Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided with at least a substrate, light absorbing and heat generating parts each of which absorbs light and generates heat, and recording parts, and each of the recording parts are formed between two recording tracks.

Abstract: When recording or reading an optical disc having plural data recording layers, which data recording layer the light spot is focused on is detected to improve playback signal quality and signals written to the layer on which the light spot is focused are read more reliably. A convergent lens converges the laser beam on the optical disc, and a focus controller controls the focal point of the laser beam on the data layer. A tracking controller positions and tracks the focal point of the laser beam converged by the convergent lens on a track of the optical disc. A photodetector detects the reflected laser beam from the disc. A convergence detector then detects the convergence state of the laser beam emitted to the plural data recording layers. Based on output from the convergence detector, the laser driver is controlled to separately set beam power appropriately for each of the plural data layers of the disc during playback.

Abstract: An optical recording medium wherein a laser beam at a wavelength ? is irradiated and recording and reproducing of information are performed by optical power modulation of binary or more, and when the refraction index of the first substrate being n1, the refraction index of the intermediate layer being n2, the groove depth, the groove width and the track pitch of the first information layer being d1, w1 and p1 respectively and the groove depth, the groove width and the track pitch of the second information layer being d2, w2 and p2 respectively, the following conditions are satisfied. 4?/16n1?d1?7?/16n1 ?/16n2?d2?3?/16n2 or 4?/16n2?d2?7?/16n2 0.2?w1/p1?0.55 0.2?w2/p2?0.

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 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: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes a writing/reading unit writing data to or reading data from an information recording medium having an access control area in which access control data is recorded, the access control data having common information set to allow the recording/reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize a predetermined function adapted to the information recording medium to control access to the information recording medium; and a control unit controlling the writing/reading unit to record access control data regarding a function recognizable by the recording/reproducing apparatus in the access control area when the information recording medium is initialized or reinitialized.

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 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: 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: An optical disc is disclosed having a set of primary tracks and a set of alternate tracks. At least some of the primary and alternate tracks are associated. When a CD-DA reader accesses the optical disc, it locates only the primary tracks. By contrast, when a data reader such as a CD-Rom drive accesses the disc, modifications to the Table of Contents (TOC) cause the data reader not to access a given primary track but instead to be directed to its associated alternate track. This alternate track may contain audio (CD-DA) data which may or may not correspond with the CD-DA data in the associated primary track. The alternate tracks may be copy protected, and/or may include compressed (not CD-DA) data which is the subject of digital rights management.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a plurality of layers for recording or reproduction of information by irradiation, wherein each of the layers includes an emboss portion and wobble portion including wobbles of a first frequency and a second frequency that is different from the first frequency. The first frequency is constant in each of the plurality of layers, and a different signal is obtained from the wobbles of the first and second frequencies in each of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A write-once optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording management information of the write-once optical disc, are provided. The method includes sequentially recording data in the at least one recording-unit in the direction of increasing address; padding, with padding data, a remaining non-recorded part of a last recording-unit when terminating the sequential recording of the data; and recording padding identification information on the recording medium, the padding identification information identifying which part of the at least one recording-unit is padded.

Abstract: An optical disk read only memory having an information recording surface with a concave-convex pattern formed on the basis of a first signal and a reflective film covering the surface. The disc medium includes: an additional information recording section formed on a recording track of a first data string; and a second data string including a mark of removing or reducing the reflective film. The modulation methods of the first and the second data strings are identical, and Lh(n)>Lp1(n) and Wh(n)>(Wp1(n)+Wp2(n))/2 are satisfied, where a reference clock cycle is T, a data length is nT, a length and a width of the mark are Lh(n) and Wh(n), a length and a width of a base of the pit are Lp1(n), and Wp1(n), a length and a width of a top face of the pit is Lp2(n) exceeding Lp1(n), and Wp2(n) exceeding Wp1(n).

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 medium, and a method and apparatus of controlling an access to the recording medium are disclosed. Physical access control (PAC) information that is pre-recorded on a recording medium is extracted. Then, a PAC identification is extracted from the PAC information. An access to the recording medium is controlled using first control information that is included in the PAC information, when the PAC identification is known. Alternatively, the access to the recording medium is controlled using second control information that is included in the PAC information, when the PAC identification is unknown.

