Abstract: An in-vehicle storage unit that can store an item to be stored in a vehicle, and includes: a storing portion that stores an item to be stored; an opening formed in the storing portion; a lid that is formed on the opening, and can be opened and closed; and a touch sensor panel that is formed in a surface of the lid, and can sense a touch operation by an operator. The touch sensor panel displays an operation icon on the touch sensor panel, in accordance with a sensing signal of the touch operation.

Abstract: A storage medium includes a content storage portion for storing content and a bookmark storage portion for storing a bookmark value. An associated player for playing the content includes a user interface for presenting the content to a user, a processor for presenting the content to the user interface starting at a starting segment of the content in accordance with the bookmark value, and a medium interface for reversibly operationally connecting the player to the storage medium to deliver the content and the bookmark value to the processor. The player plays the content until an ending segment is reached, and sets the bookmark value in accordance with the ending segment, so that subsequent playing, on the same player or on a different player, starts in accordance with the ending segment. The starting segment is selected either by the player or by the storage medium.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an optical disc apparatus of a slot loading type, including a photosensor disposed near a disc insertion port and configured to change an output therefrom when an optical disc is inserted, a memory configured to record an output signal from the photosensor, and a controller configured to estimate a transparent clamp area of the optical disc based on the output signal, estimate a position of a center hole part of the optical disk based on the estimated clamp area, and detect presence of a foreign matter in the center hole part when a light-blocking percentage in the center hole part indicated by the output signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A disk drive includes an insertion detection unit disposed at a position deviating from a transport center line in a first direction, a transport roller, and an opposing member that holds a disk together with the transport roller. The opposing member has a second guiding recess located in a second direction relative to the transport center line. The recess of the opposing member and the transport roller define a space therebetween to receive the disk inserted from a position deviating from the transport center line in the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a library system including a disc recording/reproducing unit, a disc container, and a disc transport unit for transporting a disc between the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc container. In order to improve the reliability of the operation of moving the disc from the disc recording/reproducing unit to the disc transport unit, a disc transport controller determines the situation in both the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc transport unit, and error-stops the operation according to the result of the determination. Alternatively, the disc transport controller retries the movement of the disc, by pulling the disc into the disc transport unit or returning the disc to the disc recording/reproducing unit, and by finely adjusting the relative positions of the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc transport unit if necessary, in order to solve the problem of damage to a surface of the disc.

Abstract: A compact disc (CD) player and method for ejection control thereof is provided. The CD player has: a CD tray, an eject button, a front-end module, a back-end module, and a fast response eject module, wherein the front-end module and the back-end module are coupled to each other and integrated in an integrated circuit (IC). The fast response eject module has a second tray control module for detecting a status of the eject button, and a second ejection detection module for controlling the ejecting/inserting of the CD tray according to the detected status of the eject button after the CD player is powered up and before initialization of the first ejection detection module is completed. Accordingly, the CD player of the invention may quickly respond to the status of the eject button and control ejecting/inserting of the CD tray immediately after the CD player is powered up.

Abstract: A reproduction device, contains a rotatable operation disk part for performing an input related to reading of data stored in a memory and a capacitance sensor section for outputting a sensor value expressing a change of a capacitance according to depression of the rotatable operation disk part. The device also contains a storage part for storing a reference value corresponding to the sensor value obtained while the rotatable operation disk part is not depressed, and a control part for judging presence/absence of pressing on the rotatable operation disk part based on a vector quantity being a relative value obtained from a difference between the sensor value output from the capacitance sensor section and the reference value stored in the storage part.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network device includes activating a sensor of the network device to receive data. The data from the sensor is analyzed to determine physical location information indicated thereby. A network address is automatically assigned to the network device based on the physical location information indicated by the data from the sensor. Related methods, systems, and apparatus are also discussed.

Abstract: A processor is provided in a main body and performs at least one of writing data on a plate-shaped medium, reading data from the medium and printing on the medium. A drawer tray is provided in the main body, includes a stacker portion which is configured to accommodate a plurality of plate-shaped media processed by the processor and is movable between an accommodated position where the stacker portion is capable of receiving the media and a drawn position where the drawer tray is pulled out from the main body to take out the media accommodated in the stacker portion.

