Converting An Analog Signal To Digital Form For Recording; Reproducing And Reconverting Patents (Class 360/32)
  • Publication number: 20110164332
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for reducing low frequency loss in a magnetic storage device. For example, a data processing circuit is disclosed that includes an amplifier, two filters and a summation element. The amplifier provides an amplified output that is filtered using a first of the two filters to create a first filtered output. The first filtered output is then filtered using the second of the two filters to create a second filtered output. The summation element sums the first filtered output with the second filtered output to provide a pole altered output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Yang Cao
  • Patent number: 7974035
    Abstract: Timing recovery optimization using disk clock. A novel means is presented to perform and provide control of the sampling frequency of a signal that is read from a disk within a hard disk drive (HDD). Two separate, yet somewhat cooperating control loops are employed to provide feedback control of the sampling frequency of the signal that is read from disk. A timing recovery loop and a disk clock loop operate in conjunction with one another according to some desired manner (which can be predetermined or adaptive) to ensure that the sampling of the signal is performed to a very accurate degree. In one implementation, the timing recovery loop governs the sampling rate until the disk clock loop has locked, from which time either the disk clock loop govern the sampling or some combination of the signals provided from the two loops govern the sampling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: William Gene Bliss, Thomas V. Souvignier, Andrei E. Vityaev, Gregory L. Silvus
  • Patent number: 7933084
    Abstract: A signal reconstruction technique is used to correct for wow and flutter in analog audio recordings. Elements of the recording are used to generate a signal for correcting the output. Involves locating modulated entities such as bias signal (e.g. frequency-modulated, amplitude-modulated, or phase-modulated entities) in the recording, extracting them, and utilizing them as a carrier to synchronize to a master clock, using the irregularity of the anomaly to indicate the speed and pitch information to be corrected. A carrier frequency is determined and applied to a digitized form of the recording. This may be performed even in the absence of a prescribed reference code or tone, such as a pilot tone laid down purposefully at the moment of recording. In the case of signals presumed to have an error in the carrier, a corresponding signal is buffered, and in the case of a presumed error, a last known signal is used for the duration of the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Inventors: James R. Howarth, Patrick J. Wolfe, Darryl Curley, Timothy Rector
  • Patent number: 7904045
    Abstract: A phase detector includes a plurality of phase detectors located in a phase correction loop, each phase detector configured to receive as input a radio frequency (RF) input signal and an RF reference signal, each of the plurality of phase detectors also configured to provide a signal representing a different phase offset based on the phase difference between the RE input signal and the RF reference signal; and a switch configured to receive an output of each of the plurality of phase detectors and configured to select the output representing the phase offset, that is closest to a phase of an output of an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Scott D. Kee, Dongjiang Qiao, Alyosha C. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7894151
    Abstract: Reading data from a magnetic storage media with an analog front end (AFE) coupled to an all digital read channel compensation architecture. A read head passes over magnetic storage media to produce an analog signal. The analog signal is amplified such that the range of the amplified analog signal substantial matches a range of the analog to digital converter (ADC) used to sample the analog signal. A baseline adjust is performed on the amplified analog signal to center the amplified analog signal to a midscale of the ADC. The amplified analog signal may be sampled where the sampling is data frequency locked by a data lock clock (DLC) tracking module. A digital signal may then be produced from the amplified analog signal where this signal is read channel compensated in the digital domain to produce a digital signal which is then processed with a sequence detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: William Gene Bliss
  • Patent number: 7864464
    Abstract: A system reads data from a magnetic storage media. A read head reads data from the magnetic storage media and produce an analog signal. A variable gain amplifier amplifies the analog signal. An offset adjust module substantially centers the amplified analog signal to a midscale. A Magneto Resistive Asymmetry (MRA) correction module MRA corrects the amplified analog signal. A Continuous Time Filter (CTF) compensation module processes the amplified analog signal. An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) samples the amplified analog signal based upon a control signal to produce a digital signal. A Disk Lock Clock (DLC) system produces the control signal to the ADC. The control signal is representative of a frequency offset caused by at least one servo wedge rate error. A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter module filters the digital signal. A sequence detector processes the digital signal and detects a bit sequence from the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: William Gene Bliss, Thomas V. Souvignier
  • Patent number: 7831127
