Abstract: A white dot out detecting device according to the present invention comprises a recording/reproduction control signal generator for generating a recording/reproduction control signal showing a recording state or a reproducing state of an optical disk, a variable gain amplifier for amplifying and outputting an information signal read from the optical disk and adjusting a gain in the amplification based on the recording/reproduction control signal, an envelope detector for detecting an output envelope of the variable gain amplifier, an integrator for integrating an output of the envelope detector, a slice level setting unit for setting a slice level as a reference for detecting a white dot out based on an output of the integrator, a comparator for detecting the white dot out based on comparison of the output of the envelope detector and the slice level to each other, and a level shifter for temporarily shifting the slice level to a high-level side when a change of the recording/reproduction control signal is de

Abstract: When using an optical disc medium that includes pit trains having their widths narrower than a diffraction limit, it is difficult to detect a tracking error signal and take a tracking-servo control while increasing pit density in a direction orthogonal to a pit-train extension direction. Information pit trains are arranged spirally or concentrically and formed in a structure in which their depths are changed periodically at a pitch radially along the optical disc medium, so that the tracking error signal can be obtained by push-pull detection of diffraction light from the structure.

Abstract: A device for protecting a slicer in reading signals on a defect disc from disturbance and instability is provided. The device includes a defect detection unit, a slicer and a logic combination unit. The defect detection unit receives a plurality of defect detection signals to detect various defects for setting a plurality of defect flag signals, wherein the plurality of defect detection signals at least include an envelope signal of a RF signal and bit modulation signals. The slicer receives and digitalizes the RF signal. The logic combination unit performs logic operation on the defect flag signals in order to detect a specified defect and to trigger defect protection for the slicer. A method for protecting a slicer in reading signals on a defect disc is also provided.

Abstract: A recording medium having a spare area for defect management, and a method and apparatus for allocating and assigning the spare area. A plurality of zones are formed as one group without prescribing the relationship between a zone and a group. Spare areas include a spare area for slipping replacement and a spare area for linear replacement. The spare are for slipping replacement is first allocated, and the spare area for linear replacement is allocated according to the size of an area remaining after the spare area for slipping replacement is used and the purpose for which a disc is used. When the spare area for linear replacement becomes deficient during use of the disc, a supplementary spare area for linear replacement is allocated in sequence from the rearmost of a logical file area, such that the spare area can be more flexibly and effectively allocated.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting defects on a disk surface includes a light source that generates a light beam and a beamsplitter that splits the light beam into a first light beam portion and a second light beam portion. The first light beam portion illuminates the surface of the disk and produces a reflected light beam. An acoustic-optic deflector deflects the reflected light beam and the second light beam portion producing a deflected output beam having a deflection angle. A detector detects an incident beam translation signal corresponding to reflected light beam angular deflection and acoustic-optic deflector beam angular deflection from the deflected output beam.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for rearranging back-up data, which first starts rearranging a back-up area when a rewritable optical disc is loaded, reads all available replacing blocks on the back-up area, rearranges the order of the replacing blocks based on the order of addresses of corresponding data blocks on the user data area, writes the rearranged replacing blocks into a planned area of the back-up area, and registers the corresponding information to finish the operation of rearrangement for rapidly reading data.

Abstract: A method for verifying whether a recording/reproducing apparatus properly produces disc management information and records the disc management information on a disc includes preparing a test disc; issuing reading commands to a recording/reproducing apparatus to be tested on which the test disc is loaded and verifying the disc in order to verify the reading operation; and issuing recording commands to the recording/reproducing apparatus to be tested on which the test disc is loaded and checking whether a temporary disc management area (TDMA) structure is properly updated on the disc in order to verify the modification operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for controlling tilt in an optical disc device such as a DVD recorder can select dynamic tilt control mode if the current operating mode of the device is record mode, and select static tilt control mode if the current operating mode is play mode thereby enabling tilt control selected for the current operating mode. Further, the device can maintain dynamic tilt control mode when data recording is resumed after being suspended, which enables the device to quickly perform tilt control preferred for the current optical pickup location. The device also can check the type of optical disc and whether a host supports defect management to select a preferred tilt control mode.

