Abstract: A row of the data block which is a set of the data sector is distributed to constitute two blocks. In this case, as a distribution condition, an even-number row block of the even-number sector and the odd-number row block of the even-number sector, the odd-number row block of the even-number sector and an even-number row block of the even-number sector are obtained. Then, the block is aggregated in the transmission order, and an outer parity is scattered to each sector to form an interleaved form.

Abstract: An information storage medium (1) has tracks in which information is recorded. The tracks are formed as a groove section (2) and a land section (3). The groove section (2) has a synchronous structure in which wobbles (2a) and (2b) formed on both walls of the groove section (2) are not displaced from each other in the circumferential direction of the medium, and the land section (3) has an asynchronous structure in which wobbles formed on both sides of the land section (3) are displaced from each other. A good signal is reproduced from each of the groove and land sections.

Abstract: An address data detecting apparatus comprises a gray code detector which detects gray codes of a land address and a groove address, a converter which converts the gray codes of the land address and groove address into binary codes, a position detector which detects a data uncertain position, and an address detector which detects the address data based on a detection result of the position detector and the gray code of the land address and the gray code of the groove address that are detected by the gray code detector.

Abstract: A WDU is defined as a unit composed of a carrier of N cycles which carrier contains data depending on whether or not modulation is executed. A WPA is defined as a unit composed of a set of M of the WDUs. When the WPAs are consecutively inputted, each WDU and each WPA are detected. Further, an N period counter and an M period counter are used to obtain timing control signals for sampling the data. Then, WDU detecting means obtains a WDU synchronization detection signal PB-WDU indicative of a division point between the WDUs. WPA detecting means obtains a WPA synchronization detection signal PB-SYNC. The WDU synchronization detection signal is used to initialize the N period counter to a set value. The WPA synchronization detection signal is used to initialize the M period counter to a set value.

Abstract: A write control parameter optimizing apparatus for use in a recording apparatus for recording digital data in a recording medium, comprises means for recording random data as data packets by using different write pulse lights determined by increasing and decreasing a write control parameter, means for detecting jitter from each of reproduced data packets, and means for determining an optimal value of the write control parameter according to a detection result of the detecting means.

Abstract: A signal recording medium has a plurality of recording layers. Each recording layer has tracks for recording information. The tracks have a wobbling structure in which they are wobbled at different periods for the respective recording layers. Appropriate processing can be performed for a target recording layer by monitoring the wobbling period of the track.

Abstract: A content recording method comprises encrypting a first key by second keys to generate a first encrypted encryption key group, encrypting a content encryption key or third key used as an encryption key of the content encryption key by media identification codes to generate a second encrypted encryption key group, encrypting the media identification codes by the first key for each medium to generate encrypted media identification codes, and recording an encrypted content, the content encryption key, the first encrypted encryption key group, the second encrypted encryption key group, and the encrypted media identification codes in a medium.

Abstract: A basic data structure in a lead-in area is made coincident with each other in all of a read only type, write once type, and a rewritable type. The lead-in area is divided into a system lead-in area and a data lead-in area. A track pit and a pit pitch of pits in the system lead-in area are made longer than those in the data lead-in area. In the system lead-in area, a reproduction signal from a bit is detected in accordance with a Level Slice technique, and, in the data lead-in area and data area, a signal is detected in accordance with a PRML technique. In this manner, in any of the read only type, write once type, and rewritable type, there can be provided an information recording medium and an information reproducing apparatus or information recording and reproducing apparatus therefor, capable of a stable reproduction signal from a lead-in area of the write once type recording medium while maintaining format compatibility.

Abstract: An information recording medium in which recording information including video information is coded at a variable transfer rate and is recorded as coded information. The coded information is read and decoded in accordance with a decoding process to decoded the video information. A variable transfer rate of the coded information is set with respect to a reproducing rate in such a manner that an average rate of for each specific interval is smaller than that the reproducing rate, and a value of larger than that of the reproducing rate is permitted for a peak rate.