Abstract: A method to automatically detect and rectify a tray block in a disk drive comprising detecting an occurrence of a tray block in a disk drive upon receiving a tray-out command or a tray-in command by determining whether the tray is in an intermediate position for a predetermined time period, the intermediate position being a position between a first position within a casing of the disk drive and a second position projecting completely outwards from the casing, the tray arranged to receive a record carrier when in the second position and being supported for movement between the first position and the second position. The detected tray block is rectified by cleaning a brush-commutator interface of a tray motor arranged to move the tray between the first position and the second position and is useful for optical recorders and/or players which have a design of a tray open/close mechanism.

Abstract: A medium processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing on a medium introduced from an outside; a power supply that can supply a first power supply voltage to the medium processing apparatus while the information processing apparatus is operating, whereas being able to supply a second power supply voltage to the medium processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is shut down; and a power supply controller that supplies the second power supply voltage from the power supply to the medium processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is shut down while the medium is in the medium processing apparatus, whereas stopping the supply of the second power supply voltage to the medium processing apparatus once the medium is removed from the medium processing apparatus which has been supplied with the second power supply voltage, are provided.

Abstract: A processor is provided in a main body and performs at least one of writing data on a plate-shaped medium, reading data from the medium and printing on the medium. A drawer tray is provided in the main body, includes a stacker portion which is configured to accommodate a plurality of plate-shaped media processed by the processor and is movable between an accommodated position where the stacker portion is capable of receiving the media and a drawn position where the drawer tray is pulled out from the main body to take out the media accommodated in the stacker portion.

Abstract: A method for configuring a network device including an optical sensor includes activating the optical sensor of the network device to generate data representing an image in view thereof, and analyzing the data from the optical sensor to determine image information represented by the image. A network address is automatically assigned to the network device based on the image information represented by the image in view of the optical sensor. Related methods, systems, and apparatus are also discussed.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting battery cell abnormalities in a multi-cell series battery for effectively and quickly detecting abnormalities with a simple, small circuit that provides improved reliability, safety and service life of the multi-cell series battery. In the voltage monitoring device 12, immediately after the start of the monitoring cycle of any battery cell BTi, cell voltage abnormality detector 14 checks whether cell voltage Vi is outside of the normal operating range. The cell voltage abnormality detector 14 has: a group of selection switches 18 for selecting any battery cell BT of multi-cell series battery 10 and retrieving its voltage to first and second monitoring terminals A, B; cell voltage/monitoring current converter 20; monitoring current/monitoring voltage converter 22; comparison/evaluation circuit 24; evaluation signal output circuit 26 and abnormality detection controller 28.

Abstract: A power saving method for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device is described. In the method, whether a watertight lid outside the optical disk drive is in open/closed state is detected by a sensor. When the watertight lid is in the closed state, whether an optical disk exists in the optical disk drive is detected by a read/write head of the optical disk drive. When no optical disk exists, a controller in the rugged electronic device begins to time. When a predetermined time is reached and no optical disk drive start command is received, the controller turns off an electrical connection between a power supply and the optical disk drive. When an optical disk drive start command is received, the controller enables the electrical connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive.

Abstract: An optical disk processing system having a recording unit and a printing unit is provided. The optical disk processing system comprises a printing unit and a recording unit. A drive controller of the recording unit rotationally drives a loaded optical disk (D) and detects whether or not a rotational speed is reduced during acceleration. When the rotational speed is reduced, it is judged that a stick-slip has occurred and loading of a plurality of the optical disks (D) is detected.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes an I/O port that connects to a port of a drive apparatus, and a storage unit that prestores manufacturing information in correspondence with device drivers. The optical disk apparatus further includes a controller that transmits a command indicating to return manufacturing information, to the drive apparatus via the I/O port. When manufacturing information is returned from the drive apparatus via the I/O port, the controller extracts a device driver corresponding to the returned manufacturing information from the device drivers in the storage unit. The controller then controls a reading operation or a recording operation of the drive apparatus on the optical disk, based on the extracted device driver.

