Abstract: A semiconductor memory device with adjustable I/O bandwidth includes a plurality of data I/O buffers connected one by one to a plurality of I/O ports, a switch array including a plurality of switches for connecting the plurality of data I/O buffers to a plurality of sense amplifier arrays, and a switch control unit for receiving external control signals to control the data I/O buffer and the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A memory device and a test method thereof enable verification of fail of a cell region by intercepting bit lines connected to the cell region in a write-verify-read test. The memory device comprises a plurality of bit line switches and a separation control unit. The bit line switches connect the bit lines of the bit line sense amplifier to those of the selected cell array in response to a bit line separation control signal in a normal mode, separate the bit lines of the bit line sense amplifier from those of the unselected cell array, and separate the bit lines of the bit line sense amplifier from those of the cell array in response to the bit line separation control signal in a test mode. The separation control unit disables the bit line separation control signal in response to a test mode signal in the test mode.

Abstract: A digital multilevel non-volatile memory includes a massive sensing system that includes a plurality of sense amplifiers disposed adjacent subarrays of memory cells. The sense amplifier includes a high speed load, a wide output range intermediate stage and a low impedance output driver. The high speed load provides high speed sensing. The wide output range provides a sensing margin at high speed on the comparison node. The low impedance output driver drives a heavy noisy load of a differential comparator. A precharge circuit coupled to the input and output of the sense amplifier increases the speed of sensing. A differential comparator has an architecture that includes analog bootstrap. A reference sense amplifier has the same architecture as the differential amplifier to reduce errors in offset. The reference differential amplifier also includes a signal multiplexing for detecting the contents of redundant cells and reference cells.

Abstract: A fuse circuit according to the present invention uses an electrically writable fuse circuit and comprises a first fuse unit provided with a first electrically writable fuse, and a second fuse unit provided with a second electrically writable fuse, and the state of logical add of the states of the first and second fuse units is used as the output of the electrically writable fuse circuit in the first and second fuse units. Reliability in writing in of the fuse can be improved by using such a fuse circuit for a redundancy decoder circuit or the like.

Abstract: An electronic control device includes: a microprocessor that operates using electricity supplied from a battery through a switch operated in conjunction with an ignition switch, and a main power circuit; a volatile memory for temporarily storing data to be updated, the memory being operated using electricity supplied through the main power circuit, the electricity being also supplied from the battery constantly through an auxiliary power circuit as a backup power supply; an initial start signal generation unit for generating an initial start signal indicating that the ignition switch is turned on for the first time after electricity is supplied from the battery to the memory through the auxiliary power circuit; and a volatile memory initialization unit for initializing the memory according to the initial start signal when the ignition switch is turned on for the first time after electricity is supplied to the memory.

Abstract: A memory system includes a master device, such as a graphics controller or processor, and an integrated circuit memory device operable in a dual column addressing mode. The integrated circuit memory device includes an interface and column decoder to access a row of storage cells or a page in a memory bank. During a first mode of operation, a first row of storage cells in a first memory bank is accessible in response to a first column address. During a second mode of operation, a first plurality of storage cells in the first row of storage cells is accessible in response to a second column address during a column cycle time interval. A second plurality of storage cells in the first row of storage cells is accessible in response to a third column address during the column cycle time interval. During a third mode of operation, a first plurality of storage cells in a first row of storage cells in a first memory bank is accessible in response to a first column address.

Abstract: An information management device and method, an information processing device and method, a recording medium, and a program that allow the provision of optimum content to each individual user are provided. In a Pochara service server 9, a matching is executed between the feature information of music selection Pochara and the feature information of the user of a personal computer 22 updated in response to the replies to questions asked by a music selection Pochara, thereby selecting a music selection Pochara which is optimum to the feelings of the user of the personal computer 22 at that time. On the personal computer 22, the image of the selected music selection Pochara is displayed and music content is selected by this music selection Pochara. The present invention is applicable to various kinds of devices such as personal computers that have a communication capability and a display capability.

