Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes a rotary driving unit rotating an optical disk which is flexible, an optical pickup irradiating light upon a recording surface of the optical disk on which writing/reading of information is performed, a stabilizing unit stabilizing vibration of the optical disk in a rotary axial direction by using pressure difference of air flow at least on a portion where writing/reading is performed, and being disposed on a side of the optical disk opposite to a side on which the recording surface is provided, and a control-adjustment unit analyzing a value of a tracking error signal of the optical disk obtained by scanning along a groove of the optical disk with use of the optical pickup, comparing the analyzed value of the tracking error signal of the optical disk and a value priorly obtained by scanning along a groove of a standard disk-prepared beforehand, and adjusting a positional relation between the optical disk and the stabilizing member in a three dimensional space according to t

Abstract: When an optical disk apparatus 1 determines that it is timing of switching a recording layer for reading data from one recording layer to the other recording layer with respect to an optical disk 10, regardless of the amount of data stored in buffer memory 6 at this point in time, the optical disk apparatus 1 moves a pickup head 2 in a radial direction of the optical disk 10, and acquires a waveform of a tracking error signal, and also moves an objective lens in a direction going toward the optical disk 10, and acquires a waveform of a focus error signal, and readjusts tracking servo gain and focus servo gain based on these signal waveforms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for controlling disk reproduction speed to extend an operable time of a portable device such as a notebook computer using a battery as a power source. A method for adjusting a disk reproduction speed based on a remaining battery energy according to the present invention, at the part of a portable device such as a notebook computer, detects an amount of the remaining battery energy, and sends a data indicating the detected amount of the remaining battery energy to a connected disk device, and, at the other part of a disk device, reduces a disk reproduction speed based on the data sent by the portable device. The method and apparatus for controlling disk reproduction speed according to the present invention can extend an operable time of the portable device whose operating power is supplied from an equipped battery whose storage capacity is restricted.

Abstract: This invention provide a recording/reproducing device for a recordable optical disc. The recordable optical disc has a management data area in which data related to intrinsic physical characteristics and data related to linear recording density are recorded, and a data recording area in which recording data is recorded. A rotational driving unit rotationally drives the optical disc and has a speed detection unit for detecting rotation of the optical disc. A temperature detection unit detects the temperature on the periphery of the optical disc. A control unit calculates optimum power of a laser beam cast onto the optical disc on the basis of the data related to intrinsic physical characteristics and the data related to linear recording density which are read out by a head unit, detection data from the speed detection unit, and detection data from the temperature detection unit, and control the head unit on the basis of the result of the calculation.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus is disclosed. A light emitting element emits a laser beam directed to a recordable optical disk. A driver rotates the optical disk. A first optimum recording power obtaining part performs test recording on the optical disk while the optical disk is rotated by the driver and output power of the light emitting element is varied so as to obtain an optimum recording power based on a reproduction signal in a test recorded area. A temperature measuring part measures the temperature in the vicinity of the light emitting element. A memory stores the optimum recording power obtained by the first optimum recording power obtaining part and the measured temperature when the optimum recording power is obtained. A temperature-dependent recording power obtaining part refers to the optimum recording power and the associated temperature stored in the memory so as to obtain an optimum recording power according to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part in real recording.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus that records information on a recording medium includes a write unit performing a write operation on the recording medium in which data continuity is maintained at an ending and an beginning point of writing information to the recording medium, a stop instruction unit instructing a temporary stop of the write operation during the write operation, a restart instruction unit instructing a restart of the write operation, and a write stop/restart control unit controlling the write unit to stop performing the write operation in response to an instruction of the temporary stop by said stop instruction unit and controlling the write unit to restart performing the write operation in response to an instruction of the restart by the restart instruction unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information disc-recording/playback apparatus which includes a track cross detection means (112), a track cross direction detection means (113), a rotation angle detection means (114), and a count means (115), detects the track pitch of a disc, evaluates the vibration amount, or vibration speed, or vibration acceleration considering the track pitch of the disc, and determines a maximum rotation speed that is lower than the allowable vibration amplitude, vibration speed, or vibration acceleration of the information disc recording/playback apparatus; as well as a vibration detection method for the information disc recording/playback apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information recording apparatus including a head that is disposed so as to face a recording medium, and records information in the recording medium and/or reproduces information therefrom, and a head actuator for moving the head toward and away from the recording medium. The apparatus further comprises a capacitor electrically charged by a power source; and a driving processor for driving the head actuator with electric charge accumulated in the capacitor in accordance with a voltage of the power source, and for retracting the head to a position away from the recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording technique which, even when an interruption of recording operation takes, place for some reasons, can make the most of the features of a recording medium and can record data on the medium with a good reliability. This can be realized by changing abnormality judging conditions according to the type of the recording medium and changing record resuming conditions after the interruption of the recording operation.

