Abstract: A fast optimum power control method is disclosed, with a laser power level being adjusted in a predetermined sequence at an ADIP/ATIP frame of an optical recording medium. Jitter is measured at each ADIP/ATIP frame in order to obtain an average jitter value for that particular frame, and hence power level.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and a reading device (1) for retrieving information from an optical record carrier (10) in which the read power level of a radiation beam (3) for scanning the optical record carrier is set in dependence on the read-out speed. The invention is also related to a record carrier for use with such a method and a reading device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of storage units, a mirroring control unit configured to execute mirroring processing, which includes writing processing for writing same data on each of the plurality of storage units and reading processing for reading data from either one of the plurality of storage units, and a power control unit configured to independently control supply of power to the plurality of storage units. If the supply of power to the plurality of storage units is reduced, if the mirroring control unit starts the writing processing, the information processing apparatus resumes the power supply to the plurality of storage units, and if the mirroring control unit starts the reading processing, the information processing apparatus resumes the power supply to a specific storage unit from which the data is read, and configured to execute control not to resume the power supply to the other storage unit(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a LBR (Laser Beam Recorder) (56) suitable for mastering a record carrier (60) by writing data in the record carrier in circular or spiral tracks and comprising: means (58) for rotating a record carrier; means (62) for moving a laser (61) over the record carrier (60) in a radial direction with reference to the rotation of the record carrier (60); means (65) for controlling the laser output power; and means (66) for synchronizing the rotation of the record carrier (60), the movement of the laser (61) and the laser output power. In accordance with the invention synchronizing the rotation of the record carrier 60; the movement of the laser 61 and the laser output power is performed such that at least a part of the data is written in at least one track comprising a different arrangement than circular or spiral. The present invention also relates to a Laser Beam Recorder.

Abstract: A data recording/reproducing system (1) reads a recording signal written on a recording track of a recording medium (3), by using light, which is modulated by a drive signal wherein a frequency signal is superposed for scanning the signal along the recording track at a prescribed scanning speed. Then, the system reproduces the read signal as data. The data recording/reproducing system is provided with a computer (13) for controlling the superposition frequency of the frequency signal for the drive signal corresponding to the scanning speed, and an LD driver (17).

Abstract: A method of recording data on a double-layer optical recording medium having a recording layer with high light transmittance is provided. A laser beam is modulated to emit a pulse series of laser including a write pulse of a write power and a cooling pulse of a bottom power, so as to encode and write data to be recorded as recording marks of a length nT along a track of the recording layer, where n is an integer and T is one clock cycle. An nT recording mark is formed using (n?1) write pulse(s), and when forming a recording mark of 4 T or longer, a cooling pulse with a pulse width of 0.8 T to 2 T is inserted before the last write pulse. Recording marks are thereby accurately formed without heat interference between consecutive recording marks and cross erase between recording marks of adjacent tracks.

Abstract: An actuator system for use in an optical pick up unit is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of actuator drivers (301, 305, 309), each actuator driver being connected to a first end of a separate actuator coil (313, 315, 317), wherein a second end of each actuator coil is tied together to form a common end, said actuator drivers each being connected to a supply voltage Vcc and ground. A variable voltage supply (319) is connected to the common end of the actuator coils for varying the voltage applied to the common end of the actuator coils. A feed-back unit (303, 307, 311) is connected to each of the plurality of actuator drivers, wherein each of the feedback units measures the current voltage being supplied to the second ends of the actuator coils and compensates the voltage applied to the first end of the actuator coil by the actuator driver.

