Abstract: A function of controlling a seek in an optical disk and a transmission process block for transmitting information on the storage location of data recorded on the optical disk including defect management information indicating an alternative storage location for a defective block to a &mgr; code are provided in firmware, and a detection process block for detecting the storage location of the data recorded on the optical disk based on the storage location information and a notification process block for notifying the firmware of a request for a seek for the storage location of the data recorded in the optical disk thus detected. Therefore, in an optical disk controller for performing processes according to the CD-MRW standards, the performance of a process unique to the CD-MRW standards is improved even when a plurality of programs are executed independently of each other by a single CPU.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording and/or reproducing data on a disc using padding information, and a corresponding information storage medium. The recording method includes recording a recording unit block in which invalid data is padded in part of the block and recording padding information indicating that the invalid data is included. According to the method, a disc drive becomes able to distinguish valid data from invalid data in an error correction block such that reliability of reproduction increases and stability of the system is improved.

Abstract: A recording medium and an information storage apparatus having high formatting efficiency are provided. The recording medium and the information storage apparatus give IDs for data to be stored. In one embodiment, one ID is provided for two data areas, and no two IDs are situated in line with each other on two adjacent tracks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the partial automatic recording of parameter values for parameters, necessary for particular processes, which provide telecommunication services. A definition mask is used, from which a recording mask is automatically generated, which is suitable for the recording of the parameter values. The recording mask is process-specific and embodied such that inconsistencies with regard to the values are excluded, whereby the value of a parameter used by several processes need only be input once.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus, which is capable of acquiring and recording data according to the residual capacity of the battery when the residual capacity is small. A recording operation is carried out such that acquired information data is temporarily written onto the memory and thereafter the information data is transferred to a recording medium to record the information data. The data recording speed of the recording medium is detected. The residual capacity of the battery is detected. The expected driving time period for which the data recording apparatus can be driven is detected, based on the detected residual capacity. The quantity of data recordable on the recording medium is calculated based on the detected data recording speed and the detected expected driving time period. The size of data to be written onto the memory is changed based on the detected recordable quantity of data.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus which can smoothly perform reproducing processing includes a detection unit, a fore-control unit, and a post-control unit. The detection unit detects information in VOBU unit which includes NV_PCK and contents information in a plurality of chapters. The fore-control unit obtains one VOBU according to a reproducing direction, and writes absence of an address in a reserve area of NV_PCK to store the absence of the address with the contents information in a buffer when an address according to a current reproducing magnification is absent in NV_PCK. The post-control unit reads out NV_PCK, and recognizes NV_PCK as an end position of the chapter to direct readout of the next chapter to the fore-control unit when the address is absent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for adjusting the rotational speed of a disk player based on a calculated variable. The method increases or decreases the rotational speed of the disk player depending on whether the calculated variable is greater or less than one or more thresholds.

Abstract: A device for recording information on an optical disc so as to improve the recording quality of the information when a recording operation has just started. The recording device includes a luminous element radiating a light for recording information on the optical disc; a radiation intensity controller constantly controlling an intensity of radiation of the light radiated by the luminous element; a constant outputting unit providing a constant energy to the luminous element; a selector selectively selecting one of the outputs of the intensity of radiation controller and the constant outputting unit; wherein, the selector selects the output from the constant outputting unit during a predetermined duration from a starting time of recording the information on the optical disc, and selects the output from the intensity of radiation controller afterward.

Abstract: A device for recording information on an optical disc so as to improve the recording quality of the information when a recording operation has just started. The recording device includes a luminous element radiating a light for recording information on the optical disc; a radiation intensity controller constantly controlling an intensity of radiation of the light radiated by the luminous element; a constant outputting unit providing a constant energy to the luminous element; a selector selectively selecting one of the outputs of the intensity of radiation controller and the constant outputting unit; wherein, the selector selects the output from the constant outputting unit during a predetermined duration from a starting time of recording the information on the optical disc, and selects the output from the intensity of radiation controller afterward.

Abstract: An optical disc drive according to the present invention may be loaded with an arbitrarily selected one of optical discs of multiple types including a first optical disc with grooves and a second optical disc with no grooves.

