Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting unauthorized actions with respect to encrypted data on a media disk, the media disk including a first portion for prerecorded content and a second portion for written content. The method includes reading an identifier on the media disk, wherein the identifier includes one or more sections located in one of the first portion for pre-recorded content, the second portion for written content, and both the first portion for pre-recorded content and the second portion for written content, determining whether the identifier includes a section located in the second portion written content, comparing the identifier with one or more predetermined types of identifiers for which a section is located in the second portion for written content, and if the identifier is of a type that is one of the one or more predetermined types of identifiers, detecting an unauthorized action.

Abstract: A method for processing an analog video signal that represents a work for which rights information is asserted. The signal includes a rights assertion mark (RAM) in the video portion of the signal within the visible picture such that capture of the picture will include the mark. The signal also includes copy control information (CCI) bits in the vertical blanking interval of the signal for representing copying and redistribution rules. If the RAM is present and the CCI bits are present, then the copying and redistribution rules represented by the CCI bits are applied. If the RAM is present but the CCI bits are not, then the most restrictive copying and redistribution rules that can be represented by the CCI bits are applied.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver is provided which can prevent recording of uncopyable contents without failing to record copyable contents. A copy information detecting unit (4) detects copy control information attached to contents. A discriminating unit (5) discriminates the copyability or uncopyability. The contents recorded in a user-unreadable recording unit (6) is transferred to a user-readable recording unit (7) only if copyable.

Abstract: An information management apparatus capable of reliable management of distributed information and an information providing system employing the same information management apparatus has a main information reproducing system for reproducing main information recorded in a given recording medium; and a reproduction management system for managing the main information reproducing system for reproducing the main information. A receiver is provided with a unit for recording distributed information and control information limiting the number of main information reproducing cycles on a recording medium, and a main information reproducing system provided with a reproduction disabling function for limiting the reproduction of main information.

Abstract: A permanent magnet degausser includes at least one magnetic field generator comprising magnetic elements arranged near a media conveyance path and a conveyor for transporting magnetic media through a magnetic media conveyance path. A passive belt or protector plate may be provided to assist the passage of the magnetic media through the applied magnetic field. The conveyor may be a continuous motion conveyor belt including cleats for holding the magnetic media or a reciprocal media conveyor including magnetic storage media bin. The magnetic field generator may include permanent magnets of varying intrinsic coercivities and/or remanences.

Abstract: A rewrite determining unit acquires, for every servo frame recorded on a magnetic disk, an amplification degree, i.e., a gain of an amplifier circuit by which a read signal read from the magnetic disk is amplified to a predetermined output, determines a rewrite sector count based on the amplification degree, and performs data rewriting according to the rewrite sector count.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for implementing protected partitions in storage media. The apparatus includes a control module configured to communicate with a host and receive read/write commands for a storage device, and a protection module operating within the control module and configured to maintain a plurality of protection states for the partition and a plurality of allowable transitions between the protection states. The system includes the apparatus, a host device, and a storage device coupled with the host, the storage device including an enclosure having storage media and a control module. The method includes communicating with a host device and receiving read and write commands for a storage device having at least one partition, and maintaining a plurality of protection states for the partition and a plurality of allowable transitions between the protection states on a control module located within the storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for setting protection states of protected partitions in storage media. The apparatus includes a control module configured to receive protection state transition commands from a host for a target partition, a check module configured to verify a protection state for the target partition, and a write module configured to perform the protection state transition according to a plurality of defined allowable state transitions. The system includes a host device, a storage device coupled with the host, the storage device comprising an enclosure having storage media and a control module, and the apparatus. The method includes receiving protection state transition commands from a host for a target partition, verifying a protection state for the target partition, and performing the protection state transition according to a plurality of defined allowable state transitions.

Abstract: Provided are a method of improving a recording performance of a hard disk drive (HDD) by controlling write strength according to a flying height of a head and a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a computer-readable program suitable for the method. The method of controlling write strength of the HDD includes calculating the flying height of the head before starting a recording operation and controlling the write strength according to the calculated flying height. Accordingly, optimal writing can be performed by the write strength according to the head flying height.