Abstract: The present techniques present methods and systems for increasing a data reading rate on optical data disks using a single reading head. The methods take advantage of the difference between a mean focal distance (MFD), or minimum spacing that the detector can distinguish between bits, and the minimum separation of bits in a single track to increase the reading speed. As the bits may be more closely spaced across adjacent tracks or layers, these techniques may be used to increase the reading speed of the disk. Specifically, the data symbols that make up a single bit-stream may be stored in a pattern horizontally across adjacent tracks, or vertically across adjacent layers. Accordingly, the focal point of the detector is scanned across the disk in the same pattern to read the individual data symbols.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of recording information to an optical recording medium that is suited to achieving high data transfer rates. The method of recording information according to the present invention is adapted for recording information to an optical recording medium by forming on the optical recording medium a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks each with different lengths, wherein a bottom power of a laser beam used for forming at least one recording mark contained in the group is set to be higher than a reproducing power of a laser beam used for reproducing information. According to the present invention, since the bottom power helps to erase a recording mark, it is possible to maintain a high erase efficiency even when information is recorded by setting a high data transfer rate.

Abstract: This document relates to a method of recording data on an optical disc and an optical disc apparatus. The method of recording data on an optical disc may comprise determining a recording speed at which a recording power control operation will be performed based on a recording start position and the amount of data for which recording has been requested, performing the recording power control operation at the determined recording speed, and recording the data for which recording has been requested on the optical disc based on a result of performing the recording power control operation.

Abstract: An output voltage of a cathode driving type semiconductor laser driving circuit is made minimum, power consumption of a driving circuit section is suppressed, and heat generation of an optical head or an optical disc device is reduced. In addition to the conventional constitution, the semiconductor laser driving circuit permits the output voltage of the semiconductor laser driving circuit to be at a prescribed level by measuring a cathode voltage (Vout) of a semiconductor laser (1) and controlling an anode voltage (Vld) so that the cathode voltage (Vout) is at the prescribed level, reduces power consumption of the driving circuit and suppresses temperature increase of the optical head or the optical disc device to be minimum.

Abstract: In a method for compensating recording power, being suitable for an optical disk apparatus, applying the WOPC therein, as a means for compensating recording power during recording operation, and also an optical disk apparatus applying the same therein, wherein the recording operation is interrupted, when a predetermined amount of data is recorded continuously, to determine the recording power for when recoding next, from the recoding condition onto the optical disk just before interruption thereof, and thereby starting the recording, with the recording power determined from that just after said interruption thereof, wherein an adjustment is made on a tilt angle of an optical pickup when the recording power, which is determined when interrupting the recording operation, exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and the recording is started just after said interruption, with the recording power onto the optical disk just before it is interrupted.

Abstract: An optical disc drive reads identification information from an optical disc inserted in the drive in a label orientation having a label side presented to the optical disc drive laser by reading codes marked at the opposing storage side in a transparent region or marked on the label side oriented to be read from the storage side. The identification information is used to determine the ability and authority of the optical disc to have a label written on the label surface. For instance, label authorization is determined from authorization information embedded on the storage side of the optical disc when the optical disc is in a storage orientation and the label authorization is saved on an associated information handling system with reference to the identification information to allow authorization to be determined when the optical disc is in the label orientation.

Abstract: In an optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers on which information can be recorded by irradiating a laser beam from one side thereof, an optimum recording power to each of the recording layers can be determined. The optical recording medium has a plurality of recording layers on which information can be recorded by irradiating a laser beam from one side thereof, and each of the recording layers has a power calibration area (PCA) for optimizing the intensity of the laser beam.

Abstract: A system controlling recording on an optical disc is provided. A first counter performs a bit count according to provided channel bit clock signals. A second counter performs a sector count responsive to the bit count obtained by the first counter. The Land/Groove switch predicts machine uses the result of bit count and sector count to predict the land/groove switch point. The processor uses the physical ID (PID) to determine the track type of a sector at which a recording operation initiates. The power controller determines a recording power for the recording operation according to the Land/Groove switch predict machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a blank area of a power calibration area. The method includes the steps of: selecting a recording test area in the power calibration area; writing the recording test area with multiple stages of normal power and detecting power; forming multiple normal blocks and detecting blocks, wherein each of the detecting blocks includes one unit of unrecorded block and one unit of recorded block; and reading information from the unrecorded blocks of the detecting blocks and thus determining whether the unrecorded blocks of the detecting blocks are blank or not. Once all the unrecorded blocks of the detecting blocks are determined to be blank, it represents that the selected recording test area is totally blank.

