Abstract: Recording mark forming method utilizing a device including a laser and a laser drive carried by a pickup having a movement drive wherein a control controls the drives to irradiate a recording medium with laser pulse sequences to form recording marks having recording mark lengths between a predetermined and maximum lengths, a top section, a last section including a cooling period, and an intermediate period. Heat of mark front edges is controlled by top section recording parameters classified according to recording mark lengths and recording parameters of first through maximum recording mark lengths are classified into a same group. Heat of mark rear edges is controlled by cooling start positions for cooling periods classified according to recording mark lengths. Cooling start positions for a second predetermined mark length through the maximum mark length are classified into a same group. The second mark length is longer than the first mark length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus which enable the number of data units of recording pulse information to be reduced by dividing the recording pulse information into 1 byte-parameter information and differences from a value thereof, and the recording pulse information to be recorded on an existing DI area.

Abstract: A recording medium comprising a recording area, the recording area includes a first area and a second area, the first area includes a frame area, the frame area includes an area in which a second synchronization code sequence and at least a portion of data are to be recorded, and the second area includes an area of linking frames in which a third synchronization code sequence and a fourth synchronization code sequence are to be recorded.

Abstract: An encoding device for converting m-bit data words into n-bit (both n and m are integers and 2n?2m×2) code words includes a first encoding table in which 2m code words selected from the 2n n-bit code words correspond to 2m m-bit data words, a second encoding table in which 2m code words, which do not overlap with the code words in the first encoding table, of the 2n n-bit code words correspond to 2m m-bit data words, and an encoding unit which selects and outputs a code word, in which an absolute value of a code string DSV is smaller, from code words corresponding to the input m-bit data words in the first encoding table and code words corresponding to the input m-bit data words in the second encoding table.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus that converts m-bit data words into n-bit code words, where m and n are both integers and satisfy an expression 2n?2m×2, includes a first conversion table in which 2m m-bit data words are associated with 2m n-bit code words selected from 2n n-bit code words, a second conversion table in which the 2m m-bit data words are associated with 2m n-bit code words that have been selected from the 2n n-bit code words and that do not overlap with the 2m n-bit code words in the first conversion table, and an encoder configured to select and output an n-bit code word with which an m-bit data word that has been input is associated in the first conversion table or an n-bit code word with which the m-bit data word that has been input is associated in the second conversion table, the selected and output n-bit code word having a smaller number of symbols “1”.

Abstract: A hybrid LDD includes a read channel to selectively output a read current, a plurality of write channels, each to selectively output a different write current, and an oscillator channel to selectively output an oscillator current. Additionally, the hybrid LDD includes programmable LDD controller that receives the plurality of enable signals from the external controller, and based on the enable signals, controls timing of the currents output by at least the write channels. The programmable LDD controller can also control timing of the currents output by the read and oscillator channels, based on the enable signals. Further and alternative embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical recording medium is provided in which interlayer crosstalk is low and in which stable and high-quality recording characteristics can be obtained. To this end, an optical recording medium comprises a first recording part which includes a first recording layer and a first light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side closer to a light receiving surface, and a second recording part which includes a second recording layer and a second light reflecting layer and which is disposed on a side farther from the light receiving surface, the first recording part and the second recording part being stacked, wherein the thickness of the second light reflecting layer is larger than the thickness of the first light reflecting layer.

Abstract: Optical disc recording processing of recording data to be recorded on an optical disc having a plurality of recording layers at a recording velocity depending on the radial position includes use pattern selection processing of selecting a use pattern in which given recordable regions included in a data zone of the optical disc are used for recording of the data to be recorded in given use order, among a plurality of use patterns different in the number of recording layers used, so that the total recording time is shortened, based on given conditions including at least the capacity of the data to be recorded, the recording velocities of use regions in the use pattern, and the number of interlayer shifts in the use pattern. The data to be recorded is recorded according to the use pattern selected in the use pattern selection processing.

Abstract: A signal evaluation method according to the present invention is a method for evaluating a read signal, retrieved from an information recording medium, based on a binarized signal generated from the read signal by a PRML method.

Abstract: A method and system for reading readback waveforms representing written magnetization states of a pair of magnetic islands of a two-level patterned magnetic recording medium, and a structure that include a multi-level patterned magnetic medium. Reading the readback waveform representing the written magnetization state includes: identifying the written magnetization state by decoding the readback waveform; and displaying and/or recording the written magnetization state. The magnetic medium of the structure includes distributed pillars. Each pillar includes a first and second magnetic island. Each magnetic island has a magnetic easy axis oriented at a first tilt angle (?1) and a second tilt angle (?2), wherein ?1 and ?2 satisfy: ?1??2, either or both of ?1 and ?2 differing from 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An address format for appropriately controlling the recording linear density and the number of information recording layers is provided in order to increase the recording capacity of an information recording medium such as an optical disc or the like in a range in which a necessary S/N ratio can be guaranteed. An optical disc includes an information recording layer having a concentric or spiral track, and has a format for describing a track address, which is pre-recorded on the track or is to be added to data that is to be recorded on the information recording layer. The format includes layer information regarding the information recording layer and address information regarding the track address.

Abstract: A high-density optical disc such as BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc Rewritable) or BD-ROM, and a recording/reproducing method thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for quickly starting recording seamless-playable data are provided. At the end of recording a preceding record content, identification information of a clip information file for a subsequent record content to be recorded next is recorded in an attribute information storage file set for the preceding record content. More specifically, a clip information file for a subsequent chapter is reserved at the end of recording of a preceding chapter, and an identifier of the clip information file is recorded in the clip information file for the preceding record chapter. Through the prior reservation process of the clip information file, an updating process for updating the clip information file at the start of recording of the subsequent chapter becomes unnecessary. Data recording, such as a photographing operation of a video camera is thus quickly started.

Abstract: A method of recording read/write compatibility information on an optical disc and a recording medium employing the method. Extended part version information, latest part version having recording capability, and latest part version having reproducing capability are stored in n.xy form on 6 bytes of a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of the optical disc. A recording/reproducing apparatus to record extended part version information on a reserved zone of a physical format information zone of a recording medium. The recording/reproducing apparatus has a base part version and a comparing unit to determine recording/reproducing compatibility with a recording medium having a detailed extended part version stored in a reserved zone of a physical format information zone.