Abstract: Drive information is updated to always include the recording/playback conditions determined from the most recent learning process on a data recording medium. The data recording medium has a data recording area for recording data, and a drive information area for recording drive information. The drive information includes a plurality of drive-specific information records. Each of the plural drive-specific information records defines the operating conditions of the data recording and playback apparatus when a data recording and playback apparatus that can load and access the data recording medium reads or writes data. The plural drive-specific information records are arranged chronologically according to when the information was recorded to the data recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus that records information with a substantially constant linear density in a circumferential direction of a recording medium having a disk shape, includes variable velocity recording control means, recording power modification means, recording power storage means, and initial recording power value setting means.

Abstract: In a case where an image of a density that is uniform over a substantially whole area of an optical disc (200) is to be formed, a servo circuit (138) controls the rotation speed of a spindle motor (130) to be constant, and an ALPC circuit (162) controls the current level of a drive signal Li so that the laser power is constant. In this case, a main control section (170) sets the movement distance of an optical pickup (100) to be larger in the inner peripheral side where the line width of the image is larger, and that of the optical pickup (100) to be smaller in the outer peripheral side where the line width is smaller. The main control section (170) sends to a the motor driver (142) instructions for moving the optical pickup (100) by a movement distance which is determined on the basis of the setting.

Abstract: In a method of obtaining a reproduction signal with good quality from a data recording medium, two actual signals are generated as first and second signals I1 and I2 from detection signals obtained from the data recording medium. A coefficient k which has linear correlation with a tilt is calculated based on the first and second signals I1 and I2. A reproduction signal in which influence of the tilt is eliminated, is reproduced by using the coefficient k and the first and second signals I1 and I2.

Abstract: An optical disc on which information can be recorded by recording light has a first recording layer (102) and a second recording layer (103) disposed behind the first recording layer as viewed by the recording light; the first recording layer and the second recording layer have respective power adjustment areas (P1, P2) that are used to adjust the power of the recording light to the optimal recording power at the time of recording of information on each recording layer; a prewrite area (PW) is provided in correspondence to the power adjustment area (P2) used for optimal power adjustment in the second recording layer and restricted areas (A1, A2) on both sides of that power adjustment area (P2). The restricted areas (A1, A2) allow for the diameter of the recording light beam and for lamination misalignment. This configuration enables stable test recording to be carried out in a short time on an optical disc having multiple recording layers.

Abstract: An environmental load information of an information recording medium is recorded on the information recording medium so as to recycle or dispose properly an information recording medium, which is not necessary any more. The information recording medium comprises a main information area (102) for recording or reproducing information and a recording area (101) for environmental load information, which is recorded with an environmental load information of the information recording medium.

Abstract: A detector and a method for detecting synchronization signals in a disc system are disclosed. The method includes sampling a disc signal with a sampling clock to generate a plurality of sampled data, comparing the plurality of sampled data with a predetermined synchronization pattern to generate a comparison result, performing the above-mentioned comparing step after a predetermined time interval, and outputting a synchronization signal and adjusting the time for outputting the synchronization signal according to the comparison results.

Abstract: A storage device and a method for operating a storage device. A storage medium for storing data in form of marks is scanned by at least one probe in a scanning mode. A control unit provides a pulsed reading signal for data detecting purposes in said scanning mode. Said storage medium comprises marks for determining a clock of said pulsed signal.

Abstract: A hybrid switching method of spindle motor of optical disc drive analyze a disc position status for write/read in said optical disc drive, according said optical disc drive speed to detect a switch mode, and determine said optical disc drive of write/read mode to got a switch point.

Abstract: Provided is an optical disc device in which adjustment precision of recording laser power is improved without complication of a processing sequence during recording operation. In response to a recording start instruction, OPC is executed using an inner disc drive zone to set an initial value of recording laser power Pws. Then, when a first recording instruction REC(1) is detected, recording is successively performed from the head of a data area using the laser power Pws. After that, when an intermittent standby period is set, sample data is recorded to a next recording position and R-OPC is executed. Therefore, the recording laser power Pws is set again. Next, when a second recording instruction REC(2) is detected, recording is successively performed from a next recording position, that is, a position next to an end portion of the first recording instruction REC(1) using the reset laser power Pws.

