Abstract: An optical defect detection method for patterned media includes: irradiating a laser beam onto a patterned medium and obtaining reflected light by reflection very close to a sample; outputting the reflected light as an analog electrical signal from an optical receiver; converting the analog signal to a digital signal; obtaining a surface profile in a track direction by sampling the analog signal; obtaining a servo area profile by setting a slice for detecting servo area; calculating an average value in a track width direction based on plural servo area profiles; generating a master servo area profile based on the average value; obtaining a difference between the master servo area profile and the specific servo area profile; and detecting the presence of a defect including surface roughness, process fluctuation, and adhesion of foreign matters, from a differential waveform.

Abstract: A device and method for determining defect sectors on an optical disc receives writing commands and data by a processor, and saves the writing data in a memory. An error correction code (ECC) encodes the writing data into encoded digital signals, and the encoded digital signals form modulated digital signals by a modulation device which are saved back into the storage. The processor controls a pick-up head to write and read the modulated digital signals. A comparing unit generates a number of errors by comparing the modulated digital signals before and after writing. The defect sector is directly determined if the number of errors are low or high. The modulated digital signal is decoded to determine the defect sector based on the failure or success of decoding if the number of errors lie in the middle of the range.

Abstract: The invention provides a reading method of an optical disc drive, which includes setting, reading, and decoding data, accumulating the error amount of the decoded data, setting to re-read the data when a reading failure occurs, adding one to the error amount, setting a low number of retry attempts for a high error amount and a high number of retry attempts for a low error amount based on the error amount, retrying to re-read the data if the number of retry attempts does not reach the predetermined number of retry attempts, and determining that the reading fails if the number of retry attempts reaches the predetermined number of retry attempts.

Abstract: To enable sequential recording to be performed to alternate destinations and improve in access performance, by controlling to estimate sequential defective areas such as bubbles based on prescribed conditions, allocate blocks of a spare area (15) as alternate destinations of these areas, and perform alternate recording to the allocated alternate destinations, in response to a recording request to the sequential defective areas, because when defective areas such as bubbles on a disk (1) exist so as to extend in a wide range, alternate recording in a single block unit frequently occurs in recording to these areas, thereby possibly causing time-out to occur.

Abstract: A method of processing a readback signal generated from reading an optical storage medium is provided. The method includes: performing a defect detection according to the readback signal to generate a defect detection result indicating defective areas on the optical storage medium; and performing a parameter calibration upon at least a parameter associated with processing of the readback signal according to the defect detection result.

Abstract: An optical disc 1 according to the present invention has a first defect management area 6, to which a first kind of defect management information about non-permanent defects may be added, and a second defect management area 7, to which a second kind of defect management information about permanent defects may be added. The second kind of defect management information added to the second defect management area 7 is non-rewritable.

Abstract: The invention solves the problem that data cannot be recorded on a disc because the number of registered Defect Lists (DFLs) has reached a limit and the problem that the access performance is reduced at recording data reproduction time. A cluster, which is normally reproduced during verification processing and is preceded and followed by one or more defective blocks, is also treated as a defective block and, together with the preceding and following defective clusters, recorded in an spare area for extending the range in which clusters are registered as Contiguous Re-allocated Defect (CRD) entries. This reduces the number of DFLs to solve the problem that data cannot be recorded on the disc and, in addition, reduces the number of seek operations to prevent the access performance from being reduced at reproduction time.

Abstract: A recording apparatus (1) is provided with: a recording device (11) for recording a data pattern onto a recording medium (100); a first controlling device (22) for stopping the recording; a reading device (11) for reading the data pattern which is recorded immediately before the recording is stopped, thereby obtaining a read signal; a measuring device (19) for measuring jitter of the read signal; an adjusting device (21) for adjusting a recording condition such that the jitter satisfies a desired condition, and a second controlling device (22) for restarting the recording of the data pattern by using the adjusted recording condition.

Abstract: A signal detector includes a detector to generate raw decisions based on a read back signal. A post-processor identifies possible defects in the raw decisions. A selector selects a portion of the possible defects, and generates modified decisions by operating on the portion of the possible defects. A decoder generates final decisions based on the modified decisions. An estimator evaluates the final decisions to determine whether a sequence in the read back signal has been decoded to a correct codeword. In response to the sequence in the read back signal being decoded to the correct codeword, the final decisions are output from the signal detector. In response to the sequence in the read back signal not being decoded to the correct codeword, the selector selects another portion of the possible defects for processing by the selector, the decoder, and the estimator.

