Abstract: A recording medium storing linking type information and a method of processing a defective area in the medium. The recording medium stores information indicating that linking is applied immediately after the defective area, distinguishing a linking type which occurs in a general incremental recording mode from a linking type which occurs after the defective area. Defective areas are detected and registered in a predetermined area (recording management data (RMD) area) before user data is recorded or while user data is being recorded in the recording medium having a plurality of continuous basic recording units, such as a digital versatile disc-rewritable (DVD-RW) in which recording and reproducing can be done repeatedly. Linking is not only applied in an incremental recording mode or in a restricted overwrite recording mode, but linking is also applied to an area immediately after the defective area which is registered in the defect list, increasing reliability of the user data.

Abstract: In a medium having a restriction on its function, which has a extremely low overwrite cyclability as compared with a common one, information is arranged so as to allow restricted write and read operations in a commonly used current write and read drive, i.e., the medium is subjected to specific formatting. It is possible to perform write and read operations with security. The specific format can be performed with parameters taking into consideration special-purpose use conditions (i.e., overwrite cyclability). Consequently, it becomes possible to provide a low-priced information recording medium.

Abstract: Optical recording medium having an indication of a recording capacity, and method for indicating a recording capacity of an optical recording medium facilitates recording or reproducing of an accurate amount of data by indicating the initial recording capacity determined by default and the varied recording capacity by additional allocation of the spare area and the like on particular area of the optical recording medium, and conducting the data writing or reading with reference to the initial recording capacity or the varied recording capacity depending on a state of variation of the recording capacity.

Abstract: A recording medium storing linking type information and a method of processing a defective area in the medium. The recording medium stores information indicating that linking is applied immediately after the defective area, distinguishing a linking type which occurs in a general incremental recording mode from a linking type which occurs after the defective area. Defective areas are detected and registered in a predetermined area (recording management data (RMD) area) before user data is recorded or while user data is being recorded in the recording medium having a plurality of continuous basic recording units, such as a digital versatile disc-rewritable (DVD-RW) in which recording and reproducing can be done repeatedly. Linking is not only applied in an incremental recording mode or in a restricted overwrite recording mode, but linking is also applied to an area immediately after the defective area which is registered in the defect list, increasing reliability of the user data.

Abstract: A method of verifying defect management area (DMA) information of an optical disc upon initialization without certification, and a test apparatus for performing the same. The method includes generating as test information, defect management information, which is generated after performing initialization without certification on a blank test disc to which no data is written, and verifying the test information using reference test information for the initialization without certification to provide a test result. Accordingly, it can be easily verified that a recording and reproducing apparatus properly translates and processes DMA information which is generated after initialization without certification, using a blank test disc.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus, a disc apparatus and a defect area replacement method are disclosed for accurately detecting a defect area for each small area of a recording area of an information recording medium and replacing the defect area per small area. The information recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing information in an information recording medium having a plurality of recording areas each of which includes a plurality of small areas includes a verification execution part iteratively executing a verification operation on small areas of a recording area and a small area replacement part replacing a small area determined as a defect area greater than or equal to a predefined number of times during iterative execution of the verification operation by the verification execution part.

Abstract: A recording method for realizing high quality recording while preventing a degradation of the recording performance is disclosed. After recording data in a recording area of an information recording medium, a determination is made as to whether a defect detection process should be performed on at least a portion of the recording area in which the data are recorded based on a predetermined determination criterion pertaining to recording attribute information of the data. By setting the determination criterion with due consideration to the potential degradation of the recording performance, determining whether the determination criterion is satisfied based on the recording attribute information of the data, and determining to perform the defect detection process when the determination criterion is satisfied, high quality recording can be realized while preventing the degradation of the recording performance.

Abstract: A slip defect management apparatus and method efficiently avoids processing of bad data read from a DVD and provides very rapid slipping of defective sectors in a write operation.

