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

Abstract: An information recording system, where new data recording is started from LRA (old) and a record error is detected, at position P0, an extent is closed and the record position is made to jump from the position P0 to position P1. Further, a new extent is set, at the position P1 so that the data recording is continued. Further, a range from the position P0 where the record error was detected to the position P1 where the new data recording was started is registered, as a defect sector.

Abstract: A method of recording a temporary defect list on a write-once recording medium, a method of reproducing the temporary defect list, an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing the temporary defect list, and the write-once recording medium. The method of recording a temporary defect list for defect management on a write-once recording medium includes recording the temporary defect list, which is created while data is recorded on the write-once recording medium, in at least one cluster of the write-once recording medium, and verifying if a defect is generated in the at least one cluster. Then, the method includes re-recording data originally recorded in a defective cluster in another cluster, and recording pointer information, which indicates a location of the at least one cluster where the temporary defect list is recorded, on the write-once recording medium.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for managing disc defects in a disc using a temporary defect management area in the disc, and the disc, where the method includes recording in a data area user data; and recording in a temporary defect management area, which is present in at least one of a lead-in area and a lead-out area, which temporary defect information and temporary defect management information regarding the user data recorded in the data area are recorded. Accordingly, the method and apparatus are applicable to recordable discs and capable of effectively using the defect management area.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical disk apparatus is provided with a read section which reads data from an optical disk to output read information, a determination section which determines presence/absence of an error of the read information to output an error presence/absence signal, a transfer processing section which receives the error presence/absence signal and receives a hash request signal and transfers the hash request signal when the error presence/absence signal indicates the absence of an error, and does not transfer the hash request signal when the error presence/absence signal indicates the presence of an error, and a processing section which performs hash processing to the read information upon reception of the hash request signal.

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 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: Search time increases if spherical aberration has to be varied for each radial location due to the influence of a disk or lens tilt. An optical disk device includes a spherical aberration search unit (spherical aberration setter 52) for varying an amount of spherical aberration applied to a light beam, a focus search unit (focus movement calculator 47 and focus search drive generator 49) for moving the focal point of the light beam from a current information plane to a target information plane, a track search unit (track movement calculator 48 and track search drive generator 50) for moving the focal point of the light beam from a current track to a target track, and a search procedure indication unit (search procedure indicator 41) for actuating the spherical aberration search unit, the focus search unit, and the track search unit, in that order, at the time of a search.

Abstract: An optical disk drive capable of reproducing data even when defects, such as flaws or stains, are present in the disk. A system controller of an optical disk drive reproduces data by setting the maximum speed in accordance with the type of an optical disk, an amount of side-to-side runout, and the like. When reproduction of data becomes impracticable for reasons of meandering of a track, or the like, in the middle of reproduction of data, the rotational speed is decreased, and a retry is performed. However, when reproduction of data becomes impracticable for reasons of flaws or stains, the rotational speed is reversely increased, and a retry is performed.

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 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 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 for detecting a defect of an optical disc includes steps of: confirming an optical pickup head being accessing data in a track on state; determining a defective region of the optical disc according to a peak-to peak value of a wobble signal; and, maintaining the optical pickup head being unchanged when the defective region is detected.

Abstract: An information recording medium including a plurality of sectors of the present invention includes: a first spare area including a spare sector for replacing a defective sector among the plurality of sectors; a defect management information area for managing the replacement of the defective sector by the spare sector; and a volume space in which user data can be recorded. The volume space is configured so that a second spare area including a spare sector for replacing a defective sector among the plurality of sectors can be additionally allocated. Location information indicating a location of the second spare area is recorded in the defect management information area.

Abstract: An optical data storage system for recording and/or reading, using a radiation beam, having a wavelength ?, focused onto a data storage layer of an optical data storage medium is described. The system comprises the medium having a cover layer that is transparent to the focused radiation beam, an optical head, including an objective having a numerical aperture NA, said objective including a solid immersion lens that is adapted for being present at a free working distance of smaller than ?/10 from an outermost surface of said medium. The optical head comprises a first adjustable optical element corresponding to the solid immersion lens, means for axially moving the first optical element and dynamically keeping constant the distance between cover layer and solid immersion tens, a second adjustable optical element, means for dynamically adjusting the second optical element for changing the focal position of the focal point of the focused radiation beam relative to an exit surface of the solid immersion lens.

