Abstract: A communication terminal includes circuitry. The circuitry receives audio data collected by an audio collecting device, and transmits the audio data to a speech recognition apparatus via a network. The circuitry further receives text data, which is a result of speech recognition of the audio data, from the speech recognition apparatus, reproduces the audio data, and displays the text data on a display device during a period in which the audio data is being reproduced.

Abstract: There is provided a cartridge including a plurality of optical information recording media having unique information recorded thereon, an accommodation body configured to accommodate the plurality of optical information recording media, and an identification device configured to store the unique information of the plurality of optical information recording media and supply the unique information to a changer in a non-contact manner, the identification device being provided in the accommodation body.

Abstract: A reproduction device, contains a rotatable operation disk part for performing an input related to reading of data stored in a memory and a capacitance sensor section for outputting a sensor value expressing a change of a capacitance according to depression of the rotatable operation disk part. The device also contains a storage part for storing a reference value corresponding to the sensor value obtained while the rotatable operation disk part is not depressed, and a control part for judging presence/absence of pressing on the rotatable operation disk part based on a vector quantity being a relative value obtained from a difference between the sensor value output from the capacitance sensor section and the reference value stored in the storage part.

Abstract: A method for quasi-static testing a magnetic recording head read sensor is described. The method includes applying a first voltage to a heater in the magnetic recording head and measuring an output of the magnetic recording head read sensor while applying the first voltage to the heater and recording the measured output as a first set of measurements. The method further includes applying a second voltage to the heater in the magnetic recording head and measuring the output of the magnetic recording head read sensor while applying the second voltage to the heater and recording the measured output as a second set of measurements. The first and second sets of measurements are then compared.

Abstract: A digital media playing system includes, in one embodiment, a digital video and/or audio media object, such as a portable digital media container adapted to hold one or more digital storage mediums, that includes a radio frequency identification tag containing RFID tag information. The digital media playing system also includes a trusted media content playing device that has a radio frequency identification tag reader operatively coupled therewith, to read the RFID tag information from the RFID tag that is located on the portable media container and that securely downloads remotely stored audio and/or video media based on the RFID tag information. The RFID tag information that is in the RFID tag includes, in one embodiment, encrypted tag identification information and unencrypted remote content identification information as well as, if desired, portable digital media container authentication data (e.g. player ID).

Abstract: A rotation-activated electronic component, preferably a RFID tag mounted on or incorporated in a support that is rotated when read, e.g. a CD or DVD. The RFID tag comprises an antenna, a rotational switch and a component, advantageously a processor. The antenna is adapted to transform received RFID signals to electric energy that powers the component. In a preferred embodiment, the rotational switch is adapted to cut the circuit unless the support does not rotate at or above a certain rotational speed. Supports equipped with the RFID tag of the invention will thus respond only if they rotate sufficiently. This can avoid collisions in case more than one such RFID tag is within communication range of an antenna of a reader. In a preferred embodiment, the information returned by the component is needed for full use of the content on the support.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and a data storage device are provided for implementing data confidentiality and integrity of data stored in overlapping, shingled data tracks on a recordable surface of a storage device. A unique write counter is stored for each zone written to the recordable surface of the storage device. An encryption key is used together with the write counter information and a logical block address to encrypt each sector being written, and to decrypt all sectors being read. An individual sector is decrypted, obtaining the write counter information and reading the data sector. A message authentication code is stored for each zone. All sectors of the zone are read to perform integrity check on a sector.

Abstract: An optical disc includes tracking polarity information. The optical disc includes a clamping area, a lead-in area, a data area, and burst cutting area (BCA). The BCA is present between the clamping area and the lead-in area and in which information regarding the optical disc is recorded, and the information is read before performing tracking in the data area.

Abstract: There are provided a multi-layered optical disk and an optical disk device capable of swiftly reproducing control information recorded into a predetermined recording layer in advance. The object can be accomplished by employing the following configuration: When the optical disk device performs a focus lead-in operation into the multi-layered optical disk, the device positions its optical pickup at a BCA radius position, and takes advantage of a signal which is generated such that an influence exerted on the signal by BCA is avoided. Also, the object can be accomplished by employing the following configuration: An angle index unit for indicating a rotation reference position is provided in the multi-layered optical disk, and a partial area of the BCA is selected as an unrecording area. The optical disk device starts the focus lead-in operation in synchronization with rotation angle information created from the rotation reference position.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting burst cutting areas on optical discs includes an optical pickup head, a front-end processing unit, a sync pattern detector, a channel clock recovery device, and a data demodulator. The front-end processing unit generates a BCA signal in response to a radio frequency signal. The sync pattern detector counts the BCA signal according to a reference clock, detects a sync pattern of the BCA signal and outputs a channel bit length counting value. The channel clock recovery device generates a channel clock according to the reference clock and the channel bit length counting value. The data demodulator transfers the BCA signal into a BCA data according to the channel clock. The sync pattern detector continuously counts the BCA signal and continuously outputs a plurality of counting values, so that the sync pattern of the BCA signal can be determined according to at least three sequential counting values.

