Abstract: Example techniques related to portable playback device power management. An example implementation includes a main SoC comprising main processor(s), an auxiliary processor, and a kernel that executes on the one or more main processor cores. During kernel suspend of the kernel, a power management microcontroller monitors a battery for conditions corresponding to respective wake-on-battery triggers, detects that the monitored conditions correspond to a particular wake-on-battery trigger; and in response, sends, to the auxiliary processor, an interrupt corresponding to a particular wake-on-battery trigger, wherein the interrupt causes the auxiliary processor core to enable the main processor(s) and resume the kernel from kernel suspend. After resuming from kernel suspend, the kernel adds a first kernel resume source event indicating the particular wake-on-battery trigger to a power event queue.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for providing a program to a server. One method includes an operation for receiving a request by a switching device from a first server, the request being for a boot image for booting the first server. In addition, the method includes operations for determining if the boot image is available from non-volatile storage in the switching device, and for forwarding the request to a second server when the boot image is absent from the non-volatile storage. Further, the method includes an operation for sending the boot image to the first server from the switching device when the boot image is available from the non-volatile storage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a library system including a disc recording/reproducing unit, a disc container, and a disc transport unit for transporting a disc between the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc container. In order to improve the reliability of the operation of moving the disc from the disc recording/reproducing unit to the disc transport unit, a disc transport controller determines the situation in both the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc transport unit, and error-stops the operation according to the result of the determination. Alternatively, the disc transport controller retries the movement of the disc, by pulling the disc into the disc transport unit or returning the disc to the disc recording/reproducing unit, and by finely adjusting the relative positions of the disc recording/reproducing unit and the disc transport unit if necessary, in order to solve the problem of damage to a surface of the disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing device that records data on a double-sided recordable optical disk for storage and management purposes. The device includes a unit which stores a plurality of optical disks, a unit which records data onto and reproduces data from an upper side of an optical disk, a unit which records data onto and reproduces data from a lower side of an optical disk, a unit which conveys an optical disk between the disk storage unit and each recording/reproducing unit. When a request for reading data recorded on the lower side of the disk is received while the upper side is being written onto, a control unit interrupts a data recording process on the upper side, reproduces data recorded on the lower side, and after completion of reproducing the recorded data, resumes the interrupted data recording process.

Abstract: A battery charger includes: a resume information table for storing resume information about contents to be started to be reproduced with a portable player being connected to the battery charger; a writing unit that writes resume information about a tune being reproduced just before the portable player is disconnected from the battery charger into the resume information table; and an instructing unit that reads the resume information stored in the resume information table when the portable player is connected to the battery charger, and transmits an instruction for reproducing a specified tune to the portable player.

Abstract: An audio signal receiving apparatus includes a sound source information receiving portion to receive sound source information containing sound source type information indicating a sound source type of the audio signal being transmitted through channels and externally connected equipment playback sound source information indicating a sound source type of the audio signal being played back by the externally connected equipment from externally connected equipment, an audio signal receiving portion to receive the audio signal from the externally connected equipment, and a playbackable sound source setting portion to determine and set a sound source type of the audio signal that can played back to a playbackable sound source based on the sound source information. The playbackable sound source setting portion sets a sound source type of the audio signal being played back by the externally connected equipment to the playbackable sound source as an externally connected equipment playback sound source.

Abstract: An optical disc recording device includes: an optical disc device to record optical recording data onto an optical disc; a recording data assigning unit to divide a recording region on the optical disc into multiple divisions, part as a data region, assign optical recording data thereto; a redundancy data calculating unit to calculate redundancy data for restoring recorded data; a redundancy data assigning unit to take divided regions other than the data region as a redundancy region, and assign the corresponding redundancy data thereto; a recording/playing device having a recording capacity greater than the data region; and a recording control unit configured to record optical recording data in the data region and also at least a part thereof in the recording/playing device, cause the recording/playing device to play the optical recording data recorded therein at the time of calculating redundancy data, and record calculated redundancy data in the redundancy region.

