Abstract: Disclosed is an error tolerant binary encoded synchronization mark concatenated with a known pattern, such as a VFO pattern, comprising an encoded pattern of a fixed plurality of bits, the encoded synchronization pattern being at maximum Hamming distance from the concatenated known pattern for the number of bits in the fixed plurality of bits. The error tolerant synchronization mark may also be concatenated with the VFO pattern seen in reverse, and the synchronization pattern additionally is at maximum Hamming distance from the concatenated known VFO pattern seen in reverse.

Abstract: An integrated calibration apparatus operates in multiple calibration modes of a multi-mode information storage system such as an optical disk drive to calibrate the drive in the multiple write modes. An event processing and measurement circuit is configurable in multiple configurations that each correspond to a different calibration measurement. Each configuration concurrently measures one or more parameters of readback data written to an optical disk by the optical disk drive operating in a particular write mode. A qualification circuit selects valid measurements for two different parameters or for two different qualification of the same parameter. A summation circuit sums valid measurements of each parameter measured and counts the number of measurements summed for each parameter. The calibration apparatus calculates average values for the measured parameters from the sums and counts, and then calibrates the multi-mode optical disk drive for its current write mode based on the average values.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) data compression system operates two data compression modules in tandem. A "master" module has an uncompressed data I/O, a data compressor/decompressor, a data flow manager, and a compressed data I/O. An identical "dual" data compression module is also provided. Either module is capable of operating singly to provide compression/decompression between the data I/Os. A "tandem" control causes the master data flow manager to control the compressed data I/O, and causes the dual data flow manager to relinquish control. A dual port "active/slave" control responds to receipt of an input at one of the uncompressed data I/O's, idling the uncompressed data I/O of the module (slave) not receiving the input, and causing the module (active) receiving the input to conduct the input and output of uncompressed data.

Abstract: Disclosed are robust Resync patterns for insertion into a run length limited (d,k) encoded channel bit stream, which Resync pattern may be recovered from the RLL (d,k) encoded bit stream without being confused with data. The Resync pattern includes at least one string of consecutive "0"s which exceeds the RLL (k) constraint, and is inserted into the channel bit stream RLL data codewords. The RLL code excludes certain patterns representing a bit shift from the Resync pattern of one or both "1" bits adjacent to the string of "0" bits, shifted to shorten the Resync pattern to within the (k) constraint. Additionally, the Resync pattern may have two different aspects, one of which is the string of "0"s violating the constraints of the RLL code, and another which is specifically excluded from the RLL code, such as an excluded concatenated sequence of a VFO bit pattern of predetermined length or greater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a magnetic tape media having addressing data information superimposed on prerecorded track following servo information. The servo information is recorded in magnetic flux transition patterns defining at least one longitudinal servo track. A servo burst pattern of at least two repeated pairs of non-parallel magnetic flux transitions is provided, at least one of which transitions is slanted or otherwise continuously longitudinally variable across the width of the servo track. At least two transitions of the repeated pairs are shifted longitudinally with respect to other of the transitions, the shifted transitions comprising the superimposed addressing data information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coding technique which takes advantage of the use of an internal synchronization technique for a timing-based servo which employs alternating 4 and 5 transition bursts of servo to provide a simplified synchronization of the data, and comprises a coding technique which employs a periodic pattern of bursts each period comprising two bursts of 5 transitions followed by two bursts of 4 transitions. The code provides, in each burst of 5 transitions, two defined positions for the 2nd and 4th transitions, spaced from equally spaced positions in the burst, to represent each of two bit values. The code provides, in each burst of 4 transitions, two defined positions for the 2nd and 3rd transitions, spaced from equally spaced positions in the burst, to represent each of two bit values.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, a read detection channel includes a tracking threshold circuit for generating a variable threshold signal and a detection circuit, which is configurable in a number of diverse configurations that each correspond to one of the multiple diverse data formats. In addition, the first embodiment of the read detection channel includes a configuration circuit that automatically selects one of the configurations of the data detection circuit in response to a detection of a format of the input data stream. The first embodiment of the read detection channel permits data bits encoded in multiple diverse data formats to be decoded utilizing a single configurable read detection channel. In a second embodiment, the configurable read detection channel includes a tracking threshold circuit that can be configured to generate a threshold output signal in response to an input signal or in response to the input signal and a phase error signal.

Abstract: A write-once read-many (WORM) optical disk recorder automatically calibrates its laser to emit a laser beam of a desired power level. While writing data to the WORM disk, a laser test signal is written to a laser checking area termed Automatic Laser Power Correction (ALPC) field. If the emitted laser test signal has a power level outside an acceptable power level window, then inappropriate laser power is indicated. Then, in an error recovery procedure (ERP) the laser power is calibrated in the data sector to be written to using short spaced-apart laser test signals. After successful calibration, data are written to the sector. The test signals appear as burst errors that can be corrected by a suitable error correction code. If such calibration is not successful then a write calibrate sector, WCS, is created and used for an extensive automatic calibration. In the WCS both laser power level is calibrated. The calibration result information is written to WCS for later use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for detecting and correcting data stream misalignments during read back of data in an optical drive unit. In a dual PLL system, after a data stream is divided into separate positive and negative data streams, correlations are made between the transitions in the even nibbles of a sync mark and the transitions in the odd nibbles. Proper and improper alignments can be detected. The resync marks are also employed to determine whether the two data streams are misaligned and, if they are, by how much. While the position of an alignment bit within a resync mark can be detected, realigning the data streams based upon this position can result in small defects causing false alignment and a continuous error until the next resync. Consequently, the present invention employs other bits in the resync mark and in the adjoining customer data field to validate the misalignment independent of the alignment bit itself.

Abstract: In a pulse width modulated read signal channel for an optical disk drive, a data-transition threshold is maintained for data detection by a threshold tracking circuit that estimates the amplitude centerline data-transition threshold from the most recent maximum and minimum values of the read signal waveform. To improve the accuracy of the response of the centerline estimator, the threshold is increased or decreased based on the phase error at each read signal transition through the data-transition threshold. In addition, defects in the optical recording media are detected, and a defect present signal is used to inhibit the transition phase error input to the centerline estimator. This prevents the estimator from moving the threshold to an incorrect stable level. In addition, the defect present signal boosts the error feedback in the centerline estimator. The estimator then more quickly follows the read signal waveform.

Abstract: An optical disk recorder employs laser drive signals having diverse current or power levels. A scaling digital-analog-converter (DAC) supplies a scaled reference signal to a plurality of scaled DACs. The scaled DACs supply the diverse laser drive signals. Calibrating the scaling DAC calibrates the scaled DACs. A base array of DACs include not only the scaling DAC but a plurality of base array DACs. Such base array DACs control reading operations as well as supplying a threshold current. The threshold current is that laser drive signal current level below which laser 25 does not emit a laser beam. During writing, the CUT current is added to the laser drive currents supplied by the scaled DACs. A desired CUT current is determined by calculating a slope of the laser drive current to emission of radiation. Then the slope is extrapolated to a zero emission point below which no coherent emission of radiation occurs.