Abstract: A recording parameter setting device includes a trial recording parameter setting section (23) and a reproduced signal quality judging section (26). The trial recording parameter setting section (23) inquires, in accordance with the recording information, a storage section (3) containing recording parameters used for controlling heat of recording marks, and sets a trial recording parameter, wherein (a) the recording parameters are used for controlling heat of at least rear edges, (b) the recording parameters are classified in accordance with recording mark lengths, and (c) recording parameters of a predetermined recording mark length or longer are classified into a same group. The reproduced signal quality judging section (26) judges whether or not a reproduced signal obtained by reproduction of the trial recording carried out in accordance with the trial recording parameter satisfies a predetermined reproduced signal quality.

Abstract: A recording parameter setting device includes a trial recording parameter setting section (23) and a reproduced signal quality judging section (26). The trial recording parameter setting section (23) inquires, in accordance with the recording information, a storage section (3) containing recording parameters used for controlling heat of recording marks, and sets a trial recording parameter, wherein (a) the recording parameters are used for controlling heat of at least rear edges, (b) the recording parameters are classified in accordance with recording mark lengths, and (c) recording parameters of a predetermined recording mark length or longer are classified into a same group. The reproduced signal quality judging section (26) judges whether or not a reproduced signal obtained by reproduction of the trial recording carried out in accordance with the trial recording parameter satisfies a predetermined reproduced signal quality.

Abstract: A disc-shaped information recording medium includes a first recording layer (L0 layer) having (I) a first trial write area (101P-1) for trial write of first trial write information for calibration of the laser beam along the first track path (TP1) from the inner circumference toward the outer circumference and (II) a first recording area for recording the first recording information along a first track path (TP1), in this order from the inner circumference side. Furthermore, the disc-shaped information recording medium includes a second recording layer (L1 layer) having (I) a second trial write area (101P-2) for trial write of second trial write information for calibration of the laser beam along the second track path (TP2) from the outer circumference toward the inner circumference and (II) a second recording area for recording the second recording information along a second track path (TP2), in this order from the inner circumference side.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a head testing method, includes: positioning a protrusion against a flexure at a backside of a head slider fixed onto the flexure so that the protrusion receives the head slider from behind the head slider; positioning the head slider on a surface of a rotating magnetic disk so that the head slider faces a surface of the rotating magnetic disk, and reading magnetic information from the magnetic disk by an electromagnetic conversion element of the head slider; and outputting the magnetic information read by the electromagnetic conversion element through the wiring pattern.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a medium scanner and a threshold manager. The medium scanner measures the write count of each head with respect to a disk. The medium scanner executes a read verify process by which data is read out from the disk, during idle state, when the write count is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value. The medium scanner rewrites the recovered data to the disk, if a read error occurs and the error is recoverable. The threshold manager initially sets the write count threshold value of each head in accordance with the head performance, and dynamically changes the write count threshold value in accordance with the error rate when the device is in operation.

Abstract: A detecting mechanism of a disc pick-and-place device comprises a first frame and a pick-and-place head, a detecting portion and a sensor respectively coupled thereto. When the pick-and-place picks up at least two stacked discs, the detecting portion then shows a state different from when the pick-and-place head picks up one disc, and when the sensor senses that the detecting portion shows the different state, it may then output a corresponding signal thereby allowing the disc pick-and-place device to detect whether at least two discs are picked up and be prevented from placing at least two discs into a disc copier to avoid the incapability of copying and the speed decreasing of copying and even the damage of the copier.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems comprise identifying failing media and/or drives for a media library. Error data can be collected from media libraries. For each tape exhibiting an error rate of interest, a determination can be made whether the tape would still have been of interest had it not been loaded in certain drives. This information can be analyzed to identify failing drives or tapes.

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: An information recording medium according to the present invention includes three or more information recording layers. Each of the plurality of information recording layers includes a test recording area usable for adjusting a recording condition. One of the plurality of information recording layers includes a reproduction-only management data area in which management data usable for managing the information recording medium is pre-recorded. Each of the other two or more information recording layers among the plurality of information recording layers includes a test recording area at a radial position partially overlapping the radial position of the management data area.