Abstract: A file system which is enabled to use a Metadata Partition instead of VAT for write-once discs, is provided by a pseudo-overwrite method. On applying this invention to a drive apparatus which supports pseudo-overwrite media, the file system distinguishes data to overwrite from data to append. When the data is newly written to a logical sector, the drive apparatus writes the data to a physical sector to which the logical sector corresponds. When the logical sector is overwritten the data is written to another unrecorded physical sector in the volume space, and remapping information that specifies the original address, and the remapping address are stored in the remapping table.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording medium including a plurality of recording layers. Each recording layer may comprise at least one optical power control (OPC) area, and each OPC area is allocated so as not to overlap an adjacent layer in a given radius.

Abstract: A method of storing a data storage device includes but is not limited to emplacing a data storage device in a container, the container having surfaces; and writing storable data to the data storage device by transmitting energy through a surface of the container. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. Other methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensing device including a base, a pillar, an arm, a sensing element and a driving module is provided. The base has a supporting surface suitable for supporting the object. The pillar is disposed on the supporting surface. The arm has two ends and a pivot portion between the two ends. The pivot position is pivoted to the pillar along an axis substantially parallel to the supporting surface. The sensing element is disposed on the arm and located between an end and the pivot portion. The sensing element is located between the base and the object. The driving module is disposed between the arm and the base. The driving module drives the arm to pivot relatively to the pillar along the axis, and the sensing element moves toward or away from the object as the arm is pivoted.

Abstract: A drive apparatus of the present invention includes a recording/reproduction section and a drive control section. The drive control section at least performs a process including: allocating a contiguous area to a specific location in the user data area other than the location specified by the recording instruction; controlling the recording/reproduction section to record the data in the allocated contiguous area; and generating new disc management information including first replacement management information for mapping a start location of the contiguous area specified by the recording instruction to a start location of the allocated contiguous area and second replacement management information for mapping an end location of the contiguous area specified by the recording instruction to an end location of the allocated contiguous area.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: An optical disc includes tracking polarity information. The optical disc includes a clamping area, a lead-in area, a data area, and a burst cutting area (BCA). The BCA is present between the clamping area and the lead-in area and in which information regarding the optical disc is recorded, and the information is read before performing tracking in the data area. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the tracking polarity information and/or reflectivity information without trial and error and directly record or reproduce user data in a data area of the optical disc.

Abstract: A rotation-activated electronic component, preferably a RFID tag mounted on or incorporated in a support that is rotated when read, e.g. a CD or DVD. The RFID tag comprises an antenna, a rotational switch and a component, advantageously a processor. The antenna is adapted to transform received RFID signals to electric energy that powers the component. In a preferred embodiment, the rotational switch is adapted to cut the circuit unless the support does not rotate at or above a certain rotational speed. Supports equipped with the RFID tag of the invention will thus respond only if they rotate sufficiently. This can avoid collisions in case more than one such RFID tag is within communication range of an antenna of a reader. In a preferred embodiment, the information returned by the component is needed for full use of the content on the support.

Abstract: A media ID recording apparatus has an optical pickup 20 for forming an elongated optical spot on a recording surface of an optical disk DK; and a support table 32 for fixedly supporting the optical pickup 20. The optical pickup 20 is fixed to the support table 32 via a wedge-like spacer 33 as tilted toward the radial direction of the optical disk DK. The focal position of the elongated optical spot at the rear side in the moving direction is matched to the recording surface of the optical disk DK and the focal position of the optical spot at the front side in the moving direction is shifted from the recording surface of the optical disk DK, whereby the light intensity of the optical spot at the front side in the moving direction becomes smaller than the light intensity of the optical spot at the rear side in the moving direction. A media ID is recorded on the optical disk DK by using the optical spot thus set.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention optically writes a plurality of image data files on an optically writable data side of an optical disc. The method optically marks a plurality of thumbnail images on an optically writable label side of the optical disc. Each thumbnail image corresponds to one of the image data files.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a high-density recording medium and a method and apparatus for controlling data playback thereof. Playback control information, such as channel bit length information, is recorded in a burst cutting area (BCA) of a high-density optical disc in a wobble type. When the high-density optical disc is reproduced, the playback control information is detected in a push-pull signal detection mode and the optimum data playback operation corresponding to the recording capacity of the optical disc is performed on the basis of the detected playback control information. Alternatively, bit error rates (BERs) are calculated while a plurality of predetermined bit detection modes are sequentially performed, one of the bit detection modes corresponding to the smallest one of the calculated BERs is selected and the data playback operation is performed in the selected bit detection mode.

