Abstract: A method models and calibrates the fly height of a slider above the disk for disk drives. The calibration scheme uses the Wallace spacing loss equation and laser doppler velocimetry to predict fly height and detect the actual fly height of the slider. The slider is vibrated at selected resonances, such as by capacitive coupling to the disk, and the fly height is gradually reduced. In one version, contact between the slider and disk may be detected using an arm electronics sensor. The amplitude of mean-to-peak, vibration detection is used as an indication of the actual fly height and to calibrate the modeled fly height.

Abstract: A method is provided for recording visible marks on a recording medium using an input beam generated by an electromagnetic radiation source. The method comprises (a) substantially collimating the input beam to provide a substantially collimated beam, and (b) applying the substantially collimated beam to the recording medium to provide the visible mark on the recording medium.

Abstract: A super resolution medium (1) is provided with an information signal region (11) where a content, such as a video or audio content, is recorded and a test read region (12) where reproduction setting value adjustment information is recorded for adjusting a setting value for reproduction. A shortest mark length on a first prepit row formed in the information signal region (11) is shorter than a length of an optical system resolution limit of a playback apparatus. The types of mark lengths, recorded in the test read region (12), on the second prepit row for adjusting the setting value are the same as part or all types of mark lengths on the first prepit row. Further, the second prepit row includes a prepit having a mark length shorter than the length of the optical system resolution limit of the payback apparatus. Still further, each of the first and second prepit rows has at least three types of mark lengths.

Abstract: A data reproducing method reproducing data recorded in a super resolution information storage medium in a form of marks having magnitudes less than a resolving power of an incident light beam, and an apparatus thereof. The data reproducing method includes irradiating a first beam having a resolving power causing a super resolution phenomenon and a second beam having a resolving power not causing a super resolution phenomenon into different places on the information storage medium, detecting a first reproduction signal based on the first beam and a second reproduction signal based on the second beam, and compensating for and calculating a temporal delay between the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal. Therefore, a signal reflected from a peripheral area of a reproduction beam spot other than a super resolution area can be excluded, thereby improving reproduction signal characteristics.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of evaluating a recording and reproduction signal quality of a high density information recording medium by providing an index representing, in a detection signal including a plurality of pieces of edge shift information, how each edge is shifted.

Abstract: A test baseplate is configured to support and expose at least one storage device component to particle evacuation and particle analysis. The test baseplate includes a base having an upper surface that extends between an outer peripheral wall and an inner peripheral wall and having a lower surface defined by the inner peripheral wall. The test baseplate also includes a top clamp configured to be fastened to the upper surface of the base to secure the at least one storage device component to the base.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a data storage device includes a non-volatile storage media adapted to store data and a measurement circuit adapted to measure at least one performance parameter related to the storage device during operation. The data storage device further includes logic coupled to the measurement circuit and adapted to predict a failure associated with at least a portion of the non-volatile storage media when the measured performance parameter exceeds a threshold value and to optionally perform corrective action.

Abstract: Frequency response is characterized for mechanical components of a multirate system operating in a closed-loop environment. A disturbance is injected at the frequency of interest and at each of the alias frequencies thereof as an input into the multirate system, and a matrix equation composed of resulting measurements of the response of the multirate system is solved to compute the frequency response at the frequency of interest and at each of the alias frequencies. The resulting frequency response can be used to synthesize the transfer function of the entire system, which allows simulation and evaluation of the relative performance of multiple controller designs without the need for further frequency response measurements.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: Methods and structures for performing field flawscan to reduce manufacturing costs of a dynamic mapped storage device. In a dynamic mapped storage device in which all user supplied logical blocks are dynamically mapped by the storage device controller to physical disk blocks, features and aspects hereof permit flawscan testing of a storage device to be completed substantially concurrently with processing write requests for its intended application. A fraction of the storage device may be certified by an initial flawscan performed during manufacturing testing. Statistical sampling sufficient to assure a high probability of achieving specified capacity may be performed to reduce manufacturing time and costs in testing. Final flawscan of the remainder of the storage locations may be performed substantially concurrently with processing of write requests after the device is installed for its intended application.