Abstract: A method for identifying an abnormal disc includes the steps of: forming three testing spherical aberration (SA) values including an SA value of a thinner data layer, a standard SA value and an SA value of a thicker data layer; adjusting to one of the testing SA values; performing focus for a target disc and recording a focus error signal; obtaining a maximum focus error signal and a corresponding testing SA value by way of comparison; and checking whether the corresponding testing SA value is equal to the standard SA value, and identifying the target disc as a normal disc if yes, or otherwise identifying the target disc as the abnormal disc and re-adjusting the SA value to enhance the signal quality.

Abstract: Techniques are described for predicting data cartridge failure based on analysis of data retrieved from an associated cartridge memory chip. In one embodiment, a system includes a chip reader that retrieves data from a cartridge memory chip of a data cartridge, and a computing device that receives the data from the chip reader, analyzes the data, and generates information regarding a health status of the data cartridge based on the analysis. The analysis may be based on execution of an algorithm that is developed from a set of data, stored in a database, that identifies characteristics of data cartridges with a good health status and differentiates them from data cartridges with a bad health status.

Abstract: This document relates to a method capable of reducing transfer errors of a sled motor for moving an optical pickup to the outer circumference when labels are recorded on a disc. An optical disc recording method may comprise checking a step pattern having a small transfer error in the sled motor, and recording labels on a label plane of an optical disc while driving the sled motor based on the checked step pattern. Step patterns can be classified based on a structure of the sled motor or a unit for driving the sled motor. The step patterns having a small transfer error can be detected in a process of manufacturing an optical disc apparatus and stored in memory of the optical disc apparatus.

Abstract: A clock signal generator according to the present invention includes: a wobble phase error detecting section for detecting a wobble phase error that is a difference in phase between a wobble signal, representing a wobbled shape of a track on an optical disk medium, and a clock signal; a data phase error detecting section for detecting a data phase error that is a difference in phase between a data signal, representing data that has been written on the optical disk medium, and the clock signal; a frequency control section for generating a frequency control signal to control the frequency of the clock signal based on the wobble phase error and the data phase error; and a clock oscillation section for generating the clock signal with its frequency controlled in accordance with the frequency control signal.

Abstract: On a recording medium, data is recorded on at least one of a plurality of recording layers by laser light incident on a surface of the recording medium. The plurality of recording layers include a first recording layer, and second through N-th recording layers (N is an integer of 3 or greater) which are sequentially located in a direction from the first recording layer toward the surface on which the laser is incident. The plurality of recording layers each have a first calibration area and a second calibration area located outer to the first calibration area. The first calibration area located in each of the first through N-th recording layers is located at a different radial position from a radial position of the first calibration area in each of the other recording layers; and the second calibration area located in each of the first through N-th recording layers is located at the same radial position as a radial position of the second calibration area in each of the other recording layers.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing device diffracts laser light into main- and sub-beams, irradiates evanescent light in relation to the main beam by an evanescent light generating element to a track where a recording pit provided on a recording surface of a recording medium is formed and evanescent light in relation to the sub-beam to be separated to a track where no recording pit provided on the recording surface of the recording medium is formed. A moving element moves the evanescent light generating element to change a gap with the recording surface. Return light in relation to the sub- and main-beam are received by sub- and main-light receiving elements, respectively. A control element controls the moving element so as to make the gap become a predetermined target value in accordance with a gap error signal containing a signal indicative of an amount of the return light in relation to the received sub-beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of optical tape technology, tape manufacturing, and tape usage.

Abstract: A method for testing a magnetic recording medium tests a magnetic recording medium provided on a non-magnetic substrate (1) with at least a magnetic layer (3) for surface characteristics by using a testing head possessing a heat sensitive element. The method starts from scanning the surface of the magnetic recording medium by using a testing head possessing a heat sensitive element. By this scanning, a signal component of low frequency originating in the swell of the surface of the magnetic recording medium is separated from the signal emitted from the testing head. The protrusion on the surface of the magnetic recording medium is detected from the signal of high frequency remaining after the separation.

