accordance with the output from the counter C 3 . Only when an SYC is generated at the output timing of the window generator WG 2 , the SYC for synchronization is supplied to the 1/N-frequency divider C 1 . As shown in FIG. 10, the SYC is first supplied to the 1/N-frequency divider C 2  in accordance with the OUT signal from the counter C 3 . Only when an SYC is generated in the window signal generated in the next frame, the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is synchronized. As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 10, even when the OUT signal from the counter C 3  is turned on, and a pseudo SYC is generated for the first time, the counter C 3  is not cleared. When SYCs are continuously generated for a correct frame distance, the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is synchronized, and the counter C 3  is cleared. For this reason, even when a pseudo SYC is generated, no synchronization delay occurs, unlike FIG. 5.  
         [0055]    When an asynchronous state is set in FIG. 10, re-synchronization processing is not executed before the counter C 3  shown in FIG. 9 counts a designated number of frames. All data in (N-Frame)+(C 3 -OUT) in FIG. 10 are error data. Even when data after symbol data division and demodulation is used for error-correction processing, an error beyond the correction capability may be generated. The signal omission region shown in FIG. 10 is an error. In a region after it, however, when the read clock (PLCK) restores the normal state, even demodulated data is preferably read as correct data.  
         [0056]    Sync pattern detection apparatuses shown in FIGS.  11  to  19  can solve the above-described problem. More specifically, a plurality of sync protection units that generate a playback processing sync pattern to be used for playback processing are always operated. When the main sync protection unit is set in an asynchronous state, the other unit establishes synchronization in a short time to set a synchronous state. With this arrangement, the asynchronous period can be made very short. This will be described in more detail. A plurality of sync pattern detection protection systems or, for example, two systems are always operated. Regions except the detection windows of a sync detection protection system that is currently being used for control are monitored by the other sync pattern detection protection system. When the system on the monitoring side ensures the reliability of a synchronous state, the system on the monitoring side is used as the playback control synchronization section.  
         [0057]    The number N of asynchronous state detection frames in FIG. 5 or  9  is set to about 10 in consideration of the reliability. According to such a system, in correction processing for data as shown in FIG. 2, once an asynchronous state is generated, it continues over 12 or more frames. Since six or more rows become error data in FIG. 2, the error may sometimes be beyond the correction capability.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus has almost the same components as in FIG. 8. In the sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 11, however, a sync pattern protection system (to be referred to as a protection system A hereinafter) comprises a gate  4 , 1/N-frequency divider  5 , window generator  6 , and selector  14 . Similarly, an independent sync pattern protection system (to be referred to as a protection system B hereinafter) comprises a gate  10 , 1/N-frequency divider  11 , window generator  12 , and selector  15 . The situation of each protection system is determined by a reliability determining section  13  to decide which protection system output should be used as a playback control sync pattern. In this case, if the output from the system A is currently being used as the playback control sync pattern, it is important that the system B always detects regions except window generator outputs of the system A. If the window output of the system A is separated from the playback sync pattern (asynchronous state), the system B can quickly detect a reliable sync pattern. When the reliability determining section  13  determines that sync pattern detection protection on the side of the system B has a higher reliability, a selector  16  changes the playback control sync-pattern to the side of the system B. As a consequence, the system A detects the sync pattern in regions other than window generator outputs of the system B. In the scheme shown in FIG. 11, when the playback sync pattern detected by a sync pattern detector  3  synchronizes the 1/N-frequency divider (frame counter), the playback sync pattern is always protected by the window generator. Each of the two detection protection systems monitors regions except the window generator regions of the other system as detection protection regions. With this arrangement, even when the sync pattern detection protection system that is currently being used is set in an asynchronous state, the playback control sync pattern can quickly be returned to the correct synchronous state.  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the operations of the circuits shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Of the systems A and B, a system which is currently outputting a signal will be referred to as a main FC, and the other system will be referred to as a sub FC.  
         [0060]    The sync pattern detector  3  shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to a sync pattern detector D 1  shown in FIG. 12. The sync pattern detection protection system A comprises a 1/N-frequency divider (frame counter) C 1 , window generator WG 1 , gate A 1  (AND-gate), gate A 2  (AND-gate), gate O 1  (OR-gate), gate O 2  (OR-gate), and gate NO 3  (NOR-gate). Similarly, the system B comprises a 1/N-frequency divider (frame counter) C 2 , window generator WG 2 , gate A 6  (AND-gate), gate A 5  (AND-gate), gate O 5  (OR-gate), gate O 4  (OR-gate), and gate NO 6  (NOR-gate).  
         [0061]    A D-FF circuit FF 10 , D-FF circuit FF 11 , and gate circuits connected to the D input terminals constitute the reliability determining section  13 . The output from the D-FF circuit FF 11  is the select signal for the playback control sync pattern. An operation executed when the output from the system A is selected as the sync pattern output (FF 11 −Qn=SEL 1 =1) will be described with reference to FIG. 13.  