Abstract: An apparatus including a photo detector circuit, a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit. The photo detector circuit may be configured to generate an RF signal in response to a laser spot on a surface of an optical disc. The first circuit may be configured to generate a first digital signal in response to an AC-coupled version of the RF signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate a second digital signal in response to a DC-coupled version of the RF signal. The third circuit may be configured to generate one or more detect signals in response to the first digital signal and the second digital signal. Each of the one or more detect signals may indicate a respective condition of the surface of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method for managing a storage system comprises ejecting a first drive in the storage system having a plurality of drives, in response to determining a fault associated with the first drive, wherein the ejecting takes place in response to a command issued by a management tool utilized for determining the fault associated with the plurality of drives in the storage system.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: A storage system is configured to determine a redundancy group configuration for a plurality of storage drives by grouping storage drives with a similar performance group designation together. When a storage drive is inserted, the storage system tests the performance of the storage drive. The storage drive may comprise a serial ATA (advanced technology attachment) (SATA) hard drive and/or a solid state drive. The storage system stores the result in a database. The storage system assigns the storage drive a performance group designation based on the result and groups the storage drive into a redundancy group. The storage system then displays the redundancy group configuration for the plurality of storage drives so that a storage administrator may configure the redundancy groupings of the storage drives of the storage system based on the redundancy group configuration displayed.

Abstract: The resistance against recording defects of a write-once optical disk is enhanced allowing realtime recording and playback of data streams with a single speed disk drive. A data stream is recorded in data blocks on the optical disk. An error correction block for one or more data blocks is generated and written on the same optical disk during recording. A spare data area is kept blank on the storage medium and used for storing a defect data block reconstructed by using the error correction block.

Abstract: A recording device including: a medium drive section configured to rotation-drive a disk recording medium, and write data to the disk recording medium through a head section; a determining section configured to determine whether the recording device is in a falling state when the medium drive section is in an idle state in which state the disk recording medium is rotation-driven and the head section is off a track; and a controlling section configured to make determination as to the falling state by the determining section when the determining section determines that the recording device is in the falling state, and when the determining section determines that the recording device is not in the falling state, controlling the medium drive section so as to set the medium drive section in an active state in which state the disk recording medium is rotation-driven to be in an accessible state and the head section is on track.

Abstract: An information recording medium is provided with: a recording area divided into a plurality of partial areas; and an information area for recording therein (i) management information for managing recording conditions of the plurality of partial areas at least for each of the plurality of partial areas and (ii) reliability information for indicating reliability of the management information for each of the plurality of partial areas.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determining the location of a plurality of laser spots, comprising: determining a first distance of a first laser spot; determining a second distance of the first laser spot; determining a first distance of a second laser spot; determining a second distance of the second laser spot; and adjusting, if necessary, the locations of the first and second laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to write strategy modification, and in particular, to dynamic write strategy modification. A dynamic write strategy modification method comprises: writing a plurality of data on to an optical disk according to a writing strategy with at least three parameters; measuring at least two quality indices of the data wrote on the optical disk; storing a result comprising the parameters and the corresponding quality indices; judging whether a terminate condition is achieved; if no, changing the parameters and repeating the above steps; if yes, analyzing the stored results and outputting an optimal writing strategy with at least three optimal parameters.

Abstract: In order to set optimum laser power for a disk smoothly and appropriately with a small number of times of test writing, an integrated value Sn is obtained from each kind of laser power Pwn set for the test writing and the modulation factor m(Pwn) of a reflection light intensity obtained through the test writing with the laser power Pwn using an expression “Sn=m(Pwn)×Pwn2”, laser power Pwth is obtained at which the modulation factor m(Pwn) becomes zero when relational characteristics of the integrated value Sn and the laser power Pwn are linearly approximated, and optimum laser power Pw is set based on the laser power Pwth. Here, the optimum laser power Pw is obtained from the target ? value of the disk using an expression “Pw=Pwth×{1+1/(?+1)}”. The target ? value is obtained from an ADIP of the disk.