Abstract: A recording medium for storing defect management information to record real time data, a defect managing method therefor, and a method of recording real time data. The recording medium stores information representing use or non-use of linear replacement defect management in which a defective area on the recording medium is replaced with the spare area, in order to record real time data. While maintaining compatibility between the defect managing method and a defect managing method based on a current DVD-RAM standard, i.e., while allowing a report of the fact that there are blocks which have not been linearly replaced, linear replacement is not performed when real time data is recorded. Thus, real time data can be recorded and reproduced.

Abstract: The drive apparatus of the present invention includes a recording/reproduction section and a drive control section. The drive control section determines a physical address indicating a location at which data can be recorded next in the determined track of a write-once recording medium as a next writable address, based on the last recorded address in the track; compares the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction with the next writable address; when the physical address corresponding to the logical address is smaller than the next writable address, controls the recording/reproduction section to record the data at a specific location in the user data area other than the location indicated by the physical address corresponding to the logical address in the recording instruction; generates new disc management information; and controls the recording/reproduction section to record the new disc management information in the disc management information area.

Abstract: An optical recording medium, an apparatus and method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, and an apparatus and method of recording/reproducing data of an optical recording medium, allocated with a wobble address suitable for a capacity of a high density recording disc, the optical recording medium including a first area and a second area on which data is recorded/reproduced by a recording/reproducing apparatus, the optical recording medium including: a recording unit block on which the data is recorded or reproduced, and a wobble address corresponding to the recording unit block and indicating a location of the recording unit block in the optical recording medium, the wobble address including a plurality of address units (ADIPs), wherein last two bits in the ADIPs in the first area are one of: 00, 10, and 01, and last two bits in at least one ADIP in the second area are 11.

Abstract: An optical recording medium, an apparatus and method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, and an apparatus and method of recording/reproducing data of an optical recording medium, allocated with a wobble address suitable for a capacity of a high density recording disc, the optical recording medium including a wobble address that corresponds to a recording unit block on which data is recorded on the optical recording medium, wherein the wobble address includes a plurality of wobble address units, and each wobble address unit includes address information in 28 bits, auxiliary information in 8 bits, and parity information in 24 bits.

Abstract: A recording method for recording, on a write once type information recording medium, management information representing a recording state of the write once type information recording medium is provided. The information recording medium includes data including a first synchronization signal. The information recording medium has a second synchronization signal pre-recorded by cutting. The recording method includes the steps of (a) performing a recording operation for recording the management information at a predetermined position of the information recording medium based on the first synchronization signal; (b) determining whether the recording operation in step (a) is normally terminated or not; and (c) when the recording operation in step (a) is not normally terminated, performing a recording operation for recording the management information at the predetermined position of the information recording medium based on the second synchronization signal.

Abstract: In an information recording medium comprising at least a substrate, a recording layer, and a resin layer, the substrate is formed with at least a pit corresponding to a read only area 31 and a groove corresponding to a recording/reproducing area 32 without overlapping with each other. A reflectivity of the recording layer is specified to be more than 10%. The recording layer and the resin layer are continuously adhered over both the read only and recording/reproducing areas 31 and 32. The information recording medium is characterized in that both push-pull signal outputs T1 and T2, which are reproduced from the read only area 31 and the recording/reproducing area 32 respectively, are more than 0.1 and satisfy an inequality 1.5?T1/T2?0.5.

Abstract: A device for recording blocks of information on logical addresses on a write once record carrier at corresponding physical addresses. The logical addresses are translated into the physical addresses by addressing means (31). Allocation means (32) define a continuous addressing space for a user area and divide it into a front area, a middle area and a rear area for sequentially recording information by allocating to them parts of the user area address range. The device has re-allocation means (33) for splitting the middle area into new areas, specifically when no more data can be stored in the rear area or the front area.

Abstract: A header region protection apparatus of an optical storage medium. The apparatus comprises an encoder, a header location generator, and a header protector. The encoder converts user data to an EFM signal and a write enable signal according to a write clock. The header location generator generates a header location signal. The header protector is coupled to the encoder and the header location generator and generates a header protect write enable signal according to the write enable signal and the header location signal.

Abstract: A big 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.

