Abstract: A method for forming an optical disc includes forming a first disc portion, forming a second disc portion, coupling the first disc portion to the second disc portion, wherein forming the first disc portion includes forming a data recording layer, and wherein forming the second disc portion includes forming a material layer including a plurality of embossed features having a depth of approximately ¼? for optimized encoder compatibility, where ? is the wavelength of a light source being used to sense the embossed features.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determining the location of a plurality of laser spots, comprising: determining a first distance of a first laser spot; determining a second distance of the first laser spot; determining a first distance of a second laser spot; determining a second distance of the second laser spot; and adjusting, if necessary, the locations of the first and second laser.

Abstract: A method for detecting and optimizing the quality of a mark made by a laser on a recording medium, comprising (a) recording a test mark at a selected level of laser power and a selected speed of movement of the recording medium, (b) measuring at least one dimension of the test mark, (c) comparing the at least one dimension of the test mark to a stored reference value for at least one reference dimension, and (d) determining whether the at least one dimension of the test mark is comparable to the at least one dimension of the stored reference value.

Abstract: A method of compensating for output variations in laser power output over time in a system using a laser to record visible marks on an optical disc, the method comprising (a) applying a test light beam from the laser to the optical disc to determine a test value of an optical parameter, (b) determining a difference between the test value and a predetermined reference value for the optical parameter, and (c) adjusting the laser power output to compensate for the difference.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on a computer-readable medium are provided for calibrating a laser power in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment, a plurality of marked segments of a calibration pattern are created on a label surface of an optical disc with a laser in the optical disc drive. The marked segments are created by the application of assorted quanta of radiant energy from the laser. The reflectivity of the marked segments is measured. Ultimately, the laser power of a laser in the optical disc drive is set for writing a label based upon the reflectivities measured for each of the marked segments for each quantum of radiant energy.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on a computer-readable medium are provided for calibrating a laser power in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment, a range of reflectivity of an optical disc in the optical disc drive is established. A calibration pattern of marked segments is written to the optical disc and the reflectivity of the marked segments is measured. An average reflectivity is generated for each one of a plurality of laser power settings within the range of reflectivity, thereby obtaining a curve that depicts the average reflectivity with respect to the laser power settings. The laser power setting at a knee of the curve is identified and a slope of the curve at a position on the curve where the average reflectivity decreases as the laser power settings increase is determined. The laser power setting is calculated that results in a predefined darkness based upon the laser power setting at the knee and based upon the slope.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and programs embodied on a computer-readable medium are provided for calibrating a laser power in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment, a range of reflectivity of an optical disc in the optical disc drive is established. A calibration pattern of marked segments is written to the optical disc and the reflectivity of the marked segments is measured. An average reflectivity is generated for each one of a plurality of laser power settings within the range of reflectivity, thereby obtaining a curve that depicts the average reflectivity with respect to the laser power settings. The laser power setting at a knee of the curve is identified and a slope of the curve at a position on the curve where the average reflectivity decreases as the laser power settings increase is determined. The laser power setting is calculated that results in a predefined darkness based upon the laser power setting at the knee and based upon the slope.

Abstract: Various methods and systems for laser calibration are disclosed.

Abstract: For at least some layers of a number of stacked layers of an optical disc that correspond to different colors, an optical beam is selectively impinged on a region of the optical disc. The optical beam has a wavelength to which the layer is uniquely sensitive as compared to other of the layers, to sufficiently heat the layer so as to cause the region to change from at least substantially translucent to a color to which the layer corresponds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visually marking a recording medium by inducing a phase change in a light-sensitive surface by heat absorption from laser radiation. The method includes applying the laser radiation to a desired portion of the light-sensitive surface according to a first power profile for a first period sufficient to substantially obtain a color change at the desired portion, and applying the laser radiation to the desired portion of the light-sensitive surface according to a second power profile for a second period sufficient to complete the color change at the desired portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for write protection of rewritable compact disks and digital video disks. A Power Calibration Area is covered to prevent the drive laser from completing a calibration procedure. In one embodiment, the disk has an indented area formed around the central hole in the disk. A ring shaped plug is inserted into the indented area, with an extended surface that covers the calibration area. In an alternative embodiment, an adhesive label, ink, dye or paint is used. In still another alternative embodiment, the calibration area is mechanically abraded to provide permanent write protection. Finally, the laser in the drive may be used to darken, damage or destroy the calibration area or a transparent label over the calibration area, for permanent write protection.