Abstract: An optical storage device having a lens opposite to a storage medium comprises an actuator that moves the lens,a mechanical shock acceleration sensing means that senses a mechanical shock acceleration, a collision prevention control means that drives the actuator for a predetermined period of time with a first driving force greater than the maximum rating force of the actuator when the mechanical shock acceleration sensed by the mechanical shock acceleration sensing means becomes a value equal to a predetermined value, and then, that drives the actuator with a second driving force smaller than the maximum rating force of the actuator.

Abstract: A first detector is provided for detecting an optical disc inserted in an opening of a reproducing system and for producing a first signal, and a second detector is provided on a reproducing device for detecting the disc carried to the device and for producing a second signal. A sensing circuit is provided for sensing a temporary reduction of a voltage of power supplied to the system and for producing a temporary reduction signal. A control means is provided to be responsive to the first signal and to the temporary reduction signal for operating a carrying device to carry the disc in an unloading direction, and in a loading direction when the disc reaches a predetermined position.

Abstract: A disk drive capable of producing the effect of a balancer even in a variety of reproduction and recording speeds without causing problems owing to the balancer, comprising a balancer in which magnetic balls 1 movably accommodated inside a damper 6 cancel any imbalance amount of a disk 5, and a detection section 14 provided near the clamper 6 to detect the behavior of the magnetic balls 1.

Abstract: A means for measuring the temperature in the surroundings of a semiconductor laser is provided and, if the temperature is not above a certain level, power correction is performed at high speed by linearly approximating the I-H characteristic according to one item out of reproduction power and multi-pulse recording power, or if the temperature is higher, accurate power correction of the semiconductor laser is accomplished by detecting a plurality of items out of reproduction power and multi-pulse recording power.

Abstract: A recording interruption-controlling section interrupts recording if vibration is detected in order to complete proper recording by making it possible to interrupt and restart recording in cases where proper recording is difficult to continue because of vibration or the like. A recording quality-confirming section reproduce a recording signal after the recording has been interrupted and detects a recording location at which degradation in recording quality occurs. A CD-ROM encoder or a CD encoder re-encodes data held in a buffer, and recording is restarted from the location at which degradation in recording quality occurs under the control of a recording restart-controlling section.

Abstract: Because a series of data is recorded continuously, the recording quality of data recorded in course of recording cannot be evaluated. Accordingly, the laser output cannot be controlled properly and there are a deterioration and dispersion of the recording quality. Further, when the recording lasts for a long time, the temperature in the vicinity of laser rises due to the heat from the inside of a disc drive and the recording quality is deteriorated.