Abstract: The present invention allows the usability of a write-once recording medium to be enhanced. The write-once recording medium is provided with an ordinary recording/reproduction area, an alternate area, a first alternate-address management information area (DMA) and a second alternate-address management information area (TDMA). In addition, written/unwritten state indication information (a space bitmap) is also recorded. The second alternate-address management information area is an area allowing alternate-address management information recorded therein to be renewed by adding alternate-address management information thereto. In addition, the written/unwritten state indication information indicates whether or not data has been recorded in each data unit (cluster) on the recording medium. Thus, it is possible to correctly execute management of defects and properly implement renewal of data in the write-once recording medium.

Abstract: A method of defect management is for use in recording information on a record carrier. A device for scanning a track on a record carrier reads blocks of information on logical addresses from corresponding physical addresses. The logical addresses are translated into the physical addresses in dependence on defect management information (54, 55) that includes defect information on a defective status of physical addresses and remapping information (56, 57, 58, 59) on translating a logical address initially mapped to an initial physical address to an alternate physical address. The method includes determining and additionally storing file remapping information (60) based on the defect management information and organized corresponding to files (51, 52), and retrieving the file remapping information (60) for retrieving defect management information (61, 62, 63) related to a file to be retrieved.

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 generating a position error signal for a desired radial position of a read/write head relative to a data track of a disk is disclosed. The track has a plurality of servo bursts defining a plurality of servo nulls for the track, and are positioned such that they are at more than four different radial positions relative to the track, and define a predetermined locus having a known position relationship with the track. The method comprises determining a target null position on the null locus corresponding to the radial position of the head relative to the track; detecting the position of the servo null with the head; determining from the detected servo null position the position error of the head relative to the target null position; and, generating a position error signal.

Abstract: The disk recording device of the present invention includes a recording means and a file system recording means. The recording means performs recording of an image signal upon a recordable type optical disk. The file system recording means includes an address information search means and an address information recording means. If the recording of the file system has failed, the address information recording means records the address information in the lead-in region, but does not thus record the address information if it is already recorded in the lead-in region, or the like.

Abstract: An optical disc of write once type, a method and an apparatus of managing defect information on the optical disc of write once type, e.g., a BD-WO, are provided with a temporary defect management area (TDMA). The method includes preparing the temporary defect management area (TDMA) in which a temporary defect list (TDFL) is recorded as defect management information for managing a defective area on the optical disc, recording the most recent temporary defect list cumulatively with the previous temporary defect list in the temporary defect management area, and recording position information for indicating a position of the most recent temporary defect list in the temporary defect management area along with the temporary defect list to more effectively manage the temporary defect list.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the usability of a write-once recording medium having a plurality of recording layers. The write-once recording medium has a plurality of recording layers each including a regular recording reproduction area, an alternate area, a first alternate-address management information area and a second alternate-address management information area (a TDMA). In addition, written unwritten state indication information (a space bitmap) is recorded therein. Typically, the written unwritten state indication information is recorded in the second alternate-address management information area. By additionally recording alternate-address management information related to an alternate-address process in the second alternate-address management information area, the second alternate-address management information area can be used as an area for implementing renewal of the alternate-address management information.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a read-only area having a first wobble, which is a data wobble formed in the read-only area for only reading, a readable/writable area having a second wobble, which is different from the data wobble, and a connection area between the read-only area and the readable/writable area having a third wobble having the same frequency as one of the first and second wobbles.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a read-only area having a first wobble, which is a data wobble formed in the read-only area for only reading, a readable/writable area having a second wobble, which is different from the data wobble, and a connection area between the read-only area and the readable/writable area having a third wobble having the same frequency as one of the first and second wobbles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracking error detection method for an optical storage system wherein an optical disk comprises a plurality of adjacent track portions with a radial track pattern in which a number n>2 of adjacent track portions repeatedly exhibit non-uniform radial track distances (TP1?TP2 . . . ?TPn), whereby the sum of said radial track distances (TP?=TP1+ . . . +TPn) is higher than the reciprocal optical cutoff ?/(2NA) of the optical disk drive. The method comprises projecting a plurality of (n) satellite light spots (S1, . . . , Sn; SL, SM) and one main spot (SR) onto said optical disk, each satellite spot being displaced in radial direction off the main spot by another one of half the radial track distances (TP1/2?TP1/2? . . . ?TPn/2), respectively, and generating push-pull signals (PP1, . . . ,PPn; PPL, PPM) for each satellite spot. The invention further relates to an optical disk drive implementing said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (201) for scanning an optical disc (202), such as a CD or DVD, the device (201) comprising a radial error detection unit (210) for determining a radial tracking error signal (e.g. a RPP or DTD-signal) while moving radially across a pattern (203) of substandially parallel data tracks on the disc (202). The hereby obtained periodic signal is analyzed by a tilt detection circuit (211) for detecting disc tilt. Each period of the periodic signal corresponds to a pitch of the data tracks. The tilt detection circuit (211) is arranged for detecting an asymmetry in the periodic signal. In an embodiment the asymmetry is detected by integrating the periodic signal over an integer number of periods.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information recording apparatus comprises a recording unit which records information in blocks in a rewritable medium, a buffer which stores recording information of blocks while performing update, and stops the update of information when the write error is detected, an identifying unit configured to play back recording information of the information recording medium corresponding to the blocks when the write error is detected, and to identify a block including a write error occurring position based on whether a playback of the recording information has succeeded or not, and a re-recording unit configured to re-record the block identified by the identifying unit.

