Abstract: A laser drive integrated circuit and an optical disk apparatus using the laser drive integrated circuit for forming high-density marks. The optical disk apparatus includes a drive waveform information storage unit for storing at least one information of a drive waveform for driving a laser diode in response to a binary recording signal to be recorded in a recording medium, and a drive waveform decoder for decoding the drive waveform based on the information stored in the drive waveform information storage unit. A recording strategy can be changed in accordance with variations and fluctuations of recording media or characteristics of the recording media, while at the same time reducing a number of signal lines in flexible wiring and alleviating effects of signal distortion in the signal lines.

Abstract: An optical disc recording method comprises the steps of: setting a recording parameter function representing a relationship between a recording velocity for recording data to an optical disc and a parameter for optimally controlling a recording power controlling waveform for controlling a recording power of a light beam irradiated to the optical disc for recording the data; obtaining an optimal value for the parameter by executing a test recording at one recording velocity or at a plurality of recording velocities to a test area of the optical disc before actual data recording to the optical disc; correcting the recording parameter function in accordance with the obtained optimal value for the parameter; deriving the parameter corresponding to a recording velocity from the corrected recording parameter function; and recording the data by irradiating a light beam of the recording power controlling waveform to which the obtained parameter is applied.

Abstract: In method and apparatus for calibrating laser write power for writing data onto an optical storage medium, test data is written onto a test area of the optical storage medium at a number (N) of laser power levels. The test data written onto the test area is read and processed so as to generate a number (N) of processed signals corresponding to the number (N) of laser power levels, respectively. A jitter value associated with each of the processed signals is determined. Finally, one of the laser power levels that corresponds to one of the processed signals having the jitter value that is at a relative minimum is selected. The laser write power is set to the selected one of the laser power levels.

Abstract: If data is recorded using a disc with. deviating characteristics and a recorder with deviating characteristics, data will not be appropriately recorded, and errors will occur in the read signal. Standard recording pulse parameters specifying recording pulse positions for plural possible mark length and space length combinations are read from a writable optical disc, these standard recording pulse parameters are then used for test writing, the standard recording pulse parameters are changed uniformly or individually, a best recording pulse parameter is thus obtained, and jitter can be reduced.

Abstract: When the modulation speed of the laser is increased, it is difficult to correctly detect a peak power and a bias power for controlling a laser power. The bias power current Ib is controlled by the operated value of the operation circuit 3 in accordance with the reproduction power current Ir control value of the servo amplifier 5 at the reproduction just before recording, and as for the erase power Pe, since its period is relatively long, the power is detected by the sample-hold circuit 4 and the erase power current Ie is controlled by the operation circuit 3, and the peak power PP is controlled by the operated value of the operation circuit 3 in accordance with the erase power current Ie, and therefore, a bottom hold circuit and a peak hold circuit are not required and the laser control apparatus which does not require the high-speed performance in a photodiode and a monitor circuit is realized to solve the above mentioned problem.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for recording data on an optical disk. Prior to recording data on the optical disk, a controller records test data in a test area of the optical disk, thereby optimizing write power. After having recorded the test data, the controller computes a difference between jitter or an error rate obtained when test data are overwritten at write power higher than that used for recording test data and jitter or an error rate obtained when test data are overwritten at write power lower than that used for recording the test data. A jitter or error rate difference is detected while write power is changed. Write power at which the jitter or error rate difference is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold value is selected as optimum write power, and data are recorded in a data area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of maintaining an optimal writing power for various recording modes during data recording onto a recording medium. The present method checks a recording speed at a recording position, reads a write strategy set for the checked recording speed, detects a reflected level while recording data with the read write strategy, and changes a level reference for ROPC according to the detected level. Accordingly, a writing power can be kept most optimal even though a recording speed changes during data recording, thereby improving the quality of reproduced signals.

Abstract: An optical disc has spatial features (notches, bumps, etc.) that intentionally distort the analog Read Data signal. For a mark or space that is centered on a spatial feature, the distortion does not affect the resulting binary Read Data signal. If an edge of a mark or space is near the spatial feature, the resulting binary Read Data signal is altered. For calibration, marks or spaces are written adjacent to spatial features, with a range of times for initiating the writes. The result is a range of write times that do not alter the binary Read Data signal. From these known times and spatial locations, it is known when a mark or space must be written to ensure accurate spatial placement.

