Abstract: A method of determining characteristics of a signal and an apparatus using the method. The apparatus for determining characteristics of a signal includes: a level detector receiving sample values of a radio frequency (RF) signal and binary data obtained by binarizing the RF signal, generating selection signals based on the binary data, classifying each of the sample values of the RF signal into one of a plurality of levels using the selection signals, and outputting average values of sample values of each level; and a signal characteristics determiner determining a characteristics value that indicates the characteristics of the RF signal using the average values of the sample values belonging to each level.

Abstract: A sync mark detector for detecting a sync mark having alternative polarities includes an input terminal receiving data bits, wherein the data bits include constant bit groups and each constant bit group includes consecutive bits of the same logic value, the first unit outputting constant bit length values that are representative of bit lengths of constant bit groups, respectively, the second unit outputting combined bit length values, wherein each combined bit length value is representative of a sum of two consecutive constant bit length values, the third unit comparing each combined bit length value to a largest previous combined bit length value to determine a largest combined bit length value, the fourth unit determining a threshold value based on the largest combined bit length value, and the fifth unit outputting a sync mark detection signal when an individual combined bit length value is larger than the threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the quality of a signal on an optical disc based on level information of a viterbi decoder are provided. The signal quality measuring apparatus includes: a binary unit that generates binary signals from input RF signals; a channel identifier that receives the input RF signals and the binary signals output from the binary unit and outputs reference level values corresponding to the binary signals; and an information calculator that receives the reference level values and detects a signal quality value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating the slice level of a pulse detector monitors the quality of the detected pulse signal to determine and optimize slice level. The method practiced may include two parts, including a coarse stage and a fine stage. The method practiced may further include a continuous adjustment mode of operation.

Abstract: There is provided an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus capable of obtaining a high super-resolution effect using an optical information recording medium in which a super-resolution thin film is formed. An optical information recording medium 1 having a super-resolution layer is irradiated with a laser light in a light emission pattern such that a bias light emission portion that does not cause the super-resolution layer to be in the state of super-resolution and a pulse light emission portion that causes the super-resolution layer to be in the state of super-resolution alternatively appear, and reflected light is detected. A reproduction signal based on the pulse light emission portion and a reproduction signal based on the bias light emission portion are acquired.

Abstract: A decoding apparatuses and a method utilized in an optical storage device are disclosed. The decoding apparatus includes: a level slicer for setting a plurality of adjustable boundary values to distinguish a plurality of signal regions, and outputting a set of state values in accordance with signal regions corresponding to an input value; and a Viterbi detector coupled to the level slicer for decoding a transmission data according to the state value.

Abstract: A method of determining characteristics of a signal and an apparatus using the method. The apparatus for determining characteristics of a signal includes: a level detector receiving sample values of a radio frequency (RF) signal and binary data obtained by binarizing the RF signal, generating selection signals based on the binary data, classifying each of the sample values of the RF signal into one of a plurality of levels using the selection signals, and outputting average values of sample values of each level; and a signal characteristics determiner determining a characteristics value that indicates the characteristics of the RF signal using the average values of the sample values belonging to each level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the quality of a signal on an optical disc based on level information of a viterbi decoder are provided. The signal quality measuring apparatus includes: a binary unit that generates binary signals from input RF signals; a channel identifier that receives the input RF signals and the binary signals output from the binary unit and outputs reference level values corresponding to the binary signals; and an information calculator that receives the reference level values and detects a signal quality value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-level information recording/reproducing method of recording or reproducing multi-level information by virtually setting cells at constant regular intervals on a track of an optical information medium where information is recorded or reproduced with a light spot and by varying an information pit width in a direction of the track or an information pit area, comprising the steps of: detecting a reproduced signal by radiating a light spot onto the track; detecting a cell border value by sampling the reproduced signal when the center of the light spot falls on a border between one cell and its following cell; and judging multi-level information of the following cell based on the cell border value.