Abstract: A defect signal detecting apparatus for an optical recording/reproducing apparatus that includes a maximum value detecting unit for detecting a highest amplitude among signals input during a maximum value detection period as a maximum value, a minimum value detecting unit for detecting a lowest amplitude among signals input during a minimum value detection period as a minimum value, an asymmetry detecting unit for calculating an amount &dgr; of asymmetry by detecting a maximum value ILmax and a minimum value ILmin of a signal IL having a maximum periodicity among the signal input, and a maximum value ISmax and a minimum value ISmin of a signal IS having a minimum periodicity among the signal input, and a defect determining unit for determining whether there is a defect in the signal input, using the maximum value, the minimum value and the amount &dgr; of asymmetry.

Abstract: The present invention shortens a time to be elapsed from a recording interruption to a recording restart, thereby realizing a reliable recording restart. In one embodiment, an optical disk apparatus comprises an optical pickup and a processor, which includes a reproduction system circuit, a speed information detection circuit, and a position detection circuit. The reproduction system circuit is configured to generate a reproduction signal used in restarting recording of the optical disk after an interruption, based on the electrical signal from the optical pickup and setting values. The speed information detection circuit is configured to detect speed information before or after an interruption of a recording on the optical disk based on the electrical signal from the optical pickup. The position detection unit is configured to detect a recording restart position and a current position of the optical disk.

Abstract: A method of controlling a recording operation for an optical disc recording apparatus classifies a defect in a disc based on an extent to which the defect has an influence on the recording operation and controls the recording operation therewith. The defect is classified into a first category, indicating that data based on a length thereof, is recordable and a second category indicating that the data is not reproducible even though the data is recordable. If the defect is detected, the data is recorded while a servo unit maintains a servo-tracking by a previous servo control value and a defect type is determined. If the defect corresponds to the first category, the data is assumed to be recorded in a defect region and recording data is continued. If the defect corresponds to the second category, the data recorded in the defect region is recorded in another region.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording information by recording information of a plurality of sectors as one recording unit into an optical information recording medium. A recording area of the optical information recording medium including a plurality of zones, wherein each zone is different in a sector number per round of a track having recording means for recording information of a plurality of sectors over a plurality of zones into the optical information recording medium, and conducting means for conducting a verify control. The recording and a timing of the conduction of the verify control are determined for each zone when the information of a plurality of sectors is to be recorded over the plurality of zones when the zone is changed over during the recording.

Abstract: An apparatus (22) for recording and reproducing digital information uses a disk recording medium (23) in which data recording area is divided into plural zones in the radial direction, and defect information is managed for each zone. The apparatus comprises a formatting portion (26) for executing the formatting process of the disk recording medium (23), a detecting portion (24) for obtaining defect information that were detected in the last formatting process of the disk recording medium (23), and a controlling portion (25) for informing the formatting portion (26) of a zone to be formatted next in the decreasing order of the number of defects in accordance with the defect information obtained by the detecting portion (24).

Abstract: An information recording medium of this invention includes a lead-in area, data area and lead-out area and further includes a user area which is an area defined in the data area and in which user data is recorded, a list management area which is an area defined in at least one area among the lead-in area and lead-out area, for storing a spare area list for defining a spare area for compensating for a defective area existing in the user area by a preset capacity in a preset position in the data area, and a spare area defined in the data area by the spare area list stored in the list management area.

Abstract: A defect detector in an optical disk drive is presented. The defect detector indicates a defect by monitoring a sum signal. The sum signal is calculated from optical signals from detectors in an optical pick-up unit of the optical disk drive. A defect can be indicated when a filtered sum signal, the filtered sum signal being the sum signal filtered with a high pass filter, is above a threshold value. In some embodiments, the defect detector can recognize changes in laser power or transitions between media types and not indicate defects during those occurrences.