Abstract: A recording density of a recording medium is set by establishing a predetermined relationship between guaranteed write/erase endurance values and recording density values for the recording medium, and then selecting a required guaranteed write/erase endurance. A recording density value corresponding to the required guaranteed write/erase endurance is determined from the predetermined relationship, and the recording density of the recording medium set based on the determined recording density value.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed including a disk having a plurality of tracks, and a head actuated over the disk. A refresh monitor is maintained for refreshing data stored on the disk. A need for a refresh operation is detected when the refresh monitor exceeds a first threshold, wherein the refresh operation is deferred based on an environmental condition.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises an extracting means for extracting main information including first copy control information and auxiliary information representing attributes of the main information from input information; a first generating means for generating second copy control information based on the auxiliary information extracted by the extracting means; and an adding means for adding the second copy control information generated by the first generating means to the main information extracted by the extracting means. As a result, even an apparatus not capable of analyzing first copy control information is capable of executing copy control.

Abstract: A media storage device which reads and writes data from and to a storage medium using a head prevents in advance data loss due to thermal relaxation of data recorded on the storage medium. Management information is created, in units of received write commands, for holding the recording areas on the storage medium of the write data and signal quality information; the management data is stored in a management table, and signal quality is measured, updated, and used in re-recording judgements, in write command units. Thermal relaxation state management can be performed in write command units; thermal relaxation processing is simple, and moreover degradation of recorded data due to thermal relaxation can be detected accurately, and data loss can be prevented.

Abstract: A process for secure distribution of digital audiovisual streams according to a standard, normalized or proprietary format including separating an original stream into two parts, transmitting the parts to addressee equipment, generating a modified main stream having a format of the original stream and complementary information with any format including digital information suitable to permit reconstruction of the original stream, and transmitting the modified stream from a distribution server via separate paths during distribution in an extended, secure multicasting mode to the addressee equipment from a secure central server passing via at least one router and at least one switch connecting the addressee equipment to the central server via at least one access point.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention prevent occurrence of a write pole erasure in the event of a power failure within a magnetic disk apparatus of a perpendicular magnetic recording system. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a recording current is flowed through a magnetic head to record data in a magnetic disk. An occurrence of a power failure in the magnetic disk apparatus is detected. When a power failure has occurred, the recording head is demagnetized with power in case of a power failure. The recording head is unloaded after the recording head has been demagnetized. For the power in case of a power failure, back electromotive force of a spindle motor can be utilized. As a result, effects exerted on data recorded in the magnetic disk due to residual magnetism remaining in the recording head can be eliminated.

Abstract: A disk drive can include a data storage disk, a head, an acceleration sensor, and a controller. The head is configured to write data on the disk. The acceleration sensor generates an acceleration signal that is indicative of acceleration of the disk drive. The controller determines when the disk drive is being subjected to a vibration condition determination. The controller can inhibit writing of data through the head onto the disk based on comparison of the acceleration signal to the threshold value.

Abstract: A process for secure distribution of digital audio streams according to a standard, normalized or proprietary format, on which streams a separation of the stream into two parts is made prior to transmission to equipment of an addressee to generate a modified main stream having a format of an original stream and complementary information including digital information suitable for permitting reconstruction of the original stream including: transmitting, by separate paths during a distribution phase, the modified main stream from a distribution server and the complementary information to the equipment of the addressee from a secure central server passing via at least one intermediate server connecting the equipment of the addressee to the central server, wherein the complementary information is defined according to a nominal structured format containing processing units which comprise logical entities with a modulatable size and wherein each of the processing units is prefixed by a heading containing information

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for writing data to protected partitions of storage media. The apparatus includes a control module configured to communicate with a host device and receive write commands for a storage device, a parse module configured to extract logical block addresses, a check module configured to verify a protection state, and a protection module configured to allow write commands according to the protection state. The system includes a host device, a storage device coupled with the host, the storage device comprising an enclosure having storage media and a control module, and the apparatus. The method includes communicating with a host device and receiving write commands for a storage device, extracting logical block addresses from the write commands, verifying a protection state of the extracted logical block addresses, and allowing write commands according to the protection state of the extracted logical block address.

Abstract: A media storage device reads and writes data from and to a storage medium using a head and prevents in advance data loss due to thermal relaxation of data recorded on the storage medium. Table stores information which is related to a read error detected by a channel circuit in record units. The channel circuit measures information which is related to a read error and updates the information in the table. Further, data degradation is judged by this information which is related to the read error. Degradation of recorded data due to thermal relaxation can be detected accurately, and data loss can be prevented.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting an audio source is disclosed. The system and method can be used to prevent the selection of a hard disk drive as an audio source if the local ambient pressure in which the motor vehicle is operating is less than a predetermined pressure. The system may obtain ambient pressure data from various different types of sensors including a barometric pressure sensor or an engine combustion sensor. In some cases, the system and method can compute the ambient pressure using global positioning system (GPS) information.