Abstract: In an optical pickup driving mechanism using a stepping motor, a feeding operation of an optical pickup can be stabilized even in a broad operating temperature environment. In executing an optical axis correction feeding operation in response to an amount of lens shift of an objective lens of an optical pickup, a stepping motor controlling portion drives a stepping motor in a microstep drive mode to move a base of the optical pickup in a radial direction of an optical disk.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an electronic apparatus main body; and a movable body which is mounted in the electronic apparatus main body, with its predetermined direction-wise one end supported thereon, so as to be displaceable between an encased condition where its one surface faces the main body and an unfolded condition where the one surface is exposed. The electronic apparatus main body and the movable body are so arranged that, in the movable-body encased condition, orthographical projections in the predetermined direction, respectively, of at least a part of the other end portion of the movable body in the predetermined direction and at least a part of that area of the electronic apparatus main body which is opposed to the other end portion of the movable body are kept in superposed relation with each other.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes a first electric power source portion to convert a first power source voltage into a predetermined voltage, to be supplied to a part of the optical disc apparatus. A second electric power source, to convert a second power source voltage into another predetermined voltage, is supplied to other parts of the optical disc apparatus. An electric power source observation portion observes voltages of the first electric power source portion and the second electric power source portion so as to release resetting of a system constituting the optical disc apparatus, when the voltages of the first electric power source portion and the second electric power source portion reach respective predetermined voltages.

Abstract: An optical disc device includes a recording section which records recording information in an optical disk, a reproducing section to reproduce the information recorded in the optical disk, a storage section which stores information Po?n to Po+n or Pb?n to Pb+n of a preceding or succeeding position Po±n or Pb±n while a recording start position Po or a recording interrupt position Pb is defined as a reference, the information being reproduced by the reproducing section, when recording of the recording information is started or recording is restarted after the recording has been interrupted, and processing section which comparing reproduction information obtained by reproducing the information Po?n to Po+n or Pb?n to Pb+n again, cache information stored in the storage section, and the recording information, and then, determining whether or not recording has been normally performed on the optical disk when recording of the recording information terminates or is interrupted.

Abstract: A method for checking a disk loading status in an optical disk driver including the steps of: discriminating a loading status of an optical disk during multiple loading stages of the disk; transmitting information to a host connected through an interface to the optical disk driver in case that disk has been jammed upon discrimination; and performing disk-ejection operation according to a disk ejection command received from the host, wherein in the step of discriminating the loading status of an optical disk by during multiple loading stages of the disk, a loading status of an optical disk is discriminated on the basis of sensing signals respectively outputted from a plurality of optical sensor for sensing a size of the optical disk and from a loading switch for sensing whether the optical disk has been clamped.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing unit with improved operability. A reading section (10) reads information recorded in an optical disk, and outputs a read signal. A DSP (20) detects the read signal and processes to a reproducible form. A quick return button selects at least one of the processing details for starting or stopping the information processing and for changing a reproducing position of the information. When a reproducing state changing section (120) recognizes a change instruction for changing a processing state for the information, a reproduction control section (52) changes the processing state by the DSP 20 based on the processing details selected with the quick return button.

Abstract: An optical disk drive capable of detecting occurrence of tooth jump in a mechanism for transferring an optical pickup. The optical pickup is transferred in a radial direction of an optical disk by means of a stepping motor. A control section having received a seek operation command from a host machine drives the stepping motor by way of a controller, to thus cause the optical pickup to perform seek up to a target address. The amount of displacement between a current address achieved after seek operation and a target address is computed. When the amount of displacement is equal to or greater than a pitch P of the transfer mechanism; namely, the pitch P of a lead screw, the tooth jump is determined to have arisen. Seek conditions are changed, and seek is reperformed.