Abstract: There is provided a method and a device for recording optical data able to improve recording power setting during recording by means of PWM with a small number of pulses. During the test recording, using a period of a recording channel clock Tw as the minimum unit, marks having different mark lengths of n1·Tw and n2·Tw (n1<n2) are recorded with the same number of m (m<n) light emitting pulses, while successively changing the maximum power Pw of the recording signals. The recorded marks are reproduced and the mark lengths T1 and T2 are measured from the reproduced signals. The recording power can be set by evaluating the deviations D1=T1−n1·Tw and D2=T2−n2·Tw.

Abstract: A method is designed for recording information on an optical disk in the form of a sequence of pits along a track of the optical disk.

Abstract: A method for determining the writing power of data recording devices. First, the inner circle and outer circle of recording media are processed with optimum power calibration (OPC) to obtain an inner circle optimum writing power and an outer circle optimum writing power respectively. The writing power is determined according to the inner circle optimum writing power, outer circle optimum writing power, and/or the time of write speed is raised from the minimum write speed to the maximum write speed of the data recording device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus establish manufacturer-specific test writing parameters for writing of a writable optical storage media in accordance with the media manufacturers, which are experimentally determined and stored into a certain storing unit; determine an optimum writing light power based on the determined optimum writing parameters; and write an input signal into the user's data region of the optical disk.

Abstract: The amount of reflected light from an optical disk being irradiated with laser light emitted from a laser diode is measured while the emission power of the laser diode is changed, thereby obtaining a reflected light amount characteristic of reflected light amount versus emission power. The reflected light amount characteristic is normalized using a component proportional to the emission power of the laser diode. The optimum write power is determined based on the normalized reflected light amount characteristic. As a result, in an optical disk recording and reproducing apparatus, the laser write power can be adjusted in a short time with certainty.

Abstract: A method comprises writing data to a disk using a write laser, and halting recording at a stopping point, prior to an end of the disk. The method further comprises reading the data recorded on the disk and evaluating the data. The method further comprises adjusting the characteristics of the write laser, if appropriate, and restarting the writing using the adjusted characteristics for the write laser.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium according to the present invention includes a first information recording layer on which information is to be recorded by laser light; and a second information recording layer on which information is to be recorded by the laser light which has passed through the first information recording layer. The first information recording layer includes at least one of a reproduction-only area and a recording and reproduction area. The second information recording layer includes a test recording area. At least one of the reproduction-only area and the recording and reproduction area, and the test recording area is located such that one of the reproduction-only area and the recording and reproduction area includes an area of the first information recording layer through which the laser light for recording information in the test recording area passes.

Abstract: An optical disk unit presets a value &thgr;1 which prescribes an optimum recording pulse width of a light source for a case where the optical disk is rotated at a predetermined linear velocity on a track located at a predetermined radial position on the optical disk, and an optimum power ratio &Dgr;P of an extra pulse at a leading portion of the recording pulse where power is increased. Information is recorded on the optical disk while controlling a light emission waveform of the light source based on a value &thgr;1 (v) which prescribes the recording pulse width, a power ratio &Dgr;P(v) and an optimum recording power Pwo(v) which are successively calculated.

Abstract: The optical disk player is capable of selectively executing the optimum power control test in power calibration areas and shortening the time for writing data if required. The optical disk player of the present invention writes data on an optical disk having a first power calibration area located on an inner side of a read-in area and a second power calibration area located on an outer side of a read-out area. A type of optimum power control test executed in one of the power calibration areas or in the both of the power calibration areas is selected. The optimum power control test is executed in one of the power calibration areas or in the both of the power calibration areas on the basis of the type of optimum power control test selected.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes: a substantially disk-shaped substrate; and a recording layer formed on a surface of the substrate for recording, reproducing and erasing information by irradiation with a laser beam. A test recording region for test recording and an information recording region for recording the information at least are arranged on the surface of the substrate. In the test recording region and the information recording region arranged on the surface of the substrate, a test recording track and an information recording track respectively are formed in a spiral-shaped arrangement or in a concentric arrangement. A track pitch of the test recording track is wider than a track pitch of the information recording track.

