Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an optical disc device. In recent years, an ultra-HD BD-ROM (hereinafter also referred to as UHD BD-ROM), which is an optical disc for recording an image content having a large amount of data such as a <NUM>-resolution image content has been standardized. Further, to support a UHD BD-ROM, an optical disc drive device that rotates an optical disc at high speed has been commercialized.

Patent Literature <NUM> describes an optical disc unit for playing an optical disc. The document relates to control of the rotational speed of the optical disc. In particular, the rotational speed is decreased as far as possible in particular situations, in order to reduce power consumption. The optical disc drive device of the Patent Literature <NUM> comprises a drive controller that is configured to calculate a ratio of the waiting time to a time constant, wherein the waiting time is the time between two successive data requests and wherein the time constant is set to a larger value when it is determined that the readout position on the optical disc is closer to the inner circumference of the optical disc than a predetermined position.

The present disclosure provides an optical disc drive device that allows reduction in noise produced when an optical disc rotates.

This is achieved by the features of claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure achieves an optical disc drive device that allows reduction in noise produced when an optical disc rotates.

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It is, however, noted that a description made in detail more than necessary is omitted in some cases. For example, a detailed description of an already well-known item and a duplicate description of substantially the same configuration are omitted in some cases. The reason for this is to prevent the following description from being unnecessarily redundant and allow a person skilled in the art to readily understand the present disclosure.

The present inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following descriptions to allow a person skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and the accompanying drawings and the following descriptions are not intended to limit the subject set forth in the claims. The accompanying drawings are diagrammatic views and are not necessarily precisely drawn. Further, in the accompanying drawings, substantially the same configuration has the same reference character, and a duplicate description will be omitted or simplified in some cases.

In the following, the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM> is an embodiment of speed control according to the present invention. The rotational speed control according to Embodiments <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are further examples of rotational speed control useful for better understanding the present invention.

A playback device according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the playback device according to Embodiment <NUM> will first be described. <FIG> is an exterior view of the playback device according to Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is an exterior view of an optical disc drive device according to Embodiment <NUM>. <FIG> is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the playback device according to Embodiment <NUM>.

Playback device <NUM> according to Embodiment <NUM> is a device that plays back optical disc <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Playback device <NUM> is specifically a BD player and outputs a video signal to a display device (not shown). Playback device <NUM> includes optical disc drive device <NUM> and signal processing device <NUM>.

The configuration of optical disc drive device <NUM> will first be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Optical disc drive device <NUM> is a device that rotates optical disc <NUM> and reads recorded data recorded on optical disc <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Optical disc <NUM> is, for example, a UHD BD-ROM and may instead be a BD-ROM, a BD-R, or any other optical disc. In Embodiment <NUM>, optical disc <NUM> is an optical disc on which data has been recorded. For example, a motion image content or any other content has been recorded as the recorded data.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> includes OPU <NUM>, OPU control circuit <NUM>, spindle motor <NUM>, sled motor <NUM>, motor control circuit <NUM>, first controller <NUM>, first communicator <NUM>, and memory <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

OPU <NUM> focuses a laser beam onto the recording layer of optical disc <NUM> under the control of OPU control circuit <NUM> and receives the laser beam reflected off the recording layer of optical disc <NUM>. OPU <NUM> converts the received laser beam into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal to OPU control circuit <NUM>. OPU <NUM> outputs, as the electric signal, a signal on which a wobble signal is based, a signal on which a servo error signal is based, a data signal (RF signal), and other signals. OPU <NUM> is specifically an optical pickup device and includes a laser light source that emits a laser beam, a photodetector that converts the laser beam into an electric signal, and other components.

The wobble signal is present only in recordable optical disc <NUM> and is a signal according to the wobbling structure of optical disc <NUM> and indicating the address of the position where the laser beam is focused on a track of optical disc <NUM>. The wobble signal is produced in OPU control circuit <NUM> based on the signal provided from OPU <NUM>. In the case of optical disc <NUM> on which data has been already recorded or playback-only optical disc <NUM>, the address is acquired from the data signal (RF signal) present on a track of optical disc <NUM>. In the following description, the "position where the laser beam is focused" on a track of optical disc <NUM> is also referred to as a "focused position" or a "readout position". The servo error signal is a signal that allows the laser beam to be focused on the recording layer and the focused position to follow a track and is produced in OPU control circuit <NUM> based on the signal provided from OPU <NUM>. The data signal is a signal indicating data recorded on a track. In the following embodiment, the data signal is also referred to as recorded data.

The servo error signal is a collective name of signals for moving the focused position (optical beam spot) produced by OPU <NUM> to a desired position on optical disc <NUM>. The servo error signal contains a focus error signal and a tracking error signal.

OPU control circuit <NUM> is a circuit used by first controller <NUM> to control OPU <NUM>. OPU control circuit <NUM> produces the focus error signal and the tracking error signal from the signal which is output from OPU <NUM> and on which the servo error signal is based. OPU control circuit <NUM> focuses the laser beam onto the recording layer based on the focus error signal and causes the focused position to follow a track based on the tracking error signal. OPU control circuit <NUM> includes a drive circuit for driving a laser light emitting element provided in OPU <NUM>. The drive circuit for driving the laser light emitting element is instead provided as a circuit external to OPU <NUM>.

