Abstract: A video recorder connected to a DV camcorder comprises: a microprocessor; a program data file for storing time codes in stream data on a DV tape corresponding to dubbing start and end positions (“start and end time codes”) when a user commands the start and end positions after commanding the camcorder to reproduce the stream data; and a log table for storing the start and end time codes as well as a reset time code and a time code immediately preceding the reset time code. When the same time code as the end time code is acquired while reproducing data area from the start time code to the end time code, the microprocessor determines, based on the time codes in the log table, whether the then reproduction position is the same as the commanded dubbing end position. This enables secure dubbing even with stream data containing reset time codes.

Abstract: On a magnetic recording medium, M sets of burst patterns are formed along a direction of rotation of a substrate in each burst pattern region, where M is a natural number of two or higher. Each burst pattern is formed so as to include two types of burst signal units that are positioned at different distances from a center of data track patterns and have an equal length along a radial direction of the substrate. The length along the radial direction is (2·M/N) times the track pitch, where N is a natural number of two or higher.

Abstract: On a magnetic recording medium, M sets of burst patterns are formed along a direction of rotation of a substrate in each burst pattern region, where M is a natural number of two or higher. Each burst pattern is formed so as to include two types of burst signal units that are positioned at different distances from a center of data track patterns and have an equal length along a radial direction of the substrate. The length along the radial direction is (2·M/N) times the track pitch, where N is a natural number of two or higher.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus to write and read copy protected data on a disc drive storage system by encoding and decoding data to be copy protected using servo wedge data as the encoding element. In one aspect, the drive is marked by a number generated from the servo wedge data.

Abstract: A storing unit stores first correction information for correcting a distortion synchronized with a rotation frequency of servo information of a first disk. A control unit controls positioning of a head on a target track by correcting the servo information of the first disk with the first correction information. Measurement information used for measuring the first correction information is calculated based on second correction information for the servo information in other disk apparatus including a second disk on which the servo information is formed using a common master medium with the first disk.

Abstract: Duplicate copies of data may be stored in different sectors on the same track of a disk drive. When reading the data, the data may read from the sector that passes under the read head soonest, thus decreasing data access latency. In some embodiments, the duplicate sectors may be equally spaced around the track.

Abstract: A master information carrier has on its surface a signal area where an embossed pattern formed by protruding portions and recessed portions and representing a signal pattern to be transferred has been formed. The shortest bit length of the embossed patter is 300 nm or shorter, and the embossed pattern is formed so that the total of the areas of the upper surfaces of the protruding portions of the embossed pattern is smaller than the total of the areas of inter-protruding-portions in the signal area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve efficiency in alternating-current demagnetization of a magnetic recording medium. In specific embodiments, magnet fields in a direction slanting to an easy direction of magnetization of recording layer magnetization of a medium in rotation are applied.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of long, e-beam mastering times needed for patterning masters for patterned magnetic disk media is disclosed. A process for fabrication of masters takes advantage of the circular symmetry of magnetic disks and reduces the total required mastering time by an order of magnitude over prior art processes. This process relies on e-beam mastering of one small arcuate portion of the master, and then replicating that portion around a circular path on the master several times to create a full disk master. The architecture of this design also corrects for errors in head positioning on the final patterned media disk that may be introduced by the mastering process.

Abstract: A reliable magnetic recording medium is provided which comprises a servo signal unit portions formed in a concavo-convex shape, easily produced, and resistant to tracking error. Also provided are a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus which incorporates the magnetic recording medium, and a stamper for manufacturing the magnetic recording medium with efficiency. The magnetic recording medium includes a recording layer divided into a plurality of data areas and a plurality of servo areas to record information. The recording layer is formed in a concavo-convex shape in each servo area, with a servo signal unit portions formed as either a convex portions or a concave portions of the concavo-convex shape. Of the servo signal unit portions, the burst signal unit portion for tracking is generally elliptical in shape when viewed from the direction of thickness.

Abstract: System and Methods for Copying Digital Information from a Digital Media Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for copying or ripping digital information contained on one media to another media. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for copying digital information contained in a first fixed media onto another media by using digital information content corresponding to that maintained on the first fixed media, but obtained from a database.

