Abstract: According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a recording medium, a driving module, a head, a conductive body, a write-verify module, and a projection amount controller. A conductive body is mounted on the head, and changes a projection amount of the head by thermally expanding the head with heat from a current carried by the conductive body. The write-verify module executes a write-verify check to check whether content written in any location on the recording medium is correct when the driving module starts rotating the recording medium. The projection amount controller controls the projection amount of the head by adding a first value to a current in a steady state carried by the conductive body if the content is correct, and adding a second value with an absolute value greater than that of the first value to the current in the steady state if the content is not correct.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a tilt angle of an objective lens with respect to one of a multilayer optical disc having a plurality of recording layers and an optical axis of an optical information recording/reproducing apparatus, wherein a use wavelength ? and a numerical aperture NA are defined by conditions: 390<?<420 and 0.75<NA<0.90. The method includes determining the tilt angle of the objective lens such that a spot quality defined through a predetermined transparent parallel flat plate matches a predetermined standard, and tilting the objective lens to have the determined tilt angle. When t1 represents a thickness of the predetermined transparent parallel flat plate and t2 represents a design protective layer thickness at which a coma caused when off-axis light is incident on the objective lens becomes smallest, t1 and t2 satisfy a following condition: ?0.015<t1?t2<0.005.

Abstract: A defect is detected on a storage medium of a disk drive. A location of the defect is determined, within a smallest addressable unit of data stored on the storage medium. An indication of the location is stored in a memory. A location of a sensor of the disk drive relative to the data stored on the storage medium is monitored. A response of at least one of a defect detector of the disk drive, a read channel controller of the disk drive, and a servo controller of the disk drive is changed based on the location of the sensor relative to the data stored on the storage medium and the stored indication of the location of the defect.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical data system comprising an optical disc drive and a host. The optical disc drive is arranged to receive an optical disc and perform read and write actions with respect to the optical disc. The host is arranged to instruct the optical disc drive to perform a read or write action with respect to the optical disc. The optical disc drive may be arranged to a) the optical disc drive is arranged to perform a quality measurement generating a plurality of quality parameters, b) the optical disc drive is arranged to output the plurality of quality parameters to the host, and c) the host is arranged to decide on a further action based on the received plurality of quality parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments of system and method for protection of data in a portable data storage device are provided. In one aspect, a portable data storage device includes a first portable storage identification (PSID) parameter unique to the portable data storage device, one or more data storage media in which the first PSID parameter is stored, and control logic coupled to the one or more data storage media. The one or more data storage media include a data file section to store therein a data file, which includes data and a rights object. The rights object contains a second PSID parameter. The control logic controls access to the one or more data storage media by a user of the portable data storage device. The control logic determines whether or not the first PSID parameter and the second PSID parameter are equal and, if the first PSID parameter and the second PSID parameter are equal, causes the data in the data file to be provided to the user in response to a request for the data from the user.

Abstract: A pick-up of a format determining apparatus irradiates light to an optical disk to generate a reproduction signal. A signal processing unit decodes the reproduction signal to generate main data. A CD-ROM decoder decodes the main data. A CD-ROM determining unit determines whether or not the main data is in a CD-ROM format, based on the decoded main data. A reproduction signal determining unit determines whether or not the reproduction signal is normal when the main data is not in the CD-ROM format. A system control unit determines that the main data is in a CD-DA format, when the main data is not in the CD-ROM format, and when the reproduction signal is normal.