Abstract: A disk device which performs recording and reproduction of an audio-visual signal for an optical disk, includes: a determination unit for determining whether an optical disk loaded into the disk device is an unrecorded disk; a reading unit for reading arbitrary ASCII code recorded in advance at the head of an ECC block of a PCA on the optical disk, when the determination unit determines that the optical disk loaded into the disk device is an unrecorded disk; and an adjustment unit for appropriately adjusting a defocused positioning of an optical pickup, so that jitter of an RF signal read by the optical pickup is minimized at the head of the ECC block, when the arbitrary ASCII code is recorded in advance at the head of the ECC block of the PCA on the optical disk.

Abstract: An optical disk that has a BCA, from which data can be reproduced even if the BCA has defects. The data format of the BCA comprises a plurality of sub-data units and coupling codes, each coupling two adjacent sub-data units. The sub-data units contain the same data. To reproduce the data, the sub-data units are checked for errors. The data recorded in any sub-data unit that has no errors is reproduced and output to a next stage circuit connected to the optical disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing an information signal on and from an optical disc includes a memory. The information signal is written into the memory. The information signal is read out from the memory. An optical head generates a laser beam in response to the readout information signal, and applies the laser beam to the optical disc to record the readout information signal on the optical disc. A test signal is recorded on a position of the optical disc near a recording position thereof via the optical head during the writing of the information signal into the memory. The test signal is reproduced from the optical disc. The reproduced test signal is evaluated to generate an evaluation result An intensity of the laser beam is optimized in response to the evaluation result.

Abstract: User data is recorded in succession to the recording of a guard block on a next recording layer when the user data is recorded with a recording position shifted from one recording layer to the next recording layer. If a record start position of the user data is learned beforehand in the next recording layer, the guard block is formed on the next recording layer prior to the recording of the user data. In other words, when recording layer shifting is performed, an area ahead of the recording position of the user data becomes the guard block so that a replay signal for use in a pre-replay process is obtained beforehand in the replaying of the user data.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a WORM storage system, the method including a sector-append capability. The method includes receiving data to be written to a WORM storage system. In addition, the method includes identifying a target sector at which the data is to be written. Also, the method includes determining if the received data can be added to the target sector. Moreover, the method includes adding the received data to the target sector if it is determined that the received data can be added to the target sector.

Abstract: A storage media housing device includes a housing means (1) for housing storage media; a position detecting section (2) detecting a position of the housing means (1); a transfer means (3) for transferring the housing means (1) to a desired position on command; a control means (4) for outputting a transfer control signal to the transfer means (3) so as to transfer the housing means (1) to the desired position; a compare means (5) for comparing the desired position of the housing means (1) based on the transfer control signal controlled by the control means (4) and the detected position of the housing means (1) detected by a position detecting means (6); and the position changing means (6) for changing the transfer control signal of the control means (4) based on the compared result of the compare means (5) and for changing the transfer position of the housing means (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of writing data to a disc (OD). The method comprising a) performing a writing action in which a first data portion is written to the disc; a2) deciding to perform b) or not and b) verifying at least part of the first data portion that is written to the disc and deciding to replace the first data portion that is written to the disc or not. Finally the method comprises c) performing a further writing action in which a second data portion is written to the disc.

Abstract: An apparatus which stabilizes an operation of a disc driver in a mode conversion setting section includes a pickup which reads information from a disc that is inserted into the disc driver, a filter which performs a low-pass filtering of a servo error signal that is generated during an operation of the pickup, a selector which selects one of the servo error signal and the low-pass filtered servo error signal from the filter and outputs the selected servo error signal to drive the pickup using the selected servo error signal, and a control signal generator which generates a signal to control the selector to select the low-pass filtered servo error signal in a mode conversion setting section of the disc driver. Accordingly, a defocus and a detrack can be prevented in the mode conversion setting section of the disc driver.

Abstract: An abnormality in text data recorded on a CD conforming CD-TEXT format is detected so that a proper display can be created. In the case of text data recorded in a double-byte character code (step 1002), if the text data is XX 00 (step 1006) or 00 XX (step 1008), it is determined that abnormality has been detected. Alternatively, a character position is determined by counting recorded characters, and the character position is compared with recorded character position information to detect the presence or absence of abnormality.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a first area generating unit generating, in a storage medium, a first recording area to which first stream data is recorded; a second area generating unit generating, in the storage medium, a second recording area to which second stream data different from the first stream data is repeatedly overwrite-recorded; a management information recording unit recording, to the storage medium, management information managing the first and second recording areas; a data recording unit recording the second stream data to the second recording area; a management information managing unit updating the management information when the second stream data is recorded, to set a partial area which is a segment of the second recording area and prevent the number of the partial areas from exceeding a predetermined value; and an area transfer unit transferring, to the first recording area, the second stream data recorded in the second recording area.