Abstract: Provided is a method of magnetic transfer. The method includes initially DC-magnetizing a transfer-recipient disc in a circumferential direction, by applying a magnetic field to the transfer-recipient disc in the circumferential direction thereof bringing initially DC-magnetized transfer-recipient disc and a master disc into close contact with each other, on the top side of the master disc a magnetic layer including a great number of protrusions that configure a magnetic pattern being formed; and executing magnetic transfer in such a way that a magnetic-field generation device is provided, and that, when a magnetic field is applied in a circumferential direction to the transfer-recipient disc and the master disc, transfer of the magnetic pattern of the master disc onto the transfer-recipient disc occurs.

Abstract: In a system for reproducing AV information from a recording medium, such as a DVD, not only are usual titles reproduced, but also related information relevant to specific stream information is acquired easily by making use of resources on a computer network. In a reproducing system with the function of reproducing the title information recorded on a DVD and displaying it on the screen of a display section, when the user clicks a Web mark on the screen, the CPU links to a Web server on the Internet via a modem and accesses the Web page related to the stream information on the screen. At that time, the related Web page is the selected information conforming to parental information, or attribute information, set in the system.

Abstract: An information transfer master has servo information pattern to be magnetically transferred to a magnetic recording medium having a lubrication layer thereon; and a contact surface to contact the magnetic recording medium has surface free energy that is 45 mN/m or less when the servo information pattern is magnetically transferred.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer wherein the exchange of master mediums is made easy to perform is provided, whereby the operational efficiency and transfer efficiency are improved, leading to an overall improvement in productivity in the manufacture of preformatted slave mediums. A master fixing base for determining and supporting the position of a master medium, which bears transfer data, and a conjoining apparatus for conjoining the master medium and the slave medium that is to receive the transfer therefrom are provided. The master medium is exchanged along with the master fixing base. It is preferable that a cleaning means be provided.

Abstract: A musical tune playback control apparatus adapted to a music playback apparatus performs prescribed musical tune playback controls on a digital audio medium (or a digital storage medium, e.g., a CD and a MD) in association with a storage device such as a hard disk drive. Musical tune data recorded on digital audio media satisfying prescribed conditions are automatically selected and are transferred to the storage device, thus allowing the user to easily create a musical tune collection or an album collection suiting the user's preferences. Prescribed conditions are described in such a way that musical tune data are reproduced over a prescribed time or more, or musical tune data are repeatedly reproduced a prescribed number of times or more, for example. Thus, it is possible to reduce a user's burden to perform troublesome operations in selecting musical tune data suiting the user's preferences.

Abstract: A data duplicator capable of copying data to a plurality of types of disk. Data are read from a source disk which serves as a source of duplication, and the read data are temporarily saved as FAT data in a hard disk drive. The type of a target disk which is loaded on a DVD drive and which serves as a destination of duplication is determined, and the disk is converted into a file system format conforming to the type of the disk, and the data are copied to the target disk.

Abstract: A magnetic field application apparatus includes a pair of magnetic field application means, each of which is arranged, at least during application of a magnetic field, on either side of a magnetic field application target so as to face each other, and which generate a magnetic field in a predetermined direction. Each of the magnetic field application means includes a pair of magnetic portions which generate a magnetic field in a desired direction from one of the magnetic portions toward the other magnetic portion, and of which the polarities on the side facing the magnetic field application target are different from each other. Each of the pair of magnetic portions is formed so that magnetic force applied to the magnetic field application target becomes weaker stepwise or continuously from the side of the magnetic portion, facing the other magnetic portion, toward the opposite side thereof.

Abstract: When execution of copying of video and audio from a DVD from a videotape is instructed, a video copying apparatus 1 detects the remaining amount of the videotape set in a apparatus and reproduction time of video and audio copied to the videotape and based on these, it is determined whether the video and audio are recorded on the videotape in a standard mode or a longer-recording mode. Also, when execution of copying of video and audio from a videotape from a DVD is instructed, free space of the DVD and reproduction time of video and audio copied to the DVD are detected and based on these, a compression ratio of the video and audio recorded on the DVD is determined.

