Apparatus for rewriting an optical disc while updating its table of contents and without leaving gaps

Claim 1

An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing an optical disc, said apparatus comprising: an optical disc on which information signals are optically recorded and reproduced, said optical signals are rewritable so that information signals can be recorded and re-recorded thereon; an optical pickup mounted in such a manner as to be freely movable in the radial direction of the optical disc; operating means whereby a user can command recording and reproducing of information signals; and control means connected to said operating means for controlling said optical pickup so that said optical pickup records information signals on the optical disc and reproduces information signals recorded on the optical disc in response to commands received from said operating means; the optical disc having a signal recording region including a first recording region in which first information signals are recorded and a second recording region in which second information signals based on said first information signals are recorded, wherein said control means controls the operation of said optical pickup so that, when a first information signal is re-recorded in said first recording region by said optical pickup from a beginning point to a final recording terminating point that depends on the length of said first information signal as re-recorded, information written in said second recording region corresponding to the final recording terminating point is rewritten, whereby said final recording terminating point serves as a reference position for beginning further recording or re-recording in said first recording region.

Claim 2

An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing an optical disc, said apparatus comprising: an optical disc on which information signals are optically recorded and reproduced, said optical signals are rewritable so that information signals can be recorded and re-recorded thereon; an optical pickup mounted in such a manner as to be freely movable in the radial direction of the optical disc; operating means whereby a user can command recording and reproducing of information signals; and control means connected to said operating means for controlling said optical pickup so that said optical pickup records information signals on the optical disc and reproduces information signals recorded on the optical disc in response to commands received from said operating means; the optical disc having a signal recording region including a first recording region in which first information signals are recorded and a second recording region in which second information signals based on said first information signals are recorded, wherein said control means controls the operation of said optical pickup so that, when a first information signal is re-recorded in said first recording region by said optical pickup from a beginning point to a final recording terminating point that depends on the length of said first information signal as re-recorded, information written in said second recording region corresponding to the final recording terminating point is rewritten, whereby said final recording terminating point serves as a reference position for beginning further recording or re-recording in said first recording region.