Abstract: In an optical pickup driving mechanism using a stepping motor, a feeding operation of an optical pickup can be stabilized even in a broad operating temperature environment. In executing an optical axis correction feeding operation in response to an amount of lens shift of an objective lens of an optical pickup, a stepping motor controlling portion drives a stepping motor in a microstep drive mode to move a base of the optical pickup in a radial direction of an optical disk.

Abstract: A method for determining runout disc is disclosed. The method comprises: focusing on a focal point on a disc; driving the disc to spin the disc; generating a crossover signal according to a track of the disc crossing the focal point; and determining that the disc is a runout disc when the frequency of the crossover signal exceeds a pre-determine value.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes an intermittent reproducing unit to perform an intermittent reproducing process to reproduce data recorded on an optical disk in a forward or reverse direction and at specific time intervals, each removing predetermined amount of data, an intermittent reproduction start instruction unit, upon receiving an instruction to start the intermittent reproducing process, to designate an intermittent reproduction start position and an intermittent reproducing direction, and to issue an instruction, and a storage unit to store the intermittent reproduction start position as information concerning a recording position for data skipped and unreproduced during a current intermittent reproducing process, when the instruction is issued.

Abstract: In a disc processing apparatus capable of automatically carrying out processing work such as recording information on a plurality of optical discs and printing label surfaces on those optical discs, this disc processing apparatus is able to suppress by separating a conveyed optical disc from an optical disc located just under the conveyed optical disc the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a plurality of optical discs is simultaneously conveyed in the state in which they stuck together when a plurality of optical discs accommodated within a stacker in the stacked state stuck together. After a disc contact portion 17c of a disc holding mechanism C1 was brought in contact with an optical disc D, the disc holding mechanism C1 is lowered by a predetermined amount to urge the disc contact portion 17c to downwardly press the optical disc D to thereby apply force directed in the direction substantially perpendicular to the disc surface to the optical disc D.

Abstract: A pause soon feature calls for providing media tags and pause points for pausing playback of media at appropriate intervals. The media tags and pause points may be resident in the media, the media player or in any combination thereof.

Abstract: An information reproducing device includes an information recording medium housing portion 8 for housing an information recording medium 7 that is detachably attached, a pickup 75 for reading information recorded at least on the information recording medium 7, and a pickup restrainer 94 for restraining a displacement that exceeds a normal operating range of the pickup 75, wherein the pickup restrainer 94 is constructed to displace in response to loading/unloading of the information recording medium 7 into/from the information recording medium housing portion 8.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes a reproducing section picking up any signals compressed in a plurality of different compression methods from a recording medium. The recording medium records the signals compressed in a plurality of different compression methods and record management information denoting association of the signals compressed in a plurality of different compression methods with each other, respectively. A decoding section decodes the signal picked up from said recording medium, and a recording section records reproduction management information including reproduction-interruption information in the reproducing section associated with the record management information onto the recording medium.

Abstract: An audio encoding method and apparatus for electronic shock protection (ESP) function in an audio player. A method of generating a frame structure for an electronic shock protection function of an audio player, includes: encoding original data of a frame and locating the encoded data in a first area that is a start part of the frame structure; and encoding frame length information indicating a size of the encoded data in the frame, and locating the encoded frame length information in a second area that is an end part of the frame structure.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus includes a reproduction unit, an operation unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The reproduction unit reads information recorded in a recording medium. The operation unit instructs the reproduction unit to eject the recording medium. The storage unit stores the information read by there production unit therein. When the recording medium is loaded into the reproduction unit, the control unit controls the reproduction unit to read the information and controls the storage unit to store the information read by there production unit therein automatically. When the operation unit instructs the reproduction unit to eject the recording medium during the storage unit being storing the information read, the control unit informs a user that the storage unit is storing the information read.