         [0062]    When a sync pattern SYC is detected in a window output G 1  from the window generator WG 1  (ST 11 ) (YES in ST 12 ), a synchronization signal STB 1  is output from the gates A 1  and O 1  so that the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is synchronized (ST 13 ). Even when a pseudo SYNC is detected between correct SYNCs, the gate circuit on the side of the system A eliminates the signal. On the other hand, when the system B detects a SYNC (SYC) in a region other than the region of the window signal G 1  of the system A (ST 11 ) (NO in ST 12 ), the output from the gates NO 6  and A 5  of the system B changes to “H” to generate STB 2  so that the 1/N-frequency divider C 2  is synchronized by the pseudo SYNC. When the STB 2  is generated, a D-FF circuit FF 9  is set to “0”, and the gate NO 6  changes to “L”. For this reason, reception of the STB 2  is unconditionally inhibited. When a SYNC is detected in a window signal G 2  of the system B, which is generated in accordance with the next frame distance, it is detected that synchronization to the detected sync pattern is executed twice consecutively on the side of the system B (YES in ST 14 ) (YES in ST 15 ). In this case, since the 1/N-frequency divider C 2  is synchronized by the pseudo SYNC, no SYNC is detected for the next frame distance. Hence, the D-FF circuit FF 9  is reset to the initial state “1”.  
         [0063]    Even on the side of the system A, every time the STB 1  is generated, a D-FF circuit FF 8  is set to “0”. Accordingly, it is recognized that synchronization processing is normally executed. If a defect is generated in this state, and a read clock PLCK causes an error state in a certain region, the window signal G 1  and SYNC detection position have a shift even after normal operation is restored, and no STB 1  is detected. The system B receives the SYNC only in regions other than the regions of the window signal G 1 . When a pseudo SYNC is detected, synchronization to the pseudo SYNC is established first. Next, since no SYNC is detected in the window signal G 2 , the initial state is set. The 1/N-frequency divider C 2  is synchronized to the next correct SYNC. When the next SYNC is consequently detected in the window signal G 2 , a gate NO 2  of the reliability detection section changes to “0” to reset the D-FF circuit FF 10  (the D-FF circuit FF 10  is set to “0”). When a SYNC is generated in the window signal G 2  generated in the next frame, a gate NO 7  changes to “H”. The D-FF circuit FF 11  is to “1” to change to “SEL 1 =L” and “SEL 2 =H”. Accordingly, the system B outputs the playback control sync pattern. In this way, when the system B detects the SYNC twice consecutively in accordance with the frame distance (YES in ST 16 ), the SEL signal is changed. The SEL 2  changes to “1” so that the output signal is switched by the selector  16  (ST 17  to ST 19 ). As described above, two synchronization protection systems, i.e., the systems A and B are constituted. Regions other than the window signal regions on the playback control sync pattern output side are always detected on the other protection system side. With this arrangement, an asynchronous state can quickly be determined, and a correct playback control sync pattern can be created.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a playback control sync pattern is output by switching between the outputs from the systems A and B (1/N-frequency dividers). In the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15, systems A and B are prepared, and the system A always outputs a playback control sync pattern. That is, the switching part is omitted. The system A is synchronized by the window signal of either the system A or the system B. The system A is normally synchronized by the window signal of the system A. The system B waits for a detected sync pattern outside the window signal region of the system A. As in the system B of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11, when a SYNC with the frame distance is detected consecutively three times, the reliability detection circuit sends a selector signal to a selector  8  such that the window signal of the system B is used as the window signal of the system A. Accordingly, the system A is synchronized by the window signal of the system B.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operations of the circuits shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operation of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The system A will be referred to as a main FC, and the system B will be referred to as a sub FC.  