    Abstract: A method of combining data with other material comprises the step of repetitively distributing the data in the other material. The data is for example metadata associated with the other material. The other material may be one or more of video, audio and data material preferably in a defined file format e.g. MXF. The material and data from the file are preferably mapped to one of several signal interfaces such as SDI, SDTI and AES3, where the file metadata is repetitively distributed through the stream signal interface by one of several multiplexing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sony United Kingdom Limited
    Inventor: James Hedley Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7827232
    Abstract: A record button that facilitates audiovisual input into a computer system without requiring manual interaction (direct manipulation interaction) with software. The record button may be grouped with transport controls, a standalone button, or grouped with other controls. The record button may be actuated with different types of actuation techniques, each of which may correspond to a different audio and/or video operating mode, which may be user configurable. A record light may be provided to notify the user of the current recording mode via variable colors and/or flash patterns. The record button can work in conjunction with a camera button and with manual software switching of recording modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Gould Bear, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko, Dale Clark Crosier, Scott Plank
  • Patent number: 7817901
    Abstract: A recording and reproducing apparatus including a reproduction unit configured to reproduce information data, which is error-correcting-coded for every N tracks, from a recording medium, wherein the information data includes moving image data which is variable-length-encoded, a recording unit configured to record moving image data on the recording medium, a detection unit configured to detect additional information from the information data reproduced by the reproduction unit, wherein the additional information indicates that the editing point, which can be set up for every frame of a predetermined number, is contained in the moving image data recorded in the N tracks, and a controller configured to control the reproduction unit to reproduce the information data by transporting the recording medium at a high-speed faster than a normal reproduction speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7817362
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus and method are disclosed for inspecting a magnetic disk or a magnetic head. A first reference signal generating source generates reference signals of a controllable oscillating frequency, and a signal switching means selects either a reference signal or test data reproduced by the magnetic head. Factors such as offsets and gain differentials among signal distribution paths, phase shifts of sampling clocks supplied to a plurality of AID converters, and frequency-dependence of the transfer function and phase response of signal paths are identified so that errors due to these factors can be detected. Based on the detected values of these factors and errors, reference signals are utilized to compensate test data errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: Masayoshi Takahashi, Ritsuro Orihashi, Wen Li, Shinji Homma
  • Patent number: 7783170
    Abstract: An optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording digital data streams and management information on the disc, are provided. The method includes recording a digital data stream including at least one predetermined-sized unit, each unit carrying header information and at least one packet, the header information being represented in at least one header entry, selectively appending an additional header entry based on whether a number of the at least one header entry corresponds to a number of the at least one packet, and recording an indication information that indicates whether or not the additional header entry is appended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronic Inc.
    Inventors: Byung-Jin Kim, Kang-Soo Seo, Jea-Yong Yoo, Ki-Won Kang
  • Patent number: 7773325
    Abstract: A storage channel, e.g., for a disk drive system, may asynchronously sample and buffer an entire sector, and then process the buffered sector to recover timing information. The storage channel may operate in an open-loop and utilize an exhaustive search to determine timing parameters. Alternatively, the storage channel may operative in a closed-loop, processing the sector once, and feeding back information obtained during decoding to the timing loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Pantas Sutardja, Ke Han, Zining Wu
  • Patent number: 7768730
    Abstract: A read channel in that reads data from a magnetic storage media. An analog signal produced by passing a read head over magnetic storage media is amplified to match the range of an analog to digital converter (ADC) range. A baseline adjustment is performed on the amplified analog signal to center the amplified analog signal to a midscale of the ADC, which may be based on an error feedback signal and/or a decision feedback signal. Read channel compensation may then be performed after the baseline adjustment has been applied. The read channel compensated analog signal is sampled with the ADC to produce a digital signal. This digital signal may be filtered and a bit sequence may then be detected from the filtered digital signal. The EFB signal and/or the DFB signal may be produced in the digital domain based on the digital signal and the detected bit sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: William Gene Bliss, Sian She
  • Patent number: 7764458
