Abstract: A vibration actuator control device includes a control unit and a driving unit. The control unit outputs a first control signal for controlling driving of a first vibration actuator including a first vibrating body and a first contact body, and outputs a second control signal for controlling driving of a second vibration actuator and including a second vibrating body. The driving unit (i) outputs a first alternating-current voltage in a first plurality of phases set based on the first control signal, and (ii) outputs a second alternating-current voltage in a second plurality of phases set based on the second control signal. The control unit individually sets a phase difference of the first alternating-current voltage based on the first control signal and sets a phase difference of the second alternating-current voltage based on the second control signal, and commonly sets a first alternating-current voltage frequency and a second alternating-current voltage frequency.

Abstract: An optical element drive mechanism is provided. The optical element drive mechanism includes an immovable part, a movable part, and a drive assembly. The movable part is movable relative to the immovable part. The movable part holds an optical element with an optical axis. The drive assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the immovable part. At least part of the drive assembly is disposed on the immovable part.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an actuator device or actuator control device to implement a low power savings mode. For example, a device can comprise an actuator arm including a first actuator and a second actuator, the second actuator configured to refine a movement of the actuator arm to a more precise position than use of merely the first actuator. A device can also comprise a control system configured to determine when the device is in an idle state and, when the device is in the idle state, disable the second actuator and perform a positional seek operation with the second actuator disabled. Power savings can occur from disabling the second actuator, which may also include disabling associated circuitry, such that it does not consume power or consumes a nominal (e.g., negligible or insignificant) amount of power during the associated seek operation.

Abstract: A dual-pulse excitation method for ultra-fast, super-resolution all-optical magnetic recording includes the steps of: providing a first excitation pulse and a second modulation pulse; and focusing the first excitation pulse and the second modulation pulse, and then radiating the two pulses in sequence to a magneto-optical recording medium, so that an area of the magneto-optical recording medium irradiated undergoes opto-magnetic reversal. By controlling the time delay, spatial overlapping area, and energy density ratio between the dual femtosecond laser pulses, it can induce a second reversal of the magnetization field in the spatial overlapping area of the two pulses on the magneto-optical material that can achieve single-pulse opto-magnetic reversal to obtain all-optical magnetic recording beyond the diffraction limit. This process takes place within several hundred picoseconds, thus providing an effective technical means for ultra-high density and ultra-fast magnetic storage.

Abstract: A multi channel beamsplitter system operating over a wide spectral band has high optical performance despite the fact that the incoming and/or exiting light is not collimated and its material is dispersive. This is achieved using wavefront compensators that are matched to the curvature of the wavefronts of the incoming and/or exiting light.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for structured illumination microscopy (SIM) imaging systems. In one set of implementations, a SIM imaging system may be implemented as a multi-arm SIM imaging system, whereby each arm of the system includes a light emitter and a beam splitter (e.g., a transmissive diffraction grating) having a specific, fixed orientation with respect to the system's optical axis. In a second set of implementations, a SIM imaging system may be implemented as a multiple beam splitter slide SIM imaging system, where one linear motion stage is mounted with multiple beam splitters having a corresponding, fixed orientation with respect to the system's optical axis. In a third set of implementations, a SIM imaging system may be implemented as a pattern angle spatial selection SIM imaging system, whereby a fixed two-dimensional diffraction grating is used in combination with a spatial filter wheel to project one-dimensional fringe patterns on a sample.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a phase synchronization circuit configured to be synchronized with a reference clock signal and to generate a synchronization clock signal by multiplying the reference clock signal; an edge detection circuit configured to detect an edge at which a signal waveform of the reference clock signal changes at a timing of the synchronization clock signal and to output an edge detection signal indicating the timing at which the edge has been detected; and a clock division circuit configured to be reset at a timing based on the edge detection signal and to generate a divided clock signal by dividing the synchronization clock signal.

