Abstract: An ECC block is constituted by RS(248,216,33). Of a data length of 216 bytes (symbols), only 16 bytes are allocated to BCA data and the remaining 200 bytes are used for fixed data having a predetermined value. Using the fixed data of 200 bytes and the BCA data of 16 bytes, parities of 32 bytes (symbols) are caculated. Only the BCA data of 16 bytes and the parities of the former 16 bytes of the 32-byte parities, that is, a total of 32 bytes only, are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. In decoding, error correction processing is carried out by using the fixed data of 200 bytes. The unrecorded parities of 16 bytes are processed as having been erased. Thus the error correction capability in a burst cutting area of an optical disc can be improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of encoding user data into codevectors and to a corresponding method of decoding codevectors into user data.

Abstract: An optical input device for measuring relative movement between an object (15) and a sensor unit comprising a laser device (3, 5) having a laser cavity for emitting a measuring beam (13, 17) and a respective radiation-sensitive detector (4, 6) for generating a measurement signal representative of changes in the operation of the laser device (3, 5) as a result of measuring beam radiation re-entering the laser cavity. A sensor unit is provided for measuring relative movement along each measuring axis in an action plane, and the resultant measurement signal from one or each of the sensor units is used to determine distance and/or movement of the input device and the object (15) relative to each other along a measuring axis transverse to the action plane by summing the offset frequency of a rising and falling slope of the measurement signal.

Abstract: A first block of data symbols is generated by arranging a predetermined number of user data symbols and a predetermined number of dummy data symbols in a predetermined order. The first block of data symbols is encoded using an ECC encoder to obtain a codeword having a predetermined number of symbols, the codeword comprising the first block of data symbols and a second block of parity symbols. Then a codevector is generated containing less then all the user data symbols and parity symbols from the codeword. The codevector can be stored or transmitted. The codevector may be decoded by generating a codeword comprising dummy data symbols, the codevector, and filling symbols, arranged in a predetermined order. Then decoding the codeword using an ECC decoder to obtain the user data symbols.

Abstract: Four ECC blocks are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. Each ECC block is constituted by a BCA content code of 1 byte, content data length of 1 byte, and content data of 14 bytes. Of the BCA content data, the leading 6 bits are used for application ID and the remaining 2 bits are used for block number. Disc ID is stored in the content data. Since the four ECC blocks exist, the optical disc can be managed individually by four applications at the maximum. Thus it becomes possible to manage the same optical disc by a plurality of applications.

Abstract: A memory (10) is organized as a matrix rows and columns of memory cell circuits (100) and comprises bit line conductors (12) coupled to rows of the memory cells (100). A sensing circuit (14) is coupled to the bit line conductors (12). The sensing circuit (14) is arranged to form respective data signals, each by comparing a respective signal from a plurality of the bit line conductors (12) with a reference level that is common for the bit line conductors (12). A reference level selection circuit (16) with inputs coupled to the plurality of bit line conductors (12) is arranged to control the reference level. The reference level selection circuit (16) selects the reference level dependent on respective analog signal levels on the plurality of the bit line conductors (12), so that analog signal levels from at least respective ones of the plurality of bit line conductors (12) lie on respective sides of the reference level.

Abstract: When writing data to an optic disc with a constant linear velocity, and encountering a disc error, data is written into the defect management area of the disc without changing the rotational speed of the disc, or at least without changing the rotational speed of the disc sufficiently to maintain a constant linear velocity. This allows an increase in the rate at which data may be written to the optical disc. It also avoids or reduces the need for the rotational speed of the disc to be changed, which allows a further improvement in the time taken to write data to the disc. In order to continue writing data to the disc without changing the rotational speed, the data rate must be increased while writing to the defect management area. For this to be possible, the data must be written into an “iced” or unformatted part of the defect management area.

Abstract: A method and optical module for measuring relative movement of an input device and object (15) along at least one measuring axis. A laser device (3) having a laser cavity is provided for generating a measuring beam (13) in respect of each measuring axis. The measuring beam (13) is used to illuminate the object (15) and measuring beam radiation reflected from the object (15) and re-entering the laser cavity generates a self-mixing effect in the laser and causes changes in operation of the laser cavity. A detector (4) is used to generate a measurement signal representative of these changes and an electronic processing circuit (18) selects, in dependence on the speed of relative movement, one of at least two parameters of the measurement signal for use in determining the speed and direction of relative a movement.

Abstract: A position determining system for determining a position of a rotor of a rotating motor has sensors that are coupled to the rotor. The sensors generate, in response to a rotation of the rotor, a quadrature signal that has sine and cosine components. The position determining system calculates a sum (A2) of a squared value of the sine component (A2sin2x) and a squared value of the cosine component (A2cos2x). An amplitude correction factor (A) is calculated as the squared root of the sum (A2). An amplitude corrected sine component (sin(x)) is obtained by dividing the sine component (Asin(x)) by the amplitude correction factor (A). An amplitude corrected cosine component (cos(x)) is obtained by dividing the cosine component (Acos(x)) by the amplitude correction factor (A).

Abstract: An optical disc medium 10 having a wobbled track groove 12 includes three wobble patterns including a flat wobble pattern, a positive pulse wobble pattern, and a negative pulse wobble pattern. In the flat wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is zero such that the track groove is flat. In the positive pulse wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the length-wise direction of the track groove is positive such that the track groove is wobbled in a first direction perpendicular to the length-wise direction. Further, in the negative pulse wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is negative such that the track groove is wobbled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Then, three data values can be recorded using three distinctive wobble patterns.

