Abstract: An optically readable record carrier for storing digitally coded information having a power spectrum with a substantially zero level at a predetermined frequency. The information is recorded on and/or reproduced from substantially parallel elongated tracks on the record carrier which have a periodic undulation at the aforesaid predetermined frequency. Such undulation generates a clock signal for synchronizing the recording and/or reproduction of the digitally encoded information on the tracks, and does not interfere with the recording or reproduction of such information. Apparatus is disclosed for forming such tracks on the record carrier.

Abstract: An optical disk recording system including a record medium is disclosed for providing an accurate track crossing count and an accurate track following signal. A first embodiment utilizes off-centered wobbled areas located in the headers of the record medium. The high frequency content of a first signal is combined with the low frequency content of a second signal, which is generated using the wobbled areas. In another embodiment, light-reflective discontinuities are provided in the header areas of the record medium. A qualifier and an AGC are utilized in providing a corrected track following signal. In still another embodiment, reflective discontinuities are located in the servo areas of the record medium. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that there be a fixed gain adjustment to a radial push-pull signal.

Abstract: A method of and device for recording an information signal (Vc) on a record carrier (1) are revealed. The information words of the information signal are converted into code words (200) comprising a variable number of bits of a first logic value ("1"). The number of consecutive bits of the first logic value is at least equal to P. the number of consecutive bits of the second logic value ("0") is at least Q, P being an integer greater than or equal to 1 and Q being an integer greater than P. the code words are selected in such a way that for information words of successive values the associated code words differ for only one bit. During recording an elementary mark (54) is formed on the record carrier for every bit of the first logic value. Moreover a read device for the record carrier thus obtained is described.

Abstract: An optical disk recording system including a record medium is disclosed for providing an accurate track crossing count and an accurate track following signal. A first embodiment utilizes off-centered wobbled areas located in the headers of the record medium. The high frequency content of a first signal is combined with the low frequency content of a second signal, which is generated using the wobbled areas. In another embodiment, light-reflective discontinuities are provided in the header areas of the record medium. A qualifier and an AGC are utilized in providing a corrected track following signal. In still another embodiment, reflective discontinuities are located in the servo areas of the record medium. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that there is a fixed gain adjustment to a radial push-pull signal.

Abstract: Provided is a read signal offset during write verify which prevents the false detection of amorphous pips from an optical disk recorder. Amorphous pips are the signals caused by the drop in reflection from an optical disk after the laser has caused the surface material to change from its crystalline state to an amorphous state, but not to a hole. When a hole is not formed in the material, the amorphous material later recrystallizes, the drop in reflection no longer occurs and information is lost.

Abstract: An optical disk recording system including a record medium is disclosed for providing an accurate track crossing count and an accurate track following signal. A first embodiment utilizes off-centered wobbled areas located in the headers of the record medium. The high frequency content of a first signal is combined with the low frequency content of a second signal, which is generated using the wobbled areas. In another embodiment, light-reflective discontinuities are provided in the header areas of the record medium. A qualifier and an AGC are utilized in providing a corrected track following signal. In still another embodiment, reflective discontinuities are located in the servo areas of the record medium. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that there is a fixed gain adjustment to a radial push-pull signal.

Abstract: An optical disk recording system including a record medium is disclosed for providing an accurate track crossing count and an accurate track following signal. A first embodiment utilizes off-centered wobbled areas located in the headers of the record medium. The high frequency content of a first signal is combined with the low frequency content of a second signal, which is generated using the wobbled areas. In another embodiment, light-reflective discontinuities are provided in the header areas of the record medium. A qualifier and an AGC are utilized in providing a corrected track following signal. In still another embodiment, reflective discontinuities are located in the servo areas of the record medium. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that there be a fixed gain adjustment to a radial push-pull signal.

Abstract: The recording surface of an optical record carrier (1) is divided into a succession of first (A) and second (B) annular zones, each including a plurality of substantially concentric information tracks. The tracks in each zone (A) include radially aligned first control words (13) and the tracks in the annular zones (B) include radially aligned second control words (14), the structures of the first and second control words being distinguishable from each other. An optical scanning device projects a beam which as it scans the tracks reads the control words and a detection circuit generates a measurement signal V.sub.m upon each passage of the beam from one zone to another. The measurement signal can be utilized to rapidly address the scanning beam to any of the annular zones.

Abstract: An information-transmission system including an encoder for converting n-bit information words (D7, . . . , D0) into transmitted m-bit code words (C10, . . . , C0), and a decoder which reconverts the received code words (C'10, . . . , C'0) into information words (D*7, . . . , D*0) corresponding to the original information words. For a first group the encoder converts a first portion (D7, . . . , D3) into a first portion of a code word, such portion comprising q bits (C10, . . . , C5) thereof; and converts a second portion (D2, . . . , D0) of the information word into a second portion of the code word, such portion comprising s bits (C4, . . . , C0) thereof. For a second group the encoder converts a first portion (D7, . . . , D3) into a second portion comprising q bits (C'5, . . . , C'0) of a code word, and converts a second portion (D2, . . . , D0) of the information word into a first portion comprising s-bits of (C'10, . . . , C'6) such code word.

Abstract: A set of high density codes for optical recording of binary data. The data bits of each set are encoded into a block code having a plurality of symbols, each symbol having a plurality of symbol position with an even number of holes with the constraint that there be at least two symbol positions between holes or groups of holes. Additionally, a least one hole is never recorded at a predetermined boundary symbol position. This "empty" symbol position permits symbol position dimensions to be reduced while maintaining good read margins to provide high density recording.

