Abstract: A move-sled-home device is used in an optical disc drive. The move-sled-home device includes a processing unit, a motor actuator, a sled, a sled motor, and a current-detecting unit. The processing unit outputs a control signal. The motor actuator generates a driving voltage according to the control signal. The sled motor generates a driving current according to the driving voltage to move the sled. The current-detecting unit is used for receiving and converting the driving current into an indicating signal, and issuing the indicating signal to the processing unit. During a move-sled-home action, the processing unit realizes a magnitude of the driving current according to the indicating signal, thereby determining whether the move-sled-home action is finished.

Abstract: An information recording medium is composed of a substrate having a microscopic pattern constituted by a continuous substrate of grooves formed with a groove portion and a land portion alternately, a recording layer, and a light transmitting layer. The microscopic pattern is formed with satisfying a relation of P??/NA, wherein P is a pitch of the land portion or the groove portion, ? is a wavelength of reproducing light, and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. The land portion is formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other for both sidewalls of the land portion. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded alternately. Information is recorded in the recording layer corresponding to a land portion by either one change of reflectivity difference and refractive index difference in the recording layer.

Abstract: A recording medium on which data is recorded in units of clusters, a method and apparatus for reproducing data on the recording medium, and a method and apparatus for recording data on the recording medium, wherein each of the clusters includes a plurality of address fields, each address field includes 32-bit address unit number (AUN) address information, and the AUN address information includes a reserved area recorded on 4bits, layer information, recorded on 3 bits, indicating a layer on which data corresponding to the AUN address information is recorded, and location information, recorded on 25 bits, indicating a location of the data corresponding to the AUN address information. In the recording medium of the present invention, a space in which addresses are recorded is expanded, thereby securing an address area in which addresses of data can be recorded in a data structure.

Abstract: A write-once optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording management information on the disc are provided. The method includes recording an opened SRR information on a recording medium, and removing an identification of a certain SRR from the opened SRR information once the certain SRR is closed. The opened SRR information carries an identification of any opened SRR, and the number of opened SRRs allowed is at most a predetermined number.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, single-sided dual-layer recordable disc 100 may be used. Information recording is performed by forming mark and space portions on data area DA using modulated laser power. Pp denotes the maximum laser power or peak power for forming the mark portion, and Pb denotes the bias power for forming the space portion. Power ratio Pb/Pp is calculated for each of recording layers L0 and L1. Information is recorded on any of the recording layers L0 and L1 based on the result of calculation. Here, the calculated power ratio Pb/Pp changes among the recording layers L0 and L1, thereby optimizing the recording condition for a multi-layer recordable optical disc within relatively short time.

Abstract: An optical medium associated with a first type of optical drive laser, such as a blue laser, embeds identification information readable by a second type of optical drive laser, such as a red laser associated with DVD media or an IR laser associated with CD media, in order to reduce the time used by the optical drive to recognize media. An attempt to read the embedded identification information by the second laser that succeeds provides the optical drive with the information to proceed with use of the optical medium using the first laser. An attempt to read the embedded identification information that fails provides the optical drive with the opportunity to detect whether the optical medium is associated with the second laser so that a single spindle kick of the optical medium by the optical drive determines whether the optical medium is associated with either of two types of lasers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, multiple space bitmaps (SBMs #0 and #1 30) are provided for the user data area of each recording layer. A disc management structure update unit including one of those space bitmaps and a disc definition structure (TDDS 32) and having a size of one block is written on a management information area (TDMA 17). As a result, data including the disc definition structure (TDDS 32) can always be arranged in the first block at the top of the management information area (TDMA 17).