Abstract: A high density memory card assembly having application for USB drive storage, flash and ROM memory cards, and similar memory card formats. A cavity is formed through a rigid laminate substrate. First and second digital memory devices (e.g., TSOP packages or bare semiconductor dies) are located within the cavity so as to be recessed relative to the top and bottom of the substrate. The recessed first and second memory devices are arranged in spaced, face-to-face alignment with one another within the cavity. The first and second memory devices are covered and protected by respective first and second memory packages that are located on the top and bottom of the substrate. By virtue of the foregoing, the memory package density of the assembly can be increased without increasing the height or area consumed by the assembly for receipt within an existing external housing.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically saving the contents of volatile memory in a data processing device on power failure. A secondary power supply is provided, which upon failure of the primary power supply supplies power long enough for all modified information stored in volatile memory to be written to a non-volatile memory device such as NAND flash in an AutoSave procedure. In the preferred embodiment modified sectors in volatile memory are flagged, and only modified sectors with a directory list are written to non-volatile memory during the AutoSave procedure.

Abstract: A phase-changeable memory device includes a substrate having a contact region on an upper surface thereof. An insulating interlayer on the substrate has an opening therein, and a lower electrode is formed in the opening. The lower electrode has a nitrided surface portion and is in electrical contact with the contact region of the substrate. A phase-changeable material layer pattern is on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode is on the phase-changeable material layer pattern. The insulating interlayer may have a nitrided surface portion and the phase-changeable material layer may be at least partially on the nitrided surface portion of the insulating interlayer. A nitride layer may be formed on the insulating interlayer. The lower electrode may have a nitrided surface portion and the phase-changeable material layer may be at least partially on the nitrided surface portion of the lower electrode. Methods of forming phase-changeable memory devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixing device for the mixing of quantities of ingredients, said device including a flexible sheet bounded by edges; said sheet formed into a basin having a base portion and side portions; said side portions formed by upwardly folding outer portions of said sheet; adjacent sides portions meeting to form respective corners at which said sheet is gathered to form respective pointed formations; each of said respective pointed formations attached to a corresponding handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides means of enhancing the acoustic attenuation and vibration damping of a material by (1) embedding a plurality of small particles of either a high characteristic acoustic impedance or a low characteristic acoustic impedance or combinations of high and low characteristic acoustic impedance materials to form a matrix material to act as a acoustic attenuator or vibration damper; and (2) combing this matrix material with a second layer of a decoupling material that serves to effectively isolate the matrix material and reduce its tendency to vibrate sympathetically to the impinging acoustic energy. The mass of the resultant material may be very low while retaining excellent acoustic attenuation, vibration damping, and structural characteristics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for amplitude preserving Kirchhoff time migration. The method includes calculating estimates of the geometrical spreading terms using a constant velocity approximation. Takeoff and emergence angles are accurately calculated based on a model of velocity which varies with respect to travel time. An image can be calculated at at least one travel time using the estimated weights and calculated takeoff and emergence angles.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for creating a pressure pulse from drilling fluid within a drill string in a down hole drill collar for enabling measurement-while drilling. The device and system are designed such that primarily laminar flow exists in the area surrounding the pulser apparatus. The method associated with the reproducible and essentially noise-free pulses occurs when a pulser bell is manipulated in an upward and downward direction by a combination of the solenoid activation of a bi-directional poppet to redirect the fluid flow from the pressure reservoir to and from a sliding pressure chamber and associated upper and lower flow connecting channels. The pulse or non-pulse is converted into a digital signal uphole by a pressure transducer in conjunction with a decoding algorithm. It is then displayed to the driller and oilfield operators as useful directional and formation information that help the oilfield operator for uphole decision making regarding directional drilling.