Abstract: To record a pit in an optical information record medium, the modulation depth of the record pit is compared with a predetermined threshold value and write light power corresponding to the modulation depth of a larger value than the threshold value and corresponding to the &bgr; value closest to the target &bgr; value, of the actually found values is determined appropriate write light power, whereby power calibration for optical disk DSK is conducted. Emission power (write light power) corresponding to the &bgr; values in a predetermined range, of the actually found &bgr; values and corresponding to the modulation depth of the largest value is determined appropriate write light power, whereby power calibration is conducted.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a data recording area for recording data; and a parameter calibration area for recording recording condition information. The parameter calibration area includes a used area having the recording condition information recorded therein, an unused area having no recording condition information, and a border area for recording distinguishing information for distinguishing a border between the used area and the unused area. The border area is between the used area and the unused area.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for copy protecting an optical disk records test data, including modified first signals, on an optical disk such that, when reproduced, random ones of these modified first signals are reproduced as second signals. Both the first and second signals represent data having at least two zeros between successive ones. The method and apparatus for optical disk authentication and reproduction creates a statistical version of the test data through repeated reproduction of the test data. If the test data matches references data, possibly recorded on the optical disk as well, the optical disk is authenticated. Once authenticated, reproduction of the optical disk is permitted. If the test data forms part of the data for reproduction, then the statistical data is output as the reproduced data.

Abstract: In an optical recording/reproducing method and apparatus of the present invention, a modulation parameter is calculated for each of reproduced data signals, each modulation parameter corresponding to one of respective recording powers. An optimum recording power is determined based on a relationship between the modulation parameters and the recording powers, wherein a sequence of pairs of the modulation parameter and the recording power is selected, a gamma, which defines a ratio of a change of the modulation parameter to a change of the recording power, is calculated for each of the selected pairs, and a target recording power corresponding to the optimum recording power is found based on a function derived from a relationship between the calculated gammas and the respective recording powers, the target recording power causing a value of the function to be equal to zero.

Abstract: A plurality of pits representing recording target information are formed on an optical disk, while a laser light having a predetermined power is irradiated onto the optical disk. When information is being recorded, a condition index representing a recording condition of the optical disk is derived with the use of an equation which is changeable in accordance with the kind of the optical disk and the operational environment of a recording apparatus. The power of the laser light irradiated onto the optical disk is adjusted so that the recording condition may be a predetermined recording condition based on the derived condition index.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical disc device and a method of determining an optimal laser power for data recording by trial recording before recording actual user data even when there are fingerprints in the test track area for the trial recording. The BER (Byte Error Rate) is detected in each recorded sector. If the BER is less than a particular threshold value, the sector is taken as OK (good). Otherwise the sector is taken as NG (no good). While the peak power level is gradually changed or decreased from the power level at which half or more of the plural reproduced sectors are OK, a boundary peak power at which half or more of the sectors become NG is found. Based on the found boundary power, an amount of the optimal peak power is determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disk device which optimizes recording power level used when recording data. A controller records test data in a test region of an optical disk and evaluates reproduced signal quality of the test data, so as to determine an optimum recording power level Po (OPC). Subsequently, the controller uses reflected light intensity level B obtained when recording data to make adjustments to the optimum recording power level Po, thereby obtaining recording power level P. The recording power level P is adjusted such that Bm/Pn=constant, where m and n are positive rational numbers satisfying m<n. When m=1, the value of n is greater than or equal to 1.5 and no larger than 10.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproducing apparatus forms multiple marks with nine mutually different lengths, which are represented as 3T through 11T according to an eight-to-sixteen modulation coding technique, in an information layer of a rewritable information carrier by irradiating the information layer with a pulsed radiation beam. A test mark with a length equal to or greater than 7T is once recorded in the information layer, a signal associated with the test mark is read out and then an average power of the pulsed radiation beam is corrected to uniformize the widths of marks with various lengths of 7T more. This correction may be performed by partially increasing the power of the radiation beam represented as a multi-pulse train.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus is disclosed. A light emitting element emits a laser beam directed to a recordable optical disk. A driver rotates the optical disk. A first optimum recording power obtaining part performs test recording on the optical disk while the optical disk is rotated by the driver and output power of the light emitting element is varied so as to obtain an optimum recording power based on a reproduction signal in a test recorded area. A temperature measuring part measures the temperature in the vicinity of the light emitting element. A memory stores the optimum recording power obtained by the first optimum recording power obtaining part and the measured temperature when the optimum recording power is obtained. A temperature-dependent recording power obtaining part refers to the optimum recording power and the associated temperature stored in the memory so as to obtain an optimum recording power according to the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part in real recording.

