Abstract: A method or system comprises determining a target sector of a write operation in response to a request for the write operation to a band in a storage device, determining a plurality of down-track data sectors in the band, and performing a band rewrite operation on the target data sector and the down-track data sectors.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk comprising a plurality of data tracks, a head, and control circuitry comprising a servo control system operable to actuate the head over the disk. When an access command is received to access a target data track, a seek operation is initiated to seek the head toward the target data track, wherein the seek operation includes integrating a first state of the servo control system and limiting an output range of the integrating. The output range of the integrating is increased during the seek operation, for example, if an error occurs during the seek operation.

Abstract: Reading a partly written writable record carrier having a track structure for positioning the write head above unwritten areas of the track pattern by means of a reading device which positions the read head on the basis of written marks, yields problems when an isolated information block after an unwritten area must be read. A system is disclosed for writing and reading information blocks on a record carrier of a writable type such as a CD-RW or a DVD-RAM. The writing device is provided with status means for generating status information which is indicative of the fact that at least one area of the record carrier has been written, while the status information comprises initial-area information which is indicative of an uninterrupted written initial area which extends from the start of a track pattern area intended for writing information blocks. The status information can be fixed on the record carrier. A reading device is also described, in which the positioning is dependent on the status information.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that verifies a user's identity. The system generates a list including a plurality of items and formulates a substantially large set of security questions base on the plurality of items. The number of questions in the set is significantly larger than a subset of security questions presented to the user to reduce the likelihood of the same questions being asked repeatedly. During account creation, the system presents to the user the subset of questions, and receives and stores a response from the user. At least one question in the subset is selected based on user information that is automatically extracted from devices associated with the user. Subsequently, the system receives a request to reset the user's password and presents the subset of questions to the requester. The system determines whether the requester is the user by comparing the requester's response with the stored user response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating errors in a seek operation on a recording medium are provided. Given a target address on a recording medium, a reading device is moved to seek the target address, and it is determined whether or not a signal is read out at the location to which the reading device has been moved. If the expected signal is not available at that location, by extending a variable frequency range of an oscillator clock of a PLL circuit or by increasing a track gap between the target address and the track to which the reading device jumps initially to seek the target address, the oscillator clock can be phase-synchronized to EFM signal from the recording medium reliably, resulting in reduction of the seek errors.

Abstract: A disk-shaped rewritable information recording medium having at a first recording layer and a second recording layer is disclosed. The information recording medium includes a first data area situated in the first recording layer, the first data area having a plurality of addresses allocated thereto, the plural addresses continuously increasing in a first direction, a second data area situated in the second recording layer, the second data area having a plurality of addresses allocated thereto, the plural addresses continuously increasing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a management information area having an area for recording end recorded area information thereto, the end recorded area information including information for identifying an area in the second data area having data that corresponds to an end position of the second data area.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing information is disclosed. The apparatus requests for recording of user data into an information-recording apparatus for recording in an information-recording medium having multiple recording layers, each of the layers having a data area for recording the user data. The medium has a first recording layer to be a reference for determining a position of the data area in each of the recording layers, and a second recording layer excluding the first recording layer.

Abstract: An optical disc including: sectors each having a sector ID; a first area having a first set of sectors sequentially arranged on the disc according to their respective IDs; a second area having a second set of sectors sequentially arranged on the disc according to their respective IDs, the second area being located after the first area in respect of a disc scan direction, the second area including all information needed for playback of the entire disc and having at least one sector ID which duplicates that of a sector in the first set of sectors.

Abstract: It is highly precisely determined as to whether or not a laser-irradiated position on an optical disk is positioned within an identification area (BCA) in which identification information is recorded, and the position of the identification information area is efficiently determined. An optical disk apparatus includes an optical pickup for detecting reflected light from an optical disk and generating a light amount signal, and a detecting section for outputting a detection signal which is in accordance with a change in the signal level of the light amount signal, the detection signal indicating that the change has continued for a first predetermined time or longer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for reducing undesirable skipping during playback of a compact disc in a compact disc player. A lens system of the compact disc player reads audio data and subcode data from the compact disc. The subcode data includes Q channel bits and P channel bits. The actual time lapse of the compact disc playback is calculated from the Q channel bits and the P channel bits, while a target time lapse is calculated based on data received from a real-time clock. The difference between the two time lapse values is calculated, and if the differences is greater than a predetermined threshold, the lens system is repositioned to read the audio data from the compact disc corresponding to a predetermined time interval in advance of the current position of the lens system.