Abstract: A disc transfer section for transferring an optical disc by guide members and a transfer roller is disposed adjacent to an opening of a casing 110. A detector 500 for detecting the optical disc is disposed adjacent to the opening. When unloading the optical disc, the peripheral edge of the optical disc contacts with slide members so that the slide members are slid, thereby sensor switches SW1 to SW4 are appropriately switched on and off. Based on a time difference between the timings of the on/off switchings, the relation between a movement trajectory of the center of the optical disc and an axis of symmetry that is a straight line indicating a transfer direction at the center of the opening is judged in order to control the drive of a transfer motor according to the movement trajectory. The amount of advancement when the unloading is completed is kept constant.

Abstract: A data carrier drive apparatus (1) comprises data carrier loading means (3) for supporting a data carrier, which data carrier loading means (3) is movable between an open and a closed end position along a traveling path by means of a loading means motor (4); and detection means (23, 25) being arranged to monitor an electric driving current (IM) or a driving voltage (UM) impressed to the loading means motor (4), wherein the detection means (23, 25) is adapted to detect a predefined signal pattern of the driving current (IM) or voltage (UM), which signal pattern is representative for the traveling of the loading means along its traveling path at a specific position or section of the path.

Abstract: Application program interfaces for controlling an external media changer from a computer are provided. The application program interfaces allow for loading and identification of discs in a media changer. The application program interfaces can further allow for control of media changer functions such as locking of media changer elements and playback of disc content for discs in the media changer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing disk seek time to improve the overall throughput by improving the scheduling of read requests. One or more requests to read data from one or more disks are scheduled by suspending one or more requests to read data from the disk for a predefined period of time. The read suspension can be initiated, for example, in response to a request to read data from the disk, such as a speculative read operation. The predefined period of time may be approximately equal, for example, to an expected duration of the read request operation, an expected seek time, a predefined recovery time or a time since a last request less a recovery time. The read suspension can be conditioned upon one or more predefined criteria, such as a disk bandwidth threshold being satisfied, a time since a last request threshold being satisfied and a condition that only a request for a different stream than a currently requested stream is suspended.

Abstract: When a disk unloading operation is made by mistake or when recording is suddenly required after the unloading operation in a conventional disk recording/playback apparatus which has no cancel function of the disk unloading operation, an important recording chance is often missed. This invention allows the user to cancel the disk unloading operation, and can quickly restore the state before the disk unloading operation, thus solving the above problem.

Abstract: Method for changing access speed of an optical disk drive, which is used to switch the optical disk drive with different access speeds, to provide the optimal mode for data access. The method places an RC circuit between the electrical circuits and one of the buttons of the disk drive. Pressing the control button varies the input voltage of the control circuit and the control circuit changes the work speed of the optical disk drive motor.

Abstract: A method for detecting a size of an optical disk loaded in an optical disk drive is disclosed. The optical disk drive has an optical pickup head, and the initial position of the optical pickup head is located on the outer side of a track. The steps of the method are described as follows. First, the optical disk is loaded. Then, the optical pickup head is moved from the initial position to a first position, and a laser beam is irradiated simultaneously. The laser beam reflected by the optical disk is received by the optical pickup head. According to the condition of the reflected laser beam received by the optical pickup head, the size of the disk can be determined.

Abstract: In an optical disc reproducing apparatus, when a stop key is pressed during reproduction of an optical disc, a resume function is activated, and a resume-on indication appears on a display device. When the resume-on indication goes out a predetermined time thereafter, a resume-indicating light-emitting device is lit. Thereafter, when a play key is pressed, resume reproduction is started. If, by mistake, a key other than the play key is pressed, a warning indication appears on the display device to indicate that a resume-on state is currently established, and also, if the pressing of the key is a first-time pressing, the pressing of the key is neglected.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus is adapted to load an optical disc inserted in a slot into a main body and to read and reproduce data stored on the optical disc. The optical disc apparatus temporarily prevents a loading means from loading an optical disc into the main body if a guide flag stored in a storage means is off when the optical disc is inserted in the slot. At the same time, the apparatus instructs a guide image outputting means to output a guide image that indicates a proper orientation in which the optical disc is to be inserted into the slot.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of ejecting an optical disc for an optical drive. First of all, a first voltage to a tray motor for moving a tray positioned at a first position inside the optical drive is provided. Next, a time required for moving the tray from a first position to a second position is measured, wherein the second position is positioned between the first position and a complete-ejection position. After that, a second voltage according to the time is determined. Lastly, the second voltage to the tray motor for moving the tray to the complete-ejection position is provided.

