Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning a rotatable substrate to a support mechanism to write a feature to the substrate, and a substrate so configured. In some embodiments, the substrate has a circumferentially extending timing pattern with spaced apart first and second timing marks disposed on opposing sides of a center point of the timing pattern and an identification (ID) field that stores a unique identifier value associated with the substrate. Upon mounting of the substrate to a support mechanism that rotates the substrate about a central axis that is offset from the center point, a control circuit generates a compensation value to compensate for the offset using the first and second timing marks and outputs a process instruction to authorize processing of the substrate using the unique identifier value. In some cases, the unique identifier value is used as a lookup to a computerized database.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning a rotatable substrate to a support mechanism such as a turntable. The substrate has a circumferentially extending timing pattern comprising at least spaced apart first and second timing marks disposed on opposing sides of a center point of the substrate. The substrate is configured to be mounted to and rotated by the support mechanism about a central axis. The center point of the substrate may be offset from the central axis by an offset distance due to mechanical tolerances associated with the substrate mounting operation. The offset distance may be determined through successive detection of the first and second timing marks by a detector over at least one rotation of the support mechanism and the substrate. A write beam may be adjusted using the determined offset distance to write a second feature to the substrate in alignment with a previously written first feature.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing archive images to a substrate, such as a rotatable optical disc. In some embodiments, an optical medium has a substrate which stores a plurality of archived images in a human detectable form on a surface of the substrate and control data associated with the archived images to facilitate optical recovery of said human detectable images from the surface. The archived images are arranged as a sequence of tiles on a recording layer of the optical medium each tile having an associated length and width. The control data are arranged as machine readable information that identifies an overall content of the plurality of archived images.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning a rotatable substrate. In some embodiments, a circumferentially extending timing pattern is formed on a substrate. The timing pattern nominally extends about a center point of the substrate at a selected radius. The substrate is mounted to a support mechanism which rotates the substrate about a central axis. Due to mechanical tolerances, the central axis will be offset from the center point of the substrate as a result of an alignment error during the mounting of the substrate. The offset between the support mechanism central axis and the center point of the substrate is determined using a detector that detects two opposing cross-over transitions of the timing pattern during each revolution of the substrate. A feature may be written to the substrate by positioning a write element with respect to the substrate responsive to the detected offset.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing archive images to a substrate, such as a rotatable optical disc. In some embodiments, the substrate stores a plurality of archived images in a human detectable form on a surface of the substrate and further stores control data associated with the archived images to facilitate optical recovery of said human detectable images from the surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for storing archive images to a substrate, such as a rotatable optical disc. In some embodiments, the substrate stores a plurality of archived images in a human detectable form on a surface of the substrate and further stores control data associated with the archived images to facilitate optical recovery of said human detectable images from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for authenticating a data transmission across a network. Variations in data rate of data received across the network are detected, and the received data are authenticated when the variations conform to a preselected variable data rate profile. Preferably, an average data rate is first determined, and the data rates of individual data rates of blocks of the received data are compared to the average data rate. Some of the data rates are preferably faster than a selected threshold. Different portions of the received data preferably take different, parallel paths through the network from a transmitter to a receiver. Preferably, the received data are transmitted via packets. The data rate is preferably varied by using different densities of data packets, or by selectively delaying selected packets. Data authentication preferably results in grant of user access to the received data.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for synchronizing audio and video frames in a multimedia data stream. In accordance with some embodiments, the multimedia stream is received into a memory to provide a sequence of video frames in a first buffer and a sequence of audio frames in a second buffer. The sequence of video frames is monitored for an occurrence of at least one of a plurality of different types of visual events. The occurrence of a selected visual event is detected that spans multiple successive video frames in the sequence of video frames. A corresponding audio event is detected that spans multiple successive audio frames in the sequence of audio frames. The relative timing between the detected audio and visual events is adjusted to synchronize the associated sequences of video and audio frames.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting human-visual artifacts in a video presentation. In accordance with some embodiments, a sequence of frames in a video presentation is received. Non-codec based visual artifacts in the video presentation are detected by comparing at least one similarity measurement value for non-immediately successive frames to at least one similarity measurement value for immediately successive frames within the sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for authenticating a data transmission across a network. Variations in data rate of data received across the network are detected, and the received data are authenticated when the variations conform to a preselected variable data rate profile. Preferably, an average data rate is first determined, and the data rates of individual data rates of blocks of the received data are compared to the average data rate. Some of the data rates are preferably faster than a selected threshold. Different portions of the received data preferably take different, parallel paths through the network from a transmitter to a receiver. Preferably, the received data are transmitted via packets. The data rate is preferably varied by using different densities of data packets, or by selectively delaying selected packets. Data authentication preferably results in grant of user access to the received data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a storage medium with variable track widths. In accordance with various embodiments, a data storage medium is rotated by a motor. A write transducer is used to write concentric data tracks to the storage medium during said rotation. The tracks are provided with variable track widths established by selectively changing a rotational velocity of the medium. The variable track widths can be gradual and/or abrupt, depending on the requirements of a given application. Gradual variations in track width can be used by a linear actuator with a linear translation path to emulate tracks written along a pivot translation path of a rotary actuator. Abrupt variations in track width can be used to provide different zones of tracks having different specified track widths. The tracks may be written using an electron beam recorder (EBR) with a constant write beam power level.