Abstract: An external unit is externally attached to a storage-medium storage device. The external unit includes a verification unit that verifies whether a storage medium that is about to be inserted in a storage slot of the storage-medium storage device is legitimate, and an open/close unit that opens the storage slot so that the storage medium can be inserted in the storage slot only upon the verifying unit verifying that the storage medium is legitimate.

Abstract: A level peak-acquiring unit acquires a peak of a signal level during a calibration wherein a heater power is increased from zero to a predetermined power. A sample acquiring unit acquires in a sampling range, a sample of a combination of the heater power and the signal level. A linear function-determining unit determines a linear function that approximates from the sample, a relation between the heater power and the signal level. Based on the peak of the signal level and the linear function, a control Touch Down Point (TDP)-calculating unit calculates the heater power corresponding to the peak of the signal level and treats the calculated heater power as a control touchdown point. Then, the control TDP-calculating unit uses the control touchdown point to convert into a linear function of the heater power and spacing, the linear function of the heater power and the signal level.

Abstract: The heads have write head elements which record data onto a disk medium capable of coping with perpendicular magnetic recording and read head elements which reproduce data. The monitored band detecting unit sets a frequency band in a range from the signal band of the write data signal to the error rate worsening band on a lower level in which the error rate worsens as a monitored band, and detects a signal in the monitored band from among write data entered into the write amplifier. The determining unit discontinues the recording operation of the write amplifier upon determination that a detection signal of the monitored band detected by the monitored band detecting unit is larger than a prescribed threshold value and outputs a determination signal from the fault terminal to generate a fault event.

Abstract: A process for secure distribution of digital audiovisual streams according to a standard, normalized or proprietary format, on which streams a separation of the stream into two parts is made prior to transmission to equipment of an addressee to generate a modified main stream having a format of the original stream and complementary information of any format including digital information suitable to permit reconstruction of the original stream, wherein a transmission is made, by separate paths during distribution of the modified main stream from a distribution server and of the complementary information to the equipment of the addressee from a secure central server passing via at least one local server connecting the equipment of the addressee to the local server via at least one access point.

Abstract: A process for secure distribution of original digital audiovisual streams including audio, video components or other data, including packetizing the original stream into packets that can be manipulated and have a flexible size, wherein each packet includes a header containing information about the packet and a useful load including part of the data of the stream, analyzing the packetized stream prior to transmission to client equipment to generate a main stream in conformity with a packetized format of the original stream, modified in that all or part of the packets were substituted by packets of the same structure, but whose content was modified, and generating complementary information with any format suitable to permit reconstruction of the original stream, and separately transmitting the modified main stream and complementary information generated from the server to addressed equipment.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drives and associated methods are described for an improved process for dissipating liquid droplets that may accumulate on a slider of the magnetic disk drive. For the droplet removal process, the slider having the liquid droplet is unloaded from the magnetic disk. For example, the slider may be unloaded from the magnetic disk and onto a ramp assembly. While unloaded from the magnetic disk, a heating power is applied to a TFC heating element in the slider to increase the temperature of the slider. The temperature is increased to a threshold temperature which dissipates any liquid droplets that may have accumulated on the slider. After the liquid droplets have dissipated, the slider may again be loaded onto the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting copy protection included in an input video signal is described. Two types of copy protection are particularly addressed, including techniques that imbed copy protection pulses and copy protection phase flips in the video signal. A method for preserving copy protection is also presented, where the input video signal is first examined to determine if copy protection has been included in the input video signal. The input video signal then converted to component video data, which removes any copy protection present. An output video signal is then generated from the component video data, and when it was determined that the input video signal includes copy protection, the copy protection is recreated in the output video signal.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for protecting a motion-sensitive device. The apparatus includes an identification module, a determination module, and a scheduler. The identification module identifies a use-intensive task involving the motion-sensitive device. The determination module determines a motion forecast that predicts a substantially motionless time interval. The scheduler schedules the use-intensive task such that the use-intensive task executes within the substantially motionless time interval. In this manner, a historical movement pattern is used to schedule future tasks such that the coincidence of task use of the motion-sensitive device and movement of the motion-sensitive device is minimized.