Abstract: A method for inspecting an optical information storage medium includes the steps of: irradiating the storage medium with a laser beam and rotating the medium by a constant linear velocity control technique by reference to the radial location at which the laser beam forms a spot on the medium; changing the rotational velocities according to the radial location on the medium between at least two linear velocities that include a first linear velocity Lv1 and a second linear velocity Lv2 higher than the first linear velocity Lv1; generating a focus error signal and/or a tracking error signal based on the light reflected from the medium; performing a focus control and/or a tracking control on the laser beam that irradiates the medium based on the focus and/or tracking error signal(s); and passing the branched outputs of control loops for the focus and/or tracking error signal(s) through predetermined types of frequency band-elimination filters for the focus and/or tracking error signal(s) to obtain residual errors

Abstract: A disk device that records information on a storage medium includes a first reading-out section that reads out defective address information in which a defective address indicative of a physical position of a defective part of the storage medium is recorded; a blocking section that, when a value of intervals between a plurality of the defective addresses in the defective address information which has been read out by the first reading-out section is less than a specific value in terms of a specific unit, sets the specific unit as a defective block; a second reading-out section that reads out data fin the defective block set by the blocking section; and a writing section that writes the data which has been read out by the second reading-out section into an area different from the defective block in the storage medium based on the specific unit.

Abstract: An optical-disc testing apparatus performs test erasures on the test areas T of data layers of an optical disc while changing the power level Pe of data erasure laser light and the defocus amount if of the data erasure laser light from a target data layer. The optical-disc testing apparatus determines an optimal erasure condition that enables a simultaneous data erasure from the greatest number of data layers and an optimal erasure sequence that enables data erasure from all of the data layers with the fewest number of times. The determined optimal erasure condition and sequence are registered on the memory of an optical disc apparatus. The optical disc apparatus reads the registered optimal erasure condition and sequence of the optical disc from its memory and erases data from each of the data layers of the optical disc based on the read optimal erasure condition and sequence.

Abstract: A disk recording medium which can implement a recording method having a high degree of reliability for additional information is disclosed. The disk recording medium has a recording and reproduction region into and from which first data can be recorded and reproduced in accordance with a rewritable or write-once-read-many recording method and from which second data recorded in the form of wobbling of a groove can be reproduced. The second data includes address information and additional information. The additional information of the second data is coded in accordance with a first error correction method, and the coded additional information and the address information are recorded in a state coded in accordance with a second error correction method.

Abstract: A write once disc, a disc drive therefor, and a method of managing disc defects on the write once disc using the disc drive in consideration of the compatibility of the write once disc with a rewritable disc drive, the write once disc includes a single record layer disc in which a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area are sequentially formed and a first spare area and a second spare area are sequentially formed in the data area. The write once disc includes a defect management area (DMA) formed in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; a first temporary defect management area (TDMA) formed in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; and a second TDMA formed between the first spare area and a user data area or between the user data area and the second spare area.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus according to the present invention includes a disc type recognizing section 109 for determining whether the optical disc 100 loaded is a first type, of which the number of information storage layers is less than a setting T (where T is an integer that is greater than two), or a second type, of which the number of information storage layers is equal to or greater than the setting T. Depending on whether the optical disc loaded has turned out to be the first type or the second type, the apparatus decides what to do as the read/write preprocessing (such as whether a fingerprint detection process needs to be performed or not).

Abstract: There is provided an optical disk device which quickly inspects the presence or absence of a defect in an optical disk in order to ensure that it can be played back on various types of optical disk devices. A detection unit uses signals supplied from a playback unit to detect defects from each of an RF signal, a focus error signal, and a tracking error signal. A CPU stores positions of the defects in a memory. The playback unit plays back data while degrading playback conditions at the positions of the defects . The detection unit detects an error rate of the played-back data, and finally determines whether the optical disk is “OK” or “NG”.

Abstract: An optical disk inspecting apparatus 10 plays an optical disk at a high speed and determines, based on error information provided during the high-speed reproduction, whether or not errors of a number exceeding a first threshold value have occurred. Then, when it is determined that errors of a number exceeding a first threshold value have occurred, the optical disk inspecting apparatus 10 performs high-speed principal determination of executing high-speed reproduction in this segment and determining presence or absence of errors of a number exceeding a second threshold value and also performs low-speed principal determination of executing low-speed reproduction in this segment and determining presence or absence of errors of a number exceeding the second threshold value. When errors of a number exceeding the second threshold value are detected, it is determined that there is a defect, and NG is outputted.