Abstract: A reproduction method and apparatus for reproducing video data and/or audio data from a recordable medium having video data and/or audio data recorded thereon. The video data and/or audio data is generated by superimposing information concerning an attribute of a video signal and/or an audio signal on a signal of digitized video data and/or a signal of digitized audio data. Information concerning a copyright superimposed on the video data and/or audio data is reproduced from the medium, and a type of the medium is identified. Reproduction is stopped in response to a determination that the medium is illegally produced, the determination being based on a combination of the information concerning a copyright which is reproduced and the type of the medium identified.

Abstract: Provided is a content play back apparatus including: a play back means for playing content including audio or video; a play list managing means for managing a play list which is a list of identification information on content previously played by the play back means; a blacklist acquiring means for acquiring a blacklist which is a list of identification information on content illegally copied in the past; and a play back restricting means for restricting content play back of the play back means when any of identification information included in the play list is included in the blacklist.

Abstract: A method for transferring real time information on a record carrier, typically bitstream audio on an optical disc, which method comprises encoding consecutive segments of the real time information to compressed real time data in frames, and determining a buffer occupancy for at least one frame, which buffer occupancy is indicative of an amount of compressed real time data to be present in the playback buffer at the start of decoding said frame. A signal is transmitted carrying the compressed real time data and the buffer occupancy, which data are received, stored in a playback buffer and finally decoded. The retrieving and/or the decoding is controlled in dependence on said transferred buffer occupancy. A playback buffer can be used effectively without risk for underflow or overflow. Also a method for recording audio information on a record carrier, a recording device, a record carrier and a playback device are described.

Abstract: A magnetic recording media has a magnetic layer formed on a substrate and includes data regions including a magnetic pattern constituting a recoding track and servo regions including magnetic patterns used as address bits, the data regions and the servo regions being contained in a plane of the magnetic layer. In a case where two magnetic patterns used as address bits on the servo regions corresponding to two adjacent recording tracks are arranged in such a manner that one corner of one of the magnetic patterns is closest to one corner of the other, the corners of the two magnetic patterns are substantially joined together.

Abstract: A method of the present invention duplicates data of a source medium to target media. The source medium is stored ground data and effective data, wherein the ground data are repeated to fill up the source medium and the effective data overwrite some of the ground data. Next, reading data of the source medium and comparing the data to the ground data. If the data are not as same as the ground data, then copy the data to the at least one target medium. If the data are as same as the ground data, then read the next t data of the source medium and repeating the comparing step.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer apparatus is provided with a transfer holder. A master information carrier and a slave medium are accommodated in the transfer holder in an overlapping state where they are opposed to each other and held in close contact with each other. The master information carrier and the slave medium overlapping each other are pressed against each other by hermetically closing the holder and evacuating the inner space of the holder.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of long, e-beam mastering times needed for patterning masters for patterned magnetic disk media is disclosed. A process for fabrication of masters takes advantage of the circular symmetry of magnetic disks and reduces the total required mastering time by an order of magnitude over prior art processes. This process relies on e-beam mastering of one small arcuate portion of the master, and then replicating that portion around a circular path on the master several times to create a full disk master. The architecture of this design also corrects for errors in head positioning on the final patterned media disk that may be introduced by the mastering process.

Abstract: A master for magnetic transfer is made which comprises a substrate which has on a surface thereof a convex area and a concave area corresponding to servo information and which is constituted of a soft magnetic, and a ferromagnetic which is provided in the concave portion of the substrate, which has a coercive force larger than the external magnetic field for reversing the direction of magnetization of the vertical recording medium, and which has magnetization in a direction opposite to the direction of the external magnetic field.

Abstract: Data track pattern regions, in which data track patterns are formed by concave/convex patterns, and servo pattern regions, in which servo patterns are formed by concave/convex patterns, are provided on a magnetic recording medium so as to be alternately disposed in a circumferential direction. At least one predetermined region that differs to the data track pattern regions is provided between two servo pattern regions that are adjacent in a circumferential direction. A concave/convex pattern including a plurality of first convex parts formed continuously in a radial direction is formed in each predetermined region.