Abstract: When an error has occurred during the recording of an optical disk, the track recording system is changed from a variable-length packet write system to a fixed-length packet write system employing an arbitrary length (step S2). A check is performed to determine whether before the error occurred the number of blocks used for recording was equal to or greater than 300, which is the minimum block length for one track (step S4). When at least 300 blocks have not been used for recording, by using as a recording unit a fixed-length packet having the arbitrary length, the dummy data are continuously recorded until the used block count reaches 300 (steps S5 to S7). Thus, when an error occurs during the recording of dummy data (Yes at step S6), one fixed-length packet is added (step S8) and the recording of dummy data is continued.

Abstract: A signal recording and/or playback apparatus is disclosed wherein, when near field light is used for recording or playback of an optical disk, dust on the optical disk can be removed effectively. After an optical disk is set in position to a turntable in an apparatus body, before gap control or the like is performed, the optical disk is rotated at a suitable speed so that dust sticking to the optical disk is driven away to the outer circumferential side thereby to clean the signal recording surface of the optical disk. Then, the optical disk is stopped once, and gap control for adjusting the distance or gap between an optical head and the optical disk to a distance with which near field light is produced is performed. Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the gap control operates normally, and when the gap control operates normally, the optical disk is rotated to start a recording operation or a playback operation of a signal onto or from the optical disk making use of the near field light.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes a disk information area; a user area including a plurality of sectors; and a spare area including at least one sector which, when at least one of the plurality of sectors included in the user area is a defective sector, is usable instead of the at least one defective sector. The spare area is located radially inward from the user area. A physical sector number of a sector to which a logical sector number “0” is assigned, among the plurality of sectors included in the user area and the at least one sector included in the spare area, is recorded in the disk information area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control loop bandwidth adjusting system for adjusting a control loop bandwidth of an optical reproducing device. The optical reproducing device comprises a data signal processing circuit, which uses the control loop bandwidth to process the data signal. The control loop bandwidth adjusting system comprises a control loop bandwidth generator for generating the control loop bandwidth and a control loop bandwidth adjusting module for adjusting the control loop bandwidth according to whether a defect signal corresponding to the defective data is received or not. If the control loop bandwidth adjusting module receives the defective data entry signal, the defective data duration signal, and the defective data exit signal, the control loop bandwidth is adjusted to a first bandwidth value, a second bandwidth value, and a third bandwidth value respectively.

Abstract: A method of recording digital information signals on a removable rewritable disc like recording medium, the method comprising recording user data on a logical area of the disc and, prior to removal of the disc out of a recording/reproducing apparatus, finalizing the disc with a lead-in and lead-out area comprising predefined medium format data. A general purpose area within the logical area for other use than recording of user data, is being reserved. Such as use may be for example defect management. Further the method involves interrupting recording a lead-in area or a lead-out area at predefined splice points whenever a request for user data is made.

Abstract: Hold registers receive a hold register enable signal. When reading one kind signal of header field data, the hold register enable signal is High and the registers store newly renewed values of filter coefficients, and when reading a different kind signal of recording field data, the hold register enable signal is Low and the hold registers hold the last stored header field contents of the registers. Then, when a header field of a next sector is detected, the contents held in the hold registers are taken and preset to the registers. Thus, even in a case where an intermittent reproduction signal having different kinds of formats is processed in playback, the continuous adaptive equalization can be realized over the different kinds of reproduction signals in quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing performance degradation resulting from reassignment of data to alternate sectors as a result of a defect within the original sector. For example, when a request for writing data “a” into a sector A is made but the data is written into an alternative sector A′ in an alternative sector area X because the sector A is defective. Therefore, when a write request for writing data “b” into a sector B is made subsequently, re-assignment is performed to a sector B′ subsequent to the alternative sector A′. Similarly, a defective sector C for which a request for writing data “c” is made is re-assigned an alternative sector C′. Thus, the successive data a, b, and c are written into the successive sectors A′, B′, and C′ in the same alternative sector area X, minimizing performance degradation.

