Abstract: A CPU of an overdubbing device plays back a music file recorded in a memory card of the device and outputs the file as a played-back audio signal while mixing the played-back audio signal with an external audio signal input from the outside, to thus perform overdubbing. A music file recorded through overdubbing last time is automatically set as a playback music file for the next time, and a selected state of means for selecting execution/nonexecution of overdubbing is maintained as the state of execution. As a result, overdubbing is enabled by twice operations of a record key, whereby the operation is made identical with operation performed during ordinary recording.

Abstract: A recording and replaying device is provided in which a user can easily diagnose failure when a built-in storage device of the device fails. In a normal operation state, a microcomputer controls a signal path switching mechanism to connect a signal processing device and a hard disk drive (HDD). In an abnormal operation state, the microcomputer sets a USB interface device to effective state, and controls the signal path switching mechanism to connect the USB interface device and the hard disk drive (HDD), so that the hard disk drive is recognized by an external personal computer as a USB mass storage.

Abstract: A disk processing apparatus having a plurality of processing units, a plurality of feed stackers, and a plurality of discharge stackers. The plurality of processing units subject label sides of disks to printing, or the like. A disk is fed from a first prior-to-being-printed stacker to the processing unit, and a processed disk is discharged to a first processed stacker. A disk is fed from a second prior-to-being-printed stacker to the other processing unit, and a processed disk is discharged to a second processed stacker. When the other processing unit is anomalous, the disk is fed from the second prior-to-being-printed stacker to the processing unit, and a processed disk is discharged to the second processed stacker, thereby performing substitute processing.

Abstract: A disk unit is disclosed wherein a disk inserted by a pivoting arm is loaded to the interior of the disk unit or a disk accommodated in the interior of the disk unit is unloaded to the exterior of the disk unit, the disk unit including a plurality of arms able to convey two types of disks different in diameter while supporting an outer periphery edge of each of the disks.

Abstract: A disk device includes a disk moving mechanism for moving a disk between loading and unloading positions. There is a reader/writer for recording or playback of data with the disk in the loading position. In the disk device, a housing includes a main containing region, having a first base wall, for containing the reader/writer. An intermediate containing region is disposed to extend from one side of the main containing region, for partially containing the disk moving mechanism, the intermediate containing region having a second base wall positioned higher than the first base wall, for space saving below. A peripheral containing region is disposed to extend from one side of the intermediate containing region, for containing a portion of the disk protruded from the intermediate containing region, the peripheral containing region having a third base wall positioned higher than the second base wall, for space saving below.

Abstract: When a blank DVD-RW disk is loaded into an optical disk drive, a host computer issues a FORMAT command to the disk drive. The optical disk drive having received the command performs quick formatting pursuant to a standard. Subsequently, the host computer issues a WRITE command to the optical disk drive in an idle time thereof, thereby instructing recording of dummy data. Consequently, an advantage analogous to that yielded as a result of background formatting of a DVD+RW disk is yielded, and the entirety of the DVD-RW disk can be formatted readily.

Abstract: An optical disk drive for recording data in accordance with a recording strategy determines a recording strategy of an unknown optical disk through comparatively-simple processing. When a loaded optical disk is an unknown disk, a control section reads a recommended recording strategy from a predetermined area on the loaded optical disk and reads correction parameters corresponding to the loaded optical disk from memory. The control section makes a correction to the read, recommended recording strategy in accordance with the correction parameters, and converts a recording pattern into a recording pulse in accordance with the corrected, recommended recording strategy. After conversion of the recording pattern into the recording pulse, the control section performs OPC and subsequently commences recording of actual data.

Abstract: To eject an optical disk forcibly from a disk device by a manual operation, an operation pin is inserted into an emergency hole of a front bezel. Then, the operation pin causes first and second ejection levers to move rearward to push a first transmission gear down to a disengaged position. When the first transmission gear is pushed down to the disengaged position, a loading slider begins to move forward according to a biasing force of a coil spring, feeding the disk outward. After moving a distance forward, the loading slider is stopped against a receiving portion of a first ejection lever, thereby to stop the disk at a half-eject position where the disk slightly protrudes from the bezel. Thereafter, when the operation pin is pulled out, the loading slider moves forward along with the pull-out movement of the operation pin, and the disk is fed out to a full-eject position.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for performing ROPC. A controller of the optical disk apparatus detects the quantity of reflected light Bo acquired when OPC is performed to set initial recording power Po; computes recording power P such that Bo/Pon=B/Pn is achieved in relation to the quantity of reflected light B acquired during recording of data; and computes next recording power Pr by use of a coefficient ? by means of Pr=(1??)·Pc+?·P in relation to current recording power Pc, to thus control recording power. The coefficient ? is set to 0<?<1, thereby suppressing fluctuations and divergence of recording power. The coefficient ? is dynamically set according to a parameter “n.