Abstract: Reflected and scattered electrons generated by emitting an electron beam onto a substrate are detected by a detecting unit. The product of the area (SN) and the irradiation time (tN) of the Nth shot in a predetermined measurement unit obtained from writing data is computed by a computing unit. The value obtained by accumulating an instructed equivalent value in the predetermined measurement unit and the value obtained by integrating the signal (DN) from the detecting unit in the predetermined measurement unit are compared and determined by a comparing unit to determine whether or not abnormality occurs in the irradiation amount of the electron beam.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk storage apparatus includes a data recording module and a controller. The data recording module is configured to record a first sync mark and a second sync mark in each data sector provided on a disk. The controller is configured to control the data recording module, causing the data recording module to omit recording the second sync mark in one of segments into which the data sector is split.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein include one or more of systems, methods, software, and/or data structures to test and evaluate unformatted optical media such as optical tape and optical discs. Advantageously, testing and evaluation can be performed earlier in the manufacturing process of the optical media to locate defects and/or other problems or issues with the optical media that can be addressed before additional manufacturing steps are performed and possible wasted. The systems and methods include at least two optical pickup units (OPUs), a first of which may be dedicated to writing digital data and the second of which may be dedicated to scanning, locating, tracking and/or reading the written data (when the optical media is moving in a first direction) in one of a plurality of manners. Information (e.g.

Abstract: A method of detecting a touch-down of a head in a disk drive, a method of adjusting a head flying height by using the method of detecting a touch-down of a head, and a disk drive using the method of detecting a touch-down of a head detect a change of an electrical characteristic of a sensor installed in a slider, wherein the electrical characteristic changes according to temperature; and determines that the head flying height reached a touch-down flying height if the detected change of the electrical characteristic satisfies a threshold condition.

Abstract: There is provided a method of calculating the degradation over time of the quality of data recorded on an optical disk in a short time. In the method, when user data is recorded on a data area, a test signal including a component in which the signal level is smaller than a reference value, is recorded on a test area. Then, the test signal is reproduced from the test area when a predetermined time has passed, to calculate the quality degradation of the user data from the evaluation result. Alternatively, every time when the user data is recorded/reproduced on/from the data area, the test signal is recorded/reproduced repeatedly on/from the test area. Then, the test signal is reproduced from the test area at a predetermined timing, to calculate the quality degradation of the user data from the evaluation result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a touch-down and contact between a head and a storage medium by using a signal generated by a data storage device, specifically by a sensor installed in a slider. The method includes: separating a signal detected by a sensor into a direct current (DC) component and an alternating current (AC) component, wherein the sensor has an electrical characteristic that changes according to temperature; using the DC component to detect a touch-down state of the head during a touch-down test to determine a value of a control signal for adjusting the flying height of the head; and using the AC component to detect a contacting state between the head and the storage medium in an operating state of the apparatus.

Abstract: An optical disc drive includes a disc holder, a pickup head, a focus servo, an S-curve identifying unit, a first counter, a second counter, a judging unit, a disc identifying unit, and a system controller. The optical disc drive can detect whether a disc exhibits vertical deviation. Upon detection, the optical disc drive restricts the maximum speed of data reading and writing. The judging unit determines whether the disc exhibits vertical deviation based on a comparison result of the number of the one or more S curves with a first preset value.

Abstract: In order to record an interference fringe pattern in a recording layer of a medium, a plurality of laser beams are caused to interfere so as to form interference fringes in the recording layer; and during a time period over which the plurality of laser beams are caused to interfere, the following steps are continuously performed: (1) producing a signal varying according to a shift of a specific position in the recording layer; and (2) shifting a fringe-forming position in the recording layer by changing a phase of at least one of the laser beams or moving the recording layer based upon the signal produced in the step (1).

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup and a signal processor. The optical pickup includes an actuator for driving an objective lens, and a detected light intensity signal output part for outputting a detected light intensity signal to the processor. The signal processor includes a servo signal generator for generating a main push-pull signal and a sub push-pull signal on the basis of the detected light intensity signal supplied from the detected light intensity signal output part, a signal generator for generating a differential push-pull signal and a lens error signal by conducting addition/subtraction on the main push-pull signal and the sub push-pull signal, and a tracking offset correction signal generator which is input with the lens error signal to output a tracking offset correction signal. The differential push-pull signal correction is conducted by conducting addition/subtraction between the differential push-pull signal and the tracking offset correction signal.

