Abstract: A system includes a first microphone that captures audio, a communication module communicatively coupled to the first microphone, a logic circuit communicatively coupled to the first microphone and communication module, a speaker operatively coupled to the logic circuit, and an interaction element. The interaction element and logic circuit are configured to initiate control of audio content for output from the speaker in response to at least one voice command detected in captured audio. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A super-resolution medium (1) has a medium identification information for specifying a type of medium recorded in a medium information area (3) by use of pre-pits having a length not shorter than a length of a resolution limit of an optical system in a reproducing device (10).

Abstract: An information recording medium according to the present invention includes an information recording layer on which information is recordable, and is evaluated using an evaluation index which is found based on a ratio of a center of an amplitude of a reproduction signal corresponding to a second shortest mark and a second shortest space, with respect to a center of an amplitude of a reproduction signal corresponding to a longest mark and a longest space.

Abstract: A data storage system that includes a positioning system for positioning the write/read mechanism and the storage medium of the data storage device with respect to each other in first and second predefined directions. In several embodiments, the read/write mechanism is used to mechanically write data to and electrically read data from the storage medium. In still another embodiment, the read/write mechanism is used to optically write data to and electrically read data from the storage medium. In yet another embodiment, the read/write mechanism is acoustically aided in electrically writing data to and reading data from the storage medium.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a correction coefficient holding unit configured to hold a correction coefficient which is a ratio between the position of a control target at a start time of control operation, and a detection signal indicating the control result of the control target; an initial-value-compensation matrix holding unit configured to hold an initial-value-compensation matrix for performing compensation of the initial value of a control computing unit for computing control output for controlling the control target from the detection signal based on the position and speed of the control target; and an initial-value generating unit configured to correct the position and speed of the control target at a start time of control operation with the correction coefficient, and employ the position and speed of the control target after correction, and the initial-value-compensation matrix to generate an initial-value-compensation value for compensating the initial value of the control computing u

Abstract: A guide groove is formed without wobbles. The guide groove is periodically modulated with its width. Encrypted data are recorded with marks formed on the record film along the guide groove. Information recorded by periodically modulating the guide groove with its width can be accurately detected by a band pass filter. Thus, rotation control information and address information can be stably reproduced. In addition, since the guide groove is formed without wobbles, a drive device having a pirated disc determination mechanism can reproduce encrypted content as with a ROM disc.

Abstract: In data detection 5 from a storage medium carrying data in a storage layer with a corresponding drive or apparatus, a motor moves the medium and a motor control unit controls the position of the medium using a position signal. A reading unit reads the data from the medium and generates a readout signal. By using a sampling control signal, a data detection unit derives discrete data from the readout signal. According to the invention the data detection unit of the apparatus is coupled to the motor control unit. In particular, the sampling control signal is derived from the position signal, such that the value of the sampling control signal univocally depends on the position of the motor moving the medium.

Abstract: A disk device is arranged to select an appropriate rotation control method according to a kind of an optical disk, a recording format or a recording method so that a recording operation for a certain amount of information may be completed as fast as possible, even if a waiting time takes place until the rotation is set. The disk device includes a unit for selecting the rotation control method for recording a certain amount of information more efficiently and rapidly in light of time according to a kind of an optical disk, a recording format or a recording method. The selected rotation control method is executed to control the rotation of the optical disk when recording information on the disk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for writing data to a rewritable ultra-speed disc using an optimum pulse at a write speed of the disc, based on Absolute Time in Pre-groove (ATIP) information. The method includes: reading a disc code from the disc; determining a write speed of the disc from the read disc code; and writing data to the disc. The writing is at the determined write speed and according to a write strategy when the write strategy for the lead-in area is determined to be present, and is according on a default write strategy when the write strategy for the lead-in area is determined not to be present.

