Abstract: A data storage medium library includes a plurality of magazines. The magazines include a plurality of cells. An addressor addresses a logical cell address of the cell that stores a data storage medium. The logical cell address indicates what number the cell is as counted in ascending order in the cells that store data storage media. A reporter reports the logical cell address to a host device. When the addressor counts, the addressor skips an empty cell.

Abstract: A wobble signal reproducing device and method. The wobble signal reproducing device may include a computation unit for outputting a push-pull signal by use of a signal picked up by wobbling an optical disc; a wobble band pass filter (BPF) unit for applying band pass filtering to the push-pull signal based on a first control signal, applying low pass filtering to the band pass filtering-applied signal based on a second control signal, and outputting a wobble signal; a wobble phase locked loop (PLL) unit for generating a channel clock signal based on the wobble signal, wherein the first and second control signals correspond to the channel clock signal, the wobble BPF unit applies the band pass filtering at a center frequency varying based on the first control signal, and applies the low pass filtering at a cutoff frequency varying based on the second control signal.

Abstract: An actuator arm of an actuator assembly includes a 4-bar linkage structure defined by a trapezoidal shaped opening formed between a front end of the actuator arm and a pivot shaft. A first rounded extension portion and a second rounded extension portion are formed at two corners adjacent to the pivot shaft of the opening, respectively, and a third rounded extension portion is formed at two corners adjacent to a front end of the opening, and hinges H1, H2, H3 and H4 are formed at the actuator arm by the first, second and third extension portions. Design factors determining a shape of the opening are optimized to meet the following relations for the structure of the 4-bar linkage: W(cos ??1)+Z(cos ??1)=?x=0, W sin ?+Z sin ?=?y=0.

Abstract: A method for performing blank detection on an optical storage disc includes buffering first information read by an optical storage device from the optical storage disc to generate buffered data, and checking corresponding data of an Error Correction Code (ECC) block in the buffered data to determine if the ECC block is a blank ECC block.

Abstract: An optical disk drive of recording a re-writable optical disk and the method thereof. First, an optimum power is determined. A gain of a SBAD (Sub Beam Adder) signal is adjusted for generating an calibrated SBAD signal such that the calibrated SBAD signal maintains at the same level during a write power phase and a read power phase substantially. Then, the re-writable optical disk is recorded by using the optimum power. Next, a defect of the re-writable optical disk is detected according to the calibrated SBAD signal. Then, the optical disk drive will jump over the defect and prevent it from being data-recorded so as to avoid system malfunction.

Abstract: There are provided: an optical pickup feed mechanism (12) that detects a disk signal; a disk loading mechanism (11) that feeds a disk D by means of a loading roller (11b) that is driven by a loading motor (11a); a mechanism control section (20) that controls drive of the loading motor (11a); and an authentication control section (30) that authenticates the authorized user and outputs a disk ejection instruction to the mechanism control section (20) if the registered password and disk ejection instruction are input. The authentication control section (30) is provided with a time setting section (36) that stores a set time length in memory (32), a timer (37) that measures time, and a time decision section (38) that determines lapse of the set time length in accordance with the time length stored in the memory section (32) and the time measured by the timer (37).

Abstract: A disc drive system, such as a magnetic or optical recording and/or playback system, for low-data rate applications implements one or more circuit operations, such as read signal detection and related servo functions, as software-based digital signal processing steps in a dedicated software-based processor. The drive system incorporates increased buffering, modified input sample processing techniques, multiplexing of processing functions, and modified automatic gain control techniques to allow circuit operations to be performed with software-based digital signal processing techniques.

Abstract: A method for determining the address of a frame inside a data sector of an optical recording medium (17), the sector comprising a plurality of frames, each frame being preceded by a synchronization code, and an apparatus (10) for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media (17) using such method. A method for determining the address of a frame inside a data sector of an optical recording medium (17) that is robust against streaming loss is proposed. The method comprises the steps of: keeping a history of previously detected synchronization codes; appending (2) the detected synchronization code to the history; comparing (3) a pattern of the last synchronisation codes with a plurality of valid patterns of synchronization codes; delivering (4) a valid frame address if the pattern corresponds to a valid pattern, the frame address corresponding to the valid pattern, and delivering (7) an error frame address if the pattern does not correspond to a valid pattern.

Abstract: In an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to an optical recording medium, it is desirable, in particular in the case of track jumps, to detect the direction of the track jump, i.e. the direction of movement of an objective lens of the apparatus relative to the optical recording medium in order to be able to carry out corresponding track regulation. For this purpose, and also for determining the number of tracks crossed by the scanning beams, it is proposed to determine the number of zero crossings and also the phase difference between at least two error signals derived from the reflected scanning beams.

Abstract: A system for reducing written-in high-frequency repeatable run-out track mis-registration occurring during writing of servo information onto a hard disk implementable in a hard disk drive is described. The system includes an excitation frequency adjuster enabled to adjust excitation frequencies away from mechanical modes to provide desired rotation speed of a servo track writer. The mechanical modes are present in said hard disk drive. The system also includes an excitation level adjuster enabled to adjust excitation level to provide a desired DC gain level associated with a motor controller of the servo track writer. The system further includes an excitation frequency content adjuster enabled to adjust excitation frequency content to provide desired current profile of the motor controller, such that a reduction of written-in high frequency repeatable run-out track mis-registration is realized.