Abstract: There is provided an optical disk drive that pursues power saving and simultaneously assures data recording quality. A servo processor of the optical disk drive has a low frequency equalizer, a high frequency equalizer, a limiter, and an adder. A limit voltage value of the limiter is set by means of a control command from a system controller. The limit voltage value is set so as to become greater during a data recording period than in a data regeneration period. An output from the adder is supplied as a tracking drive signal to a tracking actuator or as a focus drive signal to a focus actuator.

Abstract: Detection is made as to at least one of a ratio between a tracking error and a focus error, and a duty cycle of an off-track signal with respect to an optical disc. A decision is made as to whether or not the optical disc is playable on the basis of the detected at least one of the ratio and the duty cycle. The ratio is a ratio of the focus error to the tracking error or a ratio of the tracking error to the focus error.

Abstract: An optical disc drive according to the present invention is designed to read data from a multilayer optical disc 100, from/on which data can be read or written using a light beam. The drive includes a light source 222 for emitting a light beam, an objective lens 230 for converging the light beam, a photodetector 236 for detecting the light beam that has been reflected from the disc, and a control section 246 for setting a read power for a particular one of the multiple storage layers of the disc by reference to a read power table 501b. The table 501b stores multiple read powers for the respective storage layers in order to make S-curves of a focus error signal obtained from the respective layers have predetermined amplitudes. In this manner, the optical disc drive of the present invention can be loaded with a multilayer optical disc more smoothly by setting the best read powers for the respective storage layers of the disc.

Abstract: To locate an access head element of a head assembly for a tape storage device, a storage tape having a data track that contains servo information is provided. The data track further contains data. The servo information that is in the data track is used to determine a position of the access head element.

Abstract: Disc drive data recovery methods and systems that utilize off center track information are provided. A disc drive data track is illustratively read at a first position along a width of the data track and at a second position along the width of the data track. The data read from the track is stored and tagged with indications of the first and the second positions. The tagged data is optionally used to calculate average waveforms for each of the first and the second positions and to identify the average waveform having the highest signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: An optical head device includes a light source (30) configured to emit a light beam, a light collecting optical system configured to converge the light beam onto an information recording medium (10), a hologram element (20) configured to diffract the light beam reflected from the information recording medium (10), and a photodetector (40) having a plurality of detection regions configured to receive the light beam diffracted by the hologram element (20). The hologram element (20) has two diffraction regions (261 and 262) separated from each other by a straight line (260) extending in a radial direction of the information recording medium (10). At least one of the two diffraction regions has a pattern which introduces coma aberration in the radial direction. The light diffracted by the diffraction region having the coma aberration has coma aberration in the radial direction.

Abstract: Magnetic tape devices encounter read and/or write errors when the tape is not being passed across the head with the proper tension and/or skew angle. According to one embodiment, a system which corrects for these problems comprises a head having an array of at least one of readers and writers, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic recording tape over the head, a skew-inducing mechanism coupled to the head for adjusting a skew angle of a longitudinal axis of the array relative to a direction normal to a direction of tape travel over the head, and a controller in communication with the head. The system also determines a tape dimensional stability state of the tape and adjust the skew angle away from normal to the direction of tape travel and lowers a tension of the tape across the head if the tape dimensional stability state is in a contracted state.

Abstract: An optical disc drive according to the present invention includes an optical pickup and a writing control section for instructing the optical pickup to record a mark, representing the information to be written, on the optical disc. In recording the mark on the optical disc, the writing control section instructs the optical pickup to irradiate the same area on the optical disc with a light beam a plurality of times so that the mark is recorded in that repeatedly irradiated area.

Abstract: An optical disc playback device is capable of being transitioned to a sleep mode in consideration of an optical disc status or an optical disc drive device status. An optical disc playback apparatus includes a main controller to transmit a sleep mode transition command to an optical disc drive device, and an optical disc drive device controller to check either a status of an optical disc or a status of the optical disc drive device when the sleep mode transition command is transmitted to the optical disc drive device, and to determine whether to perform transition to the sleep mode in response to the optical disc status or the optical disc drive device status.