Abstract: Metadata logic switches selection of a metadata track from multiple available metadata tracks in a volatile cache to fill the selected metadata track in a metadata track selection interval with metadata entries as source tracks of a source volume are copied to a backup volume of a copy relationship. Destage logic destages to storage a deselected metadata track containing metadata entries generated in a prior metadata track selection interval, while the metadata logic continues to generate and fill additional metadata entries in the selected metadata track in a concurrent metadata track selection interval. Other features and aspects may be realized, depending upon the particular application.

Abstract: An inspection data output device according to an embodiment includes an input unit, a generation unit, and an output unit. Information on a portion to be inspected in a circuit board is supplied to the input unit. The generation unit generates emphasis data in which an output signal path being a signal path on the circuit board and being a signal path capable of detecting an output signal of the portion to be inspected is emphasized more than another signal path. The output unit outputs the emphasis data to a display device.

Abstract: Structures and methods to actively control the shape of a micro pickup array (MPA) during micro device transfer are described. In an embodiment, a strain is applied to the MPA counteractive to strain arising during micro device transfer operations. For example, strain may be applied by a piezoelectric actuator element bonded to a back side of the base substrate to control a curvature of base substrate, and by extension the MPA.

Abstract: There are provided an optical disk from which high-density data is reproduced and a reproduction apparatus that reproduces data from such an optical disk having high-density data recorded thereon. A photo-detecting section has two split detectors A and B in the direction of tracks on the disk. A signal processing section generates a TPP (Tangential Push-pull) signal made of a differential signal derived from detection signals from the detectors A and B, and further generates a reproduced signal by extracting from the TPP signal a high-frequency component signal in a record signal recorded on the disk. The signal processing section reconstitutes a high-frequency component signal in the record signal recorded on the disk by frequency-shifting the TPP signal obtained as a readout signal from a superimposed signal having the carrier signal and the record signal superimposed with each other.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording and reproducing device includes a magnetic recording medium including a plurality of recording tracks, a magnetic head, and a controller. The plurality of recording tracks includes a first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first recording operation of recording first information in at least two of a plurality of first track recording components included in the first track. The controller causes the magnetic head to implement a first reproduction operation of reproducing the first information from a first information reproducing/recording component of one of the at least two of the plurality of first track recording components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved file system format for an optical disc to help prevent illegal copying of multimedia content, where certain non-readable data record is placed into increased measured length of a multimedia data block; disc made pursuant to present format allows normal playback with very low level noise that would not affect the user enjoyment of viewing/listening the movie or music content on the multimedia disc.

Abstract: An image sensor frame rate can be increased by “interlaced” mode operation whereby only half the number of lines of an image is transported to the readout circuitry. This halves the integration time but also halves the resolution of the sensor. Accordingly, in one embodiment, an image sensor operated in an interlaced fashion is first exposed to a scene under a first form of illumination (e.g., narrowband illumination), and a first set of alternating (horizontal or vertical) lines constituting half of the pixels is read out of the array; the sensor is then exposed to the same scene under a second form of illumination (e.g., existing ambient illumination with the illumination source turned off), and a second set of alternating lines, representing the other half of the pixel array, is read out. The two images are compared and noise removed from the image obtained under narrowband illumination.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention, to provide a recording method and a storage medium for BCA data with high reliability for a storage medium and a method for reproducing BCA data from the storage medium, and an information recording apparatus and an information reproducing apparatus. In a conventional optical disk, low reliability data is recorded in a data area of BCA. Thus, the thickness of a film material for use in a recording layer oriented to BCA data or close to the inner periphery of the storage medium in the vicinity thereof is formed in uniform thickness by using a substrate of the storage medium, the substrate being formed by being suctioned by means of adsorbing mechanisms formed in an arc shape so as to integrated two of the adsorbing mechanisms to be adjacent to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high data density optical recording medium. The invention further relates to an apparatus for reading from such an optical recording medium. The optical recording medium has marks that are arranged in tracks. The tracks have a cross section with a curved shape and protrude above a surface of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus to prevent reproducibility of data with respect to an optical information storage medium. The method includes recording patterns with respect to the optical information storage medium using irradiated light so as prevent reproduction of the data. The patterns may cause an error or a malfunction when attempting to access the data of the optical information storage medium so as to prevent the reproduction of the data.