Abstract: A wobble demodulator for reproducing digital information from an optical recording medium in which a track is formed in accordance with a wobble signal that is MSK-modulated so as to contain the digital information by a carrier signal with a predetermined frequency and a sine wave signal with a frequency different from that of the carrier signal, includes: a wobble signal detector for detecting a wobble signal of the track from the optical recording medium; a wobble PLL for detecting the carrier signal based on the wobble signal detected by the wobble signal detector; a multiplier for multiplying the carrier signal detected by the wobble PLL by the wobble signal detected by the wobble signal detector and outputting a multiplied output; a MSK detector for detecting a MSK modulation mark having a phase or a frequency different from that of the carrier signal, based on an integrated value obtained by integrating the multiplied output from the multiplier on a predetermined section basis; and a MSK synchronization

Abstract: An apparatus and method for slicing an RF signal and compensating for the slice level of an RF signal reproduced from a disk, which minimizes a block error rate by optimizing the slice level of the RF signal according to variations in symmetry of the RF signal when slicing the RF signal. A comparator converts the RF signal reproduced from the disk into a digital signal by comparing the RF signal with a slice level, a low-pass filter low-pass filters the digital signal and provides the result to the comparator as the slice level, and a slice level compensator compensates for the slice level provided to the comparator by the low-pass filter according to variations in symmetry of the RF signal.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a reference level of an analog signal from a plurality of periodically sampled points includes the following steps. Firstly, a first level shift from an preliminary reference level to the last second sampled point within a specified period and a second level shift from the preliminary reference level to the last sampled point within the specified period is determined when one of a first level of the last second sampled point and a second level of the last sampled point is higher than the preliminary reference level and the other is lower than the preliminary reference level. Then, the preliminary reference level is moved toward the first level when an absolute value of the first level shift is greater than an absolute value of the second level shift, and the preliminary reference level is moved toward the second level when the absolute value of the first level shift is less than the absolute value of the second level shift, thereby defining an adjusted reference level.

Abstract: A disk apparatus (10) includes a spindle (62) to which a magnetooptical disk (60) is attached. An FCM is formed on the magnetooptical disk (60) along a track at intervals of a predetermined period, a laser beam having a different light amount depending on a time of an execution and an interruption of a recording process is incident upon the track. The FCM signal detection circuit (36) detects an FCM signal based on the laser beam reflected from the track, a comparator (42) compares a level of the FCM signal and a slice level, and a PLL circuit (54) generates a clock signal based on a comparison result by the comparator (42). When a change request between an execution/interruption of the recording process is applied, a predetermined first slice level is set to the comparator (42) until 200 mili seconds passes since a reception of the change request. When 200 mili seconds passes, a second slice level calculated based on a peak level of the FCM signal is set to the comparator (42).

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 method for locating an electric level distribution range of sampled signals is provided. The electric level distribution range includes a plurality of reference levels. Firstly, a plurality of initial values are provided. Then, each of the sampled signals is corresponded to one of the plurality of initial values, which is closest thereto. Then, the initial values corresponded are and adjusted by the sampled signals according to a predetermined operation, thereby realizing the reference levels. A method for recovering data from an optical storage medium is also provided. The signals associated with data from an optical storage medium are firstly sampled. Then, an electric level distribution range of the sampled signals is located. Afterwards, the sampled signals are decoded to recover data according to the electric level distribution range.

Abstract: A pre-pit detecting apparatus which, when a light beam is radiated onto an optical recording medium having a recording surface with pre-pits repeatedly formed between tracks, receives light reflected by the recording surface with first and second light receiving faces, obtains the push-pull signal corresponding to the light receiving signals for the first and second light receiving faces, and binarizes the push-pull signal by using a threshold value to generate a pre-pit detection signal. It is judged which area of a plurality of areas including at least a not-yet-recorded area corresponds to a position of the recording surface where the light beam is radiated is performed to judge. Then the threshold value is set in accordance with the judgement result.

Abstract: An RF signal is read from a rewritable DVD while rotating the rewritable DVD. The read RF signal is converted to pulse signals according to different threshold values, and the number of pulses of each pulse signal is counted. Indexes IBSmin, IBMmax, IBS, and IBRmax are determined from the relationship between the counted numbers and the threshold values, and the recording quality of the BCA on the rewritable DVD is evaluated by judging whether these indexes satisfy the following inequalities: IBMmax/IBSmin?0.8 IBRmax/IBS?1.