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for providing a fine adjustment for transducing head positioning in a hard disk drive (HDD). The apparatus, method, and system include reading a positioning error field wherein the resulting signal is a substantially sinusoidal position error signal (PES), filtering the PES to remove low frequencies and attenuate high frequencies, sample the filtered PES at a multiple of the channel frequency, filter the higher frequency harmonics, down sample the PES, and provide a signal proportional to the amplitude of the down sampled PES. This signal is the reference signal to the head positioning servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Pantas Sutardja, Michael B. Madden
  • Publication number: 20100177419
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for gain control. For example, some embodiments of the present invention provide variable gain control circuits. Such circuits include a zero forcing loop generating a zero forcing feedback and a least mean square loop generating a least mean square feedback. An error quantization circuit generates a hybrid feedback based upon a threshold condition using the zero forcing feedback and the least mean square feedback. A variable gain amplifier is at least in part controlled by a derivative of the hybrid feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Jingfeng Liu, Hongwei Song, Jongseung Park, George Mathew, Yuan Xing Lee
  • Patent number: 7702218
    Abstract: A coding/decoding part performs codes and decodes a given signal in one of a plurality of coding/decoding modes of different bit rates; and a control part sets a predetermined bit rate to be applied by the coding/decoding part in case a given signal is output after being coded and decoded by said coding/decoding part without storage thereof in a predetermined recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics Limited
    Inventor: Tetsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7643728
    Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus with a video and audio memorizing section for temporarily memorizing an inputted video audio signal, a time code generating section for generating a time-code of said video audio signal an auxiliary information memorizing section for temporarily memorizing auxiliary information appended to said video audio signal including said time code generating a regeneration value obtained from a time code to which one frame time is added to said recorded time code when a recording starts and correcting said regeneration value for an amount of delay corresponding to a storage volume temporarily memorized in said auxiliary information (time code, metadata, CUE audio signal, and the like) memorizing section and thus obtaining a corrected time code, and thereafter sequential time codes are generated from said corrected time code though said time code generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akiyuki Noda, Shinji Takemoto, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Tsuneki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7583469
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for providing a fine adjustment for transducing head positioning in a hard disk drive (HDD). The apparatus, method, and system include reading a positioning error field wherein the resulting signal is a substantially sinusoidal position error signal (PES), filtering the PES to remove low frequencies and attenuate high frequencies, sample the filtered PES at a multiple of the channel frequency, filter the higher frequency harmonics, down sample the PES, and provide a signal proportional to the amplitude of the down sampled PES. This signal is the reference signal to the head positioning servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Pantas Sutardja, Michael B. Madden
  • Patent number: 7583458
    Abstract: A recording system, such as a magnetic or optical recording system, employs optimization metrics that are independent of a target partial response for equalization of a signal read from a recording channel. The optimization metrics employ samples adjacent to codeword boundaries of codewords representing encoded data, such as servo data, read from a recording medium. The optimization metrics are used to select filter parameters and/or tap weights for equalization. The filter parameters and/or tap weights might be derived based on the type of data read from the recording medium, the type of detector employed to detect the codewords of the read data, and the type of encoder/decoder employed for the read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Annampedu, Pervez M. Aziz
  • Publication number: 20090207517
    Abstract: Reading data from a magnetic storage media with an analog front end (AFE) coupled to an all digital read channel compensation architecture. A read head passes over magnetic storage media to produce an analog signal. The analog signal is amplified such that the range of the amplified analog signal substantial matches a range of the analog to digital converter (ADC) used to sample the analog signal. A baseline adjust is performed on the amplified analog signal to center the amplified analog signal to a midscale of the ADC. The amplified analog signal may be sampled where the sampling is data frequency locked by a data lock clock (DLC) tracking module. A digital signal may then be produced from the amplified analog signal where this signal is read channel compensated in the digital domain to produce a digital signal which is then processed with a sequence detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: William Gene Bliss
