Abstract: A light source is configured to produce light, a waveguide is optically coupled to the light source and configured to direct the light to an intended focus location, and a slider is configured to use the light as an energy source for heating a region of a magnetic recording medium. A thermal sensor is situated on the slider at a location outside of a light path that includes the intended focus location. The thermal sensor is configured for sensing a short time constant change in temperature resulting from light source heating of the thermal sensor, wherein the sensed change in thermal sensor temperature is representative of optical intensity of the light delivered to the intended focus location.

Abstract: An exemplary object is to provide a library apparatus, a magazine insertion detection method, and a program that are capable of detecting whether or not a magazine is inserted for all the magazine insertion positions without using sensors for detecting insertion of magazines.

Abstract: An exemplary object is to provide a library apparatus, a magazine insertion detection method, and a program that are capable of detecting whether or not a magazine is inserted for all the magazine insertion positions without using sensors for detecting insertion of magazines.

Abstract: A high-NA and thin objective lens which prevents occurrence of a crack during lens molding and can stably be molded is provided. The present invention is directed to an objective lens having an optical surface having power which is not negative. The objective lens is a single lens and is formed such that a flat portion which is provided at an outer peripheral portion and perpendicular to the optical axis is closer to a disc surface than the position of the top of an exit-side surface of the objective lens and such that the rate of change in sag of the exit-side surface is continuous across the entire region.

Abstract: In a solid-state image capturing device having the locations of photodiodes in each pixel unit to be different according to a sequence, the light receiving sensitivity and the luminance shading characteristic are improved. A circumferential portion of a microlens 12 which is arranged above a corresponding photodiode 11 is formed so as to overlap an adjacent microlens 12 thereto, and the locations of microlenses 12 in each pixel unit are different according to a sequence. Light of an image that is incident upon each of the microlenses 12 is incident upon approximately the same portion (e.g., central portion) of each of the respective photodiodes 11.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a signal in a read channel using an oversampled analog to digital conversion. An oversampled analog to digital conversion is performed on an analog input signal to generate a plurality of digital samples corresponding to the analog input signal for a given bit interval. A data detection algorithm can then be applied on one or more of the digital samples to obtain a detected output. The oversampled analog to digital conversion simplifies the analog design by transferring at least a portion of the equalization and/or filtering processes to the digital domain.

Abstract: A method of providing interactivity over a set of multiple optical storage media (90, 91) is disclosed. A logical unit, such as a playitem of a playlist is provided on a storage medium (90) of the set of optical storage media (90, 91), comprising information about contents stored on at least one other storage medium (91) of said set of optical storage media. Furthermore, a corresponding optical disc reading apparatus, optical storage medium, and a computer-readable medium, are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for writing repeating patterns of features to a substrate, such as a data storage medium. In accordance with some embodiments, a multi-dimensional pattern of discrete features of different sizes to be written to a substrate is divided into a plurality of contiguous regions. A unique set of compensation values is assigned to each region. A write beam of a write system is used to write the features to the substrate responsive to said unique sets of compensation values so that all of the features having a common size in at least one region are written using the same compensation values from the associated set.

Abstract: A super-resolution medium (1) has a medium identification information for specifying a type of medium recorded in a medium information area (3) by use of pre-pits having a length not shorter than a length of a resolution limit of an optical system in a reproducing device (10).

Abstract: A disc reproducing apparatus includes: program readout means for playing back a disc loaded therein to read a program recorded thereon; disc-content readout means for executing the read program to read a content recorded on the disc; network-content acquisition means for executing the read program to acquire a content stored in a device connected over a network; and display control means for executing the read program to control display of the content read from the disc, and the content acquired from the device connected over the network.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: an amplitude limiting device (151, 152) for obtaining an amplitude limit signal (RSLIM) by limiting an amplitude level of a read signal (RRF) read from a recording medium (100) on the basis of a predetermined amplitude limit value; and a filtering device (158) for obtaining an equalization-corrected signal (RSH) by performing a high-frequency emphasizing and filtering process on the amplitude limit signal, the amplitude limiting device individually sets each of an upper limit (L1) and a lower limit (L2) of the amplitude limit value.