Abstract: A data read system comprising a read channel for processing a signal, and a diagnostic controller in communication with the read channel. The diagnostic controller is configured to measure at least one metric of the read channel during processing of a signal containing unknown data. The measured metric is then compared against a stored nominal metric and a warning is generated in response to a result of the comparison. In particular, the warning is generated only if the difference between the measured metric and the stored nominal metric exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A method of and drive for recording medium defect management, and a defect managed recording medium. The defect management method includes: writing first state information that specifies that an update cycle of a temporary defect management structure (TDMS) is open when updating of the TDMS begins, the TDMS containing information regarding temporary defect management; updating the TDMS when data is written to or read from the information storage medium; and writing second state information that specifies that the update cycle of the TDMS is closed, when the updating of the TDMS is completed.

Abstract: An optical recording medium and a method and apparatus for assigning a spare area in a rewritable optical recording medium are provided. According to an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for assigning a spare area in a storage medium assignable at least one spare area, characterized by assigning a spare area within or to a predetermined maximum allowable size, the spare area being assignable to a first size smaller than the predetermined maximum allowable size, or assignable to a second size same as the predetermined maximum allowable size, wherein the spare area is assignable during a formatting process of the storage medium, or in-use status different than the formatting process of the storage medium, and the spare area is located at an outer radius of the storage medium.

Abstract: On a write-once-type recording medium 10, there are provided: a definite defect management area 13 to definitely record therein defect management information; and a plurality of temporary defect management areas 14A, 14B, and 14C to temporarily record therein the defect management information. If the recording medium 10 is not yet finalized, every time the defect management information is updated, the updated defect management information is recorded into any one of the plurality of temporary defect management areas. Moreover, a status information recording area 15 is provided on the recording medium 10, and status information for indicating the temporary defect management area in which there is the defect management information recorded at last is recorded into the status information recording area 15. By referring to the status information, it is possible to quickly specify the defect management information recorded at last.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing optical recording media from being fractured and apparatus thereof, which enable to prevent an optical disc of an optical disc drive from being fractured due to a crack. The method and apparatus comprise: detecting a first tracking error signal outputted from a data recording/reproducing apparatus when the optical recording media are rotated at a first speed; detecting a second tracking error signal outputted from the data recording/reproducing apparatus when the optical recording media are rotated at a second speed; determining whether or not the crack on the optical disc exists on the basis of the first tracking error signal and the second tracking error signal; and stopping an operation of the data recording/reproducing apparatus when the optical recording media have the crack.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus, which can format a recording medium in the background, that verifies data written in a designated region of the recording medium if the designated region has not yet been certified in the background, and writes the data in an alterative region of the recording medium if the designated region is found defective. Since the data storage apparatus either certifies the designated region of the recording medium or verifies the data written in the designated region, the data storage apparatus can enhance the reliability of the data written in the recording medium, but the data storage apparatus does not waste time by verifying the designated region of the recording medium two times or more.

Abstract: A pattern of an input sync signal is compared with sub patterns in a first sync pattern. The sub patterns in the first sync pattern are equal to the patterns of true sync signals, respectively. When the pattern of the input sync signal agrees with none of the sub patterns in the first sync pattern, the pattern of the input sync signal is compared with sub patterns in a second sync pattern. The sub patterns in the second sync pattern have temporal fluctuations with respect to the patterns of the true sync signals. Each of the sub patterns in the second sync pattern is assigned to only one of the true sync signals. It is determined that a sync signal is detected when the pattern of the input sync signal agrees with one of the sub patterns in the first and second sync patterns.

