Abstract: A method of operating a particle beam system includes determining a deflection amount and a deflection time of a beam deflection module connected to a data network. The method also includes determining an un-blank time of a beam blanking module connected to the data network, and determining a blank time of the beam blanking module connected to the data network. The method further includes generating a data structure which includes plural data records, wherein each data record includes a command representing an instruction for at least one of the modules, and a command time representing a time at which the instruction is to be sent to the data network. In addition, the method includes sorting the records of the data structure by command time, and generating a set of digital commands based on the data structure. Moreover, the method includes sending the digital commands of the set to the network in an order corresponding to an order of the sorted records.

Abstract: Host data to be written to a recording medium is categorized as one of sequential data or random data. The sequential data is written to a first track width on the recording medium. The random data is written to a second track width on the recording medium, the second track width being larger than the first track width.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a data storage system includes a tape channel for reading precoded data from a magnetic tape medium to produce a signal, a soft detector adapted for calculating first soft information about each bit of the signal and sending the first soft information to a soft decoder, and the soft decoder positioned subsequent to the soft detector, the soft decoder being adapted for calculating second soft information about each bit of the signal and sending the second soft information to the soft detector, wherein the precoded data includes a characteristic of being passed through at least one precoder prior to being written to the magnetic tape medium, and wherein the soft detector provides automatic compensation for the precoded data. Other systems, methods, and computer program products for reading data using an adaptive soft-output detector are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for applying a data decode algorithm to different rotations or modifications of a decoder input as part of data processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for processing data in a multi-path data processing circuit. For example, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a first filter operable to process a first digital data stream to yield a first filtered digital data stream, a second filter operable to process a second digital data stream to yield a second filtered digital data stream, wherein the first and second digital data stream are representative of a same data set and wherein the first and second digital data stream have a different phase, a combining circuit operable to combine the first filtered digital data stream and the second filtered digital data stream to yield a combined data stream, and a data detector operable to detect a data sequence in the combined data stream.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a signal processor apparatus includes a Viterbi decoder, a processor, and an adjustment module. The Viterbi decoder calculates a branch metric based on an input signal. The processor outputs a processing result correlated with a processing result of the Viterbi decoder. A latency of the processor for the input signal is lower than a latency of the Viterbi decoder. The adjustment module adjusts a first parameter for calculating the branch metric based on the processing result of the processor.

Abstract: A hard disk drive or other disk-based storage device comprises a storage disk, a read/write head configured to read data from and write data to the storage disk, and control circuitry coupled to the read/write head and configured to process data received from and supplied to the read/write head and to control positioning of the read/write head relative to the storage disk. The control circuitry comprises a disk controller and read channel circuitry, with the read channel circuitry comprising a read channel memory. The control circuitry is further configured to selectively permit the disk controller to access the read channel memory. For example, the disk controller may be permitted to access the read channel memory only when the read channel circuitry is not performing a read operation.

Abstract: Provided is a mark forming apparatus including a head unit that forms a mark on a recording medium through laser beam irradiation based on a laser driving pulse, a control signal generation unit that generates a control signal at a start timing of the laser driving pulse supplied to the head unit, a multiplier that multiples a synchronization reference signal used to synchronize with the process of forming the mark on the recording medium in the head unit to generate a multiple signal, and a laser driving pulse generation unit that generates the laser driving pulse by setting the start timing of the laser driving pulse at resolution based on the multiple signal in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: An optical disk playback device comprises first and second lasers, an optical assembly, first and second optical detectors, and controller circuitry coupled to the optical detectors. The optical assembly is configured to direct incident light from the first and second lasers so as to form respective leading and trailing scanning spots on a surface of an optical disk, and is further configured to direct corresponding reflected light from the leading and trailing scanning spots on the surface of the optical disk to respective ones of the optical detectors. The controller circuitry is configured to identify a surface imperfection of the optical disk by processing the reflected light associated with the leading scanning spot prior to the trailing scanning spot reaching that surface imperfection.

Abstract: An initial phase offset between a center track and a side track is determined. An initial side track pulse shape is determined using the initial phase offset and side track interference. The initial side track pulse shape minimizes a contribution of the side track interference to a center track bit. The contribution of the side track interference is removed from the center track bit using the initial side track pulse shape and the side track interference.

Abstract: A servo control device includes a plurality of reproduction channels, a plurality of analog/digital (A/D) converters, a servo error detecting circuit that generates a servo error signal, a servo signal processing device that executes predetermined processing for the servo error signal to generate a control signal, and a sampling frequency converter that converts the sampling frequency between the servo error detecting circuit and the servo signal processing device. A first clock is included as a sampling clock of the A/D converters and a processing clock of the servo error detecting circuit. A second clock is included as a processing clock of the servo signal processing device. The sampling frequency converter converts the sampling frequency by processing the servo error signal by the servo error detecting circuit in synchronization with the first clock and processing the signal processed in synchronization with the first clock in synchronization with the second clock.