Abstract: A disk device includes a disk moving mechanism for moving a disk between loading and unloading positions. There is a reader/writer for recording or playback of data with the disk in the loading position. In the disk device, a housing includes a main containing region, having a first base wall, for containing the reader/writer. An intermediate containing region is disposed to extend from one side of the main containing region, for partially containing the disk moving mechanism, the intermediate containing region having a second base wall positioned higher than the first base wall, for space saving below. A peripheral containing region is disposed to extend from one side of the intermediate containing region, for containing a portion of the disk protruded from the intermediate containing region, the peripheral containing region having a third base wall positioned higher than the second base wall, for space saving below.

Abstract: A pickup head is provided with a second shaft receiving section. A cutout is formed in the second shaft receiving section. A sub shaft supports the pickup head in a movable manner via the second shaft receiving section. A diameter of the sub shaft is smaller than the size of the cutout. A retainer is attached between the second shaft receiving section and the sub shaft. The retainer includes a body section and a pressing section. The body section enters the cutout in a state that a slide groove of the body section slidably fits to the sub shaft. The pressing section is elastically deformed upon contact with the sub shaft when the body section enters the cutout, and biases the second shaft receiving section via the body section such that a lower surface of the cutout is pressed against the sub shaft.

Abstract: An optical disk drive capable of reproducing data even when warpage is present in an optical disk. A system controller of the optical disk drive reproduces data by setting a maximum speed in accordance with the type of an optical disk, an amount of side-to-side runout, or the like. In the meantime, when a read error arises as a result of trial reproduction being performed at an outer radius of the disk at startup, warpage is determined to be present in the optical disk, and a limitation on the maximum speed is raised. The rotational speed is set to allowable maximum speed of the optical disk drive, and warpage is corrected by means of centrifugal force. When reproduction becomes impracticable for reasons of meandering of a tack, or the like, during the course of reproduction of data, the rotational speed is decreased, to thus perform a retry.

Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently cleaning a platen roller of a printer. A cleaning unit is attached to a main unit in place of a removal unit for an intermediate transfer sheet. A cam is turned by means of turning an arm UP/DOWN lever, and the arm is turned from an UP position to a DOWN position by means of the cam, to thus bring a cleaning pad on a leading end of the arm into contact with a platen roller and perform cleaning operation. When an operation mode is set to a cleaning mode and when attachment of the cleaning unit UC is detected, the platen roller is rotated, thereby allowing cleaning operation.

Abstract: A disk drive and an information processing system optimizes the number of rotations of a disk. Data read from a disk and previously-read cache data are temporarily stored in buffer memory. When a total amount of cache data achieved during a given period of time T1 or an average amount of the same is equal to or less than a threshold value X1, a system controller controls the number of rotations in an increasing manner, thereby optimizing the number of rotations. When a total amount of cache data achieved during a given period of time T2 (T1<T2) or an average amount of the same is equal to or greater than a threshold value X2, a system controller controls the number of rotations in an decreasing manner, thereby optimizing the number of rotations.

Abstract: An optical disk processing system having a recording unit and a printing unit is provided. The optical disk processing system comprises a printing unit and a recording unit. A drive controller of the recording unit rotationally drives a loaded optical disk (D) and detects whether or not a rotational speed is reduced during acceleration. When the rotational speed is reduced, it is judged that a stick-slip has occurred and loading of a plurality of the optical disks (D) is detected.

Abstract: A disk unit is disclosed wherein a disk inserted by a pivoting arm is loaded to the interior of the disk unit or a disk accommodated in the interior of the disk unit is unloaded to the exterior of the disk unit, the disk unit including a plurality of arms able to convey two types of disks different in diameter while supporting an outer periphery edge of each of the disks.

Abstract: An optical disk drive includes a device body. A turntable is disposed on the device body, for rotating a disk. There is an optical pickup head for reading and/or writing of data with the disk. A multi-segment cover assembly is shiftable between a folded position and a spread position. The multi-segment cover assembly, when in the folded position, allows loading and unloading of the disk on the turntable, and when in the spread position, has a larger area than when in the folded position, and contains and protects the disk on the turntable. The multi-segment cover assembly includes a plurality of pie-shaped cover sectors, rotatable about an axis defined concentrically with the turntable, for extending to nest in one another when in the folded position, and for spreading by offsetting from one another when in the spread position.

Abstract: An optical disk device executes a seek operation to move an irradiation position of light beam on an optical disk to a track of a target address. During execution of a seek operation through a one-track jump operation in which the irradiation position of the light beam is moved along the radial direction of the optical disk by one track, it is determined whether or not off-track of the irradiation position of the light beam has occurred. When it is determined that the off-track has occurred, a seek operation through a multiple track jump operation is executed in which the irradiation position of the light beam is moved along the radial direction of the optical disk by an amount corresponding to a plurality of tracks.