Abstract: An environmental load information of an information recording medium is recorded on the information recording medium so as to recycle or dispose properly an information recording medium, which is not necessary any more. The information recording medium comprises a main information area (102) for recording or reproducing information and a recording area (101) for environmental load information, which is recorded with an environmental load information of the information recording medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: A drive apparatus of the present invention includes: a recording/reproduction section and a drive control section. The drive control section performs a process including: receiving a recording instruction including a location at which data is to be recorded; determining a track among at least one tracks corresponding to the location included in the recording instruction; controlling the recording/reproduction section to record data at a replacement location in the user data area instead of the location included in the recording instruction; determining whether or not the recording of the data at the replacement location in the user data area has succeeded; and when the recording of the data at the replacement location in the user data area has failed, controlling the recording/reproduction section to record the data at a location in the spare area.

Abstract: By avoiding the problem that in a hybrid optical disc, an optical pickup suitable for a standard-density recording area cannot operate as desired in a high-density recording area, damage to the disc drive or optical disc is prevented and optimal control is enabled. Access operation identification information such as reproducing identification information indicating whether or not information recorded in the user data area of the optical disc can be reproduced under the reproducing conditions of the optical disc driving apparatus is recorded in the lead-in area. The optical disc driving apparatus reads this type of access operation identification information, compares it with access operation identification information possessed by the optical disc driving apparatus, and if they do not correspond, does not carry out access operations by the optical head to the user data area, because reproducing or recording compatibility with the optical disc is lacking.

Abstract: An information recording medium 1 at least comprises a substrate 13 having a microscopic pattern 20, which is constituted by a shape of continuous substance of approximately parallel grooves formed with a groove section G and a land section L alternately, a recording layer 12 formed on the microscopic pattern 20 and a light transmission layer 11 formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern 20 is formed so as to satisfy a relation of P<?<NA and a thickness of the light transmission layer 11 is within a range of 0.07 to 0.12 mm, wherein P is a pitch of the groove section G or the land section L, ? is a wavelength of reproducing light beam and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. Further, there provided an information recording medium, which is improved in cross erase and recorded in high density, and a reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus for the information recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording medium 1 at least comprises a substrate 13 having a microscopic pattern 20, which is constituted by a shape of continuous substance of approximately parallel grooves formed with a groove section G and a land section L alternately, a recording layer 12 formed on the microscopic pattern 20 and a light transmission layer 11 formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern 20 is formed so as to satisfy a relation of P<?<NA and a thickness of the light transmission layer 11 is within a range of 0.07 to 0.12 mm, wherein P is a pitch of the groove section G or the land section L, ? is a wavelength of reproducing light beam and NA is a numerical aperture of an objective lens. Further, there provided an information recording medium, which is improved in cross erase and recorded in high density, and a reproducing apparatus and a recording apparatus for the information recording medium.

Abstract: An optically-readable disk includes a device that disrupts readability of the disk when the disk is spun at an angular velocity substantially greater than required to play the disk in its intended playing device, or when a defined integral of velocity and time is exceeded. The device may include a fluid container that disperses a data-disruptive fluid. The device may include a membrane or layer that is disrupted when the disk is rotated above a defined angular velocity, or when a defined integral of velocity and time is exceeded. The device may include an electro-optical material that is activated by an electrical signal from a controller in response to an input from a sensor responsive to motion of the disk.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: A recording and/or reproducing apparatus, a recording and/or reproducing method, and an information storage medium, wherein the recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes: a writing and/or reading unit writing data to or reading data from an information storage medium having one or more information recording layers; and a control unit controlling the writing and/or reading unit to write the data to the information storage medium by referring to one or more disk information structures including recording related parameter information corresponding to recording characteristics of the information storage medium, and recording characteristic information to which the recording related parameters are applied. According to the apparatus and method, parameters of recording characteristics appropriate to a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and compatibility between different specifications can be achieved.

Abstract: Provided is a recording/reproduction apparatus capable of securing a backup area for management information on a recording medium without affecting the capacity of a user data area. Before a hard disk drive or a disc medium (recording medium) is finalized, metadata is recorded in a metadata area and when the hard disk drive or the disc medium are finalized, a user data area portion corresponding to the volume of metadata required for the finalizing is set as a metadata mirror area and then the metadata recorded in the metadata area is copied to the metadata mirror area.