Abstract: New and useful methods and systems for reading optical discs, such as multi-layer Blu-ray discs are disclosed. For example, in an embodiment a device for reading two-layered optical discs includes a laser diode capable of emitting light, a set of optics including a fixed collimator, the set of optics providing a numerical aperture (NA) of substantially less than 0.85, and a detector for detecting laser light focused on a two-layer optical disc to produce a stream of detected bits.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for initialization of media asset modules for an improved execution sequence on a playback environment. The system includes a player application configured to segment media assets associated with a primary media content into a plurality of asset modules, assemble the plurality of asset modules into a media file, identify a first subset of asset modules from the plurality of asset modules for loading in a first loading process, determine a loading sequence for the first subset of asset modules, and load the first subset of asset modules according to the loading sequence before beginning playback of the primary media content. The player application may be further configured to identify, determine another loading sequence for, and load additional asset modules after playback of the primary media content has begun.

Abstract: Noise generation in transferring data is suppressed or prevented by transferring data at a data transfer rate according to the amount of data to be transferred to a memory. In a reproducing apparatus, when a read unit or both reads data from a storage medium or both, a determination unit determines the type of the storage medium from which the data is read, then, according to the determined type of the storage medium, a transfer rate change unit orders a data transfer unit to use a preset transfer rate corresponding to the type of the storage medium. The data transfer unit transfers the read data to the temporary storage unit at the ordered transfer rate. This allows data to be transferred without a significant change in the amount of data transfer, which suppresses or prevents noise.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a signal processing circuit that includes a signal processing circuit includes a processing path configured to process an electrical signal to produce input data samples, and a feed-forward correction module configured to delay the input data samples to produce delayed data samples, to apply the delayed data samples to a timing loop during periods when a profile variation of the data samples is not detected, and to apply the input data sample to the timing loop during periods when a profile variation of the data samples is detected.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for increasing spectral efficiency over data channels in a storage or communication system. In some embodiments, data may be encoded and transmitted over multiple channels. The transmitted data from the multiple channels may be considered together as a channel bundle, thereby increasing the edge transitions of the group of signals to improve clock recovery and reduce coding constraints. In some embodiments, the channel bit size is reduced to maximize data rates based on the reduced coding constraints. Furthermore, the channel bundle has only one channel with timing markers, so that a receiver may receive information from the channel bundle and recover clocking based on the timing markers in the one channel.

Abstract: When performing recording/reproduction of information for a given recording layer of an optical disc having three recording layers, influences of reflected light from other recording layers are reduced or removed, thus making it possible to obtain a more stable RF signal or focus error signal. An optical pickup device includes a light source, a collimator lens, an objective lens, a photodetector, and a light shielding member. Among the recording layers of the optical disc, a first layer and a second layer adjoining each other are disposed in the order of the first layer and second layer from near the objective lens.

Abstract: A method for reproducing digital data and identifying the same by executing a software program stored in a memory of a computer is disclosed. The method includes: reading digital data; identifying total size of the digital data; saving the digital data as a temporary file; receiving a request for selecting at least one target medium, wherein the target medium is used for storing the digital data; determining a quantity of the target medium to be used for writing; writing the digital data into the target medium; generating a list text file and an index text file into each target medium, wherein the list text file includes information regarding to the content stored in each target medium respectively and the index text file includes information regarding to the content in all target medium; and building an index database of the digital data.

Abstract: In step S1, the address generator generates address information composed of a sync signal which is recorded on an optical disc, address data and an error correction code for the address data, pre-encodes and supplies it to a modulator. At the same time, a carrier signal generator generates a carrier signal which is to carry the address information, and supplies it to the modulator. In step S2, the modulator makes MSK modulation of the carrier signal supplied from the carrier signal generator on the basis of the pre-encoded address information supplied from the address generator, and supplies a resultant MSK modulation signal to a wobbling unit. In step S3, the wobbling unit forms, on the optical disc, a spiral groove wobbled adaptively to the MSK modulation signal supplied from the modulator. In this optical disc, a given address can be accessed quickly and accurately.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus, for recording or reproducing information by irradiating a laser beam on an optical disc. More particularly, the present application relates to an optical pickup of the optical disc apparatus that produces a tracking error signal, in general, and the optical disc apparatus executes a tracking servo with using the tracking error signal.