Abstract: A write once disc includes a defect management area that is present in at least one of a lead-in area and a lead-out area; a temporary defect management area that is present in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; and a drive & disc information area that is present in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area. Information regarding the locations of temporary defect information and temporary defect management information is recorded in the drive & disc information area, the temporary defect information and temporary defect management information, which includes drive & disc information, are recorded in the temporary defect management area, and temporary defect information and temporary defect management information, which are lastly recorded in the temporary defect management area, are recorded in the defect management area for disc finalization.

Abstract: A method of managing defects considering compatibility with a rewritable disc, a reproducing and/or recording apparatus implementing the same, a write-once recording medium therefore, and a medium including computer readable code controlling the implementation of defect management. The method includes providing a plurality of temporary defect management areas on the write-once recording medium; performing defect management using the plurality of temporary defect management areas; and when one among the plurality of temporary defect management areas is exhausted, writing full flag information indicating that the one temporary defect management area is exhausted to at least one among remaining temporary defect management areas. Accordingly, defect management can be efficiently performed.

Abstract: A write-once recording medium preserving a data recording status of the write-once recording medium, a method of preserving the data recording status of a write-once recording medium, a medium including computer readable code for the same, and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therefor. In the method of preserving the data recording status of a write-once recording medium, first, data is recorded on the write-once recording medium. Next, recording-status data, representing occupied areas, is produced and recorded in a temporary defect management area allocated in the write-once recording medium. Thereafter, a finalization command is received to preserve the data-recording status of the recording medium. Then, in response to the finalization command, predetermined data is recorded in a temporary defect management area to prevent further data recording on the write-once recording medium. Accordingly, the data recording status of the finalized write-once recording medium can be preserved.

Abstract: In an optical disk recorder which records data in a recordable form in compliance with UDF, when writing of a data block constituting a user data file and a control data file is failed (NO in #2), that data block is rewritten (#5). When the writing of all data constituting the user data file and the control data file is completed (that is, when the writing of the data block constituting the user data file and the control data file is completed) (YES in #3), FE, VAT, and VATICB, which are file management data, respectively, are written (#6). When the writing of the FE, the VAT, and the VATICB are failed (NO in #7), that FE, VAT, and VATICB are rewritten (#8), and when the writing of the FE, VAT, and VATICB is completed (YES in #7), a recording operation is completed. Thereby, even when reproducing the data in the data file from the optical disk in which the writing of the data in the data file is failed, the data in the data file can be reproduced with the rewritten data correctly.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus is provided with: a recording device for recording information onto an information recording medium; a detrack detecting device for detecting occurrence of detrack during the recording of the information; and a controlling device for controlling the recording device to return to a location where the detrack has occurred and restart the recording if the occurrence of the detrack is detected.

Abstract: A multi-layer optical writable disc (D) comprises at least two layers (L1, L2, . . . ) and at least two defect management areas (DF1, DF2, . . . ). A first defect management area (DF1) is positioned on a first layer (L1) of the at least two layers at a first radial position (RP1), and a second defect management area (DF2) is positioned on a second layer (L2) of the at least two layers at a second radial position (RP2). The first radial position (RP1) and second radial position (RP2) are different.

Abstract: A write-once disc includes: a plurality of update areas in which a predetermined kind of updated information is recorded; at least one main access information area in which main access information is recorded, the main access information indicating a final update area in which finally updated information is recorded among the plurality of update areas; and at least one sub access information area in which sub access information is recorded, the sub access information indicating a location of the finally updated information recorded in the final update area. Accordingly, an access time for reading a predetermined kind of information required to use the write-once disc can be reduced.

Abstract: A defect detection device, apparatus, and method for detecting a defect of data recorded on a recording medium. The defect detection device includes a waveform state detection part generating information representing a state of a waveform of a reproduced signal from the recording medium based on soft decision results obtained in a process of reproducing the data in accordance with a maximum likelihood decoding algorithm corresponding to a partial response. The defect detection device includes a defect determination part determining the defect of the recorded data based on the information generated in the waveform state detection part.