Abstract: A method for verifying a tape cartridge is presented. One method includes introducing a tape cartridge into a tape library wherein when introduced, the tape cartridge can then be loaded in a tape drive in an attempt to bring the tape cartridge to a functionally ready state with the tape drive. In loading the tape cartridge in the tape drive, the loading performance of the first tape cartridge can be assessed based on bringing the first tape cartridge to a functionally ready state. A record of the performance information can then be stored on a central data base and/or on a medium auxiliary memory device located in the tape cartridge.

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 tool for testing a magnetic disk for use in a magnetic disk drive. The tool detects surface defects or asperities by detecting a change in electrical resistance corresponding to a temperature change in a thermally sensitive layer. The apparatus includes a slider body having a thermally insulating layer formed on an air bearing surface of the slider body and a thermal sensor layer formed on the thermally insulating layer. The thermally insulating layer prevents thermal heat spikes in the thermal sensor layer (such as resulting from contact with an asperity) from dissipating quickly into the slider body itself. The thermal sensor layer is a material that exhibits a change in electrical resistance in response to a change in temperature and is preferably a PTC thermistor material which exhibits a large change in electrical resistance when a transition temperature has been reached.

Abstract: Proposed is an optical disk device capable of optimally adjusting a current value of a direct current and a high frequency superimposed current for driving a laser diode. This optical disk device includes a laser driver for superimposing a high frequency current on a direct current to obtain a drive current and supplying the drive current to the laser beam source and driving the laser beam source, and a control unit for adjusting a current value of the direct current and/or the high frequency superimposed current supplied by the laser driver to the laser beam source based on the servo signal or the reproduction signal.

Abstract: A method of managing a defect of a hard disk drive includes calculating a number of ECC symbols of every sector which becomes an object of a defect scan and setting a defect reference value based on results of the calculation. The hard disk drive sets a sector as a defect sector having the number of ECC symbols greater than a set defect reference value.

Abstract: A waveform shaping portion receives a digital reproduced signal generated from an analog reproduced signal reproduced from an information recording medium and shapes the waveform of the digital reproduced signal. A maximum likelihood decoding portion applies maximum likelihood decoding to the digital reproduced signal in the shaped waveform and generates a binarized signal indicating the result of the maximum likelihood decoding. A phase detection portion extracts, during the maximum likelihood decoding/a phase error using state transition patterns having only a single zero cross point among differential metrics at a plurality of merging points at which a set of paths branched from a given state merges. A synchronization detection portion generates a reproduction clock signal using the phase error that has been detected and brings the digital reproduced signal into synchronization with the reproduction clock signal that has been generated.

Abstract: An evaluation apparatus includes: a signal reading block; a first waveform equalization block; a boundary detection block; a selective output block; and an evaluation value generation block.

Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus, an optical pickup includes an actuator for driving an object lens, and a sensed signal output part for making it possible to generate a tracking error signal and a lens error signal by addition/subtraction, and a signal processor includes a servo signal generator for generating a tracking error signal and a lens error signal on the basis of a signal supplied from the sensed signal output part, and a tracking offset correction quantity signal generator supplied with the lens error signal to output a tracking offset correction quantity signal. DC (direct current) offset correction is conducted by conducting addition/subtraction between the tracking error signal and both the lens error signal and the tracking offset correction quantity signal.

Abstract: A reproducing device includes: a laser light irradiating section; a correction coefficient information retaining section; a correction coefficient obtaining section; a laser power setting section; and a driving signal outputting section.

Abstract: A phase error detection apparatus includes: a sampling block; a first phase error calculation block; a second phase error calculation block; and a selective output block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disk protrusion detection/flatness measurement circuit and a disk glide tester, in which protrusion detection and average value calculation can be performed without switching signal processing circuits of two systems, one for the protrusion detection of a disk and the other for the average value calculation with respect to a track or a sector of the disk. This also makes it possible to reduce the size of the measurement circuit. In the protrusion detection/flatness measurement circuit, a signal from a protrusion detection sensor is amplified and converted from an analog signal to a digital signal. The signal passes through a band-pass filter to obtain a digital signal with a predetermined bandwidth. Then, peak detection and average value calculation processes are applied in parallel to the obtained digital signal. Thus, pass/fail decision of the disk can be made based on the detected peak and average values.