Abstract: A disk reproducing device includes: disk detecting part that detects whether or not a disk storing music data stored in a plurality of directories formed in hierarchical structure is inserted into a deck section; a microprocessor that determines whether or not an operation mode is a scanning search reproduction mode and generates an instruction to start scanning search reproduction of the disk inserted into the deck section for each directory when the operation mode is the scanning search reproduction mode; and reproducing means that selects a directory from the disk on the basis of the instruction from the microprocessor and reproduces a music file at the beginning of the directory for a short time.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a plurality of optical heads corresponding to a plurality kind of disks, and a disk distinction device for distinguishing whether a set disk is a first disk or a second disk when a disk is set on a disk tray, a first disk tray conveying mechanism for the first disk and/or the second disk tray conveying mechanism for the second disk conveys the disk tray to a first tray position in which recording and/or reproducing is performed on the first tray or the second tray position in which recording and/or reproducing is performed on the second tray, according to a result distinguished by the disk distinction device, thereby, an optical head corresponding to a disk set to the disk tray is selected correctly and a recording or reproducing operation is performed on the disk.

Abstract: A method of and drive for recording medium defect management, and a defect managed recording medium. The defect management method includes: writing first state information that specifies that an update cycle of a temporary defect management structure (TDMS) is open when updating of the TDMS begins, the TDMS containing information regarding temporary defect management; updating the TDMS when data is written to or read from the information storage medium; and writing second state information that specifies that the update cycle of the TDMS is closed, when the updating of the TDMS is completed.

Abstract: A defect area management system for an optical storage medium including a management part producing a defect area management signal for real-time processing and transmitting the signal along with data to be written; and a write part executing a defect area management of the optical storage media, writing the data, applied by the defect area management signal from the management part, into the optical storage medium so that whenever a light pickup meets a defect block at the time of writing data requiring the real-time processing into the optical storage medium, it does not have to be moved to the spare area, thus reducing the time it takes to move the light pickup and removing shortcomings of the real-time processing.

Abstract: A recording method for use by an apparatus and/or which is encoded on a computer readable medium includes selecting a defect management on mode or a defect management off mode that indicates whether defect management is to be performed or not while data is recorded in the recording medium, recording the data in the recording medium while defect management is performed on the recording medium, if the defect management on mode is selected, and recording the data in the recording medium without defect management, if the defect management off mode is selected.

Abstract: A method of overwriting data in a write-once information storage medium and a data recording and/or reproducing apparatus therefor. In the data overwriting method, a command to overwrite new data in a first area of the write-once information storage medium where data has already been recorded is issued. Then, the first area is considered as a defective area, and the new data is recorded in a second area. Thereafter, updated defect management information, including information about the locations of the first and second areas, is recorded in the write-once information storage medium. Accordingly, overwriting can be performed in write-once information storage media, which is incapable of physical overwriting, by using a logical overwriting technique. Thus, data recorded in the write-once information storage medium may be changed or updated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical pickup and an optical disc drive that records or reproduces data signals on or from optical discs different in specifications, such as recording density and thickness. One objective lens (17) is used for optical discs (22a, 22b) of two types that differ in specifications. The optical pickup and the optical disc drive comprise two light source sections (24a, 24b) and a lens-supporting mechanism (15). The light source sections emit two laser beams of different wavelengths, respectively. The lens-supporting mechanism (15) controls the position of the objective lens (17) in the radial direction of the discs and along the optical axis.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, which includes copy protection information for preventing illegal copying of the contents recorded on the recording medium, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing data on the recording medium.

Abstract: A storage device protection system has a disk for storing data, the disk including a disk medium and a buffer for writing data to the disk medium. The device includes: a detecting unit for detecting an operation to cut off a main power supply of the device; an access suspending unit for suspending access to the hard disk when the detecting unit detects the operation; a writing unit for writing data in the buffer to the disk medium when the detecting unit detects the operation; and a power cutoff unit for cutting off the main power supply after the writing operation of the medium writing unit.

Abstract: A recording or playback apparatus classifies privacy-related information such as information concerning an operation of an apparatus and information for identifying an operator into, e.g., an individual identification information category, playback contents information category, apparatus maintenance information category, and photographing environment information category, and controls recording, playback, display, transfer, or erase of the privacy-related information by the apparatus in accordance with the classified categories.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a high-density recording medium, such as a high-density optical disc and a recording and/or reproducing device therefor. At a transition area of the high-density optical disc allocated between a clamping area and an information area of the high-density optical disc is formed a step having a prescribed slope so that the high-density optical disc does not collide with an objective lens of an optical pickup provided in an optical disc device although the objective lens of the optical pickup is upwardly moved toward a recording layer of the high-density optical disc until it moves to the maximum working distance when the high-density optical disc, such as a Blu-ray disc, is improperly placed on a turntable provided in the optical disc device, e.g., when the high-density optical disc is placed upside down on the turntable. The thickness of the information area is smaller than that of the clamping area by the provision of the step at the transition area.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus using a solid state image pickup element, a smear amount and the total received light amount at whole image taking region of the CCD linear sensor when a light source is turned on without film, are measured and calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in an optical disk system employing a look-ahead data detection technique is described where an optimum detection is achieved with a minimum hardware complexity. In one embodiment, the boundary functions and the corresponding boundary decisions are derived for next state determination using only the minimum distance event pair for each state over the look-ahead samples, thereby reducing the detector hardware significantly relative to the Viterbi counterpart where the most likely occurring path is searched at every state. Depending on the sample quality, the limits for the boundary decisions can be programmable to combat the channel impairments like misequalzation, signal asymmetry, etc.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of recording information to an optical recording medium that is suited to achieving high data transfer rates.

