Abstract: A data storage medium includes a data structure, called a disk control block, used for administration and control information for the data storage medium. One medium may contain multiple different disk control blocks, each addressing a different function. Each disk control block includes a control block identifier that specifies the function of the disk control block. Each control block also includes a set of standard access control parameters. If a drive encounters an unrecognized disk control block, the drive can still decode the standard control parameters, so that the drive behavior is not inconsistent with the requirements of the unrecognized disk control block.

Abstract: An optical disk system comprises a computer-readable medium containing code for controlling writing by the disk system to a removable optical disk. The optical disk system further comprises an optical pickup unit for reading data from the optical disk and writing data to the optical disk, a spindle motor for rotating the optical disk during the reading and writing, an optical disk controller that processes the data read from and written to the disk; and a processor that executes the code, thereby causing the optical disk system to write user data to the removable optical disk and to write an identifying value indicative of the optical disk system to at least one predetermined area of the removable optical disk.

Abstract: An optical scanning device and method are provided for marking an optically sensitive layer. The device can include an optical source capable of emitting a beam. At least one pivot can be configured to enable the beam to travel through a beam output arc. In addition, a mirror surface can be oriented toward the optically sensitive layer. The mirror surface can be configured to reflect the beam within the defined beam output arc onto a plurality of locations of the optically sensitive layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a compact, portable, external optical disc drives. In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical disc drive is comprised of one or more substrates having a width smaller than the diameter of an optical disc and that covers and protects one or more data recording surfaces of the optical disc. The optical disc drive may also include an external connector that is capable of plugging into an outlet of an electrical device so that the optical disc drive extends beyond an external sidewall of the electrical device and is electronically interconnected to the electrical device.

Abstract: A system (and associated method) comprises a storage drive and a central processing unit (“CPU”). The storage drive is adapted to accommodate a removable storage medium. The CPU is configured to execute code to cause the CPU to write data to an addressable unit of the storage medium and also to write an identifying value to the addressable unit. The identifying value is indicative of an identity of the system or the storage drive.

Abstract: An optical medium containing virtual write protect information can be recorded in drives and systems without first changing the write protection from on to off by receiving valid user input The virtual write protection may also be enabled of disabled by additional information on the disc.

Abstract: A system (and associated method) comprises a storage drive and a central processing unit (“CPU”). The storage drive is adapted to accommodate a removable storage medium. The CPU is configured to cause the CPU to write data and a time value to each of a plurality of addressable units of the storage medium in which data is written. The time value is indicative of the time at which each addressable unit was written with data.

Abstract: An optical medium has auxiliary information and control data encoded in wobble. The control data specifies action that a drive is permitted or required to take with the auxiliary information. For example, the control data may be used to specify whether a drive reading the medium is permitted to output a region of the auxiliary information. Alternatively, the control data may be used to specify whether a writing drive is permitted to copy a portion of the auxiliary information to a writeable area on the medium.

Abstract: A system, and associated methods, comprises a storage drive adapted to accommodate a removable storage medium and a central processing unit (“CPU”) configured to execute code. The code causes the storage drive to record audit information onto the storage medium. The audit information may comprise an identifying value identifying the storage drive and a time value indicative of when data was recorded to the storage medium.

Abstract: Expiration information stored on an optical medium is applied to determine an expiration date of the optical medium that provides a predetermined reliability of information archived on the optical medium, such as a predetermined acceptable defect level of the information at the expiration date. An expiration engine associated with an information handling system or optical disc drive determines the expiration date from one or more factors, such as the manufacture date of read-only optical media, the initialization date of recordable optical media, a quality rating associated with a defect growth rate over time of the optical media, and a desired reliability. In one embodiment, the expiration engine writes expiration information to the optical media, such as a date stamp at initialization of a recordable optical medium. Alternatively, an expiration date is stored on an information handling system to provide expiration warnings a predetermined time before the expiration date.

