Abstract: A recording device records marks in a track on a record carrier via a beam of radiation. The record carrier has a preformed track pattern such as a wobbled pregroove having prepits for encoding record carrier information. The device has a head for generating a scanning spot on the track and a front-end unit coupled to the head for generating detector signals based on radiation reflected from the track, the detector signals including a left subdetector signal and a right sub-detector signal. The device has a demodulation unit for retrieving the record carrier information from the detector signals, which includes a radial modulation signal circuit (34). The circuit generates a radial modulation signal (66) based on a difference signal of the sub-detector signals (61,62) normalized by a sum signal of the sub detector signals, and generates the sum signal by adding a correction amount. Thereby overcompensation due to normalization is reduced.

Abstract: An optical head reduces, upon signal reproducing from a recording layer of an optical disc (14) including two recording layers (15, 16), the influence incurred by the other recording layer, thereby detecting a stable signal light. A phase modulation member (13) that provides an uneven phase change or a phase changes different by 180 degrees from each other is provided in an area of a condensing lens (11) in the vicinity of the center of the section of the reflecting beam. The phase modulation member (13) cancels a cross-talk light from the other recording layer based on the phase difference thereof, thereby attenuating the cross-talk light incident onto a photodetector (12) to suppress an interference with the signal light.

Abstract: Address information is recorded on an optical recording medium having groove portions and land portions. The groove portions form a recording track and are spaced at a constant track pitch. The land portions extend between the groove portions. The address information represents the positions of places on the optical recording medium. The recording of the address information is implemented as follows. The address information is converted into words of a self-synchronizable code. The words of the self-synchronizable code are subjected to bi-phase modulation to generate a bi-phase-modulation-result signal. The bi-phase modulation causes frequency modulation. Thus, the bi-phase-modulation-result signal is a frequency-modulation-result signal. The frequency-modulation-result signal is recorded on at least one sides of the groove portions to form wobble of the recording track.

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 dummy data, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing the recording medium.

Abstract: An optical disk playback device includes a control means (an LSI 5 for system control) for performing a track search according to contents information, comparing a current track start point position at the time after performing the track search with a target track start point position, when the comparison result shows that they differ from each other, setting up a new target track start point position by performing a predetermined arithmetic operation, then performing a track search again, and, when a new current track start point position at the time after performing the track search again matches the set-up new target track start point position, starting a playback from the new current track start point position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b) a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: In a recording disc, a straight groove (31) and a position determining pit (33) are formed in an inner circumference area (21), and a straight groove (34) and an over-run preventing pit (36) are formed in an outer circumference area (22), and only a straight groove (37) is formed over the entire middle area (23).

Abstract: To provide a highly user-friendly content moving device which prevents unauthorized copying of content and, when content that has been irreversibly converted and moved to a recording medium is moved back to a move source, can use the content in its form before irreversible conversion. A partial information extraction unit extracts, from content stored on a content storage unit, partial data necessary for playback of the content, and a write/read unit writes the partial data to a partial information storage unit and overwrites a portion of the content corresponding to the partial data with different data, while a conversion unit transcodes the content and writes the transcoded content and the partial data to the recording medium.

Abstract: An interface device for an optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and playback of an optical disc, wherein the configuration of an interface circuit between a pickup that reads and writes information from/on the optical disc and a radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit (IC) for signal processing is simplified. To this end, the interface device includes a pickup, an integrated circuit, and a multiplexer. The pickup drives a plurality of laser diodes generating laser signals to record and/or reproduce information on a plurality of discs, respectively, and receives the laser signals reflected from the discs and output photodiode (PD) signals corresponding respectively to the received laser signals. The integrated circuit controls outputs of the laser diodes, and processes the PD signals from the pickup.

Abstract: A storage medium managing device is provided which can employ a set of management information containing suitable information from a plural sets of management information contained in the storage medium. An optical disc apparatus (1) manages an optical disc (2) having a plurality of management areas for containing management information with which data is managed and which is recorded in the management areas in a predetermined sequence. The apparatus includes a management information retrieving section (52) for reading the management information in the same sequence as the predetermined recording sequence to retrieve primary management information which is management information that is first retrieved normally.