Abstract: Techniques for recording and reading information to/from a recording medium based on positions of a plurality of marks are described herein. Each of the plurality of marks may have the same length. The information may be recorded based on a mark interval between successive marks. Apparatus and a recording medium suitable for use with such techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A holographic recording and reproduction system includes a servo optical path, which is used to provide a servo mechanism, so that holographic interference fringes can be stored continuously into a holographic recording medium, and when the reproduction signals are desired, they can be fetched and obtained swiftly and accurately by making use of the servo mechanism. In addition, the servo light spot of the servo optical path is located on the optical axis of an object lens, thus reducing the image aberrations produced and raising the quality of the signals read for the servo track searching. Moreover, the light intensity distribution of the reference beams reflected by the holographic recording medium is monitored and controlled, as such realizing the analysis and adjustment of the relative distance and inclination angle between the holographic recording and reproduction system and the holographic recording medium.

Abstract: The optical storage medium comprises a substrate layer, a data layer with a mark/space structure arranged in tracks on the substrate layer, and a cover layer. One track comprises positive marks and a neighboring track comprises negative marks. The tracks are arranged in particular as spirals wherein one spiral contains a track with only positive marks and a neighboring spiral contains a track with only negative marks. The positive marks of a track and correspondingly the negative marks of a track are separated each by spaces. The optical storage medium is particularly a read-only optical disc and comprises a mask layer with a super resolution near field structure, wherein the tracks of the data layer are arranged as two spirals, one spiral consisting of positive marks only and the other spiral consisting of negative marks only.

Abstract: A lens apparatus has a focusing lens unit, a separating optical unit disposed on an optical axis of the lens apparatus, a focus detection unit that detects focus condition using a light beam from the separating optical unit, a first drive unit that drives the focusing lens unit based on an output of the focus detection unit, and a second drive unit that drives the separating optical unit. An optical separating surface that the separating optical unit has reflectance that varies continuously in a first direction. The second drive unit drives or moves the separating optical unit in the first direction.

Abstract: A disc type recording medium on which information is recorded by forming disc tracks thereon, a method of forming the disc tracks, and a recording medium for recording a program executing the method. In the above media and method, data access can be rendered in data frame units. The disc type recording medium includes a data frame composed of a plurality of sync frames. The total number of the sync frames is determined according to the length of the innermost circumference of the disc type recording medium. Accordingly, recoding the additional information in such a data frame format prevents a reduction in a rate of detecting the additional information even when the recording medium is miniaturized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical storage disk for both read-only and (re-)writable applications comprising a plurality of adjacent track portions with a radial track pattern in which a number of n?2 adjacent track portions repeatedly exhibit non-uniform radial track distances TP1?TP2 . . . ?TPn. The present invention further relates to an optical storage system comprising such a disk and an optical disk drive for it. The drive comprises a beam generator arranged to project a plurality of (n) satellite light spots (S1, . . . , Sn; SL, SM) and one main spot (SR) onto said optical disk. In the system, the sum of the non-uniform radial track distances TP?=TP1+ . . . +TPn is higher than the reciprocal optical cutoff ?/(2 NA) of the beam.

Abstract: Recording timing of a Data segment is set so as to avoid locating a wobble modulated portion as preformat information which indicates information on Physical segments of a recording type optical disc, and a recording start head position of the Data segment to be recorded in a track, in the same area of the track.

Abstract: An information storage medium includes a substrate forming a first groove having a depth, and a second groove adjacent to the first groove and different depth from the first groove; and a recording layer formed on the substrate to record information marks, making optical characteristics of the information marks different for each such that diffracted lights from the plurality of marks orthogonally intersect one another.