Abstract: A radial runout detection method and device for an optical disk drive, which sets a reference locus at a location distant from a current beam locus by M, a minimum track number, a maximum track number and a detection time, and executes the following steps in the detection time: increasing M when a data track across the current beam locus moves toward a direction of the reference locus, and otherwise decreasing M; setting the minimum track number as M when M decreased is smaller than the minimum track number; setting the maximum track number as M when M increased is greater than the maximum track number. Accordingly, a runout track number is computed by subtracting the minimum track number from the maximum track number.

Abstract: A storage system includes a communication port, the mode of operation of which can be dynamically switched by a user between a target mode and an initiator mode. The port may be a Fibre Channel port. The storage system may be a unified storage system operable to provide file-level access and block-level access to stored data.

Abstract: A write once disc allowing management of a data area, includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. The write once disc includes a predetermined area storing area allocation information which indicates whether at least one section of the data area is allocated for disc defect management. In the disc and method, area allocation information specifying a structure of the data area is recorded on the disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognize the data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a spare area, for disc defect management other than an area for storing user data, to the data area is possible. The allocation of the areas for disc defect management to the data area enables effective use of the write once disc.

Abstract: A write once disc allowing management of a data area, a method of managing the data area of the write once disc, an apparatus recording data on the write once disc, an apparatus and method of reproducing data from a write once disc. The write once disc, includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. The write once disc includes a predetermined area storing area allocation information which indicates whether at least one section of the data area is allocated for disc defect management. In the disc and method, area allocation information specifying a structure of the data area is recorded on the disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognize the data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a spare area, for disc defect management other than an area for storing user data, to the data area is possible. The allocation of the areas for disc defect management to the data area enables effective use of the write once disc.

Abstract: A write once disc allowing management of a data area, includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. The write once disc includes a predetermined area storing area allocation information which indicates whether at least one section of the data area is allocated for disc defect management. In the disc and method, area allocation information specifying a structure of the data area is recorded on the disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognize the data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a spare area, for disc defect management other than an area for storing user data, to the data area is possible. The allocation of the areas for disc defect management to the data area enables effective use of the write once disc.

Abstract: A write once disc with at least one record layer includes a temporary defect management area in which temporary defect information regarding only defect detected during a corresponding recording operation, and temporary defect management information for managing the temporary defect information are recorded; and defect management areas in which the temporary defect information and temporary defect management information recorded in the temporary defect management area are recorded as defect information and defect management information, respectively.

Abstract: A write once disc, a disc drive therefor, and a method of managing disc defects on the write once disc using the disc drive in consideration of the compatibility of the write once disc with a rewritable disc drive, the write once disc includes a single record layer disc in which a lead-in area, a data area, and a lead-out area are sequentially formed and a first spare area and a second spare area are sequentially formed in the data area. The write once disc includes a defect management area (DMA) formed in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; a first temporary defect management area (TDMA) formed in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; and a second TDMA formed between the first spare area and a user data area or between the user data area and the second spare area.

Abstract: A write once disc allowing management of a data area, a method of managing the data area of the write once disc, an apparatus recording data on the write once disc, an apparatus and method of reproducing data from a write once disc. The write once disc, includes a lead-in zone, a data area, and a lead-out zone. The write once disc includes a predetermined area storing area allocation information which indicates whether at least one section of the data area is allocated for disc defect management. In the disc and method, area allocation information specifying a structure of the data area is recorded on the disc, thus allowing a recording/reproducing apparatus to recognize the data area structure. Therefore, allocating areas, such as a spare area, for disc defect management other than an area for storing user data, to the data area is possible. The allocation of the areas for disc defect management to the data area enables effective use of the write once disc.

Abstract: A recording and playback apparatus according to the present invention includes a duplicating section for duplicating music data from a music CD in a CD read-out section onto a hard disk and a preserving section which, if duplication by the duplicating section is interrupted, preserves TOC information identifying the music CD and duplicated-music-data information identifying duplicated music data such that the TOC information is associated with the duplicated-music-data information. The recording and playback apparatus further includes a playback section for playing back music data stored in the hard disk. When a music CD having a history of interrupted duplication is placed in the CD read-out section, the duplicating section resumes duplication onto the hard disk based on the TOC information and the duplicated-music-data information preserved in the preserving section.