Abstract: A marking device for marking optical discs in a non-destructive, tamper-proof manner for licensing and other purposes such as part of a digital content library service includes top and bottom structures coupled together by a hinge. The bottom structure is adapted with a mounting post in a recessed area defined by opposing curved ledges to hold an optical disc for marking. The top structure is adapted with a removable tool having an embossed symbol for impressing a mark on the held optical disc by applying pressure to the top structure when the device is in a closed position. The top structure is also adapted with perforations for alternatively or additionally injecting a permanent ink onto the optical disc so that a mark defined by the pattern of perforations may be placed on the optical disc.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus includes a recording medium which includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer formed on one surface of the substrate, a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and is made to accumulate electric charge, an electrode layer formed on the other surface, and an insulating area which penetrates the insulating layers; and an electrode which applies a voltage to the medium. A depth from an interface between the substrate and the first insulating layer to the bottom of the insulating area is more than a maximum depth of a depletion layer, Wmax represented by Wmax=?{square root over (2?0?i×2|?f|/qNd)} where ?0, ?i, |?f|, q, and Nd are a dielectric constant of vacuum, a relative dielectric constant, an absolute value of the Felmi potential of the substrate, an electric charge of an electron, and an impurity concentration of the substrate, respectively.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to detect a portable media storage device (PMSD), present media content supplied by the PMSD, present a survey to appraise the media content; receive a survey response, and transmit the survey response to a survey collection system identified by the PMSD. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: First, second, and third lead-out conductors connected to the electrodes of two types of laser emission devices of an optical pickup are led out on a lead-out board. First connection areas short-circuit by solder at a portion of opposing parts of any two adjacent lead-out conductors of the first, second, and third lead-out conductors in the width direction crossing the longitudinal direction and open the short circuit, and second connection areas short-circuit by solder at a portion of opposing parts of the other pair of two adjacent lead-out conductors of the first, second, and third lead-out conductors in the width direction crossing the longitudinal direction and open the short circuit. The first connection areas and the second connection areas are arranged in a staggered pattern in the longitudinal direction of the lead-out conductors.

Abstract: The data recording device comprises a network of carbon nanotubes formed on a flat substrate and constituting microtips operating in conjunction with a substantially flat storage medium. The carbon nanotubes are initially inclined by a predetermined angle comprised between 5° and 40° with respect to the plane of the substrate. The nanotubes flex when they come into contact with the storage medium, parallel to the substrate. The substrate preferably comprises a raised structure designed to act as support for the free ends of the nanotubes to bear on.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: A disk image is generated, stored in at least one persistent storage device, comprises at least one software application, and is a root disk image. An inheritance tree comprising a root node associated with the root disk image is created. A new disk image of a disk is generated based on a previously generated disk image associated with a node of the inheritance tree. The new disk image is stored in at least one persistent storage device, and comprises at least one software application of the previously generated disk image and at least one new software application. The new disk image shares at least one data block of the previously generated disk image. A new node is added to the inheritance tree, and is associated with the new disk image. The new node is a child node of the node that is associated with the previously generated disk image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting stray particles upon a relatively smooth surface by measuring the amount of collimated light reflected from the surface from clear areas of the surface and from particles resting on the surface. Optical pick-up units similar to those used in DVD's and CD's can be used. A method for detecting defective depressions is also covered.