Abstract: Approaches for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation, and preventing the same, using an atmospheric pressure sensor are provided. The HDD comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor capable of determining the altitude at which the HDD is currently located. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the current altitude of the HDD, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of a particle counter, differential pressure sensor, and a chemical vapor sensor for use by the risk assessment component. If the HDD is above a particular altitude, the Thermal Fly-Height control settings of the heads may be adjusted to reduce risk of error.

Abstract: A method for calibrating signal offsets on a lightscribe disc is provided. Spoke signals of an inner ring are utilized as a counter in order to read information pattern signals of an outer ring in a predetermined marked area. Measure the signal offsets of the information pattern signals. Check whether the number of the spoke signals of the inner ring exceeds a predetermined value. When the number of the spoke signals does not exceed the predetermined value, continue to measure the signal offsets; and when the number of the spoke signals reaches the predetermined value, calculate an average signal offset. The signal offsets of the information pattern signals of the outer ring can be calibrated by utilizing the average signal offset during a radial calibration or a decoding calibration.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes: a rotation section to rotate an optical disc including a spiral or concentric track with a predetermined track center, with a rotational center of the optical disc as the center; a light source to emit a light beam; an objective lens to collect the light beam on the optical disc; a lens drive section to drive the objective lens in a tracking direction; a light-receiving section to receive a reflected light beam and generate a light-receiving signal; a tracking error signal generation section to generate a first tracking error signal based on the light-receiving signal; an eccentric-state acquisition section to acquire an eccentric state of the track center; a correction section to generate a corrected tracking error signal; and a drive control section to drive the objective lens in the tracking direction by the lens drive section based on the corrected tracking error signal.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing device includes an optical head unit which performs writing and reading of information expressed by marks and spaces on an optical recording medium by irradiating laser light onto the optical recording medium, a laser driving pulse generating unit that generates a laser driving pulse according to the recorded information to supply a laser driving signal to the optical head unit, and executes the irradiation of the laser light onto the optical head unit for recording, an evaluation value calculating unit that calculates a quality evaluation value, which is an index of recording signal quality based on a signal read from the optical recording medium by the optical head unit, and an adjustment controlling unit that performs an adjustment setting of the laser driving pulse generated in the laser driving pulse generating unit.

Abstract: An optical disk device has: a detector (11) that converts a reflected light from an optical disk (5) and a reflected light of an incident light from a light source (1) side of a solid immersion lens (4), into electric signals and outputs the signals; a subtracter (15) that computes the output signal of the detector (11) according to a predetermined rule and outputs the result as a tilt detection signal; a CPU (21), an amplifier/phase compensation circuit (16), a switch (17) and an actuator (13) that perform tilt control for controlling tilt of the solid immersion lens (4) with respect to the optical disk (5) using the tilt detection signal; and the CPU (21), a nut (24), a feed screw (25), a decelerator (26) and a stepping motor (27) that perform gap adjustment for changing the gap of the solid immersion lens (4) and optical disk (5), and in the process of adjustment of gap between the solid immersion lens (4) and optical disk (5), the CPU (21) enables tilt control by closing the switch (17) according to the t

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and media formats for processing user data derived from a storage medium. As an example, a system is described that includes a storage medium with a series of data. The series of data includes a servo data and a user data region. The user data region includes a first synchronization pattern and a second synchronization pattern located a distance from the first synchronization pattern. A storage buffer is provided that is operable to receive at least a portion of the series of data. A retiming circuit calculates an initial phase offset and frequency offset for a defined bit within the storage buffer using a first location of the first synchronization pattern and a second location of the second synchronization pattern. An error correction loop circuit re-samples the series of data from the storage buffer based at least in part on the initial phase offset and a frequency offset.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recording apparatus for recording, in a free area, first low-quality recorded data having an error rate not less than a first error rate upon finalization of a recording medium, the information recording apparatus includes a reader, a measurement module, a detector, and a recorder. The reader is configured to read recorded data from a recording area of the recording medium. The measurement module is configured to measure an error rate of the recorded data of each predetermined data block. The detector configured to detect the first low-quality recorded data based on an error rate measurement result of the measurement module. The recorder is configured to correct an error in the first low-quality recorded data, and record error-corrected recorded data corresponding to the first low-quality recorded data at a spare recording position of the free area of the recording medium.