Abstract: A system includes a host device and a disk drive interfaced with the host device are described as well as an associated method. The disk drive includes a magnetic media for storing information using an actuator arrangement to perform a data access by moving at least one head proximate to the magnetic media. The information may be subject to corruption when the disk drive is exposed, during the data access, to a given stray magnetic field having a given minimum magnetic field intensity. The given stray magnetic field will not corrupt the information on the magnetic media with the actuator arrangement positioned away from the magnetic media. A stray magnetic field protection arrangement is configured for detecting an ambient magnetic environment for use in causing the actuator arrangement to park responsive to the detection of at least the given minimum magnetic field intensity.

Abstract: A control apparatus, storage apparatus and control method uses a correction value for head position written in a recording medium to control head position and prevents a use of a correction value that has improperly been read out. The apparatus comprises: an allowable range acquisition section that acquires a correction value allowable range which is a previously set allowable range of a correction value; and a head position control section that controls head position using a read out correction value in the case where the correction value that has been read out from the recording medium falls within the correction value allowable range acquired by the allowable range acquisition section.

Abstract: A playback unit (3) reproduces contents which are recorded on a video cassette tape (2), and a recording unit (6) records the contents on another video cassette tape (7) and, simultaneously, an erasing unit (5) erases the contents from the video cassette tape (2). Thereby, the copy-inhibited contents recorded on the video cassette tape (2) can be transferred to the other video cassette tape (7) without copying the contents.

Abstract: A flying on demand (FOD) voltage of a hard disk drive (HDD) is controlled by detecting a shock occurring to the HDD on which a magnetic head that records data on a disk or reproduces data from the disk is mounted, and if the shock is detected, controlling the FOD voltage that is applied to the magnetic head to thermally expand an end of the magnetic head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the error rate of track information on a magnetic storage device is disclosed. One embodiment provides a counter for counting the number of writes to a first track on a magnetic storage device. In addition, a re-read and re-write initiator is provided for reading information from a second track adjacent to the first track and re-writing the information read from the second track back to said magnetic storage device when said counter reaches a pre-defined number of writes for the fist track.

Abstract: A method for identifying adjacent track interference for a head is provided. The method comprises writing a first data track at a predetermined track position; writing a second data track two track positions away from the first data track; and validating the position of the first data track and the second data track. Upon validation the method further comprises writing a third data track between the first data track and the second data track and analyzing a signal profile of at least one of the first data track and the second data track for adjacent track interference.

Abstract: A system comprises a sensor and logic coupled to the sensor. The logic programs a sensitivity level into the sensor to a first sensitivity level if a proxy indicates that the system is in transit and to a second sensitivity level if proxy indicates that the system is not in transit.

Abstract: A disk device writes data in or reads data from a disk. The disk device includes a head. The head includes a reading element that reads data from the disk and a writing element that writes data in the disk. The reading element and the writing element are placed apart from each other. For example, the writing element is arranged nearer to the outer periphery of the disk than the reading element is. The disk device includes two stoppers that restrict the movement of the head. The stoppers are arranged such that, when the head moves over the disk, a specific area on the disk is accessible only to the reading element and not to the writing element. Thus, data can be read from the specific area but cannot be written in the specific area.

Abstract: A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and related write control method are disclosed. The write control method includes; detecting a free fall state during a current write operation to a current sector, waiting until completion of the current write operation to the current sector, and thereafter stopping the current write operation and unloading a read/write head performing the current write operation.

Abstract: WORM safeguards are provided in a magnetic disk drive in which the disks are pre-magnetized or pre-recorded such that all magnetic domains on each recording surface are completely aligned pointing in the same direction. A special write head which can magnetically write only in the direction opposite to the pre-magnetization orientation is also provided.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system includes a disk, a head, an actuator, and a servo controller. The servo controller monitors a value, such as a position error signal (PES) sample value, a predicted PES sample value, and the like, that is based on servo information provided by the head. The servo controller provides a signal to inhibit writing by the head based on a comparison of the monitored value with a threshold, such as a write fault window (WFW), a PES plus Velocity (PPV) threshold, and the like. The servo controller sets the threshold to a first value based on at least one of an on-track track misregistration (TMR) value and a seek settle TMR value. When the servo controller determines that the head is subject to a vibration condition, the servo controller sets the threshold to a second value that is different from the first value.

