Apparatus and method for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording medium

In a method for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus having a plurality of header regions of different phases arranged between writable data regions in which information capable of being recognized as a reference frequency is wobbled on tracks, in order to distinguish the shape of the data region, a method for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording medium, comprising:

• a step of generating first header detection signals and second header detection signals by generating control signals by using optical reflection signals from the optical recording medium and slicing the control signals to a set slice level;
• a step of generating a verification signal for determining header mask regions by using the first and second header detection signals;
• and
• a step of detecting header regions by counting the number of PLL-wobble signals using the verification signal as the reference signal;
• wherein the verification signal is obtained by ANDing the signals generated after delaying the first and second header signals for a predetermined time.

In an apparatus for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording medium having a plurality of header regions of different phases arranged between writable data regions in which information capable of being recognized as a reference frequency is wobbled on tracks, in order to distinguish the shape of the data region, an apparatus for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording medium comprising:

• a header region detection means for detecting the plurality of header regions;
• a header region verification means for verifying the detected header regions and outputting verified signals;
• a PLL-wobble unit for outputting PLL-wobble signals by phase locking upon receipt of wobble signals recorded on the tracks of the optical recording medium;
• and
• a counter for outputting header mask signals by counting the number of output pulses of the PLL-wobble unit upon receipt of the PLL-wobble signals on the basis of the verified signals,
• wherein the header region verification means comprises:
• a delay unit for delaying the signal in which the rising edge is detected;
• and
• a logic operator for logically operating focus error signals and tracking error signals delayed in the delay unit, and
• wherein the logic operator is an AND gate.

In a method for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus having a plurality of header regions of different phases arranged between writable data regions in which information capable of being recognized as a reference frequency is wobbled on tracks, in order to distinguish the shape of the data region, a method for detecting non-recording regions of an optical recording medium, comprising:

• a step of generating first header detection signals and second header detection signals by generating control signals by using optical reflection signals from the optical recording medium and slicing the control signals to a set slice level;
• a step of generating a verification signal for determining header mask regions by using the first and second header detection signals;
• and
• a step of detecting header regions by counting the number of PLL-wobble signals using the verification signal as the reference signal;
• wherein the header mask regions hold the PLL-wobble signals at a previous value in “ON” sections.