Abstract: An optical pickup includes a radiating plate made to abut against a rear surface of a laser diode by positioning an engaging hole provided penetratingly in a central portion of the radiating plate concentrically with the laser diode. Slits are formed in the radiating plate to form a pair of tongues in the manner of point symmetry about an axis of the engaging hole. Screw insertion portions formed in the respective tongues are communicates with the slits. As screws are passed through the screw inserting portions and are screwed in, the radiating plate is secured to the base. When the screws are screwed in, the axis is positioned on a phantom line connecting points of application of force generated at proximal end portions of the tongues. Distances from the axis to the respective points of application of force are set to be substantially identical.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for reading data based on thermal coupling. The assembly can realize resolution/density specifications that can transcend diffraction limited focused laser beam techniques. The assembly includes a temperature sensor supported by a head-like structure, the temperature sensor capable of monitoring thermal coupling between the sensor and a media, and a heater element for heating the temperature sensor. A controller is used for coordinating a mutual positioning of the head-like structure and the media so that changes of thermal coupling between the assembly and a media provide indicia of a media bit pattern.

Abstract: In an exposure apparatus and an exposure method, a disc master to be used in the preparation of an optical disc is applied to an exposure device, making it possible to perform exposure on a disc master for an optical disc which is substantially improved in recording density. An exposure laser beam by SHG having a wavelength of 300 nm or less is modulated by a modulator, and applied by near field effect to a disc master by using an objective lens having a numerical aperture of 1.0 or more.

Abstract: An optical disk device has an aperture of an objective lens in an incoming path of a beam from a semiconductor laser to an optical disk formed larger than an aperture in a return path from the optical disk or an aperture is varied in recording and in reproduction. This configuration improves recording/reproducing ability since light is focused on an optical disk with high numerical aperture. In addition, since reflected light from the optical disk is detected with low numerical aperture, margins for tilt and defocus are not reduced. Furthermore, since unnecessary signal components contained in the reflected light can be eliminated, a S/N (signal-to-noise ratio) of an information signal also increases. Thus, a high-performance optical disk device can be obtained. Alternatively, by varying the aperture of an objective lens in recording and in reproduction, an optical disk device in which recording density and recording quality are increased without deteriorating reproduction quality can be obtained.

Abstract: A system for reading data from recording media having topographical features readable with a slider-mounted non-magnetic transducer sensitive primarily to changes in local aerodynamic boundary conditions.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated optical device, which is used in an optical pickup apparatus that receives light reflected by an optical medium, is provided with a grating 5 that creates both guided light and transmitted light from the reflected light and that is layered with a light guide that transmits the guided light; and wherein the grating 5 is provided with a first optimized device that is optimized for a first wavelength of said reflected light; a second optimized device that is optimized to a wavelength that is longer than the first wavelength of the reflected light; and a third optimized device that is optimized to a wavelength that is shorter than the first wavelength of the reflected light.

Abstract: When one recording medium is accessed from a multiple number of applications, the medium is usually divided into multiple areas. If this area division is performed and managed by the partitioning, it is difficult to change the partitions in size. Therefore, there has been the problem that the recording medium can not be used effectively. The recording medium is divided into multiple areas, and for each area, a dummy data is written into the blank space in the area so that dummy data can only be overwritten using a particular application or with a file of a particular type. This configuration makes it easy to divide the medium into multiple areas and change the areas in size.

Abstract: A DVD player with card reader of the present invention comprises a DVD player, an adapting interface and a card reader. The audio and video data, originally played by the computer, DSC or MP3 player, are accessed by a single DVD player with card reader. The audio and video data can be produced to television or audio set by the DVD player of the present invention.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for reading data based on thermal coupling. The assembly can realize resolution/density specifications that can transcend diffraction limited focused laser beam techniques. The assembly includes a temperature sensor supported by a head-like structure, the temperature sensor capable of monitoring thermal coupling between the sensor and a media, and a heater element for heating the temperature sensor. A controller is used for coordinating a mutual positioning of the head-like structure and the media so that changes of thermal coupling between the assembly and a media provide indicia of a media bit pattern.

Abstract: A device for recording information on CDRs or other recording media and printing file information for observing what is recorded thereon. The information may be medical images such as x-rays, cat scans, magnetic resonance images, or sonograms. The discs can have patient names and other information selected from information stored thereon, printed on the disc as well as logos for the hospital, service provider or trademarks. The discs can be automatically loaded into the recorder and printer. The fields of information or logos printed on the discs can be changed to suit the user. A database creates and updates a directory of patent files so the discs can be located and the images thereon viewed for each patient. The discs have software allowing the computer to view the images on the disc so that a personal computer not having imaging software can operate the disc. The image information can be downloaded from a remote imaging machine for storage.