Abstract: An underwater sounding apparatus includes a transducer transmitting an acoustic sounding beam along a plurality of directional surfaces that intersect in three-dimensions and receiving echoes returning from within a fish school using receiving beams. The transducer can form the receiving beams in directions generally along a substantially vertical planar directional surface and in directions generally along a substantially umbrella-shaped directional surface formed around the ship, the umbrella-shaped directional surface intersecting both a horizontal plane and the vertical, planar directional surface. A signal processing section calculates fish quantity information about the fish school by constructing pseudo-three-dimensional data from data obtained by the receiving beam. Also, the signal processing section may binarize the data obtained by the receiving beams and calculates an approximate value of the volume of the fish school by constructing pseudo-three-dimensional data from the binarized data.

Abstract: The anti-trip device is for a detent escapement mounted on a wristwatch. It includes a finger fixed to the arm of the balance, two columns between which the finger can pass, said columns being secured to the balance bridge, and a locking arm fixed to the outer coil of the balance spring, said locking arm being able to be inserted between said columns and said finger to prevent the balance from rotating beyond an angle exceeding its normal operating angle. The locking arm is a clamp hooked onto the outer coil of the balance spring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a domain expansion storage medium and manufacturing method with improved readout performance. The substrate of the storage medium and/or its storage layer is processed to define a predetermined shape of magnetic domains, adapted to the front of the thermal reading profile. In particular, reversed crescent shaped domains flipped in the track directions are defined. This allows improved resolution and jitter values.

Abstract: In order to promote its “xxx” signal encoding algorithm, company X offers users of a particular encoder (21) the possibility to up-load (parts of) their .xxx files to the company's website. The company's web-server (1) checks whether the received file is indeed xxx-encoded material by (i) decoding the file using an xxx-decoder (11), (ii) deriving a fingerprint (12) from the decoded signal, and (iii) awarding the owner if the derived fingerprint corresponds to one of the fingerprints stored in X's database (14). A possible award is the transmission, to the user, of metadata associated with the signal such as title, artist, lyrics, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive equalization circuit and adaptive equalization method that can perform signal processing on a small scale with good computation accuracy, and can improve the reproducing signal quality and improve the playability of abnormal signals. According to the present invention, an equalization target value (true target value) in the sampling frequency area is determined by the equalization target value generation means (104) from the signals in the resampling frequency area after phase synchronization is performed, and the tap factors of the pre-digital equalization means (102) can be adaptively computed from this equalization target value and the input/output signals of the pre-digital equalization means (102).

Abstract: A library control system includes a library device for storing plural recording media, plural host devices for requesting for an access to the recording media, and a channel switch device for controlling connection between the host device and the library device. The library device has plural drive units and a carriage unit for carrying a recording medium. The channel switch device has a logic switch for connecting plural host devices and plural drive units in accordance with a predetermined zone map, and a zone manager for setting the zone map. Each of the host devices has a zone controller for requesting the zone manager to set a zone map each time an access request is sent from the controller. The zone manager sets a zone map so that one of the plural drive units and one of the plural host devices belong to one zone and another host device does not belong to the zone to which the one drive unit and the one host device already belong.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for determining and adjusting a performance parameter of a head suspension or a head suspension assembly, such as static attitude, are provided. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a measurement probe, such as an autocollimator, and a tool head. The tool head includes a working region and an optical system that can be used to selectively deliver an adjust beam to oppositely facing surfaces of a head suspension or head suspension assembly positioned in the working region for adjusting a performance parameter. Methods of adjusting performance parameters with such an apparatus are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes: an optical disk drive mechanism disposed in a housing-shape drive case (2), the optical disk drive mechanism including an optical head (7) on which a semiconductor laser (5) is mounted, a rotary driver for driving an optical disk (8), and a transfer mechanism for transferring the optical head (7); and an agitating fan (12) for making air in the drive case (2) flow. In the optical disk device, a wind path is formed so that the air in the drive case (2) flows in a manner in which it is drawn toward an agitating fan (12) side and the drawn air is discharged toward the optical head (7) or the semiconductor laser (5) by rotation of the agitating fan (12). Therefore, a rise in temperature of the semiconductor laser (5) can be suppressed effectively, while the dust proofing is ensured.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus (1) comprises: rotating means (4) for rotating an optical disc (2); a sledge (10) radially displaceable with respect to an apparatus frame (3); a platform (20) radially displaceable with respect to said sledge (10); an optical system (30) for scanning a disc, the optical system (30) defining an optical path (80) which is substantially fixed with respect to the sledge (10) and comprising an optical element (34) which is fixed with respect to the platform (20); an optical detector (35) fixed to said sledge (10); vibration detection means for detecting vibrations caused by the rotating disc; said vibration detection means comprising radial displacement detection means for detecting a radial displacement of said platform (20) with respect to said sledge (10).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to perform a pickup feed operation and a turntable raising/lowering operation by the use of a rotatable drive source mechanism (54) for rotatably driving an optical disk including, for example, a CD while avoiding interference between an optical pickup (57) and the same drive source (54) in an optical disk device (1) for recording and reproducing a signal on the optical disk. To accomplish the above-mentioned object, a dual-purpose drive source mechanism (62, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68) generates a driving force for a pickup drive mechanism (57a) and a turntable raising/lowering mechanism (51c, 15).