Abstract: When applying an electron beam to a master substrate of disk-shaped recording medium placed on a rotation stage, while rotating the master substrate by rotating the rotation stage, to write a master pattern of disk-shaped recording medium on the master substrate, causing the writing to be suspended based on abnormality information of environment and storing a rotation angle of the master substrate when the writing is suspended and causing, thereafter, the writing to be resumed from a suspended position of the writing on the master substrate based on the rotation angle.

Abstract: An electron beam writing method for writing a fine pattern that includes servo patterns and groove patterns, the method including the step of adjusting an exposure amount of the resist by changing, when controlling application timing of the electron beam by an ON/OFF signal to a blanking unit that blocks the electron beam, an application duty ratio of the electron beam by the ON/OFF signal with respect to each writing radius position for each pattern based on sensitivity variation data of the resist with respect to post exposure delay for each pattern.

Abstract: Provided is a recording adjustment method capable of controlling an edge position of a mark with high accuracy. Based on the acquired read-out signal waveform, a starting position of a last pulse is adjusted such that a so-called L-SEAT shift value for an end edge of the mark becomes minimum.

Abstract: An optical disk reproducing apparatus is provided which is capable of supporting even a situation in which a reproduction signal characteristic is changed due to a factor other than recording density of an optical disk by using PRML of different constrained length and capable of improving reading accuracy. The optical disk reproducing apparatus includes a PRML circuit of a first constrained length (for example, 4) and a PRML circuit of a second constrained length (for example, 5). Equalization error values obtained during calculation of equalization learning in respective circuits are compared with each other in a determination circuit. Switching control of a switch is performed so that an output of one of the PRML circuits having a smaller equalization error value is selected.

Abstract: A recording parameter setting device setting parameters of pulse sequences forming recording marks on recording media. The device includes a storage section storing first and second look-up tables, and a recording parameter setting section for obtaining from the tables and setting parameters corresponding to recording information. The pulse sequences form at least marks equal to or longer than a first predetermined length but not longer than a maximum mark length, and include top and last sections. Also, the first lookup table stores parameters for top sections that control heat of front edges of marks classified into a same group. The second lookup table stores parameters for last sections for controlling heat of rear edges that are equal to or longer than a second predetermined recording mark length, that is longer than the first predetermined recording mark length, through the maximum recording mark length and classified into a same group.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting contact. For example, a method for detecting head contact is disclosed that includes: receiving an interface signal operable to indicate a physical contact between a sensing device and a storage medium; band pass filtering a data set derived from the interface signal to yield a band pass filtered output; comparing the band pass filtered output to a level threshold to yield a comparator output; summing the comparator output with at least one prior instance of the comparator output to yield an aggregated value; and comparing the aggregated value to an aggregate threshold to yield a contact output.

Abstract: Retention management for data stored in data blocks on a tape is provided. A block mapping table has entries each of which include an expiration date for data blocks stored on the tape. The entries of the block mapping table may be sorted in accordance with at least one sorting criterion. Data blocks on the tape are rearranged according to the block mapping table. The block mapping table is then stored, either on the tape or in a memory associated with the tape.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for mounting a storage disc. The method includes receiving data stored at a location on the storage disc. The location on the storage disc used for providing a structure of the storage disc as a result of a previous recording on the storage disc. Then, the method includes determining a medium type based on a parameter in the structure that is indicative of the medium type.

Abstract: A recording method for use by an apparatus and/or which is encoded on a computer readable medium includes selecting a defect management on mode or a defect management off mode that indicates whether defect management is to be performed or not while data is recorded in the recording medium, recording the data in the recording medium while defect management is performed on the recording medium, if the defect management on mode is selected, and recording the data in the recording medium without defect management, if the defect management off mode is selected.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording apparatus configured to record information onto a magnetic recording medium by a shingled write recording method, the magnetic recording apparatus includes: a recording head configured to cover a plurality of dot arrays and an end portion of which is situated at one dot array of a recording target; an actuator configured to move the recording head by one array after the recording to one dot array by the recording head; and a controller configured to perform recording compensation of the magnetic dot based on prestored recording data of a peripheral dot of a magnetic dot when input user data is recorded to the magnetic dot.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises a mounting structure, a motor mechanically attached to mounting structure, and a data storage platter mechanically attached to the motor. The apparatus additionally comprises a single actuator arm comprising a first and second read/write data head or multiple radial movement mechanisms each comprising a read/write data head. The single actuator arm is configured to move axially along an arc and across a top surface of the data storage platter such that the first read/write data head has access to a first section and a second section of the data storage platter and the second read/write data head only has access to the second section of data storage platter. Each radial movement mechanism moves a different read/write data head radially all along a radius of the data storage platter and over and across different sections of the data storage platter.