Abstract: A binarizing device operates for controlling a slice level relative to a DC level of a reproduced signal in response to a slice level control signal to generate a controlling-resultant slice level, and for comparing the reproduced signal with the controlling-resultant slice level to convert the reproduced signal into a binary signal. A signal generating device operates for generating the slice level control signal in response to the binary signal. An offset detecting device operates for detecting an offset in a modulation-resultant-code pattern in response to the binary signal, and for generating code pattern offset information in response to the detected offset. An offset-responsive controlling device operates for implementing one of (1) changing a response characteristic of a loop formed by the binarizing device and the signal generating device and (2) suspending the slice level control by the binarizing device in response to the code pattern offset information.

Abstract: An optical disk data decoder generates estimates of serial input signal values by slicing them into samples. The data sequences contained in each sample are detected. Successive samples are compared and used to increase or decrease the estimates. Such permits the center bit in a string of identical bits to be detected after subsequent bits have already been received and are being processed.

Abstract: A PLL circuit is disclosed which extracts phase difference information of a high S/N ratio from a readout signal uses the phase difference information for PLL control. An A/D converter samples the input signal to produce a digital signal. A pattern string detector identifies a type of an input pattern string formed from a plurality of successive sample values successively outputted from the A/D converter and outputs pattern string identification information which indicates an identification result. A phase difference generator outputs phase difference information which indicates a phase error of the output of the A/D converter based on the pattern string identification information and the output of the A/D converter. A loop filter, a D/A converter and a voltage controlled oscillator generate a clock signal from the phase difference information to control the sampling timing of the A/D converter.

Abstract: In a signal detection circuit for an optical disk, a comparator converts an analog HF signal into a digital HF signal by using a slice level. A dropout detection circuit detects a dropout of the digital HF signal. A charge-pump circuit feeds back a slice-level control voltage to the comparator based on a result of the detection by the dropout detection circuit. A voltage follower holds and outputs a voltage stored in the capacitor. A switch is turned OFF when a dropout signal has been detected, and outputs to the voltage follower the voltage that has been stored in the capacitor during an ON state of the switch. A second switch is turned ON when a dropout signal has been detected, and applies an output of the voltage follower to the comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus and related operating method for generating slice levels adapted to an optical system is disclosed. The apparatus basically encompasses a multiplexer, a low-pass filter, a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital-to-analog converter, and a comparator. In the beginning of the track-crossing operation, the optical system will enter the first DAC mode that a pre-stored slice level derived from a calibration process is accessed and converted by the digital-to-analog converter before being referred as the slice level in the first DAC mode. When the low-pass filter can follow the RFRP signal variations, the low-pass filter is used to receive the RFRP signal and derive the slice level in the low-pass-filter mode. When a track-on command is given, the optical system will enter the second DAC mode and find an average value of the last peak-hold and bottom-hold values derived at the end of the low-pass-filter mode.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a reference level of an analog signal from a plurality of periodically sampled points includes the following steps. Firstly, a first level shift from an preliminary reference level to the last second sampled point within a specified period and a second level shift from the preliminary reference level to the last sampled point within the specified period is determined when one of a first level of the last second sampled point and a second level of the last sampled point is higher than the preliminary reference level and the other is lower than the preliminary reference level. Then, the preliminary reference level is moved toward the first level when an absolute value of the first level shift is greater than an absolute value of the second level shift, and the preliminary reference level is moved toward the second level when the absolute value of the first level shift is less than the absolute value of the second level shift, thereby defining an adjusted reference level.