Abstract: Given a CD-ROM drive having a plurality of speed ranges selectable in n-fold graduation and having linearly reduced rotational speeds within each speed range respectively between outer and inner sector and having the prescription that a reduction of the rotational speed automatically ensues given a negative read result, control means are provided that effective switching into a lower speed range when a predetermined noise level is upwardly transgressed and/or when vibrations occur.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is intended that the recording can be executed normally even against small vibrations to which a servo error signal detecting circuit cannot respond. A recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical head (12) for receiving a reflected laser beam (LREF) obtained when a laser beam (LIRR) is irradiated on a CD-R (10). This recording apparatus further includes a gate circuit (31) to which an output signal (SRD) of the optical head (12) is supplied and a level comparing circuit (34) for comparing a value of an output signal (DTAU) of this gate circuit (31) with a predetermined reference value (DTH). Upon recording, the gate circuit (31) is controlled in such a manner that a signal of a predetermined period &tgr; may be outputted from the output signal (SRD) supplied from the optical head (12) to the gate circuit (31) as the output signal (DTAU).

Abstract: A power saving system of an optical recording/reproducing apparatus is provided. The optical recording/reproducing apparatus includes a temporal memory which stores reproduced data or recording data in a cyclic data storage stage and from which the stored data is read out for reproduction or recording in a cyclic data readout stage following the data storage stage. The power saving system saves part of power consumed in the apparatus in the data storage stage in a record mode of operation and in the data readout stage in a reproduce mode of operation.

Abstract: The method of controlling laser power of an optical disk player, in which liner velocity of writing data is accelerated, by stages, toward an outer edge of an optical disk, is characterized in that a laser power for writing data is changed when the liner velocity is changed. With this method, the laser power for writing data is changed when the liner velocity is changed, so quality and reliability of the written data can be improved.

Abstract: External drive components and computers having external drive components with disabling systems that restrict access to software and other computer-readable media in the external drive components only to authorized users. In one embodiment, a computer includes a processor, a power supply coupled to the processor, and an external drive component. The external drive component can include a head capable of reading and/or writing data on a computer-readable medium, a holder configured to hold the computer-readable medium in an operating position in which the head can read data from the computer-readable medium, and a drive assembly coupled to the holder. The drive assembly moves the holder and/or the computer-readable medium from the operating position to a load/unload position in which the computer-readable medium is accessible to a user. The computer can also include a disabling system coupled to the drive assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of measuring axial vibration of a rotating disk. The present axial vibration measuring method selects a plurality of equally-spaced (45°˜120°-spaced) angular positions of a disk recording medium to conduct focusing operation at, conducts focusing operation at each selected position, measures focusing time from each start of the focusing operation to exactness in focus, and calculates axial vibration of the disk recording medium based on a deviation of the measured focusing times. The present method can measure exactly how much a rotating disk vibrates axially.

Abstract: Disclosure is a collision preventive device of a pickup device in an apparatus for performing recording or reproducing, with relative movement, to or from an optical information recording medium recorded with information on a track. The device includes a contact portion to be contacted with a surface of the optical information recording medium earlier than an objective lens when the objective lens approaches the surface of the optical information recording medium, and a non-contact portion provided adjacent the contact portion not to be contacted with the surface of the optical information recording medium in an area corresponding to a path of a light spot defined by a diameter of the light spot of a light beam on the track.

Abstract: When during the operation of recording a signal onto a disk the amount of signal data stored in a buffer RAM for temporarily storing a recording signal falls below an interruption set value, the recording operation on the disk is interrupted. Subsequently, when the amount of signal data stored in the buffer RAM increases to a resumption set value, a signal recorded on the disk before the interruption is reproduced. On the basis of the reproduced signal, the recording operation is resumed from a position where the recording is interrupted. The operation of resuming recording that is interrupted due to a shock is permitted. The operation of resuming recording after the interruption of the recording is started from a position that is before the position where the recording is interrupted.

Abstract: In an information recording apparatus, for conducting finalizing process on a removable recording medium with certainty, on which information is recorded in an easy format contained within a portable equipment in real-time manner, wherein the finalizing process is executed (steps 102, 103 and 104) when a predetermined amount of capacity remains in a battery 22, or when an external electric power source is connected to (20), depending upon a disc recording medium 32. Also, providing electric power saving (37) during time-period of this process and means (16) for inhibition of camera operation, for stoppage on a way and for re-recording, realizes the certain finalizing process. Further, a means is provided for conducting that process at high speed. Therefore, the finalizing process can be achieved with stability even in a portable equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system of following a follow target position. A control system has a disturbance observer for obtaining a disturbance force estimation value and a speed estimation value as estimation values of a disturbance force and a speed as a speed to be controlled by using an actuator control signal cont and a zero follow position which can be observed. Since the disturbance force estimation value and speed estimation value are fed back.