Abstract: A record carrier has a servo track (4) indicating an information track (9) intended for recording information blocks. The servo track (4) has a periodic variation of a physical parameter at a predetermined frequency and modulated parts for encoding position information at regular intervals. The modulated parts start with a bit sync element and are of a data type having a data bit element, or of a word sync type having a word sync element. The word sync element and the data bit element are modulated according to a same predetermined type of modulation of the periodic variation. The effective strength of a modulated element is the number of periodic variations that are substantially different and available for detection of that element. The effective strength of the word sync element and of the data bit element are equal.

Abstract: Tracking system for guiding an optical beam on tracks on an optical disc, said tracking system comprising a photodetector (A1, A2) for detecting optical beams derived from said optical beam, said photodetector generating a first output signal (A) and a second output signal (B), said tracking system comprising first processing means for generating a first differential signal (PP(DC)) corresponding to the low-frequency part of a difference between said first and second output signals. The tracking system comprises second processing means for generating a tracking error signal (PP(AC/DC)) defined by the addition of said first differential signal (PP(DC)) to a second differential signal (PP?(AC)), said second differential signal corresponding to a fraction of the difference in amplitude of the high-frequency components of said first and second output signals. Use: Optical disc player/writer.

Abstract: An optical disc medium 10 having a wobbled track groove 12 includes three wobble patterns including a flat wobble pattern, a positive pulse wobble pattern, and a negative pulse wobble pattern. In the flat wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is zero such that the track groove is flat. In the positive pulse wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is positive such that the track groove is wobbled in a first direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. Further, in the negative pulse wobble pattern, the amplitude of the wobble from the lengthwise direction of the track groove is negative such that the track groove is wobbled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Then, three data values can be recorded using three distinctive wobble patterns.

Abstract: An ECC block is constituted by RS(248,216,33). Of a data length of 216 bytes (symbols), only 16 bytes are allocated to BCA data and the remaining 200 bytes are used for fixed data having a predetermined value. Using the fixed data of 200 bytes and the BCA data of 16 bytes, parities of 32 bytes (symbols) are calculated. Only the BCA data of 16 bytes and the parities of the former 16 bytes of the 32-byte parities, that is, a total of 32 bytes only, are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. In decoding, error correction processing is carried out by using the fixed data of 200 bytes. The unrecorded parities of 16 bytes are processed as having been erased. Thus, the error correction capability in a burst cutting area of an optical disc can be improved.

Abstract: Detection means for detecting information in a signal, comprising integration means for integrating the signal over time such that the integration means is periodically reset at about the start time reference of a periodic time interval; and a sample&hold circuit for periodically sampling and holding the integrated signal (int) at about an end time reference of the periodic time interval and thereby delivering a further signal (fs). The detection means further comprises a chain (CHDL) of signal time delay elements, an input of the chain (CHDL) being coupled to receive the further signal (fs); and combining means (CBMNS) having combining inputs coupled to signal taps of the chain (CHDL), such that the number of the combining inputs and the position of coupling the combining inputs to the signal taps of the chain (CHDL) correspond to the information in the signal.

Abstract: A record carrier (1) is described which has a servo track (4) indicating an information track (9) intended for recording information blocks, which servo track (4) has a variation of a physical parameter, a so called wobble. The wobble is modulated for encoding record carrier information, such as addresses. The servo track is subdivided in modulated parts in which the frequency and/or phase of the variation deviates from the wobble frequency, and non-modulated parts. The slope of the wobble is substantially continuous at transitions between the modulated and non-modulated parts by using wobbles (25,26,27,28) starting at the maxima or minima of the wobble in the first part of the modulated parts.

Abstract: An ECC block is constituted by RS(248, 216, 33). Of a data length of 216 bytes (symbols), only 16 bytes are allocated to BCA data and the remaining 200 bytes are used for fixed data having a predetermined value. Using the fixed data of 200 bytes and the BCA data of 16 bytes, parities of 32 bytes (symbols) are calculated. Only the BCA data of 16 bytes and the parities of the former 16 bytes of the 32-byte parities, that is, a total of 32 bytes only, are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. In decoding, error correction processing is carried out by using the fixed data of 200 bytes. The unrecorded parities of 16 bytes are processed as having been erased. Thus, the error correction capability in a burst cutting area of an optical disc can be improved.

Abstract: A wobble signal is generated from at least two elementary signals (A,B,C,D) detected by scanning a wobbled track of a data carrier. The invention proposes a solution for eliminating the noise of various origins in the wobble signal, notably the high frequency data leakage into the wobble signal due to radial asymmetry introduced in the diffraction pattern on the detector, whatever the reason for this radial asymmetry. According to the invention, the at least two elementary signals are filtered with at least an adaptive filter (40), and said filtered elementary signals are subtracted (44) from said wobble signal (PP) thereby generating an improved wobble signal.

Abstract: A record carrier has a servo track indicating an information track intended for recording information blocks, which servo track has a variation of a physical parameter, referred to as wobble. The wobble is modulated for encoding record carrier information, such as addresses. The servo track is subdivided in non-modulated and parts modulated parts in which the frequency and/or phase of the variation deviates from the wobble frequency. The slope of the wobble is substantially continuous at transitions between the modulated and non-modulated parts by using wobbles starting at the maxima or minima of the wobble.

Abstract: Four ECC blocks are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. Each ECC block is constituted by a BCA content code of 1 byte, content data length of 1 byte, and content data of 14 bytes. Of the BCA content data, the leading 6 bits are used for application ID and the remaining 2 bits are used for block number. Disc ID is stored in the content data. Since the four ECC blocks exist, the optical disc can be managed individually by four applications at the maximum. Thus it becomes possible to manage the same optical disc by a plurality of applications.