Abstract: A system for reading data from recording media having topographical features readable with a slider-mounted non-magnetic transducer sensitive primarily to changes in local aerodynamic boundary conditions.

Abstract: A magneto-optical (MO) data storage system has a flying optical head supported over a MO storage medium, the flying head having channels or grooves formed therein and optical elements disposed within the grooves for directing an incident light beam to the storage medium and for receiving a reflected light beam from the storage medium. The flying head may comprise a two-piece assembly comprising a slider body which flies over the surface of the storage medium, and a separate optics mounting block formed to receive the optical elements and to be supported on the flying head. Preferably, the slider body is L-shaped and provides an angled surface for receiving a micro-machined mirror aligned with optical elements on the optics mounting block and controllable for deflecting the light beam to and from the storage medium.

Abstract: A system for reading or writing data from or to a bilevel optical recording medium with a flying head. The system includes a head having a slider and a solid immersion lens mounted at least partially within the slider. The solid immersion lens has a partial spherical surface and a substantially flat surface. The head also has an objective lens mounted to the slider. The system also includes a multilevel recording medium. The medium has a first media layer and a first substrate layer adjacent to the first media layer. The medium also has at least one second media layer adjacent the side of the first substrate layer opposite from the first media layer, and a second substrate layer adjacent the side of the second media layer opposite from the first substrate layer. The total effective numerical aperture of the system is greater than one for all layers.

Abstract: A system for reading or writing data from or to a bilevel optical recording medium with a flying head. The system includes a head having a slider and a solid immersion lens mounted at least partially within the slider. The solid immersion lens has a partial spherical surface and a substantially flat surface. The head also has an objective lens mounted to the slider. The system also includes a multilevel recording medium. The medium has a first media layer and a first substrate layer adjacent to the first media layer. The medium also has at least one second media layer adjacent the side of the first substrate layer opposite from the first media layer, and a second substrate layer adjacent the side of the second media layer opposite from the first substrate layer. The total effective numerical aperture of the system is greater than one for all layers.

Abstract: A head for a disk drive for reading data from and/or writing data to an optical recording medium, having a slider with a channel surface and an air-bearing surface, an optical clear path through the slider, a solid immersion lens mounted at least partially within the slider, and an objective lens mounted to the slider, such that the distances between the air-bearing surface, the objective, and the solid immersion lens are substantially constant.

Abstract: An objective lens having at least two regions of different numerical apertures is configured for focusing a light beam through the regions of the different numerical apertures on two different signal recording surfaces of at least two optical discs having light transmitting layers of different thicknesses. Since the objective lens is integrally formed by at least two lens portions, a light beam outgoing from a common light source is focused on signal recording surfaces of at least two optical discs having the light transmitting layers of different thicknesses.

Abstract: In a typical storage medium, such as a magnetic hard disk, there is a file allocation table (FAT) stored thereon which is referenced each time the medium is accessed. Many data processing mechanisms rely on the existence of this FAT for accessing the medium. However, some storage media, such as CD-ROM's, do not have FAT's stored thereon. In order to properly interface FAT reliant data processing mechanisms with storage media having no FAT, file storage information is first obtained from the storage medium. Then, using this file storage information, a FAT having a format compatible with the data processing mechanisms is generated. Information from the FAT is provided to the mechanisms and, using this FAT information, the mechanisms can access information on the storage medium. Thus, even though the storage medium has no FAT, it is still accessible by FAT reliant data processing mechanisms.