OPU control circuit <NUM> further processes the wobble signal or the data signal to acquire the address and outputs the address to first controller <NUM>. OPU control circuit <NUM> further acquires data from a data segment of the data signal and outputs the data to first controller <NUM>. Specifically, OPU control circuit <NUM> includes a circuit that processes the wobble signal and outputs address information indicating the focused position and a circuit that binarizes the data signal.

Spindle motor <NUM> is a motor that rotates optical disc <NUM>. Sled motor <NUM> is a motor that moves OPU <NUM> in the radial direction of optical disc <NUM>.

Motor control circuit <NUM> is a circuit for allowing first controller <NUM> to control spindle motor <NUM> and sled motor <NUM>. Motor control circuit <NUM> controls, for example, the rotational speed of the shaft of spindle motor <NUM> and the direction and amount of rotation of the shaft of sled motor <NUM>.

First controller <NUM> uses OPU control circuit <NUM> to control OPU <NUM> and uses motor control circuit <NUM> to control spindle motor <NUM> and sled motor <NUM>. For example, first controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> and OPU <NUM> to read recorded data from rotating optical disc <NUM>. First controller <NUM> is specifically achieved, for example, by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. First controller <NUM> may instead be achieved by the combination of at least two of a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit.

First communicator <NUM> is a communication module for allowing optical disc drive device <NUM> to communicate with signal processing device <NUM>. In other words, the communication module is a communication circuit. First communicator <NUM> performs, for example, wired communication with second communicator <NUM> provided in signal processing device <NUM>. First communicator <NUM> specifically includes receiver 27a and transmitter 27b.

Receiver 27a receives a read command transmitted by signal processing device <NUM>. First controller <NUM> reads recorded data based on the read command received by receiver 27a.

Transmitter 27b transmits the read recorded data to signal processing device <NUM> disposed external to optical disc drive device <NUM>.

Memory <NUM> is a storage device that stores, for example, a control program executed by first controller <NUM>. Memory <NUM> is specifically achieved, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

Signal processing device <NUM> will next be described. Signal processing device <NUM> is a device that performs signal processing on recorded data output from optical disc drive device <NUM> and is a device separate from optical disc drive device <NUM>. Signal processing device <NUM> is specifically a substrate on which circuit parts, integrated circuits, and other components are mounted. That is, signal processing device <NUM> is specifically a circuit module. Signal processing device <NUM> includes second communicator <NUM>, second controller <NUM>, buffer <NUM>, and signal processor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Second communicator <NUM> is a communication module for allowing signal processing device <NUM> to communicate with optical disc drive device <NUM>. In other words, the communication module is a communication circuit. Second communicator <NUM> performs, for example, wired communication with first communicator <NUM> provided in optical disc drive device <NUM>.

Second communicator <NUM> specifically receives the recorded data transmitted from transmitter 27b. Further, second communicator <NUM> transmits a read command to first communicator <NUM> under the control of second controller <NUM>.

Second controller <NUM> performs storage control in which the recorded data received by second communicator <NUM> is recorded on buffer <NUM>. Second controller <NUM> monitors the free space of buffer <NUM> and causes second communicator <NUM> to transmit a read command in accordance with the free space of the buffer. Since recorded data is thus transferred from optical disc drive device <NUM> to signal processing device <NUM> in response to the read command, a situation in which no recorded data is stored in buffer <NUM> is avoided.

Second controller <NUM> is specifically achieved, for example, by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. Second controller <NUM> may instead be achieved by the combination of at least two of a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit.

Buffer <NUM> is a storage device that temporarily stores recorded data. Buffer <NUM> is specifically achieved, for example, by a semiconductor memory.

Buffer <NUM> can prevent interruption of video when recorded data recorded on optical disc <NUM> is being played back on the display device.

For example, in the case where two files, file A and file B, are recorded as recorded data on optical disc <NUM>, and files A and B are continuously played back (seamless playback), optical disc drive device <NUM> first reads file A and then reads file B. In this process, no recorded data can be transferred from optical disc drive device <NUM> to signal processing device <NUM> in an access period in which optical disc drive device <NUM> accesses file B after optical disc drive device <NUM> reads file A.

In this case, signal processing device <NUM> reads recorded data corresponding to file A in advance and stores the recorded data in buffer <NUM>. The recorded data corresponding to file A and stored in buffer <NUM> is then used in the access period to transmit a video signal to the display device. The interruption of the video can thus be avoided.

Further, there is a case where dirt adheres to the recording surface of optical disc <NUM> or a case where an external factor (such as vibration or impact) acting on optical disc drive device <NUM> prevents optical disc drive device <NUM> from reading data in a readout position specified by a read command. In such cases, optical disc drive device <NUM> carries out a retry process of reading data again in the same location on optical disc <NUM> as required. In this case, the period from the acquisition of the read command to the transfer of the recorded data is longer than usual. Also in this case, recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is used to transmit a video signal to the display device, and the interruption of the video is avoided.

