Information-signal recording and reproducing apparatus

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having first and second areas, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving first and second information signals at first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb respectively, for temporarily storing the first and second information signals, and for outputting the first and second information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb, the first information signal having a size Ya, the second information signal having a size Yb;
• and
• a head for receiving the first and second information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the first and second information signals on the first and second areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the first transfer rate Ra for the first information signal, the second transfer rate Rb for the second information signal, the size Ya of the first information signal, the size Yb of the second information signal, a seek time Tab taken by the head to move from the first area to the second area of the recording medium, and a seek time Tba taken by the head to move from the second area to the first area of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• (Ya+Yb)≧Rp·(Ra+Rb)·(Tab+Tba)/(Rp−Ra−Rb)

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having first and second areas, the first area being loaded with a first information signal having a size Ya, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the first information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a first transfer rate Ra lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the buffer memory being for receiving a second information signal at a second transfer rate Rb lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the second information signal, and for outputting the second information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the second information signal having a size Yb;
• the head being for receiving the second information signal from the buffer memory, and for recording the second information signal on the second area of the recording medium at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the head implements reproduction of the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and recording of the second information signal on the second area of the recording medium on a time sharing basis while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• and
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the first transfer rate Ra for the first information signal, the second transfer rate Rb for the second information signal, the size Ya of the first information signal, the size Yb of the second information signal, a seek time Tab taken by the head to move from the first area to the second area of the recording medium, and a seek time Tba taken by the head to move from the second area to the first area of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• (Ya+Yb)≧Rp·(Ra+Rb)·(Tab+Tba)/(Rp−Ra−Rb)

An apparatus for reproducing information from a recording medium having first and second areas on which first and second information signals are recorded respectively, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first and second information signals from the first and second areas of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first and second information signals on a time sharing basis and at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the first and second information signals from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first and second information signals, and for outputting the first and second information signals at first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb respectively, the first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the buffer memory having a capacity Ym;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the first transfer rate Ra for the first information signal, the second transfer rate Rb for the second information signal, the capacity Ym of the buffer memory, a seek time Tab taken by the head to move from the first area to the second area of the recording medium, and a seek time Tba taken by the head to move from the second area to the first area of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• Ym>{(Rp−Ra)·Ra+(Rp−Rb)·Rb}·(Tab+Tba)/(Rp−Ra−Rb)

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having first and second areas, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving first and second information signals at first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb respectively, for temporarily storing the first and second information signals, and for outputting the first and second information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb, the buffer memory having a capacity Ym;
• and
• a head for receiving the first and second information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the first and second information signals on the first and second areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the first transfer rate Ra for the first information signal, the second transfer rate Rb for the second information signal, the capacity Ym of the buffer memory, a seek time Tab taken by the head to move from the first area to the second area of the recording medium, and a seek time Tba taken by the head to move from the second area to the first area of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• Ym>{(Rp−Ra)·Ra+(Rp−Rb)·Rb}·(Tab+Tba)/(Rp−Ra−Rb)

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having first and second areas, the first area being loaded with a first information signal, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate, Rp;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the first information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a first transfer rate Ra lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the buffer memory having a capacity Ym;
• the buffer memory being for receiving a second information signal at a second transfer rate Rb lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the second information signal, and for outputting the second information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the head being for receiving the second information signal from the buffer memory, and for recording the second information signal on the second area of the recording medium at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the head implements reproduction of the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and recording of the second information signal on the second area of the recording medium on a time sharing basis while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• and
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the first transfer rate Ra for the first information signal, the second transfer rate Rb for the second information signal, the capacity Ym of the buffer memory, a seek time Tab taken by the head to move from the first area to the second area of the recording medium, and a seek time Tba taken by the head to move from the second area to the first area of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• Ym>{(Rp−Ra)·Ra+(Rp−Rb)·Rb}·(Tab+Tba)/(Rp−Ra−Rb)

An apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing an information signal from a recording medium and transmitting the reproduced information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate;
• a buffer memory for receiving the information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate, for temporarily storing the information signal, and for outputting the information signal at a transfer rate lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate;
• a processor for receiving the information signal from the buffer memory and subjecting the information signal to a reproducing process;
• a first unit containing the head;
• and
• a second unit detachably connected with the first unit and containing the buffer memory and the processor.