Abstract: A second tracking error detector detects the displacement between the track and the light beam and outputs a second displacement detection result based on the comparison of the reproduction signals between first and second pit strings respectively. A second tracking error controller corrects a target position for push-pull control based on the second displacement detection result. A third tracking error controller calculates a correction data of a first displacement detection result based on the correction amount of the target position by the second tracking error controller, and corrects the first displacement detection result based on the calculated correction data.

Abstract: A system writes and reads information blocks on a record carrier and generates status information which is indicative of the fact that at least one area of the record carrier has been written. The status information includes initial-area information which is indicative of an uninterrupted written initial area which extends from the start of a track pattern area intended for writing information blocks. The status information may be fixed on the record carrier.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes a pickup head configured to record and read data on and from an optical disk, and a recording/reproducing circuit such as a RF amplifier. The optical disk device also includes a control section configured to determine whether or not recording of data by the pickup head is normal and exercises control for predetermined instructions to be given to the pickup head based on the result of determination. If it is determined that the recording by the pickup head is erroneous, the control section carries out a control process such as to stop recording and then resume recording at a position moved a predetermined amount from an error position at which the pickup head has stopped recording.

Abstract: A field editing system for editing materials in a material collecting place. Data for management of digital video and audio signals and data of an edit list are recorded on a disc-like recording medium together with the digital video and audio signals. Collected materials can be processed on the common disc-like recording medium from image pickup to editing.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for reducing undesirable skipping during playback of a compact disc in a compact disc player. A lens system of the compact disc player reads audio data and subcode data from the compact disc. The subcode data includes Q channel bits and P channel bits. The actual time lapse of the compact disc playback is calculated from the Q channel bits and the P channel bits, while a target time lapse is calculated based on data received from a real-time clock. The difference between the two time lapse values is calculated, and if the differences is greater than a predetermined threshold, the lens system is repositioned to read the audio data from the compact disc corresponding to a predetermined time interval in advance of the current position of the lens system.

Abstract: A method and the apparatus of defect areas management includes the steps as following: reading a defect area table in a random access memory; if the area is readable, then read the area. If the area is not accessible, then label and add one count in the defect area table of inability to read of the defect area, and else if the count of inability to read of the defect area is more than a predetermined value, then the defect area is defined as the area of being not to be read again. Then the defect area of being not to be read again is skipped and not to be read the next time in order to decrease the total access time.

Abstract: An optical disk 101 includes a plurality of recording layers 102 and 103 and allows recording of information on each of the recording layers 102 and 103. A spiral guide groove having wobbles meandering in radial directions of the optical disk 101 is formed on each of the recording layers 102 and 103. Recording data can be recorded on or between the guide grooves. ADIP, which is address information embedded by wobble modulation of the guide groove, is recorded. The address information indicates positional information with respect to a radial direction of the recording layer 102 or 103 of the optical disk 101 on which the wobbles of the guide groove are formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing information is disclosed. The apparatus requests for recording of user data into an information-recording apparatus for recording in an information-recording medium having multiple recording layers, each of the layers having a data area for recording the user data. The medium has a first recording layer to be a reference for determining a position of the data area in each of the recording layers, and a second recording layer excluding the first recording layer.

Abstract: In an optical information record medium including a plurality of record layers that are recordable, various signal characteristics with respect to an area X in a record layer A (second layer) among the plurality of record layers are defined under a condition that an area Y in a record layer B (first layer) adjacent to the record layer A (second layer) on an incident side thereof along an optical axis of a light beam shone on the area X is a prerecorded area. This suppresses variation and errors in the measurement of characteristics of various signals caused by the interfering light coming from an adjacent record layer, thereby making it possible to manage and define media parameters with characteristic values having high reliability, compatibility, and reproducibility.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a defect includes a defect detection unit and a main filter. The defect detection unit detects a presence of a defect in a disc, and when the defect is detected, outputs a reset signal to the main filter. The main filter receives a focus error signal or a tracking error signal, which are digital signals, and outputs a focus regulation signal or a tracking regulation signal to regulate a focus or a tracking location of the disc by filtering the focus error signal or the tracking error signal. The reset signal is applied to the main filter and resets the signal values of a high-frequency component existing in the main filter to 0. Using the apparatus, a peaking phenomenon of the focus regulation signal or the tracking regulation signal can be removed and, accordingly, an accurate servo filter characteristic can be obtained.