Abstract: The application relates to methods and devices for determining the optimal erase (17) and write powers for erasing and writing information on an optical record carrier (85). These optimal powers are determined from two powers, Pmin (15) and Pmax (16), found at specific points, (22) and (24), in a curve (10) where the normalized reflected power (12) is plotted versus the test power (11).

Abstract: An optical power level-controlling device controls optical power level of a laser beam irradiated on an optical disk. The optical power level takes an ERASE (reference) level, a lower BIAS level and a higher WRITE level. Recording is performed by alternating the optical power level between BIAS and WRITE levels. In a controlling part, test signals are recorded while varying the optical power level and in an OPC for setting an optimum WRITE level by reproducing the test signals. A combined control, i.e., combination of a feedback control and a fixed value control at a predetermined ratio, is performed on BIAS level during a recording operation of the test signals. Fixed value control is performed on the difference between ERASE level and BIAS level during a recording operation.

Abstract: An information recording device comprising at least a recording pulse generating means and a recording pulse selecting means capable of generating various multi-pulses each of which is a combination of a leading heating pulse and a succeeding heating pulse, and rectangular pulses each of which is a single pulse, as a recording pulse, is disclosed. The recording pulse selecting means switches and selects among the multi-pulses and the rectangular pulses according to a recording condition, and then causes a light emission of a laser light source through a light source driving means. Even though in a high recording linear velocity recording condition that is insufficient in power for the recommended multi-pulse recording, a very low recording power can still be used by switching to the rectangular pulse recording, so as to achieve a recording with a much higher recording speed. In addition, good recording marks can be formed without exceeding a maximum allowable recording power.

Abstract: An optimal power calibration (OPC) method calibrates writing power for an optical disc. The optical disc includes a power calibration area, with a plurality of counting units and test blocks. The OPC method includes generating a plurality of first power levels by using an indicated power, selecting a plurality of second power levels from the first power levels, recording test data onto test blocks with the second power levels, reading the test blocks, and generating data signals and first beta values. The method further includes generating estimated optimal power by a calculating algorithm, generating a plurality of third power levels by using the estimated optimal power, recording test data onto test blocks with the third power levels, reading the test blocks, and generating data signals and second beta values. Optimal power is calculated by using the estimated optimal power, the first beta values, and the second beta values.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a method for determining a recording power of a radiation beam for recording information onto a recording medium operated at a user-desired speed. According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, under operation of multiple of test speeds in turn, multiple of optimum recording powers which each corresponds to one of the test speeds are determined, respectively. Then, a function of speed is generated by fitting the corresponding optimum recording powers vs. the test speeds. The recording power for the user-desired speed is calculated by applying the user-desired speed in the function of speed.

Abstract: A DVD-R recorder according to the invention detects an item of recording speed information (d15) from a DVD-R (30) on which histories of recording speed information, write strategy, and recording power condition are stored. When the decoded item of recording speed information (d15) agrees with a set item of recording speed information (d17), the recorder detects the write strategy (d6) and the recording power condition (d10) corresponding to the decoded item of recording speed information (d15). A recording-pulse-determination section (9) converts a recording pattern (d8) into a recording pulse (d9) according to the write strategy (d6). A recording-power-determination section (12) performs an OPC based on the recording power condition (d10). The recording power condition (d10) may include information specifying that a recording pulse corresponding to the front edge of a recorded mark has a larger recording power than other recording pulses.