Abstract: A synchronization detecting circuit detects a synchronous signal from a reproduced signal of a recording medium in which a random shift method is employed. A window generator in the synchronization detecting circuit generates a third window having as a central phase one predicted phase in a second predicted coordinate that is obtained by replicating a first predicted coordinate indicating a predicted phase of each synchronous signal that repeatedly appears in the reproduced signal and having a phase width equivalent to twice a random shift width when the synchronous signal is not detected using a first window after the synchronous signal is detected using a second window by a synchronization detector.

Abstract: In reproduction of a two-dimensional page data from an optical information recording medium utilizing holography, a reproduced two-dimensional page data is divided into a plurality of areas each of which has a predetermined size, the divided two-dimensional areas are individually subjected to adaptive equalizing, and then are coupled to restore the condition of the original two-dimensional page data.

Abstract: A content transmitting apparatus and the like which execute copy control of content more securely than conventional, and can count copy number correctly according to the situation, even in the case where content transfer is interrupted are provided. The content reproducing apparatus 10 for transmitting content that is digital copyrighted work including a plurality of content blocks comprises: the content reproducing unit 11 which reads out content and the like from the DVD 30; the control unit 12 which repeats, for each of the plurality of content blocks, transmitting in parallel with the content blocks, the copy control information indicating copy permission of the content, the content identification information identifying content, and the content status information indicating status of the content blocks in the overall content; the data building unit 15; the transmission unit 16; and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for writing data to an optical storage medium are disclosed. A write signal indicating power levels of a laser diode is generated by encoding and decoding codewords. The codewords are generated and decoded according to a specific requirement proposed by the present invention. By doing so, toggling (i.e. state changing) times occurring in channels transferring the codewords can be significantly reduced to avoid the problems of pulse distortion and disappearance in high frequency transmission. Alternatively, toggles appearing in the respective channels can be spread to avoid interference between the channels. Further, a phase adjustment device for adjusting a phase of each codeword is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for accessing data from a disc with a linking area comprises a pick up head, a servo, a processing unit, a position predictor, and a control signal generator. The pick up head reads data from the disc and generates a read signal. The servo controls the pick up head. The processing unit processes the read signal and controls the servo according to a plurality of control signals. The position predictor tracks time position on the disc and generates position information. The control signal generator receives the position information and generates the control signals according to the position information.

Abstract: A DRM disk such as a Blu-ray stores content in a high resolution version for playing by a disk player. The disk also stores the same content in a lower resolution version for playing by a secondary device such as a Playstation Portable (PSP). The disk can be engaged with the disk player and the lower resolution format transferred to the secondary player through a mechanism such as a removable medium (e.g., a Sony Memory Stick®) or a USB connection or other means in accordance with DRM restrictions on the disk.

Abstract: A digital PLL (phase locked loop) circuit (and method thereof), includes an AAF (anti aliasing filter) that limits a frequency bandwidth of an input RF (radio frequency) signal on the basis of a given cutoff frequency, an ADC (analog to digital converter) that samples an output signal of the AAF on the basis of a given sampling frequency, a down converter that converts a data rate of the ADC, and a digital phase tracking unit that generates a synchronous clock signal from an output signal of the down converter on the basis of a given internal frequency. The cutoff frequency and the sampling frequency are fixed, respectively, even when a frequency bandwidth of the RF signal fluctuates. The down converter reduces the data rate according to an increase in the frequency bandwidth of the RF signal.

Abstract: A data recovery device including an analog to digital converter (ADC), a filtering-equalizing unit, a zero crossing detector, a data phase locked loop, a data mapping unit and an estimation unit is provided. The ADC converts a radio frequency signal to a plurality of sampling data points. The sampling data points are converted to a plurality of retiming data points and a clock signal by the filtering-equalizing unit, the zero crossing detector and the data phase locked loop. The data mapping unit selects a plurality of maximum data points and minimum data points from the returning data points, and determines whether to map the maximum data points and the minimum data points to other levels for partially reconstructing the retiming data points. The estimation unit recovers the reconstructed retiming data points to a modulation signal.

Abstract: An exemplary method for recording a first mark with a first length and a second mark with a second length onto an optical storage medium includes: when recording of the first mark requires a power transition from a first laser power level to a second laser power level, making a specific control signal have a logic transition from a low logic value to a high logic value and other control signals have no logic transition; and when recording of the second mark requires a power transition from a third laser power level to a fourth laser power level, making the specific control signal have the logic transition from the low logic value to the high logic value and other control signals have no logic transition.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, a data processing system is disclosed that includes a decoder circuit providing a decoded output, and a dynamic scalar calculation circuit that determines a first dynamic scaling value and a second dynamic scaling value based at least in part on the decoded output. A first multiplier circuit multiplies the decoded output by the first dynamic scaling value and provides a first scaled output. A detector circuit receives the first scaled output and provides a detected output. A second multiplier circuit multiplies the detected output by the second dynamic scaling value and provides a second scaled output.