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: Embodiments of the present invention provide a servo write medium, method and device for writing servo information by self servo write on the servo region formed from a flat section of the discrete track medium. The recording or write device yields the same servo characteristics as magnetic servo writing, is superior to pre-patterned servo, and delivers a greater write storage capacity with an even higher recording density. According to one embodiment, a self servo write method is used to write servo information on a flat section formed on a patterned disk on which discrete tracks are formed. Timing detection patterns (grooves) required for controlling the timing along the periphery during self servo write are formed by pre-patterning on the disk, and RRO error signals used for positioning control along the radius are written in the servo information on a flat section of the disk.

Abstract: Inspection with respect to a defect on a surface of a substrate with an inherent or partial wave-like distortion is performed with high accuracy in consideration with the fluctuation caused by the wave-like distortion detected by the defect in excess of the signal level. The substrate is diagonally illuminated while being rotated and moved toward one axial direction to detect the specular reflected light and the scattered light. Based on the detected signal waveform, the state with respect to the inherent or partial wave-like distortion is determined. When the wave-like distortion exists in the substrate, the waveform is divided, and the threshold value is set for the divided regions. The signal higher than the threshold value will be output or displayed as the defect.

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: In a device for detecting a focus error in controlling a position in an optical axis, a laser beam is split into first and second beam components, and one of the first and second beam components is diverged or converged. Then, the first and second beam components are superposed on each other, providing a single laser beam. The single laser beam is applied to an optical data-recording medium through an objective lens. The first laser beam component is focused on a first focusing point that is set at one side of the pinhole. The second beam component is focused on a second focusing point that is set at the other side of the pinhole.

Abstract: A tracking control is performed based on a first tracking error signal obtained from a first light beam reflected on an optical recording medium and a second tracking error signal obtained from a second light beam reflected on the optical recording medium. The first tracking error signal is corrected when recording information to or reproducing information from a first information recording layer that includes a first area facing an area on a second information recording layer with no information recorded and a second area facing an area on the second information recording layer with information recorded.

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: On existing DVD and CD players a control loop is required for the adaptation and timing recovery. For Two-Dimensional Optical Storage such a control loop has drawbacks because PRML detection in the form of a stripe-wise Viterbi detector is used. Such a detector introduces an increasing detection delay when going from the outer rows towards the center of the broad spiral. A feedback loop is arranged to determining an error signal from a first area of the data block where the first area is that area where the error signal can be determined within the shortest period of time. This reduces the duration of the detection step and thus increases the stability of the control loop.

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 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: An information recording medium is provided that includes a data area for recording user data and a defect management area for recording a defect list for managing N number of defect areas existing in the data area, where N is an integer satisfying N?0. The defect list includes two or more blocks, and further includes a header located at a fixed position in the defect list and N number of defect entries, located subsequent to the header, including position information on the respective positions of the N number of defect areas. An anchor is located subsequent to the defect entries, and the header includes first update times information representing the number of times that the defect list has been updated. The anchor includes second update times information representing the number of times that the defect list has been updated.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical apparatus capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier, e.g. a DVD or BD disk. The apparatus has control means for positioning/focusing a radiation beam (5) on the carrier and photo detection means for detection of radiation reflected from the carrier. Additionally, defect detection means (DEFO) for detection of surface defect areas (A1, A2) can indicate where surface defects, e.g. scratches etc., are present. Processing means are adapted for integrating, and preferably differentiate, error signals (RE, FE) immediately after the beam (5.b) is exiting a defect area (A1) for generating adaptive control signals (AD_RE, AD_FE). The optical system is adapted to apply the adaptive control signals (AD_RE, AD_FE) when the beam is positioned in the defect area (A1) again, thereby reducing off-track deviation as the beam (5.d) exits the defect area (A1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining if an optical disk originated from a valid source, the method and apparatus scanning one major surface of the optical disk for imperfections, storing the locations of the imperfections relative to a datum, comparing a parameter of each of the locations of the imperfections with corresponding parameters of a master disk of known source for determining if the disk originated from the source from which the master disk originated.