Abstract: A method and arrangement remembers a last-played position of a recorded medium by associating an identification number with the medium and storing therewith in memory a last-play position of the medium. The identification number of the recorded medium is analyzed after re-insertion of the medium into the player and play is resumed at the last-play position when the identification number corresponds with the identification number previously stored in memory.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) for reproducing contents information recorded by a group unit on a recording medium, is provided with: an input device (80) through which a user input command to resume the reproduction of the contents information can be inputted; a reproducing device (30, 50, 60) for reproducing the contents information; and a control device (70) for (i) identifying a user input waiting mode in which the user input command through said input device is waited for, (ii) determining a position from which the reproduction of the contents information is to be resumed if the user input waiting mode continues for a predetermined time period and (iii) controlling said reproducing device to resume the reproduction of the contents information automatically from the determined position.

Abstract: When data recording is interrupted, a location at which data have been last recorded is accurately detected and a seamless restart of the recording is achieved even if reproducing errors occur due to scratches or the like on an optical disk. A pattern data that indicates a pit pattern of data to be recorded or having been recorded is compared to a pattern data that is reproduced within a predetermined range (window) of clock cycles, and when a match is obtained, a recording restart signal is output to restart the recording operation.

Abstract: An information record and playback apparatus has a user information acquisition unit for acquiring user information of the user using the apparatus at present; a record unit for recording the acquired user information and playback stop position information on a record medium in relation to each other; and a playback start control unit for selecting the playback stop position information corresponding to the acquired user information from among the playback stop position information read from the record medium and resuming playing back the record medium based on the selected playback stop position information.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information storage apparatus in which even when a remaining power of a battery or a galvanic cell is low, an information recording medium can safely be removed. An MPU, a spindle motor driver, and a spindle motor constitute a decelerator for decelerating rotation of the information recording medium, and as a deceleration mode, a first deceleration mode with a relatively large power consumption and a second deceleration mode with a relatively small power consumption are used. The MPU monitors a voltage of a power supply line via a DSP, decelerates the rotation of the information recording medium in the first deceleration mode when the voltage exceeds a predetermined level, and decelerates the rotation of the information recording medium in the second deceleration mode when the voltage indicates the predetermined level or less.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mass storage devices and, more particularly, to transferring data between mass storage devices.

Abstract: A record medium playback apparatus includes a playback section and a playback control section. The playback control section is adapted to control a playback start position of the program information when the record medium playback apparatus is restarted after power thereof was turned off. The playback control section determines the playback start position of the program information using a first sequence when the record time of the whole program information corresponding to the playback position at the power off is less than a predetermined time. The playback control section determines the playback start position of the program information using a second sequence when the record time of the whole program information corresponding to the playback position at the power off is equal to or longer than the predetermined time.

Abstract: A disk apparatus includes a DSP (digital signal processor), and the DSP controls respective circuit components under instructions of a MCU. During a track jump, a DSP core detects a zero-cross cycle of a TE (Tracking Error) signal just before. If a detected zero-cross cycle is delayed than a target value, the DPS core applies an acceleration pulse of a first predetermined level to a driver, and if the zero-cross cycle is faster than the target value, the DPS core applies a deceleration pulse of a second predetermined level to the driver, whereby an objective lens can be controlled to move at approximately constant speed between adjacent tracks. However, if the zero-cross cycle is considerably delayed than the target value, the DSP core forestalls a reverse rotation of a moving direction of the objective lens against the disk by greatly accelerating the objective lens. Therefore, the number of tracks to have been jumped is not to be counted erroneously.

Abstract: A sound features extracting unit receives a sound signal of a music piece to extract sound features. A peak detecting unit detects a peak time when a cost function calculated by a cost function calculating unit indicates a maximal value, and a peak value thereof. A selecting unit selects a time property indicating sound critical points from the peak time and the peak value. This method allows the user to automatically retrieve sound critical points without having to listen to the sound in advance.