Abstract: Optical recording medium having an indication of a recording capacity, and method for indicating a recording capacity of an optical recording medium facilitates recording or reproducing of an accurate amount of data by indicating the initial recording capacity determined by default and the varied recording capacity by additional allocation of the spare area and the like on particular area of the optical recording medium, and conducting the data writing or reading with reference to the initial recording capacity or the varied recording capacity depending on a state of variation of the recording capacity.

Abstract: A method of verifying the defect management area (DMA) information of a recordable and reproducible optical disc, and a test apparatus for performing the same. The method of verifying the DMA information includes selecting one among a plurality of test modes for verifying DMA information, setting a test reference according to the selected mode, generating test information from the DMA information, which is generated or updated by a recording and reproducing apparatus to be tested, according to the verification test mode, and executing the test for verifying the test information using the test reference in the selected mode. Accordingly, it is easily verified that a recording and reproducing apparatus properly translates and processes defect information, by using a different test disc, which is made using a mirror file with pre-fixed defect information which is not related to actual defects on a disc, depending on the DMA information verification test modes.

Abstract: This invention provides an information recording medium, and a method and apparatus for writing to/reading from a recording medium in which a starting point of a spare area is variable relative to a starting point of a data area. Information concerning a variable boundary between the data area and the spare area is stored on the recording medium. A method and apparatus for writing/reproducing data to/from the recording medium is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the recording medium is an optical disc.

Abstract: An apparatus of detecting defects on an optical recording medium includes a defect signal generating circuit for generating a corresponding defect signal according to a surface defect of the optical recording medium, a first synchronous signal generator for generating a first synchronous signal, a defect signal locating circuit, a delay signal generating circuit, and an OR gate. The defect signal includes at least one pulse, whose width corresponds to the physical width of a surface defect. The delay signal generating circuit generates a delay signal corresponding to each pulse when the spacing between two adjacent pulses is smaller than a preset value. An OR operation is performed to the delay signal and the defect signal to obtain a defect extension signal. The first synchronous signal and a second synchronous signal for separating data recording sectors of the optical recording medium are employed to detect widths and addresses of surface defects.

Abstract: The optical disk is a data-writable optical disk and it has a defect processing selection area. Data indicating whether a defect processing is to be executed or not, or data indicating whether the defect processing is to be executed using a disk drive or using a computer is stored in the defect processing selection area. The address of this defect processing selection area is recorded by making the use of a wobbled guide groove.

Abstract: A method for using a compact disc decoder to correct a code error in digital data read out from a compact disc includes extracting address data out of at least one sector read from the compact disc, and using an error detection circuit to read a condition of an input error flag corresponding to the address data of the sector, wherein if the condition of the input error flag indicates that the address data contains an error, then the extracting circuit extracts address data of another sector. The method also includes when the input error flag indicates that no error is present in the address data of the sector, the sector is referred to as a first sector, and the selection circuit selects address data of the first sector without referring to address data of any sectors read before the first sector.

Abstract: This invention provides an information recording medium, and a method and apparatus for writing to/reading from a recording medium in which a starting point of a spare area is variable relative to a starting point of a data area. Information concerning a variable boundary between the data area and the spare area is stored on the recording medium. A method and apparatus for writing/reproducing data to/from the recording medium is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the recording medium is an optical disc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a data recording method or the like preferably being applicable to a case where it records data on an optical disc such as DVD+RW disc. When writing the data on block area A, if no normal write clock occurs correctly, it stops writing the data and performs replacement procedures on the area A. It then writes predetermined data on the area A using reference clock. It also records the data on next block area A+1 across the area A, thereby preventing the area A from generating blank portion therein on its rear side based on nonuniform rotation of the optical disc, etc. It records the data on the area A+1 using normal write clock. It then performs the replacement procedure on the area A+1. Thereby, it prevents the disadvantage such as a tracking servo failure in the areas A and A+1.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing defects and recording and/or reproducing real time data for a recording medium. The recording and/or reproducing apparatus stores information representing use or non-use of linear replacement defect management in which a defective area on the recording medium is replaced with the spare area, in order to record real time data on the recording medium. While maintaining compatibility between the defect managing method and a defect managing method based on a current DVD-RAM standard, i.e., while allowing a report of the fact that there are blocks which have not been linearly replaced, linear replacement is not performed when real time data is recorded. Thus, real time data can be recorded and reproduced.