Abstract: A multi pulse section 30 is generated in the mark forming portion corresponding to a mark 21 having a length nTw (n≧2), where Tw represents a reference clock cycle. The multi pulse section 30 consists of pulses of the number (n−1) each having the power level a, and pulses of the number (n−2) each having the power level b (b<a), each of which is formed between the adjoining pulses having the power level a. Further, a heat blocking pulse 35 having the power level c (c<a) is generated immediately after the multi pulse section 30. A bias section 36 having the power level d (c<d<a) is generated between the heat blocking pulse 35 and a succeeding multi pulse section 30. The bias setion 36 corresponds to a space 22. The time length tc of the heat blocking pulse 35 is: tc≧Tw. With this arrangement, information can be precisely recorded in and reproduced from a WORM type information recording medium.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for discriminating a signal from one or more mixed signals, where the mixed signal may include two or more signal components, an interpreting unit generates a plurality of multiplication parameters based on a plurality of inputs that are related to a mixed signal. A finite impulse response (FIR) filter may output a removal-target signal based on the generated multiplication parameters. A subtracting unit may then generate an output signal representing a signal component of the mixed signal by subtracting the removal-target signal from a second signal.

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 apparatus for controlling recording or reproduction includes a maximum likelihood decoding section for performing maximum likelihood decoding of a digital signal having a waveform thereof rectified and generating a first binary signal representing a result of the maximum likelihood decoding; a reliability calculating section for calculating a reliability of the result of the maximum likelihood decoding based on the digital signal having the waveform thereof rectified and the first binary signal; a jitter detection section for detecting jitter; and a parameter setting section for setting a value of a prescribed parameter which is a recording parameter or a reproduction parameter. The parameter setting section calculates a first optimum value of the prescribed parameter based on the reliablilty, calculates a second optimum value of the prescribed parameter based on the jitter, and sets the value of the prescribed parameter between the first optimum value and the second optimum value inclusive.

Abstract: Four ECC blocks are recorded in a burst cutting area of an optical disc. Each ECC block is constituted by a BCA content code of 1 byte, content data length of 1 byte, and content data of 14 bytes. Of the BCA content data, the leading 6 bits are used for application ID and the remaining 2 bits are used for block number. Disc ID is stored in the content data. Since the four ECC blocks exist, the optical disc can be managed individually by four applications at the maximum. Thus it becomes possible to manage the same optical disc by a plurality of applications.

Abstract: An optical disc recording method for superimposing sub information by displacing edges of one or more optically-readable recording marks by a minute amount on the basis of a binary sequence code, when recording main information by forming said one or more recording marks, the optical disc recording method comprising: a sequence generation step of generating a first binary sequence code and a second binary sequence code that is different from the first binary sequence code; a first displacement step of displacing one of the edges according to the first binary sequence code; and a second displacement step of displacing another of the edges according to the second binary sequence code.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, which includes copy protection information for preventing illegal copying of the contents recorded on the recording medium, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing data on the recording medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium including two or more recording layers which are capable of transmitting at a high transmittance recording light or reproducing light for performing recording/reproducing of a first recording layer (3) without having to make the thickness of a second recording film (5) positioned towards the side from which the recording light or the reproducing light enters. An optical recording medium including two or more recording layers, and which includes the first recording layer (3), the second recording layer (5) positioned further towards, with an intermediate layer (4) in between, the side from which the recording light or the reproducing light enters than is the first recording layer (3), and includes, between the above-mentioned intermediate layer (4) and the above-mentioned second recording layer (5), a dielectric layer (7) for increasing the transmittance for light passing through the above-mentioned second recording layer as the incident angle of the light becomes greater.

