Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve utility of a magnetic disk drive in which a head is retracted if the magnetic disk drive is in a dropping state. In one embodiment, an HDC/MPU provided in a magnetic disk drive judges whether the magnetic disk drive is in a dropping state based on an output from an acceleration sensor which may detect an acceleration and performs a retraction operation of a head. After the HDC/MPU judges that a drop is occurring, the HDC/MPU detects whether the drop judgment is incorrect according to whether a shock sensor detects a shock occurrence and changes the drop judgment condition based on a detection history of detected incorrect judgments.

Abstract: A recording medium has a first area in which data encoded with a first error correction code is recorded and a second area in which data encoded with the first error correction code and data decodable with a second error correction code that is different from the first error correction code are mixedly recorded. Data that causes the cumulated value of a DC component per unit period of data reproduced from the second area to deviate is recorded in the second area.

Abstract: Six record areas for predetermined data that has been encoded and digitally modulated are formed in a data record area on a disc. The record areas have different offset compensation amounts. The offset compensation amounts allow all offset amounts that may take place in an error correction code encoder to be compensated. Thus, regardless of the offset amount generated by the error correction code encoder, encoded and modulated data that has been generated by the conventional EFM modulating system and recorded in one of the record areas securely causes DSV to deviate. Each of the record areas is set to a sufficient length that allows the effect of which DSV deviates to be recognized.

Abstract: In a data arrangement of a CD-ROM format, data in which DSV control data cannot be placed due to a restriction on the format is followed by control data of two bytes. Main data in which any data cannot be placed is followed by a special control data sequence of two bytes. As a result, after a data sequence of which it is unknown whether the start bit is plus or minus, the sign of the start bit of a diverging control data sequence preceded by the special control data sequence can be kept constant. Consequently, DSV values can be deviated in one direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal shaping circuit which is capable of shaping a returning light signal of a modulated signal whose signal level and signal length are arbitrarily varied such that it can be demodulated. The shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15 has, in advance, variation pattern information with regard to a predetermined variation pattern to be applied on a returning light signal recorded therein. The counter 13 inputs a returning light signal, counts a signal length thereof and sends a count value to the shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15. An A/D conversion 14 detects a signal level of the returning light signal and sends the detected signal level to the shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15 in a similar way. The shaped signal pattern generation circuit 15 refers to the variation pattern information and calculates an optimum signal pattern corresponding to a signal length and a signal level of the inputted, returning light signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modulated signal generator capable of carrying out signal processing at a higher speed or capable of supporting a special format and a new format with ease. A modulation processing storing unit 130 has a modulation processing program required for producing an optical disc master 320 stored therein in advance. Information data recorded in an master optical disc 310 is reproduced by an information reproducing unit 110 and is outputted to a modulation controller 120. The modulation controller 120 carries out the signal modulation processing onto the reproduced information data in accordance with the signal modulation processing program so as to generate a data stream and stores the data stream in a modulated information storing unit 140 as necessary.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve the efficiency of communication processing between a host and a storage device. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a storage device and a host. The host gives the storage device an instruction to perform specified processing, and an instruction as to whether or not a completion notification of the instructed processing is to be transmitted to the host. If the host instructs the storage device to transmit a processing completion notification, the storage device transmits the completion notification to the host. On the other hand, if the host instructs the storage device not to transmit a processing completion notification, the storage device does not transmit the completion notification to the host.

Abstract: Output data of a multiplexer 11 is EFM-modulated by an EFM modulator 12. In the EFM modulation, merging bits that satisfy run length limit conditions Tmin=3 and Tmax=11 are selected. Among them, merging bits that converge DSV are selected. A run length controlling portion 13 detects a particular data pattern that causes DSV to increase as large as a data read error takes place and controls the EFM modulator 12 so that the run length limit conditions of the EFM are loosened. As a result, an increase of DSV is suppressed. Data is reproduced from a data recording medium on which the data has been recorded in such a manner and the reproduced data is decoded. The decoded data is re-encoded so as to record it to another recoding medium. When the data pattern is re-encoded, DSV increases. As a result, data cannot be correctly reproduced from the other recording medium. Consequently, a copying operation can be prevented.

Abstract: An image magnifying circuit is made up of a frame memory 12 for storing input image data, a coefficient memory 18 in which filter coefficients corresponding to a plurality of magnification ratios are stored, a non-linear magnification controller 20 for outputting an enable signal for reading the corresponding image data from the frame memory 12 and a coefficient selecting address AD3 for reading the corresponding filter coefficient from the coefficient memory 18, on the basis of an area width w predetermined to divide a display screen into n parts and a predetermined magnification for the n parts, and a filter 14 for filtering the image data from the frame memory 12 on the basis of the filter coefficients from the coefficient memory 18 to output the image data on the image which is non-linearly magnified in a horizontal direction. These filter coefficients correspond to the magnification ratio which are set for the n parts of the display screen.

Abstract: A recording medium has a first area in which data encoded with a first error correction code is recorded and a second area in which data encoded with the first error correction code and data decodable with a second error correction code that is different from the first error correction code are mixedly recorded. Data that causes the cumulated value of a DC component per unit period of data reproduced from the second area to deviate is recorded in the second area.