Abstract: A power adjusting method for a pickup head accessing an optical disc. The method includes identifying a target data transfer rate utilized by the PUH for accessing the optical disc; calculating an appropriate laser power according to the target data transfer rate; and accessing the optical disc by the PUH at the target data transfer rate with the appropriate laser power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to record data on an optical recording medium include generating a recording waveform having an erase pattern comprising a predetermined pulse having a high level which is higher than an erase power level and having a low level which is lower than the erase power level.

Abstract: A power controlling method for eliminating output power offset of a pick-up head in an optical disc drive. The power control method includes measuring a first predetermined power related to a first predetermined control signal in a predetermined procedure, inputting a test data containing a plurality of first bits and a plurality of second bits, activating a sample/hold circuit to form a close loop so that the first predetermined control signal can be received and utilized for driving a pick-up head to output a first power when the plurality of first bits are received, and calculating an offset power based on the first predetermined power and the first power for rectifying output power of the pick-up head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disk apparatus and a focus jump method capable of reliably performing a focus jump by appropriately obtaining the amplitude of a signal such as a focus error signal in a multilayer optical disk. An optical disk includes jump areas which are provided separately from data areas and at which a focus jump is performed. When a focus jump is performed, an optical pickup is moved to the jump area, and the laser power level of the optical pickup is changed and set in accordance with a target layer to which the focus is jumped. A focus position is allowed to reach the target layer by counting the number of times of intersecting with recording layers using a reflected light from the optical disk while performing a focus sweep of an objective lens in the optical pickup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining an optimized write power used for writing electronic data on optical disc and includes a method, a device and a computer program product for determining a write power for writing electronic data on a medium (32, 108), based on a sequence of written data, using a power control model, which includes a written data deviation measure, a written data asymmetry and a written data asymmetry target value, the method comprising the steps determining the written data deviation measure for the sequence of written data (step 202), adjusting the written data asymmetry target value in relation to the written data asymmetry, if the written data deviation measure has changed (steps 218, 220, 226, 228), determining the write power in dependence on written data asymmetry (step 210), and writing another sequence of data on the medium using said determined write power (step 212), so as to obtain power optimized writing of data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the power consumption of one or more disk arrays are described. Power consumption information for various hardware components of the array, especially that for the disk drives since these consume more than 90% of the required power, are stored in a static data table in a database which may be controller firmware. Through inspection of this table and the chosen state of the individual disk drives as directed by a controller, one may determine the power use of the array.

Abstract: A method comprising performing a first set of power calibration procedures on an optical record carrier at a first recording speed in a first set of calibration areas and performing a further set of power calibration procedures on the optical record carrier at a recording speed different from the first recording speed, wherein the further set of power calibration procedures partly uses information from the first set of calibration areas is disclosed. The technique is useful in scenarios where the recording is required to be done with more than one speed on the same optical record carrier. The technique reduces the overall power calibration time and increases the number of power calibrations that can be done on the optical record carrier. The technique is useful for data, audio and video recorders.

Abstract: A laser power control system and related method for reducing a settling time in a target laser power transition are disclosed. The laser power control system includes a state decision circuit, for generating a state decision signal according to a selected operational state of a target circuit; a plurality of buffers, for storing a plurality of control data corresponding to a plurality of candidate operational states of the target circuit respectively; and a multiplexer, coupled between the state decision circuit and the buffers, for coupling a selected buffer of the buffers and the target circuit according to the state decision signal for outputting a control datum stored in the selected buffer to the target circuit.