Abstract: The problem of magneto-resistive sensor drift with age has been solved by normalizing the sensor's output relative to its output when it is in a selected reproducible state. Details for the method to accomplish this normalization are disclosed together with several examples of how the method can be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical information recording apparatus and method capable of effectively determining appropriate recording parameters in a short time with favorable efficiency, when recording information onto an optical disk having different information recording conditions and information recording characteristics. An information recording condition or an information recording characteristic of an optical disk 1 is identified, and a recording pulse position is corrected at a correction accuracy according to the identifies information recording condition or information recording characteristic, such that a recording mark is formed in a predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention provides a tracking control device, a tracking control method, and an optical disc apparatus that enable to stably perform the tracking control, and reduce an influence of stray light from the other layer on the tracking control. A sub push-pull signal correcting section corrects a sub push-pull signal to be generated from returning light of a sub beam in such a manner that a track crossing component of a main push-pull signal to be generated from returning light of a main beam, and a track crossing component of the sub push-pull signal to be generated from the returning light of the sub beam are canceled. A low pass filter reduces a high frequency component of the sub push-pull signal corrected by the sub push-pull signal correcting section. A subtractor subtracts a sub push-pull signal passing the low pass filter from the main push-pull signal to thereby generate a tracking error signal.

Abstract: In a optical disc system with constraint length equal to or greater than 5, under assumption that continuous 2T count included in a predetermined evaluation bit array is denoted by i and that length of evaluation bit array of interest is given by (5+2i), judgment is passed on whether binary bit arrays include the evaluation bit array. Previously prepared are the error vectors calculated on the basis of target signals corresponding to the evaluation bit arrays and the target signals derived from the binary bit arrays, and the selection of a desired error vector is performed depending on the result of the judgment. At the same time, an equalized error vector is calculated from the target signal derived from the binary bit array and the reproduced signal, and the inner product of the equalized error vector and the selected error vector is calculated.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium reproducing device (1) reproduces information from a super-resolution optical information recording medium (100a) having the information stored therein by positioning, according to a random pattern system, a plurality of recording marks including a recording mark shorter than a resolution limit of an optical system. This reproducing device (1) performs test readings for measuring indexes each relating to a reproduction quality of the super-resolution optical information recording medium (100a) by emitting laser light onto a storage surface of the super-resolution optical information recording medium (100a), while changing a reproduction laser power from a predetermined initial value, and based on the indexes measured, sets a reproduction laser power for reproducing the information.

Abstract: A test-write method for accurately and quickly determining recording conditions, and an apparatus suitable therefor. In a 2T-based strategy, recording pulse conditions are determined by separately test-writing an even-number length mark and an odd-number length mark, and then the relative positions of the even-number length mark and the odd-number length mark at the recording pulse start time are adjusted.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processor includes an optical disc drive, a recorder, and a determination module. The optical disc drive includes a loading mechanism that loads and ejects an optical disc. The recorder obtains state information indicating the operating state of the loading mechanism to record the state information. The determination module determines that, when a value related to failure prediction of the loading mechanism satisfies a predetermined condition, there is a risk of failure in the loading mechanism. The value is calculated from a combination of a plurality of indices contained in the state information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disk surface defect inspection method including: irradiating a laser beam from an oblique direction onto a disk surface being rotated; detecting intensities of a first light that is scattered with low-angle and a second light that is scattered with high-angle from minute concave and convex defects; determining that a defect is the minute convex defect if a ratio of the intensity of the first light to the intensity of the second light is constant; and determining that a defect is the minute concave defect if the ratio of the intensity of the first light to the intensity of the second light is changed.