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: A clock generating circuit includes: a clock data extracting circuit extracting a clock data signal from a wobble signal detected from an optical disc by passing frequencies around a central frequency, which is changed responsive to the frequency of the wobble signal according to a control signal; and a signal generating circuit generating a recording clock signal, from the clock data signal, having a frequency proportional to a frequency of the wobble signal. An optical disc apparatus incorporates the clock generating circuit.

Abstract: A method of recording data on a storage medium is provided. A first recording indicator is written on the storage medium to indicate a first state of a data recording thereon. A second recording indicator is written on the storage medium to indicate a second state of the data recording thereon. A recording status of the data recording is determined accordingly in accordance with the first and second indicators.

Abstract: A signal generating unit of a formatter inputs a misalignment amount ? unique to an individual recording apparatus and record data into a record signal compensation unit, and in accordance with these the record signal compensation unit generates a compensated beam deflection signal and substrate velocity signal to a beam unit and rotation and movement drive unit. With this arrangement, it is possible to perform compensation which matches errors in individual unit, in response to the errors (mechanical errors) in assembly dimension precision of parts and control precision of control devices which can vary among individual unit of the recording apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk barcode forming method wherein, as information to be barcoded, position information for piracy prevention, which is a form of ID, is coded as a barcode and is recorded by laser trimming on a reflective film in a PCA area of an optical disk. When playing back the thus manufactured optical disk on a reproduction apparatus, the barcode data can be played back using the same optical pickup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data modulation method applicable to make data streams tend to have desired properties, useful for clock recovery, making signals more distinguishable, or enforcing run-length conditions. A stream of input data and a corresponding stream of output data are grouped into elements of a finite field. Input elements of said input data are modified by a transform generating output elements of the output data, such that a current output element is a linear combination of a current input element and at least one previous output element. A multiplier applied to at least one previous output element is a non-zero and non-unity element of the finite field. A set of initial conditions inherent to the transform, is selected such that the output elements resulting from the transform tend to have the desired property.

Abstract: [Problems] To accurately and speedily perform discrimination of a plurality of kinds of optical discs by an optical disc discriminating device. [Means for Solving Problems] At the time of discriminating CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc, a laser beam is applied from a laser diode for CD to an optical disc to be discriminated, a focus error signal level and an AS signal level are measured from the reflecting light, and discrimination of three kinds is performed by the results, based on previously set first threshold values (Vfe1, Vas1), second threshold values (Vfe2, Vas2) and a ratio (Vfeas1) of the focus error signal level to the AS signal level as a third threshold value. When the disc is not discriminated as CD or DVD or Blu-ray Disc by using the laser diode for CD, the laser diode is switched to a laser diode for Blu-ray Disc to apply a laser beam, the focus error signal level and the AS signal level are measured from the reflecting light, and the disc is discriminated based on third threshold values (Vfe3, Vas3).

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: A device seamlessly records real-time information on a record carrier in a track on a recording layer via a beam of radiation. The device has a real-time information buffer and an interface for transfer of real-time information and commands between a source and the recording means. While recording the real-time information, the device detects (42) an inability to write information on the record carrier for a period exceeding (43) a local realtime information buffering capacity of the real-time information buffer. If so, a stop command is sent (44) to the source for temporarily interrupting the transfer of real-time information. After the device detects that said inability has ended (45), a resume command is sent (46) to the source for resuming the transfer of real-time information. Hence seamless recording is provided without a need for a large buffer, in particular in the event of a layer jump when recording on a multilayer optical disc.

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: An optical disk drive according to the present invention has the ability to read data from multiple types of optical disks, each of which includes at least one information storage layer. The drive includes: a driving mechanism 120, which is loaded with a selected one of the optical disks of the multiple types and which rotates the optical disk 102; an optical pickup 30 for irradiating the optical disk 102, which has been loaded into the driving mechanism 120, with a converged light beam, thereby generating an electrical signal based on light that has been reflected from the optical disk 102; and a control section (ODC 50) for controlling operations of the driving mechanism 120 and the optical pickup 30. The control section 50 includes a right/wrong side determining section for determining, by reference to the electrical signal generated by the optical pickup 30, whether or not the optical disk 102 has been loaded into the driving mechanism 120 with the other surface opposed to the optical pickup 30.