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: A defective sector is processed so that a mark can be normally read in a sector adjacent to a defective sector. A recording state of a sector determined as a defective sector (step S102: Yes) is changed to another recording state in which a level of cross talk is low (step S103).

Abstract: A header in which an address signal has been recorded is provided on the disc for every predetermined sector interval. Recording data is arranged in an error correction encoding block and the error correcting process is performed. The error correction encoding block is divided into a plurality of portions in a predetermined direction, thereby forming sectors S1, S2, S3, . . . . The data of each sector is recorded subsequent to the header. Upon reproduction, the header is detected and the data is reproduced for every sector. One of the error correcting processes is performed in the reproduced data in the sectors S1, S2, S3, . . . . In the case where errors cannot be corrected by the error correcting process in the reproduced data in the sector, the error correction block including the sectors S1, S2, S3, . . . is reproduced and the error correcting processes are performed in the sequences in two directions.

Abstract: A defect detection method is used to generate a disc defect signal while recording or reproducing information recorded onto an optical disc. The method compares the difference between a reflected light intensity signal (SBAD) and a low-pass filtered SBAD with a predetermined level. A defect signal is generated during a period when the difference exceeds a predetermined value. The defect signal opens a switch to hold the low-passed signal of the SBAD and disconnects the low-pass filter from the SBAD at the moment a defect signal occurs. The held value of the low-passed signal effectively replaces the low-passed signal until the difference between the SBAD and held low-passed signal returns to within the predetermined limits, which re-closes the switch re-connecting the low-pass filter to the SBAD.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed to provide a defect map structure that can increase the throughput of a recording apparatus when the recording apparatus accesses a data recording medium. A defect register method according to the present invention includes the steps of detecting initial defective sectors, generating a primary defect map (PDM) where each absolute block address of initial defective sectors (D.ABA) is individually registered, discriminating a series of defective sectors consisting of a plurality of initial defective sectors with continuous D.ABA, which exist in the same track (tracks having the same cylinder identification number CYL and head identification number HED) from the individual resister PDM, and generating a PDM, where this series of defective sectors is registered in a batch, by registering a first absolute block address of the series of defective sectors (D.ABA.ST), and defective sector length (number of defective sectors D.LE) of the series of defective sectors.

Abstract: This invention provides an information recording medium, and a method and apparatus for writing to/reading from a recording medium in which a starting point of a spare area is variable relative to a starting point of a data area. Information concerning a variable boundary between the data area and the spare area is stored on the recording medium. A method and apparatus for writing/reproducing data to/from the recording medium is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the recording medium is an optical 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.

Abstract: An optical disk and a method of recording data in the optical disk are provided. When data is overwritten on a recordable and/or reproducible optical disk, the method includes performing linking in front of a physical cluster from which overwriting starts. According to the method, when overwriting is performed on a portion of an optical disk in which data has been recorded, or when overwriting is performed on a portion including a defective area, linking is performed in front of the portion on which the overwriting is performed or behind the defective area, thereby realizing reliable data recording and reproducing.

Abstract: Optical recording medium having an indication of a recording capacity, and method for indicating a recording capacity of an optical recording medium facilitates recording or reproducing of an accurate amount of data by indicating the initial recording capacity determined by default and the varied recording capacity by additional allocation of the spare area and the like on particular area of the optical recording medium, and conducting the data writing or reading with reference to the initial recording capacity or the varied recording capacity depending on a state of variation of the recording capacity.