Abstract: A method for controlling a specific output power level emitted from a laser diode (LD) in an optical pick-up head unit (OPU) is disclosed. The LD is configured to provide a plurality of output power levels for accessing/recording an optical disc. The method includes: determining a specific power control value according to a first output power level, a second output power level, a first power control value of the first output power level, and the specific output power level, wherein the first output power level is less than the specific output power level and greater than the second output power level; and driving the LD to emit the specific output power level according to the specific power control value, the first power control value, and a second power control value of the second output power level.

Abstract: An optical information recording and reproducing apparatus comprises an optical disk having a reflection layer, an optical information recording layer, a super resolution layer and a protection layer on the recording surface of a substrate, a laser emission control unit for emitting the laser light to record and reproduce the optical information and changing the pulse-like emission pattern, a pickup for radiating by focusing the laser light and receiving the reflected light, a spindle and a spindle motor for supporting and rotationally driving the optical disk, and a reproduction signal processing unit for arithmetically processing the received signal.

Abstract: Recording information is disclosed in which an information recording medium is irradiated with a recording energy beam that is power-modulated into at least a record power level and a record-ready power level lower than the record power level. The information is recorded on the recording medium in the form of length and interval of a mark portion. When forming a mark portion of a predetermined length, the radiation energy of the energy beam is increased as compared with when forming a mark portion of a different length before or after the first pulse of an energy beam pulse train including at least a pulse for forming the mark portion.

Abstract: A record carrier is described comprising a zone with a visually detectable pattern composed of pattern elements arranged along at least one track. The pattern elements comprise a marked zone having an optical property deviating from a background, the marked zones having a width Wm transverse to the track direction and a length Lm along the track direction, wherein at least two or more pattern elements have a marked zone with a mutually different width Wm. In this way, an increased visibility of the visual pattern is achieved. Likewise a method and an apparatus for recording an optical record carrier is included.

Abstract: A power saving method for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device is described. In the method, whether a watertight lid outside the optical disk drive is in open/closed state is detected by a sensor. When the watertight lid is in the closed state, whether an optical disk exists in the optical disk drive is detected by a read/write head of the optical disk drive. When no optical disk exists, a controller in the rugged electronic device begins to time. When a predetermined time is reached and no optical disk drive start command is received, the controller turns off an electrical connection between a power supply and the optical disk drive. When an optical disk drive start command is received, the controller enables the electrical connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive.

Abstract: A recording method and a malfunction detection method of an optical disc device are provided. The level of a signal driving a laser diode is detected during a recording operation. The detected level is compared with a reference limit, and the recording operation is controlled according to the comparison result. If the detected level exceeds the reference limit, a recording speed or power is adjusted downwardly, otherwise it is adjusted upwardly. If the detected level exceeds the reference limit, a malfunction in a front photodetector inside the optical disc device is reported to an external host. Appropriate control of the recording operation according to the disc reflection light incident on the front photodetector prevents degradation of recording quality. The reporting of the abnormality/malfunction in the optical disc device or the front photodetector makes it possible for the user to take a quick action against the abnormality or malfunction.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an initial driving signal for driving an optical pick-up head of an optical disk drive is provided. On one embodiment, said optical disk drive is utilized for reading or writing data on an optical disk, the optical disk comprises a plurality of auto power control areas (APC areas) and a plurality of data areas, and the APC areas and the data areas are interleaved in between. First, in the APC areas, an initial driving signal is used to drive the optical pick-up head to emit laserbeam. A detected level of the laserbeam is then obtained. An update initial driving signal is then calibrated according to the detected level and a target level.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes a first control circuit controlling a light quantity of a semiconductor laser according to a first light quantity set value corresponding to a first light quantity resolution; a second control circuit controlling the light quantity of the semiconductor laser according to a second light quantity set value corresponding to a second light quantity resolution that is smaller than the first light quantity resolution; and a drive circuit driving the semiconductor laser following the first and second control circuits.