Abstract: In summary, when an optical record medium is to be played, the optical drive first determines which type of optical record medium is inserted based on detection of a few signals and execution of a few calibrations. These calibrations could fail sometimes, making the optical record medium completely unrecognisable or converging to bad settings, thereby decreasing the playability of the optical record medium. This problem is solved by using a new criterion to calibrate the optical drive and improve the playability of the optical record medium, which comprises analyzing the header information. This method is useful in all optical drive systems such as CD, DVD and blu-ray players.

Abstract: Provided is an optical pickup which can eliminate a problem of causing a focus error signal and a tracking error signal to fluctuate due to interference of a signal light beam with a return light beam from another recording surface of a multi-layer optical disc during reproduction, comprising: a laser source for emitting an optical beam, an objective lens for focusing the light beam onto the multi-layer optical disc, a polarizing grating located at a position through which a reflected light beam from the multi-layer optical disc passes, for branching the reflected beam into at least two light beams, that is, a 0-order light beam and a +1-order light beam having a direction of polarization which is orthogonal to that of the 0-order light beam, an optical detector for receiving the two light beams, a first light receiving zone which is provided in the optical detector, and onto which the 0-order light is irradiated, and a second light receiving zone which is provided in the optical detector and onto which the +

Abstract: A disc with a temporary defect management information area and a defect management area includes a defect management area that is present in at least one of a lead-in area, a lead-out area, and an outer area, a temporary defect information area which is formed in the data area and in which temporary defect information is recorded, and a temporary defect management information area which is present in at least one of the lead-in area, and the lead-out area. Accordingly, it is possible to record user data in a recordable disc, especially, a write-once disc, while performing defect management thereon, thereby enabling efficient use of a defect management area having a limited recording capacity.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for managing disc defects in a disc using a temporary defect management area in the disc, and the disc, where the method includes recording in a data area user data; and recording in a temporary defect management area, which is present in at least one of a lead-in area and a lead-out area, which temporary defect information and temporary defect management information regarding the user data recorded in the data area are recorded. Accordingly, the method and apparatus are applicable to recordable discs and capable of effectively using the defect management area.

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 a first track of the plurality of tracks, based on the physical address corresponding to the logical address included in the recording instruction and the track management information; determining whether or not the first track is a closed track; when the first track is determined to be the closed track, performing a process including: determining a second track different from the first track, the second track being an open track; determining as a next writable address a physical address indicating a location at which data can be recorded next in the second track, based on the last recorded address in the second track; pseudo-overwrite recording the data at the next writable address as a replacement location.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an optical drive system capable of reproducing/recording information from/to an optical carrier (30), wherein a position error and a speed error of a radiation spot (12, 53) on the carrier has been created due to an unreliable error signal which has been generated due to a surface defect (52). The method includes the steps of registering values of e.g. servo signals, determining the occurrence of a defect using a defect detector DEFO (22), generating a first and a second compensation signal and applying these compensation signals to the control system (10) of the optical drive system. The first compensation signal is capable of reducing the speed error and the second compensation signal is capable of reducing the position error. Thus, the application of the compensation signals immediately after the unreliable error signals reduces the position error and the speed error of the focussed radiation spot (12, 53).

Abstract: An optical pickup to be used for both DVD and CD is provided with an aberration correcting device using liquid crystal on an input side of an objective lens. A spherical aberration of a CD is corrected by using an electrode for DVD spherical aberration correction and electrodes for DVD astigmatism correction.

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: A device for recording digitally encoded video information records video segments and playback information for controlling the playback of the segments. The device has an error detection unit (32) for detecting recording errors, and a bridging unit for creating a bridge segment in the event of a detected recording error. The bridge segment (360,460) replaces the recorded video between an exit point in a segment before the detected recording error and an entry point in a segment after the recording error. The bridge segment (360,460) is recorded in a location in the track different from a location of the detected recording error. Further bridging playback information is recorded for controlling in playback mode to reproduce the encoded video up to the exit point via the bridge segment and continuing at the entry point.