Abstract: A disk-shaped optical data carrier having a first surface, a second surface, a CD information layer on which CD-standard data is stored, and a DVD information layer on which DVD-standard data is stored. A first reading light which captures the CD information layer enters the data carrier by the first surface. A second reading light which reads the DVD information layer enters the data carrier by the second surface. The DVD information layer is located approximately in the middle between the first and the second surface. A CD reading light which reads the CD information layer runs through the DVD information layer. The DVD reading light which reads the DVD information layer runs through the CD information layer.

Abstract: A high-density multi-layer recording medium is provided with a first recording layer arranged within a layer of transparent material a first distance from a light incident surface of a recording medium and a second recording layer arranged a greater second distance from the light incident layer. The material forming the layer of transparent material on the recording medium typically has an index of refraction between about 1.45 and 1.70 with the first and second recording layers being arranged in an annular section of the substrate between about 63.5 &mgr;m and about 115.5 &mgr;m from the light incident surface with the separation between the two recording layer being between about 14 &mgr;m and 30 &mgr;m. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reading such recording mediums including a light source and a lens assembly arranged and configured to produce a light beam that enters the recording medium through the light incident surface and is focused on the two recording layers.

Abstract: An optical pickup includes: a first light module which records information on and/or reproduces information from a first optical recording medium having a first format, radiates a first beam having a first wavelength, and receives the first beam reflected from the first optical recording medium to detect an information signal and an error signal; a second light module which records information on and/or reproduces information from a second optical recording medium having a second format different from the first, radiates a second beam having a second wavelength different from the first, and receives the second beam reflected from the second optical recording medium to detect an information signal and an error signal; a beam splitter disposed along paths of the first and second beams and which changes the paths of the first and second beams; and an objective lens which condenses the first and second light beams to form a light spot on the first and second optical recording media, respectively.

Abstract: An optical system of an optical pick-up, which is provided with a light source that emits a light beam, and an objective lens that converges the light beam emitted by the light source onto a data recording layer of an optical disc. The optical system satisfies a condition: 0.75<d·(M−1)/(M·L)<1.0, where d (mm) represents a thickness of the objective lens, M represents magnification of the optical system, and L (mm) represents an O/I distance which is defined as a distance between an object and an image. A beam spot suitable for the optical disc is formed by the objective lens on the data recording layer of the objective lens without using a coupling lens.

Abstract: There is provided an objective lens used for at least three types of optical discs. When thicknesses of a first, second and third optical discs are respectively represented by t1, t2 and t3, t1 is 0.6 mm, t2 is 0.6 mm, and t3 is 1.2 mm. When numerical apertures for the first, second and third optical discs are respectively represented by NA1, NA2 and NA3, a relationship NA1≧NA2>NA3 is satisfied. When the first and second optical discs are used, collimated light beams is incident on the objective lens. When the third optical disc is used, a diverging beam is incident on the objective lens. The following conditions are satisfied: −0.02<f1×M1<0.02 . . . (1), −0.02<f2×M2<0.02 . . . (2), and −0.29<f3×M3<−0.19 . . . (3). The objective lens includes a diffracting structure having a first region.

Abstract: After a birefringent layer having a diffraction surface is formed on a light transmitting substrate and an isotropic overcoat layer is formed on the diffraction surface of the birefringent layer, the light transmitting substrate is formed on the isotropic overcoat layer, whereby first and second polarizing hologram substrates are formed. Between respective surfaces of the first and second polarizing hologram substrates facing each other, a light transmitting adhesive is applied uniformly, and the first polarizing hologram substrate and the second polarizing hologram substrate are adhered. Thus, a hologram coupled member in which an optical coupling layer formed as a result of cure of the light transmitting adhesive is interposed is formed between the mutually facing surfaces of the first and second polarizing hologram substrates.

Abstract: As a 1/2 wave plate constituted by laminating two wave plates, a wave plate where temperature dependence of a phase difference is reduced is provided. In a wave plate constituted by laminating a first wave plate having a phase difference &tgr;1 (deg.) and an optical axis azimuth &thgr;1 (deg.), and a second wave plate having a phase difference &tgr;2 (deg.) and an optical axis azimuth &thgr;2 (deg.), the phase difference &tgr;1 (deg.) of the first wave plate and the phase difference &tgr;2 (deg.) of the second wave plate are set to 360n+180 (n=0, 1, 2 . . . ), and an angle formed by polarization planes of incident light and emitted light is &thgr; (deg.). In this case, the first wave plate and the second wave plate are laminated so as to satisfy &thgr;1=(90+&thgr;/2)/2 and &thgr;2=&thgr;1+90&thgr;/2.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus including a first light source to emit light; light transmitting and/or reflecting units to affect the emitted light as the emitted light is transmitted and/or reflected to an optical information storage medium; and a phase shift coating layer provided on at least one of the light transmitting and/or reflecting units to change a polarization state of the emitted light.