Abstract: Optical disk players include a disk spinning system that is configured to spin an optical disk at a constant linear velocity and a burst cutting area decoding system that is configured to decode data in a burst cutting area of the optical disk, while the optical disk is spinning at the constant linear velocity. The burst cutting area data decoding system may be configured to determine a rotational frequency of the optical disk while reading the data in the burst cutting area, and using the rotational frequency that was determined to decode the data in the burst cutting area that was read.

Abstract: A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, which contains a control ionformation, such as copy protection information, encoded in intermittent or alternate wobbled pits, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing data on the recording medium.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus allows an optical pickup to seek to a physical address 30000Hex, and controls high-speed CLV of a spindle motor to be 1.04-multiple speed of CLV so as to set rotational speed of the spindle motor at 1440 rpm, before reproducing information from NBCA. The optical disc apparatus acquires spindle output for the spindle motor during the CLV control, and calculates an average value of the acquired spindle output, and further stores the calculated average value. When reproducing the information of NBCA, the optical disc apparatus controls the spindle output to be the average value of the spindle output so as to control the rotational speed of the spindle motor at 1440 rpm. This makes it possible for the optical disc apparatus to reproduce the information of NBCA without using an FG.

Abstract: Separate sets of optical medium identification information are embedded in separate aligned layers of the optical medium to allow an optical drive to initiate use of the optical medium with information from both layers. For instance, a first set of identification information is embedded in the data layer of the optical medium and a second set of identification information is embedded on the protective surface layer of the optical medium. The first and second sets of information align so that a mixed signal is provided when the optical medium is initially inserted in the optical drive with the optical drive reading the separate sets of information while the read head is at a single location.

Abstract: An immobile, non-magnetic mode sensor, preferably an optical sensor, is entirely supported by a housing of a reader for electro-optically reading indicia in a handheld mode, and in a hands-free mode, of operation. The mode sensor is operative for sensing the mode of operation, for example, by detecting whether the housing has been grasped by an operator, or by detecting whether the housing has been removed from a support surface. The mode sensor is actuatable between handheld and hands-free states, which respectively correspond to the handheld and hands-free modes of operation. A controller is operative for selecting the mode of operation, which is sensed by the mode sensor, in which the indicia is to be read.

Abstract: According to the invention, an optical disc reproducing apparatus includes a housing for: a reading section which reads data recorded on an optical disc, a data storing section and a reproducing section which reproduces the stored data. A reference discal unit outside the housing rotates at a pre-determined reference rotational speed and direction. An operation discal unit mounted on the reference discal unit, may rotate at a desired speed and direction. A detection discal unit is coupled with the operation discal unit, to rotate in sync with the operation discal unit. First and second detecting sections detect a rotational speed and direction of the detection discal unit and the reference discal unit, respectively. A control section determines the rotational speed and direction of the detection discal unit based on detected results and controls the reading section, the storing section and the reproducing section, thereby performing a desired data reproduction.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recording medium which is configured to record information includes a first area which stores first information indicating the range of a currently formatted area, and a second area which stores second information indicating the range of a previously formatted area.

Abstract: An optical disk compliant with both a conventional optical disk such as a BD, HD DVD, and the like and a next-generation high-density optical disk according to a near-field light recording system and the like is provided. An information recording medium includes a first information recording layer and a second information recording layer, to/from which information is recorded or reproduced using laser beam. The first information recording layer is formed at a laser beam entrance surface, and is configured so that information can be recorded thereupon and/or reproduced therefrom using a first objective lens having a first numerical aperture NA1 and laser beam of a first wavelength ?1. The second information recording layer is formed so as to have a distance to the laser beam entrance surface is 0.05 mm to 1.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, fluid-mediated modification of information or access to information is utilized. According to various embodiments, data storage devices designed for rotating access are described which include rotation-activated fluid control mechanisms.