Abstract: An optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present invention determines the state of recording of an optical disc on the basis of the detection period of longest pits recorded on the optical disc wherein the period is changed with the acceleration of the rotation of the optical disc until a predetermined rotation speed is achieved. This enables rapidly determining whether the optical disc is unrecorded disc or a recorded disc.

Abstract: A method for optical shape recording and/or evaluation of optically smooth, glossy or optically rough surfaces wherein a photometric stereo method and a deflectometric method are combined using a scattering body so that the positions on the scattering body surface are two-dimensionally encoded.

Abstract: A signal quality evaluation method is provided that can objectively evaluate signal quality regardless of a PRML detection method used. The signal quality evaluation method is used when recording and reading is performed by irradiating a medium with a laser beam having a wavelength of ? through an objective lens having a numerical aperture of NA. In the signal quality evaluation method, information of the difference between an ideal signal recoded in the medium and a real signal obtained by irradiating the medium with the laser beam is statistically analyzed for each signal level of the ideal signal. The evaluation of the quality of the real signal is made using the statistics obtained by the statistical analysis.

Abstract: An information storage medium, a replacement information management method, a recording/reproducing apparatus, and a host apparatus are provided. The information storage medium includes: a defect list for storing replacement entries having replacement information related to replacement of defects detected in data recorded on the medium or replacement to update data recorded on the medium, wherein at least one replacement entry having invalid replacement information among the replacement entries stored in the defect list is deleted. Accordingly, an overflow of the defect list can be prevented and the size of the defect list can be minimized, thereby increasing medium usage efficiency.

Abstract: A method for performing optimal recording power calibration (OPC) on a recording medium, such as a DVD-RW, is characterized by flagging the address of the last test data. The method enables a recording position of the last test data to be quickly retrieved by recording position information of a power calibration area, in which the last test data is recorded, and indication information (such as a flag bit) indicating the recording position information is the last test data, in a specific area of the recording medium, such as the second field (field 1) of the format 1 RMD (recording management data). Such a method shortens the processing time prior to the OPC, and does not require the recorder to employ registers to determine the address of the last test data.

Abstract: A hard disk drive system comprises N hard disk drive means for performing hard disk drive functions and is connected in a daisy chain, wherein N is greater than one. The system includes integrated system test (IST) means for testing and that is integrated with a first one of the N hard disk drive means and includes pattern generating means for generating test pattern data and pattern monitoring means for receiving a returned test pattern. The pattern generating means generates test pattern data that is routed from the first one of the N hard disk drive means serially through the remaining ones of the N hard disk drive means and back to the first one of the N hard disk drive means. The pattern monitoring means generates test result data based on returned test data returned to the first one of the N hard disk drive means.