Abstract: A frequency characteristics compensation method that can be applied to various waveforms (strategies). When determining the amount of frequency compensation, a deteriorated part by frequency characteristics is compensated for with respect to the difference between the pulse power to be compensated and the power level immediately before it. The present invention can also be applied to variations in the performance, aged deterioration, and temperature characteristics.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus includes: a laser beam source; a collector device disposed as facing a disc that can record a signal, which collects a laser beam emitted from the laser beam source onto the disc; a record processing module which records the signal on the disc through the collector device while modulating laser power of the laser beam source; a reflecting light level detecting module which receives the reflecting light when the signal is recorded and detects a level of the reflecting light; a laser power control module which controls the laser power when the signal is recorded based on the detected level of the reflecting light; a tilt control module which controls a tilt angle between the disc and the collector device based on the detected level of the reflecting light; and a switching module which switches between control of the laser power and the tilt angle.

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 information recording apparatus changes a write strategy to reduce a pulse width of a write pulse to write a minimum mark, and records data based on the changed write strategy.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical disc apparatus constructed to discriminate a disc ID of an optical disc on which information is to be recorded, then derive, from a strategy pre-registered in the optical disc apparatus, test-recording repetition count information that matches the discriminated disc ID, and after using the derived test-recording repetition count information to assign the number of test-recordings to be conducted upon one specific address within a test-recording area of the optical disc, implement the assigned number of test-recordings and calculate an optimum recording power level for information recording, based upon a read signal generated after the final test-recording. The above construction improves recording power accuracy of information recording on rewritable optical discs.

Abstract: A threshold current modifying device is provided for an optical pickup head. The optical pickup head initially generates an output power when an operating current is larger than a threshold current of the optical pickup head, and the threshold current is related to a temperature of the optical pickup head in a functional relationship. The threshold current modifying device includes a threshold current calculating module and a power control module. The threshold current calculating module receives a temperature signal from the optical pickup head at a first temperature to output a threshold current signal according to the temperature signal and the functional relationship. The power control module receives the threshold current signal to adjust the operating current.

Abstract: An optical information recording method in an optical recording generation method for performing recording and reproduction of information by radiating laser light which is pulse-modulated according to a recording waveform having a plurality of setting parameters onto a storage medium is disclosed. The method comprises reading information recorded in the storage medium; determining positions corresponding to a detection pattern from the detection pattern and a reproduction signal, the detection pattern being defined according to a specific parameter from among the plurality of setting parameters, and the reproduction signal being obtained by reading the information; detecting the state of the reproduction signal according to the result of the determination; generating an ideal reproduction signal according to the detection pattern; and obtaining a predetermined signal evaluation index value using the result of detection of the state of the reproduction signal and the ideal reproduction signal.

Abstract: A recording method including: recording on a write-once-read-many optical medium capable of recording and reproducing with a blue laser by CAV, ZCLV, or PCAV, wherein a laser emission pattern including a recording pulse comprises two or more different levels of recording power, and a laser emission time standardized by the laser emission pattern and reference clock is fixed regardless of a recording linear velocity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and processes for recording dye-based recordable DVD media in higher quality at higher linear recording velocity, and provides an apparatus for recording a dye-based recordable DVD medium comprising a shortest mark recording unit, a second mark recording unit, and a cooling pulse irradiating unit, wherein the dye-based recordable DVD medium comprises a substrate and a recording layer formed on the substrate, the substrate comprises a guide groove to which wobble is formed, and the recording layer comprises at least an organic dye, the shortest mark recording unit is configured to record each of the shortest marks by use of one pulse beam of which the rear edge is more energized than the front edge, the second mark recording unit is configured to record each of the marks other than the shortest marks by use of one pulse beam of which the two sites of front and rear edges are energized, the cooling pulse irradiating unit is configured to irradiate cooling pulse laser

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a media drive having a normal operation mode and a power saving operation mode in which less power is consumed than in the normal operation mode, a control module configured to control the media drive, and a determination module configured to shift, when it is determined that the control module does not execute data access to the media drive for a predetermined period, the media drive from the normal operation mode to the power saving operation mode.

