Abstract: A navigation program is prepared for a navigation apparatus so as to be used in several different destination regions. When installing a navigation program, which is stored in a portable storage medium, into a memory device of a navigation apparatus, it is determined that a destination region of a navigation program currently recorded in the memory device is different from that of the portable storage medium. In such cases, not only the navigation program but also point registration information and contents data currently recorded in the memory device are erased; the navigation program is acquired from the portable storage medium and recorded in the memory device. Furthermore, user's setting information recorded in the memory device is erased while returning setting contents of the various functions to default states.

Abstract: In an evaluation system including a subject device under evaluation, a remote controller which operates the subject device, and an evaluation device which controls the remote controller to operate the subject device and automatically evaluates operation of the subject device, the evaluation device includes an execution unit that generates and executes a code for causing the remote controller to operate the subject device. A transmitting unit transmits the code to the remote controller. A receiving unit receives a log acquired by the subject device as a result of operation of the subject device. An analysis unit analyzes the log received by the receiving unit. A determination unit determines correctness of operation of the subject device based on a result of the analysis by the analysis unit, and causes the subject device to perform a subsequent operation.

Abstract: A navigation program is prepared for a navigation apparatus so as to be used in several different destination regions. When installing a navigation program, which is stored in a portable storage medium, into a memory device of a navigation apparatus, it is determined that a destination region of a navigation program currently recorded in the memory device is different from that of the portable storage medium. In such cases, not only the navigation program but also point registration information and contents data currently recorded in the memory device are erased; the navigation program is acquired from the portable storage medium and recorded in the memory device. Furthermore, user's setting information recorded in the memory device is erased while returning setting contents of the various functions to default states.

Abstract: A program executing device that can execute two programs produced using the same source program is disclosed. The program executing device 1 is generally composed from a processor (CPU) 2, a program memory (flash memory) 3, a storage memory (SRAM) 4, an I/O port 5, an address decoder 6, an address bus 11, a data bus 12, a read/write signal line 22, boot signal lines 31, 32 and 33, and an access object signal line 41. The address decoder 6 is adapted to send a boot signal to the storage memory 4 when the access object signal 302 is in either of 002 or 003. In this way, the program executing device 1 coverts two first address signals which are different only in their access object signals into the same second address signal. This makes it possible to reduce the capacity of the storage memory.

Abstract: An optical disc drive has a spindle motor for rotating an optical disc; an optical pick-up which can move at least in a radial direction of the optical disc; a sensor for detecting the rotation of the motor; and a spindle servo for controlling the rotation number of the spindle motor based on signals from the sensor. This spindle servo is adapted to be operated at the time of changing the rotation number of the spindle motor, e.g. at the time of changing rotation speed of the spindle motor in multiple steps given by integral multiples of 1 or at the time of changing rotation speed when the optical pick-up moves in the radial direction of the optical disc. According to this optical disc drive, it takes a relatively short time until the rotation speed of the motor reaches the target rotation speed and its rotation becomes stable.

Abstract: A program executing device that can execute two programs produced using the same source program is disclosed. The program executing device 1 is generally composed from a processor (CPU) 2, a program memory (flash memory) 3, a storage memory (SRAM) 4, an I/O port 5, an address decoder 6, an address bus 11, a data bus 12, a read/write signal line 22, boot signal lines 31, 32 and 33, and an access object signal line 41. The address decoder 6 is adapted to send a boot signal to the storage memory 4 when the access object signal 302 is in either of 002 or 003. In this way, the program executing device 1 coverts two first address signals which are different only in their access object signals into the same second address signal. This makes it possible to reduce the capacity of the storage memory.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disc drive which can detect an end portion of recorded data recorded in an optical disc loaded in the optical disc drive. The optical disc drive comprises an optical disc driving mechanism for rotating an optical disc; an optical pick-up for recording and playing back data to and from the optical disc; signal processor for processing signals read out from the optical disc through the optical pick-up; a controller for controlling at least the optical disc driving mechanism, the optical pick-up and the signal processing means, signal generating means for generating a signal of which level changes with one EFM frame as a unit in response to the presence or absence of the recorded data; and a circuit for detecting an end portion of the recorded data recorded onto the optical disc by utilizing the generated signal.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for playing back or recording and playing back an optical disc comprises a motor for rotating an optical disc, an optical pick-up having an objective lens which is actuated by servo operation, and a CPU for controlling the motor and the optical pick-up. The CPU is constructed to control the motor and the optical pick-up so that, when the rotation number of the optical disc is to be increased to a first target rotation number, the rotation number of the optical disc is provisionally set to a second target rotation number which is smaller than the first target rotation number, and the servo operation of the optical pick-up is caused to engage until the rotation number of the optical disc reaches the second target rotation number.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disc drive which can detect an end portion of recorded data recorded in an optical disc loaded in the optical disc drive. The optical disc drive comprises an optical disc driving mechanism for rotating an optical disc; an optical pick-up for recording and playing back data to and from the optical disc; signal processor for processing signals read out from the optical disc through the optical pick-up; a controller for controlling at least the optical disc driving mechanism, the optical pick-up and the signal processing means, signal generating means for generating a signal of which level changes with one EFM frame as a unit in response to the presence or absence of the recorded data; and a circuit for detecting an end portion of the recorded data recorded onto the optical disc by utilizing the generated signal.