Abstract: A disk apparatus (10) includes a spindle (62) to which a magnetooptical disk (60) is attached. An FCM is formed on the magnetooptical disk (60) along a track at intervals of a predetermined period, a laser beam having a different light amount depending on a time of an execution and an interruption of a recording process is incident upon the track. The FCM signal detection circuit (36) detects an FCM signal based on the laser beam reflected from the track, a comparator (42) compares a level of the FCM signal and a slice level, and a PLL circuit (54) generates a clock signal based on a comparison result by the comparator (42). When a change request between an execution/interruption of the recording process is applied, a predetermined first slice level is set to the comparator (42) until 200 mili seconds passes since a reception of the change request. When 200 mili seconds passes, a second slice level calculated based on a peak level of the FCM signal is set to the comparator (42).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disk recording medium such as a CD or a DVD in which data is recorded in high-density, and method and apparatus for reproducing data recorded in the high-density disk recording medium. The data reproducing method and apparatus according to the present invention converts a high-frequency signal reproduced from the disk into a plurality of binary signals through comparing the reproduced signal with two or more slicing levels which are different each other, selects one of the plurality of binary signals or a periodic pulse signal based on the difference magnitude between the plurality of binary signals, synchronizes a reference clock with the selected signal, and restores the selected signal into bit stream using the synchronized reference clock.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for correcting asymmetry in an optical disk reproduction system, an analog RF signal is received from an optical diode and an asymmetry-corrected signal is output as a digital EFM signal. The apparatus includes envelope detectors for detecting upper and lower envelopes of the RF signal, a level controller for controlling the level of the sum of the upper envelope and the lower envelope and for outputting signal having the controlled level, and a comparator for comparing the level of the signal output from the level controller with the level of the RF signal and for outputting the comparison result as the digital EFM signal.

Abstract: A method for locating an electric level distribution range of sampled signals is provided. The electric level distribution range includes a plurality of reference levels. Firstly, a plurality of initial values are provided. Then, each of the sampled signals is corresponded to one of the plurality of initial values, which is closest thereto. Then, the initial values corresponded are and adjusted by the sampled signals according to a predetermined operation, thereby realizing the reference levels. A method for recovering data from an optical storage medium is also provided. The signals associated with data from an optical storage medium are firstly sampled. Then, an electric level distribution range of the sampled signals is located. Afterwards, the sampled signals are decoded to recover data according to the electric level distribution range.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for correcting asymmetry in an optical disk reproduction system, an analog RF signal is received from an optical diode and an asymmetry-corrected signal is output as a digital EFM signal. The apparatus includes envelope detectors for detecting upper and lower envelopes of the RF signal, a level controller for controlling the level of the sum of the upper envelope and the lower envelope and for outputting signal having the controlled level, and a comparator for comparing the level of the signal output from the level controller with the level of the RF signal and for outputting the comparison result as the digital EFM signal.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit, which extracts a signal superimposed on a reference signal and having a peak level higher than a level of the reference signal by a value greater than a given value, includes a first pulse generation part generating a first binary signal by binarizing a composite signal of the reference signal and the superimposed signal by using a given slice level, a noise elimination part eliminating noise from the first binary signal by using a cumulative length of time of each of polarities of the first binary signal, a second pulse generation part generating a second binary signal by binarizing the composite signal by using a slice level higher than the level of the reference signal by a value smaller than or equal to the given value, and a gate part outputting the second binary signal based on a signal output from said noise elimination part.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical disk medium having a recording spiral formed by connecting groove tracks and land tracks alternately, and permitting detection of a connecting point between a groove track and a land track reliably is provided, and a method of tracking the optical disk medium and an optical disk drive apparatus for driving the optical disk medium. One part of an identification signal area is shifted by a predetermined distance in one radial direction from the center of a groove, while another part of the identification signal area is shifted by the same distance in the opposite radial direction from the center of the groove. A land/groove polarity of a sector is determined by the polarity of a tracking error signal and the order of the polarities during reproduction of an identification signal.

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: The invention provides an optical disk medium having a recording spiral formed by connecting groove tracks and land tracks alternately, and permitting detection of a connecting point between a groove track and a land track reliably is provided, and a method of tracking the optical disk medium and an optical disk drive apparatus for driving the optical disk medium. One part of an identification signal area is shifted by a predetermined distance in one radial direction from the center of a groove, while another part of the identification signal area is shifted by the same distance in the opposite radial direction from the center of the groove. A land/groove polarity of a sector is determined by the polarity of a tracking error signal and the order of the polarities during reproduction of an identification signal.