Abstract: An information recording medium in which bottoms of a guide groove and a pit array formed on a disc substrate are allocated on a same flat plane and shaped in flat. Further, in a transition area from a pit array to a guide groove or from a guide groove to a pit array, the information recording medium is provided with an intermediate area composed of a pit array of which height changes from a height between a bottom and a side of a groove to another height between the bottom and a side of the pit array.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, single-sided dual-layer recordable disc 100 may be used. Information recording is performed by forming mark and space portions on data area DA using modulated laser power. Pp denotes the maximum laser power or peak power for forming the mark portion, and Pb denotes the bias power for forming the space portion. Power ratio Pb/Pp is calculated for each of recording layers L0 and L1. Information is recorded on any of the recording layers L0 and L1 based on the result of calculation. Here, the calculated power ratio Pb/Pp changes among the recording layers L0 and L1, thereby optimizing the recording condition for a multi-layer recordable optical disc within relatively short time.

Abstract: An information storage medium, and a recording/reproducing apparatus and method, the information storage medium including a plurality of recording layers, each layer including a lead-in area or a lead-out area, a data area, a middle area, and a dedicated area, wherein the data area is flexibly allocated according to data capacity to be recorded in each of the recording layers, the middle area is allocated behind the data area, and the dedicated area is allocated behind the middle area. The dedicated area for a special purpose may selectively be allocated in an outer circumferential area of the information storage medium, i.e., an optical disk including a plurality of recording layers. In particular, optical disks in various formats are provided in which dedicated areas for special purposes can selectively be allocated in outer circumferential areas of the optical disks depending on recording characteristics of the optical disks and the outer circumferential areas.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, the invention is directed to an optical disc having signal tracks including a groove track, in which wobble signals are recorded on at least the groove track. Wobble units of wobble signals are modulated on the groove track, while at least 4 wobble units are used to represent a data bit of “0” or “1” in address information. Data bit of “0” or “1” in address information has a same phase and different phase with regard to alternate data bit at least to distinguish from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium and a recording/reproducing apparatus which enable the number of data units of recording pulse information to be reduced by dividing the recording pulse information into 1 byte-parameter information and differences from a value thereof, and the recording pulse information to be recorded on an existing DI area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for converting data in an optical disc drive. In one embodiment of the present invention, data corresponding to a first file system are generated based on file system information collected with respect to data recorded in an optical disc, the generated data are stored in a memory, while first data converted according to the first file system for directories and files recorded in the optical disc, second data for the directories, and third data for the files being stored in the memory separately from each other; information requested from a host is processed based on at least part of the separately stored data and the information is sent to the host. Therefore, an optical disc drive can be used for an AV device with an USB input. Also, data requested by a host are searched quickly and sent to the host.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus recording disc structure definition information defining a structure of an optical disc, in management areas of the optical disc including a data area and the management areas positioned on inner and outer periphery sides of the data area, includes: a memory which stores disc structure definition information of a new version including an invalid mark which cannot be interpreted as the disc structure definition information by an information reproducing apparatus and an information recording/reproducing apparatus being non-adaptive; and a recording control element for, when the disc structure definition information of the new version is recorded in the management areas, controlling recording of the disc structure definition information of the new version so the invalid mark is positioned at a position in the management areas in which all or part of disc structure definition information of an old version without the invalid mark needs to be recorded.

Abstract: A storage medium includes multimedia image data, and text-based subtitle data for displaying subtitles on an image based on the multimedia image data, wherein the text-based subtitle data includes dialog information indicating subtitle contents to be displayed on the image, style information indicating an output style of the dialog information, and partial style information indicating an output style applied to a portion of the dialog information. Accordingly, subtitles can be provided in a plurality of languages without being limited to a particular number of units of subtitle data. In addition, subtitle data can be easily produced and edited. Likewise, an output style of the subtitle data can be changed in a variety of ways. Also, a special style can be applied in order to emphasize a portion of the subtitles.