Abstract: When a host apparatus transfers/swaps stored information between user sectors in a storage device for the purpose of defragmentation or the like, the storage device is allowed to perform the data transfer or swap without transmission between the host apparatus and the storage device after the command is received by the storage device; and consistency in stored information identification is maintained between the host apparatus and the storage device even if the operation is interrupted. In one embodiment, information stored in the destination user sector LBA(Y) is copied to the dummy sector LBA(D), its entry is written in the mapping table RDM, information stored in the source user sector LBA(X) is copied to LBA(Y), and then the RDM entry is erased.

Abstract: A contour emphasizing circuit which comprises a contour pick-up unit 10 for picking up a contour component HE from an input luminance signal Y, a level judging unit 15 for judging the luminance level of the input luminance signal Y, a coefficient control unit 17 for changing the coefficient in a plurality of steps depending upon a judgment signal and multiplying the contour component HE by the coefficient to output the product, and an adder 14 for adding the contour component outputted from the coefficient control unit 17 to the input luminance signal Y to output an emphasized-contour luminance signal. The coefficient to be multiplied by the contour component HE is changed in a plurality of steps depending upon the luminance level of the input luminance signal Y, and the contour component HE to be added to the input luminance signal Y is controlled to have a magnitude appropriate to the luminance level of the input luminance signal Y.

Abstract: A recording method for converting m-bit data into n-bit (where n>m) data whose run length is restricted and recording the converted data on a recording medium, the recording method comprising the step of selecting first n-bit data according to an immediately preceded n-bit data, first n-bit data immediately followed thereby, and second n-bit data immediately followed thereby so that the cumulative value of DC components per unit time becomes small.

Abstract: Data is arranged to one block obtained after a CIRC process so that a predetermined data pattern is recorded into a predetermined portion on a disc. By tracing back an encoding step of a CIRC, a layout of recording data of one block before the CIRC process for allowing the predetermined data pattern to be recorded into the predetermined portion is obtained. An error correcting process of a CD-ROM mode 1 is executed. If a position of a parity coincides with data for forming the predetermined data pattern, a value of user data of an encoding sequence to form the parity is changed. After error correction encoding of a CD-ROM is executed, encoding of the CIRC is executed to the recording data of one block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an interface circuit that is capable of reducing the power consumption, which may be increased by a shoot-through current, and provide an electronic device having such an interface circuit. In one embodiment, an interface circuit exchanges signals with another electronic device via a signal transmission line. The interface circuit includes a switch for pulling up the signal transmission line and a switch for pulling down the signal transmission line. While a pull-up or pull-down is performed, the interface circuit detects the potential level of the signal transmission line to determine whether the signal transmission line is pulled down or pulled up by the other electronic device. If the signal transmission line is not pulled down/pulled up by the other electronic device, the interface circuit exercises pull-down/pull-up control.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention control a recovery procedure effectively in accordance with write conditions. In one embodiment, the data to be written into a sector includes not only user data but also recording condition data, which indicates the temperature prevalent during a write. If a data read is not accurately performed, a recovery procedure is executed. If a data read is accomplished by a retry and the temperature prevalent during a write is lower than predetermined, it is concluded that the employed medium is nondefective. Thus, the read data is rewritten into the same sector without being stored in a spare area. This prevents the spare area from being unnecessarily consumed.

Abstract: In a data arrangement of a CD-ROM format, data in which DSV control data cannot be placed due to a restriction on the format is followed by control data of two bytes. Main data in which any data cannot be placed is followed by a special control data sequence of two bytes. As a result, after a data sequence of which it is unknown whether the start bit is plus or minus, the sign of the start bit of a diverging control data sequence preceded by the special control data sequence can be kept constant. Consequently, DSV values can be deviated in one direction.

Abstract: An additional information read/write system has an ID/additional information distributing apparatus, an ID postscribing apparatus, and a drive system. The ID/additional information distributing apparatus includes a managing unit for managing IDs postscribed to optical discs and additional information for updating content read from each of the optical discs and a distributing unit for distributing the IDs and the additional information corresponding to the IDs. The ID postscribing apparatus includes a transmitting and receiving unit and a writing unit. The drive system includes a transmitting and receiving unit for transmitting the IDs to the ID/additional information distributing apparatus and receiving the additional information, a writing unit for writing the additional information on a storage medium, and a playback unit for playing back the content updated based on the additional information from the storage medium.

Abstract: A recording method for converting m-bit data into n-bit (where n>m) bit data whose run length is restricted and recoding the converted data on a recording medium, the recording method comprising the steps of when at least preceded data is data containing a special data pattern, lightening the restriction of the run length; and recording data so that the cumulative value of DC components per unit time increase when the data is reproduced in the state that the run length is restricted.

Abstract: A method for recording data comprising: forming recording data by adding a pattern of connection bits selected from among a plurality of patterns of connection bits to the end of an m-bit data symbol, the selected pattern of connection bits causing an increase in an accumulated value of direct-current components per unit time when the n-bit data symbol is a special data symbol and is added to a data symbol other than the special data symbol, when m-bit data is converted into the n-bit data symbol (m<n) and when the pattern of connection bits is selected from among the plurality of patterns of connection bits to decrease the accumulated value of direct-current components per unit time to be added to the end of the m-bit data symbol; and recording the recording data formed and data indicating a recorded location of the special data symbol on a recording medium.