Abstract: A method, circuit and system for selectively and adaptively effecting conditioning of selected samples of a read signal in storage technologies. A circuit embodying the present invention includes sample logic, arithmetic logic and conditioning logic. The sample logic receives samples and provides a main sample and one or more selected neighbor samples. The arithmetic logic compares the main sample to the neighbor samples toward determining satisfaction of selected conditioning criteria. If the selected conditioning criteria are satisfied, the conditioning logic selectively and adaptively effects level conditioning as to the main sample. Further, the level conditioning is combined with a rule compliance system to insure the read data is following the protocol of the data coding format being used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating an eight-to-fourteen modulation (EFM) signal in an optical disk reproducing system, capable of accurately generating the EFM signal regardless of the kinds of defects of a disk. The apparatus for generating an EFM signal from a radio frequency (RF) signal reproduced from an optical disk, includes a data slicing unit for selecting, in response to a selection signal, a first slice reference level generated by correcting the asymmetry of the RF signal, or a second slice reference signal generated using peak and bottom envelopes of the RF signal and the first slice reference level, to be a third slice reference level. The data slicing unit slices the RF signal based on the third slice reference level and outputs the slicing result as the EFM signal. A selection signal generating unit generates the selection signal in response to the number of occurrences of error correction flags or EFM flags.

Abstract: An RF signal is read from a rewritable DVD while rotating the rewritable DVD. The read RF signal is converted to pulse signals according to different threshold values, and the number of pulses of each pulse signal is counted.

Abstract: A decoding technique is disclosed for proving inexpensively a read channel circuit which has an error correction function and is applicable to high channel frequencies. In this read channel circuit, generating a reference slice level signal and a plurality of slice level signals which are different from the reference slice level signal, converting the playback signal into a plurality of binary signals synchronized with a channel clock according to each of the slice level signals, selecting two binary signals, measuring the phase distance between the two binary signals, judging the polarity of an inverted edge of a reference binary signal, and generating an error correction signal on the basis of the phase distance and the polarity of the inverted edge of the reference binary signal, whereby any error in the playback signal can be eliminated.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical disk medium having a recording spiral formed by connecting groove tracks and land tracks alternately, and permitting detection of a connecting point between a groove track and a land track reliably is provided, and a method of tracking the optical disk medium and an optical disk drive apparatus for driving the optical disk medium. One part of an identification signal area is shifted by a predetermined distance in one radial direction from the center of a groove, while another part of the identification signal area is shifted by the same distance in the opposite radial direction from the center of the groove. A land/groove polarity of a sector is determined by the polarity of a tracking error signal and the order of the polarities during reproduction of an identification signal.

Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for correcting asymmetry in an optical disk reproduction system, an analog RF signal is received from an optical diode and an asymmetry-corrected signal is output as a digital EFM signal. The apparatus includes envelope detectors for detecting upper and lower envelopes of the RF signal, a level controller for controlling the level of the sum of the upper envelope and the lower envelope and for outputting signal having the controlled level, and a comparator for comparing the level of the signal output from the level controller with the level of the RF signal and for outputting the comparison result as the digital EFM signal.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a processed area that has been processed by the irradiation of a YAG laser. Concave pits and convex pits having a length 3T-14T (T=0.133 &mgr;m) are formed in an area of the optical disc other than the processed area. The processed area includes (1) a concave pit having a length X or (2) a pit string that has a length X and includes a convex pit from which a reflection layer has been removed. A specific area of the optical disc records physical character information that shows the location and length of the concave pit or the pit string in the processed area.

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

Abstract: An optical information reproducing method for demodulating the information recorded on a recording medium by a viterbi decoding method, in which data can be demodulated with high accuracy even if the recording power has undergone variations at the time of recording the information. Data recorded on the recording medium after modulation in which the minimum length between transitions is limited to not less than 2 is decoded using the viterbi decoding method. A specified signal recorded on the recording medium is used for setting the reference value used for viterbi decoding.