Abstract: A thin-film coil include a substrate and first and second spiral coils of bifilar winding. Each of the first and the second coils includes an outer circumferential end and an inner circumferential end. The outer circumferential ends of the first and the second spiral coils are insulated from each other and individually extended to a side of the substrate. The inner circumferential ends of the first and the second spiral coils are connected to each other and extended to a side of the substrate.

Abstract: An actuator has a moving portion including an objective lens, an objective lens holding cylinder, a focus coil, and a tracking coil, a first magnetic circuit for driving the focus coil, a second magnetic circuit for driving the tracking coil, and an elastic member for supporting the moving portion. The first magnetic circuit has a pair of focus coils and a pair of focus magnets disposed symmetrically about the objective lens and the second magnetic circuit has a pair of tracking coils and a pair of tracking magnets disposed symmetrically about the objective lens. Each of the pair of focus magnets in the first magnetic circuit and the pair of tracking magnets in the second magnetic circuit is constituted of divided magnets formed of a plurality of magnets joined together.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical disk drive, which can be built very small. In order to solve cooling problems and collecting light reflected from the disk with maximum efficiency an optical disk drive is proposed comprising:—a laser diode for generating a laser beam, said laser diode being located at a fixed position in the drive,—an objective for focussing said laser beam on an optical disk,—a light guide for guiding said laser beam from said laser diode to said objective,—a detector for detecting light reflected from the optical disk, and—a movable swing arm for carrying said objective and said detector, said detector being arranged close to said objective such that the light reflected from the optical disk through said objective is detected.

Abstract: Pivoting optical device comprising a first part (15) and a second part (17) with optical means which is pivotally movable relative to the first part about a first pivot axis (19), said optical means defining an optical laser beam path (21) in the general longitudinal direction of the second part, and further comprising bearing means (23) comprising the first pivot axis and a point laser source (25) fixedly connected to the first part for providing a laser beam in the general direction of said second part. According to the invention, the laser source is located in said optical laser beam path in the general longitudinal direction of the second part, and the bearing means present an open center region (29) so that a laser beam is allowed to pass from the laser source to the second pivotally movable part.

Abstract: An optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention determines the state of recording of an optical disc on the basis of the detection period of longest pits recorded on the optical disc wherein the period is changed with the acceleration of the rotation of the optical disc until a predetermined rotation speed is achieved. This enables rapidly determining whether the optical disc is unrecorded disc or a recorded disc.