Abstract: A packaged integrated information recording system has a plurality of information recording media radially arranged on a disk substrate. Each of the recording media comprises a liquid crystal recording medium including a liquid crystal-polymer composite layer with polymer balls filled in a liquid-crystal phase, stacked on a first electrode layer and a photoelectric sensor including a second electrode layer and a photoconductive layer formed on a transparent substrate. The liquid crystal recording medium and photoelectric sensor are stacked directly, or through an interlayer on each other while the liquid crystal recording layer and photoconductive layer are opposed to each other. The recording media may also be arranged in a row on a film substrate provided with feed holes on both side edges and received in a closable case such that it can be drawn. Alternatively, the recording media on a film substrate may be received in a packaging case having a window openable and closable by a shutter to unroll the film.

Abstract: The information recording and reproducing apparatus includes: a recording medium including a plurality of concavo-convex pits; a light source for emitting laser light; a section for changing an optical characteristic value of the laser light, using interaction between the laser light and the recording medium; and a light detector for detecting the optical characteristic value of the laser light after the interaction occurs, and then outputting a signal in response to the detected optical characteristic value. The section for changing the optical characteristic value includes an evanescent wave generating section for generating an evanescent wave from the laser light. The evanescent wave generating section changes the optical characteristic value in accordance with how much the concavo-convex pits of the recording medium influences the evanescent wave. Multivalued data is reproduced on the basis of the signal from the light detector.

Abstract: An optical reproducing system has a first optical path from a light source to an optical disc, and a second optical path from the optical disc to a photodetector. An objective lens is provided in the first optical path for forming an a non-collimated beam applied to the optical disc. A profile conversion filter having an angle dependent transmittance characteristic is provided between the objective lens and the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disk reader system comprises (1) a wide area illumination source for illuminating at least a part of one track of an optical disk; (2) a detector for detecting light reflected from the optical disk illuminated by the wide area illumination source; and (3) a detector for summing the light in the along-track direction detected by the detector.

Abstract: A disk recording and reproducing apparatus which realizes a simultaneous monitoring function with a recording function with a simple pickup system is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a recording and reproducing head, a first memory for receiving and storing input signals at a first rate and supplying the stored signals at a second rate higher than the first rate so as to be recorded onto the disk medium at the second rate by means of the recording and reproducing head, a second memory for receiving and storing signals reproduced at the second rate by means of the recording and reproducing head and outputting the stored signals at a rate lower than the second rate, and a controller for controlling the recording and reproducing head to relatively scan a same portion of the disk medium twice for a predetermined period of time so that recording and reproduction occur alternately and successively at the portion of the disk medium for each predetermined number of blocks.

Abstract: In an optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus, information is recorded by applying a beam of light to an optical recording medium and/or the recorded information is reproduced by receiving the reflected light of a beam of light applied to the optical recording medium by a photosensor divided into a plurality of sections. The apparatus has a subtractor for subtracting a plurality of signals from the photosensor divided into a plurality of sections, dividing means for dividing a part of a photocurrent from the photosensor into a predetermined frequency component and a predetermined high frequency component, amplifying means for amplifying the signal of the low frequency component and the signal of the high frequency component produced by the dividing means, an adder for adding the both signals amplified by the amplifying means, and a divider for dividing a subtraction signal obtained by the subtractor by an addition signal obtained by the adder to thereby normalize a servo signal.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by two-dimensionally scanning the surface of the recording medium with a probe electrode includes a detector to detect data indicative of the surface information of the recording medium by using a physical interaction which occurs between the probe electrode and the recording medium, another detector to detect predicted data to predict the surface information of the recording medium from the data by using predetermined predictive parameters, and a reproducing unit to reproduce the information recorded on the recording medium by using the data and the predicted data, for example, on the basis of the difference between them. The apparatus also has a learning unit to optimize the predictive parameters on the basis of the data and the predicted data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for writing data to files from a computer system to a Write Once Read Many (WORM) Disc medium which results in a creation of an ISO 9660 standard disc is disclosed. The method and apparatus each efficiently manages writes to WORM medium in the creation of a file structure that conforms to ISO standard 9660 which governs management of CD-ROM disc files. The method and apparatus are efficient both in terms of the time required to perform such writes and in the amount of medium consumed as overhead. In addition, the invention provides a method and apparatus for writing to WORM disc in which there is a high degree of confidence that the information written is indelible.