  • Patent number: 7574115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the selection of stored video programs (Si) in which, together with the video program (Si), their running time (tDi) and, if necessary, an information item (Ii) about the content, for example the genre, are stored and also a playback device (1) for video programs (Si). To take account of a specified time interval (?T) and optimally utilize said time duration (?T), provision is made, on the basis of the specified time duration (?T), for those video programs (Sn) to be automatically selected from the stored video programs (Si) whose running time (tDn), multiplied by any applicable compression factor (Cn), is shorter than or equal to the specified time duration (?T). As a result of the method according to the invention, all those video programs (Sn) are consequently offered whose duration with the applicable compression, if any, is within the specified time duration (?T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Peter Schramel
  • Patent number: 7555202
    Abstract: A digital data recording/reproducing apparatus which divides each of information data pieces into a plurality of cells, further divides each of the cells into a series of a plurality of units, and records the units. The digital data recording/reproducing apparatus has means for recording a required time for reproduction until the head position of a unit is reached, with reference to the head position of an information data cell to which a cell belongs, as a unit start time, in addition to each of the units, and means for recording a cell start time (Ts) equal to a required time for reproduction until the head position of each of the cells is reached, and a required time for reproduction (Ps) of each of the cells in a management data region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Noguchi, Akihiro Tozaki, Hidehiro Ishii
  • Patent number: 7502427
    Abstract: A repeatable read-out (RRO) detector employs one or more digital interpolators to interpolate asynchronous sample values that represent RRO data. The asynchronous sample values are read from a recording medium and generated by an A/D converter at a symbol rate, and the interpolators generate interpolated samples at at least one time in between the asynchronous sample value times. Each interpolated sample corresponding to some phase relative to that of the sample values generated by the A/D converter. The RRO detector receives 1) the asynchronous samples at symbol rate and 2) the interpolated samples to efficiently detect the encoded RRO data. An RRO address mark indicates when detection of encoded RRO data starts, and is employed to select those samples suitable for RRO data detection. Detection of the RRO address mark employs peak detection among filtered asynchronous and interpolated samples. The process of peak detection adjusts the current best phase for sample selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Annampedu, Pervez M. Aziz
  • Publication number: 20080266693
    Abstract: A read channel in that reads data from a magnetic storage media. An analog signal produced by passing a read head over magnetic storage media is amplified to match the range of an analog to digital converter (ADC) range. A baseline adjustment is performed on the amplified analog signal to center the amplified analog signal to a midscale of the ADC, which may be based on an error feedback signal and/or a decision feedback signal. Read channel compensation may then be performed after the baseline adjustment has been applied. The read channel compensated analog signal is sampled with the ADC to produce a digital signal. This digital signal may be filtered and a bit sequence may then be detected from the filtered digital signal. The EFB signal and/or the DFB signal may be produced in the digital domain based on the digital signal and the detected bit sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Gene Bliss, Sian She
  • Publication number: 20080266694
    Abstract: A system reads data from a magnetic storage media. A read head reads data from the magnetic storage media and produce an analog signal. A variable gain amplifier amplifies the analog signal. An offset adjust module substantially centers the amplified analog signal to a midscale. A Magneto Resistive Asymmetry (MRA) collection module MRA corrects the amplified analog signal. A Continuous Time Filter (CTF) compensation module processes the amplified analog signal. An Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) samples the amplified analog signal based upon a control signal to produce a digital signal. A Disk Lock Clock (DLC) system produces the control signal to the ADC. The control signal is representative of a frequency offset caused by at least one servo wedge rate error. A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter module filters the digital signal. A sequence detector processes the digital signal and detects a bit sequence from the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: WILLIAM GENE BLISS, THOMAS V. SOUVIGNIER
  • Publication number: 20080174896
    Abstract: An input signal is quantized into a quantization-resultant signal. The quantization-resultant signal is compressed into a compression-resultant signal. The compression-resultant signal is formatted into a formatting-resultant signal corresponding to a predetermined format for a digital recording disc. The formatting-resultant signal includes segments corresponding to user data areas prescribed in the predetermined format. The compression-resultant signal is placed in the segments of the formatting-resultant signal. The formatting-resultant signal is encoded into an encoding-resultant signal of a CD format. The encoding-resultant signal is recorded on a recording medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Shoji Ueno, Norihiko Fuchigami, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7400821
    Abstract: For a reproduction of optical sound information in a double variable-area track (DZ) an optoelectronic converter device scans the optical sound track of a film. The converter device generates a digital image signal for buffer storage in the memory of a program-controlled data processing device. The data processing device derives the profile of the two edges of the double variable-area track from data values of the buffer-stored image signal. Audio data for a sound reproduction are generated using data about the edge profile determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Dieter Poetsch, Detlef Richter, Jochen Huegel