Abstract: An open-loop test procedure under high rotating speed is entered to compute a first TE crossing track number. The first TE crossing track number greater than a first threshold indicates an unbalanced disc and results in a low-speed reading procedure. On the other hand, the first TE crossing track number less than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value indicates a normal disc and results in a high-speed reading procedure. When the first TE crossing track number lies between the first and second threshold values, another open-loop test procedure under low rotating speed is entered to compute a second TE crossing track number. A low-speed reading procedure is performed when the second TE crossing track number is greater than a third threshold value, and a high-speed reading procedure is performed when the second TE crossing track number is less than the third threshold value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of setting up a bit error rate (BER) criterion and an apparatus and method of performing a burn-in test using the method of setting up the BER criterion. The method of setting the BER criterion includes measuring temperatures of hard disc drives (HDDs), and changing a BER criterion in which, if the measured temperature of the HDD is higher than an optimum temperature for a burn-in test, a new BER criterion having a value greater than the BER criterion of the optimum temperature is set up, and, if the measured temperature of the HDD is lower than an optimum temperature for a burn-in test, a new BER criterion having a value less than the BER criterion of the optimum temperature is set up.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure jitter of a signal read from an optical disk includes a binarization unit to binarize an input signal to generate a binary signal, an ideal signal generator to generate a noise-free ideal signal based on channel characteristics of the optical disk, and a jitter measurement unit to measure jitter of the input signal based on the binary signal and the ideal signal.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a performance determining unit measuring recording speeds on each of unit data sizes recorded by plural kinds of access pattern to a storing device and generating performance information indicating results of the measurement; a recording request receiving unit receiving a recording request including data to be recorded on the storing device and information of size of said data; and a recording control unit selecting an access pattern corresponding to higher recording speed as well as the information of data size included in the recording request from the performance information and instructing the storing device to perform a recording process using the selected access pattern.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for transferring data files representing a digital motion picture to a motion picture system within a theater in a single step. More specifically, the techniques allow a user to press one button to initiate the transfer, or upload, of a plurality of data files stored on a data tape to a predetermined location within a data storage device within the theater. The single input from the user frees the user from completing the plurality of steps needed to manually select a desired data file from the data tape and find the location to transfer the data file. Instead, the data tape or user system may automatically identify the entire plurality of data files and the predetermined location at which to store the plurality of data files. The techniques facilitate the distribution of motion pictures from motion picture studios to theaters using magnetic tape media.

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 system for page-based optical data storage includes a sensor array positioned to track a data page when the data page is optically read from or recorded to a storage medium. A servo mechanism is used to position the sensor array. A plurality of alignment points are defined relative to the photodetector pixel array. An alignment arrangement is located at each alignment point. The sensor array further includes servo-feedback signal generation logic operative to drive the servo mechanism based on error signals from the alignment arrangements, thereby aligning the two-dimensional photodetector array with respect to the two-dimensional data page.

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: In an evaluation device and an evaluation system, the level of base power is set higher than that in an optimal recording condition at a set room temperature and lower than the level of bias power. In particular, the level of the base power is set so that the jitter value of a recording mark and a blank, which is formed in a required high temperature environment, during reproduction in the high temperature environment becomes minimum. By evaluating the recording characteristic of a recording mark and a blank formed by irradiation of recording laser light in the form of a pulse train, the recording characteristic of an optical recording medium in high-speed recording in high temperature environment is evaluated.

Abstract: A control system determines read performance of an optical storage device according to lock performance of a re-timing signal. The control system includes a filtering and re-timing unit for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal and outputting the re-timing signal and an un-corrected output signal, an error correction unit for receiving the un-corrected output signal and correcting an error bit according to a Reed-Solomon algorithm to generate a corrected output signal, a lock performance detector for receiving the re-timing signal and detecting the lock performance of the re-timing signal and then outputting a lock performance index, and a servo control loop for receiving the RF signal and the lock performance index and thus generating a servo control signal. When the lock performance index does not reach a threshold value, the servo control loop loads other control parameters to improve the read performance of the optical storage device.

Abstract: One method for playing a disk, comprises illuminating a first portion of the optical article with a first laser to obtain a first optical signal, wherein the first laser has a first wavelength, illuminating a second portion with a second laser to obtain a second optical signal, wherein the second laser has a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength, and determining if the optical article is authentic by comparing the first optical signal and the second optical signal.

Abstract: A method of recoding information on a reproduction-only optical information storage medium, including: forming a plurality of areas and at least one transition area on the reproduction-only optical information storage medium. Each transition area is located between two adjacent areas. The transition area allows data to be smoothly reproduced from the reproduction-only optical information storage medium at a low error generation rate. Also, since the optical information storage medium provides standards for the transition area, it is compatible with existing optical information storage media.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information recording/reproducing apparatus that includes a first and a second recording/reproducing modules, a buffer memory to store information temporally, and a control module that switches between a first mode and a second mode when the information is dubbed from the first recording/reproducing module to the second recording/reproducing module. In the first mode, information in the first recording/reproducing module is reproduced and stored in the buffer memory. In the second mode, the information stored in the buffer memory is recorded in the second recording/reproducing module. The apparatus further includes a temperature detecting module. Depending on the temperature detected by this module, the apparatus changes the movement of the second recording/reproducing module in the first mode and the movement of the first recording/reproducing module in the second mode.