Abstract: A signal of a test pattern is recorded on a center track among three adjacent tracks placed in a test region while changing recording power, and a signal of a test pattern is recorded on tracks adjacent to both sides while changing the recording power with the same timing. The center track is reproduced to measure reproduction signal characteristics, and the optimum recording power is adjusted based on the reproduction signal characteristics. As a result of this, the optimum recording power considering an influence of cross erasing effect can be adjusted, and the recording power can be adjusted efficiently under a high-density recording condition, particularly a narrow track pitch condition.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimum writing power of a compact disc drive includes representing the relationship between a target read-back signal parameter and writing power as a polynomial function, which is stored in a database. The optimum writing power is obtained after at least one iteration of a writing test procedure. The test procedure includes utilizing a constant writing power.

Abstract: An attempt is made to prevent an adequate recording power detection lag from being generated according to data from a defective area at trial writing, by detecting a defective area portion based on a fluctuation of return light when a trial write recording mark is formed, recording it in another portion under the same conditions as the detected portion, and using the information on the recorded area instead of the area in which the defective area was detected at reproduction of the trial writing.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laser power of a compact disc recorder in a constant angular velocity (CAV) mode. Two different reference writing powers corresponding to two reference linear velocities at an inner and an outer radius of a compact disc are determined by an optimum power control (OPC) procedure. A reference table is constructed according to the two reference writing powers and the two reference linear velocities. The reference table has a plurality of reference linear velocities and each of which has a corresponding reference writing power and a reference reflected pulse level. The optimum writing power and target reflected pulse level of the desired data is determined by the reference table. A running optimum power control (ROPC) procedure is performed to write the desired data onto the compact disc according to the determined writing power and reflected pulse level.

Abstract: The application relates to methods and devices for determining the optimal erase (17) and write powers for erasing and writing information on an optical record carrier (85). These optimal powers are determined from two powers, Pmin (15) and Pmax (16), found at specific points, (22) and (24), in a curve (10) where the normalized reflected power (12) is plotted versus the test power (11).

Abstract: An information recording at a high density to an information recording medium and a proper reproduction of information which has been recorded on the information recording medium at a high density are realized. Optical characteristics of an information recording medium are measured and information regarding the measured optical characteristics is previously recorded in a proper area on the information recording medium. When an information recording system records information to the information recording medium on which the information regarding the optical characteristics has been recorded, the information regarding the optical characteristics is read and a proper information recording state is adjusted on the basis of the information regarding the optical characteristics, thereby allowing the information recording to be performed.

Abstract: In an optical disc apparatus in which data are recorded onto and reproduced from an optical disc 1 by an optical pickup 3, a system controller 10 records an execution result of power calibration in which a recording laser power is optimized, into an area in a main channel block of a PMA of an optical disc on which the power calibration is executed, the area being allocated to the manufacturer. In a subsequent recording process, the execution result of power calibration that is recorded in the manufacturer area is read out and is once stored into an SRAM 6 in the apparatus, and the recording laser power is determined on the basis of the stored execution result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining an optimum recording power of an optical disk. The present invention is capable of improving accuracy of an OPC result by minimizing error between the optimum recording power and reference recording power due to writing method difference and manufacture difference of each manufacturer by dividing a certain region for the test recording into a power scan region for searching the optimum recording power and a compensation region for compensating the rotating elements of the optical disk when data is recorded on the optical disk, determining the optimum recording power reflected influence by the rotating elements of the optical disk, storing it on a memory and using it in the next OPC operation.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for an erasable optical disk includes: a first determination part which determines a maximum of modulation degrees of signals reproduced from a test recording area of the optical disk, the signals being recorded in the test recording area with corresponding write power levels different from one another; and a second determination part which determines an optimum write power level corresponding to a target modulation degree obtained from the maximum of the modulation degrees based on a relation between the modulation degrees and the write power levels, wherein the recording apparatus records data on the optical disk with the optimum write power level.