Abstract: An optical drive comprises a radio frequency processing unit, a memory, a digital signal processing unit, and a driving processing unit. The radio frequency processing unit enlarges a signal generated with an optical pickup and produces a tracking error signal and a servo signal. The memory saves a plurality of sled processing programs. The digital signal processing unit has a tracking processing module and a sled selecting module. The tracking processing module processes the tracking error signal and produces a tracking output signal. The sled selecting module selects one of the sled processing programs according to the servo signal for processing the tracking output signal and producing a feed output signal. The driving processing unit drives a coil motor and a sled motor respectively according to the tracking output signal and the feed output signal.

Abstract: A disc drive apparatus (1) comprises; a) actuator means (50) for controlling the positioning of an element (34) of a scanning means; b) error signal calculating means (111, 112) for receiving a read signal (SR) and generating at least one error (RES; e(k)); c) a state estimator (120) for receiving said error and for outputting derived signals (s1, s2, s3); d) shock detector means (130) for generating a shock indication signal (SIS); e) actuator control signal generator means (190) designed to perform sliding mode control (SMC), having at least one variable control parameter, for generating an actuator control signal (RAD; u(k)) on the basis of a second one (s2) of said derived signals; f) the actuator control signal generator means setting a first value for said variable control parameter during normal operation, and setting a second value for said variable control parameter when said shock indication signal indicates the occurrence of a shock.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a way to modify the controller of a HDD head actuator to increase the error rejection capability and suppress the wideband vibration that affects the head motion. In one embodiment, a system to suppress influence of an external disturbance to an actuator comprises a controller providing a controller output as an actuator input to drive an actuator; a feedback loop to feed a head signal at an output of the actuator back as an input to the controller to produce an error signal; and a plurality of peak filters coupled to the controller and having different peak frequencies. Each peak filter has a peak filter input including the error signal, and has a peak filter output. A supervisor module is coupled with the peak filters to selectively add or delete the peak filter output of each peak filter to the actuator input to drive the actuator.

Abstract: Optical disk systems comprising photo detectors (1) for detecting optical disks comprising amplifiers and slicers (2-5) and delay-difference detectors (6) for detecting delay differences in sliced amplified detection signals are improved by installing delaylineless delay-difference detectors (6) comprising combinatorial-logic circuits (7,8) like inverters, ORs, NORs, ANDs, NANDs and sequential-logic circuits (11-18) like SetResetFlipFlops. Without the prior art delay lines, said delay-difference detectors (6) are of a lower complexity and low costly and can be well integrated. By introducing a first pair of sequential-logic circuits (11,12,15,16) for detecting delay differences between rising edges and a second pair of sequential-logic circuits (13,14,17,18) for detecting delay differences between falling edges, both kinds of edges are being used and the influence of time-jitter is less compared to the situation where just one kind of edge is used.

Abstract: A method is described for writing an optical disc (2) having a multi-layered storage space (30) comprising at least a first storage layer (31) and a second storage layer (32) below the first layer (31). The method comprises the step of preventing a write operation to a portion of the second storage layer (32) located below a maiden portion of said first storage layer (31). In one embodiment, all blocks (40) which are physically located in the second storage layer (32) are incorporated in a defect list (DL) until a sufficiently large portion of the first storage layer (31) has been written at least once. In another embodiment, all blocks (40) which are physically located in the second storage layer (32) are covered by a system file with a predetermined name (“DUMMY”) until a sufficiently large portion of the first storage layer (31) has been written at least once.

Abstract: An AV data conversion apparatus has a verification file confirmation means (11) for reading an AV data file (101) containing AV data including video information and audio information, and a verification file (102) for the AV data file, and confirming if the AV data file and verification file mutually correspond; a plurality of stream conversion means (13) for changing the AV data to a specific format; and a conversion method determining means (12) for selecting from among the plural stream conversion means at least one stream conversion means for changing the AV data to the specific format based on verification file content.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing data in a prerecorded area of an optical recording medium, and to an optical recording medium having at least one prerecorded area in which data is stored according to the method. It is an object to propose a method for storing data in a prerecorded area of an optical recording medium using pits and lands, whereby the signal obtained from the pits and lands is compatible with a high frequency modulated groove signal. According to the invention, the pits and lands adjacent to bit cell signal transitions are arranged in a predefined manner, either in a fixed recurring sequence of pits and lands or symmetrically to the bit cell signal transitions.

