Abstract: In a multi-session disc including both audio session and data session, the data session is correctly recognized and accessed. The reproducing apparatus is a reproducing apparatus of a multi-session disc mixing a session of first type recording first data and a session of second type recording second data different from the first data, comprising an optical pickup for accessing the session of first type and the session of second type, a judging unit for judging a type of the session accessed by the optical pickup, and a limiting unit for limiting the session of first type to a reproducible session when the session of second type judged by the judging unit is present at an access position after the session of first type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable recording medium are disclosed, for recording information in an information recording medium. The method includes a first step of outputting, in response to an initialization request for initializing the information recording medium, termination information indicative of termination of the initialization before the initialization starts, and a second step of starting the initialization at a predetermined timing after the output of the termination information. In this procedure, it is possible to start to record data in a blank disc sooner than in conventional methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information recording method to write a digital information file onto an information recording medium. The digital information file comprises a plurality of digital data and the information recording medium comprises a plurality of predetermined recording units which are arranged sequentially on said information recording medium from an inner area to an outer area in order to write the plurality of digital data on the digital information file. The inner area of the information recording medium has a data recording start area, and the data recording start area comprises a first start recording unit, where recording the plurality of digital data of digital information file supposed to start. This information recording method is starting from said first start recording unit to derive a second start recording unit through a predetermined counting procedure.

Abstract: An information recording method has; a history determination step for determining whether or not a medium being cased and capable of being used for information recording and reproduction has previously been taken out from the case by using an identification section having historical information as to whether the medium has previously been taken out from the case or not; and a verification step for verifying correctness of information recorded always or on condition that a predetermined condition is satisfied when a result of the determination shows that the medium has previously been taken out from the case.

Abstract: The invention provides a data recording medium and a data recording apparatus which are large in recording capacity and comparatively low in cost and secures protection of recorded information. The data recording medium has a data recording area, in which quantitative limitation information of a number of pieces of information grasped based on an information identification code regarding information to be recorded is recorded in advance.

Abstract: A drive controller is capable of reading information from an optically encoded disk. The drive controller is made to attempt a first read operation from a first area of the optically encoded disk to generate a first data set. If the first read operation is successful, the drive controller then verifies that the first data set conforms to a first data format. A media type descriptor is obtained from the first data set if the first data set conforms to the first data format. A media type descriptor is obtained from a second data set read from a second area of the optically encoded disk if the first data set does not conform to the first data format, or if the first read operation is not successful.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing an optical recording medium comprising a phase change material using a series of flashes of light. A series of low-power, high duty cycle flashes of light are produced to initialize the media to a crystalline form, onto which data may be recorded. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a spiral flash bulb with centrally located connectors comprises the flash illumination source for initializing the optical recording media.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus for use with a recordable optical disk, which is provided with a clock signal generator configured to generate standard clock signals for data recording such that the location of the data recording restart following an interruption on the optical disk coincides precisely with that of finish of the previous recording. Included in the clock signal generator, a second frequency and phase detector is configured to compare the frequency and phase of a frame synch signal with those of the signal obtained by the 1/588 division of channel clock signals, and control a variable divider to set its dividing ratio 1/50 so as to increase the frequency of channel clock signals, when the interval between frame synch signals is smaller than the period of the 588 channel clocks; while to set the ratio 1/48 to decrease the frequency of channel clock signals, when the interval is larger than the above period.

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: An information recording method has;

Abstract: A unique recording medium having identification information such as a serial number or ID number inherent in the recording media as information signals recorded thereon, which is prevented from being easily erased or rewritten, without inducing the complexity of an optical disc reproducing apparatus in its configuration and the intricacy of the reading-out operation is realized. Recognition information is recorded to a recording medium which has a recognition information recording area for recording the recognition information, and at least the recognition information recording area is capable of additionally having information recorded thereto. In recording digitized recognition information to the recognition information recording area, the “1” is modulated to a signal having a first frequency and the “0” is modulated to a signal having a second frequency, and the signals corresponding to their respective frequencies are written to the recognition information recording area.

Abstract: In a spin-up process in a disk drive, the counted values of a PMA counter and a TOC counter are compared with each other with respect to a write-once disk. The PM counter is a counter adapted to count the number of disks, in which information is written in a PMA region, among the disks from which information is theretofore read in the disk drive. The TOC counter is a counter adapted to count the number of disks in which information is not written in the PMA region.

Abstract: An optical disk storing write-once information usable for protecting the copyright of the software by preventing the duplication, unauthorized use, etc., of the software. In the optical disk, a recording layer (213) is formed on a disk substrate (211) with a dielectric layer (212) inbetween. Then, an intermediate dielectric layer (214) and a reflecting layer (215) are successively laminated upon the recording layer (213), and an overcoat layer (216) is formed on the surface of the reflecting layer (215). A plurality of BCA (one of write-once identification information systems) sections (220a and 220b) are recorded by lowering the vertical magnetic anisotropy of the recording layer (213). At the time of reproduction, the write-once information is detected from differential signals.