Abstract: The refractive index of a light transmission layer of an optical disk is set within the range of 1.45 to 1.75, the numerical aperture of a lens emitting laser light which is incident onto the light transmission layer is set to 0.65, and the wavelength range of the laser light is set within the range of 395 to 415 nm. Further, in order that aberrations fall within the range of certain acceptable values, the thickness t of the light transmission layer is set within the range of f(n)?t1?t?f(n)+t2, employing constants t1, t2 determined based on an acceptable value of aberration and function f(n) of the refractive index n.

Abstract: A disc-shaped optical record carrier includes a first area having a spiral track extending in a first direction from an inner side on the disc, and a second area having a spiral track extending in a second direction opposite to the first direction, from an outer side on the disc located on the same plane as the first area on the disc, wherein one of the first and second areas is assigned a recordable area and the other is assigned a read only area.

Abstract: The present invention separates MTF into a plus frequency region and a minus frequency region and uses the plus frequency region and the minus frequency region to thereby enable an effectively usable frequency region to be doubled in effect. Digital information to be recorded on an optical disk medium is recorded as independent signals of, respectively, a light beam reflected or diffracted forward and a light beam reflected or diffracted backward with respect to a direction of traveling of a track on the optical disk medium. At the time of producing an optical disk medium, digital information is divided into two pieces, a complex modulating signal is generated by changing a plus frequency component and a minus frequency component according to the pieces of the divided digital information, and a laser beam is modulated on the basis of the complex modulating signal.

Abstract: A plurality of optical heads each of which comprises an independent light source and optical system are provided on the same side with respect to a recording medium having a plurality of recording layers. Alternatively, with respect to at least one light source in an optical head having a single objective lens and a plurality of light sources, an optical path correction system is provided on an optical path unique to the light source, and while light emitted from one light source is focused on a specific recording layer by shifting of the objective lens, light irradiated from another light source is focused on another recording layer by the optical path correction system. Thus, information can be reproduced from or recorded in a plurality of recording layers simultaneously and an error in focusing of light onto the plurality of recording layers can be suppressed.

Abstract: A record carrier has substantially parallel tracks having first variations of a first physical parameter and second variations of a second physical parameter of the track. The first variations represent information recorded on the record carrier, this information being recoverable by a controllable type of data processing. A modulation pattern of the second variations represents a code for controlling the type of data processing. In respect of a code track that includes the modulation pattern, the modulation pattern in the left neighboring track is aligned to the modulation pattern in the right neighboring track. Thereby crosstalk due to the second variations is decreased, and at least two tracks have the same modulation pattern. The playback device has a demodulator (50) and a control unit (56) for retrieving the code from at least two tracks.

Abstract: An optical disc playback method is provided which includes steps of reading identification data recorded in an optical disc loaded in an optical disc player and starting reading data from a second recording area of the optical disc loaded in the optical disc player when it is determined that the loaded optical disc is a one having at least a first recording area and second recording area, a first lead-in area provided along the inner circumference of the first recording area, a second lead-out area provided along the outer circumference of the first recording area, a second lead-in area provided between the outer circumference of the first lead-out area and second recording area, and a second lead-out area provided along the outer circumference of the second recording area.

Abstract: Information is recorded/reproduced by focusing a light beam in/from an optical recording medium capable of forming therein marks for information recording in a plurality of three-dimensional directions including an arbitrary directions and at least depth direction. Specifically, the optical beam is sequentially focused at a recorded mark position adjacent an optically recorded mark position, at which a recording/reproducing operation is started, in any directions regardless of the directionality of the plurality of three-dimensional directions, to cause the focused position of the light beam to describe a predetermined locus having a predetermined rule to rapidly and continuously record/reproduce the information.

Abstract: Information is recorded on an information recording medium such as a magneto-optical recording medium, having two recording tracks arranged alternately, typically in a double spiral manner. The two recording tracks have different recording characteristics and information is firstly recorded on the recording track less liable to cross write, typically on a land section, and subsequently on the recording track more liable to cross write, typically on a groove section.

