Abstract: In a disk drive for compensating the tilt between a disk including a first identification information area shifted radially outward by a predetermined distance from the center of a track, and a second identification information area shifted radially inward by the same distance, and a head for forming a light spot on the disk, there are provided a unit for determining a sum signal of an output signal from a photodetector obtained when the light spot traces the first identification information area and an output signal obtained when the light spot traces the second identification information area, and a tilt control unit for using the sum signal as an index to control the relative tilt between the disk and the head so as to cause the index to approach an extreme value.

Abstract: In a video/audio information recording/playback apparatus and method for recording programs in a recording medium in accordance with reservation information, and reproducing the recorded programs, attribute information for grouping a plurality of programs recorded according to reservation information is added to each of the programs recorded according to the reservation information. In addition, the number of programs constituting a unit of processing is set, and information representing the above-mentioned number of programs is recorded together with the program recorded according to the reservation information. A new program is recorded, while preserving the previously recorded program or programs, until the number of recorded programs belonging to the same group reaches the above-mentioned number of programs constituting the unit of processing. After that, a new program is recorded in replacement of an old program of the same group.

Abstract: In an optical information reproduction method and apparatus with a tracking servo system using a tracking error signal in the phase difference method, the effect of the offset which varies depending on the pit depth and the lens position can be corrected and a tracking error detecting means free from the offset can be obtained. To this end, the phase comparison means are made to receive a certain set of input signals during the offset correction, and a different set of input signals during the tracking error signal detection. The offset in the tracking error signal which varies depending on the pit depth and the lens position is obtained as a voltage value, and through repeated learning control, this offset is corrected.

Abstract: In an optical information reproduction device for reproducing information from an optical disk medium on which an identification information area including first identification information shifted radially outward with respect to the center of a recording track by a specified distance and second identification information shifted radially inward with respect to the center of a recording track by a specified distance, and a user information area disposed along the center of a recording track are disposed, information is reproduced using a sum signal and a difference signal of the outputs from a split photodetector having at least two light-receiving parts disposed on opposite sides of a track tangential line. The first or second identification information signal is inverted and the direct-current component in the identification information signal and the user information signal are removed.

Abstract: In optical disk having a track formed of groove tracks and land tracks connected every revolution to form a single spiral, each revolution-of the tracks is divided into sectors, each having identification signal region at the head of the sector, and the identification signal regions in tracks adjacent to each other are aligned in the radial direction. Prepits are formed in the identification signal region, on an extension of a boundary between groove and land tracks adjacent to each other. The prepits have a width substantially equal to the width of the grooves. The identification signal including address information of the sector. The polarity of tracking error signal is detected at the identification signal region of the recording sector, and whether the recording sector is in a groove track or land track is determined based on the polarity of tracking error signal.

Abstract: A recording device for recording information upon optically modulated overwritable magneto-optical recording medium including four magnetic layers first records DC "1" and then a test signal at high and low recording laser power levels upon a test track of the recording medium. The high and low recording laser power levels are successively modified to scan a two-dimensional region of the high and low recording laser power levels, and the optimal high and low recording laser power levels are determined on the basis of the reproduction signal levels corresponding to respective combination of high and low recording laser power levers. The reproduction signal levels are represented upon the .alpha.-K plane which is divided into six characteristic regions, The optimal combination of high and low recording laser power levels is determined as a representative point within the region of correct reproduction with a predetermined allowance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for improving accuracy of recording and reproducing information onto and from a magneto-optic recording information medium. In the first method, a width of a mark formed by a relatively low intensity light beam between two kinds of light beam intensities used for recording information is made larger than a sum of a track land width and the maximum track offset of the light beam, thereby the mark formed by the relatively low intensity light beam covers the track land portion in its full width. In the first apparatus, a reflected light beam from the magneto-optic recording information medium is split into a reflected beam for information reproducing and a reflected beam for tracking and focusing servos at the reproducing, thereby the apparatus can remove part being affected by the track groove portion from the reflected light beam for information reproducing.

Abstract: This digital data reproducing apparatus is adapted to prevent reproduction errors of data, wherein a read gate opened when a fixed pattern in a header field for phase locking is detected is kept opened until the data reproduction in a data field is completed, whereby the phase locking in the data field is performed still in the same low-speed mode as when the PLL pull-in is completed in the header field, with the responding ability lowered to defects such as voids or the like in the phase locking pattern area in the data field.This digital data reproducing apparatus is adapted to prevent reproduction errors, wherein, when a reproduced data in a data field is locked, a read gate is opened after a fixed pattern recorded for phase locking is surely detected, so that the phase locking is started in a high-speed mode, while avoiding erroneous operations of the PLL.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for improving accuracy of recording and reproducing information onto and from a magneto-optic recording information medium. In the first method, a width of a mark formed by a relatively low intensity light beam between two kinds of light beam intensities used for recording information is made larger than a sum of a track land width and the maximum track offset of the light beam, thereby the mark formed by the relatively low intensity light beam covers the track land portion in its full width. In the first apparatus, a reflected light beam from the magneto-optic recording information medium is split into a reflected beam for information reproducing and a reflected beam for tracking and focusing servos at the reproducing, thereby the apparatus can remove part being affected by the track groove portion from the reflected light beam for information reproducing.

Abstract: A laser power measuring jig is adapted for use in measuring a laser power of a laser beam which is emitted from an optical head of an optical disk unit which records and/or reproduces information on and/or from a medium. The laser power measuring jig supplies power information related to the laser power of the laser beam to a power meter which measures the laser power. The laser power measuring jig includes a main jig body which has a size and a shape which are approximately the same as those of the medium, and this main jig body is loaded into the optical disk unit. The laser power measuring jig also includes a mechanism for outputting the power information outside the optical disk unit and supplying the laser power information to the power meter when the main jig body is loaded into the optical disk unit.

Abstract: In an optical disk apparatus for recording information in pits formed on an optical disk by projecting a light beam onto the optical disk and heating an area of the optical disk corresponding to the pulse pattern of the information, the pulse pattern of the information to be recorded is discriminated, and on the basis of the discriminated pulse pattern, the timing to start on and end the emission of the light beam from the light source to the optical disk is modified, or the number of emissions and the duration of each emission is controlled so that the pattern of the pits are corrected to the shapes that ensure accurate regeneration of the information.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the present invention sequentially fixes the wavelength of a light beam irradiated from a light source whose oscillation wavelength sequentially varies to a plurality of different wavelengths to a recording medium to required wavelengths each capable of forming a hole at absorption spectrum of the recording medium, synchronizes timing of change of the wavelength of the light source with timing of recording or regenerating each bit of information, records the optical hole formed in a manner that each bit of information corresponds to the wavelength varying in sequence, and detects the formed hole to regenerate information.

Abstract: When recording, reproducing or erasing data signal by illuminating a recording medium surface with a condensed light spot, a tracking sensor signal or a focusing sensor signal is detected from light reflected from the recording medium surface. The detected signal is subjected to current-to-voltage conversion, and the current-to-voltage conversion gain is switched by estimating reflected light power from the recording medium surface.

Abstract: A recording medium drive apparatus has a first detector for detecting tracking information and a second detector for detecting focusing information when magnetization information and pit information recorded on an optical disc are reproduced and detected. This apparatus also comprises a preamplifier having the function of selecting by a control signal either a mode for adding and amplifying output signals of the first and second detectors by utilizing a predetermined gain or a mode for subtracting and amplifying those output signals by utilizing another predetermined gain, of unconditionally selecting the polarities of the added and subtracted amplification signals by means of the control signal, and of selectively outputting signals V.sub.i (i=1, 2, 3, 4).