Abstract: In response to the trend toward the increase in the number of data layers of optical discs, the invention provides a data erasure method and its optical disc apparatus that enable faster data erasures with a simpler configuration. Test erasures are performed on the test areas T of data layers of an optical disc while the power level Pe of data erasure laser light and the defocus amount ?f of the data erasure laser light from a target data layer are changed. Based on the results of the test erasures, the optimal erasure condition that enables a simultaneous data erasure from the greatest number of data layers is determined. Based on the determined optimal erasure condition, then, the optimal erasure sequence that enables data erasure from all of the data layers with the fewest number of times is determined.

Abstract: A write-once optical recording medium, a method for allocating a defect management area of the write-once optical recording medium, and a method for allocating a spare area of the write-once optical recording medium are provided. A method of managing defects on a write-once optical recording medium having at least one recording layer includes the steps of allocating at least one temporary defect management area having a fixed size and at least one temporary defect management area having a variable size to said optical recording medium, respectively, recording defect management information on the at least one temporary defect management area having a fixed size and the at least one temporary defect management area having a variable size; and using the at least one temporary defect management area having a fixed size and the at least one temporary defect management area having a variable size is provided herein.

Abstract: Analyzing magnetic media surfaces for thermal erasures and other characteristics is described. The system includes a drive channel module configured to measure servo automatic gain control values for a magnetic media surface that represent the amount of gain applied by the drive channel module to a preamble signal recorded on the magnetic media surface. The gain control values are then acquired according to certain measurement parameters. The gain control values are then arranged by proximity to each other and organized to generate images that represent changes in the characteristics of the magnetic media surface. Analysis of the images then detects patterns that represent changes in the characteristics of the media surface and determines measurement parameters that coincide with the change in the characteristic.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: a correcting device (18) for correcting waveform distortion occurring in a read signal corresponding to a long mark, of a read signal (RRF) read from a recording medium (100); and a processing device (15) for performing a PRML (Partial Response Maximum Likelihood) process on the read signal in which the waveform distortion is corrected

Abstract: An optical disk drive includes a servo control unit 7 for causing an optical disk A to be driven; an optical pickup 2 for reading recorded data from the recording surface of the optical disk A after carrying out focus pulling-in of an object lens; a CPU 8 for controlling the servo control unit 7 and optical pickup 2 to perform readout operation of data recorded on the optical disk A; and a temperature detecting unit 9 for detecting temperature in the optical disk drive. The CPU 8 calculates the focus pull-in level in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit 9, and carries out the focus pulling-in of the optical pickup 2 using the focus pull-in level.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: a judging device (20) for judging whether or not a read signal (RRF) read from a recording medium (100) satisfies a desired reproduction property; a correcting device (18) for correcting waveform distortion occurring in a read signal corresponding to a long mark, of the read signal if it is judged that the read signal does not satisfy the desired reproduction property; and a waveform equalizing device (15) for performing a waveform equalization process on the read signal in which the waveform distortion is corrected.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) is provided with: a waveform shaping device (14) for performing waveform shaping on a read signal (RRF) read from a recording medium (100), on the basis of a reference amplification factor; a correcting device (18) for correcting waveform distortion occurring in a read signal corresponding to at least a long mark, of the read signal on which the waveform shaping is performed; and a waveform equalizing device (15) for performing a waveform equalization process on the read signal in which the waveform distortion is corrected, the waveform shaping device arbitrarily increases the reference amplification factor.

Abstract: A hard disk drive control module has a feed-forward signal input port communicatively coupled with a reference model. The hard disk drive control module has a tracking error signal input port communicatively coupled with a magnetic transducer of the hard disk drive. The hard disk drive control module has an error calculator module configured for determining a difference between an estimated tracking error signal in response to a first feed-forward signal and an actual tracking error signal of the magnetic transducer in response to the first feed-forward signal. The hard disk drive control module has a feed-forward signal adjuster module configured for adjusting a gain and a phase for a second feed-forward signal based on the difference between the estimated tracking error signal in response to the first feed-forward signal and the actual tracking error signal of the magnetic transducer.