Abstract: An optical disc signal processing apparatus is provided which comprises a rotation control section for measuring and outputting the number of edges within a predetermined time for a binary signal obtained from an RF signal reproduced from an optical disc on which information is recorded, a detecting section for detecting a missing portion of the RF signal, and a parameter control section for, when a missing portion of the RF signal is not detected, calculating and outputting a rotation control parameter for controlling a rotation of the optical disc based on the number of edges obtained by the rotation control section, and when a missing portion of the RF signal is detected, controlling the rotation control parameter so that an influence of the missing portion of the RF signal is suppressed.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a play speed in an optical disc device in which the current play speed is rapidly lowered when the address information of an optical disc such as a CD or DVD is abnormally detected under the condition in which the transfer rate of data temporarily stored in a buffer is a basic speed 1×, and in a sequential play mode for sequentially reading and reproducing A/V data recorded on the optical disc, thereby being capable of efficiently preventing discontinuous reproduction of A/V data caused by the repetition of pause and play operations during the sequential play operation.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, such as a DVD-18 disc, is formed with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a different spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed normally from the respective sides. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from either side of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while the data is being read. The player determines whether a newly inserted disc is oriented properly and, if necessary, the direction of the disc rotation is reversed.

Abstract: In an optical disc in/from which data is recorded or reproduced by irradiating a storage area on the optical disc with a laser, information containing recording velocity information (RVI) for recording/reproduction, which represents a linear velocity different from the standard linear velocity, and write strategy information (WSI) corresponding to the recording velocity information is stored in a land pre-pit or the like on the optical disc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording speed determining method of a disk device. The present method, when data record is requested from a host through an interface, a disk device can receive size information about data to be recorded and/or the present time from the host, and determine a recording speed of a disk to be suitable for the received size information and/or for a time zone where the device is located. The disk device can determine such data size and time zone information internally. Thus, it is possible to reduce a noise that is caused from disk rotation if the size of data to be recorded is small or when a noise is felt relatively big. Further, it is possible to determine a data recording speed in accordance with a data size.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to accurately generate a bit clock synchronized with digital data. The apparatus includes an edge detecting unit, a first edge counter, a second edge counter, a first counter, and a bit clock generating unit. The edge detecting unit detects edges of the digital signal. The first edge counter counts a number of the detected edges during a first period. The second edge counter counts the number of the detected edges during a second period. The first counter is reset and counts a system clock if one of the edges is detected during the first period. The bit clock generating unit generates a bit clock based on a count value of the first counter or a channel bit interval, if one of the first edge count value and the second edge count value is equal to a first predetermined value.

Abstract: A controller (30) is capable of operating in two possible operative modes, each mode having a corresponding characteristic (11; 12). Said characteristics have an overlap in a range of error signal values [TLL–TN]. The controller is capable of switching from one mode to another, based on the value of the time-derivative (( ) of the input error signal (e), so that, for a certain input error signal within said range [TLL–TN], the controller can be in any of its modes.

Abstract: A method of estimation parameter adaptability adjustment of an optical storage device. The method determines an estimation parameter according to a current data recording location of the optical storage device to estimate a channel bit rate. The method includes providing a two-dimensional estimation parameter table. The two-dimensional estimation parameter table includes a plurality of estimation parameters corresponding to linear velocities and data recording locations. The method further includes determining a linear velocity estimation value; and determining the estimation parameter according to the linear velocity estimation value, the current data recording location, and the two-dimensional estimation parameter table to estimate the channel bit rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a wobble signal read from an optical disc. The wobble signal detection apparatus comprises an analog/digital (A/D) converter for A/D-converting an analog wobble signal, read from the optical disc and then band pass filtered, a slope detector for detecting a slope of the A/D-converted wobble signal according to a variation thereof, and a wobble signal detector for detecting a peak point of the A/D-converted wobble signal using the detected wobble signal slope, and detecting/outputting a square-wave wobble signal with a high level or low level transition at the detected peak point. The slope detector calculates variations of data values of the A/D-converted wobble signal sampled within a predetermined period on the basis of predetermined different weights, accumulates the calculated values and detects the slope of the A/D-converted wobble signal on the basis of the accumulated value.

