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 defect area management system for an optical storage medium including a management part producing a defect area management signal for real-time processing and transmitting the signal along with data to be written; and a write part executing a defect area management of the optical storage media, writing the data, applied by the defect area management signal from the management part, into the optical storage medium so that whenever a light pickup meets a defect block at the time of writing data requiring the real-time processing into the optical storage medium, it does not have to be moved to the spare area, thus reducing the time it takes to move the light pickup and removing shortcomings of the real-time processing.

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: A data read/write device writes to or reads from an optical disc medium having thereon a plurality of areas in which management information is redundantly stored. Conditions for setting a read/write operation are indicated in third management information stored in the inner circumferential area. The pickup of the device performs the steps of: reading a first management information group from the inner circumferential area; retrieving a piece of third management information based on the corresponding valid address included in the first management information group; moving to the outer circumferential area and reading a second management information group; and if the update count of the second management information group is higher than that of the first management information group, retrieving a piece of third management information based on the corresponding valid address included in the second management information group.

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: When an information recording medium is initialized, a block is determined to record the dummy data by referring to identification information for identifying a block recording user data and a block in which the user data are not recorded, and information concerning a last address of a recorded area continued from a beginning of the data zone. The dummy data is recorded to the block being determined in the step of determining a block to record dummy data.

Abstract: After a transfer error detection circuit detects a transfer error that transfer data from a memory controller to a recording modulation circuit is delayed for a recording clock process, the number of transfer errors is counted in units of sync frame in a transfer error count circuit. When the number of transfer errors is n times (n: positive integer) or less, the modulation and recording operation are continued as it is and the NRZI output operation is performed from the correct position while applying a sync, and when the number of transfer errors is n times or larger, the recording operation is interrupted and the re-recording is performed from the interrupted location thereafter.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for managing recording medium defects and a defect managed recording medium. The recording medium includes a spare area in which a replacement area, which is a substitute for a defective area of the recording medium, is formed, and a temporary defect management area in which temporary management information that specifies the defective area and the corresponding replacement area is recorded, wherein position information and state information regarding the defective area are recorded in the replacement area. Accordingly, it is possible to restore defect information even if recording medium defect management on the recording medium ended abnormally.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical disc apparatus includes a pickup which receives reflected light from an optical disc, a tracking error detecting section which detects a tracking error from an output signal of the pickup, a reproducing section which reproduces data in a phase lock state of a data phase, the data lock state being detected by a phase lock loop based on the output signal of the pickup, and a control section which renders a tracking servo of the pickup for the optical disc valid when a residual component of an error detection signal from the tracking error detecting section in a tracking servo-on state falls within a predetermined allowable range, and renders the tracking servo of the pickup invalid with release of the phase lock state.

Abstract: One aspect of the embodiment utilizes a servo frame interval correction apparatus which includes a detection unit for detecting a first servo frame formed on said recording medium. The apparatus includes an acquiring unit acquiring a detection time interval between said first servo frame and a second servo frame detected subsequently to the first servo frame from a table storing a detection time interval between a specific servo frame and a servo frame detected subsequently to the specific servo frame. The apparatus includes a differential calculation unit calculating a differential between the detection time interval acquired by said acquiring unit and a reference time interval; and a correction unit correcting an estimated position of said second servo frame based on the differential calculated by said differential calculation unit.

Abstract: A method and the apparatus of defect areas management includes the steps as following: reading a defect area table in a random access memory; if the area is readable, then read the area. If the area is not accessible, then label and add one count in the defect area table of inability to read of the defect area, and else if the count of inability to read of the defect area is more than a predetermined value, then the defect area is defined as the area of being not to be read again. Then the defect area of being not to be read again is skipped and not to be read the next time in order to decrease the total access time.

Abstract: An information recording medium, recording and/or reproducing apparatuses, and recording and/or reproducing methods which enable effective management of a last data recording address of a data area of the information recording medium. The information recording medium includes a data area for recording user data, temporary recording management information for managing a data recording status of the data area and temporary disc management information for managing the information recording medium, wherein the temporary disc management information includes first information regarding a last recorded location of data in the data area and second information regarding whether the information regarding the last recorded location is consistent with an actual last recorded location of the data 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 information recording medium (100) is provided with: a user data area (108) for recording therein record data; a plurality of temporary defect management areas (104, 105) for temporarily recording therein defect management information (120) which is a basis of defect management for a defect in the data area; and a flag area (111) for recording therein distinction information for distinguishing a temporary defect management area in which the defect management information that is effective is recorded, from the plurality of temporary defect management areas, the distinction information being recorded as a type of a combination pattern of an area set to be in a recorded condition and an area left to be in an unrecorded condition according to a predetermined rule, in the flag area.