Abstract: A DVD-R 1 has a main information area 2 where data information is recorded in a track having a wobble, and first and second control data areas 3,15 each of which is disposed in an inner space closer to the disk center than the main information area 2. The information structure and physical structure of the first control area 3 are different from those of the second control area 15. In the second control area 15, predetermined physical format information and disk production information, for example, the last address of when data is written in the DVD-R 1, the maximum transfer rate or the like, are recorded. Thus, when the DVD-R 1 is reproduced by a DVD player etc., the physical format information and disk production information etc. recorded in the second control data area 15 are read.

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: A rewriteable type optical recording medium for recording information has an information recording area for recording information and a recording/reproduction condition recording area for recording at least one recording/reproduction condition to be used in a recording/reproduction apparatus and at least one set of apparatus information for identifying a recording/reproduction apparatus which uses the at least one recording/reproduction condition. A plurality of recording/reproduction conditions and a plurality of sets of apparatus information, each one the plurality of sets of apparatus information corresponding to one of the plurality of recording/reproduction conditions, can be recorded on the rewriteable type optical recording medium and overwritten on the rewriteable type optical recording medium.

Abstract: The requested data is read from a DVD disk by interruption in ST46. Then, the ID information for indicating the leading end of the data, and the result of the identification by use of the EDC for indicating whether or not the data is correct are stored in ST47. When the disk is identified as a DVD-video disk and the flag is set in ST 48, and also when the number of times N of retries is identified as being larger than NR in ST50 and the read data is not identified as control data in ST51, data transmission is performed. When no flag is set, the disk identification is performed based on whether or not the data at a predetermined position on the logical format has predetermined data in ST49. When it is identified that an error has been detected in ST52 and also when the number of times N of retries becomes larger than NS in ST53, the occurrence of an error is announced.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus, in which a disk having correction data recorded thereon is placed, acquires region information indicative of a region corresponding to the correction data after load processing is performed by a ROM loader. Then, under the control of a CPU, the apparatus determines the correction data to be used for correcting a reproducing program based on the region information, reads the correction data from a lead out area or its outer region on the disk, temporarily retains the read correction data in a first RAM or a second RAM, and then stores the correction data to be resident in a nonvolatile first flash memory or a second flash memory, to correct the reproducing program based on the correction data. The information reproducing apparatus thereafter reproduces user data recorded on the disk according to the corrected reproducing program.

Abstract: A rewriteable type optical recording medium for recording information has an information recording area for recording information and a recording/reproduction condition recording area for recording at least one recording/reproduction condition to be used in a recording/reproduction apparatus and time information representing a date on which the at least one recording/reproduction condition was recorded. A plurality of recording/reproduction conditions and a plurality of time information, each one the plurality of time information corresponding to one of the plurality of recording/reproduction conditions, can be recorded on the rewriteable type optical recording medium and overwritten on the rewriteable type optical recording medium.

Abstract: A phase compensation method uses a phase plate to compensate for an optical phase of a reproduced signal in a reproducing optical system which is provided with respect to the reproduced signal from an optical recording medium. The position of the phase plate is controlled within a predetermined variable range depending on a type of the optical recording medium, so that a CNR of a reproduced signal becomes a maximum or, a DC fluctuation of the reproduced signal becomes a minimum or, a crosstalk level from adjacent tracks becomes a minimum.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for initializing an optical recording medium to be initialized with stability and ease without employing any focus servo means, and a phase-changing optical recording medium initialized by the initializing apparatus to have a recording layer in a uniform crystalline state over an entire area of the medium which takes part in recording and reproduction of an information signal. In the apparatus for initializing a phase-changing optical recording medium, a laser beam emitted from a laser beam source is irradiated to a recording layer, in an amorphous state, formed in an optical recording medium to be initialized, which is a pre-stage member of the phase-changing optical recording medium, for changing the recording layer into a crystalline state. The laser beam source, e.g.

Abstract: A rewriteable type optical recording medium for recording information has an information recording area for recording information and a recording/reproduction condition recording area for recording at least one recording/reproduction condition to be used in a recording/reproduction apparatus and at least one set of manufacturer information for identifying a manufacturer of a recording/reproduction apparatus which uses the at least one recording/reproduction condition. A plurality of recording/reproduction conditions and a plurality of sets of manufacturer information, each one the plurality of sets of manufacturer information corresponding to one of the plurality of recording/reproduction conditions, can be recorded on the rewriteable type optical recording medium and overwritten on the rewriteable type optical recording medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a recording/reproduction conditions recording area for recording recording/reproduction conditions and recording/reproduction apparatus information identifying the recording/reproduction apparatus using the recording/reproduction conditions. When the optical recording medium is accessed in a recording/reproduction apparatus, the recording/reproduction conditions for the recording/reproduction apparatus are used. Therefore, recording or reproduction can be performed with use of optimum recording/reproduction apparatus information appropriate for the optical recording medium and for the recording/reproduction apparatus. When the optical recording medium is used for the first time, test recording is performed by using a test recording region provided in the optical recording medium, and the obtained recording/reproduction conditions are recorded.