Abstract: Sampled servo data comprising one pit centered on a track and two pits spaced 1/4 track pitch from track center on opposite sides thereof provide for two sinusoidal tracking signals, one radially phase offset from the other by 90 degrees. A first tracking signal derived from subtracting the signals of the offset pits has a zero crossing at track center and is used by the servo system for tracking. Its derivative is used for damping. A second tracking signal derived from all three pits has maxima at track centers and is therefore 90 degrees out of phase with the first tracking signal. This second signal provides track crossing information, and when used in quadrature with the first tracking signal, provides information about the radial direction of crossing. The second signal also provides a control signal for inverting the damping signal while between tracks when the derivative of the first tracking signal would ordinarily be negative and provide for negative damping.

Abstract: The read signal input to the phase lock loop, which tracks the prerecorded clock of an optical disk digital recording and playback system, is first filtered using a comb filter to reduce effects caused by the loss of the prerecorded clock signal due to data holes which erase the prerecorded clock and cause relatively large and long lasting, unipotential read signals.

Abstract: A blanking circuit used with an optical recording disk system for eliminating the effect of far field shift during high laser power writing on a disk. The circuit provides a differential output one-shot that is fired for a time long enough for write pulse transients to be gone from photo diodes in a light detector before the circuit switches are returned to a read mode.

Abstract: A read channel for an optical recorder. Data is recorded on the media in a fixed block code. The data is read and the location of the holes within a symbol are determined for the odd and even symbol positions separately. The location of the hole is determined for an odd or an even hole by using two sample and hold cells to hold the signal value received at a symbol position and compare it to the signal value received at a previous position. If the comparison results in a new higher valued signal being found, the output of the comparator changes. If the output of the comparator changes, the address of the change is recorded. The last such change denotes the location of the symbol position having the highest signal value, which is the address of the hole. The address of the holes, even and odd, are used to directly convert from the fixed block code to binary. Two symbols convert to 8 binary bits.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for detection of write protect data written on an optical disk by simultaneously reading the data during writing using differential detection and disabling further writing if write protect data is present. The write protect data is the same format as other data written on the optical disk and is written as the first byte of data on all data fields. The data is written in a fixed-block format defining a symbol having a predetermined number of symbol positions and a predetermined number of holes which may be written at the symbol positions, an equal number of holes at odd and at even positions. The write protect symbol has holes written at symbol position numbers two and five. During the writing of a write protect symbol, the laser is operated at read power before it is operated at write power and a signal associated with the hole associated power of the reflected beam is sampled at position number eight of the previous symbol and at position number one of the write protect symbol.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for verifying data written on an optical disk by simultaneously reading the data during writing and using differential detection to verify that the data has been written correctly. The data is written in a fixed-block format defining a symbol having a predetermined number of symbol positions and a predetermined number of holes which may be written in the symbol positions, an equal number of holes in the odd positions and in the even positions. In this regard, the holes written in the odd positions are independently verified from the holes written in the even positions. Immediately after the laser has been operated at write power, it is returned to read power and a signal associated with the hole associated power of the reflected beam is sampled. This signal is compared to the signal power generated at the previous even or odd position. The highest signal is retained and compared to the next even or odd position's signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sector mark decoder for an optical recorder. Sector marks are prerecorded on the optical recording surface and comprise a series of evenly spaced marks. Data is recorded on the media in a fixed block code via holes burned into the optical recording surface. Both sector marks and data are detected by common apparatus, but are distinguished from each other by their different recording format. The location of a hole or a prerecorded mark is determined by comparing two sample and hold cells in a comparator. One holds the read signal value received at one disk position and compares it to the signal value held in the other sample and hold cell received at the previous position. If the comparison results in a new higher valued signal being found, the output of the comparator changes. The new higher valued signal is retained and the other sample and hold cell samples at the next disk position. This sequence continues until a sector mark has been decoded.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital information including a coding arrangement, a transfer medium, for example a record carrier, and a decoding arrangement.In the coding arrangement the digital information is received as groups of input words which are encoded to form code words, each code word corresponding to an input word. Each code word has a time duration equal to s.tau..sub.O and each is assembled from M subgroups G.sub.m of I signal positions t.sub.mi spaced by equal time intervals .tau., where m is a number from 1 to M, inclusive, corresponding to a subgroup G.sub.m and i is a number within each subgroup G.sub.m from 1 to I inclusive. In each subgroup G.sub.m, k of these signal positions t.sub.mi are always occupied by a signal which is distinguishable from the signal in unoccupied positions, where k is an integer smaller than I (1.ltoreq.k.ltoreq.I-1). The first positions of the subgroups G.sub.m are located at mutually different time intervals .epsilon..sub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for recording information on a disc-shaped record carrier body with a single beam of radiation. The record carrier body is provided with a servo track which preferably exhibits a phase structure and which contains a multitude of sector addresses each associated with a portion provided with a radiation sensitive layer. Before the information is recorded, the beam is switched to a low, read level and the desired address is located. Simultaneously, the radial position and tangential speed of the radiation spot and the focusing of the radiation beam are checked. Once the desired address is located, the beam is switched to a higher, write intensity and the information is recorded on the radiation sensitive layer of the portion associated with that address. During recording, the radiation returning from the record carrier can be used to check whether the information is recorded correctly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for reproducing digitally coded information recorded on a disc-shaped record carrier in the form of optically detectable, unit information areas arranged in accordance with a concentric or spiral track pattern. The apparatus comprises a filter which is tuned to a frequency f=V/L, V being the nominal tangential speed of the record carrier and L the nominal center-to-center distance of said unit areas. This frequency component has a frequency equal to twice the bit frequency of the coded information and is situated at a zero point of the power spectrum of said information, so that the extracted signal may be employed for the generation of a clock signal.