An information-signal recording medium having first and second areas on which first and second information signals are recorded respectively, the first information signal having a size Ya, the second information signal having a size Yb, wherein the first and second information signals can be reproduced from the first and second areas and can be transmitted by a head on a time sharing basis and at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while the head moves between the first and second areas of the recording medium, wherein the first and second information signals outputted from the head can be received by a buffer memory at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp and can be temporarily stored in the buffer memory before being outputted from the buffer memory at first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb respectively, the first and second transfer rates Ra and Rb being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the first transfer rate Ra for the first information signal, the second transfer rate Rb for the second information signal, the size Ya of the first information signal, the size Yb of the second information signal, a seek time Tab taken by the head to move from the first area to the second area of the recording medium, and a seek time Tba taken by the head to move from the second area to the first area of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:

• (Ya+Yb)≧Rp·(Ra+Rb)·(Tab+Tba)/(Rp−Ra−Rb)

An apparatus for reproducing information from a recording medium having “n” areas on which “n” information signals are recorded respectively, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the “n” information signals from the “n” areas of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced “n” information signals on a time sharing basis and at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the “n” information signals from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn;
• and
• a head for receiving the “n” information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, wherein at least a first area among the “n” areas is loaded with a first information signal among “n” information signals, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the first information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a first transfer rate R1 lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the buffer memory being for receiving the “n” information signals except the first information signal at transfer rates R2, R3, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals except the first information signal, and for outputting the “n” information signals except the first information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the transfer rates R2, R3, . . . , Rn being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the head being for receiving the “n” information signals except the first information signal from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals except the first information signal on the “n” areas of the recording medium except the first area at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the head implements reproduction of the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and recording of the “n” information signals except the first information signal on the “n” areas of the recording medium except the first area on a time sharing basis while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• and
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for reproducing information from a recording medium having “n” areas on which “n” information signals are recorded respectively, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the “n” information signals from the “n” areas of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced “n” information signals on a time sharing basis and at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the “n” information signals from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and an allowable seek time S taken by the head to move from present one to next one of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·n·S/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn;
• and
• a head for receiving the “n” information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and an allowable seek time S taken by the head to move from present one to next one of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·n·S/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, wherein at least a first area among the “n” areas is loaded with a first information signal among “n” information signals, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the first information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a first transfer rate R1 lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the buffer memory being for receiving the “n” information signals except the first information signal at transfer rates R2, R3, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals except the first information signal, and for outputting the “n” information signals except the first information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the transfer rates R2, R3, . . . , Rn being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the head being for receiving the “n” information signals except the first information signal from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals except the first information signal on the “n” areas of the recording medium except the first area at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the head implements reproduction of the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and recording of the “n” information signals except the first information signal on the “n” areas of the recording medium except the first area on a time sharing basis while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• and
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and an allowable seek time S taken by the head to move from present one to next one of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·n·S/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for reproducing information from a recording medium having “n” areas on which “n” information signals are recorded respectively, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the “n” information signals from the “n” areas of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced “n” information signals on a time sharing basis and at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the “n” information signals from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the buffer memory having a capacity Ym;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, the capacity Ym of the buffer memory, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• Ym>Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, the buffer memory having a capacity Ym;
• and
• a head for receiving the “n” information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, the capacity Ym of the buffer memory, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• Ym>Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, wherein at least a first area among the “n” areas is loaded with a first information signal among “n” information signals, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• and
• a buffer memory for receiving the first information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a first transfer rate R1 lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the buffer memory having a capacity Ym;
• the buffer memory being for receiving the “n” information signals except the first information signal at transfer rates R2, R3, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals except the first information signal, and for outputting the “n” information signals except the first information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, the transfer rates R2, R3, . . . , Rn being lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• the head being for receiving the “n” information signals except the first information signal from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals except the first information signal on the “n” areas of the recording medium except the first area at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• wherein the head implements reproduction of the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and recording of the “n” information signals except the first information signal on the “n” areas of the recording medium except the first area on a time sharing basis while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• and
• wherein the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, the capacity Ym of the buffer memory, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• Ym>Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn;
• a head for receiving the “n” information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• means for deciding whether or not parameters including the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)
• means for, in cases where it is decided that the parameters are in the relation, permitting the head to record the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively;
• means for, in cases where it is decided that the parameters are not in the relation, selecting “p” information signals from among the “n” information signals, where “p” denotes a predetermined natural number smaller than “n”;
• means for deciding whether or not the parameters are in the relation regarding the “p” information signals;
• and
• means for, in cases where it is decided that the parameters are in the relation regarding the “p” information signals, permitting the head to record the “p” information signals on “p” areas of the recording medium respectively, the “p” areas being among the “n” areas of the recording medium.