Abstract: A scalable and portable disc player or recorder for containing and transferring audio, video or computer data to and from an optical disc of various sizes. The casing of the disc player provides a case scaling mechanism having a set of pivotal wings and slidable sleeves that can be adjusted to accommodate various optical disc sizes. This same process changes the structural size of the disc player casing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the attachment of latency-intolerant devices, such as CD-RW devices to a well supported high bandwidth interface on a host computer. A preferred high bandwidth interface is the Universal Serial Bus (USB) which is commonly installed in personal computers manufactured in the late 1990's. A need for both high pre-allocated bandwidth makes use of the Isochronous transfer mode desirable for communication with CD-RW and other devices requiring continuous data transmission. One of a range of data reliability mechanisms is preferably implemented on the connection to the USB to ensure accuracy in data transmission to the various devices connected to the USB.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method for defragmenting a storage media, wherein the storage media has a limited number of direct overwrites. The method comprises determining an amount of fragmentation of the medium, calculating an ideal transfer time by dividing a size of selected data with a maximum data transfer rate of a device that uses the storage medium, determining a data transfer time associated with the selected data, dividing the data transfer time by the ideal transfer time to form an amount of fragmentation, and initiating defragmentation operations for the selected data when the amount of fragmentation exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of automatically configuring a computer peripheral device as a primary device or as a secondary device. There are four possible cases: (1) no other device present, (2) legacy primary device present, (3) legacy secondary device present and (4) second unconfigured jumperless device present. In each example embodiment, the host computer determines whether any legacy devices are present by sending commands that are ignored by unconfigured jumperless devices. If a legacy device is present, the host computer sends a command recognized only by an unconfigured jumperless device commanding the particular configuration for the jumperless device. In a first example embodiment, jumperless devices assert a signal after reset with a timing that is dependent on an electronically readable identification on the device. For case (4), the first device to assert the signal becomes the secondary device.

Abstract: A system and method for data error recovery uses a plurality of error correction routines in an attempt to provide data that can be used by the end user. In some situations the user is prompted for additional information and in some situations the data is provided with the errors highlighted. This system minimizes the amount of data that is unrecoverable. The system will work with CD discs or other storage media as well as with data lost by communication failures.

Abstract: Data is moved to an alternate storage location in a storage medium upon encountering a data integrity fault and the trouble location is blocked from further storage thereat. The troubled data is studied, using pattern recognition, in an attempt to determine if the data fault has resulted from a temporary or permanent fault condition. If a temporary condition is determined, the user is given an opportunity to correct the error condition. Upon correction, the data is returned to the trouble location for storage and the block on that location is removed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when data stored in a data storage device is becoming unreliable. A list of trigger events is maintained, either on the media, or on a host processor, and the number of trigger events pertaining to data retrieval errors is also maintained either on the disc media or on the host processor. Based upon the trigger events and the running totals, the disc media is scanned for errors from time to time and the error detecting algorithm can change depending upon the respective trigger totals.

Abstract: A method of formatting rewritable compact optical disks. In some example embodiments, a disk is initially partially formatted for immediate useability, and then additional incremental formatting is provided until the disk is completely formatted. The additional formatting may take place while a drive is off-line. In one embodiment, data is written to an unformatted disk with data writing and formatting taking place simultaneously. In various example embodiments, lead-in and lead-out areas may be written first with nothing in between or lead-in and lead-out areas may optionally written only if needed.

Abstract: A carrier, for use in installing electronic devices, for example, computer peripherals, into an enclosure, includes an actuator. In a specific example embodiment, the actuator is a sliding cam plate. During insertion of the carrier into the enclosure, the cam plate extends beyond a cosmetic bezel of the electronic device. The carrier is inserted into an enclosure until the device bezel is flush with the front of the enclosure. Then, pushing the cam plate inward causes compressible pads on the sides of the carrier to be pushed outward, clamping the carrier to the sides of the enclosure. In addition, pushing the cam plate inward also causes metal surfaces to be pushed outward to contact the enclosure sidewalls for electrical grounding. Electronic devices preferably include an adapter cable.