Abstract: An optical recording medium used as a recording medium for information signals in which, in forming a groove along a recording track, a first groove and a second groove are formed to a first depth x to describe a double helix and a third groove having a second depth y shallower than the first depth x is formed between the first and second groves describing double helices. By setting the phase depths of these grooves to a pre-set range, signals required for tracking servo or seek are obtained to sufficient levels to realize stable tracking servo and seek.

Abstract: In an optical recording apparatus having an optical pickup, a rotating section is provided for rotating an optical disk which is formed thereon with a guide groove to define a spiral track having a plurality of rounds. The optical pickup has a light source for generating an optical beam and a diffractive grating for diffracting the optical beam to form a main beam and a pair of sub beams opposite with each other relative to the main beam. The optical pickup is operable for irradiating the main beam to the spiral track with accompanying the pair of the sub beams along apposite sides of the spiral track. A servo section operates the optical pickup to enable the main beam to trace the spiral track based on a tracking error signal derived from return lights of the sub beams reflected back from the optical disk. A recording section modulates the main beam for recording of information onto the spiral track while the optical dick is rotated.

Abstract: An arc discharge protection apparatus to prevent arc discharge from occurring in a high voltage output zone caused by abnormal conditions includes an electrode plate to absorb high voltage arc discharge signals released by a voltage boosting unit in the high voltage output zone. A voltage switch unit receives the high voltage arc discharge signals absorbed by the electrode plate and transforms to low voltage arc discharge signals. A rectification unit receives and rectifies the low voltage arc discharge signals and outputs an arc hybrid wave. A trigger unit detects the arc hybrid wave and outputs a trigger signal to stop operation of the control unit or driving unit, thereby prevents arc discharge from causing damage to the surrounding elements resulting from accumulation of heat or sparks.

Abstract: Recording timing of a Data segment is set so as to avoid locating a wobble modulated portion as preformat information which indicates information on Physical segments of a recording type optical disc, and a recording start head position of the Data segment to be recorded in a track, in the same area of the track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for protection against the copying of information for the creation of a protected optical disk.

Abstract: An optical disc is manufactured under a uniform condition by forming grooves and lands on the entire surface of the disc. The optical disc is configured to obtain a reliable reproduction signal, and the grooves and lands are formed on a lead-in area, a user data area and a lead-out area of the optical disc. Since the same manufacturing condition can be adopted in mastering discs, the yield can be enhanced and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A heat dissipation system for an optical disk drive having a spindle motor, a circuit board, an IC and a bottom cover. The spindle motor has a rotating shaft with a fixing end. The heat dissipation system includes a fixing plate, a frame, a fan, a guide pipe and a guide channel. The spindle motor is disposed on the fixing plate having a through hole and at least one fixing hole. The fixing end of the rotating shaft passes through the through hole. The frame is disposed on the fixing plate and has at least one fixing portion with a predetermined thickness. The fan has a center connected to the fixing end. The guide pipe is disposed between the frame and circuit board to embrace the fan. The guide channel is closely disposed between the circuit board and bottom cover and extends from the circuit board to the IC.

Abstract: An optical recording and reproducing medium has grooves formed thereon along recording tracks, this optical recording and reproducing medium being recorded and/or reproduced with irradiation of light having a predetermined wavelength &lgr;. Since the grooves are composed of a first groove 2 and a second groove 3 shallower than the first groove 2 and the second groove 3 is disposed adjacent to both sides of the first groove 2, a recorded signal can be suppressed from crossing the tracks and a sufficiently large amplitude amount of a push-pull signal can be obtained. Thus, an optical recording and reproducing medium can produce a stable tracking signal and hence a recording density can be increased.

