Abstract: In an optical disc having a file region and a directory region for carrying various pieces of information or data, one or more designated information can be erased by irradiating a laser light beam on a corresponding region in the file region where the light beam is modulated by a superposing writing signal which may be a d.c. or a predetermined a.c. signal. When it is intended to renew the information, designated information is first read out and stored in an external memory prior to performing superposing writing. Meanwhile, the data is renewed and is then written on an unused region in the file region. The directory of the renewed data region is also written so that the renewed information will be read out by searching the new directory. In another embodiment of the invention, the information in the file region is not erased to renew the same, but its directory is erased by superposing writing.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an optical recording and reproducing disc in which each track circumference of guide tracks formed into a concentric or spiral configuration is divided into a plurality of sectors for selective recording and reproduction of information in any desired sectors. Sector separating zones of predetermined configuration are provided at starting portions of the respective sectors, while predetermined sector marks indicating the sector separating zones are formed on an index track provided at an outer or inner periphery of the disc in positions corresponding to the sector separating zones so that, during selection of the sectors at recording and reproduction, reproduction signals by the sector marks are used for selection of the sectors, while starting of the recording and reproduction is effected by the reproduced information of the sector separating zones.

Abstract: A modulation and demodulation system for an optical data recording and reproducing apparatus is disclosed in which, in an optical disc having an optical guide track and capable of recording and reproducing optically, the guide track is divided into a plurality of data sectors and the recording or reproduction or reading is effected by data sector. The modulation system for the data field for recording the data is different from that for the identification field containing identification data such as a track address and a sector address in such a way that the identification field is reproduced at high reliability and high demodulation speed while at the same time recording data at high density in the data field.

Abstract: A system for driving a semiconductor laser which is especially adapted for use with an optical recording and reproducing device is disclosed. In the write mode the power of laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser is so raised above a threshold or critical level that the laser beam focused on the surface of a recording medium can cause physical, chemical or electromagnetical changes thereof, but in the readout or reproduction mode, the power of laser light is lowered than the threshold or critical level and focused on the recording medium. A laser light power control loop is provided which is enabled or energized only in the readout or reproduction mode, so that the laser light can be maintained at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A track searching system for an optical information recording and reproducing apparatus in which a disc-like information carrier provided with concentric or spiral guide tracks of a channel-like configuration is used as an information recording and storing means and adapted to be scanned by a light beam for recording or retrieval of information. Light flux reflected by the information carrier and presenting variable distribution of light intensity is received by paired photoelectric elements. A difference signal and a sum signal derived from the output signals from the photoelectric elements or a reproduced RF signal representative of reproduced information undergo phase comparison processing, the result of which is utilized for determining the direction and number of guide tracks traversed by the scanning light beam.

Abstract: An optical information recording and reproducing apparatus for optically recording and reproducing information on and from a disk-shaped information carrier having a guide track is disclosed. A digital track address prerecorded on the guide track is reproduced and the intensity of a recording laser beam is controlled by the reproduced digital track address so that the exposures of the recording laser beam at an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the disk-shaped information carrier rotated at a constant rotation speed are corrected to enable an optimum recording over an entire surface of the disk-shaped information carrier.