Abstract: In an optical disc in/from which data is recorded or reproduced by irradiating a storage area on the optical disc with a laser, information containing recording velocity information (RVI) for recording/reproduction, which represents a linear velocity different from the standard linear velocity, and write strategy information (WSI) corresponding to the recording velocity information is stored in a land pre-pit or the like on the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disk has a central axis and a major face extending in a radial direction from the central axis. The optical disk is rotatable around the central axis at an angular velocity and is formed with a recording layer on the major face. The recording layer is optically recordable with information and is formed with a track area containing tracks which are arranged at a predetermined track pitch in the radial direction and which are accessable by an optical beam to read or write information while the tracks move at a linear velocity relative to the optical beam. The recording layer is preliminarily recorded with control information indicative of the predetermined track pitch and/or either of a predetermined linear velocity of the tracks or a predetermined angular velocity of the disk. The control information is readily readable from the recording layer to facilitate the accessing of the tracks by the optical beam.

Abstract: A disc drive device optimally controls a speed for reading RTR-format data, such as video and audio, recorded on a DVD-format disc, thereby enabling real-time playback without interruption. In the disc drive device, information added to each sector is used for determining whether data is RTR-format data. When an error occurs at high-speed reading of RTR-format data and therefore the reading speed is changed to a low speed, the reading speed is so controlled as to be kept at the low speed for reading the following RTR-format data. Thus, for RTR-format data, overhead due to repetitive acceleration and deceleration processes can be avoided, and reading can be carried out without interfering with real-time playback. For normal data, reading can be carried out in a manner similar to that in the background art.

Abstract: The reproduction-only disk medium of the present invention includes preformed first information, in which the first information is formed in the same format as second information recorded on a prescribed recordable disk medium; and a direction along which the first information is formed on the reproduction-only disk medium is opposite to a direction along which the second information is recorded on the prescribed recordable disk medium.

Abstract: An optical disc is described for recording data, which disc has a recording area subdivided in coaxial annular zones comprising circular or spiral tracks. Each track within one of the zones is arranged for storing a same predetermined amount of data, and the first track of each zone stores an amount of data proportional to the radial position, resulting on average in a substantially constant density, the so called CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) density. The tracks comprise periodic characteristics, e.g. a wobble, which are radially aligned within each one of the zones, the periodicity being indicative of the track recording density for the track concerned. Hence the data recording and reading speed can be synchronised to the periodic characteristics, whereas any cross-talk of the periodic characteristics of neighbouring tracks is avoided.

Abstract: Provided is a disc drive device that optimally controls a speed for reading RTR-format data, such as video and audio, recorded on a DVD-format disc, thereby enabling real-time playback without interruption. In the disc drive device, information added to each sector is used for determining whether data is RTR-format data. When an error occurs at high-speed reading of RTR-format data and therefore the reading speed is changed to a low speed, the reading speed is so controlled as to be kept at the low speed for reading the following RTR-format data. Thus, for RTR-format data, overhead due to repetitive acceleration and deceleration processes can be avoided, and reading can be carried out without interfering with real-time playback. For normal data, reading can be carried out in a manner similar to that in background art.

Abstract: The present invention includes a playback means for playing back data on a disk; an audio output unit for outputting audio data as an audio signal to the outside when the audio data is played back by the playback unit; an audio level manipulation unit for manipulating the output level of the audio signal outputted from the audio output unit; a detection unit for detecting a set value of the audio level manipulation unit; and a rotation speed control unit for controlling the rotation speed of the disk which is played back by the playback unit on the basis of the set value detected by the detection unit only when no audio signal is outputted from the audio output unit. In this disk playback device, less influence is exerted upon the operation of the drive even when an erroneous operation is performed and the user can arbitrarily change the disk rotation speed by a simple operation without adding a new operation unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting a tilt without repeatedly calculating a tilt angle with respect to a corresponding recording or reproducing sector, by managing the tilt angle detected with respect to each recording sector of a disc in a disc drive. If a tilt of a disc mounted in the disc drive is detected, a memory is searched for a tilt angle for a sector of the disc in which the tilt is detected. If no tilt angle is found in the memory, a tilt angle is calculated for the sector based on the detected tilt of the disc, the tilt of the disc is corrected, and the calculated tilt angle stored in the memory to be used for the sector. If a tilt angle is found in the memory, the tilt of the sector is corrected using the found tilt angle.