Abstract: According to a method of the present invention for recording data on an optical disk, a recording pulse corresponding to a long mark includes a combination of a leading pulse and a subsequent intermediate pulse. Further, a level of the leading pulse indicates a first recording power, and a level of the intermediate pulse indicates a second recording power. When an optical disk includes a plurality of recording layers, a ratio of the second recording power to the first recording power is determined for each recording layer. When the recording speed is variable, the ratio of the second recording power to the first recording power is determined for each recording speed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for reducing low frequency loss in a magnetic storage device. For example, some embodiments provide data processing circuits that include: an input circuit, a processing circuit, a data detection circuit, and a baseline compensation circuit. The input circuit receives a first data input and provides a second data input. The input circuit excludes low frequency energy exhibited in the first data input from the second data input. The processing circuit generates a representation of the second data input, and the data detection circuit generates a representation of the first data input based at least in part on the representation of the second data input.

Abstract: A first signal is detected from the central part of a light beam returning from a super-resolution optical disc; a second signal is detected from a peripheral part in a direction corresponding to a track on the super-resolution optical disc; a gain adjustment unit is provided to adjust the amplitude of the first signal; a subtraction unit is provided to generate a third signal by subtracting, from the second signal, the first signal with the amplitude adjusted by the gain adjustment unit; and an unit is provided to generate a reproduced signal by combining the first signal and a signal obtained by delaying the third signal.

Abstract: A disk recording device includes a processor, and a storage device, a memory reader, a display, an encoder, a disk recorder, all electrically connected to the processor. The storage device is configured for storing a first file. The memory reader is configured for reading the first file. The processor is configured for transforming the first file into a second file of a specific format compatible with the encoder. The encoder is connected to the processor and used for encoding the second file into a third file, and sending the third file to the processor. The processor is also configured for transforming the third file into a disk storable formatted file. The disk recorder is configured for recording the disk storable formatted file in the disk. The present embodiment also relates to a digital photo frame using the disk recording device.

Abstract: Provided are a variable delay circuit, a recording apparatus, and a delay amount calibration method. The variable delay circuit includes a delay line in which a delay amount is variably set, a delay setting unit that performs delay setting of the delay line using a unit delay control value, in a calibration period, overlaps a test pulse with the input signal, and generates a comparison pulse, and a unit delay determining unit that sets the delay of the unit delay amount in the delay line by providing the unit delay control value to the delay setting unit in the calibration period, determines the unit delay control value equivalent to the unit delay amount based on a phase comparison result between the comparison pulse and the test pulse, and provides, to the delay setting unit, the determined unit delay control value as the unit delay control value of a calibration result.

Abstract: A playback device reads a BD-J application from a BD-ROM and runs the BD-J application. The BD-J application causes, by using a socket connection API, the digital copy module of the playback device to execute copying of a protected content for portable terminals to a removable recording medium and setting of a resume playback point on the copied content. The resume playback point is specified by the BD-J application according to playback time information read from the PSR set.

Abstract: An optical disc device and an adjusting method for a recording condition for use with the optical disc device that records data into an optical disc medium by using codes whose shortest run length is 2T and reproduces the recorded data by using an adaptive equalizing procedure and a PRML procedure, wherein the recording condition is so adjusted that a reproduced signal with desired quality can be obtained, by using, as the adaptive equalizing procedure, a procedure in which a tap coefficient Cn is set to a value obtained by averaging values of a tap coefficient an renewed by a LMS method, located symmetrically with each other along the time axis.

Abstract: A process of reproducing information according to the present invention includes: reproducing record data recorded on an information-recording medium including a data area for recording the record data, and a defect control area for recording defect information of the data area; storing the defect information in a storage unit; and reducing a storage area of the storage unit which is used for storing the defect information.

Abstract: A playback device of present invention includes a power switching portion that, when the necessity of switching of the reproducing condition is detected, switches the reproducing power to a minimum power which does not damage the data recorded on the multi-layer recording medium and with which the address of the reproducing target data can be read out, and when it is confirmed after the switching of the reproducing condition that the address read out with the minimum power matches the address of the reproducing target data, switches the reproducing power to the optimum power that corresponds to the reproducing condition after the switching, based on the power setting information.