Abstract: Magnetic alignment marks are recorded on a recording surface of a magnetic hard disk to mark the location where the disk is abutted against the hub of the spindle of a multiple-disk servo-writer. The alignment marks for each recording surface may be different so as to distinguish between top and bottom disk surfaces so that when the discs are assembled onto the spindle of a disk drive they may be assembled with the proper orientation, i.e., the top surface is mounted “up.” The marks may be large, low frequency patterns that are both written and detected by non contact means other than the servo-track writer's or the disk drive's heads.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for recording and playing back monitored video data for recording monitored video data generated continuously for a long time on a magnetic tape, with less S/N degradation by shortening the operation time of the VTR to suppress the degradation of the magnetic tape, recording head, and other mechanical items, wherein video signals from a video camera are converted to digital signals in an A/D converter, compressed and encoded in a compression encoder & decoder circuit, then transferred to a time axis compression circuit including the first memory, the second memory, an SCSI controller, and a hard disk unit, thereafter compressed on the time axis and recorded on the magnetic tape loaded in a D-VHS standard VTR via an I/F circuit.

Abstract: A self-Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) system using a hard disk drive having a backup head and a method of writing data to and reading data from the hard disk drive having the backup head are provided. A self-RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) system using a hard disk drive with at least one writable and readable disk medium includes a spindle motor, heads, an actuator arm, and a controller. The spindle motor rotates the disk medium. The heads face each other above and below the disk medium. The actuator arm drives the heads. The controller controls the heads to write data to and read data from the disk medium using a mode selection signal.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for an optical disc is provided which stores a VOB, the recording apparatus performing: receiving, from an operator, an operation to specify a preceding reproduction section and a subsequent reproduction section from the VOB through an interactive screen; duplicating an end vicinity including an end point of the beginning vicinity, and a beginning vicinity including a starting point of the subsequent reproduction section; connecting the duplicated parts to yield a connected part; and writing the connected part to the optical disc in correspondence with Temp_Cell information, the reproduction sections being specified by Cell information which includes Temp_Cell_FLAG, the Temp_Cell_FLAG, 1) if set to be off, indicating a sequential reproduction of the preceding and subsequent reproduction sections, and 2) if set to be on, indicating a reproduction of the connected part between the reproduction of the preceding and subsequent reproduction sections.

Abstract: A dubbing apparatus to dub data managed per program like audio data such as a piece of music is provided. In the dubbing apparatus, for passing output data read from a CD through a CD drive for compression of the data and transferring the compressed data for recording to an HD drive, an HD TOC being breakpoint information is generated based on specified information indicative of a track break of output data read from the HD drive. The HD drive generates a FAT based on the HD TOC. In the HD drive, the dubbed data can be managed per track accurately and properly without having to monitor any information indicative of each track break such as sub Q data synchronously with a stream of dubbing data.

Abstract: Briefly described, one embodiment of a method of recording data in a sequence of data sets onto a data recording medium having a recording capacity up to an end of medium position includes the following steps: deriving a logical count of the amount of data recorded on the recording medium, and comparing the logical count to a reference value to generate a warning of an approach to the end of medium position. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method for processing an analog video signal that represents a work for which rights information is asserted. The signal includes a rights assertion mark (RAM) in the video portion of the signal within the visible picture such that capture of the picture will include the mark. The signal also includes copy control information (CCI) bits in the vertical blanking interval of the signal for representing copying and redistribution rules. If the RAM is present and the CCI bits are present, then the copying and redistribution rules represented by the CCI bits are applied. If the RAM is present but the CCI bits are not, then the most restrictive copying and redistribution rules that can be represented by the CCI bits are applied.

Abstract: Methods for processing data to be recorded to optical media are provided. In one example, a method includes receiving a request to record data to optical media. The method then maps a source path for the data from a root directory through any intervening parent directories to the file location of the data, and saves the source path in a database. When saving the source path to the database, node identifiers are used to represent individual nodes of the source path with corresponding keys to the node identifiers saved in a path table. The method further provides for the complete source path for each file of the data to be recorded to be retrieved in one step when processing and recording the data.