  • Patent number: 7328148
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes M. M. Verbakel, Josephus J. M. M. Geelen
  • Patent number: 7227709
    Abstract: To calibrate the VGA of a read head, test signals from a DAC are input to the VGA and the output of the VGA is observed, with the gain of the VGA being adjusted as appropriate. So that the DAC need not be made with tight tolerances, a DC signal can be fed into the DAC prior to VGA calibration, and an auxiliary ADC is used to receive the output of the DAC and to determine, for a given DC input, what the signal produced by the DAC actually is. In this way, during subsequent VGA calibration the test signal from the DAC is known not by virtue of the DAC having a tight manufacturing tolerance but by virtue of the actual measurements of its outputs for given register inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V., Renesas Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vicki Lynn Pipal, Michael William Curtis, Raymond Alan Richetta, Koji Nasu
  • Patent number: 7199956
    Abstract: Disk drive self-servo writing includes transferring a reference pattern by magnetic printing onto a reference disk, wherein the resulting printed reference pattern includes embedded servo information that provides servo timing and head position information, installing the reference disk and a head into the disk drive, reading the printed reference pattern using the head to generate a readback signal, sampling the readback signal at a sampling rate to generate a sampled signal, processing the sampled signal waveform spectrum to generate a recovered signal including the embedded servo information and fundamental and higher harmonics of the sampled signal, using the embedded servo information from the recovered signal to precisely position and maintain the head at concentric tracks of the reference disk, and self-writing servo patterns onto the tracks with the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Moser, Ara Patapoutian, John McEwen, legal representative, Bin Liu, Bruce Buch, Peter McEwen, deceased
  • Patent number: 7158333
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for providing a fine adjustment for transducing head positioning in a hard disk drive (HDD). The apparatus, method, and system include reading a positioning error field wherein the resulting signal is a substantially sinusoidal position error signal (PES), filtering the PES to remove low frequencies and attenuate high frequencies, sample the filtered PES at a multiple of the channel frequency, filter the higher frequency harmonics, down sample the PES, and provide a signal proportional to the amplitude of the down sampled PES. This signal is the reference signal to the head positioning servo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Pantas Sutardja, Michael Madden
  • Patent number: 7092462
    Abstract: A repeatable read-out (RRO) detector employs one or more digital interpolators to interpolate asynchronous sample values that represent RRO data. The asynchronous sample values are read from a recording medium and generated by an A/D converter at a symbol rate, and the interpolators generate interpolated samples at at least one time in between the asynchronous sample value times. Each interpolated sample corresponding to some phase relative to that of the sample values generated by the A/D converter. The RRO detector receives 1) the asynchronous samples at symbol rate and 2) the interpolated samples to efficiently detect the encoded RRO data. An RRO address mark indicates when detection of encoded RRO data starts, and is employed to select those samples suitable for RRO data detection. Detection of the RRO address mark employs peak detection among filtered asynchronous and interpolated samples. The process of peak detection adjusts the current best phase for sample selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Annampedu, Pervez M. Aziz
  • Patent number: 7065291
    Abstract: In a video recording/playback apparatus, when recording a series of packets transmitted over an IEEE 1394 bus, a relative value is taken between a requested time of arrival written in a header portion and a cycle time at the time of reception, and then the requested time of arrival is replaced with the relative value. When playing back the series of packets, the relative value is added to a cycle time at the time of transmission, and the relative value is replaced by the obtained value which will be used as a requested time of arrival for playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sano, Kiminori Sugisaki, Hiroyuki Tominaga
  • Patent number: 7050704
    Abstract: A method for enabling a magnetic recording medium such as a digital video cassette tape of a digital video tape recorder to be used as an auxiliary storage device of a personal computer (PC) which communicates through a digital communication line is provided. A PC requests to record data, the digital video tape recorder searches for a recordable location of the tape, records data streams converted from the data of a file selected in the PC at the recordable location, and creates tape management information regarding the data streams recorded. A PC requests a file, the video tape recorder reproduces the tape management information recorded in the tape, identifies a recording location of the specified file based upon the reproduced tape management information, searches for the identified location in the tape, reproduces recorded data from the identified location, converts the reproduced data into transport streams, and transmits them to the PC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Phil Roh
  • Patent number: 7047436
