Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage medium (10) comprising an information layer (11) including transparent and non-transparent areas in which the information is stored, and a magnetizable layer (12) intended to contain at least one magnetized area, which is temporarily created when a light spot is transmitted by a corresponding transparent area of the information layer. The present invention also relates to a reading device for reading information on such a storage medium (10). Said reading device comprises an optical element (23) for generating an array of light spots from an input light beam (21), a light spot being intended to temporarily create the magnetized area in the magnetizable layer (12) when passing through the corresponding transparent area of the information layer (11), and a magnetic sensor (24) comprising an array of sensor elements for detecting the at least one magnetized areas.

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: 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: The invention relates to an information carrier comprising at least a first area (12) comprising a first recordable material having thermal properties suitable for writing at a first recording speed and a second area (13) comprising a second recordable material having thermal properties suitable for writing at a second recording speed. The second recording speed is greater than the first recording speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical record carrier (55) recording apparatus (5) such as a small form factor optical drive and to a portable device (1), such as a mobile phone or a palmtop computer, comprising such an optical record carrier (55) recording apparatus (5). To enable different accessing modes having different data rates depending on the power mode of the recording apparatus an appropriate switching means (53) is provided in the recording apparatus for switching accessing means (54) for accessing an optical record carrier (55) for reading data from or recording data to said optical record carrier (55) between said accessing modes. 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: The present invention relates to a cartridge (4) for a data carrier (3) comprising two flexible halves (4a-4b) for protecting the data carrier. The flexible halves comprise means for disassembling the halves when the data carrier is inserted into a device (1) for processing the data carrier and for reassembling said halves when the data carrier is removed from said device. In an embodiment of the invention, the cartridge halves are rolled up by rolling-up means (2a-2b) included in the cartridge or in the processing device.

Abstract: A portable video accessory apparatus (10) is adapted to be mated to a handheld computer (30), such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) (30). The video accessory apparatus (10) adds a video playback and recording functionality to the PDA (30). The video accessory device (10) is capable of controlling the playback and recording of small form factor optical (SFFO) discs thereby causing the PDA (30) to act in the capacity of a ‘smart’ display module. A video engine (12) of the video accessory (10) may be realized with a small form factor optical (SFFO) disc drive capable of playing back optical discs on the order of 25 to 50 mm in diameter. The small form factor video engine (12) is of comparable dimensions to the PDA device (30), allowing the two devices, once mated, to have the look and feel of a single integrated unit.

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus (1) capable of reading/writing discs (100; 200) of different sizes comprises: a first rotary drive device (30) for holding and rotating a first-type disc (100) in a first play position; and scanning means (40) for scanning a surface (103) of the rotating first type disc (100) in its play position. The disc drive apparatus (1) further comprises a second rotary drive device (50), arranged opposite the scanning means (40), for holding and rotating a second-type disc (200) in a second play position. Said scanning means (40) are also capable of scanning a surface (203) of the rotating second-type disc (200) in its play position.

Abstract: An actuator (6) for a magneto optical recording apparatus (1) comprises an actuator base (20); a platform (30) movably coupled to said actuator base (20); at least one actuator coil (31) supported by said platform (30); at least one writing coil (43) supported by said platform (30). One common conductor (22a; 22b) conducts actuator coil drive signals as well as writing coil drive signals from said actuator base (20) to said platform (30).

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