Except the special case described above, the amount of recorded data input to buffer <NUM> is so designed as to be greater than or equal to the amount of recorded data output from buffer <NUM>. Therefore, in a normal situation, recorded data is gradually accumulated (piled up) in buffer <NUM>.

Signal processor <NUM> reads recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> and performs a variety of types of signal processing on the read recorded data to output a video signal from signal processing device <NUM>. Signal processor <NUM> is specifically achieved, for example, by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. Signal processor <NUM> may instead be achieved by the combination of at least two of a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. Second controller <NUM> and signal processor <NUM> may instead be achieved as a single processor.

Recorded data readout operation performed by optical disc drive device <NUM> will next be described. <FIG> is a diagrammatic view for describing the recorded data readout operation performed by optical disc drive device <NUM>. The vertical axis of <FIG> represents the transfer rate at which recorded data read by first controller <NUM> and transmitted by transmitter 27b is transferred. The horizontal axis of <FIG> represents time.

The recorded data readout is performed in response to a trigger in the form of a read command transmitted by second communicator <NUM> of signal processing device <NUM>, as described above. In <FIG>, the timing at which receiver 27a receives the read command is indicated by each broken arrow.

When the read command is received, first controller <NUM> starts reading recorded data corresponding to the received read command. At this point, specifically, first controller <NUM> causes OPU <NUM> and sled motor <NUM> to focus the laser beam onto the readout position specified by the read command and causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at a predetermined rotational speed.

The predetermined rotational speed is specified for each optical disc <NUM> and recorded, for example, in a disc information area in the innermost portion of the recording layer of optical disc <NUM>. The predetermined rotational speed is also contained in recorded data that forms a predetermined file such as an index file.

The predetermined rotational speed is a rotational speed that allows a fixed recorded data transfer rate [Mbps], as shown in <FIG> is a graph showing the relationship between the readout position and the recorded data transfer rate.

In optical disc <NUM>, the amount of recorded data per turn varies in accordance with the readout position, and the smaller the amount of recorded data per turn is, the closer to the inner side the readout position is. The predetermined rotational speed therefore changes in accordance with the readout position, and the faster the predetermined rotational speed is, the closer to the inner side the readout position is, as shown in <FIG> shows the relationship between the readout position and the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM>. The method for controlling the rotational speed described above is called constant linear velocity (CLV).

In the example shown in <FIG> described above, a read command is transmitted from signal processing device <NUM> whenever period T1 elapses. Whenever a read command is received, first controller <NUM> reads recorded data corresponding to the read command, from optical disc <NUM> at transfer rate R1. The read command specifies the logical address and data length of the recorded data to be read out.

Pause periods T2 shown in <FIG> are each a period in which the recorded data readout pauses. Specifically, pause periods T2 are each a period from a first timing at which readout of recorded data corresponding to one read command is completed to a second timing at which readout of recorded data corresponding to a read command following that one read command starts. The second timing is substantially the same as the timing at which the following read command described above is received. It is noted that optical disc <NUM> rotates at the predetermined rotational speed also in pause periods T2.

An increase in the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> causes noise. In the case where optical disc <NUM> is a UHD BD-ROM, in particular, optical disc <NUM> rotates at a faster rotational speed compared to the case where optical disc <NUM> is a BD-ROM, and the magnitudes of wind noise and noise due to looseness of spindle motor <NUM> increase accordingly. To reduce the noise, it is conceivable to enclose optical disc <NUM> with a metal enclosure and attach a soundproof sheet onto optical disc drive device <NUM>. Any of the noise reduction measures, however, causes an increase in the number of parts, resulting in an increase in cost.

In view of the situation described above, optical disc drive device <NUM> controls the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> in order to reduce the noise. The rotational speed control will be described below. A description will first be made of a rotational-speed-related process carried out whenever a read command is received. <FIG> is a flowchart of the rotational-speed-related process carried out whenever a read command is received. In the following description, the predetermined rotational speed described above is also referred to as a first rotational speed.

When receiver 27a receives a read command, first controller <NUM> converts the logical address specified by the received read command into a physical address (S11). First controller <NUM> further converts the physical address into a radial position on optical disc <NUM> (S12).

First controller <NUM> then calculates the first rotational speed based on a double-speed specifying value and the radial position obtained in step S12 (S13). The double-speed specifying value is notified, for example, from second controller <NUM> having acquired recorded data that forms a predetermined file in optical disc <NUM> to first controller <NUM>. The double-speed specifying value is a value specified for optical disc <NUM>. First controller <NUM> then calculates a second rotational speed, which is used in the rotational speed control described below and is the lower limit of the rotational speed that changes (S14). The second rotational speed is calculated, for example, by multiplying the first rotational speed by a predetermined coefficient smaller than <NUM>. The second rotational speed is, for example, a value less than the first rotational speed by several to ten percent.