Abstract: A favorable magnetic transfer is performed on a vertical magnetic recording medium. A permanent magnet apparatus employs a transfer magnetic field generating means provided with two columnar permanentmagnets, each having a cross-sectional surface are equal to or greater than that of the track surface of the slave medium. A conjoined body formed of a slave medium, which has been initially magnetized unidirectionally in the direction perpendicular to the track surface thereof, and two master mediums, disposed on respective surfaces of the slave medium, is inserted between the permanent magnets so that a transfer magnetic field can be applied thereto in the direction substantially opposite that in which the initial magnetization has been performed. A uniform transfer magnetic field is applied over the entirety of track surface of the slave medium so as to simultaneously perform a magnetic transfer over the entirety of the track surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a master used for a magnetic transfer, the method including the following steps: A first-master manufacturing step of manufacturing a first master including a predetermined magnetic pattern based on magnetic information; a magnetic-pattern transferring step of transferring the magnetic pattern to a magnetic recording medium by using the first master; an error confirming step of confirming an amount of a transfer error between the magnetic pattern transferred to the magnetic recording medium and the predetermined magnetic pattern; and a second-master manufacturing step of manufacturing a second master as an authentic master based on a correction magnetic pattern so formed as to offset the amount of the transfer error.

Abstract: To enable alignment of a magnetic pattern of a pair of master disks and a magnetic recording medium, each of the master disks has at least a pair of alignment marks disposed outside the region of the magnetic pattern. The master disks can be optically transparent or semi-transparent. The master disks can be aligned while the alignment marks are externally observed.

Abstract: By bring a master carrier and a slave medium into close contact with uniform force when executing magnetic transfer by applying transfer magnetic field in the state that the master carrier and slave medium is in confronted close contact and received within a holder, inferiority of transfer such as omission of signals is prevented and quality of transfer signals is enhanced. The magnetic transfer apparatus executes magnetic transfer by applying transfer magnetic field by means of a magnetic field applying apparatus 5 after a master carrier 3, 4 bearing transfer information and a slave medium 2 to be transferred are brought into confronted close contact and received within a holder 10, wherein said holder 10 has a substantially circular shape and in particular, the circularity of holder is not less than 98%, wherein the flexural rigidity=Ed3/12 determined by Young's modulus E and thickness d of the holder is in the range of 0.

Abstract: By bring a master carrier and a slave medium into close contact with uniform force when executing magnetic transfer by applying transfer magnetic field in the state that the master carrier and slave medium is in confronted close contact and received within a holder, inferiority of transfer such as omission of signals is prevented and quality of transfer signals is enhanced. The magnetic transfer apparatus executes magnetic transfer by applying transfer magnetic field by means of a magnetic field applying apparatus 5 after a master carrier 3, 4 bearing transfer information and a slave medium 2 to be transferred are brought into confronted close contact and received within a holder 10, wherein said holder 10 has a substantially circular shape and in particular, the circularity of holder is not less than 98%, wherein the flexural rigidity=Ed3/12 determined by Young's modulus E and thickness d of the holder is in the range of 0.

Abstract: A dubbing apparatus to dub data managed per program like audio data such as a piece of music is provided. In the dubbing apparatus, for passing output data read from a CD through a CD drive for compression of the data and transferring the compressed data for recording to an HD drive, an HD TOC being breakpoint information is generated based on specified information indicative of a track break of output data read from the HD drive. The HD drive generates a FAT based on the HD TOC. In the HD drive, the dubbed data can be managed per track accurately and properly without having to monitor any information indicative of each track break such as sub Q data synchronously with a stream of dubbing data.