Abstract: Drive information is updated to always include the recording/playback conditions determined from the most recent learning process on a data recording medium. The data recording medium has a data recording area for recording data, and a drive information area for recording drive information. The drive information includes a plurality of drive-specific information records. Each of the plural drive-specific information records defines the operating conditions of the data recording and playback apparatus when a data recording and playback apparatus that can load and access the data recording medium reads or writes data. The plural drive-specific information records are arranged chronologically according to when the information was recorded to the data recording medium.

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 closing an opened session by closing all opened sequential recording-units of the opened session, opening a new session having a new sequential recording-unit, and recording session start information on the recording medium. The session start information indicates whether or not the new sequential recording-unit is a start of the new session.

Abstract: An information recording medium (100) is provided with (i) a first information recording area wherein a first track for reproducing first information based on a first track pitch is formed by a laser beam, and (ii) a second information recording area wherein a second track for reproducing second information based on a second track pitch different from the first track pitch is formed by a laser beam. In the second track, a recording mark is previously recorded.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the method of recording data on a recording medium, a next recordable position of a recording range is notified to a host. A replacement for data requested to be recorded is performed at a first area of the recording range by recording sequentially the data requested onto a second area starting from the next recordable position instead of the first area. The first area has recorded data and the second area does not have recorded data. A management information entry is recorded onto a temporary defect management area of the recording medium. The management information entry indicates the first and second areas and includes first and second status indicators indicating a status of the management information entry. The first status indicator indicates that the replacement is performed and the second status indicator indicates a type of the replacement.

Abstract: An optical disc drive according to the present invention can write data on both a write-once disc and a rewritable disc. The drive includes: a disc recognizing section 110 for recognizing the type of a given optical disc as a write-once disc or a rewritable disc; and track skipping detection signal generating section, which outputs track skipping detection signal when a first condition on tracking error is satisfied if the given optical disc, on which data is being written, has turned out to be a write-once disc. On the other hand, if the given optical disc has turned out to be a rewritable disc, the track skipping detection signal generating section outputs track skipping detection signal when a second condition on tracking error, which is different from the first condition, is satisfied. A control section stops writing the data in response to the track skipping detection signal while the data is being written.

Abstract: An information recording medium and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and method used to guarantee reproduction compatibility in consideration of the fact that content distribution may be performed according to various business models includes a management information zone in which management information is recorded, wherein the management information indicates an intended type of use of the information recording medium.

Abstract: A method of reproducing an audio file includes: determining whether the audio file is reproducible by checking whether a part of the audio file constructs a specific format stream corresponding to a predetermined audio type; and controlling for selectively reproducing only audio files reproducible based on a result of the determining step.

Abstract: An optical axis shift correcting device is provided in an optical information device including irradiation means (11) for applying a laser, an optical system (12, etc.) for guiding a laser applied to an optical disc (2) having a recording track, and a light reception element (17) for receiving the light from the optical disc generated by the guided laser via the optical system. The optical axis shift correcting device includes jitter acquisition means (191) for acquiring a jitter amount of a signal obtained according to the received light, optical axis modification means (201, etc.) for modifying the direction of the optical axis with respect to the light reception element, and control means (100, etc.) for controlling the optical axis modification means so as to reduce the shift when the acquired jitter amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The invention discloses an optical recording drive for recording data on an optical carrier such as an optical disk of the DVD or BD format. A radiation source is arranged to emit a write pulse train (80) for writing an optically detectable effect (90) i.e. a pit or mark. Photo detection means (10) detects a first reflected radiation beam pulse (R1) from a start time portion of the write pulse train (80) and generates a corresponding first signal (PS1) indicative of the power in the first pulse, the photo detection means (10) further detects a second reflected radiation pulse (R2) from an end time portion of the write pulse train (80) and generates a corresponding second signal (PS2) indicative of the power in the second pulse. By comparing (e.g.

Abstract: A focal follow-up control circuit performs follow-up control for a focal point on the data recording/reproducing region by reciprocating an object lens provided in a pickup with respect to a rotating direction of a data recording/reproducing region of an optical disk. The focal follow-up control circuit outputs a focal follow-up deviation signal indicative of a deviation between a follow-up central position of the object lens and a movable neutral point to a spindle control circuit. The spindle control circuit carries out feedback control of a number of rotations of a spindle motor so as to bring this focal follow-up deviation signal to zero.

