Abstract: An optical disk device is provided with a first analog-to-digital converter for converting a push-pull signal detected from an optical disc medium into a digital sampling signal according to a sampling clock in the vicinity of a channel frequency, an address polarity information detection circuit for detecting address polarity information from the digital sampling signal, and an address position information detection circuit 58 for detecting address position information from the digital sapling signal while maintaining continuity. Therefore, it is possible to detect the address polarity information and the address position information stably and accurately even during high-speed recording/playback.

Abstract: A PRML detector includes a waveform equalizer for equalizing a waveform of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing marks and non-marks recorded on a recording medium, and a decoder for generating binary-coded data of the reproduction signal based on the waveform equalized by the waveform equalizer. The decoder outputs a temporary data string which is obtained before the binary-coded data is obtained. The waveform equalizer includes an equalizer that includes a delay element that delays propagation of the reproduction signal, a plurality of multipliers that multiply predetermined coefficients by the reproduction signal and the delayed signal from the delay element, and an adder that adds outputs from the plurality of multipliers.

Abstract: A waveform equalizer for equalizing a waveform of a reproduction signal. A delay element delays a propagation of the reproduction signal. A plurality of multipliers multiply predetermined coefficients by the reproduction signal and the delayed propagation reproduction signal. A detector detects an asymmetry of the reproduction signal arising from physical profiles of each of the marks and the non-marks, and outputs a detection signal representing an amount of asymmetry. A discriminator outputs a discrimination signal in response to a discrimination of the marks and the non-marks. A calculator calculates a first coefficient multiplied by the reproduction signal of the marks based on the outputted detection signal, and calculates a second coefficient multiplied by the reproduction signal of the non-marks. A selector selects either the first or second coefficient, based upon the outputted discriminating signal.

Abstract: An optical disk storing write-once information usable for protecting the copyright of the software by preventing the duplication, unauthorized use, etc., of the software. In the optical disk, a recording layer (213) is formed on a disk substrate (211) with a dielectric layer (212) inbetween. Then, an intermediate dielectric layer (214) and a reflecting layer (215) are successively laminated upon the recording layer (213), and an overcoat layer (216) is formed on the surface of the reflecting layer (215). A plurality of BCA (one of write-once identification information systems) sections (220a and 220b) are recorded by lowering the vertical magnetic anisotropy of the recording layer (213). At the time of reproduction, the write-once information is detected from differential signals.

Abstract: An asymmetry detection apparatus includes: a clock signal generator for generating a clock signal based on a reproduced signal; an A/D converter for sampling the reproduced signal in synchronization with the clock signal; a determiner for determining whether a level of each of a plurality of sampled data obtained by the sampling operation is equal to or greater than a predetermined level; and a detector for detecting asymmetry in the reproduced signal by using predetermined ones of the sampled data based on an output from the determiner.

Abstract: A tilt control apparatus includes an orthogonal shift detector (9) which detects an orthogonal shift by comparing a pair of a plurality of tap coefficients (C1, . . . , C7) of a FIR filter and generates an orthogonal shift signal, and an actuator varies the inclination of the optical axis of the light beam to correct the orthogonal shift, and a tilt controller (10) controls the drive of the actuator in accordance with the orhogonal shift signal to minimize the orthogonal shift. In the information recording operation, the orthogonal shift obtained based on a recording track is previously stored in a temporary storage portion and the stored orthogonal shift is used to conduct the tilt control.

Abstract: A waveform equalizer for equalizing a waveform of a reproduction signal. A delay element delays a propagation of the reproduction signal. A plurality of multipliers multiply predetermined coefficients by the reproduction signal and the delayed propagation reproduction signal. A detector detects an asymmetry of the reproduction signal arising from physical profiles of each of the marks and the non-marks, and outputs a detection signal representing an amount of asymmetry. A discriminator outputs a discrimination signal in response to a discrimination of the marks and the non-marks. A calculator calculates a first coefficient multiplied by the reproduction signal of the marks based on the outputted detection signal, and calculates a second coefficient multiplied by the reproduction signal of the non-marks. A selector selects either the first or second coefficient, based upon the outputted discriminating signal.