Abstract: A control apparatus is provided for controlling an access means for accessing a recording medium containing at least one area so that the access means accesses the at least one area. The apparatus comprises a means for determining whether or not at least one first recorded area storing data is included in the at least one area, and a means for controlling the access means. When it is determined that the at least one first recorded area is included in the at least one area, the control means controls the access means based on a result of accessing the at least one first recorded area.

Abstract: An optical recording medium provided with one or a plurality of recording layers includes an adjustment data recording area for recording therein adjustment data used for adjusting focus or spherical aberration of laser light used for recording/reproduction, the adjustment data recording area being disposed at a predetermined position on each of the one or plurality of recording layers, and a determination information recording area for recording therein determination information indicating whether or not the adjustment data has been recorded in the adjustment data recording area in each of the one or plurality of recording layers.

Abstract: A DRM disk such as a Blu-ray stores content in a high resolution version for playing by a disk player. The disk also stores the same content in a lower resolution version for playing by a secondary device such as a Playstation Portable (PSP). The disk can be engaged with the disk player and the lower resolution format transferred to the secondary player through a mechanism such as a removable medium (e.g., a Sony Memory Stick®) or a USB connection or other means in accordance with DRM restrictions on the disk.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a recording layer in which a track is formed, the track having recording marks linearly arranged thereon. Each recording mark has a dimension corresponding to a reference mark length, which serves as a reference, in a track direction along which the track extends, the dimension being smaller than dimensions of the recording mark in two directions perpendicular to the track direction.

Abstract: A high-density optical disc such as a high density-digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) or Blu-ray disc, and a method for reproducing or recording data of the high-density optical disc. The high-density optical disc includes a lead-in area, a data area and a lead-out area. The lead-in area has control information. A minimum mark or space length of the control information recorded in the lead-in area is longer than that of data recorded in the data area. The control information of the lead-in area is copied to the lead-out area. On the basis of the data reproduction or recording method, an optical disc device can correctly read and confirm the control information from the high-density optical disc, minimize the interference between a mark and space in high-density recording data, reduce the effects of scratches or dust on the disc, and efficiently prevent an erroneous data reproduction or recording operation.

Abstract: An information recording medium in which bottoms of a guide groove and a pit array formed on a disc substrate are allocated on a same flat plane and shaped in flat. Further, in a transition area from a pit array to a guide groove or from a guide groove to a pit array, the information recording medium is provided with an intermediate area composed of a pit array of which height changes from a height between a bottom and a side of a groove to another height between the bottom and a side of the pit array.

Abstract: A data processing device and a data processing method, a program and a program recording medium, a data recording medium, and a data structure, all enable data multiplexed into multiplexed data to be specified according to metadata irrespective of the number of pieces of data. A Clip( ) being metadata about a program stream into which a plurality of elementary streams are multiplexed includes as many stream_id/private_stream_id sets as the number of elementary streams number_of_streams. The stream_id/private_stream_id sets each consist of a stream_id, defined for each attribute of data in the MPEG-2 System (ISO/IEC 13818-1), for identifying data, and a private_stream_id for identifying data whose attribute is not defined in the MPEG-2 System. And each of the elementary streams multiplexed into the program stream is specified on the basis of the stream_id and the private_stream_id included in the Clip( ). Embodiments are applicable to, e.g., game machines using a DVD.

Abstract: A combination type optical disk medium and recording or reproducing method in which the medium include first and second recording layers based on different recoding densities. First and second volume spaces are formed to the first and second recording layers, respectively. Each volume space includes identification information of a head or end of the volume space, and an area for data. One of the volume spaces is recorded with identification information of the other volume space.