Abstract: A method of reproducing an optical disk that that shortens the time between optical disk insertion and implementation of a standby mode enabling reproduction is provided that comprises a step of reading parameters stored in a nonvolatile memory, a step of deciding whether the optical disk can be properly reproduced using the read parameters, a step of, when it is found that the optical disk cannot be properly reproduced using the parameters, conducting a focusing search, reflection level detection, tracking error signal amplitude measurement and the like with respect to the optical disk, a step of specifying new parameters based on the result, and a step of storing the new parameters in the volatile memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for causing an optical beam to impinge on a spot on an optical medium, while keeping an optical head apparatus in an essentially stationary position, such that it eliminates the need for a tracking function to move an optical head apparatus in order to direct an optical beam between tracks or to an location on the optical medium.

Abstract: A method for detecting and controlling disc tilt in an optical disc mechanism comprising the steps of (A) measuring a 2-dimensional displacement of an optical lens of the optical disc mechanism, (B) extracting an absolute value of a disc tilt angle in the optical disc mechanism based upon the 2-dimensional displacement and (C) controlling deflection of a tilt moving coil according to the absolute value of the disc tilt angle.

Abstract: A method for controlling an optical power level includes the steps of a) regularly increasing a control value of a driving signal generator for driving a pickup unit adapted to output an optical power, b) checking a driving signal of the driving signal generator according to the increasing control value, and c) setting a control value at which the driving signal begin to be generated as an offset value for setting up an optical power. Therefore, an offset value for a reference optical power needed for setting up laser power levels for individual operation modes is more accurately calculated, and the laser power levels for individual operation modes are optimally controlled based on the offset value.

Abstract: A method of determining the time of adjusting writing strategy of an optical drive. Firstly, relation between an output signal value and an ambient temperature is recorded in a look up table stored in a memory. Then, the output signal value of a compensator can be obtained by looking up the look up table according to the ambient temperature of the optical drive. When the ambient temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, the optical drive adjusts the writing strategy.

Abstract: A tilt adjustment device for adjusting tilt of a left guide bar with respect to a right guide bar, and includes a holding seat and a cylindrical-shaped bushing disposed rotatably within the holding seat. The bushing defines a bar-retention hole to permit extension of the left guide bar therethrough, and has a turning portion defining a first axis and an insert portion that extends eccentrically from the turning portion and that defines a second axis parallel to the first axis. Rotation of the cylindrical-shaped bushing relative to the holding seat results in a radial movement of the turning portion, which, in turn, moves the first axis toward and away from the second axis of the insert portion.

Abstract: A storage device and a method for scanning a storage medium. A storage medium for storing data in the form of marks is scanned by an array of probes for mark detecting purposes in a scanning mode. The storage medium has fields with each field to be scanned by an associated one of the probes. At least one of the fields has marks representing operational data for operating the scanning mode. Scanning parameters are computed from the operational data and the scanning mode is adjusted according to the computed parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting position of blank areas for an optical disc in an optical disc drive according to a wobble signal and a blank signal includes an address decoder for generating a physical address value according to the wobble signal; a counting device coupled to the address decoder for generating a count value according to the wobble signal; and a decision circuit coupled to the counting device for determining whether the count value is within a predetermined range when the edge of the blank signal occurs. If the count value is within the predetermined range when the blank edge occurs, the decision circuit generates a position value corresponding to a blank area of the optical disc.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a conductive probe having a tip; a substrate; and a data storage medium including a layer of poled ferroelectric material. The ferroelectric layer is between the tip and the substrate.

Abstract: A fixture plate is fixed by a screw onto an optical housing of the optical head device at a portion corresponding to where a monitor signal path portion and an act signal path portion are arranged overlapping one another. The two signal path portions are portions of two types of signal paths discretely formed on a flexible wiring board. The fixture plate is composed of a conductive material. One of the monitor signal path portion and the act signal path portion is covered by the fixture plate and fixed by a screw onto the optical housing together with the fixture plate, while the other of the monitor signal path portion and the act signal path portion is hooked in place by a hook provided on the fixture plate. The fixture plate is interposed between the monitor signal path portion and the act signal path portion.