Abstract: A recording medium on which a recording/reproducing unit block is recorded, an apparatus to record and/or reproduce data on/from the recording medium, and a method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium. The recording/reproducing unit block comprises invalid data used in disc certification, and an identifier to indicate that the invalid data is included in the recording/reproducing unit block, the invalid data being used during the disc certification on a portion of the recording medium or the entire recording medium.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to implementing a data protection mode based on system vibration modes in a data supported system. An exemplary system vibration mode is associated with an operating mode of the data supported system. The data protection mode operates to limit, or prevent, errors caused by the vibration. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for operating a data supported system. The method includes receiving an indication that a vibration associated with an operating mode of the system will occur and, in response, implementing a data protection mode in the system.

Abstract: High-rate writing of data recorded on a CD into a hard disk drive (HDD) is performed while reproducing data read out of the CD at the standard bit rate prescribed for the CD. PCM data corresponding to a playback time of 10 seconds, for example, is read out of a CD and stored in a memory. The data is read out of the memory at appropriate timing and outputted after being converted into an analog audio signal by a D/A converter. In parallel, data for writing is read out of the CD in succession to reading of the data for playback and stored in the memory. The data read out of the memory is coded and compressed by an encoder and then stored in the memory. The compressed data is read out of the memory in units of a certain amount suitable for writing in an HDD and then written in the HDD.

Abstract: A downloading system which can be used freely by many and unspecified persons. A recording medium is loaded in a public downloading apparatus, and use condition confirmation processing is performed by using information recorded on the medium. Processing for downloading various sorts of information using the public downloading apparatus is allowed to be started according to a result of the use condition confirmation processing. Communication of information necessary for use condition confirmation processing with respect to use of the public downloading apparatus or for downloading processing can be performed between the public downloading apparatus and a server system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing adjacent track interference in a hard drive. Adjacent track interference potential is ascertained in at least one track, and data corruption is averted via scrubbing data in at least one track with ascertained adjacent track interference potential.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus to write and read copy protected data on a disc drive storage system by encoding and decoding data to be copy protected using servo wedge data as the encoding element. In one aspect, the drive is marked by a number generated from the servo wedge data.

Abstract: A recording apparatus capable of recording data either in a current-used format or a new format on a recording medium accommodated in a current-used tape cassette or a new tape cassette. The recording apparatus comprises a first writing prohibition detection switch to be inserted to an discrimination hole formed on both cassettes and receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole provided on the current-used cassette, a second writing prohibition detection switch to be receded in accordance with an open/close state of a writing prohibition discrimination hole formed in the new tape cassette, and a cassette type detection switch to be inserted to an discrimination hole formed in the new tape cassette and receded by a side surface of the current-used cassette. A control circuit discriminates a new tape cassette from the current-used tape cassette.

Abstract: An improved media player and a method for operating a portable computing device (e.g., media player) are disclosed. According to one aspect, a portable computing device is able to protect its disk drive when being subjected to undesired levels of acceleration. The portable computing device protects its disk drive by monitoring for such accelerations and operating to avoid usage of the disk drive during periods of acceleration. Through such protection, the likelihood of damage to the disk drive or loss of data stored on the disk drive is able to be substantially reduced. According to another aspect, a user of a portable computing device can be alerted when the portable computing device is being subjected to undesirable levels of acceleration.

Abstract: Write commands through a read/write head are regulated in response to head fly height. The head fly height is determined, and the rate at which the write command is carried out is regulated in response to the determined fly height. The rate may be regulated by inserting write inhibit gaps between writing data segments of the write command so as to allow the head to cool and, thereby, control fly height.

Abstract: An improved media player and a method for operating a portable computing device (e.g., media player) are disclosed. According to one aspect, a portable computing device is able to protect its disk drive when being subjected to undesired levels of acceleration. The portable computing device protects its disk drive by monitoring for such accelerations and operating to avoid usage of the disk drive during periods of acceleration. Through such protection, the likelihood of damage to the disk drive or loss of data stored on the disk drive is able to be substantially reduced. According to another aspect, a user of a portable computing device can be alerted when the portable computing device is being subjected to undesirable levels of acceleration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disabling the effect of copy-protect signals placed in a recording video signals which is based on differences in the characteristics of television and VCR circuitry. Copy-protect signals include pseudo-sync pulses and/or added AGC pulses in the blanking interval of a video signal. The specific method described includes altering the level of the video signal during the vertical blanking interval, e.g., level-shifting, so as to render the copy-protect copy protection signals ineffective to prevent in preventing unauthorized copying by a VCR. A circuit for achieving the method includes a sync separator for detecting the vertical blanking interval, pulse generating circuits for producing pulses of predetermined widths during this interval, and a summing circuit for summing the predetermined pulses with copy-protect signals thereby to shift their level.