Abstract: The pit arrays on an optical disc medium are made to wobble at a frequency which is higher than the band of frequencies that a tracking servo can follow and which is lower than the band of frequencies of the reproducing signal. A wobble detection signal according to the amount of wobble is obtained from the tracking error signal and used as a reference signal for frequency acquisition. Alternatively, the pit arrays on the medium are wobbled at a frequency which is within the band of frequencies that the tracking servo can follow and which is lower than the band of frequencies of the reproducing signal. In addition, a wobble detection signal corresponding to the amount of wobble is obtained either from the output signal from a compensator included in a tracking servo system or from a tracking drive signal and is used as a reference signal for frequency acquisition.

Abstract: An information storage medium according to the present invention has n information storage layers (where n is an integer and n?3), on which data can be written with a laser beam and which are stacked one upon the other. Each of the n storage layers has a test write zone for determining the recording power of the laser beam. When those n layers are counted from the one that is located most distant from the surface of the medium on which the laser beam is incident, there is a bigger radial location difference between the outer peripheral end of the inner one of the test write zones of ith and (i+1)th information storage layers (where i is an integer that satisfies 2?i?n?1) and the inner peripheral end of the other outer test write zone than between the outer peripheral end of the inner one of the test write zones of jth and (j+1)th information storage layers (where j is an integer that satisfies 1?j?i?1) and the inner peripheral end of the other outer test write zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus recording and/or reproducing data on/from a write-once disc, and a write-once disc therefor, the write-once disc having at least one recording layer including: a plurality of update areas in which predetermined updated information is recorded; and at least one access information area in which access information indicating an update area in which final recorded updated information is recorded. Reducing access time for reading the updated information using a location of predetermined updated information. Also, when a plurality of update areas for writing updated information required to use the write-once disc exist, a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus can quickly and easily determine an update area in which final updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a format for storing information on an optical recording medium. According to said format the record carrier comprises a synchronization pattern, which synchronization pattern comprises an identifying part consisting of a bit sequence chosen from 100 101, 010 101, 101 001, 010 100 or 100 100.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus has a player section, a content reproduction section, an interface section. The player section has a read section reading data from the record medium on which the content data containing at least one of a video data stream and an audio data stream and a reproduction control program controlling the reproduction of the content data are recorded, an input section accepting an input from a user, and an output section outputting the reproduced content data. The content reproduction section reproduces the content data according to the reproduction control program. The interface section interfaces among the content reproduction section, the reproduction control program, and the player section. When a command representing an end of the reproduced content data is described in the reproduction control program, the reproduction control program supplies the command to the interface section and the interface section executes a process corresponding to the command.

Abstract: In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.

Abstract: A super resolution medium (1) is provided with an information signal region (11) where a content, such as a video or audio content, is recorded and a test read region (12) where reproduction setting value adjustment information is recorded for adjusting a setting value for reproduction. A shortest mark length on a first prepit row formed in the information signal region (11) is shorter than a length of an optical system resolution limit of a playback apparatus. The types of mark lengths, recorded in the test read region (12), on the second prepit row for adjusting the setting value are the same as part or all types of mark lengths on the first prepit row. Further, the second prepit row includes a prepit having a mark length shorter than the length of the optical system resolution limit of the payback apparatus. Still further, each of the first and second prepit rows has at least three types of mark lengths.

Abstract: A method of recording information to a read-only optical information storage medium comprising a plurality of areas, including: recording data in at least one of the plurality of areas in the form of pits in a first pit pattern; and recording data in others of the plurality of areas in the form of pits in a second pit pattern different from the first.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus (200) is provided with: a recording device (353) for recording data onto an information recording medium (100) being provided with a first recording layer (L0) and a second recording layer (L1); a first controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device to record the data into each of the first recording layer and the second recording layer; a forming device (354) for forming a compatibility area (106, 109, 116, 119) for realizing reproduction compatibility of the information recording medium on an information recording apparatus, following the data recorded in each of the first recording layer and the second recording layer; and a second controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device to record the data into the formed compatibility area if the data is recorded after the compatibility area is formed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus that records data to an optical disc is disclosed. The recording apparatus includes a determination section that determines, when the optical disc is inserted, whether or not the recording condition information has been copied and recorded in the data recording area, a reading section that reads the recording condition information from the low recording-density area when the recording condition information has not been copied or recorded in the data recording area, and a recording section that copies and records the recording condition information read from the low recording-density area to a copy area in the data recording area while the optical disc is inserted.