Abstract: A method for controlling read velocity in a disk device is provided. When reading data on the disc, the method first reads each SYNC of blocks to form an ECC code, read data to decode, and checks and corrects decoded data to generate decoded errors. The type of decoded errors are classified and counted to form reference parameters of a rule base. A fuzzy engine checks if the counting number exceeds the threshold of the parameter, and executes the operation of the rule to control read velocity and enhance the data transfer rate in the disk device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control method of an optical disc drive, including the steps of: (a) entering a writing state; (b) checking if a reading command for requesting recorded data is received, wherein when the reading command is not received, then continuing a writing process, and when the reading command is received, then going to step (c); (c) interrupting the writing process; (d) switching to a reading state; (e) reading the recorded data according to the reading command; and (f) switching to the writing state.

Abstract: When playback of a recording medium, which stores content data that is only allowed to be played back for a limited number of times, is forcibly terminated due to a scratch on the recording medium, the playback of the content data residing at a subsequent location that follows a location having the scratch is performed without the number of playbacks being counted, and without a particular operation such as skip. Upon the playback after the forced termination, an address of an optical disk at which the playback was performed at the time of the forced termination is stored in a RAM unit. The address stored in the RAM unit is read out, and the content data residing at a subsequent address that follows the read address in terms of a predetermined number of addresses is played back.

Abstract: A hybrid LDD includes a read channel to selectively output a read current, a plurality of write channels, each to selectively output a different write current, and an oscillator channel to selectively output an oscillator current. Additionally, the hybrid LDD includes programmable LDD controller that receives the plurality of enable signals from the external controller, and based on the enable signals, controls timing of the currents output by at least the write channels. The programmable LDD controller can also control timing of the currents output by the read and oscillator channels, based on the enable signals. Further and alternative embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An optical pickup device is provided. The optical pickup device includes a light source, a focusing optical system configured to irradiate an optical recording medium with near-field light, a light-detecting unit configured to detect a total-reflection return-light quantity from the optical recording medium, a control unit configured to generate a control signal in response to a detection signal supplied from the light-detecting unit, and a drive unit configured to drive the focusing optical system to a predetermined position above the optical recording medium. The control unit feeds forward a push-pull signal in a traveling direction of the drive unit relative to the optical recording medium to a gap-error signal supplied from the light-detecting unit to generate a gap-servo signal. The control unit includes a repetitive controller storing a predetermined number of the push-pull signals.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To reduce the number of recording condition adjustment steps before information recording, simplify the recording condition adjustment procedure, and perform stable and accurate recoding condition adjustment of an information recording medium. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] When recording information on a recording medium, the recording condition is optimized. Next, under the optimized recording condition, a signal is recorded in a prescribed area of the information recording medium. Next, by using the signal recorded under the optimized recording condition, a part of the recording condition for the next and later is adjusted. Thus, a part of the recording condition is adjusted by using the signal recorded under the optimized recording condition and accordingly, it is possible to rapidly perform the recording condition adjustment before information recording.

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

Abstract: Techniques for data recovery from a data block wherein portions of the data block are written at different off-track positions are described. For example, portions of a data block can be read separately for each on-track and off-track position in the data block; then, the separately read portions can be recombined into a recovered data block.

Abstract: An optical disk drive that performs logical overwrite and that enables reconstitution of arbitrary data acquired before logical overwrite. When data are written over a recorded area, the data are alternately recorded in an unrecorded user data area, thereby performing logical overwrite processing. Every time logical overwrite is performed, a system controller cumulatively prepares a correlation list consisting of an old physical address achieved before logical overwrite, an alternately-recorded new physical address, and a data length acquired before logical overwrite and records the thus-prepared list into an optical disk. When logical overwrite is performed a number of times, arbitrary data achieved before logical overwrite are reproduced by sequential reference to the old physical address of the correlation table.

Abstract: After an optical disk drive according to the present invention has been loaded with an optical disk and before the operation of recognizing the type of the given disk is finished, the drive presumes one of multiple types of candidate optical disks, from/on which data is readable and writable using a light beam with the shortest wavelength among the candidate disks, to be the disk being driven by the motor now and gets the beam for the presumed type of disk radiated from a light source (Step (A)). Next, the drive gets the disk spun at a rotational velocity that realizes a linear velocity equal to or higher than a standardized normal velocity when data is read from the presumed type of disk (Step (B)). Thereafter, the drive starts a focus control in a situation where the spot of the beam being formed on the disk is moving on the disk at the linear velocity equal to or higher than the normal velocity (Step (C)).