Abstract: When recording is carried out in a DVD-RAM, if at least one address mark could have been detected at the header section, after a test light emission for a laser power control is carried out at a GAP section, normal recording is carried out from GUARD1. Herein, if the delay time in the reproduced data would have increased, and if the head of the GAP section has been passed by at the timing when the AM4 is detected in a period during judging whether the fourth AM has been detected or not, it would not be possible to carry out a test light emission normally at the GAP section. In an optical disc recording device of the present invention, when any of the first to third address marks could have been detected, a test light emission is carried out at the GAP section as conventional, and normal recording is carried out from GUARD1 with controlling the laser powers on the basis of that result.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided with: a first recording layer in which one portion of record information including predetermined data can be recorded, the predetermined data being (i) capable of setting a recording layer close to a physically or optically recorded state, and (ii) capable of setting the recording layer close to a buffer state for finalizing; and a second recording layer in which another portion of the record information can be recorded by laser light transmitted through the first recording layer, the information recording medium is provided with a management area in which management information can be recorded, the management information including (iii) identification information indicating whether or not there is a predetermined data recording area in which the predetermined data can be recorded, (iv) position information of the predetermined data recording area, and (v) attribute information of the predetermined data recording area.

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: 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: The invention relates to a record carrier (1) comprising an area for storing data, the record carrier adhering to a pre-defined, standardized condition with respect to a physical parameter. The record carrier comprises parameter information on the physical parameter, which parameter information is of a higher precision than the precision of the physical parameter mentioned in the pre-defined, standardized condition. Using this high precision parameter information, it is possible to derive the exact position of a visible image pixel data making up a label. This parameter information thus enables a recorder to write a visible label on the record carrier according to the invention.

Abstract: In an information recording medium including at least a first recording layer (L0 layer) capable of recording information and a second recording layer (L1 layer) capable of recording information, an information recording device (300) records information in a predetermined area (12) of the second recording layer by a laser beam which has passed through a transmission area (11) of the first recording layer. The information recording medium (300) includes recording means (302, etc.) for recording the information in the first recording layer or the second recording layer, judgment means for judging whether an unrecorded amount indicating the size of the unrecorded area in the radial direction in the transmission area is smaller than a predetermined amount, and control means used when the unrecorded area is judged to be smaller than the predetermined amount, for controlling the recording means to record information in the predetermined area.

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: Compatibility information embedded in an optical medium modifies actions allowed by predetermined non-compatible optical disc drives on the optical medium, such as optical disc drives that may suffer damage if certain actions are performed on the optical medium. For instance, a compatibility engine of the optical disc drive applies compatibility information read from an optical medium to determine restrictions to impose on the use of the optical medium, such as restricting the optical disc drive from writing to the optical medium, reading from the optical medium or performing any operations until an update to the optical disc drive firmware is performed either automatically or by display of a compatibility user interface at an information handling system associated with the optical disc drive. In one embodiment, the compatibility information identifies incompatible optical disc drives and firmware versions by unique identifiers.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided with: a recording layer (L0 layer, L1 layer) having one or a plurality of predetermined recording areas (CDZ, 101 and the like) in which record data including buffer data in a finalizing process can be recorded; and a management area (CDZ) in which the management information (50a) can be recorded, the management information including first identification information (51a) for identifying whether or not embossed pits are formed in the predetermined recording area.

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: A disclosed optical information recording medium includes a guide track layer having grooves and ridges; and recording layers composed of an optical recording material and disposed above and below the guide track layer. The guide track layer is used to determine track positions on the recording layers.

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 4 bits, 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 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 disk apparatus according to the present invention includes: a sub-data forming section for forming, from data to be recorded into an optical disk (3), element data (42a, 42b) constituting the data and parity data (42c) for reconstructing the data in a case where the element data (42a, 42b) becomes unreadable; and a recording position determining section for determining respective recording positions for the element data (42a, 42b) and the parity data (42c). The recording position determining section determines the respective recording positions for the element data (42a, 42b) and the parity data (42c) such that they do not overlap each other in a projection plane of the optical disk viewed in a light-irradiation direction. The arrangement makes it possible to improve reliability of data reconstruction in a case where data loss occurs in data recorded in the optical disk (3) in which data is recordable in a plurality of layers.

Abstract: First data representing user data and third data use the same error correction codes. The first data has a first error correction block structure and the third data has a second error correction block structure. That is to say, the first data and the third data have their respective error correction block structures proper for them. In particular, the recording density of the third data is made less dense than the recording density of the first data, and the number of correction codes in the first error-correction block is set at a multiple of m whereas the number of correction codes in the second error-correction block is set at n/m times the number of correction codes in the first error-correction block so that a data-piece count in the second error-correction block is also n/m times a data-piece count in the first error-correction block. As a result, it is possible to provide a good technique of recording shipping-time information onto a high-recording-density disc.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, a recording layer, a second dielectric layer, a super-resolution layer, and a third dielectric layer, which are provided in that order. The super-resolution layer is formed of a material configured such that voids are generated when the material is irradiated with DC light at a predetermined irradiation power for 1 to 300 seconds. Therefore, super-resolution reproduction can be made such that the irradiation power of a readout laser beam does not depend on the size of a recording mark.