The rotational speed control performed by optical disc drive device <NUM> will next be described. <FIG> is a flowchart of the rotational speed control performed by optical disc drive device <NUM>.

First controller <NUM> first causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed (S21). During the rotation of optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed, first controller <NUM> reads, from optical disc <NUM> whenever a read command is received, recorded data corresponding to the read command, as shown in <FIG> described above. First controller <NUM> further carries out the rotational-speed-related process shown in <FIG> whenever a read command is received.

First controller <NUM> then detects the length of pause periods T2 (S22). First controller <NUM> then evaluate whether or not the length of pause periods T2 is greater than or equal to a first threshold (S23). A specific value of the first threshold may be specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally.

When pause periods T2 each have a long length, it is estimated that buffer <NUM> has stored a large amount of recorded data, that is, buffer <NUM> has a small free space. It is therefore believed that depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is unlikely to occur, and that recorded data does not need to be transferred at high speed.

When determining that the length of pause periods T2 is greater than or equal to the first threshold (Yes in S23), first controller <NUM> calculates a computational value of a rotational speed by decreasing the current rotational speed by predetermined value A (S24). Predetermined value A is specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally. First controller <NUM> subsequently determines whether or not the calculated computational value is less than a second rotational speed (S25).

When determining that the calculated computational value is less than the second rotational speed (Yes in S25), first controller <NUM> applies the computational value to the second rotational speed (S26). Steps S25 and S26 cause the computational value to be restricted to the second rotational speed which is the lower limit of the rotational speed that changes.

When it is determined in step S25 that the computational value is greater than or equal to the second rotational speed (No in S25) and after the process in step S26 is carried out, first controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at a speed corresponding to the computational value (rotational speed greater than <NUM> but less than the first rotational speed) (S27) and returns to the process in step S22. That is, first controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> from the current rotational speed and causes the rotational speed to approach the second rotational speed. As a result, the recorded data is transferred as a lower rate. <FIG> is a diagrammatic view for describing the recorded data readout operation when the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> is slower than the first rotational speed. In <FIG>, the vertical axis represents the recorded data transfer rate, and the horizontal axis represents time. <FIG> corresponds to <FIG> and shows the transfer rate in <FIG>, that is, the transfer rate when optical disc <NUM> rotates at the first rotational speed, in the form of a broken line.

Provided that the amount of data specified by a single read command is fixed, the transfer rate decreases from R1 to R2, and pause periods T2 shortens accordingly when optical disc <NUM> rotates at a rotational speed slower than the first rotational speed, as shown in <FIG>.

As described above, first controller <NUM> uses the length of pause periods T2 as free space information indicating the free space of the buffer and decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on the free space information. Specifically, first controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed when it is estimated that recorded data does not need to be transferred at high speed because buffer <NUM> has a small free space. Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise with no depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>. Further, the reduction in noise based on the rotational speed control described above causes no increase in the number of parts of optical disc drive <NUM>, whereby an increase in cost of optical disc drive <NUM> is suppressed.

On the other hand, when the length of pause periods T2 detected in step S22each have a short length, it is estimated that buffer <NUM> has stored a small amount of recorded data, that is, buffer <NUM> has a large free space. It is therefore believed that depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is likely to occur, and that the recorded data transfer rate cannot be decreased.

In this case, first controller <NUM> further controls the rotational speed in such a way that the decreased rotational speed approaches the first rotational speed. Specifically, when determining that the length of pause periods T2 is less than the first threshold (No in S23), first controller <NUM> determines whether or not the length of pause periods T2 is less than a second threshold (S28). The second threshold is set at a value smaller than the first threshold. In other words, setting the second threshold at a value smaller than the first threshold imparts a hysteresis characteristic to the rotational speed control. Frequent change in the rotational speed is therefore avoided. A specific value of the second threshold may be specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally.

When determining that the length of pause periods T2 is less than the second threshold (Yes in S28), first controller <NUM> calculates a computational value of a rotational speed by increasing the current rotational speed by predetermined value B (S29). Predetermined value B is specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally. First controller <NUM> subsequently determines whether or not the calculated computational value is greater than the first rotational speed (S30).

When determining that the calculated computational value is greater than the first threshold (Yes in S30), first controller <NUM> applies the computational value to the first rotational speed (S31). Steps S30 and S31 cause the computational value to be restricted to the first rotational speed, which is the upper limit of the rotational speed that changes.

When it is determined in step S30 that the computational value of the rotational speed is less than or equal to the first threshold (No in S30) and after the process in step S31 is carried out, first controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at the computational value (S27) and returns to the process in step S22. That is, first controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> from the current rotational speed and causes the rotational speed to approach the first rotational speed.

As described above, first controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on the length of pause periods T2 during the period in which the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> is slower than the first rotational speed. In other words, the recorded data transfer rate is increased. Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus prevent depletion of the recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>.

During the period in which the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> decreases, first controller <NUM> may immediately cause the rotational speed back to the first rotational speed based on the continuity of the logical address specified by a read command received by receiver 27a.