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: 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: A method for verifying sectors on an optical disc is provided. The method includes writing user data to unverified sectors of the optical disc and verifying the sectors of the optical disc with the user data. The sectors of the optical disc are verified by reading the user data on the unverified sectors of the optical disc and comparing the user data read from the unverified sectors of the optical disc with user data stored on a system buffer. The sectors of the optical disc are verified to determine whether any one of the unverified sectors having user data is defective. Also, the verifying of the unverified sectors establishes verified sectors having user data. The sectors of the optical disc that have been verified are tracked with a bitmap that is continually updated as the sectors are verified.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus capable of encrypting bus data to a host has a bus encryption circuit and controls the access to a memory. Encryption of data between the recording/reproducing apparatus and the host can be achieved to assure protection of data and contents recorded on an optical disc.

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: The disclosure is directed toward systems and methods of defect description of a data storage medium. In a particular embodiment, a method includes determining a first defect of a data storage medium. The method also includes determining a format of an entry of a defect description table based on the first defect and a location of a second defect of the data storage medium. The format is selected from one of a plurality of formats. The method also includes storing a description of the first defect in the entry of the defect description table in the format.

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: A write-once read-many information recording medium is provided, which is capable of easily searching for a latest DDS and a latest defect list. At least one disc management working area is sequentially allocated in a predetermined direction on the write-once read-many information recording medium of the present invention. The latest defect list and the latest DDS are provided in a recorded disc management working area neighboring a border between the recorded disc management working area and an unrecorded disc management working area, where the latest defect list precedes the latest DDS in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A drive apparatus of the present invention includes a recording/reproduction section and a drive control section. The drive control section performs a process including: determining whether or not replacement management information including a replacement physical address is found in the replacement management information list, the replacement physical address matching the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction, when the replacement management information is not found, as a first time pseudo-overwrite recording for a location indicated by the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction, performing a process; and when the replacement management information is found, as a second time or more pseudo-overwrite recording for a location indicated by the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction, performing a process.

Abstract: A medium control device for accepting a medium, reading from or writing to the medium, and monitoring for errors that occur while reading or writing provides a quality determiner for determining whether the quality of the medium has deteriorated based on errors by monitoring for the errors that occur while reading or writing, and a quality marker for marking a message indicating deterioration of the quality of the medium on a label side of the medium when the quality determiner determines that the quality of the medium has deteriorated.

Abstract: An information recording method for recording information on a recording medium having a volume space by a system including a drive control unit and a system control unit is disclosed. The method includes notifying the drive control unit by the system control unit of position information, recording information by the drive control unit in the spare area based on the notified position information, generating replacement information by the drive control unit on the position at which the information is recorded in the spare area, and notifying the system control unit of the replacement information, instructing the drive control unit to change management information for managing the information recorded on the recording medium based on the notified replacement information, and changing the management information based on the instruction by the drive control unit.

Abstract: A recording medium and a method and apparatus for managing a defective area on the recording medium are provided. The method according to one embodiment includes detecting an existence of a defective area within the data area of the recording medium; writing data written in the defective area onto a replacement area of the at least one spare area if the defective area is detected; and writing defect management information associated with the defective area onto one of a plurality of defect management areas on the recording medium, wherein the defect management areas on the recording medium are allocated on the lead in area and within the at least one spare area of the recording medium.

Abstract: To record specific information to a disk-shaped record medium and reproduce the recorded specific information without any influence on the error correction capability. Copy protection information (CPID) having an error correction code appended thereto, shuffled and otherwise treated is sent as a CPID bit block to an EDC rewrite circuit (14). The EDC rewrite circuit (14) rewrites an error detection code appended to user data in each sector in accordance with bit information in the CPID bit block. Thereafter, the data in each sector is scrambled, and an ECC block including a plurality of sectors is modulated with an error correction code and sync signal appended thereto. The modulated signal is recorded in a reserve area of a lead-in area of the disk-shaped record medium. During reproduction, CPID is restored based on the result of error detection of each sector.

Abstract: An optical disc 1 includes a defect management area (DMA). A plurality of defective area lists (TDFLs) and structure information (TDDS) are recorded in a temporary defect management area (TDMS) of the defect management area (DMA). The defective area lists (TDFLs) indicate at least one defective area which was detected during an access to the optical disc 1. The structure information (TDDS) includes a plurality of pieces of position information that indicate positions of the defective area lists (TDFLs). The plurality of pieces of position information, corresponding one-to-one to the defective area lists, are arranged in the structure information (TDDS) in an order in which the defective area lists (TDFLs) corresponding thereto are read out.