Abstract: An information recording precision calculating section (104) calculates an information recording precision for each recording power based on a reproduced RF signal obtained when reproducing recorded information with a predetermined reproduction laser beam intensity after a recording operation of recording the information on an optical disc (200) with a plurality of different recording powers. A relationship information obtaining section (140) obtains relationship information representing a relationship between the recording power and the information recording precision based on the information recording precision calculated by the information recording precision calculating section (104). A relationship information storing section (130) stores relationship information obtained by the relationship information obtaining section (140).

Abstract: A recording condition setting method includes the steps of: a) obtaining identification information from an information recording medium; b) searching through a table including history information indicative of temperature information detected in the vicinity of a light source and corresponding optimum recording power; c) extracting history information corresponding to the identification information; d) detecting temperature information detected in the vicinity of the light source; e) acquiring an optimum recording power by referring to the temperature information detected in step d) and the history information extracted in step c); and f) setting the optimum recording power acquired in step e) as a recording condition.

Abstract: A power control device of single base power is provided for an optical read/write module of an optical disk drive. The optical read/write module generates a power feedback signal and a temperature signal. The power control device includes a current compensating module, a current computing module and a current integrating module. The current compensating module generates an operating current compensating signal and a threshold compensating signal according to the power feedback signal, the temperature signal, a base power signal and a function relationship between the temperature signal and the threshold current of the optical read/write module. The current computing module receives the operating current compensating signal to compute a first operating current signal and a second operating current signal based on the operating current compensating signal according to the base power signal and a reference power signal.

Abstract: Power consumption is calculated in accordance with an operation state of disk devices without using a power meter in a storage system. The power consumption in accordance with the operation state is calculated as follows. That is, information on the power consumption for every type of hard disks is stored in advance when types of I/O process (random/sequential of read and write) operate at idle time up to a limit state in every type of hard disks. A control unit of the storage system aggregates time waiting a response from the hard disks in every type of I/O process. The power consumption of the disks is calculated on the basis of the information on the power consumption stored in advance and a sum of the waiting time of the response from the hard disks.

Abstract: An information recording device (1) is provided with recording element (3 and the like) for recording a recording mark by irradiating an information recording medium (100) with a laser beam; setting element (11 and the like) for setting recording conditions, corresponding to changes of the characteristics of the information recording medium with time; and control element (10 and the like) for controlling the recording element to record the recording mark under the set recording conditions.

Abstract: An optical disc signal recording for forming a record mark according to a recording signal on an optical disc by applying a laser beam of a predetermined power level to the optical disc is provided. A recording pulse having a first period having a first level of Po and a width of Wh, a middle period having a second level of Pm lower than the first level Po and a width of Wm, and a last period having a level substantially equal to the first level Po and a width of Wt is generated and used for all record marks regardless of the lengths of the record marks. The record mark is formed using the generated pulse on the optical disc. As a result, setting of a write strategy is facilitated, an adjustment time in variable speed record mode is shortened, and a good recording characteristic is secured.

Abstract: A multi-level information reproducing method for reproducing from a recording medium on which marks having detection signal levels different according to multi-level information are recorded in areas virtually divided uniformly, comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a reproduced signal from a series of patterns of multi-level information indicating an average level of intersymbol interference components to adjacent areas generated from marks according to all the multi-level information; and b) optimizing frequency characteristics of a reproducing part with respect to the reproduced signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data to and/or from a medium are discussed. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect distinction information capable of distinguishing medium manufacturer; a storage unit configured to store reference writing parameter information, the reference writing parameter information including multiple distinction information for indicating medium manufacturer and reference writing parameters corresponding to medium manufacturers; and a controller configured to determine a writing parameter by an optimum writing parameter test within a test range configured by the reference writing parameter, the reference writing parameter being selected from the reference writing parameter information based on the detected distinction information.