Specifically, first controller <NUM> determines whether or not recorded data corresponding to a first read command is recorded data having a logical address that is not continuous with the logical address of recorded data corresponding to a second read command that has been received immediately before the first read command is received. When determining that the two logical addresses are not continuous with each other, first controller <NUM> rotates optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed, that is, the rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM>.

For example, in the case where logical address A1 and data length L1 are specified in the second read command, when logical address A2 specified in the first read command is A1+L1, first controller <NUM> can determine that the two logical addresses are continuous with each other. When logical address A2 specified in the first read command is not A1+L1, first controller <NUM> can determine that the two logical addresses are not continuous with each other.

For example, when a user presses a skip button or a return button on a remote control of playback device <NUM>, there is no continuity between the logical addresses any more. In this case, recorded data accumulated in buffer <NUM> are discarded, and recorded data need to be newly accumulated in buffer <NUM>. In such a case, the rotational speed is immediately increased to the first rotational speed to facilitate the accumulation of recorded data in buffer <NUM>.

In the case where optical disc <NUM> is a multilayer disc, and a change in the readout position involves two layers (in the case where the readout position changes from an L0 layer to an L1 layer, for example), the physical addresses are not continuous with each other, but the logical addresses specified by read commands are continuous with each other.

In the rotational speed control described above, the length of pause periods T2 is used as the free space information. The read command frequency may instead be used as the free space information. Specifically, first controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on comparison of the length of periods T1 shown in <FIG> described above in place of the length of pause periods T2 with a first threshold. Similarly, first controller <NUM> may increase the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on comparison of the length of periods T1 with a second threshold.

Still instead, the ratio of pause periods T2 to periods T1 may be used as the free space information. Specifically, first controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on comparison of the ratio of pause periods T2 to periods T1 with the first threshold. Similarly, first controller <NUM> may increase the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on comparison of the ratio of pause periods T2 to periods T1 with a second threshold.

The first rotational speed increases as the readout position moves toward inner side, as shown in <FIG> described above. That is, when optical disc <NUM> rotates at the first rotational speed, the noise increases as the readout position moves toward inner side.

In view of the fact described above, the rotational speed control described above is selectively performed only when the readout position is closer to the inner circumference of optical disc <NUM> than a predetermined position, that is, only when the noise increases. Such rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM> will be described below. <FIG> is a flowchart of the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>. The following description will be primarily made of differences from the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and no description of the previously described items will be made as appropriate.

First controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> (S41). During the rotation of optical disc <NUM> at the predetermined first rotational speed, first controller <NUM> reads, from optical disc <NUM> whenever a read command is received, recorded data corresponding to the read command.

First controller <NUM> subsequently identifies the readout position (S42). The readout position is identified based on the logical address specified in the read command, as shown in <FIG> described above.

First controller <NUM> then determines whether or not the identified readout position is closer to the inner circumference of optical disc <NUM> than a predetermined position (S43). The predetermined position may be specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally based, for example, on noise level measured value.

When determining that the readout position is closer to the inner circumference than the predetermined position (Yes in S43), first controller <NUM> carries out the processes shown in <FIG> (S44). When determining that the readout position is closer to the outer circumference of optical disc <NUM> than the predetermined position (No in S43), first controller <NUM> stops controlling the rotational speed.

As described above, the processes shown in <FIG> are selectively carried out only when the readout position is closer to the inner circumference than the predetermined position, whereby optical disc drive device <NUM> can efficiently reduce the noise.

In Embodiments <NUM> and <NUM> described above, the rotational speed control uses the free space information, such as pause periods T2, detected by optical disc drive device <NUM> and indirectly indicating the storage space of buffer <NUM>. The free space information may instead be information transmitted from signal processing device <NUM>. In Embodiment <NUM>, a description will be made of control of the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on free space information transmitted from signal processing device <NUM>. <FIG> is a flowchart of the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>.

In the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>, the free space information is buffer-full notification indicating that buffer <NUM> has a small free space. Second controller <NUM> of signal processing device <NUM> monitors the free space of buffer <NUM> and causes second communicator <NUM> to transmit the buffer-full notification when the amount of free space in the buffer is less than a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount may be specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally.

First controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at the predetermined first rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> (S51). During the rotation of optical disc <NUM> at the predetermined first rotational speed, receiver 27a receives a read command (S52). Although not shown, whenever a read command is received, first controller <NUM> reads, from optical disc <NUM>, recorded data corresponding to the read command.

First controller <NUM> then determines whether or not the buffer-full notification has been received immediately before the received read command (S53). When determining that the buffer-full notification has been received immediately before the received read command (Yes in S53), first controller <NUM> determines whether or not the current rotational speed is faster than the second rotational speed (S54). When determining that the current rotational speed is slower than or equal to the second rotational speed (No in S54), first controller <NUM> causes receiver 27a to keep receiving a read command (S52).