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium having “n” areas, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn;
• a head for receiving the “n” information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp while moving among the “n” areas of the recording medium;
• means for deciding whether or not parameters including the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the “n” areas of the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)
• means for, in cases where it is decided that the parameters are in the relation, permitting the head to record the “n” information signals on the “n” areas of the recording medium respectively;
• and
• means for, in cases where it is decided that the parameters are not in the relation, controlling the head to record the “n” information signals on a common area in the recording medium on a time sharing basis.

An apparatus for recording information on a recording medium, the apparatus comprising:

• a buffer memory for receiving “n” information signals at transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn respectively, for temporarily storing the “n” information signals, and for outputting the “n” information signals at a predetermined constant transfer rate Rp higher than the transfer rates R1, R2, . . . , Rn, where “n” denotes a predetermined natural number equal to or greater than 2;
• a head for receiving the “n” information signals from the buffer memory, and for recording the “n” information signals on the recording medium on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp;
• first means for causing the head to record the “n” information signals on at least two areas in the recording medium on a time sharing basis while moving the head among the areas in the recording medium under conditions where the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, a sum ΣRn of the transfer rates R1, R2 . . . , Rn, a sum ΣYn of sizes of the “n” information signals, and a sum ΣSn of seek times taken by the head to move from present ones to next ones of the areas in the recording medium are in a relation as follows:
• ΣYn≧Rp·ΣRn·ΣSn/(Rp−ΣRn)
• second means for causing the head to record thee “n” information signal on a common area in the recording medium on a time sharing basis;
• and
• third means for selecting and enabling one of the first and second means.

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having first and second areas and a management area, the management area storing management information representing addresses in the first and second areas, the apparatus comprising:

• a first buffer memory for receiving a first information signal at a first transfer rate, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate higher than the first transfer rate;
• a second buffer memory for receiving a second information signal at a second transfer rate lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate, for temporarily storing the second information signal, and for outputting the second information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate;
• a head for receiving the first and second information signals from the first and second buffer memories and recording the first and second information signals on the first and second areas of the recording medium respectively on a time sharing basis and at the predetermined constant transfer rate while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• means for controlling the head to reproduce the management information from the management area of the recording medium before the head records the first and second information signals;
• means for deriving the addresses from the reproduced management information;
• means for searching for unoccupied regions in the first and second areas of the recording medium in response to the derived addresses;
• and
• means for deciding whether or not the first and second information signals can be recorded on the unoccupied regions while recording continuities related to the first and second information signals are maintained.

An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium having first and second areas and a management area, the first area being loaded with a first information signal, the management area storing management information representing addresses in the first and second areas, the apparatus comprising:

• a head for reproducing the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and transmitting the reproduced first information signal at a predetermined constant transfer rate;
• a first buffer memory for receiving the first information signal from the head at the predetermined constant transfer rate Rp, for temporarily storing the first information signal, and for outputting the first information signal at a first transfer rate lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate;
• a second buffer memory for receiving a second information signal at a second transfer rate lower than the predetermined constant transfer rate, for temporarily storing the second information signal, and for outputting the second information signal at the predetermined constant transfer rate;
• the head being for receiving the second information signal from the second buffer memory, and for recording the second information signal on the second area of the recording medium at the predetermined constant transfer rate;
• wherein the head implements reproduction of the first information signal from the first area of the recording medium and recording of the second information signal on the second area of the recording medium on a time sharing basis while moving between the first and second areas of the recording medium;
• means for controlling the head to reproduce the management information from the management area of the recording medium before the head records the second information signal;
• means for deriving the addresses from the reproduced management information;
• means for searching for an unoccupied region in the second area of the recording medium in response to the derived addresses;
• and
• means for deciding whether or not the second information signal can be recorded on the unoccupied region-while a recording continuity related to the second information signal is maintained.