Abstract: An information recording method has blocking an information and adding an error correction code to the information so as to generate an ECC block, adding plural kinds of synchronizing signals SY differently arranged according to a type of an information recording medium D (FIG. 4) or plural kinds of synchronizing signals SY having a signal pattern according to the type of the information recording medium to the generated ECC block at an predetermined interval, and recording a recording signal based on the ECC block in the information recording medium, is provided. Even if the whole information of a ROM medium is illegally copied, since it is detected by the arrangement of the synchronizing signals in the reproduction that the medium is a rewritable medium, countermeasure such as abortion of the reproduction can be made.

Abstract: A burst error-correcting capability is largely improved. At least the even-number row and at least the odd-number row of the data block which is a set of data sectors are separated. An outer parity is created for each column and an inner parity is created for each row. Then, the outer parity is scattered with respect to each of the sectors of the data block to be interleaved.

Abstract: In a content management method, content data is encrypted by a first key, the first key is encrypted by plural types of second keys, the encrypted first key is multiply encrypted by a third key, and the third key is encrypted by a fourth key. These encrypted content data, a medium key which is the first key encrypted by the second key and a move key which is a first key multiply encoded by the second and third keys are recorded in a recording medium, the third key encrypted by the fourth key is recorded in a security region. This management method is managed by the move key and the medium key.

Abstract: Upon outputting an analog output of digital contents with a watermark, that watermark is embedded in the analog output. Upon outputting an analog output of digital contents without any watermark, if its copy control information indicates copy inhibition, a separately generated watermark is embedded in the analog output. As a result, a watermark is embedded in an analog output of contents to be copy-protected (even when original digital contents have no watermark). Hence, an analog output of existing contents to be copy-protected without any watermark can be protected, due to the presence of the watermark, from being illicitly copied.

Abstract: A sync pattern detection apparatus includes a sync pattern detection unit configured to detect a sync pattern from an input signal, a plurality of sync pattern protection units configured to protect the sync pattern detected by the sync pattern detection unit, a reliability evaluation unit configured to evaluate the reliabilities of a plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the plurality of sync pattern protection units, and a selection unit configured to select a sync pattern protected by a predetermined sync pattern protection unit, on the basis of the reliability evaluation of the plurality of sync pattern protection situations by the reliability evaluation unit.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus comprises an error correction unit which adds an error correction signal to a digital signal and outputs an error correction block, a modulation unit which modulates the error correction block, a random signal generation unit which generates a random signal whose run length is limited, a changing unit which changes a part of the modulated error correction block to the random signal, and an output unit which outputs an output of the changing unit to a transmission medium or a recording medium.

Abstract: As pit patterns a pattern A and a pattern B are prepared. The adjacent tracks are made to have different embossed pit patterns.

Abstract: A burst error-correcting capability is largely improved. At least the even-number row and at least the odd-number row of the data block which is a set of data sectors are separated. An outer parity is created for each column and an inner parity is created for each row. Then, the outer parity is scattered with respect to each of the sectors of the data block to be interleaved.

Abstract: A signal processing method multiplexes/arranges digital data of a specific unit to form a predetermined unit, adds an error correction code to the predetermined unit to constitute an error correction coded block, replaces a part of the error correction coded block with specific data, and outputs the error correction coded block with the specific data being replaced to a transmission medium or a recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording method for recording content information in a recording medium having at least re-readable area, comprising converting, based on a first conversion rule &phgr;1, first information including a first component for obtaining content control information, converting, based on a second conversion rule &phgr;2, second information including a second component for obtaining the first information, and writing the converted first information and the converted second information into the re-recordable area of the recording medium.

Abstract: In a signal processing system in which a data block containing encrypted main data and error correction codes is formed of symbols of M rows×N columns (M×N), one row is divided into R frames, a synchronous signal is added to each frame, data of each frame is modulated by a modulator, and the data is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted on a transmission path, an encrypted key encrypting the main data is modulated by a modulator other than the modulator of the data block signal. Copying of a recording medium, on which information for which copyright protection is required is recorded, can be easily prevented.