Abstract: An 11T single signal and a 3T single signal are recorded on a DVD−RW at the optimum recording power P1 and a recording power P2 of an intensity of 85% with relative to the optimum recording power P1, and then these signals are reproduced to calculate asymmetry values A1 and A2. If a difference (A1-A2) between both asymmetry values is equal to or greater than a reference value of 0.05, it is judged that a method using the asymmetry value is available for the OPC, and if the difference is less than a reference value of 0.05, it is judged that the method is not available. Then, the judgment result is recorded on the DVD−RW as a flag. A DVD drive judges whether or not the asymmetry value is used for the OPC on the basis of the flag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a data area D,E or D,G, reserved in accordance with a first specification, as useful data area G in accordance with a second specification.

Abstract: Problem to be solved is that when an information recording medium is repeatedly subjected to recording of information several hundreds times, the atoms in a protective layer are diffused and dissolved into a recording layer to lower a reflectivity greatly and make the medium unendurable to many times of overwriting. This problem can be solved by a medium constituted of interference layer 10, interface layer 12, phase-change type recording layer 14, protective layer 13 having a tin content of from 23.3 atomic % to 32.3 atomic %, and a heat sink layer 8 successively formed on substrate 1, as seen from a light-incidence side. By use of this medium, the dissolution of atoms can be prevented, and overwriting for many times can be achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording apparatus comprising: an audio level detecting unit, for detecting an audio level L indicating the level of sounds collected by a microphone unit and for notifying a control unit of the detected audio level L; and a control unit for changing the rotational speed of a spindle motor in accordance with the audio level L. With this configuration, noise generated during recording can be reduced and the high-quality recording of sounds can be performed.

Abstract: This invention provides method and apparatus for controlling a reproduction speed of an optical disk, which detects the condition of an optical disk and changes the reproduction speed automatically to a pre-determined speed corresponding to the detected disk condition. The method according to this invention comprises the steps of detecting the condition of an optical disk through the characteristics of an RF signal reproduced from the optical disk; adjusting the reproduction speed of the optical disk to a pre-determined speed appropriate for the detected disk condition.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for controlling a velocity of a spindle motor included in an optical disk reproducing system to prevent a forward or backward overrun of a spindle motor are disclosed. A widest signal detector of the apparatus detects the widest pulse width of an eight-to-fourteen modulation (EFM) signal according to a main clock signal and generates a first status signal representing a status of the pulse width of the detected signal according to a frame clock signal, which is divided by a first predetermined number j. A narrowest signal detector of the apparatus generates a second status signal representing a status of the narrowest pulse width of the first status signals according to the frame clock signal divided by a second predetermined number k, where k is greater than j. An overrun controller increases or decreases or holds a previously counted result according to the frame clock signal divided by the second predetermined number and the second status signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes a playback means for playing back data on a disk; an audio output means for outputting audio data as an audio signal to the outside when the audio data is played back by the playback means; an audio level manipulation means for manipulating the output level of the audio signal outputted from the audio output means; a detection means for detecting a set value of the audio level manipulation means; and a rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the disk and a rotation speed control means for controlling the rotation speed of the disk which is played back by the playback means on the basis of the set value detected by the detection means only when no audio signal is outputted from the audio output means.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus drives, by means of a motor, a disk mounted thereon so as to reproduce signals recorded in the disk. The disk drive apparatus has an edge detecting unit for generating an edge signal XEG indicating a timing of phase switching, in accordance with a plurality of signals CU, CV and CW induced when the motor is driven. The disk drive apparatus further has a drive voltage controlling unit for controlling, in accordance with the edge detection signal XEG, the maximum value of a drive voltage VS for driving said motor. This arrangement implements optimal motor control, while reducing circuit scale and cost and, at the same time, enhancing adaptability of the disk drive apparatus.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus is disclosed that comprises measuring means for measuring the intensity of a jitter of a signal read from an information record medium such as a disc, storing means for temporarily storing reproduced information at a first transfer rate, means for reading information stored in the storing means at a second transfer rate that is smaller than the first transfer rate, wherein the maximum speed of the information record medium is set up corresponding to the intensity of the jitter measured by the measuring means.