Abstract: In a rewritable optical recording medium, a recording surface is divided into a plurality of zones by setting pitch intervals in the radial direction to be constant and a data area and a spare area for a defective sector are allocated in each zone. As for a capacity of the spare area in each zone, a predetermined total capacity of spare areas is allocated so that a spare ratio K=D1/D2 of a capacity D2 of the spare areas for a capacity D1 of the data areas becomes almost the same in the zones.

Abstract: A recording method includes the steps of reading a management table for managing whether data are recorded on a recording medium in units of a first recording segment; detecting whether the first recording segment is associated with a second recording segment smaller than the first recording segment according to a designation of data recording in units of the second recording segment into the recording medium; discriminating from data in the management table whether it is possible to read data of the first recording segment; reading the data in units of the first recording segment and temporarily recording the data to a memory when in the discriminating step it is determined that it is possible to read data in units of the first recording segment; recording data to a part of the first recording segment recorded in the memory in units of the second recording segment; and recording data of the first recording segment that was temporarily recorded in the memory to the storage medium.

Abstract: A data recording and reproducing apparatus (11) which generates a plurality of divided data through dividing input data D1 using a distributor (22) if recording data, while generating redundancy-code data P1 and P2 using Read-Solomon-code data which can perform error-correcting on a plurality of divided data, and records the divided data and the redundancy-code data P1, P2 on HDDs 211 to 21K, 281 and 28Z. The data recording and reproducing apparatus (11) reproduces the divided data and the redundancy-code data from the HDDs 211 to 21K, 281 and 28Z, performs error-correcting processing on the divided data based on the redundancy-code data by an error corrector (31), and outputs the divided data which have been error-corrected after multiplying the divided data by a data multiplier (32) if reproducing data.

Abstract: When optical disk defects are managed by using non-defective areas in place of defective areas, different criteria are used for detecting the defects, depending on the type of data recorded on the disk. For example, to avoid interruptions of real-time recording, less strict criteria are used when audio or video data is recorded than when computer data is recorded. The criteria themselves may also be recorded on the disk.

Abstract: Device and method for recording a data on an optical recording medium, the device including a controller for transmitting a data to be written, if the data to be written is produced, together with a control signal, determining that a data in a block of the sector the data to be written is valid if the data to be written is a sector unit data, marking a result of the determination as identification information in the control signal, and transmitting the identification information, and a data writing part for identifying the identification information in the control signal from the controller, and writing the data from the controller in the sector designated by the control signal directly, if the identification information indicates that the data in the block having the sector the data to be written therein is not valid, thereby reducing data writing failure caused by failure of reading data in sectors in a block other than the sector the data to be written therein, and enhancing a system performance in writing

Abstract: A method of recording digital information signals on a removable rewritable disc like recording medium, the method comprising a short initialization step whereafter a blanc, unformatted medium is ready to receive user data. The initialization step comprises defining a general purpose area on the recording medium which is not intended for recording user data but for defect management and special application programs.

Abstract: A DPD tracking error generating section generates a DPD tracking error signal from a plurality of sense signals supplied from an optical sensor. A PP tracking error generating section generates a PP tracking error signal from a plurality of sense signals supplied from the optical sensor. The amplitude of each of the DPD tracking error signal and PP tracking error signal is adjusted suitably under the control of a CPU. The suitably adjusted signals are added by an adder, thereby generating a tracking error signal.

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

Abstract: A method of recording digital information signals on a removable rewritable disc like recording medium, the method comprising recording user data on a logical area of the disc and, prior to removal of the disc out of a recording/reproducing apparatus, finalizing the disc with a lead-in and lead-out area comprising predefined medium format data. A general purpose area within the logical area for other use than recording of user data, is being reserved. Such as use may be for example defect management. Further the method involves interrupting recording a lead-in area or a lead-out area at predefined splice points whenever a request for user data is made.

Abstract: A recording medium having a spare area for defect management, and a method of allocating 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.