Abstract: A magnetic data embedding system (or disk servo writer) includes a stack with a master disk (3) and a plurality of magnetic disks (4) mounted on a shaft of a spindle motor (6), and a rotary positioner (11) which integrally holds one or more read-only heads (71 to 74) for reading the master disk and a plurality of groups of servo heads (101 to 104) and which simultaneously turns both of the kinds of heads. The groups of servo heads have access to the top and bottom sides of the magnetic disks. The servo heads are made carry out writing to the same (top or bottom) side of each of the disks in parallel, within assigned track ranges for the respective servo heads.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus monitors the dubbing state at a higher-speed dubbing of digital video data or audio data. The signal processing apparatus includes a first storage device containing an MPEG system stream as digital data, a second storage device containing an MPEG system stream as the digital data, and a decoder unit for carrying out a decoding process for the digital data read from the first storage device. The decoder unit is constructed to carry out a discrete decoding process for decoding the system stream as digital data transferred from the first storage device to the second storage device at a higher rate than the normal playback transfer rate.

Abstract: A magnetic pattern of a master disc is transferred to both sides of a magnetic recording medium with no displacement. The origin of a magnetic recording medium can be determined by observing the inner or outer periphery of the magnetic recording medium. Back-side alignment marks are formed on the front side of the magnetic recording medium based on the origin thus determined. The back-side alignment marks can be observed with a microscope and front-side alignment marks for the magnetic recording medium can be provided on the back side of the magnetic recording medium. The alignment marks provided on the front/back sides of the magnetic recording medium are aligned with the corresponding alignment marks provided on the master disc, and a magnetic pattern formed on the soft magnetic material of the master disc is can be transferred to the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention enables to execute accurate magnetic transfer without signal omission and the like, by bringing a master carrier which bore transfer information and a slave medium to undergo transfer into close contact with each other uniformly and without a gap when they are received in a holder and brought into confronted close contact with each other. In a magnetic transfer apparatus for executing magnetic transfer by applying magnetic field for transfer generated by a magnetic field applying apparatus after master carriers 3, 4 which bore transfer information and a slave medium 2 to undergo transfer are brought into confronted close contact with each other and received in a holder 10, materials 6, 7 having elastic characteristic are interposed between the holder 10 and master carriers 3, 4, thereby allowing microdeformation of master carriers 3, 4 to enhance the close contact capability with the slave medium.

Abstract: An information recording medium 1 is provided with: a user data recording part 3 which records user data; a random-patter-information recording part 4 which records random pattern information from a random physical phenomenon; and an authentication data recording part 5 which records, as authentication data, medium identification information created on the basis of the random pattern information detected from the random-pattern-information recording part 4 and a digital signature for each manufacturer with respect to the medium identification information.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a demodulator which demodulates data modulated in accordance with a modulation rule, a temporal store which stores the data demodulated by the demodulator, an error-corrector which error-corrects the demodulated data stored in the temporal store based on an error correction code, the error-corrected data being stored in the temporal store, a reproducer which reproduces superimposed information concerning copying consent from the error-corrected data processed by the error-corrector and stored in the temporal store, and an output controller which performs output control of the error-corrected data based on the reproduced information concerning copying consent stored in the temporal store. The output controller stops outputting the error-corrected data if both (1) the error-corrected data was reproduced from a medium dedicated to reproduction and (2) the reproduced information concerning copying consent stored in the temporal store indicates that copying once was permitted.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus for recording content information on an information recording medium includes a main information recording area on which main information to be reproduced is recorded, and a plurality of content information recording areas on which content information to be reproduced to indicate contents of the main information is recorded. The apparatus includes a recording device, a confirming device and a control device. The recording device records the content information on a part of the plurality of content information recording areas. The confirming device confirms a recording result of the content information thus recorded. The control device controls the recording device, only when the recording result is confirmed to be successful, so that content information that is identical with the content information recorded on the part of the content information recording areas can be recorded on the other part of the content information recording areas.

Abstract: A device for use in performing simultaneous contact printing of magnetic patterns in opposing surfaces of a dual-sided magnetic or magneto-optical (MO) recording medium, comprising: (a) a fixedly mounted first magnetic pole having a first end surface; (b) an axially movable second magnetic pole in axial alignment with the first magnetic pole, the second magnetic pole having a second end surface opposite to and facing the first end surface of the first magnetic pole; (c) a first portion of a centering insert fixture mounted on the first end surface of the first magnetic pole; and (d) a second portion of a centering insert fixture mounted on the second end surface of the second magnetic pole.