Abstract: An optical disc includes tracking polarity information. The optical disc includes a clamping area, a lead-in area, a data area, and a burst cutting area (BCA). The BCA is present between the clamping area and the lead-in area and in which information regarding the optical disc is recorded, and the information is read before performing tracking in the data area. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the tracking polarity information and/or reflectivity information without trial and error and directly record or reproduce user data in a data area of the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disc includes tracking polarity information. The optical disc includes a clamping area, a lead-in area, a data area, and a burst cutting area (BCA). The BCA is present between the clamping area and the lead-in area and in which information regarding the optical disc is recorded, and the information is read before performing tracking in the data area. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the tracking polarity information and/or reflectivity information without trial and error and directly record or reproduce user data in a data area of the optical disc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk-like recording medium, a disk recording apparatus and a disk recording method, and a disk playback apparatus and a disk playback method. Disk ID is recorded over a circle of a burst cutting area on an optical disk. The circle is divided into n blocks, each of the blocks is divided into m frames, and ID information is recorded in each of the frames with k channel bits.

Abstract: A high-density optical disc such as a high density-digital versatile disc (HD-DVD) or Blu-ray disc, and a method for reproducing or recording data of the high-density optical disc. The high-density optical disc includes a lead-in area, a data area and a lead-out area. The lead-in area has control information. A minimum mark or space length of the control information recorded in the lead-in area is longer than that of data recorded in the data area. The control information of the lead-in area is copied to the lead-out area. On the basis of the data reproduction or recording method, an optical disc device can correctly read and confirm the control information from the high-density optical disc, minimize the interference between a mark and space in high-density recording data, reduce the effects of scratches or dust on the disc, and efficiently prevent an erroneous data reproduction or recording operation.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying programs contained on a disk of any format, including, for example, either a single-sided or a double-sided disk with either a single-layer or multi-layer tracks, are presented. In particular, a dual-sided recording medium is disclosed having respective program data on the first and the second sides of said medium. In addition, the medium has a first area on the first side and a second area on the second side, and the areas have laser encoded data representing individualized information relating to said respective program data. The areas may or may not overlap each other depending on the configuration chosen. Also disclosed is an apparatus for laser encoding the above-described recording medium, and a method for processing a disk having more than one laser encoded areas.

Abstract: A dynamic electrical tester (DET) for testing head gimbal assemblies (HGA) is disclosed. The DET simulates disk drive operation while significantly reducing tester capital investment. Multiple HGAs are tested simultaneously using modular spin stands with shared electronics. This design increases utilization of electronics and minimizes the effect of spindle start/stop time. A parallel array of spin stands with shared electronics is used to reduce tester component and materials cost by multiplexing between the spin stands. The DET has the significant advantage of reducing wait time by making use of the electronics while they are idle during mechanical-related delays. In addition, the DET includes more channels per test head that can readily switch back and forth between the products being tested.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which makes it possible to accurately manage a plurality of storage media realized by cooperation with each other while maintaining a combination or combinations thereof, and manage data for each OS. A storage media supporting device removably supporting at least one storage medium is removably attached to the information processing apparatus. When the storage media supporting device is attached to the information processing apparatus, the storage media housed in the storage media supporting device is electrically connected to the information processing apparatus. The contents of data stored in the storage media are detected, and a visible identifier provided on the storage media supporting device is changed into a state corresponding to the detection result.

Abstract: An information table storage stores an information table. The information table includes information regarding contents of an optical disk, disk identification information, and specific information representing relationships between the optical disk and an apparatus. An identification information detector section detects identification information when the optical disk is loaded in the apparatus. A search section searches the information table to see whether the identification information detected by the identification detector section is included in the information table. A specific information processor section determines whether the specific information read out from the optical disk corresponds to a currently-used apparatus. A notification processor supplies relevant information to a user interface where the identification information is included in the information table and the readout specific information corresponds to the currently-used apparatus.

Abstract: A reproduction method for reproducing BCA data for optical discs using the defect signal. The reproduction method for reproducing BCA data includes the steps of: generating a defect signal as a BCA signal by detecting an RF signal of the BCA; generating a BCA data bit stream by sampling the BCA signal according to a sampling clock; and decoding the BCA data bit stream to generate BCA data. Because the defect signal is utilized as the BCA signal of the invention, no additional BCA signal extracting device is needed.