Abstract: An optical-disk device includes a record unit recording data onto an optical disk, and a management-information-record unit configured to additionally write the latest disk-management information about the optical disk in management-information-record areas provided on the optical disk. When a first area of the management-information-record areas is short of a vacant area used to additionally write the disk-management information, the management-information-record unit records padding data in an unrecorded area of the first area, and additionally writes the disk-management information in a second area of the management-information-record areas, and wherein when the first area includes an unrecordable area where the disk-management information can be additionally written with difficulty, the management-information-record unit stops additionally writing the disk-management information in the first area, and additionally writes the disk-management information in the second area.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a user data area and a lead-out area, wherein the user data area and the lead-out area each has grooves and lands formed thereon. Wobbles are formed on at least one lateral surface of grooves of the user data area and the lead-out area, and configured such that wobble characteristics are made different between the user data area and the lead-out area. Different types of wobbles are formed on the grooves of either the user data area or the lead-out area, thereby preventing an optical pickup that performs recording/reproduction from deviating from the user data area. Also, in a multi-layer optical recording medium, a whole area of a recording layer is configured to have a same condition, thereby preventing deterioration in reproduction and/or recording due to a difference in light power transmittance of another recording layer.

Abstract: In the present invention, in order to permit recording operation of data by optimum recording power even at any recording position of inner circumference and outer circumference of an optical disc (1), PCAs (Power Calibration Areas) serving as a trial write area for adjusting recording power of laser beams are respectively provided at the inner circumferential side and the outer circumferential side of the optical disc (1) in the state where program area is put therebetween. In recording data into the program area of the optical disc (1), one PCA near from the recording position of data is selected to perform trial write operation to set write power of laser beams on the basis of trial write data to thereby permit recording operation of data at optimum laser power.

Abstract: An optical disk medium in which high density recording/reproducing is possible, an information recording method and an information reproducing method using it are provided. A pit composed of a phase change material and a recording film different from it are provided on an optical disk. The phase change pit has a pattern of a single frequency. A mark having a size on the same level as the phase change pit can be formed by melting a single phase change pit while recording and controlling the optical absorbance and the temperature of the recording film at the region. A single phase change pit is molten while reproducing. Since the optical characteristics of the molten region are different from the optical characteristics of other regions, only data at the molten region can be reproduced by a super-resolution effect.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium including a data area including at least two data sections and a linking area to link neighboring data sections, the linking area including user data and parity data, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium including a user data area and an SA/DL area in which a replacement block to replace a defective block in the user data area, and information regarding a defect corresponding to the defective block, is recorded, wherein the information regarding the defect includes a consecutive defect list entry including information regarding defects located in consecutive locations of the user data area; an apparatus using the optical recording medium; and a method of using the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A write-once-type recording medium (100) on which record data can be recorded only once, provided with: a data area (108) to record therein the record data; and a shared area (104, 105) to temporarily record therein evacuation data which is record data to be recorded or already recorded at a position of a defect in the data area and defect management information (120) including an evacuation source address of the evacuation data, the evacuation data being recorded with one predetermined point which exists in the shared area as a start point, the defect management information being recorded with another predetermined point which exists at a different point from the one point as a start point, in the shared area.

Abstract: A write-once disc, an apparatus for recording information thereon, and a method of reducing access time thereto the write-once disc including at least one record layer. The write-once disc also includes at least one update area in which updated predetermined information is recorded; and an access information area in which location information regarding the updated predetermined information, is recorded for a predetermined period. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an access time for reading information updated in the write-once disc on which predetermined information is updated and recorded on a new position.

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 recording medium has a user data area and a lead-out area, wherein the user data area and the lead-out area each has grooves and lands formed thereon. Wobbles are formed on at least one lateral surface of grooves of the user data area and the lead-out area, and configured such that wobble characteristics are made different between the user data area and the lead-out area. Different types of wobbles are formed on the grooves of either the user data area or the lead-out area, thereby preventing an optical pickup that performs recording/reproduction from deviating from the user data area. Also, in a multi-layer optical recording medium, a whole area of a recording layer is configured to have a same condition, thereby preventing deterioration in reproduction and/or recording due to a difference in light power transmittance of another recording layer.