    Abstract: A digital microelectronic circuit comprises a clocked data-processing unit (1) and a converting unit (2) which reads in data present at the output of the data-processing unit, performs a predetermined converting operation on the data and passes on the converted data. The converting unit is realized in an asynchronous logic circuit, such that the period of time for performing the converting operation is shorter than the shortest time interval to the next change of the data present at the output of the data-processing unit. In this way, fast, serial synchronous processes can be parallelized from the point of view of the slow synchronous system in synchronous systems which are slow relative thereto by using asynchronous logics, without a further high-frequency clock system being required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Sabine Sommer, Detlef Müller, Markus Feuser
  • Patent number: 7027239
    Abstract: A data acquisition apparatus acquires an analog input signal from an analog sensor, and generates digital data based on the analog input signal for processing by a personal computing apparatus. The analog input signal generated by the analog sensor has a voltage component which varies according to a condition sensed by the analog sensor. The data acquisition apparatus includes a first conversion circuit, such as a voltage-to-frequency converter, coupled to the analog sensor which receives the analog input signal and generates an analog information transfer signal having a signal component which varies in relation to the voltage component of the analog input signal. A signal transfer device, such as a portable audio record/playback device, records the analog information transfer signal and transfers it to a first audio input of the personal computing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventors: William B. Priester, Joseph H. Butler, Jr., Michael J. Twigg
  • Patent number: 7027718
    Abstract: A packet recording/reproducing system is provided which records or reproduces packets on or from tracks formed in time sequence on a magnetic tape. In a recording operation, the packet recording/reproducing system adds to input packets time stamps whose values are synchronous with packet arrival time control clocks produced by the system. The timing with which the packets are recorded on the magnetic tape is controlled by the arrival time control clocks so that a given number of the packets inputted at high data rate are recorded within a one-track area, a two-track area, or a one-track over area defined across at least two of the tracks, thereby minimizing the loss of capacity of the magnetic tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Ohishi, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Yasuaki Yamada, Tomoyuki Shindo, Yutaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7027243
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing head amplitude characterization is disclosed. A DAC is used to apply known signals to a variable gain amplifier in the front end of a read channel. The signal is processed through the read channel and at the output of an ADC, the signal is read and used to determine the input channel amplitude. Knowing the amplitude of the two input signals, the ADC code spread and the two VGA gain codes, an equation is generated for determining the amplitude of a head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Chad E. Mitchell, Vicki L. Pipal, Joey M. Poss, Raymond A. Richetta
  • Patent number: 7027245
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing head amplitude characterization using gain loops is disclosed. A variable gain amplifier (VGA) receiving input signals and generates a VGA output signal. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit provides a desired input signal to the VGA and a gain control loop drives the VGA to gain lock the VGA to the provided desired input signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provides a digital output representing an ADC code spread in response to the VGA output. A controller drives the DAC to provide the desired input signal to the VGA and generates control signals for controlling the ADC, the controller further determines read head channel amplitude based upon the signal provided to the DAC, the ADC code spread received from the ADC and gain code provided by the gain control loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Chad E. Mitchell, Vicki L. Pipal, Joey M. Poss, Raymond A. Richetta
  • Patent number: 7020834
    Abstract: A Circuit for reducing the number of serial ATA external PHY signals includes: a serializer/deserializer, connected to a storage medium controller through a set of parallel signal transmitting lines and a set of parallel signal receiving lines, so as to convert signals between parallel and serial specifications; a phase locked loop, connected to the serializer/deserializer so as to generate a clock signal required for data signal transmission; at least one pair of transmitter and receiver, each connected to the serializer/deserializer, each transmitter able to transmit the serial data signal from the serializer through a set of serial signal transmitting lines to a serial ATA device, and each receiver able to receive the serial data from the serial ATA device through a set of serial signal receiving lines to the deserializer; and at least one OOB signal detector, each connected to the corresponding receiving lines, so as to detect the out of band signals from the serial ATA device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Yi Chiang, Tse-Hsien Wang
  • Patent number: 7006760