Abstract: An optical disk unit presets a value &thgr;1 which prescribes an optimum recording pulse width of a light source for a case where the optical disk is rotated at a predetermined linear velocity on a track located at a predetermined radial position on the optical disk, and an optimum power ratio &Dgr;P of an extra pulse at a leading portion of the recording pulse where power is increased. Information is recorded on the optical disk while controlling a light emission waveform of the light source based on a value &thgr;1 (v) which prescribes the recording pulse width, a power ratio &Dgr;P(v) and an optimum recording power Pwo(v) which are successively calculated.

Abstract: An optical disk device for estimating optimum recording power for high speed recording at an outer part of an optical disk, with high accuracy, even when an OPC for high speed recording at the outer part cannot be performed. The optical disk device includes a first optimum recording power calculation part for performing test recording at a first speed lower than the maximum recording speed of a test area by using recording parameters of a required recording speed to calculate first optimum recording power, and a second optimum recording power calculation part for performing test recording at a second speed to calculate second optimum recording power. The first speed is different from the second speed. The optical disk device further includes an estimation part for estimating optimum recording power for based on the first optimum recording power and the second optimum recording power.

Abstract: When setting an optimal laser output, an optimal initial recording output data to be supplied to a laser driving circuit (2) is obtained through a control operation of a laser control circuit. The optimal initial recording output data is then stored. When switching from a reproducing mode to a recording mode, the optimal initial recording output data designated through the setting of the optimal laser output is supplied to the laser driving circuit (2) while feedback control is prohibited. In this way, recording can begin immediately after switching from the reproducing mode to the recording mode.

Abstract: A signal of a predetermined pattern is recorded on a center track among three adjacent tracks placed in a test region while changing recording power, and a signal of a predetermined pattern is recorded on tracks adjacent to both sides while changing the recording power with the same timing. The center track is reproduced to measure reproduction signal characteristics, and the optimum recording power is adjusted based on the reproduction signal characteristics. As a result of this, the optimum recording power considering an influence of cross erasing effect can be adjusted, and the recording power can be adjusted efficiently under a high-density recording condition, particularly a narrow track pitch condition.

Abstract: A reproducing laser output can be adjusted to an optimal level. To this end, a magneto-optical disk device includes a differential amplifier and a shortest recording mark identifier that detects a shortest recording mark reproducing signal corresponding to a component of a shortest recording mark in a reproducing signal obtained by reproducing a magneto-optical disk. In addition, an envelope detector detects an amplitude level of the shortest recording mark reproducing signal, a comparator compares the amplitude level with a reference voltage outputted from the reference voltage source, and a drive control section adjusts the reproducing laser beam to an output level at which the amplitude level is equal to or higher than the reference voltage, based on a comparison result from the comparator.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a data recording area for recording data; a first drive information area for recording first drive information; and a second drive information area for recording second drive information. The first drive information and the second drive information each include a plurality of recording and reproduction conditions, and the plurality of recording and reproduction conditions each define an operation condition of an information recording and reproduction apparatus, which can have the information recording medium mounted thereon, for recording and reproducing the data. The plurality of recording and reproduction conditions are arranged in the order of time at which the plurality of recording and reproduction conditions are recorded.

Abstract: The optical disk player is capable of writing data with optimum laser power corresponding to temperature. In the optical disk player, a laser diode irradiates a laser beam. A photo sensor detects light intensity of a reflected beam reflected from an optical disk. A processor controls laser power of the laser diode by a running optimum power control manner, in which the laser power is adjusted, on the basis of the detected light intensity of the reflected beam, to optimum laser power. A memory stores power correction values for correcting the laser power as a data table, in which the power correction values have been determined on the basis of temperature. The processor retrieves the power correction value from the memory and adds the retrieved power correction value to the present laser power of the laser diode in the case of increasing the laser power.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc includes a memory. The information signal is written into the memory. The information signal is read out from the memory. An optical head generates a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applies the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc. A test signal is recorded on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory. The test signal is reproduced from the optical disc. The reproduced test signal is evaluated to generate an evaluation result. An intensity of the laser beam is optimized in response to the evaluation result.