Abstract: Compatibility information embedded in an optical medium modifies actions allowed by predetermined non-compatible optical disc drives on the optical medium, such as optical disc drives that may suffer damage if certain actions are performed on the optical medium. For instance, a compatibility engine of the optical disc drive applies compatibility information read from an optical medium to determine restrictions to impose on the use of the optical medium, such as restricting the optical disc drive from writing to the optical medium, reading from the optical medium or performing any operations until an update to the optical disc drive firmware is performed either automatically or by display of a compatibility user interface at an information handling system associated with the optical disc drive. In one embodiment, the compatibility information identifies incompatible optical disc drives and firmware versions by unique identifiers.

Abstract: A drive refuses to transfer information from a first surface on an optical medium unless required information is present on a second surface of the medium. Optionally, information on the first surface may indicate that information on the second surface is required. For example, a drive may refuse to transfer data from a data surface unless a serial number is readable on an exterior surface.

Abstract: A method for receiving facsimiles in a multi-function printer device comprises detecting, by the multi-function printer device, an incoming phone call, monitoring, by the multi-function printer device, the incoming phone call for a facsimile tone while the incoming call is answered, continuing to monitor, by the multi-function printer device, the incoming phone call for a facsimile tone after the incoming call is answered, allowing, by the multi-function printer device, the incoming call to proceed when no facsimile tone is detected, and initializing the multi-function printer device to receive an incoming facsimile transmission in response to the facsimile tone being detected.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a data structure, called a disk control block, used for administration and control information for the data storage medium. One medium may contain multiple different disk control blocks, each addressing a different function. Each disk control block includes a control block identifier that specifies the function of the disk control block. Each control block also includes a set of standard access control parameters. If a drive encounters an unrecognized disk control block, the drive can still decode the standard control parameters, so that the drive behavior is not inconsistent with the requirements of the unrecognized disk control block.

Abstract: A data storage medium includes a data structure, called a disk control block, used for administration and control information for the data storage medium. One medium may contain multiple different disk control blocks, each addressing a different function. Each disk control block includes a control block identifier that specifies the function of the disk control block. Each control block also includes a set of standard access control parameters. If a drive encounters an unrecognized disk control block, the drive can still decode the standard control parameters, so that the drive behavior is not inconsistent with the requirements of the unrecognized disk control block.

Abstract: An optical medium associated with a first type of optical drive laser, such as a blue laser, embeds identification information readable by a second type of optical drive laser, such as a red laser associated with DVD media or an IR laser associated with CD media, in order to reduce the time used by the optical drive to recognize media. An attempt to read the embedded identification information by the second laser that succeeds provides the optical drive with the information to proceed with use of the optical medium using the first laser. An attempt to read the embedded identification information that fails provides the optical drive with the opportunity to detect whether the optical medium is associated with the second laser so that a single spindle kick of the optical medium by the optical drive determines whether the optical medium is associated with either of two types of lasers.

Abstract: Separate sets of optical medium identification information are embedded in separate aligned layers of the optical medium to allow an optical drive to initiate use of the optical medium with information from both layers. For instance, a first set of identification information is embedded in the data layer of the optical medium and a second set of identification information is embedded on the protective surface layer of the optical medium. The first and second sets of information align so that a mixed signal is provided when the optical medium is initially inserted in the optical drive with the optical drive reading the separate sets of information while the read head is at a single location.

Abstract: A method of determining optimum power for writing to an optical disc comprises performing a power calibration test that comprises writing test data to a user data area on the optical disc, and reading the test data written to the user data area on the optical disc.

Abstract: A file compression method comprises receiving a file from a processor by a video capture device, compressing the file into a compressed file by the video capture device, and outputting the compressed file by the video capture device to the processor.

Abstract: Data is formatted into logical ECC blocks for communication or recording. For primary data in a first block, there is ECC data in the first block and additional ECC data in a second block. When the ECC data in the first and second blocks are independent, then compatible devices can use the ECC data from either block, and other devices can use the ECC data from just the first block.