Abstract: A magneto-optical recording head comprises a magnetic coil formed on a lower surface of a transparent substrate opposed to a magneto-optical disk. A heat sink layer is provided at the outside of the magnetic coil on the lower surface. An objective lens is supported on an upper surface of the transparent substrate. The heat, which is generated by the magnetic coil, is released via the heat sink layer to the space between the magneto-optical disk and the substrate. The release of the heat is facilitated by the air stream which is generated by the rotation of the magneto-optical disk. The heat can be effectively released from the magnetic coil without inhibiting optical characteristics of the objective lens.

Abstract: An optical disc drive with a structure that can reduce the access time to an optical disc required for information recording and reproducing. The optical disc drive includes a turntable on which an optical disc is rotatably loaded, and an optical pickup unit accessing a recording area of the optical disc to record or reproduce information, wherein the optical pickup unit includes at least two optical pickups that independently access different recording areas to simultaneously record information in or reproduce information from the different recording areas.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing head is provided with: a substrate which has a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness and which is long in one direction; a probe disposed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the substrate; a lead wire disposed on a surface of the substrate provided with the probe thereon, i.e. the lead wire disposed on a surface facing to the dielectric recording medium; and an electric conductor, i.e. a return electrode, disposed so as to surround the probe and the lead wire. The probe is covered with a conductive film as well as connected with the lead wire. Via the lead wire, a signal for recording is inputted from an external device or a signal for reproducing is led to an external device.

Abstract: The disk apparatus includes a clamp mechanism having a first adsorbent and a second adsorbent that suck each other due to a magnetic force. When a lift of a cam mechanism makes a lowering operation, the second adsorbent is pulled down and separated away from the first adsorbent. An upper inclined face and a lower inclined face of a cam body have different slopes. A cam projection provided on the lift is disposed between two inclined faces. When the cam projection is lowered to an intermediate position on the upper inclined face, the second adsorbent descends to a position where a suction force between the first and second adsorbents disappears.

Abstract: When initializing first and second information layers on a phase-change optical disk of the one-side multilayered configuration, a mistake occurs depending on thin film configuration of first and second information layers.

Abstract: An optical recording and reproduction medium in which pits corresponding to recording information are formed along a recording track, wherein auxiliary pits are formed in at least a portion of the spaces between adjacent pits along the recording track direction; when the pit depth is d1 and the auxiliary pit depth is d2, then d1≧d2 is obtained; and both edges of the auxiliary pits along the recording track direction are shaped as simple convex curves.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disc which is constituted by a substrate, a recording layer, and a protection layer and is irradiated with a laser beam from the protection layer side. The optical disc has the substrate whose diameter is greater than 50 mm, the recording layer provided on the substrate, and the protection layer which is layered on the recording layer and thinner than the substrate and on which a recording or reproducing laser beam is incident. The total thickness of the optical disc is 0.7 mm or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical recording medium by forming a light-transmitting layer employing a photo-curable resin, yet affording superior mechanical properties. The present invention also provides an apparatus for manufacturing an optical recording medium suitable for use in the above-mentioned method. A method for manufacturing an optical recording medium (1) having, on a supporting substrate (2), at least one recording layer (5) and a light-transmitting layer (7) on the recording layer (5), comprising the steps of providing an energy ray-curable resin layer on the recording layer (5), and irradiating the resin layer with an energy ray at least twice to form the light-transmitting layer (7).

Abstract: An improved bus structure for bus grounding wires is composed of several parallel arrayed bus wires in a bus structure totally enclosed with an insulation layer, and several grounding wires in the bus structure are formed integrally in one piece with the bus structure together with the bus wires by extrusion process so as to skim on a further extra process to follow thereby saving the overall production cost.

Abstract: A method for estimating a transmission channel from a multicarrier signal transmitted through said transmission channel, comprising real pilot symbols and so-called pure imaginary pilot symbols, consists in selecting one or several values zk of the received signal corresponding respectively to one or several real pilot symbols, and one or several values zl of the received signal corresponding respectively to one or several pure imaginary pilot symbols. The pilot symbols are sufficiently close both in frequency and in time such that it can be assumed that the fading of the signal through the transmission channel has a complex value &agr; substantially identical for the symbols. An estimated value {circumflex over (&agr;)} of &agr; for the pilot symbols concerned is then determined by minimizing a least square equation involving the values zk and the values zl.