Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating error correction codes of a data block are disclosed. One proposed method includes: storing a plurality of calculating data corresponding to the error correction codes in a buffer; generating operating results according to the calculating data from the buffer and corresponding data of the data block; writing operating results into the buffer; and generating a plurality of updated calculating data according to the operating results stored in the buffer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating ECC encode a data block to generate corresponding error correction codes. A first buffer sequentially stores a first section and a second section of the data block, wherein each of the first and second sections is composed of X data rows and Y data columns of the data block, and Y is greater than or equal to 2. A second buffer stores Y partial-parity columns. An encoder is used for encoding the first section read from the first buffer to generate the partial-parity columns, and then storing the partial-parity columns in the second buffer. The second section read from the first buffer and the partial-parity columns read from the second buffer are encoded to generate updated partial-parity columns. Next, the partial-parity columns in the second buffer are updated by storing the updated partial-parity columns.

Abstract: A method for expediting defect detection and burning used for a rewritable burning system and a rewritable disc detects whether or not a target write-in area contains an unreliable area (or a defect area) during a burning. A target write-in area is sought. Data stored in the target write-in area are read. Whether or not the data are in the unreliable area is detected. The target write-in area is sought. The desired data are written. Whether or not the unreliable aera exists is determined. The desired data stored in the unreliable area are written into a spare area, if the unreliable area exists. Whether or not the burning of all data is completed is determined. The burning is repeated until the burning of all data is completed, if the burning of all data is not completed.

Abstract: A write power calibrating method and related apparatus for determining an optimum write power used for recording data onto a digital versatile disc is disclosed. The write power calibrating method includes recording a plurality of first data sets onto the digital versatile disc by utilizing a plurality of different write powers respectively; executing an parity code decoding procedure on a plurality of second data sets read from the digital versatile disc to determine a plurality of byte error numbers detected by utilizing a parity code of each of the second data sets, the second data sets corresponding to the first data sets written onto the digital versatile disc; and determining the optimum write power according to the byte error numbers of the second data sets.

Abstract: A data recording method for an optical disk drive is implemented by the following steps. First, one or more data blocks are encoded and recorded sequentially, and it detects if a buffer under run occurs. If a buffer under run occurs, the recording does not stop immediately until at least the main data of the data block being currently recorded have been recorded completely. Afterwards, it restarts to encode and record from the data block next to the data block where the recording stops. Moreover, the recording also can stops if a servo error is detected, and the data restart to encode and record from the data block where the recording stops or at least one data block preceding the data block where the recording stops.

Abstract: An ACS circuit and a Viterbi decoder with the circuit. The Add-Compare-Select (ACS) circuit comprises: two registers for storing two previous candidate state metrics; a first adder for adding the value stored in the first register and a first branch metric to generate a first addition result; a second adder for adding the value stored in the second register and the first branch metric to generate a second addition result; a comparator for comparing the values stored in the first register and the second register to generate a decision bit; and a multiplexer for selecting either the first addition result or the second addition result as a new output candidate state metric according to the decision bit. Due to the parallel processing of the adders and the comparator, the processing speed of a Viterbi decoder with the ACS will be increased.

Abstract: A survivor path memory circuit and a Viterbi decoder with the circuit for saving the memory amounts. The Viterbi decoder includes a branch metric generator, an ACS (Add-Compare-Select) unit, a survivor path memory circuit and a decoding unit. The survivor path memory circuit includes survivor paths and decision bit paths. Each survivor path has multiplexers connected in series and each multiplexer outputs the selected data to next multiplexer and to another multiplexers of another survivor paths. Each decision bit path has register node connected in series, receives a decision bit signal generated from the ACS unit, and outputs delayed signal to the multiplexers of the corresponding survivor path. The data flow direction for the survivor paths is opposite to the data flow direction for the decision bit paths.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) system for generating a reference clock to write recording data on an optical medium includes a clock generator generating the reference clock according to a phase difference between the reference signal and a first frequency-divided signal; a phase-shift detector generating a phase adjusting signal; and a phase-controllable frequency divider dividing the frequency of the reference clock to generate the first frequency-divided signal, and receiving the phase adjusting signal to adjust the phase of the first frequency-divided signal. The phase-shift detector includes an ADIP sync detector generating an ADIP synchronization signal synchronous to the ADIP units of the optical medium; a frequency divider dividing the reference clock to generate a second frequency-divided signal; and a phase difference detector detecting a phase difference between the second frequency-divided signal and the ADIP synchronization signal to generate the phase adjusting signal.

Abstract: A PLL system for generating an output signal according to a first reference signal is disclosed. The output signal is used as a reference clock to write recording data on an optical medium. The PLL system includes a clock generator for receiving the first reference signal and a first frequency-divided signal to generate the output signal according to a phase difference between the first reference signal and the first frequency-divided signal; a phase-shift detector for generating a phase adjusting signal; and a phase-controllable frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the output signal by a frequency dividing ratio to generate the first frequency-divided signal and for receiving the phase adjusting signal to adjust the phase of the first frequency-divided signal.

Abstract: An optical recording apparatus for recording a plurality of information units on an optical storage medium. Each of the information units includes a long run-length sync pattern. The optical recording apparatus includes a recording means for recording the plurality of information units on the optical storage medium and a sync pattern selector for determining the type of each of the long run-length sync patterns. The sync pattern selector determines at least one long run-length sync pattern as a mark when marks with run-lengths longer than a first length threshold do not appear for a time period longer than a first time threshold. The sync pattern selector determines at least one long run-length sync pattern as a space when spaces with run-lengths longer than a second length threshold do not appear for a time period longer than a second time threshold.