Abstract: High speed access to an information recording medium is possible by preparing information relative to a lower level recording unit, e.g., a fragment, which is set smaller than a higher level recording unit, e.g., a session. A fragment identifier, typically, a fragment number is assigned to each fragment, sequentially and in ascending order. A fragment number (greatest fragment number) that is greater than any other fragment number in the session is recorded in the information recording medium for each session. When reproducing a desired fragment, a controller acquires the greatest fragment number of each session sequentially from the first session, and compares the greatest fragment number of the session with the fragment number of the desired fragment. When the greatest fragment number that is equal to or greater than the fragment number of the desired fragment is found, the desired fragment is searched for from the top of the session.

Abstract: A method for preventing a TOC reading error in a multi-session disc includes determining a range of absolute time of a specific session, when a plurality of Q codes, each of which has a value in a “POINT” item not equal to B0, are read, determining whether each of the plurality of Q codes is located in the range of absolute time according to an absolute time of each Q code, and when a first Q code having a value in the “POINT” item equal to B0 is read, reading a second Q code that has a value in the “POINT” item not equal to B0 again, and determining whether the absolute time of the second Q code is within the range of absolute time.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for canceling noise from a track cross signal, a method for controlling an optical disc drive, an optical disc drive, and an optical disc reproducing apparatus. The method for removing noise from a track cross signal includes (a) removing noise from the track cross signal by binarizing the track cross signal with reference to hysteresis set values that are determined according to a command speed for a tracking actuator; and (b) removing glitch noise from the binarized track cross signal based on a predetermined time value. Accordingly, it is possible to effective remove noise to obtain information regarding the precise speed and position of a desired track.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove periodic disturbances in a recording medium having large eccentricity and deflection mass includes an actuator to change a position of a pickup in response to a combination of first and second compensation signals, an error detector to detect an error between positions actuator and the recording medium, a first compensator to receive the detected error and to output the first compensation signal that the actuator uses to actuate the pickup along the recording medium in upper and lower directions, and right and left directions; and a second compensator to output the second compensation signal from which the disturbance has been removed, to combine the compensated error and previous first and second compensation signals, and to filter the combined result at a predetermined bandwidth.

Abstract: An optical pickup moves to the most inner circumference, then moves to outer circumference for a predetermined period and acquires address information there. Next, a difference XZ between the acquired address information and predetermined reference address information is calculated, and then difference YZ between address information which is acquired by performing above mentioned process in standard acceleration/deceleration control algorithm setting stage and the predetermined reference address information is calculated. Feed control amount is multiplied by a ratio between difference XZ and difference YZ.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for a write-once and/or re-recordable optical recording medium includes a discriminator for discriminating a recording position information from the optical recording medium; a detector for detecting a deviation between the address information recorded in the recording medium and the recording position information; and a controller for controlling the recording position of a data signal including address information based on the deviation while recording the data signal.

Abstract: An optical disk 101 includes a plurality of recording layers 102 and 103 and allows recording of information on each of the recording layers 102 and 103. A spiral guide groove having wobbles meandering in radial directions of the optical disk 101 is formed on each of the recording layers 102 and 103. Recording data can be recorded on or between the guide grooves. ADIP, which is address information embedded by wobble modulation of the guide groove, is recorded. The address information indicates positional information with respect to a radial direction of the recording layer 102 or 103 of the optical disk 101 on which the wobbles of the guide groove are formed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing information is disclosed. The apparatus requests for recording of user data into an information-recording apparatus for recording in an information-recording medium having multiple recording layers, each of the layers having a data area for recording the user data. The medium has a first recording layer to be a reference for determining a position of the data area in each of the recording layers, and a second recording layer excluding the first recording layer.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus which subsidiarily moves a feed at kick seek, thereby performing a tracking control is constituted to calculate a reference feed shifting amount and a compensation amount of the feed shifting on the basis of a lens offset just before starting of the kick seek and the number of tracks on an optical disk by which the lens is moved by the kick seek, further add/subtract the compensation amount to/from the reference feed shifting amount on the basis of the direction of the kick seek, thereby calculating a feed shifting amount, and subsidiarily move the feed by the feed shifting amount in concurrence with the kick seek. Thereby, tracking after the kick seek can be performed stably.

Abstract: A controller for a writable optical media is presented. The controller includes a write control sequencer that monitors the transmission of data from a host device to the writable optical media without continuous supervision from a microcomputer. The write control sequencer monitors and controls data flow in response to descriptors which are loaded into the controller prior to the transfer by a microprocessor.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus is provided, which can provide a sound which sounds natural by controlling an abrupt change in a tempo in the case of random access playback. When a cue point is registered, audio data which makes seamless playback possible is stored into a cue point memory, and further, the beat density of a playback sound being played when the cue point is registered is measured and stored. When the cue point is specified to start random access playback later, a ratio of the beat density (?×DBPM) of a playback sound being played when the cue point is specified and the beat density (DBPMreg) stored in advance is found. Then, the random access playback is started after the beat density of a playback sound to be played after random access playback is started is corrected to be equal to the beat density when a start of the random access playback is specified.