Abstract: A write-once optical disc and a method and apparatus for recording management information on the optical disc are provided. The optical disc includes at least one recording layer and a plurality of temporary defect management areas (TDMAs) on the at least one recording layer. At least one of the TDMAs includes an indicator indicating which one of the TDMAs has an in-use status.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an anti-contamination level on a surface of optical recording medium is disclosed. The method includes forming an artificial fingerprint on the surface by contacting a stamp having an artificial material adhered thereto on an optical recording medium, and measuring a symbol error rate (SER) of the formed artificial fingerprint, to determine a sensitivity of the fingerprint and determining whether the optical recording medium is of good quality or bad quality depending upon the measured SER.

Abstract: A disc playing method and related system without interruption is disclosed. First, the data blocks on a disc (such as a DVD) is previewed without playing. Next, the error ratio of the data block is determined. If the error ratio of the data block exceeds a predetermined threshold, the address of the data block is recorded in an error data table. Finally, the data blocks not recorded in the error data table are played.

Abstract: The write-once recording medium has a data structure for managing temporary defect management areas, TDMAs, of the recording medium, where each TDMA is for at least storing temporary defect management information. In one embodiment, the recording medium includes a TDMA access indicator, TAI, area for selectively storing data indicating which one of the TDMAs is currently in use.

Abstract: A disc having an updatable defect management area used by an apparatus for managing defects on the disc, the disc including a user data area which includes user data, a spare area that is a substitute area for a defect existing in the user data area, and an area in which are recorded an address of data that is last recorded in the user data area and an address of a replacement data recorded in the spare area. Accordingly, the disc defect management method and apparatus are applicable to a recordable disc such as a write-once disc while effectively using a defect management area of the disc.

Abstract: A disc having an updatable defect management area used by an apparatus for managing defects on the disc, the disc including a user data area which includes user data, a spare area that is a substitute area for a defect existing in the user data area, and an area in which are recorded an address of data that is last recorded in the user data area and an address of a replacement data recorded in the spare area. Accordingly, the disc defect management method and apparatus are applicable to a recordable disc such as a write-once disc while effectively using a defect management area of the disc.

Abstract: A disc having an updatable defect management area used by an apparatus for managing defects on the disc, the disc including a user data area which includes user data, a spare area that is a substitute area for a defect existing in the user data area, and an area in which are recorded an address of data that is last recorded in the user data area and an address of a replacement data recorded in the spare area. Accordingly, the disc defect management method and apparatus are applicable to a recordable disc such as a write-once disc while effectively using a defect management area of the disc.

Abstract: A method of detecting an abnormal disc is provided. Firstly, an objective lens is moved along a one-way path for enabling the light beam of the objective lens to pass through the data layer of a disc. Next, the path having RF signal is detected and recorded. Then, whether the terminal of the one-way path is reached is determined: if the terminal is not reached, the method continues to move the objective lens; if the terminal is reached, the method calculates the length of vibration path on which RF signal is detected. After that, whether the length of vibration path is larger than a path threshold is determined: if the length of vibration path is not larger than a path threshold, the disc is a normal disc; if the length of vibration path is larger than the path threshold, the disc is an abnormal disc.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a disk that contains a target track and an adjacent track. The drive includes a circuit that determines an error in data read from the target track. Data from the adjacent track is stored in memory. The adjacent track is then erased and the target track data is re-read from the target track. Erasing the adjacent track allows the target track data to be read without adjacent track interference. The data from the adjacent track is typically rewritten onto the disk from memory so no data is lost.

Abstract: A method for detecting a typical defect area on a disc track includes the following steps. Firstly, a source signal is provided. Then, first and second signals are generated according to the source signal. The first and second signals are held at the peak level of the source signal and respectively decreased at first and second drop rates. Then, first and second threshold values are subtracted from the first and second signals to generate first and second slice signals, respectively. Afterwards, the source signal is compared with either the first slice signal or the second slice signal. When the first slice signal is larger than the source signal, a typical defect signal is changed from a first level to a second level. Whereas, the typical defect signal is changed from the second level to the first level when the second slice signal is smaller than the source signal.