Abstract: The present invention is applied to an optical disk apparatus which records data on and/or plays back data from one of a variety of DVD optical disks. The present invention generates a binarization threshold S3 by offsetting an envelope S2 of a playback signal RF by an offset voltage V1, and binarizes the playback signal RF (S4) according to the binarization threshold.

Abstract: A BCA (Burst Cutting Area) code including a unique disk code indicating the type of a disk is written in a BCA code area of the disk. If the disk is mounted into the optical disk player, the optical disk player reads data written in the BCA code area, extracts the disk code contained in the read data, and confirms the type of the disk corresponding to the extracted disk code by retrieving a disk code table in which disk codes corresponding to the types of disks are mapped.

Abstract: A sampling clock generator for BCA data decoding providing a sampling clock, which is proportional to the actual rotation speed of a disk. The sampling clock generator includes a frequency counter, a divider and a frequency divider. The frequency counter counts the number of pulses of a reference clock for each period of a rotation speed indicating signal of a spindle motor and generates a counting value. The divider divides the counting value by a predefined value and generates a divided value. The frequency divider is employed to generate the sampling clock. The frequency divider receives the reference clock and divides the frequency of the reference clock by the divided value to generate the sampling clock. The frequency divider also adjusts the phase of the sampling clock according to the BCA reproducing signal.

Abstract: Predetermined information, for example, BCA data and a total reproduction time etc. is read from a loaded disc and the disc information thus read is supplied to a CPU 1. Then, a discrete setting area 3b is retrieved to determine whether or not parameters are registered in correspondence with the disc information thus read. When it is determined that the parameters are registered, the parameters registered in correspondence with the disc information is read from the discrete setting area 3b and set in an audio decoder 12 and a subpicture decoder 13, respectively. When it is determined that the parameters are not registered, standard parameters are read from a standard setting area 3a and set to the audio decoder 12 and the subpicture decoder 13, respectively.

Abstract: A method for extracting information in a data signal stored on an optical disc. The information is stored in a plurality of channel bits. The method includes initializing a recovery period of a recovery clock to a predetermined value expressed in cycles of a first clock; sampling the data signal with the first clock; obtaining a leading edge time period expressed in cycles of the first clock of a pattern of bits from the sampled data in which at least a first bit has a first binary value, followed by a plurality of bits having a second binary value, and ending with a last bit having the first binary value, wherein the first and second binary values are not equal; updating the recovery period of the recovery clock to be equal to a new maximum period that is the leading edge time period divided by a division factor; extracting the information in the data signal based on the newest recovery period of the recovery clock; and detecting a predetermined code in the data signal.

Abstract: The information recording unit has a memory for firstly storing data, a record medium for intermittently recording the stored data in the memory, a record means for recording the data on the record medium, and a valid-data decision means for determining whether the recorded data is valid. The record means records the data in at least two different areas on the record medium, and the decision determines one valid data among the recorded data in the different areas. The unit includes a record control means for controlling the record means. The record control means provides a control command for the record means to record a predetermined quantity of data stored in the memory at a first recording location on the record medium and also provides a control command for the record means to read the predetermined quantity of the data at least one recording location different from the first recording location after the predetermined quantity of the data is recorded at the first recording location.

Abstract: A disk cartridge which allows for the user to know what contents are recorded in which disk cartridge without the need of reproducing the disk cartridge, a method of manufacturing the same and a recording/reproducing system using the same have been provided, in which the disk cartridge is accomplished by incorporating the optical disk in a case, a recording surface of the optical disk is comprised of an annular inner area, a clamping area, a transition area, an information recording area and a rim area, which are arranged from inside to outside in radial directions of the optical disk, and disk cartridge identification information is recorded in the transition area of the optical disk, and also the disk cartridge identification information recorded in the optical disk is provided discernibly from outside the case.

Abstract: In a data recording and reproducing method, data blocks are recorded in a storage unit. Priority levels each for one of the data blocks are set and stored. It is determined whether or not a vacant area of the storage unit is expected to be short. When the vacant area of the storage unit is expected to be short. The data blocks recorded in the storage unit are recompressed in accordance with the stored priority levels.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a marking forming apparatus, a method of forming a laser marking on an optical disk, a reproduction apparatus, an optical disk, and a method of manufacturing an optical disk, capable of providing a greatly improved copy prevention capability as compared to prior known construction. To achieve this object, in the optical disk of the invention, for example, a marking is formed by a laser on a reflective film of a disk holding data written thereon and at least position information of the marking or information concerning the position information is written on the disk in an encrypted form or with a digital signature appended thereto.