Abstract: A vibration quantity measuring apparatus and method, and a loop design method in which a vibration quantity generated in a focus and tracking loop is accurately measured to optimally design a focus and tracking loop of an optical disc drive. The vibration quantity measuring apparatus includes an error gain adjusting unit which adjusts an amplitude of a focus and tracking error which occurs where a disc rotates, so as to maintain the amplitude of the focus and tracking error constant, a loop gain adjusting unit which compares a closed loop phase of a focus and tracking loop and a predetermined reference closed loop phase, and maintains a constant gain of the focus and tracking loop to compensate for a gain difference of an actuator, and a measuring unit which calculates and outputs a vibration quantity using an error adjusted by the error gain adjusting unit and the loop gain adjusting unit, and an output of a controller which controls a focus and tracking of the disc.

Abstract: A disc type determining apparatus in a disc recording and reproducing apparatus in which vibrations generated by rotations of a disc occur in a focus and tracking control actuator includes an error gain adjusting unit, which adjusts an amplitude of a focus and tracking error in order to maintain a constant amplitude of the focus and tracking error; a loop gain adjusting unit which compares the closed loop phase of the focus and tracking control loop and a predetermined reference closed loop phase, and maintains a constant gain of the focus and tracking control loop; a vibration measuring unit which measures vibrations using the adjusted error and the output of a controller; and a disc type determining unit which extracts a predetermined signal to determine the type of a disc using the measured vibrations, measures the deflection, eccentricity, and mass eccentricity of a disc using the extracted signal.

Abstract: With an object of executing excellent finishing processing when information is recorded to a rewritable type record medium or a write once type record medium, the finishing processing is switched by whether a kind of a medium for recording information is the rewritable type record medium or the write once type record medium and a method of executing the finishing processing is switched based on a state of supplying power.

Abstract: A stabilization part stabilizes surface vibration of a flexible optical disk along a rotation axis direction of the optical disk by means of pressure difference of air flow created according to Bernoulli's law at a portion on which information writing/reading is performed, provided on a side of the optical disk opposite to a side on which information recording/reproducing is performed. In this case, areas are provide on the upstream side and down stream side along the disk rotation direction of the portion of the optical disk which is stabilized by said stabilization part, said areas of the optical disk not having pressure difference created thereon by the air flow.

Abstract: A dubbing system for inhibiting, for a predetermined length of time, a high-speed dubbing operation for a program for which a high-speed dubbing operation was executed within the predetermined length of time. When the power supply to a volatile memory in which high-speed dubbing permission and inhibition information for each program is stored is reset, the high-speed dubbing immediately after the restarting of the power supply to this volatile memory is forcibly inhibited for the predetermined length of time.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

Abstract: A tracking control method measures an optimum offset by measuring a light beam irradiation state of a light beam while offsetting a tracking target position of the light beam on a recording medium so that an optimum light beam irradiation state is obtained at the tracking target position, and carries out a tracking control by setting the measured optimum offset.

Abstract: A write and/or erase method is adapted to a storage apparatus having a function of changing a write and/or erase power of a light beam with respect to a recording medium. The write and/or erase method sets a write and/or erase slice level for detecting an off-track of the light beam with respect to a track on the recording medium depending on the write and/or erase power.

Abstract: A mode setting circuit (13) establishes a maximum speed enabling mode when an external power source connection detecting circuit (12) detects connection of an external power source and establishes a maximum speed restricting mode when the external power source connection detecting circuit (12) does not detect connection of an external power source. Data processing at the maximum disk rotation speed is enabled when the external power source is connected and, when no external power source is connected, the disk rotation speed is restricted to a speed corresponding to a data transfer rate at which power required for the data processing can be supplied from an interface (1).