Abstract: An optical-recording-medium playback apparatus includes a first optical member which focuses light emitted from a light-emitting unit on an optical recording medium, a second optical member which focuses light reflected by the optical recording medium, a light-receiving unit which receives the light focused by the second optical member, and a pinhole which is disposed between the second optical member and the light-receiving unit. The focal point of the light focused by the first optical member and that of the light focused by the second optical member correspond to each other. Accordingly, when the pinhole only transmits light which passes through positions around the focal point of the second optical member, stray light from positions around the focal point of the first optical member (in particular, light reflected by recording layers other than the one from which information is read out) can be removed.

Abstract: To obtain a higher recording density, and thus higher data capacity, it is proposed according to the present invention to reduce the numerical aperture of the optical means (3, 4) in the direction orthogonal to the information recording direction, which is the radial direction for an optical disc, during recording of information to obtain a light beam having a substantially oval spot profile having a shorter axis in the information recording direction, i.e. the tangential direction for an optical disc, compared to the direction orthogonal that to, i.e. the radial direction. Recording marks having a corresponding oval profile arec achieved.

Abstract: A cartridge carrier has a base having a recessed plate, a top surface, and a bottom surface, an interposer board coupled to the base at the top surface, a motorized eject mechanism coupled to the interposer board and the base, a slider plate coupled to the base at the bottom surface and the motorized eject mechanism, and a button bar coupled to the base at the bottom surface, the button bar having a switch tab to contact the motorized eject mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided an objective lens which has positive refractive power and has a single lens element having an incident surface from which the collimated beam enters and an exit surface from which the collimated beam emerges. Further, the incident surface and the exit surface are configured to be rotationally symmetrical aspherical surfaces. At least within an effective diameter of the single lens element, the incident surface and the exit surface are symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the single lens element and have the same shape.

Abstract: A recording medium cartridge with a recording medium and cartridge memory records a first CRC code produced from data of the recording medium in the cartridge memory in an unrewritable state. A recording/reproducing apparatus for recording/reproducing the recording medium cartridge is provided with a CRC code producing means, CRC code recording means, CRC code comparing means, and authentication determining means. The comparing means compares a fourth CRC code produced from data recorded in the recording medium with the first CRC code corresponding to the data recorded in the cartridge memory. The authentication determining means determines authentication of the data recorded in the recording medium based on a comparison result of the comparing means.

Abstract: An optical disk reproducing device has a defect-signal generating circuit including a peak-holding-signal generating circuit for generating a peak-hold signal based on an RF signal read from a recording medium, an intermediate-signal generating circuit for generating an intermediate signal based on the peak-hold signal, a signal-level adjusting circuit for generating a threshold signal based on the intermediate signal, a threshold-signal adjusting circuit for adjusting the level of the threshold signal, and a comparator for generating a defect signal based on the peak-hold signal and threshold signal. The threshold-signal adjusting circuit includes at least one of: a first adjusting circuit for raising the threshold signal in the event the peak-hold signal falls below the threshold signal due to the peak-hold signal and the threshold signal being reversed; and a second adjusting circuit for lowering the threshold signal in the event the peak-hold signal exceeds the threshold signal, due to the reversal.

Abstract: A pinned magnetic layer 20 and a free magnetic layer 26 include a magnetic portion 17 and a magnetic sublayer 22, respectively, each comprising a half-metallic ferromagnetic alloy. Since each of the magnetic portion 17 and magnetic sublayer 22 comprising the half-metallic alloy layer has a larger value ? and a larger resistivity ? compared to the conventional CoFe alloy or the like, the change in resistance (?R) can be increased, and the rate of change in resistance (?R/R) can be appropriately improved.

Abstract: An information storage apparatus that stores data in a recording medium, retrieves control information of the recording medium, identifies remaining unrecorded regions in the recording medium based on the control information, stores data only in the unrecorded regions, and updates items of the control information corresponding to the recorded regions so that the information storage apparatus can skip the recorded regions when it stores data in the recording medium next time. The information storage apparatus can reduce time required for certifying the recording medium.

Abstract: A method for predicting the failure of a data storage device having a slider heater is disclosed. For slider heaters exhibiting a decreasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when heater resistance suddenly increases 2 to 5%, or dR/dt changes sign from negative to positive. For slider heaters exhibiting an increasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when the heater resistance suddenly drops 2 to 5%, or dR/dt changes sign from positive to negative. Additionally, random changes in heater resistance exceeding nominal measurement error may also be utilized to produce a failure warning. This method provides advance warning of potential data read/write errors well before the open circuit failure of the slider heater occurs.

Abstract: A disk drive reducing noise, including a disk tray sliding in and out of the disk drive and on which a disk is placed. A disk driving portion rotates the disk at a predetermined speed. A disk chucking apparatus holds the disk on the disk tray. A data recording/reproducing unit records data on the disk or reproduces data from the disk. An air guide plate is installed between an upper surface of the disk tray and an upper cover plate of the disk drive, parallel to the disk tray, and separates an air flow area. Air flow above the disk generated by the rotation of the disk is divided into turbulence under the air guide plate and turbulence above the air guide plate. Thus, the flow of turbulence is controlled by the air guide plate so that it does not collide with a front side portion of the disk drive. Also, because the velocity of turbulence of a free flow layer under the air guide plate that collides with the front side portion decreases, noise transmitted to the front side portion is reduced.