Abstract: A recording medium, comprising a data area including a segment region and a replacement region; a first control data area storing access control information for controlling access to the segment region; and a second control data area storing defect control information for controlling a defective region of the recording medium, replacing a data of the defective region to the replacement region, wherein the replacement region corresponding to the defective region of the segment region is handled as the segment region to the access control information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disc recording method of irradiating an optical beam to an optical disc including a basal plate made of synthetic resin which has a concavo-convex pattern formed in advance on one surface thereof, and a reflective coat made of metal which is formed over the concavo-convex pattern on the basal plate, to physically change the concavo-convex pattern so as to record identification data.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium including a plurality of recording layers, the multi-layered information recording medium comprising: a user data area for recording user data; and a plurality of spare areas including at least one replacement region, wherein when the user data area includes at least one defect region, the at least one replacement region may be used in place of the at least one defect region, wherein a first spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a first user data area of a first recording layer, a second spare area of the plurality of spare areas is positioned so as to be contiguous to a second user data area of a second recording layer, and the first spare area and the second spare area are positioned approximately at the same radial position on the multi-layered information recording medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a main-information area in which a metal reflection film is formed on a substrate where a row of pits is formed as main data, and a sub-information area in which is recorded medium identification information, which is used to identify the optical recording medium individually, by removing the metal reflection film partially and forming a plurality of reflection-film removed areas. Information is reproduced by irradiating the metal reflection film with a beam of light. In the sub-information area, a row of pits or a guide groove is formed on the substrate, and a track pitch of the row of pits or the guide groove is at least 0.24 ?m wide and at most 0.45 ?m wide.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a multilayer optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers, comprises a step of preparing an optical recording medium having at least one record area; a write-position mark generating step of recording write-position marks in the record area beforehand; a step of preparing an optical system including a common objective lens to focus a data recording beam and a position mark recording beam on different positions in a thickness direction of the record area; a first data writing step of writing data between the write-position marks with following the write-position marks by the data recording beam; a position mark recording step of, in parallel with the first data writing step, recording new write-position marks in the record area by the position mark recording beam; and a second data writing step of writing data between the new write-position marks with following the new write-position marks by the data recording beam.

Abstract: A method and a host processing device are provided for background formatting, or de-icing, an optical medium with no de-icing assistance from an optical drive upon which the optical medium is mounted. In a foreground mode, an optical medium may be initially formatted, volume structures may be recorded on the optical medium, file system information may be written thereto, and quick grow formatting may be performed to make the optical medium writable, at least sequentially. Under initiation and control of a file system, executing on a host processing device, the optical medium may be formatted, or de-iced, in a background mode with no assistance from an optical drive, upon which the optical medium is mounted. Under control of the file system, blocked input or output activity, may be allowed to access the optical medium upon pausing the formatting, or de-icing.

Abstract: A bit pattern for a run-in area which allows data reproduction to be performed stably even when the recording density of an optical disc is increased is provided. An optical disc according to the present invention includes tracks, each of which divided into a plurality of recording blocks. Each of the plurality of blocks includes a run-in area and a data area. In the run-in area, a prescribed run-in bit pattern is recordable; and in the data area, bit patterns having a plurality of bit lengths obtained by modulating data as a recording target in accordance with a prescribed modulation rule are recordable. In this optical disc, at least one of spatial frequencies corresponding to the bit patterns having the plurality of bit lengths is higher than a cutoff frequency. The run-in bit pattern recordable in the run-in area includes the bit patterns having the plurality of bit lengths, from which the bit pattern corresponding to the frequency higher than the OTF cutoff frequency has been excluded.