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention includes: a rotation driving section on which an optical disk is to be mounted and which drives the optical disk so as to be rotated; a light source; an objective lens for converging light from the light source onto an optical disk mounted on the rotation driving section; a photodetector having at least two detection sections for detecting reflected light, from the optical disk, of the light; and an error signal generation section for deriving a difference signal and a sum signal of respective outputs from the two detection sections of the photodetector, adjusting an offset in at least the sum signal among the difference signal and the sum signal, and thereafter dividing the difference signal by the sum signal whose offset has been adjusted to generate a position error signal of the objective lens.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an optical disk apparatus including a recording unit which irradiates an optical disk with a laser beam to record information in a first format and a second format, a generation unit which generates warning information to an optical disk apparatus capable of performing a read process in the second format while being not capable of performing the read process in the first format, the warning information warning that information is recorded in the first format in the optical disk, and a control unit which controls the recording unit to record the warning information in the second format in the optical disk apparatus when the information is recorded in the first format in the optical disk.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a reproduction-dedicated area (160) where first recording information (60-1, etc.) is recorded in such a manner that its reproduction will not be disabled when it is reproduced, and a number-of-reproductions limit area (150) where second recording information (50-1, etc.) is recorded in such a manner that its reproduction will be disabled when a predetermined number of reproductions are performed. The second recording information (50-1, etc.) is correlated with the first recording information (60-1, etc.).

Abstract: A writing method for an optical disk drive includes the following steps. First, a write command and to-be-written data are received from a host. Next, a speed down flag is checked. If the speed down flag is true, a writing speed is decreased; or otherwise the to-be-written data is written into a data area. Next, the written data is read, and accuracy of the written data is verified. If the written data is not accurate, accurate data is re-written into a spare area, and the number of times of re-writing is counted and checked. If the number of times of re-writing is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the speed down flag is changed to true; or otherwise the procedure goes back to the data-writing step to repeat the above-mentioned steps. If the written data is read and verified as accurate, a write-end status is reported back to the host.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage section storing subsequent data subsequently acquired or generated as data corresponding to a medium stored content, a control section executing a management process of managing subsequent data with respect to the storage section, the control section being configured to execute, as the management process of the subsequent data, a process of generating and recording subsequent data descriptive information including medium identification information corresponding to subsequent data and title identification information at a time of executing a process of recording subsequent data in the storage section, a process of generating display data based on the subsequent data descriptive information, and a process of reproducing or deleting subsequent data based on user designation information for the display data based on the subsequent data descriptive information.

Abstract: A recording device is equipped with an input unit for inputting information data, a memory for storing the input information data, a writing unit for reading the information data stored in the memory, and writing the information data read from the memory on a disk-like recording medium having plural recording layers, and a control unit for changing a writing procedure by the writing unit, in accordance with a difference between a writing position on the disk-like recording medium by the writing unit and a position on the disk-like recording medium where the recording layer is to be transitioned, coming to a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling writing and reading of data in an array of A storage fields of a probe-based data storage device in which data is written to and read from the array of storage fields by a corresponding array of probes. One method uses the concept of sub-arrays to provide variable-rate read/write operation. Input data blocks are received for writing to the A-field array, each input data block being writable in A/k0 storage fields where k0 is an integer>=2. For successive groups of k0 blocks, the k0 blocks are written to respective sub-arrays, each of A/k0 storage fields, of the storage field array by selectively writing at one of a series of rates, ranging from 1 block at a time to k0 blocks at a time, in dependence on a desired data write-rate. The blocks can also be read from the sub-arrays by selectively reading at one of a series of rates, ranging from 1 sub-array at a time to k0 sub-arrays at a time, in dependence on a desired data read-rate.

Abstract: A recording device for recording information at addressable locations on a removable record carrier for storing data. The device comprises monitoring means (31) for monitoring recording of the data by storing recorded data addresses in a memory. Further, the device comprises examining means (32) for retrieving the recorded data based on addresses read from the memory, and for checking the recorded data addresses for presence of special data. This allows for tracking of changes of the special data stored on the record carrier. The device is capable of generating additional data depending on the special data and of recording the additional data on the record carrier without reading all the special data.