On the other hand, when determining that the current rotational speed is faster than the second rotational speed (Yes in S54), first controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> to decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> (S55). The reason for this is that when the buffer-full notification has been received, it is believed that depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is unlikely to occur, and that recorded data does not need to be transferred at high speed.

In step S55, first controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> by a first predetermined proportion of the predetermined first rotational speed. The first predetermined proportion is, for example, <NUM>%. The process in step S55 is diagrammatically shown in <FIG> describes the case where the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> decreases in the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>.

First controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> by the first predetermined proportion of the predetermined first rotational speed whenever a read command immediately before which the buffer-full notification has been transmitted is received, as shown in <FIG>. Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise with no depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>.

On the other hand, when determining in S53 that no buffer-full notification has been received immediately before the received read command (No in S53), first controller <NUM> determines whether or not the current rotational speed is slower than the predetermined first rotational speed (S56). When determining that the current rotational speed is faster than or equal to the predetermined first rotational speed (No in S56), first controller <NUM> causes receiver 27a to keep receiving a read command (S52).

On the other hand, when determining that the current rotational speed is slower than the predetermined first rotational speed (Yes in S56), first controller <NUM> causes spindle motor <NUM> to increase the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> (S57). The reason for this is that since no buffer-full notification has been received, lowering the recorded data transfer rate is likely to cause depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>. In other words, the process in step S57 allows optical disc drive device <NUM> to prevent depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>.

In step S57, first controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM>, for example, by a second predetermined proportion of the predetermined first rotational speed. The second predetermined proportion is, for example, <NUM>%. The process in step S57 is diagrammatically shown in <FIG> describes the case where the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> increases in the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>.

First controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> by the second predetermined proportion of the predetermined first rotational speed whenever a read command immediately before which the buffer-full notification has not been transmitted is received, as shown in <FIG>. In step S57, first controller <NUM> may adjust the amount of increase in such a way that the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> does not exceed the predetermined first rotational speed.

The rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM> is an example of the rotational speed control using the free space information transmitted from signal processing device <NUM>. The free space information is not limited to the buffer-full notification and may instead be information in another aspect.

For example, the free space information may be notification indicating that the amount of free space in the buffer is greater than a predetermined amount. In this case, assuming that another read command has been received immediately before one read command is received, first controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM>, whereas assuming that the notification described above has been received immediately before one read command is received, first controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM>.

Still instead, information directly indicating the free space of buffer <NUM> may be transmitted from signal processing device <NUM>. In this case, first controller <NUM> decreases or increases the rotational speed, for example, by comparing the received free space information with a threshold.

The rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM> may be combined with the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>. That is, also in the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>, the rotational speed control after step S52 may be selectively performed only when the readout position is closer to the inner circumference than the predetermined position. Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus efficiently reduce the noise.

Signal processing device <NUM> may transmit buffer-shortage notification indicating that buffer <NUM> has a large free space in addition to the buffer-full notification. The following description will be made of control the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> using the buffer-full notification and buffer-shortage notification. <FIG> is a flowchart of the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>.

In the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM>, second controller <NUM> of signal processing device <NUM> monitors the free space of buffer <NUM> and causes second communicator <NUM> to transmit the buffer-full notification when the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is greater than a first threshold. Second controller <NUM> further monitors the free space of buffer <NUM> and causes second communicator <NUM> to transmit the buffer-shortage notification when the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. The buffer-full notification is an example of first information, and the buffer-shortage notification is an example of second information. The first and second thresholds may be specified as appropriate empirically or experimentally. Second communicator <NUM> transmits the buffer-full notification or the buffer-shortage notification to first communicator <NUM> of optical disc drive device <NUM> upon reception of the notification described above.

First controller <NUM> first causes spindle motor <NUM> to rotate optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed (S61), as shown in <FIG>. During the rotation of optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed, first controller <NUM> determines whether or not receiver 27a has received the buffer-full notification (S62). When determining that receiver 27a has received the buffer-full notification (Yes in S62), first controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed (S63). When determining that receiver 27a has received no buffer-full notification (No in S62), first controller <NUM> keeps the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> and rotates optical disc <NUM> at the first rotational speed (S61).

During the rotation of optical disc <NUM> at the second rotational speed (S63), first controller <NUM> determines whether or not receiver 27a has received the buffer-shortage notification (S64). When determining that receiver 27a has received the buffer-shortage notification (Yes in S64), first controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> from the second rotational speed to the first rotational speed (S61). When determining that receiver 27a has received no buffer-shortage notification (No in S64), first controller <NUM> keeps the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> and rotates optical disc <NUM> at the second rotational speed (S63).

<FIG> shows the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> in the rotational speed control according to Embodiment <NUM> described above. Portion (a) of <FIG> shows the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>, and portion (b) of <FIG> shows the rotational speed.

In the period in which OPU <NUM> seeks a desired data recorded position on optical disc <NUM> (during access), no recorded data is stored in buffer <NUM>, but the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> decreases because the recorded data is continuously output to signal processor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. At timing t1 or t3, at which the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> becomes less than the second threshold, second controller <NUM> causes second communicator <NUM> to transmit the buffer-shortage notification. First controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> from the second rotational speed to the first rotational speed as triggered by the reception of the buffer-shortage notification by receiver 27a. Recorded data can thus be rapidly accumulated in buffer <NUM> due to reading after the access is completed, whereby depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> can be avoided when the following access occurs.