Abstract: A recording medium is provided, which maximizes the recording capacity and simplifies the configuration of an information recording/reproducing apparatus including a pickup. In the medium, different types of wobbling signals are preformatted in each of the adjacent land and groove signal tracks. A same-phase wobbling signal provided by wobbling each side of the respective land and groove signal tracks in the same phase, and a different-phase wobbling signal provided by wobbling each side of the respective land and groove signal tracks in a different phase are used as the different types of wobbling signals. The physical positions of all the land and groove signal tracks are indicated by the same-phase wobbling signal.

Abstract: A disc playback apparatus incorporating a memory that stores data concerning errors or differences between commanded number of tracks to be traversed and the number of tracks actually traversed by an optical pickup actuated by a servo controller. The apparatus further includes a traversed track number computing unit computes the number of tracks to be traversed by the optical pickup when the optical pickup is moved to a track that corresponds to the address where the data to be read is stored and a correction processing unit performs a predetermined correction processing on the computed number of tracks to be traversed, taking into consideration the error data stored in the memory.

Abstract: The present invention searches the data of the desired time with fewer access frequencies from a recording medium in which information is recorded by the recording system where the signal playback time length is not proportional to the data amount of the relevant signal. The playback apparatus of the present invention comprises a playback section for reading an information unit of audiovisual subject and management information containing playback time information of the information unit and recorded position information from a recording medium, and a control section for searching the recorded position of the information unit based on the recorded position information and for playing back the information unit from the position.

Abstract: A pickup is moved in the radial direction of a partial CD-R, and the end position of a recorded area in the partial CD-R is detected based on a feature signal (on track signal) in the radial direction obtained during the movement. Information recorded in the recorded area is reproduced based on the detected end position, so that an accessing inability can be avoided, and the information in the recorded area can correctly be reproduced. Thus, information recorded in the partial CD-R can correctly be reproduced.

Abstract: In an information access device, an information access method and an information storage medium access system which are suited to quickly and reliably detect a deviation in frame management associated with erroneous detection of a synchronous mark and to perform an operation of redetecting a synchronous mark, an Even synchronous mark erroneous detector outputs a count-up signal if a synchronous mark LSY from an LPP pattern comparing portion is “111” when an Even/Odd identification signal from a frame counter assumes 1. An Odd synchronous mark erroneous detector outputs a count-up signal if the synchronous mark LSY is “110” when the Even/Odd identification signal assumes 0. An erroneous detection counter counts the number of the outputted count-up signals, which is compared with a count value set by a redetection level portion in a comparator. Then a redetection instruction signal for redetecting an LPP access synchronous mark is outputted.

Abstract: A method and device for searching a recording medium are provided. The recording medium has a management information area of which location information is overlapped with that of a program area. The method for determining an area on a recording medium having an overlapped time range between two areas reads a time address from a current position on the recording medium, obtains additional information from the recording medium or from a recording medium driving unit, if the read time address belongs to the overlapped range, and determines, based on the obtained additional information, to which one the areas the current position belongs. Therefore, the present invention prevents wrong track jumps that are caused from time-overlapped areas on a capacity-expanded recording medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for information signals in which, in recording and/or reproducing information signals responsive to a request from a host device, a first address defined with the time domain information is converted into a second address defined with consecutive hexadecimal numbers and vice versa by way of reciprocal address conversion. Specifically, an uppermost order value in the time domain information in the first address and a second address value are converted reciprocally using a conversion table.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for accessing target data in a data storage medium, identification data in an initial data sector is verified before a target data sector that corresponds to starting location of the target data in the data storage medium can be found. Therefore, accuracy of the target data can be ensured before decoding of the target data is performed to result in increased efficiency and reduced idle time.

Abstract: A present invention relates to the clearing of an obstacle if smooth transfer of a head is interfered with in an apparatus for reproducing data recorded in a recording medium having address information. If an obstacle is detected, the head frictionally engaged in a movable manner with a drive shaft secured to an oscillation actuator that expands and contracts in response to the application of a drive signal is transferred by driving the oscillation actuator such that it expands and contracts at different speeds.