         [0066]    When an SYNC is detected in a window output signal G 1  from a window generator WG 1  (ST 21 ), a 1/N-frequency divider (frame counter) C 1  which outputs a playback control sync pattern generates an STB 1  through a gate A 1  to synchronize the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  (YES in ST 22 ) (ST 23 ). In addition, “1” is set to a D-FF circuit FF 6 . On the other hand, when a SYNC is detected outside the region of the window output signal G 1  (NO in ST 22 ), an STB 2  is output through a gate A 3  of the system B to synchronize a 1/N-frequency divider C 2 . At this time, the STB 2  resets the D-FF circuit FF 6 . The gate is designed not to generate the STB 2  if no SYNC is detected in a window signal G 2  of the system B when the D-FF circuit FF 6  is reset. When the SYNC is detected in the next window signal G 2  again, a D-FF circuit FF 7  is set. When the SYNC is generated in the window signal G 2  again, the window signal G 2  is used to generate the STB 1  through a gate A 2  so that the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  is synchronized. More specifically, when the SYNC that satisfies the frame distance is detected consecutively three times outside the window signal G 1  of the window generator WG 1  (YES in ST 24 ) (YES in ST 25 ) (YES in ST 26 ), the 1/N-frequency divider C 1  of the system A is synchronized (ST 27 ). Accordingly, the timing of the playback control sync pattern output is changed, and the playback control sync pattern is synchronized to the correct SYNC.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a sync pattern detection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 19 is constituted by adding a function to the sync pattern detection apparatus shown in FIG. 15. Both the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 11 and the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 15 have a plurality of detection protection systems. By the plurality of detection protection systems, an asynchronous state is detected in a short time. That is, the plurality of detection protection systems check whether a reliable sync pattern is detected outside the output timing of the playback control sync pattern. In the above-described first and second embodiments, the frame distance must be satisfied consecutively three times to confirm the reliability. The reliability detection method is not limited to this. If the sync pattern contains a complex pattern such as a control code, synchronization can be established when the sync pattern including the control code pattern is detected consecutively twice. Alternatively, assume that synchronization processing is inhibited continuously on the side of the protection system that outputs the playback control sync pattern while the other system cannot detect the sync pattern consecutively three times during a predetermined period. In this case, when the predetermined period has elapsed, synchronization may be established upon detecting the sync pattern consecutively only twice. A counter  7  shown in FIG. 19 detects that the main system is not synchronized during a predetermined period. When it is detected that the main system is not synchronized during a predetermined period, and the sub system detects the sync pattern consecutively twice, the main system is synchronized by the sub system. The main system here includes a gate  4 , 1/N-frequency divider  5 , and window generator  6 . The sub system includes a gate  10 , 1/N-frequency divider  11 , and window generator  12 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the detailed arrangement of the sync pattern detection apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 is a timing chart showing the operations of the circuits shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit of a window generator (WGn) in each sync pattern detection apparatus. FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing operations when a SYNC is detected in the output of the window generator shown in FIG. 22 and when a SYNC is detected outside the window. FIG. 22 does not limit the present invention and illustrates only an example of the circuit of the window generator to help easily understand the operation of the present invention.  
         [0070]    The sync pattern detection apparatuses according to the embodiments of the present invention are effectively used for synchronization processing in a digital data transmission scheme. However, in a recording medium such as an optical disk having an almost constant recording density in the inner and outer peripheries, if the playback position in the disk changes, the input rate largely changes. To prevent this, along with an increase in read processing speed, a wideband read clock is used. In such a system, when a signal is destroyed by a defect or the like, a read clock error is unavoidable in a self clock scheme. As a result, a data error occurs. As for the data structure, generally, 1 symbol data=a plurality of channel bits. The sync pattern detection protection system which controls symbol division has an important function of minimizing error data due to signal destruction.  
         [0071]    Especially, since the recording density recently increases, the redundancy ratio of the correcting code is suppressed to improve the error correcting capability. To do this, the error correcting block capacity tends to increase. It is therefore difficult to distribute errors by interleave processing. That is, how to reduce the asynchronous state is more important.  
         [0072]    Examples of the functions and effects of the present invention will be summarized below.  
         [0073]    (1) In the conventional sync pattern detection protection system, a synchronization frame counter is prepared. Synchronization is established in accordance with the detection condition of a detected sync pattern. If an asynchronous state is set due to some reason, the time of the asynchronous state (the number of frames that are not synchronized) is counted, thereby designating forcible synchronization by relaxing the condition. Hence, a predetermined time is taken until synchronization. To the contrary, in the present invention, since the asynchronous state is not detected on the basis of time, a synchronous state can be restored in a short time to execute playback processing.  
         [0074]    (2) In the conventional sync pattern detection protection system, even when a normal sync pattern is detected, no synchronization processing is executed if the sync pattern is detected outside a window signal. In the present invention, it can be detected in a short time that the normal sync pattern is detected in a short period and that the playback control sync pattern is in an asynchronous state. For this reason, any increase in error data due to the asynchronous state can be prevented.  
         [0075]    (3) In the present invention, since the playback control sync pattern output can be set to a predetermined frame counter, the system and circuits can have simple arrangements.  
         [0076]    (4) The conventional sync pattern detection protection system eliminates a pseudo sync pattern by a generated window signal. For this reason, when the window signal of the system shifts, an asynchronous state is set. In the present invention, one sync pattern detection protection system executes detection in the range outside the window signal of the other sync pattern detection protection system. Hence, asynchronous state detection and re-synchronization processing can be simultaneously executed.  
         [0077]    (5) When reliability detection is executed under a condition that a plurality of frames satisfying the frame distance are detected consecutively, detection may be difficult in a region where insignificant defects continue. In the present invention, the level of reliability detection can be controlled (the detection level can be relaxed). Hence, synchronization is easy.  
         [0078]    (6) In the present invention, since various schemes can be combined for reliability detection, reliability detection can be executed at a level appropriate for the situation. Generally, when the sync pattern that satisfies the frame distance is detected consecutively three times, the reliability can be determined as higher than in a system that cannot detect the sync pattern consecutively three times.  
         [0079]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6