Abstract: A PLL system for generating an output signal according to a first reference signal is disclosed. The output signal is used as a reference clock to write recording data on an optical medium. The PLL system includes a clock generator for receiving the first reference signal and a first frequency-divided signal to generate the output signal according to a phase difference between the first reference signal and the first frequency-divided signal; a phase-shift detector for generating a phase adjusting signal; and a phase-controllable frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the output signal by a frequency dividing ratio to generate the first frequency-divided signal and for receiving the phase adjusting signal to adjust the phase of the first frequency-divided signal.

Abstract: A defect detecting apparatus and a defect detecting method performs highly efficient and reliable defect detection over an optical disk. According to the defect detecting method, defect information is obtained during data recording. The necessity of data verification and the range of verification-demanding area are determined according to the defect information. The defect address is found efficiently by performing a data verification procedure over the verification-demanding area. The defect detecting method according to the present invention conducts data verification on defect-prone addresses instead performing a global examination for address areas recorded with data. Thereby, the defect detecting efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: An optical recording apparatus for recording a plurality of information units on an optical storage medium. Each of the information units includes a long run-length sync pattern. The optical recording apparatus includes a recording means for recording the plurality of information units on the optical storage medium and a sync pattern selector for determining the type of each of the long run-length sync patterns. The sync pattern selector determines at least one long run-length sync pattern as a mark when marks with run-lengths longer than a first length threshold do not appear for a time period longer than a first time threshold. The sync pattern selector determines at least one long run-length sync pattern as a space when spaces with run-lengths longer than a second length threshold do not appear for a time period longer than a second time threshold.

Abstract: An error correction code generator uses an additional static random access memory (SRAM) or a multi-symbol encoder to improve the encoding efficiency. During the encoding operation, the number of the data access of the dynamic random access memory (DRAM) with the row address switching can be reduced considerably via using the additional SRAM or multi-symbol encoder. Hence, the efficiency of the data access of the DRAM is improved and the encoding time of the error correction code generator is reduced.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) for generating an output signal according to an input signal is disclosed. The PLL of the present invention includes a detector for generating a detection signal according to the logical difference between the input signal and a feedback signal, a signal mixer electrically connected to the detector for generating a control signal according to the detection signal and a mixing reference signal, a filtering device electrically connected to the signal mixer for generating an adjust signal according to the control signal, a controllable oscillator electrically connected to the filtering device for generating the output signal according to the adjust signal, and a frequency divider electrically connected to the controllable oscillator for generating the feedback signal and the mixing reference signal according to the output signal. The frequency of the output signal is at least twice the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A data recording method for an optical disk drive is implemented by the following steps. First, one or more data blocks are encoded and recorded sequentially, and it detects if a buffer under run occurs. If a buffer under run occurs, the recording does not stop immediately until at least the main data of the data block being currently recorded have been recorded completely. Afterwards, it restarts to encode and record from the data block next to the data block where the recording stops. Moreover, the recording also can stops if a servo error is detected, and the data restart to encode and record from the data block where the recording stops or at least one data block preceding the data block where the recording stops.

Abstract: A recording method and drive for optical storage media. The method inserts or replaces a special pattern in a recording EFM signal before the recording process is interrupted. Therefore, the special pattern is recorded either before or on the interrupted position. The starting position of the succeeding recording process is located by searching for the special pattern.

Abstract: An optical recording device records data on an optical storage medium. The device generates a data-interrupted address and reconnects the interrupted data from a data-reconnecting address so as to enable further correct reading of the interrupted data. The device comprises an addressing module for providing a reference address on the storage medium as a reference address; a recording-interrupted generator for detecting a recording-interrupted condition and generating a recording-interrupted signal; a data recording module for recording and suspending recording the data according to the recording-interrupted signal, and reconnecting the data according to a data-reconnecting address and the reference address; a data-interrupted address generator for generating the data-interrupted address; a data-reconnecting address generator for generating the data-reconnecting address.

Abstract: Data modulating/demodulating method and system and apparatus using the same. The modulation method with smaller modulation table, compared to the conventional modulation table, is used to modulate the source data to the channel bits to be recorded to an external storage apparatus, such as optical disc. The demodulation method with smaller demodulation table, compared to the conventional demodulation table, is used to demodulate the bit data stream recorded on a storage apparatus, such as optical disc, to the original source data.

Abstract: An EFM/EFM+ encoding system is adapted to modulate a source symbol sequence into a modulated bit sequence that is further converted to a channel bit sequence, which is to be recorded on a recording medium and which has a cumulative Digital Sum Value (DSV), through NRZI conversion. An apparatus for performing DSV protection in the EFM/EFM+ encoding system includes a DSV calculation unit for calculating the DSV associated with the EFM/EFM+ modulated bit sequence, and a decision unit for adjusting at least a bit in the modulated bit sequence according to the result calculated by the DSV calculation unit such that the channel bit sequence from the NRZI conversion of the adjusted modulated bit sequence accumulates a relatively small DSV. A method of using the EFM/EFM+ encoding system to inhibit disc copying is also disclosed.