Abstract: A control system for an optical disc for optical media with a premastered area that cannot be overwritten and a user-writeable area that can be overwritten, comprises a first processor operable to communicate with a second processor via a status register. The first processor sequences and monitors functions performed in the second processor and the second processor issues an interrupt when an error condition is detected in the second processor. The first processor detects the interrupt, and disables detecting further interrupts until the interrupt is serviced. Servicing the interrupt includes recording the error state and changing focus and tracking parameters based on the error condition detected.

Abstract: In use of an optical disk such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) it is sometimes desirable to detect if a track jump occurs as quickly as possible after the occurrence. The optical disk format includes a pre-groove track structure which provides the frame work upon which data can be written to and read from the disk. The structure of the pre-groove track is utilized to detect the possible occurrence of an inadvertent track jump as soon as possible and in a time shorter than would be required to detect the track jump using only disk addressing data. The pre-groove track structure may be modified to enhance track jump detection, such as by positional codes in data line Segments of the track, or revolving coding schemes for the addressing data dibits.

Abstract: A method for preventing contact between a pickup head and an optical disc. First, a voltage is provided to the pickup head, thereby repositioning the pickup head closer to the optical disc from an initial position to a biased position. A track-seeking motion is executed to move the pickup head to a predetermined information track. The pickup head starts a vibration in the direction away from the disc when a focus error occurs during the track-seeking motion.

Abstract: A bookmark button on a remote control device can be depressed to store a bookmark in a DVD player's memory without interrupting play. The bookmark includes a play counter value and a timestamp. When a viewer subsequently wishes to start play from the bookmark, the DVD player is stopped or paused, the bookmark button manipulated, and a menu listing bookmarks pertaining to the disk being played is displayed. The user may navigate through the list and select a bookmark, and the DVD player automatically resumes play at the selected bookmarked point.

Abstract: When setting a recording power for use in recording optical information on a DVD-R, by using any one of sectors provided on the DVD-R as a PCA, whether a predetermined special detected signal is detected or not in the sectors is checked (Step S2), a non-used sector where no special detected signal is detected, of the sectors, is retrieved, based on the check result (Step S3), a mark signal for obtaining the special detected signal is recorded in the retrieved non-used sector (Step S5), a setting signal for setting a recording power is recorded in the non-used sector excluding the area where at least the mark signal is recorded (Step S6), and the recorded setting signal is optically detected to set the recording power (Step S13).

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for coordinating tasks in a control system for an optical disc drive for optical media with a pitted premastered area that cannot be overwritten and a grooved user-writeable area that can be overwritten. The optical disc drive includes a first processor operable to communicate with a second processor, wherein the first processor includes instructions for performing non-time-critical tasks, and the second processor includes instructions for performing time-critical tasks, such as reading from and writing to optical media in the disc drive. The first processor monitors the status of the time critical tasks in the second processor and transmits commands to perform operations in the second processor. The first processor also controls power mode, manages recovery from errors, controls focus, tracking/seeking, spin, physical sector address (PSA), a laser, adjusts gains, and monitor cartridge load/eject.

Abstract: A removable rewritable computer storage has a command set thereon for controlling a standard operation of a computer device. The command set includes a command having an activation field, a function field, a status field, and a results field. A command engine of the computer device reads the activation field to determine an activation condition upon which the command is to be executed. The command engine reads the function field and any associated arguments to determine the function of the command. The command engine reads the status field to determine an executable status of the command. The command engine writes the results of an execution of the command to the results field.

Abstract: During an operation to change the recording speed, an optical pickup (3) is retracted so as to play back a signal that has already been recording onto a disc D. A synchronization signal obtained from the signal that is played back by the optical pickup (3) and a recording reference signal are synchronized, and the recording operation is resumed from a recording interrupted position. The position where the optical pickup (3) is to be retracted is set on the basis of the time required to change the recording speed. Also, a rotational speed change operation for a spindle motor (1) for rotationally driving a disc D and the retract operation for the optical pickup (3) are performed concurrently.