Abstract: A radial tilt detector provided in an optical disc recording/reproduction apparatus includes an optical head for projecting a condensed beam of light on a recording surface of an optical disc and receiving a projected beam of light reflected from the recording surface, a focus actuator for focusing the condensed beam and a driver for outputting a drive signal to drive the focus actuator. The detector also includes an acceleration detector for outputting a signal indicative of an acceleration in a direction depending on an optical axis of the light beam, and a radial tilt calculation processor for receiving the acceleration signal and a signal indicative of the distance between the center of the optical disc and the projected position of the light beam on the recording surface where calculating the radial tilt is based on the received signals and the rotation velocity of the optical disc.

Abstract: A disc apparatus is designed for recording a signal on an optical disc by irradiating an optical beam according to a strategy which is stepwise updated by a given step amount. In the disc apparatus, a detector successively detects a linear velocity of the optical disc relative to the optical beam in realtime basis. A strategy generator operates every time the detector detects the linear velocity of the optical disc for successively generating the strategy according to the detected linear velocity. A storage has a plurality of storage areas, each being capable of memorizing the strategy successively generated by the strategy generator. A write controller rewrites one of the storage areas every time the strategy is generated until the strategy is updated by a given step amount and then rewrites another of the storage areas every time the strategy is generated while leaving said one storage area to hold the updated strategy, thereby updating the strategy through the plurality of the storage areas.

Abstract: When the temperature of an SPM (spindle motor), measured by a temperature sensor, falls outside a predetermined temperature range, a CPU in a disk drive sets, in a disk controller, information concerning the activation of the SPM, to enable a host system to acquire the information. The information includes a temperature control request used to cause the temperature of the SPM to fall within the predetermined temperature range, the present temperature of the SPM and a waiting time required for the SPM to become activatable as a result of temperature control by the host system.

Abstract: A magnetooptic recording medium has at least a recording layer for recording data and a reproducing layer for reproducing the data recorded in the recording layer onto a substrate and reproduces the data by setting a proper reproducing laser power upon reproduction. According to the magnetooptic recording medium, magnetizing directions of a buffer area, a sector address area, and a gap area which are sandwiched between data areas in which the data is recorded are uniformly magnetized in the recording direction.

Abstract: A method comprises writing data to a disk using a write laser, and halting recording at a stopping point, prior to an end of the disk. The method further comprises reading the data recorded on the disk and evaluating the data. The method further comprises adjusting the characteristics of the write laser, if appropriate, and restarting the writing using the adjusted characteristics for the write laser.

Abstract: In a case where there occurs an even of interrupting recording operation such as a power cut out or a communication error, while creating a library in the hard disk by a recording/reproducing section 3, a system control microprocessor 31 controls to automatically delete a halfway file that is not completely recorded, thereby preventing the halfway recorded file from being accumulated in the hard disk B.

Abstract: When a deviated gravity disc is reproduced at a higher rate with the disc reproducing apparatus, an excessive vibration is generated and this vibration gives adverse effect on the disc reproducing apparatus and peripheral components/apparatuses, and/or may represent an annoyance to a user. A vibration information detector for detecting vibration of the disc reproducing apparatus or a deviated gravity information detector for detecting amount of gravity deviation of disc is provided, and as a result of such detection of an imbalance (i.e., excessive vibration or mass eccentricity), and a reproducing rate switching control controls sets and limits the reproducing rate of the disc reproducing apparatus to a substitute speed which is lower or higher than a normal reproducing speed.

Abstract: A method of detecting a deviation in a servo control system to control a controlled system, has the processes of: applying a disturbance signal, which has a wave form having a constant frequency, to the controlled system; detecting a variation in a wave form of an output signal output from the controlled system by comparing the wave form of the output signal with the wave form of the disturbance signal; and detecting the deviation on the basis of the detected variation.