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

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating an analog waveform, such as a deflection signal used to deflect a write beam during the writing of data to a rotatable medium having a variable track pitch (TP). In accordance with various embodiments, a first digital to analog converter (DAC) is configured to output a deflection signal having an analog voltage level corresponding to a magnitude of a first multi-bit digital input value applied to the first DAC. A second DAC is configured to supply a rail voltage to the first DAC having an analog voltage level corresponding to a magnitude of a second multi-bit digital input value applied to the second DAC. The deflection signal is used to deflect a write beam supplied by a write beam generator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting source-based artifacts in a compressed video data set formed by outputting a baseband video data set from a source device and applying a codec algorithm thereto to generate the compressed video data set. In some embodiments, the compressed video data set is decompressed to provide a decoded video data set, and at least one source-based artifact in the decoded video set is detected responsive to a luminance value of at least one pixel in the decoded video data set, the at least one source-based artifact induced by the source prior to the compression encoding of the input video frame and detected independently of the input video frame.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for differences in translation path geometries of transducers used to access a data storage medium. A compensation profile is generated in relation to radial error between a first translation path geometry of a first transducer and a different, second translation path geometry of a second transducer. A control circuit directs the first transducer to write data to a rotatable data storage medium in relation to the compensation profile to emulate the second translation path geometry. In some embodiments, the control circuit comprises a data signal clock generator, a motor rotation clock generator, and a transducer radial translation clock generator. A nearest pulse detector identifies a closest clock signal pulse to a once-per-revolution (OPR) rotational reference, and the control circuit adjusts a frequency of the associated clock signal coincident with the closest pulse.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing hidden data to a data storage medium. The hidden data are written by selectively adjusting at least one access parameter of the medium, and preferably by selectively adjusting multiple such parameters. The presence of the hidden data is preferably undetectable to the human eye during unaided visual inspection of the medium, but is revealed by a surface plot of at least a portion of the medium. The surface plot preferably provides a human detectable image of the hidden data to authenticate the medium as an authorized copy. The medium preferably comprises a pre-recorded or recordable optical disc, or a glass master from which such discs are formed. The adjusted access parameter(s) preferably include adjustments in motor velocity, data bit rate, latency time, adjusted symbol length, illegal symbol length, localized reflectivity of the medium, variations in pre-groove amplitude, error rates, and/or localized induced errors.

Abstract: A data storage medium such as an optical disc with separate image and data tracks, and a method and apparatus for forming the same. The medium has a user data storage area with a data track to store user data, and a non-user data image track to store human readable information to form a watermark interspersed with the user data. Preferably, the data track forms a portion of a first spiral and the image track forms a portion of a distinct second spiral nested within the first spiral. Alternatively, the data and image tracks are nested concentric circles. An increased track pitch is preferably provided for the data tracks in the data storage area adjacent the watermark to accommodate the intervening image tracks, and a reduced track pitch between data tracks is provided elsewhere. The medium can be pre-recorded or recordable.

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

Abstract: A data storage medium, and an apparatus and method for formatting the same. The medium is preferably characterized as a hybrid or recordable optical disc, and includes a pre-recorded storage area and a recordable storage area. The pre-recorded storage area stores file system data which identifies at least one file to be stored to the recordable storage area during a subsequent recording session, with the file system data having been stored to the pre-recorded storage area during a previous recording session. The file system data further preferably identifies at least one file stored to the pre-recorded storage area during the previous recording session. The pre-recorded and subsequently stored files are preferably disposed within the same logical track on the medium. The pre-recorded file system data includes entries for the subsequently added file(s), and eliminates the need for multiple copies of the file system on the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating an analog waveform, such as a deflection signal used to deflect a write beam during the writing of data to a rotatable medium having a variable track pitch (TP). In accordance with various embodiments, a first digital to analog converter (DAC) is configured to output a deflection signal having an analog voltage level corresponding to a magnitude of a first multi-bit digital input value applied to the first DAC. A second DAC is configured to supply a rail voltage to the first DAC having an analog voltage level corresponding to a magnitude of a second multi-bit digital input value applied to the second DAC. The deflection signal is used to deflect a write beam supplied by a write beam generator.