Abstract: Reproduction AV data obtained from an optical disc 41 is stored into a RAM 50. An AV signal whose reproduction start timing has been controlled is outputted from the RAM 50. Breath of a viewer is measured by a sensor 61. A measured signal is supplied to a peak detecting circuit 63 through a low pass filter 62 and timing of a peak value is detected. On the basis of the detected peak value, a change point detecting circuit 64 detects a change point from an inspiratory period to an expiratory period of the breath of the viewer and forms a reproduction start signal. The reproduction start signal is supplied to the RAM 50. Reading timing of the AV signal from the RAM 50 is controlled to the timing synchronized with the reproduction start signal. By controlling the start timing of the AV information in accordance with organic information of the viewer, a situation in which the timing is synchronized with the actual performance or the breath, excitement degree, or the like upon acting can be reconstructed.

Abstract: A transfer control method is provided to enable efficient data transfer when a single optical disk device (2) is accessed by a plurality of host computers (3). The method includes: an access position obtaining step of interpreting instructions issued from a plurality of tasks provided on the plurality of host computers (3) to the optical disk device (2) and obtaining the access position of data on an optical disk (1); an access ordering step of generating an access order table for data to be read in sequence, based on the access position obtained at the access position obtaining step; a data storing step of reading the data sequentially according to the access order table generated at the access ordering step and storing the data in a data buffer; and a data transfer step of transferring the data stored in the data buffer to the host computers (3) in an operation period before the optical disk device (2) becomes ready to transfer the next data.

Abstract: A data processor includes: a receiving section for receiving a data stream including first data on a compressed and encoded video content, first time information setting the presentation time of the first data, second data on a different type of content from the video content, and second time information setting the presentation time of the second data; a separating section for extracting the first data, first time information, second data and second time information from the data stream; a first decoding section for decoding the first data and outputting it in accordance with the first time information; and a second decoding section for outputting the second data in accordance with the second time information.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing a storage system to support short data object lifetimes and highly utilized storage space are provided. With the system and method, data objects are clustered based on when they are anticipated to be deleted. When an application stores data, the application provides an indicator of the expected lifetime of the data, which may be a retention value, a relative priority of the data object, or the like. Data objects having similar expected lifetimes are clustered together in common data structures so that clusters of objects may be deleted efficiently in a single operation. Expected lifetimes may be changed by applications automatically. The system automatically determines how to handle these changes in expected lifetime using one or more of copying the data object, reclassifying the container in which the data object is held, and ignoring the change in expected lifetime for a time to investigate further changes in expected lifetime of other data objects.

Abstract: An optical system configured for optical data processing is disclosed. In one example of the system, a photodetector array is configured to obtain an image of light modulated by reflection off a data track defined on optical media. In this example, the image contains at least one framing mark and at least one data region. A post-processor is configured to analyze the image and to recognize the framing mark and data within the data region.

Abstract: An information recording-reproducing apparatus and method is provided wherein control information sequence (ADIP address) is read out based on the detection of a sync mark and whereby the recovery from the state where control information sequence cannot be restored can be quickened and the speed and efficiency of reading of control information sequence can be increased for improving readability. Data bits and sync marks are monitored for detection failure by comparing the information expected to be detected and the one actually detected. When reading of the ADIP is started by the detection of a sync mark, if a data bit detection failure is detected in one word of ADIP address and an sync information detection failure is detected when the next ADIP address is read, it can be judged to be a data bit detection failure resulting from a sync information detection failure and a sync information reread operation can be started.