    Abstract: When macro blocks each of which has a variable length are input for one picture, null syncs each of which has a unit length are generated corresponding to the format of the video data to be handled. Corresponding to the length information, an overflow portion of a macro block is detected. The overflow portion is successively packed to macro blocks each of which is smaller than the unit length. Thus, each macro block is packed in the unit length. Since the length information of each null sync represents 0, the overflow portions are packed after the length information of each null sync. With null syncs, one format of video data can be matched with another format. In addition, with null syncs, overflow portions are packed. Thus, the record medium can be effectively used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Takagi, Satoshi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 6987817
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an analog circuit and a digital circuit. The analog circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of samples of an input signal in response to a plurality of phases of a reference clock. The digital circuit may be configured to (i) measure a width of a symbol in the input signal in response to the plurality of samples and the plurality of phases of the reference clock and (ii) adjust the measured width in response to a correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Reuveni
  • Patent number: 6985320
    Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and program for storing input groups of uncoded binary data on a storage medium. A plurality of uncoded data blocks in a data stream are received. An encoded data stream is obtained from concatenating successive encoded blocks such that the encoded data stream includes a predetermined bit pattern comprising a plurality of bits. The bit pattern always occurs within a first number of bits and two occurrences of a “1” or “0” occur within a second number of bits. The encoded data blocks are stored on the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mario Blaum, Glen Alan Jaquette, Brian Harry Marcus, Constantin Michael Melas
  • Patent number: 6978080
    Abstract: A video switching apparatus in which an operating mode (recording/reproduction) of a recording/reproducing apparatus is discriminated from a video output signal of the recording/reproducing apparatus by recording/reproduction detecting portion, thereby enabling an automatic switching of a setting mode of the video switching apparatus. It is possible to prevent recording failures which may be otherwise caused due to an inconsistency between the mode settings of the video switching apparatus and the recording/reproducing apparatus connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Ishimura, Kazuo Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6977975
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an analog circuit, a first digital circuit, and a second digital circuit. The analog circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of samples of an input signal in response to a plurality of phases of a reference clock. The first digital circuit may be configured to generate (i) one or more data signals, (ii) a first strobe signal, and (iii) a second strobe signal in response to the plurality of samples, the plurality of phases, and a correction signal. The second digital circuit may be configured to generate the correction signal and a width signal in response to (i) the one or more data signals, (ii) the first strobe signal, and (iii) the second strobe signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Reuveni
  • Patent number: 6957181
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes M. M. Verbakel, Josephus J. M. M. Geelen
  • Patent number: 6952315
    Abstract: A digital signal recording/reproducing apparatus having a mode for recording a compressed input signal on a recording medium and a mode for recording a non-compressed input signal on the recording medium. The apparatus include input circuits which input a digital compressed signal and an analog non-compressed signal, an A/D converter, a data compressor, a mode change-over circuit which changes-over the mode, and a selector which selects either a digital compressed signal from the data compressor or a digital compressed signal from the input circuit. A recorder records a recording signal to a recording medium and a reproducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Arai, Hitoaki Owashi, Kyoichi Hosokawa, Keizo Nishimura, Yoshizumi Watatani, Akira Shibata
  • Patent number: 6922297
    Abstract: A method of encoding and decoding data involving the simultaneous application of pulse width modulation and pulse position modulation systems to data intended for storage on a magnetic disk medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: ProtoScience, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle Kendrick Kirby
  • Patent number: 6859903
    Abstract: Bits in a first binary signal are compared with one or more first binary patterns. For each first binary patterns, if the comparison meets a predetermined criteria for the first binary pattern, than an evaluation value is calculated for that first binary pattern and for one or more secondary binary patterns that correspond to that first binary pattern, the evaluation value indicating the likelihood that each respective binary pattern corresponds with a portion of a run length limited binary signal represented by the bits of the first binary signal. The first binary signal is corrected to correspond with the binary pattern that was determined most likely to be a portion of the run length limited binary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Charalampos Pozidis
  • Patent number: 6819512
    Abstract: A method of encoding and decoding data involving the simultaneous application of pulse amplitude modulation, pulse width modulation, and pulse position modulation systems to data intended for storage on a magnetic disk medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: ProtoScience, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle K. Kirby