Abstract: For an optical recording medium having a phase change type recording layer on its a substrate and having as read only area and a writable area in a recording area, a data recording method is provided which records data in the writable area. This data recording method comprises a transfer step of transferring program data recorded in the read only area in a practical form to an external computer, and an execution step (step A10) of automatically executing the program data in the external computer to record data in the writable area, which can facilitate manufacturing and reduce the possible of destruction or falsification of ROM data.

Abstract: Identification information B is recorded in a specific area for a disk in a pre-recording or emboss manner so that a user cannot be rewrite the information, and a copy of the identification information B cannot be changed on the information recording medium by a recording/reproducing apparatus, thereby making it possible to prevent illegal use of the identification information B. In an additional description type information recording medium or rewritable information recording medium, the identification information B is pre-recorded or emboss recorded in a specific area so that the identification information cannot be changed.

Abstract: A disk recording medium is provided with a wobbled pregroove on which an ATIP signal is recorded, the signal including disk-compatibility information such as linear velocity information when recording. A disk drive apparatus reproduces the linear velocity information when loading the medium and acquires the linear velocity information with system controller. When receiving a data write command form host computer, the controller tells the host computer to prevent data from being recorded on the medium when the linear velocity information acquired from the medium fails to correspond to a recording velocity specified by the host computer. This avoids recording the data at a normal velocity, for example, on the eight-fold acceleration velocity disk medium so that no failure such as an error in recording and a crash of recording layer can occur.

Abstract: In a method for optically recording information in a system including a recording and reading device that includes a strategy part for conducting a strategy when optically recording information and an information processing apparatus that includes a strategy information storing part storing the strategy information for operating the strategy part, the strategy information for operating the strategy part of the recording and reading device is read from the strategy information storing part of the information processing apparatus and the strategy information is transmitted to the recording and reading device.

Abstract: A table having a plurality of recording densities and a plurality of recording/reproducing conditions corresponding to the recording densities and each necessary for recording/reproducing a signal at a corresponding recording density is recorded in a TOC region of a magneto-optical disk. A recording/reproducing apparatus finds out a recording density at which it can record/reproduce data from the table and records or reproduces a signal at the recording density. The recording/reproducing conditions include the wavelength of a semiconductor laser, whether or not to employ the optical pulse magnetic field modulation recording method, the presence/absence of an optical super resolution pickup, whether or not to employ the optical pulse reproducing method, whether or not to employ the PRML method and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of changing a recording mode from CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) to CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) mode in the middle of recording data to a disk recording medium. A method according to the present invention reads ATIP-framed data encoded in a wobble signal formed along a spiral physical track while recording input data to a recording medium, detects a sync signal contained in the read ATIP-framed data. Another method measures frequency of a low-frequency component of the wobble signal instead of reading ATIP-framed data. These two methods determines, in common, when to change the recording mode from CAV to CLV based on the period of the detected sync signal or the measured frequency. The present invention makes it possible to record input data to an entire area of a disk more rapidly without fatal errors such as imperfect writing. As a result, total recording time can be reduced with stable recording guaranteed.

Abstract: Within a sub-code to be recorded in a recording medium, the physical characteristics of the recording medium are recorded. This enables a recording apparatus or a reading apparatus to easily and correctly determine the physical characteristics of the recording medium by reading the sub-code. The physical characteristic information includes information concerning the material, the disc type, the linear velocity, the track pitch, the moment of inertia, and the size/configuration of the recording medium. It is thus possible to easily and correctly determine the physical characteristics of the disc (or unit area) while maintaining the compatibility with known recording media.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus comprises a focusing means for focusing a light beam on a recording medium having first and second information faces; means for moving a focal point of the light beam in a direction substantially perpendicular to the information faces of the recording medium; means for detecting a reflected light from the recording medium; means for detecting a focus condition of the light beam on the basis of an output signal from the reflected light detecting means; a focus control means for driving the focal point moving means on the basis of an output signal from the focus condition detecting means, and controlling the light beam so that the focus condition of the light beam becomes a prescribed focus condition; and a focus jumping means for moving the focal point of the light beam from the first information face to the second information face by driving the focal point moving means.

Abstract: A method is described for optimizing recording conditions for writing information on an optical record carrier. The information is written on the record carrier in the form of optically detectable marks, each mark being written by a pulse series of radiation. A series of test patterns is written on the record carrier (1) for the optimization. A jitter detector (11) measures both the leading-edge and trailing-edge jitter of the read signal. The leading-edge jitter is used to optimize the value of a parameter influencing only the leading part of a pulse series. The trailing-edge jitter is used to optimize a parameter influencing only the trailing part of the pulse series.