Abstract: An optical disc drive has a function that detects an end portion of recorded data recorded in an optical disc loaded in the optical disc drive. The function is achieved by the method comprising the steps of setting a detection starting position and a detection ending position on the optical disc; dividing the number of tracks between the detection starting position and the detection ending position into more than three divided portions defined by dividing points; detecting presence or absence of the recorded data at the dividing points sequentially from the detection starting point; and determining that the end portion of the recorded data lies in a divided portion specified between the dividing point at which presence of the data is detected and the adjacent other dividing point at which absence of the data is detected.

Abstract: An optical disc drive which can play back or record and play back different types of optical discs having different reflectances includes a device for receiving light reflected from the loaded optical disc and detecting a quantity of the received light. The device includes circuits for amplifying the obtained signal at a first amplification level and at a second amplification level which is higher than the first amplification level. In order to discriminate a low-reflectance optical disc from a high-reflectance optical disc, the optical disc drive performs a first discriminating step for discriminating the type of the optical disc based on the signal amplified at the first amplification level; a second discriminating step for discriminating the type of the optical disc based on the signal amplified at the second amplification; and a third discriminating step for discriminating the type of the optical disc based on information carried by the optical disc to identify the type of the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for recording and playing back a recordable-type optical disc having a pre-groove which carries time information representing a position on the optical disc is provided with a device for compensating time information obtained from the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for recording and playing back a recordable-type optical disc includes a driving mechanism for rotating the optical disc, an optical pick-up for writing and reading data to and from the optical disc, signal processor for processing signals read out from the optical disc by means of the optical pick-up, a CPU for controlling the driving mechanism, the optical pick-up and the signal processor. The optical disc drive is further equipped with a detecting device for detecting an ATIP error and a counter for counting the number of ATIP errors. The optical disc drive counts the number of ATIP errors caused in a predetermined time based on the synchronization signal (SUBCODE-SYNC) produced by a clock provided in the optical disc drive after the synchronization signal (SUBCODE-SYNC) has been synchronized with a synchronization signal (ATIP-SYNC) obtained from a reference optical disc.

Abstract: Image-sensing apparatus using solid-state image-sensing devices, including an improved high voltage generating circuit provided in order to transfer charges stored within the solid-state image-sensing devices. The improved high voltage generating circuit generates a high voltage by adding three pulse voltages with different phases. These pulse voltages are obtained by advantageously utilizing timing pulses prepared for driving the solid-state image-sensing devices.

Abstract: An optical disc drive for recording and playing back a recordable-type optical disc includes a driving mechanism for rotating the optical disc, an optical pick-up for writing and reading data to and from the optical disc, signal processor for processing signals read out from the optical disc by means of the optical pick-up, a CPU for controlling the driving mechanism, the optical pick-up and the signal processor. The optical disc drive is further equipped with a detecting device for detecting an ATIP error and a counter for counting the number of ATIP errors. The optical disc drive counts the number of ATIP errors caused in a predetermined time based on the synchronization signal (SUBCODE-SYNC) produced by a clock provided in the optical disc drive after the synchronization signal (SUBCODE-SYNC) has been synchronized with a synchronization signal (ATIP-SYNC) obtained from a reference optical disc.