Abstract: An apparatus for scanning a track on a record carrier has a head (41) for providing a beam of radiation and generating at least one sensor signal. The device has a focusing unit for controlling a focusing element to maintain an in-focus position for generating a focused spot on the track. The sensor signal is converted into a displacement signal by a multitude of piecewise converters (42, 43, 44), each converter converting a range of the sensor signal values into a position signal, and selection means (46) for selecting one of the position signals as the displacement signal based on an estimated displacement.

Abstract: An optical recording apparatus with a small form factor optical drive for driving an optical record carrier is operable in different accessing modes having different data rates depending on the power mode of the recording apparatus. A Switch is provided in the recording apparatus for switching a controller for accessing the optical record carrier for reading data from or recording data to the optical record carrier. A first accessing mode has a low data rate and is used in a low power mode, while a second accessing mode has a high data rate and is used or allowed to be used in a high power mode.

Abstract: A storage medium for storing digital information is disclosed. The storage medium comprises a label comprising a light addressable electrophoretic ink layer. Further, a method for labeling a storage medium provided with an electrophoretic ink label is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of applying a voltage between a first and a second electrode being arranged on mutual sides of a electrophoretic ink layer; irradiating selected pixel areas of the electrophoretic ink for addressing a change of visual state. Further, a recorder for an optical storage medium and a label writer for labeling an optical storage medium are disclosed. The recorder and the label writer comprise a light source and a charging device. The charging device is arranged to apply an electric field across an electrophoretic ink layer of the storage medium, and the light source is arranged to write a label on said storage medium by addressing pixel areas of said electrophoretic ink layer.

Abstract: In the invention, e-book information is distributed on un-cartridged small media that can be made cheaply enough for use in free distribution of information. The e-book information is encoded and stored on a read-only optical disc that is 2 to 4 cm in diameter and 0.6 to 1.2 mm thick, the information being encoded with sufficient redundancy and sufficient tolerance for missing information that the disc can be conveniently handled and pocketed without losing reliability of information access. The disc has a lead-in area that is prior to all the e-book information and that contains a disc navigation area, and a lead-out area that follows all the e-book information. The disc may include multiple partitions, each partition containing sufficient access information for independent access of the e-book information within the partition without accessing any other partition. Alternatively, the disc may include multiple slots for files and that are equally spaced.

Abstract: A Method of Manufacturing an Integrated Magneto-Optical Element for use in a Digital Magneto-Optical Signal write/Read Head and an Integrated Magneto-Optical Element Manufactured According to the Method A method of manufacturing an integrated magneto-optical element for use in a digital magneto-optical signal read/write head, in which the manufacturing techniques of thin film coils are combined with lens-making techniques to realise a high performance, reliable and cost-effective lens-MFM coil combination for use in a slider having an air bearing surface for “flying” just above a surface of a storage medium (102) during operation. The method comprises two principal steps: Step I is to make an MFM coil (106) by means of a thin film technique, and Step 2 is to make an objective lens (114) on top of the transparent (e.g. glass) plate (109) in which the MFM coil (106) is located.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning an information layer of an optical record carrier and including a rotary aim (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 502) which is arranged to swing about a rotation axis (CR) to alter an angular position of the rotary arm about the rotation axis; a detector arrangement (10) arranged separate from the rotary arm (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 502) for detecting a radiation beam spot, the radiation beam spot (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) having an angular disposition; a first reflective surface (4; 104; 204; 304; 404; 504) attached to the rotary arm (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 502); a second reflective surface (6; 106; 206; 306; 406; 506) attached to the rotary arm (2; 102; 302; 402; 502); a first light path (LP 1; LP 1 O 1; LP201; LP301; LP401; LP501; running from a location on the record carrier to said first reflective surface; a second light path (LP2; LP102; LP202; LP302; LP402; LP502) running from said first reflective surface to said second reflective surface; a third light path (LP3; LP103

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a digital magneto-optical signal write/read head including a thin-film in-plane magnetic coil disposed on an outwardly directed surface of a coil substrate. Coil lead in and coil lead out sections of the coil are extended to an interconnection part of the side surface of the coil substrate and first and second spaced interconnecting conductors are deposited on the side surface of the coil substrate in electrical connection with the lead in and lead out sections of the magnetic coil for contacting the external lead in and lead out lines. Alternatively first and second contacting conductors may additionally be deposited on a top surface of the coil substrate in electrical connection with the first and second interconnecting conductors on the side surface of the coil substrate for contacting the said external lead in and lead out lines.

Abstract: A simple method of manufacturing a magnetic head having a head face and including a planar magnetic coil (7) which extends parallel to the head face. According to the method, the magnetic coil is formed at a first side of a first substrate (1). Thereafter, the first substrate provided with the magnetic coil is adhered with its first side to a side of a second substrate, whereafter material of the first substrate is removed from a second side of the first substrate (9), the second side being turned away from the first side, in order to form the head face, in such a manner that the magnetic coil is situated near to the head face.

Abstract: A magnetic head suitable for use in a magneto-optical apparatus. The magnetic head has a flat electromagnetic coil (1) with a central opening (3). The coil has parallel coil layers (5a, 5b), each of the coil layers having a turn (5A, 5B) arranged around the central opening. At least one of the coil layers has turns of which the turns closer to the central opening have smaller widths (w) than the turns further away from the central opening. At least one of the coil layers has an outermost turn (5Bo) situated closer to the central opening than the outermost turn (5Ao) of one of the other coil layers. The defined coil structure has a limited capacitance while the power dissipation is also limited.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a digital magneto-optical signal write/read head (1) including a thin-film in-plane magnetic coil (3) disposed on an outwardly directed surface (5A) of a coil substrate (7). Coil lead in and coil lead out sections (11,15) of the coil (3) are extended to an interconnection part (9A) of the side surface (9) of the coil substrate (7) and first and second spaced interconnecting conductors (21,23) are deposited on the side surface (9) of the coil substrate (7) in electrical connection with the lead in and lead out sections (11,15) of the magnetic coil (3) for contacting the external lead in and lead out lines (25,29). Alternatively first and second contacting conductors (29,31) may additionally be deposited on a top surface (5B) of the coil substrate (7) in electrical connection with the first and second interconnecting conductors (21,23) on the side surface (9A) of the coil substrate (7) for contacting the said external lead in and lead out lines (25,27).

Abstract: A simple method of manufacturing a magnetic head having a head face and including a planar magnetic coil (7) which extends parallel to the head face. According to the method, the magnetic coil is formed at a first side of a first substrate (1). Thereafter, the first substrate provided with the magnetic coil is adhered with its first side to a side of a second substrate, whereafter material of the first substrate is removed from a second side of the first substrate (9), the second side being turned away from the first side, in order to form the head face, in such a manner that the magnetic coil is situated near to the head face.

Abstract: A magnetic head suitable for use in a magneto-optical apparatus. The magnetic head has a flat electromagnetic coil (1) with a central opening (3). The coil has parallel coil layers (5a, 5b), each of the coil layers having a turn (5A, 5B) arranged around the central opening. At least one of the coil layers has turns of which the turns closer to the central opening have smaller widths (w) than the turns further away from the central opening. At least one of the coil layers has an outermost turn (5B0) situated closer to the central opening than the outermost turn (5A0) of one of the other coil layers. The defined coil structure has a limited capacitance while the power dissipation is also limited.