Abstract: A recording/producing device for writing data on a recording medium, or reading data from the recording medium, wherein data matching a recording pattern so specified as to include a plurality of mutually different sets of mark lengths and space lengths is written on the recording medium, and the data is then read to generate data signals. An edge shift detector uses data signals to measure the edge shift amount of a mark formed on a recording medium for each set of a mark length and a space length. A record controller sets a recording parameter for each set of a mark length and a space length based on the measured edge shift amount.

Abstract: Hold registers receive a hold register enable signal. When reading one kind signal of header field data, the hold register enable signal is High and the registers store newly renewed values of filter coefficients, and when reading a different kind signal of recording field data, the hold register enable signal is Low and the hold registers hold the last stored header field contents of the registers. Then, when a header field of a next sector is detected, the contents held in the hold registers are taken and preset to the registers. Thus, even in a case where an intermittent reproduction signal having different kinds of formats is processed in playback, the continuous adaptive equalization can be realized over the different kinds of reproduction signals in quality.

Abstract: An object is to determine the optimum power with consideration for the recording state of a base layer track when determining the optimum power by test recording before recording user data. After recording at a second recording power higher by a specific amount than a first recording power, recording is done at a third recording power lower by a specific amount than the first recording power, and the first recording power is set to the recording power for data recording when a specified playback signal quality is achieved.

Abstract: Even with an asymmetric reproduction waveform, or under the noisy environment, an accurate equalizing error is found and temporary judgment value for adaptively controlling the coefficient of FIR filter is accurately outputted. A waveform equalizer for equalizing a waveform of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing marks and non-marks recorded on a recording medium is provided. The equalizer includes: a detector which detects asymmetry of the reproduction signal arising from physical profiles of the marks and non-marks and outputs a detection signal representing asymmetric amount; a discriminator which discriminates the marks and non-marks based on the reproduction signal to output a discriminated signal; and a selector which calculates a first and second coefficient multiplied by the reproduction signal of the marks and non-marks based on the detection signal, which are different. The selector selects one of the first and second coefficients based on the discriminating signal.

Abstract: A tilt control apparatus includes an orthogonal shift detector (9) which detects an orthogonal shift by comparing a pair of a plurality of tap coefficients (C1, . . . , C7) of a FIR filter and generates an orthogonal shift signal, and an actuator varies the inclination of the optical axis of the light beam to correct the orthogonal shift, and a tilt controller (10) controls the drive of the actuator in accordance with the orhogonal shift signal to minimize the orthogonal shift. In the information recording operation, the orthogonal shift obtained based on a recording track is previously stored in a temporary storage portion and the stored orthogonal shift is used to conduct the tilt control.

Abstract: A PRML detector includes a waveform equalizer for equalizing a waveform of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing marks and non-marks recorded on a recording medium, and a decoder for generating binary-coded data of the reproduction signal based on the waveform equalized by the waveform equalizer. The decoder outputs a temporary data string which is obtained before the binary-coded data is obtained. The waveform equalizer includes an equalizer that includes a delay element that delays propagation of the reproduction signal, a plurality of multipliers that multiply predetermined coefficients by the reproduction signal and the delayed signal from the delay element, and an adder that adds outputs from the plurality of multipliers.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus includes a recording section for recording data into a recording medium in accordance with address information recorded in the recording medium, a first reproduction section for reproducing at least one data including the data recorded in the recording medium in accordance with a first reproduction method to obtain at least one reproduced data, a second reproduction section for reproducing the address information in accordance with a second reproduction method to obtain reproduced address information, and a determination section for mapping the data to a specific reproduced data of the at least one reproduced data based on the address information and the reproduced address information, and comparing the data with the specific reproduced data to determine a recording condition of a region of the recording medium storing the data.