Abstract: On an information recording medium, a recording area is divided in a plurality of data areas, and data is recorded on each of the data areas. In response to a request for obtaining data management information concerning a recording of the data recorded on each of the data areas, a plurality of predetermined data areas among the foregoing data areas are regarded as a predetermined pseudo area, and the data management information including information concerning the predetermined pseudo area is obtained.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for accessing target data in a data storage medium, identification data in an initial data sector is verified before a target data sector that corresponds to starting location of the target data in the data storage medium can be found. Therefore, accuracy of the target data can be ensured before decoding of the target data is performed to result in increased efficiency and reduced idle time.

Abstract: An information playback apparatus is provided, which can provide a sound which sounds natural by controlling an abrupt change in a tempo in the case of random access playback. When a cue point is registered, audio data which makes seamless playback possible is stored into a cue point memory, and further, the beat density of a playback sound being played when the cue point is registered is measured and stored. When the cue point is specified to start random access playback later, a ratio of the beat density (&agr;×DBPM) of a playback sound being played when the cue point is specified and the beat density (DBPMreg) stored in advance is found. Then, the random access playback is started after the beat density of a playback sound to be played after random access playback is started is corrected to be equal to the beat density when a start of the random access playback is specified.

Abstract: A record carrier includes write status information indicating whether at least one area of the record carrier has been written, initial area status information indicating the extent of an uninterrupted initial area contiguously written from the start of a track pattern area intended for writing information blocks, and/or conformance status information indicating whether the record carrier is written to fully comply with the requirements of a standard that specifies requirements of reading devices or only partially complies with the standard for reading devices.

Abstract: An optical pickup moves to the most inner circumference, then moves to outer circumference for a predetermined period and acquires address information there. Next, a difference XZ between the acquired address information and predetermined reference address information is calculated, and then difference YZ between address information which is acquired by performing above mentioned process in standard acceleration/deceleration control algorithm setting stage and the predetermined reference address information is calculated. Feed control amount is multiplied by a ratio between difference XZ and difference YZ.

Abstract: In an information access device, an information access method and an information storage medium access system which are suited to quickly and reliably detect a deviation in frame management associated with erroneous detection of a synchronous mark and to perform an operation of redetecting a synchronous mark, an Even synchronous mark erroneous detector outputs a count-up signal if a synchronous mark LSY from an LPP pattern comparing portion is “111” when an Even/Odd identification signal from a frame counter assumes 1. An Odd synchronous mark erroneous detector outputs a count-up signal if the synchronous mark LSY is “110” when the Even/Odd identification signal assumes 0. An erroneous detection counter counts the number of the outputted count-up signals, which is compared with a count value set by a redetection level portion in a comparator. Then a redetection instruction signal for redetecting an LPP access synchronous mark is outputted.

Abstract: A disk apparatus 10 includes a DSP 36. The DSP 36 controls each circuit component under the instruction from an MCU 44. When a braking pulse is applied to a driver 38b at the end of a jump, a corresponding tracking actuator control voltage is supplied to a tracking actuator 16. Then a DSP core 36a determines whether the TE signal level becomes equal to or below the predetermined value within a predetermined period shorter than the zero crossing cycle of the TE signal. In case the TE signal level does not become equal to or below the predetermined value within the predetermined period, the DSP core 36a determines that the travel direction of an objective lens 14 with respect to a disk 22 is reversed and applies a correction pulse having a polarity opposite to that of the braking pulse thus accelerating the objective lens 14.

Abstract: A storage medium stores information on a plurality of tracks formed thereon, each of the tracks being divided into a plurality of sectors. The storage medium includes a physically formed sector beginning identifier provided at a leading portion of each sector, and an information storing portion. The information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, includes at least one sector address portion at a leading end of the information storing portion, another sector address portion at the trailing end of the information storing portion, and a data portion provided between the two sector address portions.

Abstract: The present invention searches the data of the desired time with fewer access frequencies from a recording medium in which information is recorded by the recording system where the signal playback time length is not proportional to the data amount of the relevant signal. The playback apparatus of the present invention comprises a playback section for reading an information unit of audiovisual subject and management information containing playback time information of the information unit and recorded position information from a recording medium, and a control section for searching the recorded position of the information unit based on the recorded position information and for playing back the information unit from the position.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes a converging section for converging a light beam toward an information carrier; a moving section for moving the light beam converged by the converging section in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the information carrier; a light detector for detecting the light beam reflected by the information carrier; a convergence state detecting section for generating a convergence state signal representing a convergence state of the light beam at a convergence point on the information carrier and outputting a reproduction signal from the information carrier, based on the output from the light detector; a focus controller for driving the moving section to make the convergence state constant based on the convergence state signal and a prescribed target position; a reproduction quality signal detector for detecting a reproduction quality signal representing a quality of the reproduction signal based on the reproduction signal; a reproduction quality signal measuring section for cha