Abstract: A tracking error (TE) signal is formed from a single spot on a photodetector 25 to improve the robustness in optical disc applications having a reduced track-pitch. Reduced track pitches are employed in high data capacity optical disc formats. By using high frequency cross-correlation of a central aperture signal, the differences within the left 21 and right 23 detector halves yield a divergence from the zero crossing that produces a more pronounced tracking signal. The more pronounced tracking signal is insensitive to incoherent cross talk in multi-layer discs.

Abstract: A signal processing technique is proposed for compensating for radial to focus crosstalk in an optical storage system including an astigmatic lens (25) and four-quadrant photodetector (26) for generating a focus error signal. A signal processor generates the focus error signal (FESRVO), a tracking error signal (TES) and a central aperture signal (CA) and the proposed radial and focus crosstalk scheme can be described by the following equation (I): Where IFESRVO represents the improved focus error signal and y1j and y2j are vector components for scaling. Instead, scalar adaptive scaling factors ?1 and ?2 may be applied which can be updated by minimising a cost function J(y1, y2), which is able to imply the radial to focus crosstalk components remaining in the focus error signal.

Abstract: A recording medium storing 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 write-once recording medium structure and an apparatus and method for recording final management information on the recording medium, are provided. The recording medium includes a temporary defect management area (TDMA) and a defect management area (DMA). The method includes transferring information recorded in the TDMA to the DMA of the recording medium and recording the transferred information in the DMA as final management information. The final management information includes at least one defect list and either space bit map information or sequential recording range information. The position information on one or all valid defect lists is recorded in the DMA.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns an optical disk state detection apparatus comprising a defect detector to which a signal read from an optical disk is imparted, the defect detector detecting a defect to supply a defect detection signal; rotation synchronous pulse generator supplying a rotation synchronous pulse in synchronization with rotation of the optical disk; a memory in which the defect detection signal is stored, the defect detection signal being imparted to the memory; a write circuit performing write processing of data to the memory; a read circuit performing read processing of data from the memory; and a system controller which controls the read circuit such that the defect detection signal is written in the memory in synchronization with the rotation synchronous pulse and such that the defect detection signal is read at least one time every one rotation of the optical disk from the memory in synchronization with the rotation synchronous pulse.

Abstract: A method and an optical recoding medium for defect management are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method of defect management for a write-once optical recording medium having a plurality of temporary defect management areas, includes a step of recording disc definition structure information in one of the plurality of temporary defect management areas, wherein the plurality of temporary defect management areas include a first temporary defect management area for recording the disc definition structure information during a recording session and a second temporary defect management area for recording the disc definition structure information upon termination of the recording session.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the method of recording data on a recording medium, a management information entry is recorded in a temporary defect management area of the recording medium. The management information entry indicates a portion of a user data area of the recording medium, and the management information entry includes first and second status indicators indicating a status of the management information entry. For example, the first status indicator may indicate whether replacement is being performed with respect to the indicated portion of the user data area, and the second status indicator may indicate a type of replacement.

Abstract: In a method for recording information on an information recording medium having a data recording area for storing user data and a test area used for test recording by a recording apparatus, it is detected whether the test area is unusable when executing the test recording. The test recording is executed in the test area when the test area is detected not to be unusable, or executed in the data recording area when detected to be unusable. Management information relating to the test recording executed in the data recording area is recorded in a predetermined area. Hence, it is possible to eliminate a limit of number of times of test recording which depends on the size of the test recording area.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus according to the present invention includes: a rotation driving section on which an optical disk is to be mounted and which drives the optical disk so as to be rotated; a light source; an objective lens for converging light from the light source onto an optical disk mounted on the rotation driving section; a photodetector having at least two detection sections for detecting reflected light, from the optical disk, of the light; and an error signal generation section for deriving a difference signal and a sum signal of respective outputs from the two detection sections of the photodetector, adjusting an offset in at least the sum signal among the difference signal and the sum signal, and thereafter dividing the difference signal by the sum signal whose offset has been adjusted to generate a position error signal of the objective lens.

Abstract: The first polarizing hologram element (2) is divided into a first area (2a) allowing a first light beam to pass through and a second area (2b) and a third area (2c) which allow a second light beam not including the optical axis of the original light beam to pass through. The first area (2a) is circumscribed by: dividing straight lines (D2) and (D6) in parallel to a straight line (D1) which passes through the optical axis and is provided in a radial direction; a dividing straight line (D4); dividing straight lines (D3) and (D5) forming predetermined angles converging in a direction away from the dividing straight lines (D2) and (D6); a dividing straight line (D7) on the opposite side; and circular arcs (E1) and (E2) of the first polarizing hologram element (2).