Abstract: A method for switching an optical disc apparatus to different accessing speeds. The optical disc apparatus has a control button with which to eject a disc. The method comprises the steps of operating the optical disc apparatus in a first mode, switching the optical disc apparatus from the first to a second mode when the control button is pressed for a duration exceeding a predetermined period of time, and switching the optical disc apparatus to the first mode and ejecting the disc when the optical disc apparatus operates in the second mode and the control button is pressed.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus (1) for reproducing contents information recorded by a group unit on a recording medium, is provided with: an input device (80) through which a user input command to resume the reproduction of the contents information can be inputted; a reproducing device (30, 50, 60) for reproducing the contents information; and a control device (70) for (i) identifying a user input waiting mode in which the user input command through said input device is waited for, (ii) determining a position from which the reproduction of the contents information is to be resumed if the user input waiting mode continues for a predetermined time period and (iii) controlling said reproducing device to resume the reproduction of the contents information automatically from the determined position.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a record and reproduce section to record or reproduce information signal onto or from an information medium, a determination section to determine at least one of a kind and a state of the medium, a function management section to manage functions for recording and functions for reproduction, and to select functions which can be performed from the managed functions according to the determination result of the determination section, and a display control section to control a display unit to display a list of functions selected by the function management section.

Abstract: Battery-powered computer systems have evolved into multi-media systems which can playback two-hour movies stored on Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs). However, battery lives are generally too short to permit users to view an entire movie without interruption, requiring users who resume playback to fast-forward to an approximate point where the interruption occurred. Accordingly, the present invention provides system, method, and software embodiments which monitor battery status during DVD playback, and upon detection of low battery level, record a current playback position. Subsequent to the replacement or recharge of the battery, playback may be automatically resumed at the recorded playback position, thereby saving both time and power in recovering from the interruption. Other embodiments omit battery monitoring by periodically recording playback position and facilitate recovery from interruptions of data-transfer operations.

Abstract: A microcomputer system and method of utilizing a repeated reset operation to enter the microcomputer system into different operating modes, particularly a microcomputer system without a keyboard, in which only a reset key is needed to set the required operating mode. The microcomputer system of the present invention comprises: a microcomputer; a memory connected to the microcomputer; a reset key to reset the microcomputer system; and a reset circuit to provide a power on reset pulse required in the microcomputer system or to receive the reset pulse produced by reset key. The microcomputer system checks both a specific memory area content for only a first specific value and a dedicated address content in the memory for a second specific value. If both only the first specific value in specific memory area and the second specific value in dedicated address are present, the microcomputer system is set to an abnormal operating mode. Otherwise, the specific value is written into the dedicated address in the memory.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for coordinating tasks in a control system for an optical disc drive for optical media with a pitted premastered area that cannot be overwritten and a grooved user-writeable area that can be overwritten. The optical disc drive includes a first processor operable to communicate with a second processor, wherein the first processor includes instructions for performing non-time-critical tasks, and the second processor includes instructions for performing time-critical tasks, such as reading from and writing to optical media in the disc drive. The first processor monitors the status of the time critical tasks in the second processor and transmits commands to perform operations in the second processor. The first processor also controls power mode, manages recovery from errors, controls focus, tracking/seeking, spin, physical sector address (PSA), a laser, adjusts gains, and monitor cartridge load/eject.

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: The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for improving operability of a DVD camcorder that performs recording in a video format. When an instruction for starting recording is given at a time T11 and then an instruction for stopping the recording is given at a time T12, a DVD camcorder is brought into a pause state at the time T12. An address and the like of an optical disk at that time are stored in a recording RAM. When an instruction for resuming recording is given at a time T13, the address stored in the recording RAM is read, and rerecording is started at a position on the optical disk which position corresponds to the address. The present invention is applicable to DVD camcorders.