Abstract: An optical disk storing write-once information usable for protecting the copyright of the software by preventing the duplication, unauthorized use, etc., of the software. In the optical disk, a recording layer (213) is formed on a disk substrate (211) with a dielectric layer (212) inbetween. Then, an intermediate dielectric layer (214) and a reflecting layer (215) are successively laminated upon the recording layer (213), and an overcoat layer (216) is formed on the surface of the reflecting layer (215). A plurality of BCA (one of write-once identification information systems) sections (220a and 220b) are recorded by lowering the vertical magnetic anisotropy of the recording layer (213). At the time of reproduction, the write-once information is detected from differential signals.

Abstract: The hold registers (102) receive a hold register enable signal (HRE), and when reading one kind signal of header field data, the hold register enable signal (HRE) is High and the registers (96) store newly renewed values of filter coefficients, and when reading a different kind signal of recording field data, the hold register enable signal (HRE) is Low and the hold registers (102) hold the last stored header field contents of the registers (96). Then, when a header field of the next sector is detected (g1, g2), the contents held in the hold registers (102) are taken and preset to the registers (96). Thus, even in the case where intermittent reproduction signal having different kind of formats is processed in playback, the continuous adaptive equalization can be realized over the different kinds of reproduction signals in quality.

Abstract: A method for reproducing write-once information from an optical disk. The disk includes a disk substrate and a recording layer on the disk substrate, the recording layer including a magnetic film with a magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the magnetic film. Write-once information formed by first recording areas and second recording areas is stored in a pre-determined portion of said recording layer, the first and second recording areas having different magnetic anisotropies in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the magnetic film. The method includes irradiating linearly polarized laser light onto said pre-determined portion, and detecting a rotational change in a polarization orientation of light reflected from the optical disk or light transmitted through the optical disk, the rotational change being caused depending on which of the first recording area and the second recording area is irradiated with the linearly polarized laser light.

Abstract: A tilt control apparatus includes an orthogonal shift detector (9) which detects an orthogonal shift by comparing a pair of a plurality of tap coefficients (C1, . . . , C7) of a FIR filter and generates an orthogonal shift signal, and an actuator varies the inclination of the optical axis of the light beam to correct the orthogonal shift, and a tilt controller (10) controls the drive of the actuator in accordance with the orhogonal shift signal to minimize the orthogonal shift. In the information recording operation, the orthogonal shift obtained based on a recording track is previously stored in a temporary storage portion and the stored orthogonal shift is used to conduct the tilt control.

Abstract: An optical disc drive usable with discs to which data is continuously recorded and discs having a sector format can quickly resume playback signal output after passing imperfection causing potential reading errors, and plays disc with few read errors. A detection signal generator detects DC level fluctuation in the playback signal read from the disc and generates a detection signal tracking the DC level fluctuation. A selector selects a detection signal or a null signal without valid polarity based on the detection signal generated by the detection signal generator and input to the selector. A clamping unit performs a clamping process to suppress DC level fluctuation in the playback signal based on the detection signal when the selection unit selects the detection signal, and does not perform the clamping process when the selection unit selects the null signal. A signal processor performs specific signal processes based on clamping unit output.

Abstract: Even with an asymmetric reproduction waveform, or under the noisy environment, an accurate equalizing error is found and temporary judgment value for adaptively controlling the coefficient of FIR filter is accurately outputted. A waveform equalizer for equalizing a waveform of a reproduction signal obtained by reproducing marks and non-marks recorded on a recording medium is provided. The equalizer includes: a detector which detects asymmetry of the reproduction signal arising from physical profiles of the marks and non-marks and outputs a detection signal representing asymmetric amount; a discriminator which discriminates the marks and non-marks based on the reproduction signal to output a discriminated signal; and a selector which calculates a first and second coefficient multiplied by the reproduction signal of the marks and non-marks based on the detection signal, which are different. The selector selects one of the first and second coefficients based on the discriminating signal.