Abstract: In a recording condition setting method, a plurality of setting values of record timing conditions are acquired for a number of group data conforming to a linear velocity of an optical disk, rotated by a constant angular velocity (CAV), at a record position on a recording surface where information is recorded (step 557). The plurality of setting values for the number of group data are set to the optical disk device one by one at the number of times (steps 559-567). Even if the recording speed is increased and the number of group data relevant to the record timing conditions are increased greatly when compared with a conventional disk device, the optimal record timing conditions can be always set up by using the same composition as the conventional disk device according to the recording condition setting method.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing errors when storing data on a marginal optical storage media. Write parameters for writing information to the optical storage media are adjusted to compensate in the quality of the storage media. In one embodiment of the invention, the drive uses a scan-before-burn routine to scan the optical storage media prior to writing to it, thereby determining whether or not the media has defects. This scan information is then used to determine how slow or fast the drive is capable of writing to the media. The scan can be triggered by the user at any time or may be triggered by the optical storage device if the media is not recognized by the firmware used to control the drive. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the scan-before-burn routine is implemented only after a write failure. In this embodiment of the invention, the drive control software records the optical storage media type by media ID start code when a write error is detected.

Abstract: An optical disc drive reads identification information from an optical disc inserted in the drive in a label orientation having a label side presented to the optical disc drive laser by reading codes marked at the opposing storage side in a transparent region or marked on the label side oriented to be read from the storage side. The identification information is used to determine the ability and authority of the optical disc to have a label written on the label surface. For instance, label authorization is determined from authorization information embedded on the storage side of the optical disc when the optical disc is in a storage orientation and the label authorization is saved on an associated information handling system with reference to the identification information to allow authorization to be determined when the optical disc is in the label orientation.

Abstract: A picture recording apparatus which can record a picture on a write-once medium having an element which specifies a first size on a recording area assigned to data saving in edit processing, and an element which subtracts the first size from a remaining amount of recording area in the write-once medium to calculate a second size secured for recording, characterized in that a recording size is managed using the second size as an upper limit of a recordable size, and that an editing area is secured using the first size as a lower limit.

Abstract: According to an optical disc recording control method, a drive, and a recording system of the present invention, in a drive of an optical disc, when data transfer from a host computer is interrupted while data transmitted from the host computer is being recorded in a track of the disk, the recording in the track is stopped and the recording process is switched to record data in a lead-out area, and when the recording process for the lead-out area is ended, track information (TOC data and PMA data) from the first track up to the last track is modified in accordance with the track data which has been actually recorded on the disk, and the modified track information is recorded in a lead-in area and a PMA.

Abstract: A method for writing a multi-session recordable disc. The method includes performing an immediate optimum power calibration (IOPC) in the lead-in area of each session of a multi-session recordable disc, determining a recording power for the session according to the IOPC output, and completing the session using the determined recording power. The method may be used in addition to the optimal power calibration (OPC) procedures included in the normal initialization of recordable discs. IOPC provides recording devices with an optimal recording power value obtained closer to the point of use than that obtained by conventional OPC procedures carried out at the extremities of the recordable area. Alternative embodiments of the method make accommodations for recording power variations according to disc velocity mode (CAV/CLV), recording speed, and the basis of the IOPC upon a variety of available data sources.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for determining the power of a laser beam which can determine the recording power of the laser beam so that jitter of a reproduced signal obtained by reproducing data recorded in a data rewritable type optical recording medium can be controlled within a tolerance even when cross erasing of data occurs and that the reproduced signal having the highest level can be obtained.

Abstract: A laser power selecting method includes the steps of recording an asymmetry measuring recording pattern in an optical disk trial-writing area while a laser power is being changed, reproducing a signal from the trial-writing area to calculate an asymmetry value from the waveform of the reproduced signal, determining the change rate of asymmetry from the relation between a laser power when the recording pattern is recorded and the calculated asymmetry value, and setting a laser power, at which the determined change rate of an asymmetry value is maximum, as a recording power used when recording on an optical disk.