Abstract: A data managing method for an optical disc drive writing user data into an optical disc having defects. The data managing method includes: determining whether to suspend a first buffering space from receiving the user data according to an amount of data stored in a second buffering space; when the first buffering space receives data corresponding to a defect of the optical disc, not suspending the first buffering space from reading the user data, and transferring the data corresponding to the defect in the first buffering space to a second buffering space; and when an amount of data stored in the second buffering space reaches a predetermined value, suspending the optical disc drive from writing data stored in the first buffering space into a user data area, and driving the optical disc drive to write data stored in the second buffering space into the spare area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting disk defects of a blank optical disk in a recording and reproducing system when a data-recording operation is performed. In the embodiment, an ATIP and the carrier signal of the ATIP signal, ATFM signals, are compared to obtain a difference between these two signals. A wobble defect flag signal is set if the difference keeps higher than a predetermined threshold for a predetermined time interval. On the contrary, the wobble defect flag signal is cleared if the difference keeps lower than the predetermined threshold for the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of managing a defective area of an optical disc recordable at high speed, recording/reproducing method thereof, and recording/reproducing apparatus thereof, by which an accurate decision of the defective area is provided. Moreover, as optimal recording speed is applicable to re-recording in a specific section, thereby enabling to secure high reliance of data. In an optical disc provided with a defect management area for defect management within a high-speed recordable disc, the present invention includes verifying whether the defective area is generated in performing a recording at high speed, re-verifying presence or non-presence of defect of a corresponding area by changing a recording speed into low speed if the defective area is generated at the high speed, and recording to manage in the defect management area a location information of an area decided as the defective area at the high speed but as a non-defective area at the low speed.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an anti-contamination level on a surface of optical recording medium is disclosed. The method includes forming an artificial fingerprint on the surface by contacting a stamp having an artificial material adhered thereto on an optical recording medium, and measuring a symbol error rate (SER) of the formed artificial fingerprint, to determine a sensitivity of the fingerprint and determining whether the optical recording medium is of good quality or bad quality depending upon the measured SER.

Abstract: A recording medium of writable once type, and a method and apparatus for managing a defective area on the recording medium are provided. The method includes detecting an existence of a defective area within a data area of the recording medium once data are written onto the data area in a data writing operation; writing data written in the defective area onto a spare area of the data area if the defective area is detected; writing temporary management information pertaining to the defective area, onto a temporary management area on the recording medium; and writing access information for accessing the temporary management information, onto a reserved area on the recording medium.

Abstract: A write once disc includes a defect management area that is present in at least one of a lead-in area and a lead-out area; a temporary defect management area that is present in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area; and a drive & disc information area that is present in at least one of the lead-in area and the lead-out area. Information regarding the locations of temporary defect information and temporary defect management information is recorded in the drive & disc information area, the temporary defect information and temporary defect management information, which includes drive & disc information, are recorded in the temporary defect management area, and temporary defect information and temporary defect management information, which are lastly recorded in the temporary defect management area, are recorded in the defect management area for disc finalization.

Abstract: The data structure on the recording medium includes a temporary defect management area storing a data block. The data block includes sequential recording information and a temporary definition structure. The sequential recording information provides information on continuous recording areas in the data area of the recording medium. The temporary definition structure includes at least one pointer to information in the temporary defect management area.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus and method can prevent an information recording medium having a plurality of recording layers from being incompatible with a reproduction-only information recording medium due to an unrecorded area, which is produced by completion of recording in a middle of a data area of the recording layer. The recording layers include at least a first recording layer and a second recording layer, the first recording layer providing a reference with respect to a position of said data area in each of the recording layers. The user data is recorded in response to a recording request. After recording the user data, predetermined data is recorded in a predetermined unrecorded area in the second recording layer.

Abstract: An optical pickup to improve countermeasure capability of a disc by allowing polarized light of a spot on the disc to become elliptically polarized light includes a light source to emit semiconductor laser light, an objective lens to condense the light emitted from the light source and form an optical spot on a disc, and a wave plate which is rotated such that the spot formed on the disc becomes elliptically polarized light.