Abstract: A storage medium player includes a base defining a medium-receiving area, a driving device mounted in the base for driving a medium, a cover pivotably attached to the base adjacent one side of the medium-receiving area, and a safety device mounted in the base adjacent an opposite side of the medium-receiving area. The safety device is capable of being switched between an activated state and a deactivated state upon pivoting the cover with respect to the base. When the cover is closed, the safety device is in the activated state and the driving device is enabled. When the cover is open, the safety device is in the deactivated state and the driving device is disabled.

Abstract: A loading mechanism includes a frame and a tray on which an information recording medium is placeable. The tray includes a groove part and is movable between a first position where the information recording medium is contained completely inside the frame and a second position where the information recording medium is exposed completely outside the frame. The loading mechanism further includes at least three projections arranged on the frame at predetermined intervals along the sliding directions of the tray. The projections include first and second guide and support parts forming the first and second ends of the arrangement of the projections. The first and second guide and support parts come into substantially point or linear contact with the groove part of the tray so as to guide and support the tray when the tray is in the second position.

Abstract: An optical recording controlling method and an optical recording apparatus utilizing the method implement operations of performing a recording operation to record the data in the recording medium, applying a pause request signal to stop, temporarily, the recording operation, determining whether to set a record resume time, and if the record resume time is set while the recording operation is in pause, temporarily stopping the recording operation and then resuming the recording operation at the record resume preset time. Therefore, the recording operation may be resumed at a user's desired time.

Abstract: Disclosed are detecting apparatus for detecting statuses of an optical disc and methods thereof, which can avoid or reduce erroneous status decisions at the edge of a blank region. The detecting apparatus includes a blank detector, for detecting a blank region of the optical disc to generate a blank detection signal; an edge detector, for detecting a transition of the blank detection signal to generate an edge detection signal; a control circuit, in response to the edge detection signal for outputting control signals; and a defect detector in response to the control signals for detecting defect region of the optical disc to generate a defect decision signal.

Abstract: A disk drive comprising a tray (TR) for receiving a disk, the tray (TR) being supported for movement between a first position within a casing (CS) of the disk drive and a second position projecting from the casing (CS), an electric motor for moving the tray (TR) between the first and second positions, and a regulation device for regulating an electric current through the motor for regulating the rotation of the motor. The regulation device comprises a detection device for detecting a back-electromotive voltage produced during rotation of the motor for deriving position information of the tray (TR) with respect to the first and second positions.

Abstract: The disk carrying apparatus includes a lifting portion which carries a disk onto a turntable, a chuck which holds the carried disk on the turntable, and a third switch which detects an intermediate position between a holding operation start position where the chuck starts a disk holding operation and a holding operation end position where the chuck finishes the disk holding operation. After completion of an initial disk holding operation, the chuck returns to the intermediate position detected by the third switch and retries the disk holding operation.

Abstract: A method of tray ejecting force control for a tray-type optical drive is disclosed. A preliminary input voltage is provided to a DC motor of the tray-type optical drive to perform a preliminary ejection of a tray-type optical drive tray during a preliminary time period. When the preliminary time period is shorter than a predetermined time period, a first voltage smaller than the preliminary input voltage is provided to the DC motor to eject the tray. Alternately, when the preliminary time period is longer than the predetermined time period, a second voltage greater than the first voltage is provided to the DC motor for to eject the tray.