On the other hand, during the reading period in which OPU <NUM> reads recorded data from optical disc <NUM>, the recorded data is stored in buffer <NUM>, and the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> increases accordingly ("during reading (high speed)" in potion (a) of <FIG>). At timing t2, at which the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> becomes greater than the first threshold, second controller <NUM> causes second communicator <NUM> to transmit the buffer-full notification. First controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> from the first rotational speed to the second rotational speed as triggered by the reception of the buffer-full notification by receiver 27a.

The recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> thus moderately increases ("during reading (low speed)" in potion (a) of <FIG>). Further, the noise is reduced.

In practice, longest access period T3 is specified in the standard for optical disc <NUM>, and the length of the in-access period cannot be longer than longest access period T3 (shown in <FIG>). Further, the gradient in accordance with which the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> decreases during the in-access period is also specified in the standard for optical disc <NUM>. The second threshold is set as a value that prevents depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> based, for example, on thus specified longest access period T3 and gradient.

As described above, optical disc drive device <NUM> includes a motor (spindle motor <NUM>), which rotates optical disc <NUM>, OPU <NUM>, first controller <NUM>, which causes the motor <NUM> and OPU <NUM> to read recorded data from rotating optical disc <NUM>, and transmitter 27b which transmits the read recorded data to signal processing device <NUM> disposed external to optical disc drive device <NUM>. The recorded data transmitted by transmitter 27b is stored in buffer <NUM>, which is provided in signal processing device <NUM>. First controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on the free space information indicating the free space of buffer <NUM>. Spindle motor <NUM> is an example of a motor, and first controller <NUM> is an example of a controller.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>. That is, optical disc drive device <NUM> that allows reduction in noise produced when optical disc <NUM> rotates can be achieved.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, the optical disc drive device <NUM> may further include receiver 27a which receives a read command transmitted by signal processing device <NUM>. Whenever a read command is received, first controller <NUM> may read, from optical disc <NUM> recorded data corresponding to the read command, and use, as the free space information, the length of pause periods T2, which are each a period from the timing at which readout of recorded data corresponding to one received read command is completed to the timing at which readout of recorded data corresponding to a read command following that one read command is started.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> by estimating the free space of buffer <NUM> based on pause periods T2.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, the first controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when the length of pause periods T2 is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> by comparing pause periods T2 with the first threshold.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, the first controller <NUM> may increase the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when the length of pause periods T2 is less than the second threshold during the period in which the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> is decreased.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus avoid depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> by comparing pause periods T2 with the second threshold.

The second threshold may be smaller than the first threshold.

A hysteresis characteristic is thus imparted to the rotational speed control, whereby frequent change in the rotational speed is avoided.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> may further include receiver 27a which receives the free space information transmitted by signal processing device <NUM>. First controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on the received free space information. The free space information is, for example, the buffer-full notification.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> by using the free space information transmitted by signal processing device <NUM>.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, receiver 27a may further receive a read command transmitted from signal processing device <NUM>. Whenever a read command is received, first controller <NUM> may read, from optical disc <NUM>, recorded data corresponding to the read command, and decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on whether or not the buffer-full notification has been received immediately before one read command is received. For example, first controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when the free space information has been received immediately before one read command is received. First controller <NUM> may increase the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when another read command has been received immediately before one read command is received.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> by using the buffer-full notification transmitted from signal processing device <NUM>.

First controller <NUM> may further evaluate whether or not the recorded data readout position on optical disc <NUM> is closer to the inner circumference of optical disc <NUM> than a predetermined position. When determining that the recorded data readout position is closer to the inner circumference than the predetermined position, first controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> based on the free space information.

Selectively performing the rotational speed control only when the readout position is closer to the inner circumference than the predetermined position as described above allows optical disc drive device <NUM> to efficiently reduce the noise.

First controller <NUM> may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> to be slower than the rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM> based on the free space information. The rotational speed to which the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> is decreased is, for example, the predetermined first rotational speed described above.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise by decreasing the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> to be slower than the rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM>.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, the optical disc drive device <NUM> may further include receiver 27a which receives a read command transmitted by signal processing device <NUM>. Whenever a read command is received, first controller <NUM> may read, from optical disc <NUM>, recorded data corresponding to the read command, and decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> to be slower than the rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM> based on the free space information. During the period in which the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> decreases, first controller <NUM> may rotate optical disc <NUM> at the rotational speed specified for optical disc <NUM> when recorded data corresponding to an received first read command is recorded data having an address that is not continuous with the address of recorded data corresponding to a second read command that has been received immediately before the first read command is received.

