Error correction processing unit and error correction processing method

An error correction processing method comprising:

• a first step of storing an error correction block having first and second surfaces in a first storage section;
• a second step of generating intermediate information for error correction processing in units of surfaces by generating sections from data of the first surface of the error correction block stored in the first storage section;
• a third step of storing intermediate information for the first surface of the error correction block generated in the generating sections in the second storage sections in units of surfaces;
• a fourth step of generating correction information to carry out error correction processing in several units divided within surface units for the data of the first surface of the error correction block stored in the first storage section by means of a processing section on the basis of the intermediate information for the first surface of the error correction block stored in the second storage sections;
• a fifth step of generating intermediate information for error correction processing in units of surfaces by the generating sections from data of the second surface of the error correction block stored in the first storage section;
• a sixth step of storing the intermediate information for the second surface of the error correction block generated in the generating sections in the second storage sections in units of surfaces;
• and
• a seventh step of generating correction information to carry out error correction processing in several units divided within surface units for the data of the second surface of the error correction block stored in the first storage section by means of the processing section on the basis of the intermediate information for the second surface of the error correction block stored in the second storage sections.

An optical disk device comprising:

• a motor configured to rotate and drive an optical disk;
• a pickup configured to read signals from the optical disk which is rotated and driven by the motor;
• a first storage section configured to store an error correction block having first and second surfaces from the signals read by the pickup;
• generating sections to which the error correction block stored in the first storage section is supplied in units of surfaces and which are configured to generate intermediate information for error correction processing in the units of surfaces;
• second storage sections configured to store the intermediate information generated in the generating section in units of surfaces;
• a processing section configured to generate correction information to carry out error correction processing in several units divided within units of surfaces for the error correction block stored in the first storage section on the basis of the intermediate information stored in the second storage sections;
• and
• control sections configured to correlate position information of the error correction block stored in the first storage section with position information in units of surfaces for use in the generating sections, the second storage sections, and the processing section.