Abstract: A method of detecting optical disc error information on an optical disc, for applying in an optical disc drive, the method comprising: first, detecting whether the optical disc is blank, if not, perform the following: checking whether a seek error occurred, if yes, recording a seek error mark; while reading a data region, recording data error information, the data error information comprises an error count, and a corresponding data error location; finally, outputting the optical disk error information according to the data error information and the seek error mark.

Abstract: An optical disc on which data is recorded and/or from which the data is reproduced, includes a recording area where the data is recorded in at least one physical cluster, a defective area, where a defect that prevents a recording and/or reproduction of data is present, provided in the recording area, and a recording end area where information indicating an end of recording is recorded before the defective area. A method of recording data on and/or reproducing the data from a high density optical disc having a defective area, includes recording the data in a predetermined recording area having the defective area, and recording end data indicating an end of the recording before the defective area.

Abstract: An optical disc on which data is recorded and/or from which the data is reproduced, includes a recording area where the data is recorded in at least one physical cluster, a defective area, where a defect that prevents a recording and/or reproduction of data is present, provided in the recording area, and a recording end area where information indicating an end of recording is recorded before the defective area. A method of recording data on and/or reproducing the data from a high density optical disc having a defective area, includes recording the data in a predetermined recording area having the defective area, and recording end data indicating an end of the recording before the defective area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a write-once optical disc and method for managing a spare area thereof, the write-once optical disc possibly having a temporary defect management area within one or more spare areas. The method includes the steps of: allocating one or more spare areas including the temporary defect management area at an initial status of the optical disc; and during use of the optical disc, expanding the spare area allocated including the temporary defect management area to set a new spare area. By employing the above optical disc and method, it becomes possible to establish unified regulations on the structures of the spare area and temporary defect management area applicable to the write-once optical disc, so that usage efficiency of the optical disc can be improved.

Abstract: A write-once recording medium preserving a data recording status of the write-once recording medium, a method of preserving the data recording status of a write-once recording medium, a medium including computer readable code for the same, and a recording and/or reproducing apparatus therefor. In the method of preserving the data recording status of a write-once recording medium, first, data is recorded on the write-once recording medium. Next, recording-status data, representing occupied areas, is produced and recorded in a temporary defect management area allocated in the write-once recording medium. Thereafter, a finalization command is received to preserve the data-recording status of the recording medium. Then, in response to the finalization command, predetermined data is recorded in a temporary defect management area to prevent further data recording on the write-once recording medium. Accordingly, the data recording status of the finalized write-once recording medium can be preserved.

Abstract: A plurality of defect management areas (14A, 14B, 14C) are arranged on a write once type recording medium (10). Spare areas (12, 13) are divided into a plurality of partial spare areas (12A to 13B) and the defect list (21) is divided into partial defect lists (21A to 21D) so as to correspond to this. When recording data is recorded in a partial spare area, only the partial defect list corresponding to the partial spare area is recorded in the defect management area. In one defect management area, all the defect lists constituting the latest defect list are recorded.

Abstract: A disc having an updatable defect management area used by an apparatus for managing defects on the disc, the disc including a user data area which includes user data, a spare area that is a substitute area for a defect existing in the user data area, and an area in which are recorded an address of data that is last recorded in the user data area and an address of a replacement data recorded in the spare area. Accordingly, the disc defect management method and apparatus are applicable to a recordable disc such as a write-once disc while effectively using a defect management area of the disc.

Abstract: An optical disc on which data is recorded and/or from which the data is reproduced, includes a recording area where the data is recorded in at least one physical cluster, a defective area, where a defect that prevents a recording and/or reproduction of data is present, provided in the recording area, and a recording end area where information indicating an end of recording is recorded before the defective area. A method of recording data on and/or reproducing the data from a high density optical disc having a defective area, includes recording the data in a predetermined recording area having the defective area, and recording end data indicating an end of the recording before the defective area.