As a result, when recorded data accumulated in buffer <NUM> are discarded, the rotational speed is increased to the rotational speed before the decrease in the rotational speed to facilitate the accumulation of recorded data in buffer <NUM>.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, an optical disc drive is provided, comprising a motor that rotates an optical disc, an optical pickup unit (OPU), a controller (first controller <NUM>) that causes the motor and the OPU to read recorded data from the optical disc that is rotating, and a transmitter that transmits the recorded data that has been read, to a signal processing device disposed external to the optical disc drive device. The recorded data transmitted by the transmitter is stored in a buffer provided in the signal processing device. The controller may decrease the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is greater than the first threshold, whereas first controller <NUM> may increase the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> is less than the second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>.

In an embodiment not covered by the claims, the optical disc drive device <NUM> may further include receiver 27a which receives the buffer-full notification indicating that the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> becomes greater than the first threshold, and the buffer-shortage notification indicating that the amount of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> becomes less than the second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold. The buffer-full notification is an example of the first information, and the buffer-shortage notification is an example of the second information. First controller <NUM> decreases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when receiver 27a receives the buffer-full notification, whereas first controller <NUM> increases the rotational speed of optical disc <NUM> when receiver 27a receives the buffer-shortage notification.

Optical disc drive device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM> by using the buffer-full notification and the buffer-shortage notification.

Playback device <NUM> includes optical disc drive device <NUM> and signal processing device <NUM>.

Playback device <NUM> can thus reduce the noise while avoiding depletion of recorded data stored in buffer <NUM>. That is, playback device <NUM> that allows reduction in noise produced when optical disc <NUM> rotates can be achieved.

The embodiments have been described above as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. The technology in the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and is also applicable to embodiments including changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and other modifications as appropriate. Further, the components described in the above embodiments can be combined with one another to create a new embodiment. Such other embodiments will be collectively described below.

For example, in the embodiments described above, the components, such as the first controller and the second controller, may each be formed of dedicated hardware or may be achieved by executing a software program suitable for the component. The components may still instead be achieved by a program executer such as a CPU or a processor that reads and executes a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

The OPU control circuit, the motor control circuit, the first controller, the first communicator, the second communicator, the second controller, the buffer, and the signal processor described in the above embodiments may be achieved as a single integrated circuit chip as an SoC (System-on-a-chip). The integrated circuit chip is, for example, part of the signal processing device.

The type of the optical disc described in the above embodiments is not limited to a specific type. The optical disc may, for example, be an AD (Archival Disc (R)), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a CD (Compact Disc).

The order of a plurality of processes in the optical disc rotational speed control described in each of the above embodiments is presented by way of example. The order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or part of the plurality of processes may be concurrently carried out.

A comprehensive or specific aspect of the present disclosure is not limited to an optical disc drive device or a playback device and may be achieved as a system or a method. A comprehensive or specific aspect of the present disclosure may instead be achieved by an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer readable CD-ROM.

For example, the present disclosure may be achieved as a method for controlling the optical disc drive device described in any of the embodiments. Instead, the present disclosure may be achieved as a program that causes a computer to carry out the control method described above or may be achieved as a non-transitory recording medium on which the program has been recorded.

The embodiments have been described above as examples of the technology in the present disclosure. To this end, the accompanying drawings and the detailed descriptions have been provided.

The components described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed descriptions may therefore include not only essential components for achievement of the object but also components that are not essential to achieve the object and are provided to describe the technology described above. Therefore, the description of the non-essential components in the accompanying drawings and the detailed descriptions should not instantly lead to conclusion that the non-essential components are essential.

Since the embodiments described above are presented by way of example to describe the technology in the present disclosure, a variety of changes, replacements, additions, omissions, and other modifications can be made to the embodiments within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An optical disc drive device (<NUM>), comprising:
a motor (<NUM>) configured to rotate an optical disc (<NUM>);
an optical pickup unit, OPU, (<NUM>);
a controller (<NUM>) configured to cause the motor (<NUM>) and the OPU (<NUM>) to read recorded data from the optical disc (<NUM>) that is rotating based on a read command transmitted by a signal processing device (<NUM>) disposed external to the optical disc drive device (<NUM>); and
a transmitter (27b) that transmits the recorded data that has been read to the signal processing device (<NUM>),
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to control a rotational speed of the optical disc (<NUM>), to determine from the read command a readout position on the optical disc (<NUM>), and to determine whether the readout position on the optical disc (<NUM>) is closer to an inner circumference of the optical disc (<NUM>) than a predetermined position; wherein
the recorded data transmitted by the transmitter (27b) is stored in a buffer (<NUM>) provided in the signal processing device (<NUM>), the buffer (<NUM>) temporarily storing the recorded data that has been read, until the recorded data is used, and
the controller (<NUM>) is configured
to decrease the rotational speed of the optical disc (<NUM>) based on free space information indicating a free space of the buffer (<NUM>) when determining that the readout position is closer to the inner circumference of the optical disc (<NUM>) than the predetermined position, and
to stop controlling the rotational speed of the optical disc (<NUM>) when determining that the readout position is closer to the outer circumference of the optical disc (<NUM>) than the predetermined position.