Abstract: During manufacturing of optical disks, mastering equipment inserts marks (“high frequency wobble marks” or“HFWMs”) into the wobble of the groove on optical disks to store data. The presence of a HFWM at a zero crossing of the wobble indicates an active bit and the absence of the HFWM indicates an inactive bit. The zero crossing is, for example, a negative zero crossing. A matched filter is used to detect the shape of the HFWMs. If a HFWM is detected during a wobble cycle, an active bit is saved in a register or a memory. If a HFWM is not detected during a wobble cycle, an inactive bit is saved in a register or a memory. The active and inactive bits may be coded bits that must be decoded to data bits. The data bits include information such as a synchronization mark, a sector identification data, and an error detection code.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the mastering of an optical disk protected against copying and such an optical disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical recording medium, in which levels of wobble signals extracted from a recording area formed snakily, a reproduction exclusive area and an impossible area are maintained constant. On DVD-RW, groove tracks are snakily formed on a groove section on which recording information is recorded, and pit strings where a plurality of phase pits wave are arranged on the impossible area and the reproduction exclusive area which prevent illegal copying. On the respective areas, pit depths (groove depths), duty of the pit strings and wobbling amplitudes are set according to predetermined conditions so that the output levels of the wobble signals extracted based on the wobbling amplitudes can be maintained constant on the respective areas. As a result, synchronous control can be made accurately at the time of recording and reproduction on/from the DVD-RW.

Abstract: This invention provides an information recording method to record a digital information file onto an information recording medium. The digital information file comprises a plurality of digital data. The information recording medium comprises a plurality of predetermined recording units which are arranged sequentially on the information recording medium from a inner area to an outer area in order to record the plurality of digital data in the digital information file. The outer area of the information recording medium has a recording start unit, the information recording method starts recording from the recording start unit to sequentially record the plurality of digital data in the digital information file on the information recording medium from outer to inner.

Abstract: A high-density reproduction-only optical disc includes a high frequency data zone in which disc related information is recorded by high frequency wobbles, a user data area in which user data is recorded by pits, and a transition zone which is formed between the high frequency data zone and the user data. Accordingly, the reliability of reproducing data from the user data area is improved.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having two recording layer structures which includes a cover substrate, a grooved substrate, a first recording layer structure, an intermediate layer, a separation layer, and a second recording layer structure. In the optical recording medium, the two recording layer structures include a first recording layer structure, and a second recording layer structure between the substrates, the first recording layer structure includes, in this order, a first protective layer, a first recording layer, a second protective layer, a first inorganic layer, the second recording layer structure includes, in this order, a third protective layer, a second recording layer, a forth protective layer, a second inorganic layer, and a ratio of a thickness of the first recording layer structure and a thickness of the intermediate layer is 0.2 to 1.0.

Abstract: A reproduction-only optical disc has a lead-in area, a user data area, and a lead-out area. Disc related information recorded on at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area is recorded by high frequency groove wobbles, and data of the user data area is recorded by pits. Since the high-density reproduction-only optical disc uses the same channels for reproduction signals as a high-density recordable optical disc, the two types of discs are consistent with each other and are compatible with the same disc drives.

Abstract: A rewritable optical recording medium includes a segmented groove area in which the groove track is segmented along a rotating direction of the recording medium by groove non-forming portions to form a plurality of groove portions; and a continuous groove area in which a continuous groove is formed, the continuous groove having a groove width smaller than a groove width in the segmented groove area.

Abstract: A record carrier has substantially parallel tracks having first variations of a first physical parameter and second variations of a second physical parameter of the track. The first variations represent information recorded on the record carrier, this information being recoverable by a controllable type of data processing. A modulation pattern of the second variations represents a code for controlling the type of data processing. In respect of a code track that includes the modulation pattern, the modulation pattern in the left neighboring track is aligned to the modulation pattern in the right neighboring track. Thereby crosstalk due to the second variations is decreased, and at least two tracks have the same modulation pattern. The playback device has a demodulator (50) and a control unit (56) for retrieving the code from at least two tracks.