Abstract: A disc defect management method and apparatus using a defect management area that can be updated, and a write once disc incorporating the method. A data area is disposed between a lead-in area and a lead-out area. The disc includes a defect management area (DMA) that is present in at least one of the lead-in area or the lead-out area, wherein defect information and defect management information are repeatedly recorded in the DMA according to a recording operation. Accordingly, the disc defect management method and apparatus enable effective use of the defect management area. The method is also applicable to a multi layer disc having a user data area on each layer. The defect information and the defect management information for an individual defect may include cumulative defect information and defect management information related to previously identified defects.

Abstract: A data recording/reproduction method for performing a data recording/reproduction process on a flexible optical disk by rotating the flexible optical disk while controlling an axial runout of the flexible optical disk with a stabilizing member that applies an aerodynamic force to the flexible optical disk, and irradiating an optical beam and focusing the optical beam to the flexible optical disk is disclosed that includes the steps of a) generating a first axial runout, b) generating a focus error signal forming an S-curve when the first axial runout is generated, c) determining a position of the optical beam according to the focus error signal, d) generating a second axial runout that is smaller than the first axial runout after step c), and e) conducting at least one of the data recording process and the data reproduction process after step d).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, An optical disc apparatus includes a decoder including branchmetric calculation section configured to calculate a branchmetric for the signal generated by executing a predetermined process on read signal obtained from a optical disc, pathmetric selection section configured to select a maximum likelihood pathmetric according to the branchmetric calculated by the branchmetric calculation section and a path memory having memory stages, each consisting of memory elements, configured to obtain a decoded signal by shifting the information to be stored in the memory to a memory of a subsequent stage according to the outcome of selection of the pathmetric selection section, and defect detection section configured to detect a defect of the optical disc according to the information possessed by the memory of the last stage or of a specific stage of the path memory.

Abstract: Means (101a) for evaluating positional control deviation and means (102a) for outputting a corrective signal, this being a set of signals with kick and brake functions, to an actuator (10) on the basis of the evaluation result are provided. Although control deviation may increase due to external shock or vibration acting on the disc device or when a disc having eccentricity, wobble, or another physical deformity is reproduced, the control deviation is suppressed without loss of control stability, and stable recording and reproducing is always possible.

Abstract: An information storage medium, a recording and/or reproducing apparatus and a recording and/or reproducing method area, the information storage medium including an access control area for recording access control data (ACD) having common information set so that even a recording and/or reproducing apparatus that cannot recognize a predetermined function applied to the medium can control access to the medium, the ACD including ACD attribute information providing information indicating whether or not to delete the ACD when the medium is re-initialized. According to the information storage medium, when the disc is re-initialized, by recording common information in relation to disc access control which even a drive system with a different standard can know, a drive system that cannot recognize a function applied to the disc as well as a drive system that can recognize the function can perform an appropriate operation by referring to this common information, such that compatibility of the disc can be improved.

Abstract: A storage device includes a storage medium and a probe to read from and write to the storage medium. The storage medium has a plurality of storage regions, where each storage region contains information to identify whether another storage region is defective.

Abstract: A multi-layered information recording medium comprising a plurality of recording layers, a user data area for recording user data, provided in at least two of the plurality of recording layers, and a defect list storing area for storing a defect list. When at least one defective area is detected in the user data area, the defect list is used to manage the at least one defective area.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a tracking error signal is provided. The circuit includes a digitized circuit, a short signal removing circuit and phase comparator. The digitized circuit receives first and second pick-up signals outputted from a pick-up head, and respectively compares the first and the second pick-up signals with a reference signal to obtain a first digital signal and a second digital signal. The short signal removing circuit is used for removing pulses in the first and the second digital signals, wherein the pulse width of the removed pulses are shorter than a preset time, and the first and second digital without the removed pulses are respectively served as a first determining signal and a second determining signal. The phase comparator receives the first determining signal and the second determining signal for outputting the tracking error signal according to a phase difference between the first and the second determining signals.

Abstract: When writing on a recordable medium the recorder can encounter write errors. When a write error occurrs the record carrier is discarded. By ignoring write errors in sections of the record carrier comprising unused information, for instance sections of the lead-in or lead-out the record carrier no longer needs to be discarded.

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 playback device includes a reading section that performs reading from a recording medium, and a control section that acquires the latest temporary management information recorded last on the recording medium. The control section executes a read control process of controlling the reading section so that when reading pointer information in a temporary management information unit recorded last in a temporary management information unit recording area, reading of data is executed from a predetermined position located before a segment in which the pointer information is included, and an information acquiring process of executing a process for acquiring the temporary management information pointed to by the pointer information from the data read in response to the read control process.