Abstract: A write once disc, a disc drive therefor, and a method of managing disc defects on the write once disc using the disc drive in consideration of the compatibility of the write once disc with a rewritable disc drive, the write once disc includes a single record layer disc in which a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area are sequentially formed and a first spare area and a second spare area are sequentially formed in the data area. The write once disc includes a defect management area (DMA) formed in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; a first temporary defect management area (TDMA) formed in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; and a second TDMA formed between the first spare area and a user data area or between the user data area and the second spare area.

Abstract: A write once disc allowing management of a data area, a method of managing the data area of the write once disc, an apparatus recording data on the write once disc, an apparatus and method of reproducing data from a write once disc. The write once disc, includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. The write once disc includes a predetermined area storing area allocation information which indicates whether at least one section of the data area is allocated for disc defect management. In the disc and method, area allocation information specifying a structure of the data area is recorded on the disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognize the data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a spare area, for disc defect management other than an area for storing user data, to the data area is possible. The allocation of the areas for disc defect management to the data area enables effective use of the write once disc.

Abstract: A method and arrangement remembers a last-played position of a recorded medium by associating an identification number with the medium and storing therewith in memory a last-play position of the medium. The identification number of the recorded medium is analyzed after re-insertion of the medium into the player and play is resumed at the last-play position when the identification number corresponds with the identification number previously stored in memory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for overriding an ejection lock pertain to detecting manipulation of an ejection control element signaling an intent to override the ejection lock, and overriding the ejection lock to enable storage medium ejection.

Abstract: A tape-shaped switch (500) is provided on a base part (410). Coil springs (460) support a ring-shaped rotational drive section (450) on the position opposed to the switch (500), biasing the same away from the base part (410), so that the rotational drive section (450) may move toward and from the base part (410). First buffers are provided in association with the switches (501) of the tape-shaped switch (500), respectively. A flange (313) extends outward from the disc-shaped table plate (311) of a jog table unit (310) and is mounted on the rotational drive section (450). When the user depresses the jog table unit (310), moving the same downward, at least one of the switches (501) is closed. The motion of the jog table unit (310) is reliably detected because it is detected at a position outside that part of the jog table unit (310), which is depressed so that good feeling of the operation can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tray-out control method for moving out a loading tray of an optical drive. A first forcing function is applied to the loading tray to overcome a lesser magnetic attraction when an optical disk is placed on the loading tray. A second forcing function is applied to the loading tray to overcome a greater magnetic attraction when the optical disk is not placed on the loading tray. A maximum value of the second forcing function is larger than a maximum value of the first forcing function.

Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus, after chucking an optical disk, the optical disk apparatus defers the start of the rotation of the optical disk, and measures the focusing drive voltage at two points, i.e., a point near a center of the optical disk and a point near an outer edge of the optical disk. Then, based on the measured values, the optical disk apparatus determine the angle at which the optical disk is slanted. Therefore, when the optical disk has been chucked inappropriately, the chucking state can be determined without rotating the optical disk, and scratching of the optical disk and damage to the optical disk apparatus can be prevented.

Abstract: A method is for simultaneously operating the tray of an optical disk system and the front panel of the computer cabinet wherein the optical disk system is housed. In the method, the tray of the optical disk system is ejected immediately after the front panel of the computer case is completely opened when a tray operation instruction is issued and the front panel is currently at a close state. Additionally, the tray is retracted into the optical disk system before the front panel of the computer case is closed when a tray operation instruction is issued again and the front panel is currently at an open state so that the optical disk system may been closed inside a computer cabinet of the computer including HI-FI stereo. In the embodiment, the tray operation instruction is delivered via an output pin of the computer including HI-FI stereo and one of the reserved output pin of the optical disk system.

Abstract: A loading mechanism includes a frame and a tray on which an information recording medium is placeable. The tray includes a groove part and is movable between a first position where the information recording medium is contained completely inside the frame and a second position where the information recording medium is exposed completely outside the frame. The loading mechanism further includes at least three projections arranged on the frame at predetermined intervals along the sliding directions of the tray. The projections include first and second guide and support parts forming the first and second ends of the arrangement of the projections. The first and second guide and support parts come into substantially point or linear contact with the groove part of the tray so as to guide and support the tray when the tray is in the second position.