Abstract: It is determined whether an error will occur due to presence of a defective area like a bubble and the storage area is managed according to the size of the defective area such that no data is written on the defective area once an error has occurred.

Abstract: A method and device for error correction of data in an optical disc is provided in the present invention. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining the description information about the error data read from an optical disc; sending request information for error correction, based on the description information, to a network server, where the network server stores the backup data corresponding to the data on the optical disc and the request information for error correction comprises the request for downloading the backup data corresponding to the error data; and replacing the error data with the downloaded backup data, so as to play the optical disc correspondingly. The method and device provided in the present invention can repair data error of various kinds and provide a playing effect of equal quality with the expected playing effect when data is not damaged.

Abstract: When receiving the reproduced data from the optical disc and buffering same, the buffering from the correct position can be started on the basis of the synchronous signal and the address information included in the sub data which was received simultaneously. There is provided a method for controlling the buffering of the main data which is reproduced from the optical disc, in which the main data and the sub data are received with taking word clocks which are partitioning timings having plural bits of the main data as a unit as references, a synchronous signal which is in synchronization with the main data is generated, and the buffering of the main data is started on the basis of the synchronous signal.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus according to the present invention includes: an optical head 102 that irradiates a given optical disc 101 with a light beam and generates electrical signals based on light reflected from the optical disc; a dropout detecting section 108 for detecting a dropout that has occurred in the reflected light intensity by comparing the level of one of the electrical signals that represents the reflected light intensity to a slice level; and a management information reading section 115 for determining whether each information storage layer of the given optical disc is an L to H type, in which the recording marks have a higher reflectance than an unrecorded area, or an H to L type, in which the recording marks have a lower reflectance than the unrecorded area. And the slice level is defined based on the result of the decision.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for robust tracking at narrow track-pitches on optical discs, enabling higher densities on Blu-ray Discs (5) as well as near-field discs. Increasing radial density results in loss of radial diffraction within the numerical aperture of the lens. Due to this loss in diffraction, current tracking methods, such as Push-Pull and Differential Phase Detection (DPD), will stop working. The invention provides a method and apparatus that relies on cross-correlating the central aperture (CA) signals of 3 optical spots (22, 24, 26) that are positioned such that there are a central spot (24) and spots (22, 26) positioned to the left (22) and right (26) of the central spot (4). By using CA signals, the tangential diffraction is used, which is hardly affected by a track-pitch reduction.

Abstract: A method for radial tracking in an optical disc drive (1) is described. A DTD tracking error signal (S3) is derived from the wobble-induced signal components (WA, WB, WC, WD) of the optical detector signal (SR). This tracking error signal is relatively insensitive to beamlanding errors, and to differences in the signal amplitudes K of the output signal of individual detector segments. Further, the need for a 3-spot grating is eliminated. A distinction is made between on the one hand a situation where the track being followed is empty and on the other hand a situation where the track being followed is written. In case the track being followed is empty, a DTD tracking error signal is derived from the wobble-induced signal components of the optical detector signal, whereas, in case the track being followed is written, a DTD tracking error signal is derived from the data-induced signal components of the optical detector signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing encoded data into a storage medium includes a quality-check signal generator, a defect judgment unit and a verification unit. The quality-check signal generator is utilized for generating a quality-check signal; the defect judgment unit is coupled to the quality-check signal generator and is utilized for generating a defect judgment result according to the quality-check signal; and the verification unit is coupled to the defect judgment unit and is utilized for referring to the defect judgment result to selectively verify the encoded data that have been written into the storage medium.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording/reproducing device that can discriminate a disk separation error that is specific to removable hard disks. A disk error detector (51) detects an occurrence of a disk error depending on whether a removable hard disk (15) can be recognized or not. A mount status detector (55) detects a presence or absence of the removable hard disk (15) as a disk mount status. The mount status detector (55) may detect the disk mount status based on a detection result of a write-protect switch (19) of the removable hard disk (15). An error type discriminator (57), based on the detected disk mount status, discriminates an error type of the disk error, and determines that the error type is disk separation if the removable hard disk (15) has become nonexistent. An error handler (59) performs error handling in accordance with the error type discriminated by the error type discriminator (57).