Abstract: A magneto-optic recording method and a magneto-optic recording apparatus in which a magneto-optic overwritable medium having two layers, which layers have different coercive force--temperature characteristics and are coupled by exchange interaction, is heated by applying a light beam while an external magnetic field is being applied to the medium and in which data coded to invariably have FALSE states between two TRUE states is turned into a light beam having dual power levels and recorded on the medium, the magneto-optic recording method including the steps of: forming record marks by heating the magneto-optic overwritable medium to a high temperature by means of a high light beam power associated with a FALSE state in the write data; and of heating the magneto-optic overwritable medium to a low temperature by means of a low light beam power associated with a TRUE state in the write data.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing method for using an optical disc in the recording or reproduction data on or from the optical disc in predetermined data-length units. In a recording operation, the recording and/or reproducing method includes the step of dividing data read from the optical disc in the predetermined sector length, rewriting inputted data into the desired sector which is divided from the predetermined data-length inputs and recording the data including the rewritten sector on the optical disc in the predetermined data-length units. In a reproducing operation, the recording and/or reproducing method includes the step of reading the data having from the optical disc in the predetermined data-length units, dividing the data read from the optical disc in the predetermined data-length units into the predetermined sector length and transferring data of the reproduced desired sector as output data.

Abstract: An optical recording system in which the optical head is operated in physical contact with the surface of the optical recording medium during system operation at a selected operating speed. The optical head includes one or more optical elements mounted on a substrate which is in physical, sliding contact with the recording medium. The substrate is fabricated from a crystalline material which has a non-linear load versus friction characteristic in the negative load region. When the head is in sliding contact with the recording medium surface, a restoring force is generated which maintains the optical head in physical contact with the recording medium overcoming any lifting forces generated by the moving air layer adjacent the recording medium surface. This allows the head to be operated with a negative external load applied.

Abstract: An optical disc is provided with: a signal track formed on a signal recording surface of the optical disc; and a plurality of cross-talk detection areas each formed on a portion of the signal track and including pits for detecting a cross-talk. The signals are recorded on areas of the signal track other than the cross-talk detection areas. An apparatus for reproducing the signals recorded on the optical disk, is provided with: a device for receiving the reflected light and for generating read signals; a device for detecting the cross-talk detection areas, and for extracting signal components of the pits for detecting the cross-talk; a device for performing a predetermined operation on the extracted signal components and for generating a control signal; and a device for receiving the read signals and the control signal and for deriving a reproduced signal in which the cross-talk is eliminated.

Abstract: A laser diode having a cathode connected to the ground side of a positive power source and an anode connected to the plus voltage side of the power source through a control circuit. A maximum current to drive the laser diode is supplied to the laser diode by a disgorging type constant current source. In a reading mode operated at a frequency one or more digit higher than a frequency for writing data, a differential current between the write current and a read current is sucked from the disgorging type constant current source by a sucking type constant current source, thereby allowing the read current to flow into the diode. In a writing mode, a current switch connects the sucking type current source according to write data. The disgorging type current source and the sucking type current source are connected to a photodiode by a current switch. An APC responds to the photodiode which detects a read power, thereby reducing a laser fluctuation created from temperature change.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing and/or reading information on and/or from an optical card including an optical head having a light source for emitting a light beam and an objective lens for projecting the light beam onto the optical card, a first VCM for driving the optical head in the track direction for effecting a coarse access, a second VCM for moving the optical card in the track direction, and a tracking actuator for moving the objective lens in the seek direction to effect a tracking control. When a desired track is to be accesses, at first the optical head is moved in the seek direction by said first VCM such that the light beam spot is made incident upon a track near the desired track, and then after the movement of the optical card by said second VCM has been judged to be stopped, a deviation of the position of the objective lens with respect to a reference position is detected.