Abstract: A motor controlling device includes an acceleration detector for detecting an acceleration of a motor; a motor driver for supplying a driving current to the motor; a heat quantity calculator for calculating a heat quantity generated in the motor at least based on an output from the acceleration detector; and a motor controller for controlling the motor driver based on the heat quantity.

Abstract: In a CD drive 100, a tracking subsystem comprising tracking detector 330, a control processor 310 and tracking actuator assembly 340, is coupled to photodiodes A-F, to have the lens assembly 200 track a data track 140 on a disc 105. A vibration detector subsystem comprising a vibration detector 350, the control processor 310, and the speed setting function 315, is also coupled to photodiodes A-F, and the vibration detector subsystem disables the tracking subsystem and detects vibration of the lens assembly 200 at a resonant speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the amount of rotational vibration generated from the rotation of the disk so that the amount of rotational vibration due to the unbalance of the disk can be correctly detected without the additional circuit using the vibration sensor thereby providing data which can assist a series of reactions to prevent a noise or vibration generated from the device. The method comprises the following steps of: the first step of counting number of a traverse signal in a low rotational velocity of a record medium; the second step of counting number of the traverse signal in a high rotational velocity of the disk after completing the first step; the third step of calculating the difference between the numbers of the traverse signals counted in the first and second steps; and the fourth step of converting the traverse signal number difference calculated in the third step into the amount of rotational vibration.

Abstract: An optical pickup and driving method for an optical disk drive holding an optical disk includes a base, an object lens, and a slider supporting the object lens, where the object lens focuses a light on a recording surface of the optical disk. An optical head section includes the slider, where an air bearing floats the slider generated between the optical head section and the optical disk. Wire suspensions movably support the optical head section with respect to the base. A driving unit drives the optical head section in a tracking direction and a focusing direction. A latching unit selectively securely positions the optical head section at a predetermined distance away from the optical disk preventing the optical head section from colliding with the optical disk.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for an optical disk drive records or reproduces data on or from an optical disk, includes an optical head section including an object lens focusing an incident light on the optical disk, a slider on which the object lens is mounted, wherein the slider floats over the optical disk by an air bearing generated between the optical disk and the slider, a bobbin on which the slider is mounted, and a flexure disposed between the slider and the bobbins elastically supporting the slider. A driving unit drives the slider in a tracking direction and a focusing direction. In the above construction, the slider floats over a recording surface of the optical disk due to an air bearing and a near field between the object lens and the optical disk can be controllably maintained.

Abstract: A method of controlling a disk writing operation based on a currently remaining electric power capacity of a battery is disclosed. This method is applicable to a portable device such as an electronic notebook or a disk drive using a battery as a power source. This method detects a remaining electric power capacity of the battery, compares the detected remaining electric power capacity with a reference capacity required for completing a writing operation, and then, if the detected remaining capacity is lower than the reference capacity, stops the current writing operation and conducts a data writing closing operation for properly closing or terminating the current writing operation. As a result, the present invention prevents effective disk damages caused from an abnormal writing termination due to the complete discharge of the battery.

Abstract: An optical disk drive having a thermal control mechanism on the optical head to control the spacing between the optical head and the surface of the storage medium.

Abstract: Optical pickup is provided which includes a first reproduction channel for reproducing a first-type optical disk and a second reproduction channel for reproducing a second-type optical disk. When reproduction is to be performed on a third-type optical disk that is different from the first-type and second-type optical disks but reproducible via each of the first and second reproduction channels, the third-type optical disk is first test-reproduced both via the first reproduction channel and via the second reproduction channel, to thereby detect a jitter value of the information reproduced via the first reproduction channel and a jitter value of the information reproduced via the second reproduction channel. Then, the recorded information of the third-type optical disk is reproduced using one of the first and second reproduction channels that attains the jitter value closer to a predetermined target jitter value.